The Astronomy Tower
Hermione pulled a huge, dusty book out of her bag and set it down on her lap.
“I found something in the library the other day I wanted to show you.”
“Of course you did.” Draco said.
He was staring out the astronomy window, watching the sun sink on the horizon. He’d spent the day dodging classes and skipping dinner, spending his day in the room of hidden things instead. Hermione met him in the tower after dinner, like she often did now, and had smuggled him some cold turkey from dinner.
“Come here,” Hermione said.
Draco sighed and took a seat next to Hermione and her gigantic book. She flipped through the thin pages with tiny print on them, an anthology of magical court cases in the last century.
“Here.” Hermione put her finger down. “Mr. Nathaniel R. Courgette. He was a well-known politician and lawyer at the time. He joined the Death Eaters at the beginning of the last war, a sought-after addition to His team. At the end of the war, he was let off of pretty much all charges because of this.” Hermione pointed at the page.
“What is it?”
“It’s a letter of admittance he wrote before the war. It says that he was forced to join the Death Eaters with threats they would kill his family. In the letter, he pledges to stay true to the ministry as long as he can while still protecting his family. He promises not to kill anyone, or to send any important information to the Death Eaters. He then had it signed by the minister for magical defense, who was a close friend and aware of the situation, and by another friend who was also recruited, and later died for not cooperating.”
“How’s that supposed to help me?” Draco asked.
“Write a letter. Explain you had to join or they’d kill you and your mum. Promise not to hurt anyone, or anything.”
Draco turned white. “But he had important people sign it, allies on the ministry’s side. No one’s going to believe just me.”
“I’ll sign it.” Hermione said.
“What?”
“A muggle born you’re close to, who believes in you, that will look good on paper. Plus, if there is a war, I’ll be on the front lines next to Harry. I’m already trusted in some important groups. It will work.”
“What do you mean you’ll be on the front lines, I thought you’d go into hiding or something.”
Hermione laughed. “Of course not, I’m going to fight with Harry and The Order.”
Draco sat back. “You’d really sign a confession for me?”
“Of course, I believe in you.” Hermione smiled.
Draco stood up and went back to the window. “I thought we said we weren’t going to talk about this stuff?”
“Sorry, I just want to help.”
“I know, but I just want to forget about it.”
“Isn’t there any way you can get out of whatever they’re making you do? You’re still just a kid. You can’t even do magic outside of Hogwarts yet.”
“Please, drop it.”
Hermione stood up and went to Draco at the window. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and together they stood looking out the window.
“What are you doing for Christmas?” Hermione asked.
“I think I’m staying here, I don’t know yet. Something might come up that means I’ll be at the manor. But for now, I’m staying here. You? I’m assuming you aren’t going to the burrow anymore.”
“No, I’m going home to see Mom and Dad. I’m hoping Dad will stop by for a bit as well, but I don’t want to keep my hopes up. He hasn’t said anything.”
Hermione leaned against Draco’s chest and he hugged her tighter.
“There you are again.” She pointed out the window at the stars, the constellation Draco shining in front of them.
Draco chuckled. “Do you remember that night? It feels like lifetimes away now. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if you had been with your dad as a child. We’d have grown up together, I guess. Being your dad’s God Son.”
Hermione turned around and hugged Draco. “You’d have been like the brother I never had.”
Draco stroked her hair. “Probably for the best. You’d be stuck in the same mess I am.”
Hermione stroked Draco’s cheek. She could feel his stubble starting to grow, he’d been too busy to shave.
“Are you going to Slughorn’s Christmas party?” she asked.
“No. I don’t think he wants to be seen meeting with my sort. I suppose you’re going with Harry.”
Hermione sighed and leaned against the window. “I took a page from your book. I’m being a bit of a brat to get some attention.”
“I don’t do that.” Draco said.
Hermione raised her eyebrows.
“Still trying to piss off Weasley?”
“Well yes, and also my Dad, and Harry a bit.”
“Who’d you ask.”
“Cormac McLagen.”
Draco laughed.
“I know.”
“You know, if you really wanted to piss everyone off you could have asked me.”
“Really, I was sure you’d say no. Secrecy and protection and all that.”
“I know. But McLagen? Really?”
“Shut up.”