Chapter 1: Chapter I
Chapter Text
He wasn't sure how long he had been walking. His feet screamed in protest with each step. His left arm, sliced and ribboned, throbbed as he gripped his wand tightly. The mud under his feet sloshes as the rain pelting down on him begins to trickle. The safe house shouldn't be much farther, but he wasn't sure if he was going to make it. It was taking every ounce of his magic to keep him upright, to keep his breathing even as his cracked ribs fluttered against his torso.
When was the last time he had eaten? When did he run out of water? Where the fuck was this so-called safe house? George Weasley had told him in the middle of the battle about the location, and maybe he had misunderstood him, or perhaps this was what they had planned. To lure him, the Dark Lord's right hand, into a trap. His leg shakes, his steps falter slightly as a small light breaks through the rain and the darkness. Fuck, he couldn't breathe.
"Malfoy?" He wanted to laugh, he really did, but the sound that escaped him was more of a whimper as his legs finally gave out from under him. Harry fucking Potter, ever the Savior, rushes forward, his wand pointed at him, as he is joined by other members of the Order. Draco Malfoy smirked as he glanced up from the muddy earth, his eyes squinting as more wands were raised. It was about time.
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"Someone needs to call Remus."
"Merlin, look at his arm."
"Death Eater scum."
"We should kill him right here and now."
"No, Ronald."
"Scarhead," he says before he lets out a small chuckle. His body twitches as his wand slips through his fingers, and he falls forward. A woman's voice screams out as his world turns black.
Hermione
Five years. That was how long they had been fighting Voldemort and his Death Eaters. During the Battle of Hogwarts, after Harry had gone into the Forbidden Forest by himself, after Narcissa Malfoy had lied to the 'Dark Lord,' and after Neville destroyed the last Horcrux, the Maledictus Nagini, Tom Riddle ran, retreating with his Death Eaters without so much as a fight. The courtyard was silent, other than Draco Malfoy screaming for his mother as her body lay frozen on the ground. His father hissed at him, glancing one last time at the body of his wife before he dragged Malfoy back, disapparating out of sight.
Narcissa Malfoy had saved Harry's life, but paid the ultimate price. Her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, had sliced her throat the moment Harry jumped out of Hagrid's arms. The deranged witch cackled after murdering her without blinking before wrapping herself around her Master's arm, cooing under his touch as he sneered down at the Malfoy matriarch. Hermione felt sick as she watched Malfoy fight against his father's hold, his nails drawing blood as he tried to break free, to join his mother's side. After the dust cleared and the fog lifted, Hermione, with shaking hands, forced Narcissa's eyes shut, brushing the hair out of her face before covering her body with a white sheet. Harry and Ron watched on in silence, their faces passive and cold as she said a small prayer, thanking the witch for her sacrifice.
With Voldemort and his Death Eaters on the run, Kingsley and the Order brought structure back to the Ministry, arresting those sympathetic to the Dark. Hogwarts, now with Minerva McGonagall as the Headmistress, was rebuilt, its wards strengthened, and within a year, it was accepting students again. Harry, Hermione, and Ron, alongside the Order and Dumbledore's Army, waited on the sidelines, planning and prepping for Riddle's return. Yes, the battle was over, but the war had not ended.
It was the whispers that they heard first of the Dark Lord returning, stronger than ever, with a new army. Witches and wizards in other countries, in fear of Muggles, joined his side with the promise of a new world order. Then came the explosion at St. Mungo's. Hermione had just left for the day, her shoulders tired from volunteering before she was thrown to the ground. When she came to, she was in a makeshift hospital tent. Harry came to her side, tears stained on his face as he told her of the damage, the lives lost. St. Mungo's was gone, leveled to the ground, stained with the blood of the Healers and patients under the rubble.
Neville, who had been there visiting his parents, sobbed in the cot next to her, his wails growing louder with each breath as Alice and Frank Longbottom were pulled from the wreckage. Like Hermione, he had been leaving when the bomb had gone off, throwing him to the ground, burning the back of his legs as the fire roared around the building. His legs would heal, but Hermione wasn't sure if he would ever recover mentally.
As Minister, Kingsley stood in front of the people, promising to bring the person responsible to justice, only to fall to a killing curse shot from across the crowd as his last promise echoed around them. Chaos ensued, pops of disapparating ringing out around them as Death Eaters crawled out from behind the shadows. Hermione grabbed the back of Harry and Ron's shirts, pulling them back as they tried to rush into the battle. It was by sheer dumb luck that she was able to get them out of there and to one of the Order's safe houses.
Remus Lupin, who had cheated death, stood in the middle of the Headquarters, his face grim as he folded his hands behind him. He made a pledge to lead them to victory, that Kingsley's death would not be in vain, before appointing new branch leaders to every safe house. The Order had grown since the Battle of Hogwarts, with branches throughout Europe, Africa, and North America. The Golden Trio, the faces of the Order, were kept close to Headquarters, advising, planning, and training alongside the younger generation.
Soon, the war began, marked by a surge in raids and deaths on both sides. Hermione could feel her compassion and warmth disappearing as time went on. Now, after five years, she is one of the top duelist for the Order. For the first few years, their side did not aim to kill. However, after Ginny's death, Harry, Ron, and Hermione lost all hope of justice and now had probably as many kills under their belts and blood on their hands as some of the most seasoned Death Eaters.
When the Wards rippled around them, signaling to someone stepping through them, Hermione jumped out of her bed, grabbing her wand as she rushed out the door.
"Who the fuck triggered the wards?" Harry asked as he caught up to her. Ron, already at the entrance, squints out into the dark, his eyes scanning the horizon as she and Harry join him. Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, and Blaise Zabini stood at the ready behind them as they collectively held their breath. Did the Death Eaters find them? They had sent out over half of the camp on missions, so now the seven of them were the only ones there to defend those healing inside from the last raid. Harry stiffens beside her before breaking into a run. Ron calls out after him before they share a look. In seconds, they follow behind him, the light of his wand bouncing with each stride.
Then the world seems to fall silent as they reach him. On the ground, beaten, bloody, soaking wet, and covered in mud, is Draco Malfoy. Harry keeps a wand on him as Neville holds Zabini back, silencing him before he can call out to his former friend. After Voldemort's retreat, the Slytherins left behind were given a choice: join the Order or face the consequences. Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, the Greengrass sisters, and many others chose option number one. It took some time, but eventually they became valuable members of the Order.
"Malfoy?" She could feel Harry's anger rising as his grip on his wand tightened. They had heard about Draco Malfoy and what he had done to rise through the ranks of the Death Eaters, becoming Voldemort's right-hand after Bellatrix was killed. There were whispers that Draco had done it, torturing his aunt till she was no longer laughing, flaying and setting her on fire while still alive before impaling her on the metal gates of Lestrange Manor, but nothing was ever proven.
"Scarhead." His voice cracks, the deep timber sends a chill down Hermione's spine before his eyes flutter, and he falls forward into the mud. Zabini breaks out of Neville's hold, falling to his knees beside the wizard, turning his head to keep him from drowning in the rainwater. Time seemed to stand still before Remus steps through the group, his hands folded behind him as he lets out a sigh.
"George told me that Malfoy was defecting, but honestly, I didn't want to believe him," the werewolf says, motioning for Zabini and Neville to bring Malfoy back to camp. Ron mumbled angrily under his breath as Harry and Hermione watched as Malfoy's body was levitated off the ground. A second goes by before Harry takes a deep breath.
"Back to camp for debriefing," Remus calls, shaking his leg to rid the mud from the bottom of his boot as he enters the second layer of wards. The Golden Trio share a look before they follow behind the rest of the group, flinching at the sight of Malfoy's blood soaking into the earth.
Zabini, Neville, and Luna disappear with Malfoy behind the double doors leading to the Healers Wing while the rest of the Kings Camp file into the large training room. Remus, with a crumpled piece of parchment in his hand, along with Robards, who had apparated from Headquarters, stands at the front, waiting patiently as the rest of the group finds a place to sit. Harry shuts the door behind him before taking a spot next to Robards, his face void of all emotions as Remus clears his throat and unfolds the parchment.
"Right, at 0700 yesterday, George Weasley sent word through the back channels of a defector, someone high in the Death Eater ranks. He said the person came to him with valuable information, leading to a successful raid in Paris. There were no casualties, and we were able to capture fifteen Death Eaters, along with two of his high-ranking lieutenants. Obviously, we now know that the defector was Draco Lucius Malfoy, or as he is known in Riddle's army, the General." There are a few whispers, but with a glare from Robards, the room falls silent again as Remus continues.
"From what I can tell in the report, Malfoy has been helping the Order from the shadows for the last few years with George and Ginny Weasley as his handlers. After Ginny's death, Malfoy had to cut off communication to keep appearances and to keep suspicion off of him. It was a few days ago when Malfoy reached out to George for the first time in months to request sanctuary. His cover was blown after he tried to kill Dolohov. Apparently, Dolohov has been torturing and experimenting on Lucius Malfoy. He then dragged, Merlin, Lucius in front of the top-ranking Death Eaters, young Malfoy, and Riddle to show off his new curse. Draco watched as his father's skin was burned off from the inside while alive and conscious."
"Fucking hell," Dean says as the rest of the group shares a look of horror. Lucius Malfoy, who was once one of Voldemort's top players, had not been seen since the death of his wife. Word had gotten to them that while his son was rising through the ranks, the Malfoy Patriarch was in self-isolation, locked away in his wing at Malfoy Manor.
"George said that Malfoy didn't go into detail with what happened next, only that he would explain the events to follow after he is granted asylum in the Order."
"Are we really going to allow him to stay?" Ron asks, his face white as a sheet, but his anger still rumbling just beneath the surface. Remus gives him a look before nodding. Hermione doesn't listen to the rest of the conversation, her mind thinking back to that day at Hogwarts, the look of fury on Malfoy's face as he was pulled away from the courtyard. She could only imagine what he had gone through, with his mother killed and his father a shell of the man he used to be.
"Look, we will confiscate his wand, put some magic dampening cuffs on him, and then once we interrogate him, we will have a vote," Remus says, his voice loud and commanding, breaking out over the cries of protests and shouts from Ron and Seamus Finnegan.
"If he lives," Hermione says, her voice barely a whisper as she crosses her arms over her chest. The room falls silent as they turn to her.
Before anyone could respond, Zabini joins the room, his hands covered in blood, his face sullen as he stumbles slightly. Harry catches him, helping him settle as Remus steps in front of him. She could see tears forming in his eyes before a sob caught in his throat.
"He's alive." Zabini sobs, his body shaking as Harry and Remus share another look. Luna, in her Healer robes, steps into the room, Malfoy's blood soaking into the sleeves. She passes a paper file to Remus, whispering slightly to the small group in the front. The color in Harry's face drains as the Ravenclaw witch describes Malfoy's injuries. Hermione found herself leaning forward, trying to catch some of the words, but with a groan, she leaned back, her eye twitching at the muffliato charm thrown around them.
Luna steps forward, pulling Zabini by the sleeve of his robe as Remus drops the charm, turning his attention back to the group. Hermione could feel the sweat forming on her brow as the room fell silent. Ron's anger pulsated next to her as Harry looked down at his feet. Their leader glances over at the small witch, motioning for her to speak.
"Draco will need time to heal before we can interrogate him. I won't go into details, but his Dark Mark destroyed his left arm, possibly a curse that Riddle put in place to guard against traitors. I had to amputate his arm so that it wouldn't spread into his chest, and he will need help through the healing process. He has some broken ribs and a shattered clavicle. I had to give him a potion to grow some of his teeth and fingernails back. I'm not sure when it was done, but it appears they were forcibly removed recently. He has lost over a third of his blood and is in a magically induced coma." Hermione could feel the tension in the air as she turned her attention to Ron, shocked that he looked just as horrified and disgusted as she did.
Even though Malfoy had been their enemy, he had never killed any of them. On the battlefield, he was almost always a step back from the fighting, keeping his shields up, barking orders, and strategizing on the sidelines, only occasionally sending a hex towards someone who got a bit too close. However, he never went for a kill. Hermione had never heard the Unforgivable escape from behind his teeth. Slicing and burning, sure, but nothing that couldn't be healed by a trainee Healer at camp.
"I want the additional patrols and wards put up tonight. Robards and I will head back to Headquarters. We might need to abandon this camp and set up elsewhere. I will be back in the morning. Let me know if Malfoy wakes up before then. Those who are not on patrol, get some rest, constant vigilance." Without another word, ignoring the protests from Ron and Dean, Remus and Robards head towards the Floo, whispering amongst themselves as Harry leans against the wall.
"Harry, you aren't seriously agreeing to keeping Malfoy here, are you?" Ron says, his voice dripping with venom as he gets to his feet. Harry shrugs, his hands shaking slightly, before he pushes away from the wall. The two meet halfway, glaring at each other in silence as Hermione gripped her wand, ready to intervene if needed.
"That is enough. Ron, you are leading patrol tonight, get some of the trainees and head outside," Hermione says, stepping between her friends, pushing against their chests. Luna and Zabini nod at her, leaving the room, presumably back to the Healing wing of Camp to monitor Malfoy. Neville steps next to Ron, tugging his arm, telling him to stop before leading him out of the room, Dean and Seamus trailing just behind them. Harry lets out a frustrated groan, running his hands through his hair before sinking to the floor.
"Tell me what to do, Hermione," he says, his voice cracking as he tucks his head between his knees. Hermione sighs, squatting down beside him, rubbing his back as she tries to think of the words to comfort her friend. Ron would eventually come around, but he would make it everyone's problem until then. After a decade of friendship, Hermione and Harry were used to his fits and his bipolar tendencies.
"We survive, just like we always do." Harry chuckled dryly, leaning into her touch as the ripple of the wards signaled Ron and his group heading out to do their rounds. He takes one last deep breath before standing to his feet, pulling Hermione with him before wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"You can never leave me. I cannot put up with Ron and Malfoy by myself." The room and the hallways fill with Hermione's laugh as the rain falls silent against the metal roof. The sounds of the night fill the air as magic seeps further into the damp ground, unbeknownst to those in camp, fortifying the wards and keeping them hidden from their enemies.
TBC.
Chapter 2: Chapter II
Notes:
This chapter was smaller than the first. Had a few meetings at work and my brain had to much going on to write anymore. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me so far. WIthout further ado, chapter 2.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Draco
It was the smell of potions and the light scent of bleach that pulled him out of his sleep. His eyes fluttered, pressure building from inside his skull as he squinted towards the bright lights hanging overhead. An unfamiliar magic simmered around him, spreading warmth through his limbs before the pain registered. His throat felt as if he had swallowed acid, his legs were numb and tightly bound, and his nerves burned beneath the surface. His breathing quickens as he looks down, a gasp catching in his throat when he finds his left arm gone, a bandaged stump just below his shoulder in its place.
"Hello, Draco." Her voice is warm, familiar, and as much as he hated to admit it, it took a minute to remember the witch walking over to his bed. Luna Lovegood, still the size of a pixie but hardened by war, stops at the foot of his bed with her dreamy signature smile. Where was his wand? What happened? Fuck. He could feel tears forming in his eyes as another figure walked over, joining Lovegood's side.
"You look like shit, mate." Draco lets out a wet chuckle as Blaise Zabini steps around the witch and to the head of the bed. The Italian wizard leans down, pressing his forehead to his, thanking Merlin that he was alive and safe.
"I still look better than you," Draco says, his voice cracking as Blaise helps him sit up. Blaise chuckles, gripping his right hand tightly as Lovegood waves her wand over him. He flinches but relaxes as the warmth of her magic wraps around him.
"Not possible, Fratello ." As Lovegood cancels the spell, Draco's memories begin to return. He could feel his pulse racing as he remembered his father, dying slowly and painfully in front of him, Dolohov cackling while the Dark Lord sat high on his throne over his Death Eater, smug at the death of his biggest disappointment. He could remember the fear in the older wizard's eyes as Draco stepped out, his wand raised against him before being blasted back into the stone wall. He could remember the sounds, the smells, the laughter as Death Eaters who once looked up to him took turns yanking out his teeth and fingernails, breaking his bones, slicing his skin, and then the curse. He didn't know that the Dark Lord had made a change to the magic in their Dark Marks. It felt as if it was alive, eating away at his nerves, magic and skin as it slowly blackened and split up from the bone to the muscles.
Lovegood calls for a calming draught as Draco's body seizes. The memories ruthlessly flooded back, turning his vision white before the world falls silent again as a potion is forced down his throat. He could hear Blaise swearing as Lovegood watched him carefully. His eyes begin to focus as his heartbeat slows. His ribs burn, screaming in protest as he takes a deep breath. The world felt like it was moving slower as his eyes grew heavy.
"Get some rest, Draco, we will come check on you in a bit." He tried to form the words to thank Lovegood before he found himself slipping back into a deep slumber. For the first time in a long time, Draco felt content as he dreamt of his mother, of her smile, her laugh, and her warmth. While many saw the hardened and cold exterior of Narcissa Malfoy, Draco only knew her as the kind, strong, and loving mother who protected him, loved him, and did everything for him.
In the deepest part of his mind, he remembered a time, before Hogwarts, before his task of killing Dumbledore, before her death, of the two of them, sitting outside the Manor in a field of wildflowers, lounging on a blanket as she read to him. She gave every character a voice, a personality that made him giggle before pulling him into a tight hug, peppering kisses all over him as the winds blew around them.
He could remember another moment when he held his favorite toy close to his chest as his father tried to pry it from his small hands. His mother, with fury and fire in her eyes, pushed her husband back, shielding Draco's body with her own as she glared up at her soulmate. Lucius tried to reason with her, telling her that Malfoys did not need silly things like a stuffed dragon, but his voice was silenced with a lift of a finger. Draco sniffled, his cheeks flushed as Narcissa wiped the tears from his face, promising him that no one would ever take his most prized possession away.
There was a chill in the air as he opened his eyes again. The room was dark, the flicker of a candle dancing across the room as he turned his head slightly to the right. In a chair beside his bed, Blaise snored lightly, his head lowered, and his arms crossed over his chest. He could see Lovegood going from bed to bed, checking each person with a wave of her wand. He could hear her quill scribbling against the parchment in her hands before she lifted her head, their eyes meeting from across the room.
"Do you need another potion?" She whispers as she drapes a blanket around his friend's shoulder. Draco shakes his head, his eyes jumping between the two of them before scanning the rest of the room. Blaise mumbles slightly, inhaling deeply before his eyes blink open. He glances over at Lovegood, a small smile stretching over his face, before he turns to Draco.
" Fratello , how are you feeling?" Draco wanted to scoff at him, but held it back as he shrugged, wincing as a sharp pain radiated down his right side. Lovegood leans over, whispering in Blaise's ear before giving him the lightest brush of a kiss. She then turned to him, humming slightly as she ran a diagnostic charm over him. Her familiar magic felt like a fresh summer breeze, warm and light against his poisoned core as she went over the results with a detailed eye.
"You will need another pain potion and another dreamless sleep, but I think it would be best to try and get you to eat something. Do you think you could swallow some soup? I know your vocal cords are shot and the inside of your throat is raw, but you really need to have something on your stomach before taking any more potions." Food did sound good. He nods, his body turning slightly as he tries to push up with his left hand. Oh right.
He glances at the stump again, his emotions rising again as Blaise stands to his feet. His friend takes hold of his hand, their eyes meeting before nodding. Holding his breath, Draco leans into the hold, grunting as the pain radiates throughout his body, as Blaise helps him sit up. The blanket draped over him slips off him, revealing more bandages stretching across his chest and torso. This was a different feeling. He could feel pain in his left arm where the Mark used to be, but there was no arm for there to be any actual pain.
"Ferret." Draco stiffens, turning his head slightly as Potter walks over to his bed. For someone who had survived the Killing curse twice, Potter looked good. He was a bit taller than when they were in school, having filled out from the skinny kid who stood against the Dark Lord. Still, honestly, it felt good to know that some things never change, as he stared at the mop of messy waves on his head. He could feel an insult on the tip of his tongue as Potter stopped just before his bed. He runs a hand through his hair, a nervous habit that reminded Draco of Theo, before inhaling harshly.
"Good to see you aren't dead," Potter says, his malice just barely hidden beneath the surface. There is a hint of fury behind those green eyes that has Draco unable to meet his gaze. He, at that moment, felt very small, like a naughty child caught with his hand in the sweets when he was supposed to be getting ready for dinner.
"So, the leaders are meeting to make a decision about you as we speak. You have many enemies in the Order and in Dumbledore's Army. However, if your intel is good and you vow to help stop Riddle, there could be a place for you within our ranks." Potter sighs, his shoulders lowering slightly before he runs his hands through his hair again.
"Look, we need all the help we can get right now, but I need you to promise me something. Not to the Order, not to Remus, but to me personally, if you want to stay, Malfoy." Boy Wonder gives him a look, waiting for Draco to respond. He could feel the corner of his eye twitching as he gripped the blanket over his lap.
"Well, before I am dead, Potter," Draco says, a smirk stretched across his face. Potter rolls his eyes, taking a deep breath as he leans against the bed, his knuckles whitening with his grip.
"You will not call Hermione or anyone else who is a muggleborn the M word. You will not bully or antagonize anyone, especially Ron. We have been through enough, and I have a feeling that you have too. This isn't the time or place for that. You will be on your best behavior, or we will find somewhere to dump you to fend for yourself. Do I make myself perfectly clear, Ferret?"
"Loud and clear, Scarhead." Potter sighs, chuckling slightly before tapping the side of his foot. Blaise glances between them, his eyebrow cocked as Lovegood returns with a tray holding his food. Potter stands there awkwardly, his posture relaxing slightly.
"Are you going to watch me eat?"
"Nope, right, keep me posted, Luna." Draco rolls his eyes as Potter strides out of the room, his steps light as he passes the other patients sleeping away in their beds. As Blaise goes for the bowl, Draco chuckles, reaching out for his friend's hand.
"No offense, but I think I would prefer Lovegood to feed me."
"Not going to happen, Draco."
Hermione
Since the days when Hermione camped out with Harry and Ron while hunting for Horcruxes, her idea of a camp has changed substantially. Before, she shared bunk beds with the two boys, where she heard and smelled everything in the small shared area. Now, each camp around Europe had single and double rooms, each with queen-sized beds, a wardrobe, a working desk, and a vanity. Now, each camp came with a private room, along with community showers, a smaller version of the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, a potions lab, a dining room with an attached kitchen, a library, multiple conference rooms, and, by far, her favorite room —the training room. On nights like this, when most of the camp is retired ot their rooms, Hermione could relieve her stress by lifting weights, sparring with a partner, or dueling practice with animated dummies. During the day, the training room would sometimes get too crowded with the number of people staying at this camp for the time being. With sleep escaping her, she squared her shoulders, lightly tapping the sandbag hung before her to get a rhythm as she bounced on the balls of her heels.
She could feel the sweat forming on the back of her neck as her punches got faster and heavier. Seamus and Dean, returning from their patrol watch from the door, share a look before stepping out and heading to their rooms. With each punch, she felt her anger rising as she imagined a Death Eater's mask in the middle of the bag. There is a twinge of guilt as her anger gravitated towards George and Ginny at the secret they had kept from the Order, from their family, and from her.
Ginny Weasley had been her closest friend outside of Harry and Ron. She was the person who held her at night, the first few months after the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione, who was unable to return her parents' memories and was now essentially an orphan, had held onto the Weasleys like a pseudo-family to help fill the hole left by her rash decision. She knew that if found, her parents would have been killed in the worst way imaginable. However, it hurt to see that they were still out there, unaware of her and the dangers she faced to protect not only the magical world, but the Muggle one as well. So, knowing that she would never be reunited with her parents, she screamed loudly, throwing one last fury-filled punch for the deceitment, for the loss of her sister, and for herself.
Hermione falls to her knees, the bag swinging as she takes a deep inhale, coughing loudly as her anxiety grows, the fog of it choking her. She could feel tears forming in the corner of her eyes as Harry stepped into the room, rushing to her side. It felt like water was rushing into her lungs, like she was drowning with each inhale. Harry, now on his knees, whispers softly, rubbing her back as she tries to remind herself that she was safe, that Harry and Ron were alive, that they would survive this war.
"Shh, Hermione, you are okay. Breathe." She could feel her pulse slowing as she matched Harry's breathing, inhaling deeply through her nose and exhaling slowly. Harry cups her face, touching his forehead to hers, causing her eyes to flutter shut as they sat on the cold floor in silence, the sound of their shared breathing filling the room.
"I miss her." His chest freezes before he pulls her into a tight hug, understanding her feelings instantly as Hermione let out a broken sob. Having Draco Malfoy show up at camp brought back some uncomfortable feelings and memories that she had long since buried deep in her subconscious. They sit in silence, letting their emotions melt together, glancing up only when there is a knock on the door.
"Harry, Parkinson, and her group are just outside. No casualties, but some of them will need some healing before debrief," Dean says, holding the door open as Hermione and Harry rise to their feet. Hermione follows closely behind as the wards vibrated, signaling Pansy Parkinson's return.
"YOU ARE A FUCKING IDIOT!"
"OH, EAT ME, PRINCESS!" At the sound of yelling and an unfamiliar voice, the three of them break into a run, pushing through the double doors leading out into the hall just before the Healing wing. Neville calls out to Harry as he holds Parkinson two feet off the ground as she fights against his grip. Her legs kick out, swinging towards the taller figure with a shrill cry. Hermione felt a chill go down her spine as time seemed to slow, almost freezing as Theodore Nott, bound and bloody, turned to face her.
"I heard this is the place to be for disappointing and defective Death Eaters, oh hey Granger, your tits look great."
TBC.
Notes:
And scene *bows* well that is it for chapter 2. This time is more Draco centered with just a touch of grief. I am very proud of this one and now the stage is set for my favorite characters, Pansy and Theo. So, I want to clarify some things. The British Wizarding World is not functioning in my story. There is no Minister of Magic after Kingsley’s death and essentially, it’s a dystopian world filled with fighting and anarchy. The Aurors who were in the DMLE are now part of the Order and next chapter you will learn the fate of Hogwarts and our badass Minnie. The only ‘legal’ structure is the Order and Dumbledore’s Army.
When I typed up the description of the camp, I thought of the Hunger Games in the Capital, but in Maze Runner destination. There is more money to go around this time so there are luxuries that the Golden Trio did not have the last time they were out hunting. Like, think of the Magical Tents in Goblet of Fire but on a larger scale, not so much as a camping tent but a circus tent, size wise. I don’t know, just how my brain thought of it. I know I mentioned the other camps stationed around the world, but I don’t think I am going to bring in original characters from those camps, just maybe only in passing during debriefs or whatever.
Any who, I hope you enjoyed it! I am working on getting a cheat sheet for myself to keep all my facts straight so there isn’t any confusion. Kudos and comments are much appreciated. Will start working on Chapter 3 & 4 this weekend to be released sometime next week. As always, much love.
Xo
Cera
Chapter Text
Hermione
She could feel the heat rising on the back of her neck as she unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest, as the rest of Pansy's group stared between them with dropped jaws. Parkinson, still fighting against Neville's hold, kicks her feet, landing a blow to the larger wizard, causing him to let out a pained grunt before she is dropped unceremoniously on the floor.
"Are you okay?" Neville asks, rubbing his side as Parkinson glares up at him. Harry, who had been silent during their walk from the training room, steps into the crowd, his demeanor calm and collected, before he swings his arm back. Using all of his body weight, his fist connects with Nott's face, snapping his head back against the wall with a sickening crack. Hermione flinches, stepping back as Harry stands over the Slytherin boy, concern stretched across her face as the wizard lying on the floor lets out a dry chuckle.
"Good to see you too, Potter," Nott says, rubbing the back of his head with a wince. Harry's chest rises rapidly, his face bright red, as he scowls down at the man lying on the floor.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" There is some familiarity in his voice that has Hermione glancing between the Death Eater and her friend. Parkinson looked as confused as Neville helped her to her feet just as Remus and Robards apparated in from Headquarters.
"Nott, you were supposed to send word if your position was given away," Robards says, stepping around the group, ignoring the looks of anger and confusion as he stops beside Harry. Hermione felt a twinge of anger as Nott snorts, getting to his feet and brushing the dust off his dark robes.
"There was no time, Rhubarb, I had to get out there once word got out about Draco. They knew we worked on most of his missions together, and it wouldn't take a genius to work out that I am just as much of a traitor as he is." Robard's eye twitched at the mispronunciation of his name, pinching the bridge of his nose as Harry glared up at the taller wizard.
"You still should have sent word, Nott," Harry says, his voice dripping with venom. Nott shrugs, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Parkinson does a double-take before she turns to Neville.
"Give me my wand, Longbottom."
"Yeah, no, Longbottom, don't give her that wand."
"Neville Longbottom, you give me my wand right now." Neville turns to her, pleading with his eyes as he holds Parkinson's wand over his head, the corners of his lips twitching as she tries to jump up and snatch it out of his hand.
The air felt heavy as the sound of the conversations turned into a buzz. The younger recruits stepped back, turning and heading back to their rooms when Remus dismissed them with a wave of his hand. Harry growls, his body almost vibrating, while Nott continues to smirk down at the shorter wizard. What the fuck was going on?
"Is Draco here?" Nott asks, peeling off his dark robe, tucking it over his arm while Harry and Robards share a look. Parkinson stiffens, turning towards her slowly, her eyes widening before taking off into a sprint through the double doors of the Healer's Wing. Nott glances over at her, cocking an eyebrow, before he is motioned to follow Robards into a conference room. Neville lets out a sigh, cracking his neck and then following after Parkinson.
"Harry, what…how…"
"I will explain later, Hermione. Go check on Malfoy," Harry responds before she can finish her question. She stares at him as he goes into the conference room, glaring as Remus closes the door with a quick apology. There were too many fucking secrets being kept from her. Taking a deep breath, she reins in her breathing as she pushes the doors open.
Parkinson is frozen, her shoulders shaking at the end of Malfoy's bed. Luna stands off to the side, watching the reunion of Slytherins as Malfoy lowers his head. Blaise, holding a bowl, places it on his bedside table while Neville whispers softly to Parkinson. At the sound of Hermione joining the room, Malfoy stiffens, their eyes meeting momentarily before he glances down again, his grip on his comforter tightening as she steps to the other side of his bed.
"Hey Pans," Malfoy says, his voice raw and deep as Parkinson wipes the tears from her cheek. She brushes Neville's hand off her shoulder before pushing past Hermione, wrapping her arms around Malfoy, and tucking her head into the curve of his neck.
"Fuck you," she says while fresh tears run down her face as Malfoy sighs. His right arm shakes as he lifts it, wrapping it around her middle before kissing the side of her head. Neville, Luna, Blaise, and Hermione share a look before stepping back, giving the friends a moment of privacy.
"How is he?" Hermione asks while tucking her hands into her pockets, fiddling with the loose string on the inside of her robes. Luna passes Hermione Malfoy's file with a bright smile.
"Better now. He still has a long way to go, but is no longer in danger of dying. He will have to stay on bedrest for a few more days, but should be able to be transferred to another room before the week is out." Hermione nods, keeping her face neutral as she glances over his chart, willing the bile in her throat down with each page turn. Malfoy had years of abuse and torture that had never been properly healed, most likely at the hands of Voldemort and the high-ranking Death Eaters. From the rumors she had heard, he was trained by Bellatrix before their sixth year at Hogwarts, and apparently, she wasn't kind with it.
"Are there any supplies that you need us to get?" She asks, closing the file and passing it back to Luna. The smaller witch nods, digging through her robes before pulling out a single piece of parchment. Hermione quickly looks over the list, making a note to add a few things before nodding as she tucks it into her pocket.
Parkinson, now sitting on the edge of Malfoy's bed, whispered lowly, causing Hermione to stiffen as she watched a genuine smile stretch over the wizard's face. She had never seen his smile before. His eyes, while there was a sadness to them, were bright as he chuckled. Huh, he has dimples.
The room began to feel heavy as Malfoy's smile grew with each word, only to fall moments later when he noticed her watching them. Parkinson turns, smirking at Hermione over her shoulder before glancing back at Malfoy. Now, in the bright lights of the Healer's Wing, Hermione could see every scar, every line on his face, while she glanced over him. She could feel the heat forming on the back of her neck as she followed a scar from his jaw to his bare chest, wondering where it led as it dipped under the bandages wrapped just below his chest. Her ears felt hot as she glanced back up to his face, finding a smirk in place of his smile.
"Let me know if you need anything," Hermione says, breaking eye contact, squeezing Neville's arm as she heads out of the Wing and towards her room. Her thoughts were raging like a storm as she chewed on the corner of her thumb, ignoring Harry's call from the door of the conference room. Once behind the safety of her door, she clutches her shirt tightly, breathing deeply through her nose. At the same time, her heart beats erratically against her chest. His stare had brought back a wave of memories that she had long since buried deep within her mind. Those gray-blue eyes had haunted her for years, the main character of her nightmares as she relived the torture at Malfoy Manor.
"Hermione?" She flinches at the knock at her door. With a deep breath, she steps back as Harry enters her room, Ron following close behind him. Without a word, she sits down on her bed, folding her hands in her lap while the boys sit across from her.
"How is he?"
"Better, but will need to stay in the Wing a bit longer. Luna said he can be moved by the end of the week."
"Are we seriously going to keep him here, Harry?" Ron, fresh from his patrol and still sweaty from the humidity of the Irish Highlands, glares at their friend. Harry sighs loudly, his annoyance filling the room before he straightens his shoulders.
"Remus and Robards think he will benefit better here than in any of the other camps. He will not be permitted a wand and won't be allowed in meetings. Still, any information he has outweighs everything else. I'm sorry, Ron, but it is out of my hands. If you can't handle him being here, then request a transfer. George has been requesting more bodies at his camp." Ron jaw clenches before his shoulder sag, quietly admitting defeat.
"If Malfoy got transfigured into a ferret again, which leg do you think would be gone?" Hermione laughs loudly while Harry shakes his head, chuckling lowly.
Draco
"So, how are you, really?" Pansy asks once the door shuts behind Granger. He glances over at Longbottom, nodding slightly as the Gryffindor ushers Lovegood away from his bed. At the same time, Blaise takes a seat in the empty bed next to him.
"I feel safe for the first time in years," Draco admits, his shoulders feeling lighter, ignoring his friends' glances across his bed. Pansy reaches over, taking his hand into hers, rubbing the back of it with her thumb.
"I promise, you are safe here." He smiles, tears brimming on the edge of his eyes, before he is pulled into another one of Pansy's tight hugs. Blaise chuckles, clearing his throat before getting to his feet.
"Luna set out some potions for you. Now that you have eaten, you will need to take them." Pansy and Draco watched as their friend walked away from them, his shoulder slightly shaking as he headed towards the back office on the other end of the Wing. Pansy loosens her grip on Draco's hand, leaning back before taking a deep breath.
They sat in silence, holding each other as the rain began outside, filling the room with a comforting sound of raindrops pelting against the building. There is one more moment of silence before Blaise returns, carrying a tray containing two potions. Pansy sits back watching closely as Draco downs both. He takes a deep breath as the potions seep into his muscles, relief flooding his senses. He could feel the pain numbing as his eyes fluttered. Pansy brushes his hair off his face, kissing his cheek while Blaise helps him back down into his comforter, and soon the world turns black.
His dreams are filled with his mother, his fallen friends, and the few good memories he has of Hogwarts. Lovegood really outdid herself with those potions, as his body felt lighter as the pain melted off of him. For a second, he felt at peace, and as he opened his eyes from his deep slumber, he couldn't help but chuckle, ignoring the dryness of his throat while looking around the room. He felt an uneasy sensation in his chest as he looked around the room, not recognizing any of the other people in the beds. It wasn't until Lovegood and Blaise entered the room that he felt like he could breathe again.
"Good morning, Draco, how is the pain?" Love asks, stopping just at the end of his bed, the toe of her shoe tapping on the floor rhythmically. Blinking, he moved his right hand, wiggled his toes, turned his neck, and smirked. The pain was almost completely gone. Pleased that he was feeling better, she began to explain the schedule for the next few days and what his physical therapy would look like. She also explained that he would have to stop occluding, that they would only be able to help him mentally if his mind was clear.
Draco wanted to sneer at the witch, but holds back when she places a hand gently on his shoulder. Nodding, he drops his walls, inhaling deeply as the rush of emotions fills his senses. His chest felt as if it was on fire, and for a moment, time stood still. It was only after feeling Lovegood's touch between his shoulder blades. His lungs screamed in protest with each inhale. Sweat formed on his temples as the fear, the pain, and the guilt beat against his skull. Those in the beds around him whispered, glancing at him with concern and confusion while Lovegood tried to help him even out his breathing.
"Fuck, that hurt," he says, his voice cracking as the witch wipes tears off his face. He could feel the embarrassment from his neck to the tips of his ears, shuddering slightly before taking a calming draught from Blaise after he walked up to his bed. Relief washes over him as he inhales one more time, while Lovegood whispers lightly beside him. The doors opening catch his attention, his eyes falling on Granger as she walks into the room. Her strides are confident, only faltering when their eyes meet. She clears her throat before walking briskly to his bed, nodding at him before turning to Lovegood.
"Remus wants an update on Malfoy." He could feel a smirk on the edge of his lips and wanted to roll his eyes, but the calming draught was starting to kick in as he felt his eyes growing heavy. Granger glances down at him for a second before returning her gaze to Lovegood. Blaise, with a cocked eyebrow, smirks, shaking his head as he stoppers the empty potion vials.
"Keep his breakfast light and then give him the other half of his potions," Lovegood says, smiling dreamily before following Granger out of the Healing Wing. He tried to keep his eyes from wandering. Still, he found he was losing that battle as he watched her leave, silently thanking Muggles for their use of tight materials as her hips swayed slightly with each step.
Blaise, who had been talking, snaps a finger, bringing him back to their bubble just as the doors shut behind them. Draco glances up at his friend, trying his best to keep the blush from spreading over his face as his friend chuckles knowingly.
"If you value your life and your limbs, I would not go there, mate," Blaise says, taking the tray from Lovegood's assistant, dismissing her before she can open her mouth. The younger witch glares at him but turns around, heading back to the other side of the room without another word.
"What is her problem?"
"Ginna's mother and father were killed a few months back. In Wales…" Blaise doesn't give any more details, but with one look, Draco knew. He had shown up towards the end of the raid, almost emptying his stomach right there in front of the younger Death Eaters at the sight of the bodies stacked in the middle of a Muggle neighborhood. The houses that lined the streets groaned while the fire ate away at the wood and brick foundations. Some of the Order stood behind the shields, screaming and crying. At the same time, a younger Death Eater relieved himself on the body of a burning Muggle woman. He felt his anger rising as he pushed the wizard back, snarling at him to return to base before glancing back, whispering a quick and silent apology before disapparating.
He knew coming here that he would run into witches and wizards alike who would like nothing more than his death. That there would be a protest to his defection and possibly bodily harm now that he would be unarmed. Blaise had told him that while he was sleeping, they had to ward his bed to keep some of the recruits from slitting his throat or setting him on fire. He had only been there two days, and he was already making the lives of those who called the camp home more difficult. In passing, he had heard someone mention that those who tried to break into the Wing for a bit of revenge were being transferred out. For a second, he felt guilty, but buried it as he looked down at where his left arm used to be.
"Damnit," he grits out, hot tears forming behind his eyes. Maybe he should have turned over everything he knows to the twin Weasley and done the world a favor by killing himself. He missed his mother, and all he wanted was to see her again. Blaise places the raised tray over his lap, spooning some of the bland soup before holding it out to him. He felt his stomach turn as he leaned forward, tears staining his cheeks when he swallowed. He would give anything for a home-cooked meal right about now.
His soup is almost gone when the doors open again. Lovegood skips into the Wing, Theo and Potter trailing just behind her. Draco inhales deeply, coughing as the liquid goes down the wrong way. Blaise pats his back, glaring at the wizards as they stop just in front of his bed. What. The. Fuck.
"What's a place like you doing in a boy like this?" Draco could feel his anger rising, ignoring the protests of Blaise, Lovegood, and, surprisingly, Potter as he pushes himself out of his bed, his legs only shaking slightly as he stands face to face with his best friend. Tension fills the room before the world turns black.
TBC.
Notes:
Boy oh boy. Things are getting interesting. I know, I promised McGonagall in this chapter, but I couldn't find the right time to bring her in. She will be making an appearance in the next one. Scouts honor. Anywho, what did you think? I will have the next chapter out by the end of the week, so please look forward to it. Much love.
Xo
Cera
Chapter Text
The next time he wakes up, Theo is gone, leaving only Lovegood and Blaise, hovering over his bed before coming to his side. Lovegood fusses at him, her eyes full of fire while Blaise stands just behind her, shaking his head. His throat felt like it was on fire, only calming down when Lovegood forced a potion into his mouth. Her gentle touch now held resentment and annoyance, filling him with guilt that he pushes back into the deep corners of his mind when he notices Potter across the room, leaning against the bed with his arms crossed over his chest.
"What the fuck is Theo doing here?" He asks, ignoring the protest of his vocal chords, while Lovegood checks on the rest of his vitals. Potter sighs loudly, uncrossing his arms, pinching the bridge of his nose, and pushing his glasses into the mess of curls sticking to his forehead. His chest felt heavy as his magic fought against the dampener on his right wrist, and his anger began to rise.
"Nott has been working for the Order for the last year. After you defected, he made the decision to get out while he could."
"What about his Mark? They can trace him… "
" We thought so, too, but it seems that it was only the Inner Circle that was cursed. Nott was a researcher, as you know, and rarely went on raids. He sent information about spells and curses that were being created and occasionally magical objects and what they could do to anyone without pure blood. " Draco, still not happy with Potter's explanation, sneers before Potter leaves the room, promising to send Nott after dinner.
"The next time we tell you not to move, you need to listen to us, Draco, " Lovegood says, her eyes softening as his breathing slows. There is a sadness behind her eyes that confuses and intrigues him, bringing his guilt back to the surface. Blaise nods, passing another potion to her, stepping back as Draco takes the entire thing whole. He doesn't say anything as she helps him lower back into bed. He could feel the potions warming his body as sleep drifted over him once again.
"Do you ever wish we were born to a different family?"
" I heard the Dark Lord is a half-blood. I mean, how fucking ridiculous is it that he preaches the need to keep blood pure when he is not, in fact, pure?"
"I'm sorry about your dad, mate. If you need any help with anything, all you have to do is ask."
" Do you think Daphne will ever forgive me for taking the Mark?"
"I heard Rowle died. He had discovered something that could have been concerning if he had let it slip to the wrong person. I wish I could thank the person who took that psychopath out."
"You know, there is a bet one which foot would be missing if you were turned back into a ferret. I say the front left, but Weasley thinks it would be your back left. Granger thinks we are idiots and that there is no way we could find out unless someone actually turns you into a ferret, which would be cruel, yes, but oh so funny. " Cracking his eyes open, Draco frowns, watching closely as Theo peels a green apple with a knife, his stomach growling slightly when he pops a piece into his mouth. The man sitting at his bedside is a stranger to him. It had been years since the last time he had seen him. Sure, they had written to each other, but the Nott heir was tucked away in an undisclosed location that only the Dark Lord and his father knew about.
Just before the Battle of Hogwarts, Theo was tall and lanky, barely an ounce of muscle on him, with sunken cheeks and dark circles under his eyes from the stress of the pending war. Now, he is still tall and lean, but his face is fuller, his eyes, still full of mischief, are hardened, and even with the standard Order uniform, Draco could tell he had gained some muscles.
"Morning, sunshine, " he says before sliding another piece of apple into his mouth. Draco groans, his ears burning as Theo places the knife and apple down to help him sit up in bed. Theo sits back in his chair with a smirk stretched across his face.
"What time is it? " Draco asks, wincing at the soreness in his throat. Theo passes him a water, watching silently as Draco tips it back.
"A little after midnight, you missed dinner. I don't sleep much these days, so I figured I would come sit with you before Lovegood kicks me out again. "
"I could hear you talking. "
" Figured as much, you looked annoyed even in your sleep. " Draco rolls his eyes, chuckling slightly before there is a moment of silence between them.
"Thanks for taking care of, well, you know, " Theo says, unable to meet his gaze. Draco nods, placing his hand over his, giving it a tight squeeze as Theo clears his throat.
"So, I heard from a little birdy that Potter bats for the other team. "
"I didn't need to know that, " Draco says, shaking his head while Theo throws his head back with a loud laugh. Lovegood and Blaise return, with food and potions in hand, with twin looks of confusion on their faces as Theo continues to laugh.
"Draco needs to eat before his next dose of potions, " Lovegood says, stepping over Theo's stretched-out legs. Theo nods, grunting loudly before getting to his feet. He stretches his arms over his head, sighing when his joints pop, while Blaise sets up the tray over Draco's lap.
"I'm glad you are here, Theo, " Draco says as Theo walks towards the entrance. The wizard holds a peace sign over his head before disappearing behind the closed doors. With Blaise's help, Draco eats his soup and bread slowly, before taking the potions from Lovegood.
Once again, he is alone, waiting for his dreamless sleep potion to take hold as he stares up at the ceiling. There are still some phantom pains where his left arm used to be, but it was more of an annoying buzz, rather than the piercing pain that he had felt when he first woke up after arriving at the camp. He felt his annoyance rising while he waited for the potion to take effect. Still, in a matter of minutes, he could feel his eyelids growing heavy, and then the world turned black.
Two weeks later
Hermione
When her back hit the training pad, she let out a soft grunt, sneering up at Ron. He looked down at her like the cat that finally got the canary before holding a hand out to her. She rolls her eyes, taking his hand and grunting slightly when he pulls her to her feet. He nods, getting back into a fighting stance, his eyes full of mischief as she shakes her arms out slightly and raises her fists.
Their sparring had become somewhat of a routine since they joined King's Camp some years ago. The camp was the closest to Headquarters and one of the largest. It mainly housed the original members of the Dumbledore Army, with a few additional recruits who rotated in and out of camp for training purposes.
Over the last week, the raids and attacks from the Death Eaters had increased after word had gotten around that Theodore Nott had escaped the Dark Lord and was presumed missing. There was no chatter about him defecting; however, that did not ease the tension in the camp each time he lingered around before and after a meeting.
At the thought of Nott, Hermione's mind wanders to Malfoy, who was now out of the Hospital Wing and housed in one of the spare rooms under 24-hour supervision. Ron had told her that during his rotation, Malfoy had done his physical therapy, read occasionally, and requested new books, always eating on schedule to receive his potions, which were delivered by Luna or Zabini. Other than that, he didn't go out of his way to speak to anyone unless he had to and kept his head down. The youngest Weasley son then told her that he would try to rile him up, to get him to fight back or call him names. Still, Malfoy would just stare at him like he wasn't there before going back to whatever he was doing before being interrupted.
Ron ducks, grunting when her fist clips his chin before holding up a covered fist. Hermione's chest rises rapidly, the burn of a long workout forming as he rubs the spot, wincing in pain. Sighing deeply, she calls for a break, grabs a water bottle, and throws it to him. He snatches it out of the air just as she reaches for the second one on the bench.
"Did you hear that Remus authorized Nott to create a prosthetic for Malfoy? " She almost chokes on her water, nearly dropping it on the ground when she stares up at her friend. He nods, taking another sip.
"Yeah, I had the same reaction. Apparently, Nott has been looking into Muggle prosthetics and thinks he can create something that would help him be able to use magic with 'both ' hands again. The blonde prick is ambidextrous, and that was something that made him rather valuable to the Dark. Remus thinks that he could train others. "
" I mean, it wouldn't hurt to learn. Luna knows how from her Healing training, but I don't know anyone on our side who can duel with both hands. Kingsley could, but he… " Ron places a hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze. They decided to end their sparring there, heading back to their rooms for the evening. As she walked down the winding hallway, her mind wandered to Malfoy and what it meant to have him on their side.
One thing that had worked in their favor was the fact that the Dark believed Malfoy to be 'dead', giving them an opportune time to take advantage of Malfoy's knowledge of the inner workings of the Dark Lord's most loyal followers. Hermione wasn't sure when they would learn the truth —that they were able to bring him back from the dead and convince him that working for them, instead of hiding away, was a better option.
She had seen Malfoy dueling a few times over the years when he would come off the sidelines, and everything he knew when it came to dueling would be beneficial to the Light. Convincing him shouldn't be too hard, especially with Nott and the rest of the Slytherins already working alongside them. Maybe once he saw what they had to offer, he would be more willing to work with them instead of being tucked away like the Greengrass sisters, who wanted nothing to do with the war.
Seamus nods at her before returning to his book, his foot bouncing against the floor as she reaches Malfoy's room. There is a buzz of magic in the air, encasing the door with an array of privacy and monitoring spells. She really needed to get back to her room for a shower, but she couldn't help but gravitate to Malfoy's door. Seamus glances up, tucking a bookmark in the pages before getting to his feet.
"Are you on rotation tonight? " Hermione shakes her head, folding her hands behind her as an awkward silence washes over them. "Did you need to speak to the ferret? "
" Just for a moment, Seamus. Robards brought some snacks from Headquarters. I'll watch him till you get back. " His eyes light up before releasing the spells, warning Malfoy not to give her any grief before leaving her alone in the hallway.
"Well, come on in, Granger, " Malfoy calls out, his voice muffled by the thick door. Taking a deep breath, her hands shake slightly as she reaches for the handle before pushing it open. Malfoy nods to her, dropping a book on his desk, grabbing another one as she enters, staying silent when she shuts the door behind her.
"To what do I owe the pleasure? " He asks, flopping on his bed and crossing his legs at his ankles. Hermione glances over him, noting that his color had seemed to return to his cheeks and that he had gained some of his weight back. She could see a smirk forming on his face as he glanced up at her, shaking his head as he opened the book.
"I wanted to see how you are doing, " she says, gripping the frame of his bed, shivering at the cold of the metal against her palms, while he shrugs.
"I am no longer dying, so there's that. " He turns the page lazily. Hermione nods, patting the frame, rocking back on her heels before freezing when he sighs loudly.
"Why are you really here, Granger? " He was more perceptive than he let on, but then again, he was just behind her in grades, so she shouldn't be shocked that he isn't as oblivious as Harry and Ron in school. She could feel the heat of her embarrassment rising from the back of her neck to her cheeks as she gripped the frame one more time before stepping back. He closes the book, giving her his full attention while she stares down at her feet.
"Malfoy, if Nott can do what he says he can, will you teach me…or rather everyone how to duel using both hands…I mean, I know you have to get used to the prosthetic, but afterwards, it would be really helpful if you could. Kingsley was going to, but died before he could, and I just know that if we were to learn, then we might have a fighting chance against the Inner Circle, then maybe we can finally end the war… "
" Granger, take a breath, " Malfoy says, grunting slightly as he rolls off his bed, his legs shaking a bit before he gets his balance. She couldn't look up at him, not with her entire face flushed. Her heart felt as if it was going to beat out of her chest with each second that passed before his feet came into view. There is a moment before a finger brushes against her chin, tipping her face up to him. When did he get so tall?
He smirks down at her, cupping her chin before running his thumb over her bottom lip. Her breath hitches when their eyes meet. His once grey irises are almost entirely black as his thumb pushes forward, breaking through her lips. He sucks in a harsh breath when her tongue dances out from behind her teeth, brushing against it as he pushes further in. She holds back a moan, her eyes fluttering shut as the salty taste of his skin rushes her senses.
She would never admit it, but she had wet dreams that had started just like this back at Hogwarts before all of that nasty war business happened. There had been many nights when she would shove her hand between her legs, thinking about the blonde Slytherin pushing her against the stacks in the Library, in an abandoned classroom, or a hidden alcove. She opens her eyes as he pulls his thumb out, sighing softly when he runs her spit over her lip. His eyes glanced down to her mouth and quickly back up to her eyes before dropping his hand down to her neck. Only after a second of hesitation, he grips her neck, pushing her roughly against the door.
"What are we doing, Granger? "
"I don't know, but don't stop. " That must have been all he needed to hear before leaning down and capturing her lips against his. While Ron had been sweet and kind with her first kiss, Malfoy was a bit more unforgiving. His kiss is rough, ruthless, and angry. His lips are soft and feel as if they would set her on fire while his hand slithers past her neck to grip the back of her hair. Hermione gasps, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as the delicious pain causes a warmth to form just below her training sweats. He takes advantage of her moment of surprise, pushing his tongue into her mouth while shoving his thigh between her legs.
If Seamus had not knocked on the door, Malfoy probably would have fucked her right there against the door. He growls, releasing his grip from her hair, placing his forehead against her. He mumbled something about Gryffindors and cock blocks before stepping away from her, his lips brushing her temple. Hermione breathes deeply, straightening her clothes as Malfoy takes a seat on his bed. The room is thick with desire, hot and sticky, that has Hermione cursing Seamus every which way in her mind as she releases the spell on the door. Malfoy glances up at her, a smirk on his lips, before nodding at her when she gives him a look, telling him silently that this wasn't over.
"Everything okay? " Seamus says, offering her a pastry as the door shuts softly behind her. She shakes her head, rejecting the food as the spells are lifted again, leaving the hallway quiet as the rain outside pelted against the roof.
"All good, just needed to ask him about training and a few other things. Might need to come back tomorrow, but for now, my shower and bed are calling my name, " she says, grinning brightly as she ignores the pulsing and wetness sticking against her legs. Seamus chuckles, popping the rest of his pastry into his mouth as she waves at him, wishing him goodnight while cursing him again with each step.
Once alone in her room, she rips off her clothes, rushing to her bathroom and turning on the water. She moans loudly when the cold water hits her back as she props a leg up on the tub ledge. Her fingers slide in with no resistance as she leans her head back. She could still feel the grip on her neck, the smell of his breath, and the taste of his lips as she quickened her fingers. With each thrust, she thinks of his eyes, of his smirk, and the feel of his muscles under her hands. It doesn't take very long before she gasps, his name on the tip of her tongue as she cums.
Taking a deep breath, she lowers her leg before turning towards the water, making it warmer. Her legs shake slightly as she rinses the sweat off her body, reaching for her body wash as her mind wanders to Malfoy. How long did he wait until ripping his pants off and gripping his hardened cock after she left the room? Was he saying her name as his toes curled with each pump of his hand? Did he lick his lips, savoring her taste before shooting his thick, hot cum onto his stomach? Sighing, Hermione rinses the soap off, charming the shower cold again as the storm outside rages on.
TBC.
Notes:
Sorry for the late update! Work has been kicking my butt, and I haven't really had any time to work on the story. I have a pretty slow day today, so I am going to try to get another chapter posted, hopefully by the end of the workday. I will be going out of town this weekend, so if I don't finish and post it later, it will be posted sometime early next week. So, this is NOT going to be a slow burn. Got a bit of spice, a teaser for what is to come. Also, I KNOW I still haven't brought in McGongall and George, but they are coming soon, along with some of the side pairings, promise! As always, much love!
xo
Cera
(Previous comment deleted.)
(Previous comment deleted.)
(Previous comment deleted.)
(Previous comment deleted.)
carolynblogs020 on Chapter 1 Thu 07 Aug 2025 04:56PM UTC
Comment Actions
MissCera on Chapter 1 Thu 07 Aug 2025 04:59PM UTC
Comment Actions
carolynblogs020 on Chapter 1 Fri 08 Aug 2025 03:14PM UTC
Comment Actions