The Purest

Something warm pressed against his cool skin, eyes flashing open. He couldn’t see anything. Quickly sitting up as darkness enveloped him causing something to stir next to him. Looking over he could vaguely see the outline of the form beside him. Curls. Sighing he relaxed. It was only Hermione. Relief came easy now as memories returned. He was at the Manor, in his room, with her. Smiling he turned, pressing his back against the head board. He reached over and pulled up the blanket he had disturbed tucking her back in.

Smiling to himself he remembered his mother offering to show her the guestroom they had prepared for her. How she looked over and stated that she would be staying in his room. The way his mother eyebrow quirked in a look that could only mean ‘Oh really?’. He saw and felt his admiration for boldness in his fathers eyes.

He reached over to push her hair out of her face. She looked so peaceful. He didn’t want to disturb her with his fitful movement as restlessness had now set in his bones. Getting up he made sure that he didn’t wake her. He slowly made his way out of the room closing the door softly behind him.

Proceeding down the darkened hallway he made his way down the staircase and to the library. Calling on a house elf he asked for some warm milk, hoping it would help settle his nerves so he could go back to sleep with ease. He walked over to one of the bookshelves and pulled on the first on his hand touched.

His beverage arrived as he settled in the lounge. Book open he leafed through the pages unable to concentrate on the words before him. His mind drifted to the days, no months before.

Hating her seemed far away now. His reluctance to accept her change in status seemed foreign. Her slow decay into depression was a fleeting moment. One which she quickly dismissed into something more. Someone who was alive and full of passion. Sure there were people who still were wary of her. Potter had even tried to rekindle their friendship although failing miserably. He knew that it had hurt her beyond compare, but she had bounced back and became a woman who was now aware. Yes, it looked as though she depended on him if only for conversation, but he knew better. Now that she knew who she was and what she was capable of, it would not take her very long to move on. That in itself was not a scenario he wanted in the least.

He pondered why. Never in need of anyone, but himself. Worldly possessions in had in mass amounts. Money was not a problem, and he was never in need of company. Always dependant upon himself for everything. Maintained fantastic scores, applied himself to his athletics with fervor. In which he had to thank for his now quite fantastic physique. Yet all of these things seemed like they would be nothing if she was not there. Now most people would say that it would only matter if they has someone to share it with, but to him it was not just someone. Not just anyone would do. The thought of her not being apart of his life was foreign. Very unpleasant to say the least. He asked himself now how in the hell had she become so important to him. How had she weaseled her way into his life so much it was at the point of no return?

His thoughts were interrupted as the door to the library opened. Looking over his met that of his father.

He nodded. “Good evening father. Couldn’t sleep as well?”

“No, I was up for a glass of water when I saw the light on in here. I came to see who was here. I am glad that I found you though. I wanted to speak with you in private.” Lucius spoke as he sat adjacent to his son.

“Yes.”

“ It seems that Miss. Phoenix has taken things well. I see she is adjusting to her change with grace.”

Chuckling Draco took a sip of his milk. Knowing that this was more like a check up then casual conversation. So, saving time he told his father all that had happened.

“Yes she is now, although at first it was depressing to watch her. People treated her like the plague. Like she might grow horns and start hexing people with no provocation. Sometimes I thought she might just to give them a real reason. She is no doubt capable of such things, but like you said she is not without grace. I watched her go from a sad miserable little wretch to what you have seen today. Her ability to bounce back from devastation is uncanny. Her friends abandoned her and yet she still wanted their approval. She tried so hard to look as though nothing was wrong. But I knew it was eating her up inside. So I told her to get over it. Move on. Like I said recovery comes quick and she was in control of herself yet again. Although this change brought with it a new look for her as well. She seems more free. Potter even tried to be friends with her again, but she asked him ‘why now?’. Needless to say they are not friends.”

Lucius sat quietly listening to his son’s tale. Knowing that the girl in question was not without strength or character. He knew that although it might take a moment for her to get her bearings that she would inevitably get over it and continue life like nothing had happened. At least she would have a better appreciation for what life was like. That not all things were black and white. How friendships were more gray and that in a tiny moment all could change. Familiarity could quickly turn in nothing and you had to fend for yourself in order to get anywhere. You had to become dependant on yourself. Only relying on others for moments at a time. Alliances were forgotten, and replaced with others of more convenience.

“I see. And how do you think she is taking that Son?”

“I think she still misses her friends, but for the time being she is moving on.”

“I am glad to hear that.” Adjusting his self in the seat and crossing his legs Lucius looked pointedly at his son.

“So Draco what do you think of her?”

Quirking his eyebrow he knew exactly what his father was getting at. His features then took on one of confusion as his gaze drifted to his lap.

“Father, I will not lie and say that she is not without importance to me now. Before you came in I was asking myself the same questions. It seems that she has weaseled her way in to my thoughts. I feel as though I am beginning to feel something. If not more.”

He sighed.

“ Okay a lot more. I am aware of her presence in school. She doesn’t do anything to stand out she simply does. If I am truthful to myself -- she always has. My hate for her has long since past and now I don’t know.”

He looked to his father then, putting his face into his hands in a sign of defeat.

“Father I think I………..”

BANG!!!!!

Looking up quickly he saw his fathers head turn. Both men got up and ran for the stairs. Loud noises echoed off the walls. Draco thought it might be an attack. His mind racing. Thoughts of Hermione in trouble propelled him forward.


“LUCIUS!!!!!!!!!!!” His mother screamed. “LUCIUS, WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!”

Draco and his father reached the top of the stairs in time to see his mother reach his door. It looked as though that was where the source of the noise came from.

“DRACO!!!!” The terrified voice of his mother echoed across the hall. Her hands barely touching the knobs.

He noticed then the faint red glow coming from beneath the doors. Panicking he screamed.

“MOTHER NOOOO!!!!”

To late. She was pulling back the doors. The light spilled onto them filling the hall great in it’s intensity. His mother staring, slowly backing up. Fright clear on her features. When he reached the door he was awestruck. He could not believe the sight before him.

She was hovering upright over his bed. Hair ablaze wafting in the whirlwind around her.


“WHERE IS HE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM? IF ONE SINGLE HAIR IS DAMAGED, IF HIS SKIN IS FLAWED THE RETRIBUTION WILL BE NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS! SECTUMSEMPRA!”

A flash and his nightstand was decimated.

Draco stared warily before him. Aware of his parents beside him. The air sizzling.

“BRING HIM TO ME OR I WILL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU! WHO CARES WHO YOU ARE! DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH.” she sneered. “ HARRY POTTER BOY WHO LIVED! BOY WHO ABANDONS! ONCE HEAD OF THE GOLDEN FUCKING TRIO. HA! NOW THE DYNAMIC DUO! PATHETIC! YOU WHO WERE LUCKY! YOU HAD IT SO EASY DURING SCHOOL PEOPLE HELPED YOU SO MUCH! WERE THERE FOR YOU! I DON’T CARE! YOU WERE NEVER THERE FOR ME! I WAS A CONVIENENCE! NO YOU HAVE IT WRONG! I LOVE HIM! I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIM AND HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ME! SO YOU TELL ME HARRY WHERE THE FUCK IS DRACO?”

A quick movement in his peripheral let him know that his fathers head had turned sharply in his direction.

“Draco.” he whispered. “ Go to her.” confusion met these words. “ Call out to her let her know your alright.”

******************************************************

She was looking around frantically. Somehow the had become separated. They had just left the Dark Lord. Moving to their positions when he suddenly disappeared from her side.
Fearing the worst she had called out to him to no avail. Voices could be heard in all directions. She knew that calling out to him was giving away her position, but she didn’t care. Nothing was more important then him. He had to be found. Turning in every directions she called. Enemies flocked to her.

“WHERE IS HE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM? IF ONE SINGLE HAIR IS DAMAGED, IF HIS SKIN IS FLAWED THE RETRIBUTION WILL BE NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS!

Stating this to those around her. Some said nothing. Attacking her without hesitation. She dismissed them with ease. Some told her they didn’t have him. This only angered her more, and she began to glow. The air around her began to crackly and come alive. Drawing more to her location.

“BRING HIM TO ME OR I WILL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!”

“But Hermione we were your friends once!” They pleaded with her. “DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH! Then just as she was about to lay waste to those she had ventured near someone came through the trees. Someone she had not seen in a while. Harry


“ HARRY POTTER BOY WHO LIVED! BOY WHO ABANDONS! ONCE HEAD OF THE GOLDEN FUCKING TRIO. HA! NOW THE DYNAMIC DUO! PATHETIC!” She laughed

“Hermione please stop this. We’re friends. Don’t do this! I’m begging you!” He sounded so small to her then.


“I DON’T CARE! YOU WERE NEVER THERE FOR ME! I WAS A CONVIENENCE!”

“No, never. We love you. We miss you. They don’t care for you like we do. HE doesn’t feel for you like we do. You can’t possibly care for him Hermione.”


NO YOU HAVE IT WRONG! I LOVE HIM! I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIM AND HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ME! SO YOU TELL ME HARRY WHERE THE FUCK IS DRACO?”

*******************************************

“Hermione. I’m here.” He called out to her. Slowly venturing into his room hoping he would not be privy to her rancor.

Relief crossed her features as she looked around her.

“Draco? Where are you? I can’t see you?”

Getting on the bed to stand in front of her.

“I’m here.” Cautiously reaching out to pull her to him.

She sighed. Then as soon as he enveloped her in his arms, the glowing faded. The tension dispersed, and she collapsed against him apparently as sleep still. Draco had to catch himself as to not fall of the mattress. Slowly he laid her down. He was relieved. He knew that demonstration could have gotten much worse. Luckily it was only his furniture that suffered and not her, himself or his family. He got up and quickly went to his parents who were still hovering warily by the door.

“Mother? Father are you both alright?”

His mother was staring at the sleeping form, feverishly fanning herself with her hand. Clearly distraught. His father looked from his bed to him. Draco could see the questions floating around in his head. He knew what was coming.

“Son, I think we need to talk.”

“Yes. I agree father. Although I do not think that right now is the best time. Maybe when she is awake you can I can continue this more private. I don’t think it would be wise for me to leave her again tonight.”

His father nodded.

“Yes. Perhaps that would be best.”

Closing the door he made his way to the bed. He cleaned the mess she had made of his night stand, and got under the covers. She nuzzled into him then. Draco wondered what the hell happened to her this time.

Shutting his eyes, the last thought was of how he did not want to face his fathers questioning on a subject he also knew so little about.