Shades of Truth

Shades of Truth

Chapter 14

*****

“But how long will you be gone?” Hermione’s agitated voice was the first thing Harry heard when he came home, and he headed for the source, the study, where his guest was looking rather sulky, and Hermione was having a hard time carrying on an argument when she seemed to be the only one concerned about the subject at hand.

“Is something wrong?” Harry interjected, and she turned to him in relief.

“Did you know about this?” she indicated the person seated next to a briefcase full of books they had clearly been packing away.

“Already?” Harry heave a sigh of resignation.

“You did know!” Hermione sounded absolutely scandalized by this. “This is a ¬stupid plan! Leave it to the pair of you to come up with something so poorly thought out.”

“How is it stupid?” Harry was too tired for this, in all truth, but he knew he was going to have to deal with it anyway.

“Let me think, let’s have a presumed-dead criminal wanted for murder pop up randomly in London and then go into hiding somewhere not as safe as here. Nothing could go wrong, I’ve never heard of a better plot.” Hermione through up her hands.

“If Sirius could do it so easily, I’m sure—“

“Sirius had to eat rats!” Hermione shrieked.

“They’re quite good, in stew.” The guest spoke up helpfully.

“That was only so he could be in Hogsmeade. Why would that be the case here?” Harry replied.

“Well…Sirius is dead!” Hermione made another attempt.

“But that was not related to him having an issue staying hidden, and you know it.” Harry told her, “Look, we’ve already discussed this, and this is much more favorable than the original suggestion of just walking into the Ministry to go to Azkaban as a way to help clear Draco’s name. I suggested this as a compromise.”

“To what?” Hermione was confused.

“To clearing his name completely.” Harry explained.

“I don’t deserve to go free.” The other person spoke sharply. “No matter the circumstances. For his sake, I’ll do my best to stay out of Azkaban, but I do not deserve forgiveness.”

“I…don’t understand.” Hermione turned from one to the other, trying to find the answers. “I thought…he was innocent.”

“Not fully.” Harry shrugged, “There were extenuating circumstances. There wasn’t any choice.”

“There was.”

“Stop being cryptic and tell me what’s going on!” Hermione demanded. Harry licked his lips and looked at the guest, who let out a long-suffering sigh and nodded.

“Just give them to her. She knows enough already.” He turned to Hermione, “You must keep them secret, though. You must swear to me. The only other people concerned have died, but for their sake…”

“Wh—“ Hermione turned to Harry, who was unlocking a hidden compartment under a desk drawer. He fished out two vials and handed them to her.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“The rest of the story.” Harry folded her fingers over the vials. “Remember, whatever you think is best, respect his wishes. Not everyone wants to be saved.”

“I…I don’t have a Pensieve.” She answered weakly.

“You can borrow mine.” Harry turned to leave the room. “I’ll get it now.”

“No.” she stopped him. “I’ll wait. After we retrieve Lucius’ death.”

“But why?” Harry was the one who was confused now.

“Sometimes the truth is dangerous. She is wise to be wary of it.”

“I just…I need to think. All these secrets.” She sighed heavily.

“Just remember, my presence here is known only to we three, and to Mrs. Malfoy. You should say nothing that would incriminate either of you as my accessory. Not to anyone. Not even Malfoy.”

“I understand.” She nodded sharply and hesitated. “When are you leaving?”

“Next week.” He replied.

“I’ll be back, to say goodbye.” She bit her lip, as though holding back something further, but this time, she left in a flurry of cloak.

“She sees you as a friend, without knowing the full truth.” Harry told the other, who nodded somberly.

“She has grown into something more extraordinary than anyone could have guessed.”

----------

“I’ve changed my mind.” Hermione told Harry as they entered the interview room before Draco arrived. “About the Pensieve. I’d like to know all of it before I say goodbye.”

“I thought you might.” He nodded, “You can take it tonight, if you’d like.”

“Are you worried about him?” Hermione asked. “I mean, he’s going to be on his own, and though there was…bad blood there, you two get on well enough now. I mean, he lives with you.”

“We still disagree, but yes, I hope he’s alright. I’ve come to understand him, and I think he understands me as well.” Harry shrugged and Hermione helped him unpack the Pensieve and Draco’s file.

“It seems odd, but I have to admit it would be odd for me to visit, and not to see him there. When he comes back, will he stay with you?” Hermione asked.

“I’m not sure what he wants to do.” Harry replied.

“Who?” Draco asked. All the blood drained from Hermione’s face, and Harry felt his tongue thick in his mouth as he tried to come up with a feasible reply. “What is this?”

“We…were just talking about a friend.” Hermione finally answered.

“Who’s living with Harry?” Draco’s tone was sharp. “Funny, I’ve never heard about this ‘friend’ before.”

“It’s not like that.” Hermione insisted, “He’s in a tough situation, and he needed a place to stay.”

“Who is it?” Draco pressed.

“Bill Weasley.” Harry finally found his voice, picking almost at random from his living friends.

“That pretty boy?” Draco huffed. Harry suddenly wished he’d said Mundungus Fletcher was staying with him instead. “How long has he been staying with you?”

“One week.”

“Three months.” Hermione and Harry spoke at the same moment, and then looked at each other in panic.

“You two are the worst liars ever.” Draco pushed aside his chair in irritation. “And you,” he indicated Harry, “When did you plan to tell me that you were living with someone already? Maybe you figured I’d never get out. That’d make it pretty simple to see two people at once if one of them was in prison for the rest of their life. I’m sure he doesn’t know, either. And you knew!” he pointed at Hermione, “You knew what he was doing, but did you stop him, or say anything to me? You two…you make me sick!” he knocked harshly on the door he’d entered through, and it opened readily, two guards ready to escort Draco back to his cell.

“No!” Harry ran forward, “Please, I can explain!”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Draco gestured for the guards to take him away. They slammed the door, and Harry knew it was locked automatically, but he still struggled with it, beating at the door before Hermione grabbed him and the fight seemed to drain from him entirely, his shoulders slumping as he turned and slid to the floor, his face falling into his hands.

“Harry,” Hermione kneeled next to him, brushing a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, this is my fault. If I hadn’t been talking about him, Draco would never have asked…”

“No, it’s not that.” Harry sighed heavily. “He doesn’t trust me, and why should he? I’m keeping secrets from everyone I know! I kept things from you, I’m still hiding a load from Ron, and there are things that apply directly to Draco that I’m not supposed to tell him. It’s ridiculous!”

“But Harry,” Hermione tilted his chin up, a small smile on her face. “I know all that, and I still trust you. When I find out the secrets you’ve been hiding, they only make me trust you more, because it proves how good you are at keeping the knowledge secret and using it appropriately.”

“Thanks,” he gave her a sad smile, “I don’t think Draco subscribes to that way of thinking, however.”

“I got that.” She smiled softly, “But you can’t blame him for worrying about Bill. He is a beautiful man.”

“Hermione!” Harry was shocked out of his slump, and before he could sink back into a stupor, she held out a hand to him.

“Let’s go,” she smiled warmly, “I think we’re going to have to get his help on mending this one.”

“I think you’re right.” He sighed wearily. “Why don’t you take the Pensieve? I’ll owl you if things don’t go well.”

“Okay.” She planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re a good man, Harry. Draco hasn’t know a lot of those, but he’ll learn how it works.”

“Thanks.”

*****

To be Continued…