Affliction

Thanks for the reviews and positive feedback you guys! I’m so sorry it took so long to update this but I wanted to get all of my other chapters beta’d and then finally post a beta’d version of this chapter but things doesn’t always go as plan, therefore this chapter is not beta’d yet resulting in a lot of grammatical errors you’ve WILL run across so there’s your heads up and a sorry ahead of time.
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So many emotions were running through Hermione’s head on the short walk from the apparition point to the Weasley’s humble abode. She felt a little upset that she had let everything spin so out of control and a little embarrassed at the drastic way she handled the news of Ron’s infidelity but the emotion that washed over her the most was a sense of calmness.

She hadn’t felt so relaxed and at ease in a long time. She had no clue where this sense of tranquility was coming from but for the first time in a long time she knew that she would be ok.

Everything around her seemed so dull and so simple. Even the intricate sunset kissing the sky seemed simplistic; she didn’t see the beautiful oranges and vibrant shades of gold’s painting the air all she saw was beauty.

She didn’t even see the fairies pulsating purple and bubbly pink lights dimly sparkling the stone trail; all she saw was magnificence dancing colors leading her on the journey. She didn’t even notice the exquisite man accompanying her on her voyage all she saw was Malfoy the amazing bouncing ferret.

Hermione may not have been perceptive to her surroundings but Draco wasn’t, he noticed everything. He noticed how she looked so scared and lost; very similar to a young girl just going through the motions.

He noticed how the red, orange and golden rays made her sandy brown highlights in her dark brown hair glitter. With her regular know-it-all façade dropped, he noticed how soft her features really were and he decided that he liked it.

He saw the fairies floating around highlighting her with their lights and he waited for that sparkle that he knew was supposed to be there; that sparkle that was supposed to come from the purple and pink fairy lights, the sparkle that should have graced her eyes. He became disappointed when he realized that her brown eyes might not sparkle for some time and for some strange reason it made him feel something, Pity.

He felt bad for the girl; nobody should have to go through what she was going through. After all, hadn’t she paid her dues to fate for fighting a war so young, being loyal till death so young and what was worst was the problems where coming from the Weasel; the guy she fought side by side with in a perilous war.

These kinds of things shouldn’t happen to good people like her, it should happen to people like him; People like him whom taunted people like her with words like Mudblood and bossy little know-it-all.


Hermione turned and walked up the side-a-long path leading to the side doors of the house. That blissful tranquility that she once was feeling quickly turned to dread when she stood in front of the deep rich red door that would admit her entrance into her husband’s childhood home.

She didn’t know how she would explain to them the happenings of the past few days. Should she tell them about Ron’s incident; or how about her quick venture to suicide’s door? Things like; will they understand or criticize, ran through her head.

Everything suddenly seemed so complicated. She never lied to them before but now she felt she might have to; some how she didn’t feel comfortable telling Molly and Arthur about Ron’s ‘little rendezvous’. She wasn’t ready for this, everything just seemed to be going so fast; couldn’t she have a little more time?
She felt like she was drowning. She didn’t think she could face them right now. She felt a cool tear run a path down her balmy cheeks and rested her head on the cool wooden door.

Everything was happening in slow motion to Draco. He saw Hermione reach out her hand and touch the brass door knob. He saw her hesitate, leaving her hand in midair above the door knob. He watched as her previous calming deaths look slip from her face and panic creped in. He saw her eyes moving, calculating and planning.

He watched as realization set into her porcelain features. He saw one tear slowly roll down her face. He watched her head softly thump the door and her shoulders start to shake. He felt bad for her; he knew she was thinking about how everyone would take the news.

This was such an inexplicable surprise; this news could be interpreted any way. And the Weasley’s were all hot-heads so it was more likely than not a few of them would actually act before they thought. He knew if that happened, it would crush her.

He watched her slightly move her head and he caught her eyes. Her face was drenched in her tears, her eyes were sparkled crystal white and violent red.

She gave him the slightest shake of her head. He didn’t know if he was imagining things or not but it looked like she was begging, no, pleading with him for something. Then he saw more than heard her say “not now”.

At that point he didn’t know what to do. His brain wouldn’t even let him fully process what was happening. His mind was stuck on Hermione’s mouth whispering ‘not now’. What could cause this once proud and brave creature to beg to be away from her family and her friends?

He had once hated this girl for her courage and for her being so proud. He learned to deal with her at work but to see this side of her was truly humbling and to say the least, shocking. He played the scene over and over, as if on repeat; ‘not now’.
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Blaise had just apparated to the Weasley’s apparition point located a few kilo’s from the Weasley’s hovel. To say he was pissed would be the understatement of the year. He knew Weasley was a total jerk but he had always hoped the part of him that had been Hermione’s friend since first year would at least protect her.

Hermione had always been a good friend and an even better wife to Weasley but sometime closely after the war, she became his mother and maid.

He remembered a few times when the ex-Order members would have small celebrations. These small celebrations were times when every one would celebrate the ending of the war and mourn the falling heroes.

He’d never forget watching Hermione across the room chatting with Ginny and Angelina. For the first time in a very long while she looked happy. When her grandfather died he remembered seeing her in a stint, not a bad stint and most definitely not a good one.

Just some kind of trance; you could tell she was just going through the movements, not even realizing the days and weeks that were passing. After a war that buried classmates, friends, old lovers and professors, losing a love one that actually survived the war would be quite painful.

Needless to say she took it fairly hard. But here she was laughing, joking and finally having a good time.

He watched as Potter and Weasley walked across the room and joined the three jovial women. Potter stood before Ginny pulling her off the small sofa, taking her seat and pulling her down on his lap. Of course she giggled and blushed; Angelina nudged her and playfully winked but Hermione beamed at the happy couple that was finally able to publicly display their relationship.

Her smile reached her eyes and was very contagious; he smiled too.

Then he watched Weasley pull her out of her seat and Hermione began to blush. What happened next was something that burned itself deep into the crevices of his mind; it was what made his childhood petty dislike turn into full grown hate, this was what kept him from any future Order celebrations.

He watched as Weasley took her seat and handed her his empty bottle of butterbeer. He watched a dejected Hermione quickly smile and walk off towards the kitchen. Of course no one said anything; Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head and Angelina sat there shocked and dumbfounded.

He sat there pretty much looking identical to Angie. He thought these people where her friends! These heroes that saved many lives from an obtuse war sat and ignored the ill treatment of a dear friend.

He was hurt just watching her walk back into the room with a new and full bottle of butterbeer. He took the beer grinning and crossed his legs. Hermione looked around for another place to sit since he took her spot and an invitation to his lap was not induced; she finally sat on the floor.

That’s when he felt his first surge of true anger towards the Weasel; he really had wanted to go over and thump him in the nose but was placid by Angie standing up and offering Hermione her seat. Angie snatched the beer from the Weasel’s hands, threw it in his face and simply walked away.

Ever since then he took Hermione under his wings. He took her to lunch, went shopping with her; on the rare occasion that she actually wanted to go, ventured the muggle theatre with her, held her hand while she cried and never asked why. Hermione became the sister he never had growing up and the one person who actually showed him what love really was. And he loved her for that, he’d do anything for her including spending a life time in
Azkaban for killing the Weasel.

He turned up the side path that led directly to the side of the Weasel’s childhood hovel and an uneasy feeling settled in his gut. He saw a head of pale blond hair that could only be described as Draco’s and on close inspection a head of wild brown curls against a glossy red door that could only be described as Hermione’s.

He quickened his pace; very happy that Hermione was safe and sound in his eye sight. He began to realize something wasn’t right; they were standing stock still; Hermione against the door, Draco a few paces in front of her. He started to run while quickly taken out his wand hoping to Merlin he wouldn’t have to use it.

He just made it behind Draco when he heard Hermione whisper “not now.” His heart once again broke seeing the once courageous lioness broken and hurt, crying. He was shocked that Hermione would let Draco see this side of her; as for as he knew nobody apart from he and Fluer Delacour had ever scene Hermione so distraught.

Then as if in slow motion she began to fall. Blaise dived down and caught her. He lifted her up; head resting on his shoulder and his hands tucked under her knees. He looked down upon her face and saw that it was blotchy, red and swollen; probably from all of the tears gracing her face the past few days. He looked up into his dear friends face and saws emotion he’d never seen adorn his features, shock and pity. He briefly wondered if Hermione had gotten under his skin the way she had his many, many years ago.

“She doesn’t have to talk to them if she isn’t ready.”

Draco looked up for the first time noticing Blaise’s appearance and nodded.

“I’m taking her back to the Manor.”

Draco made as if to take a step closer but then hesitated opting for just a nod.

“I’m just going to put Hermione down for a quick name. I would appreciate it if you come with us.”

Draco actually did take a step forward this time and nodded. He knew that he probably looked like an emotional fool but he didn’t care. After the recent events he felt as if words didn’t belong there. That actually saying something would make this all real. He didn’t want it to be real.

Blaise nodded and begun his trek back to the apparition point, with Draco following close behind.
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After Blaise put Hermione down for bed, he invited Draco into his study for a few drinks. He knew he needed one and judging by Draco’s actions today he figured he might want one too. Blaise pulled out a half empty crystal decanter of Cuffley’s Ripened Randyrum and unscrewed the crystal top, savouring the bitter tangy scent emitting from the fiery golden liquid.

He walked across the room and collapsed into his favourite tattered green cosy chair. A flick of his wrist summoned two of the deepest, widest glasses the Zabini family owned.

Another flick of his wrist had the strongest and oldest wizard’s rum almost emptied into the two oversized brandy glasses. He nuzzled deeper into his chair and sighed.

Draco sat in his seat watching silently. He was beyond confused now. Watching Blaise and Hermione interacting was nothing less then mesmerizing. For some reason Blaise always seemed to know what Granger wanted or needed without her voicing it.

No matter how upset he gotten over the past few days, he’d always handled her with extreme care.

After watching Blaise carry her two flight of stairs to her room, manually dress her for bed and tuck her in with parting words of “tu sei una persona molto speciale nella tutto mia vita. Sogni d'oro Mione;” he began to wonder if their maybe something deeper between them.

Of course he didn’t know Italian but he knew how to read people’s actions and Blaises’ actions were screaming something totally different.

He accepted the drink offered to him and took a long sip from the oversized schooner, wincing at the large amount of bitter liquid burning a path down his throat.

Draco stared into his glass wondering how he even came to be in the picture. The only thing he was suppose to do a few days ago was go to work, have that meeting with the Minster and then afterwards celebrate his success at signing on the Minster of Magic to the new rehabilitation plans for the medical ward he was currently working on.

He couldn’t even do that! No…. Curiosity caught his cat (lolz!) and promoted him to go look for a woman that was always at work, never called in sick, and was there for work even if they had to emit her as a patient.

I’m mean he was happy that she was still alive but he wasn’t so sure he wanted to be twisted up in all of this, after all he barely knew her outside of work and a few order meetings way back.

Everything just seemed personal, too personal for him to be involved. But as personal as it seemed and as personal as it was he couldn’t help but want to be there, to help.

Blaise clearing his throat brought him out of his complex thoughts causing him to look up at his best friend of almost fifteen and thirteen years (28).

He never saw so many conflicting emotions in his best mates face. What befuddled him the most was the strongest emotion emitting from Blaises’ face, fear.

“I know your probably wondering when, how and what caused me to become close friend with Hermione.” Blaise hated that his voice was so unstudied and horse. He swirled the rest of the liquid in his glass then knocked the rest back.

Today had been a long day and it was only going to get longer.

“I knew you and Granger where friends, I just didn’t know on what level, now I do.” Draco said murmuring the last part.

Blaise nodded and got up to pour himself another drink. Instead of going back to his seat he stood by the window opting to look out into the darkening sky instead of his friends questioning eyes; eyes he was pretty sure would turn harsh and unforgiving after this discussion, after he finally tell his best mate the secret he’d been hiding from him for years.

He didn’t exactly know how to put it into words but he figured explaining from the beginning was a good idea.

“Do you remember me taking that trip to America a little over a year after the war?” Blaise asked.
Draco nodded, confused more than ever what this would have to do with Granger.

“Well I did take that trip to get away and relax from everything the war brought forth but my choice in going to America was fueled by another cause.” Blaise said walking away from the window and sitting in the chair directly across from Draco’s.

Draco’s brow furrowed causing a deep wrinkle in his forehead asking the unspoken question he was too confused to ask.

“I went to the states with more than peace and relaxation. You can say I had unfinished business with a certain death eater friend of ours.” Blaise spat out.

Draco shook his head still not understanding. “There were never any death eaters in the states. The war never got out that far.”

Blaise nodded and took another sip of the fiery liquid. “Your right. The war never spread that far but there was one follower that fled and thought he could start a new group with him as leader.”

“How do you know all of these things? And why didn’t you alert the Order? Why didn’t you request back up?” Draco asked frantically. “I can’t believe you did a mission without back up.”

Blaise winced hearing the slight hurt in Draco’s voice and at the loaded questions he were asking. Instead of how do you know all of these things, he heard why didn’t you tell me? Instead of why didn’t you alert the Order and why didn’t you call for backup he heard why didn’t you ask me for help, I was your partner in every mission. And finally instead of I can’t believe you did a mission without back up, he heard I can’t believe you would hold important information from me.

Blaise sighed rubbing his face in frustration. He didn’t tell anyone his mission because he didn’t want anyone’s help not even Draco’s. This was something he needed to do by himself, he just hoped his friend would understand that.

“I just couldn’t. It was so much going on at that time. I just coul-’”

“Wouldn’t.” Draco interrupted. “You could have told them. Hell Blaise if not them, you could have at least gave me a heads up!” Draco growled.

Blaise shrugged and nodded. “Your right. I could have told you but I didn’t. I needed to do this alone, for myself.”

“Fine! Then at least tell me how you knew about the death eater in the states.” Draco sneered.
Blaise took another sip out of his glass slightly hesitating with his answer. “I know because he told me. He contacted me through my mark.”

Draco was flabbergasted. He’d only knew of the dark lord being able to summon his followers through their marks. He didn’t think it was possible for anyone other than the creator to do that. And if anyone could control the connections the mark had to the once loyal servants of Voldermort then the consequences would be monumental!

“Voldermort killed through that mark! He controlled people through that mark! You should have told me when you found this shit out! For fucks sake man, I have the same fucking mark that you do! I had the right to know!” Draco shouted.

Blaise had a feeling he would react this way so he stayed quiet and let him finish his rant. He knew that he had every right to be mad, he would have been mad too if the shoes were switched.

Draco sobered, starring emptily at the leftover contents in his glass. He knew he should feel a little bad for yelling at Blaise like that but today was a very emotional day; even though he wasn’t directly affected by the few days’ occurrences, he still couldn’t help but be affected in some way. Unfortunately for Blaise anger was a pretty strong emotion on his odometer.

“Your right. You had the right to know but if I had thought you or any of us was in danger I would have alerted the Order. I’m truly sorry Draco but I had to do this on my own.”

Draco looked up, noting the vulnerability in his friend’s voice and felt a little ashamed. No matter how high his emotions were running, Blaise had bared a great bulk of everything.

Draco shook his head trying to check his emotions. “Why?”

Blaise shrugged his shoulders. “This is something that needs to stay secret mate. No matter what happens, no matter what, nothing said from here on out can leave this room. You have to oath it.”

Draco tore out of his chair furiously and threw his glass at the wall directly behind Blaise. Blaise winced and watched what was left of the liquid run tears down his dark sage walls. He slowly turned to look at his best mate of over twenty years, scared to see the hurt and betrayal etched across his childhood friend’s face.

“That’s what this is, isn’t? Trust. You don’t trust me. That’s why you solo’d the mission and that’s why you want me to oath it.”

Draco turned to pick up his fall cloak and began walking towards the door. Blaise scrambled from his seat trying to reach the door before his friend walked completely out of it. He knew if Draco left now he wouldn’t look back.

“Drake, man stop.”

Draco turned his head, meeting eye contact with Blaise, a sneer on his face. “Fuck off Zabini.”

“Wait!”

Blaise yelled while running and diving in front of the old mahogany door sufficiently blocking it.
“She’s my sister!” Blaise panted while leaning his weight against the door preventing Draco from walking out of it.

“You asked why I didn’t ask for back up and why I need you to swear to secrecy now is because she’s my sister and she doesn’t know it.”

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A/N: This story is going to be very long as you can probably already tell considering that we’re on chapter 6 and Hermione just found out about Ron’s infidelity just only a few days ago. So please don’t hate me for not making Draco fall head over hills in love with his childhood adversary, I want it to be believable, plus I just can’t hand a broken Hermione to Draco Malfoy!

There are so many things about her that you guys don’t know yet! Such as when did Fluer Delacour see Hermione so broken and why? Why didn’t Blaise run and tell Hermione they where siblings when he found out? AND………… what would really cause Ron to act like a total jerk to her? Do you guys really think it’s because of a girl? Could it be something much more deeper?

Well you guys go ahead and think on that AND review! Remember REVIEW = FUEL!!!!