On the Nature of Daylight

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The return to school meant the return of conflicting thoughts for Hermione. She had spent the greater part of her holidays trying to sort out her feelings and thoughts, but hadn't gotten much of anywhere until the night before they were to return to Hogwarts. The memory of it still sent off sparks inside of her; some nervous, some pleasant, but all burning.

She had sequestered herself away in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express and buried her face in her book, refusing to look up when she heard noises outside just in case she caught his eye. Or even worse, if he was there and didn't bother to look at her at all. Their night had ended on a strange note and she wasn't exactly sure where she stood with him. The only comforting thing was that Malfoy seemed just as keen as her to make sure no one found out about what they had done so at least she didn't have to worry about him telling all his mates. Hopefully.

She had been excited to see Harry and Ginny again when they returned. Ron was practically attacked by Lavender as soon as he stepped foot in the common room and Ginny had given Hermione a sad smile before heading over to sit with Dean. She made a mental note to ask Ginny why she looked so bored sitting next to her boyfriend when Malfoy's name caught her attention.

Harry's theory had grown and he seemed obsessed with the thought that Draco Malfoy was now a Death Eater. They debated the subject a little, Hermione carefully choosing her words about him and hoping Harry didn't notice the heat in her cheeks when he mentioned the night of Slughorn's party.

"I wish I knew where he went after that," Harry frowned and pushed his glasses up a little. "If he is working on something, I wish I knew where he was hiding it."

Hermione shifted nervously in her seat. She knew exactly where he had gone after he spoke with Snape and even though it might dissuade a bit of Harry's fervor, she held her tongue. Harry could never know. He hated Malfoy just as much as Ron did and his new conspiracy would surely make him think Hermione had gone insane if he knew what she had done.

"Hermione, what is it?" Harry asked leaning forward. "You look like you've seen a... well not a ghost, but something."

"Nothing," she said quickly. "It's nothing. Harry I really wish you would consider what everyone is telling you. I don't think Malfoy is-"

"Look, I know what I heard," Harry said firmly. "You might think it's crazy, but everyone thought I was crazy last year and I was right about that-"

"I didn't think you were crazy!" she said fiercely. "I stood by you then and I'm standing by you now, I just wish that you would listen to yourself."

"You'll see." Harry said, his green eyes sparkling. "You'll see, Hermione."

.

The first day of classes passed by fairly uneventfully. Everyone was excited about the prospect of apparition lessons and so it was easy to pass the day by, making small talk about what it might feel like with Neville as they walked from class to class. It was nice just chatting with him about everything and nothing. It seemed so much in her life was creating large amounts of stress, she hadn't realized how nice it was just to have a simple friend. It wasn't until they were leaving their last class of the day that she was confronted with reality again.

"Gran doesn't like apparating so I've never done side along," Neville said as they started to make their way down the stairs to the Great Hall. "We use Floo Powder mostly..."

Hermione felt a tug at her elbow and in the time it took her to spin around to see who it was, Malfoy was already hauling her backwards underneath a stairwell and out of sight. Neville's voice faded down the corridor.