Imperiused (Dramione)

New Year's Day (Part 2)

"I can't tell you here, mother," Draco whispered. "Please, let's just finish eating and enjoy each other's company," he pleaded, giving his mother's hand a squeeze to calm her.

Narcissa Malfoy narrowed her eyes at her son, her nose flaring. She suddenly felt something grave had happened just by looking at Draco's pleading eyes. "Fine," she agreed reluctantly.

Draco exhaled the breath he was holding as he heard her agree. "Thank you, mother," he told her.

"You can tell me after breakfast," Narcissa said authoritatively. She continued eating as Draco sighed.

They were both silent for the rest of their meal. Draco looking worriedly at his mother who tried to act as if he was not there as she ate.

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Hermione Granger enjoyed her warm bath so much that she almost fell asleep again while laying on the tub. Thankfully, Toby knocked on the bathroom door when she was about to drift off.

"Just a minute, Toby," Hermione replied to the elf's knocking. She carefully lifted herself up from the tub, dried herself with a towel, then put on a robe.

"Good morning, mistress," the House-elf greeted her as she opened the door.

"Good morning, Toby," she answered with a smile. The little elf reminds her of Dobby and made her heart ache.

"Master Draco will not be back until noon, Toby is here to assist you with whatever you need," Toby informed her. "Toby have brought some hot chocolate and scones for your morning snack," he added, pointing to the table where her breakfast had been.

The table was now laden with a plate of freshly baked scones, an array of fruit jams, a plate of butter, and a pot. Hermione's mouth began to water as she smelled the freshly baked scones and hot chocolate.

"Thank you, Toby. I'm not really hungry yet so I don't think I could eat all of those," she told the elf, but when the elf gave her a teary-eyed look, she added, "but if you will join me, I think we could finish them all."

If Hermione thought that by saying that the House-elf would feel better, she was wrong. Toby suddenly burst into tears!

"Toby! Why are you crying?" the witch asked worriedly.

"Mistress asked Toby to eat with her! Never in all Toby's years here have someone invited Toby to eat together with them!" He said sobbing.

"Oh, Toby! Please, don't cry," Hermione requested, and the elf instantly stopped his tears, obeying her request.

"So sorry, mistress, Toby did not want to upset you," he informed her, knowing that Draco will punish him if he made Hermione feel bad.

Hermione gave the elf a small smile. "If you don't want me to be upset, then eat with me," she told him.

The little House-elf has no choice but to obey her.

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Ronald Weasley woke up later than usual, thankfully he still have three days before he needs to report to the Auror Office. He woke up with a bad hangover, his head hurts too much that he could not focus his eyes properly.

The redhead noticed that Harry's bed was already empty and the sun was already shining brightly outside, confirming that it was already late in the morning.

He tried to sit up but couldn't. He doesn't want to go down and face anyone at his state anyway, so he just slept again hoping that his headache will go away when he wakes up later.