Heartbeat

Chapter 15- A Kiss From Death

Draco

"This can't be happening." 

Blaise and I sit cross legged in the Slytherin commons, staring in horror at the soggy newspaper that lies on the wooden table in front of us. 

"Don't people say that The Daily Prophet isn't reliable?" Blaise asks in desperation.

"It's the only newspaper that's published these days, other than The Quibbler. And the old madman who writes that has gone back to the fucking Crumple Horned Snorkack."

I look back down, my stomach twisting at the words that punch out from the paper. 

The Daily Prophet

BREAKING NEWS

Known as the most terrifying wizarding prison in the world, Azkaban has held thousands of  criminals. Now, the wizarding world finds itself in a tough place with all of Azkaban's new members. 

After the downfall of Lord Voldemort, many have hoped to finally live in peace. However, a menace still proves undefeated. Voldemort's followers, better known as the Death Eaters, are still lurking around. While some say to forgive their actions after they've served a year in Azkaban, others have a more grim idea in mind for our prisoners. 

For the past few days, talk of giving the Dementor's Kiss to all prisoners over the age of 17 has been buzzing all around The Ministry. While Minister Shacklebolt is still yet to give his decision on the subject, it seems like the ministry's workers are ready to take matters into their own hands. 

"Death Eaters don't deserve forgiveness," an unnamed ministry worker spat. "They killed my son. I want every last one of them dead."

We hope to hear a decision on this from Minister Shacklebolt in a few days. The majority of people seem to want the Death Eaters gone for good. While I'm not a seer myself, it isn't very hard to predict what the final decision will be. 

"I really can't believe it. There's no way the Minister will let them do that, right?" Blaise asks bleakly.

"I don't know. He seemed pretty done with being fair when he was at my house," I mutter. 

"Draco. Your parents. My uncle. Theo. If this actually happens, everyone-"

"I know," I say helplessly. "I know. And there's nothing I can do about it."

"That's the thing," Blaise . "People like us can never do anything about it. It's always the Order who think of themselves as people savers."

"I bet if the Order said something the ministry would be at their feet," I spit. 

"That's it!" Blaise yelps suddenly. "Draco you're a genius!"

"What?"

"Your idea. It just might work!"

"What idea?" I ask, bemused. 

"Okay, I'm the genius," Blaise says shaking my shoulder. "Let's ask someone from the Order to say something. To Shacklebolt. They'll have to listen!"

"You really think there are Order members in the ministry that wouldn't want the death eaters dead?"

Blaise goes quiet, and then perks up again. 

"I don't know about ministry workers, but I know an Order member who likes to stick his nose in other people's business."

"Potter-"

"Not just Potter," Blaise interjects. "All of them. The Golden Trio."

"They won't help us," I snort. "Those two listen to whatever Hermione says, and I don't think she's particularly taken with me right now."

"We can just ask them," Blaise urges. "They'll have to say-"

"I'm not begging Potter for anything," I snarl. "I'd rather be in Azkaban."

"Then ask Hermione."

"She doesn't even remember me!" 

"It doesn't matter," Blaise points out. "She's still Hermione. Ask her the right way. She'll help."

I lapse into a worried silence, strumming my fingers against the table. 

"I don't know how to talk to her," I admit finally, meeting Blaise's eyes.

"What does that even mean?" Blaise snorts. 

"I . . .  I don't know," I say, frustrated. "I look at her, and all I can think about is how things would be if she remembered. I can't get a word out without mentioning it."

"So mention it," Blaise snaps. "I'm done with the hurting-boy-act. Just tell her already."

"But we told Potter-"

"Since when do we listen to Potter?"

I grin. 

"We don't."