Draco's Obsession

True Nature

Hermione's POV:

Alexandria was staring at Malfoy with a concerned expression on her face.

His mother was ill, and there was nothing Malfoy could do about it.

Hermione's heart ached for him. She wouldn't know what she'd do to be by her parents if they were ever ill.

She'd break every law to be by their side.

But Malfoy was at a loss.

The Ministry would never allow him to visit his mother.

"How ill is she?" Malfoy asked again, a little forceful.

Alexandria only rested her hand on his arm to calm him down. "Nothing she can't handle."

But Malfoy didn't seem to believe her.

"Your mother is very strong willed, Malfoy," Hermione tried to reassure him. "I'm sure she'll be back to her usual self soon."

But again, he didn't seem to believe that.

She could feel the nervousness and panic protruding from him.

"How about you read the letter?" Alexandria suggested. "Maybe it'll explain everything."

Malfoy nodded his head, but seemed too afraid to open it.

"Would you like me to read it to you?" Hermione offered a little shyly.

Malfoy looked up at her in surprise. She was afraid she had overstepped, but his body seemed to relax.

"Not now," was all he said.

So, he wants me to read the letter to him?

"I can't think about this right now," Malfoy suddenly stood from his seat and barged off out of the Great hall, leaving Hermione to watch him disappear out of the large double doors.

"This is not going to end well," Alexandria told her.

"No, I don't think it is."

Alexandria rubbed at her face in frustration. "He's been through a lot these past few months. So has his mother. Apparently she's been receiving death threats from anonymous strangers. And according to my mother, the ministry is letting it happen."

"Why would they do that?" Hermione questioned. "They're supposed to guard her."

"I don't think the Ministry cares anymore. They're wasting their resources on the criminals on probation. Especially the ones who don't attend Hogwarts." Alexandria sighed heavily. "If Draco finds out, I don't know what he'll do."

Hermione shuddered at the thought.

Shame coursed through her as her mind drifted to Malfoy. Her problems seemed pathetic compared to his.

Hermione still missed her parents, but it was her choice to leave them. Her choice to save them.

Malfoy and his mother did not have that choice.