Devil Doesn't Bargain

The Robbery

To be quite frank, Hermione didn't have an issue with grave robbery. Sure, it wasn't exactly ethical and most certainly wasn't hygienic, but it's not like the dead had any use for their things anymore.

What did bother her was visiting Albus Dumbledore's grave. She didn't share Harry's worship of their late headmaster but did respect his genius. She hated the way the old man consistently put children in danger, but couldn't deny he'd been an accomplished wizard. It left her feeling uncomfortably conflicted. Albus' death had wrecked Harry, and seeing him in such agony was painful; he'd be devastated if he knew what she and Malfoy were doing.

Thankfully, Harry would never find out.

Hogwarts had rubbish security. Even with the added dementors, Hermione and Malfoy were able to make their way to the grave site entirely unnoticed in under a half hour. Since they were still technically Hogwarts students, passing through the wards was simple, and Hermione was so familiar with the Forbidden Forest at this point that she was able to navigate Malfoy through it without any difficulties.

Once they slipped out of the trees, Hermione directed him along a specific path to the Black Lake, so as to avoid any spots visible from the dormitory windows. Malfoy stared at her in wonder. "Honestly, Granger, how many school rules did you break?"

"Most of them. Perks of growing up with Harry."

"Merlin. I can't believe you lot came to the Forbidden Forest by choice. You do realize there are actual monsters in there, right?"

Hermione quirked a brow. "I assure you that I was not chased by acromantulas, werewolves, or a giant by choice." She paused to consider. "Although I suppose I did mount a thestral on purpose. And I did lure Umbridge to the centaurs. That was definitely intentional." She smiled wickedly at the memory.

Malfoy looked horrified. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Too late," she bumped his hip with her own and they shared a grin. "Now come on. The tomb is just a bit farther."

They disillusioned themselves and stepped into the clearing. There it was, the final resting place of Albus Dumbledore. Images of his broken body flooded her mind, and when she glanced at Malfoy, he looked like he was fighting a bout of nausea.

She took out her wand and carefully levitated the tomb covering so that he could slip under and retrieve the target. It only took a few seconds, and she quickly covered the grave. She caught Malfoy's eye, and he nodded briskly before taking off back the way they'd come. When they reached the safety of the forest, Malfoy slowed to catch his breath.

"Hey," Hermione lightly kicked his shin, "you okay?"

"Yes. It's just strange. Strange to be holding this for the second time."

Hermione jolted in surprise. "What on earth do you mean?"

"The Astronomy Tower. Last year. I...disarmed him. I couldn't go through with the other assignment. That's why Snape stepped in."

He went pale and something cracked in Hermione's chest. She instinctively reached out a hand as if to grab his own, but let it drop back to her side. "How angry was he?"

Malfoy turned his head to face her, jaw clenched and eyes dull. "Very."

Hermione inhaled sharply as realization dawned on her. "Malfoy...what happened to your father?" They'd never spoken of him, only of his mother locked away in one of the manor cells. Somehow she'd forgotten to consider Lucius. Now, it seemed silly she hadn't thought of him.

"The usual," he shrugged, "took a few rounds of the cruciatus, but I suppose the dark lord thought putting yet another parent of mine in the dungeons wasn't interesting enough. He sent him to Nurmengard."