Foolish Hearts

Seventeen

Draco's Pov...

I watched both Hermione and my Uncle eye me with utter contempt as I relayed how Ron somehow was able undo his straitjacket restraints, and steal an orderly's uniform, and use the dead orderly's night stick to kill a janitor on duty. Then somehow Ron was able to get his wand out of storage, and began using the killing curse at will, eventually killing fourteen people by the time he could disapparate away from St. Mungos.

"And just where were you in all of this, Draco?!" Hermione demanded. "My ex husband held me at fucking gun point! Thank the gods, you had the foresight to make him vow to never see me again, or I could have been killed!"

"I was at home," I apologized. "Astoria had to wake me with the news after I was up nearly half the night with our teething three month old son."

My Uncle sighed, "Yes, indeed. Weasley was your responsibility. He was under your care. I think Miss. Granger deserves an apology."

I hated apologizing, it was the absolute worst thing. But my Uncle was right: if not for me, they wouldn't have had to cut their holiday in Cornwall short.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Hermione," I said, gritting my teeth the entire time. "I know it's a piss poor reason, but it's all I have, take it or leave it."

"I will think about it," Hermione finally said, and brushed past me.

When she was out of the room, my Uncle narrowed his black eyes at me, and said coldly, "If you ever put my family in danger again, I won't hesitate to put the cruciatus curse on you, Draco. My fiancee has gone through enough shit in her time. She doesn't need more in her life, least of all from you. Now, get out of my sight."

"But...Uncle!"
"Are you deaf as well as stupid, boy?!" My godfather snarled. "I won't tell you a third time."

I walked out of the headmaster's office feeling like the worst failure in the world; it was true that I tortured Ron Weasley, and enjoyed it. But seeing my Uncle pissed off at me, and all because he nearly lost the witch he loved, that was the worst blow for me.

I went home to my wife, and my son Scorpius, and took small comfort in them. If I had lost them...no, I wouldn't think about that. I would enjoy what time that I had with them, because that was all any of us could do, make the time with our loved ones count, for who knows how long any of us have?