The Hunter And The Haunted

Part 16

Hermione had spent a good part of her life with Harry and Ron; the two had awful rows, but it was nothing compared to what she saw before her now as she leaned into the creamy wall of Draco's private sitting room of his chambers, wishing she could just disappear into it. She'd been glad to have finally left the dining hall, but this was not any better, even though the veil of her disguise had been lifted.

"Son of a bitch!"

Theodore Nott punched Draco Malfoy in the face with a resounding crack.

Lisa was huddled with Athena, cuddling the still-trembling girl wrapped up snugly in a blanket, glaring at the two boys who were now in a full fistfight, with Draco slamming a right hook into Theo's ribs. Theo almost tripped over the girls' abandoned heels on the floor.

"Honestly, pull yourselves together, Theo-" Theo cut Lisa off with a growl.

"Shut your fuckin' mouth, Lisa."

He straightened to his full height, glaring at Draco, who was scowling back with equal fire and fury.

Draco snarled. "Watch your language, Nott."

"No, Malfoy. I will NOT! Athena didn't deserve that. You know she didn't. Why protect the fuckin' mudblood? You should have let Bella know that we had Granger. That we would steal into her mind and figure out the weakness of the Hogwarts lot!" Theodore spat out, his chest heaved and his hands shook with the absolute rage he was emanating.

Draco let out another snarl and rushed at Theodore, grabbing him by his collar and pinning him against a wall, and growled,

"You should know by now, Theodore, that there's no reasoning with Bellatrix Lestrange. You know she wanted Athena hurt. It was better at my hand than hers. We need Granger healed before we can dive into her mind and find anything of use! We've already discussed this!"

He let Theo go and turned, running his hand through his hair in frustration. Beads of perspiration gleamed on his forehead. He was making a pointed effort not to look at the girls. Theo gritted his teeth, his eyes drilling holes into Draco's back.

"Draco..." Athena raised a hand towards him, her voice feeble.

Draco halted but didn't turn.

"It's all right. I trusted you. I'll be fine. You did what you needed to do."

Draco's shoulders relaxed, just a bit and he looked over towards Athena just when there was a rap on the door. Immediately Hermione felt a wave of magic hit her, the illusion on her before Narcissa sashayed in, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Sweetheart.."

She stopped before him and frowned, taking in her son's now nonchalant expression and sighed, placing her hands on his cheeks.

"I am so very proud of you, sweetheart. Do you know that? Your father and I know how hard you work. The honour you bring to the Malfoy name."

Draco made an unimpressive sound between a snort and a grunt.

"And," Narcissa continued, patting her son's cheek, every bit the doting mother with a glowing smile, "Your father and I feel that Astoria and you can.. share a room this time. We know how hard losing her was for you before. And we don't want to be so... How do I put it? Old fashioned?"

As great as an actor Draco could be, he was unprepared for this.

"M- Mother..." He managed, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"You don't have to say anything, darling boy," She kissed his cheek, Draco was too stunned to respond.

"And Astoria, my dear, your old wardrobe is in Draco's room," Narcissa blew a kiss Hermione's way before she turned on her heel walking back to the door, not before giving Athena a half glance and dropping a vial of purple liquid on her lap.

Athena downed the liquid before the door closed and colour rushed to her face again. She leaned back into the couch and shut her eyes, the corners of her lips curved. She was finally at peace.

The same could not be said for Draco.

"What... The actual fuck?" He stared at the door as if expecting his mother to return and withdraw the permission he should apparently be grateful for.

Theo chuckled, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket, and lighting it with the snap of his fingers. "Watch your language, Malfoy."