Until the end Dramione

Chapter 20 Disappointments

"The greater the hope, the more violent the disappointment." Franz-Olivier Giesbert

No sooner had Voldemort uttered this sentence than the tall blond's blood ran cold.

- You disappoint me, Draco. After the betrayal I so kindly forgave you, I was hoping for a little more recognition and honesty from you. I imagine it wasn't easy for you to call me Master..." Voldemort assumed with a devilish grin on his face.

Draco was distraught. He didn't know what to do or say. He feared the worst now. What would happen to him? Would he be killed? Or worse: tortured? He thought of Hermione, who was waiting for him right now and who could be in danger at any moment. He would have liked to hug her and tell her everything was all right, but it wasn't and he knew it. Anguish had totally petrified him, as if someone had cast a spell on him.

- Did you really think I wouldn't find out the truth about all your dirty little schemes? You must really regret underestimating me, mustn't you?

Despite the paleness of Voldemort's skin, Draco felt as if his face was on fire.

- You've been a fool, Draco. However, I'm going to show you mercy by giving you one last chance to join me...

The young man flinched, already fearing the worst...

As Hermione began to change, she heard the doorbell ring. For that split second, she missed a beat of her heart. Who could it be? The only name she could think of was "Draco". She hastily put on the clothes she had prepared and raced down the stairs, nearly slipping twice. As she'd expected, on the first floor, her father was already closing the door. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at him, trying to catch a glimpse of dismay on his face.

- Who was it?" she asked.

- No one," her father replied matter-of-factly.

But she suspected her father would have that answer if it was someone who had come to see her. So she ran to the door and opened it before he could stop her. As she surveyed the street, a few steps away, she spotted a messy brown hair that she knew all too well. It wasn't Draco, but seeing him filled her heart with joy:

- Harry!

The young man immediately turned around. Hermione waited no longer and threw herself into his arms, tears welling up in her eyes. Oh how happy she was to be able to find comfort at last. She couldn't believe she had her best friend with her. Harry tightened his embrace and she felt safe; all she was asking for.

- I thought you were gone...

Gone? Hermione disentangled herself from the Chosen One's arms and looked, brows furrowed, in the direction of her house where her mother was watching them, moved.

- Follow me.

Angrily, she rushed home, followed by her best friend in total confusion.

- How can you do this?! she shouted at her father, sitting as if nothing had happened on the living-room sofa.

- How can I do what?

- How can you separate me from even my friends?! That person you just chased away pretending I don't know what is Harry! Harry, dad! My best friend I've told you so much about over the years at Hogwarts! I can't believe you're still keeping me away from the people I love! Next time I suppose you'll lock me in a dungeon?

Mr Granger remained silent despite his daughter's reproaches. No doubt, for once, guilt had invited itself into his home. Hermione grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled him to her bedroom, where she slammed the door hard enough for the noise to echo throughout the house.