Two Sides of the Serpent // Draco Malfoy

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Lost In Thought

Each passing day was marked by Ron's gradual recovery. While the others found comfort in his improving condition, I remained indifferent. Keeping to myself, I sat alone on the shoreline. The waves lapping against the shore was a distraction to feeling like an outsider. Luna understood how I felt without having to explain it, but the others were not so aware.

As I sat by the ocean lost in thought, I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye. I turned to find Hermione walking through the sand approaching me.

She hesitated for a split second, but relented. "Could I join you?"

I didn't look away from the water as I gave her a small nod. She sat silently beside me, gazing over the water and watching the waves crash down. There was a clear tension, as we had never been ones for small talk. Especially with each other.

Finding her inner strength, she broke the silence that had settled between us. "I know things haven't been.. pleasant, between us in the past. But I hope you know that we're all on the same side now. Despite everything, we all need to work together."

I groaned inwardly with a roll of my eyes. I curled my lip and shot her a cold stare. "Save your pleasantries, Hermione," I retorted, my voice sharp with disdain. "I'm not interested in your attempts at friendship. I just want my life to not keep falling apart more than it has."

She fixed me with a steady gaze before speaking. "Everyone inside would like to talk," she said evenly, her voice carrying a hint of urgency, before standing and dusting her clothes of sand. Turning away and walking back towards the cottage.

My eyes stayed locked on the water, feeling a mix of annoyance and irritation. I sighed heavily and with a shake of my head I pushed myself up. I approached the cottage, the sand crunching beneath my feet. As I entered, everyone, including Ron, sat in the living room forming a circle.

I remained on the outskirts, leaning against the archway leading into the room and crossed my arms over my chest. Hermione stood at the head of the room, overlooking everyone in the room.

"We've agreed that we need to talk about what has happened," she began, keeping her tone measured. "If we are to defeat You-Know-Who we all need to trust each other." As she spoke her looked directly at me, as if singling me out among them.

"It seems there is something inside Bellatrix's vault within Gringott's and we need to find it." She continued with determination.

I snickered at her audacious statement. "You've got to be joking!"

All eyes turned to me as my weak laughter reached their ears.

"That's a suicide mission waiting to happen." I voiced my opinions about her plan, thinking it was the worst idea she's quite possibly ever had.

Ron bristled at my skepticism, his tone defensive. "What else should we do then? Hmm? We're all open to ideas." His bitterness toward me spewed from his lips and tensed jaw.

My arms dropped to my side as I pushed myself off the archway. Standing firm, I rebutted, "How can you be so certain you'll even make it past the front door? Everyone in the world is looking for you right now, most wanting to kill you already."

Hermione stepped forward, trying to obscure the view and settle the rising tension. "We understand the risks, Evelyn," she said, her gaze steady. "But I'm afraid we haven't another option."

Scanning her tone and body language, I relented. "Fine," I stated hesitantly, "But you're on your own for this."

A collective nod passed between us as we understood where we all stood in this alliance. Potter pushed himself to the edge of his seat as he leaned in to discuss their plan. I had always been one for bending the rules or acting audaciously, but even this stuck out to me particularly absurd.