Because of you

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I tap my feet and look around the compartment. We're getting close to King's Cross, which means we're getting close to meeting Hermione's parents. She told me that she told them everything about me, all of the horrible things I've said to her. I'm not sure how they'll except me. Hermione told them that she was bringing someone home, but not who it was. I'm more than a little bit nervous. She's reassured several times that once she explains that I'm different that they won't have a problem with me, but it's a little hard for me to believe. It probably doesn't help that she's my first real girlfriend. I don't want to mess this up.

"It'll be fine, Draco." Hermione says again.

"I'm just a little nervous." I choke.

Hermione sighs and goes back to talking to Ginny. I look out of the window and see that we're only a few minutes away. The train starts to slow down and I bite my lip. The imminent meeting between me and Hermione's parents starts to make me freak out even more. They think I'm the worst person ever and I find it hard to believe that they'll be able to see past their bias. After all, I've said some pretty awful things to Hermione and I'm sure she's probably cried to her mother about it. It's something to worry about that's for sure.

"Come on." Hermione says as she takes my hand.

I hold her hand and walk out of the compartment with her. When we're off of the train, we say goodbye to Ginny. She says goodbye before apparating home. Hermione hugs me and gives me a quick kiss before leading me through the barrier. As soon as we pass through the barrier, my heart stops. He can't be here, why would he be?

I look at Draco. He's frozen in place. Concerned, I follow his gaze. Standing about one hundred feet away is Draco's father. Lucius Malfoy. He's supposed to be in Azkaban though isn't he? Apparently they either let him out or he's broken out. I watch him closely, afraid that he might try to hurt Draco. He just stares at the two of us and fixates on our clasped hands.

"We should get out of here." Draco whispers.

"How?" I ask.

"I don't know."

I look at him and realize that he truly is terrified of his father. He avoids his eyes and looks at his feet. My heart aches at the terrified and submissive look on his face. He barely resembles the strong, confident man that I saw at the castle. Now it's almost like sixth year. When he was forced to do something he never wanted to by his family and Voldemort. It pains me to think that this horrible man could possibly still have this much control over him.

"Come on." I whisper to Draco.

He just looks at me and follows me back through the platform. Once we're safely back through the barrier, I cast a spell to make us invisible. Draco seems to relax a little bit. I wrap my arm around his waist and he responds by slinging an arm around my shoulders. We walk back through the barrier and out of the station without being noticed by Lucius. I release the spell once we reach my father's car.

"Hi Sweetie." Dad says as I get into the car.

"Hi Dad." I smile.

"Is this the boy you're bringing home?"

"Yes."

"It's nice to meet you sir." Draco says.

"Nice to meet you too. What's your name?"

"Dad, this is Draco Malfoy."

If I were to say that Hermione's father looked angry, that would be a dramatic understatement. His whole face turned a brilliant shade of red. He clenched the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white. Even Hermione looked a bit nervous, but she didn't let go of my hand. I flinched reflexively, I've been taught to expect pain whenever people are angry at me. It's a bad habit earned from spending time with my father, aunt and the Dark Lord.