Hermione Granger and the Lost Love

World Cup

I remember this specific moment like it was yesterday. It still amazes me how the smallest of things can make the biggest change. It was the Quidditch World Cup, right before my fourth year at Hogwarts, so I wouldn't say it was like any other day. It was quite an extraordinary day actually (until the dark mark was summoned of course). It could not have gotten any better, I was able to watch go to such a big wizarding event with my two dearest friends.

At one point during the day the Weasleys, Harry and I crossed paths with the Malfoys. It was the same usually banter full of snide remarks and bitter comments under their breath. The Minister of Magic at the time was involved in the conversation, completely oblivious to the tension in front of him.

 There was a moment Mr. Malfoy made eye contact with me, and even those no words were spoken his face said it all. He was repulsed by my very existence, loathed the very idea that a mudblood was in his presence. The hatred in his eyes as clear as day. I was determined to stare back and not show how this hurt me. When our eye contact broke I glanced over at Draco and saw something I don't think anyone else noticed. 

For a moment Draco was glaring at his father with a look of disgust that was similar to how his father looked towards me. I don't even think I've seen him glare at Harry that way. When he looked at me for the shortest second his faced softened. Once he realized I was staring back he forced an annoying look on his face, or I like to believe its forced.

I didn't see Draco again until after the dark mark was summoned. At one point I was separated from the group and was wondering around looking for them. Knowing how reckless Harry and Ron are, I figured they would be somewhere in the woods so thats where I headed. It wasn't long until I came across a boy my age and his father arguing. As they got closer, it did not take me long to realize it was Draco and his father. It felt so wrong to eavesdrop but I couldn't move without risking getting caught.

As Draco chased after his father he shouted, "You can't ignore forever, answer me!"

When his father continued to ignore him Draco's voice became colder as he yelled, "You coward!  you disgust me, what kind of father are you?" 

Just has quickly as Draco said that his father swung around and back handed him across the face. "How dare you question what kind of father I am when I do nothing but work hard to give you everything you want, you ungrateful little swine" said his father as he glared down at him.

This seemed to have an effect on Draco because his tone started to have desperation behind his pleas. "Please, I just want to know if the rumors are true. Don't I deserve to know?"

His fathers expresion did not soften the slightest bit as he said "Listen closely because I will not repeat myself Draco. If you mention this one more time there will be punishment and it will be severe."

"Oh so that is how you want to play this?" Draco said looking way too confident for his own well being. He continued with "If you don't answer me again I guess I am going to let it accidentally slip to Fudge that the money you donated was stolen."

Even though it was dark, the fury on Mr.Malfoy's face was unmistakable as he pulled out his wand and did the unthinkable. He shouted "Crucio!" and sneered as his own son fell to the floor and screamed in pain.

At this point I had to put my hatred for Draco aside because I could not sit quietly while this defenseless boy was getting tortured by his father. I ran towards them with my wand pointed out yelling for him to stop.

He continued his merciless torture with a smirk on his face growing wider by the second. I had to stop him but how? With a last ditch effort I shouted "We both know I don't have the ability stop you, but what I can do is tell everyone what I just heard!" This seemed to catch his attention because Dracos screams finally stopped.

He slowly turned to me and with a chilling voice said "You insolent little girl. You will not threaten me, nor will you not tell anyone was you saw here. You will keep your mouth shut or I promise, I will kill you."

Those last four words he said slowly while emphasizing each syllable. He then continued onto saying "Besides even if you did tell anyone, who do you think they'd believe? A respectable Malfoy or a dirty little mudblood? Anyways I do have more important things to do then be in the company of you, it was nice chatting." Within a second there was a crack and he disapparated leaving Draco and I alone for the first time ever.

Draco sat up and looked at me with confusion and asked rather rudely "what are you doing here Granger?"

"I saw what your father was doing and I tried to stop him, are you okay?" I replied defensively.

Draco got up to his feet, remembering what had just happened. He started to glare at me while finally answering, "Of course I am all right why wouldn't I be? Now if you are done stalking me, go run along to your boyfriends you filthy mudblood."

His words cut deeper than they ever had before because after all he had done to my friends and I, I still tried to help him. I was utterly speechless, when I finally gathered the courage to say something he was gone.