enchantement - SOULBOUND I̲̅ || SS/HG ✔️

16. Silver death eater

"Wait a minute, let me get this straight" snorted Ron, "Dumbledore wants you to get to Slughorn's party?"

Harry nodded, his eyes not leaving the Marauders Map, "he said it is important to keep him close, you know, build trust or something."

"Well this is bollocks, why would you want to go to a stuck up party when you can stay with me?" Complained the redhead, sitting beside his friend, "besides, what can be more fun than staying with your own best friend?"

"Stalking Malfoy for example" spoke Hermione as she entered the Gryffindor common room, a notebook in her hand, "don't give me that look Harry, I know what I'm talking about."

Grabbing a chocolate candy from the small table before the glowing fire, Hermione winked at a baffled Ron "seriously Won Won are you blind or just plain dumb? And you" she went on, turning her attention to the spectacles wearer, "when are you going to stop gawking at your father's map like a child before his Christmas present and talk to Malfoy?"

"What do you want me to ask him?" Snapped Harry, his eyes turning into fury, "'oh hey Malfoy how's the whole death eater shenanigans going?'"

"I have a better one" laughed Ron, wiggling his eyebrows, "'how's that foul excuse of a father doing rotting in Azkaban?'"

Harry seemed disturbed by Ron's words, as he smashed the enchanted parchment on his head, "shut up Ron! That's plain rudeness."

"He isn't completely wrong you know," whispered Hermione as a group of second graders entered the common room, "he's probably suffering a great deal of pressure from, you-know-who, after his father failed to obtain your prophecy."

Once the students had vacated towards their chambers, Harry placed the map on the table, his eyes now focused on the fire behind Hermione. "I have no doubt it must be hard for him. But I need to be sure that my assumptions are correct before I confront him."

Knowing all too well what happened in her timeline, Hermione wondered if it would be wise to motivate Harry to talk with Malfoy. When she was in sixth year, her focus was mainly on Ron and his growing relationship with Lavender, until - of course - she grew closer to Severus. She had forgotten all about Malfoy, but this time, she realised that some outside influence could be useful.

"I might be too late Harry. You're instincts never failed you, we both know that" she indicated, looking at Ron insisting until he nodded back at Harry's questioning look, "Malfoy is going through something, whatever it is, he most likely has no choice. But you do, you can help him. It will be hard, but he needs someone right now."

Ron grimaced, his lips lifting upwards awkwardly while his face appeared wrinkly, "excuse me Hermione but 'he needs someone right now' is a bit...well I don't know...disturbing. All you need to do Harry is go to Malfoy and be like 'oi Ferret, try to bring your shitting ass aunt in this story and I'll whip that ass of yours!"

"If my speech was disturbing I don't know what yours is!" Hermione laughed, noticing Harry's flushed face, remembering the secret conversation she had with him during their hunt for Horcruxes while Ron had left them. "You've always been good with people, just go and show him some of your wand skills" she winked discretely for only him to see.

Harry's eyes widened, perturbed. Ron didn't seem to notice the sexual innuendo as he stood up and excused himself, stating he needed to find an elf to bring him some food before he sleeps.

"If you have something to say, say it" snapped the chosen one, his cheeks crimsoned while his lips were twitching, unable to chose between a scowl or a smile.

"You like him don't you? Malfoy I mean." She gleamed, taking his hand.

She remembered how hard it was for Harry to tell her about his feelings for the Malfoy heir, knowing all too well the pain he had to go through since he understood his sexuality. It had become obvious the moment he managed to express his feelings that what he shared for him was genuine, after all, Harry had never attacked personally Draco - except for third year in front of the Shrieking Shack.

"Harry, love might seem easy for some, but true love is complicated. It comes with obstacles, some you wouldn't believe yourself capable of surpassing, but once you have it, the feeling of completion will make you forget all of the challenges. Malfoy needs help, and we both know that one of his deranged biased Slytherin friends will only drag him further down in the rapid hole. He needs someone who cares about his well being, and we both know that the only person who's capable of such sentiments is you."

Harry listened carefully, noticing for the first time something different about his friend. She seemed mature, more confident. Hermione radiated a feeling he had felt only in Molly Weasley's presence. It reassured him, made him feel protected. "What if he pushes me away?"

"Then try again!" She spoke with determination, her hands gripping tighter Harry's, "someone who needs help most of the time doesn't even realise he is lost. Show him that you stand by his side, that you're not going to hate him because of his actions, and that, most importantly, you're not going to give up on him."

Hermione knew that she was changing the course of time, after all, she had turned back into another timeline, violating one of the main wizarding rules. Her mind kept repeating Severus' words, yet she couldn't grasp what he was saying. It was as if her ears remembered his hoarse baritone voice - fighting the venom - yet her memories couldn't remember his words.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, noticing his friend's perplex expression, "you've been acting strange lately is everything all right?"

"Harry" she finally spoke after a long minute of silence, "I need to see Ms Pomfrey I'll be right back."

"I'll go with you."

"Don't worry" Hermione smiled, although deep down she was now positively sure that someone was tampering with her memories, deleting crucial information about her the present she left. "It will not take long, just girl things."

With these words she was gone, running towards the headmaster's office.

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A/N: Just to let you all know that this story still has a long way to go. I'm even considering writing a second book, I'll let you all know when the time comes. ✍🏽🧡📝📖

Thank you to everyone for reading, voting and commenting my story.

Lot's of love, 💋👑😘

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