When Hermione Fights

Draco's Method

Chapter beta: Olivia

Chapter translator: Aivy

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Draco's POV

I left Severus' quarters with my head lifted high and congratulated myself on my ingenious, level-headed behaviour, my calmness, and the fact that I knew Severus now to be completely on my side. But if I was honest with myself, I seethed inside like a volcano. Although I always acted as uninvolved and cool as if I was above anything and everything, when it came to Hermione, I could not remain casual and uninvolved, then I was involved, whether I wanted it or not.

Her self-control was really impressive, even Severus and I could take a leaf out of her book. With a quick and brisk stride, I returned to the common room where a few students still sat together. My bad mood was almost palpable, but they knew it when I was like that and would rather not address me. Good for them, I could not guarantee for anything right then and the next one would probably have gotten my clenched fist into their face. Right now, I did just not feel nice enough for curses and besides, I would have liked to ram it into the face of my dear uncle until his ugly nose turned into mush under my punches.

How good that I had been able to prepare for Severus' arrival, transforming my boiling, fiery rage into icy, cold restraint. It was one thing when my Hermione went to him as a whore, of necessity, as Minna and he took her, but he had recognized her and gone ahead and not only that, he had outright raped her!

My anger at her - that she had sneaked out of the castle without telling me, had resisted my instructions, which no one had to resist, not even she; I was a Malfoy after all - this anger took a back seat right now. Too great was my anger was at Severus, which unfortunately I was not allowed to indulge in.

I knew someone else would have to pay for it...

I quickly crossed the common room, felt the fearful and anxious looks that followed me, and entered my room. I dropped into my chair with little elegance and summoned a glass of firewhiskey with my wand. I urgently needed a drink. Greedy, I drank the amber liquid and felt the alcohol burn in my throat and then warm me from the inside. Glorious. In a slip of self-control, I ran my hand through the hair that already fell into my face, whereas my eyes fell on the sleeping Hermione. She looked incredibly innocent and vulnerable, the way she lay wrapped in my blanket and with her curly hair spread all around her face.

I laughed harshly. Innocent? Who among us was that? But vulnerable, yes... vulnerable. I gave her a sorrowful look.

I groaned heavily, closed my eyes, defeated, and tilted my head back. The way Hermione had faced me this evening had impressed me. Not a tear she had cried. Now that I knew what had happened to her tonight, it impressed me even more. Even though Severus said that he had not broken her, that she had been strong, rigid and confident, that she had even played my father masterfully, I hoped and had an inkling that on the inside she had looked very different.

Hoped it, because it would mean that she was not as dead and jaded as she wanted us to believe. I hoped it for her. She had needed me earlier, I had felt that. Her attitude had expressed her humility and remorse toward me because she knew she had left without permission, but also that she was torn inside and very confused. She had acted like a beaten dog; that had hurt my heart. My proud Hermione!

I listened to the crackling of the fire in the hearth, trying to calm myself, breathing deeply and evenly. Though I couldn't and wouldn't risk Severus turning against me, against us, not letting him pay for his act was incredibly hard for me, even if he was a family. If he were anyone else, I would have used the Cruciatus curse on him for a lot less and probably even killed him personally and with relish, slowly, or at least castrated him. However, he was who he was and I wasn't allowed to harm him, even if my animalistic, male side wanted it badly. Education, pride and my plans really got in my way. I was so angry, so incredibly angry.