Kismet

Chapter 1

              I was late. I was so monumentally late that I could only hope that Ginny could forgive me and let it go quickly instead of lording it over my head for the rest of the night. Not that I knew what was going on because all she said was dress nicely and meet her at the restaurant because there was something important I needed to be there for. Of course I had my speculations, Ginny could be pregnant, Harry could have gotten a promotion in the Auror office, or Ron was finally going to propose to me and I could only hope that it was that.

              I was still rushing to Pâtisserie, my favorite french restaurant, when I heard a small scream of surprise coming from a dark alley to my left. The dark alley is such a cliché, but always works when people want to assault unsuspecting people. Why a freaking dark alley? I turn the corner to see what in the world made that scream when I see green and red flashes that bring back memories I wish would go away. I take out my wand to see who was in danger, then I was flinging my own spells. I didn’t have time to think about it, I had no time to react other than recognize who was being attacked. Narcissa Malfoy, the mother of a ferret, epitome of grace, and reformed Death Eater. Most people would not have stopped to help, but I’m not most people and Mrs. Malfoy didn’t deserve this three years after the war. She had done so much for the community and she loved to go help the orphanages. Those kids loved her and of course I learned to as well. That sounds strange and most people are unaware because we didn’t think they would understand our friendship, but Narcissa had become a mother figure to me after I had failed to return my parents memories’. We met and bonded over the hours we spent at the orphanage and I think I filled a hole in her heart that Lucius left when he was taken to Azkaban. He was denied visitation for five years and it broke my heart every day to see her so heartbroken.

              “Hermione, No! This is danger-Stupefy!” I heard her yell when I threw a Protego her way. She should have known me better by now because I won’t just run away to save myself when I can help. Though, that shield spell made me a target too, I quickly realized when I had to dodge a Crucio. Whoever this guy was he certainly knew what he was doing and must have known exactly who to target. He struck me as a professional which didn’t bode well for Narcissa and I. After a few more spells were thrown and countless minutes had passed, it seemed like the assailant was tiring of taking us on at the same time. Just as that thought crossed my mind, he began to fight with a frenzy that scared me.

              “Crucio! Crucio! Crucio! ” He called out one after another and it was all we could do to dodge and throw up our shield charms at the same time. One thing that I began to notice is that he hasn’t said a word this entire time. Not a single taunt or threat. In an attempt to distract him and maybe to get him to open up about who he was and what he was after I began to bait him. “What’s wrong? Scared of a couple of women? Not able to take us down? You seem to be getting frustrated,” I called out in a baby voice. “Cat got your tongue, sir? I think it is only polite that you tell us your name. I make it a personal endeavor to learn all of my opponent’s names.” I continued to yell out similar phrase that I didn’t think were effective just annoying and distracting. I hoped that while he was trying to block me out it would distract him enough to give Narcissa a chance to get a Stupefy to hit him. No such luck.

              I was getting tired and could feel my magic energy being depleted rapidly and I chanced a glance to Narcissa to see her not doing much better than me. “They call me the Witch Hunter and now they can call me Narcissa Malfoy’s murderer,” he finally spoke before throwing the awful curse Sectumsempra straight at Mrs. Malfoy and she didn’t have time to completely dodge. It hit directly on her right side. I screamed as it hit her and he turned to grin viciously at me, I realized that all we could see was his mouth and I’m betting it was for this very reason. His grin had to be the creepiest thing I had ever seen and I’ve seen Voldemort smile. He raised his wand again,”Avada-“was all he got out before a loud crash was heard and he grinned once more at me and then disapparated away. I wasted no time in scrambling to the very pale Narcissa and apparating to St. Mungos to get her treated right away. This woman was not going to die. I wasn’t going to let that happen.

              When I arrived in the Emergency ward at St. Mungos, all I had to do was scream for help and then Narcissa was being whisked away by Nurses while a Healer was getting straight to saying the counter spell so her wounds would seal up, but she had lost a lot of blood and I was so worried that she wasn’t going to make it. I sent a patronus to Ginny explaining that there had been an incident, that I was unable to make it, and that she could find me a St. Mungos. I sent another patronus to Harry, and one to Kingsley to have them meet me here. I needed to speak with Aurors to let them know what had happened. Then the last one I sent was the hardest because I didn’t know how he would react to me being the one to send it. Would he blame me for not protecting her enough? Would he be upset that I wasn’t injured as well? Would he scoff and not believe me? I gathered all of my courage and figured out how to word it just right, or well enough given the circumstances.

              “Malfoy, I don’t know how to tell you this nicely so I’m just going to tell you up front. Your mother was attacked and hit with a Sectumsempra. She is currently in St. Mungos and I’m here as well if you have any questions. Please come, Hermione Granger,” I sent my little otter to find one Draco Malfoy and I prayed that he would come right away. As soon as that was all done I played the waiting game. Truthfully, I hoped that Draco would get here first so that I could tell him before Harry, or Kingsley. He deserved to know before anyone else really. I would say about two minutes later, I heard a distinct pop and I jerked my head up in time to see the man that bellowed “Granger!” He had shaggy platinum hair, a tall lean stature, with a livid look on his chilling face. “Malfoy, over here,” I beckoned him to me and tried not to be intimidated by the menacing look in his stormy eyes.

              He strode toward me, “Granger, this better not be a joke and you better have a very good explanation.” I gulped because the unspoken threat was in no way unclear. Or you will regret ever being born, I could hear in his cold voice and I internally shuddered. As I was about to tell him the story, three more pops were heard and my name once again being called out loudly. I sighed audibly because I could feel the mounting headache that I was sure would be a full grown migraine before the night was through. “Over here, Harry,“ I once more beckoned people to my side. I could see Draco tense up at Harry’s voice and I wished I was anywhere, but where I was. Harm was rushing to me with Ginny hot on his heels, and Kingsley bringing up the rear of the odd looking trio. Harry was dressed up rather nice, Ginny looked gorgeous as always, and Kingsley was in his traditional robes. Nonetheless they all looked out of place.

              “Hermione, are you okay! On my god you’re covered in blood! Why has no one checked you yet?!?” Harm immediately started with the worrying. It would have been endearing any other time, but most definitely not right now. “Relax, it isn’t mine”, I shot a quick look at Draco and he paled slightly at my words. “Then whose is it?” Ginny asked.

              “Narcissa Malfoy’s. I was on my way to the restaurant when I heard a small scream from this alley that I was just about to pass. I pull out my wand and look to see Mrs. Malfoy being attacked by this mysterious man. I jumped in to help her and we were holding our own when he suddenly got really good, and really fast. It was an effort to protect ourselves and not get hit by his spells. I wanted to distract him so I started taunting him it seemed only to amuse him instead and when I asked his name he said he was known as the ‘Witch Hunter’, but that we could also call him Narcissa Malfoy’s murderer and then he shot that-that horrid curse at her before I could react, or she could dodge. He was about to shoot an Avada at me had he not been interrupted by a bang and fled. Then I brought her here immediately,” I let it out in a rush so that they had the basics and could ask questions after it was all out. They all looked completely stunned which is what I expected. What I did not expect was to be suddenly engulfed in a bear hug and a whispered thank you from Draco Malfoy. I know I keep repeating his name, but it was DRACO MALFOY! Harry looked as stunned as I felt, Ginny was grinning mischievously, and Kingsley had a strange look in his eyes. I’m not sure I wanted to know was he was thinking. I was returning the hug sincerely and I was just about to let go when a Healer cleared his throat and asked for a relative of Narcissa Malfoy’s. I had never seen Draco look as scared as he did in that moment.