Love is a Dagger to Destroy: A Dramione Story

Chapter Nine

Draco's POV

Professor McGonagall was waiting for me outside of the Headmaster's office. 

"Where's Miss Granger?" She asked as I approached. 

"Sick," I lied smoothly. McGonagall studied my face for a moment before nodding. "Well, there's something I need to talk to you both about. You'll pass the message along to Miss Granger?"

I nodded in agreement. She turned toward the office. "Sugar Quills," she said crisply. The old gargoyle jumped aside, revealing a staircase. I followed McGonagall up the stairs. She opened the office door, then stood aside, allowing me to enter. 

The office was clean, remarkably different from Dumbledore's. McGonagall sat behind the desk while I sat on a chair across from her. 

"Mr Malfoy, I just wanted to thank you. Both you and Miss Granger have done an excellent job. I don't regret giving you a chance in the slightest."

"Thank you," I said, wondering where she was going with this.

"With that said, I'm also concerned." Concerned? About what? McGonagall continued, "The Ministry informed me that some groups that appreciate Voldemort are becoming more and more active. That concerns me given your background and-"

"My background?" My voice was deathly low. All thoughts of Hermione flew out of my mind as I stared at the Headmistress. "Professor, I've done nothing to prove that I don't want repentance for what I've done. And now you think that I've joined some group and are spying on Hogwarts for them?"

"That wasn't what I was implying," McGonagall began, but I cut her off. 

"Excuse me, Professor, but I have homework to complete."

McGonagall didn't stop me as I strode to the door, opened it, then slammed it shut behind me. 

I set myself on auto pilot and didn't stop until I was far away from McGonagall's office. I found myself in the dungeons right by the entrance to the Slytherin dormitory. With a deep breath, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. 

Images flashed in front of my face. I saw myself facing Dumbledore, myself being saved by Potter from Fiendfyre, myself sitting with my parents in the Great Hall after Voldemort's death.

"Malfoy?" I opened my eyes to see Potter standing right in front of me. I looked at him with new eyes. I could see the hero the Wizarding World saw, but I could also see an eighteen year old boy with no clue what he was doing. It made him seem more.... human. 

"Malfoy?" Potter repeated, looking more concerned. 

"I'm alright," I finally replied. "Did you get the message out?"

"Yeah," Potter said, still looking concerned. He let it drop, thankfully. "What did McGonagall want?"

"She wanted to accuse me of joining one of the Anti Muggle groups because of my 'background.'" I added air quotes around "background". 

"Oh," was all Potter said. We stood their awkwardly for a moment. Neither of us knew what to say after years of mutual dislike. 

"The others are meeting us in your dorm in about an hour," Potter said at last. "We should head back."

I agreed so we started walking to my dorm. I had the feeling Potter had something else to say, but instead of pushing him, I waited until he brought it up himself. 

"Look, Malfoy, it's not really my place," he began, "but I just wanted to tell you that Hermione is special, as you've probably noticed. When Ron cheated on her, she was.... not well. If that happened to her again....."

He trailed off, but he didn't have to finish. If I hurt Hermione, she would be broken, maybe in a way that would make it impossible for her to be put together again. She was strong, she had to be to be friends with Potter, but pain like that... it would break anyone. 

"You don't have to worry about it," I assured him, hoping that I was telling the truth. 

"I hope so."

We stayed silent until we reached the door to our common room. "You know, Malfoy," Potter said, pausing before heading in. "You're not so bad."

I felt a smile pull on the corner of my lips. We weren't friends, not even close, but we'd taken a step closer to something else, something I couldn't name.

Potter returned my smile, and we headed inside.

Malfoy Manor

Lucius Malfoy could not have been more proud of himself. The kidnapping of the Mudblood using Polyjuice potion had been ingenious and Draco was behaving just like Lucius had planned. 

Everything was going perfectly. Except for one thing. 

Lucius made his way to one of the many bedrooms in Malfoy Manor. He unlocked the door with the key on the chain around his neck. 

The room was bare, save for a small cot and a tiny window that provided the room's only light. The sun was just beginning to set, making the room dance with shadows. 

Sitting on the cot with her hands bound was a girl. She had black hair that was very curly, but she was looking at her lap, so Lucius couldn't make out her features.

"Look at me," Malfoy said sharply. The girl continued to stare at the ground. In a few short strides, Malfoy had crossed the room and grabbed the girl's chin, roughly tilting her head up. 

She had soft brown eyes and smooth pale skin. Malfoy saw the fear written on the girl's features and felt a sting of satisfaction. 

"You will do as I say. I never want to use the Imperious Curse on you ever again, you understand? You need to obey me. There will be consequences." The girl showed no sign that she'd heard him. 

"Who are you?" Malfoy asked quietly. The girl continued to stare at him. Malfoy pulled back his hand and drew it across her face. She let out a small gasp and her cheek turned pink. "Who are you?" He asked again, his voice only slightly raised. 

She flinched. "I am Beatrix Lestrange," the girl said softly. "The daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange.... and Lord Voldemort."

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter!!