Granger's Wolf

Warm But Cold

Malfoy visited her before the full moon. Hermione didn't know why, but she was glad he did. It's only natural to need human company, she told herself

He said, looking nervous, 'I brought you something. It's not much.', and presented her with Hogwarts: A History.

Hermione was speechless. It's been months since she felt anywhere near happy. She shed tears of joy.

Malfoy hurried to her, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you-

'No. Thank you, really. It's my favorite book.'

He smiled softly, 'I know.'

What? 'How is it that you know my favorite book?'

His eyes widened, and it took him a few seconds to answer, 'Everyone knows Hermione Granger's favorite book.'

Well, that's not true, but she shrugged and dropped it. 'Thank you. I was bored out of my mind for months.'

He sat next to her, leaving a good distance between them, 'I can bring you more books, you know. Just tell me the title or the topic.'

She smiled and thanked him again. The gift was very thoughtful. And his offer very kind. Throughout the years, he only portrayed hatred and superiority, but now he's smiling and bringing her favorite book. What happened?

She noticed that his fingers were twitching uncontrollably. She gulped; hers did so after being crucio-ed many times. 'You're being punished for protecting me, aren't you?'

Malfoy clenched his jaw and nodded.

She reached for his spasming hand, he jerked away, but she didn't stop and held his hand. Malfoy went very still before relaxing into her touch with a sigh. After a while, his fingers stopped twitching, but she didn't let go. Hermione would hate herself later for that, but now she let it be.

They sat in a comfortable silence, Hermione drawing random patterns on his hand, before realizing she didn't truly know him. Everything she knew about him was conflicted. She wanted to know him better so, Hermione gathered her Gryffindor courage before telling him, 'Tell me something about yourself, something I don't know.'

He raised an eyebrow, then nodded. 'I like blue.'

Hermione expected him to refuse and remind her of her unpure blood and unworthy self. But once again, he proved her assumptions wrong. His answer surprised her as well, 'Blue? Don't you mean green?'

He chuckled, 'No. I like blue. Blue is peaceful. What's yours?'

'Gold. What form does your Patronus take?'

He smiled sadly, 'I can't conjure a Patronus.'

Oh. He was an extremely powerful wizard. The only explanation was him not having a happy memory strong enough to conjure his Patronus. She squeezed his hand reassuringly.

He cleared his throat, 'Yours?'

'An otter.'

Malfoy was shocked, then he laughed. It was a beautiful laugh. The view made her her feel warmth spreading through herself. What is happening?

She tried to feign hurt, 'What's so funny?'

He laughed for a bit longer then quieted, 'I don't know. I expected something powerful and fierce, a lion or a jaguar... or a horse at least. Instead, you have an otter for a Patrons.'

She grinned, 'Well, sorry to disappoint you.'

They continued asking safe questions and learning more about each other. She learned that his favorite subject was potions, and told him that hers was transfiguration. He told her he had been jealous of her high grades at Hogwarts, she smirked and he laughed again. He thought her hair looked like a nest, and she told him he looked like a ferret. He wasn't a morning person, and neither was Hermione. He loved the ocean and Italian pasta. He hated tea, which horrified Hermione. She found herself interested in every detail. She was only craving human company. Right?

He asked her before leaving, 'Which book do you want next?'

She gulped, 'Something about werewolves.'

He looked at her for a moment longer, then nodded and left.
            
                                 ~~~

Hermione was reading her beloved book when she heard hurried footsteps. She looked up and found Zabini unlocking her cell.

There was something urgent, she could tell. He looked nervous and talked fast, 'Granger, we don't have time. They're coming. You have to create false memories about the Order, try to push forward the unimportant ones, convince them that you not an important Order member.'

'Why. Who's comin-

'Do something about your memories of Draco, show them only the worst. Sorry, I have to go. Hide that book. Concentrate. And don't blame Draco for anything that happens today.' Then he left hurriedly.

My end, and the Order's are nearing. Hermione was scared. She was close to hyperventilating, but remembered Zabini telling her they didn't have time. She had to concentrate, and so began working on her memories.

Hermione wasn't skilled at Occlumency, but she was a powerful witch with a very disciplined mind. She focused on a memory of Lupin keeping her out of the meeting room and brought it forward. She retracted the memory of her trying to spy on a meeting before Molly caught her. Hermione then created a false memory of Lupin telling her that the board decided against allowing her into important meetings. She created another false one of Ron telling her that it was for the best, and that it would keep her, and the order safe. Hermione tried to push all the memories related to Snape to the back of her mind, except the silly ones in which she felt like breaking his neck. Hermione then pushed the memories of Draco's kind gestures to the back of her mind and concentrated on his werewolf attacks and school bullying. She created false memories of him calling her a mudblood, spitting on her, slapping her, and casting crucio on her repeatedly.

She was still creating memories and pushing others back when she heard maniac cackles. Bellatrix.

The door opened to Draco, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, Blaise Zabini, and Voldemort himself.

Voldemort eyed her with his snake-like red slits which made her shiver. He approached her and placed his wand on her throat, then she felt him cut through her skin. She screamed.

Voldemort stopped the cutting after some time, seemingly bored, and addressed Draco, 'Let's have some fun, shall we? Draco?'

'Yes, my Lord.'

Draco stood in front of her. Eyes cold. Wand aimed.

'Crucio'