Survivor

Chapter 10- Making Amends

I've had nothing but formatting issues when posting this, so i apologize. H.x 

"Granger, you can come out now." Malfoy said, with his nose in the air. He was perpetually obnoxious and Hermione found him so infuriating it was tiresome. 

A quick finite incantatem and Hermione smoothly entered into existence. "Malfoy." She cursed. 

Even after the year he had spent cowering under The Dark Lord's wing, Draco Malfoy had not changed. He still held himself like he knew he was better than everyone else. It was obviously a hereditary trait in the Malfoy family. 

He had the fortune of being good looking, though. As a rule, Malfoy men were well bred and very handsome. It was hazardous to the womb. Although the stress of the recent months had clearly taken it's toll on Draco. His flesh was pale and sickly, clinging to his jaw and cheekbones making him look hollow. Regardless, the boy-turned-man looked enticing, if you ignored the manipulative behavior and prejudiced opinions.

The Room of Requirement had taken the form of some kind of den. The room was filled with camp beds and hammocks that were strewn with blankets and pillows of different colors and patterns. It looked like a mix between a muggle charity shop and overly large version of the Divination classroom. It was only missing the masses of china cups and the sickly-sweet incense. On the walls were 4 banners, each of them displaying the crests of the 4 houses of Hogwarts. Hermione was sure that Draco was the only Slytherin who inhabited the room. On the wall was a large portrait frame that was currently empty, showing only a back drop of a countryside landscape.

"Its really rather brilliant. The last time I saw it, the room was a huge dump for rubbish." Draco was following Hermione's eye line. "We tend to gather here instead of the common rooms. Every time someone walks through the door it opens somewhere different in the castle." 

Nodding, Hermione collapsed onto the nearest camp bed that squeaked underneath her. She very much doubted that she would ever be back at Hogwarts, at least whilst Voldemort was still alive. She had been surprised when Professor Snape had suggested she come with him to the school instead of palming her off onto someone else.

"Whats the matter Granger? Not up to your standards?" Malfoy leaned against a stone pillar.  

"You have no idea what you are talking about Draco." Hermione was tired. Her voice lacked energy and overall flair. The weeks of internal grief had been exhausting for her. The poor girl felt like her problems were only piling up. She needed something positive, to make her feel more balanced. 

"Everybody has their own sob story. It's not just you, Potter and Weasleby who have problems, you know?" Draco teased. 

"Yes, your mother and father told me that you're having a hard time getting people to like you. You do understand that you've spent the last 6 years being an obnoxious arsehole, excuse us if we don't welcome you with a marching band and a medal." Hermione said, her voice flooded with sarcasm. 

Draco looked less than impressed. "It may surprise you Granger, but you don't know everything. I know you think that you're so knowledgeable, but I have secrets that would make even you shut your mouth."

He continued. "I know you were living with Snape, but he has gotten off lightly compared to the rest of us. Favorite of Dumbledore. Favorite of The Dark Lord. The rest of us do the dirty work." Draco sat on a hammock and faced Hermione who had her head buried in her hands and was rubbing at her eyes.

"The only thing worse than being tortured is being forced to torture someone. Even under the imperious curse, the guilt is incomprehensible. Your body just does it. You will it to stop but you can't." Draco stared off into the distance.