A Mess And A Murder

Chapter 9 - A Sea of Guilt

It was a crisp winter day at Malfoy Manor. Draco was perched on one of the boughs of the large oak tree in the garden, reminiscing in his past. He grabbed an apple from the nearby apple tree and took a large bite from it. Whilst enjoying the sweet taste of the fruit, Draco pondered on the fact that Hermione hadn’t replied to any of his messages in days.

Flashback:
October 13th

Draco threw the core of the apple he had just finished eating into the bin as he strode down the dark corridor and into the meeting room. A short, plump witch came up to him to direct him where to go:
“Are you Mr Draco Malfoy?”
“Yes,” Draco replied.
“Enter the lift and type the code 687 945.” She instructed.
Draco nodded as he straightened his suit and marched towards the tall, metal doors. They opened as he approached them and closed swiftly behind him. He typed in the code.
6
8
7

9
4
5

With no warning, the lift shot up, taking Draco by surprise. He grabbed on the railings and clinged on for dear life as the lift moved in every direction.
Left.
Up.
Right.
Diagonal.

After roughly 30 seconds, the lift slowed to a stop. Draco gulped as he pushed a few strands of hair back into place and once again straightened his suit. The doors slowly reopened to reveal a gloomy, damp jail cell.

A guard took Draco’s wand and another checked him for any other possible weapons. After finding nothing, they told Draco he had 15 minutes before leaving the cell.  Draco took a seat opposite the person he had been dreading all week…

Lucius Malfoy.

“Father,” Draco acknowledged.
“Son,” Lucius grunted back.

A tense silence.

“Where is Zabini?”
"He didn't want to come."
"What?"
"His exact words were: I don't ever want to see that man and his stupid little locks again."

Lucius snarled.

"And why would he say that?"
"No idea. Guess you're just unlikeable."
"Watch your mouth!"
"Watch my mouth? What are you going to do about it, huh? Nothing. As long as you are here I will never have to deal with you and your bullshit ever again."

The two men intensely glared at each other.

“Is that how you really feel?” Lucius questioned.
“Yes.” Draco spat.

Lucius clenched his fists and his chains tightened:
“Then get out.”
“What?” Draco said without thinking.
“You are USELESS! You always were USELESS! You are NO son of mine. You heard me.
Get.
Out.”

Draco stared in disbelief before standing up in rage. He turned around to leave but there was one more thing he had to do.

WHACK!

Blood sprayed everywhere as Draco punched Lucius square on the nose.

“Compliments of Blaise and I,” he sneered as he stalked out of the room to retrieve his wand and leave Azkaban.

Flashback Ends:
Present Day, December 4th

A storm began to form over the hills. The weather had very much changed from the crisp morning of the day ; it was grey, cold and malicious, much like the whirl of thoughts invading Hermione’s mind. Every second that went by, she further descended into despair, and, when she thought she couldn’t be more overwhelmed, tsunamis of guilt would hit her out of nowhere and beat her until she became broken almost beyond repair.

A pile of scrunched up letters from Draco stood in the middle of the room, and empty crisps packets and chocolate frog boxes created a layer of rubbish on the floor. A fallen cup had left a stain on the carpet but Hermione was beyond caring - she was totally and utterly depressed.

October 13

Dear Diary,

I went to Blaise’s today because his mother was out shopping all day. I told him I tried to tell Harry but I couldn’t. Like actually couldn’t. I can’t find him anywhere. He is always working. Must be a big case. Anyway, do you wanna hear the tea?
Malfoy is going to see his father today (waste of time if you ask me) and asked Blaise if he wanted to go. He said no. For me. He said no for me. Did you hear that correctly or should I say it again?
Just kidding I can’t be bothered to write that much. Anywaysssss
We, er, kissed a couple of times and you know…
The usual. I should feel bad but weirdly, I don’t.
The adventure continues…
Until next time!

See ya xx

Flashback Continues
October 13th

Lucius wiped his nose angrily, smearing blood all over his sleeve, as he watched his only son exit the room. The guards returned, their watchful eye upon Lucius.

It was near closing hours for visitors, when the lift door opened, and a friend of Lucius’ walked into the room. They shoved their wand at the guards and walked over to Lucius. They slapped him right across the face, secretly pushing a note down his collar before swifty snatching their wand and leaving.

Lucius was escorted back to his cell where dementors continued to float around. He opened the note in secret:

Malfoy

There's another traitor. Your move.

Zabini

Flashback Ends:
Present day, December 4th

The moon began to rise as Draco came to the final decision to investigate why Hermione hadn't been replying to his messages.

He stepped outside to be greeted with the pouring rain and howling wind of an angry storm. He sighed in annoyance bloody weather.
Rolling his eyes and wishing for a day when it wouldn't rain, he concentrated and apparated to Hermione's house.

He landed in the street and immediately spelled an umbrella. Not that it was much use - the wind made sure of that.

He stomped up to the front door and knocked impatiently. He waited but she didn't answer. He knocked again. Still nothing.

His patience wearing thin, he unlocked the door and let himself in.

The lights were off and as Draco entered the living room his eyes widened in shock.

He saw the mess, the scrunched up letters, and, in the middle of the room, curled up on the coffee table, a sleeping Hermione.

He wondered whether to wake her up but decided against it. He flicked his wand and all the rubbish cleared itself, and the letters unraveled themselves and stacked neatly in the corner.

Finally, with much deliberation, he carefully picked up Hermione and carried her to her room. He tucked her in the bed and returned back downstairs.

He slipped into the kitchen and nearly yelped at the sight of empty wine bottles lying on the kitchen counter. He opened the fridge, but it was pretty much empty. He couldn't believe his eyes at the mess she had fallen into but was determined to get her back on track. He was the drunk one.

He made a cup of coffee, and lay across the sofa. He let his eyes slowly close when...

CRASH!

Draco bolted upright and turned around.

Hermione had fallen down the stairs.

Blood oozed out of the side of forehead as she screamed in pain. Draco ran to her side and carried her to the sofa. He grabbed his wand and muttered Episkey.

The wound gradually closed and patched itself up.

Draco knelt by the side of the sofa:
"What happened?"

Tears fell from Hermione's eyes as she whispered,

"Help me."