Draco Malfoy Gets a Life Coach

Brave is Vulnerable

Weasley opened the Floo access and brought us all through. We landed in yet another kitchen, this one far more old fashioned than I had expected. The house itself had the feel of old Pure blood magic, much like the Manor, which greatly confused me until Weasley said, "This is 12 Grimmauld Place, it's a Black family estate. Sirius left it to Harry."

Before I had a chance to respond, Ginny Weasley appeared through the kitchen doorway and upon spotting her brother and his companions, let a wide grin spread across her face. Crossing her arms she said, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the happy... trupple?"

"Blimey, not now, Gin. We're here under urgent circumstances," Weasley said, gesturing to me.

As soon as Ginny's eyes landed on me, her entire demeanor shifted to one of pure, unbridled hatred.

"What are you doing here?" she said through gritted teeth.

Weasley stepped forward and started to say, "Gin—" but she put her hand up and said, "Quiet, Ronnie cakes, this does not concern you."

Weasley turned, if possible, even redder.

Ginny's eyes were searing holes through me. "Get out," she said, in a slightly louder tone.

"Look, I hardly think it's up to you to determine whether I stay or go," I said, trying not to lose my patience, and to my surprise, succeeding. I was actually surprised by the modicum of calm in my voice.

She stepped forward and squared her small from to me as if she was preparing for a physical fight, and perhaps she was.

"I am speaking on behalf of Hermione. If she knew you were here she would—"

"Well, why don't we just let her be the judge of what she would do, then? Go and get her."

She continued to glare at me until I said, "Please," and a small wobble was noticeable in my voice. Her eyes softened, and I could feel Weasley, Pansy and Tracey all turn their heads to stare at me.

I swallowed, and felt something hard in my throat. I had not come all this way just to be turned out without so much as catching a glimpse of her. If she did indeed want me to leave, she could tell me herself, and I would respect it.

Just then, the kitchen door swung open once more, revealing Potter, followed closely by...

"Hermione," I said. And everyone else froze.

"Draco," she said. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were red. Clearly, she'd been crying.

I felt an actual pain in my chest at the thought. That I had caused it.

Ginny turned to face Hermione and leaned in close, but I could still hear her say, "We can make him leave, you don't have to—" But Hermione had already put a hand on her friend's shoulder, and shook her head.

"Well," Potter said, awkwardly looking around the room. "Welcome all... perhaps we can give these two some privacy."

"Not necessary," Granger said, stepping in front of him and walking towards me, her eyes locked onto mine.

Miraculously, she took my hand and began guiding me out of the room. "We're going upstairs. You're all staying down here, and don't try listening in because I'll be casting protective charms and so help you Merlin if you try them."

If I hadn't actually been in love with this witch already, I fell again in that instant.

She trudged up the rickety old stairs and pulled me into a bedroom before turning to cast a number of protective charms on the door. Then, she spun around to face me, and I saw that her eyes were filled with tears once more.