Inside Your Mind

gone, gone, gone

Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips

November 2nd 1999

Draco stayed outside for far too long after his encounter with Fred. His fingers were the same pure white as his hair and he couldn't feel his toes but the numbness helped calm the war that was raging in his mind. His thoughts were erratic and incomprehensible at times and he had no clue how to sort through them and come to a decision.

The noise filtering through the front door of the Weasley home did little to help him concentrate. Perhaps if he were anyone else he would welcome the distraction that the Weasley family, and their joyous tones of a family reuniting, would bring should he decide to go inside. But he was Draco Malfoy. Silent and pensive were key features of his personality.

So he used the cold to numb his mind and distract from thoughts of Hermione.

No one had disturbed him for an hour, not since his short conversation with Fred, and he was beginning to think that they'd forgotten about him.

Good, Draco thought, he didn't need anyone else telling him what to do or how to think or how to feel.

He ran his hands through his hair and scrubbed at his face in an effort to clear his mind. Rational thought told him that he just needed to talk to Hermione but he didn't know where to begin.

The crack of Apparition once again filled the air a short distance away from The Burrow and Draco was on his feet with his wand in his hand just as the Minister for Magic came into view.

'Good morning, Mr Malfoy.' Kingsley said as he walked closer.

'Minister.' Draco said blankly. He didn't hate the Minister for Magic but he was an easy person to blame for his poor choices. Had Kingsley not given Draco the task of protecting Hermione he may not have done what he did.

In the back of his mind Draco knew this was utter bullshit, but it helped assuage the guilt.

'I trust everyone is safely inside?' Kingsley asked.

Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes and simply nodded.

Kingsley sighed. 'Look, Draco, I didn't get the chance to say this earlier today but...' he paused as he looked down at the Malfoy heir, noticing the change in him since he had been released from Azkaban. 'You went to extreme lengths to protect Miss Granger and Miss Weasley. You have proven yourself tenfold to myself the Ministry, though some do not agree with the lengths that you went to in regards to Hermione.' Draco shifted uncomfortably on his feet. 'But,' Kingsley continued. 'Should you find yourself in need of a job, I would be happy to put you in touch with the head of the Auror department.'

Draco didn't get the chance to hide his surprise as his eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. Auror? He had always considered becoming an Auror but had ruled it out after the war and his brief stint in Azkaban. He was pretty sure he wouldn't need to think long or hard about the offer. A small smile crossed Kingsley's face at Draco's reaction.

'Thank you, Minister.' Draco managed to say after a moment.

'I hope to hear from you soon about it.' Kingsley said as he moved towards the front door. 'And I hope that you allow Hermione the chance to forgive you.'