CHAPTER 5
Hermione moved swiftly through the castle, searching for the Slytherin common room. She had to find Malfoy quickly if she wanted to find out what he was up to. Was it a set up? Was he trying to get information about the Order of the Phoenix out of Harry for the Death Eaters? Something was up and she had to know for Harry’s safety. Of course she wouldn’t do anything harmful, just ask a few questions and then put a small memory charm on Malfoy so that he would forget giving her the information. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, after all, the wizards had been using memory charms on Muggles at the Quidditch World Cup all the time and her charm would be much less dangerous then those ones.
Finally she reached the Slytherin common room, dark in the dungeons and only visible by the many lanterns lit on the walls. She felt a shiver dance up her spine upon noticing the peculiar paintings hanging around her. There were mostly old white haired men who beamed down at her with devilish stares and toothless grins. But they said nothing and Hermione forced herself to ignore their presence and resume her previous rage.
Upon looking at the large wooden door that was positioned before her, she thought it odd that it was completely bare. She wondered if the Slytherins merely knocked to enter or had special keys. However, there was no visible lock on this particular door and she knew it was rather unlikely.
Hesitantly, she approached the entrance to the common room and trusting her luck, knocked three times as hard as possible. To her surprise, the banging was especially loud and echoed up the hall.
For a moment nothing happened and Hermione began to grow impatient and restless in her agitated and apprehensive state. But suddenly she jumped backwards and bit back a shriek for in front of her something very strange had appeared. What lay before her was now a carved wooden face with two blinking eyes, a squashed bumpy nose and an exceptionally large mouth. The face was actually carved into the door and took up most of the space.
‘Who goes there?’ It boomed in a low rumbling voice. The face stared curiously at Hermione. ‘I have not seen your face before in these parts.’ It paused, oblivious to Hermione’s flabbergast expression. Then it peered at her robes and its eyes widened. ‘Ahhh, I see. You must be from the house of Gryffindor. I have not yet met one of you lot but certainly heard enough about you. Not a very good reputation I might add.’
Hermione’s lips twitched into a nervous half smile and she began to explain her purpose. ‘I-I am looking for some-someone from Slytherin.’
‘Oh? And what is your business with this person?’ The face studied her patronizingly.
Hermione gathered up her courage and said, ‘My business is my own. But it would be very helpful sir, if you could tell me...has-has Draco Malfoy passed by just now?’
‘Mr. Malfoy?’ The face seemed surprised. ‘Nobody has passed through here for at least an hour.’
‘Really?’ Hermione frowned. How was she ever going to find him now? ‘Oh, well thankyou. I’d best be off now.’
The face eyed her shiftily and said very slowly. ‘Any time.’
Hermione returned its gaze before departing. She was awfully curious at her findings but didn’t want to waste any more time contemplating it. *First things first* She thought. *Where the heck is Malfoy?*
She came to a halt before reaching the Entrance Hall and began thinking of all the places Malfoy could possibly have gotten to.
*Well he would want to be somewhere alone. At the Quidditch pitch? Perhaps. Or the Owlery. No, not the owlery and certainly not the boys Lavatory.* Hermione exhaled noisily in aggravation. *This would be so much easier if I could just-‘ She gasped. ‘Of course! The Marauders Map!’
She bolted away up to the Gryffindor common room, which thankfully was still deserted. *Harry won’t mind if I borrow this for a little while.*
She screwed up her eyes and distastefully muttered ‘I solemnly swear that I am up to no good’ and at once thin lines began to spread from the point that Hermione’s wand had touched. Then words began to appear across the top of the map in green writing:
MESSRS MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT AND PRONGS PURVEYORS OF AIDS TO MAGICAL
MISCHIEF-MAKERS ARE PROUD TO PRESENT-THE MARAUDERS MAP.
Hermione was almost tempted to pack the map away after reading it but decided that would be foolish. She carefully studied the delicate details of Hogwarts and the Grounds. She was intrigued to find the tiny letters spelling “Draco Malfoy” on the seventh floor opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls.
‘The Room of Requirements’ Said Hermione in wonder. ‘The last place I would have suspected. But of course, it’s the perfect place to hide.’
THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENTS
Hermione arrived at the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy and stood firmly facing the opposite wall. Taking a few deep breaths she began to channel her anger (the reason for her so daringly confronting Malfoy). She could not show any weakness otherwise the interrogation could prove fruitless.
She concentrated intently on the need to find Malfoy and all of a sudden the wall materialised to form the door of The Room of Requirements. She turned the handle and stepped in.
Hermione found Malfoy sitting across the room in front of a hearth with huge flames of fire casting brilliant light against his pale face hi- lighting his glossy eyes. For a moment Hermione was startled to see him in such a state but quickly controlled her emotions. This was a cruel hearted person incapable of showing mercy to others. Therefore she would show him no mercy.
‘What are you up to Malfoy.’ She said using the most despising tone she could muster up.
Malfoy jumped in fright. He stared at her deadly expression in bewilderment before coming to his senses.
Quickly brushing away the dampness on his eyes he shouted, ‘How did you?- Get out of here now Mudblood!’
‘No I won’t. Not before asking you a few questions of my own.’ She replied maliciously.
‘Get lost immediately before I-’ but he was suddenly cut off.
‘Before you do what exactly?’
Malfoy simply stared at her in fury.
‘It is best if you cooperate with me for the next few minutes, to save us both some time.’ She conjured a plain chair next to the fire and sat down orderly.
Malfoy still couldn’t believe what was happening. He quickly made a run for the door and to his surprise Hermione did not try to stop him. But to his great annoyance the knob would not turn.
‘Alohomora!’ He shouted at it but it still wouldn’t open. He turned swiftly to Hermione who glared at him with the least bit of perplexity. ‘What have you done? Let me out!’
‘You won’t be leaving until you do as I say.’ She replied.
‘You won’t get away with this Mudblood.’ He spat.
‘I think you will find that I will.’ She smiled sweetly at him.
He stayed stationed where he was. ‘Well go on then. Hurry up.’ He decided that he would let her ask whatever she wanted and later cast a memory charm on her so that she would forget anything he told her.
Hermione was surprised that he didn’t put up more of a fight but began the interrogation. ‘What was your purpose in trying to feed Harry with Veritaserum?’
Malfoy didn’t seem surprised by the question. ‘I wanted to embarrass him in front of everyone and possibly get him into trouble with Snape.’
Hermione gaped at him. ‘Are you sure? That’s all you were doing?’
Malfoy smiled to himself knowing now that she was hoping for some other answer. ‘You know it is the truth. Veritaserum never lies.’
Hermione was silent for some time.
‘Are you finished “questioning” me now?’ Said Malfoy with satisfaction.
Hermione quickly recomposed herself. ‘No.’
‘No? What could you possibly want to know now?’
Hermione’s face reddened with anger. ‘Why do you always have to be such an evil bastard?! I mean sure I heard you in class. You want power and attention right? But why go about getting attention this way? How can you have it in your heart to be so horrid?!’
Malfoy was taken aback by her outburst. Reluctantly he replied. ‘I’ve been brought up to think and act the way I do and I’ve learned to not care. Okay yes I do want attention. It’s because I have never had any from my parents and I seek it with every chance I get. Taking it out on Potter is the best way-’ At this point Malfoy looked tormented and was turning his head in every direction until he noticed a bunch of cloth on a table (which Hermione could have sworn was not there before). He grabbed it and stuffed it into his mouth.
‘Oh no you don’t.’ Said Hermione. She took out her wand and said, ‘Wingardium Leviosa!’ At once the cloth shot out of Malfoy’s mouth and flew up and over to Hermione. She immediately dropped it with a resounding ‘YUCK’.
‘Now continue.’
Malfoy trembled with rage but reminded himself that with a simple memory charm she wouldn’t remember a thing. But what was really affecting him was that he hated bring up the truth. It was something he preferred to ignore because it really hurt. Nobody knew this about him and he wanted to keep it that way.
‘Being a bully is what I do. I’ve never been...nice as you call it and I don’t intend to. My life is planned and I’m going to live it the way I have been made to. This is who I am.’ He stopped and looked Hermione in the eye, almost challenging her.
Hermione thought about what he said and realised that it made some kind of sense and that she wasn’t surprised at all. Deep down she already knew most of this. She wasn’t even shocked upon hearing that he lacked attention from his family. They were all rotten people.
She frowned slightly, ‘Then, do you really hate Harry. Do you really hate me?’
‘I don’t hate you.’ Malfoy stopped, completely shocked at what he had just said. So did Hermione. She stared at him dumbstruck.
That was it for Malfoy. ‘Right, you’ve got what you came here for. Leave!’
‘Uh, yes all right.’ Shakily, Hermione grabbed her wand. In a matter of seconds she had raised it towards Malfoy and shouted-
‘OBLIVIATE!’ Two silver jets of light issued from opposite ends and met in the centre of the room. They collided for a moment before disintegrating into thin air.
Hermione and Malfoy stared stunned at where the spells had joined.
‘You tried to make me lose my memory!’ Shouted Malfoy.
‘So did you!’ Hermione shouted back.
‘Well what now smarty pants? Are we going to have a duel?’ Sneered Malfoy.
‘No of course not.’ Said Hermione.
‘Not afraid are you?’ Malfoy teased.
‘Definitely not.’ Hermione lifted up he chin. ‘I think we should settle this like mature adults.’
‘And what do you propose then?’ Malfoy studied her.
‘That we get out of here together, both with our memories, and never speak of it again. Agreed?’ Hermione extended her hand.
Malfoy smiled devilishly. ‘No, not agreed.’ His smile faded immediately. ‘I mean NO. I mean...’
Hermione laughed despite herself. ‘You were going to trick me when I had my back turned. Of course that is what you would do, being a Malfoy and a sly Slytherin.’
‘Fine.’ Scowled Malfoy. ‘I won’t trick you. But you have to promise you won’t utter a single word of went on here today. If you do I’ll know and you WILL be sorry.’
‘Agreed.’ And they stiffly shook hands before departing.
‘By the way.’ Added Hermione. ‘Snape wants you in his office.’
Malfoy nodded and left the room. Hermione waited a minute before following.