Shell of Darkness Broken

Chapter One

Hermione thought about him most at night. At night, they'd be in each other's arms, oblivious to the cruel world around them.

But now, Hermione gripped her pillow instead of him, and had to contend herself by imagining it was him. Imagining it was his silver blond hair that glinted so wonderfully in the moonlight.

Draco was still alive, Hermione knew that. He was also one of the most wanted by the Ministry of Magic.

He's a Death Eater, she thought bitterly, pulling her covers tightly around her. He knows nothing but evil. He's his father's duplicate, his clone. She shivered as she remembered the times Draco Malfoy had been so vulnerable when he looked into her eyes. Involuntarily, she fell into a brief doze. Dreams formed within her eyes...

Hermione stirred in her bed, disturbed by nightmares.

"Don't leave! I beg you, please," she called, tears squeezing from her closed eyes.

A figure cloaked in black appeared by her and gently stroked her cheek. Hermione calmed down and all was silent. Then she softly mumbled,

"I love you, Draco."

The figure hesitated, then leant down and brushed his lips across her forehead...

Hermione jolted up in bed, tears running down her face. It had been so real, so bloody real. But there's no one here, she told herself firmly, before settling down to sleep once more.

A few moments later, a figure cloaked in black came from the dark corner he was hiding in and stole out of the room.

Hermione woke up to Ron's voice from her fireplace. She rushed to the living room. "Ron, what's the matter?"

Ron's voice sounded strained. "Get over here. As fast as you can. My office. Now." He disappeared with a pop.

Hermione knew better than to ask questions. Ron was now one of the twelve governors of the Ministry of Magic, the one who had kept her up to date with Draco's most recent movements. Hermione couldn't help feeling worried, that maybe Draco was found...she didn't complete the thought.

A few moments later, she was standing in Ron's office, a spacious marble structure. Ron and Neville Longbottom, another governor*, were standing there with grave looks on their faces.

"What is it?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

"We've found a recent trace of Malfoy."

Hermione put her hand to her mouth, unable to speak. She sat down, trying to let it sink in. Draco was seen...but by whom?

"He apparently went to visit an old friend of his, Blaise Zabini-" Ron started.

"But Zabini is a spy for Dumbledore. What did he tell him?" Hermione leant forward, anxious for the answer.

Ron looked very uncomfortable. He glanced at Neville, who nodded. Finally, he answered. "He's had a heart to heart with Zabini. Obviously he's been thinking of his past lately...and..."

"What?"

"He's asked about you."

Tears filled Hermione's eyes. "After four years, he thinks to ask about me? If he only knew how long I've been asking about him!"

Ron came, put his hands on her shoulders, and forced her to look at him. "Hermione, this man is dangerous, do you understand me? You cannot, under any circumstances, fall in love with him again. Think of what he did to your parents!"

"There was no proof!" Hermione shrieked, tears racing down her cheeks.

"It was him. Please, Hermione, Lavender has made chilling predictions that I, for once, would put money on. Voldemort is rising again. He is getting stronger, and if Malfoy did not stop him from killing your parents, he will not stop him for eventually killing you. Or me. Especially you and me, because we're both close to Harry. Do you understand?"

Hermione looked into his hazel eyes. "Yes," she meekly whispered. After a moment, she asked, "What exactly did Draco say about me?"

Ron looked worried. "I'd rather not say, Hermione."

Suddenly she grabbed his collar. "You must tell me, Ron! You don't understand how much I'm tortured by the very thought of him! He, who ruined my life!" She began to cry bitterly.

Ron relented reluctantly. "He...he told Zabini of...of a photograph. A Muggle photograph of you, on your parents' table or something. He's made himself mad over you, of how you made him feel. Said something about feeling vulnerable whenever you looked at him."

Hermione had a blank look on her face, as if trying to think something out. Finally, she looked up at Ron, her face dawning with frightened realization. "He came to see me," she said quietly.

"What?" Ron asked harshly.

"Draco. He-he was in my home...he watched me sleep...he kissed my forehead." Hermione started to feel dizzy. "The dream seemed so real. And now I know why."

"He came into your home and watched you sleep?" Ron asked incredulously. "Merlin's beard, he even kissed you? Good, he didn't hurt you or anything. I would have thought...with him being so long with Voldemort, I wouldn't have put it past him to kill the girl who was a big obstacle for the dark lord."

"That's what I thought, too," Hermione said uncertainly. She stood up, but Ron stopped her. "Hermione, you must not go back to your house. Stay at Hogwarts. They must have room for you. I'll call Harry, he must stay there also-"

"No!" Hermione said suddenly, and sat down again. "No. I will not give up my own home just because of Lavender's prediction. However better she may be than that Trelawney hag, I will not revolve around what a person sees in a crystal orb!"

"Hermione, for safety, it's just a precaution-"

"Stop it, Ron. I know you're doing this for my own good, but I just want to take care of myself. If Draco decides to show up tonight, I will deal with him myself," Hermione prepared to Disapparate.

"Just think about it again, Hermione," Ron pleaded again.

"Just tell Harry I said hello," Hermione answered, and Disapparated.

Ron sank into his chair, lost for words. Neville knew little about the whole situation to comfort him.