Return to Eden

Return to Eden

Chapter 13: Tainted Love

Hermione's hand flew to her mouth as if to stop the words that had already escaped. Her eyes went wide with fear and astonishment as she carefully watched the boy in front of her.

The mask of concealment slipped over Draco's face before he had a chance to blink. A hardness like that of a diamond began to carve its way across his features and he withdrew as if he had been slapped. He skillfully avoided her gaze when he reached for the door separating the compartment from the walkway. He cocked his head to the side with his back to her as he spoke one final word before exiting.

"Fine."

Hermione fell back onto the seat as all the energy seeped from her limbs. She stared disbelievingly at the spot where Draco had previously stood. That had not went well at all.

She hadn't meant for it to come out like that, but he always inspired the worst in her especially when they fought. There was no way to take it back now.

Hermione had tried her best to be indifferent to him. She didn't want Harry and Ron to come back to Hogwarts and see that she was 'fraternizing with the enemy.' The news of her true parentage would be enough to swallow without adding her budding relationship with Draco to the mix.

Time away from the Malfoys had given Hermione some serious time to think about her position with everybody she held dear. She was still upset at the whole predicament, but felt it was unfair to blame her best friends for the sins of their fathers. However, their reactions were still to come.

An association with Draco right now was impossible until she found out where she stood with her friends. She felt bad for acting like she didn't care about the Malfoys because she really did. Narcissa already felt like a second mother and she trusted all of them.

She was not blind. She was perfectly aware that Draco wanted something more than friendship with her. She could feel it in his kisses and see it in his looks, but to actually have him declare his love for her, well that was another matter.

Her feelings for Harry had not changed in the time spent away from Draco. No matter how much she wanted to jump into the arms of the blonde boy, she had to confront Harry first. If he returned her feelings, she would have to put Draco out of her mind. At that, a tiny voice at the back of her mind piped up and told her she would never be able to forget Draco's touch, even if she slept with every boy at the school.

Then, there were the words Blaise had spoken. She knew the other girl and her admission were the reason she felt she would never let herself love Draco, even if Harry weren't in the equation. Blaise was a prime example of what loving Draco could lead to: an arrogant young woman trying to cover up the broken little girl inside.

No, she could not, would not let herself become like that.

This was Hermione's last thought as she stepped off the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade station. Her great aunt, Professor McGonagall who had rode the train back with them, stood waiting for her in front of a carriage with Draco. She approached them with caution, but Draco didn't even acknowledge her presence.

They climbed up into the awaiting carriage as they set off towards the castle. Draco took the seat next to her, but inched as far away as he could muster. Professor McGonagall sat opposite the two teenagers with a worried frown upon her brow. She sensed something was amiss.

Hermione sat quietly and peered out the window as they bumped along the path. Soon, the grand structure of the school came into view and she was struck with a severe nostalgia. This was to be her last year here at this wonderful place.

Once arrived, Draco and Hermione were given the usual Heads speech by McGonagall as they made their way towards the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore stood patiently in front of the gargoyle anticipating their timing. He swept them away down the corridors while outlining what was to be expected from them over the course of the year.

Finally, they came upon a short hallway. Three doors were evenly spaced on one side and a large portrait covered most of the other. Dumbledore entered the middle door first.

It was a room that Draco and Hermione both had been in many times before: the prefects' meeting room. The conference table and surrounding chairs were no different than the last time they had seen them. There were two doors on opposite ends of the table that were labeled 'Head Boy' and 'Head Girl'.

Dumbledore exited the room and they followed without a word. He handed each of them a long parchment that listed the tasks they were to complete over the following week before the rest of the students returned. He arranged a meeting with them on the first day after classes where he would be giving them another list of duties before giving each of them their separate passwords. Hermione's room was on the right and Draco's on the left.

Without giving the other a single glance, they entered their own dorm rooms in silence.

The next week passed without incident. Hermione helped Professors McGonagall and Sprout organize the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff dorms for the other students. She met with Professor Vector to help plan study sessions for the younger Aritmancy pupils, and she helped Professor Sinistra set up the telescopes in the Astronomy Tower. Everything was going marvelously for her first few days as Head Girl.

However, no one seemed to notice that the Head Boy was giving the Head Girl the silent treatment. Every time she came across Draco and tried to engage him in conversation, he blatantly ignored her and barely gave a glance her way. She saw him in the Great Hall at mealtimes and would sometimes pass him in the corridors. He would look through her as if she wasn't even there.

Before there could be anything done about it, they were back on the Hogwarts Express on their way to greet the rest of the student body as the term began.

*~*~*

It was the day before the start of term and Neville was working in the Herbology greenhouse his grandmother had set up for him when a familiar owl came swooping in from the open glass door.

Neville had grown over the last couple of years both in body and in mind. His showdown with the Death Eaters in his fifth year had matured him in ways he never thought possible. He had also grown several inches and while he was not winning any beauty contests, his face had lost its roundness and his weight was more evenly distributed.

He moved over to where the tiny owl had perched itself near the Flitterbloom bush he had been trying to grow. After removing the parchment, it flew off from whence it came. He unrolled the scroll and began to read.

Neville,

When we go back to school, would you please join us in our usual compartment? There's an argument brewing between Harry, Ron, and Hermione that I fear will explode on the trip back to school. Harry and my brother are convinced she has taken up with Draco Malfoy and there's a rumor going around that she is really a pureblood witch. I don't know what to believe anymore. Well, I've written Luna as well. See you soon.

Ginny

Neville looked at the letter in confusion as a crease formed on his brow. *Hermione? A pureblood witch? But she has Muggle parents.* He crossed to his workbench and sat upon it in thought.

He wondered how this newfound discovery would change the dynamics in the infamous Golden Gryffindor Trio. Neville had always considered Hermione his friend especially since without her, he would have failed Professor Snape's class many years ago, but he couldn't help worrying about and for her.

Neville moved back to the batch of wormwood he had been working on. While he wasn't sure about anything where Draco Malfoy was concerned, he was willing to give Hermione the benefit of a doubt. If she was a pureblood, it was her business. Hopefully, Harry and Ron wouldn't make too big a deal of it or else Ginny was right to worry. There truly *would* be a spectacle on the train back to Hogwarts.

*~*~*

The cavernous halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were deathly silent before the start of term. Their emptiness would soon be filled with the pitter-pattering footsteps and the boisterous noise of students in a few short days.

At the moment, Professor Severus Snape, ex-Death Eater and current Potions master, was making his way through the quiet corridors to the Headmaster's office, his robes billowing out behind him. He had been working on the lesson plan for his N.E.W.T. level Advanced Potions class when Dobby, the house-elf, had popped in his office with a summons from Professor Dumbledore. If Severus was surprised by this news, he didn't show it, but it was odd for the headmaster to send word with a house-elf. Usually, he would send Fawkes or simply stick his head in the fire using the Floo Network.

He came upon the gargoyle and stopped in his quick-paced stride. A nasty sneer drew across his face as he spoke the password. "Butterfinger." Truly, he didn't understand Albus and his fascination for Muggle candy.

Severus stepped on the rotating staircase and soon stood in front of the headmaster's door. He politely knocked on the frame before hearing a softly muttered admission of entrance.

Professor Dumbledore looked up over his half-moon glasses from the letter he was composing at his long-time friend. "Ah, Severus. Why don't you have a seat?"

He obliged and sat in one of the squishy armchairs in front of the desk. As he did so, he studied the older wizard with a keen eye. Dumbledore was starting to look his age with a grave and weary expression, even his normally twinkling blue eyes looked dull around the edges.

Severus lifted an eyebrow. "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore handed the letter, now sealed, to Fawkes before turning back to the younger man. "Oh, come, come. School is not yet in session, there is no need for formalities."

"Fine. *Albus,* why have you sent for me? I have much to do before classes commence." At talk of classes, Severus' eyes lit up with a malicious glint. He was practically giddy at how much homework he was planning on giving out.

"Yes, I'm very well aware of that, but this couldn't be put off another moment. I need to speak with you of a matter concerning Hermione Granger."

"What *about* our illustrious Head Girl?" These words were spoken with extreme sarcasm and indifference.

"Well, many things, but first, I'll tell you this: she's a pureblood witch." Albus watched as Snape's eyes widened slightly, the only indication he was surprised by this news. He let it sink in for a moment before continuing.

"In fact, her birth name is Regina Anjolie de Altair-Rosier and the heir to the wizarding throne in France. She's been told quite a bit about the past of both her families, but there are pieces still being filled in."

"She's Evan's daughter. How long have you known?" Severus' eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"A few weeks now. She stayed with the Malfoys for a while before going to Minerva's until she came here."

"So, Lucius and Minerva both know, but you're just *now* telling me? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Don't you understand what this means!"

"Yes, Severus, I do, but we can't make decisions for her. There's too much at stake and one wrong word could possibly be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. There's nothing you can do."

"Well, I can bloody well try!" Severus jumped up from the chair sending it toppling back to the ground. His eyes were fierce as he strode out of the office at an angry pace. He passed Professor Vector on his way back down to the dungeons, but he ignored her greeting. His thoughts were solely focused on the news he had just received and owling his sister, Melina.

*~*~*

It was a cool summer day at the Burrow where the wind blew through the trees making them dance and rustle in a sway. The first signs of autumn were starting to show as the greenery lost some of its lackluster to make way for the browns and reds. The sun beamed overhead making the scene complete.

Harry was sitting outside taking all this in while managing to do some thinking. He loved the Weasleys, but being inside the house was not good for when he was trying to concentrate.

Nearly six years had passed since he first step foot into Hogwarts, and he was starting to wonder where all that time had gone. Laughs and tears, highs and lows, they had shared it all. From the mouth of certain death to the elation of winning the House Cup, he, Ron, and Hermione went through it together. But would it always be so?

This news of Hermione being a pureblood was still quite fishy to Harry. He wasn't sure what to make of it, and yet he still wondered. Would this be the thing to break them apart?

Hermione was the only girl he had ever felt completely comfortable around. She was his internal logic and his conscience. Every time he wanted to do something that would break the rules, a small voice in the back of his mind that sounded just like her would question his motives.

Harry knew Ron had feelings for the female third of their Trio, but he wasn't sure how deep they were. He shrugged it off. It was probably just a schoolboy crush and would disappear once they left Hogwarts.

And now, she'd taken up with the Malfoys, or so it seemed. Harry's blood boiled at the thought. Sometimes he wondered if his hate for Draco Malfoy ran deeper than his hate for Voldemort. Just imagining the blonde boy having his way with Hermione like he had with countless other girls made Harry clench his fists in rage. No, Hermione was too smart to fall for Malfoy's games. This thought calmed him slightly. Either way, she better have some answers on the train back to Hogwarts.

His mind turned to the future Christmas holidays. Instead of coming back to the Burrow as he was wont to do, he decided to go see Cho at her new apartment she had written to him about. He and Cho had been having an on again/off again relationship for over a year. They were off right now, but he deemed to rectify that situation. The Asian girl had received the opportunity to train with her favorite Quidditch team, the Tornadoes, after graduating from Hogwarts. She was their reserve Seeker at the moment.

Harry only hoped he was as lucky once he left school. Thoughts of the future weren't easy to deal with when he had no idea what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Part of him wanted to join Cho and play Quidditch professionally, but another part of him wanted to train and be an Auror. He supposed this last year would help him make the decision.

He got up from his spot on the ground and started back inside bringing him out of his internal ramblings. On his way back up to Ron's room, he passed Ginny on the stairwell. She smiled at him before continuing down to the kitchen. Every time he came to the Burrow, Ginny was more lovely than when he left. Her curly red hair flowed in ringlets down her back and her cornflower blue eyes sparkled with merriment.

Harry shook his head to clear it and proceeded back up the steps.

*~*~*

Far away from where Harry sat thinking outside the Burrow, another completely different person also sat in rapt contemplation.

Power was something very familiar to Cornelius Fudge.

He was a man of many attributes, but eager ambition was probably the one that outshone all the others. It was how he'd gotten where he was today. That, and knowing all the right people. Having connections was everything nowadays.

Which led him to his current predicament.

Apparently, being in Lucius Malfoy's back pocket had a price. He had signed the guardian papers without any questions, but now Lucius was leaning on him for information he wasn't even sure he was authorized to give out. The names of the wizards that had brought discord to the Rosier family.

In light of Voldemort's resurrection, Fudge was more determined than ever to hold on to his position of Minister of Magic, and if that meant making deals with Death Eaters and Aurors alike, then so be it.

Oh, he was well aware of Lucius' standing with the Dark Lord.

Normally, he would give the other man information without hesitation, but everything was different now. Dumbledore was breathing down his neck at every turn about giving out undisclosed names. Especially when they were associated with one Hermione Granger.

Some weeks ago, Fudge had received an odd letter indeed from the older wizard about knowing his place in the scheme of things and how it wasn't 'time' to reveal certain details yet. It was most confounding.

He knew that there was something far more dire going on than just a simple 'born-again pureblood.' He could see the reticent glint in Lucius' eyes when he spoke of the young girl, and he swore he saw something akin to panic in Dumbledore's when he mentioned Hermione.

Yes, it was most perplexing indeed.

The young girl seemed to be important to both men at the moment, but he couldn't, for the life of him, figure out why. Somehow, though, he knew it would have something to do with Lucius' son, Draco. It was no matter. As long as it didn't affect his standing or him, he would just ignore it and let business carry on as usual.

*~*~*

The three beings had been watching everything closely since talking to the young boy and girl, warning them of their destiny that lie ahead. They hadn't interfered at any point for fear of ruining the course of fate.

From their forest cave, the hag, nymph, and gypsy began to prepare for the coming days and the toll the magic world would take. It was common knowledge, between the three of them, that a struggle of tremendous proportions was about to take place.

Several weeks after first setting eyes on the two teenagers, Ambrosia noticed a change in the pattern shown across the wall of the cave. Two strands were beginning to unweave themselves at a slow, but steady pace.

She turned to her two counterparts to see if they noticed the pattern's behavior. They were standing slack-jawed behind her, eyes focused on the wall. She looked back at it and tried to swallow the fear that was slowly rising in the back of her throat.

"Something is wrong. *Very* wrong."