bloodyhellgranger:

Challenge Eighteen — Redo of Challenge Seven.

“He killed him without blinking. He didn’t even use a wand! He killed him using the axe he found. It was.. brutal.” Ron breathlessly shared to the group as they assembled after the mission. 

“I’d have done the same if it was me. After what that bastard did to Hermione—” Seamus said as he wiped the blood off of his boots. Hermione remained silent as everyone talked in hushed voices.

“Still.. he was terrifying. That was honestly the first time I was absolutely terrified of Mal—.” Ron’s voice was interrupted by the sound of apparition outside the safe house. A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps was heard in the room and a haggard-looking Draco Malfoy entered.

No one had the courage to look him in the eye and they hastily made excuses to leave the room. Hermione stayed and looked at him as he stood there raising his eyebrows.

“They’re all scared of you.” Hermione told him as she took the remaining steps separating them. “I’m not scared of you.”

She lifted her hand to touch his cheek but he refused to look at her. 

“Draco.” she whispered. “Look at me.”

She didn’t know if it was the desperation in her voice or the trust she obviously showed, but Draco finally looked at her. The pain in his eyes made her heart ache.

“I killed my father.” he said, his voice cracking.

“I know.” she said as she traced the lines on his face.

“I’m scared of you.” he admitted in a soft voice. “I’m scared of what you’ll think of me.”

“I love you, Draco. And you did what you had to do.”

“Hermione?” Fleur called from the doorway. “I’m sorry to interrupt but we need you to check some maps.”

“Remember that, Draco.” she told him as she turned to leave the room.