Hermione confides to Daphne some unpleasant truths about her past, and Draco’s past choices come back to haunt him.

In the weeks that followed, Draco had taken to reading through the books Marlene and the Dark Lord had given him before his return to Hogwarts. He had discussed the matter with Hermione when she’d asked him what business he’d had with Lucius, after they had snuck off to the Room of Requirement. She was a bit surprised and somewhat disappointed that her parents had chosen to confront Draco, instead of discussing the matter directly with her—but after Draco had explained a bit about what was discussed, Hermione had agreed to allow him to do the initial research, which he had done so with vigor.

People’s initial reactions were exactly what Draco thought they’d be. For the most part, those in Ravenclaw seemed to be ambivalent about Hermione’s parentage, except for the Head Girl Cho Chang, who’d been dating Diggory at the time of his death. She had initially been friendly with Hermione at the beginning of the school year, but now was cold and standoffish. Hufflepuff’s were a bit more wary, and a few were even down right hostile. Zacharias Smith was one wizard who wasn’t. He took every available opportunity to partner with Hermione in the NEWT classes Draco didn’t share with her...which were Arithmancy and Herbology. The wizard didn’t seem the least bit deterred that Hermione was betrothed to another wizard, if the heated looks he kept sending her way were any indication.

The Gryffindor‘s, were another issue altogether.

While Potter was friendly and obliging, Weasley wasn’t. He was often heard making snide comments to others within his house, primarily Finnegan and Dean Thomas. Draco had kept a close eye on the wizard and reminded him on more than one occasion what he would do if he went near his witch.

Those in Slytherin treated Hermione with deference. Many of those who had openly taunted her throughout those early years were quick to apologize for their behavior.

His witch had been gracious, but cold to most of the overtures within their own house. She seemed to be softening towards Blaise and Theo though, which made Draco happy. But the only person she associated with regularly was Daphne. When word had gotten out about Daphne’s betrothal to Corban Yaxley, the girls in Slytherin were openly jealous of the witch. Hermione thought this was amusing and teased her friend about it constantly.

Valentine’s Day was set to arrive on the Friday before the Hogsmeade weekend, and Daphne had received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a formal request to join Corban in Hogsmeade at the Hare and the Fowl: an exclusive restaurant at the far end of the village. The girl had blushed in happiness at the invitation, and had excitedly planned what to wear with Hermione the next day.

“What are you and Draco going to be doing to celebrate this weekend?” Daphne inquired of her friend.

“We are spending the night in the Room of Requirement.” Hermione smiled softly. “I bought something new to wear for tonight.”

Daphne giggled while her friend just blushed. “Is it scandalous?”

Hermione laughed, and nodded. “I think Draco won’t know what hit him.”

Both girls looked through Daphne’s wardrobe while they discussed their potential dates.

“Has Corban given you a betrothal gift?”

Daphne shook her head. “No. I told him he didn’t have to but I’m sure he will eventually. I’m actually trying not to think about such frivolous things. Corban mocked me at one point early on, assuming I was a witch who was only interested in material possessions and a husband. I don’t want him to think I’m that witch...so I’ve left it be.”

Hermione scrunched her nose and harrumphed in disagreement, but didn’t say anything else. While she could understand Daphne’s point of view, she felt her friend deserved to be treated with the same courtesy that Draco showed to her daily. Hermione liked Corban well enough, and he was an older wizard who was set in his ways...but still...

“Get that look off your face, Hermione.” Daphne admonished, while Hermione just stuck her tongue out at her friend. “Corban is much older than me, and I am learning as we go. I don’t have any unrealistic expectations. I know he cares for me and I know he will be faithful. I suppose the rest will come in time.”

Giving her friend an incredulous look, Hermione just sighed in resignation. “And you’re okay with that?”

Daphne nodded. “Surprisingly, I am. Corban and I have passion, and he is able to challenge me. I don’t think I’ll ever be bored. Plus he understands that I want to do more with my life than be a Pureblood brood mare. It’s more than I could’ve hoped for...honestly.”

“Well, if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. But if he ever treats you poorly, I won’t hesitate to go after him myself,” Hermione smiled wickedly, causing her friend to giggle, “and you can tell him I said that.”

“I will.” Daphne smiled in gratitude at her friend. “Thank you, Hermione.”

“For what?”

“For being such a good friend. After everything I did...how hateful I was those first three years, you still wanted to be my friend. I’m not sure I deserved it.”

Hermione just waved her hand in the air, like she was swatting away a pesky insect. “Don’t think on those things, Daphne. You were my first friend...ever.”

Sitting down on the end of her bed in shock, Daphne looked at her friend questioningly. “Surely you had friends before you came to Hogwarts?”

Sitting down facing her friend, Hermione shook her head sadly. “No. I’ve never had any friends.” Seeing the look of disbelief on Daphne’s face, Hermione’s sigh deepened. “When I was with my adoptive parents, I went to a Muggle primary school. The children knew I was different. I was always reading, never invited to play with the other children. One day an older boy accosted me in the bathroom of the school. I didn’t understand what he was trying to do until he put his hand under my skirt and tore at my knickers. My magic reacted protectively, and I turned him blind, deaf and mute. My parents were called, and I had no idea what I’d done. I was only seven at the time, but they removed me from that school and put me into another primary school closer to London. The children there didn’t like me either, but thankfully they left me alone. When I came to Hogwarts...I thought...finally...it all made sense, you know? I would finally have a place where I was accepted and then I wasn’t, over something that turned out to be untrue.”

Hermione shrugged helplessly, but her friend had tears coming down her face.

“Did your Muggle parents know that boy assaulted you?” Daphne wanted to know.

“Yes, I told them and they believed me.”

Daphne nodded. “And the boy?”

Hermione sighed but shrugged. “I don’t know. I never did find out if what I’d done had left him permanently disabled. I know it wasn’t right, but I’ve never felt guilty over what happened. He would’ve violated me, likely taken my innocence if I hadn’t protected myself. I’ve gotten good at protecting myself you know?” Hermione tried to smile, but it came out wrong.

Daphne went over to her friend and hugged her tightly. “I’m so, so sorry, Hermione. I wish I could take back all the pain and suffering you’ve been through. Have you told Draco any of this?”

Hermione shook her head. “He already carries so much guilt over what happened, so how could I burden him with that? It’s over and done with. I can’t go back and change the past.”

Daphne tried to understand where her friend was coming from, but it made her angry on Hermione’s behalf. She’d been ostracized for most of her life. In the Muggle World for being magical...in the Magical World for being Muggle...

...what kind of fucked up mess was that?

“We should finish getting you ready for your big date tonight.” Hermione got up and walked over to Daphne’s closet and picked out a few items for the witch. “I like this blue dress. I think with your silver heels it would look fantastic.”

Taking the hint, Daphne walked over and held the dress up to her body and looked into the mirror. “Hair up or down?”

Looking over at her friend, Hermione smiled. “Up, I think? That way he can take it down later.”

Daphne giggled at Hermione as she waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Up it is then.”

Together they finished picking out Daphne’s outfit and accessories, and Hermione gave her friend once last hug before she left the room, looking a bit lost and fore-lorn. Daphne shook her head, sighing unhappily, feeling unsure what to do about Hermione’s confession.

Should she tell Draco?

Shaking her head clear, Daphne decided to sit on the information for a bit.

After showering, she got ready quickly, and headed down to the common room. When she entered, she saw Blaise, Draco and Theo sitting by the fireplace talking amongst themselves. When Draco looked up, he smiled widely and gestured towards Daphne to join them.

“Looking good, Greengrass.” Blaise whistled appreciatively. “Hot date?”

“Yes, Blaise. I’m meeting Corban at the school entrance and he’s taking me to dinner at the Hare and the Fowl.”

Theo whistled, impressed. “That’s a fancy place. The cheapest fire whiskey they have there is 35 galleons a glass.”

Daphne rolled her eyes at her friend. “Of course that’s what you’d be impressed with, Theodore.”

Smirking at his friends, Draco just rolled his eyes. “I’ve eaten there before. It was decent enough.”

Glancing over at her friend with a confused expression on her face, Daphne couldn’t help asking. “Who did you go there with, Draco?”

Draco shrugged his shoulders but suddenly looked uncomfortable, while Blaise and Theo just gave him a knowing look. Before he could answer however, another voice interrupted their conversation, “Yes, Draco. When did you have the chance to go to that restaurant? I’ve heard it’s quite posh and very romantic.”

Draco looked over his shoulder at his intended, who was watching him warily. Throwing up a discreet silencing charm, Draco ran a hand through his hair.

“I took Therese Rowle there on a date, Valentine’s Day, Fourth Year.”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed and she tilted her head, contemplating the wizard before her.

“I see.” Was all she said, but her body language told a very different story.

Daphne could see Hermione’s posture closing off and Draco could see it too. He went to stand up, but Hermione held up her hand to stop him.

“If you all would excuse me, I’m suddenly not feeling very well.” Looking over at her friend, Hermione smiled softly. “Enjoy your date, Daphne. Say hello to Corban for me.”

Daphne nodded and watched with concern as Hermione moved quickly out of the common room. Draco went to stand to follow her, but Daphne stopped him by placing her hand on his shoulder. She didn’t think she’d ever seen panic on Draco’s face before, and he growled at her for stopping him but she just shook her head in rebuke.

“Leave her be, Draco. Hermione is having a rough day.”

Draco seemed stupefied momentarily before he sat down with his head in his hands. Blaise and Theo gave their friend looks of sympathy. After a few moments Daphne sat back down and cast stronger silencing charms. From how her friends were considering her, they knew she had something important to share.

“I’m going to require a wand oath before we get started. I have something to share and I want to make sure you all understand the importance of not sharing this information outside of us. I know you will most likely talk with Hermione, Draco.”

Draco looked over at his friend and sighed. “This is about Hermione, isn’t it?”

Daphne just nodded. “Is she going to be upset at you for telling us?” Asked Theo.

Shrugging, Daphne honestly wasn’t sure how to answer that question. “She didn’t swear me to secrecy if that’s what your asking, but I think you all need to hear this.”

Each boy nodded and took the oath. Once that was done Daphne shared with them the conversation she’d had with Hermione earlier. She told them how she’d had no friends in Muggle primary school. How hateful the other children were to her for being different. How Hermione had been filled with hope for the first time in her life when she’d come to Hogwarts...eager to make friends and belong and how cruelly her hopes were dashed. Daphne watched all their faces, but especially Draco’s, when she told them what had happened to Hermione at the age of seven. What that evil Muggle boy had tried to do and how she had protected herself from harm.

Daphne didn’t think she’d ever seen Draco look as angry and torn apart as he did in that moment.

It was fortunate that she had thought to erect the silencing charm, because the pained scream that rent through the air at her confession, made Theo, Blaise and herself flinch back in shock. Daphne then grabbed Draco to comfort him before his magic could get out of control. It was taking every ounce of Draco’s Pureblood training to keep him from losing it. Theo had his wand out, ready to send a petrificus totalis, but at the last minute Draco seemed to get himself calmed down. Without another word, he cancelled the silencing charms and made his way out of the common room, not realizing all eyes in the room were on him.

“Is he going to be okay?” Asked Theo quietly.

“What about Hermione?” Whispered Blaise sadly, “What kind of messed up fuck would hurt a seven year old girl? And what kind of fucks would hate someone for no good reason at all.”

Daphne wiped a tear from her eye as she looked at her friends with sadness. “We did...we all did.”