A Last Chance For Salvation

A last chance for salvation chapter 2

Draco stood leaning against the doorframe of the Burrow a smirk still plastered on his pale face. Molly and the others were too shocked to say anything, no one among them had seen Draco Malfoy since Dumbledore's funeral. It was Hermione who broke the silence, she had somewhat recovered from her outburst but tears still streaked her face.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?"

"Here to see you my dear."

"Get to the point and never refer to me as dear again."

"Whatever you say Granger, I was just trying to lighten the mood, it's like a funeral in here."

Draco had nailed it on the head, that was what was on everyone's minds at that moment, and Draco soon realized that he had hit a sore spot. Of course being Draco Malfoy, he had to aggravate that sore spot as much as he was able.

"Mrs.Weasley, or may I call you Molly? How are you?" Without even waiting for her consent or reply for that matter he continued, "How is the rest of the family, the twins? Arthur?"

"You bastard!" Ron was uncontrollably angry and even Harry himself couldn't control him as he jumped from his seat knocking his chair down.

"At least I have a father, Weasley."

That was the last straw, Ron lunged at Draco and after a fierce minute and a half of letting them go at each other with their fists, legs and other body parts, Sirius reluctantly pulled Ron off the bleeding Draco. Remus looked at Sirius approvingly and Sirius just scowled back.

"The little jerk had it coming."

"Let's at least try to be civil, we've all had more than our share of hardships, this I know. The past is the past, and let's leave it that way."

Molly was always the first one to accommodate a stranger and soon Draco found her muttering healing charms and bandaging up his wounds.

"There that should do it. Would you care for a cup of tea Draco dear?"

Everyone was shocked that Molly was calling Draco dear and serving him tea when he insulted her family and tried to kill her son less than five minutes earlier.

"Stop gawking and make yourselves useful," Molly admonished, "Go on now these dishes wont clear themselves, Ginny dear please put on the kettle, Harry would you help Ron clean out his eye?"

As everyone scurried about to do her bidding, Hermione was left alone in the living room with Draco.

"That comment was unnecessary Draco." Hermione's tone was much softer now.

"I know Hermione, I just... It's been hard lately."

Hermione didn't need to be told what Draco was referring to, you didn't have to be in Draco's inner circle to know that Lucius Malfoy wasn't a very compassionate father.

"How's Narcissa?" Hermione chose a lighter topic, it wasn't the time or place to discuss Lucius.

"As well as can be expected." Draco regained his composure quickly and he took on a harsher tone, there was no way he was going to sit here in Weasley's house and empathize with a mudblood. Hermione noticed his change and mentally chided herself for letting down her guard, not a mistake she often made. Hermione had made the regrettable mistake of trusting Draco once and she promised herself she wouldn't make the same error twice. She quickly averted her eyes from his, and realized they were far too close for comfort.

"So what is this proposition you spoke of?"

"Hermione seems very troubled Sirius."

"You don't say?"

"Im serious."

"Really, I thought I was."

"The name joke only works when we're drunk Padfoot."

"I wish you wouldn't insist on calling me that."

"Whatever you fancy Sirius, there was a time when that was all I called you."

"The memories are too painful Remus. I don't know how you can stand it."

"Easily, don't dwell on the bad things, remember them in segments. Like Lilly and James' wedding and graduation."

"It's not as simple as that for me. I guess you have more moral stamina."

"Quite the opposite Padfoot, I am the coward, I can't stand to think about the dark times."

Sirius and Remus were whispering in Ron's room. Ron was still in the bathroom ranting to Harry about his mother's injustices.

"Choosing him over me? What was she thinking? I'm her son!"

"She wasn't choosing anyone Ron." Harry was trying to comfort his friend, but Ron was renowned for his stubbornness for a reason.

"Oh yeah, 'Draco dear' isn't choosing? She healed his wounds first!"

Harry had to give his friend that, why did she heal Draco first?

"Shhhhh, Sirius! Charlie is trying to put Claire to bed."

"He can't hear us her room is on the second floor."

"You're right I guess I'm getting a little anxious, you know I have a soft spot for children."

Sirius saw his lover's face soften noticeably and rolled his eyes.

"Christ Remus, she's just a little girl."

"I know, but..."

"Anyway you were saying something about Hermione?"

"Oh yes, well honestly Sirius don't tell me you didn't notice. You said yourself you hardly recognized her."

"Who is the same though? Molly hides it well, but she's very depressed. Did you see how many anti-depressants there are in the medicine cabinet?" When Remus shook his head Sirius continued, "Enough to kill her ten times over."

"You're not implying that..."

Remus couldn't finish his sentence, for at that very moment Ginny burst through the door.

"They're gone!" was all Ginny could choke out.