The Mists of Memory

Chapter 2: I'm Not a Death Eater!

Not that there was time to think; Harry forced himself to trust Draco. It cost him much, but he didn't want to consider the only other choice he'd had. He rose from the step where he sat, picking up the package with the food. Then he hurried towards the gate that Draco had finally opened. He put a hand on Draco's shoulder, supporting him, and they Apparated together.

When they Reapparated, Draco found himself a few steps from the large double gate of a huge, abandoned building. Draco broke away from Harry's support as though the touch of the other man was burning him.

'Potter, how many times must I tell you that I don't need your help,' he hissed, trying to get away. The rain had turned into hail by now, and was covering the roads with its white cape. The cold had become stronger than before.

'Don't act like an idiot now, Malfoy. Anyone with a little intelligence would know when they've reached their limit.' Harry took him by the collar of the jacket and dragged him with him. They arrived in front of the gate and looked around. Then, Harry opened it with caution and entered, carrying Draco's weight.

Finally, they made it to the landing and Harry let go. Draco tried to clean his jacket, annoyed, but the small pieces of ice that covered it didn't want to fall off it. He was about to try again when someone opened the inner door of the building—maybe an abandoned hotel, or something like that.

'Harry, thank God you're back. We were worried!' A young woman with bushy brown hair appeared behind the door, her frown and the crack in her voice showing restlessness. Behind her was a tall, muscular redhead with the expression of someone who had just seen a monster.

'Sorry but...I had a mishap,' whispered Harry, moving his head slightly in the direction of Draco. Ron Weasley's eyes opened wide, as did Hermione's. They had clearly recognised him straight away.

'Harry, what the hell made you bring him here? Are you out of your mind?' they burst in unison.

'I notice that, as always, you have more brains than Potter, Mudblood,' Draco hissed, looking at the woman mockingly. Hermione's eyes widened and tried to speak; had she become unaccustomed to his insults? 'I'd like to point out that I've not come of my own free will. He dragged me here.'

The two looked with horror at their companion.

'I found him on my way back. He was being chased by a Dementor and I saved his life.' Harry looked Draco in the eyes, sternly.

'Save his life? Why on Earth would you save Malfoy's life?' Ron said, getting even more horrified.

'Shut up, Weasel,' Draco snapped. Age and Quidditch have made him grow taller, not smarter.

Harry didn't let them come to blows. He pushed Draco through the door and entered, removing his cloak and hanging it on a peg. Closing the door, he put down the package on a piece of furniture.

''C'me on guys, look at him...and tell me if I could've left him there.'

'Of course you should've left him there, Harry,' said Hermione. 'We know very well that he's a Death Eater.'

'I'M NOT A DEATH EATER!'

Draco felt like his head would explode, and a deep pain in the centre of his throat forced him to start coughing, but he couldn't allow them to insult him that way. Hermione stopped dead, vexed. She seemed astonished at a reaction of that sort. I can't blame her. Until a few years ago, it'd have been a compliment for me, he thought. But nowadays things were different. Not that Granger could know that; and yet, she shouldn't have presumed.

'Really? How can we be sure?' Ron hissed, glaring at him.

Hermione crossed her arms on her chest and rhythmically stomped her foot on the floor, her gaze sparkling fire. 'For all we know you could be a spy of Voldemort, ready to reveal our hiding place and get us captured. I'm amazed that no one has arrived yet.'