The Draco Versions

Draco's Pov

I stood there yet again. Feeling helpless as she wept uncontrollably. Why did this always happen to me. Just when I had to prove myself the bad guy, she would come into the picture and make everything 10 times worse.

Hermione. Her name was like a soft melody to a ears of an aching soul. She was perhaps the only one who could understand. The only one whom I wished would understand. I didn't care about the rest.

The day she had been tortured by Bellatrix had been the worst day of my life. I had to just stand there, with an indifferent look on my face as she hurt her. I had nightmares about it for days, her screams echoing in my head.

I fervently hoped that one day I would be able to speak to her. I would be able to explain how misunderstood I was. Maybe I wouldn't be an outcast then. Maybe some people would even accept me back. I hoped they would understand.

I saw Hermione dry her eyes and take deep shuddering breaths and then calmly walk back to the Weasley's house.

As I crouched behind the stinking dustbins in the gloomy alleyway, I hoped the worst was over. For all of us. I only hoped that each new dawn brought with it promises of a better tomorrow.

But how wrong I was. We had seen nothing yet. The worst was yet to come.