Isolation (bexchan) • Chapter 1: Haven
Chapter 1: Haven
General summary:
October 1, 1997, beginning of Hermione’s 7th year at Hogwarts
Hermione is Head Girl
Draco has been in hiding in Scotland with Snape
Snape brings Draco to Hogwarts to implore McGonagall to allow him refuge, and though it takes convincing, she agrees on his conditional stay
One of her terms is that Draco will stay with Hermione, something that he vehemently opposes but is forced to accept since he has no other options
Detailed summary:
Begins October 1, 1997 (5 months after Dumbledore’s death)
A quarter of the student body returns to Hogwarts for Hermione’s 7th year
Harry and Ron are off on the Horcrux hunt without her (at Lupin’s suggestion)
Hermione remains at Hogwarts to help McGonagall keep Hogwarts safe
Other Order members at Hogwarts: Ginny, Seamus, Dean
Hermione is Head Girl
Michael Corner (Ravenclaw) is Head Boy
Snape (forcibly) brings Draco back to Hogwarts
Draco still steadfastly believes in blood supremacy (he calls Snape “blood traitor scum”)
Snape and Draco have been hidden in Scotland since Snape killed Dumbledore to fulfill Snape’s Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy to keep Draco safe
Both sides want Draco dead
“What a shit week. Shit month. Shit year.”
Slughorn finds Hermione studying at 2 AM in the library and informs her that she has been summoned to McGonagall’s office
Snape argues with McGonagall about allowing Draco to stay at Hogwarts and reminds her of how Dumbledore tried to protect Draco himself, thus succeeding in convincing her
Draco has not had proper accommodations or sufficient food in a long time
McGonagall agrees to allow Draco to stay at Hogwarts but only under certain conditions
If he breaks any rules, he will be thrown out
He is not allowed to have his wand
He cannot attend classes
He cannot leave the room he is given
If he leaves Hogwarts he is not allowed to return
McGonagall decides he will stay with Hermione because she, nor the other professors, have the time to deal with Draco
Draco is not pleased with the idea, calling Hermione a Mudblood (several times), for which he is reprimanded by McGonagall
By the time Hermione arrives at McGonagall’s office, Snape is still there and she attempts to hex him, though he easily blocks her
Hermione doesn’t yet notice that Draco is there
McGonagall restrains her with charmed ropes and shuts her into a closet
“"Well," he commented, his voice raspy at the back of his throat, but still rich with surplus sarcasm. "That went well."”
Go to Chapter 2: Punch