~ Draco ~

Vanishing Cabinet… vanishing cabinet…

Panting, I race to the seventh floor, sprinting as fast as I can. I push past students; dodging, jumping, climbing the steep staircases, and going through doors that disguise themselves as pictures. My robes aren’t smooth anymore; they’re rather rough, and my hair feels slightly untidy; but as much as I’d love to keep up with my appearances, there’s no time to waste. Not when it comes to serving the Dark Lord.

Now, here I am. Across the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy on the seventh floor.

It’s quiet.

I turn around. It shouldn’t be so quiet. Wasn’t I pushing past a bunch of Hufflepuffs earlier? Where could the students have gone?

“Malfoy.”

I almost jump at the sudden voice, but I hope it was subtle enough that the newcomer doesn’t notice. My gaze lands on her. “Granger,” I sneer.

She rolls her eyes. Disrespectful mudblood. “Nevermind your prejudices, Malfoy. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Assume I know. What makes you think I’d even tell you?”

She shakes her head. “We’re stuck in the same boat. There’s no one else here.”

I gesture dramatically at the empty, silent corridor around us. “Wow Granger, I never would have known.”

She raises her eyebrows. “You’re awfully calm about this whole situation. Now tell me, do you know anything that could get us out of here?”

I don’t.

… I don’t know. But I would never let Granger know that.

“Nevermind that. I was heading toward the Room of Requirement. Now if you’d excuse me…” I walked past her and began to pace three times in front of the door, chanting my inner mantra of seeing the Vanishing Cabinet that I need to repair. This time, however, I also add the detail that Granger shouldn’t be allowed in.

Granger just crosses her arms, but doesn’t say anything.

When I’m done pacing, I look up.

There is no doorway. Only one word: Hermione.

What?

I send an accusatory glare at her. “Granger, what are you playing at?”

She sighs in exasperation. “I’m not playing at anything. I was going to use the room too, but you know what it showed me?”

I shrug.

“It said “Draco”! So I’m just as confused and frustrated as you are.”

“But this has never happened before!” I yell at her, our voices slowly rising in volume. “How do you explain this?”

“I just don’t know! That’s why I’m asking you!”

“You useless Mudblood- “

“Then go ahead and prove yourself useful, you pureblood!” She exclaims. “Go on! Solve all of this by yourself and show how mighty and superior you are. After all, I’m useless because I’m only a Muggleborn, aren’t I?”

There was nothing I could do to reply to that.

I glare at her. But I could see a smug expression on her face, so I turn my attention to the door instead. The familiar, slanted, beautiful writing sits plainly where it's always been. I will for it to change, but it doesn't.

Hermione.

For the first time in a long time, the Room of Requirement isn't obeying commands. It's demanding something.

I'm at a loss as well.