➊st (video)

[substandard]

[the entry starts with Draco suddenly leaning away from the stationary screen, looking relatively bewildered—and not looking at the camera, because he doesn't know what that is or where to find it. he leans back forward, observing the screen, and gives it an uncertain little tap. he mumbles, a little.]

Is it working, then?

[he rolls his eyes and sighs.]

Feel like a sodding idiot... Well, here goes.

[and, unsure if this is properly doing its thing or not, Draco just hopes that it's working so that he's not literally talking to a wall. Draco seems to decide looking at the screen is probably the best course of action, as he talks—so to those viewing him, his eyecontact isn't direct, but hey, it's not too off!]

Some of you've already met me; my name is Draco Malfoy. I'm a somewhat recent arrival for this embarrassment of a city.

[and, as is characteristic of his house, Draco gets straight to business.]

I heard this was probably the easiest way to contact people conveniently, since there's no other option. I'm looking for a partner—someone to rely on when I start to get ill.

[he prays people get his meaning.]

That said, besides obviously helping the health of whoever steps up to the task, you won't be doing this for nothing. I'm a wizard—I know magical abilities aren't incredibly uncommon around here, but there's a fair bit of magic that can be incredibly convenient in the—[Draco half scowls, half winces,] domestic scheme of things, I guess...

Anyway—a simple exchange of information, such as where we're living or places we frequent, and trust enough to find one another as necessary is all I ask.

Comments

[substandard]

—Haven't you got something better to be doing with yourself, Granger?

[brainiest]

[ She can't even begin to imagine what Draco would be like if she took him into the real muggle London...

The horror. ]

I thought I might help, but you distracted me.

[substandard]

Help?

[the implication sinks in after his begging for clarification, and he looks a mite embarrassed. and mortified.]

Can't be meaning you'd be willing to relive that.

[brainiest]

Was it really that bad?

[ She seems a little put out, actually. ]

It would be nice to have something regular with someone I know. You don't have to offend me to say no.

[substandard]

Of course it was! It was humiliating!

Not only is it ill fitting of the both of us to engage like that, [Draco lowers his voice to an urgent hiss.] it was too damn revealing.

[of course, as a Malfoy, Draco knows to keep potential lifelines alive until they're unneeded, so he soothes his scalding tone for a moment. his voice is still quiet, just in case.]

...It wasn't the help itself so much as—it was overwhelming, you understand. I didn't expect to...

[you know. cry.]

[brainiest]

Humiliating?

[ Hermione frowns, eyes narrowing a little as she stares, hard. ]

It doesn't matter if it was 'fitting', Draco Malfoy, it was necessary! And you need to learn there is nothing wrong with showing your emotions!

[ She -- well. His turn around has her relenting a little and she breathes out, relaxing and pursing her lips before she speaks. ]

I know you didn't. But I won't tell anyone, I promise.

[substandard]

Ugh!

[Draco, utterly frustrated, pulls his hand down his face with a groan. he looks away, uncomfortable and deliberating, and then looks severely back to Hermione. he knows he should watch the camera to look at her properly, but it's odd to talk to someone through something like that dot of a camera when their proper visage was right below it.]

Look—if—if no one else offers, I'll consider it, alright. But only damn well if you keep it to yourself, as you say.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione gives him a dirty little look, frowning. She didn't think it was so terrible to have to rely on each other -- at least they knew each other, even if it was an uncomfortable situation. She sighs at his dramatics (despite knowing she can be just as awful herself when the mood takes her) and huffs a little, biting back the urge to be rather...

Well. Shrill. ]

I was thinking we could sit back-to-back while we read rather than what we did before. I have some seventh year textbooks and some extras with me - plus I heard there was a library. It doesn't have to be intimate.

[substandard]

[Hermione doesn't seem to get that just spending time with her is nauseating. his expression kind of says so, at least, but after a pause, he seems to begrudgingly comply to some degree.]

Fine.

Merlin, if my father knew about this...

[brainiest]

[ She gives him a vaguely dirty look, looking put out. As if she would willingly spend time with him otherwise... ]

I have no desire to talk to your father, let alone tell him anything about your 'exploits'. Your secret is safe with me, Malfoy.

[substandard]

[normally, Draco would delight in the slight insinuation of some matter of self deprecation or similar from someone like Hermione—but since the end of the war, and since ... well, last week, it's not quite as enjoyable. sad.]

—Alright, fine, and if that's indeed a promise—Granger, listen—if you... come into any sort of similar state, understand the arrangement is mutual.

[it's as close as people like him come to apologies for people like her, and he's at least in the habit of getting people back for saving his skin.]

So, should you... you know, need anything...

[brainiest]

[ She pauses, just... Staring for a long moment, completely shocked, before she shakes herself out of it and licks her lips. Draco's sudden... 'Kindness' is a little surprising and she has to take a moment to gather herself before she smiles. ]

It's a promise, Malfoy. It goes either way, then.

[ She smiles, accepting it and breathing out softly. It's rather... Pleasant, actually. ]

I guess witches and wizards need to look out for each other here, even if there are other kinds of magic.

[substandard]

[oh, god. that look on her face is terrible. Draco immediately looks like he's regretting what he said.]

I—

Don't—get too attached to the idea. This arrangement won't be necessary forever, and the sooner it's not needed, the easier it will be on the both of us.

[brainiest]

I'm not going to get attached. Trust me.

[ Eyeroll. What. An. Idiot. ]

You're Draco Malfoy. I'd never forgive myself - this is an arrangement for convenience.

[substandard]

[okay. Draco can deal with that sort of behavior a lot more easily.]

That's better.

[brainiest]

I hope you find a way to make friends before Harry or Ron turn up here.

[substandard]

Ugh, don't even suggest it. Bloody hope those two don't show...

Besides, Granger, I've made friends—I know how to make connections.

[brainiest]

Really? Then why did you make a video plea for someone to be your 'partner' if you have friends?

[ She's no fool, Draco Malfoy. ]

I don't want them to come either -- they... I want them to be safe at home.

[substandard]

Since making this—[did she say "video"—is that what this—bother, whatever,]—message, I've found people who will assist me, and not that it's any of your business, Granger, [he spits pointedly,] but I'd made a friend or two when I first arrived. I just don't know where either of them live.

And terrible though this place may be, and it certainly is, I would hazard a guess that it's probably safer than home.

But I'd rather face my coming years than to be here, personally.

[brainiest]

[ She scoffs, crossing her arms and looking particularly put out. He's as much as a prat as always, their somewhat sudden heart-to-heart a thing of the past. Still, she couldn't blame him; she was as loathe to snuggle up with him as he was with her. ]

It's probably just as dangerous as home as well, actually. At least at Hogwarts I didn't have to worry about dying from lack of snuggles.

[ She wrinkles her nose, looking vaguely disgusted. ]

[substandard]

I don't know about just as. But you're certainly right about one thing, at least: there is probably not a worse way to die.

[a pause, and:]

Do you suppose anyone has died from lack of contact?

[brainiest]

I don't think so. No one mentioned anything during my broadcast, only that they'd gotten rather far in their illness before they found help - that was the person who had hallucinations.

[ She sighs a little. ]

Hopefully, neither of us will get that bad.

[substandard]

[Draco seems somewhat relieved.]

...Unless one of us falls down a well, I can't imagine we would.