The Road

Her Slytherin Side

"Abby, look!"

"What are you- Oh! Molly, why don't you go inside and wait for us in there. Okay?"

"Alright."

Footsteps when up the porch and through the door. Slower steps went around the truck and with one swing, the older woman hit the side of the truck with her palm and the metal frame shook and broke their peaceful slumber.

"Wh- What was that?!" Draco awoke.

"What's going on?" Hermione was startled and looked at Draco, then at Abby who gripped the side of the truck.

"Get up you two. And you better be dressed under that blanket."

"Wha- Oh!" Hermione's eyes widened as she just realized Draco's arms draped around her waist, his torso against her back. He immediately let her go and put both hands up. "We weren't doing anything!" Draco assured, whilst Hermione nodded rapidly.

"Never mind that," Abby disregarded, "We've got bigger problems."

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"What do you mean they crashed the festival?" Hermione snapped as Abby spoke in whispered tones to both her and Draco. "They came to the festival with booze and started roughing up the place. We tried to stop them, but they just started flooding the place. The band left early because they started messing with the instruments. Families left early because of them. It was horrible."

"I should have been there," Hermione scolded herself as Draco told her, "It wasn't your fault, Granger."

"He's right. They're the reason why we don't have events like these anymore in Cherrywood. They ruin all the fun for the rest of the families. I heard talk from the committee about reconsidering making this an annual event."

"This is horrible," Hermione said.

"Was...Molly's dad involved?" Draco asked, looking back to make sure the little girl wasn't listening.

Abby nodded sadly. "I let her sleep at my house last night because of it."

"And what's the sheriff done about all this?"

"They did as much as they could, but they can't technically have them all arrested for attending a town festival where drinks were allowed."

"I can't take this," Hermione gave up, "I can't just stand here and let these...sleazebags terrorize the town."

"What are you gonna do about it?" he asked.

"I'm going to that park."

"What? No, you're not?"

"You can't control me, Ma- Drake! I'm going up to them and tell them off."

"They're not going to listen you, and they're dangerous-"

"He's right, Hermione," Abby interrupted. Hermione kindly excused herself from the room, tugging Draco with her and into the next room. She shut the door and gave him a stern look. "We both know I've faced worse demons," she reminded him. He briefly flashed back to the war, but shook his head away from the thought. "You had magic back then," he added, "Here, all you've got are your words and fists. And we both know which one is stronger and which one will get you arrested."

She was furious, maybe not at him but maybe because he was right. "If you go, I get to go with you," he demanded, "Agreed?"

"Fine, but I do the talking."

______

Hermione hopped out of the vehicle
and shut the car door as dramatically as possible. Draco, from the driver's side, hesitantly stepped out of the car in a significantly less dramatic way and rolled his eyes. He hated getting involved with these guys, especially Molly's dad. Hermione was asking for trouble just being here.

He followed her as they entered the rusty archway. Trailers were lined up and made various paths to walk on. Out of the corner of his eye, a man chewing some tobacco spit it at the corner and gave them a nasty look. Other men were drinking, regardless of the time. The smell of sweat and alcohol was overwhelming.

Hermione, however, was un-phased by the environment and walked up to the first person she laid her eyes on. "Mam," Hermione greeted curtly. She was speaking to an older woman with bloodshot eyes and a crooked smile. "I'm looking for Frank."

The woman gave her a long look and jutted her head to the right. "He's over there. Two cars down. He ain't an early riser..."

Hermione walked in that direction, ignoring the looks of disgust she received. Draco followed and glared at anyone who looked at her crossly.

Hermione walked up to the trailer and knocked loudly. "Frank!" She yelled. She banged on the door a few more times before the door opened and an obviously hungover Frank answered the door.

"Oh it's you," Frank said groggily, "What do you want?"

"Do you think it's fair to ruin the first festival this town has had in years with your actions? You ruined it for everyone!"

"You can't arrest me, sweetheart," he said, and she swore she heard Draco growl behind her, "We did nothing wrong."

"Do yourself a favor and stop ruining other people's happiness."

"Or what?" He scoffed in her face. Lin that moment, Hermione would give anything to have her wand just to hex the man in front of her. "Or I will call CPS on you. And I can be pretty convincing when I want to be. I can give them proof of how terrible of a father you are to Molly and make sure you never see her again."

Draco's eyes widened at her threat as did Frank who was astounded. "You may love your daughter, but she sure as hell won't love you if you ruin her life."

And with that, Hermione turned on her heel and left a shocked Frank at the door. Draco followed behind her with a widening smirk.

As they got in the car, Draco turned on the ignition and said, "Well that was very Slytherin of you."

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