'Malfoy, please look at me.', cried Hermione. 'Why are we doing this to ourselves? How much longer can we keep up this charade?'.
He just sat on that, once bright, now so grim-looking bench underneath the rose arch. Sulking silently, not once glancing at her.
What else could he have done?
It was all clear from the very start; they just cannot hope for a warmly welcomed reaction to this folie à deux. Yet, they embraced the madness and embarked on this ship leading nowhere. What was he supposed to do now? How can he solve a problem they already both know has no real solution. The pressure made him zone out for a few seconds, absorbing the sound of sea waves, which always had such a soothing effect.
'Can't you speak out loud? I know what you're thinking about, and let me tell you- I didn't fool myself for one microsecond that this can be a fairytale. I am well aware of the circumstances, and while it may seem to you that they have no impact on me, they do. I'm unable to define or control the situation, or its consequences, and it's killing the control-freak in me. I lost control of my life ever since we started this, whatever it is. I've lost whom I had been. I know how unnerving this is for you too, so I'm giving you two choices: (1) muster up the courage to go public, or, at least demi-public, no need to announce it in the Daily Prophet, and (2) never go near me again; as the both of us know what would unavoidably ensue.'
A few minutes of dull silence preceded Malfoy's answer.
'Hermione... I'd like to lie to you, or, say, try to postpone this conversation, however, I've come to realise that one can't evade hindrances eternally. See, similar conversations have already been simulated inside my head, though, not one of them helped me reach a decision. I can barely picture a life without you, still I wonder if our relationship would last under so much oppression, which would be inevitable. With the weight of our complicated past, I highly doubt we would enjoy a careless, hakuna matata relationship. All reason aside, I just can't leave you. I am absolutely powerless when you're not by my side, so I choose the uncertainty that is brought by the first option. I'd hate to never again feel alive again.'
Hermione hoisted her head up, breathing heavily, taking a few moments to determine her whereabouts. Once confirming(by pinching herself) that she had a dream, and she is safe and boyfriendless in her room, she took an 'oh, thank god' breath. When will these bizarre nightmares end? Why the hell is she dreaming about Malfoy; she never even thinks of him anymore. She must be going insane. Yes, that's the only logical explanation. Pft, can one even imagine Malfoy using references from a muggle animated movie?
Anyway, after getting a glass of water, she decided that it's the best to go back to bed and not pay much attention to that. After all, dreams are just dreams.
Litlle did she know of her ancestor, the great foreseer Grange Altamens.