Draco.
If there's one thing that Draco Malfoy knew, it was that time had a way of changing things. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst, either way his life had changed.
Three years ago, he was sat around the table accompanied by Lord Voldemort and his loyal death eaters, pretending that he wanted to be on their side, when all he wanted to do is scream and run as fast as he could. Becoming a death eater was something he had been forced to do and had no choice over, his father made sure of that.
"Draco, we cannot go against the Dark Lord's wishes!" Lucius cried,
"Your father is right, we must do as he says" his mother agreed, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder in comfort.
"Come on Draco, Malfoy's do not get scared of anything! Grow the fuck up and be a man!" he demanded.
His father was usually aggressive towards him and used violent language, which frightened him. He allowed himself to be pressured into something he had not wanted to do, be someone he didn't want to be, but now, everything had changed and he was facing a new challenge, he was getting married. It had been something he had chosen to do and that he did indeed have control over yet he couldn't help feeling he was doing it for all the wrong reasons. He was doing it because he felt he was obligated too.
He certainly wasn't happy. Astoria Greengrass was a stunning, blonde pureblood princess whom he had been dating since shortly after the final battle. She was someone his parents praised immensely because not only was she beautiful, but Astoria was extremely wealthy. Her family were practically wizarding royalty and it seemed natural to want to be involved with her.
When Draco had first met Astoria, he had immediately realised her beauty. In fact, he had been so dazzled by her appearance that he had stupidly asked her out and had had no reason to break up with her since. Well apart from the fact that deep down he didn't truly love her and that she annoyed him greatly. Her laugh pierced through his ears and into the crevices of his mind, driving him utterly insane.
But he had managed to forget about all of this because she was a logically option. He always thought with his mind and not his heart. He chose what was easy opposed to what he wanted. Astoria was rich and beautiful therefore he got together with her to boost his own social status and to help regain his family's name and honour. He did not love her. No, he had simply grown accustomed to her.
He had asked her to marry him simply because it was the right thing to do. It was what their families wanted, what Astoria wanted, but it was definitely not what Draco wanted. And it had taken him this long to realise that he couldn't go through with it. He could not marry her.
And as the wedding bells rang and Astoria began to glide gracefully down the aisle dressed in pure ivory, his throat tightened and his stomach contorted.
He couldn't do this. He wouldn't do this.
Draco would not allow his future to be twisted into something he didn't want. He had made various mistakes in the past and he wouldn't let another be added to his list. So he ran, he ran from the alter without looking back and apparated as quickly as possible.
He knew it was wrong. He knew that he would be hated by all his family and friends, but for once in his life Draco Malfoy had done something on impulsive. He had done something because it would change his future into one that he actually wanted to live.
Hermione.
Ronald Weasley was always the top of Hermione's worries. Whenever he needed her, she was there for him, right by his side, just as any girlfriend should. She would listen to him, be his shoulder to cry on and never ever let him down, no matter the circumstance. But as the years droned on Hermione felt as though she cared too much for Ron and not enough for herself.
She allowed his feelings to control her own. Even when she was upset or unhappy, she ignored her emotions and consistently checked if Ron was okay, made sure he was content.
And he hardly did anything in return. Sure, he took her for expensive meals to fancy restaurants now that his Auror career was really blossoming. But was this what Hermione really wanted? He never bothered to make sure she was okay, whether she needed anything.
He spoilt her with extravagant gifts and luxury holidays but he was never really there for her. All he did while they were together was chat about work, Quidditch and his ever growing family. How many kids did Bill have now? About twelve by what had Hermione heard.
They never actually spoke about her feelings, even when she deliberately made them known. Ron merely told her to stop being a moody drama queen and to get on with her life.
She loved Ron, really she did but Hermione felt that that wasn't enough anymore, because he didn't really love her.
She was just his trophy girlfriend that he showed off to his rich friends. They would praise him for landing himself with such a beauty as no one has expected for Ron, of all people, to end up with someone like her.
And after three years together, Hermione decided that enough was certainly enough. She couldn't allow her future to be simply looking after Ron like he was some sort of a child. She wanted attention, passion, romance⦠she craved it. So she ditched all of her Gryffindor courage and bravery and fled into the darkness of the night without a trace.
Slipping out of their bed and tiptoeing downstairs, bags already packed with only her prized possessions. None of the expensive junk Ron had carelessly brought for her.
Although it pained her deeply to leave him without an explanation or even a goodbye. Hermione felt it was for the best. He would understand some day that they were just never meant to be. Perhaps, it would show him that he needed to pay attention to her more. Maybe it would change him for the better also.
She was changing her future to suit her for once in her life. She chose to put her needs before Ron's, and above all Hermione was choosing to find a future she actually wanted to live.
A/N: I deliberately made the endings similar to emphasise that Hermione and Draco are in similar situations. Hope you like the first chapter!
