Chapter 1: Let Me Fall
Ron is being a great idiot. Even Harry agrees with me on that point. But he agrees with Ron's basic facts, which is frustrating. Neither of them is even attempting to see the real facts. "We just don't understand it, Herm."
"You don't have to understand it!" I sigh in tired anger. "I don't know why this concept is so difficult for you two. Just let me do this, okay?"
Let me fall
Let me climb
There's a moment when fear
And dream must collide
Both boys look at me like I'm insane. Maybe I am; it would certainly make things easier. I'd been waiting for the courage to confront them with this for some time. Now I was just wishing I'd waited a bit longer.
"This is Malfoy, Hermione."
"But he's changed!" I quickly interrupt Harry. "Draco is completely different from how you remember him. If you would just give him a chance, you would see that as I have."
Someone I am
Is waiting for courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me
Instead of arguing any further, I stalk out of the Gryffindor common room. They weren't hearing me, and I refuse to listen to their warnings against 'big, evil Malfoy.' Perhaps because I can actually see that Malfoy and Draco are two very different people.
So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear them
I stop suddenly in the middle of the hall. Luckily, it's a weekend so the castle is practically deserted. My snap realization shocks me into total immobility. Dear Merlin, this could be problematic.
I, Hermione Christine Granger, am falling for Draco Malfoy.
Leaning against the wall, I start thinking about this situation. Draco and I are friends, yes, but that's as far as it should go. The fact is, though, that I am falling. Will I be able to rise again? Do I even want to?
Let me fall
If I fall
Though the phoenix may
Or may not rise
"Mione! I've been looking all over for you." I hear Draco's voice and cringe. I don't really want to face him. Not now. Not when this revelation is still so new. But I turn and smile at him anyway.
He smiles back, and I melt. This could definitely have bad results; I'm not a good liar. And I'm not particularly good at hiding things either. He'll know something's different almost immediately. He's perceptive like that. "Hi, Draco. What's up?" My voice shakes just slightly. Probably hardly noticeable but like a vocal earthquake in my mind.
And Draco, of course, notices. His eyes narrow suspiciously as he carefully scrutinizes my face. Since we've become friends, he has gotten quite proficient at reading me. Another reason I was scared to face him. Quick knowledge brightens his stormy eyes to a beautiful silver. I inwardly wince. "You're falling for someone," he exclaims. Damn.
My eyes widen before I turn to start walking away. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Think about it a bit longer. You'll realize you're completely wrong." I tell myself that this statement would probably be more convincing if I wasn't running away. Then I tell myself to shut-up.
Draco grabs my arm and spins me around. An even greater knowing is shining on his face. "You're falling for me, aren't you?" His tone is half-gentle and half-triumphant.
Looking at the floor, I sigh, "Absolutely and perfectly." Tears spring to my eyes, and I push them back down quickly. This was not an issue to expend tears over. Those were saved for special occasions.
Then I hear Draco speak, hardly above a whisper. "I think I'm falling for you, too."
I will dance so freely
Holding on to no one
You can hold me only
If you too will fall
Away from all these
Useless fears and chains
**Three months later**
We both have people we need to tell about this relationship. In my case, Ron and Harry. In his case, everyone. He's just tired of hiding all the time. But we are both terrified of people's reaction to this enemies-become friends-become more. So we draw courage from each other through our linked hands and walk into the classroom designated to meet with Ron and Harry. If either of us falters, we can catch each other.
Someone I am
Is waiting for my courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me
Their reactions are relatively the same as when I'd told them Draco and I were friends. Ron is ranting and raving. Harry is thinking Ron's being irrational and harsh but agrees with the basic opinions at the heart of the matter.
Draco interrupts them suddenly. "I used to be so jealous of you three. Did you know that? But now I'm sure it really isn't all that great. It's obvious you don't think as much of Hermione as you let the world believe, so I'm just wondering what else in this little circle is a farce."
Harry and Ron look utterly livid that he would even dare question their loyalty to me. "You hear this, don't you Hermione? How can you think of dating someone who can't even be half-way civil to your best friends?" Ron explodes. This could be a major conflict point if I didn't know that Harry and Ron are just trying to protect me while Draco is trying to defend me.
So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear
I squeeze Draco's hand to calm his mounting temper then look beseechingly to Harry. I know I can't get to Ron at this point. Harry, however, stares at me for three hours condensed into a few moments. His gaze breaks as he nods silently. Relief floods ever inch of me except for the piece of my heart reserved for Ron.
I squeeze Draco's hand one more time, more to reassure myself, before moving to stand in front of my sullen fire-headed friend. "Ron, I know this isn't easy for you to accept. There's a lot of animosity, not only between you and Draco but between your families. But my Draco and the Malfoy you know are not the same person."
Ron looks at me then. His always expressive eyes are not only upset and frustrated but also hurt. "It's not just that, Herm. I suppose I can admit he's not the same if that's really necessary. But I don't want you to leave us."
Those words set off my hug-switch, and I immediately throw my arms around his neck. "Oh, Ron! I love you both dearly, and I could never just leave you! You and Harry are the best friends a girl can ask for. Don't ever forget that. But Draco is my chance to have more-than-friends. Why should I miss out on that?'
Ron sighs in final acceptance as he hugs me back. "You're right, as usual. You shouldn't miss this, and I was wrong to ask that of you." I smile at him before running to Draco and throwing my arms around him. His arms circle my waist as his lips meet mine. I melt completely into the kiss until I hear Ron groan behind me. "But really, Herm! Do you have to do that in front of us?"
Draco breaks our kiss and laughs. Ron and Harry start at the unexpected sound before relaxing into their own laughs. I simply settle into Draco's arms and smile at my three best guys.
Let me fall
If I fall
There's no reason
To miss this one chance
This perfect moment
A perfect moment, a perfect scene. This is all I ask of the world. Draco is good to me and for me. Harry and Ron truly are the best friends anyone could ask for. And to think, all I had to do was fall. Absolutely and perfectly.
Just let me fall
A.N./Disclaimer- I own nothing. Sadly. Characters are JKR's. Song is Let Me Fall, sung by Josh Groban.
