0. . .oO•.o. The Ultimate One-shot Challenge .o.•Oo. . .0
Warning: This story will contain non-descriptive torture and minimum slash (kissing and hugging). You have been warned.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owner, JK Rowling. The original characters and plot are the property of the me - the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summery: What if Hermione Granger fell in love with her thought-to-be enemy? Someone she supposedly hates above all others - according to the Wizarding World. What if she had fallen for Draco Malfoy?
A/N: Originally made for The Ultimate One-shot Challenge forum, but is now continuing.
Beta Read by thatravenclawgirl - thank you so much!
0. . .oO•.o. Love Among Enemies .o.•Oo. . .0
CHAPTER ONE
The sunset has always been a beautiful sight to me. The skies are painted an array of pink, orange and yellow, its rays of light glimmering off the clouds - white yet so majestic. As darkness descends around me as the pale moon becomes visible and more vibrant as it glows among the twinkling stars.
Standing at the edge of the Black Lake, the pebbles knocking together under my foot as I shift my weight from one leg to the other, looking out across the black void into the distance while waiting for him to appear.
I hear someone approaching my direction from behind me, "Granger," a familiar voice calls softly.
Turning around, I give a small smile. "Malfoy," I say gently. I peer over his shoulder, searching to see if he is being followed and he turns left to right checking for the same thing. We are alone.
With two strides each we are in each other's embrace, "Merlin I've missed you," he admits, burying his face into my hair sighing with contentment.
"I've missed you too, Draco," I tell him, my hands wrapping around his neck and my head resting against his shoulder.
Pulling our heads back after minutes went by; we gaze into each other's eyes - his pools of blue locking with my hazel. "I was so relieved when your letter came to me last night; it's been nearly four weeks, Draco! I was horribly worried when you weren't showing yourself," I choke out, and he held me tighter to comfort me.
"I'm sorry, 'Mione. Truly I am, from the bottom of my heart," Draco says sincerely, sounding pained too.
"I know baby, I believe you." I coo softy, placing a hand onto his cheek and stroking it with my thumb. His eyes close and a small smile plays on his lips as he ravishes my touch. "It's been hard because Harry and Ron suspect something's going on with me and someone else, but just don't know who," I admit.
"I can only imagine how that must have been for you, constantly hammered with questions," he grimaces
"It definitely wasn't easy keeping up the facade...What happened to you Draco?" I whisper, part of me dreading the answer.
His head turns towards the calm water and then towards me again, his eyes now cold and held pain. "Nothing happened okay? I just..." He begins a poor attempt of brushing the topic in question, but I notice the break in his voice as he tries to..
"Please don't avoid telling me, Draco," I plead with him lightly.
He hesitates before nodding in defeat. "My father," he begins. "He came and removed me from the castle knowing he was well within his rights to and ignored all of Dumbledore's attempts to prevent me from going with the man," he says, pausing for a moment before continuing. "He brought me before the Dark Lord saying that I'm ready. My own father was forcing me to take the mark that would enslave me to an insane snakehead," Draco explains, trying to keep himself together.
I run my hand up and down his back for comfort and support, silently encouraging him to carry on.
"I-I refused and h-he, along with my father..." He takes a deep breath; tears have formed in my eyes. "They c-chained me to the wall in the dungeon and just tortured me - Cruciatus curse and all. The Dark Lord used Legilimency forcibly on me..." Draco's form is shaking now, and tears are rolling down my face. "He broke through my defences and found out about us 'Mione. He didn't even show me any mercy-" he stops abruptly, not going to continue. A single drop leaks from the corner of his eye and then the dam broke. I pull him close, tightly, and don't let go as we continue to comfort each other. I slowly bring us both down to rest among the flowers on the ground.
We stayed like that for a couple of hours, just letting the grief run dry. He lifts his head up from my shoulder - not caring that my hair is now a mess - dried salty river paths ran down his face and his eyes are swollen and bloodshot red, filled with pain, sadness, and fear.
I cup his face with my hands, gently. "We are safe now, Draco, okay?" I tell him, looking at him carefully, "We're safe." I repeat. He stares at me and slowly nods his head.
"Severus blew his cover as a spy to rescue me," he states quietly.
"He's a good man, Draco," I say, giving a weak smile. I have a completely new level of respect for that Potions master now.
"He's been the closest I've ever felt to having a proper family," he tells me solemnly.
"Is that where you've been for the last few weeks? With Severus?" I ask tenderly.
Draco nods again, "He helped me recover, I was...in a pretty bad shape," he admits, swallowing nervously.
"He's done a brilliant job, Draco." I comment looking him over.
"I know," he a smirk playing on his lips. "I was on the edge of insanity but the thought of you saved me from falling over the edge," he tells me like he is reciting poetry.
"I love you, Draco, no matter what anyone else thinks," I say, with strong passion coating my voice.
"And I you 'Mione," And then he kisses me. It was magic, the way his lips connect with mine. It was right, and somehow, among all of the dizziness and the clinging to him like a lifeline, something inside me changes, never to be reversed. I am content to feel his breath come and go with mine.
It is then, in this moment, that makes me realise that true love doesn't just have a happy ending - true love has no ending.
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