Title: Everlasting
Rated: M for a purpose
Pairing: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger (Malfoy)
Disclaimer: I make no profit out of this, a story strictly for entertainment purposes and I do not own anything...which all belongs to J.K Rowling and Warner Bros.
Author's Note:
This story revolves around Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger (Malfoy). The whole story is aboard the SMS Titanic, with a few other characters. Because I know readers don't live in my head and can't fully comprehend the synopsis of my story/ intentions...here it is...Hermione is secretly married to Draco Malfoy, but is currently suffering an illness that's quickly stealing her most precious memories away. The only one who know's of her illness is Harry Potter, her dearest friend and cousin (on the mother's side)...They're journeying to the Americas...Charleston to be precise...to find a specialist that they're sure can help her. What she doesn't know however is that Draco is aboard the Titanic, journeying to his family estates in Charleston. Continue reading to find out what happens when their paths cross...
The sweet smell of summer and predestination lingered in the air, mingling into the insteps of eager contenders that shifted and shuffled onto the decks of the SMS Titanic. The docks flocked with passengers and on-lookers. The excited hue and flush of a bright day splashed into the hearts of everyone and as the final steams drifted into the air, an awed hush fell over the crowd. The last mingling passengers were lined onto the extension, handing in their tickets and trying to calm their hopes and fears; which tumbled rapturously sync to their beating hearts. The hush that hung over the crowd ceased instantaneously, as the extensions were lifted off of the ship and the entrances were sealed in rock-hard steel. A cheer was sounded as the SMS Titanic let out it's rebellious screech and pushed out into the water, mystifying and captivating all and any that beheld it. Shouts, whistles and waves were heaved into the water, rebounding off the core of the gigantic ship and sailed onto the decks, meeting, in response, shouts and waves of enthusiasm and laughter. It was a sweet moment, one that tingled in every heart long after the ship had drifted out to the centre of the water, prevailing the golden hues of the dream of a new life in the new world, at least for those who could afford it.
Draco Malfoy stepped out onto level "A's" deck and leaning onto the polished rail, narrowed his eyes at the view. He both envied and pitied the people below him. Envying their happiness and presistance of hope. Pitying their blind trust that things would work out and be better than it was; when truly it simply would not happen. He tsked slightly, shifting his gaze to the horizon and hoping that for all the pestering his mother and father had been giving him, they would at least find the ship to their liking. A sneer curled his perfect lips as he considered the prospect of anything ever pleasing Lucius Malfoy. The purist git that was his father, suffered from the illness of being spoon-fed a load of bullshit from an outlawed, evil old prud who believed himself above all else; when in truth, his prechings defiled the very blood that flowed through his veins. Although it had taken them quite sometime, the prueblood rank also known as the higher elite, had come to admonish and con-temperate what exactly the old hag was preaching. And then, his father's larger-than-life ego had been deftly dealt, causing the cold, emotionless power-ranking elite to sulk at his wounds, being the head of the pack to support the purist. So now this was where they had landed, setting up to take care of their large estates in Charleston.
Draco's eyes caught hold of the blurring vision of red, the rich wine color splaying over delicate, creme skin which glowed a healthy hue in the golden tints of light. A thick, troublesome mass of dark brown locks were twisted and pleated into an intricate chignon, the silky locks gleaming and teasing him. He shifted slightly, leaning even more over the rail to catch a glimpse of her face. It was odd, the sense of familiarity tugging at his insides. He saw another figure, taller and much more skinny than that of the one in red, move next to the girl; a bulb of red ginger locks blocking his train of vision. The younger girl, for indeed her stance insisted of her naivety, seemed to steer her away from the lower rail, much to his annoyance, beckoning her to carry on. He pushed a hand in his pocket, racking the free one through his corn silk hair. He heaved a frustrated sigh when his curiosity was not apaced and both figures disappeared without him catching even the slightest glimspe of either faces.
A wispy touch, as light as a feather brushed his hand and Draco turned to stare into the worried slate grey irises of his mother. He smirked at her, sliping a comforting arm around her slumping shoulders and kissing her lightly powdered forehead. She embraced him wholeheartedly, patting his back slightly.
"How are you dear? I haven't asked you that for the last few days. Are you excited about getting to see my father's estates in the Americas? I have heard that since the introduction of steel mills have been made, there's quite a good progression to gaining some sort of profit" Narcissa Malfoy murmured, her voice soft and barely audiable. He nodded slightly, as if agreeing with something she had said, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought.
"I suppose, it would be a profitable experience. Although we do not exactly need any help in profits. And I suppose that this will be a good experience, altogether, for you and father. It shall do you good to rest for some time" he drawled out slowly, his voice deeply coated with emotion. It was rare to see the rake...the arrogant bastard that was Draco Malfoy to speak with anything other than his usual cold and passive demeanor. He turned them both towards the entrance-way from whence they both had passed, the chill of the water and setting sun, settling in the air. He kept his arm around his mother, ignoring the prodding eyes of plain blue-stockings who lingered here and there in the main halls. He had long but forgotten the enticing figure in red that had captivated and bewitched him for a few good, oddly peaceful moments.
Hermione Granger sighed for the thousandth time for that day, her thoughts dragging her deep into the recesses of her mind, not allowing her to enjoy the tranquility of the view in front of her. She felt the odd prickling sensation at the nape of her neck, almost as if someone was observing her closely. However, the thought was quickly brushed to the side, for she had other worries to ponder over; such as finding a way to remember her 'secret' husband. And was it not odd for one so young, for indeed she was young, to have need to 'remember' something...so...so very obvious. For indeed the status of a young woman was nay too complex to remember, especially when it was said young woman's marital status. To add to her dilemma, she found that each day got dimmer and something kept disappearing from her and she feared...oh how she feared that soon, she will wake and forget even herself. There was only one means of finding a cure. Going to the Americas, seemed to have been her only hope. Her god-parents and their children had been willing contenders, fully supporting her decision to start new; although they did not know the cause for this abrupt decision. What they did not know could not possibly hurt them.
Ginevra, the youngest and sweetest of the Weasley clan, touched her elbow, beckoning her to follow her to see the dolphins on the other end of the level "C" decks. She certainly could not afford their room and boards, but her god-mother Molly was not hearing any talk about her paying for anything and so it was another thing she had to be grateful for. A stabbing of guilt and pain pierced her heart but she pushed it aside, hoping that they would understand. Again she cursed her health, hating that she was getting too weak to solve their current state. But as her eyes fell upon the swooshing of the slippery mammals, her mind closed in and for a moment, she was allowed some peace. She watched the water, the liquefying depths crisp and beckoning, almost like the soft, feather tick mattress that awaited her body. She gripped the railing, refusing to allow the dizziness in her head to take over her senses. But alas it was futile and lifting her handkerchief to her lips, she sniffed at the smelling salts she had had Harry dab into her handkerchief. Quickly folding the kerchief after the onslaught had subsided, she dicarded it into her pocket, moving swiftly away from the rails.
The swift shadows of the hallway sent a chill up Hermione's spine, but strengthening her back, she placed her best smile onto her features and took deep, calming breaths. The strong masculine arm of her cousin gripped her hand. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she gave him a weary smile. She saw the worry in those green-blue eyes of his, which were incased by round, wire framed spectacles that added a luster to them. He had seen and lived a harsh life and only those who knew him well could see it thinly veiled behind the glossiness of his irises. Giving him a winning smile, she ignored his disbelieving gaze and gratefully accepted his arm.
"Harry?" she began as they neared the dinning hall.
"Yes?"
"Tis nice being engaged, is it not?"
"Absolutely marvelous. Especially since the betrothed is a lot like a certain cousin of mine." Hermione laughed, hitting him playfully in the arm. He gave her a warm and affectionate look, squeezing her hand.
"Are you well? You look rather pale" he murmured, the worry returning in his eyes. She nodded readily, hoping to change the subject.
"Never have I been in finer health, thank you."
"Oh, do not bring this up to night. 'Tis your engagment dinner and I will not have you ruin my good mood. I should have never told you about my illness" she added.
"You did not 'tell' me anything. I had to pry it out of your doctor, rather stubborn chap I tell you."
"Well he should have been more stubborn! When I found out that you knew, I had half the nerve to ring his neck." Harry laughed at her outrage, but could not help but notice the tremble in her lip and the wobble in her walk. Holding her more firmly, he forced down another string of questions, knowing that she would get upset. The doctor had warned him about taking it lightly and to upset her would only kill her faster. He grounded his teeth, the rampage of emotions that swam through him tearing at his insides. What would he do without her? It was a question he was asking himself more and more lately, because quite frankly she was all he had left. All that was keeping him from dying away. The burden of his past was lighter with her there, she was simply his strength; never being the one to give up or allow him to swaddle away. Without her, he would never had have the courage to ask Ginny to be his wife. Without her, his sanity would leave and eventually so would that little twinkle of hope. And he hoped, God he hoped, that this so-called specialist in the Americas would save her. He had made her promise a million and one times to assure himself that it would work; whatever the treatment was, that it would save her. He held on to that, it was his only means of staying strong.
"Harry?" her soft voice called at him again and he masked the pain he felt, looking her at only when he was sure she could not see his hurt of desertion. She smiled at him in that mothering way of hers and it tore at him. He swallowed the lump in his throat and inhaled a deep breath.
"Yes?" he half whispered.
"Everything will be fine?"
"Yes everything will be fine. Ginny has been mentioning a son more and more frequently. I think she would like to start a family right away." He watched as her face brightened and he smiled.
"Well she has grown up in a large family, it is to be expected. A nephew. How wonderful. I will be quite busy now, having to divide my attention between you, Ronald and now a nephew." There was a longing in her tone and he understood it.
"I am sure you shall have your hands full when you have children of your own." He saw the flicker of uncertainty and sadness shadow her face and his heart squeezed.
"Yes...prehaps..." she trailed off, placing her smile back onto her face as they entered the brightly lit dinning room. She could not possibly tell him that she already knew the 'bliss' of matrimony; it was the only thing she had kept from him in her plea to leave England.
"Ah...there they are! We were beginning to wonder whether you had gotten lost or simply fell off the ship" Authur Weasley stated, greeting them warmly. He clasped Harry's back affectionately and pecked Hermione's cheek, guiding them to their table. As they sat, the others loudly filled them in on what they had missed and lightened the saddness that had lingered around the two.
Author's Note: This is what I'm currently working on, and although there's a conflict, I feel that it's going to need a lot of work, so bear with me here as I edit and re-edit this. If anyone will be as gracious as to help beta-read this story, I'd be grateful. I hope you like this fun piece of writing. Feel free to leave any suggestions...etc...as to where you'd like to see this story go...and if you have a better conflict...please...I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'm currently trying to figure out how to upload to other chapter...so it may take a while...enjoy!