Story name: My Mistake
Sequel: no
Characters: Draco, Hermione
Disclaimer(available for the whole story): i do not own anything related to HP.
A/N: (i will not repeat this note) for those of u that wish to review this story, i want u to know that i (will) appreciate it, if uu don't have the time and/or don't want to leave a review, then thank u anyway for reading it. on a side note, english is not my first language so please excuse me if (and when) i make mistakes.
Chapter 1
The reason she needs me
~Chimera~
'Hermione, it'll be all right…' I vaguely hear Ron's voice, but I don't pay him much attention, be that none. How can he say that? Of course it won't. Things will never be alright again. I will never be alright again. Even in such a moment I can't stop myself from thinking that Ron's mind lacks the ability to form coherent phrases. For I want to believe that he did not just tell me that even though this has just happened, "it'll be alright." How in Merlin's name did I ever think I loved Ron?
Though I am not one to brag about my intellect, I feel no guilt in saying that I deserve someone of the same status. I love Ron for his heart and courage (that to a naked eye is blank), but that is just not enough for me anymore. I need someone I can talk to, someone that would stop complaining of my reading books. It is my passion and shouldn't a loved one share such passion or at least embrace the idea of it?
No, I have tricked my mind into believing I loved Ron and that is far from the truth. But now, who is there to hold me and whisper soothing words? Who shall take care of me? For Merlin only knows I shall need being taken care of. I am sane now, but that is only a matter of hours, more like minutes, until the dread of all that has happened in the last few moments settles in.
Nothing will be alright anymore…
It has been 1 month and 20 days since my world was reduced to nothing. In this time I have eaten, have drunk, have slept by the help of potions and have listened to all the things people kept telling me.
My only protection were my books. I have never found less satisfaction in reading a book than in the last weeks, but alas it represented a way to distract myself.
But now I am going to Hogwarts and though I am terrified of being around so many people, the school has always been my home, and I am confident that I will find some strength to live further once I get there.
I can already feel the smell of parchments and owls and pumpkin, though I am sure that is just a placebo effect. I put my luggage on the rack in the compartment and await for the boys to find their way.
People keep telling me how sorry they are every time they see me. I just can't find it in my soul or mind to understand why they do that.
The boys enter the compartment and I see a frown on Harry's face.
'Malfoy's strange.' He answers before I could ask.
'Why mate?'
'He's not his jolly old self this year. I saw him on my way in and he didn't even throw something nasty at me. He's eyes were glazed over and if possible he's even paler than usual.'
'watch it mate, or I might start to think you pay too much attention to one blond git.'
Ron laughs, and Harry just punches him in the arm. I feel out of place being around them…how so unnatural to feel that around your best friends.
I excuse myself and leave the compartment. Luckily I find an empty one at the back of the train. I do not feel the need for company. I pull out a book from my pocket and bring it back to its normal size by usage of an enlargement spell. I start reading it passively, my mind wandering to unknown places…or rather places I wish remained that way.
'BLOODY MERLIN!' I yell jumping from my seat, tumbling to the ground in my rush.
'I didn't mean to scare you, least of all bring you down to your knees.' The boy says to me…or is it man? He outstretches a hand and I take it.
I straighten up and give him a one over look. Light brown shaggy hair, black eyes, extremely pale, flawless skin, star Quidditch player body, royal posture, shiny perfectly white, perfectly straight teeth. Another perfect good for nothing, probably Slytherin, daddy's little boy…or is it man?
'Hermione Granger' I say to him while still holding his hand.
'please to meet you.' He says with a smile tugging at his lips.
We stay like this for a couple of minutes. I awaiting an answer, he simply staring at me with that smile still threatening to appear.
'and you are?'
'thoroughly wondering why you'd sit here all by yourself.'
'Yes, well, what I mean to say is that you must have a name.'
He lets go of my hand, I suddenly feel colder. He looks at the floor than right back at me, his black eyes twisting my insides. I feel the childish need to run away, hide from those penetrating eyes that gaze into mine as though stripping me of my existence.
'My name…' he trails off huskily 'is of no use to you.'
I glare at him, though his intense stare makes me want to scratch my eyes. 'I assure you that it is.' Lifting my wand to his chest. 'For all I know, you might be a Death Eater.'
'For all you know, I might not.'
'Stop acting like a child and spill out your bloody name.' I yell. I seem to lose my temper a lot lately.
He just continues to stare at me. And then suddenly he grabs my hand, the one with the wand, and puts it down while pulling me towards him and engulfing me in his arms.
I'm shocked at his gesture. I could have easily attacked him before he pushed my hand away. I could still attack him if I wanted to. I felt his arms on my back, his chin resting on the top of my head, his chest pressing into my face, his cologne penetrating my nostrils, and I suddenly let it all out.
I am Hermione Jean Granger, I am the brightest witch of my age, I am the best friend of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, I have come home from my fifth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to find my house blown into nothingness and the bodies of my parents shattered to pieces and now…now I am crying in the arms of a stranger that seems to bring me more comfort that any of my best friends. And as my tears spill on his perfectly white shirt, smudging it with mascara, I realize something…for the first time in 1 month and 3 weeks I realize that I am still alive.
