AN: Alright, you all convinced me, and I decided to make it this a multi-chapter story under one condition: I MUST get reviews for every chapter (at least one will suffice.) I'll keep posting chapters until either 1) the story finishes or 2) I don't get any reviews. I'll take recommendations and try to fit them into the story, but no promises! Nothing is mine (sadly.) So, without further ado, here's Chapter Two of Be Brave!
Two months had passed since Hermione had interrogated Draco in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, yet no one, not a soul, knew of the affair between the two besides them themselves. Of course, they both wanted people to know about them, but not yet. It was too soon. Draco would certainly be disinherited from his family, and shunned by all of the Slytherin House, and he just wasn't ready to face that yet. Sure, Hermione helped him gather courage to make the first step, but bravery wasn't something you could just flip a switch for; it had to come, little by little. So, the happy couple decided to take it slow. They would only tell people when both were ready.
For instance, one day in mid-January, Hermione had decided to take a trip to the library. This was to absolutely no one's surprise, being as she is Hermione Granger. Yet, the trip was planned. At a midnight date a fortnight previous, they decided to meet in the library at 3:55 on this date to talk, seeing as they rarely saw each other throughout the day, and when they did catch a glimpse of each other in classes or in the hallways, little could be said or discussed that would give away their relationship.
And it pained them both to pass on a daily basis and not being able to say a word. So, perhaps it was this that drove Draco into the determination that inspired his bravery. He arrived at the library seven minutes before their planned time, settled himself in a chair, and opened a book. His worries evaporated like a puddle on a sunny day.
He was still engrossed with the book when Hermione entered the library, right on time. She sat in a chair across from Draco, and stared intently at him. Draco set down the book, and looked at her, his head slanted, slightly.
"Well?" Hermione asked, whispering, even though no one else occupied the library. As the saying goes, old habits die hard. Even Madam Pince was out doing other errands, which goes to show how much she trusted Hermione with her precious books.
"I want to talk." Draco said, leaning forward in his chair.
Hermione chuckled. "Well, obviously, since that's why I'm here."
Draco rubbed his forehead. "I think it's time to tell people that we're together."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why is that?" she asked.
"Because I can't stand not talking to you throughout the day," Draco stated.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully, but looked concerned. "Are you sure, Draco? We can give it more time, make sure that this is really what you want, because once we tell people, there's no going back, and are you positive that really what you…"
"Hermione."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
The corners of Hermione's mouth twitched. "I'm just concerned for you Draco. That's all. I want you to really think this through. Think of the pros. I mean, yes, it could really help enforce your self-esteem, and it could stabilize your position on the good side, but the cons, I mean, you could be killed, your parents might not like you anymore, you..."
Draco grabbed both sides of Hermione's head, and brought her lips to his, effectively shutting her up. After breaking apart, he looked into her eyes.
"I know what could happen Hermione. Why else did you think it took me this long to decide if I wanted to tell people or not? But I've made up my mind. Let's do it Hermione. Let's tell the world."
Hermione smiled radiantly, and flung her arms around Draco's neck. "Alright. Let's do it."
They went on to discuss the topic, and, after careful evaluation of the pros and cons (mainly for Hermione's benefit), they decided to take it gradual, and to just tell friends first.
As expected, the reactions were quite interesting.
Harry: "Really, Hermione? You're going with Malfoy? Is this some sort of prank, because if it is, it's not funny. I swear he's a Death Eater, and is trying to kill someone. If you want to go with him, fine, but don't come back to me crying."
And Ron: "Bloody hell, Hemione, what're you thinking?! You can't be the girlfriend of Malfoy! He's, he's, he's the enemy. If this is some attempt to make me jealous, it ain't gonna work. I've got my girl, and nothing you can do will get rid of her."
Ginny: "Really? I'd never thought it. I think it's great you're finally getting out there, but be careful, Hermione. I don't trust Malfoy…"
And, finally, the ever-so-clever remarks of Crabbe and Goyle: "Huh?"
After Hermione insisting that Harry and Ron would eventually come to peace with their relationship, and Draco saying he could care less what Crabbe and Goyle thought, they continued on with their relationship.
After the closest friends were informed, it was then decided that family would be next. It was relatively easy for Hermione to tell her parents about Draco, but it was immensely difficult for Draco to put in writing that he was in love with a Muggleborn. So, with Hermione at his side in the owlery, he began.
Thus, his letter goes:
Dear Mother and Father,
I know you usually don't get letters from me, and you know that I'd only write to you if I was in dire need of help, but I have important information. Information that could totally change the way you view me, and I'm concerned, and, quite frankly, I'm terrified of what you'll think. Actually, I know what you'll think, and perhaps that's what terrifies me.
The thing is, I'm in love with Hermione Granger.
I can practically hear your gasps at that. But it's true. I love her, and there's nothing you can do to stop me. I'm pretty sure the Dark Lord already knows of this, but I want you to hear it from me, personally. If you hate me now, fine. But I'm happy, and that's all that matters. So, good-bye, if you never want to speak to me again.
- Draco
Draco gave Hermione the letter to look over, and once finished reading, she looked up with tears in her eyes. She knew the pain this must cause him, and all that he was going through to be with her. It broke her heart, and filled it at the same time. At that moment, she realized just how brave Draco was. And it was an entirely different type of bravery that she was usually accustomed to. Gryffindor is associated with courage and valiance, and bravery, but here she was, looking at a man who has shown bravery beyond what she has ever seen before. For the first time, she began to wonder if his placing in the Slytherin House was legitimate.
Draco took the letter from Hermione and tied it to his owl, and watched as it flew out of the window until it was a small unidentifiable dot in the distance.
"Was it good?" Draco asked, completely oblivious to Hermione's thoughts.
Hermione looked up at Draco, and threw herself at him, hugging him close to herself. Although startled, Draco hugged her back.
"I love you, Draco." she whispered.
Draco smirked over her shoulder. "Well, you better, seeing as I just sent a letter saying I loved you to my parents, who have an absolute zero chance of liking you at all."
Hermione pulled away, and looked into Draco's eyes. He smiled. Hermione was saddened deeply by what she saw. He hid his pain well, but not too well for the one girl he let get close to him.
While Hermione was in sorrow for Draco, Draco was thinking along the lines of how beautiful and lucky he was to have such an amazing girlfriend, whom he would do anything for.
Hermione stood on her tiptoes and brought her lips lightly to Draco's, before taking his hand, and leading him out of the owlery.
Although depressed by what he had just had to do, Draco was hopeful. He was hopeful for his ability to escape from the Mission. He was hopeful that perhaps his parents wouldn't be angry with him, though that was really a far-fetched dream. But, most important to him, he was hopeful for his future with Hermione, the courageous girl who gave him a taste of bravery. There were different types of bravery, but Draco decided, perhaps the most difficult of all was being brave enough to push aside the pain and to walk on. Although, indirectly, Hermione was the source of his pain, she was also the cure, and, walking down the stairwell hand in hand, smiling, he decided that there was nobody else in the world that he would rather have to show him the brightness of bravery.