I do not own any of the characters listed in my stories. I don't own their world either... I just like to play in it. I hope you enjoy.
**This is a Dramione. Also, I don't always like happy endings. You've been warned!**
Draco's POV
I paced the aisles of the library waiting for Hermione to show. I studied all week hoping not to embarass myself in front of the illustrious Miss Granger. My half year NEWTS would be coming up sooner rather than later, and if I ever hoped to have a career I needed to do well. Employers weren't exactly racing out to hire former death eaters.
When Hermione finally showed up she was minus her school robes. A soft turquoise hoodie and faded denim replaced the perfectly starched robes she usually wore. I suddenly felt overdressed.
"Draco." she nodded.
"Hello, Granger." I pulled out a chair for her at the table... manners make a Man... I could practically hear my mother singing in my ears.
"Do you have the alkahest with you?"
"Of course," I pushed the small lidded pot towards her," I can help you put it on."
"I can manage" she said.
I watched Hermione struggle with trying to keep her sleeve rolled up all the while only putting cream on her scar. She nearly tipped the pot 3 times before I couldn't stand any more.
"Let me," I said as I pulled the pot from her grasp.
My hand had barely grazed her arm before she recoiled in fear,"NO!" she screamed.
I froze, unsure of what to do with my hands. I met Hermione's tear soaked gaze briefly before she ran. She was far more familiar with the stacks than I. She made her way rapidly though the aisles and found a hiding space that took me far longer to navigate than she.
"Granger...er um... Hermione. I wasn't going to hurt you. You must know that. I'm very sorry if I frightened you."
"It's not your fault. Almost no one can touch me. I was decimated by the war. My own boyfriend can't kiss me without warning." her voice cracked and tears flowed freely.
"It is my fault. I was there. I could have... I should have stopped Bellatrix. I should never have let anyone hurt you...um... anyone." I extended my hand out to help her up; an offerring of peace.
She took my hand and we stumbled falling back against shelves as I helped her up. With her body pressed tightly to mine, I knew what loss truly was for the first time. The kindness and warmth of our embrace reminded me about how broken I truly am, and how little a chance I ever had at the kind of relationship that Ron was so blessed to have.
Hermione pulled away slighlty and straigtened her clothes before grabbing my forearm,"I'm not the only one with scars." her fingers lightly traced the dark mark," Your salve could probably remove this too."
"Leave it." I yanked my arm away quickly. Some touches were just too close for my comfort too.
Instantly, there was at least 3 feet between us; each backed up to our respective shelves. Any closeness that had been there was destroyed with those two words.
Hermione smiled slightly,"We should study if you're going to pass your NEWTS."
We went over astronomy, charms, and the history of magic. All subjects that I had skipped over in favor of the more impressive skills of potions, charms, and transfiguration. Of course Granger would have known that, and wanted me off my game.
"Don't worry," she smiled as she reshelved books," we'll go over transfiguration next time. I just wanted to start off slow. Give you a leg up."
"Thank you. Here," I heved the small pot of salve her way," don't forget this. Put it on once a day to start with. I can always make more when you run out."
"Thank you for this," she said as she hoisted the pot," maybe with the scar gone the rest of me can heal."
Seventh years still live in the dormitories, but in Slytherin they are afforded a private room. It was large, but far less oppulent than my old room at Malfoy Manor. Truth be told it would be far nicer, but with the house elves freed world wide we were responsible for our own housekeeping... a skill I never felt the need to master as a Malfoy.
My bedsheets were a few days past their expiration, and rough on my skin as I slid into bed. My mind raced for some time before I finally drifted off to sleep. I was greeted by dreams...
"Granger, what are you doing here?"
We were in at Malfoy Manor in the gardens. It was spring, and my mother's roses were in full bloom. Large, irridescent, and fragrant blooms graced every bush.
"Come..." she said and spun around, her gossimer dress hugging every curve," I have something to show you."
She spun around once more, her back facing me, and took off barefooted through the grass. I could hear her laughter echoing in my ears. The words 'follow me' floated on the air like feathers in the wind. She came to a stop at the banks of a creek. I recognized it as the river from the 3 brothers story my mother used to tell me.
I reached out to stop her, but she turned to face me and we fell to the soft bed of grass.
"Don't worry. He's not here anymore." she whispered in my ear, her warm breath heating my whole body.
"Who's not here?" I asked
"Death, silly. He left. The war is over. Death went home. He won't be back for a long, long time." she giggled and rolled off of me onto the grass.
We laid in the grass our fingers intertwined, and staring at the sky for what seemed like forever. Forever, and still not long enough when she broke our embrace.
"I want to show you." she walked across the grassy bridge stopping in the middle," Look" she said pointing at the water.
I stared at our reflections in the shallow silvery water. Beautiful, sweet, and smart. Hers was a poor imitation of the woman I knew. My reflection looked sad, and old. My face marked with pain and grief. Then it happened. She kissed my cheek. My face was suddenly younger... softer. Her lips were soft and warm. Her hands slid from my hand up my arm.
As her hand grazed my dark mark, I couldn't help myself. I glanced down at it's dark hard edges.
"Don't" she whispered, fear tinged her voice.
I looked back at my reflection as it morphed from my face to my father's hard unforgiving stare. Granger grabbed my face in her hands.
"Don't let him win. Stay here with me." she kissed my lips softly.
I began to fall deeper into the kiss, but my eye was caught by our swirling reflection in the pool. As she kissed me I morphed from Lucius Malfoy into Voldemort himself. I tried pulling away, but her grip tightened. Suddenly, I was no longer kissing the sweet Miss Granger, but being pulled into a dementor's kiss. I panicked and struggled as I felt my breath escape me.
I woke up in sweats. My sheets clinging to me with every fiber. There would be no more sleep.