Hidden Storm - Draco works late one night, leaving an anxiety riddled Hermione in his absence. Will she let him return home, or will this be the end? One Shot! Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, J.K. Rowling does.
Flicking through an older copy of Witch Weekly absentmindedly, while drumming her fingers tediously on the mahogany table at which she sits, Hermione Granger glances up at the sunshine filtering in through the only window in the kitchen of her shared flat. The gleeful rays suffice as the only illumination in the room, as they dance merrily across any surface they are able to touch. Many of her friends often tease her regarding the darkened state of their apartment, but she merely shrugs them off, continuing to enjoy the lack of light surrounding her. In her quiet world of pain, the dimness serves as a blanket of sorts.
Unknown to most of her long time friends and family members, following Bellatrix's torture, she had never been quite the same since. While others had finally begun moving on from the events of the Second Wizarding War that had made its mark in wizarding history seven years before, the crippling depression coupled with irreparable damage rendered against her body, suspends the brightest witch of her age in a constant state of limbo that alternates between joy and unseen misery.
A knock at the door brings her out of her current apathetic daze. Standing up slowly, she carefully meanders to her door. Peeking out of the peep hole, she spies a familiar shock of white blonde hair, which ignites a flame of anger within her. Pulling out her wand, she lifts the heavy wards she constantly changes to remove even the thought of unwanted intruders. Reaching for the doorknob once the wards have fallen, she turns it, then allowing it to reveal her boyfriend of two years.
"Hi love," he smiles, before tentatively attempting to cross the threshold of their shared flat.
A pale arm blocks his entrance, to which he only nods, then returning to his previous position outside of the door.
"Malfoy," she grinds out while crossing her arms.
"Hermione, I never meant to stay so late. Even though I was swamped, I should have owled. I realize I was in the wrong, I simply-"
"failed to remember me patiently awaiting your arrival for our preset dinner date last night," the bushy haired witch finishes icily.
"It was never intentional, I promise."
"I waited hours Draco, hours. You didn't owl, or even text using that blasted phone I taught you to use. When you didn't answer my phone calls, I thought the worst!" Hermione cries, while wringing her hands in the air, before promptly bursting into tears.
Stepping forward, Draco pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"I know darling, I know," he breathes, while stroking his hand through her hair softly.
Pulling away, she glares up furiously.
"No, you bloody don't know! I paced the length of our flat nearly a thousand times, worrying. I couldn't leave, because I rationalized that if I did, you might arrive while I was out searching for you. One minute I thought you might have finally up and left me, for someone who isn't an utter disaster. The next, I wondered if someone had murdered you. The problem is that I didn't sodding know! The crippling fear that engulfed me while all of these terrible thoughts voiced their presence in my mind, removed any chance for logical thought!" Hermione screams, shaking as she nears the end of her explanation.
"You're right. I shouldn't have been so careless. I'm truly sorry Hermione, for all that I put you through. Forgive me, please," Draco pleads in earnest.
Reaching up, she pinches the bridge of her nose, inhaling and exhaling sporadically. After a few moments, she is able to reign in her emotions enough to have a more civil conversation. Looking up into the emotionally charged grey eyes, a sliver more of anger dissipates within her.
"Let it happen again, and I won't unlock the door for you under any circumstances, Draco Malfoy," she replies somewhat stiffly, although her resolve continues to waiver.
"I love you Hermione. Please, let me come home," he whispers.
Closing the gap between them, she allows his embrace to encircle her once again, permitting her need for comfort to override all other emotions. Feeling her small frame relax in his arms, Draco breathes a sigh of relief, as the storm that had surrounded them passes.
Author's Note: To all who suffer through depression, anxiety, etc., this story is dedicated to you and I, as well as those who are our biggest cheerleaders every day. Were it not for my other half, I would be far worse off than I am now. To know love, even in our darkest moments, is by far the most uplifting part of our world.