Disclaimer: Just in case it is not obvious, I do not own any of the canon characters. They belong to JK Rowling, I have just put them in my own scenarios.
Author's Note: Hello again! I know that it has been a while since I updated. If I am being completely honest, I had a hard time coming up with a long enough chapter that was not just the same scene constantly repeated with different adjectives. Not only that, but I have been a little preoccupied in my personal life. My husband and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting! That being said, I think that I am now back and better than ever! Special thank you to my amazing Beta, I couldn't do this without you!
WARNING: The flashback of this chapter contains mentions of assault. Please prepare yourselves.
And now, without further ado, I present Chapter 4 of A Dragon's Spark!
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"Ah yes. And how is Weasley?"
"I wouldn't know anymore." Hermione said hanging her head.
"What do you mean? Haven't you begun breeding a brood of tiny know it all gingers?" Draco asked sarcastically.
"I haven't spoken to Ronald since that night. If anything, that is the night that everything blew up in my face. If anything, you probably saved me."
Two Years Prior: Hermione's POV
"Ginevera Molly Weasley, if I am late to this ball, I will personally make sure that you are late for your own wedding! The Minister demanded that we be there exactly one hour prior." Hermione shouted up the stairs.
Hermione was pacing back and forth, waiting for the younger woman. They had decided to arrive together, opting to meet their significant others outside of the ballroom.
"Just go on 'Mione, I can get Harry to come pick me up. I can't find my Jewelry!" Ginny panicked.
"I'll send a patronus before I leave. Just please hurry. It is the third anniversary. They can't start without Harry."
Hermione quickly cast a patronus message and waited until she heard a pop, followed by the exhasparated sounds of Harry helping his fiancee. Smiling to herself she turned on her heel, arriving in the small room that all of the honorees were meeting in. Conjuring a mirror, she quickly glanced over her apperance. Her mess of curls was placed in a loose bun atop her head, with only two curls framing her face. While Ginny had opted for a golden strapless dress, Hermione opted for white gown. Adjusting the one shoulder drape, she admired the work that her friend had put into making her look beautiful.
The floor length gown was made of a flowing material, that made Hermione look like she was gliding whenever she walked. While most of the gown was a soft white, there were copper glitter like sparkles that looked like a soft mist that gathered at the bottom. While it was a dress with only one shoulder, the fabric looked like a small cape draped over her shoulder. In Hermione's opinion, it was simple yet elegant. She never appreciated that these galas were always turned into a political party with Harry, Ron, and herself always at the center. If she could find a way to blend in and not draw attention to herself, she would.
Suddenly the door flew open. Quickly turning around, she realized that the silhouette in the doorway was that of her boyfriend.
"Heyyy. 'Mione. You should, you should definitely come 'mere." he slurred, walking towards her.
"Are you drunk Ronald?"
"Maybe a lil."
"Honestly, you couldn't even wait until after the party had begun? You do realize you have to go on stage right?" she reprimanded.
"Awh c'mon. Why're you always such a, such a buzz kill. Why 'ont we have some fun 'stead. Quit bein' so up, uptight." he said pushing her into the wall.
Hermione tried to push him away. Putting both hands on his chest, she pushed, but all of the weight leaning into her proved her efforts futile. Slowly Ron lifted his hands off the wall and grabbed her waist and ripped the cape trying to push the fabric off of her shoulder.
"Ron, please stop. I-I don't want this!"
It was not until she felt him biting down on her shoulder and grinding into her hipthat she realized that this was not just a horrid dream. That this was actually happening. She felt tears stream down her face, as she sobbed. Suddenly, when she thought that she may pass out from the stress, she felt all of the weight suddenly pulled from her. She felt her legs give out from under her as she slid down the wall burying her hands into her face.
"The fuck are you doing Weasley?! Didn't your parents teach you that when a woman says no, it means no?"
Hermione could only hear grunts and blows where fists were hitting flesh. Wiping her eyes, she looked up, refusing to allow anyone see her fall apart anymore than she already had. It wasn't until she saw someone reaching down towards her to help her up, that she noticed Ronald was unconcious in the middle of the floor. Reaching for the outstretched hand, she pulled herself up.
"Are you okay, Granger?" the rescuer asked.
Hermione looked up and realized that her savior was no other than Draco Malfoy. She could not help but lock her gaze on his pewter eyes. She could sense that he was being genuine. She tried to nod before realizing that she was not in fact okay. Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms and sobbed. After a few seconds, she could feel hesitant arms surround her. Allowing herself a few moments to find composure, she pulled away.
"Thank you. I-I don't know what I would have done had you not shown up."
"You are welcome. No man should ever force himself on a woman. It should be common sense, but it seems as though he never got the memo." Draco glared and the man laying on the floor.
"Can I trust you to not murder him? I need to make my apologies known to Kingsley, I find that I am not feeling well enough to be here tonight." Hermione asked.
"I will take care of it. Meet me in the hallway after you are done." Draco said.
The tone of his voice proved to Hermione that he was not to be crossed at the moment. Without hesitation, she nodded and walked over to Ron. Before Draco could stop her, she had slightly lifted the hem of her dress, and stomped down hard, effectively crunching his nose. What ever Draco had done to the man, he only moaned a little as blood poured from his nose. Turning around, Hermione walked out of the room, and left Draco to do what he needed to.
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"I haven't spoken to him since that night. I owled him the next day to tell him that I felt we had grown apart as people and needed to break things off. Exactly one day later I recieved a response saying he didn't know where I was suddenly coming from, but he understood. You wouldn't happen to know how he lost all memory of what happened after he got drunk do you?" She asked.
"No idea."
"That's all you're going to say?"
"I plead the fifth?" he joked.
"Draco. I appreciate everything you did that night more than you know. But I can not condone the use of memory tampering."
"Hermione, I just cleaned him up and made him easy to find so I could make sure you were okay."
Hermione felt a quick flutter in her chest. She had in fact met him in the hallway after telling Kingsley she had suddenly fallen ill. He had been a perfect gentleman. He made sure she had gotten back to her flat safely, and had stayed to talked. They had talked for hours. They had talked about any and everything. Hermione had never had a connection like that with any of her best friends. She couldn't lie to herself and say that she hadn't felt close to the young man.
"I can't lie and say that I wasn't surprised that you got the job." she said opting to change the topic.
"I'm good at what I do and I feel it is finally getting recognized." he shrugged.
"As you know, we will be working together for the next year. We have to meet every day. We can either meet here or-"
"Whichever you prefer." he said cutting her off.
"Yes, well. It is late. I should be leaving. I guess I will see you tomorrow." Hermione said standing up and gathering her things from her desk.
"Have you eaten dinner?"
"No, I suppose Ginny will have cooked something."
"Ah, I'm glad to see you have gotten close to them again."
"Closer than close. I'm actually staying with them for a while."
"Seeing as neither of us have eaten, and it is well after eleven, can a possibly convince you to accompany me to a small diner I have recently found?"
Everything in Hermione said this was dangerous. Her heart fluttered again and her stomache started knotting. Everything logical in her screamed to say no and just leave.
"Of course." was all she said
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Author's Note:
I know that this chapter is a little shorter than the rest, but once again, this was the best place to stop for now. More Flashback to come! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Leave me a comment or PM me with any theorie or questions! Hopefully I will be on more of a schedule next week. I will see you all soon!