DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter series.
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A/N:
Thank you for the wonderful comments!
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CHAPTER 7: THE JOURNEY BACK TO THE BURROW
Five nights ago, Draco and Hermione were in the same lying position: his right arm is holding her; her face is buried against the crook of his neck and his left hand was stroking her curls. In the morning, he woke up and caught Hermione Granger watching him sleep, tracing his face with her tiny fingers. Draco also found Hermione's reaction amusing when he teased her about liking him too. She was smiling and blushing, even if she had been crying all night.
For four days now, Draco had been joining Hermione to her parents' house, but they can only see her, because Draco hid himself by casting Disillusionment Charm. For four days, she's been ignored (well, not completely). She would stay for less than an hour because Mr. and Mrs. Granger would say nothing except "please give us time", or "this is not easy for us", or "we're still confused and disoriented, I hope you understand."
Hermione has been crying a lot in their room. Lately, she won't eat properly. She won't get up unless she's going to the bathroom or to her parents. It pains Draco to see her like that. On the other hand, he couldn't blame Mr. and Mrs. Granger for being furious. He couldn't imagine his parents' rage if he modified their memories, or in his case, if it happened to him, he'd really be angry—really angry. Draco kept on convincing Hermione that it's just a matter of time. They'll forgive her eventually. She just has to wait until the shock of her parents boil down. Even Hermione, who knew her parents well, said she needs to give them a break. They have always been forgiving, after all. But along with the sadness, Hermione still wakes up at night due to nightmares. Draco has been sleeping with her for exactly five nights.
Her health is getting worse. She's crying more and eating less. Most of the time, she's on bed, lying and sleeping (or sometimes pretending to be asleep) and crying. Draco took the responsibility of ordering food and convincing her to eat. He'd sit beside her on bed while watching TV. She'd rest her head on his shoulder, or sometimes on his chest. She'd cry silently and Draco would hug and comfort her.
He had been with a couple of girls on bed, practically shagging. But he has never held a lady like the way he holds Hermione. And normally, he would hold a girl and shag, not to comfort. With Hermione, it wasn't just touch; it's caress.
And today, Draco couldn't take it anymore. He's really worried with Hermione's appetite. "We're going back to England," he said with command while Hermione's face was buried against his neck and his arms are wrapped around her waist; they're both lying on the bed.
"No," she said quietly and not moving an inch. Draco could feel her breath on his skin even more because he's wearing a sleeveless shirt.
"Yes, we are. You need your friends. Don't get me wrong, I'm not tired," he said promptly because she sighed heavily. "I'm actually happy being here with you. But you're not in a good shape, Hermione. You need more people around you; more people to care for you and comfort you."
"Harry and Ron," she mumbled.
This time, it was Draco who sighed heavily, imagining Hermione back to Potter and Weasley's side. Where will he be in the picture? He still doesn't like those two, but he loves Hermione. Yes, he loves Hermione Granger and he's not giving up until she tells her to do so and get out of her life. If she's happy with Potter and Weasley, then, he'll have to put aside his antipathy.
"Yes, Potter and Weasley," he agreed reluctantly. "They love you. Potter loves you like a sister. And Weasley… well, he really loves you."
To his surprise, Hermione chuckled, but only for few seconds. "I love Ron as much as I love Harry."
Draco gave her forearm a light squeeze. "Can I ask you something about Weasley?"
"Yeah?" she mumbled.
"What was going on between you two? I though he's your boyfriend."
"What makes you think that?" she said loudly, though her face is still buried on his neck. He loves it he could feel her breath on his neck and holding her. He can endure muscle pains for Hermione.
"Well, I was always keeping an eye on you since first year," he said casually.
"Trying to get us expelled, aren't you?" she asked nonchalantly. But before he could answer, Hermione spoke again. "We fancied each other from third year until sixth year. Then, he dated Lavender Brown. I was jealous to death. But after sixth year, we started something… Well, I can't say that we started dating because we were on the run with Harry. But we became a bit affectionate towards each other. Then, during the Battle, I realized that I couldn't have a romantic relationship with him. I thought I was in love with him, but it's like falling in love with my own blood. So, we talked about it and agreed to stay best friends."
"He's your first love, then?"
She shrugged. "You could say that. But he was never my boyfriend."
"Choosy, aren't you?" he sniggered.
"I won't start a romantic relationship with someone if I know it won't last."
Draco frowned. "Why?
Hermione pulled away slightly from his embrace. "Why?" she returned the question and stared at the ceiling. "Obviously, I want a serious one; one that will lead to marriage. I don't want to waste time to someone who only wants to snog and shag me. I want someone who sees his future with me."
Draco grinned but she didn't see it. "And Weasley is not that type of man?" he asked curiously. Maybe I am.
"I don't know. We argue a lot. I bet of we get married, we'd end up in St. Mungo's for marriage counselling."
He laughed and stared at Hermione. "I can imagine."
Hermione turned to him. "What about you? You used to date Pansy 'Pug-faced' Parkinson," she scowled.
His face turned serious with the thought of Pansy, whom he hasn't seen since the Battle. She was furious to know he switched sides. "Yeah, we dated, but just to please my family. It was our parents' idea with the Pureblood crap, you know. But both of us weren't serious. We openly cheated on each other."
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
Draco looked at the ceiling, unable to make eye contact with Hermione "We had different shagging partners."
"Oh," was all he heard from her.
Silence.
"But anyway," he said, turning to her again, "we're going home."
Hermione groaned and back to her low-spirited self. "I don't know if I want to go back, Draco."
Draco could tell that he's crying again, tough she's holding her tears back. He embraced her again and she gave in. "You have to. It won't do any good to stay here and sob all day. Your parents need time, but they'll forgive you. You also need to move on, be your old self—that brave and bright Gryffindor witch."
"I appreciate your presence, Draco. But it just made me realize that… I miss my mother… and I need right now is a mother's hug… Oh, Mrs. Weasley!"
"A reason we should really go back," he said.
When she pulled away from his embrace, Hermione stroked his left arm. He wants to snatch it back, afraid that she might look at him with disgust at the sight of his faded Drak Mark. It now looks like a scar and Hermione caressed it. Then, she looked at her left arm, where his psychotic aunt, Bellatrix, wrote a nasty word using a dagger. Hermione's mark is now plae white, almost invisible at the first glance. "I'm sorry about that," he almost whispered, looking at the scar.
She looked up to him, barely smiling. "It's not your fault. On the other hand, I'm thankful because you didn't turn us in."
Memories of that day at the Manor came back vividly. He closed his eyes, trying to shut it out of his mind. He opened them again, looking at Hermione. "Still, I'm sorry. I was a coward. I wished I acknowledged my feelings for you earlier. Perhaps I didn't become one of them."
"You joined them for your mother's safety, not out of loyalty," she reasoned.
He smirked. "You are really a good person, Hermione. You always seek the goodness in every person."
She smiled back and then gave a heavy sigh. "Draco, if we go back, will you still be my friend?"
"Of course," he said with assurance. "Much as I detest Potter and Weasley, I'll stay with you as long as you want me to."
"And you'll be civil towards them, right?"
"Of course. That's a promise," he said rather reluctant.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." He pulled her again to an embrace and lightly kissed her forehead. I love you, Granger.
Then there was silence. Draco could only guess that she's pretending to be asleep again. While he's lying beside Hermione, his thoughts drifted, back to the events before the Battle. He was keeping tabs on her. And he swore, when Voldemort has finally been defeated, he's going to ask her on a date and would start gaining her trust and eventually, build a romantic relationship. He swore that he'll never hang around with another woman again nor he will flirt. He'll be serious with her, simply because he, Draco Malfoy, wants a future with Hermione Granger.
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THE FOLLOWING day, Draco woke Hermione to prepare for their departure. She didn't feel like leaving the country, nor her bed. But he carefully pulled her to a standing position and lightly pushed her to the bathroom. He kept on convincing her by saying Mrs. Weasley's name. It worked, because after an hour of sob, she finally gave in. Using his wand, which Hermione returned to him five days ago, he packed the tent and their other things while she's in the shower.
By noontime, they ate lunch at at Muggle restaurant near the International Portkey Office. Draco thought, Australia is a very nice country and he wants to go back there one day with Hermione, perhaps after their final year if they're still friends—or who knows, more than friends. He's really hoping that by the time they journeyed to Hogwarts for their final year, he can already call her his girlfriend.
From Melbourne, Australia, Draco and Hermione took about ten Portkeys to London, United Kingdom. Due to some problems encountered and unplanned trip, they didn't take the same route they took going to Australia. The trip going to Melbourne was easier and shorter because it was arranged by the Ministry of Magic. They had an easy access on the Portkey schedules for Hermione.
By the time they arrived in London, Hermione is already weak. She hasn't eaten properly the past six days and the journeys by Portkeys were unpleasant. It made her sick more.
"Hermione, come on. I'm taking you first somewhere," Draco said, supporting Hermione who's already feeling dizzy. "Let's get a private room in The Leaky Cauldron."
"No, I want to go to The Burrow now. I can Apparate the two of us there," she said weakly. Trust me."
She grabbed his hand tightly and in a matter of seconds, they're standing on a hill.
