It took me a long time to be able to listen to this song again. It was mine and my ex-fiance's song. If a man ever hits you, even once, run far away ladies, run far far away.
On an up note, this chapter is suitably fluffy!
HANGING BY A MOMENT
Hermione slammed the bedroom door in Draco's face. He was acting like a jerk. She slammed open her wardrobe, and started jamming some clothes into an overnight bag. Draco finally got the door open.
"Where are you going?"
"Away from you!"
"What about Scorpius?"
She rounded on him, pointing her wand threateningly. "YOUR son will be fine. I doubt he'll even MISS the woman who takes care of him, CONSIDERING I'm not his mother!" she hissed at him. Draco winced, wishing he hadn't gotten so upset when Scorpius called Hermione Mommy this morning. She had held her tongue until the child had left for preschool, and then had ripped into him.
She finished slamming clothes into her bag, and stomped out of the room. She went straight to the library, and grabbed her journal, her laptop, and a few of her books. She put them into her bag, and zipped it shut. She shouldered the bag, and went to the front door. Draco followed her outside.
"Mia, I'm sorry!" she just kept walking. "Mia, please. Hermione!" she finally swung around.
"Draco! I'm sure you are, but that isn't going to be enough this time. I'm leaving, and not coming back until you decide what you really want."
"But, where are you going to stay?"
"You'll figure it out Draco. I'll keep in touch. I might even give you hints if my temper cools. I love you Draco, but I've got to go, for me." she apparated away with a pop.
Draco was frantic. Scorpius had been quite upset when he got home to find Hermione gone. The four year old kept wandering around calling her.
"Mia, Mia, where are you Mia? Shelby, have you seen Mia? Daddy have you seen Mia?" The child finally had sat down on the library floor and cried. Draco had handed the child to the house-elf, and set about trying to find the woman he loved. A few hours later, he had few answers. His call to the Potters hadn't gone well.
"Hi, er, Ginny, is Hermione with you?"
"No she isn't Draco."
"Um, do you know where she is?"
"Yes I do."
"Can you tell me?"
"No, I cannot, and you will figure it out once you stop being such a prat." At that, the woman had slammed the phone down. He had had similar conversations with all the Weasley's. Even his own mother had known where she was, and wouldn't tell him. He finally gave up on the phone. He walked to the fireplace, and flooed over to his Aunt Andromeda's home.
Andy was waiting for him when he stepped out of the fireplace. She handed him a mug of tea, and led the way to the kitchen. Once seated, he took a sip of the tea, only to choke when he realized how liberally laced with fire-whiskey. He sputtered for a moment, but managed not to spit tea everywhere. Andy took a sip of her tea, and watched him. She finally set the mug down, and folded her hands.
"Let me guess Draco. She left, you don't know where to, and your hoping I can tell you?" Draco nodded at her. She stood and walked to the counter. Reaching up, she took a letter off of the kitchen windowsill. She came back to the table and handed it to him. He looked at his name scrawled across the front and recognized Hermione's handwriting. His hands shook as he tore it open.
Dear Draco,
If you are reading this, it means you've screwed up. Probably something huge. As I write this, we have just celebrated Scorpius's fourth birthday, and your still trying to get that color changing potion the twins created out of your hair. Your son was so excited about the child's broom you got him, as well as the plush quidditch ball set you got him. Whoever invented those things is a genius, although I doubt getting hit with a pillow soft bludger is anything like the real thing. The reason I am writing you like this is serious. I saw the look on your face when Scorpius opened the book set I gave him. You looked like someone had taken away your favorite toy. I love you Draco, and so does your son. I dare say your son probably love me too, but I don't know. I don't know if I can live with you if your not willing to share your whole life with me, including your child.
I love you,
Hermione
Draco dropped the letter onto the table. He stared down at his hands for a minute, then looked up at Andromeda.
"I've lost her haven't I?"
"I'm not so sure of that yet Draco. You may be able to win her yet." Andy smiled at him, and reached over patting his hand. He stood, picking up the letter and putting it into his pocket.
"I should get home to my son now." He hugged his Aunt, and went back to the parlor to floo home.
Draco drifted through his quiet house thinking. He was lonely, and not looking forward to climbing into his empty, cold bed. He already missed Hermione so much it felt like his heart was crying. He went to his son's bedroom, and winced when he saw the boy curled up cuddling the book set Hermione had given him. His stuffed white ferret, another of Hermione's gifts, was tucked under the blanket with him. He walked over, and gently tugged the books away, laying them on the nightstand when the boy would see them when he awoke. He left the room silently. He wandered in the kitchen and sat down.
"Shelby?" the little house-elf turned and looked at him. "Do you know where she went?"
"No sir, Shelby not know. Shelby have idea though." Draco brightened up.
"Where Shelby?"
"Miss Mia sir, she romantic. She probably go to where it all start." Draco was confused. He just shook his head, and stood.
"Goodnight Shelby."
"Goodnight Master Draco sir." Draco wandered back to his wing. He paused, and on a whim went into the library. He went to his desk, and sat down. He moved a stack of books, and flipped on the lamp. He smiled when he saw the book at the top. He picked up Hermione's enormous copy of Hogwarts; A History and opened it. He started when an envelope fell out of it. His name was on the front. He opened it with tear filled eyes.
Dear Draco,
I guess your wondering how I knew this was coming. Well, you see, Your mother told me. She said that you would react badly eventually, and that I should just ride it out. She also told me about your lives with your father. Draco, I know your nothing like him, but I do see his temper in you. Like this morning. Scorpius spilt milk all over the table, and you raised your hand to hit him for it. I don't know if you would of, but I couldn't let you. I stepped between you and your son, and you seemed to realize what you were doing. You let your hand drop, and I left the room. I came to the library to write you this letter. I even left it in my favorite book, somehow knowing it would find it's way to you. I love you Draco, but until you curb that temper, you wont find me.
I love you,
Hermione
He crumpled the letter in his hand, remembering that morning. He was having a horrible week, and had needed to go the office in the middle of the night to fix things. He had only been home for a few minutes when the milk incident happened. He had reacted on instinct, not thinking of what he was doing. He had been horrified with himself, and had ended up apologizing to his son, and cleaning up the milk. He hadn't realized that Hermione had left that quickly. He leaned back in the chair, and heaved a deep sigh. He shuffled upstairs and crawled into bed. He reached over, and pulled her pillow towards him, burying his face in it, inhaling her scent. He cuddled it into him, and fell into a restless sleep.
The morning came to soon in his opinion. He awoke to a persistent voice whispering 'daddy' in his ear. He finally rolled over and opened his eyes.
"Yes son?" Scorpius was bouncing with excitement.
"Here Daddy! I found it on my bed this morning with one for me. This one had your name on it, so I didn't open it." Draco sat up and took the envelope from his child. He glanced at the envelope, then at his child.
"What did yours say Scorpy?"
"I dunno Daddy, I cant read good yet. I just know it said my name." The child handed a card to Draco. There was a picture of an emerald red and crimson cartoon dragon holding a big sparkly pink heart on the front. Draco opened the card, and smiled when he saw the handwriting.
"It says 'I Love You!' and Mia wrote you a note in it."
"It's from Mia?" The child bounce up and down. "Read it Daddy!"
"It says:
Dear Scorpy,
I'm sorry I had to go away for a while. Me and Daddy had a fight, and I needed to leave for a bit. Don't worry honey, I still love you, and so does your Daddy. Daddy will grow a brain soon, and come find me. Until then, I need you to take care of him. Love, Mia" The child took the card back from his father.
"I'm gonna go put this in my special box, okay Daddy?" Draco nodded, and picked up his own missive. He tore it open as the child ran out of the room.
Dear Draco,
I hope you and Scorpy like the card. He needed to know that I still love him, even if I am angry at you. I woke up this morning, and watched you sleep for awhile. You looked so peaceful, and I couldn't bear to wake you. I love you more with each passing day, but I am coming to realize that without you making a change, we are never going to work. I heard you on the phone with Gregory Goyle last night, and heard you use that word. You were not talking about me, but it still stung. You know how I feel about the word. If you don't, you should. Your aunt is the one who branded me with it forever. Just hearing you say it made my heart ache. So, I got up, dressed, and retreated to the bathroom to write this. I am leaving it with Shelby, who has instructions to give it to you the morning after I leave, If I ever do.
I love you Draco,
Hermione
Draco's eyes teared up. He hadn't known that she had heard that conversation. He hadn't even meant it when he said it, and had immediately felt awful. He put the letter in his nightstand, along with the other two, and threw the covers back. He climbed out of bed, and headed to the shower. The water beating down on him helped clear his head a bit. He finally climbed out, and dried off. He tied the towel around his hips, and went to his sink. His eyes were drawn to her side, and he idly flipped her mirror open. Another letter was sitting on the shelf at eye level. He drew it out, and walked back into his room to open it.
Dear Draco,
If your reading this, then you've had some thinking to do. I've probably been gone for about two days, and hopefully, your tearing yourself up about it. I'm ready to give you a hint. Go see Harry. He has you first one.
I love you,
Hermione
Draco stood, and rushed through dressing. He grabbed his wand and ran out into the hallway.
"Shelby!" The house-elf stuck her head out of Scorpius's room.
"Yes sir?"
"Make sure Scorpy gets off to school okay, I have an errand to run." the house-elf nodded, and Draco apparated out with a pop.
Harry wasn't surprised to see Draco pacing outside of his office when he arrived at work. The man looked haggard, and for once, wasn't impeccably dressed. Harry smirked at the torn denims, black tee shirt, and ratty red plaid hanging off the man. He wasn't even wearing shoes, just some beat up house slippers. Harry opened his office door.
"Good Morning Draco." The blonde man brushed by him, and threw himself in a chair. "I guess you found the fourth letter."
"She said you have a clue."
"I do, but I cant give it to you yet."
"Why not?"
" I have to hear the right words before I'm allowed to hand it over. Hermione cast a charm, and you know how specific her's can be." Harry grinned at the man.
"What am I supposed to say? That I love her? That I miss her? That I'm sorry?" At the word sorry, a tiny envelope appeared between them on Harry's desk. Draco picked it up. He tore it open.
Dear Draco,
Your clue is: Menthol. Now, go see Ginny.
I love you,
Hermione
The man ran out of the office throwing a goodbye over his shoulder.
Ginny started as a very un-put together Draco appeared in her kitchen. She smiled at him, and handed him a cup of tea.
"You know the rules, you have to say the right words." Ginny sat down at the table.
"I was wrong." Another envelope appeared.
Dear Draco,
Your clue is Wine. Go see Luna.
I love you,
Hermione
Luna was sitting in her garden waiting for him. She looked at him, and waited.
"Your my life." She handed him another one.
Dear Draco,
France. Go see Ron.
I love you,
Hermione
Ron opened his door, and let Draco in. He sympathized with his former enemy. He led him into the study and poured him a drink.
"Listen Draco. This last one is a doozy. She is looking for the perfect words, and they are no where as easy as the others. Draco tossed the drink back, and stared at Ron for a moment.
"When I find her, I'm going to ask her what I should have asked her long ago. I love her, and I want her to be with me forever." Ron's eyes widened, and he handed over the last envelope.
Dear Draco,
Champs Elysees, Seine, St Germains. You know where I am, come to me.
I love you,
Hermione
Draco went home first. He opened the top of his dresser, and took out a small jewelry box. He lifted it to his mouth, and pressed a kiss to the top. He tucked it into his pocket, and apparated to France.
Hermione was standing on the bank of the Seine, in precisely the spot where they had kissed for the first time. She heard him come up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry Mia. Can you ever forgive me?" She turned in his arms so she could see his face.
"I already did, you wouldn't have gotten the letters otherwise." She smiled at him. The smile turned into a smirk when she saw what he was wearing.
"Mia, I need to ask you something." He pulled back a bit, and dropped to one knee, making her eyes widen. He dug the box out of his pocket, and opened it. Nestled inside was a beautiful white gold clauddaugh with an emerald heart. He held it out to her.
"Hermione Jean Granger, I love you with all of my heart, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I'm offering you the same ring that Andromeda's husband offered her when he asked her to leave her family. That alone should show you how serious I am. Will you marry me?" Tears filled her eyes, and she nodded, taking the ring. He stood, and she wrapped her arms around him. After a searing kiss, she finally spoke.
"I'll take your invitation, you take all of me. I'm falling even more in love with you, and letting go of all I knew. I don't know what were about to dive into, but I'm ready to hang in every moment with you."
Song:
Hanging By A Moment
Artist:
Lifehouse
Youtube Link: (without breaks)
http:/
www.
youtube
.com/watch
?v=cYqDJ_EEhGY
