One more chapter to go!
I know that it's been forever, and I'm sorry. Life gets in the way. But. Hopefully my next and most likely final chapter will be up soon. I feel bad for leaving you guys for so long haha.
Enjoy the chapter!
- Silent IncisionNowadays, she lived for her work.
The old Hermione had put pride and effort into everything related to her job, but the new Hermione lived for it.
She no longer went out with friends, no longer left the flat at all except to work and to buy things that she had run out of.
Letters were left unopened, stacked by the fire. The door wasn't opened. The times that people tried to confront her at work were simply answered in as few words as possible.
The knowledge that her situation was entirely her fault did nothing to stop Hermione from moping, from wallowing in self-pity.
But today proved a changing point for her. She was determined. Determined to pull herself out of this funk, determined to get her life back. Or at least do something other than mope and eat fatty foods.
That thought was what had incited her to clean up the flat, starting with the mounds of unopened letters.
Looking at the pile, she was surprised at how many there were. Hundreds of letters sat waiting to be read. She sighed, realizing that this would take longer than she thought.
Settling herself into a comfortable plush chair, she picked up the top letter. The handwriting on the front was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it until she read the first few lines.
Hermione.
I can tell that you don't want to talk to me, as all of my previous letters have gone unanswered. But either way, I'm going to keep trying.
I was stupid. I really was. And I can understand you wanting time to get over me, but I don't want you to. I want to spend a lifetime with you, Hermione. I mean this. I want to spend eternity with you, with us being together and being open and honest about our relationship.
By this time, I think that I can fairly assume that this isn't what you want. So please, please, just let me know. If you want nothing to do with me, tell me, so that I can stop clinging to hope and I can try to stop loving a woman who doesn't love me back.
On the other hand, however, if you do, by some chance, want what I want, tell me so that it can happen.
Yours, always,
Draco
Hermione drew a sharp breath. That was the last thing she had expected when realizing who had sent the letter. Quickly she re-read the first paragraph. "All of my previous letters…" she read slowly, before dropping the letter and looking at the stack by her feet.
Biting her lip, she started sorting them into two piles. One pile were letters from Draco, the second were from anyone else, the pile from Draco quickly becoming dramatically larger than the other.
She picked the top one out.
Hermione.
I miss you. A lot.
I want you back in my life.
I love you.
Draco
She ripped open the next one, scanning it rapidly.
Hermione.
Just tell me that you don't want me. I'm sick of hoping that you will. We both know that you don't.
I've sent you dozens of these letters, and haven't heard a thing. That must mean that you don't. Stop being cruel and just let me know, alright? Just tell me, please.
I heard that you and Ron aren't going to get back together, that things are officially over.
I must admit, I thought that I would've seen you after that. But I guess that I was wrong about us, wasn't I? I thought that love would be enough for you, just like it's enough for me.
Was I wrong?
I need to know, Hermione. Please.
I'll love you for always,
Draco
She bit harder into her lip to keep her face void of emotion as she reached for the next letter.
Hermione.
In case you haven't been able to tell, I'm writing you every day.
Every day until you tell me something, anything.
I'm patient, I will do it. When something means that much to you, that's what you do. You do whatever it takes.
I love you. I'm so very sorry about everything that has happened between us. I hope that you're alright, and hope to hear from you soon.
I remain, now and forever,
Yours.
Draco.
The rest of the letters followed along the same lines as the ones she had read. In each one he told her that he loved her and would wait for her. Some were more random, telling her all sorts of things, others just a few lines.
But there was one for every day of the two and a half months that it had been since she had last spoken to him outside the apothecary.
By the time that she had finished reading them, tears were flowing freely down her face. She couldn't remember why she had refused to see or speak to him, couldn't remember what her reservations had been.
It was beyond obvious to her now that he meant what he said, that he loved her and wanted her back.
A tap on the window startled her out of her thoughts. An owl.
She leaped up, heart racing, and took the letter from Draco's owl.
Hermione.
I can't wait anymore.
This is my last letter; I can't handle writing and writing with no hope left.
Yes or no?
I'll be at our coffee shop at two thirty today. If you don't come, I'll take the hint and you'll never hear from me again.
Yours as always,
Draco
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest for the pain that she knew she must have caused him. She hadn't stepped foot inside the coffee shop that they jokingly called "theirs" since the night that she had called things off between them. Hadn't seen him in months. But she did, without a doubt, love him.
She looked at her watch. It was just past two already, so she hurriedly got ready to head out, aparating herself to the coffee shop just in time.
Draco wasn't there yet, so she took a seat, ordering herself a hot chocolate and a black coffee for him.
She waited, nervous anticipation filling her veins.
Five minutes went by.
Her spirits were starting to sink.
Draco walked in.
She could tell he was nervous, and also that he hadn't been sleeping well. He wore a frown that appeared to be permanently etched onto his face, but the moment their eyes met, the frown was replaced by a brilliant smile. He made his way over and sat down across from her at the table, thanking her for ordering the coffee as he took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I'm sorry." Hermione told him softly. "I wasn't reading my letters. I missed you. So much."
He started to reach out for her hand but seemed to think better of it, his hand instead resting on the table. "I missed you too, Hermione."
"It might be too late, but umm…" her voice broke with emotion. "if you could find it in you to take me back after everything that I've put you through…" her eyes dropped to the table, cheeks staining pink.
"It's not too late. You know that I'd forgive you anything. I…I love you, Hermione. Despite my attempts otherwise, I do. I want you back in my life. It hasn't been the same without you."
She stood, walking around the small table to stand in front of him. "I'm so sorry for everything that I did." She whispered before leaning in and kissing him for the first time in much too long.
