Chapter Nine
Goodbye
Mr., and Mrs. Malfoy, Draco, Blaise, and Hermione gathered in the lounge in front of the empty fireplace. They each took their turns saying goodbye to her. Hermione hated it. It felt like she would never see them again, and that was a thought that hurt too much.
Mrs. Malfoy was tearful as she hugged Hermione. "I'm going to miss you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. I owe your family a lot."
"Nonsense," she insisted pulling back to press a kiss to her cheek. "I wished... I wished that you, and Draco..." She sniffed. "Never mind. I do wish I could've spent more time with you. Be happy."
Mr. Malfoy shook her hand. "Forgive us." His eyes bore into hers, and he touched her hair. "Wherever we will end up I can say that I've done one good thing in my life."
She didn't like how it sounded. She knew they were in trouble with Voldemort, but she wouldn't believe that they couldn't find a way out of it. "We will win this war, Mr. Malfoy. When we do I'll see that you'll have a clean slate."
His face darkened in disbelief that he'd have such a chance, but kissed her on top of her head, and left with his wife to give her privacy for her goodbye with Draco. Blaise however stayed leaning on a wall beside the fireplace, one leg bent under him, his arms crossed over his chest surveying their interaction harshly. Her suitcase filled with the expensive clothes Mrs. Malfoy bought for her beside him.
Without a word Draco lifted her hand clasping a silver chain on her wrist. Hermione saw a dragon, and a lion on either side of a heart. She looked at him questioningly, and he grinned smugly.
"The dragon's me; the lion's you. The heart is..." He held her stare. "Ours. In case I'm not around to remind you."
"Draco," Blaise forewarned.
"Excuse me, Blaise," he said before tugging her hand bringing her to him. She didn't think he would actually snog her, but he did. In fluid motion he was kissing her softly.s
Her lips were on sweet tickling fire. The room, and Blaise fell away in that kiss. Draco grasped her hips holding her close, the heat intensifying between them. But it was short, and she whimpered when his lips abandoned hers. She didn't dare look over to Blaise to gauge his reaction. She was certain it wasn't good, possibly murderous.
"You can come with us," she whispered, she wasn't sure why she did because Blaise could hear regardless.
"I have to stay." He ran his fingers down her arm causing chills to chase up her spine.
Blaise grabbed Hermione's elbow, and she was being dragged away towards the hearth with flames glowing emerald, but she craned her neck to keep her gaze on him only giving a short glance to Blaise. He glowered at his best mate, but said, "take care." She saw his expression closer, a blend of fury, regret, remorse, and understanding.
"Take care of her," Draco responded.
"I will."
Between the licks of flames she saw Draco nod once to her his silvery eyes shining, the familiar glint of malice she was used to seeing wasn't there. He had let his guard down, but in the moment where she was studying his features one last time she noticed it more clearly. His hair white, the fringe boarding his pale eyelashes. His cheekbones prominent, his nose perfectly straight, his skin flawless pale, translucent. It gave him the pointed look, but he was handsome.
Then in a dizzying spinning of soot he was gone. Her heart that only last night had been content was now in pain. If the Malfoy's were right about their limited time... It might be the last time she would see him. She kept the memory like a picture, and tucked it away safely. She felt the bracelet, and held it close to her. If she could not save him she would keep him. A part of him. Always.
Draco kept his composure as he watched Hermione, and Blaise leave, but lost it the second the fire died. He collapsed on the couch holding his neck, digging his short nails in, blood leaking to the surface. He choked on the sobs he refused to let escape.
He let her go. She was safe, and happy. He thought it would be plenty for him to survive the rest of his days in peace. It wasn't. Not seeing her. Not having her right there in the next room was physical pain. He never imagined he could feel it so vividly for anyone.
A soft clicking of over-priced Italian shoes announced his mother. A soft hand caressed his back.
"Son, if things were different, if we weren't... She would've chosen you."
His features contorted painfully. "If you're trying to make me feel better it isn't working."
She sat beside him. "It's okay to hurt. You don't have to be strong all the time. Not when it comes to her."
Draco lowered his head between his knees, and shook, his face hot, and wet.
Blaise squeezed her trembling hand. He didn't need to risk opening his eyes to the swirling dust to know that she was crying. Their fates were set. The Malfoy's would face the wrath of the Dark Lord, and there was only one outcome for that. Hermione, and him would work to move on from it. They would eventually live happily ever after, but without his best mate how could that be possible? For either one of them. Blaise didn't perform Legilimency on Hermione, he didn't want to see what happened between her, and Draco, and how she felt about him. Blaise didn't need Legilimency to see that she loved him as much, or more than she loved him.
Saying it stung was an understatement. He had to believe that in time it would come together. Without Draco available perhaps she would love Blaise more. It was not the way he would have it. He would like her to have the choice, and in that choice to choose him. In the case as it was he would take any love she could offer.
When they stopped spinning Blaise realized that it wasn't only her hand that was trembling. It was his.
A/N: I like to thank everyone who is reviewing on this story, letting me know what they think. I fully appreciate it, as I always do. Thank you!
