Chapter Eleven – I would have stayed up with you all night
Hermione looked around her dormitory; her home for the past seven years. She would never forget the smell of the fresh sheets in the afternoon or the perfume sprayed in copious amounts over the years or the smell of damp towels being heated by the giant heater in the middle of the room. Looking out the window she saw the breathtaking view of the grounds. The lush green spring grass stretching down to the mouth of the lake, black as ink which rippled all the way to the foot of the mountains hiding the castle. That was the view she woke up to every morning; and how she was thankful for it. Saying her final good bye she picked up her rucksack and descended down the stairs. People were already hugging and saying good-bye, the seventh years flashing wizard cameras knowing that some of these people they would never see again. Hermione stayed on the outskirts knowing she wasn't really involved in this social world, all those she was closest too were no longer at the school.
Escaping the flurry of farewells she began her descent through the castle and down to the Entrance Hall. The train back to London would be leaving soon and she wanted to pay someone a visit in Hogsmeade first. As she was about to step out through the leaving crowd and into the brilliant sunlight a strong hand softly gripped her arm. Turning around she saw Blaise standing there his hair swept ever so handsomely across his eyes. He wore his blue-black jeans and "The Strokes" t-shirt with an unzipped hoodie; Hermione marvelled at how handsome he was. He smiled genuinely at her loving to see her out of all black with her hair clean and pulled off her face.
"I wanted to catch you before you left, you know to say goodbye," he quickly said realising he was staring at her. Hermione smiled and blushed slightly.
"I am glad you did, got any plans for next year yet?" she asked.
"I think I am going travelling, not sure what I want out of life yet," he said never taking his eyes of her face.
"Me too," she said. There was a long pause when finally Blaise stretched out the invitation to speak.
"You know, I would love to see you sometime soon, maybe we could keep in contact?" He said scratching his head in slight embarrassment.
"Ok, here's my address," she said scribbling something down on a piece of paper. Blaise's face lit up with joy. "I have to get going, see you soon," she said handing over the piece of paper, holding it and looking in his eyes for a long enough moment for it to be considered to mean something. As she walked away Blaise was tempted to grabbed her and pull her into his arms, yet he let her walk away. Walk away now but not forever.
Hermione enjoyed her walk in the sun to Hogsmeade. She followed the winding path she always did towards the outskirts of the town and found herself outside the familiar Hogshead. She wanted to see Draco once more before she had to go back to London, knowing she would miss him feverously in the short time they would be separated. As she pushed open the door a big grin on her face she found the pub empty. Stepping further in she heard shouting coming from somewhere upstairs. Making her way up the rickety old staircase she saw the first door that belonged Draco; it was open slightly. As Hermione went to push open the door and see what was happening it swung open inward to reveal the tall beautiful Russian blond Anja. She had such a long beautiful face, her pale skin completely void of any blemish and her brilliant blue-green eyes were shimmering with what appeared to be tears. Her perfect lips turned up slightly at the end into a half-smile as she pushed past Hermione and down and out the door.
Hermione continued into the room and saw Draco with his head in his hands sitting at the end of the bed. As he looked up slowly he saw Hermione. He jumped up and embraced her kissing her face with such love Hermione melted into a smile, yet as he drew his face back to look at her she saw the worry in his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked very anxious. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and looked with such sadness into her eyes.
"I have made a terrible mistake," he croaked, his voice wavering. Hermione led Draco to the bed and sat him down next to her.
"Tell me please," she asked not really wanting to hear what happened.
"Anja….Anja…she," he paused and took a long breath, "Hermione you must understand I love you more than anything, I never thought it possible but these last few months since you have been coming in, and these last two weeks have been amazing I have never been so happy in my life. I trust you with everything and I know you trust me, so please believe me when I say there is nothing else in the world I want more than to be with you. Heck I want to be able to love you the rest of my life, but something has happened that might complicate it," he said holding her hands in his.
"What is it?" Hermione asked gravely.
"Anja is two months pregnant," Draco said shaking. Hermione quickly let go of Draco as her hands flew to her mouth. She jumped up from the bed in shock tears beginning to form in her throat.
"You have to be joking!" she exclaimed. Draco jumped up to go to her but she moved away not wanting to be near him.
"We were fighting because I said I wouldn't leave you. There was a reason Anja and I broke up. I said I would be a part of the child's life but I would leave you and I won't leave you. Hermione I love you more than anything in this world," he said moving to her again. Once again she moved away she was speechless.
"Please Hermione understand I don't want to hurt you," he pleaded tears running down his cheeks, "I love you,"
Hermione looked at him all the sadness in the world crushing down upon her. There he was stripped down to nothing but his love and she could not be with him.
"I-I-I c-can't b-be with y-y-you," she stuttered through tears and anger, "You h-h-have a duty to h-h-her n-n-now. I have to go," she said running out the door. Draco jumped up after her and chased her out of the Hogshead and onto the pathway. Students were making their way down from the castle laughing and talking at the top of their lungs. Draco finally caught Hermione and bound her into his arms. She didn't fight but began to sob hopelessly. They stood there for what felt like hours until Hermione spoke.
"I would have loved you forever," she whispered. At this Draco felt his heart break, he knew she would never be with him after this. Hermione ached with pain, as she held him tightly not wanting to let go. She had completely opened up to Draco giving all of herself to him in the short and intense period of their relationship. But that was the beauty of their love, it was always there they didn't need to find it.
"I will love you and you alone forever," Draco whispered in response. "One day, I know it we will be together again," he said kissing her hair. She tilted her face up to his and let him kiss her one last time. She would never forget how good his kisses made her feel, how all the love in the world was poured into them. She knew no matter what, they would always have a little bit of each other's hearts in their own yet they were never allowed to let it take over their whole being. Then as much as she didn't want to, as much as her heart called out for her to stop she turned away from him, his kiss lingering on her lips. And wiping the tears away from her eyes she strode out into the world and didn't dare look back.
(A/N:
Ha ha ha ha sorry they can't be together. I mean seriously archenemies? No in all my ideas of Hermione and Draco love they never end up together, stupid stuff like getting ex girlfriends pregnant happens. Anyway one chapter left! Xoxox)
