Draco sat huddled together in the corner furthest away from the door. He had finally been allowed to leave the evil presence of his new Master... His face was tear stained, his hair had lost its usual shine, his clothing was covered in dust, as if he had been lying on a dirty floor for a long time. His throat was rough and raw. He didn't allow his heartbreaking sobs to be heard, but deep within him a part of his soul just wanted to die.
He had been branded like common cattle. Made to accept the honour of becoming one of his... his... He could only shudder at the thought of what the failings of his father had meant for his own life. He would never again be able to walk the wizarding community without people talking, pointing, staring. He had become one of the most loathsome members of his world. His father was out off favour and he had had to pay for it.
He had no illusions about the mission he had been given, either. Two missions actually. The first would be bad enough, but the second... His tears started again to just flow. It was hopeless! He just wanted to die and be done with it. What had he left to live for? His stomach cramped and he felt like being sick. What had he left... And then he saw HER eyes in front of him. Smiling at him. Only too clearly showing the love she felt for him. Would she still want him? Now? He was a branded man. His body shivered by the memory of the excruciating pain that had engulfed his body and mind this afternoon. How could he still be alive?
Her smiling face was looking at him. Her gentle fingers caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes. She was leaning against him, her head on his shoulder. He could smell the vanilla scent of her hair. How could she still be loving him once she discovered, what had been done to him? He was only just 16 since a few days, but his life was over! All the dreams he had had in that last night they had shared... He could only pray, that his owl had gotten to her.
He closed his eyes. He could hardly believe what he had written in that letter, but every single word was true. She was smart, the smartest girl he had ever met. He was sure, that she would know, what he had tried to tell her, ask her with that ring he had sent her. Would she be willing to wait for him? Until the Dark Lord had been finished once and for all? He could just pray to all that was good out there, that she would be safe and have the strength to wait for him. She was the only hold on sanity he had left. Her love was what had gotten him through this darkest of all his days. Without her he was lost. Utterly lost!
"I love you, precious one! I love you!" He whispered.
Hermione didn't know, for how long she had been sitting at the window staring into space. She didn't hear her mother call her for lunch or her father asking her, if she wanted to come on a walk with her parents. She was deaf and blind to the world. The only thing, that meant anything any longer was the thin silver necklace round her neck. And the ring it had been fed through.
Tears were slowly running down her cheeks. She couldn't say, why she was crying, but her heart was longing so much for the one she had had to leave behind, tears seemed to be the only thing, that might help at all. There had been a letter from Harry. She had stroked Hedwig for ages before composing a quick answer and sending her on her way again. She wondered, if she should owl Ginny. Would she understand, what Hermione was going through? If anybody would, she was the most likely. Having been in love with Harry for so long and never having received any real acknowledgement of even her existence, Ginny would probably understand, why Hermione was sitting in her room with a breaking heart.
She found herself a piece of paper, a pen and then lay on her bed while writing.
Dear Ginny,
I don't know, how I can really explain, what this letter is about. You know, what happened all last year. And you saw him on the last evening at school. We spent the night with each other. Holding each other. Trying to not think about what the morning would mean: separation. I have never felt anything like this for anybody! There are moments, when I wish I could feel something even remotely as strong for Ron, but I can't! I don't think, I'll ever be able to love anybody as much as I love HIM!
He has written me a letter, that sounds rather... He writes, that something will be done to him! Ginny! What will his Death Eater father do to him? I fear for his life and there is nothing I can do. I feel so totally helpless! It's a horrible feeling.
I know, that he loves me and he says, that without me there would be no way out for him. He wants us to have future together. A proper future. When Voldemort has been finally defeated. And he has send me a... ring. Ginny! I know, what he wanted to tell me without saying the actual words, but I don't know, what I'll do, if he is killed by that murderous bastard of a father of his. How could I ever have a life without him? I can't!
Harry better get his head straight and finally ask you out, before I will see the need to tell him, what idiot he has been all these years. I wish you both to be happy. And I hope, that my love and I will be having a future together as well. There is no future without him...
Love to all of you,
Hermione
P.S. Sorry for the rambling! I just don't know, what to do. I just love him and I am so worried for him!
She posted the letter late the same evening using the Muggle post. Mr. Weasley would probably have another field day with the stamps. He loved anything Muggle related.
