Chapter 11:
So it was true. Draco erased everything. All their moments were gone. He used the spell to eliminate everything about himself in her head.
But after viewing all those moments, reliving it, she wasn't sure if she was in love with him, or utterly furious with him. They were supposed to leave for Paris that night, why did he have to cast that spell?!
As soon as her memories drifted back into her brain, to remain there forever, her eyes opened to the light of a hospital bedroom. She squinted as the faint glow from the window shined brightly across her face.
She looked to her left and found someone slumped in their chair, sleeping. She expected it to be Draco, but found Ron snoring rather loudly.
"Ron?" she asked.
He was startled at the sound of her voice and their eyes connected for a brief second before he rushed to her bedside.
"Hermione? Are you okay? I've been here since last night, I was afraid you wouldn't wake up!"
"I'm fine, how long have I been here?"
"A few days, and you missed our wedding."
"What?! Oh dear, I missed so much!"
"It's alright. Mum was able to push it back a few days for you, but that didn't really stop everyone else from showing up," he smiled and continued to rub her head, "Listen, 'Mione, I'm really sorry for what happened at dinner. I don't know what I was thinking, it won't happen again, I promise."
She looked into his eyes, still not being able to understand what was happening, but smiled back. It was nice to see him again.
Just then, another person walked into the room and his eyes instantly made contact with hers.
"Draco." she whispered under her breath.
"Hello, Hermione." he said with a relieved expression. He almost dropped his clipboard at the sight of her finally awake.
Ron broke the silence and said,
"Hermione, you remember Malfoy. He's actually a Healer now."
"I'm aware," Hermione said without breaking eye contact with Draco.
As soon as their eye contact became longer than intended, Draco looked back down at his clipboard.
"So, looks like you fell and hit your head. You really should be more careful."
"Obviously," Ron said under his breath.
"Anyway, it's best if you stay here for a few days, just to be sure," Draco continued.
"Okay," she said.
"And I'll be right by your side the whole time," Ron interrupted, reaching out for her hand and squeezing it tightly.
Draco noticed this and stared daggers into his head.
"I'll give you two a minute," Draco said, looking back between Ron and Hermione.
Draco walked outside and shut the door. Hermione looked back at Ron who continued to squeeze her hand.
"Ron, you don't have to stay the whole time. I'll be fine here by myself."
"No way, I'm not gonna leave you alone now."
"I was actually hoping I can get some rest."
"Oh, of course, yes you get some rest."
"Thank you," Hermione said as he let go of her hand. She expected him to leave the room, instead he pulled the chair closer to her.
"Are you going to watch me sleep?"
"Well, like I said I'm not gonna leave your side."
"Ronald, I'd prefer to be alone to sleep, if you don't mind."
His expression changed into a frown and he answered, "Oh, alright, I guess I'll just go then."
"You must be tired anyway from just sitting here."
"Yeah, a bit. I'll just leave you to it."
He got up out of his seat and opened the door. He looked back at her with a longing expression and walked out the door.
It felt like she had just held her breath the whole time when he closed the door. It was so crazy! Now all the times she spent with Ron was nothing compared to Draco! He was wonderful to her, even got her a beautiful necklace...
Where is the necklace?
She felt around her neck for the silver chain but could feel nothing but her cold skin. As she begun to frantically look about the room, Draco had walked back in.
"Hermione?"
Her movements stopped as she stared directly into his eyes. She wanted to say something, but what could she say? She had so many questions!
"Are you looking for this?" he said as he held up her necklace in his hand.
She gave a curt nod and a grin appeared on his face. She almost smiled back, but she was still angry at what he did. He seemed to notice the sudden anger across her face and his smile turned into a face of fear. He held up his hands in defense as he prepared for an argument.
"Hermione, I can exp-"
"How could you, Draco?! You said we could go to Paris together! You suggested it! And I told you how much you meant to me! How could you do such a thing! You know how much time wasted with Ron when you knew the whole time I would be unhappy! Ho-"
"Hermione, please, you must understand!"
"Well, I don't! I don't understand why you had to go through with such a spell!"
"I did it because I love you!"
This time she stood up, although slightly disoriented. She ignored her dizziness but managed to walk towards him and punched him right in the nose.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?!" he yelled as he held his nose and fell back slightly. The blow was hard, but looks like there were no signs of bleeding.
"Well at least I remember how to do that!" she yelled.
He smiled at this statement and continued to hold his nose as the pain slowly went away.
"I really did miss you, Hermione."
Her love for him was growing stronger by the minute as she tried to resist the urge to smile. She sat back down on the bed and crossed her arms, still burning with fury.
He walked over to her and sat down next her. She didn't want to look at him so she turned her head towards the pillow.
With a heavy sigh, he continued, "I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want you to be away from all your friends and family because of me. And if my parents had found out about you...I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if I put you through that trouble."
She knew he was right and slowly turned her head to face him. She placed her hands on her knees as Malfoy carefully laid his hand on top of hers.
"I'd always known it couldn't work out. I am and forever will be all the wrong things for you. I'll never be right for you. And I thought that if you forgot about me...you would be okay."
She placed her other hand on top of his and looked deep in his eyes.
"But I wasn't okay, Draco. I knew something was missing, like my life was just too normal. I can feel something when I'm with you, something that I can't ever feel with anyone else. Only you."
"And I feel the same way," he said, "that's why I sent you those letters. I had to tell you that I was in some sort of trouble or else you wouldn't have helped me. But I guess the real trouble was not being with you."
She touched his cheek and pressed her lips against his. She tasted the kiss, savored it, kissed him as if they were long lost lovers and have just met after many years.
In a way, they were.
