Author's Note: Well here is the next installment! Hope you all enjoy, I love this chapter. It's definitely a turning point. PLEASE review, and let me know what you think on either the chapter, or the entire story in general. I love when people review, even just to let me know they've read it and like it (or not).
The Missing Piece Chapter Fourteen
Day 33:
There are many things that influence thought process, and opinions. Ultimately, no one could ever change anyone else's opinion besides themselves. But the tiniest events, and the smallest realizations could trigger thoughts and feelings that would have otherwise never have come to existence. If Hermione had only known that answering the door that morning would lead to something there was no turning back on, only Merlin knows what she would have done.
Hermione opened the door hoping for Harry, Ginny, even Ron or Healer Greene, but when she was greeted with a pale white face and white-blond hair, she couldn't help but inwardly groan. Memories, and the argument that followed flooded her mind, and she felt a pinch of guilt in knowing that she had been the one who was wrong. She was the stubborn one, who refused to allow him to help her because she was too afraid of what could happen. An apology was about to make its way out of her mouth, but Malfoy held up his right hand as Hermione opened her mouth.
"Listen, I know you." Malfoy said, dropping his hand and looking into her eyes. Hermione closed her mouth, on guard for anything he might say. "I know that things are complicated for you right now, and having to apologize to me would not be something you wish to do."
Hermione gave him a look that suggested she didn't know what he was talking about, even though she knew very well.
"I know you." Malfoy repeated, seeing her expression. "You don't need to tell me anything. I know you want another chance. So that's why I'm here. Now save your breath, because you can argue with me all day about how you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, but I know you. So just come with me, okay?"
Hermione froze where she was, not daring to meet his eyes. She hated to admit it, but he was completely right. Given everything that had happened, everything he had done and will continue doing for her, she was unfair to him. She always believed Malfoy to be snooty and stubborn, and never bothered to realize that he had changed. He no longer acted that way to her. She rejected any proof that dictated this change. She had been stubborn, and unfair toward him all this time, and it had to stop. She always held resentment toward him because he was the git who made fun of her during Hogwarts, but it was time to leave it aside. They weren't in Hogwarts. He was the one trying to help her, and she just continually kept pushing him down. It had to stop. It had to stop.
Hermione looked into his icy eyes, swallowed her pride, and nodded. Malfoy smiled; glad to see she was finally coming around.
Later:
Malfoy walked into the library with Hermione following close behind. He grabbed a jar off the shelves behind the pensieve, studying it briefly, before pouring the contents inside the basin. Hermione observed his calm facial expression, and she could tell he was occulting his feelings. He seemed to hide emotions often. She could see it in his eyes, which looked a tad glazed.
"This is almost a month after the last memory you watched. February 19th, 2000. Don't—don't storm out on this one okay?"
Hermione looked at the ground sheepishly, a bit of blush creeping onto her cheeks from embarrassment. She knew she shouldn't have gotten mad at him the last time she visited. He only wanted to help. She wouldn't this time. No matter what. She would show him she was thankful for all he had done so far. She would be the mature one, who faced her past without storming out of the room in anger. Unable to speak, Hermione nodded, and dipped her face in the pensieve.
Hermione found herself once more in the Ministry of Magic, surrounded by witches and wizards rushing from one place to another, dodging people and paper notes flying through the air. Hermione did a full 360 degree turn trying to spot Memory Malfoy or Memory Hermione but didn't find them in her immediate area. She began to look past those witches and wizards who were clearly visible and began to scan for Memory Hermione and Memory Malfoy along the walls, and the edge of the room. Hermione found them in a far corner of the Ministry entrance, quite the ways away from public view. Hermione dodged people and made her way over to them. Memory Hermione and Memory Malfoy seemed to be in conversation, and Hermione walked faster so she didn't miss out on any of it.
"—Are you serious? That actually happened?" Memory Hermione asked Memory Malfoy, looking up at him in disbelief. She was not angry, but Hermione detected a flirtatious tone in Memory Hermione's voice, that made her pause.
"Completely. Can you believe it?" Memory Malfoy replied, smiling down at her. He had both hands in the pocket of his robes, and his head down towards the ground. His eyes flickered briefly to her every few seconds to gauge her expression, tapping his right foot behind him.
There was a brief silence, in which Memory Hermione studied Memory Malfoy's face, her eyes raking over his eyes, the smoothness of his cheeks, and his tussled white-blond hair. Hermione could see Memory Hermione was infatuated with him already; by the way she blushed whenever he looked at her. She couldn't remember a time when she had been so obviously taken by someone.
"Um," Memory Malfoy began, not quite meeting her eyes. "I was wondering…um…"
Hermione almost chuckled at how unsure Memory Malfoy was. She had never seen anyone so shy.
"Yeah?" Memory Hermione urged him on, looking up at him with hopeful eyes. Hermione could tell Memory Hermione was anticipating something, because she would always twiddle her thumbs or play with her hands.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime?" Memory Malfoy rushed out, his eyes flickering to hers nervously. His face was completely pink, as was Memory Hermione's. Hermione held her breath.
Memory Hermione's eyes lit up, and she smiled wide, completely happy.
"I'd love to, Draco." Memory Hermione said through her smile. Hermione's heart was pounding, and she looked at Memory Malfoy, who was smiling widely himself.
"I'd like you to also take this, as a thank you from me." Memory Malfoy spoke calmer now, as he pulled a small ring out of the pocket of his robes.
Memory Hermione gasped. "I couldn't possibly—"
"No, please. It's nothing; I just wanted to get you something."
Memory Hermione tentatively touched the ring. Hermione walked closer to get a look at it. The ring was nothing short of gorgeous—it was small, and simple, yet very beautiful. It was silver, with a tiny bright diamond on top. Memory Hermione placed the ring on her ring finger of her right hand, and spread her hand out in front of her to look at it.
"Thank you, so much!" She beamed at him.
Memory Malfoy only looked at her, wearing the facial expression of the luckiest man in the world.
The scene changed—Hermione now found herself in the library filled with documents, and found Memory Hermione and Memory Draco sitting in the same desk, huddled over piles of parchment. Hermione noticed a huge change in demeanor. Memory Hermione and Memory Draco sat closer to each other than they had the last time Hermione was here, and their posture was more relaxed.
Hermione heard a rustle of papers, and Memory Malfoy let out an exasperated sigh. He ran a hand through his hair, and shifted a bit in his seat. Memory Hermione sniffed. Everything was silent. Memory Malfoy let out a frustrated grunt, causing Memory Hermione to tilt her head in his direction. Hermione noticed she looked mildly concerned. Memory Malfoy let out another sigh.
Memory Hermione reached over and grabbed his hand with hers, the ring Memory Malfoy gave her in the previous memory glistening in her hand. Memory Malfoy turned to her, and gave her a small smile, and returned to his work.
And the couple worked that way for another hour, holding hands under the desk. Memory Malfoy did not let out any more signs of exasperation again.
This was not a fling, or shallow. Hermione realized at that moment that the pair was deeply in love. It was evident in the small things. In the way Memory Hermione had looked at Memory Malfoy. The way he looked back. That despite all the stressful things they found peace in each other. That was love. That was something worth remembering.
The scene changed once more as a tear slipped down Hermione's cheek.
Hermione found herself in Diagon Alley this time, surrounded by stores and smells she hadn't experienced since her Hogwarts years. She felt a feeling of nostalgia rush over her, and a sudden urge to explore every store, but was brought back to her senses when she spotted Memory Malfoy and Memory Hermione, walking side by side toward a restaurant. Hermione practically jogged to catch up to the pair, and listen to what they were saying.
"I don't know… you know we don't truly get along." Memory Malfoy was saying.
"It will be all right, we didn't get along. And now look." Memory Hermione consoled him, looking straight ahead.
"That's different. I fancy you. I don't fancy them."
Memory Hermione chuckled, and slowed down as soon as they were within several feet of the restaurant. Memory Malfoy let out a nervous sigh, and Memory Hermione looked up at him reassuringly. Her hand reached out to grab his, and Hermione spotted the ring on her right hand, still there. The couple walked into the restaurant, their hands entwined, and heads held high.
Memory Hermione smiled a broad smile as she spotted Memory Harry, Memory Ron, and Memory Ginny, sitting on a booth at the far corner of the restaurant. Each person smiled back at Memory Hermione in turn, and proceeded to give Memory Malfoy wary glances. Hermione inferred either they didn't know Memory Malfoy and Memory Hermione were dating, or they still did not like the bloke.
"Hello guys!" Memory Hermione greeted her best friends warmly, letting go of Memory Malfoy's hand in order to slide into the empty side of the booth. Memory Malfoy slid in after her. Memory Hermione's friends let out a chorus of greetings, and soon became silent. Memory Ginny's eyes flickered between Memory Hermione and Memory Malfoy, shooting Memory Hermione looks, as if sensing something.
"So… what's Malfoy doing here?" Memory Harry asked casually, though it sounded quite tense and awkward.
Memory Hermione cleared her throat nervously. "That's—that's why I brought you all here." Memory Hermione snuck a look at Memory Malfoy, who gave a shadow of a smile in return. "Draco and I are dating."
The way she had said it, made Hermione's insides melt. Memory Hermione's voice was filled with admiration and deep love for the man sitting beside her. Her voice also contained enough determination to let her friends know she didn't care what they thought about them—they were happy. And that's all that mattered. Memory Hermione raised her chin a few degrees, almost daring her friends to say something negative but nothing came. Memory Ron looked sick, his face red, not meeting Memory Hermione's eyes. Memory Harry looked confused, and kept looking repeatedly between Memory Malfoy and Memory Hermione as if trying to figure out if Memory Malfoy had slipped her a potion. Memory Ginny's reaction was the best: She gave her friend a small, knowing smile, in full support of Memory Hermione.
"That's great Hermione!" Memory Ginny exclaimed genuinely, clasping her hands together in glee. Her eyes were bright, and Hermione saw Memory Malfoy give her a small appreciative smile.
"Yeah… congratulations." Memory Harry and Ron said together. Their tone was low and sarcastic, but Memory Hermione ignored it.
Hermione saw how unenthusiastic Memory Ron and Memory Harry were being, and wondered what had changed. Harry and Ron were pretty trusting of Malfoy at the present moment. Perhaps they warmed up to each other. Hermione looked at Memory Hermione and Memory Malfoy, and saw the joy in each of their eyes as they sneaked looks to each other. Hermione couldn't help smiling in spite of everything. She had loved, hadn't she?
"Woah." Hermione uttered, as soon as she caught the curious expression on Malfoy's face. He seemed guarded, as if protecting himself mentally against any wrath she might unleash. However, after a few minutes his face relaxed, apparently convinced she would not yell at him today. Hermione would not.
"Yeah." Malfoy replied quietly, leaning against the far wall of the library, observing her with the same fond eyes Memory Malfoy had looked at her about a year ago. Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable at this, but warm at the same time, and resorted to looking at the ground.
"Come on." Malfoy said suddenly, leaning away from the wall and walking out into the hallway. Hermione raised an eyebrow at his turned back, but followed him quietly. They walked down the hallway, down two flights of stairs, in which Hermione could not help trailing her finger along the golden railing. She had gotten used to the rich elaborate rooms and decorations that made up the Malfoy household, but sometimes she couldn't help marveling over the beauty and detail that went into the home.
Malfoy led her into a large room, with light grey walls and double French doors leading into a balcony. There was a large bed in the middle of the room, covered in silky dark blue fabric that invited Hermione to run a hand through it, but she kept her hand at her side. This was Draco Malfoy's bedroom. She scanned the room with curious eyes, trying her hardest not to be obvious, but by his amused expression Hermione guessed she wasn't doing a great job. Malfoy turned around and walked into a large walk in closet, leaving Hermione's eyes to freely examine the room.
She spotted many accessories she supposed held great values—golden necklaces, rings, and other jewels—probably family heirlooms. She gave a look in the direction of the closet to make sure Malfoy's back was turned, and walked cautiously toward the glinting jewels on his dresser. Hermione touched these jewels with a tentative hand, feeling the cold metal beneath her fingers. Once her curiosity was satisfied, her eyes roamed the room once more.
Her eyes roamed hungrily along the walls, taking in the moving picture frames of the Malfoy family, along the silk bed, and landed on his nightstand. Here, Hermione found a picture frame, face down. Checking once more that Malfoy was still away, she walked toward the picture frame, and turned it over. It was a picture of her, smiling at the camera with Malfoy hugging her from behind. Her heart stopped. She knew Malfoy had feelings for her. She knew they shared a deep love from the looks she had seen in the memories. Seeing her smiling face made it so tangible. So real. The Hermione from the picture frame laughed as a joyful Malfoy whispered something in her ear. So real.
A floorboard creaked, and Hermione quickly returned the picture frame how it was, backing away from it. Malfoy had returned, a tiny box in his hands. By his expression, Hermione inferred he had not suspected she had seen anything, and internally sighed with relief.
"This belongs to you, I guess." Malfoy said, walking up to her. Hermione took the small box, and opened it. She gasped.
It was the ring. The small ring from the memory. The same ring she had worn on the ring finger of her right hand, was the same ring she was holding in her hand now, a year later. Hermione's eyes filled with tears, overcome with emotion. She didn't know what to do, or say. Hermione looked up at him, a grateful expression on her face, and smiled up at him.
"Thank you." She muttered genuinely.
A/N: Please review! I really want to know what you thought of this chapter!