Thank you as always; I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to replying yet. But I will! Here's an extra long chapter – I'm sorry it's going to be something that many won't like. I do promise two things however. I will finish this story and Dramione will end up together! So stay tuned. Oh, and enjoy. There's some…sensual material in this chapter – just a head's up!

LCailan


CHAPTER FORTY-NINE


Hermione stood framed by the lamplight that illuminated their beds for the night. The lamp Draco held in his hand caused glorious firelight to dance along the wooden walls of the stable interior. A few of the stalls had been emptied; they were clean of debris and feed. Fresh hay and two bedrolls lay tucked into the corner where the shadows were heaviest so that even if one happened to pass by the two escapees would never be seen.

Stepping carefully, Draco walked towards the last stall and then helped Hermione make up a small but comfortable looking place to lie down. Beyond the sturdy wooden walls the wind wailed as if to remind them that cruel winter was dominating the cosmos. Yet inside the small barn there was light and a magical fire burned to keep them warm.

"Stay close to the fire," Draco said, his voice hoarse.

Neither had spoken since Victoria had left them alone for the night, promising to be back before daybreak with breakfast and a change of clothing before they were whisked away.

Correction, he realized. It would only be she that would be whisked away.

Draco gazed on Hermione who seemed mesmerized by their surroundings. She was beautiful in the light of the lantern, the scars that perpetually marred her face nearly invisible and her eyes glowing in the light. Each second that passed by was one less he would have with her. She didn't know it but Draco had already made up his mind; he would protect her if it meant giving her up.

What I did to her before was wrong. I was selfish and I've caused her too much pain. Now, I am doing the right thing.

It got too difficult to gaze at her and so he moved quickly to the far stall, the one nearest to the door, where he would sleep. He had chosen not to take chances; even if they were safe he wanted to be the first to attack should anyone enter the stables from that side.

"Draco."

Her voice seemed to be muffled by the shadows and Draco ignored her, focusing on setting up his bedroll.

"Are you all right?"

He stiffened at the question wondering how he could even answer.

No, she needn't know.

A moment later he turned to look at her fully willing to lie.

"Fine. What do you think?" he asked of his handiwork, changing the subject. "It doesn't look very comfortable, does it?"

Somehow sleeping in a mere barn, near where dirty animals often stayed seemed most unappealing even after everything Draco had been through.

Hermione stood next to him remaining silent for a few seconds.

"It's our new home."

He could hear the smile in her voice and he shook his head.

"I'd wager that Jesus, Mary and Joseph didn't have it good starting out, did they?"

Hermione heard the laughter in his reply and then she turned to gaze up at him taking in the smile that played on his lips. She lived for moments when things seemed normal and thought that had she the choice she'd memorize the way he looked right then.

After the chuckling died away they were silent once more.

"I suppose…we should call it a night, yeah?"

He moved to walk away as if the nearness of her was too much to bear. That was when Hermione reached to clasp her hand around his.

"Please tell me what's wrong."

The pleading note in her voice sang a song to Draco's heart but still he was unable to be honest, instead shaking his head.

"It's nothing. I'm tired and tomorrow's going to be just as harrowing as today. I just-"

"You just what?"

"Nothing," he said brushing things off once more after which there followed an awkward silence.

"Draco? What happens now?"

Hermione's whisper was uncertain and she reached for his hand once more just after he withdrew it. Frowning she tried again this time holding on more tightly.

Draco turned his face away from her.

"Now we sleep. Tomorrow we go to Wales."

The words were clipped and painfully vague.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Hermione, please, I'm tuckered. I can't do this right now."

With that he withdrew from her completely and walked towards the darkness of his stall leaving Hermione standing there. She didn't think much about it and moved to follow him.

"You might be tired, cranky and hiding something from me but no way in bloody hell are you going to sleep while you're still angry with me!"

Her tone was demanding and her jaw was set in an adorably stubborn way, though the way her eyes flashed was anything but adorable.

Draco sighed.

"Is that what you think, Hermione? You couldn't be further from the truth!"

She watched as he threw himself against a fresh bale of hay with obvious frustration but the shadows made it impossible to see what emotion raged in his eyes.

"Do you love me?"

The sullen question rang out in the dead air and she frowned.

"That's what this is about? You doubt my love?"

He winced at the accusation and took a breath.

"Do you trust me?" he pushed forward without sparing her another glance because being aloof would make it hurt less.

She gasped.

"Why would I be here with you if I didn't? Would I have given up my friends and those I loved if I didn't love you? This is absurd, Draco!" she exclaimed a bit of panic creeping into her voice at the way he was speaking to her. "I demand you tell me what's going on!"

Draco nearly groaned. In the end he wouldn't be able to lie to her anyway, he knew.

"You haven't forgotten the reason why all this happened?"

"What?"

"I'm talking about me and you."

Gently he reached up to touch her fingers with his in a trembling caress.

"It was because of Lily; it was because you loved her so much you'd have died for her."

Hermione stared at him as he spoke.

"Wouldn't all of this be for naught if you never found safety? If you were on the run forever and never found a place to call home? Don't you want to see her again? Ginny, the boys, Lily…and everyone else you left to be with me?"

Hermione's breathing grew wheezy and though it pained him, Draco continued.

"Don't you want to be safe?"

She felt her face burning from anxiousness.

"Of course I do! Seeing Lily and the rest of my family would mean the world to me!"

Tears threatened and Draco stood to wrap his arms around her. Hermione leaned into him without hesitation willing him to take all the pain and confusion away with his gentle touch.

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to. Tomorrow we go to Wales. To St Davids along the coast. Your family is there."

"What?" she asked in wonder pulling away to glance up at him.

The joy in her eyes would be well worth the pain he would go through later on. More than well worth it. He would make her face the memory he would take back to London with him.

"Charlie Weasley."

"Charlie? Charlie's…he's alive?"

Draco nodded as he pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment.

"Yes. Alive and well and you'll be safe there with him."

Hermione beamed up at him her eyes shining with tears of joy.

"We'll be safe, you mean."

Draco's earlier smile faded and Hermione snuggled in closer to him, burrowing against the warm planes of his body a smile flickering across her face.

"Draco, don't be silly, after everything you've done for me they'll never turn you away! We'll be there together. We'll make the family we talked about…we'll make those dreams real. Finally."

Her voice held a touch of whimsy. Somehow it was more painful this way, Draco realized. Gently he reached down to run his fingers through her long curls, pulling her closer as he did so. He leaned in and pressed his lips against her forehead, making Hermione sigh. His lips moved along her temple, down to her flushed cheek and skimmed her chin before he placed one last kiss against he ear.

"I can't go with you," he breathed against her flesh.

One second she had been trying to seek his lips with her own and then in the next Draco felt her tense and try to yank away. He held her fast.

"Please believe me when I tell you I'm not doing this to hurt you," he continued holding her firmly in place so that she was forced to listen. "They'll never stop coming after me unless I turn myself in and I can't do that with you at my side."

This time when she yanked hard, Draco le her go and Hermione stumbled backwards, her face contorted with disbelief and anger, and her eyes blazing with clear disgust.

"So what would you have me do?" she cried out. "Go to St Davids and live with Charlie like nothing is the matter? Like I never knew you?"

He winced at her harshness of he words.

"You'll be safe," he began to plead with her.

"And then what?"

"You'll be free! You'll be free," he breathed softly, searching her eyes and praying she understood.

Hermione felt herself shaking with pain, fear and anger.

"So just like that, after everything we've been through and everything you've told me I should be doing you're just going to give up?" she cried out angrily. "You're a fool, Draco Malfoy! A fool and a coward!"

Draco knew the words were spoken out of anger and fear but that didn't make them any less painful.

He tensed, his hand tightening into fists.

"I'm not giving up! I'm doing this for YOU! Don't you see? It's the best thing, the most important thing I can give you, Hermione! Your freedom and your life back! If that makes me a coward than so be it!"

Tears sprung up to her eyes, fast and hot.

"What's my freedom if you aren't by my side? What's my life without you, Draco?"

He stared at her, all responses fleeing his mind so that he was rendered speechless, but he knew now more than any other time, words were important. When he finally found the strength to speak his voice was weak and uncertain in the face of his desire for her.

"Listen to yourself. Have you heard anything I've said? Don't you remember the reason why we're here tonight? Don't you remember why it is we ever spoke? That this between us ever started?"

He paused and she saw flicker of painful longing flicker across his features briefly.

"You just finished telling me that seeing your family again would mean the world to you."

His whispered reminder shamed Hermione because for a split second, when faced with the reality that he would no longer be at her side, she had forgotten Ginny and the children….Lily, Albus and James. Draco was right; everything she had ever done had been for them…for those she called her family. She shook, staring at the ground and fighting a battle against pain and loss. She didn't want to cry in front of him; she wanted to be strong.

Did I ever believe this could last? Whatever this was between Draco and me? For so long I believed I hated him! For so long I would have given anything for this moment to happen!

His soft words broke into her thoughts cutting them savagely and bringing with them more aching.

"Once you're free you can focus on them. You can find your family…Lily especially. I know you love her. Focus on that, Hermione. Focus on your family. They always loved you."

Hermione's eyes flickered up towards Draco's face. She heard what he was saying just as clearly as she heard what he hadn't said.

My family has always loved me; he hasn't. Not always. And maybe too late.

The tears burned at her eyes but still she kept them at bay, staring up at him with a stoic expression.

"Where will you go?"

There was no pain in that voice now, only resignation. Draco's fingers trembled.

"I'll go back to them…back to London. I'll tell them you're dead and I'll accept whatever punishment they see fit. It can't be any worse than what I've already been through."

The words held no emotion; Draco felt drained when he thought of the Ministry and of what they had subjected him to already. He knew there was nothing he wouldn't be able to face. At his words however, he saw Hermione's eyes widen.

"You can't," she choked out. "What if they…you can't go back there! What will you do? How can you keep them from believing what they want to believe? What if they punish you with death? How could I ever-"

He lifted his hand to silence her, shaking his head vehemently against the tide of questions and uncertainties that she was voicing.

"Hermione-"

"What if you do all this and still they find me? It would all be for nothing and I would have lost you anyway!"

"Stop this! Don't ask questions about things no one knows about!" he exclaimed forcefully. "I don't know any of the answers and I can't bloody think about those things now! You're important right now! I'll think on the rest later!"

Hermione's eyes widened at the vehemence in his tone and she wrapped her arms around her thin frame, looking away from him. Her eyes spilled over.

"How will I ever repay you for what you've done for me?"

Draco could tell she was fighting against breaking down and felt a rush of love for her so great it made his eyes water. He spoke his reply without hesitation.

"Be happy. That's all I want from you. I want to know that you've found your family and that you can be happy again. As long as I know you're trying to do that I can handle anything else that this fucked up world has in store for me."

Hermione reached up to place her palm against the coolness of his cheek.

"I want you to be happy too."

"I know."

Tears slipped down her face even though she gazed on him with a brave look. He sighed.

"Hermione, you and I…it wasn't ever supposed to happen. We both know that. Not in this world. No one would understand."

She nodded, sniffing back the losing battle with her sobs. He had always been a Death Eater and she a mere Mudblood. There was nothing to make sense of the love she felt for him. Nothing at all.

He's right. He's so right.

Her broken heart beat weakly inside her chest causing her pain that felt nearly physical.

"I understand," she whispered painfully. "You're…we are from two different worlds."

Shame held unspoken strength in he words and Draco gripped her hands suddenly.

"It's not you, Hermione. It never was. You are the bravest, most selfless woman I know and no other could make me feel what you have. No other could love me the way you have. It's got nothing to do with you."

His hands came up to brush along her chin tenderly.

"They've mocked, derided and spit upon you like you're nothing. I've been there, I know how it is. You know how it is. But still you are twice the person they are, and four times the woman that I deserved. I will always remember how lucky I was."

Hermione was crying, having lost the battle against her sobs and he gathered her into his arms to hold her. It was the last small comfort he could offer. Hermione's mind raced as she rested in the circle of his arms; it was the only place she wanted to be in the whole world. And with each moment that passed they were nearing the end of their time together. Perhaps Draco was right; perhaps this was only temporary and their lives had crossed only for a purpose that had long been fulfilled. What Hermione didn't know was what she had ever given Draco. Everything he had done had been for her. He had saved her life; he would help her get her family back.

And what have I done for him?

She would never know. Bu she knew he would always be the only good thing to come out of the war. Her love for him the only hope in a darkened world. As the silence loomed between them Hermione fought to think of something to say, to prolong the conversation if only to keep him awake and holding her.

"Have you ever been to St Davids?"

"On holiday with my parents," he replied and she sensed a smile in his voice once more. "Lovely city. Small but beautiful. White beaches and great food. And they have a fantastic rugby team; my father often went there for just that."

Hermione found it strange to imagine Draco's parents (at least the ones she remembered) enjoying something as…normal…as rugby and the beach. She felt him stroke her hair.

"You'll love it, I promise."

After a moment of silence Hermione pulled away and felt Draco's lips as they kissed away the remnants of her cruel tears.

"I-I'll want to come back," she whispered raggedly searching his face in the shadows. Their eyes locked as she continued. "I can be happy but not without you. I'll want to come back."

"London will never be safe. Not so long as this…goes on."

His hold on her tightened for a moment.

"But once the Ministry falls…

There was hope in his voice as it faded into the darkness and she felt her heart weep once more. She wondered when the battle with the Ministry would end and if there would be a chance to find him in the wake. She wondered how long they would be apart and if ever she would see him again.

She nearly wailed out loud.

"Oh, Draco, I wish-"

Her words were broken and trembling.

"So do I," he replied quickly, almost gruffly. "So do I."

Once more there was silence and once again Hermione fought to think of how to continue the conversation because she didn't want the night to end. She thought of asking about Lucius and Narcissa. She even though about asking if he had ever taken Astoria on holiday or if Scorpius had enjoyed the beach. But no words came to her lips so she kissed him instead, pressing her lips against his mouth firmly at first and then with gentle insistence.

He groaned, the beast of desire awakening within him.

"Hermione, I don't think this is a good idea," he managed to say between her fevered kisses.

She would not be deterred, offering herself wantonly like she had many times before.

"What's it matter? One last time, one last night, Draco," she whispered.

Draco knew it was a bad thing, even though he wanted to just as she did. It would make it that much more difficult to leave her and that was the last thing he wanted. But it was the way that she gazed up at him with a mixture of longing and sadness, and the way her fingers lightly brushed against his arm, his elbow, his neck – that finally caused him to give in.

Their lips met in the darkness over and over again, and then he felt her sigh and press against him, begging him silently for more. His eyes fluttered closed and Draco allowed himself just this one last time. He could get lost in her and create those memories that would have to suffice in keeping him warm in the cold nights to follow.

They tumbled to the bedroll and the soft, fragrant hay forgetting everything but each other and their clothes came off one by one until there was nothing between them but warm, smooth flesh. She shivered with the need to be closer to him, still closer, so close that they were fused as one. Her body moved against his.

"Are you cold?" he whispered against her ear just as Hermione ran her hands up and down the smooth planes of his wide back feeling the heat of his flesh against her fingertips.

"No," she replied. "Please, Draco. Hurry. Now, I need you now."

The plaintive whisper drove and fueled the fire of his desire for her and he groaned in response. She was ready for him, the wet heat of her against his hand.

"Please, now," she begged again moving against him. "Do what you do to me Draco, and make the rest of the world go away."

He could not deny her such a request for her wanted it so badly he was trembling.

Draco pushed into her and was once more aware of how amazing she felt and how perfect it was between them, almost as if her body had been made for his. Like two puzzle pieces. As he moved against her, Draco was aware that Hermione had never closed her eyes and that she was gazing up at him, her eyes darkened and wild with desire. He stopped moving and she keened softly, wrapping her thighs more tightly against his hips, bringing him closer, urging him on. He didn't want to move; he wanted to make the moment of being completely joined with her this way to last forever. Tenderly he hushed her frustrated groans with his mouth, kissing her slowly, deeply, drawing out those few moments as long as he could. Never had he known a woman as splendid as Hermione and one nearly as responsive.

He smiled in the darkness, their foreheads pressed together, hearts racing against one another.

"I swear," he managed. "You are my life's greatest treasure."

Hermione's heart filled with joy and wept with regret all at the same time. Never had sweeter words been spoken and at the sound of his tender voice she pulled him even closer, running her fingers along his face, through his hair and anywhere else she could touch him, memorizing every feeling, every nook and all his secrets. She gazed deeply into his eyes wanting to remember them lest she never have another moment like this one. She was no longer upset with him; her heart was breaking too badly for that. Now she knew that she had to move on. She wouldn't be able to resent him simply because she had to go and he…

Her hips bucked towards him, willing Draco to move and he finally did, the sensation one of exquisite pleasure. Hermione was overwhelmed by him, feeling drunk with every movement, every touch, and every fevered whisper. As he neared his climax, she leaned up claiming his mouth with hers yet again.

"I love you."

She saw that his eyes filled with tears as she crashed over her edge, crying out his name as she did so. She wrapped her arms tightly around his flushed body and buried her face in his neck. He tensed and tightened within her and then, with a groan, went limp, pressing her body against the bedroll as she accepted his weight completely.

"Oh, Hermione," he moaned.

And she knew, she could tell from the tone of his voice. He was weeping.


The following morning dawned and it had stopped snowing through the night. The sky was a pale blue and the sun was creeping up along the horizon promising a day of brilliance. All around them – the trees, the grass and even the tops of the cottages scattered about – frost lay in a thick, glittering layer. It was as if the world had donned a most splendid wedding gown. They stood waiting by Victoria's cottage unmoving, hands clasped tightly together. Neither spoke of the night previous nor of anything at all, simply waiting for what fate had in store. Presently a covered truck came rumbling from around the corner smoke pluming from a massive tailpipe in the back and a tall, thin man stepped out and offered them a smile.

"Sure looks like a fine morning, yeah?"

They nodded wordlessly and Hermione offered a faltering smile.

"My wife tells me you'll be needing a way to St Davids?"

"If you would be so kind," replied Draco with a nod.

"We do this all the time." He smiled. "I wish you only the best after this. Come on then."

The truck was large and there were plenty of blankets and a hot breakfast waiting for them once they were settled. Though the biscuits looked fresh and the coffee smelled divine, Hermione found she was unable to eat. She offered her portion to Draco who declined. The breakfast sat untouched between them, the delicious aromas wafting into the freezing air and bringing about a sense of normalcy and comfort.

At least there was that, Hermione decided.

The road into Wales was a winding one and the hours slipped by. Hand in hand they traveled in that covered truck as the sun rose high and bright in a lovely winter sky. No one was about that day and the roads were mostly empty though the Sawyers had taken the precaution of bedazzlement charms on their vehicle. As the hours got on Hermione's stomach rumbled and she ate her cold breakfast for dinner. Draco did the same.

When the food was gone she finally broke their long, uncertain silence.

"I'm going to come back."

"Come again?"

"To London. I'm going to come back for you."

"No. You can't do that."

"You wanted me to be happy. Well, that'll make me happy. I want a life with you. I want a house and children and you can't just…"

She sighed and then peeked over the top of the truck bed. On either side there was only glittering, snow covered hills and valleys and bejeweled trees and bushes. She ducked down again, cheeks flushed from the bitter cold, and gave him a stern look.

"If I'm so free then I should be able to do whatever I want. And what I want is to be with you. Once the Ministry falls…"

They'd been saying it too often, Hermione knew. And she wondered if perhaps it was just a shallow hope. The war between the wizarding world and Voldemort's reign of terror had raged on for years and years. WERA was no closer to ending it than before and if there was much resistance it was not yet powerful enough to stop the massive power that Voldemort was still clinging to. Some people would never change their minds and prejudice would always exist. But maybe…

"If you come back you'll never be safe."

She swallowed and when she spoke her voice was firm.

"Here and now, make me a promise. Promise me that as soon as you can you'll run from them. Promise me."

Draco's face fell.

"Don't ask me to make a promise I can't be sure I can keep. If I run there's one less person to defy the Ministry."

Hermione took a deep breath, once more on the verge of tears she had hated to cry; she had shed too many tears already.

"When it's over," she emphasized. "Promise me you'll try."

"I promise I will try."

The truck rumbled on and the engine sputtered loudly making conversation impossible for a few seconds. Then he spoke.

"Once the weather breaks, you'll be going to Cardiff."

"Why there?"

"You have friends there," he replied his voice tinged with warmth. "There's a hospital there and you'll be able to find work. Hermione, you're brilliant. You could have been someone, if the world was different. But I'll make sure that you have a chance if I have to die trying."

Hermione marveled at him for a few moments, the way the shadows and light played in his white-blond hair, continuing to memorize him in these quiet, wordless moments. Then she took a breath.

"A hospital?"

"The Alice and Frank Memorial Magical Clinic."

Hermione's brow furrowed and Draco could nearly see her mind connecting the dots.

"Neville…?"

He nodded, reaching to touch her hand for a moment.

"Yes. He's quite popular in Cardiff. Some claim he's one of the city's best Healers and he founded the Clinic in memory of his parents."

Hermione sat back feeling floored for a few seconds and warmth flooded her body. Neville was alive! She had hoped and prayed he would be; she had prayed for so many of her friends and acquaintances and too many times her prayers had not been answered. She felt a thrill of joy run through her at Neville's success in a world where she had struggled for her life. If anyone was deserving, it was Neville.

Draco shared in her silent joy, not blind to the sudden flush of color that filled her face and the way her eyes lit up from the inside at the knowledge that a friend was doing well. Hermione had always cared more for others than for herself.

"He's going to get a great addition to his growing staff and doesn't even know it," Draco said with a half-smile. Unfortunately, what Neville was to unwittingly gain Draco knew he would have to give up.

Hermione swallowed, frozen for a few seconds by her raging emotions. Then, startled by the way her life seemed to be changing so quickly and drunk with the hope of being free, Hermione looked up at Draco.

"I only wish your life…I wish that you had something to look forward to," she whispered tearfully.

"I do," he replied with a quiet solemnity. "Your happiness."

Tears filled her eyes as she reached to clasp his hand more tightly.

"Please, come with me," she begged.

Draco felt himself swallow against a flood of his own tears.

"Don't ask me to do that, Hermione."

Nothing followed but the rumble of the truck against the pavement.


Several hours later Hermione and Draco ate a simple lunch of dried fruit and sandwiches that Victoria had put aside for them and then he broke the silence that lingered between them for over an hour.

She sensed his hesitation.

"Hermione, when we get to the train station that's as far as I go. Bernie will bring me back and then I'll be going back to London."

The sandwich had been especially delicious and the fruits both pleasantly sweet and tangy but his words made Hermione's mouth and stomach curdle.

"What about Charlie? You wouldn't want to talk to him? To see him?"

You wouldn't give me just another few moments, several minutes or even an hour or two to accept that this is the end?

She didn't speak for a few moments for she felt somehow betrayed.

"It wouldn't help you."

"Yes, it would."

"No. In the city no one will notice us. The train station is always busy. And you'll tell them Bernie brought you. Never mention me, Hermione. I don't want you tied to a Death Eater."

Her jaw was set with stubbornness.

"I happen to love a Death Eater!"

It was strange to hear such words, to even think them let alone know they were true. Blushing, she looked down at her hands.

"And I think he's the best thing that ever happened to me! The only good thing in this whole horrible war!"

His smile lingered but it was one of sadness, for Draco suddenly wished he had never been born.

"I understand why others bought into the Ministry's philosophy. It sounded good; we were all fooled. Some still are. There's no glory in these battles, only death and more destruction."

He reached to brush a rogue strand of chestnut hair from her shoulder. It saddened Draco that he would never see Hermione grow healthy and share in her joy. But he wished her as much happiness as the world could give anyone.

"This way you'll be free from all that. Free to start living a life you deserved nearly eight years ago. Free yourself from the taint of who I am and what we've done to you. Its better that way; you'll start anew. The less you say about me and what's happened between us the better off you'll be down the line."

Their fingers locked and Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

"I'll never be able to forget you and be free of this, Draco."

He smiled.

"Bloody hell, I don't want you to forget me!" he said and for a moment he laughed. The sound was beautiful. "I want you to remember us."

"Every moment," she promised with a whisper. "I'll never forget it. And I'll hold onto those memories until you come back to me."

She gave him a pointed look.

"Because you will."

He said nothing.


The train station was as busy as Draco had predicted it would be. Hermione followed him through the throngs of later afternoon travelers holding onto his hand tightly. The sea of faces confused her; it had been a long time since she had been out in the world. Soon that would change.

Soon I will be free.

Hermione forced herself to think of only that lest she focus on the fact that Draco was leaving her and she would be alone once more. But it was in return for her freedom…for the chance to see the children again. To see Ginny, wherever she was. She took comfort from such thoughts, knowing that finally, after all that time, they would come to fruition.

When they reached the outskirts of the throng, Draco turned and slipped off his cloak, wrapping it around her thin shoulders. She took in a breath of mint and cigarettes – a scent she had long ago begun to associate with him.

Bernie hurried to the ticket booth and left them alone for a few moments and Hermione felt suspended in time; there was nothing but Draco, the roaring of the people around them and the squawking of a man's voice through the loudspeakers though she wouldn't ever have been able to repeat what was being said. Her blood rushed through her ears making it impossible to hear.

Bernie returned much too soon, Hermione decided. That much less time with Draco.

"She's a'comin in ten minutes," he said handing Hermione a little white stub.

She took it and her face registered only bewilderment as if she had never seen a train ticket in her life. The older man patted her shoulder.

"Good luck, Hermione."

She looked up, mouth hanging open slightly. He had said something – wonderful, dear Bernie. She could only nod.

Only ten minutes. I only have ten minutes left with Draco.

"Y-yes."

She wasn't sure even if the word had made sense but she had no others to offer. There was a hug and then Draco was saying something to the older man and once more she and Draco were alone. His eyes were solemn, almost blue against the backdrop of sun and clear skies. She stared up at him, losing herself for a few moments in the depth of his gaze.

"You're going to be just fine, I promise. You've always been resilient, Hermione. It's one of those things that people envied about you, amongst many others."

Hermione was silent, not feeling like she was resilient, brave or any of those virtuous things that Draco was saying. Swallowing, she managed a few croaked out words.

"I'm so terrified."

He gathered her gently into his arms, pressing her head so that she was resting just under his chin.

"And you've always been able to fight it," he whispered in reply. She could tell now that his voice was choked.

Hermione felt the gentle way his lips pressed against the top of her head and closed her eyes, holding him tight.

"I don't want to fight it without you."

Yes, she sounded like a frightened, lost little girl but it would not be helped.

"You keep fighting and one day you'll win. You'll overcome all your fears and you'll be able to prove to the world that it can't break you, Hermione. You're brave. Fear only exists until you become its master."

Hermione looked up at Draco still safe in the circle of his arms. Beyond them the sound of a nearing whistle pierced the cold winter air causing her heart to stop. When it started it beat at a gallop for now she knew the train was nearing and her time with him would soon be gone.

But she liked the idea that someday she wouldn't feel fear; she liked knowing that if she kept on fighting she had a chance because it had never felt that way. Maybe now…now her life would be different. She gazed up at the man whom she loved as she had never loved another. So many words flooded her mind but there was none that could express her heart. How was it that she only had a few moments left within which she would have to tell him what she was thinking? How could she properly thank him for changing her life? He had loved her, cared for her and saved her…in more ways than one. He wore the Mark and yet never had there been a man with a purer heart and more integrity.

The train pulled into the station, the whistle making it impossible for any further conversation had there been any. Hermione's eyes filled with tears and amidst the crowd that snaked towards the doors as the cars slowed and then came to a stop with a proud whistle and hiss, she found she couldn't move.

Draco took her hand and she noticed his fingers were trembling.

"Remember what I told you," he said firmly. "You were with Bernie."

Her brown eyes widened with worry.

"What if they still f-find me?" she asked lamely hear heart pounding so hard there was a tell-tale quaver to her voice.

Her grip on his hand tightened. Around them other passengers began to board the train. Still, she could not move.

"They won't. You're going to be safe. No one knows where we are and once I return to London you'll be as good as free. They'll believe you're dead. And I already am, remember?"

He tenderly reached to stroke her face and she nodded mutely.

"It's time," he whispered and Hermione saw regret reflected in the stormy depths of his eyes and a deep, lingering sadness.

For a moment her body still refused to obey her and then in the next second she had flung her arms around him, her body shaking with emotion.

"I love you," she sobbed. "Thank you for everything. I swear once this is all over-"

The sobs made it impossible for her to continue and Draco leaned in to kiss her. It was a sweet, lingering kiss as if they had all the time in the world. She forced her eyes closed and held back her sobs so to make the caress last. She tasted the salty, bitter taste of her tears and moaned as his tongue gently caressed her lips and then begged entrance to her mouth which she offered willingly. They were lost to everything but each other.

The instant whistle broke them apart and Hermione finally found her words.

"I can't believe this is happening."

He swallowed and the taste and feel of her still dominated his senses.

"Take care of yourself."

"How can this be happening?"

She was breathless and her heart was breaking.

"I love you, Hermione."

"I'll never regret one moment of this horrible existence because of you."

"Don't forget what we talked about. Protect yourself."

There was a silence and finally he moved her from the platform onto the train. Hermione refused to let go of his hand as if holding him there would keep him at her side forever.

Finally, she had to and quickly she brought her hand to her mouth biting down on her knuckles to keep from falling apart. The sweet pain was a balm against the flood of ache that was yet to come. Tears rolled down her face silently and she watched as Draco leaned up to kiss her one last time.

The world stopped for a second and she only heard her own words.

"So…I'll be seeing you, then."

"Someday."

There were tears in his eyes.

She wept openly.

The train began moving and their hands broke apart though Hermione's remained in the same position, her fingers uncurling towards his still outstretched fingers. They gazed on one another as the train picked up momentum and the whistle blew.

She wouldn't hate him just because she had to go and he had to stay.

He was and would be the love of her life. Hermione remained in the same position her cheeks and face frozen with winter wind watching him until he became a dot on the platform and then the train turned a corner and he was gone.