Chapter 45, Night 10
Hermione
I was entirely numb, and not from the cold. The cold was irrelevant compared to my pain. Ron was dead. Ron was dead when I should have saved him. Another of my best friends was dead.
I'd cried for a long time, and screamed for what felt like even longer. I screamed in pain, fear, and anger. It all came out at once and the only thing holding me together at all was Draco.
He held me tight the entire time I fell apart. Part of me wanted to be angry at him for keeping me from running to Ron, but I also knew he was right, I never would have made it anyway. While I cried Draco kept pulling me closer and rubbing soothing circles into my back while softly petting my hair.
We sat in silence in the tree when my tears subsided. I couldn't speak and I felt like Draco was afraid to. He'd officially seen me weaker than anyone else ever had, and it felt surprising to both of us. Of all the people in the world I could let my guard down to, I'd never pictured it being Draco Malfoy.
I looked up at Draco finally and realized he was looking back at me. Part of me wondered how long he'd been gazing at me like he was now. My spirits tried to lift slightly at the look in his eyes, but they fell flat as the thought of Ron swept back into my mind.
Draco must have noticed the sadness in my eyes, as he pulled me closer and whispered softly, "You alright?" I nodded slowly and he nodded back. I leaned my head back against his chest and felt him hesitate before placing his chin on the top of my head.
I was surprised at how natural curling up with Draco was. I took a deep breath before speaking for the first time in hours, "I can't believe he's gone."
I felt Draco nod against my head before he whispered, "I can't either really." His voice was sincere and I could tell he felt about Ron's death the way I had about so many others in the arena, shocked. It was so shocking to have so many people we'd grown up with die. Bullies, allies, friends, it didn't matter, we'd all grown up together, so every loss affected us all in one way or another.
Draco finally whispered again, "I can't believe it's almost over." I nodded again. I knew what he meant. There couldn't be long left in the 'game', there were only seven of us left after all.
The sad reality horrified me. Seven. Twenty-four of us had entered the arena, and there were only seven left. And soon there would only be one. One of us would leave and the rest would die.
I couldn't help but wonder about which one of us would be the lone survivor. The basic instinct part of me wanting to survive, but the thoughtful part of me wanted to die in the arena so I didn't have to live with the guilt of nearly everyone I knew dying.
I had a sad feeling Harry wouldn't escape. The last time I'd paid attention, he'd practically been a shell, everything else was gone. He had no spirit, no will. And I was almost certain things had gotten worse after Ron.
I felt Draco's breathing slow as he drifted off to sleep, and I drifted to my thoughts of Draco. I wanted him to make it out, and I knew he could do it. He'd been so strong since entering the arena. He'd been through so much before coming in, from what he'd told me, so this was just the cherry on top.
I took a deep breath and let it out softly. I loved being around Draco, and I didn't understand it. Just weeks before the arena, he had been my tormentor, and now we were cuddled in a tree together.
I felt fear at the thought of something bad happening to him, and I felt safe with him. I felt happy in his arms, and butterflies in my stomach. What was happening to me?
I began to drift off to sleep finally, my thoughts still focused on the person holding me, Draco Malfoy.
Author's Note: Hi peeps! I just wanted you to know I think you're all awesome! I also wanted to ask anyone who's still reading to PLLLLLLEASSSSSE leave some reviews! I see people reading, but I feel like you don't like it anymore since you're not reviewing. I also wanted everyone to know that this story is indeed nearing it's end. My goal is to end it by the one year mark of writing it. But remember, surprises still await! Thanks for reading and stay awesome! -ZutaraDramione97-
