Summary: "You could have been something. You could have been someone. But you blew it."-When Hermione Granger finds Draco Malfoy crying in the girls' bathroom, she decides to find out what's wrong. With only the girl who he despises willing to help him, things are going to change. DM/HG. Compliant up to Order of the Phoenix

Mature content and themes, explicit language.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to Ms. JK Rowling.


Chapter 29: Brightness

He flipped through the Daily Prophet his pumpkin juice in his hand, as he read about the death eater activity all over the country. They truly were back. Back to ruin his family, once again.

Looking up from the paper, he took a risky glance towards the Gryffindor table, where he immediately found Granger, who was animatedly explaining something to Potter and Weasley.

They'd met up three times since he got discharged from the hospital wing, all three times resulting in a clumsy tumble to the Room of Requirement, and a mess of limbs lazily slung over one another, wrapped in soft, white bed sheets. They simply laid together for long periods of time, talking about what seemed like the most irrelevant things in the world. Still, somehow, those irrelevant things were what made up their everything, inside that small, cozy room.

A picture of them drifted into his mind, as he remembered them laying together under the sheets, Granger sitting between his legs, as he rested his chin on the crook of her neck, and ran his fingers along her abdomen.

"Are you sure Granger? How can you know that all of these creatures live underwater?"

"Muggles have researched, and studied the oceans for years. We've learnt so much about our waters, yet we have barely discovered anything. The oceans are a whole different world from what we have up here. It's so fascinating."

"I thought muggles didn't have gillyweed, or any spells to help them breathe underwater. How did they see all that?"

"I've told you this before, Draco. Although muggles don't have magic, they have used their brains to cement their position into our planet's history. They have invented so much useful technology, things you won't even be able to comprehend, Draco."

"Have you ever been to the ocean, Granger?"

"Many times. My mum and dad used to take me to the beach every summer. I had so much fun...you know, I'm quite the swimmer."

"I see you are also quite a modest witch, Granger."

"Like you're one to talk."

He couldn't help but smile to himself, as he remembered the way she had giggled, and playfully pushed his shoulder, before melting into him even more. Being with her...it just made him forget everything. Her pure goodness distracted him from all the evil in the world, and allowed him to pretend that nothing in the world existed, other than just the two of them, alone in whichever corner of the castle they took shelter in.

"Draco."

He snapped out of his trance, as he immediately turned to his Italian friend, sitting to his left.

"Yeah?"

Blaise was evidently nervous, seemingly unable to form words, as he fidgeted in his seat, not making any eye contact.

"What the fuck are you—"

"I'm going back home on Friday. Mum wants me to meet her new husband. And...I think I should see her this year."

"You're actually going this year?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"What do you mean wow?"

"You never go. You see...I don't know how to put this—"

"I know mate, my relationship with my mum is shit. She's never seemed to care about anything other than finding new husbands, and I've never made an extra effort."

"So how come this year you're going?"

"I don't know...I think it's just time I move past everything. At the end of the day, she's my mother, and I'm her son. Regardless of whatever has happened, I think I am a hugely to blame for our…not so great relationship."

"Damn."

"What?"

"When did you get so mature?"

"Oh I don't know...maybe since you started sticking around less often. Bad influences can turn the best of children into cheeky rebels."


"No Neville, the wand is held at a 30 degree angle, not straight at the opponent."

"Wait, wait, Hermione, can you say that again? I need to write this down…"

She rolled her eyes, but a barely there smile tugged on her lips, as she walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts with her friends.

"You know," called Ron, from her left, "I haven't seen Luna much lately. Do you think she's doing alright?"

"I'm sure she's fine, Ron. She must be busy looking for some sort of imaginary bug."

They finally made it to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Snape was already waiting for them at his desk. The group made their way to their regular table, before they heard a sharp, piercing voice.

"No, Potter. How about we do something different today? Weasley, sit with Boot at the table in the front. Longbottom, sit with Macmillan. Potter, Granger...the both of you may take a seat with Draco and Blaise."

She looked to her right to see Harry's eyebrows shoot up to the sky, as she saw his fists immediately clench

"Don't make a scene."

"He did this on purpose. That bloody bastard..."

"Harry…"

"He put us with Malfoy because he knows Malfoy will try to fuck my head up. And then he gets an easy opportunity to give me detention."

"And don't give him that opportunity to give you detention. Just ignore them. It's just a table."

She took the risk to glance at Draco, who's eyes immediately looked away the moment they'd come into contact with hers. They made their way to the table, and wordlessly took a seat, Hermione beside Draco, and Harry beside Blaise. No one dared speak, as an awkward silence ghosted over them.

Many moments had passed, with not one of them speaking, before finally, it was Draco who broke the silence.

"So, Potter."

Please, no.

She immediately kicked him under the table, perhaps harder than she had intended, but continued to look forward like nothing had happened.

"What the fuck—"

"What the fuck are you even talking about Malfoy—"

"Harry, please. Please."

She had said Harry's name, but her words were intended for someone else. Under the table, she reached to grab Draco's hand, and began to brush her thumb across his knuckles. They were rigid and stiff at first, but soon, they'd melted into her touch. She made eye contact with him for a tenth of a second, before immediately looking away once more, afraid everyone would find out about what was happening under the table.

She almost laughed at the thought. Her and Draco Malfoy, holding hands under the table. Just a few months ago, she would have slapped anyone if they had told her she'd be doing something like this.

When she saw Snape approach them, she reluctantly let go of his hand, and immediately felt a loss of warmth, as the remainders of his touch barely buzzed on her skin.

"Today we will be learning about advanced shield charms. For this, I will need two students to volunteer...no, Ms. Granger, not you. How about Potter and Mr. Malfoy?"

"Holy fucking—"

"Harry." She hissed, as he swore under his breath. He made eye contact with her, and nodded.

She turned to look at Draco, who had a set jaw, and refused to look at her. She needed to make eye contact with him just once, simply to relay her message to him. She trusted that Harry wouldn't do anything out of place, and hoped Draco wouldn't either.

"Duelists, position yourselves across each other. Bow, and then commence the duel."

She watched as they obeyed Snape's orders, and slowly rose from their bows. Almost immediately, Harry had struck, but Draco was ready for it. He casted a nonverbal shielding charm, dissolving the spell in its tracks. Soon, colours were bursting out of their wands, as they dueled, both wizards fierce and determined, with their jaws set, and beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads. The entire class watched in silence, as they glued their eyes onto the two perseverant wizards in front of them, not looking away for even a second.

Just as Draco cast one more spell, Harry's shield was up and ready. However this time, he used a deflecting shield, causing the spell to bounce off and go in another direction. Before she could move, she spell hit Hermione right in the shoulder, scorching her robes, and an almost immediate burning sensation spreading across her arm. She turned to see a huge hole on her sleeve, with a medium sized burn on her shoulder. She could feel the entire class's eyes on her, as she tried to cover her arm with her hand.

"Hermione!" called Harry.

"I'm okay. It's just a burn."

"Miss Granger, it seems as though you need to take a trip to the hospital wing."

"I'll go with her." called Ron.

Snape took a few moments to answer, but finally opened his mouth, seemingly conflictingly.

"Very well. Go along Weasley, Miss Granger. As for the rest of you, partner up and practise amongst yourselves. Potter, with Longbottom, and Malfoy, with Boot." He added.

She left the classroom with Ron, but craned her neck just as she left, to get a quick glance at Draco. All she saw was a wisp of blonde hair, before she had exited the classroom.


"I mean, what was he fucking thinking? Putting you with Potter?"

"He's done it before. Second year."

"You know, at this point, I think he's just doing this for entertainment."

He nodded, as he quickly finished his dinner eager to find Granger. He couldn't speak to her in class, because it would seem odd. He simply had to watch Weasley go with her, as he stood there like an idiot, unable to do shit. He had hurt her, and he felt fucking guilty about it.

"I'm going to go. I'll see you later."

"Alright. See you."

With a quick nod to his friend, he was off, immediately headed to the library, guessing that Granger would most likely be there. He rushed through the halls, almost bumping into a few people, as he finally made it to his destination.

He immediately went to the back, where Granger would always be, her face usually buried in a book.

And he was right.

He found her exactly where he thought she would be, her nose buried in a thick book about some sort of ancient runes. Quickly, he made his way to her, making sure no one saw him.

"Granger."

She slowly looked up, her warm brown eyes moving up to meet his. She pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear, as he watched her nibble on her lip ever so gently.

"Draco."

He advanced, and took a seat right beside her, unsure of what exactly to say.

"Granger...are you okay?"

"I'm completely fine, Draco. It was just a little burn. Madame Pomfrey healed it in less than a minute."

"Listen...I just…"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry. It was my fault. You shouldn't have gotten hurt in the first place."

No matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn't hide the smile that graced her features in that moment. It was the purest of smiles, as her face simply lit up, as if she embodied an angel. She couldn't explain with words just how much it meant to her, seeing him sacrifice for that much of his pride, just to come and apologize to her.

It should have been nothing, yet, it was everything.

She boldly leaned forward, and slowly lifted her hands to run her fingers through his hair, inching closer to him, until her hand slipped down to cup his cheek, and give him a soft kiss.

When she pulled away, she gave him the biggest smile, causing him to drown in her features even more.

"What was that for?" he questioned.

"Must there be a reason for everything?"

After staring into her eyes for what seemed like forever, Draco leaned back in to give her another kiss, this time entwining his hand in her soft locks, his other hand on her thigh. She deepened the kiss, with bold swipes of her tongue, as Draco pulled her into his lap, never once breaking the kiss.

Her skirt rode up high on her thighs, as he ran his hands over the creamy length of her legs, his eyes closed, lost in the intoxicating taste of her.

It was bloody glorious.

"Draco…" she said, finally breaking the kiss, slightly out of breath. "Let's go to the Room of Requirement."


They found themselves wrapped up in blankets once more, as they laid together in their little room, in the Room of Requirement, on the seventh floor.

Hermione rested her head on Draco's chest, as he had one arm wrapped around her, their feet tangled under the blankets.

"I just realized. Christmas holidays are in a week." she exclaimed.

"It's Christmas already…"

"I completely forgot to respond to Mum's letter. She was asking where I'd be spending Christmas this year."

"Where do you usually go?" He asked, turning his body to face her, their noses just inches apart.

"Usually I go to the Burrow, and spend Christmas with the Weasleys—"

"You really go to the rat's nest every year—"

"Draco."

"Alright, alright."

She shook her head, and rolled her eyes at him, and cracking the faintest of smiles, before continuing.

"Harry and I always go with Ron to celebrate with the Weasleys. They're such a wonderful family, Christmas with them is always so...cozy. It makes me feel so happy, just being there with my best friends."

"I'm going to assume that's where you're going this year as well?"

"Actually, no."

"Where are you going then?"

"This year...I was planning on going home. Spending Christmas with Mum and Dad. They haven't seen me in so long...I need to make some time for them. They deserve that from me."

"Mmmm." he mumbled.

"What about you? Are you going back to the Manor?"

"The Manor…"

She looked at him questioningly, as he seemed to almost zone out, thinking something in his head.

"It's a mere carcass of what it was once before. I have so many memories of that place...Christmas was my favourite holiday growing up. That building was once my home, my childhood. Now it's simply a dark manor, hidden behind huge metal fences"

She saw him close his eyes, and she knew it was to hide his vulnerability.

"What about your mum and dad?"

"Them...they're as good as dead. And anyways, I'm staying this year. I can't go back to the Manor…"

His words were vague, but she understood what he was trying to tell her. She moved forward a bit, allowing him to wrap his arm around her waist.

"So you're going to be alone this year for Christmas?

"Pretty much. I don't mind, it's pretty much been this way for two years. I've gone home the last two years, but I've never gotten to really spend Christmas with my parents again. Somehow...I lost everything so quickly. I don't even realize their absence now."

"Draco…"

He tried to turn away, but she reached out to slowly brush her thumb against his cheek, dipping his head slightly so their fringes touched.

"What if I stay?"

"What?"

He immediately looked up to make eye contact with her, his grey ones staring straight into her brown.

"I could stay here for Christmas. With you."

"Granger, you don't have to do that—"

"No, Draco. You can't be alone—"

"Granger there's no need—"

"I'm staying."

He considered pushing her to go a bit more, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't want her there with him. Being without her for two weeks...it seemed like a nightmare to him at that point.

It struck him then, just how much she was doing for him. She had been so eager to spend Christmas with her parents, but changed her plans in the blink of an eye, just so that he would have company. Unlike him, she had a whole life, a life worth living, outside of the four walls of whichever room they shared. She had everything, just if she left his arms. She could do anything, she could be anything. She was Hermione Granger.

And yet, she chose to stay with him. She chose to leave everything, and push everything to the side, just for him. Nothing would happen to her if she had ghosted him. In fact, she'd be far better off without him in her life. Weasley had shown interest in her, and she had once loved him. She could easily leave behind all this, bury it like it had never existed, and go be happy with Weasley.

He was the stain on her beautiful, white dress.

If she left him, he would be alone, once more. If she stopped seeing him, he would drown back into his pool of darkness. He'd be haunted once more by his demons. She should have been nothing to him, but somehow, she had become everything.

Slowly, he reached up to push her hair behind her ear, before leaning in to give her a firm kiss.

Pulling apart, he saw her give him the brightest smile, illuminating the entire room, making it seem like the world they lived in was one where Voldemort didn't exist, and one where he was...happy. One where his parents were in love, one where he wasn't known as a death eaters son.

She moved closer to him, placing her forehead against his chest, as he tightened his hold on her, slowly running his hands through her hair.

When you smile

The whole world stops

And stares, just for a while

You make everything so much better

You are the light in my darkness.


Finally finding her boyfriend, Ginny made her way to the fireplace, just as she saw her brother get up to go to the restroom.

"Harry."

He turned around, and gave her a smile, before pulling her down to give her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Hey, Ginny."

"I wanted to talk to you about something. This is a good time, because Ron's not here.

"What is it?"

"Have you realized that Hermione hasn't been returning to her dormitory lately? It's ten thirty right now, and I haven't seen her since dinner."

"Oh…"

"Harry, do you know something about this?"

He inhaled deeply, before pursing his lips, contemplating a response.

"Ginny, I really want to tell you, but Hermione is my best friend. I need to respect her trust in me. I know where she is, and she is completely fine, that much I can guarantee you."

She looked into the fireplace gravely, taking to few minutes to think, before responding.

"Alright. If you say she's okay, then it's okay. I trust you, Harry."

He pulled her into a hug, before giving her a quick kiss on her forehead.

He hoped he really was telling the truth. He hoped that Hermione really was okay.


a/n: ahhhhh SUPER LATE UPDATE. Exams are still going on, but it's just a few more days, and I'll be done! I finally got this chapter done, thank goodness. I just rewatched Titanic a few days ago, and I am ACHING again. It just hurts me guys. Sometimes, I lay in bed at night, thinking about Titanic, and cry to myself.

Holyshit, cases are skyrocketing here. People seem to have gotten so lenient in regards to COVID restrictions. C'mon guys, let's continue to social distance! Wear masks! Follow the rules! It's really not hard.

I know this is VERY late, but thank you to all the Americans for going out and voting! Y'all did it right, this time around. Democracy is such a beautiful thing.

Keep reviewing guys, I love to see them. They just make me so happy.

Stay safe,

Sydney.