Chapter 30 – After All, Fair Is Fair
A sound rang out as she floated in the darkness. She couldn't remember sound existing in this place. It had been a soft gray that surrounded her, a silvery river periodically drifting by and gently encircling her with a warm touch. Lifting her fingers to thread through the shimmering liquid, she smiled at its familiarity. She couldn't say why it was known to her, but she knew this watery space was protected and no harm would come to her. But this time the quicksilver was accompanied by music. Music that sounded like a melody from another world. Her mouth pulled down into a soft frown. The music was growing louder and more incessant. She felt almost as if the sound were pursuing her, but she couldn't move. The edges of her vision began to blur as the smoothness of her space distorted into something harsher. Panic began to rise and she grasped blindly for the comfort of her beautiful silver companion. It slipped through her fingers and terror seized her. Blinding flashes of light began to tear her world apart and as it all fractured around her, she prepared to fight whatever lay on the other side.
Blinking against the bright light, Hermione's vision was blurry and unfocused. She noticed with alarm, a heaviness in her limbs that severely hindered her ability to move. Her fingers twitched but her arm refused to comply. As her world came into sharper focus, she realized with a brief breath of relief, that she recognized her surroundings. However, when a certain fair-haired wizard filled her field of vision, the memory of his hate-filled words filled her ears and Hermione saw red as he whispered her name.
"You." She accused, malice and fury laced throughout every letter.
The blood drained from his already pale face. She felt a clammy grip on her hand and her eyes darted towards the touch, anger flashing across her brow. He quickly released her hand and tucked his hands in his lap, his fingers laced together tightly. She noticed with some satisfaction that his knuckles had quickly turned white from the pressure of his own grip.
Good, she thought with an ounce of malevolence, he should be frightened.
She attempted to will her limbs into cooperation. How long had she been in this position, she wondered furiously, that her body had reached some level of atrophy? Gritting her teeth, she pushed magic into her arms, forcing them to follow her command. A stinging sensation shot down both arms, resulting in small sparks emitting from her fingertips. She felt Malfoy's intense gaze as she lifted herself upright from the bed, dragging her legs towards her. Settling against the headboard of the bed as sweat beaded along her temples. Finally pulling her eyes up to rest upon his shrunken frame, she calmly placed her hands in her lap and gave him a withering glare.
"Draco, what is your middle name?" she probed, a cold and detached air floating around the question.
Confusion flitted across his features as he flinched at her calm use of his given name.
"I-I don't understand." He gaped, "Why do you want to know? Are you feeling alright? Do you need some water?"
She held up a trembling hand to halt his questioning. She wasn't interested in water for the moment, despite the dry scratching of her throat.
"I asked," she reiterated, emphasizing every word, "What. Is. Your. Middle. Name?"
"Lucius." He whispered, his eyes wide.
A nasty smile curled the edges of her lips, meant to be predatory rather than reassuring. Taking a deep breath , preparing to verbally destroy the distressed wizard in front of her.
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY!" her voice thundered, nearly cracking under the effort, "YOU DISGRACEFUL AND VINDICTIVE LITTLE FERRET. I DIDN'T SURVIVE TORTURE UNDER YOUR PSYCHOTIC AUNT TO EXPERIENCE THE INDESCRIBABLE TERROR OF HAVING AN ANCIENT AND SLIGHTLY UNSTABLE WELSH GODDESS FORCED UNWILLINGLY INTO MY BODY THUS RESULTING IN A BINDING CONNECTION TO YOUR SORRY ARSE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY NATURAL LIFE JUST TO DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS THE EMOTIONAL MATURITY OF A TWO-YEAR OLD THAT WAS TOLD TO SHARE THE SANDBOX WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN!"
Draco sat dumbstruck as she shrieked at nearly ear-splitting volume. His mouth moved to respond when she shot him an exceptionally dangerous look.
"I know that you cannot be foolish enough to speak before I've allowed you to." She warned, the threat hanging in the air.
His mouth snapped shut and she continued to eviscerate him.
"One minute I am trying to give you a bloody gift and the next thing I know, I'm floating in some gray space with no idea of how I got there!? I felt Cerridwen's bristle at your ridiculous behavior and then it all went black." She raged, "I know Slytherins are known for hiding their emotions, but SWEET MERLIN, the entire lot of you need mountain of therapy if this is your reaction to simple gestures."
The air was thick was tension and crackled with magical energy. Her tell-tale sparks of fury giving off small flashes of light. Her anger was so great that she noticed that even the ends of Draco's fine hair had frizzed due to the amount of wrath rolling off her. As if he had stuck his hand on a plasma globe, she thought with a snort. He seemed to shrink further at her sound of amusement.
"I spent a frivolous amount of magical effort creating that gift." She snapped, "Even if you didn't like it, you could have at least declined it in a more polite manner. I thought Purebloods were taught proper etiquette and all that rot?"
She fixed him with an expectant look. He looked stuck between answering her question and keeping his lips clamped firmly together. She pursed her lips in irritation, waiting.
"I," he breathed, "I thought it a joke, a mockery of my past failures."
She threw back her head in a derisive laugh upon hearing his words. Was he truly so blinded by his self-loathing?
"Oh ye of little faith." She ridiculed, "If I had truly desired to mock you, there are much more wicked ways in which to accomplish this. However, seeing as you are my blundering companion in all this, I am forced to educate you."
She took another breath, smoothing the covers at her waist as she prepared to deliver the final emotional blow.
"Do you know why I gave you that music box?" she quipped, "I made the blasted thing because I was struggling to find a way to show my appreciation for all the things you've done here, for me, and will eventually for the Order. You were so wrapped up in your own perceived slights that you refused to even open the box and see what was inside and the importance of its meaning."
Her eyes shot to the item in question, her features softening momentarily.
"That box contained one of my favorite memories as a child, one that specifically included my parents. They adored Russian waltzes and even taught me the melody on the piano." She hissed, "You would have known that if you had bothered to ask rather than make assumptions. I made that for you because, in some twisted way, I've grown to care about you Draco Malfoy. However, I'm finding I may need to re-evaluate that decision."
She watched with some mirth as his eyes slowly widened, the heavy implication of her words dawning. His mouth opened then closed. Hunching over, he raked his hand through his hair. Hermione merely sat in silence, granting him time to process. Despite the rapid-fire delivery of her words and tingling numbness of her limbs, she was oddly energized. Several minutes passed before he sat upright and looked her full in the face.
"You care…" he paused quietly, "About me?"
"Obviously or else I wouldn't have said it. I'm not one to mince words on important matters." She scoffed.
"But how?" he started.
"How? Is that honestly the question you've decided on? It doesn't matter how I came to care for you, you prat." She remarked lazily, "I must have lost my mind in the process, but apparently, I do."
He stared hard at her for another full minute before he launched himself off the chair, wrapping his arms around her and burrowed his face in the crook of her neck. Hermione stiffened at the unexpected movement, but the warmth of his touch urged her to melt into him. This had been the reaction she had originally hoped for, another part of her had also hoped for a more amorous outcome. But, for now, this would do. Besides, she was still rather cross with him.
"Can you forgive me?" he whispered heavily into her hair.
Hermione knew how difficult those words must have been for him to speak and she wasn't one to hold unnecessary grudges. She had no room for such things. She nodded silently and he pulled back.
"Now that we've got that sorted out." She prompted, "Go get me a glass of water. You've got some explaining to do."
Draco spent the next hour giving a very brief summary of what he had been up to for the past several weeks, careful to exclude his little crying session in the dirt. She had sat silently, nodding occasionally, while taking small sips of water. She didn't utter a single word til he finished his story and solemnly pointed to the rose. He hoped she had understood, without him outright saying it a second time, just how dreadfully sorry he was for his actions and that he had desperately tried to make up for them in her absence. The improvements, the ward work, the magic. He had done it all for her. He was still mentally spinning from her earlier confession.
Hermione Granger, vessel to the goddess Cerridwen, Muggle-born, the unofficial Golden Gryffindor Princess, and Brightest Witch of their Age had feelings for…him. The Slytherin Prince, scion of the ancient Houses of Black and Malfoy, blood traitor and ex-Death Eater, and attempted assassin of the late Albus Dumbledore. He was still waiting for Blaise's cool retort or Pansy's shrill voice to pull him from this dream. He ached to pull her into his arms again and confess the depth of his affection, but alas, the timing was deplorable.
"I know how excited you were to see this bloom," he began, "Luckily, it is still blooming outside. I cut this blossom as I was unsure of how long you'd be under and I wanted you to see one just in case."
She smiled softly at the lovely flower and ran the tip of her finger along the velvety petals.
"I appreciate the gesture Draco. It truly is a gorgeous specimen." She replied, "The colors look rather unique though."
He nodded in agreement. Silence returned between them and Draco felt the unfamiliar sensation of awkwardness. She must had sensed his discomfort and placed her hand on his.
"I've forgiven you Draco. I could have strangled you when I first woke up, but I'm sure you understand the depth of your mistakes and won't commit them again?" she warned, raising an eyebrow to emphasize her point.
"I have most assuredly realized my errors." He confirmed.
"Wonderful. I am thoroughly exhausted and ready to rest." She responded, easing back down into the bed.
Draco made to stand and move his chair and other items downstairs when her voice interrupted him.
"Where are you going?" she called out wearily.
"Going back downstairs to sleep." he answered cautiously optimistic, a bubble of hope settling into his chest.
"Don't be silly." She fussed, "You've been sleeping by my side for the past several weeks. It's ridiculous for you to move back downstairs. Besides this bedroom is large enough for the both of us. We'll figure the bed situation out soon enough. We are basically stuck together forever. Might as well get used to it, eh?"
Draco almost dropped his wand. Two for one in a single evening. An admission of feelings and a permanent invitation to stay? He took a calming breath in an effort to restrain himself. Giving a light cough afterwards to avoid appearing too keen, he lazily transfigured the chair into his usual bed and slid in slowly.
"Of course." He quipped, "Goodnight Hermione."
She only hummed in response, rolling over onto her side. Draco quickly extinguished the bedside light and grinned brilliantly towards the darkened ceiling. Little did he know, that just on the other side, she was smiling just as brightly.
The next morning Draco assisted Hermione down the stairs to see all the changes he had made after she loudly declared that despite being in a magical coma, she was quite over being inside. She was still very weak physically, however, her mind was as alert as ever. While he worked into the garden, she asked many questions and grilled him for all the information he had gained during his studies. He had been particularly amused at how comically large her eyes got when he informed her that the music box was indeed real.
"You can't be serious?!" she squeaked, "Legitimate, as in I just casually performed alchemy and transfiguration simultaneously without realizing it, legitimate?"
"Deadly serious." He answered dryly, "I'm a Malfoy and we know our jewels."
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the book on her lap. He resumed pulling weeds, immensely enjoying the return of her company. As his fingers worked the dirt, he was reminded of just how vastly different his world had become. He was relishing the presence of someone he had once sworn to hate for eternity. He wondered sadly if his mother would approve of his newfound outlook and labors. He must have paused too long when Hermione's voice drew him from his thoughts.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, a small smile on her lips.
"What's a penny?" he responded, frowning when she gave a light laugh.
"Muggle currency. Let me re-phrase. Knut for your thought?" she replied, closing her book softly.
"My thoughts are worth much more than a Knut." He sniffed.
"Prat." She muttered, reaching down to pick a blade of grass.
"I'd settled for no less than a Galleon." He smirked, watching her hands close around the picked piece of green, "What are you doing there Granger? Another Muggle habit?"
"No, just crafting my payment for such expensive thoughts." She countered, taking a deep breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded, slightly alarmed at the glow emitting from her hands.
Her eyes opened followed by a sharp exhale. She unclasped her hands and tossed the object towards Draco. Grateful for his Seeker reflexes, he caught the item and released a strangled choke when he recognized what lay in his palm. It was a long shard of flawless emerald. She had just transfigured a bit of grass into a stunning gem. He gaped up at her smirking visage.
"I believe that pays for several thoughts." She teased, flashing him a wide smile.
"Granger, you just can't transfigure a bloody emerald and then just toss them around casually." He croaked out, feeling a bit light-headed.
"I can and I did." She responded simply, "Now spill."
He gave an irritated sigh. Stubborn witch!
"Was just contemplating about whether my mother would have approved of well..." He started, gesturing to their surroundings, "All of this."
Her face softened as she gave him a sad smile.
"If it helps, I wander the same thing." She offered.
He gave her an incredulous look.
"You care about my mother's opinion?" he hesitated before continuing, "Despite everything?"
"Of course," she maintained, "I also consider my own mother's opinion as well. I believe she might be a bit aghast upon hearing that I am living with the 'foul cockroach' I complained about so much over the years."
"You know Granger," he started, "Almost four years later and that insult still stings. That was the first time someone ever dared to insult me directly."
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," she teased, her nose scrunching up as her tongue poked out mockingly.
"How proper of you." he taunted in return, quirking an eyebrow in response, "So you've been talking about me to your mother eh?"
He pretended to inspect his dirt-caked fingernails casually as she let out a startled puff and a flush rose to her cheeks. She appeared too flustered for the moment to give him an actual verbal response. He internally admired how lovely she looked, all flushed because of him. I found he enjoyed that sensation very much. She appeared to regain her bearings, shooting him a dark look.
"You are ridiculous." She spoke with a shrill edge to her voice.
"Ridiculously handsome." he quipped, giving her a suggestive wink.
Draco knew if they survived this war, he would extract this particular memory and store it for infinite re-watching in the family Pensieve. Her reaction was too priceless. Giving a nearly full body twitch, she had gone ghastly white, and screeched on a level nearly matching a harpy. Or maybe a Mandrake. He smirked as her mouth opened and closed, like a beached fish. However, her accompanying words made it utterly perfect.
"No, that's not it!" She rushed out, gesturing wildly, "Wait! That's not what I meant. I'm not saying you're not NOT attractive. Like you are handsome, but I meant like you are…ugh. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
He just grinned in return, giving her a nod of acknowledgement. She threw up her hands in surrender.
"I will hex you." She snapped, her eyes narrowed but no malice existed under her words, "Fine. You win. I think you are fit. Happy now?"
"Deliriously so." He joked, "Best gift you've given me yet."
"Speaking of gifts, my birthday is next week. So you better get to work on my present." She replied airily, "Also, it falls right around Mabon, so make it extra special."
Now it was Draco's turn to react quite violently to her words.
HER BIRTHDAY. SWEET SALAZAR, MERLIN, AND CIRCE!
While his mind shouted in panic, he vaguely heard the sounds of her laughter permeating his thoughts. Cutting his eyes to her, he knew this could be his chance to redeem himself for his poor reaction during his own birthday. His mind raced. With the summer harvest coming to a close and the cool weather crop only beginning, he had more time to prepare. Her voice cut through his thoughts.
"Earth to Draco!" she sang out, letting out another giggle.
"Don't you worry Granger." He responded, recovering quickly with a conspiratorial glint in his grey eyes, "You are in for quite the surprise."
Her only answer was an audible gulp and Draco began furiously plotting.
Post A/N: We are so close! I've got some really special magic in the next chapter and I had oh so much fun writing it out. You've all been so patient with me and I promise we are about to go full steam ahead, only a handful of chapters left! - delphicpigeon