She didn't hear. Didn't see. She had walked into the great hall unprepared for what she had seen. Nothing could make it right. She collapsed to her knees, eyes fixed, unmoving on his lifeless body. They had survived 7 years together, for one to be killed in the final minute. How had it happened anyway?
"Hermione. Mione." She heard voices, but didn't register. "Are you ok?" She didn't know what to say. Numb. Cold. She couldn't move. How long did she sit there? For how long did she stare in the eyes of death? For how long did the tears come, but not spill? She heard movement.
"Hermione!" Who was it? She sounded familiar. "Hermione! Get up!" Oh. It was Ginny. "What are you…" Ginny followed her eyes. "Oh godric. Sweetheart. Oh shit." Ginny was the only person that knew about him. She grabbed Hermione's arm and shook it. No response. Slapped her cheeks. Nothing. Nothing worked. "Oh sweetheart. I'm so sorry." Hermione melted into the redhead's arms, inhaling the scent of war that was embedded in her thin, red shirt. The scent jolted her back to reality. The tears spilled, soaking Ginny's vest. "Oh sugar…." Ginny looked at her. "Harry. Ron. Go to Madam Pomfrey and get a pepper-up." They just stared at her. "Now!" she snapped. They hurried to do as she asked.
She crawled forward, tearing her leggings. She cupped his cheek. It was cold. People were staring at her. She felt his pulse. Nothing. No, no. Please no. No. He's alive. He's alive. Her hand fell to his heart, searching, searching. Where was it? Where was Draco? Nowhere? She checked all the pulse points. No, it has to be somewhere. She looked for it everywhere. What the hell had happened to him? She pressed her lips to his cold ones. It wasn't one like Snow White. It couldn't be true. Was Draco really… gone?
Ginny had silently followed her, hugging her as her tears fell. "I'm so sorry," she said, rubbing Hermione's back. "So sorry." Ginny repeated. Hermione fell limp. Harry and Ron came back, gasping at the sight of Hermione. "What happened to her?" "Just shocked," Ginny replied crisply. "We have to get her out of here. Now." They just stared at her. "What happened?" they repeated. "Nothing! Ronald Billius Weasley, Harry James Potter! Get her out of here!" Ginny's voice got louder and higher with every word. They nodded silently, gathering her up.
She watched out the window. It was a grey day. It actually wasn't. It was a brilliant blue sky, but it seemed like Hermione only saw in shades of grey. "Hermione. I brought you soup." Hermione turned away from the window. "I'm not hungry." Her cheeks were hollowed and her eyes bloodshot. Ginny silently crossed the room with the tray. "We both know why you're like this. You need to eat. He wouldn't want you to waste away. "I don't want to fucking eat! I want to die!" Tears fell from her eyes, as she felt a soft hand wipe them away. "Draco wouldn't want you to die."
"But he did."
"I know."
Ginny forced her to eat a bite of soup. It tasted bitter. She closed the door as Hermione broke down again. Ron and Harry were waiting for her. "Will you finally tell us why she's like this?" Ginny sighed in exasperation. "She is grieving for the dead. I've told you." They looked at her. "It's been over six months! There is no reason for her to be that sad!" Ginny fixed them with a measuring look. "There is. And I'm sure Hermione will tell you in her own time."
"Hermione- open up!" The girl in question stared out the window, unhearing. Ginny burst the door open. "I'm tired of this. You need to move on." Harry and Ron pressed their ears closer to the door. "Look. I've arranged for us to visit the grave. You will pay your respects, and will move on with your life!" Ginny stopped her harsh tone. Harry and Ron couldn't hear anymore. "He loves you, and he needs you to let go."
Harry and Ron followed Ginny as she drove down the road. They wondered where they were going that they couldn't apparate. As large ornate gates came into view, they cursed. Malfoy Manor.
Hermione was dressed in an emerald heavy-felt winter coat with black leggings. Her wild hair was covered by a black hat, and she wore thin, black gloves. An elf led them into the house. The door opened, quietly, silently. A thin, blonde woman stepped out, beautiful in all her years. "Hermione Granger. I was wondering when you'd show up."
Harry and Ron watched, hidden under the cloak, as Narcissa Malfoy embraced Hermione, and as she cried into her shoulder. Ginny stood like a pillar of salt, stoic, and supportive. Narcissa ushered them inside, Harry and Ron quietly following. They couldn't hear their conversation, but heard one snippet. "Can I please see it?" In Hermione's grief-ridden voice, and a strong, "Of course."
They had a whispered debate. "Why the bloody hell would Hermione be visiting a Malfoy's grave?" Harry shrugged. "Maybe Tonks was buried here?" Ron made a face. "Still… A Malfoy."
They watched as Hermione pulled stark red roses out of her bag. They crunched along the snow, vanishing their footprints. At last, they came to a grave. It was freshly made, with a beautiful, black-marble headstone with strong silver lettering.
DRACO MALFOY
JUNE 5TH 1980 - MAY 2ND, 1998
MISSED BY
LOVING MOTHER
GUILTY FATHER
SECRET LOVE
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Harry's eyes widened as Hermione collapsed, hugging the headstone. She sobbed, stroking the cold marble. Ginny knelt down, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Narcissa Malfoy's expression broke, grief filtering through the cracks in her composed face. "How can I forget you? I love you!" Harry gasped audibly. No one heard. Ron looked on the scene with horror. "That's why she was so sad when we went horcrux hunting! That's why she shut herself away for weeks after seeing Malfoy at the manor!"
"I guess she missed him a lot. She was the victim of a broken heart." Harry added, softly.
"I don't want to forget!" Hermione exclaimed. "Why should I forget you? Why did you have to die?" Harry and Ron turned away. It felt wrong to be watching such a private moment. "You promised me you would survive! That you would…" Hermione paused. "Hold on for me." Tears fell into the pristine snow. "Please come back. There are so many people who love you. I love you," Hermione whispered.
Red against white. Red roses against clean snow. A drop of warm blood on cold black marble. Three pairs of footprints, one irregular, leading away from Draco Malfoy's final resting place. A trail of tears leading away from her only love.