Chapter 45: The Reunion
"Oh, Luna, I'm so sorry," Draco said, waving his wand and returning the cup to its unbroken form. He pointedly tried to avoid looking at Hermione as he picked up his cup and walked it over to the sink. Hermione stood a few steps in front of the door, frozen in place. Draco stayed by the sink as long as possible. Luna broke the silence.
"Hermione, come sit down. I'll bring you some tea." Luna bustled over to the stove and set a kettle boiling. Draco, realizing he had been standing by the sink for almost five minutes, slowly walked back over to his seat on the couch. He began tapping his feet as he glanced repeatedly at Hermione, who was fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Soon, Luna approached the seating area with a tray of tea and biscuits.
"Thanks, Luna," Hermione said, reaching for a cup of tea. "This is tea, right?"
"Yes, mostly," Luna replied serenely, setting the tray down on the coffee table and returning to her seat next to Draco. She rubbed her knees with her hands, looking back and forth between Draco and Hermione. "So, Hermione, what brings you-"
"I thought you were dead." Hermione stated, not looking up from her lap. Luna bit her lip.
"Hermione, I just met you yesterday!" Luna laughed. Hermione did not reply. Instead, she placed her cup down on the table and looked right at Draco.
"Why didn't you at least write to tell me you were safe?" She demanded, her eyes boring into his.
"Why would I?" Draco snapped back. "So you could have me arrested?"
Hermione frowned. "I wouldn't have told anybody!" She exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch.
"Either way," Draco said, folding his hands together, his elbows resting on his knees. "Why did you expect me to? Because you always told me you were alive?"
"That was different!" Hermione cried, knocking a few biscuits out of the bowl.
"Really, Granger? Was it?" Draco replied cooly. "I'm on the run right now, just like you were then."
Hermione's eyebrows knit closer together. "Well, then, why are you here?"
"If you care so much," Draco replied, almost sarcastically, "I'm here on business. I needn't tell you more."
"Draco, it's dangerous for you to be back..." Hermione began.
"You think I don't know that?!" Draco exclaimed, sitting up straight and slamming his palms against his legs. "Why else would I not contact you. Besides the obvious, of course."
"And what would that 'obvious' reason be?" Hermione inquired, her voice as shrill as a bat's.
"I think you know," Draco replied darkly, standing up. "Thanks for your help, Luna," he added, turning toward the door.
"No, Draco, I really don't know why!" Hermione interjected, standing up as well.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "You broke my heart, Hermione. You know that. You were my only hope. And you snuffed that flame out. Just ask Luna." Draco reached for the coat he had shed when he'd first come inside and began pulling it on.
"Excuse me?!" Hermione shrieked. Draco noted that her fists were clenched.
"Don't worry about me, Hermione," Draco sneered, pulling open the door. "I'm fine. Or rather, I was." He saw Hermione unclench her fists.
"Are you living alone?" She asked him, almost sadly.
"Of course not," Draco spat. "I'm doing just fine." With that, Draco stormed out, slamming the door shut behind him. He was about a hundred feet away from the house when he heard the door bang open again.
"Get back here, you bastard!" Hermione's voice echoed across the meadow. Draco continued walking as though he had not heard her. "I said, get back here!" Draco heard footsteps behind him, as Hermione came running behind him. Draco broke out into a sprint, but she caught up with him, tackling him to the ground.
"Get off me!" Draco exclaimed as Hermione began punching Draco in the chest. He tried to push her off, but she shoved his shoulder into the soft dirt and continued her assault.
"You- bloody- bastard..." Hermione choked between sobs and punches. "You- have- no- idea-"
Suddenly, Hermione was thrown back from Draco with a loud bang. Draco looked up to see Luna running toward them, her wand outstretched. Draco stood up, shaking, and dusted himself out. Luna knelt before Hermione and gathered her up in her arms. Hermione's body was racked with sobs and blood flowed freely from her knuckles.
"Go!" Luna called out to Draco. "I'll take care of her! Just go!"
Draco looked around, frightened, as he heard a commotion from the other side of the large hill that was situated in front of Luna's house.
"Go!" Luna cried as the sound of the commotion grew louder. Draco suddenly became aware of his situation, and began sprinting away from the hill as quickly as possible. When he was far enough, he turned on his heel and Disapparated.
Draco landed in front of Borgin and Burke's in Knockturn Alley. His hands shaking with fear, he quickly transformed himself back into Oliver Johnson and took a few deep, calming breaths. Once his heart rate had slowed down a bit, Draco strode into Diagon Alley and into the Daily Prophet's office.
"Hello again, 'mam," he said to Pansy in his phony American accent. "Is the Floo in order?"
"Always is," Pansy said boredly, not even looking up to see who she was talking to.
"Thanks," Draco replied, touching the brim of his hat. He strode up to the door marked "Editor" and knocked. "Hello, Mr. Thompson," he said as cheerfully as he could when the door was opened. "Urgent business is calling me home early. Thanks for all your help!"
Mr. Thompson looked confused for a moment, then smiled. "Of course, young man. Anytime! Let me know when that story is finished, will you!"
"I will," Draco said, lying through his teeth. "I'll just be heading out now, then! Thanks again!" Draco closed the door behind him and marched up to the fireplace, tossed in a pinch of Floo powder, then whisked himself off to San Francisco.
A/N: I figured out my plot! :) :) :) Please review!