A/N: This story is sequel to my fic Stories skin deep. Might want to check that first for context.
Also, I'm trying something new with this work.
While I'm excited about it, I'm also worried it might come out as confusing for readers. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Like with Skin Deep I'm going to write the story in a way that every chapter could be the last. So there might be only one part, or there might be five. We'll see.
Song for this fic: Bloodstream-Stateless
MAYBE/Hermione
A few more steps
Just a few more.
That's right, open the door and you're done.
Take your shoes off.
Get up the stairs, you can do it
"Granger."
Please not now…
"What?"
"Are you...who was it today?"
Please, I can't…
"Remus and Tonks."
"My cousin Tonks?"
Yes, your cousin Tonks! Your carefree, cheerful, cousin Nymphadora who just had a child! Who did not deserve to die!
"I'm sorry."
I know…
"How many are there left?"
Funerals? I've no idea! Thousands, it feels like! Grave after grave and they never stop!
"Can I… Is there something I can do?"
Who are you and what have you done to Draco Malfoy!?
"No, it's fine Draco, I just need to lie down for a bit."
"Do you want some tea?"
Tea? You reckon it'll take away the pain?
No.
I need those hands,
Those big strong arms around me!
I want you to hold me because I feel like shattering!
Please… Just hold me!
"I'm fine,"
I'm not!
Not even remotely.
"Don't think so…"
That's right!
Come on. It's been a week and you haven't touched me outside the bedroom.
Please please please just…
"Granger,"
"I'm just exhausted."
Fucking done for! We all are! You should see them! No one is fine.
Never thought winning a war would feel like this!
Never thought there had to be this much funerals!
"What do I do?"
Whatever you want! I'm not your keeper.
"How can I help?"
Hold me!
Promise me it'll get better.
Tell me I'm not alone.
Swear to me I didn't make a horrible mistake saving you. Putting my faith in you. Letting myself hope this bond we share will take us somewhere.
He steps closer.
Just an inch.
A movement that might be involuntary
An instinct.
They've been here, at her parent's house
For a week together.
A week since she came home.
A week
Seven days
And countless funerals.
Nights in the same bed.
Against his heartbeat.
But nothing more.
Days avoiding the subject of soulmates.
Or future.
She goes to the funerals.
To sort things out in the ministry.
Comes back home to find a warm meal waiting for her.
And him reading a book in the living room.
Today he's standing in the hall. Asking how he can help.
And she has nothing to answer him.
Be the partner I need.
Be the rock no one else is.
Be the ground because I feel like falling.
A sob escapes her lips.
So sudden she doesn't get to stop it
But lifts her hand on her face.
I can't
It's too much
Everyone is…
We won
But the price is so high.
"Come on."
And then he does it.
With one swift movement.
Extends his hand to reach for her.
Envelopes her in an embrace.
Warm
And real.
She takes a hold of the back of his shirt.
Clutching onto him like she's drowning.
Gripping her fingers to the fabric.
Burying her face to his chest.
Soulmate
Mine…
.
.
.
"Have you seen the prophet?"
No
"Yes?"
Don't ask.
Let it be.
I'll handle it.
"And?"
Don't…
I'll take care of it.
You shouldn't even read the papers.
"What?"
"Don't play stupid Granger. You know what I mean."
I do
Just don't want to talk about it.
"They're holding trials next month."
"Yes."
"To everyone who contributed to the Death Eater business."
Why did I ever leave that godforsaken paper here?!
"That means me, right?"
No
"It does."
Drop it!
"They're keeping those convicted imprisoned until the trials."
I'm not ready for this conversation.
"Why am I not imprisoned?"
Because I'm selfish
Because I can't deal with this alone.
Because I just found you, I'm not ready to lose you.
"Granger?"
Don't make me say it.
"I know they're looking for me. My name is in the list of the wanted."
I know
"Granger, what the fuck is going on?"
Nothing!
Nothing is going on!
Your trial is at the end of next month.
They're going to pardon you and that's it!
They don't need you for it.
"Do they know I'm here?"
Of course they don't!
You think they'd let it be if they knew!?
No…
"What have you done?"
Nothing!
Everything!
I don't know!
"ANSWER ME!?"
She snaps her eyes up to him.
He's waving the paper in front of her face, looking frustrated.
I can't lose you.
Can't!
"I didn't tell anyone about you."
I made them think you're missing.
"And you plan not to either?"
That's right.
"Like I'm hiding?"
"They wouldn't know that."
"Like I couldn't face what I've done?"
"I'm sure…"
"Like I had no will to redeem myself?! To be punished like I should be!?"
This is exactly why I didn't want you to know!
"You can't make those decisions for me! You can't parade around and think you fucking know better!"
I didn't…
It's not that…
It's…
"Everything they are going to accuse me for is probably true! I might be your fucking soulmate or whatever, but it doesn't give you the permission to make judgments for me!"
I didn't do it for you!
Not completely
"You know nothing about me Granger! Nothing about what I need!"
No! But what about what I need!?
"You don't get to make the call! I'm sick of everyone making decisions for me! I'm not yours! Fuck, Granger!"
But what about…
What are you doing?
He's already almost at the door.
"I can't stay here! I have to go, turn myself in to the ministry…"
She takes a run for it,
Puts herself in front of him
"No!"
You're not going!
I won't allow it!
I'm not losing you!
"Move, or I'll make you."
"No!"
"Granger."
Please don't go.
"Get the fuck away."
"I Can't! Not like this! I can't I…"
Don't leave me alone!
"What?"
"I can't lose you Draco, okay? Not after I just found you! Not before we get to figure this out!"
Do I even know how to figure this out?
If you even want to figure this out!?
Last time we talked about this it was only reluctantly admitted we're soul bound.
He pauses movement.
Looks at her like calculating.
Silver eyes still stormy dark.
Do you feel what I feel when we're in the same room?
Do you feel what I feel when we touch?
Do you notice the change in the air the longer we stay in here?
Do you still doubt the connection between us?
"I can't come home to an empty house! I don't think I'm able to leave for the funerals from an empty home. I don't think I'd be able to get up the bed if not for you here."
You're all I have.
However pathetic it sounds
"I know we don't know each other. Not really. And I know being soulmates doesn't suddenly bring us together without our own effort. But somehow you make me feel...like not so alone."
This is me, breaking the law, because I'm selfish!
Because of you
"Please Draco."
I'm begging you!
Notice that?
Want me to get on my knees?
"Stay."
He shakes his head.
But turns away from the door
goes back to the living room.
And doesn't leave.
"What's your plan then? To stay here, hidden, until...when?"
Forever if necessary.
"Until the trials."
"And if they find me guilty?"
"They won't"
"But if they do?"
"Then we'll leave."
I won't lose you.
"What? Where do you think we could leave?"
You should trust me.
Why would you?
"Australia."
That's where I always sent people I want to protect.
"You've got to be kidding me."
I'm not.
"If I'm convicted you want me to run?"
"No, I want us to run."
You and me
We're in this together
Until we have solid proof we're not.
"Us? You'd leave with me?"
You're made for me
What would it make me if I just abandoned you?
What would it make me if I let you go?
He's close.
So close she can feel his breath.
So close she can count his eyelashes.
So close she can smell his cologne.
So close she can sense her magic react to him.
Her lips tingle in the memory of their last kiss.
"You're mad. Bonkers, totally out of your mind."
She takes his hand and lets her fingers caress the marks on his arm.
I'm written on your skin.
Like you are on mine.
"Maybe."
"What if this isn't real?"
You really think it's possible?
Is there really any doubt in your mind?
Do you feel me under your skin?
In your bloodstream?
With every connection of every nerve?
"You think it's possible this isn't?"
There's a pause,
You don't
I can see it in your eyes.
He shakes his head.
Reach for me
Hold me
Remember what it felt like when we kissed?
Don't be scared.
It's just you and me.
He leans in, same time as she does.
"I don't know what's happening to me."
Neither do I…
But does it really matter?
A kiss
Not a desperate goodbye.
A kiss to taste
To try
To find
To feel
Equal
Partner
Lover
Soulmate
Maybe I could be yours…
.
.
.
"Are you going to talk in my trial?"
What do you think?
That I'd just sit there and let them decide your destiny?
"Of course I am."
"Are you going to tell them? About the scars?"
Why won't you look at me?
Are you scared of what you might see?
Or are you trying to hide something from me?
"I won't if you don't want me to."
Don't tell me not to!
Because it is one of my best arguments.
When they tell me I don't know you.
That they will
I can prove them more than wrong!
"Why would you care what I think? You never did before?"
"They're your scars too."
Sun dances on his hair as he looks at her.
How far can these two images of you be?
This man in the sunlight
And the vicious boy in the dark castle.
Have I changed in your eyes as much as you have in mine?
"And it's not true that I never cared what you think."
"You just thought you knew better?"
Well, I should probably deny that.
But you're not entirely wrong.
He smirks at her silence.
And she gives him a smile, bright as the summer sun above them.
"Harry's going to talk too."
Harry saw you on top of the Astronomytower.
"About what?"
"About how you didn't want to kill Dumbledore. How Dumblerdore must have known about your task."
He knew, I know!
But Harry doesn't yet.
"My friends...do they have trials too?"
Crabbe and Goyle?
Pansy?
Should I be ashamed I don't know who your friends are?
"Pansy, Theo, Blaise?"
Should have told you earlier!
Should have known you'd care!
"Oh, no! Actually they are staying at Harry's house for the summer."
"Potter's?"
Have you worried about them?
And I've kept the information from you!
How ignorant of me!
"I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner! Didn't think…"
"How are… Are they okay?"
I'm so sorry I didn't tell you the first thing!
I was so caught up with these funerals.
"Yes, yes! They're fine. They fought for our side in the end. Pansy is...did you know that…"
"Pansy and Longbottom?"
Did Pansy tell him?
Did he tell Pansy?
Does she know? Is it because of that why she asked me about Draco?
"Does Pansy know about us?"
He nods sharply.
She does?
Oh, explains a lot of weird phrasing in her words.
"She knows I'm hiding you…"
"How do you know?"
"She asks about you. Every time I'm there."
Seen Draco lately, Granger?
Since you know everything Granger, how's Draco?
Could you please find a book that tells me Draco is fine?
Granger, how is it that the best of Aurors in wizarding Britain can't find Draco?
"How is she?"
"Good as far as I know. Neville is by her side."
Neville will take care of her! I'm sure!
Don't worry.
She's in good hands.
"And Blaise and Theo?"
The worry in his voice is real.
The concern in his eyes sincere.
I never knew you cared about your friends so much.
Your family, yes.
But your housemates too…
"As far as I can tell they're okay. A little lost, but which of us isn't?"
"And they don't have to go through any trials?"
Don't you trust me?
Or is there something you're not telling?
"No, no one's blaming them for anything."
His posture collapses.
Like he's sinking
He puts his head to his hands.
"Fucking Merlin, fuck!"
"I should have told you sooner!"
Again I assume you.
Or I didn't…
How can I pretend to know anything about you?
"I'm sorry Draco…"
Silence that follows is heavy around them.
Unspoken words
Unanswered questions
Unsaid confessions
"Why don't you use your wand here?"
Did I just say that aloud?
Is this what I want to talk about?
Yes…
There's sorrow in those grey eyes that lift to look at her.
Exhaustion in his demeanor as he shakes his head.
"I don't feel like I have the right to."
If this was any other situation I'd laugh.
The Draco Malfoy doesn't feel like he has a right to something he always insisted to be his birthright?
"I mean look at the irony! I'm here in the middle of muggle things. I've lived here weeks, spent my days in the midst of muggles — and realized I was wrong!"
Quick, someone take notes! He said he was wrong!
"Fuck Granger, I don't even think you know how much I hated you."
Likewise!
"And when I found out you were actually my soulmate, I felt betrayed! Betrayed by the thing that made me superior: my magic! I was used to putting the blame on others, but this I couldn't get around. Something in me chose you! In my mind we were the polar opposites of everything!"
Maybe that's exactly why…
"But we aren't!"
This is it!
This is the conversation I wanted to have when I saved you.
This is the defining moment...the one we worked so hard to avoid the past days.
The one proper conversation to define how the rest of our lives is going to go…
So no pressure at all.
You think we're not that different?
Do go on.
"I've been here alone for weeks, Granger. Going through every decision I've ever made, every feeling I've ever felt, everytime I had to be wrong and every single moment I thought I did good, but didn't. I'm not a good person! But there's one thing I'm sure of, there's nothing I wouldn't do for the people I care about."
Not that different…
"And being here at your home, I realized you're the same."
She blinks,
her eyes feel wet.
"You did not fight this war for the wizarding world. You fought it for the people you loved. You had a home, a life and a future in the muggle world too. But you chose ours, because of Potter and Weasley, and those like you who do need the wizarding world. Not for yourself."
"And you...taking the mark…"
For the family. The people you loved...not for any grand idea?
"When you were gone I realized something."
She's barely breathing anymore.
Is this your confession?
"I feel you in the room. In the castle… When you're around. I sense you like a glimmer in the back of my brain. Like something humming under my skin. When you come into the room everything in my magic changes. For years I thought it was because I disliked you so much. Because you were a fucking mudblood. But now, as I got to analyze the feeling I realized it's not that…"
I know
I know what you mean
I feel it too…
"It's like I've inhaled you. Like you're everywhere."
In every intake of breathe
Every beat of heart
Every nerve end
Every fibre of my being
"And when you're gone there's barely anything left."
Like your feet weight a hundred tonnes
Like your wand hand trembles when you cast
Like any spell needs extra effort
Like your vision is clouded
Like your heart only half beats…
I know.
"Fuck Granger, I'm eighteen and I've got nothing left…"
You left everything and came here because I asked you to.
There's nothing we share
And still we share everything.
You've got nothing left…
"But me."
She links her fingers with his.
"Can we trust this?"
Logic was always my answer
And now I ask you to trust faith?
He huff's, "I don't think I'd be able to walk away from this even if I tried."
No...neither do I.
"Small steps?"
He nods.
Good
That I can deal with.
.
.
.
"Harry, are you okay?"
He's not, I can see it.
Why does he flinch when adressed?
"Oh, Hermione it's only you."
Only me?
Were you expecting someone else?
"It's been a rough couple of months, just wanted to check you're doing okay?"
Hello, It's me
Your friend Hermione.
The one you spent the last year camping,
The one to share all your secrets.
Why do you look at me like I'm a stranger?
"Yes, yes, fine!"
As fine as I am it seems?
Likely even worse.
"Do you believe in destiny Hermione? I mean, I know you think divination is bullshit…"
There have been times I would have answered you, no.
But I'm way past that.
Sometimes it's okay to be wrong…
"You know I like to trust in logic. But I also have started to think there are some things that are meant to happen."
Especially in the magical world.
"How do we know what's meant to happen?"
That's the worst part.
We don't...we just have to go by the gut feeling of what is right.
"Like, were my parents always meant to die that Halloween? If there hadn't been Voldemort, would they have still died? Was I always meant to be chosen for something grand? And is there a way to stop it?"
There's something more to this conversation.
You can't really hide from me Harry…
I know you too well.
What do you think you're destined for again and why do you want to stop it?
She puts her hand on his shoulder
And waits patiently for him to look at her.
"Is it Ginny?"
Don't tell me she's pregnant or something?
Why was that the first thing that came to my mind?
He shakes his head slightly.
"No...and yes."
Wait a minute
In the winter, when Ron was gone, he asked me about soul marks…
"I love her Hermione. I never had a family and I can see that with her. She's everything I've ever wanted."
Oh my, where is this leading?
There's a 'but' coming, I can hear it.
"But… Something is happening to me and I've no idea what I should think! I mean I've spent all these years fulfilling my destiny. Can't I just be done? Can't I just start to live my life like I wanted to and not follow any destiny? Couldn't my life just be simple for a change? Don't I deserve simple?"
You do! More than anyone!
How I wish I could give you that!
"I'm sure whatever it is Ginny will understand."
He lets out a hollow almost panicy laugh.
The ring of it chills her insides.
And with a heavy thud he sits down to the nearest sofa.
"Trust me she won't."
Is this about the soulmarks?
Do you think there's someone out there for you who isn't Ginny?
The question comes out before she has time to stop it.
"Does this have something to do with our conversation about soulmarks?"
His serious silence is all the answer she needs.
"What makes you think that?"
Do you have scars too?
Do you know who it is?
Does the other person… of course they do! Your scars are too famous to be mistaken.
And why there's such pain in your eyes now? Almost like you're doomed again.
My soulmate is Malfoy, so whoever yours is I think you can figure it out just as I…
"He confronted me about it before the wedding last summer."
He?
HE?
Your soulmate is a he?
That explains a lot about your reaction.
But it can't be…
"Are you sure? I mean I thought…"
Harry gives her a book.
Achient looking with yellow papers
So fragile she barely dares to turn the pages.
It reads about soulmates and trauma.
Links together the pieces of information she'd missed.
Harry was always meant to unite the wizarding world.
But not alone
There's someone chosen to stand beside him.
"Who is it?"
Who would I be if I didn't ask?
Harry shakes his head again.
If I didn't know it can't be I'd say it's Draco…
"I can't… I'm not...I'm not gay!"
I think it's not an option here…
"And I love Ginny!"
I don't doubt that.
You think I love Malfoy!?
I can't even picture loving him!
Let alone him loving me!
Only the idea is laughable!
But I feel him in my system!
...in My magic.
Maybe I just don't know well enough what it means to love someone you're soulbound to?
Oh my god, is it Ron!?
No…
It can't be. Your scars are too recognizable for Ron, or Molly moreover, to miss.
"I'm not going through with it."
"Harry…"
"I can't! I'm with Ginny! I want to be with Ginny! For once in my life I want to choose by myself!"
You did choose by yourself
Your magic chose him and the magic is you.
"Does he know how you feel about this?"
Draco…
What if Draco had told me he doesn't want anything to do with me?
What if he'd denied me and just walked away?
He did…
Once, he told me to accept I'll never find my soulmate.
But being away from him,
felt hollow.
Empty and superficial.
I never knew I lacked something before I had first hand experience of having it.
Harry huffs, "He knows."
"And he agrees?"
Harry shrugs, "I didn't ask."
Poor him...whoever he is.
Did you think of him when you made this decision?
Did you consider his feelings?
His ability to feel whole again?
She clenches her fingers.
Feeling the heat of anger rising inside her.
Are you aware what you condemn him to?
No one deserves that!
To have a soulmate who doesn't give a shit about their feelings!
Aren't we the Gryffindors?
Isn't Harry the kind, the loving, the devoted?
Trust me, I know it's scary!
But to not even try?
To just give up something so extraordinary?
"Harry, I don't think that's wise…"
He pauses and then, "Don't…"
Don't make you face it?
Don't judge you for ignorance?
Maybe if I didn't know how it feels
Maybe if I never had a soulmate
If my only experience was of love I felt was real.
If my lips had never been on Draco's.
If I hadn't felt the pull in my magic when he's close.
If I had no idea how much of me he is.
I know it's fucking scary!
And almost irrational.
But whoever he is, he does not deserve to be abandoned because of your insecurity!
" Harry… Soulmates, it's not something easily ignored. Maybe you need time to…"
"Hermione don't…"
"What if it was the other way around? What if someone meant for you…"
"He's not meant for me!"
Stubborn
Headstrong
Fucking hot-headed…
"But he shares your scars? He has a lightning bolt on his forehead? Your handwriting on their palm? Cuts around his ankles?"
She takes advantage of his surprise, "You feel when a curse hits his body? You've seen the bruises they leave? So you must know what he has gone through these years? How he has felt the basilisk fang penetrate your arm? How he must have struggled in the night your bones were regrown? How he has probably spent nights awake, just waiting for another hit? How he has sat on the tri-wizard audience feeling you go through all that? And I can't even begin to fathom the last few years for him. Every single hit, Harry. Every curse, every cut, every broken bone…"
Get this? Know what I mean?
Ignoring it is not that simple!
"His soulmate has died!"
You think you're the only one who's gone through hell!?
"Shut up Hermione!"
Watch it!
"You can't do that to him!"
I don't care who he is!
I don't care what evil he has done to you!
You have a soulmate and that's something you don't just walk away from!
"This is exactly why I didn't ever intend to tell you! You wouldn't just leave it the FUCK alone! How would you know how this feels? You never have to consider it! You have a say to your own destiny. I never did! And I'm sick of some faith telling me what to do with my life!"
"This is different!"
Harry throws his hands up angrily, "You know, fine! Think whatever you like! This is MY decision and I don't even remember asking your opinion! I WILL MARRY GINNY and I will have a family with her! And she will be the only person to ever be my partner!"
He rounds her and leaves the room, banging the door after him.
You'd think after everything things would be different!
You'd think we have grown out of our angst!
But no!
Seems Harry Potter has loads of unused teenage angst left in him!
"Fine! Go! Run away. We'll see how far it takes you! Besides, when was I ever wrong when it came to you or Ron?"
Pity no one hears!
.
.
.
"Draco, I'm home."
Gosh, I sound like my mom when she used to come home from work…
"Hey, Granger"
He has emerged from the backyard and is now standing in the doorway leaning lazily to the frame.
Shit
What are you wearing!?
A white cotton shirt, top button open and sleeves rolled.
And why is your hair like that?
Like He has just run his hand through it.
And why on earth are you looking at me like that?
With a slight amused smile, eyes tingling a little.
Is it a little hot in here?
Maybe I'm wearing too much clothes
It's mid summer after all.
"You look like it was storming out there. But last I checked it's a sunny day, not a breeze."
Haha, do the jokes about my hair ever stop?
"Ah, but something tells me the storm's inside of you? Funny how your hair senses that too…"
"Not funny."
"No? I thought it's hilarious."
Is my face red?
How fast did I walk here?
It must still be the frustration because of Harry.
"Fuck you."
Honestly, I shouldn't take this on you.
"In your dreams."
She rolls her eyes.
"Come on, I figured out the barbecue-thing."
She follows him to the sunny backyard.
I'm never going to get used to seeing you like this.
This is crazy
Surreal
Unnatural
"So who is giving you a hard time?"
Lie?
Tell the truth?
Are we at the stage where opening-up is fine?
"Harry's acting like a stubborn ass"
Fine, I'll tell you.
Didn't we agree to make an effort?
Or was it just me thinking we should?
"Trust me, he doesn't have to act, in Potter's case it comes naturally."
Did I think this was a good idea?
She rolls her eyes at him again.
"He has soul scars too."
"Seems like a trend nowadays."
"But he wants to ignore them."
Draco snorts.
Unintentionally probably.
"Good luck for him."
I'm not going to even start to analyze what that comment means.
"His soulmate is a he. And Harry thinks he's not into men."
"Idiot." He mutters under his breath.
Exactly!
How are you, the king of prejudice, thinking that certainly?
"It's always about genders with you muggle-borns."
"How come?"
"Magic doesn't care about gender much. Of course when it comes to passing on genes, but otherwise."
I did read something about this when I first found out about soulmates.
That the bonds don't always consider gender.
"Besides look at us, we're already here. Can't be that much harder for Potter."
Yes, we're here.
And given who we are it's not that different.
I think it would have been easier for you to accept a guy than me.
"If you'd found out they are Pansy's marks you carry would you have done any differently?"
No
I wouldn't have.
I would have wanted to figure that one out as well.
He has turned his back at her, working with the barbecue again.
"Harry is not even going to talk to him about it. I tried to put some sense into him! I don't like the idea of his soulmate just tossed aside like that."
Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.
"You think Potter will get rid of it that easy?"
He turns to her.
She's sitting on the table, waving her feet in the air.
"After all, I do recall making that decision once myself. Telling my soulmate to kindly fuck off."
You did.
And every day I felt the weight of it.
"But she never gave up on me, did she?"
"No, " she shakes her head, "she never did."
"Even though she never had any experience I'd change my mind once it was made?"
He's closer now. Standing ahead of her.
Her heart speeds up a little.
"I'm not used to give up."
"Not even when the outcome might hurt you?"
I never believed you'd hurt me.
Even when you walked away, when you let the Death Eaters in the castle…
I never thought you'd harm me.
"What makes you think Potter's soulmate will just accept his denial then?"
I did not think about that…
His hand lands on her thigh.
How do you seem so sure today?
You've kept your distance
We've moved the small steps that we agreed to.
Where does this boldness come from?
"When you were gone, I understood staying away from you is not an option."
He whispers, taking one of her stray curls in between his fingers.
She trembles a little.
What happened to your voice?
Was it always that smooth?
God, the sun...it's so fricking hot in here!
"Can you feel how the bond gets stronger the longer we're in the same house?"
I do.
Sometimes it gets so overwhelming I have to go outside to catch breath.
Sometimes all I can think of when you're close, is the scent of you.
Sometimes you fill my senses so completely I can't see or hear or think straight.
"Sometimes all I can think of is how bad I want to kiss you."
Did you just say that?
Or was it just in my head?
His grip on her leg tightens.
Can you hear my heart hammer?
My blood boiling?
Kiss me!
Go on!
There are only inches between us anymore!
Lean in and do it!
I don't care about moving slow!
I don't give a shit about how little time it's been since we were two completely different people!
I want you to kiss me!
Fill my senses with you!
Hold me!
Own me!
You belong to me! Prove it!
"I'm sorry for everything I did to hurt you." He murmurs, nose almost touching hers.
"You don't have to apologize, I've seen you're capable of change."
I don't need your apology.
Your wand in the top drawer is all the redemption I need to see.
This muggle life we live at the moment is all the proof I require.
"But I need to… I… I just don't know how to…"
She puts her hand on top of his, "That's why we are here. To figure it out."
And we could start by reminding ourselves how we'll our lips fit together?
He gathers more of her curls into his hand.
Fine! I'll do it!
She takes a hold of the front of his shirt and pulls him to her.
That's right!
Come here.
She wraps her legs around him to get him closer.
He lets out a muffled groan and his grip in her hair moves to the back of her skull.
Lover
Mine!
The kiss ends.
They're still there.
Her on the table
Him in between her legs.
Foreheads almost touching.
Breathing heavy.
I want you.
Never thought I would.
But I do.
"The food is burning" he hums.
She lets out a laugh and shoves him a little further, "Well, do something about it! I'm starving!"
We have time.
We have time!
What a glorious thought!
We have time!
And no one is ever going to take you away from me!
I never thought it would feel this satisfactory — Having you, all for me.
.
.
.
At the end of July she comes home from his trial.
He's waiting for her on the porch.
Packed and ready to run if necessary.
Run with her.
She stops before him.
"Are you leaving?"
"Merlin Granger, don't fuck with me!"
"No? Are you sure?"
Oh, Hermione you're evil!
"Fuck! Just tell me!"
She can't stop a grin from breaking free and tears welling in her eyes.
"Let's go unpack. You're free!"
He inhales.
As if for the first time since forever.
And then she's in his arms.
Swung around with a joy she has never seen on him.
"Thank you!" He whispers in her hair.
I think this will work out.
I think we could make it work.
I think I'd like to know you
All the good
And all the bad.
The boy you were
And the man you'll become.
I think I could be yours.