Author's Note: This is a continuation of Chapter 20 and both are being posted at the same time.
Trigger warnings: There's some swearing and psychological/emotional turmoil in this chapter. Intended reading age is for 18 plus and as always reader discretion is advised.
Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty One
July 2013
It wasn't long before the five of them made their way toward a small gathering of parents who were waiting with their own children for the start of the mutton busting competition. Danny was going to stay with Larae while Mona, Draco, and Emilia watched from the wooden stands on the other side of the circular metal fenced-in arena. Emilia and Mona hugged Larae as Draco wished her a cheerful good luck before the three walked around across the dirt path and found seats on the front row bleachers.
Emilia made sure to sit between her two friends who were obviously ignoring each other now. It bothered her greatly that they seemed to not get along again and that she was the source of contention. It was something she'd have to figure out how to rectify at another time.
"So, what's this competition Larae will be performing in?" Draco inquired.
Emilia took the opportunity to explain to him what mutton busting was. How the kids would ride on a sheep as it ran around the arena, motioning around the wide open dirt area surrounded on all sides by tall metal fencing. They would be timed on how long they stay on with a proper hold for before they fell off. To be good sports the local rodeo group encouraged the children to focus on beating their own times versus outlasting each other.
Draco listened intently to her explanation before he commented that he didn't see what the point of the contest was. Mona snorted next to Emilia but the pair ignored her as Emilia shrugged in answer.
"Well, when you have down time on a ranch it's a fun competitive way to entertain the kids. It builds confidence and lets kids do a safer rodeo events than say bull riding."
The trio watched as Danny led Larae forward when her name was called over the loud speaker. He placed his daughter on the sheep's back, making sure she gripped the ropes tied around it firmly and that her helmet was locked in place. Emilia and Mona got to their feet then to lean against the railing that ran the length of the stands.
"She'll do great," Emilia said encouragingly to her friend.
Mona nodded silently, her sharp mother eyes focused on her daughter for any sign of distress. Soon the announcer counted down from five and a horn signaled her start time. The sheep she clung to took off at a fast run once it was let go. Larae bounced haphazardly on it's body as it bounded across the dirt, attempting to shake her off. Emilia and Mona were clapping and jumping wildly next to each other.
"Go Larae!"
"Hold on baby girl!"
It only lasted a few seconds and Larae was pitched off the sheep, rolling safely across the ground. The two women hooted and shouted praises at the little girl. The MC announced Larae's time which was a new record for her. Emilia and Mona high fived each other, happy to hear she had in fact improved. It was then Draco joined her at the railing, clapping politely along with the other adults around them at Larae's run. He was smirking down at her.
"A little excited?" He teased.
Emilia turned her nose up at him.
"All kids need encouragement to do well. We just happen to be very vocal and loud with our praises."
His lips split into an amused grin.
"I don't recall you ever being this excited about any sport, to be honest."
Emilia gave him a wide eyed look for talking about their past so candidly in front of Mona but her friend didn't seem to be paying attention to them. Emilia slapped his arm softly and muttered how he needed to hush up. Draco chuckled quietly, pulling on one of her humidity risen ringlets in retaliation.
They continued to watch other children until Danny and Larae appeared at the stairs of the stands, the dirt covered girl racing up the steps toward them. Mona swooped her daughter up in a big hug and slathered her in kisses.
"You did so well honey!"
Danny grinned down at his daughter and patted her head affectionately.
"She was a trooper, didn't cry at all when she fell and dusted herself right off."
Mona grinned, rubbing her nose against her daughter's which made her giggle.
"That's because she takes after me."
Danny laughed and wrapped his arms around the two in a tender family moment. Emilia felt the same pang from earlier and couldn't help but reach out and slip her hand into Draco's, watching her friends' interaction. He didn't say anything or look at her questioningly. He simply squeezed her hand firmly and refused to let go, the warmth of the binding tickling along her fingertips that were encased in his large hand. After a few moments she felt Draco give her a little tug.
"Let's go walk, Emilia, you can show me around." Draco suggested, drawing her gaze to him from her friends.
That sounded like a wonderful idea. The pair said their goodbyes to Mona's family with an agreement to meet later on that evening once Larae went home with the babysitter. Mona gave Draco one last warning look before the two of them began to walk around the rodeo grounds. They chatted along the way about the different competitions Emilia enjoyed watching that perhaps Draco would like to see, the food trucks that deep fried everything including Oreos, and all the people who called out greetings to Emilia, happy to see her again. It made Emilia's heart feel full to be around familiar people while walking with Draco.
Eventually they made their way to the side of the arena and watched some of the barrel racers she was so fond of while leaning on the fencing.
"So, about earlier," Draco started and Emilia felt a wave of unsureness rush through her chest, "it seemed like you were alright that I kissed you and you most certainly had kissed me back."
She shifted on the balls of her feet nervously next to him, keeping her eyes on the horse and rider who raced across the dirt and smoothly turned around the decorated oil barrel set up for the competition, because looking at him right now would shut down her brain.
In that heat of the moment she had definitely wanted to kiss him. Hell, she would probably let him kiss her again, a real kiss, right now if he grabbed her and pressed his lips to hers. But, kissing Draco had crossed that boundary she had set up for herself for a reason. She had to remind herself she still hadn't had a single dream about them dating let alone anything more than begrudging colleagues.
They were going to New York City next week. If Dr. Chang confirmed he had lied to her about everything; she didn't know how she'd feel, but she knew one thing. Kissing him had complicated those feelings she would have. They were already a mess about everything else with all the conflicting problems she was having with her possible past and present self and she couldn't fathom having to contend with regrets for putting herself once again in a situation that she would have no one but herself to blame for if it ended disastrously.
She owed Draco honesty, wasn't that what Mona had said? The least she could do was give him that.
"Draco, I'll tell you the truth. I really feel like we should wait until after our visit with Dr. Chang to explore more of what happened," she looked at him seriously. "I honestly don't want to lead you on or act like I didn't enjoy it. However, it would be really complicated to move back in a more than friends relationship before we talk to her like we planned. I still haven't had any dreams about us being anything other than work partners. I'd also feel more comfortable if I had more dream memories first and really want to explore them further, so..." She trailed off, unsure how to end her rambling justification of basically shutting him down.
He smiled a little but she could see the disappointed hurt in his face. It tugged at her heart that she'd done that, probably coming off as a cold hearted bitch in the process. Emilia leaned into his side comfortingly, trying to reinforce that even though kissing was off the table she still enjoyed being near him and enjoyed the time they were spending together. When she pulled back to look up into his eyes it was with a wishful gaze for his understanding.
"I'm sorry if I got your hopes up. I shouldn't have let that kiss happen. You have every right to be upset with me if you need to yell or something."
With a silent sigh he reached out and pushed some of her freed curls behind her ear beneath her hat.
"I told you I've waited this long for you, Emilia. I meant it when I said I'll wait however long you need to, even if it means holding off all the way until you have the last dream memory in your mind. We'll take whatever our relationship ends up being at your pace."
She reached up and took his hand within hers, holding tightly.
"Thank you, Draco."
The binding seemed to be soothed by their interaction and a sense of contentment waxed and waned between them. Eventually, Emilia tugged on his hand to pull him away from the fencing.
"Come on, let's find something to eat. Have you ever tried fry bread tacos before?"
Emilia watched in amusement as Draco tried to eat the street corn on the cob he opted to try without making a mess unsuccessfully. Grinning, she offered him a napkin to wipe the his mouth free of debris.
"Well?"
He hummed appreciatively as he examined food.
"I've noticed a lot of the food here tastes fantastic but it certainly is very messy."
She laughed, taking a bite of the deep fried strawberry ice cream she indulged in every year.
"I think we like to challenge ourselves out here in any way we can."
They were walking along the row of horse trailers again. Every so often someone would call out Emilia's name and she'd amble over to greet the friend or client, many of whom would ask her to give a quick look over their rodeo horse to ensure nothing out of the ordinary was wrong.
Draco would take her bowl of ice cream in hand each time as she walked around the horses to visually examine them while peppering the owner with questions, checking their postures and legs, commenting here and there if she saw something. She even went so far as to suggest to one of her clients that she didn't think it would a good idea to compete today since there seemed to be signs of toe drag on the mare's left hind hoof. The grin on her face and her infectious good mood from finally returning to what she loved to do made their sun beaten summer afternoon surprisingly enjoyable.
Once it got to the point her ice cream had melted from the unbearable heat and the two of them were sweating profusely under the unrelenting afternoon rays they decided to sit inside her truck with the AC cranked as high as it could go and rehydrate.
Even though there was an awkward undertone about the past and the potential future that hung between Emilia and Draco, it seemed they had come to a mutual understanding to find contentment to be in the here and now today. Emilia sunk back into the cushioned seat, relishing in the taste of the cool bottled water Draco discreetly created after he looked around to ensure no one was nearby. A smile was constantly on her face as they talk. It felt nice to hang out together again, as if they could pretend for the time being. Pretend she wasn't sick, that she wasn't prone to terrifying health setbacks, that he didn't have to prove he wasn't lying to her or that anything had changed between them at all.
Instead, their time was spent talking about vague stories of her life back in Britain that she could remember from her earlier years such as the time her father took her to a park only to find she wouldn't play with the other children because she was more interested in reading the book she'd brought with even when her father tried to show her how to go down the slide which he ultimately fell off of. Mostly they discussed what his life was really like growing up in a wizarding house since she had no frame of reference. He was able to still keep the details to a minimum and occasionally steered the conversation away from things that might be triggering. It was fascinating to her to hear about the large open area in his family's gardens where he'd learn to ride a broom, helping his mother in her solarium where she would often dry herbs or bottle ingredients for her potion making hobby, and taking day trips with his father to London where he'd shop or perhaps meet with other children his age whose parents were acquainted with his. It really boggled her mind how differently they'd grown up, even with what little he was able to tell her.
"Wait, wait, you're telling me you had never been to the muggle side of London until you were how old?"
"Sixteen. I had no need to travel there. Everything my family needed could be found in Diagon Alley."
Emilia pondered this information, trying to recall the name of the place he was speaking of.
"That's the place with the wizarding shops and such, right?"
He nodded, taking a sip from his water bottle before nodding to hers.
"Drink up if you want me to not nag you about leaving soon. Dehydration is a possible contributor to seizures."
She scrunched her nose up at him with a 'yes mummy' before taking a sip. She stared down at her water bottle, her curiosity prodded her thoughts until she finally decided to ask him what was on her mind.
"Have we been to Diagon Alley before?"
He looked hesitant to answer this.
"No, we never went there together."
She felt a bit surprised by how disappointed this made her, wondering how to continue to ask him questions without shutting down their conversation completely.
"Why not?"
He shrugged passively, his grey eyes darkening before her own gaze as he glanced over at her.
"We weren't supposed to fraternize in public. I was a convicted death eater. Walking around with my work partner, whom the public assumed mutually hated me, would've been rather suspicious."
This bit of news really rubbed her the wrong way.
"So we had to be friends in secret, too?"
"Hardly anyone was supposed to know we were partners, let alone friends."
Well, that answered her question from earlier if they actually had been together would Draco have ever been publicly affectionate with her, like Danny and Mona. The answer was seemingly no. Emilia tried to ignore the sense of growing disappointment in knowing this by thinking of something else to ask him.
"What would we do on assignments when we weren't dueling or chasing people inside burning buildings?"
He grinned at her as his eyes brightened again.
"Well, you loved to go sightseeing many of the muggle historical locations we stayed near. You'd drag me off to some museum or some library that had been built by this great king so and so. I'd say almost every assignment we'd take a walk around where we stayed to peruse the area."
She thought about this, almost tempted to ask him exactly where they had been in the past before she decided against it. It would be more fun for her discover as she went through the dream memories all the places she would wish she could go visit only to find out she may have been there already.
"Did we do anything together on the wizarding side of the places we traveled to?"
Draco shook his head.
"Minimally. If we were in muggle areas you wouldn't have to disguise yourself as much, some places not at all. We could go and wander where ever we pleased as ourselves without having to worry so much about being found by anyone."
Emilia felt a hint of petty pride as she looked down at her nails, picking them with habitual nervousness.
"I wasn't ashamed to be seen with you was I? Or vice versa?"
When her eyes rose up she saw Draco's lip had pulled into a thin line.
"Of course not. We weren't embarrassed to be together, but it simply wasn't safe. We had to keep our cover going and being seen in public would've jeopardized that. It was better for us to be cautious."
He looked at her very seriously then.
"Even before we made amends and agreed to become friends I was never embarrassed to be seen with you, Emilia. If I was able to take you to magical places without any risk of you or I being recognized I would've gladly done so without any hesitation. Actually, I probably would've enjoyed watching the reactions of a few people to know that I, a lowly death eater scum, managed to convince someone like yourself to be seen with me in public. I'm proud to call you my best mate and I would've liked nothing better than to let everyone and anyone know that."
She blushed a little at that.
"Well, I can't speak to how I felt before necessarily, but I've enjoyed introducing you to my other friends and clients here. I'm not ashamed at all with you meeting them and letting them know how important you are to me too."
Draco reached out to tuck a curl behind her ear that was tickling her cheek.
"I'm glad I can be here to meet them too."
The smile he gave her was heart melting and it made her feel like she was washed in the blistering sunlight outside. As if he could feel this Draco sighed, tilting the hat he still wore back a little to wipe the gathering perspiration away.
"I cannot believe you deal with this on a regular basis. This bloody weather here is relentless."
Emilia scoffed, tossing down several large gulps of water before she sighed contently.
"This isn't even the worst. There have been days where I've had to work in a barn that was well over one hundred twenty degrees because it holds the heat and makes it feel warmer. It comes with the territory. Not many nasty, venomous creatures in lieu of the bizarre weather that ranges from tornadic thunderstorms to god awful heat waves all the way to violent blizzards."
Draco had finished half of his bottle of water when he glanced over at her.
"Do you know Emilia, after watching you doing your work again today, I'm not surprised you became a veterinarian."
Emilia gave him a puzzled look.
"Why's that?"
Draco stared down at the cap of his water bottle that he twisted and untwisted when he answered her question.
"Well, you've always had an affinity for beasts and magical creatures."
Emilia didn't reply right away. This was dangerous territory Draco was drifting into; attempting to talk about the girl he thought she was from the past. The one she still forgot the name of every morning but he insisted was indeed the same Hermione Granger he remembered from a decade ago. The girl he'd apparently gone above and beyond for in an attempt to keep her safe for a love she didn't remember anything about at all.
She had the sudden sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach as she recalled their kiss from earlier. Had he been thinking of her, Emilia, when they shared that moment like she'd thought he was? Or when he looked at her with those burning eyes did he not see Emilia and could only see this other person she might have once been? The tumultuous feelings of doubt began to eek into her veins, curdling her blood cold until she mentally paused her thoughts direction of thinking.
No, don't ruin this day. For once forget about it. Save those worries and concerns for another time on another day and revel in this bit of happiness you've been dying to feel again. She glanced over at Draco who was watching her face expectantly, perhaps hoping she would ask further questions. Instead of acknowledging the tidbit, she plastered a smile on her face.
"Tell me more about this Quidditch Emporium. It's your favorite store, right?"
Before they knew it the evening had turned into night and the two hopped out of her truck to make their way over to watch the main event of the rodeo. As they walked in the semi-darkness Emilia tried to explain what bull riding entailed which was somewhat similar to mutton busting but with a bigger, more violent, possibly able to maul you animal. She'd actually wondered how Draco would react to seeing bull riding. It wasn't something every Tom, Dick, or Harry saw everyday and to her it was terrifying but thrilling to see. They found an open spot for them to stand in by the corner of the fencing just beside the gate where the current rider was mounting the cream colored stud. Draco seemed to be observing the group with great interest as the men preparing for the competitor's ride. The pair of them watched closely as they went through the process checking ropes, ensuring the rider was properly seated and gripping the bull rope firmly with his gloved hand.
Satisfied with his set up, the rider gave his signal as the others cleared off except one man who opened the pen door to let them loose. Emilia, who'd seen hundreds of bull rides, instead watched Draco whose eyes widened like Larae's earlier to the size of tea cup saucers as the man on the bucking bull held tightly, one hand raised above his head as regulation called for, keeping himself on the beast that did it's utmost to ensure he got the hell off.
It kicked and jumped, twisting and turning powerfully mid air to relieve itself of its unwanted passenger. Like the mutton busting, it only lasted a few seconds before the man was thrown off his ride on to the dirt, scrambling once he was on his feet again to get away as the bull whipped and whirled around. A few trained people moved in to herd the bull toward the exit while the crowd cheered and hollered loudly. The only way to describe the look Draco gave her when he finally glanced down at her face was gob smacked.
"That's done for fun? Salazar, the man could break his neck."
Emilia, who was whooping herself and clapping, grinned excitedly up at him.
"That's the life of a professional bull rider. The thrill of the chase all while knowing the possible deadly consequences."
Draco shook his head.
"Madness. This is beyond me, Emilia. It's like watching a broomstick being hexed except most normal wiz-people would be terrified of falling to their death and rightly so."
Emilia simply shrugged.
"Things are different out here, I suppose. Different strokes for different folks, kind of thing."
Draco turned his gaze back to the next man who was getting ready to ride another bull, obviously still blown away by what he'd witnessed.
"I suppose so."
Draco could only handle watching a few more rides before he became rather nauseous since it was too similar to watching a jinxed broom and he'd seen a few nasty accidents from that happening. She reminded him they were going to meet Danny and Mona anyway so the duo made their way across an open field where a beer tent had been set up with a live cover band. It was a way for those seeking relief from the all day swelter to find shelter while visiting with friends over a beer and listening to some well played music. Danny and Mona had already claimed a table when the pair of them appeared on the opposite side of the bench to sit.
"It's busier this year." Emilia said loudly over the crooner's country singing voice. Mona nodded, sliding two beer pints over to them.
"Yeah, wait until the beer really gets flowing. Hopefully people will keep it rated PG this time."
Emilia snickered, taking a small sip of the welcomed alcoholic beverage to combat her already dewing skin.
"To be fair, that painted streaker last year was the first time I'd ever seen that happen at any rodeo."
Mona shook her head.
"Damn foolish was what that was. Oh, hey Kaila!"
Emilia's assistant appeared at the side of the table, grinning down at the group with her bright jade green eyes, greeting them all cheerfully. She gave Emilia a quick side hug before straddling the unoccupied side of the bench next to her.
"Boss, I can't lie, I am thrilled to see you up and moving around. How're you feeling?"
Emilia held up her pint.
"Well enough to drink, not the whole thing though. How's the clinic this week?"
Kaila sighed, sipping on the canned beverage she brought with her.
"It's going fine, Emilia, honestly. The spring season is done so the work has backed off to the early summer lull it gets. Thank goodness it has though because the co-op is busy as all get out. How was Denver?"
They chatted back and forth like this, discussing the workload and Emilia's hope to set a date for her potential partner to come visit the clinic until Draco, who'd been speaking with a barely responding Mona but a happily chatty Danny, tapped her shoulder.
"Would you like a water, instead?" He nodded to her empty glass.
Oops, that went down fast. She hadn't even noticed in all honesty.
"It's probably best that I do."
She was about to pass on the glass for him to return to the bar when Kaila and Mona both gasped. Mona's eyes twinkled as she got up when a familiar thumbing and guitar chord played.
"Come on girls, they're playing one of our favorites."
Mona took off without them toward the dance floor, leaving Kaila to look pleadingly at Emilia.
Few things got Kaila and Emilia excited at once. A new release on a book series they loved, a full order of vials without a single damaged glass tube, and then there was this; certain songs they loved dancing to.
Emilia glanced nervously over at Draco who was watching the exchange with great interest.
"Er…maybe I'll dance another time, Kaila."
Draco leaned forward to speak to the pouting redhead.
"Did she say she's going to dance?"
Kaila's face brightened.
"Have you never caught her toe tapping around her kitchen and singing while she's cooking?"
Emilia felt like she could sink through the ground. Kaila and her big mouth were about to rue the day it opened but then Draco laughed.
"I've heard her singing sometimes but no, I've never actually seen it in action. Is that what you're doing when you're making lunch and I'm off working?"
The alcohol was doing on a number on her it seemed because she felt so ruddy with embarrassment as Kaila continued the conversation.
"What Mona is doing," she gestured over to the woman, "Is called line dancing. We took a few classes a couple of years ago as a way to stay in shape over the winter. This song," Kaila motioned overhead where the speakers blasted the cover band's rendition of the music, "is a favorite of ours."
Draco looked over at Emilia.
"I didn't know you still danced."
She shrugged, unsure of how to feel that this was apparently something she enjoyed doing before.
"I've always been drawn to dancing for as long as I can remember."
"Well then, why won't you go if you like to, Emilia?"
Why? Well, because for one she was mortified enough as it was for the way her assistant had ousted a personal secret of hers. For two, the alcohol would no doubt make her quite tilted and uncoordinated, more so than she already was. The idea of tripping and landing on her arse while Draco looked on was enough of a reason to hestitate.
Kaila stood up, grabbing her hands.
"Come on, boss. I won't leave you alone until you do."
Emilia rubbed her lips together before she glared warningly over at Draco.
"No laughing at me if I mess up or fall over."
Draco rolled his eyes and gave her a little shove.
"Go have fun Emilia, I'll stay here and keep poor lonely Danny company."
Slightly buzzed, giggling with all the happy giddy feelings of the day, Emilia let herself be dragged to the cobbled together dance floor to stand between Mona and Kaila as they moved through the practiced line dance steps. A few times she stumbled over her cowgirl boots, laughing at her silly clumsiness, but being able to let loose and clap to the beloved music was doing wonders for her mood. She was tapping and spinning like a whirlwind when she glanced up to see Danny and Draco watching them.
Draco's eyes were sparkling, almost as happy to watch her as she was moving to the beat of the music with her friends. The smile she gave him hopefully conveyed those feelings. After a few songs and sweating off some of the alcohol coursing through her everyone decided to disperse. She wanted to be sure she and Draco had time to find decent place to watch the end of the rodeo firework show. Mona and Danny had to return home to relieve the sitter. It was a relief after their encounter earlier to end the day on a happy note with Draco even if Mona said a rather stiff goodbye to him.
Kaila bid them adieu so she could meet up with friends she'd planned to watch the show with, leaving Draco and Emilia to head over to the field, laughing about her dancing skills or lack there of. When she asked if he'd ever been to a firework show before it turned out he had apparently only seen fireworks a few times in his life, most of those experiences had been with her, because his father wasn't fond of large crowded gatherings. They were standing amongst other families and couples waiting expectantly when the first screech then explosion of the show began.
Emilia squeezed Draco's hand as they watched the grandiose sparkles light the world around them. Her gaze pulled away from the display and she found him staring at her, his lips pulled into a stunningly handsome smile. She couldn't help but return the look to him.
"Thank you Draco, I really needed this."
She wished for a moment that things were still like before when he'd told her they could be together because this would have been a perfect moment to kiss him again. Maybe this time next year things would be different. Or, that nagging voice crooned, he'll be gone and she would be here all alone trying to put the pieces of her broken self back together, whoever that really was.
Emilia leaned her head against Draco's shoulder, shoving those awful thoughts once again deep into the dark recesses of her mind, still intent to not worry about tomorrow's problems of who she was or what the two of them would eventually become to be with regards to their relationship. For right now she simply smiled after the almost perfect day she was able to have with him.