So I guess I lied when I said that I won't have that much time to write since instead of using that time to work on my assignments, I'm using it to procrastinate and write more fanfiction.
Things were still tense between Harry and Hermione for the next few days, and that feeling remained once Ron returned to the Horcrux hunt, since she was still mad at him as well. Hermione figured that Harry hadn't told Ron about her little writings since he hadn't gone and confronted her about 'communicating with the enemy' and was still trying to get back into her good graces. She was just mad at both of them, which wasn't exactly something new since Hermione was always mad one of them. They just had a way of irking her to no end which made Hermione wonder why she was still even friends with them. But then she remembered that they'd be basically lost without her and Hermione didn't exactly fancy a world with Voldemort in charge so it looked like she'd be stuck with those loveable idiots forever.
They were currently heading to the Lovegood house in order to find out more about the mark that Hermione had found on several occasions. Ron was leading the way, since he was the only one of them that knew where to go, while Harry and Hermione trailed behind. Harry was ahead of Hermione, while she lagged at the back until they were practically standing side by side.
"I didn't tell him, you know. About Malfoy," Harry said.
"I figured as much, because if you did I doubt that Ronald would even want my forgiveness," Hermione commented.
"He thinks you're mad at him because you have feelings for him," Harry stated.
Hermione sighed, "Used to. I used to have feelings for Ron. They're gone now, thank Merlin."
Another silence fell over them, and Hermione couldn't quite understand what Harry was doing next to her. He was supposed to be mad at her, wasn't he? It was always hard to tell what Harry was feeling, since his feelings always tended to change at the drop of a hat.
"I thought about it. I get it, you know. I don't understand why, but I just get it," Harry said.
"What do you get?" Hermione asked.
"Why you'd wanna talk to Malfoy, or anyone else, for that matter. I thought I was the only one with a lot on my plate in the past year, but you've had your own issues too. I was being selfish," Harry stated.
"What made you come to that conclusion?" Hermione wondered, even though he was exactly right.
Harry sighed, "With Ron back, I was thinking about you guys fighting last year. I barely paid attention to whatever you guys were arguing about while I was off doing my own things."
"You mean obsessing over Draco and ogling over Ginny?" Hermione remarked.
"Yes," Harry grumbled. "And helping Dumbledore, but then you just let him die when you knew what Malfoy was up to."
"The thing is, Harry, Dumbledore knew what Malfoy was doing. I told him myself, and Dumbledore completely ignored me and said he basically already knew what was happening," Hermione stated.
Harry narrowed his eyes, "What? I don't believe that. Dumbledore wouldn't just stand by and let someone kill him."
"Except he did, Harry. He knew what Draco was doing and made no attempt to intervene or stop him. He merely dismissed my concerns when I told him what Draco was doing," Hermione said.
"How did you even know what Malfoy was up to? I doubt he'd tell some stranger in a book what he was doing," Harry wondered.
"You're right, he didn't tell me. I figured it out on my own. Then I confronted him about it, and he admitted to it but refused my help," Hermione replied.
"He obviously accepted it then if he's helping you now," Harry realised.
"He didn't accept my help until after you almost murdered him with Sectumsempra," Hermione quipped.
Harry grimaced, "Wait a minute… is that why you took the map? To see Malfoy?"
"Yes, Harry. I needed to see him. I couldn't stand the thought of him being there in a hospital bed while knowing that you were responsible for his condition. He didn't seem to resent you for it, though. He basically wished that you'd finished him off," Hermione explained.
"Is he really helping you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, he is. I asked him for help and he's been giving it to me. I didn't even ask him for help and he was helping me just by listening and responding to me. I even had him helping Ginny and Neville at Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"Come to think of it, I did see Malfoy around them a lot on the map, so I guess that makes sense now," Harry commented.
"So, you're okay with it now?" Hermione asked carefully.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I just needed some time to think about things from your perspective, and I realise now that you shouldn't have even needed to talk to Malfoy to get support. I should've been a better friend, and I'm sorry," Harry apologised.
Hermione smiled softly, "Oh, Harry. I could never stay mad at you for that long. Ron, on the other hand, deserves more of my anger."
"Come on, Mione. I forgave Ron," Harry remarked.
"Only because he destroyed a Horcrux for you. He hasn't done anything for me except be a jerk," Hermione argued.
"He feels bad about leaving, he really does. And if you can forgive Malfoy after he was a jerk to you or all these years, surely you can forgive Ron," Harry pointed out.
"Oh, just let me be mad at Ron in my own time," Hermione snapped.
That earned a laugh from Harry, and they continued walking together at a faster speed as Ron called for them to hurry up. It was nice for Hermione to know that Harry was okay with it, even though it was almost surprising that it only took him this long to get over it. Then again, Harry had always been more able to move on from conflict than Ron. But if Harry's reaction was anything to go by, then Hermione could only wonder how Ron would react when he eventually found out what Hermione was doing while she was mad at him.
~*•°•*~
Just when Hermione thought that things were going to start looking up for them, everything turns for the worst. They had been betrayed by Lovegood, and sent to Malfoy Manor. Despite the fact that Hermione had been missing Draco, she didn't want to see him under these kind of circumstances. When their eyes met, Hermione could see the look of dread on his face and she too was dreading what came next.
When Bellatrix demanded that Draco identify Harry, Hermione thought it was all over. But then Draco surprised them all and failed to identify Harry when he clearly knew who it was. The fact that he didn't do that made Hermione's heart swell. There was still hope for him. But then things got worse when Bellatrix sent Harry and Ron to the cellar so she could interrogate Hermione about the sword.
The entire ordeal was the worst thing that Hermione had endured. Despite her best attempts at not giving Bellatrix the satisfaction of her screams, Hermione hadn't been able to help herself. She just lied there and writhed in pain on the floor as Bellatrix carved her dagger into her skin. There was a split moment when Hermione was able to spare a look Draco's way, and the look on his face just about broke her heart. When it looked like he was about to make a move, Hermione gave him a look as if to say: do not move. As much as Hermione wanted the help, she knew that any move he made could potentially make things worse for all of them.
But then Dobby showed up, and they were all rescued from Malfoy Manor and taken to Shells Cottage. The entire ordeal had left Hermione shaken to the core, and she couldn't bare to look at that hideous slur that would leave a mark on her forearm. Although Harry and Ron tried their best to comfort her, there was nothing that they could do to make Hermione feel better. There was only one person that could help her, so when she was finally feeling ready, she pulled out the hidden box and wrote for it.
Draco.
Granger, I'm so fucking sorry. I'm sorry that I just stood there like a coward and let my Aunt torture you. You didn't deserve that.
Do not apologise. There is nothing that you could've done. Anything that you would've done only would've made things worse.
I'm just glad that you and Potter made it out alive. The Dark Lord came back, and he has never been more displeased to us. We're now bound to the Manor as punishment for letting Potter get away, though it's not like that really changes anything since we were already prisoners in our own house. Now it's just official and I can barely stand to be in my own home.
I'm sorry.
Like you have anything to apologise for. You know, I kinda wish that I'd made a move to leave with you too. I was just too stunned to even do anything. But what happened with Bellatrix's knife? It disappeared as you disapparated with Dobby.
We're all fine, but Dobby got struck with the knife. He died.
Oh. You know, I never really treated him the best, since that was what father did whilst we still had him, but I certainly appreciated him more than I ever did in that moment when he got you out of there.
We gave him a respectful burial because it was what Harry wanted. Harry had grown to really care for Dobby. His death saddened all of us.
Also, what was with that look Potter gave me when he took his wand back? It was kind of scandalised.
Harry knows about us. He caught me writing to you around Christmas and was mad at me for a while because of it. He didn't accept it until we were heading to the Lovegood house.
Does anyone else know?
No, just Harry. And I plan on keeping it that way until we no longer have to hide our communication.
It's becoming a bit harder for me to write to you now. There's almost always someone around me which makes it difficult to write in private.
I have nothing but privacy now, even though there's always someone checking up on me.
As they should. I'm sorry, Granger. I really am. I never wanted anyone else to get caught in trouble because of my cowardice after last year.
Draco, you do not have to apologise. You were not the one who carved into my skin with glee. That was all Bellatrix. You cannot blame yourself for her actions.
But I can't help but feel like there was something I should've done to make things different. You know, I've been feeling a lot of things lately.
Like what?
Just… feelings. Nothings really the same as it used to be, like us. I never thought I would come to rely on Hermione Granger.
And I would have to share the same sentiment.
It's not the only sentiment that we share either.
What else do you mean?
Granger, remember how you cornered me in the hospital wing and I demanded to know why you were so insistent on helping me?
… Yes.
Then I'm sure you remember what you said to me.
Of course.
I realise that my way of sharing this with you probably isn't ideal, but considering the circumstances it'll probably be the only chance I get before you undoubtedly get yourself into trouble. I now share that sentiment.
Hermione recoiled in shock as she read the words on the piece of paper. Truthfully, she had almost forgotten about her bizarre feelings for Draco. It wasn't like she had much time to ponder them in the recent months that she had spent on the run. And despite how she did feel towards him, Hermione was more than willing just to be a beacon of support for Draco. But hearing… or reading… that he now shared those feelings brought them all back. It was just shocking. Even more shocking than Harry accepting her communicating with Draco.
I don't understand. When did that change?
When you were at the Manor, actually. Seeing Bellatrix torture you like that just made my stomach turn, and the thought of you dying just wasn't something I could live with. Then I remembered how I felt after your Ministry escapade, and it was the same thing. I just don't even want to think about you getting hurt, Granger, and not just because I need someone to vent to, but because I actually care about you in a way I never thought possible.
Draco… I don't know what to say.
Well, I'll give you some time to react to it then, since I'm about to get busted. Get well, Granger. And above all things, take care.
As Hermione stared down at the words written in front of her, Hermione couldn't help the small smile that crept upon her face, and this was the first time she had smiled in a long time, even before her ordeal with Bellatrix. And to think it was all because Draco Malfoy said that he had feelings for her. Though this really wasn't the way that Hermione had wanted to find out, but just knowing made her happy, and she hoped that once this was all over and the dust cleared, they would be able to talk about this in person, without having to write to each other.
And there you have it. Draco now feels the same way, and it only took seventeen chapters with six more left, and they won't even be able to be together properly until the end of the story. Talk about slow burn. I'd originally planned for Draco to reveal his feelings after the Ministry incident, but then I decided on dragging it out for a more pivotal reveal, which is what you got here so I hope the wait was worth it.
