Chapter 26 – Beltane (Part II)
A/N: Welcome back for the second half of Beltane and I hope I didn't cause too much angst with the chapter split. I've got a song rec: "Save Your Tears" by the Weeknd. As always, my mistakes are my own. - delphicpigeon
He didn't know when she had found the gazebo at first, but when she hadn't returned inside the cottage by dusk he decided to look for her. When he saw her sitting inside the structure, he allowed himself a small smug smile of satisfaction. His intention had hit its mark. Even from across the yard in the dying afternoon light, he could see her relaxed posture. Her brow wasn't furrowed in worry and her hands were casually folded in her lap as her hair blew softly in the warm breeze.
Content to let her sit in peace, he stood watching her. He was struck once again with her unexpected loveliness. He recalled the first time he had seen her dressed up at the Yule Ball, taken aback that this vision in periwinkle blue that had been hidden under the bushy haired bookworm. He remembered Pansy's irritation at his lapse in attention towards her and her hateful, snide remarks about Hermione's appearance. Throughout the entire evening, he had tried to catch glimpses of her while fighting off stabs of jealousy as she spun across the dance floor with Viktor Krum, a wide smile plastered across her face. Back then, he had attributed his jealousy to bafflement over Viktor Krum taking an interest in her. But now, he thought maybe that wasn't the case anymore.
Feeling her gaze upon him, he gave a small wave and watched as she left the gazebo. She walked towards him, her arms full of color and a dazzling smile on her lips.
"It's beautiful Draco." She announced as she reached him.
"It's nothing." He shrugged outwardly.
Inwardly, he was running mental victory laps.
"So humble." She teased, pushing past him into the cottage, "You put a lot of work into it, both physically and magically, and I appreciate it. Now help me with these flowers."
He followed her to the kitchen table where she spread out all the flowers and instructed him to sort them by color. They worked quietly and quickly, as dusk was beginning to fade into night. The bonfire would need to be lit soon and they still needed to clean out the old ashes of the cottage's fireplace. Draco had been intrigued by the particular focus on fire for Beltane. According to Hermione's research, during Beltane, the old ashes of a home's hearth were removed, buried, and replaced by embers created by a Beltane bonfire known as Tein-eigen, the need fire. It symbolized fresh starts, cleansing, and purification. He had been slightly alarmed when she had mentioned the fire jumping part, but quickly remembered with a depreciating scoff that he was a wizard.
"Can you finish this up and get the logs in place for the Tein-eigen?" she asked, interrupting his thoughts, "I am going to go change and prepare for the rituals."
He nodded and she gave a grateful smile before disappearing up the stairs. He finished sorting the flowers, tying each bundle together with twine before heading outside to prep the wood. Once the logs and starter kindling were in place, he went back inside to clean up as well. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about all this preparation, but he knew how important it was to her. He wasn't even sure if the Old Ways still provided any actual power or boost to their existing magic, but he was also painfully aware that Cerridwen was born out of a particular type of magic not seen in many millennia.
Following a quick wash, he changed into a pair of black trousers and a dark green linen button up. The shirt had once been stiffly starched but many days in the sun had softened the fabric. He rolled up the sleeves, not wanting to singe them in the fire and affixed a sprig of cut evergreen. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was surprised briefly by his appearance. His hair brushed against the tops of his shoulders and his normally fair complexion had slightly darkened from the many sunny days spent in the garden. His jawline was now hidden by a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He had considered shaving but found that the facial hair coupled with a slight tan reminded him more of his mother's features rather than his father's. He decided to let his hair remain unbound before giving his reflection a smirk and exiting the bathroom.
He walked over to the stairs and called up.
"You almost ready up there?"
"Nearly done." She replied back, "Just a couple more minutes."
He shrugged and turned to the fireplace, remembering the old ashes needed to be removed before the new embers could be placed. Removing his wand from his arm holster, he vanished the ashes and waited for her to join him. Several minutes later, he heard her descending the stairs and when he turned around, he nearly dropped his wand.
She was absolutely beautiful to behold. Draped in a floor length cream linen dress that was simultaneously simple and decadent, her waist wrapped with a wide dark green sash. Her hair was down with gem-colored ribbons braided into the thick strands. Atop her head sat a flower crown, the blossoms shooting outwards like stars. She fixed him with a radiant smile.
"How do I look?" she asked shyly, giving a small spin.
Draco's mind went instantly blank. He thought she was the most stunning creature he had ever seen. A witch that he would do anything for. A goddess, both symbolically and in reality, he would bow to. He merely stared at her, his mouth twitching as he struggled to find words.
"Do the ribbons look bad?" she questioned, her smile dropping while reaching up to finger a deep red ribbon.
"No!" he responded, a little too forcefully drawing an alarmed expression from her, "You look…fine."
Fine?! That's the brilliant word you choose to describe the absolutely magnificent witch before you? He mentally scolded himself, Salazar Slytherin would be turning over in his grave if he ever knew how banal and embarrassing a wizard of his House could be. Especially over a Gryffindor.
The smile returned to her face, albeit not as brilliant as before.
"Thanks." She replied somewhat subdued, before turning towards the door.
Draco panicked. He couldn't let her walk about that door without rectifying the situation. He felt his chest constrict tightly at seeing the dejected slump of her posture.
"Wait!" he called out, scrambling towards her. "Not fine!"
Her face scrunched up at his outburst.
"I don't look fine?" she snapped, her face flushing, "Are you saying I look terrible? I don't see how considering your mother packed this dress for me, so it's not like you can comment on the quality of it."
If he hadn't panicked before, then it was nothing compared to how he was feeling now. Oh shite, he muttered under his breath, I've truly gone and bungled this. She is going to hex me to next Beltane if I don't fix this immediately.
"That's not what I meant!" he rushed out, "What I mean is, uh, what I am trying to say is that you look pretty."
"Oh!" she squeaked out, her face morphing through a variety of expressions before settling on surprise, "You think I look pretty?"
Draco nodded mutely, not trusting himself to speak without sounding like a proper idiot.
"Not many people have called me pretty before." She confessed, "Unless you count parents. Oh, and Viktor Krum back in Fourth Year."
Draco internally sighed in relief. Viktor Krum was a safe subject.
"The Weasel didn't?" he commented, "I find that hard to believe."
"I don't think Ronald ever did." She considered, placing heavy emphasis on his name with a pointed glare directed at Draco, "He did tell me I had nice skin once."
Draco blanched. What sort of odd compliment was that? Did the Weasley family consider commenting on the condition of someone's skin as legitimate praise? He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in disbelief.
"That is not how you…I mean you do have nice skin, but that is not how you properly compliment someone." He ground out in irritation, "How you ever fell for that obtuse redhead is beyond me."
She gave him an amused smirk, apparently entertained by his sardonic response.
"The infamous Draco Malfoy thinks I'm pretty AND I have nice skin." She teased, giving him a small wink, "My, my. I would have never thought it possible."
"Ah, yes. Well…we should get on with it." He prompted, eager to change subjects, "Beltane will be over before we even leave the cottage."
He walked to her side and held out his arm, clearly indicating she should take it. She peered at his arm strangely for a moment before reaching up and laying her hand lightly on his exposed forearm. He felt his skin ignite under her touch. Lifting his eyes to her, he saw her cheeks flush indicating she felt a similar sensation. Flashing her a smile, he led her out of the cottage and towards Tein-eigen.
Hermione smiled into the warmth of the flames. The rituals had worked perfectly and she felt a sense of contentment that had long eluded her. They had been simple acts, more symbolic than anything, but she couldn't pretend that they didn't affect her in some manner. She looked across the fire where the shadows and lights danced across Draco's face. He had been a wonderful sport, participating in her rituals with a respectful nature. He had even insisted on carrying the embers of Tein-eigen to the cottage's own fireplace. Her heart had swelled at his look of concentration as he levitated the red-hot coals away. Turning her attention back, she allowed herself to unabashedly observe him in the dim light.
Sweet Merlin, she thought to herself with a giggle, he is extremely attractive! Without his signature sneer during school, she had quietly admitted to herself that Draco Malfoy had been a handsome wizard if she looked past his rude behavior. However, she felt like she was seeing him with an entirely different light. He was determined, charming when he chose to be, remarkably efficient, intelligent, and demanding. Not to mention, in the fresh firelight, he reminded her of the fae. Another giggle escaped as she pictured him with iridescent, fluttering wings.
"Care to share what's going in that head of yours?" he interrupted, giving her an appraising look.
"No, I don't think I will." She giggled back in response.
"If you won't, then I will." He spoke quietly, his voice turning serious.
Perplexed, she watched as he withdrew a familiar box from his pocket. She grimaced, recognizing the object. He had entrusted it to her care prior to the removal of his Dark Mark. She didn't know what it contained, but she knew it must have been precious. He stood and walked to her side.
"Back then, I asked you to watch over this for me." He started, opening the box and withdrawing a small object, "My mother gave this to me to save us."
Hermione gasped as his hand opened, a finely wrought moonstone brooch sitting neatly in the center of his palm.
"It's lovely." She whispered in awe, "You must miss her very much."
"I want you to have it."
She let out a strangled breath as her wide eyes shot up to meet his, searching for any signs that he was joking. She inhaled sharply when she saw nothing but resolve.
"I-…Draco," she murmured, "I can't take this. It's too precious."
"Please," he began, so softly that Hermione nearly missed the request, "This brooch was the Portkey that brought us here and it has Cerridwen's rune carved into it. The same mark that lives on you. She knew who you were and how important you were. I know she meant for you to have it."
Hermione sat dumbstruck, her eyes fixed on the delicate piece of jewelry.
How could she possibly accept such a priceless heirloom, especially the final memory of Draco's mother embedded within it?
She chewed nervously on her bottom lip, trying to find the words to politely dismiss his gift. Before she could speak, he kneeled beside her and gently undid the brooch's clasp. Stuttering, she lifted her hands to block his movement. He lightly pushed her hands back into her lap before pinning the brooch in place just above her thunderous heartbeat. He leaned back and looked at her with an expression that shook her to the core: longing.
"Are you sure?" she asked with a shaky breath, "Would Narcissa Malfoy want someone like me in possession of such a valuable thing?"
He waved a hand with a dismissive snort, walking back to the opposite side of the fire.
"Just accept the damned thing Granger." He teased, "Besides, it looks much better on you than it would ever look on me."
She looked down and ran the tip of her finger across the smooth edge of the moonstone, taking in the shimmering etched symbol. It was an elegant and breathtaking work of art framed in gleaming silver filigree, more costly and undeniably much older than any piece of jewelry she had ever owned.
"I promise to take care of it." She asserted.
"I don't doubt that." he replied with a smile, "Blessed Beltane Hermione."
"Blessed Beltane Draco." She answered, giving him a smile in return.
Post A/N: AHHHHH – I'm dying for y'alls thoughts on this. I know the split was a bit unfair, but so worth it honestly.