A/N: 2 more reviews! Yay! Nitpikpokket, thanks for pointing out that
without an explanation, Lucius's actions were far too caring. It's just
hard to get into his character; I hate making people seem so inhuman. I
fixed it, so hopefully it works now. Here's chapter four. Read. Please.
*sniff*
The next morning, Hermione woke up an hour before they were to leave. She got dressed, packed her trunk and put Crookshanks in his kennel. After a quick glance at the room, she headed down the stairs with her bags. She put them by the front door and stepped outside on the porch. The summer air was heavy and hot and it quickly enveloped Hermione in its embrace. She sat there on the porch with her head in her hands until Harry and Ron opened the door.
"Hermione, there you are," Harry held out his hand and helped Hermione up. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," she sighed, "where's Draco?"
"Dragging his last bag down the stairs. We should get going." Harry held the door open and dragged his own trunk through the door. Hedwig's cage teetered dangerously as he took the trunk down the steps.
Draco appeared at the bottom of the stairs and followed Harry out of the door silently. Hermione and Ron trailed them and the four made their way to the train station. Once they were there, they boarded the train stationed at platform 11 and took their seats. Hermione laid her head back and fell asleep almost immediately.
As dusk fell, the train pulled into London. King's Cross was full of people rushing around with suitcases and train tickets.
"Do you need a ride to the Dursley's, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No, Ron's family is giving me a ride, thanks," Harry gave Hermione a hug, "see you September first."
"Bye." Hermione then received a hug from Ron and watched her friends' backs retreating down the hall.
"So," Draco said from behind her, "I guess this is goodbye."
Hermione turned around slowly, "I suppose so."
"Bye Hermione," Draco pulled her into a hug. "Thank you for everything."
Hermione stood there, shocked. "Uh, bye, Draco." Draco followed Harry and Ron out of King's Cross Station and Hermione stood there and put her hand to her cheek. "Did that just happen?" The tingle in her cheek told her it had and a huge smile broke out on her face. She pushed her trunk down the hallway and went to go find her parents.
The summer had been going horribly for Draco. As he had suspected, his father was furious about him getting in trouble and, when his father was furious, things weren't pleasant in the Malfoy mansion. Draco pulled his sleeve back over his bruised arm. He had given up hope of getting away form his father. No one knew about his home life and he figured no one, besides Hermione, maybe, cared. She still hadn't written him and with every passing day he grew less hopeless about that also. His back ached as he leaned against the wooden headboard of his bed. In fact, every part of him ached.
Draco flipped through the parchment next to his bed, passing old poems and songs. Eventually, he reached the song he wrote last Christmas.
And you're laughing out loud
At just the thought of being alive
And I was wondering
Could I just be you tonight?
"Wow, is that true," he mumbled to himself. He climbed out of bed, went into the bathroom, and started the hot water. He sunk into the warm water and it felt like a thousand pinpricks on his bruised skin but then his muscles slowly relaxed and the tub of water felt like heaven. He soaked for about an hour, letting every muscle in his body loosen up, and then climbed gently out of the tub. He could've stayed in the water for another two hours, but so many thoughts ran through his mind while he sat there lazily that he just didn't want to face.
He pulled his clothed back on, which proved to be an agonizing task, and then limped back to his bed. When he sat down, he heard the crumpling sound of paper. He stood up quickly and lifted an envelope with Crabbe's messy handwriting on the front. He quickly ripped the envelope open, flipped it over, tapped his wand against the paper, and began to read.
Dear Draco,
I'm sorry it took me so long to write to you. I was staying at Ron and Ginny's for a while and you are never alone there. Also, if a Weasley saw me writing to you, I might as well have kicked myself out of the door.
How are you doing? Are you are enjoying your summer? I'm in Paris right now. I was allowed to reschedule my summer classes and so I will be staying here until mid-August. What have you been up to?
I hope I concealed that the letter was form me thoroughly enough. I didn't think you're father would be so tyrannical as to check every letter for invisible ink, so I kept it simple.
I have to go; I'm in the middle of class right now. See you on September first.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
PS - I DO still care, so don't go doing anything stupid while I'm not there.
Draco smiled down at the letter and tucked it in his dresser. He would reply later. Now that he knew someone, especially her, cared, he had a lot of sleep to catch up on.
Hermione sat on the wooden swing in a park she had found in Paris and swung back and forth solemnly. She was alone, yet again. People were right when they said Parisians were rude. She hadn't met one person she liked since she arrived in Paris, other than a few of her teachers. Ever since she left Ron's, the only person she had to talk to was Crookshanks, and, after a while, she found out he wasn't a very good conversationalist. She felt like she would do about anything for a cheering charm right now.either that or a friend.
It had been three days since she had written Draco. Surprisingly, she missed him greatly. The trip to Hogsmeade made her look at the rude, prejudice blond boy in an entirely new light. He obviously didn't like being so angry at the world, but she couldn't help wondering if he was worth her efforts. Someone needed to help him, and she wanted to, but she was worried that if she tried to play the Good Samaritan, he would be her downfall. So much rode on her decision. Her reputation and her friendships could be jeopardized if she befriended Draco Malfoy. The same went for him, also. As she considered all of this, an owl landed on a tree branch above her and dropped a letter in her lap. Hermione brightened at the sight of the blue script on the front of the envelope and ripped it open.
Hello Hermione,
It's good to hear that your summer is going well. How are your classes going?
My summer has been.okay. I got in a lot of trouble for the duel, but I'll survive. I've been forced to stay home during all of the family vacations, but, like I said at Christmas, it is better to be alone than with my family. The past week alone has been heaven, or at least as close as I'm going to get to it over the summer.
Since my father isn't here, the letter was concealed perfectly fine. As long as you get the owl to come into my room again, it shouldn't be a problem keeping it from him. If you don't hear from me two weeks after you've sent a letter, I've been caught. Just remember to never underestimate my father when it comes to being a tyrant.
Enjoy your classes. Keep in touch.
Regards,
Draco Malfoy
PS - Thank you. And, no, I have not yet done anything stupid nor do I plan on it.
Hermione smiled and ran up to her room to get a piece of parchment and a quill.
The constant flow of letters between the two of them lasted until Hermione opened the last one at ten pm on August thirty-first. It simply read.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Draco.
Hermione woke up at seven the next morning and had everything packed and ready to go by nine. She took a quick shower and ate breakfast and was out of the door and on her way to King's Cross by ten.
King's Cross Station was packed with people, as usual, but Hermione barely noticed as she kissed her parents goodbye and hurried to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. She thoroughly scanned the crowds for any sign of Ron, Harry, or Draco. Ron and Harry had told her they would meet her at the platform when they saw each other on Diagon Alley, so she paused her search for them until she reached the platform.
After a minute, she saw Draco standing by himself and was about to rush up and see him when she remembered where she was and, more importantly, who she was. Now, they were back to school and surrounded by judgmental people who would be completely aghast if they knew Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy had been secretly corresponding throughout the summer. She caught his eye over the people and saw a hint of a smile play across his face and felt her own smile grow. She quickly turned away and hurried over to Ron and Harry who were, as promised, waiting for her outside the platform.
"Hey," she greeted them happily with a hug. "Ready to go?" she started towards the entrance to Platform Nine and Three Quarters and the three of them walked casually to it. Once they had gotten through the barrier, they said goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and took their usual compartment at the back of the train.
"So, Hermione," Harry began as they put up their bags, "How was the rest of your summer?"
"It was nice. I learned a lot," Hermione said simply and took a seat. "What about you two?"
"It was great!" Ron said excitedly. Bill and Charlie helped us set up a mini-Quidditch field in the forest and we played almost every day."
"Ron got a new broom as an early birthday present," Harry added.
"Yeah, A Nimbus 2000. I know it's sort of out of style now, but it is a lot better than the Comet 260 I used to have, that's for sure."
"That's great, Ron," Hermione pretended to be excited for him.
For the next three hours, Hermione heard all about Harry and Ron's summer and then helped Harry do his History of Magic homework that he hadn't been able to finish because Uncle Vernon had locked his books up securely when Harry returned to the Dursley's.
Soon, the pudgy woman pushing the cart full of snacks came into their compartment and Harry, Ron, and Hermione jumped up eagerly. Harry was paying for a large stack of Chocolate Frogs and Cauldron Cakes when the door to their compartment opened, revealing a tall, blue-gray eyed blond who had definitely grown out of his previously lanky body over the summer. Hermione blushed furiously as she realized that for herself and suddenly became very interested in her feet and the floor and anything else that happened to cause her to look down. Of course, Hermione had changed a lot over the summer too. Her hair was now sleek and straight and her body had developed curves itself. She was ready for her seventh year at Hogwarts. She looked like a different person in many aspects, but that didn't stop her from being embarrassed when she noticed how Draco Malfoy's white shirt clung to his now muscular chest.
"Excuse me," Draco began talking to the woman pushing the trolley, "could I have one pack of Drooble's Blowing Gum? Oh, and hello Harry. Hello, Ron," Draco acknowledged them politely and Hermione smiled behind her hand at Harry and Ron's befuddled faces. "How are you, Hermione?"
"I'm fine, thank you." she managed to answer with a straight face. Draco paid for his gum and disappeared through the door again.
"What kind of sick act was that?" Ron snapped as soon as the door closed.
"What?" Hermione challenged, "you complain about him being rude for years and then when he's civilized, you act like it's a horrible joke?"
"What else could it be?"
"Sincerity," Hermione picked up her candy and sat back down.
"Hermione, I have to agree with Ron. Draco has never given us a reason to believe him to be sincere."
"I suppose you're right," Hermione tried to keep her cool. After all, no one was supposed to know about Hermione and Draco's interaction.
Two and a half weeks had passed since then and Hermione has noticed the drama in the school had decreased amazingly. No more suicide attempts, no more duels, and basically no more Malfoy. It seemed like he was doing his best to stay out of Harry and Ron's way and it was working.
Three weeks into school, Hermione was digging through her bag when she came across a neatly folded piece of paper with Draco's familiar blue script across it, asking her to meet him in the astronomy tower that night. There was no explanation as to why.
Hermione tucked the parchment in her robes and waited impatiently throughout the day until the clock reached midnight, the time Draco had indicated on his note. Hermione snuck as stealthily as possible out of the common room and up to the astronomy tower. There was no sign of Draco.
"If he doesn't show up." she muttered and turned back to the entrance. She gasped as she ran into somebody and pale fingers closed over her mouth.
"Shut up, Granger. You'll get us busted," Draco's face was inches from hers and those inches were only created by height. He was practically standing on top of her, her nose even with his chest. She nodded her head slowly and sat down next to the window.
"So, what did you want?"
"Where is this going?" Draco paced across the room.
"Where is what going?" Hermione looked up at him, perplexed.
"That's the problem. I have no idea," Draco looked up at Hermione and she saw the confusion in his eyes. It was so clear, even the gray color couldn't mask it.
"Our friendship?"
"If that's what you want to call it," Draco laughed. "Our friendship, our unhealthy union, the nonexistent relationship where one is meant to be, whatever the bloody hell you want to call it."
"I'm sorry, I must've misheard the last one," Hermione's eyes narrowed, "'the nonexistent relationship where one is meant to be'?"
"Don't look too far into it, Granger, I meant it as in friendship."
"First of all, Malfoy, if we're still on a last name basis, it can't be that great of a friendship. Secondly, it's really hard to have ANY kind of relationship when no one is allowed to know about it," Hermione noted matter-of-factly."
I know," Draco sighed. "It's just.over the summer, I began to believe our temporary alliance could overcome anything. My father found out about the letters, you know, but everything was okay because when I got back to Hogwarts, you would be there. No more invisible ink, no more waiting a week to hear from each other, whatever. Now that we're here though, it's not like that in the least."
"Your father found out?" Hermione asked worriedly. "What happened?"
"Just this," Draco pulled up his sleeve just long enough for Hermione to catch a glimpse of a huge bruise across Draco's forearm. "That's not what's important."
"Oh my God," Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled up his sleeve, revealing an enormous purple polka dot covering half of his arm. She put her hand on his shoulder sorrowfully, "Draco, I'm so-"
"Don't apologize. You realize, don't you, that those letters are the only things that kept me from doing this to myself? Don't for one second apologize," he held her gaze firmly and the intimidating look he had took over his face.
"I could've been more careful."
"Hermione, this is nothing. It was inevitable for him to come up with some reason to hit me. I'm his walking, talking. what do you muggles call it? A punching bag?" he smiled weakly.
Hermione ran her fingers softly across his cheekbone out of instinct, "How can you smile about that?" she wondered amazedly.
"I'm no smiling about that. I'm smiling because I'm simply happy to be here with you. For once, I'm happy to be alive," he looked her in the eye, "Sound familiar?"
Hermione nodded slowly and a tiny smile lit her face. Draco took her hand from his cheek gently with his own and held it tightly. A tear trickled gracefully down Hermione's face and he gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"What are you crying about now?" he laughed.
"What does it matter to you?"
"Well, if you're going to put so much of your time and energy into caring for me, I might as well put a little inkling of mine into caring for you, eh?" And with that, he bent down and kissed the tear off of her cheek, gently brushing her skin with his lips. "Don't waste your tears on me. Goodnight, Hermione," he smiled at her and swept off down the stairs, his black cloak billowing behind him.
Hermione closed her eyes and smiled unbelievingly before following after him.
The next morning, Hermione woke up an hour before they were to leave. She got dressed, packed her trunk and put Crookshanks in his kennel. After a quick glance at the room, she headed down the stairs with her bags. She put them by the front door and stepped outside on the porch. The summer air was heavy and hot and it quickly enveloped Hermione in its embrace. She sat there on the porch with her head in her hands until Harry and Ron opened the door.
"Hermione, there you are," Harry held out his hand and helped Hermione up. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," she sighed, "where's Draco?"
"Dragging his last bag down the stairs. We should get going." Harry held the door open and dragged his own trunk through the door. Hedwig's cage teetered dangerously as he took the trunk down the steps.
Draco appeared at the bottom of the stairs and followed Harry out of the door silently. Hermione and Ron trailed them and the four made their way to the train station. Once they were there, they boarded the train stationed at platform 11 and took their seats. Hermione laid her head back and fell asleep almost immediately.
As dusk fell, the train pulled into London. King's Cross was full of people rushing around with suitcases and train tickets.
"Do you need a ride to the Dursley's, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No, Ron's family is giving me a ride, thanks," Harry gave Hermione a hug, "see you September first."
"Bye." Hermione then received a hug from Ron and watched her friends' backs retreating down the hall.
"So," Draco said from behind her, "I guess this is goodbye."
Hermione turned around slowly, "I suppose so."
"Bye Hermione," Draco pulled her into a hug. "Thank you for everything."
Hermione stood there, shocked. "Uh, bye, Draco." Draco followed Harry and Ron out of King's Cross Station and Hermione stood there and put her hand to her cheek. "Did that just happen?" The tingle in her cheek told her it had and a huge smile broke out on her face. She pushed her trunk down the hallway and went to go find her parents.
The summer had been going horribly for Draco. As he had suspected, his father was furious about him getting in trouble and, when his father was furious, things weren't pleasant in the Malfoy mansion. Draco pulled his sleeve back over his bruised arm. He had given up hope of getting away form his father. No one knew about his home life and he figured no one, besides Hermione, maybe, cared. She still hadn't written him and with every passing day he grew less hopeless about that also. His back ached as he leaned against the wooden headboard of his bed. In fact, every part of him ached.
Draco flipped through the parchment next to his bed, passing old poems and songs. Eventually, he reached the song he wrote last Christmas.
And you're laughing out loud
At just the thought of being alive
And I was wondering
Could I just be you tonight?
"Wow, is that true," he mumbled to himself. He climbed out of bed, went into the bathroom, and started the hot water. He sunk into the warm water and it felt like a thousand pinpricks on his bruised skin but then his muscles slowly relaxed and the tub of water felt like heaven. He soaked for about an hour, letting every muscle in his body loosen up, and then climbed gently out of the tub. He could've stayed in the water for another two hours, but so many thoughts ran through his mind while he sat there lazily that he just didn't want to face.
He pulled his clothed back on, which proved to be an agonizing task, and then limped back to his bed. When he sat down, he heard the crumpling sound of paper. He stood up quickly and lifted an envelope with Crabbe's messy handwriting on the front. He quickly ripped the envelope open, flipped it over, tapped his wand against the paper, and began to read.
Dear Draco,
I'm sorry it took me so long to write to you. I was staying at Ron and Ginny's for a while and you are never alone there. Also, if a Weasley saw me writing to you, I might as well have kicked myself out of the door.
How are you doing? Are you are enjoying your summer? I'm in Paris right now. I was allowed to reschedule my summer classes and so I will be staying here until mid-August. What have you been up to?
I hope I concealed that the letter was form me thoroughly enough. I didn't think you're father would be so tyrannical as to check every letter for invisible ink, so I kept it simple.
I have to go; I'm in the middle of class right now. See you on September first.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
PS - I DO still care, so don't go doing anything stupid while I'm not there.
Draco smiled down at the letter and tucked it in his dresser. He would reply later. Now that he knew someone, especially her, cared, he had a lot of sleep to catch up on.
Hermione sat on the wooden swing in a park she had found in Paris and swung back and forth solemnly. She was alone, yet again. People were right when they said Parisians were rude. She hadn't met one person she liked since she arrived in Paris, other than a few of her teachers. Ever since she left Ron's, the only person she had to talk to was Crookshanks, and, after a while, she found out he wasn't a very good conversationalist. She felt like she would do about anything for a cheering charm right now.either that or a friend.
It had been three days since she had written Draco. Surprisingly, she missed him greatly. The trip to Hogsmeade made her look at the rude, prejudice blond boy in an entirely new light. He obviously didn't like being so angry at the world, but she couldn't help wondering if he was worth her efforts. Someone needed to help him, and she wanted to, but she was worried that if she tried to play the Good Samaritan, he would be her downfall. So much rode on her decision. Her reputation and her friendships could be jeopardized if she befriended Draco Malfoy. The same went for him, also. As she considered all of this, an owl landed on a tree branch above her and dropped a letter in her lap. Hermione brightened at the sight of the blue script on the front of the envelope and ripped it open.
Hello Hermione,
It's good to hear that your summer is going well. How are your classes going?
My summer has been.okay. I got in a lot of trouble for the duel, but I'll survive. I've been forced to stay home during all of the family vacations, but, like I said at Christmas, it is better to be alone than with my family. The past week alone has been heaven, or at least as close as I'm going to get to it over the summer.
Since my father isn't here, the letter was concealed perfectly fine. As long as you get the owl to come into my room again, it shouldn't be a problem keeping it from him. If you don't hear from me two weeks after you've sent a letter, I've been caught. Just remember to never underestimate my father when it comes to being a tyrant.
Enjoy your classes. Keep in touch.
Regards,
Draco Malfoy
PS - Thank you. And, no, I have not yet done anything stupid nor do I plan on it.
Hermione smiled and ran up to her room to get a piece of parchment and a quill.
The constant flow of letters between the two of them lasted until Hermione opened the last one at ten pm on August thirty-first. It simply read.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Draco.
Hermione woke up at seven the next morning and had everything packed and ready to go by nine. She took a quick shower and ate breakfast and was out of the door and on her way to King's Cross by ten.
King's Cross Station was packed with people, as usual, but Hermione barely noticed as she kissed her parents goodbye and hurried to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. She thoroughly scanned the crowds for any sign of Ron, Harry, or Draco. Ron and Harry had told her they would meet her at the platform when they saw each other on Diagon Alley, so she paused her search for them until she reached the platform.
After a minute, she saw Draco standing by himself and was about to rush up and see him when she remembered where she was and, more importantly, who she was. Now, they were back to school and surrounded by judgmental people who would be completely aghast if they knew Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy had been secretly corresponding throughout the summer. She caught his eye over the people and saw a hint of a smile play across his face and felt her own smile grow. She quickly turned away and hurried over to Ron and Harry who were, as promised, waiting for her outside the platform.
"Hey," she greeted them happily with a hug. "Ready to go?" she started towards the entrance to Platform Nine and Three Quarters and the three of them walked casually to it. Once they had gotten through the barrier, they said goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and took their usual compartment at the back of the train.
"So, Hermione," Harry began as they put up their bags, "How was the rest of your summer?"
"It was nice. I learned a lot," Hermione said simply and took a seat. "What about you two?"
"It was great!" Ron said excitedly. Bill and Charlie helped us set up a mini-Quidditch field in the forest and we played almost every day."
"Ron got a new broom as an early birthday present," Harry added.
"Yeah, A Nimbus 2000. I know it's sort of out of style now, but it is a lot better than the Comet 260 I used to have, that's for sure."
"That's great, Ron," Hermione pretended to be excited for him.
For the next three hours, Hermione heard all about Harry and Ron's summer and then helped Harry do his History of Magic homework that he hadn't been able to finish because Uncle Vernon had locked his books up securely when Harry returned to the Dursley's.
Soon, the pudgy woman pushing the cart full of snacks came into their compartment and Harry, Ron, and Hermione jumped up eagerly. Harry was paying for a large stack of Chocolate Frogs and Cauldron Cakes when the door to their compartment opened, revealing a tall, blue-gray eyed blond who had definitely grown out of his previously lanky body over the summer. Hermione blushed furiously as she realized that for herself and suddenly became very interested in her feet and the floor and anything else that happened to cause her to look down. Of course, Hermione had changed a lot over the summer too. Her hair was now sleek and straight and her body had developed curves itself. She was ready for her seventh year at Hogwarts. She looked like a different person in many aspects, but that didn't stop her from being embarrassed when she noticed how Draco Malfoy's white shirt clung to his now muscular chest.
"Excuse me," Draco began talking to the woman pushing the trolley, "could I have one pack of Drooble's Blowing Gum? Oh, and hello Harry. Hello, Ron," Draco acknowledged them politely and Hermione smiled behind her hand at Harry and Ron's befuddled faces. "How are you, Hermione?"
"I'm fine, thank you." she managed to answer with a straight face. Draco paid for his gum and disappeared through the door again.
"What kind of sick act was that?" Ron snapped as soon as the door closed.
"What?" Hermione challenged, "you complain about him being rude for years and then when he's civilized, you act like it's a horrible joke?"
"What else could it be?"
"Sincerity," Hermione picked up her candy and sat back down.
"Hermione, I have to agree with Ron. Draco has never given us a reason to believe him to be sincere."
"I suppose you're right," Hermione tried to keep her cool. After all, no one was supposed to know about Hermione and Draco's interaction.
Two and a half weeks had passed since then and Hermione has noticed the drama in the school had decreased amazingly. No more suicide attempts, no more duels, and basically no more Malfoy. It seemed like he was doing his best to stay out of Harry and Ron's way and it was working.
Three weeks into school, Hermione was digging through her bag when she came across a neatly folded piece of paper with Draco's familiar blue script across it, asking her to meet him in the astronomy tower that night. There was no explanation as to why.
Hermione tucked the parchment in her robes and waited impatiently throughout the day until the clock reached midnight, the time Draco had indicated on his note. Hermione snuck as stealthily as possible out of the common room and up to the astronomy tower. There was no sign of Draco.
"If he doesn't show up." she muttered and turned back to the entrance. She gasped as she ran into somebody and pale fingers closed over her mouth.
"Shut up, Granger. You'll get us busted," Draco's face was inches from hers and those inches were only created by height. He was practically standing on top of her, her nose even with his chest. She nodded her head slowly and sat down next to the window.
"So, what did you want?"
"Where is this going?" Draco paced across the room.
"Where is what going?" Hermione looked up at him, perplexed.
"That's the problem. I have no idea," Draco looked up at Hermione and she saw the confusion in his eyes. It was so clear, even the gray color couldn't mask it.
"Our friendship?"
"If that's what you want to call it," Draco laughed. "Our friendship, our unhealthy union, the nonexistent relationship where one is meant to be, whatever the bloody hell you want to call it."
"I'm sorry, I must've misheard the last one," Hermione's eyes narrowed, "'the nonexistent relationship where one is meant to be'?"
"Don't look too far into it, Granger, I meant it as in friendship."
"First of all, Malfoy, if we're still on a last name basis, it can't be that great of a friendship. Secondly, it's really hard to have ANY kind of relationship when no one is allowed to know about it," Hermione noted matter-of-factly."
I know," Draco sighed. "It's just.over the summer, I began to believe our temporary alliance could overcome anything. My father found out about the letters, you know, but everything was okay because when I got back to Hogwarts, you would be there. No more invisible ink, no more waiting a week to hear from each other, whatever. Now that we're here though, it's not like that in the least."
"Your father found out?" Hermione asked worriedly. "What happened?"
"Just this," Draco pulled up his sleeve just long enough for Hermione to catch a glimpse of a huge bruise across Draco's forearm. "That's not what's important."
"Oh my God," Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled up his sleeve, revealing an enormous purple polka dot covering half of his arm. She put her hand on his shoulder sorrowfully, "Draco, I'm so-"
"Don't apologize. You realize, don't you, that those letters are the only things that kept me from doing this to myself? Don't for one second apologize," he held her gaze firmly and the intimidating look he had took over his face.
"I could've been more careful."
"Hermione, this is nothing. It was inevitable for him to come up with some reason to hit me. I'm his walking, talking. what do you muggles call it? A punching bag?" he smiled weakly.
Hermione ran her fingers softly across his cheekbone out of instinct, "How can you smile about that?" she wondered amazedly.
"I'm no smiling about that. I'm smiling because I'm simply happy to be here with you. For once, I'm happy to be alive," he looked her in the eye, "Sound familiar?"
Hermione nodded slowly and a tiny smile lit her face. Draco took her hand from his cheek gently with his own and held it tightly. A tear trickled gracefully down Hermione's face and he gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"What are you crying about now?" he laughed.
"What does it matter to you?"
"Well, if you're going to put so much of your time and energy into caring for me, I might as well put a little inkling of mine into caring for you, eh?" And with that, he bent down and kissed the tear off of her cheek, gently brushing her skin with his lips. "Don't waste your tears on me. Goodnight, Hermione," he smiled at her and swept off down the stairs, his black cloak billowing behind him.
Hermione closed her eyes and smiled unbelievingly before following after him.