Chapter Three
Disclaimer: I own no rights to Harry Potter or any related material.
Cold air wafted through the Slytherin dungeons as Draco Malfoy sat on his bed with the curtains closed shut. He stared straight ahead, an unhappy look plastered on his pointed features. All he could see, all he could think about, was Hermione's tear-stained face. What had he done to her? What had he done? He was a complete fool. He knew that he had something special with her. But he had to go and ruin it all. It wasn't me, Draco thought bitterly.
Draco knew in all his life he would never give up on something he felt so strongly about. Then why did he let it affect him? Why couldn't he have fought back? Because he was a coward, that's why. He didn't have the balls to stand up to anyone or anything, even if it put his love on the line. But the thing that hurt him most was he knew he could never go back. And he blamed it all to the person he hated most.
Flashback
Morning Before Breaking Hermione's Heart
Draco walked back from Hermione's Head Girl quarters early in the morning. Walking through the Slytherin dungeons, a regular place for depression, his heart could not feel lighter. My God, I feel like a Gryffindor, he thought, chuckling to himself as he walked with an unnerving bounce in his step. He was in love, what could you do?
Whispering the password to the Slytherin common room, he entered and practically skipped up the stairs to his dormitory. He was on the verge of humming, for crying out loud. As he burst through the door to his dormitory, his good mood sank like an anchor in salt water.
"Son," Lucius Malfoy hissed, supporting himself against one of the bed's four posts. He looked very calm and collected, but didn't he always.
"Father," Draco acknowledged. He was very nervous, and Lucius could sense that. Draco knew his father was there for a reason. His father didn't come to see him for friendly rendezvous'.
"Where have you been, Draco?" his father asked once again, his voice calm with a not very subtle hint of power.
"I was just returning from the kitchens," Draco lied. "I got rather hungry and got myself a loaf of bread and cheese. I am sorry for making you wait, Sir."
Lucius quickly whipped his wooden staff down on the desk Draco was standing by, making a loud 'cracking' noise echo through the room. Crabbe grunted.
"Do not lie to me, Draco!" Lucius bellowed. Draco looked at him uncertainly. He prayed his father did not know…
"I know where you were for the evening, Draco," his father said quietly, yet venomously. Draco looked up at him, sweat beads forming at his hairline. "I am very disappointed in you Draco, seeing a mudblood?" Draco flinched at the words. He could not stand there and listen to his father insult Hermione. But he knew from years of experience and multiple scars, not to interrupt Lucius. "I trusted you to uphold the Malfoy name, and what do you do? You disgrace our family name, our rank to the Dark Lord. Do you know what he would do to us if he found out you were in love with a disgusting mudblood? I will not tolerate an offspring of mine to disgrace such a clean pureblood name by fooling around with muggles. You must have thought of that, Draco. Do you honestly think you could get away with it? I have spies Draco; they're everywhere. Watching your every move. I made it clear to them that I would not sit back and let my son ruin his life, and the Malfoy name I worked so very hard to build.
So, I have made a proposition. You will leave her, Draco. Forget about her completely. I don't care how you do it; just make sure you do it. And have everyone know. If you fail, my son. It will be her life at our Master's pleasure. I do believe you know which choice is best."
Draco could not believe his ears. He could not leave Hermione. He loved her with his heart, with his soul. But, if he didn't, she would be killed. She would never live the successful life that he knew she would lead. He could not deprive Hermione of her glory. But, that would mean…that would mean he'd have to leave her.
End Flashback
Draco's heart was beating fast, and his face was growing red and sweat beads were forming under his lips. He felt a strong hate for his father. He could not believe he had allowed his father to do this to him. He would have rather died. And there was no way he could tell Hermione the truth. "I have spies Draco; they're everywhere. Watching your every move." His father's words haunted him. His father didn't trust him enough to make his own decisions? Why was his life so complicated?
Draco sighed, and looked at his leather trunk, which was nicely packed and ready to head back to the Malfoy Manor the next morning. Today was officially their last day. That was the last day he could ever see Hermione again. And he couldn't do anything about it. And that killed him.
Realizing it was time for lunch in the Great Hall, he exited his room and began sulking his way through the Hogwarts corridors. School life was uneventful for him now. He was graduating fourth in his class, which he received quite the discipline from his father for, he lost the love of his life who would obviously move on from him in a heart beat, and his father was forcing him to marry and receive the dark mark at the age of 21. He had no intention on being too cheery about the life he was leading.
Strutting into the Great Hall, he took a nonchalant glance towards the Gryffindor table, hoping to see the familiar head of caramel curls. He spotted her; sitting solemnly at the end of the table, pushing her food around her plate with her fork. As he walked by, she looked up and spotted him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she shook her head and continued pushing her food around her plate. He couldn't blame her for being angry with him. He would be too if he were in her position. But he wasn't. And that's what made things 20 times worse.
Once the Hall was settled in, Dumbledore stood up, knocking a fork on his jewel-encrusted goblet. "Attention, Seventh Years!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the Great Hall. "The 'Year's Farewell Ceremony' will take place in the Hall directly after lunch hour. You will remain seated until the Hall is rid of all younger students. Thank you, and tuck in!"
Draco never understood why Dumbledore made such a huge deal about announcing when to eat. But he knew one thing; he was not looking forward to this ceremony. He had a gut instinct that something was not going to be right…
-
Hermione looked up just in time to see Draco Malfoy walking towards the Slytherin table, his eyes locked on her. She narrowed her eyes then sighed through her nose while she shook her head and continued playing with her food. She knew Dumbledore would be making a speech in less than a minute, and what it was about she dreaded.
Once Dumbledore had spoken, she heard several younger students around her muttering their inputs on how it wasn't 'fair' that is was only open to seventh years. God forbid they have to wait two years to have a ceremony. Hermione's heart began to race as she saw many younger students leave the Hall. The Hall was quickly emptying of all younger students, and this was not helping her nerves in the smallest bit.
Dumbledore stood once again. Oh no…this is it, Hermione thought. Her pulse was pounding in her ears, so loud that she was surprised no one else could hear it.
Dumbledore began speaking, "I would like to welcome you…" All of Dumbledore's words were lost in Hermione's paranoia. She was actually having trouble breathing. She wished she could escape to Madame Pomfry. "Now, to give you a speech, this years Head Girl…" Hermione's heart was in her throat. Public speaking had been so easy for her in the years before, but that was also before her reputation was shattered. "Hermione Granger!" Dumbledore announced loudly. There was an echoing clap coming from the teacher's table. No one wanted her on the stage. No one wanted to hear her talk. She wished she could hide.
Standing up, and brushing her knee length skirt off for nonexistent lint, she began walking up to the platform before the Great Hall. On her way up, she heard an obnoxious catcall whistle coming from the Ravenclaw table. Hermione's face deepened a shade of red. Her speech was leaving her…
"This has been one of the, um, most rewarding experiences in, um, all of our lives… During these seven years we have learned, um, magic…" She could not believe what she was rambling. They learned magic? That was kind of expected, considering they were in a school of witchcraft and wizardry. "And, um…we have all created, um, bonds with each other, that will last for years to come…"
Hermione was so nervous standing before all those people who detested her. She thought Dumbledore knew all. Didn't he realize what a traumatic experience this was for her?
"Uh, and as we all, um, leave this school with hundreds of memories, we will, um, move on to, um, bigger and better things…" she said nervously.
Then, as if she wasn't having a hard enough time, someone decided to voice his or her opinion.
"TRAMP!" someone yelled. Hermione's heart stopped. Who - who was that? "GET OFF THE STAGE, BITCH!" someone yelled from the other side of the room. Hermione's lip quivered as her eyes filled up with glossy tears. She looked at the floor, to the audience, then to Dumbledore…and she ran.
She ran as fast as she could, as fast as her short legs could take her. She needed to get away. Get away from everything.
She had lost in life. She knew it now; she knew what a failure she was. She lost her one, true love. She lost her reputation, her respect. She could never go back, she could never face the world as Hermione Granger ever again.
Hermione stopped running, as soon as she realized she was at the Hogwarts gates. She had run so far, without even knowing. She needed to get out. Get out of her life, before anything else happened to her. She could never let another person hurt her. She wasn't strong enough. She slumped down against the gate and began crying in her knees. When did her life start falling apart so fast? Couldn't she have a say in when her life could crumble? Wasn't it her who was supposed to make her own life an insufferable hellhole?
Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, Hermione looked to the castle in the distance. She would leave all that behind her. She would leave everything she ever knew, everything she ever loved behind her. Hermione Granger was no more.
A/N: Tell Carmen and Loki what you think!!!
Disclaimer: I own no rights to Harry Potter or any related material.
Cold air wafted through the Slytherin dungeons as Draco Malfoy sat on his bed with the curtains closed shut. He stared straight ahead, an unhappy look plastered on his pointed features. All he could see, all he could think about, was Hermione's tear-stained face. What had he done to her? What had he done? He was a complete fool. He knew that he had something special with her. But he had to go and ruin it all. It wasn't me, Draco thought bitterly.
Draco knew in all his life he would never give up on something he felt so strongly about. Then why did he let it affect him? Why couldn't he have fought back? Because he was a coward, that's why. He didn't have the balls to stand up to anyone or anything, even if it put his love on the line. But the thing that hurt him most was he knew he could never go back. And he blamed it all to the person he hated most.
Flashback
Morning Before Breaking Hermione's Heart
Draco walked back from Hermione's Head Girl quarters early in the morning. Walking through the Slytherin dungeons, a regular place for depression, his heart could not feel lighter. My God, I feel like a Gryffindor, he thought, chuckling to himself as he walked with an unnerving bounce in his step. He was in love, what could you do?
Whispering the password to the Slytherin common room, he entered and practically skipped up the stairs to his dormitory. He was on the verge of humming, for crying out loud. As he burst through the door to his dormitory, his good mood sank like an anchor in salt water.
"Son," Lucius Malfoy hissed, supporting himself against one of the bed's four posts. He looked very calm and collected, but didn't he always.
"Father," Draco acknowledged. He was very nervous, and Lucius could sense that. Draco knew his father was there for a reason. His father didn't come to see him for friendly rendezvous'.
"Where have you been, Draco?" his father asked once again, his voice calm with a not very subtle hint of power.
"I was just returning from the kitchens," Draco lied. "I got rather hungry and got myself a loaf of bread and cheese. I am sorry for making you wait, Sir."
Lucius quickly whipped his wooden staff down on the desk Draco was standing by, making a loud 'cracking' noise echo through the room. Crabbe grunted.
"Do not lie to me, Draco!" Lucius bellowed. Draco looked at him uncertainly. He prayed his father did not know…
"I know where you were for the evening, Draco," his father said quietly, yet venomously. Draco looked up at him, sweat beads forming at his hairline. "I am very disappointed in you Draco, seeing a mudblood?" Draco flinched at the words. He could not stand there and listen to his father insult Hermione. But he knew from years of experience and multiple scars, not to interrupt Lucius. "I trusted you to uphold the Malfoy name, and what do you do? You disgrace our family name, our rank to the Dark Lord. Do you know what he would do to us if he found out you were in love with a disgusting mudblood? I will not tolerate an offspring of mine to disgrace such a clean pureblood name by fooling around with muggles. You must have thought of that, Draco. Do you honestly think you could get away with it? I have spies Draco; they're everywhere. Watching your every move. I made it clear to them that I would not sit back and let my son ruin his life, and the Malfoy name I worked so very hard to build.
So, I have made a proposition. You will leave her, Draco. Forget about her completely. I don't care how you do it; just make sure you do it. And have everyone know. If you fail, my son. It will be her life at our Master's pleasure. I do believe you know which choice is best."
Draco could not believe his ears. He could not leave Hermione. He loved her with his heart, with his soul. But, if he didn't, she would be killed. She would never live the successful life that he knew she would lead. He could not deprive Hermione of her glory. But, that would mean…that would mean he'd have to leave her.
End Flashback
Draco's heart was beating fast, and his face was growing red and sweat beads were forming under his lips. He felt a strong hate for his father. He could not believe he had allowed his father to do this to him. He would have rather died. And there was no way he could tell Hermione the truth. "I have spies Draco; they're everywhere. Watching your every move." His father's words haunted him. His father didn't trust him enough to make his own decisions? Why was his life so complicated?
Draco sighed, and looked at his leather trunk, which was nicely packed and ready to head back to the Malfoy Manor the next morning. Today was officially their last day. That was the last day he could ever see Hermione again. And he couldn't do anything about it. And that killed him.
Realizing it was time for lunch in the Great Hall, he exited his room and began sulking his way through the Hogwarts corridors. School life was uneventful for him now. He was graduating fourth in his class, which he received quite the discipline from his father for, he lost the love of his life who would obviously move on from him in a heart beat, and his father was forcing him to marry and receive the dark mark at the age of 21. He had no intention on being too cheery about the life he was leading.
Strutting into the Great Hall, he took a nonchalant glance towards the Gryffindor table, hoping to see the familiar head of caramel curls. He spotted her; sitting solemnly at the end of the table, pushing her food around her plate with her fork. As he walked by, she looked up and spotted him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she shook her head and continued pushing her food around her plate. He couldn't blame her for being angry with him. He would be too if he were in her position. But he wasn't. And that's what made things 20 times worse.
Once the Hall was settled in, Dumbledore stood up, knocking a fork on his jewel-encrusted goblet. "Attention, Seventh Years!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the Great Hall. "The 'Year's Farewell Ceremony' will take place in the Hall directly after lunch hour. You will remain seated until the Hall is rid of all younger students. Thank you, and tuck in!"
Draco never understood why Dumbledore made such a huge deal about announcing when to eat. But he knew one thing; he was not looking forward to this ceremony. He had a gut instinct that something was not going to be right…
-
Hermione looked up just in time to see Draco Malfoy walking towards the Slytherin table, his eyes locked on her. She narrowed her eyes then sighed through her nose while she shook her head and continued playing with her food. She knew Dumbledore would be making a speech in less than a minute, and what it was about she dreaded.
Once Dumbledore had spoken, she heard several younger students around her muttering their inputs on how it wasn't 'fair' that is was only open to seventh years. God forbid they have to wait two years to have a ceremony. Hermione's heart began to race as she saw many younger students leave the Hall. The Hall was quickly emptying of all younger students, and this was not helping her nerves in the smallest bit.
Dumbledore stood once again. Oh no…this is it, Hermione thought. Her pulse was pounding in her ears, so loud that she was surprised no one else could hear it.
Dumbledore began speaking, "I would like to welcome you…" All of Dumbledore's words were lost in Hermione's paranoia. She was actually having trouble breathing. She wished she could escape to Madame Pomfry. "Now, to give you a speech, this years Head Girl…" Hermione's heart was in her throat. Public speaking had been so easy for her in the years before, but that was also before her reputation was shattered. "Hermione Granger!" Dumbledore announced loudly. There was an echoing clap coming from the teacher's table. No one wanted her on the stage. No one wanted to hear her talk. She wished she could hide.
Standing up, and brushing her knee length skirt off for nonexistent lint, she began walking up to the platform before the Great Hall. On her way up, she heard an obnoxious catcall whistle coming from the Ravenclaw table. Hermione's face deepened a shade of red. Her speech was leaving her…
"This has been one of the, um, most rewarding experiences in, um, all of our lives… During these seven years we have learned, um, magic…" She could not believe what she was rambling. They learned magic? That was kind of expected, considering they were in a school of witchcraft and wizardry. "And, um…we have all created, um, bonds with each other, that will last for years to come…"
Hermione was so nervous standing before all those people who detested her. She thought Dumbledore knew all. Didn't he realize what a traumatic experience this was for her?
"Uh, and as we all, um, leave this school with hundreds of memories, we will, um, move on to, um, bigger and better things…" she said nervously.
Then, as if she wasn't having a hard enough time, someone decided to voice his or her opinion.
"TRAMP!" someone yelled. Hermione's heart stopped. Who - who was that? "GET OFF THE STAGE, BITCH!" someone yelled from the other side of the room. Hermione's lip quivered as her eyes filled up with glossy tears. She looked at the floor, to the audience, then to Dumbledore…and she ran.
She ran as fast as she could, as fast as her short legs could take her. She needed to get away. Get away from everything.
She had lost in life. She knew it now; she knew what a failure she was. She lost her one, true love. She lost her reputation, her respect. She could never go back, she could never face the world as Hermione Granger ever again.
Hermione stopped running, as soon as she realized she was at the Hogwarts gates. She had run so far, without even knowing. She needed to get out. Get out of her life, before anything else happened to her. She could never let another person hurt her. She wasn't strong enough. She slumped down against the gate and began crying in her knees. When did her life start falling apart so fast? Couldn't she have a say in when her life could crumble? Wasn't it her who was supposed to make her own life an insufferable hellhole?
Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, Hermione looked to the castle in the distance. She would leave all that behind her. She would leave everything she ever knew, everything she ever loved behind her. Hermione Granger was no more.
A/N: Tell Carmen and Loki what you think!!!
