Dragon's Flame- Chapter Fourteen
Sacrifices
By darthelwig
I don't own them, I just write for fun. I am making no money off this whatsoever. J.K. Rowling is the woman with ownership and privileges.
This chapter is PG-13, but it is kind of dark. There IS a character death, so if you have something against that, PLEASE don't read this.
It started as such a beautiful day.
Another scheduled Hogsmeade visit had stirred excitement among the students, who practically raced to get out of the castle. It had been a long winter, but now spring had come, and they were filled with the joy only sunshine, warmth and fresh air could bring. Everyone was smiling and the unnatural cheer had spread even to Professor McGonagall, who could be found taking uncharacteristic strolls through the courtyard.
It was infectious, and even Draco's spirits were lifted. The winter had worn hard on him, his only comfort being his time spent with Hermione. Her smile never failed to bring light into his heart and peace to his troubled mind. He was still occasionally having that same nightmare where he was about to kill her. Each time, he woke in a cold sweat, panting like he had just run a mile-long race. Her love gave him comfort.
He was holding her hand as they strolled down a path lined with trees that led around Hogsmeade. It was a popular trail for students who wanted some alone time with their significant others. He had to admit, the setting was quite beautiful. The village was partially obscured by the foliage, as early in the season as it was, and the world was alive with green growing things. Hermione glowed in the soft afternoon light, the beams from the sun playing in the curls. She was ablaze with beauty.
They walked in silence, content just to be with each other and enjoy the day. There was no pressure here, no rules or limitations. They were free for just a few brief moments. Free of obligations, duties, and worries.
The air was sweet with the scent of new flowers, something Draco had never taken the time to notice before. But now he was all too aware of it. Every breath he took reminded him of the stunning girl who walked next to him. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the warm, silky skin of her fingers. She smiled at him, laughing in merriment.
Wrapped up in their own private world, they didn't notice the single shadow that marred the daylight's perfection creep toward them. Something in the back of Draco's mind came alive at the last second, and he threw back his robes, whipping out his wand.
"Now, now… Draco. You don't really want to do that," said a low, silky voice that he would recognize anywhere. His eyes widened in shock and his hand shook as he pointed his wand at the familiar figure of his father. Hermione gasped as she saw him step out of the gathering shadows at the base of the trees.
Draco didn't blame her. His father looked a mess. His robes were tattered and stained, his hair a filthy, matted mess. He had lost a bit of weight as well, and his prominent cheekbones, which were the mirror image of his son's, stood out sharply in his face. There was a mad gleam to his eyes, which were frosty as deep winter. Draco discovered he was well and truly scared by this man his father had become.
"How did you get out of Azkaban?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from faltering. He was almost successful, the only sign of the depth of his fear being a small tremor at the end. Hermione was grasping his robes now, trying to pull him away, but he stood frozen to the spot. To run would draw his father's wrath immediately. It was best not to provoke him until they could manage to get the upper hand somehow.
Lucius raised his fist, which was clasped firmly around a wand. Draco had no idea where his father had gotten hold of a wand, but the surprise was enough to cost him his own. His father muttered a charm and Draco's wand went flying out of his hand to land neatly in the older man's. Draco took an instinctive step forward, but stopped when his father shook his head.
"Don't come any closer, traitor. Did you think I would not know? Did you think I would not find out? My own son… is cavorting with a filthy mud-blood. You have shamed our family!" Lucius' voice was harsh and bitter, a lasting reminder of where he had come from.
"Well, no more, I tell you! I will not have you defile our family name with that abomination!"
With a flick of the wrist and a muttered charm, Draco was sent flying to one side. He landed hard, the breath knocked out of him. Hermione was reaching for her wand, but he could see it was too late. She would never have it out in time to help herself.
Draco knew what was coming- the killing curse.
There was no thought necessary.
It was Hermione.
In a fraction of a second, he was on his knees. Just a half second more and he was throwing himself up, towards Hermione. He was there, between them, looking into her eyes… He could hear the words, Avada Kedavra, and in a burst of green light… he was gone. She screamed as he fell, his lifeless body lying motionless at her feet. She stood there frozen in place, an easy target, but Lucius was dropping both wands. His face had gone slack with shock.
"Draco?" he whispered, his voice devoid of its usual malice, sounding only empty and lost. He dropped to his knees, still staring at the body of his fallen son and heir. He didn't move when Hermione shrieked again, raising her wand and pointing it straight at him. He didn't react when she ran at him instead, using her fists instead of magic, unleashing her fury on him. She burned, and she burned for Draco.
She punched him, kicked him, beat him with all the power she possessed in her body. He simply let her do as she would, not caring and possibly not even feeling. Harry, Ron and the other students came rushing toward them, drawn by the screams. It took both Harry and Ron's combined strength to pull her off of Draco's numbed father. Tears began pouring down her face, and she finally went still, her body becoming totally limp. Ron lifted her into his arms while Harry checked on Draco. Their eyes met in a silent and complete understanding, and Ron carried the sobbing Hermione away from then scene, toward the castle.
It had started as such a beautiful day.
The rest of the year was like a blur to the grieving Hermione. She went through the motions of living, but her heart was no longer in it. Her friends, her professors, everyone- they were all concerned, but she would talk to no one about her feelings. She became what Draco had been- cold.
Life had seemed so perfect until that day. There had been a future full of love and light and laughter, but now all of that had been ripped away. She felt shattered and incomplete without him there. She had grown so used to having her Draco there with her. She could no longer remember a time without him.
On the last day of school, Harry decided he could wait no longer. He had to talk to her.
"Hermione?" he said softly. When she didn't respond, he just continued on, hoping she was listening. He hated to see his friend like this. She was never meant to be this hollow. Maybe he could make a difference. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried.
"Hermione, please come back to us. We need you. We miss you. Your friends are still here for you. Ron and I, we're still here if you need us.
Draco wouldn't have wanted you to stop living because of him, Hermione. I know that. He loved you for the life inside you. He died so you could live. I know a little something about that. Please, Hermione, open up. Don't let this be the end of you. Don't let his sacrifice be in vain," Harry pleaded.
"Please, Hermione, come back."
Harry was staring into her eyes, so distant and glazed, so he saw when the change happened. It started slowly, then she blinked and suddenly she was there… all raw emotion and pain. He wrapped his arms around her as she started to cry, and she buried her face in his shoulder. But this crying was a healing kind of sorrow, and Harry was gladdened in spite of himself. His friend was going to be okay.
The dragon's flame was burning once again.