No Tomorrow
Chapter 8: Draco's Confession
Hermione ran over to Draco, wrapping her arms around him.
"Oh Draco! I'm so glad you came! I didn't think anyone was going to be here!"
"Are you kidding? And miss your big celebration? I wouldn't have skipped it for the world. You deserve it kiddo."
Hermione's heart began to melt. "Professor Dumbledore found me a job at a fashion agency near Liverpool. I'm starting out as a page girl, but hopefully I'll be able to save up enough money to start my own boutique!"
"Then this will make you incredibly happy. I found a job at LG and an apartment for you and I to share. It's very close to the hospital and the pay is better than it was at St. Mungo's."
"You found US an apartment? But Draco..."
"I know, I know. It's only a temporary living situation until you are able to find a flat of your own-"
"I already found a flat. Professor McGonagall set it up for me. The rent is low and it's nice and spacious."
Draco's face fell. "Oh. Well then, I guess that means I have an extra room..." There was an awkward moment that passed between them, before Hermione spoke again.
"It's not that I don't appreciate the gesture, really I do! But I knew I couldn't stay with you forever. You're a bachelor, as the Muggles call them. You need your space and I need to learn how to live on my own again. I can't depend on you for everything. You already bought me an entire new wardrobe, you helped me escape St. Mungo's and you invited me into your home. You even came to my graduation! Draco, you have done more for me then anyone has in long time, and I figured it would be best if I got out of your hair and on with my own life. It's better this way, because then you can go back to the way things were, and I can start my career."
Draco stood silent for a moment before speaking again. "I'll tell you what. How about if you come over to my new flat, see what it looks like, and we can celebrate you graduating and your new job. How about that?" There was a hint of sadness behind his voice, as much as he tried to disguise it.
"That would be wonderful. Some of the seventh years were going to have parties, but I'd much rather spend the evening in your new home."
Hermione rushed over and quickly said goodbye to her professors and the headmaster before leaving with Draco. They wandered down to Hogsmeade, with an uncomfortable silence between them. Even the train ride home was filled with small take and long outward glances at the moving terrain. Hermione knew she had disappointed Draco, but deep down inside she knew she couldn't depend on a guy forever. Especially him; she barely even knew Draco! How could they possible cohabitate together when neither one of them knew the first thing about having a roommate. No, this was a better decision. She was safer this way. Her heart wasn't at risk for developing further feelings than she had already with him.
Finally, they arrived at Draco's new flat. It was indeed a much larger space than previously, and it was cleaner. She could see the view of the hospital from the big open window. Draco came over to her, with a glass of wine in his hand for her.
"Congratulations to the new Hogwarts graduate. Tell me, Ms. Valedictorian, how does it feel?" Draco asked in a feigned joyful voice.
"Draco..." Hermione begged, sensing his unhappiness.
"What, I'm sorry. I was just looking forward to having a roommate. Even if it is you, Granger," he said sourly.
"Oh now what's this? Granger? What happened to Hermione? I happened to have liked that a lot better." There was a pause. "Why DID you start calling me Hermione? Better yet, what happened to you? You went from this horribly evil, smug prince to this wonderfully kind and giving human being. What changed? Last I heard you were off with your father to follow Voldemort."
Draco paused, listening to her interrogate him. He put down his glass, walked over to her and looked her straight in the eye.
"After I graduated, yes, I did go off with my father to follow Voldemort. I saw what the Death Eaters were doing, I saw prisoners in Azkaban being tortured by men under Voldemort's power, and it was something that sickened me to the core. After about a month of this, I told father that I wanted out. He looked at me, laughed at me, kicked me and sent me to Azkaban to be a prisoner. I felt like someone was stabbing me in the side every time I breathed. Captors of Azkaban relive their most horrible moments. Mine was seeing all the pain and hurt I caused living at Hogwarts, how many girls I made cry, how many people were frightened of me. Crabb and Goyle weren't my friends; they were just afraid I was going to curse them to next weekend. People talked behind my back, Pansy found me irritating. Every single day I was in there I relieved the pain and suffering. Not only did I see it, I felt it. I wanted to die. Finally my mother came and let me out, after my father brutally attacked her. He disowned us after she rescued me. As soon as I recovered I knew that I had to do something to rectify all the harm, all the pain that I had caused. First I tried calling up everyone I had insulted, but they all laughed in my face and told me to shove my broomstick up my ass. Then my mother came to me, and she said "Draco, instead of apologizing to everyone you hurt, why not try to help those who are in pain, but not because of you. Give kindness back to those who need a helping hand." So I applied to St. Mungo's, got the job as a nurse and I've been going through medical school ever since. And then I saw you come in. I knew it was you by the kicking and screaming. You kept yelling at you're parents that you were fine and you didn't need to be there, that they were making a big deal out of nothing. Then I remembered that Harry had died. Ever since then I would come up to your room and check up on you. You stopped talking, stopped eating, and I could feel the pain you were in. Not because Harry had died, but because you were so incredibly unhappy. I couldn't let you stay in there, but you were in a restricted area. I worked my ass off so that my privileges would be increased and I would be allowed in the restricted area. I can feel what you feel, whether it be happiness, sadness or anger. And it scares me, because I've never been able to feel like this before. I've known you for years, we've been together one night and already I feel like I'm falling in love with you, and it scares the fucking shit out of me. I know you're still healing from Harry's passing, and I know you're trying so hard to be independent, but you have to know how I feel. I'm falling in love with you, Hermione."
Chapter 8: Draco's Confession
Hermione ran over to Draco, wrapping her arms around him.
"Oh Draco! I'm so glad you came! I didn't think anyone was going to be here!"
"Are you kidding? And miss your big celebration? I wouldn't have skipped it for the world. You deserve it kiddo."
Hermione's heart began to melt. "Professor Dumbledore found me a job at a fashion agency near Liverpool. I'm starting out as a page girl, but hopefully I'll be able to save up enough money to start my own boutique!"
"Then this will make you incredibly happy. I found a job at LG and an apartment for you and I to share. It's very close to the hospital and the pay is better than it was at St. Mungo's."
"You found US an apartment? But Draco..."
"I know, I know. It's only a temporary living situation until you are able to find a flat of your own-"
"I already found a flat. Professor McGonagall set it up for me. The rent is low and it's nice and spacious."
Draco's face fell. "Oh. Well then, I guess that means I have an extra room..." There was an awkward moment that passed between them, before Hermione spoke again.
"It's not that I don't appreciate the gesture, really I do! But I knew I couldn't stay with you forever. You're a bachelor, as the Muggles call them. You need your space and I need to learn how to live on my own again. I can't depend on you for everything. You already bought me an entire new wardrobe, you helped me escape St. Mungo's and you invited me into your home. You even came to my graduation! Draco, you have done more for me then anyone has in long time, and I figured it would be best if I got out of your hair and on with my own life. It's better this way, because then you can go back to the way things were, and I can start my career."
Draco stood silent for a moment before speaking again. "I'll tell you what. How about if you come over to my new flat, see what it looks like, and we can celebrate you graduating and your new job. How about that?" There was a hint of sadness behind his voice, as much as he tried to disguise it.
"That would be wonderful. Some of the seventh years were going to have parties, but I'd much rather spend the evening in your new home."
Hermione rushed over and quickly said goodbye to her professors and the headmaster before leaving with Draco. They wandered down to Hogsmeade, with an uncomfortable silence between them. Even the train ride home was filled with small take and long outward glances at the moving terrain. Hermione knew she had disappointed Draco, but deep down inside she knew she couldn't depend on a guy forever. Especially him; she barely even knew Draco! How could they possible cohabitate together when neither one of them knew the first thing about having a roommate. No, this was a better decision. She was safer this way. Her heart wasn't at risk for developing further feelings than she had already with him.
Finally, they arrived at Draco's new flat. It was indeed a much larger space than previously, and it was cleaner. She could see the view of the hospital from the big open window. Draco came over to her, with a glass of wine in his hand for her.
"Congratulations to the new Hogwarts graduate. Tell me, Ms. Valedictorian, how does it feel?" Draco asked in a feigned joyful voice.
"Draco..." Hermione begged, sensing his unhappiness.
"What, I'm sorry. I was just looking forward to having a roommate. Even if it is you, Granger," he said sourly.
"Oh now what's this? Granger? What happened to Hermione? I happened to have liked that a lot better." There was a pause. "Why DID you start calling me Hermione? Better yet, what happened to you? You went from this horribly evil, smug prince to this wonderfully kind and giving human being. What changed? Last I heard you were off with your father to follow Voldemort."
Draco paused, listening to her interrogate him. He put down his glass, walked over to her and looked her straight in the eye.
"After I graduated, yes, I did go off with my father to follow Voldemort. I saw what the Death Eaters were doing, I saw prisoners in Azkaban being tortured by men under Voldemort's power, and it was something that sickened me to the core. After about a month of this, I told father that I wanted out. He looked at me, laughed at me, kicked me and sent me to Azkaban to be a prisoner. I felt like someone was stabbing me in the side every time I breathed. Captors of Azkaban relive their most horrible moments. Mine was seeing all the pain and hurt I caused living at Hogwarts, how many girls I made cry, how many people were frightened of me. Crabb and Goyle weren't my friends; they were just afraid I was going to curse them to next weekend. People talked behind my back, Pansy found me irritating. Every single day I was in there I relieved the pain and suffering. Not only did I see it, I felt it. I wanted to die. Finally my mother came and let me out, after my father brutally attacked her. He disowned us after she rescued me. As soon as I recovered I knew that I had to do something to rectify all the harm, all the pain that I had caused. First I tried calling up everyone I had insulted, but they all laughed in my face and told me to shove my broomstick up my ass. Then my mother came to me, and she said "Draco, instead of apologizing to everyone you hurt, why not try to help those who are in pain, but not because of you. Give kindness back to those who need a helping hand." So I applied to St. Mungo's, got the job as a nurse and I've been going through medical school ever since. And then I saw you come in. I knew it was you by the kicking and screaming. You kept yelling at you're parents that you were fine and you didn't need to be there, that they were making a big deal out of nothing. Then I remembered that Harry had died. Ever since then I would come up to your room and check up on you. You stopped talking, stopped eating, and I could feel the pain you were in. Not because Harry had died, but because you were so incredibly unhappy. I couldn't let you stay in there, but you were in a restricted area. I worked my ass off so that my privileges would be increased and I would be allowed in the restricted area. I can feel what you feel, whether it be happiness, sadness or anger. And it scares me, because I've never been able to feel like this before. I've known you for years, we've been together one night and already I feel like I'm falling in love with you, and it scares the fucking shit out of me. I know you're still healing from Harry's passing, and I know you're trying so hard to be independent, but you have to know how I feel. I'm falling in love with you, Hermione."