Imaginary
hotsleekeyz
Chapter 3 Miracles Do Come True
LAST TIME ON IMAGINARY :
"You loved me too much Hermione. . .You left me loving you too much that I can still feel it, only that I've chosen to love Ginny. . ."
"NO!", a small voice from behind him said.
Draco turned around and saw Ginny standing behind him. "Ginny, I---I can explain this. . .Hermione--- It's. . . I---"
Ginny's face was in shock. "No, Draco, stop it. You can't love me. You just can't." She ran up the stairs and Draco was left watching Hermione's car leave as he closed the door behind him.
ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER :
Draco slumped back on the couch with all his weight boring on to the cushion. His face instantaneously buried itself in his hands. Pulling himself back, he sighed heavily, shaking his head morosely, thinking he had to expect another long discussion over what just had happened with Ginny.
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Feeling cold, Hermione slammed shut the door behind her and rested her body against it, closing her eyes and just allowing her tears to flow. The exact same scene when she was hiding against the constraint of Draco's room at the Weasley's was flooding her already confused mind. She shook her head a couple of times and she found herself strengthlessly dragging herself down towards the floor. Her eyes wandered through the room as far as they could, reminiscing how Draco had walked back and forth the place, feeling as if it was his second home.
As if she planned of it, she stood at once and headed towards her room, muttering to herself, "I have to get away from this all. . . I have to go back to my parents for a while. . . then I will face this all once more."
She packed her stuff for a while and once she was done, she left a message on her answering machine, that she was going back to the Granger's residence for a while.
Who knows how long that would take for Hermione's situation. Having your boyfriend lose his memory and regain almost everything back except yours was bad, finding out he loved someone else, was worse, and to make everything blow her head off, his boyfriend rejects knowing they were once together.
How much time did Hermione need to get back on track?
Maybe Harry, Ron, and Ginny had to start wishing upon some miracle to happen. But they doubt it would ever come.
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"Ginny, I'm sorry, okay? It isn't like I planned this to happen and I swear to Merlin I didn't. What could I possibly do if I found my heart in you? There's no use pushing me towards Hermione, because it just wouldn't work. I love you and all the great wizards know how much I want to please you. I've been trying so much to be that perfect man for you but you're being blind Ginny! Could you please, give me a chance to prove myself to you?"
The pair of gray eyes that Draco owned found themselves staring towards the floor. He rested his hands over the desk where his back was currently resting. Ginny was apparently staring up at him, from the bed.
"I know it is all hard for you Draco. But this isn't easy for me too. You've got to accept the fact that before you lost your memory, you were with Hermione. That's all you need to know."
"What about now? What about what I am feeling right at this very moment? Doesn't that count? Whatever I had with Hermione is all a part of my past Ginny! It's just like moving from relationship to another. . ."
"But this isn't just moving from one relationship to another, Draco. You've always been faithful to her."
"I don't care about my past." Draco's heart went in a slight twinge. "What I care about is today, and tomorrow, and the days after that. . ."
Ginny stood on her feet again and faced the towering god-like creature in front of her. "It's totally pointless to have this argument with you."
Draco appeared taken aback a bit. "Even if we have to talk about this every single day of our lives, I will have the same things to say to you and not one Hermione Granger can change it."
"You did not say that!" Ginny's eyes glared at Draco who was wallowing in his own comfort zone, which was in rejection and denial.
"I just did", muttered Draco silently.
Silence.
"You are denying yourself of that certain push inside you heart. Your mind dictates that you love me but deep inside, you're yearning for your past. . . and only Hermione could link you to your past. You can't tell me you didn't feel it. I have been watching behind the staircases and I saw your attempt to remember, only because you do want to remember, don't you? You make yourself believe you don't love Hermione anymore because you are afraid of what could have been your past. . . and you know deep there in your guts, you're shouting out for her. I heard you screaming in your room and I saw how much tears Hermione had already shed. She's my friend Draco, I don't want to see her hurt. She doesn't deserve this kind of treatment. It's about time you consider re-evaluating your emotions. Your mind could only lead you somewhere else. Listen to what your heart has to say. . . and see that you really don't love me at all. . ."
"Have I been making that much trouble with you?" Draco waited for Ginny's answer and saw how much she tried to bite back her reply. . . but to no avail.
"Honestly Draco, yes. I miss Hermione too much already and I've been drawing farther away from her because –you- came. I mean, the new Draco Malfoy happened. I don't want to lose her this way, if you know what I mean. I love Hermione as my sister and I would not be able to stomach it if I lost her this way."
Ginny led her head away and soon found herself walking out of her own room. Before she could have fully exited, Draco whispered, "I'm sorry Ginny. I really am."
Ginny looked back and gave Draco a faint smile back.
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Draco lifted the muggle contraption inside the Weasley's house, that is, the telephone. He thought of giving Hermione a ring, to ask her if she was all right and all that. . . Not entirely to make things worse as it already was, but more of a natural nudge inside him. Sure thing, it was the first time that Ginny's word sunk in. They have been arguing about it for like forever. But really, he has given some thought of it, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't hurt to make his own attempt to remember.
At last. . .
Draco still had his sense in tact. Harry and Ron would have guessed otherwise.
The problem was, he didn't know what the number was at Hermione's place, nor could he remember anything of where Hermione's place actually was.
Damn.
He put the receiver back down and grumbled to himself. The Fates must have been playing with him, he thought. His eyes wandered around and saw that there was a list of people beside the phone. . . and their numbers!
How lucky could he get?
He excitedly picked the receiver again and looked down the list, looked for the number he needed most at that moment, and finally!. . .
. . .Hermione Granger [number disclosed]
Draco dialed the number with his fingers all shaky. Whoa, wait, was he --- excited?!
A ring. . . Draco's fingers clearly was all clammy. Another ring. . . He kept on twirling the cord around his long, thin fingers. . . another ring. . .
. . .pick it up Hermione. . . pick it up, come on. . .
And a female voice went on on the other side of the receiver. It was Hermione.
"Hey, Hermione! I just called to---"
Draco intently stopped and listened to the voice since Hermione didn't seem to hear him and kept on talking.
". . .I'm currently out of my flat right now and will be at my parents' for some time-out. I will get back to you as soon as I could so if you please, leave your name, message and contact number. I will be back soon, I hope. Good day!"
The once-Slytherin prince tried to repeat the words in his head. She wasn't at home? At her parents'? Draco almost slammed the receiver back down. He saw to his right that Ginny was looking at him from a distance.
Ginny smiled a bit. "Why won't you try to look for her and tell her personally what your bloody arse have been holding in for some while?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow at Ginny. "Look, I was just trying to ring her up and check if she's okay. She forgot her coat is all."
In a swift movement, Ginny threw something at Draco and the latter caught it with great precision. Too much for being the talented young Quidditch player. Draco looked at what Ginny handed him over with, and saw that it was some keys.
"Why won't you drive over to her place and give her back her coat. I'm sure she'd be glad about that. A little visit and a friendly chat wouldn't hurt, you know?" Ginny gave one of her warmest smiles that Draco only saw whenever she'd smile at Harry. . . Harry must be lucky, Draco thought, but he doubt if the feelings were ever mutual.
"Why yes, of course. A little visit could do."
Draco nodded at Ginny and started to take his coat on towards door. When he looked back, about to thank Ginny for lending him the vehicle, she was gone.
He suited himself in started the engine. The sound of the machinery gave Draco a weird moving feeling at the bottom of his stomach, and he wished most to have them settled back in or else he would have died of that odd sensation.
Draco was well out of the village when he remembered---
Whoa, wait, where am I exactly headed?
He sighed. Some memory loss sure has its disadvantages. Well maybe on some part it was all good, that he can't remember where he was headed. It will give him more time to think, which is exactly what he needed at that time. Deciding he will do just that, Draco drove around further and noted himself to fill the tank up before returning it to Ginny.
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"Come on daddy, I'm all right here. I will just stay inside and rest for a while. Really, I can manage myself. It's not like I didn't go through something like this before. . . But yeah, I guess you're right. A good cup of hot chocolate would do for now." Hermione smiled at last. She has been locking herself up inside her room for some time already and surely, her parents were worried. It's not like her to lock herself inside her room, for she was always found at their library, though she wasn't. She tried talking it out with her parents and they understood the whole situation and resolved that they will be supportive of her decision no matter what.
Then the doorbell came off.
Mrs. Granger peered out towards the steps upstairs and yelled, "Could someone get that door for me please? I'm doing stuffed turkey here and I don't want to put any meat on the knob!" She went back to mixing some ingredients as Mr. Granger came down the stairs.
"Stuffed Turkey dear? It has been ages since you last made one."
"Well, since Mione is staying over, I decided to do something that will make her more at home. Now if you must, go fetch the door please."
Mr. Granger nodded and headed towards the door. He opened it leisurely, and found a strikingly handsome young lad by their footstep, who bashfully gave a small grin.
"Ah, Draco! How wonderful to see you again!" exclaimed Mr. Granger who could only be too happy with his favorite bloke in their house.
"Good evening sir, I---"
Draco was cut off when the older man interrupted, "I see it's not us you wanted to visit. . . She's upstairs and has locked herself up since she arrived. We tried talking to her and so far all she managed telling us is what happened with you. She seems pretty upset and a bit disappointed---"
It was Mr. Granger's time to get cut off. "That's exactly why I came here Sir, though I didn't quite have an idea how I actually led myself here. . . And I mean really Sir, I have no recollection of my memory that I found myself astonished to have directed my bloody arse at your doorstep. Apparently, I do know who you are, pity I can't remember Hermione at all. . ."
The older man just shook his head but smiled all the same. "Try the best you can boy. It's only you who could cheer her up again."
They both entered the door and Mrs.Granger stuck her head out of the kitchen and saw Draco exactly how she saw him before. "Oh dear. Draco, am I so glad to see you once again! Are you quite feeling yourself?"
"Thank you Jane. I'm quite myself, thanks." Draco stirred awake from what he just said. How did he know Hermione's mum's name?
Jane Granger, Hermione's mother, took her eyes towards her husband. "Dear, what did my dearest say about the hot chocolate? Did she say she want some good cup?"
George, Hermione's father, was half-way sitting on the couch when he stuck his head out to yell, "I certainly remember she'd want a cup right now."
Draco looked around. The place was familiar. It was as if he'd been there before. Of course, he'd been there. . . Before when his memory was still intact. In his musing, he felt a finger tap on his shoulder. He looked around and saw Jane smiling at him sweetly. "I believe it would do some good if it would be you to bring the cup of chocolate for her. She could certainly do with a smile. As far as I could remember, it has been some while, in fact. Ginny called in and she's been terribly worried about Hermione's health, and I've noticed too that she's getting thinner as usual." Seeing the perplexed expression on Draco's face, Jane kindly put her hand in Draco's. "Don't worry about it dear. It's not your fault. All we could do right now is help her gain back whatever's lost. . . and hopefully, what's lost with you too."
"Um, yes, of course. I can help you fix something for her", was all Draco was able to say. He followed Jane towards the kitchen and comfortably sat on a stool by the counter. Seeing a jar of M&M's, Draco opened it and took three pieces out and popped them all into his mouth.
Jane suddenly stopped at what she saw. She wasn't angry at all that Draco didn't ask permission before taking anything, it was more of surprise, as a matter-of-fact. "Hun, how many did you just eat?"
Draco almost jolted out of the stool. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, feeling a bit comfortable around here is all. I should have had asked permission of course." He was surprised to see that Jane was waving her hands in defense. She even took the jar out again and offered Draco some more. "I took just three of them." He smiled naughtily.
"Dear, dear, if Hermione could only know right now, but of course it would be too stressful to hear anything else."
"Why, what's the matter?"
"Well, if it's any good to hear, you've just sat on your favorite stool by the counter, and you popped three of those candies in your mouth, just as you always do when you stop by here. It seems you sure know your stuff around here. If I didn't know you lost your memory dear, I would have not noticed any difference by far you're acting."
"Yeah, it's a pity really. I seem to remember everything except Hermione." He sighed. "And to be honest with you Jane, I'm feeling quite bad about it already. If I could only remember, Hermione wouldn't have to go through all these."
Jane gave Draco a good pat on the back. "Don't worry about it. You seem to be making some improvements, in my opinion. A little more time is all you need to recuperate."
After fixing Hermione's cup of hot choco, Jane handed it to the troubled young man in front of her. Draco stood from where he sat and opened the drawers and pulled some chips out. Jane only grinned to herself. She felt her eyes were fooling her.
She walked over to the couch and found George fixed at watching some sports channel on cable. "Did you see that George? Draco knew what Hermione's favorite chips are. If I knew any better, Draco had fully recovered, but I don't know really. I'm a dentist. I don't know much about man's psychology, more on recuperation of memories that aren't really lost."
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Draco went up the stairs, with every step of his as if weighing a ton. What was he actually doing? He still knew that he loved Ginny. . . um, well, -like- for now since he sure did hit his head hard after that conversation with the young lady whom he thought was who his heart was beating for. . . and sure enough, Draco was already odd inklings inside him that he was, after all, inconveniently incorrect.
To knock, or not to knock. If Draco had a tougher idea to think about, he was sure to lose his mind. If he knocked, Hermione might not answer, or else she could have but she would certainly ask who it was knocking and if she found out it was him, there's the least chance she'd open up. But if he didn't knock, he sure was in some good spatting session, or so he thought.
But he wouldn't know if he didn't try. So he opt to knock.
knock, knock
No answer.
knock, knock
No answer.
I knew she wouldn't answer, Draco thought to himself.
knock, knock
I give up.
Draco turned around to see George by the head of the stairs. "Giving up so quickly?"
Draco was startled. HE, DRACO MALFOY, give up?! "Um, no. Not really. She might be sleeping is all. I reckon it's best not to bother her right now."
George shook his head. "Look Draco, Hermione is not one to sleep through her problems so I don't trust her to be taking a nap at this wonderful afternoon. I'm giving you the permission to open the door and just barge right inside. If she gets mad, tell her from me, that I allowed you, all right?" He winked.
All Draco was able to do was nod and give a faint smile. He sure was running out of smiles since –Hermione- happened.
Without hesitation, he turned the knob and wishing to see just one last glimpse of George for some motivation, he turned around only to see the male Granger crossing his arms over his chest, nodding for him to go on.
The door creaked a bit.
He peered inside although he had some doubts he was welcome there.
All he saw was an unkempt bed and some brown hair sticking out from the other side of the bed. Hermione was apparently sitting against her bed, facing the beautiful snowy afternoon, listening to the bird outside in its attempt to get inside Hermione's room for some shelter.
Slowly, Draco led himself to the other side of the bed, and Hermione didn't notice at all. Her gaze was far off into space, and Draco simply stared at Hermione's eyes glinting in the cloudy winter day. He went on one of his knees beside Hermione and said in his rich, deep, velvety voice, "Here's one cup of hot chocolate for the beautiful Ms. Hermione Jane Granger."
Hermione slowly turned her head towards Draco, her eyes weary and looking very tired. She smiled only at the corner of her mouth, then she assumed looking outside the window.
"Hermione, here's your---"
Draco was interrupted when Hermione's finger pointed towards the floor, signaling him to put it down. Only that, Draco was foreign to that stare that Hermione was transfixed with. . but wait, how was he to know what was common and foreign in Hermione's lifestyle, living, and behavior when he barely remembers. . . But does he?
He could only sigh. He caused Hermione's absent-minded state. To make things worse, Draco knew that that wasn't the usual Hermione. The lady in front of him, seemed to be lifeless, and dull. Very much un-Hermione-like.
But HOW did he know?
At the corner of his eye, Draco saw Hermione shiver. Sure enough she would for she was only in a loose tee and only her underwear. Her hair fell down on both sides of her face, concealing her already-pale complexion and cold cheeks.
And so, Draco looked over the bed and took the comforter out, laid it out and put it around Hermione who didn't nudge from where she tucked herself.
Getting closer against Hermione gave Draco the chance to see Hermione's eyes from the curtain of hair that hid them against Draco's sight. Without hesitation, he pulled out some strands and saw Hermione's mascara smeared under her eyes.
"You were crying?" Draco asked. Hermione didn't answer.
"But why?" came another question, but Hermione didn't even open her mouth to speak.
"If I've hurt you too much to make you feel like this, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to, I swear."
Draco sighed again. He seemed to be talking to someone who came out of a very tragic event. He would have bet that Hermione was in a serious case of trauma, indeed. Her mouth hanging open only gave her away more.
"Okay, I'm going to leave you here now. I might just come back for you later, or whenever I'm free. Take care Hermione. Please do. . . for me."
He leant over to Hermione who still stared off into nothingness, only that she was already supposed to be looking right into Draco's neck since Draco was in front of her.
He then took his warm pair palms against Hermione's cheeks and smiled. "You're a Gryffindor Hermione. You can't give up easily. This comforter I gave you for your birthday would sure warm you up a bit. . ." He sighed again. Draco thought it was crazy talking to Hermione that way, since he was supposed the one to have lost his memory.
Caringly, he placed a kiss on Hermione's cold forehead, on her nose, and down to her lips. He pulled away when a blinding flash of light came across his sight, almost blinding him.
The next thing he knew, he was already sitting on all fours in front of Hermione who appeared to have woken up from her –dead- state.
His mind came whirling and spinning madly and he felt himself leaving the floor, that he was flying through air. . . though he wasn't.
Hermione sat shocked to see Draco who seemed to be having a fit of some sort. She easily drew her worrisome face once more, and went over to Draco to see if he was alright. . But she knew he wasn't. He was clutching his head while his eyes were tightly shut.
"Draco! Talk to me, are you all right?"
All Hermione had in reply was a painful groan.
"What's happening? Draco, answer me!"
INSIDE DRACO'S MIND : [cannon : JK Rowling]
In Knockturn Alley at Mr. Borgin's shop...
"Though if his grades don't pick up," said Mr. Malfoy, more coldly still, "that may indeed be all he is fit for –"
"It's not my fault," retorted Draco. "The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger –"
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"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," said Hermione sharply. "They got in on pure talent."The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered.
"No one asked your opinion, you fiIthy little Mudblood," he spat.
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She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again."Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul -- you evil –"
"Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back.
"Get off, Ron!"
Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.
"C'mon," Malfoy muttered, and in a moment, all three of them had disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons.
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"Hadn't you better be hurrying along, now? You wouldn't like her spotted, would you?"He nodded at Hermione, and at the same moment, a blast like a bomb sounded from the campsite, and a flash of green light momentarily lit the trees around them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Hermione defiantly.
"Granger, they're after Muggles,"said Malfoy. "D'you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around. . . they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh."
"Hermione's a witch," Harry snarled.
"Have it your own way, Potter," said Malfoy, grinning maliciously. "If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are."
"You watch your mouth!" shouted Ron. Everybody present knew that "Mudblood" was a very offensive term for a witch or wizard of Muggle parentage.
"Never mind, Ron," said Hermione quickly, seizing Ron's arm to restrain him as he took a step toward Malfoy. ...
"Oh come on," said Hermione, with a disgusted look at Malfoy, "let's go and find the others."
"Keep that big bushy head down, Granger," sneered Malfoy.
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Parvati was gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. She wasn't the only one either; when the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing. Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her.[and the memories came storming in, holding Draco's breath in, constricting him of his own life]
BACK AT THE GRANGER'S RESIDENCE INSIDE HERMIONE'S ROOM :
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Draco yelled as his eyes flashed open, and he breathed hard and deep. His feet seemed to have touched the ground again. All the swirls inside his head began to settle.
"Draco, DRACO! Are you all right?"
Wait, was that Hermione?"
"Draco, please, talk to me!"
He only grunted as reply. He shook his head twice and soon his eyes was able to make him see things vividly. .
In fact, it was Hermione in front of him.
Without looking into her eyes, Draco muttered, "I'm all right. I'm---"
"You're not. Maybe we need to take you back to the hospital, or at Ginny's so you could get some rest."
Soon, both of them were sitting upright, facing each other, eyes seeking through the other.
"No, I want to stay with you. . ."
And Draco leant once more towards Hermione and touched her lips with his. . .
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.
Ho-humm. I could only play a tease and hang you on in there! Lol. By the way, of course, I'm up to something here, but it would be so nice for you if you told me what you are exactly expecting to happen next, and with some luck, I might consider it for the next chapter. I've been pushing myself for how long to finish this one, and now, I hope I had you hanging what happened exactly with Draco, and what else could happen after their kiss. [sweet!]
Please, I would really appreciate all your reviews! Huggles and smooches to everyone who does!