((A.N. You were all wrong about that cloaked figure, as I knew you would be!! Well, too bad, you won't find out in this chapter. I will tell you it's someone you know, though! This chapter is too short to even call a chapter! It's pathetic, seriously! It just didn't fit anywhere, though, you know? WAY longer one next time. If it weren't for you guys I'd never be this far. I realized that the middle of a story is the definitely the hardest. The end of this story has written itself, seriously. I shouldn't even take any credit, I mean it! Okay read and enjoy!))
Disclaimer: If you think about it, who prowls around on fanfiction and actually sues these innocent aspiring writers? It's not as if they really think that we own Harry Potter. Which I don't, mind you. Rambling. I'll shut up.
The door opened to reveal Lemanus, and Draco's heart picked up it's speed.
"Come, boy," Lemanus said harshly. Draco had no choice but to walk out of his room in front of Lemanus. "And remember what I told you," Lemanus growled, shoving Draco down the hall with unneeded force.
As they neared the dining hall, the place where they would be received by Lord Voldemort, Draco saw two figures coming from the opposite direction.
Draco could hear the murmur of voices even through the closed mahogany doors of the hall. Hermione and Narcissa were the distant figures coming closer, although Draco didn't recognize Hermione at first glance.
As she neared him, Draco found himself gaping openly. She wore a sweeping midnight blue gown that grazed the ground and glittered like a starry evening sky. The dress clung to her every curve and was strapless, baring her smooth shoulders. Around her neck sparkled a deep blue sapphire, shaped as an eight pointed star and bordered by sterling silver. Golden brown hair was clipped back into a sleek bun, revealing high cheekbones and a swan neck. To anyone but Draco, her face would have changed too, for the light make up Narcissa had applied accentuated her features beautifully. Draco, though, had seen the most gorgeous face in the world before she had worn any make up at all. Now he saw the same face shining through, beautiful as it had always been.
Draco and Lemanus stopped on the right side of the double doors, Hermione and Narcissa on the left. Out of the corner of his eye Draco saw Lemanus staring at Hermione, licking his lips with a hungry expression. Fortunately, Hermione wasn't looking at Lemanus. Her eyes were fixed primarily and desperately on Draco. He met her gaze solidly and was hit with a tidal wave of emotions. For a moment her gaze was the only thing in the world that mattered. With her eyes she told him of her remorse, of love, of her fear. His gaze gave her more strength than she could have imagined, for it told her that he would not let them hurt her for all the gold in Persia.
Hermione wanted to run to him and throw herself into his arms, feel them around her waist one last time. Draco wanted more than anything to comfort her, to stroke her hair, to tell her that everything would be okay. He wanted more than anything to kiss her. The need to go to him almost overwhelmed Hermione, nearly brought tears to her eyes.
Though they were only a few feet away, society had taken them worlds apart.
They were separated by only air, although the barriers of conformity had planted a thousand walls between them.
Bonds of blood chained them, and cages of logic stood between two people who had finally realized that they only wanted one thing. Each other
Draco felt a hand on his shoulder, but he didn't take his gaze away from Hermione.
"What's wrong, Draco? Never seen a mudblood before?" Pansy's voice commented snidely. She stepped up to his side, her eyes cold on Hermione.
Draco looked at Pansy. He once remembered comparing Pansy's beauty to that of a crimson rose. If Pansy was a crimson rose, than Hermione shone a thousand times brighter, like a golden star amongst the blackness of space. Like a golden rose, Draco thought suddenly. Hold on! A golden rose . . .
"It's time to go in," Lemanus said with a smile. Pansy took Draco's arm and they faced the double doors. Hermione donned a midnight blue cloak with a hood that shrouded her entire face. Draco desperately wished that Hermione was in front of him. He literally wasn't going to let her out of his sight.
At Lemanus's gesture, the doors opened to reveal an eerily glowing hall. Hundreds of hooded faces turned to look at the four people remaining in the doorway.
Come in, said a voice in his mind. Draco would have yelped, if not for recognition of the voice, colder than December wind. We have been expecting you.
((A.N. Sorry about the shortness! Review and tell me what you think is going on!))