Within the Smoke

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. Their J.K. Rowling's.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Clearing her throat to clear the tension that followed, she proceeded. "I'm glad to see you're well." It was funny how they could embrace one moment and stare awkwardly at each other the next.

===Note====

This will be the last Chapter unless I decide to include a epilogue. I wished this story could go on forever but then I realized there's nothing left to tell. The bad guys are dead. The Lovers are together (sort of) and the war is over. So, I hope you enjoy this ending and please leave a review about what you thought of the overall story.

Within the Smoke

Chapter 13: Surrender to Me my Love

Confined to her tent by a strict medical attendant, Hermione paced the floor space anxiously. After their dangerous and exhausting race back to camp, the middle aged nurse decided it was her duty to prevent Hermione from any more escapades. This she did compulsively, beginning with forcing large amounts of chocolate on the unwilling witch.

To rid herself of the nurse, Hermione accepted the chocolate with reluctance and insisted upon privacy to rest. Once alone, she immediately threw off her covers and redressed. She had intended to see how Draco was doing, but peeking through the opening of her tent, she found the nurse standing guard. Trapped, Hermione resorted to pacing to pass the time.

It was impossible to forget what she saw when the Dementors neared. It had been torturous enough to witness the scene once. But now it replayed in her mind with new freshness. Hermione wondered briefly how long she had been distracted by her cruel memories. Draco had said his father was dead, however, she couldn't recall witnessing Lucius fall at all. With dread, she wondered if Draco had killed the man.

True, it was impossible to argue that Lucius Malfoy didn't deserve his fate. However, Hermione did not wish to imagine that his son was the one to kill him. In other words, she did not want to label Draco as a murderer. The thought made her realize how deep her desire to see him actually was. She was curious to know what had happened. Hermione wondered how he had managed to retain his rationality when she herself was lost so completely.

There was also the matter of the kiss to discuss. She considered briefly if the moment should be ignored, but dismissed the idea quickly. She was not a child any longer. Avoidance was not a mature solution to life's issues. So, Hermione decided to bring up the forbidden topic at first opportunity. Besides, Draco had returned the kiss. It brought her relief to know she was not the only guilty party.

But to accomplish anything, Hermione had to first overcome the issue of escaping her tent. Stealing a glance outside, she saw the nurse momentarily distracted by a passing friend. She caught a piece of their conversation.

"...rightly so, I say. He deserved what he got. I don't understand how he escaped in the first place though. It makes me shudder to think about it. Can you imagine what could have happened with that murderous lunatic on the loose?"

Hermione withdrew her head. So the entire camp was discussing Lucius. Her temper rose slightly to hear the inconsiderate way he was being spoken of. The man had been cruel, but she still pitied him in the end.

Seeing that she had an opportunity, Hermione crouched low and slipped quietly from the tent while the nurse was distracted. She ran a few yards before resuming her normal composure and was soon lost in with the crowd. Looking back, she saw that her escape had gone unnoticed and proceeded toward Draco's quarters.

Nearing the entrance of the tent, Hermione was surprised to see the Minister emerge. His face mirrored her shock for a moment before a smile was formed.

"Miss Granger, I thought you would be resting. You and Mr. Malfoy both seem a little restless this evening." His smile was warm even though his eyes were questioning. "Well, don't let me keep you."

With a brief farewell, Hermione passed the Minister and pushed open the flap of the tent. She entered quietly and saw Draco sitting on his bed. He didn't seem to notice her presence but was staring intensely at the wand in his hand. She wondered why he was looking at the object as if it was foreign to him.

Hermione coughed to draw his attention. Startled, Draco looked up and noticed her at last.

"Hermione, I was just going to see how you were." He dropped the wand on the bed spread as he stood to greet her.

She hesitated a moment, unsure what to do. Hermione had never considered the greeting itself to be a problem. Now, this simple matter made her mouth go dry. A handshake was too formal. They weren't strangers after all. A kiss would be unthinkable. They had only shared one before.

Still not entirely certain, Hermione stood quite still before him, hoping the moment would pass. She imagined moving forward and giving him a brief hug. It would be innocent yet intimate, and most suitable for their situation. Hastily she discarded the notion however, afraid of seeming too forward.

Clearing her throat to clear the tension that followed, she proceeded. "I'm glad to see you're well." It was funny how they could embrace one moment and stare awkwardly at each other the next. She had longed to see him, yet standing before him now she had nothing to say. Hermione cursed herself for her silence.

The real problem, which drifted about in her mind, was that she had no idea what the kiss had meant. Certainly, she had been vulnerable. And, it was quite true that Draco had been somewhat of a heroic figure to her throughout this war. With this in mind, doubts arose as to whether her emotions were simply due to the circumstances, or was she forming an actual attachment. Either way, Hermione knew the danger there was in falling for a man who could quite possibly think nothing of her. Though he had returned the kiss, she still couldn't be certain he had felt anything other than lust. And, she for one would not settle for a relationship based only on desire.

"So, it's been quite an eventful day." Draco spoke with hesitation and she realized he had as little to say as she did.

"Yes, it certainly has." The words were empty. Hermione knew either of them had any interest in the conversation thus far. Why did they have to retain their calm facades?

"Draco? What happened out there?"

With a sigh, he looked away from her towards the ground. Hermione wasn't certain if she had said something wrong. The silence that followed lasted only seconds, but to her it felt like hours.

"I'm not sure what happened." He said finally. It wasn't clear whether he was speaking of the kiss or of Lucius' death. Hermione was afraid to ask.

She wished this could be easier. She had hoped that in a moment of defiance she would simply walk up and press her lips against his once more. But, her reason and pride wouldn't allow it. Hermione imagined her mortification if he were to push her away. She realized now that above all else she feared his rejection.

Was it possible to merely forget him? If Draco were to tell her the kiss meant nothing, could she simply walk away? Hermione realized with regret that, no, she couldn't. She was forever bound to a man she didn't understand. His thoughts and emotions were a mystery to her; a puzzle she couldn't solve. And he seemed entirely uninterested in helping her do so.

Hermione resigned with a sigh. Realization struck her that she was utterly trapped in hopeless love affair.

=======

Watching her face, Draco found some amusement in seeing her expressions whenever a new thought formed. It was obvious that she was preoccupied with her own musings. He wished he could guess what they were.

It occurred to him that the sight of her brought him comfort. He had never had much stability in life. Nor had he ever formed any long term attachments to another soul. But he saw now that this witch left a lasting impression. Hermione's face was familiar and her presence expected. Draco wasn't certain how it would feel to lose the reassurance that she would always be nearby.

He knew it was possible for him to prevent that from ever happening. He knew all he had to do was bring up the topic they were both avoiding. But for the life of him, he couldn't bring himself to say aloud what he so desperately wished to. And, although he loathed himself for it, Draco knew he couldn't risk the level of vulnerability it would mean.

She didn't love him, he knew. Love was what she felt for Potter as she spoke to his body. Love was something that developed over time with both parties showing equal affection. Love, Draco decided, did not result from the simple need for comfort. He didn't understand what they shared, but believed it couldn't possibly be love. Therefore, there should be no reason to discuss what had occurred. Hermione had been vulnerable and turned to him for consolation. He had willingly provided it. It was as uncomplicated as that. Why search for something that simply wasn't there?

Having arrived at this conclusion, Draco's uneasiness diminished. She was just a lost young woman seeking protection from life's cruelties.

"Hermione, what are you really doing here?" He spoke bluntly as his anxiety left him completely.

She was looking at him in astonishment and didn't respond. Draco knew she was trying to decide what to say. She was calculating her actions to make sure nothing slipped that she didn't want stated aloud.

"I came to see how you were." Hermione began faintly. Once seeing he wasn't going to accept that for an answer however, she paused.

"I wanted to talk about what happened." She said with decisiveness.

Draco had anticipated this. And, he knew what he had to do. She wanted him for Potter's replacement. She wanted him to be heroic and noble. And, though he knew he was relinquishing possible happiness, he decided he had to turn her away.

He didn't intend to live his life in another's shadow. And, he knew that would be exactly what he would be doing if he surrendered to her now. He would be her constant reminder of Harry; her new protector and hero. He would have to fill in the emptiness Potter left behind.

"I don't believe there is anything to talk about." Draco knew he sounded cruel, but if he was to end this, it would be quickly.

Hermione looked defeated as her eyes lowered to the ground.

"What if I told you I loved you?" She asked with her voice barely a whisper.

Suppressing all emotion, he responded as evenly as he could. "You don't love me, Hermione. You love what I remind you of."

His face retained its blank expression. Draco had known what he would be sacrificing when he spoke those words. He knew they would cause her pain, and that is why he had decided on them. Hermione had deceived herself into believing she loved him. And, he wasn't going to see her disappointed when she realized he simply wasn't Potter.

Draco could see her tears building. He wished she would walk away from this and not cause herself any more sorrow. But Hermione remained where she was. Her hands were trembling but her stature remained determined.

"No, that's not true." Her voice shook slightly. Draco wished he could believe her.

=======

The hollow feeling of unrequited love settled on her. She didn't know what to make of Draco's behavior. It was possible that he didn't care for her. Or, he could simply be stubborn and refuse to believe her words. Either way, she was facing an unappealing situation.

Hermione couldn't stand the way he was staring at her now. Draco appeared grim as if he pitied her. She didn't want his pity, she wanted his affection.

She didn't know what to say to him anymore. With bitterness, Hermione realized it hardly mattered anyway since Draco refused to believe her. No, she decided, words mean nothing.

Without pausing for consideration, Hermione stepped forward and pulled Draco into another forceful kiss. If he didn't believe her words, he could not ignore her actions. Firmly, her lips were pressed to his and she felt relief when she encountered no resistance.

She wished she could have felt bliss then. She wished all her worries would dissolve and be replaced by the knowledge that happiness was within grasp. However, she could feel no such thing. Her whole being was tensed as she waited for him to push her away.

The kiss had been an impetuous action resulting from desperation. She could feel that desperation building within her as she willed Draco to respond. If he didn't, she knew her hope was lost. If the kiss was not returned, Hermione understood she would have no choice but to walk away.

Relief flooded her being when she at last felt the pressure of his lips. The desperation which bubbled within her subsided and the tension of her body released. Draco had surrendered to her. He had allowed himself to open to the possibly of a future for them.

Hermione wouldn't pretend he loved her, because she didn't know if it was true. She wouldn't take the action as a promise of eternity, but as a simple gesture of what he was willing to risk.

The End

===Note===

Would it be cruel for me to end it like this? Should I have a epilogue to tell what happens afterwards? Or is it better not to know? Heh. I actually considered giving this a not so happy ending but then you guys might kill me. =P The chapter is still pretty angst filled though since I love writing angst. Please review and tell me what you thought of the ending and the overall story.

I loved writing this and it kills me to end it, but as I said before, there's nothing left to tell. It's been fun though. Hope I can begin another Fanfic sometime soon that'll do well. This is the first full one I've written. Besides this I only did a couple of one shots and the beginning 2 chapters of a novel. Ah well, it had to end sometime. Hope you Liked it.

-Captive