Desperately Yours
Chapter 3
And I'd Be Your Memory
.
We could fall apart,
And I'd be your memory.
Lost your sense of fear,
Feelings insincere.
Can I be your memory?"
- Memory: Sugarcult
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An hour later, the two sat on the couch again. Hermione's tears had finally subsided, but her eyes remained red and puffy. She held a cup of tea in one hand, the other absentmindedly fiddling with her bushy hair. She had, of course, learned how to control it over the years, but she had not performed her usual curling spell that morning, so it was in its natural state. It was as they sat like this that she began.
"I never meant for it to happen. In fact, I tried rather hard to keep it from happening. But there came a point when I couldn't deny it anymore, and I – I had to admit that I was falling for him. Oh Harry, it was so wonderful, and yet, horrible, all at the same time. Here I had found this, this amazing almost fairytale romance, but I had to hide it from everyone, and every time I looked at you or Ron I felt terribly guilty. It became more difficult as we got closer, and finally, neither of us could handle it anymore, all the secrets and the lying and the sneaking around, it was too difficult. We had to end it. I was hurt of course, it was so painful, but I brushed it off, thinking I would find someone else, that I didn't really love him, and I concentrated on helping you defeat Voldemort. That night, during our last week of Hogwarts, when you finally did, that was the last time I ever spoke to him. I figured there was a pretty good chance we were going to die, so I wrote him a letter." She sighed at her previous naiveté. "A letter. As if any written words, hell, any words could ever begin to describe. Before we began the attack, I gave it to him and told him to read it. That was the end of everything."
"But-but..." Harry was shocked. Not only had Hermione loved Draco, they had been together? As a couple? "But how on earth did you manage it? To get together, and then to hide it from everyone?"
"It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that. I still don't quite understand how we ever fell in love in the first place......we were so different, couldn't stand each other, and then this thing sort of snuck up on us and was suddenly staring us right in the face. It just was suddenly there."
He looked at her confusedly, with good reason. She sighed, she didn't quite understand either. "Maybe I should start at the beginning...." She chuckled. "But I mean, if I do, it might take a while. Are you sure you've got that much time?"
"We got all day."
"Are you sure you even want to know all this?"
"Oh yes," he nodded vigorously. "I definitely want to know how you became involved with our sworn enemy."
"Well then I guess we better get started. The first time anything unusual ever happened between us, it was on the train back to Hogwarts at the beginning of 7th year..."
"What mudblood, you finally realized what idiots Potty and the Weasel are, so you tried to find some new friends, and first years were the best you could do? Well, I mean, I guess that's reasonable, they're the only ones would talk to you since everyone else knows you." She looked up to the sneering face of Draco Malfoy. He was casually leaned against one of the walls, his arms crossed, his blonde hair falling slightly in his face. Any other girl would have swooned at the sight of him, but Hermione just narrowed her eyes in disgust.
"What do you want Malfoy?" she spat out.
"Don't get your hopes up Granger," he spat back. "I was sent for you. Head Boy and Girl have to meet with Professor McGonagall before we meet with the prefects, and as you weren't being quite punctual, I was instructed to fetch you."
She didn't dwell on the realization that he was Head Boy, but was overcome with anger as he talked to her ('Hardly to me' she thought. 'More like about me') as if she was some object he need to, in his words, "fetch". She refused to let her anger get the better of her though; she was Head Girl, she was supposed to set an example.
"As a matter of fact Malfoy, I was just on my way. The only reason I didn't go as soon as we got on the train was because I was changing into my robes. That way I can spend all of my time patrolling later."
"I could really care less Granger. Let's just go get this over with so I can get back to people worthy of my time." he told her, his voice dripping with disdain as he started off toward the front of the train. She was immediately even more infuriated, but pushed aside her thoughts of ripping of his head for later to share with Harry and Ron. She grinned. They would love that image.
"Are you coming or am I going to have to go get you again? I don't have all day you know." He glared at her as his voice broke through her thoughts.
"Well, I figured your ego need at least 20 feet of space, so I was just waiting until you got a bit father" she replied, in her know-it-all tone of voice. He glared at her for a moment more before storming off down the hallway. Before his angry gaze left her own though, she felt a tiny tingle shoot up her spine. Taking it for nerves, she shrugged it off as she smirked at Malfoy's retreating form, following it a moment after.
When they reached the compartment, Professor McGonagall was waiting.
"Nice to see you both. Now I only have a moment before I must be getting back to the school to prepare for the students arrival. You received your basic instructions in your letters, I trust you have them?" she quickly looked each of them in the eye, and continued as they nodded. "However, I would like to go over a few things about your living arrangements for this year. You will be sharing a separate dorm out of your houses. You will each have a room and bathroom, along with a joint common room. There are also hallways from your rooms which lead directly into your house common rooms.
"Wait- we're sharing a dorm?" Malfoy asked, surprised and disgusted.
"Yes, you are, and there will be no problems with this, from either of you" she looked at them sternly. You best put aside any differences now, because you will be living together for the year. Do I make myself clear?"
"Oh yes professor." Hermione nodded as Malfoy glared at her once again.
"Good. You have both been chosen as Heads for your maturity and commitment to excellence, so I expect no less from you in this situation. Do you have any questions?" she asked them.
"No professor." They replied in unison, Malfoy sounding annoyed and Hermione sounding defeated. McGonagall gave them one last stern look before exiting the compartment.
"I can't believe this." Malfoy muttered. "I have to share a dorm with a mudblood."
"Well, at least I act decent. I have to share a dorm with an asshole." They glared at each other.
"You stay out of my way, I'll stay out of yours." Their eyes locked.
"With pleasure." she responded, her eyes focused on his. They continued their stare off for a moment before she had to tear her eyes away from his intense gaze. She was beginning to feel slightly light headed and dizzy. When she looked back, he had a smirk on his face. He started to walk out of the compartment, and being thoroughly annoyed with him, she decided to do something she knew would bother him.
"See ya roomie!" she shouted at him as he walked away. He paused mid-step for a moment, but then began walking again, choosing to ignore her comment, and leaving her smirking with the last word, wondering what in the world had compelled her to call after him.
AN: Hey everyone! I am posting this from Australia, yay! I've been totally having a blast, but I've also been writing so now there is chapter 3! I was kind of discouraged to write for a while, after I didn't get a single review for the last chapter. Not even one. It was really really sad, and if that continues to happen I will be REALLY discouraged! So PLEASE, review!!!! It makes me happy, and it makes me want to spend some of my valuable vacation time writing and updating. Thanks, and I hope you all are having a great summer!!!!!
