I Miss You
Early the next morning, Hermione woke Draco up because they needed to get back to the Prefects common room before they were discovered to be gone. Although she was sure her friends would know where she was, she wanted to make sure that no one else would become suspicious. As usual, Draco did not want to wake up and kept trying to drag Hermione back in bed with him but she was persistant and finally got him to get up by promising that they would go back to sleep together in her room. Leaving the Room of Requirement was the hardest thing either one of them had to do because the uncertainity of the future and the events of the preceding evening made it a safe haven for them away from the rest of the world. When they got back to Hermione's room, Draco grabbed her and held her tight while showering her with kisses and wishing things were different than they really were. He wished Voldemort and the Deatheaters didn't exist and that his father didn't hate muggles or that Hermione wasn't one...anything that might change the fact that they had to hide their relationship.
"Angel, I can't wait until this is over so I can walk the hallways of this and every place with you on my arm." he said at last.
"I don't care about that. Everyone that I care about already knows the truth and is supportive." she replied."Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything." he told her.
"Are you going to tell your mother about me?" she asked him.
"Eventually, when it's safe." he yawned.
"Do you think she'll like me and approve of our being together." she persisted.
"She already does like you." he said casually.
"What???"
"Well father is always complaining about Harry and you but my mother said how much she's always admired a smart and strong willed person. She really could careless about your bloodline." he explained.
That little piece of information put Hermione fears to rest and she curled up in his arms and fell fast asleep again with a huge smile on her face and a heart filled with hope. Draco, on the other hand, lay awake dreading this evening when he would go home to face his father and his chosen fate. This has to be done to be able to stop Voldemort and secure your future with Hermione..no if, and or buts about it. This was his own version of a pep talk to try to help him thru the next few hours while Hermione slept. When she finally started to stir, he rolled over on his side and slid his hand under her shirt and caressed her breasts and kissed along her belly until she began to moan with pleasure and ultimately succumb to his desire for a repeat of the mornings escapades. Sadly, as he was about to take her again, there was a knock on her door bringing a close to their perfect bliss.
Harry, Ron, Ginny, Cheyan and Katie were standing there with huge grins on their faces wanting to talk to Hermione and Draco about what had happened the night before. Hermione instantly showed everyone her ring and the girls all squealed with joy and rushed her off for more details. Harry and Ron on the other hand wanted to talk to Draco about something much less pleasant.
"Did you sleep with her despite the fact that you may not survive the training or a possible battle?" Harry asked.
"Listen, all of could be killed before this is over. I love her and will do everything in my power to keep her safe and from getting hurt. If you guys have slept with your girlfriends, they you need to ask yourselves the same question. Correct?" Draco retorted.
"We just don't think she'd be able to deal with it if something happened to you. Just keep it in mind, ok?" Ron said.
"Yeah, I will." he replied.
"When do you have to leave?" Harry followed.
"This evening. Are any of you going to stay here with her over the holidays?" Draco inquired.
"We all are. Also in case you need us, we'll be here for you." Ron said.
"I'll be fine. If for some reason, I don't make it, please take care and her and always remind her that I had to try to change things so that we could even have a chance at happiness. Can you do that for me?" Draco requested.
"That we will definitely do. Thank you for helping us Draco. I'm sure this is very difficult for you. I know I wouldn't want to be in your shoes." Ron told him.
Meanwhile, all the girls were in Hermione's room talking the night's festivities. Hermione told them everything, all about how he gave her the ring and what he said to her, what her present to him and how completely perfect that was and also all about her fears of what lay ahead for them all. Katie and Cheyan knew exactly what she was going through because they had the same fears for Ron and Harry. Ginny worried for all her and her family in addition. It seemed as through all their dreams and their worst fears were about to come face to face, the only question seemed to be what would remain when all was said and done. Laughter and tears were abundant on this day but one of those was also about to come to an abrupt end.
After a couple of hours everyone but Draco and Hermione left to go wonder the castle and stop by the kitchen for something to eat. In less than two hours, Draco would be leaving to go home to god only knows what kind of hell. Hermione opted to turn on some music in the hope of distracting her from the impending "goodbye" she was to have with Draco. She picked a song that would hopefully help him to remain strong and remember her and the passionate night and day that they have spent together.
"I've had this song for a long time but I wanted to save it for now so that over the next two weeks while your gone, you can listen to this song to remind you of me and why we're doing all this." she told him as she started the CD.
"I will remember you, Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one
I will remember you, Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories
I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin on the edge of something much to deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
But I will remember you, Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories
I'm so afraid to love you, more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light
And I will remember you, Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories..."
By the time the song finished, they were both in each others arms holding on for dear life. Hermione was close to hysterics and Draco trying to comfort her, telling her he would alright and not to worry that two weeks would go by in a flash. He was saying it as much for himself as he was for her. When she still wouldn't calm down, he began to kiss her and tried to distract her with pleasure to the body...maybe that was as much for himself too. About a half an hour before he was to leave, the rest of the gang came back to the room figuring that Hermione was going to need comforting when Draco left.
"It's going to alright, Hermione. If you don't calm down he won't leave and then his father will get suspicious and that could you both in more danger. Just try to think positively and we'll all stay with you the entire time." Harry pleaded with her.
"Come with us for a minute, Draco, and let the girls handle it." Ron bargined.
"Hermione, you have to stop this right now, find your Gryffindor courage and let the poor guy with as little guilt as possible please." Ginny said sternly.
At that moment, Hermione realized Ginny was right. She may be hurting and afraid but she was just making it harder for him and she couldn't do that any longer. She let out a commanding scream into her pillow, took a couple deep breaths and tried to put on a brave face before saying her final goodbye to her love.
"I'm sorry I put you through that, it was wrong of me to only think of myself." she apologized to Draco.
"Never be sorry for not wanting to let me go. I love you now and forever and I promise that I will come back to you in one peace very soon." he told her lovingly.
"I miss you already, so you better go before I break down again." she said as she kissed and hugged him.
"I will remember you..never forget that." he explained as a gave her one last kiss on the forehead,"And I miss you too."
They all watched as he boarded the train and as it pulled away from the station. As soon as it was out of sight, Hermione broke down again and Ron carried her back to the Common Room so that they could take care of her there away from prying eyes.....