Hermione woke up restless. She did not want this day to come, and she thought about it all night, hence the lack of sleep. Hermione tossed and turned all night, frequently waking up from nightmares. Dreams of Draco leaving her forever, or Lucius and Voldemort taking Draco away from her. She turned in her bed, to look out the window. It was still dark out. She looked at her alarm clock. It read 7:57 A.M. She sighed. She knew she was up for the day, and she didn't feel well. She sat up and slipped on some slippers.
'It would be beneficial for you, Hermione, to get more rest.' Mookie said from under the bed.
'I know, but I can't sleep. I'm going to go see if Draco is asleep.'
'It's ill advised.'
'I don't care.' She protested as she left the room.
Hermione stepped out of her room. She saw Krista's bedroom door open a crack. She looked inside.
Krista, still in her clothes, was sprawled over her bed, her shoes were still on even.
Why can Krista go out and party all night long, and not get in trouble. But I bring home a boyfriend with a father with a bad reputation and I get reprimanded and my boyfriend gets threatened? She thought sadly.
Hermione shut her sister's door and tiptoes down stairs to the main floor. She then opened the basement door, without a sound, and crept down softly. Once she reached the lower level, she looked to the right and saw Bradin crashed out on his couch, television on. She looked at the TV and saw scantily dressed women dancing around as a dark man rapped.
And why can Bradin watch soft porn, and I can't have a normal relationship with Draco! She wondered angrily.
She then retreated backwards, and went into Draco's side of the basement. She stepped into his section and crawled over to his bed.
He was shirtless, with his blankets thrown over him lazily, covering his dark emerald boxers. She sighed as she looked down at him. She loved him so much, and she didn't want him going back to his un-loving home with his wretched old father.
She began to turn and go back upstairs when she felt something grab her leg.
'You aren't even going to say good morning?' Draco asked softly.
Hermione smiled and kneeled beside his bed.
'I thought you were asleep.' She whispered back.
'I slept for an hour, maybe. I've been up since…forever.' He said, looking at her longingly. 'What are you doing down here?'
'I missed you. I couldn't sleep well, when I did fall asleep I had bad dreams. So, I came down here to check on you.'
'Check on me? Were you worried I was going to leave without saying goodbye?'
'No. I just wanted to come see you.' She sighed sadly.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
'I'm glad you came down. I missed you, too. I'm going to miss you when I go back.'
'Don't leave. Please, Draco?' She pleaded. 'Stay with me.'
'I would do anything for you, baby, you know that…but this is hurting your relationship with your family. I can't get in the way of that.'
He then sat up, so she could sit with him.
She sat down, and he pulled her bare legs up onto his lap and rubbed them gently as they talked.
'Will you be okay at the Manor?' She asked.
'I'll miss you terribly.' He smiled.
'No, Draco, I mean with your father.'
'He doesn't think we're together any longer. I'll be fine, my love. Don't worry so much.'
'I always worry, Draco. I dream all the time that your father hurts you…I can't stand it.'
Draco's eyes saddened. He hugged her tightly.
'I'm sorry you dream like that. I'm sorry I worry you and I'm sorry I've put you into these situations.'
'Don't. Stop. Soon you'll be sorry that we're together and I don't want that.'
'I'd never be sorry about what we have.' He told her sincerely.
She nodded. 'Me either.'
'Good.' He replied.
He kissed her cheek, then her forehead, and jawbone, and various little significant places.
She smiled and tilted her head back, as he kissed down her throat and her upper chest.
She slowly laid herself down onto his bed and began to rub her legs up and down his. He could feel himself hardening at her touch, then he remembered what her brother had said to him and he pulled up off of Hermione quickly.
'Draco?'
'Hermione, your brother is in the other room…'
'He's sound asleep.' She replied.
'You know what your touch does to me, and we can't start something like that and not finish it, so let's just stop and cut it off quickly.'
Hermione sighed and nodded in agreement. He then laid himself next to her, she moved herself up against his body, her hands against his chest, stroking him softly. She looked longingly into his eyes, taking advantage of her last few hours with Draco before he goes.
'How long until you go?' Hermione asked.
'I'll leave just before breakfast, so I can say goodbye to your parents.'
'You won't stay?'
'No, I rather tell them as soon as they wake up and get down stairs.'
She nodded.
'Will you owl me?' She asked hopefully.
'I will, but don't reply unless I say it's safe in the letter, okay?'
'I understand.'
Draco kissed her forehead again, just as he began to get up from the bed.
'You should go back upstairs, before your brother wakes up.' He told her, as he threw on a white beater.
Hermione got up and kissed him softly. She then tiptoed back upstairs.
Hermione got to the main floor, then proceeded up to her bedroom. She looked at the clock. It was 8:35 A.M. Her parents should be getting up in an hour or so. Hermione decided to get ready.
-
At 9:00 Hermione heard her mother downstairs making breakfast, then she heard Draco's voice. She jumped from her bed, threw on the sweater she planned on wearing, and ran down stairs.
'Oh, well at least you guys got home safe.' She heard her mother say.
Hermione slid into the kitchen.
'Good morning, Hermione. I was just telling your mom about falling asleep in the car yesterday, because you were tired and didn't think it would be safe to drive home.' Draco said to her.
'Oh, yes, well better be safe than sorry, right mum?' Hermione asked.
'Right, dear.' Anne smiled. 'Hermione will you go get your father and brother and sister so we can start breakfast.'
'We're right here.' Richard said walking down the stairs, a very sleepy Krista by his side. 'Bradin's coming upstairs now.'
'Oh good, everyone sit down.' Anne smiled.
'Actually, I have to say something quickly, if that's all right?' Draco questioned.
'Oh, good ahead dear.' Anne said, still smiling.
Bradin stepped into the kitchen just as Draco began to speak.
'Well, I thank you Mr. and Mrs. Granger for having me these couple days, but I also know how important family is and I think I am going to go back home for the remainder of the break so you can have Hermione to yourselves.'
'You want to go back to Lucius Malfoy?' Richard snorted.
'My mother misses me terribly, it would be good for her to see her son.' Draco corrected.
Bradin's eyebrows raised as he listened to Draco.
'It has been enjoyable, and pleasures meeting you all. I'm happy to have met you, Anne and Richard especially. It's good to know Hermione has a loving family.' Draco looked over at Bradin. 'I'll be leaving in a few minutes, I just wanted to tell you all before I packed quickly.'
'Well, we're sorry to see you off, but all mothers should see their children on Christmas.' Anne smiled. She then walked over to him and hugged him. 'You are welcome back, any time.'
'Thank you.' He said, returning the smile.
Richard shook his hand firmly.
'Remember, young Draco, if you turn out like your father, you don't have my approval for dating daughter.'
'Yes, sir.' Draco smirked. 'I'm going to go pack, I'll be up soon, please start your breakfast.'
Draco then walked to he basement and ran down to his room and packed quickly.
-Breakfast-
'So…Draco is leaving?' Krista asked after everyone sat down.
'Yes.' Hermione replied.
'That's too bad…' Krista sighed. She then stood up. 'I better go see if he needs help.'
'Sit your ass down.' Bradin snapped.
'Bradin! Your language!' Anne scolded.
Hermione chuckled softly as she took a bite of her waffles.
'Draco wants to leave so we can have your to ourselves?' Richard asked.
'It's the main reason yes.' She said looking at Bradin.
'And to be with his mother.' Anne added.
Bradin raised his eyebrow at Hermione. Then Draco came up the stairs carrying his trunk.
Hermione got up from her seat and walked over to Draco.
'I'm leaving now.' He told her.
'I see that. You don't have to.' She told him.
He put his trunk down and took her hands. He raised them to his lips and kissed each one.
They heard Krista gasp loudly.
'Shut up, Krista. God, your such a girl.' Bradin snapped.
Krista narrowed her eyes at him and then turned her attention back to Draco.
'He's so hot.' She said aloud to herself.
Draco looked down at Hermione. He gazed at her, not wanting to leave.
Hermione smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
'I love you.' He whispered in her ear.
'I love you, too.' She said back. Her family heard her, but said nothing.
'I'll owl you.' He said pulling away from her.
She nodded.
'Orchideous.' He spoke. Then a bouquet of beautiful fuchsia and pink flowers appeared in his hands. He then handed them to Hermione and kissed her cheek.
'I'll see you soon, my love, don't worry.'
Hermione smiled and whispered, 'Goodbye.'
Draco looked at her family and nodded his head in goodbye.
'Malfoy Manor.' He said loudly, then apparated away.
-
Draco apparated into the Malfoy living room.
The first thing he saw was his mother, drinking tea.
'Draco!' She cried.
She got up and ran over to him. She hugged him lovingly.
'I'm so happy that you came to visit!'
'I'm home for the rest of the break, mother.' He replied.
'Oh, splendid! I've been so lonely. Your father has been away on business, but now you can keep me company.'
'Father's been away?'
'Yes, on business…don't read into it Draco, we both know what your father is doing. Just don't get him irritated when he comes home, you know he's always so angry when he comes home from his "business" trips.'
'So, he's been gone all of this week?' Draco asked her.
'Yes, I've had the house to myself, other than the house elves of course.'
'So, you've been well?' Draco asked.
'Yes, very.'
'When is father coming home?'
'Soon. Perhaps tonight.'
Draco nodded.
'I haven't seen you in so long, Draco darling!' Narcissa exclaimed, 'Come into the conservatory and tell me how your year has been going.'
Draco acquiesced and followed her.
-
After a few days Hermione was already getting lonely.
She hadn't received a letter from Draco yet.
She was sitting in her room, listening to a song called, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by one of her favorite bands, Green Day.
I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...
Hermione began to cry. She didn't know why she missed Draco so much, but she did… desperately. Maybe it was because she feared for him, maybe it was because she feared that his father would some how find out about her, and hurt him. Maybe she just missed being with him.
'This song isn't helping me.' She decided.
She got up and looked through the rest of her CD's.
As she was looking someone came up behind her and grabbed her waist.
'Ahh!' She jumped, and got excited. She smiled and turned around. 'Dra—co.' She sighed. 'Not Draco.'
Jess stood in front of her.
'Well, hello to you, too!' Jess said sarcastically.
'I'm sorry, Jesse.' Hermione said, smiling a face façade. 'I thought you were Draco.'
'Nope, sorry to disappoint you. Where is the boyfriend?'
'He went home a few days ago, so my family could spend more time with me.'
'Oh. Okay?'
'Don't ask, just leave it at that.'
'Feeling lonely?'
'Why do you think that?'
'You walk a lonely road, that only one you've ever known?' He asked, reiterating the song.
She laughed.
'I suppose I am.'
'Can I help?'
'I don't think so.' She said taking a seat on the bed.
'Why don't we go out for a bit?'
'And do what?'
'We could go to the park and slide down the snowy slides.'
'Slide down the snowy slides?' She asked with a smile.
'You heard me.' He replied with a grin.
'Okay I guess when can go slide down the snowy slides.' She smiled.
'Excellent.' He smirked. He grabbed her hand and they left.
-
Hermione and Jess went to a nearby park, and swung and slide down the snowy slides. They were exhausted and collapsed into the thick snow.
'This was fun.' Hermione said as she formed her snow angel.
'I'm glad I cheered your day a bit.' He said to her.
'You did, thanks Jess. I don't know too many who would go make snow angels.'
'Would Draco?'
'Haha! No! Draco would never!'
'Well, at least I got that on him.'
He laid on his side and pushed some snow onto her, ruining her snow angel.
'Hey! She was nearly perfect!' She cried. She then picked up some snow and threw it into his face. 'Ahh!' She laughed and got up and ran from him.
'Hey, get back here!' He yelled as he chased after her.
He stopped and formed a few small snowballs and threw them at her as he chased her.
'Ahh! Stop throwing them at me!' She cried, laughing as she ran. She began to slow down and suddenly he caught up with her and brought her down into the snow.
'Got you!' He cried.
'Fine! Fine!' She said, throwing her hands up in surrender. 'You got me!'
Hermione laid in the snow as Jess kneeled next to her. She sat up and her face was near his.
Suddenly he looked at her, differently than he ever had before.
'We've known each other for so long, 'Mione. Why didn't we ever go out?' He asked.
Her eyes widened.
'I don't know, you're my best friend, we never really thought about it.'
Jess leaned in close to her.
'Maybe we should have…'
Jesse then put his hand on her face and held her as he pressed his lips against hers. Hermione closed her eyes and savored it, but not even three seconds later, her eyes burst open and she pulled away.
'Jesse! What did you do that for!' She cried, moving away from him.
'I-I-I don't know, I don't know what came over me!' He cried, 'But you kissed me back, Hermione, there had to be something there.'
'There was nothing, Jesse! I don't know why I gave in for a second even, I love Draco, not you. You're my friend, Jesse. That's all.'
'Hermione please—' He pleaded reaching out to her.
'No!' She cried, beginning to cry. 'I have to go.'
She got to her feet quickly and started running from him.
'Hermione! Come back!' He yelled to her.
Hermione didn't stop running, tears ran down her cheeks, but she didn't stop running.
Hermione made it back to her house in a few minutes. She quickly wiped her eyes before she ran into her house.
'Hello, Hermione! Did you have fun at the park?' Anne asked her.
'Sure, mum. I'm just going to go up to my room now.'
'Are you okay, Hermione? Your eyes are red. Something wrong?' Anne asked in concern.
'No, it was just cold outside.' Hermione lied. 'I'll be upstairs.'
Hermione took of her boots and ran upstairs to her room. Once she got into her bedroom, she began to cry again.
'What have I done?' She asked herself.
Then she noticed a black owl sitting on her bedpost.
She knew it as Draco's and she began to cry harder.
She walked over to the bird and pat his head softly, then took the letter and the bird flew off.
My dearest Hermione, I hope you are having a good rest of your vacation. I'm sorry I haven't owled you until now, but I have been shopping with my mother for Christmas gifts and my father hasn't been home so I've been spending as much time with her as possible. My father comes home tonight I guess, from "business". I miss you lots, I think of you when I wake up and when I go to bed…I really miss you there. I miss your touch, your smell, your kiss. I miss talking to you. I cannot wait until school starts up again, so we can go back to our "secret" relationship. I hope you aren't worrying, please don't, love. I don't want you to stress. I would do anything to take all pain away from you. I sent you your Christmas gift the muggle way, by mail, so it wouldn't look so suspicious to others. I hope you like it, mother helped me…kind of, she thinks it's for Pansy but that's okay. I love you so much, Hermione. You are my everything, I am so blessed to have you in my life…okay I sound too much like a pansy now, so I'll stop with the mushiness. Don't owl me back, father might infiltrate it. I'll see you soon. All my love, Draco
Hermione's tears covered the letter. Draco was at the large manor, with his father coming home, writing her loving letters of adoration. He was showing his strong love for her, meanwhile she's kissing her best friend…who wasn't Draco.'I'm sorry my love.' She whispered allowed.
-Malfoy Manor-
Draco sat in his room, waiting for his owl to return. Then the large, beautiful black owl flew in and perched on his shoulder.
'Hello, Demon! How is Hermione? Good, I hope.' Draco said.
Just then his door opened and Lucius Malfoy entered.
'Your mother said you were home.'
'Hello to you too, father.' Draco drawled.
'Explain this.' Lucius demanded throwing a letter at him.
Draco opened the letter and read it.
Good evening, father. Yes, Blaise and I are practicing the arts continually and excelling in them. No worries. I hope you and mother are well. See you when school gets out, or when I get my dark mark, which ever comes first. Your son, Draco
Draco looked at the letter frightfully.
'I owled you a letter to the Zabini's, and I got this in return. I received it yesterday…now…how can you have sent this, when you are here now?' Lucius demanded angrily.
'I got home yesterday.' Draco lied quickly.
Lucius brought his cane up and hit Draco in the neck with it. Draco fell to the floor.
'You lie! Your mother said you have been home for four days now! Where have you been?'
'I-I-I didn't want to tell you. I was with Crabbe and Goyle, we took a quick trip to downtown London… I bribed Blaise to cover up for me.'
'London? Why?'
'We wanted to hit up some parties…'
'You told me you were practicing dark arts. You little fuck, how dare you lie to me!'
'I'm sorry!' Draco cried, 'I knew you wouldn't let me go downtown so I lied.'
Lucius hit his son again, before turning on his heel and walking to the door.
'You are staying in your room, until Friday.'
'What's Friday?' Draco asked.
'Your dark side inauguration.' Lucius said sternly before slamming the door.
Draco's eyes widened.
'No…' He whispered hoarsely.
He was getting his dark mark in two days. He couldn't get it, he didn't want to get it. He had to tell Hermione, he didn't know why, but he knew he had to.
Draco cried out, 'Hermione's room.'
-
Hermione sat on her bed and cried as she clutched to Draco's letter.
Then she heard a pop and her tearful eyes looked up and saw the person she feared to see.
'Draco…' She whispered.
He smiled at her.
'Hello my love.'
He then realized she was crying.
'What's wrong?' He asked very concerned.
She moved away from him.
'I'm so sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry.' She said, barely audible from her uncontrollable crying.
'What are you sorry about? It can't be that bad my love, I have something to tell you. I need to know how you feel, but tell me what's troubling you first.' He said sitting down next to her.
'I'm sorry.' She whispered.
He smiled at her.
'Whatever it is, love, just tell me.' He said, leaning in to kiss her.
She got up and moved away from him.
'Hermione?' He asked in confusion, 'Tell me what's wrong.'
'I did something awful, but I didn't mean to, I love you!'
Draco began to feel pain in his stomach.
'What are you talking about?'
Just then Jess ran into her room.
'Hermione, we have to talk about what happened between us.' He cried, before even opening the door all the way.
Draco's head snapped toward Jess. Hermione's eyes widened and she slid against the wall, down to the floor and began shaking.
'What the fuck are you talking about?' Draco asked Jess. Then he turned to Hermione, 'Hermione, what is he talking about? What happened between you two?'
'I'm sorry, Hermione.' Jess said quickly. 'But I couldn't hold back anymore. I felt something so I went for it.'
Draco walked over to Hermione and knelt down in front of her, and lifted her chin so he was looking into her red, watery eyes.
'Tell me now.' He commanded.
'Jess and I went to the park…he kissed me…I-I-I kissed back.' She stuttered.
Draco's eyes widened and he began to tear up. He quickly wiped his eyes and stood up. He turned to Jess.
'Get out.' Draco dictated.
Jess looked at Hermione, then left her room.
Draco went to sit on Hermione's bed, his face turned away from her.
Hermione looked at him, she couldn't see what he was doing.
'Draco?' She asked softly. 'I didn't want to, I don't know what I was doing, I missed you so much and I—'
'You missed me?' He suddenly yelled.
Hermione looked up at her hurt boyfriend, his eyes were watery, he was crying.
'I'm so sorry, Draco!' She cried standing up.
'How could you! I left for you! To let you get your family relationships back together, I went back to my father for you! And what do you do! You fucking kiss some other guy! What the fuck were you thinking, Hermione! I missed you so much, I—' Draco stopped, he choked on his words and began to cry some more, but he quickly sniffed and wiped his eyes, 'I love you so much, how could you do this to me?'
Salty tears were running down Hermione's cheeks. She couldn't speak, she didn't know how to fix this. She had never seen Draco like this. This wasn't something Draco had ever done before, he's crying over a girl. A girl who hurt him desperately.
Hermione stepped closer to him and tried to put her hand on his arm.
'Don't touch me.' He snapped, whipping his arm away from her. 'I came back here to tell you something. To tell you I was going to defy my father for you, I was going to tell him I wasn't going to get the dark mark. I'm supposed to get it Friday, Hermione. My dad came home two hours ago and found out I wasn't at Blaise's. I lied and said I was with Crabbe and Goyle. He wasn't happy. He ordered my dark side inauguration for Friday. I came…' He paused to gather composure, 'I came to tell you I wasn't going to go through with it, for us…'
Hermione broke down, and nearly collapsed, but she grabbed onto the side of her bed. She looked up at Draco, his face was turned away from her. He was looking out the window. She then saw the dark bruises on his neck, from his father's cane.
'Oh my god…' She whispered. 'Your neck…'
'My father.' He answered sternly. 'My father thinks I'm in my room, I have to go now.'
'Draco, don't please! Let me explain. I love you, I do! I promise! I told Jess that, he knows I don't love him! Please, Draco…' She pleaded with him, trying to hold his hand.
'Don't touch me, Granger.'
'Draco, don't do this…please. Stay with me, please.'
'See you at school.' He sneered, quickly apparating back to his manor.
Hermione fell to the ground and wept softly. She lost the only person she's ever truly loved. This was not going to be a happy Christmas.
A/N: Review please. I hope this chapter was long enough for you all! It was 10 pages on my Microsoft Word and it is 4445 words! The next update won't be for a week or so, sorry, but this one I tried to get up quickly, hope you don't get mad at me for my next late update! REVIEW!
