Hermione looked up from her book, listening to the rustling trees. From down below, Hermione heard a familiar giggle. She caught a glimpse of Ginny playing with Dimitri. She made faces as he cooed and grabbed at his nose.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh; catching Ginny's attention. Ginny turned the little baby around and helped him wave to Hermione- who waved back with another laugh.
Leaning back against the wall, Hermione closed her book and looked around. She suddenly grew anxious. Abandoning her spot, she hurried from the room. She slowly walked up the stairs to the third floor. She made her way to an all too familiar closed door.
Hesitating momentarily, Hermione opened the door, standing in the hall for a minute. Walking into the room was hard to do, but eventually she made it to the center. She took her time looking around and touching things. Picking up a bear (whose bow she had been tying earlier) she lowered herself into the rocking chair.
Draco had watched Hermione climb the stairs to the third. He knew where she was going and he followed, slowly, after her; remaining out of site. He watched her hesitate when turning the handle, and he could almost feel her pain pulsing through his body. "You can do it 'Mione." Draco said to himself, silently cheering her on as she took the first step back into the room.
He stood near the door and watched as her eyes took in the room. He watched her pick up a discarded bear, and he caught the struggle in her eyes as she sat in the rocking chair. He saw this as a good sign; she'd finally opened the door to the room, and let herself explore one of the most painful memories of her life. But she was strong enough, and courageous enough. Draco couldn't help but feel proud of her.
"I know your there." Hermione called out, still fiddling with the bears bowtie.
Draco jumped slightly, he had thought he'd remained out of site. Pushing the door open, he carefully walked into the room and watched her.
"I never thought this day would come." Hermione smiled, making it obvious this was a monologue, not a dialogue. "Never thought i'd get the strength to come in here. Never thought i could sit back down in this chair, touch anything. I thought it'd be too painful." Hermione looked up at him for a second, then returned to the bear, "I mean this is hard, sitting here, doing nothing really, just sitting." Her sigh was ragged, "But i just had to come up here, you know?"
Draco knew. He had done the same thing, kind of. He'd been the one to close the door. But not before taking every thing in, and how much it hurt knowing that it had all been a waste. "Yeah, i know." Draco whispered, unsure if she could even hear him. It didn't matter though, he'd already turned and left the room. He found himself pulling away from her. The hurt she'd caused him, still lingering in him.
"How you doin?" Ginny found Hermione reading on her bed. Ginny had Dimitri tucked into the small of her arm. She'd gotten used to carrying the little bundle around, and truly enjoyed his presence.
"Better." Hermione looked up with a smile, putting her book aside and sitting up. "Can i hold him?" Hermione stretched her arms out, and Ginny wililngly handed over the baby, and sitting beside her best friend.
"This room is amazing." Ginny looked up at the room with content, then to Hermione who was stroking the baby's soft skin.
"Wonder who gave him the idea?" Hermione had a hint of sarcasm to her voice, as she continued to cuddle the baby.
"No one did Hermione." Ginny's tone was stern, "I had no idea this room exist. You'd think as many times as i'd walked down the hall to Tre's room, i'd have noticed a door at the end of the corridor. But not once. And Draco talked to me about as much as you've talked to anyone in the last few days. So he had to've come up with it on his own." Ginny was defending Draco's intentions because she knew they were sincere.
"But why?" Hermione finally looked up with a questioning look.
"Maybe he's trying to show you something, because you wouldn't listen when he'd tried to tell you." Ginny gave her friend an all too knowing look, before gently taking the baby from her arms and walking out.
Hermione let out a long sigh, looking around discontentedly. Ginny walked into Tre's room. "Dimitri's asleep. Finally." Ginny fell onto the bump, causing it to spring back under her. Tre smiled as he pushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You are too good." Tre kissed her softly.
"I know. What would you do without me?" Ginny smiled smuggly as she sat on her knee's and kissed him cooly.
"Wither and die." Tre joked as Ginny laughed in triumph. "How's Hermione?" Tre asked, wrapping Ginny in his arms.
"Doubting Draco, as always." Ginny roled her eyes. "Say. I have a question? Why haven't i noticed the door at the end of the hallway before?" Ginny looked up at him.
"Because it hasn't always been there." Tre looked down knowingly.It was around ten o'clock when Draco walked down the hall towards the door at the end. He found himself again watching Hermione, while she continued, unsuspectedly. He slowly entered the room and looked at her. She was lying on the floor listening to music. She jolted when he had cleared his throat.
"I didn't hear you come in." Hermione used the remote to turn off the radio. She sat up, tucking a leg underneath her, resting her chin on her right knee.
Draco walked to where whe was sitting, and sat with her. He wasn't quite sure what to say to her.
"You know, i never noticed this room before. Almost as if it wasn't always here." Hermione looked at him, still resting on her knee.
"Because it hasn't." Draco said flatly. He wasn't sure if he should tell Hermione, but figured he'd have to eventually. "This used to be my library." Draco barely breathed this, and Hermione wasn't sure if she'd heard him right.
"The one you told me about earlier?" She pressed further.
"Yeah, that's the one. It's a shame you don't appreciate it the way i did." Draco got up suddenly and walked out the room.
"Draco wait. That's not fair." Hermione followed after him, objecting loudly. He continued to walk into the master bedroom, ignoring her the whole way.
Hermione pushed aside the door and followed Draco in. Her eyes focused on him as he stripped the bed. "What isn't fair Hermione, is the way you've treated me the past month." Draco stopped finally and looked at her with hurt.
"Draco, this was hard for me. I wanted that baby so much. And it was just taken... from me." Hermione choked up on the last part.
"What about me Hermione? Did you at any point listen to what i had to say? I wanted that baby too. It just took me longer to realize it. But i didn't get much time to grieve, because of you." Draco turned on her, his temperature escalating.
"Look, Draco. It just took me longer to come to face reality. Thats all." Hermione was pleading now, a certain hunger in her eyes. "I'm sorry i hurt you."
"Yeah. I am too." Draco replied harshly. Then hanging his head, he walked over to her and wrapped her into his arms. He had to forgive her, as much as it hurt. He had to be the bigger person.
Before either knew what had happened, they were kissing passionately. The night ahead would be a long one.
A/N: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... what's this? Did i cave? Did anyone notice that i finally showed physical affection between Ginny and Tre? Hope you enjoyed.
