Author's Note: I've changed the title to Of Pictures and Moments. You'll understand soon enough… I guess it's a much better fitting title than Compassion… anyway… this chapter is sort of roughly written… but at least the second chapter's here, right? Anyway… hope you enjoy!
_____
OF PICTURES AND MOMENTS
By Erythros
Chapter Two
_____
Like what most people who were in love said, just as long as the one they loved was happy, they'd be happy as well.
Hermione sighed sadly, then realizing the irony of it all. Again, like most of those people, she couldn't consider herself in a state of happiness.
Seeing Draco with Stella, his Ravenclaw girlfriend, running off around the castle happy and worry-free did not exactly bring content and joy to Hermione's heart; instead, however, it ripped her heart into two, and as if that sight couldn't do anything more painful, it seemed to her that a blade was thrust into it after.
She couldn't bear watching them hold hands in the hall, without giving a care whether or not some people would begin rumors about them. It appeared that they lived in their own little world, living as a happy couple.
During days when the weather would be considerably fair and they were given free time, Hermione'd catch a glimpse of the two in the same spot she used to hang out in with him. She'd cringe when she'd see Stella lean on his shoulder, and she'd be tempted to break into tears when Draco'd wrap his arms around her and whisper in her ear loving words that Hermione herself longed to hear from his lips, which were meant especially for her.
She couldn't understand why he could not at least feel that there was someone else more deserving to win his heart.
And that was she.
She was certain that she'd be the only one who could give a particular satisfaction to Draco. She'd be the only one perfect enough to love him the way one should.
Why could he not see that?
Why did he have to meet and fall for another girl, when she was here beside him all this time? She was the only one he trusted to keep his secret woes and feelings; she was the only one in the world who could understand him, even if, for the last six years, they had despised one another to the extent of wanting to kill each other.
Hermione groaned. Why couldn't he just have fallen for me?
____
There was a Hogsmeade trip that day, and Hermione had decided to go off alone. Draco's birthday was coming up in about a week and she needed to buy him his present. She knew that somewhere in this village, she would be able to buy him the perfect gift.
After a series of coming in and out of various shops, Hermione groaned in exhaustion. An hour had passed and still, she had no progress. So upon deciding, she visited the Three Broomsticks, where she was to meet Harry and Ron.
She approached the bar, gave her order of a bottle of butterbeer and plopped down on one of the vacant chairs. Groups of wizarding folk and students were amongst her surroundings, and she felt a pang of loneliness. Because of her sick, love problem, she could not share it to her two best friends—after all, boys were boys; they all seemed to be ignorant.
Her order of butterbeer arrived, but before she could take a sip from it, someone tapped her by the shoulder in a rather urgent way. Annoyed, Hermione turned around and frowned.
It was Stella. Hermione was sure she was going to ask about Draco—Stella was the only one who knew that she was secretly close to him.
"Stella," she said, forcing a smile on her face. "What brings you here?" Hermione was tempted to ask where Draco was in a rude manner.
Stella sat down beside her and grinned. "You know it's Draco's birthday in about a week, right?"
Hermione nodded. Of course she knew.
"You know more about him than I do."
"So…?"
"Could you please help me find a gift for him?" Stella took Hermione's hands into hers and flashed her a pleading look. "After all, I am his girlfriend…and it would be embarrassing to not give him a gift he wouldn't like, right?"
Hermione was reminded once again of her problem. Here was Draco's girlfriend, asking her for help to make him love her even more.
Deep inside her, she didn't think it was exactly fair.
Nevertheless, as her conscience got the better of her, Hermione nodded and smiled. "Sure… why not? I haven't bought his gift yet anyway."
____
She lay down on her bed and sighed in relief. The visit was over and she was finally back in the castle. After all the walking in and out of the stores of Hogsmeade, Stella at last found the perfect gift for her boyfriend.
Sadly, though, Hermione still hadn't found hers.
Stella was giving him a necklace for his birthday—one that, like all other things bought in the wizarding world, was enchanted. It had a pendant that revealed whom the wearer truly loved… once they had both heard its tale, Stella immediately bought it, telling Hermione that she was certain that her name was the one that was to be inscribed besides Draco's once he wore it.
Hermione, on the other hand, was still empty-handed.
She sat up straight and ruffled her hair in frustration. Her mind was left empty; she couldn't think of anything else to give Draco.
She walked to her trunk and rummaged through it, hoping that anything that would catch her eye might give her some inspiration.
_____
Clothes, pen, book, journal… Nothing was perfect enough. She had reached the bottom of her trunk, and still nothing. Hermione sighed. Oh, well. At least I tried.
Possibly, he'd appreciate a birthday card for now…
And then she saw it.
Her camera was lying beside her books, forgotten. It had collected a bit of dust already, but still, when Hermione examined it, everything was still intact and working. She checked the film and smiled triumphantly.
One more shot before the film was finished.
Perfect.
_____
"Hermione?"
She jumped, startled when she heard her name. She looked back and saw Draco, walking towards her, looking dashing in his uniform. Her heart skipped a beat as he grinned boyishly at her.
Everything was ready as he sat down beside her. Hermione flicked her wand silently behind her.
"Tell me a joke or a funny story, won't you?" Hermione asked, smiling at him. She glanced at the slowly hovering camera hidden behind the bushes in front of them.
Draco raised his eyebrow. "Why?"
"I… just need to laugh."
"That's a strange reason."
"Oh, come on."
"No."
"Then laugh then. That way, I might laugh also."
"No."
Hermione sighed. "You've left me no choice." She pocketed her wand, leaned in, and grinned. "Smile!"
And she tickled him.
And he laughed…
And she laughed.
The camera clicked with a flash, and a newly developed photograph dropped to the ground with a silent thud. Hermione stood and picked it up quickly. She took out a self-producing ink quill and wrote down a message behind it.
"What is that?" Draco asked, standing up as well.
She turned around and smiled triumphantly. "Happy Birthday, Draco Malfoy."
And she ran back to the castle, without a second glance at him.
_____
Draco watched her figure disappear inside the castle before taking a look at the photograph. He turned it aside and smiled at what he saw.
They were both laughing in the picture, looking perfectly happy in each other's presence, as if it were a normal sight to see. Her eyes were twinkling with joy in it, with a smile he knew was genuine. His expression was the same—he wore a similar smile with no malice, with his arm around her as he tried to stop her from tickling him.
If anyone else had seen this picture, they surely would have thought that the image of the two supposed enemies was made by magic and probably by muggle technology.
He turned it aside and saw Hermione's message written neatly and legibly.
With this picture, I hope you understand this fact: I am happy whenever I'm with you. And I promise, no matter what happens, I'll just be around, ready to wipe away any sadness you might feel. Happy Birthday!
Your 'secret' friend,
HG
Draco turned it around and looked at the picture again.
And with a broad smile plastered on his face, he understood.
_____
Author's Note: Ah… I finally finished this chapter… took me a lot of time to finally decide on what would happen in this chapter... I had a horribly hard time to gather inspiration from my surroundings… at least the second chapter's done… It's poorly written, so please bear with me… the muses haven't come to visit me… heehee. If you've got any violent reactions whatsoever, feel free to express it! Review! Thank you!
