Title: And She Will Be Loved
Author Name: Melissa Spitfire
Author email: melissa underscore spitfire at yahoo dot com
Category: Romance
Sub Category: Angst
Keywords: Draco Malfoy Hermione Granger Auror
Rating: R (but not yet)
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, a little HBP there but I won't tell where
Summary: She never ever felt that she really belonged; never ever felt that she was really wanted. She is nothing but a shadow. But he is the ground where the shadow was cast, and it is in his deepest desires to make her see herself otherwise.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/n: Highly inspired by Maroon Five's "She Will Be Loved." So I don't suppose I should say that this is a songfic? Anyways... My first ever attempt on a Harry Potter fic, so please take this easy on me! ::grins sheepishly::
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Verse Two: A Silent Letter
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up on your door
I've had you so many times but
Somehow I want more
Hermione jolted out of her slumber, and let out a small scream as she fell on the floor. She sat up and gazed around, and was surprised to find herself in her living room.
She brushed herself up and looked at the old grandfather clock she transfigured from home, and noticed that it was already eight in the evening. She was thirsty, Hedwig was hooting loudly, already complaining about her empty tray of food, and Crookshanks was nuzzling her leg. She walked to her kitchen and fixed something for Hedwig and Crookshanks, fed them, before washing her hands and brewing herself some tea.
The moment her tea was brewed, she dragged a stool towards the counter and sat down on it. On the counter still sat the letter Hedwig brought her, crumpled and almost crushed. She reached out and straightened the parchment, and then took a sip from her tea.
While drinking, she reread the letter Harry wrote her.
... I know you wouldn't be much busy yet... and you would probably miss us... could use a little cheering up with this book...
The letter made her feel like a lost case. It was like she was considered a widowed woman who had tendencies to kill herself due to depression... So she was depressed, yes, but widowed and had suicidal tendencies… That was something unlikely to happen just yet. True, she wasn't busy yet, but still, being an Auror means being prepared for anything, being able to sense trouble and being quick enough rush to the scene even if your whole new sex life is on the line.
Sure, they were the newest recruits... And if she had known better, the Ministry made Harry and Ron take those exams just for the sake of formality. Everyone had been waiting for class 1998 to graduate, so they'd be able to sleep soundly, knowing well that Harry Potter and his friends were there to defend them against the clutches of evil. But to her it looked like the Ministry was too confident in him. Harry is only eighteen, for goodness' sake. He should have been enjoying his life as a teenager, not always worrying about a destiny that will eventually make him miserable. He was already deprived of a happy childhood, and yet everyone didn't seem to mind. She had wanted to say those things to Harry, to make him consider playing as the Seeker for the Chudley Cannons instead (though Quidditch talk was still not her cup of tea), but he insisted that he wanted to save lives. Does he really want that? To save and save until eventually, he cannot rescue himself from sinking in the pit of despair? Was this what she couldn't prevent Harry from becoming? Was he not aware that she was protecting him all along, simply because she cared for him?
She pushed the sordid thoughts at the back of her mind. She was far too stressed; too many things have been going on inside of her. Different emotions have been plaguing her for years now, and she still doesn't see the logic of leaving Harry and Ron behind. She'd only be the miserable one.
She continued to read the letter.
... Push through with the plans on gathering our housemates on Christmas Eve; they'll love that...
Hermione suddenly felt like a first year Gryffindor, and she almost thought she saw the light of a light bulb go up above her head. She stood up from the counter and headed towards her bedroom, cup of tea in hand, and sat down on her desk. Christmas Eve should do the trick...
Placing her tea down on the coaster, she pulled out a stack of parchment from the drawers, grabbed the phoenix quill that Ginny gave her as her graduation gift, and the bottle of scarlet ink she bought earlier that week.
It was a wonderful idea that she, Ron and Harry had come up to in order to have some sort of reunion for all of the Gryffindors in their year. They thought of a little get together for some pumpkin pies, butterbeers and firewhiskeys as a way of celebrating the holidays, and they have actually planned everything already. But then, the Order from the Ministry and Harry's letter brought her bad news.
But even if the letter was kind of disappointing, the letter, too, gave her another bright idea. (Does our lovely Gryffindor ever run out of it?)
She would push through with the party, yes. But it wouldn't be just the Gryffindors. She was sure that inter-house relationships should not stop in their graduation, but should continue even outside of Hogwarts.
Hermione began to write a list of who to invite. 'Now there's Neville, Seamus, Parvati, Lavender, Dean, Terry, Mandy, Padma, Hannah, Justin...'
After her tea had gone cold and her hands hurt from writing (she is an ambidextrous), she inhaled sleepily, her yawn mingling with her sigh. She stared at the rolled parchments to her right, and ran over her checklist to verify if she had written to everyone. She found out that she had indeed almost finished her invitation, and there was only one left to write -- one she purposefully set aside to write the last. Determined to finish it, she grabbed a parchment and dipped the end of her quill in the bottle of ink, and began to write her scarlet-colored cursive on the paper.
Dearest Pansy,
It's been long since we've got a chance to talk, and I'm hoping that you're in good condition. I'd be glad if we could have a chat some time over butterbeer, you know, to catch up... Remember the girly shriek that Professor Sinistra let out on our Finals? Or the luck running out on Sprout when the Venus flytrap suddenly lunged for her hands? I'd love to hear your other stories... The Slytherin side, that is.
If you are not busy, I have a little get-together for all of us on Christmas Eve here in my flat at Niveus Estage. I just wanted to see you all for the Holidays, and I hope you could drop by, though I know my flat isn't as grand as yours. The other students are also invited. I'm sure you agree with me that inter-house relationships should be maintained, right? I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Pansy.
With Love,
Hermione Granger
She proofread the letter again, and smiled when she found nothing wrong in it. Smothering her yawn, she reached for a green ribbon on the other side of the desk, but abruptly stopped as something occurred to her. She scanned the letter again, debating on whether to add something or not. Should she...?
A few scribbles and another gruesome proofreading later, Hermione Granger plopped onto her bed and fell asleep immediately, setting aside the distribution of her invitations for tomorrow.
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Pansy was shocked, to say the least. She went over the invitation for a dozen of times already, looking for any hidden message that would somehow verify her nagging intuition. Finding nothing, she stared at the postscript instead.
... If you'd like to, you could bring a friend or two along...
Her head shot up when the door to her left opened, and she stood up to see the person she was waiting for. "Took you long enough."
"I was in an important meeting, Pansy. Surely you do understand that."
"Don't I always?" She smiled, but it was immediately replaced by a frown as she saw the newcomer move to get the cloak and hat. "And where exactly are you going, Draco?"
Draco clasped his obsidian robes, grabbed his hat from the hat rack and placed it on his head. "Somewhere. Do tell mother that I'll be there shortly. I just have some important matters to attend to."
Pansy smiled devilishly. "Important matters?"
"Important matters." Draco answered, too busy checking out his reflection to notice her evil grin.
"Oh, okay..."
Draco walked towards the door, held it open for Pansy, and the two of them walked out of his office, and took the lift to take them down to the lobby of the Malfoy Towers. Once outside, Draco kissed Pansy on the cheek. "Tell mother what I told you, Pansy." He reminded her before turning to walk to his personal coach.
Pansy was debating on whether to call Draco back or just ride away and go to the party in the Malfoy Manor. She had actually considered the possibility, albeit the incredulity of it was blatant. But she grabbed his elbow and called him back anyway. "Wait, Draco."
Said Draco stopped from his brisk strides to look back at her. He was annoyed that she was calling him again. "What?"
She took a deep breath and pulled on an innocent face. "I have been thinking..."
"And you're absolutely wasting my time." He quipped.
"No, no. Let me finish, okay?" Pansy protested. She was glad that Draco clucked his tongue in annoyance, but stopped to listen to her anyway. "Do you have plans on next, next Sunday?"
"I'm a busy man, Pansy."
"No, no. That's a Christmas Eve. Surely, you do not have anything to do. Our parents and Blaise's are going to spend the holidays in Russia, and I was hoping that..." Pansy looked up at Draco tentatively before looking down again. "Well, I was..."
Draco was miffed. She was obviously delaying him from going about with his business. "Well, what? You're delaying my activities!"
Pansy swallowed hard. The idea had been playing in her mind the moment she received the letter, but she had many other factors to consider before she reached her decision. She wasn't even sure she was doing the right thing. "Well, I received an invitation for a small get-together with our fellow Hogwarts students. I was hoping you'd... Come with me...?"
He glanced at his pocket watch, checking the time. He was definitely running late, and knowing Pansy, she would definitely not stop until she got what she wanted. "Fine, fine."
"Really?" She brightened up. "Fetch me, okay? And would you kindly tell Blaise too? I wouldn't want him to be bored in their mansion."
"That I would. Now I have to go, I have some business to attend to." Draco pried his arm from her grip, and then walked away. He was sure he just willingly stuck his foot in the quick sand, and he'd definitely not enjoy himself there. He'd been the evil force in the group for seven years of their whole stay in Hogwarts; surely, nobody would be looking for him anyway.
But he'd do this for Pansy anyway. She's been a good friend to him, and he can't just back out on her. Millicent would probably go there with Gregory, and Gregory would be tagged along with Vincent. So, he mentally noted the event and the date, December 24, a Sunday, a get-together in--
Wait, where was that--
"Oh, and Draco," Pansy called. He turned his head and stopped from walking. She saw his question almost easily. Draco was very particular with the dates and venues and the like, and she was sure he would be in for it. "It's to be held in a house in Niveus Estage."
"Niveus Estage...?" Draco echoed. "And the one who invited you was...?"
"Hermione Granger." Pansy retorted, suppressing the huge grin that was about to take over her features. The different emotions painted on his face after her response -- shock, surprise, anger, happiness, anticipation and something else she couldn't put a finger on -- they were so utterly priceless!
And at that moment, she knew she was doing the right thing.
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Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she walked out of the Ministry. An old witch was asking her so many things that she felt all of her energies being drained, leaving her tired and weary. She placed her hands on the front pocket of her overcoat; all the while trying to sort out her brain from the nerve-racking questions the curious old witch threw her, and walked towards a corner before she apparated to Madam Malkin's Dress and Robe Shop.
She was supposed to attend a yearend ball in the Ministry, but she was still thinking it over if she would attend the ball when Harry and Ron were not there. After all, weren't they the ones everyone was anticipating to see there? She wouldn't even be expected to go there anyway, what with her reputation of having no life out of Books and Harry. Now if they only knew how she desperately wanted out of her conventional lifestyle...
She entered the shop and was about to walk into the robes chamber when her left hand brushed against something in her pocket. She pulled it out, and stared incredulously at the blank card... Blank card...
She lifted the object and immediately tapped the card with her wand. "Aparecium!" She whispered, and sure enough, six words that seemed to be floating above the card in green ink surfaced. She eyed it suspiciously, looking for any sign of a hidden hex or curse, but was sure almost at once that there was nothing bad on it.
... Dingy Dropout, 5 p.m. tomorrow sharp...
Hermione unconsciously closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. What was Malfoy up to? She could remember vividly his voice before he left, there was something in it that was firm and unyielding, as if it was a command rather than a parting word.
... It was nice having a drink with you, Granger. I'm looking forward to meeting you again next time...
She opened her eyes again and stared at the script on the card. Dingy Dropout... That was in Knockturn Alley. Though it wasn't a very dank place anymore after the war, and that she had been there, she surely didn't want to relive how she threw curses on the Death Eaters and how many mangled and bruised bodies were strewn about on the ground after the battle.
Should she go?
Malfoy had been an irritating prick just yesterday, talking about in circles, asking her pointless questions and downright annoying her, but at the same time, he was making sense...
... After graduating with the highest honors, achieving your dreams of being an Auror, and being able to aid in the Dark Lord's demise, is there anything you still want?... Do you? I mean, need nothing more?... Ah. And you're happy now?... You're not happy, Granger...
You're not happy, Granger.
Those words stabbed her instantly after they came out of Malfoy's lips, and cut and twisted through her heart and soul. She was trying to forget, yet he comes barging in and throws his Malfoy 'charm' on her! What right has he got to do that? Wasn't he supposed to be attending meetings, conventions, and the like? Like right now, shouldn't he be attending whatever his pureblooded business associates are having...
She glanced at her pocket watch and did a double take, she wasn't aware that it was already quarter to six in the afternoon.
For some unknown reason, Hermione panicked and rushed out of the shop and headed out of Diagon Alley.
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It was all Draco could do to not launch himself in a rage at the elf serving him. His mother taught him never to lay a finger on the ones who served and prepared everything for him, and he was sure his father was kind at times, too. But his patience had already thinned drastically, though he was famous for being ill tempered anyway. It was a good thing he inherited a little of his mother's cool composure, or else he would have hexed the elf to eternity and back before it could even start its first person monologue.
He was sitting at the darkest corner of the shop, sipping his third round of firewhiskey, exactly fifty-nine minutes after he entered the Beheaded Troll. He was sure he made it a point for her to understand that he wanted to meet her tonight, what with his ever-imposing voice and his charm (though he wasn't quite confident with the latter when it comes to her). Hermione should have been there a long time ago, and Draco, being a Malfoy, had never been one to wait patiently.
He downed his drink and set the mug briskly on the table, intent on leaving when Hermione slipped on the chair from across him.
"You're late."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I was looking for a dress in Madam Malkin's Shop for the yearend ball when I just felt the card in my coat pocket, I didn't immediately see what was written in the card-- Wait." Hermione's face was set on a frown. "Why did you want to see me?"
Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing, really. A firewhiskey, Granger?"
"Honestly, Mr. Malfoy, in my opinion, you're just wasting your time. Shouldn't you be somewhere meeting with your associates?" Hermione retorted as she placed the now-blank card on the table.
Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "Honestly? Well, honestly, I'm supposed to be attending a party my mother organized in our Manor tonight. My business partners are there."
Hermione scoffed. "Then why are you here?"
"I don't know."
"Oh, right." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let me guess... It's because you love me. How grand."
Draco felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a sneer. "Would you believe me if I said I do?"
"And I just recently discovered that I was a pureblood and I am the long-lost heir to the throne of England..." She retorted, sighing exasperatedly before banging her fist on the table. "NO! What do you think, that after you've practically made my Hogwarts years miserable I'd suddenly find myself actually believing AND falling for you?"
He almost emulated her gesture of anger, feeling vexed. She was being harsh, he thought, but somehow the blush on her face was telling him otherwise. "Temper, temper, Gryffindor. It was only a joke."
Hermione remained scowling, but the blush on her cheeks remained prominent.
"Look, Granger. I wanted to see you because..." He trailed off. Why did he want to see her anyway? He himself didn't know; in fact, it was all an action taken in response to his impulse. He couldn't find any other explanation as to why, only because he wanted to see her. But then, if he told her such...
Draco exhaled briskly before speaking. "... Because, because... Because I want you to leave your job." Hah, Draco Malfoy, king of witty remarks and bad boy extraordinaire turned emotional puddle? How mortifying!
She threw him a withered glance. "Malfoy, just... Please, whatever you're planning... Just, spit it out already!" Hermione receded. She was sick and tired of everything false already. For years, everyone around her took her for granted, smothered her with fake affection and care, and gave her false assurance of what was ahead. It was always like that. The only real attachment she had was her parents' love, her friendship with Ginny and Neville, her brief acquaintance with Pansy and her rivalry with Malfoy. She wouldn't want the scarce reality she hanged on to be taken away from her.
He could see the weariness in her face. He knew whatever he was thinking and feeling right now wouldn't make her believe him anyway. But he should try, at least. Draco shifted slightly in his seat before speaking. "Okay, so that wasn't the truth."
"I was expecting that."
"But," He negated. "That doesn't mean I have changed my mind about what you chose to do."
"Your point being...?"
Draco saw the anger and weariness flicker from her face to be replaced by confusion. "You're not happy with how your life is going." He held up his hand when he saw her open her mouth to retort. "Don't go denying it and let me finish, Granger."
Hermione withdrew from leaning on the table across him and crossed her arms in front of her, glaring mutinously at him.
"Good. Now," He brought out another card, but this time it was colored green. "I have a proposition. You leave Harry Pothead and the Weasel King--"
Hermione glared at him icily from her seat and butted in. "How dare you! Do you expect me to just follow you and forsake my two best friends? You're out of your mind, Malfoy!"
Draco seethed. Even if the two blokes weren't with her, she would still stick up for them? Why in the world would she do that? Even if everyone close to her were actually treating her like shit, she would still defend him or her? "Why do you insist on standing up for them?" Draco looked down at her through his aristocratic nose.
"Because they are my friends, you git!" She snapped back.
"Friends? You actually think they see you as that. Look at you, pathetic Gryffindor. If they did see you as such then they shouldn't have left you."
"It's important business! And what right have you got to speak ill against them, huh? You don't know them so don't judge them!" Hermione rose from her chair. "This is pointless. I'm leaving. Thank you for ruining my day, Malfoy." She grabbed her purse, jumped out of the booth and walked away, muttering incoherently, though Draco thought he heard something about dress robes and annoying and unchanging Slytherins.
Draco followed her with his gaze, making sure she was already out of the establishment before placing some coins on the table and heading towards his carriage.
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A/N: Nothing really, just review, and I'll be posting the next installation tomorrow! Up next, a Chirstmas get-together, jealousy, and many more!
