Chapter 18: Beds are Burning
A/N: Bonjour! Holy shiznat BATMAN! Could this possibly be the end of my story? THE FINAL CHAPTER! "Dun. Dun. Dun." You do not know how cool this feels! Alright, so I will let you read it – PLEASE REVIEW. Perhaps an overall of the story? That would be splendid.
PS – Check out my new story : What Smiles Can't Afford; Blaise/Hermione (Post Hogwarts) The first chapter is up and the second chapter will be up soon! Promise! Please, if you could, read & review! Merci beacoup (how bilingual am I? ohhh yeah.)
Hermione woke up early the next morning and walked silently into her room. She gathered up what was left of her things, folded them and placed them in her trunk. Sure, she wouldn't admit it out loud but she was sort of happy to be leaving this place. As many good memories there were here, there were just as many bad ones. She quickly closed her trunk and locked it.
Looking around her room, everything was silent. Everything looked so different to her now that she was leaving. She just wanted to go and snuggle up her bed one more time, to use the crooked mirror, perched on the wall, again. This had been her home for a good ten months and it was hard for her to part with the fact that she would never see it again.
Hermione sighed, took one deep breath again before walking out the door. She placed her trunk in the common room, grabbed her clean clothes and walked into the bathroom for a quick shower.
She walked out of the bathroom in a white, flowing, knee-length skirt and an electric blue tank top. Draco smirked as he saw her. He was wearing muggle clothing too, seeing as he was going to be living in a muggle neighbourhood. He wore blue jeans and a button up dress shirt, with the first two buttons undone. Hot, Hermione thought.
The train ride to King's Cross was shorter than usual. Hermione and Draco sat in a compartment, all to themselves, silently. Every once in awhile they'd glance at each other and smile.
Hermione was going to spend the first month with her mum. Draco was to stay with them for the first two weeks so Hermione and him could go 'house shopping' and then he was too give Hermione a little time, by herself, with her mother.
Hermione's stomach did a little flip flop and she moved towards Draco, resting herself on his lap, facing him. She smiled at him and started to gently kiss his neck. He moaned and ran his fingertips against her sides. She shivered and began sucking on his skin, right beneath the earlobe; he moaned uncontrollably again. He slowly lay Hermione down across the seats and reached up her skirt, tracing her thigh as he went. Her breathing got heavier as Draco cupped her sex in his hand.
Hermione once again swung herself in Draco's lap, undoing his zipper and pulled out his large shaft. She rubbed her fingers along it, gently applying pressure. She quickened her pace and soon had Draco begging her to stop.
Draco stretched up to kiss Hermione, who had stopped but was still on his lap. She had a mischievous smile on. "No you won't, Hermione," Draco said, although he liked Hermione's train of thought – not on a train full of their schoolmates.
"Fine," Hermione said, pouting. Draco swooped her up in a kiss. She opened her mouth slightly and Draco started massaging her tongue with his own.
"Uh hum," Both Draco and Hermione turned around suddenly to see a blushing Ginny standing there.
"Hi," Hermione said, sheepishly. Ginny just rolled her eyes and walked away. Leaving the couple to do what they please.
The train slowed down and Hermione and Draco grabbed their trunks and rolled them off the train as if nothing had happened.
Harry and Ron were getting off the train with Ginny. Harry immediately started looking around for Hermione, not wanting to leave without saying goodbye. He spotted her standing with Draco, talking. He looked at Ron, who rolled his eyes and they started walking towards her. Ginny had found Fred, George and Mrs. Weasley and wandered off with them. Ron looked at Harry and then back at his family. "Harry, we've got to go!"
"What about Hermione?"
"We'll keep in contact! Come on. We'll owl her and invite her over for dinner or something soon! I promise. But if we don't leave now Mum is gonna leave without us."
"Fine," Harry said, and looked down at his feet. He started walking towards the Weasley's, taking a final look at Hermione and Draco, who were now joined by Hermione's mum who had them both in a hug.
Draco still couldn't get over the strange devices in the Granger's home. The box that showed a bunch of pictures moving was called a television, the weird looking thing Mrs Granger kept putting up to her ear was called a telephone, used to talk to other people. He didn't say much around Mrs Granger, who still looked depressed from losing her husband and now her daughter was leaving to live with someone she barely knew.
As they sat down for dinner they spoke of what was going to happen in the future. "I think that you two should still live at home. I mean the price of everything and you're so young," Emily said with a concerned look on her face.
"Mum, we'll be fine! I want to do this. Draco wants to do this. It's not like I am being forced out of the house. I sort of just want my freedom, to move on with my life. I want to find a job and well…" She stopped herself and looked at Draco, "Well… I want to get married and start a family, eventually." She looked at Draco who was looking at her, smiling.
"Honey, please, you're so young! Your brother and your sister didn't leave the house until—"
"Mum! They go to university in other countries! They left the house at the same age as me. At least we'll get to see each other often enough! It's not like I'm leaving you here by yourself!"
Hermione got up, not feeling like eating anymore and ran to her room. Draco looked at the distraught Emily, apologized and went after her.
"Hermione," Draco asked softly to her closed door.
"What?" Hermione said, harshly.
"Are you alright?" She opened the door.
"Yes, I suppose I am fine. It's just I know her too well. I don't think she approves of you, sorry. But I think that is why she is being so… so … stupid about this all!" She gave Draco an apologetic look, "Well, too bad for her! I don't care what she thinks! I love you, Draco. I love you so much!" She went up on her the tip of her toes and kissed Draco softly.
Hermione sat on her bed while Draco played with her CD player. "Press the big button with the triangle on it," She said, helping him along. He pressed it and jumped back when a song started to play.
I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her
"Who's that singing?" Draco said. It had sounded familiar to him.
"Oh, I don't know if you would know them: The Beatles. They are a very famous muggle group," Hermione said smiling.
"They sound sort of familiar."
"Shh, listen to the words. This is one of my favourite songs," Hermione lay down on her and Draco came and lay down with her.
She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
Hermione started to cry and Draco knew she was trying to hold it back. She rolled onto him and Draco gently stroked her back as they listened to the music.
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
Emily Granger sat on the bottom step of her curved stairway with her head in her hands. She had heard what Hermione had just said, and she knew that she was right. Hermione was almost of age… Emily had really no control over her anymore. If she wanted to move out, well, she would move out. As much as Emily didn't want her daughter to leave, she wanted her to be happy and if that meant moving out to live with a boy she loved, then that was that. It was going to happen.
"I'm all packed, Mum," Hermione said, looking at her mother. Emily looked at Hermione.
"Do you have to go?" She asked.
"Mum…" Hermione said, but stopped as she saw the tears in her mother's eyes fall down her cheek. "Oh, Mum!" Hermione couldn't help it. Once her mother started crying, Hermione wasn't far behind with the waterworks. She went over and hugged her mother, tightly. Draco brought down a few more boxes.
Her mother pulled away first, trying to remain strong. "Well, I'll drive you down to the train station and it's probably only a twenty minute ride to your place so you have to visit!"
Hermione watched out the window as the train sped up. She looked over to the sleeping Draco and sighed. They were finally leaving.
Draco had found the perfect flat, close to her mothers, and close to the ministry, too. They had gone to see it last weekend. It was a one-bedroom, two bathroom, second floor flat. It was fairly large and recently built. The living room was huge and the kitchen had new stainless steel appliances. The kitchen was attached to the dining room which attached to a small office. It was in a muggle neighbourhood but both Draco and Hermione thought that was for the best. The bedroom was massive and Draco ordered a beautiful king-sized bed to be put in the middle of the room.
Hermione laughed as she stood in the middle of her new place. Draco had had the furniture moved in and everything looked perfect. She hugged Draco and sat down on one of their black leather chairs.
"Oh my, I love it. I can't even think straight," Hermione said, her smile never fading. Couldn't stop herself, the tears just flowed. Draco came over and comforted her. "Draco," She whispered, "it's perfect!" Draco let her head rest on his shoulder.
"I know, love. Just like you," He kissed her head.
"Give me ten more minutes, Draco! Jeez, you wanted me to look good tonight! You must give me time!" Hermione said, rushed as she did her hair.
Draco stood in the doorway of their fairly large bathroom, watching Hermione straighten it. "It looks fine. We have reservations!"
"I'm surprised you learned how to use a telephone!"
"I'm a quick learner. Plus, it isn't as hard as it looks."
"Alright, I'll hurry," She said as she applied a little mascara and pulled out her clear lip gloss. "Look, done!"
"Bravo! C'mon then!" Draco grabbed her hand and apparated into a small alley way right beside the restaurant they were going to.
Hermione wore a crimson coloured strapless dress that suited her. She accessorized the dress with a pair of strappy, black sandals and a black clutch. Draco wore a formal tux. Oh my, this must be quite fancy! Hermione thought as they walked in.
Draco held the door open, "After you," He said to Hermione. She walked in and smiled, it was beautiful inside. A young man took them to their table, which was dimly lit, except for a few candles.
"Draco, this is beautiful," Hermione smiled softly.
"Just like you," Draco responded, kissing her.
They sat down and ordered their main courses right away. Hermione had garlic shrimp and a Caesar salad, while Draco had steak and a baked potato. His hand was shaking a bit and Hermione raised her eyebrow at him. He smiled and breathed in heavily, trying to relax. His nerves were getting the best of him.
In between the main course and dessert they had a couple glasses of chardonnay, which helped relax Draco's nerves. He smiled at Hermione as their dessert arrived. "A little chocolat mousse, pour vous, Madame?" The waiter asked.
"Yes, thank you," Hermione responded. She took a spoon and had a small bite. "Mmm, delicious."
Draco's mind was going in slow motion – he watched as Hermione took another spoonful and slowly pushed it in his direction; before he knew what he was doing he felt the spoon in his mouth and a burst of chocolate flavour, "Mm, that's good!" He said and smiled, taking the spoon from Hermione.
"Hey! I want some more," Hermione giggled.
The more Draco thought about it the more nervous he got. He took deep breaths too calm himself. The bill came and Hermione insisted on paying. Draco gave her a serious look and shook his finger at her, "Nuh uh," He said, smirking as he pulled a bunch of muggle bills out of his pocket. With a little help from Hermione he figured out what was what and put down the right amount.
"That was a beautiful evening, Draco. Thank you," Hermione kissed him as they stood outside the restaurant. Hermione looked up; the sky was dark, filled with stars and the moon shown fully and brightly. She smiled, Perfect, was all she could describe it with.
"Shall we walk?" Draco asked.
"We must," Hermione said, taking his arm. Draco led the way… knowing exactly where he wanted to go.
They walked for a few minutes until they reached a small bridge, where Draco stopped. Hermione looked at him suspiciously. "Look at the view," He said, looking out on the river below and the beautiful city line.
"It's mesmerizing," Hermione said, her eyes still on Draco. She could feel her heart pump faster and faster. Draco looked at her and smiled.
"Hermione, you are beautiful," He leaned it and kissed her softly. "I love you," he whispered as he backed away.
"I love you too," Hermione said, softly.
Draco took a deep breath and slowly knelt down on one knee, "Hermione, you are the one person who has truly shown me what love is and how to love," Draco smiled at the tears that shown in Hermione's eyes, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No, I need to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Hermione was doing all she could to hold back a squeal. "Draco, of course I will! Yes. Yes, I will marry you." Draco got up again and hugged Hermione, picking her up and twirling her. "I love you, Draco. I love you so much." Hermione was undeniably happy.
"I love you too Hermione. I really do."
Oh my goodness - I could cry! I really could. Epilogue will be added, I suppose. And a sequel perhaps? Let me know whatcha think!
Here it is:
THE END
ps- review!
