Chapter Twenty-Two: Perfection in Your Eyes
Hope you're all okay after Halloween! Air strikes tend to go off in funny directions if you're not careful lol. But it's funny seeing people dance while getting chased by a cracker. Hope you all had fun and enjoy!
Happy 500! Thanks much to Gizelle for being my 500th!
All of my regrets are nothing new
So this is a way, that I say
I need you
This is the way
This is the way
That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
So this is the way
that I say that I need you
This is the way
That I say I love you
This is the way
That I say I'm yours
This is the way
This is the way
Her eyes drifted slowly having a mind of their own from her recently plaited brown hair, to the cold, concrete floors below. They were grey. Grey was the colour of cold, the colour of rats, the colour of nothingness, and nothing was exactly what she felt. Her ocean blue eyes continued staring intensely at the ground, perhaps even trying to sear gaping holes straight through it.
"Ginny, are you alright?" Harry asked worriedly as he edged closer to where Ginny stood.
She said nothing and simply continued in her trace-like state.
"Ginny!" he tried again, this time nudging her shoulder gently.
Blinking the little Weasley turned her eyes to the raven-haired boy whose jade coloured orbs were at the moment filled with concern for her well-being. "Sorry?" she questioned, feeling oddly lost and confused.
"Are you okay?" Harry repeated for the third time but with the same unwavering amount of trepidation.
"I'm fine—just fine." Ginny answered, avoiding his gaze.
Harry gave her a probing look, but decided against pressing her on the subject. He'd rather her say nothing at all than have her lie to his face as she had done just moments before. "Alright then, if you ever need to you know—talk I'm always here for you, okay?"
Ginny merely nodded and gave her the best smile she could muster. But she found it near impossible to smile when inside, all she felt was emptiness…..and maybe even a hint of betrayal.
It'd been nearly two whole weeks since she'd last spoken to Blaise. With the excuse that she felt ill last week, Ginny had evaded an awkward lesson with him. Unfortunately, she'd paid severely for her decision on her last potions assignment. She couldn't afford to miss another lesson and Professor Snape had blatantly refused to reassign her to another tutor. She wanted him so bad….but she was so afraid. It'd hurt so much after she'd returned to the castle that night. The feelings had finally sorted themselves out. Betrayal, sadness, anger….and pain. The pain in her heart made her physically ache. They were never even together in the first place. They were never even officially friends. What gave her the right to feel the way she did then? It wasn't supposed to affect her in such a way…..it just wasn't….and somehow, she still didn't hate him. Instead, she hated herself for falling for his 'I'm-not-such-an-evil-malevolent-sinister-Slytherin' façade. Ignorance on her behalf had caused to pay so dearly in the end.
Sighing softly, Ginny lowered herself onto her knees and laid her head upon her arms which were propped up next to Hermione's recently fluffed pillow.
"Hey, Ginny? I've got to go, Quidditch practice. Will you be okay here by yourself?" asked Harry as he rested a hand upon her shoulder.
"Harry, I've been here by myself countless times and I have yet to be gruesomely slaughtered by a psychotic butcher knife-wielding murderer. I think I'll be okay." Ginny muttered not bothering to look up.
"Alright then." Harry sighed and turned to leave, sensing Ginny's sardonic tone of voice. "Bye Hermione. Get well soon…."
"Does that really work? Talking to her?" Ginny asked suddenly.
The sixth-year shrugged. "Supposedly." Without another word, he turned and slipped out of the infirmary doors.
"Carry you really hear me, Hermione?" she whispered, staring down at the seemingly lifeless girl before her. "This feels stupid…."
But I've got nothing to lose….
"Do you remember when I told you I….sort of fancied….you know. That wasn't in Gryffindor?" the red-head paused, a sheepish feeling washed over her but she continued nonetheless. Perhaps it would serve to make her feel the slightest bit better. "I feel so utterly ridiculous about it now. I don't see how I could have liked him….I just thought he was different, but I couldn't have been more wrong. I was so, so, wrong." A long, restrained tear trickled from the corner of her eye. "I'm so stupid. I can't believe Natalie persuaded me into writing him those stupid air memos. I must be downright daft. I thought I saw something in him…..something worth my time….my heart….Why did I have to be so wrong? ….He's just like them."
"Who is?" a voice broke in.
A feeling of mortification befell her. She could recognize that voice anywhere. "No one" she replied curtly, refusing to turn and face him.
"Weasley, look I—" but she quickly cut him off.
"You nothing—" Ginny finished, getting up to her feet. "You can count on me being at our next tutoring session." Before he could say another word, Ginny swept out through the doors as gracefully as she could trying desperately to hold back the burning tears that now seem to take over her. Behind her, she left a speechless Slytherin boy.
Truth be told, he'd been standing outside the infirmary doors listening to her every word—well, not exactly, but enough so that he now understood why she had been acting so distraught. He'd had his suspicions, but now she'd confirmed them, the feeling of guilt filled his insides as Blaise stood over the pallid, auburn-haired girl.
So she was Igneous Amor…. She, Ginny Weasley was the one who'd kept him up day and night trying to figure out her identity. She was the one whom he'd now found himself desiring, it was she….simply she. The one who'd been right before him all along.
At a pace comparable to a snail's, the Slytherin boy made him way over to where his friend lay so peacefully. For some strange reason, it looked as if Draco's pale cheeks were tinged with a light rouge and his lips were curved up the slightest degree….as if he were smiling….
"Must be a pretty pleasant dream" mused Blaise.
At least one of us is happy…
Shutting his vivid crystal eyes, Blaise fell to his knees and laid his head upon Draco's cot, much like the position a certain red-head had been in previously. He felt torn from the inside out. She was a Gryffindor. She was younger, she was…..poor. But worst of all, she was a Weasley. The Slytherins would never accept her. They would never accept them. Blaise sighed loudly into the surrounding silence. His mind told him one thing, but his heart told him another. Which was he to follow? Muddled in confusion, he muttered a few quick words to Draco before leaving to clear his mind, the only way he knew how.
.:.
A smile was permanently chiselled into Hermione's sweet, honey-covered lips. In one hand, she held her favourite honey-sweet; in the other she held a single white rose that'd magically appeared upon her vanity late in the afternoon. Breathing deeply, she inhaled the scent of the flower, swearing she could make out a hint of Draco's own intoxicating aroma. Collapsing backwards onto her canopied bed, her mind began to wander to a particularly intriguing moment in the pouring rain….
Vividly, she could remember his soft, sweet lips gently caressing her own in ways she'd never imagined were possible. An amalgam of lust, passion, desire, and perhaps even…..love had surged through her body at that moment. So many feelings at once. She had never felt more wonderful in her life. In spite of the chilling rain that poured down in sheets upon them, Hermione felt only heat radiating from her body. She remembered looking deep into his pools of silver-grey abyss and having him promise to her that he'd never hurt her. Ever. The truth seemed to pour from his eyes that held the same emotions she herself had felt at the moment. She believed him. Every single word. She wasn't sure why, but it just seemed utterly impossible for him to be lying right there and then. She could see it within him….he wasn't wholly wicked…..and she found herself yearning to find out everything about him….
Absolutely everything.
.:.
"Adonis! Wake up you lazy git!"
Tilting his head to one side, Draco opened his eyes a bare crack. A smudge of bright orangey-red met his vision. "Get lost, Phaeton" he grumbled, rolling over to his side.
"Up you lazy sod!" Phaeton cried, and proceeded to shove Draco unceremoniously off the opposite side.
"OW!" the Slytherin bellowed, attempting to untangle himself from his many layers of bedding. "What the bloody hell was that for!?"
A cheeky smile formed on the red-head's lips and he replied, "Oh good! So you are awake! Hurry and change, we're due at the Granger castle in half an hour!"
Groggily, Draco managed to heave himself back onto the bed. The prospect of seeing Hermione again both excited and frightened him all at the same time. "Again? Why?" he asked trying to retain an indifferent tone.
"Celebration lunch. It's exclusive" he grinned as he pried open the doors of Draco's grand wardrobe.
"What for? And get out of my wardrobe!" Draco exclaimed as he hurled a tasselled cushion towards the mischievous Weasley duplicate.
"Good lord you're thick! To celebrate the betrothal of Prince Hadrian and the Princess of course! Where's your green tunic?" Phaeton replied distractedly as he rummaged deeper into the closet.
He'd forgotten about their engagement. A sick plummeting feeling engulfed him, and a disturbing thought followed. Would this mean that he and Hermione would not be able to be together? Or even worse, what if she forgot about them? What if she didn't want to remember…
Deeply frowning, he shook his head fiercely. She wouldn't do that……she wouldn't…..would she?
He could have smacked himself over the head for playing the 'what if' game. There were no answers he'd learned long ago. It served only to drive one completely mad! But still, he couldn't help but wonder…..
"I repeat, where's your green tunic!?" Phaeton demanded turning Draco's once tidy dresser into a clutter of darkly coloured heaps.
"I don't know. Green doesn't even suit you!" Draco pointed out.
"So? I still like it." Phaeton replied simply.
"Fine. Whatever. Just get out! It's probably in Prometheus' room." Draco invented.
"Excellent" his eyes gleamed and hurriedly, he dashed out the exit the way he had entered.
Yawning, the rumpled boy crawled out from the tangle of bed sheets as he pulled open one of his drawers to reveal his coveted green tunic. Smirking at his reflection, Draco decided to wear it. Just to spite the wonder boy and his side kick (version II).
What was everyone's obsession with his green tunic?
.:.
"Mmmm" the famished princess hungrily shovelled down forkfuls of the scrumptious spinach and cheddar quiche. It brought to mind a vague image of a mousy-haired woman whom had made this very dish over a fortnight ago.
Mum…
Her parents seemed to have completely slipped her mind. Sure, she was the all mighty princess, powerful and discriminated by none, but…..she missed her parents. A small sigh escaped her lips as Hermione visibly downsized her portions. Her appetite was quickly fading, well, that and she was receiving vicious, disapproving glares from the Queen. Life at the castle was no longer as joyous and carefree as it had been before now that she was to wed Hadrian. Things seemed so complex now. She hadn't a clue what the grand design was to be. Everything was overly perplexing even for her. And Hadrian, he'd barely come into contact with her since a week after the final ball. Hermione suspected he was avoiding her, but this didn't faze her the slightest bit. She was…..well, for lack of a better word, afraid; afraid of him….still. It was silly, he was merely a prince. A….kind one. He had been her saviour had he not? She should be able to put her trust in him. He hadn't done anything to cause her to lose trust in him; yet. So what would happen once they were married? Surely they wouldn't stay here. And Draco, what about Draco? She didn't want to leave him behind. She didn't want to lose him, especially now that she had just discovered him; the less….vile part of him.
Casually, she glanced up from her partially mutilated quiche and fixed her gaze upon a particular head of platinum blond. He appeared to be in conversation with her sister, Thaleia. A strange irking feeling crept into her system at the sight of the girl's hand upon Draco's own, staring intently into his eyes with unheard words streaming from her bright, seductive, crimson lips.
Aha!
Jealously; she'd pinpointed the emotion.
Some genius you are
Just then, Draco shifted his eyes just past Thaleia's shoulder, eying Hermione. Curtly, he nodded her way, only to receive a raised eyebrow from her.
Promptly, Hermione dropped her violet coloured napkin and dove beneath the table.
Draco cringed.
This again.
He hated crawling around under the table. Who knew what was on those floors? But nevertheless, he excused himself by accidentally sweeping his knife off the table to join the princess.
.:.
"Bloody Merlin!" she hissed as Draco ducked under. "You could have dropped a spoon, a fork, a napkin, ANY BLUNT OBJECT but nooooo the great Draco Malfoy just had to drop a bloody knife!"
A sheepish expression plagued his visage as he noticed the cutlery had somehow managed to plant itself blade first into the ground directly in the space between Hermione's third and fourth fingers. "I didn't intentionally try to stab you, I'll have you know that! And besides, you were the one who decided to meet under this ruddy table" he countered.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione slapped his arm, "I forgive you" she said shortly.
"I didn't say I was sorry" he pointed out.
"It's called selective hearing with my own choice of added words. I heard, 'I'm terribly sorry, I'm a tactless, sodding git I'll have you know that, Hermione" she smirked.
"You've turned me into a Pansy!" he scoffed.
"No, not yet I haven't. To be Pansy, you'd need bright orangey-copper hair, a shrill annoying voice and oh yes, skin tight robes. Oh! Will you look at that! You're half way there!" Hermione exclaimed mockingly.
"Now that was a low blow" Draco frowned lopsidedly, fighting the grin that was forcing its way out.
"Yea, yea okay. So what do you say to us getting out of here?" she asked "Outside. It isn't clear skies, but it isn't raining either. I can't stand this place any longer."
"Hmmm, stay here to eat and chat it up with your lovely sister….or leave and retreat into the cold, windy weather outside…." He pretended to ponder for a moment, but hastily added, "Ah, outside with you of course!" when Hermione shot him a warning look. "I would love nothing more than to spend time with you." And swiftly, he pecked her on the cheek. Immediately, Hermione's expression softened. "See you out by…say the lake in 10?" she nodded. "Bring as much food as you can."
She gave him a puzzled look, "Why?"
"Just do it." And quickly, he clambered back onto his chair, taking his knife along with him.
--
The chilly autumn air was quickly waning, giving way to icy winter breeze. The final season of Persephone's demise was upon them. The wind was icier, the plants ceased to bloom, and all around was a dull, greyish paint flecked with shades of brown and the rare winter blossom. It hadn't rained since the last time Hermione and Draco had been together beneath their apple tree, but disappointingly, it hadn't snowed yet either.
Hermione shivered. Funny how her thousand layered dress couldn't keep her warm any longer. It was oddly lumpy now that she had crammed so much food into it.
In the near distance, she could spot her beloved head of gleaming silver. A tiny surge of anticipation surged through her as she neared him. It was undoubtedly odd. A few months ago, the sight of him made her want to gag and scream. But now….it was so different, he was so different. Well, parts of him at least. Without the malicious, wicked, conniving, sneering part of him, he really wasn't Draco Malfoy. Even his less appealing traits were a part of him. No matter what, they'd always be a part of him. And she would learn to love them, otherwise, she'd be falling in love with an image, a vision, a…. dream…and not the real thing. She wouldn't let herself become fooled by her desires of a pure, innocent Draco. She would see him for who he really was. Good or bad.
Smiling, she kneeled down behind him and slipped her frozen fingers across his eyes.
"Mmmm.. oranges" he said, covering her hands into his own. Strangely, his hands were warm in spite of the cold weather. "Hmm, did you follow me all the way out here now, Thaleia?"
Immediately, Hermione dropped her hands and slapped him deservingly across the back.
"I'm just playing, love." Draco snaked his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck breathing in deeply. "You're the only one I know that smells like oranges anyway. It's wonderful. Do you forgive me?"
Hermione tilted her chin towards his face that was now propped on her shoulder. His eyes were wide and innocent (well, as innocent as a Slytherin could look). He looked rather pathetic, but it was undeniably adorable. Sighing loudly, she planted a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. "I suppose I must. Now will you wipe that ridiculous look off your face? It only works for Ron. You're too evil and Slytherinny for it to work."
"Ha! Malfoy charm strikes again! And it does not work for the Weasel. He looks like a dog" he sniffed and gave her a light squeeze around the middle.
"You're just jealous. Do tell me where you found this blanket now." Hermione said, gesturing towards the indigo picnic blanket they presently sat on.
"Nicked it. Don't ask where from." The Gryffindor raised a questioning eyebrow, but Draco kept his lips sealed tight. "So, would you like to pick up from where we left off last time?" he asked, grinning slyly and holding up a single, white Christmas rose.
"Why, Mr. Malfoy, are you trying to seduce me?" she gasped accepting the flower.
"I don't know. Are you seducible?"
Coyly, she shook her head.
" Didn't think so. Anyway, Miss. Granger, what took you so long?"
"All this" she stated as she began to pull out fruits and snacks of all sorts. "And I was the centre of attention, well, part of. It took me a while to think of a good excuse."
"Ah, excellent, I'm starving. And when are you not the centre of attention?" Draco grinned as he released his precious Hermione and began to eat. "Didn't get much food down with Thaleia babbling away."
Hermione chuckled and joined him. Her appetite had come rolling back full blast.
.:.
"Do you think we'll ever get back, Hermione?"
There was a long silence as she hurled her apple core across the grounds. "I honestly don't know. It's getting harder and harder to remember the little details of my past life."
"I know…"he replied quietly.
The two sat wordlessly for moments, staring off into the seemingly never-ending distance. The occasional winter breeze swept past the two. Instinctively, Draco drew his right leg up partway and gently pulled Hermione into his arms. Obligingly, she leaned comfortably back onto his propped up leg, curling her own to one side and resting her hand upon his outstretched leg.
A flurry of thoughts and feelings rushed though his mind as he held her. Even though Hermione was with him, he somehow still missed her, wanted her. No girl had ever done that to him before. This was all so new to him. It was strange since he'd been with girls plentiful times before this, but none of them had ever made him feel the way Hermione made him feel. It was different with her. And he knew it. It wasn't just physical attraction. No, it was far beyond that. He found himself cherishing her heart, her soul, her mind. Absolutely every part of her. He wouldn't know what to do if she suddenly left him. He'd be lost and broken. Everything he never wished to be. So was this love? That was the big question. Draco had never felt true love before, so how would he know if he was falling in love with Hermione? It was a frightening prospect that he, Draco Malfoy might have been falling in love. And with a Muggleborn. She was everything he'd grown up loathing. She was everything he….no, his father; she was everything his father despised. He would kill her if he ever found out about their relationship. And Draco couldn't live without her. Unconsciously, he held her closer.
"Draco, how can something so wrong be so….perfect?" Hermione asked softly, still staring directly ahead at the gradually darkening sky.
"I honestly don't know." Draco sighed. "All I know, is that I never want this to end."
As if to reply, Hermione turned her head and stared into his eyes. Hidden within his liquid silver eyes she found herself seeing love, sadness, darkness, and confusion. But somehow, she also found something she'd been looking for her whole life.
Herself.
Holding tightly onto his hand, she softly pressed her lips upon his own and lost herself once more, confident that she would find herself again; within him.
The two star cross'd lovers stayed together, never once letting go of one another, never once noticing the pair of blazing sapphire eyes that watched them through the darkness.
a/n
Grrr...excuse me as i stab fan fiction to death for screwing up my formatting!! made it a bit better, ugly dividers but yea
Tadah! Anyone recognize that little….er…position? lol Need help visualizing? Search up A Walk to Remember I can't get the link to work)
Remember when Jamie and Landon were the graveyard (kinda creepy eh?) and they sat together and he named that star after her? Man I love that movie. That was my favourite scene.
I also borrowed:
"Are you trying to seduce me?"
"I don't know are you seducible?"
Shakes head
"Didn't think so, ergo….."
Wasn't that a great scene?
And to all, 'Dracos' too all who guessed Canada which….actually wasn't very many lol. Thanks much for reading and I hope you all enjoyed this! And just as a precaution: THIS ISN'T OVER YET lol. I will tell you when it is over! Hope you all had a good Remembrance day too.
Oh, and from Switchfoot: Learning to Breathe. I absolutely adore that song! (Also from A Walk to Remember, man i own everything from that collection lol)
See you all in a bit!
