A/N: Shout outs are at the end of the chapter. Sorry there's so many of them. Should have acknowledged people before now. Will try to keep everything updated as I go along from now on. grin
Disclaimer in 1st chapter.
Now onto the story!
Hermione was too emotional to dissapate, so she summoned her broomstick and a change of clothes. She was headed to a place where her dress robes would look a bit odd. Almost instantly, the broom and some swing clothes appeared. She changed quickly, and after sending the dress robes and jewelry back home, she hopped onto her broomstick. She needed to release some of this anger and confusion.
Where to go? I can't go to my normal haunts – Ron knows all of those, and I don't want to see him – not yet at least. But where else is there? And why am I so worried that Ron will look for me? Wait, didn't someone tell me about a new place that just opened up last week? Maybe I can go there…
Hermione had never really liked flying, even though she had had one of the best tutors – Harry. He couldn't understand why she was so afraid of flying. "Flying makes me feel free inside," he had explained to her when she asked. Although she never came to share his love of flying, she had greatly improved under his tutorage, and found herself at the swing club much sooner than she would have normally expected.
She was relieved when no one noticed her enter the club. She danced several dances with complete strangers, and was feeling more relaxed than she had for a while. She danced on, determined to forget Ron, to forget Draco, to forget the past five years of not-living.
Hermione was about to accept another stranger's offer to dance when a familiar voice said, "I'm sorry, this dance is taken." A hand appeared on her shoulder. She turned and looked up into the blonde's face. Draco smiled down at her. "Shall we?" he asked.
She just nodded in return. They moved to the center of the dance floor and began to dance. Draco was very good, moving as if born to dance to this music. His steps reminded her of Harry's free movements and she let go of all fear.
With Draco, Hermione danced as she had only danced with one other – Harry. Ron was good at swing dancing, but lacked the carefreeness that both Harry and Draco possessed. Only some in love – complete, utter love – with the dance style and music would be that carefree. Hermione was so involved in the dance itself and her partner that she missed the crowd that was forming around them, watching in awe. Draco and Hermione ended with the music, and even then didn't notice the crowd.
"Let's get out of here." Draco whispered. Hermione nodded again. They hadn't finished their conversation from earlier.
They gathered their brooms and took off. She let Draco lead, losing herself in thought. When did my feelings towards Draco change? This morning, he was still Malfoy. Now he's Draco. When did it change?
And yet, she knew she really didn't need to figure out the answer. It's enough that Draco is here, right now, and as a friend. After all, a friend is exactly what I need.
Hermione came out of her contemplation when they landed. She looked around, and realized where they were. Was I so out of it that I didn't smell the ocean or realize how long we have been flying? For they were along the coast. The rocky beach had waves crashing against dark rocks, while the moon held court over both the land and ocean below it. The scene was gorgeous, although it felt slightly unwelcoming to Hermione. She stole a glance at Draco, who appearing to be drinking in the beauty all around them. "This is one of my favorite places to be when I need to think, or be alone. No one will bug us here." He turned to her and continued, "I'm sure you're just full of questions to ask. Well, ask away."
Hermione blinking. I didn't expect him to give me free reign over the questions I could ask… However, the first thing out of her mouth was, "Did you follow me to finish our 'chat'?"
Draco laughed in reply. "Oh, Hermione. Of all the questions to ask, that question is the most important?" He shook his head. "But I'll answer it anyway. I own that club. So I was there to enjoy myself after being dutiful to my mother. Mother expected me to be at the ball, so I went. However, I wanted to actually dance sometime tonight, and the "Ball of Celebration" wouldn't approve of what I consider 'actual dancing,' so I left. However, my exit wasn't nearly as flamboyant as yours." He grinned at Hermione. "I wasn't sure you still had it in you to make a public scene. I would have tried to visit you tomorrow at your work to make sure you were okay. However, once I saw you at the club, I couldn't resist asking you to dance."
"Asking?" Hermione arched one eyebrow as she looked up at Draco. "I don't recall being asked. I recall you swooping in and assuming I wouldn't say no."
"And you didn't." Draco's eyes seemed to dance as Hermione feistily responded to his baiting of her. "Next question?"
"What changed your mind about why you were hanging around me tonight?"
Draco sat down on one of the rocks, and motioned for her to join him. As she did so, he replied, "Getting tougher now, are we? Before I go any further, I'm telling you now all my answers are going to be one hundred percent honest. Do you understand?" When she nodded, he stared up at the sky and continued to talk. "I think what started it all was how apparent it was to me that Harry is still with you. You've been carrying him around deep in your heart, and through you, a part of him continues to live to this day. I realized that I wasn't the only one who had to learn to stand upon my own two feet and make my own decisions for myself. You had to go on with your life and discover who you were without Harry. I didn't really understand until tonight how much the three of you thrived off each other. You were a trio for so long… almost eight years." He shook his head slightly, as if trying to figure out how to explain how the change had come over him. "When my father died, I had to decide if I was going to be a bastard like him all my life, or if I could become someone different. Old habits are hard to break, but I was tired of being my father and of always being the bad guy. So, I guess I recognized in you something that reminded me of myself and the trials I have being going through. This made you seem more human in my eyes. Before you were always untouchable – a third of the 'Dream Team,' who could not be hurt by anything except themselves and each other. Tonight I saw that the image I had of you was as fake as the image I had once created of myself." Draco slowly brought his eyes down from the stars. Hermione had not taken her eyes off of him since he started trying to explain. "Sounds kind of silly, doesn't it?" He said, with a sad smile on his face. "You thought I was a monster because that's the image I portrayed, and I thought you were untouchable because that's the image that you portrayed – although I'm not sure you three even realized you were portraying it. Two phony images caused all those years of dislike between us…"
Hermione smiled in agreement. I never realized how others viewed us as we went through Hogwarts. Did we really seem so strong, so unattainable? If that's so, why is it that we all hurt so much through those years? Suddenly, she remembered the song that had been stuck in her head before she had headed to the ball. "Draco? I think I was realizing how I had to rely on myself earlier today." Now she felt kind of silly. What if he thinks I'm an idiot? Yet she continued, "What I mean is… there was a song stuck in my head earlier that kind of talks about relying on myself… Do you want to hear it?" She blushed. What did I just suggest? Maybe it'd be better if he just said no…
Hermione had squeezed her eyes shut as she had said that last part. However, her ears heard Draco say, "That would be nice."
So, gathering up her courage, she began to sing.
"I don't need you to tell me I'm pretty to make me feel beautiful.
I don't need you to give me your strength to make me feel I'm strong.
I got all of the strength that I need here inside my own two hands.
All that I want is your love and respect for who I am.
What I really need comes from deep inside of me.
Don't need you to tell me I'm pretty to make me feel beautiful.
Don't need you to make me strong cause I'm strong on my own.
Doesn't come from outside. This beauty I know comes from inside my soul.
Don't need you to tell I'm pretty.
I don't need you to believe in me to make me know I'm worth believing in.
I don't need you to lift me up to know that I can stand tall
I can stand tall, I can stand my own ground,
I can stand proud upon my own two feet.
Don't have to be part of somebody else to be complete.
What I really need comes from deep inside of me.
Don't need you to tell me I'm pretty to make me feel beautiful.
Don't need you to make me strong cause I'm strong on my own.
Doesn't come from outside. This beauty I know comes from inside my soul.
Don't need to come to you for confirmation,
Because I've finally come to this revelation –
What I really need you'll find inside of me.
Not in someone else – Respect comes when you respect yourself.
Don't need you to tell me I'm pretty to make me feel beautiful.
Don't need you to make me strong cause I'm strong on my own.
Doesn't come from outside. This beauty I know comes from inside my soul."
She trailed off at the end of the song. "That was beautiful." Draco told her. She just shook her head in response, and they sat in comfortable silence for a while.
"Can I ask some more questions now?" she finally ventured. Draco nodded in reply. "Who were you so keen on upsetting tonight? You were rambling on about someone staring, then you suddenly jumped over to Harry, and obviously it wasn't Harry who was staring at you or me or whomever all night…"
Draco turned to her, and appeared to be trying to read her thoughts. "Would it be okay if I don't answer that question tonight? I promise I will tell you who one day, but I'm just not sure tonight is the right night for revealing that secret." He looked a little worried about her response to this answer.
"I suppose that's fair. You did answer honestly." Hermione smiled up at Draco, trying to show him that she understood. The she glanced down as she gathered her nerve to pose her final question. "Can we be friends?" She asked quietly.
Just as quietly, Draco replied, "I think we already are." When she heard his words, Hermione slid closer to him and gave him a hug. As Draco hugged her back, it hit her. This feels so good. When was the last time one of my guy friends hugged me? Ron hasn't, and the rest of the Weasleys seem to take their cue from him. Ginny hugs me, but that's such a different hug. Well, if none of the Weasley boys hug me, that means the last boy to hug me was … Harry. Tears began to run down her cheeks as she realized how much she had missed getting hugs. Draco just held her as the tears came down, gently stroking her hair and whispering comforting words in her ear. When she was done crying, she just leaned against him. He left one arm around her, and they sat there, quietly watching the ocean's waves dance with the rocks.
"Any other questions?" Draco said softly.
"Not at the moment." Hermione replied.
"Hermione, since we're friends… there's something I have to tell you. I'm afraid you're not going to like me afterwards… oh bolloux, I've screwed this up…" Draco rambled on, then stopped. "Can I ask you a question? It's personal, so I'll understand if you don't want to answer it…"
Hermione sat up and looked Draco in the eyes. "Draco, you answered my questions honestly. Of course I'll answer your question." Besides, I want to know what he could ask me that turned him from a poised man to a rambling guy. Hermione stifled a giggle. Draco did look really nervous.
"Werunlovwithary?" He asked in a rush.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
Draco took a deep breath, and said again, slowly. "Were you in love with Harry?"
A/N : Oooo….. a cliffhanger! dun-dun-dun! Well, hope you like it. Please, please, please, Read and review!
Shout outs:
Vamp-Wolf 'Lex, owlbook2000, and Invader Sea : Just realized I didn't thank you in the last chapter for commenting on the first chapter. You guys drove me to continue writing the second chapter. Thanks so much!
Ole' green eyes, Embyr Black, dujourfan1 and Diana() : Thanks for reviewing the second chapter. Hope you all like this next one!
Lily Park : Well, I have an idea in my head about whom Hermione will hook up with in the end… But in this chapter, you'll see more Draco. Hope you like it!
ChrissyHSN: You got the reasoning behind why Hermione feels the way she does. However, the reason she still feels that way is because she always doubts herself a little – even though she'd NEVER tell Ron or Harry that. So, she'll always be a little insecure when it comes to her own accomplishments. Since she's never told anyone, it just sits in her head and festers. I can include this in the story because she's talking to herself in her head. I have times that I feel like this myself, which is why I added it into the story. Thought it helped explain her better. shrug Hope that explanation helps some. Thanks for the critique. It helps when someone sits down and seriously critiques your work, so you know what works and what doesn't.