Chapter 17

Hermione hurried down the hallway to the front door. She reached for the doorknob, and twisted. She pulled the door open, and there standing on her front porch was the most least likely person imaginable. Draco stood, wearing his black trench coat, a red scar wrapped around his pale neck, staring at her with shattered mirror grey eyes.

"Yes?" she asked coldly, matching her voice to the frigid air outside. "Can I help you?"

"You sound like he's trying to sell you bibles or something," Gaelen said gruffly, coming up from behind her. "Hello Draco, how are you? Odd time to be dropping by."

"I'm fine, thanks," Draco replied, his eyes fixed on Hermione's.

"Would you like to come in?" Gaelen asked, glancing from his sister to her ex-boyfriend. Her cheeks were glowing red in anger or from the cold, Gaelen couldn't tell which.

"That's okay," Draco said breathlessly, still staring at Hermione as if she was an apparition from the sky above.

Gaelen shrugged. "Suit yourself." He walked back into the house, unwilling to stand in the cold any longer.

Hermione continued to hold his gaze, staring levelly back at him.

"Why are you here?" she asked finally, folding her arms across her chest, and tapping her socked foot on the brick. It had been cold when she first opened the door, but now her anger was getting the best of her, and she could no longer feel it.

He shrugged, but never moved his eyes. "I don't know."

"It just struck you to come here, and bother me?" she said sardonically, and finally tore her eyes from his. She stared out over the green hedges that lined the neighbor's property, and finally turned back to him.

He shook his head. "Not to bother you."

"Really?" she asked sarcastically. "Then why are you here?"

He seemed at a loss for words. Finally, he spoke. "Because I talked to Professor Dumbledore."

"So what did the good Professor say?"

"He said some stuff about Luc," Draco said, shrugging again, as if he was afraid of what he would say next. "He said some things that have made me rethink what I'd said earlier."

"Really?" Hermione asked mockingly. "So funny that you wouldn't trust me, and I was telling you the same thing."

He flushed, but maintained his cool expression. "Well, I wanted to say sorry."

Hermione let out a laugh, and she was surprised by how bitter she sounded. She had thought that she was over him; and now she realized that she never would recover from his betrayal. "Sorry? That won't do this time, Draco Malfoy. And you can't buy back my love with chocolate roses either. You have to earn it."

He looked up at her, and Hermione saw sincerity in the eyes that had mocked her, stared at her in adoration, and cursed her.

"I know that," he replied calmly. "I've always had to earn it."

Her lower lip trembled as she realized that he was right.

"So what are you going to do to prove it?" she asked, her voice shaking under the intensity of his stare.

"You'll see," he avowed solemnly.

There was a long awkward pause of pregnant silence, and finally Hermione made a decision.

"Would you like to come into dinner?" she asked, biting her lip.

He seemed surprised, but then nodded.

Hermione led him into the kitchen, where her mother had already gotten together another seat and placing at the table. Gaelen winked at her, and Hermione almost wondered if Gaelen had read her mind, or at least overheard their conversation.

"Hello Draco," Ms. Granger said, kissing him on both cheeks. "It's so good to see you again. You are like part of the family now."

He smiled shyly and sat down beside Hermione, who was moody and silent. Dinner was served, and as typical in the Granger family, they ate in silence.


After a delicious dessert, Hermione led Draco back out to the front step.

"So, what next?" he asked.

"I feel like I did when we first started going out," she laughed miserably. "I feel so nervous, and alone. I don't know whether to trust you with my heart."

He took her hand in his, and his warmth surprised her. She realized how much she had missed his familiarity, the comfort of his arms and the feel of their fingers intertwined.

"I know sorry isn't enough," he said gently. "But that's all I can do for now. I'll make it up to you some day."

"I know you will," she said before she could stop herself. "But what will I do until then?"

"Trust me," he said, and then recognized his error. He parted his lips to apologize, but she held up her finger.

"Don't apologize," she said quietly. "I always trusted you, it was you who didn't trust me. I've always believed in you Draco, believed in your smile, your beauty, and your kindness. I almost forgot how mean you could be, how assuming and cold."

He looked down, his fair hair falling in front of his face, masking his expressions.

"But I always forgive you," she continued helplessly, holding out her hands in supplication. "I always let you start over again. Because I know you love me, and I trust that."

He looked back up, and she saw that his eyes were filled with tears. "But is that enough, Hermione? Is that trust enough? I've hurt you so many times, and sometimes I wonder why you still love me." One tear slipped down his face, and she found herself smoothing it away with her fingers.

"It's enough for me," Hermione replied, her smile wavering.

"Are you sure?" he asked, and she realized that somehow, her hands had found his, and she was clutching them as if he might disappear at any second.

"No," she laughed shakily, as a tear slid down her cheek. "But if I don't try, then how will I ever be happy?"

He caught the tear on her cheek and kissed it gently.

"Life is about chances, isn't it?" he said dreamily, still holding her hands tightly.

"No, it's not," she said, still smiling. "It's about dreams.


A/N: Sigh... Even though this isn't the end, I always like happy endings. Please leave a review:)