Disclaimer: ...
A/n: Lol. I'm going to try to post messages today. And I am so glad exams are over! But, of course, projects and murderous deadlines are still coming up so... I just hope I'll survive.
Anyways, glad that you guys found the previous chapter cute.ü It was incredibly fun to write that part.
Anyways.ü On with the show.
By: Aningme
Dilemma
Chapter 38
Her hands were shaking; her eyes were all but tired and blurry. She didn't sleep, didn't eat, and didn't bother. Hell, she was going into some strange state just to find him. This is all driving her nuts.
As she felt the airplane land, she closed her eyes and held on the armchairs. She wasn't afraid of flying or anything. Well, fine, just a little afraid. But mainly, she's just not sure if she had to do this. There's no turning back now.
Falling into a small crowd, she suddenly felt a flow of mixed emotions. Walking a little nearer to the gateway exit, she felt excited, and at the same time, a little afraid. She loved Canada. But it is such a very different place than home.
But she chose this, didn't she? The moment she laid hands on those tickets Ron had given her, she had chosen. She had made her decision. She took her stand.
But why is she regretting this?
She slowly walked towards the exit door of the airport, her luggage being transferred to a very expensive looking limo. She gaped at first, and then smiled a little, picturing herself in that limo. It was very kind of Ron to prepare her a ride like this. She then sighed tiredly and stared out into the busy roads nearby. It is a very big place.
Draco stood over the newly improved unit Hermione had purchased over the past two years. It was a very simple place, all in cream white, with sofas of comfy brown and curtains of beige. The coffee table across them was wrapped in laced material, her carpet was spotless, and her pieces of furniture were well cleaned. There were some pictures of herself and her pathetic friends too. He also smiled, seeing Hermione with a smile so wide with her niece, Relina, in a swing. He just stared at it and studied her sharp features. Her hazel eyes were the ones that clutched him most.
"We took that last spring, her last visit. Afterwards, she rarely visited anymore." Ginny narrated.
Draco just scanned at the other pictures. "She just stayed here for a full year?"
"She isolated herself from us. We couldn't help her." Ginny admitted; bitterness present in her voice. "We, too, were helpless."
"Perhaps not." He amended. "Maybe she just wanted to be alone. Make some decisions."
Ginny sighed. "You're probably right." She muttered, turning to him. "When are you leaving then?"
"Soon. Probably tonight." He said. His voice was blank, as always, cold, to be precise. But she could imagine, underneath that blanket of solitude, there was heated love.
It was too easy to know when a man falls in love. Love, mostly, is one of men's weaknesses.
Ginny smiled. "She'd be really happy to see you."
Draco touched her face in one of the photos, her face gleaming under the burning sun. She seemed to be sitting on a bench of some park, reading a book, studying, or anything she usually does with a book. She brought it up to her mouth, covering it as she giggled, but the creases on her cheeks told him she was smiling, probably laughing.
"Same with me." He mumbled.
Her coat neatly tied around her waist, and her bag hooked up on her shoulder, she stared at the vast city of Canada. She stared at it in awe, and at the same time, in disappointment. Seeing just this part of the city already withered her hope.
But then, she sighed, and started to walk through the crowd. She can't just give up now. There's no turning back. No turning back. She chanted, looking around to some faces. She rode some buses, some subways, some cabs. She did nothing but look into faces and get familiar with the place. She wanted to know where to go before she starts her search. But then, it was really huge.
Staring out at the cab window, her arm was propped against the door, her chin leaning over her palm. She was tired, and she had checked out every place nearby the diameter of her hotel.
Tomorrow, I'll start east, see hotels, addresses of mansions, and… She paused, suddenly seeing an ice cream parlor.
"Um, Excuse me?" She mumbled at the cab driver. But the driver didn't seem to notice her. "Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me!"
The driver jerked from his seat and hit his head on the cab roof. He groaned and rubbed his head with his fatty palms, and turned to her.
"What do you want?" The man asked; his temper quite obvious now.
Hermione gulped down and held her shaking knees. "I would… I would just… like to go out now."
She tossed in a few dollars and hurried out of the cab, before the driver would do something horrid. That totally freaked her out, but she shrugged it off. She went straight to the ice cream parlor, and forgot about it.
Ron stared at his speaker phone and listened to his assistant's reports on his schedule for today. But it never registered in his mind, even a bit.
He couldn't help but think what Hermione would be doing now. He couldn't help it but think of Draco, being one of them, belonging to them. Draco Malfoy, being a friend. He smiled at that and sighed. It wouldn't be that bad, I hope.
Standing in front of her hotel door, she sighed and stared at it, her small reflection visible along the peep hole. It was almost dark, as the sun settled down under the blankets of clouds. She was tired of roaming around the city, and she had no idea how to find him. She has no connections whatsoever around these cases. She could ask Ron about it but, that'd be asking too much. The man practically hates him.
Reluctantly, she held the keycard of her hotel room across the slot, her hand shaking. Her mind was forcing her to go in, get some sleep and find him the next day. But her heart wanted to go out and just forget this had happened, go back to England, and be contented with her life. She suddenly pocketed her keycard and walked back her tracks to the lobby and into the fresh night of the Canadian city.
This time, she took no buses or cabs. She just walked and walked, wanting her legs to be numb enough to feel nothing. But as she turned to the downtown side of Canada, she saw a bar nearby, sounds of music, voices, and clashing glass trying to permeate against the blockage of the doors.
She absentmindedly turned to the door and went in, splashing herself with noise, sweat and alcohol odor, and the never ending dancing bodies. She tried to squeeze her way out as she walked towards the counter. She took a seat and wrapped herself in her arms. It felt really cold inside.
"You want something, miss?" A young woman, maybe at her twenties, asked her.
She stared at her a few moments before she managed to speak. "Um, water would be fine." She tried on a smile.
The bartender gave her a sidelong look. "You can't just have water in a bar, miss." She said, still waiting for her order.
Hermione stuttered. "I… I… I don't really know what to order." She managed to say. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair.
The bartender stared at her and smiled. "New here then?"
Hermione looked up and forced a smile. "Yeah, I am."
"Yeah. I could hear English all over you. The name's Ally. Ally Montana." Ally said, holding out a hand.
Hermione took it and shook it. "Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"Well, nice to meet you Hermione. I'll just give you our specialty for today. It's on the house."
"Thanks." Hermione said, watching Ally grab bottles and mix them on a triangular glass. She had no idea what she was putting in there, but she didn't care. Maybe she just needed some drink, and she'll be fine. She'll be deciding then.
"Here. Want something else with it?" Ally handed her the glass.
Hermione shook her head and sipped. "Thanks."
Ally smiled and turned to another man waiting beside her.
She forgot the loud music, the noisy voices, the table clatters. She just stared at her drink and drank. She didn't know if there was alcohol in it. But she just drank, ordered another one, drank again, ordered another, and drank.
Before she knew it, Hermione drank more than she wanted to. She started to feel her world spin, as the alcohol worn her out. She tried to stand, but didn't know if she did. Tossing a few dollars, she walked out of the bar, wanting to sleep. She swayed and stumbled a few times, walking against the flow of the dancing bodies. Her head throbbed in alcohol, wanting to explode. But as she reached the exit door, she breathed in the cold night air and blundered along the way. She was craving for a hot bath and sleep.
"Where the hell is that street?" She muttered out loud, trying to pry her eyes open. They were already closing; her eyes were playing tricks on her. She squinted at the signs again, and figured it was the way to the hotel. But as she tried to cross the street, she staggered at the step of the sidewalk to the asphalt ground of the street, tripping herself down to the ground. She tried to stand up, but her body felt so heavy.
"Damn it." She swore, trying again to lift her torso with her arms. Shakily and wobbly, she managed to lift her shoulders and face off of the ground. But a moment later, she was suddenly blinded by an abrupt flash of two lights across her.
She squinted at it at first, trying to figure out what it was. But then, as the lights drew nearer, horror was present in her face already.
"Shit! It's a car!"
A/n: Oooohhhh... Better be careful, Hermione.
Anyhow, the messages.
The Gryffindor Drummer - I knew it. I pissed a lot of people on that one. And I had to be sorry for doing so.ü But anyway, thanks for the threat.ü I was a little tempted to end this with a sad shot. But I figured murderers would come and haunt me down for that.
And therefore, I changed my mind. lol!
Of course I would not want to die this early.ü I'm only fifteen! And also, I am working on a new story now, since this one is nearing it's end. :c
Sad, I know. But I promise you the end would be happy.
I don't want to die yet.
Aurum Potestas Est - Lol.ü I'm sorry for disappointing you.ü But I hope the next chapter after this would cheer you up.ü
Oh, wait. I forgot Hermione's life is at stake here.
Anyways, I am telling you in advance. Don't worry about Hermione at this.ü She will be fine. SWEAR. Until next chappie then!ü I tell you, it would be a surprise for all of you guys.ü TC!
MissDitzy - It was totally funny when you apologized for not being able to post a long juicy review, and yet you did! I loved it, suuuuuppppeeerrr.ü I really enjoyed it so much.ü
Anyways, about the story, actually, it is nearing it's end. :c It is sad, but that's the truth. But don't worry, about your request, the promise? I will.ü I will write another story.ü In fact I am working on one right now.ü And about my age? I am fifteen years old.ü
I really hope I couldwrite a longjuicy reply too about my ordinary life. But unfortunately, I can't. These projects. They are a big fat BURDEN to me. Well, can't do anything about that. A school is a school.
Anyhows, again, I thank you for the review.ü And I hope you would be on board on my future stories too.ü It has been fun having you around.ü Until the next chapter and the next story.ü TC!
Vegas Chick - Yey! Exams are over!ü lol.ü Thanks for not being angry at me.ü People got angry at me with that previous chapter.ü Well, I couldn't blame them.ü Lol! Anyhows, next chapter then!ü TC!
Liz - Thanks about the luck with the exams.ü Glad it's over.
Well, I was actually laughing so much when I read your review!ü Yes, you didn't mean to be right.ü Lol. But it just happens that I thought of the same thing.ü Anyhows, until next update!ü And please don't be mad at me anymore:'c Please?
curlyqntx - Lol!ü I told you lots of you guys would kill me!ü I am sorry for disappointing you.ü Just couldn't help it.ü Anyways, thanks for the luck on my exams.ü And I hope you liked this chapter.ü And the next update would be a surprise.ü I won't be kidding around about that now!ü Lol.ü Anywasy, TC!
AnjaliMalfoy- Lol!ü I couldn't quite picture Malfoy being friends with Ron and all.ü But it was fun writing about them.ü And yeah, thanks for the support.ü EXAMS ARE OVER! YEAH!ü
MissSeverusSnape - Lol! WELCOME ABOARD!ü Glad that you liked this.ü Lol. It had went through some good times and bad times!ü And about your story, I will try to see it some time.ü Thanks for the review and hope that you like this!ü Until the end.ü
SpiritWell - Lol!ü Thanks for the mercy!ü Lol. It was fun writing Ron and Draco as friends.ü I was actually trembling in joy as I typed this. LOL!ü Sigh... Anyways, until next update then!ü TC!
siriusndharryluvrr - I LOVED YOUR REVIEW!ü I liked that two personalities!ü LOL! Just cracked me up...ü Well, I am sorry for pissing you off.ü I hope the next chapter would cheer you up and lessen your anger at me... LOL!ü Until next Update then! TC!
Domonique Vida - WELCOME ABOARD!ü Wow. It really feels good to see new names.ü LOL.ü Anyways, yes I would post more.ü And I hope you would like the next ones on the line.ü Until then!ü TC!
Zarroc - WELCOME ABOARD TO YOU TOO!ü Lol.ü Yeah, the whole thing wasn't real.ü But anyways, this is real now.ü I won't do that evil thing ever again.ü Well, in this story, I mean.ü Lol! Until then! TC!
swivelchair - Thanks for forgiving me.ü I really can't help doing that. But I promise.ü Last time.ü Until then! TC!
hollyy - You are new right? WELCOME ABOARD!ü Lol.ü Thanks for the review and hope to see more of you next update!ü TC!
silver slytherin serpent- WELCOME ABOARD TOO!ü Wow. More new names.ü I'm so happy!ü Lol.ü Thanks for the review.ü Hope you enjoy this ride.ü Until then! TC!
his-lil-shortie - AhAHA!ü Thanks for the comment.ü I bet you would read more better fanfics and stories.ü There are LOTS of them around.ü LOL!ü Anyways, will update soon.ü See you there!ü TC!
Foreverasecret01 - Lol! WELCOME ABOARD!ü Glad you liked the story.ü But anyways, I hope you keep on reading this until the end, since the end is near.ü Glad to have you on board.ü Until then! TC!
Queen of Duct Tape - I believe you should write a book about your LifE!ü Hearing you tell stories about it is really fun.ü Primarily, I find it really interesting.ü I hope you tell more.ü Anyways, I am glad that you are not mad. Honestly, a lot of people are mad at me for doing that. I was just conducting a big twist for a twisty suspenseful (if there is a word like that) story.ü Lol.ü But of course, can't blame them.ü I would be angry at myself for doing that too. Lol.ü
I was actually having fun to read your reviews lately.ü The sudden change of reaction, the mood.ü One moment they would be bursting and fuming at me for doing evil things and then laugh because Draco hugged Ron. (Is it bad to see two boys hugging each other? My friend actually thought of it with malice and... well... I don't know with her.) It's not like Draco likes Ron in a romantic way... eeewww... would never say that again. EEEWWWW!
Anyways, about the TC. It means Take Care.ü Just a signature sign off.ü I just thought that Gryffindor Drumer has a really cool signature sign off ("CYA") which means "see you" and we both got to think of me having my own signature sign off.ü And I got TC.ü
Anyways, Until next update then!ü And I hope you guys won't think any malicious things about Ron and Draco like what my friend did... EEEEWWWWW! okay, will stop thinking about it...
Anyways, next chapter!ü TC!
chaste-aeon - Lol!ü Good luck with your exams too!ü Anyways, yeah, I know what you mean about those long romantic books.ü When you hold them, it's like the world would stop and you would just keep on reading it until you didn't know you weren't able to do the important things you should have done rather than reading that. Lol. (I guess that was the longest possible run on I have ever typed.ü) Anyways, Until next chapter then!ü TC!
contagiousbeauty - WELCOME ABOARD!ü Thanks for the review.ü And I am glad to inspire you to write too.ü I hope to see one of your stories here!ü Lol.ü
TO ALL OF YOU - I am sorry again for the previous chapter. I wasn't able to write personalized messages then and... well... I'm sorry...
Anyways, Sorry too for pissing you guys off. I didn't mean too...ü
And for those new comers before.ü WELCOME ABOARD!ü See you then!ü TC!