Chapter 3
The heavy knocker fell against the wood door, creating a satisfying 'thunk' that carried down the front path of the house. She winced from it, and did not pull it up again. Once was enough.
The door opened slowly, and she half expected it to creak to add to her nervous but it was just as smooth as ever.
He stood there in casual wear, leaning against the doorway with a small smirk as he always did when she was there, his eyes narrowed to the sunlight shining through to him.
His house was always so dark.
It made these meetings all the more different from her life at home. Her flat with the big windows and well lit rooms.
He stepped back from the door to allow her to enter and she found herself clutching her purse like a lifeline.
She realized she hadn't seen him outside his house for years. His house suddenly seemed so surreal. A place that only existed in the imagination. So Impersonal...
A place she came to misbehave.
He closed the door swiftly and stepped towards her, catching her chin in his hands; leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips. She let him do it. There was something she liked about his kisses.
Maybe because it wasn't Ron.
She wanted to shudder under his touch. Wanted to give in completely. Let him possess her...
He pulled away, and the smile slipped from his face. "What?"
She looked away from him, breaking the spell he had on her. "I need to talk to you."
He stiffened. She saw him stand a little straighter and he fell silent.
"You want it to end."
He had always been rather smart in school. She nodded, hesitantly.
She didn't want this to end. She felt the world would crash around them if she did.
But she knew that wasn't the case.
This was for the best.
"I can't do this to Ron."
He inhaled, shakily, and she looked up to his face. He was frowning, his brows furrowed together. She held her breath.
She expected him to say something else... tell her 'no'. He didn't, and she knew it was over.
She turned to leave, not wanting to face him anymore. To leave this place that had become part of this secret life she had.
He pulled her back to him, and his mouth descended upon hers again, more forcefully than their 'hello' kiss. She savoured it, just as he seemed intent on doing. His tongue lashed against hers and she tasted him, concentration so she could remember later on. Remember when she had been unfaithful.
He left another lingering kiss on her lips before he pulled away. His silvery eyes blazing; hard.
She swallowed, holding back tears she felt were ready to fall.
"I still want to be your friend."
He nodded, though they both knew that wouldn't happen. It couldn't. Not now.
She had to leave, but she now lingered in front of the door. A torrent of 'what-ifs' rushing through her head. What if she stayed? What if he made love to her?
What if she actually loved him?
"Hermione." She turned, her hand on the doorknob, trembling.
He was smiling, though it was bitter sweet. He averted his gaze. "Thank you."
She nodded, wondering silently if she had ever heard him say that before. She felt special thinking she might be the first one to hear it.
She smiled, and opened the door, stepping out into the sunlight of the world, leaving the dark paradise behind.
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She should have gone back home. Gone to work even. But she couldn't bring herself to face that reality yet.
His kiss still seemed to linger on her lips, and she was aching all over. She hadn't realized how much she wanted until now.
The remains of her secret.
The remains of her shameful acts. She wasn't sure if she could look at Ron the same again.
But she knew she had to try.
She had to pick Ron. He was her husband; her friend, and he cared about her.
Draco couldn't bring her the same things.
Or at least she told herself this.
She sat on a park bench after walking for what seemed possibly too long. Leaning into the sun-warmed wood and staring up at the blue sky. A slight chill was in the air. Fall was coming. The leaves were starting to change colour and fall. Die...
Her eyes fell towards the ground, coming to land on a black feather, seemingly from a crow, nestled in amongst the leaves that had already given up hope. She stooped to pick it up, smoothing the ruffled ridges between her fingers before holding it in her lap. Clutching to something that seemed to utterly useless but at the same time special.
Draco had been special to her.
At last she stood, carrying the abandoned feather with her. Set forth with a purpose. She would make it up to Ron. She would love him as she should.
No matter how much it was hurting her.
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AN: Another short chapter. -sigh- I want to make them longer, but I like how I'm doing it.
Don't worry, this will remain a D/Hr fic all the way through It's not done yet...
Review!