The Price of a World
Chapter Twenty-One
"Hermione, I love you. You need to sort this out by yourself. You need to work out whom you want to be with." With that, Draco turned away from her and walked back to Hogwarts, knowing that that'd be the last time he would ever be with her again.
Hermione made her way up to the Gryffindor tower. She walked slowly; in shock of what had just occurred. Had she really just broken up with Draco and he with her? Had he really told her to make a decision? Making a decision – that wasn't too hard. She made decisions all the time. But not decisions that would split her heart in two. Or decisions that would make her best friends turn into her enemies. Or decisions that would push away a boy in need of love and guidance. Or decisions that bettered herself and not others…
'Myself.' Hermione stopped in the middle of the hallway. 'I have to make this decision for myself. Not for other people or in order to please others. But for me. What do I want…' She blinked a few times; thoughts were tossing around in her head like silver cutlery in a tumble dryer. Her emotions were being given a work out and she feared that soon they'd collapse and she'd be unable to function. She'd be unable to lie. She'd be unable to pretend. She'd be unable to – Hermione looked up the hallway, it was empty. She turned and looked back the other way, and again it was empty. One way led to the Gryffindor tower; the other, downstairs to the dungeons.
This day, this moment, a landmark in Hermione's everlasting history. Hermione made her decision and ran off down the hallway. Today; was d-day.
3 Hours to go:
Today; was d-day. Harry sat in an armchair by the window in the Gryffindor common room. Hedwig sat on the armrest and rubbed her head against the ruff of Harry's knitted jumper. He looked out the window and over the grounds; down towards the lake. He admired the large oak tree that he and Hermione had shared their first kiss beneath. He thought about Hermione all the time. She was his power source. It was her face and the happy memories with her that fuelled him and prepared him for battle against Voldemort. Harry sat forward towards the window as a small figure clad in a black cloak ran for his oak tree. The person was hugging the tree – grasping it before sliding to the ground. Harry stared closer. It wasn't – it couldn't be. Hermione? It was, it was her. Harry watched closely. She seemed to be upset as her miniscule figure was trembling. Harry was about to go down to her when another figure approached her. 'It must be Ron.' But no, it was not the fiery-headed boy. Infact, this person had a trademark mop of hair – a mop of platinum blonde.
Harry jumped up, accidentally knocking a now disgruntled Hedwig, as he was about to run down to save his heroine from the likes of Malfoy. But stopped in his tracks. For Malfoy did something most peculiar. He knelt down in front of Hermione and pulled her into a hug – and Hermione let him. Harry sat back down, much to the pleasure of Hedwig, and decided to watch to see where this was headed. He was unsure of whether to be angry, hurt, curious, disappointed, defensive or outraged. His emotions knew not what way to go nor did his head or heart give them any direction.
Suddenly, Malfoy stood and started pacing. Hermione soon jumped up too – her hands clenched in fists by her side. Harry knew her too well for that was a habit she got into when she was mad – a tell tale sign to retreat. They seemed to be yelling at each other. Hermione was crying even more – she looked as if her mother had just died. Harry's brow furrowed for a moment in thought. Since when were Hermione and Malfoy on speaking terms? And why did she allow him to hug her, let alone why Malfoy would ever touch her in an affectionate way? Harry shook his head and turned his attention back to the scene unfolding outside. Draco had turned his back on Hermione and was stalking back up towards the castle. Harry sat back in his hair and laughed slightly.
'Good ol' Hermione. She's put the ferret in his place.' More movement from down by the lake caught Harry's attention. The scene was not quite over yet. Hermione was – she was – running after Malfoy? Why would she..? Malfoy stopped and waited for her to reach him. At first it looked as if he were about to hit her, but his arms took hold of her shoulders. Harry watched closely. He could see Malfoy's facial features. When he spoke to Hermione; something about his features, changed. They weren't as harsh and cold as they usually were. This was different. This was a side of Malfoy Harry didn't think anyone had ever seen. Draco walked away from Hermione and she fell to her knees on the grass.
Harry didn't know what was going on or what had just occurred but he didn't like it. A shiver ran up his spine and to his neck. Something was out of place here and he was determined to get to the bottom of it. He sat back in the armchair with Hedwig by his side. He put his feet up on the coffee table and crossed his legs. Someone was being kept in the dark and Harry had a bad feeling that it may just be him. A frown crept its way across his brow as he awaited Hermione and Ron's return after breakfast.
Authors Note: Question; what did you think of Draco's argument with Hermione at the end of the last chapter? In character – as much as my stories characters can be? Plausible? Necessary? How do you think the story is going so far? I REALLY need your feedback guys. I want to know your opinions, ideas, criticisms; whatever! I'm just nosey and want to know them!
Oh and sorry about how long it's taking for updates. For those of you who live in Australia, or know the Australian schooling system – I'm in year 12. Exams. And yeah. Please bear with me. And yes, I realise it's incredibly short. But I wasn't sure whether to make it really short or really long. I took the "short" option as you can see. Heh. The next chapter is going to be great.