A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the very long wait! I was trying to get my other story, Mon Amanter, started. Now that I've got the plot going, and I know that I'm keeping the story, then I am going to finish Quintessence. But, for those of you who wanted a sequel, with the way I'm ending the story, I'm not sure if I can even make one. XD
Quintessence
Chapter 23
Draco awoke the next day, finally getting a full night's sleep since Hermione had been captured. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and made his way towards the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and ran a hand through his hair. He looked up at the wall clock and saw it was only 8:34. A bit early for his standards. He looked over his shoulder at the door leading to Hermione's room. He thought for a minute, and decided to go see if she was awake. He silently crept towards the door, and opened it slightly. He stuck his head through and looked at Hermione. He saw her sleeping figure sprawled out over the bed, her hair tousled in a tangled mass around her face. He smiled slightly and walked over to her. He gently sat on her bed, and stroked her arm.
"Draco," Hermione sighed. "Unhand my arm. I was sleeping." She groaned, rolling over to face him.
"Your cheerful this morning," He muttered, "You should be happy we're home."
"I'm very cheerful." She grinned fakely. "Now that you've seen how cheerful I am at," She paused and turned to her alarm clock, "8:40 in the morning, then can you leave me to sleep?"
"I don't think that's an option," He laid down next to her, draping an arm over her waist. "We've been apart way to long."
"That may be true," She stated, detaching Draco from her waist. He groaned. "But I would like to get some sleep to regain my lost energy."
"But..I thought you missed me?" He pouted. "I saved your life and you don't even let me hold you."
"I am very proud of you Draco, for everything that you've done." She sighed. This was a tough situation. "But I would really like some sleep. Don't you want me to be healthy so I can reward you later?" Hermione whispered sensually.
"Depends on what I'm getting.." He raised both his eyebrows questionably.
"Think about that one," She turned around, her back to Draco, "And then you come back with an answer. Preferably in a few hours."
"I know my answer." He got up and grabbed the door handle, but before he left; "Remember love, actions speak louder than words." He gave a dry chuckle and left the room, leaving a wide-eyed Hermione to her sleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Hermione awoke a few hours later, well rested. She slipped into some bleached jeans and wore a black hoodie; it was a bit cold outside. She slipped on her old track sneakers, grabbed her school bag, and headed out the door, fastening her hair into a messy bun atop her head.
She headed to the seventh floor to find Ron. She needed to fill him in on recent happenings. She also needed to let him know that the final battle was quickly approaching. She reached the Fat Lady, muttered the password, and walked in. She peered around the common room and saw Ron over in a corner , hunched over a piece of parchment.
Hermione decided to surprise him. She crept over quietly and stood behind me.
She counted to three inside her head and, "Ron!"
Ron jumped noticeably, spilling the ink as his hand made contact with the bottle. "Bloody hell! My essay! You are going to pay dea-" He stopped once he saw who it was.
"Hermione?" He gaped at her, mouth open. "Is that really you? It's a bit early in the morning, I could be halu-"
"It's really me, Ron." Hermione giggled. "I'm back!" She ran over to him, draping her arms around his middle, enveloping him in a tight hug.
Ron was shocked for a moment, but regained his composure and hugged her back.
"Bleeding hell, I thought you were never gonna come back! You were gone for such a long time, I thought they had well.." He gulped. "You know."
"I'm in one piece Ron." Hermione grinned broadly, sitting down on one of the many plush couches.
"And this is no hoax? No hidden catch? That sodding prat didn't send a fake death eater to capture me too? Oh bloody hell, I hope I'm not next. I wouldn-"
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione cried. "I'm in one piece! You should be happy! Don't fret over the war ahead of us. Just be happy that I'm here." Hermione finished softly.
"Oh Hermione." Ron stated softly. "I'm ecstatic that you're here." He looked up behind Hermione. "But I think there's someone who would like to express their emotions also." Ron cleared his throat loudly.
"Who Ron? Draco's the one who saved me." Hermione thought for a moment. "Who else could have possibly missed me while I was gone."
"I could think of a possible candidate." He gulped loudly, not sure if he should be giving out that much information.
"Oh Ron, just let it out." Hermione sighed. It was too early for Ron's antics.
"Hermione?" A voice called out uncertainly.
Hermione's eyes widened. She knew that voice. It couldn't possibly be..
"Harry?" Hermione turned around slowly. "What could you possibly have to say to me?"
"Hermione, I really don't think this is the way to approach this. Harry is ju-"
Hermione turned around sharply, glaring at Ron. "I know exactly how to approach this, Ronald. I'm a big girl, for Merlin's snake." She snapped.
"Erm..Hermione, I think Ron's right." Harry started, "I have a few things to say. I'd prefer to get them out before you start ranting. Judging from your look, I doubt I'll be alive by the end of the conversation, no matter what I say. So just please," He paused, "Let me finish."
Hermione sighed. This was it, the moment of truth. His apology.
"Hermione Anne Granger. You've been my best friend ever since I got to this school. You noticed me for my true personality, not as the boy-who-lived. You helped me through every single encounter I had with Voldemort. From that bloody philosophers stone, to cracking the clue at the TriWizard Tournament. You've helped me with all my girl troubles. Every time I found myself in a predicament, you would help pick up the pieces and get me back to my old self. If it wasn't for you, I would have died in my first year at Hogwarts. I wouldn't have known what to do. You're the brains behind every single plan we create, You, Ron, and I. Every single time we had to take out some arch nemesis, or just plain cause mischief, we'd do it as a team. And I'm afraid that because of my actions, I won't be able to share that anymore with you or Ron. I came here, not to give you a sappy apology, but to tell you that I truly regret everything I have done to hurt you, recently, and in the past. I've noticed that I've become a sadistic bastard, and I had no right to take out my emotions on you the way I did. I'm sorry for all the hurt you've felt in your life because of me. And I'm sorry for disapproving of your source of happiness. He may be my arch enemy, but he makes you happy. That should have been everything that mattered to me. I hope that your alright, from your recent kidnaping. I guess this whole sappy apology was just to give you my blessing for you and..Malfoy," He bit out, "When your ready to talk about this, just please come talk to me. Hermione, you have no idea," He stopped as a tear slid down his cheek, "How much I've missed you." With that said, he gave her one last loving gaze, and retreated to his dormitory.
"Never knew the poor bloke had the balls." Ron sighed, shaking his head. Only Ron could bring humor into a situation so grave.
"I need to..um, study." Hermione stated softly, wiping her eyes discretely as she left the room.
- - - - - - - - - -
Hermione pulled the hood above her head and slowly curled up on the couch, clutching the mug of tea for dear life. She couldn't believe all those beautiful words had come out of Harry's mouth just then. She had never had somebody compliment her, apologize to her, and insult her all in one short comment. But she had to face it. He actually sounded sincere. What would she say to him? Forgiveness was in her nature, but he almost raped her. Of course it wasn't his fault, but what he was doing with Lucius Malfoy was beyond her. He didn't have to disapprove and just abandon her like he did. He could have learned to cope with it, just as Ron did.
But, he was right. He and her had been best friends since their first year here. Even though he started out insulting her, they both started to see each other for who they truly were. And that was a gift in itself.
A friendship that she valued as much as she had beforehand couldn't just be thrown away for something a Death Eater made him do.
Sure, she was still mad at him for disapproving. But Ron disapproved at first. She forgave him. How was this situation any different?
Draco Malfoy, her boyfriend, hated every single living fiber of the Boy-Who-Lived for what he attempted to do. That was the difference.
Even though Draco knew Harry was forced, he still didn't get over the fact that he found Potter feeling up his lovers shirt.
Hermione, who was equally as scarred from the incident, would have to guide him through the Five Steps.
Denial
Anger
Sadness
Realization
Action.
Hermione knew exactly how her boyfriend was going to manage the first one. He was already going through it.
He denied it the minute Dumbledore told him. She could see it in his eyes that Draco didn't believe him, but for Hermione's sake, he kept it quiet. He knew Hermione believed Dumbledore.
But Draco..oh no.
He knew better. Hermione knew that Draco believed Harry could have broken the curse. But he didn't.
That's what Draco was still trying to get over.
And the fact that he was denying his own father did it.
Hermione sighed. She was going to avoid that conversation until the time was absolutely..
Unavoidable.
A/N: Ok..so keep those reviews coming. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Right now, since they JUST escaped Voldemort..I'm going to sort out their personal lives, including relationships. So the next few chapters are going to be set at Hogwarts, repairing anything that needs to be repaired, breaking anything, or improving anything, and by that I mean relationships. So bear with me, cause these next few are, I think, going to be emotional rollercoasters. XD
Don't ya just love me?
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