A/N: Enjoy!
Quintessence
Chapter 24
Forgive or Forget
Hermione awoke the next day, dreading the conversation with Draco. They were at a happy time, and she didn't want to ruin it by fighting. Draco wasn't going to like the idea that Harry apologized. But Hermione just couldn't avoid Harry forever. He didn't really intend to hurt her the way he physically did. That was someone else's doing. She was going to have to convince him to let her forgive Harry. She really wanted to, her heart was aching to. But her mind was being stubborn, telling her that to give him the cold shoulder and dismiss the apology. It was going to be hard, convincing Draco that she thought it was right. He was going to become rash the minute he heard the words 'Harry' and 'apology' in the same sentence. She wasn't even going to think of the way he was going to act when she told him that she was going to forgive him.
She groaned and rolled out of bed. She trudged over to her dresser, grabbed a sweatshirt and slipped it over her head. It was Sunday, and she wasn't planning on leaving the Head's room. She left her room and plopped onto one of the couches, her head in her hands. She was going to tell Draco the minute he woke up, the decision was final.
She heard soft thumps, and looked up. She was Draco descending down the stairs. He smiled genuinely at her, sitting down next to her.
"Morning," He draped his arm over her shoulder, and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head. "Hermione, I was thinking, since today is Sunday, maybe we could head out to Hogsmeade and browse the shops."
"And risk getting caught?" Hermione asked incredulously. "I'm not going anywhere out of this castle until we get everything sorted out, you hear me?" Hermione raised her voice an octave by the end of her sentence.
"It was just a suggestion, will you calm down?" Draco spat. "I would have thought, after being kidnaped, that you would want to spend time with your boyfriend and go out or something."
"Well, next time don't think," Hermione sighed frustratingly. "Look, I'm going to be in my room. If you need something, let me know," She stomped up the stairs and slammed her door.
Draco wasn't going to let her go without finding out why she was really mad. He ascended the stairs and barged into her room. He closed the door behind him, and walked over to her bed, taking a seat next to her.
"Hermione, what's really wrong with you?" He asked. "Normally you wouldn't blow up at me for something that small."
"Nothings wrong," Hermione stated crossly, folding her arms across her chest. "I just don't want to go out."
"I know something's the matter. I can read your facial expressions. Just tell me!" He began to raise his voice.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. It was the moment of truth. "Harry apologized," She murmured softly.
"I'm sorry, didn't catch that," Draco stated angrily.
"Harry apologized and I don't know what to do about it!" Hermione cried, getting up and pacing the room.
Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He had to make sure he heard her right. "He what?"
"He apologized! You should have heard what he said, Draco," Hermione said softly, sitting by his side. "He told me everything, everything. He gave me the most concrete reasons as to why he's apologizing. He's not apologizing for my friendship. He thinks I probably won't give him that. He was apologizing because he felt guil-"
"Thinks? So there is a possibility that you will give him that friendship? Hermione, have you no idea what he's done to you?" He cried. "That man, that sadist, has hurt you countless times, and you want to consider giving him friendship? Hermione, he doesn't deserve you!"
"But don't I, your girlfriend, the woman you love, deserve the friendship of a man who once was?" Hermione stated sorrowfully.
Draco stayed rooted to the spot, contemplating what she just said. She did deserve that. She did. But, he couldn't bear to see her get hurt if Saint Potter's intentions weren't pure.
"Hermione, you know I can't stand to see you hurt. I don't want a repeat of what's happened before. Please, take some time before you consider that friendship. For me?" He pleaded, his eyes glazed over with affection.
"Your not mad?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"I'm angrier than Voldemort the day Potter lived," He muttered. "But if you're really so headstrong about this, then I'll let you make your decision. Merlin knows you won't listen." He mumbled.
"I would listen, and I have listened! Why do you think I've been avoiding him ever since he started attacking me?" Hermione asked rhetorically. "I've been listening to you. But he came to me and apologized. I probably would have never talked to him if he didn't confront me," Hermione stated sadly, wiping a tear from her eye.
Draco saw this, but dismissed the thought. "Is it that bad if you don't talk to Potter?"
"Yes! He has been my friends for years! I can't just forget about him like he's some piece of garbage!" Hermione cried. "Did you honestly think I was going to break off all contact from him forever?"
"A man can hope," Draco smirked.
"Your impossible," Hermione sighed, sitting back down on the bed.
"I'm impossible? Excuse me for trying to keep you away from the rapist." Draco sighed. "That kid never has pure intentions. There's always something behind his actions, Hermione."
"He is not a rapist, Draco," Hermione let out through gritted teeth. "You know that it was your father who planned the entire thing, just to get me 'tainted'," Hermione turned around and crossed her arms. "He thought if I was tainted, you wouldn't want me."
"That's beside the point!" Draco cried. "You and I both know Potter took Occlumency with Snape two years back. He could have fought off my father and broken the curse. You know this," Draco snapped. "How the hell was this time any different?"
Hermione's eyes widened. He was right. Harry did take Occlumency. How come he didn't fight off the curse? "How did you know Harry took Occlumency?" Hermione asked stupidly.
"Snape's practically my uncle," Draco explained. "But don't try and change the subject at hand. We need to talk about this."
Hermione just sat down on the bed. Draco followed. "What exactly do we need to talk about?" Hermione asked him, playing with the bed sheet.
"Hermione, Potter could have fought off that curse," He started. "He knows Occlumency. Why the hell did he choose not to? Explain that to me."
"I don't know!" Hermione cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't know why everything happens to me! I've been hurt countless times this year, and I have no idea why!" She began to sob, leaning on Draco's shoulder for support. Draco wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. "I don't know why Harry apologized. If your so curious, then find out for yourself."
"I'm not curious enough to go and ask Pothead," He muttered. "Hermione, you really need to consider this before you make alliances with him," He suggested. "If you put aside the rape, he has hurt you intentionally, whether you choose to believe it or not."
"I know he has," Hermione agreed. "But you seem to be affected by this more than I am."
"Do you know what it's like to watch another man physically abuse your girlfriend? I had to watch you get slapped by some sadistic bastard. And then have you nearly raped by the same person? Hermione, I hate to see you get hurt," Draco stressed. "Even if we were fighting during that time, I still cared for you. I couldn't watch you get hurt!"
"But I was the one being hurt! You can't say that didn't hurt just as much!" Hermione yelled, standing up and sitting in a chair across from Draco. She crossed her arms and let her tears fall freely. "It may have been hard for you, but it was even harder for me. I had to watch, and feel, my best friend abuse me."
"Do I look dense?" Draco asked stupidly. "I saw how much he hurt you. I may not have felt it, but I have eyes Hermione. You were hurt, emotionally and physically."
"Then stop all this nonsense about 'considering' his friendship!" Hermione began to sob at this point. "I was the one who went through this, so I should be the one to decide whether or not I can befriend him!" Hermione slumped to the floor and cried, her arms wrapped around her knees.
"I'm just trying to protect you," Draco muttered. "I will never forgive Potter for what he did. Neither should you."
"Don't order me around, Draco!" Hermione stated angrily. "I suppose I won't forgive him either, but I know that I can forget. Sometimes you have to put the past behind you and move on. How the hell do you think you and I got together?"
"Right now, us isn't the problem!" Draco sighed angrily. "You befriending him is the problem," Draco placed his head in his hands. "Hermione, my father already found Potter once. Who says he won't find him again?"
"If your so hell bent on protecting me, then go find your father and rid us from him!" Hermione cried.
Draco's eyes blazed over with anger. How could she? He may be abusive and power-hungry, but he was still his father. Draco had always idolized him, ever since he was a little boy. Draco didn't have the heart to take his life.
"You think I'm that heartless?" Draco asked softly, looking down at the floor.
"Of course not!" Hermione stated defensively. "You learned to love your worst enemy."
"Then why would you say such a thing?" He asked again, even softer.
"Because I've seen your father hurt you. I've seen what he can do," Hermione answered sadly. "I don't want it to happen again."
"Even so, he is my father. I'm not just going to kill him," Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Let me put it into terms you might understand. Say your father went around killing people, whichever way they do it in the muggle world. You would still love him; He's the one who brought you into this world. Don't tell me you'll be the one to bring him out just because of a mistake he made."
Hermione let a tear slide down her cheek at the thought of her father dying. "I suppose I never thought about it that way."
"And you're the almighty know-it-all," He laughed sadly.
"Draco.." Hermione warned. She gave a heaving sigh. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said about your fa-"
"Don't," He put up his hand to silence her. "If you want to forgive Potter, fine. But if my father pulls another 'Let's Rape Hermione' plan, don't you dare stop me from castrating Potter." He cringed at the thought, his face distorting in disgust.
"Draco..don't be so rash," Hermione giggled. "You and I both know you don't have the balls to castrate someone."
"Is that what you think?" He smirked, sauntering over to her. He placed his hands at her waist, looking down at her. "Eh..is it?" He began to tickle her sides softly. Hermione doubled over. He knew her ticklish spots like the back of his hands.
"Maybe!" Hermione heaved, giggling loudly. Draco tickled her harder. "Ok! Ok," She sighed, once he stopped tickling her. "That was completely unnecessary."
"Yea..well, it comes with the package," He smirked, rubbing her back softly.
"Along with other things.." Hermione giggled, blushing at her crude comment.
"No, that's where your mistaken," Draco stated softly. He looked down at her. "That is the package."
"Draco!" Hermione cried, slapping him softly in the chest. "You are absolutely horrible!"
Draco shrugged and backed up, detaching himself from Hermione. His hands rested behind his back. "So, when are you going to break the news to Potter?"
"I will do no such thing," Hermione stated crossly. "You know exactly what I'm going to do, and if I have to repeat it, then that was a poor excuse for an argument." Hermione walked to her dresser and pulled out a shirt and jeans.
"Fine, fine," He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'll be at Blaise's, come find me when your done." He walked over to her, kissed her cheek softly. He moved his lips to her ear. "I love you. Good luck."
Hermione's heart raced, her previous anger for him melting. "I love you too."
- - -
Draco walked down the hallway leading to the dungeons. He was thinking about the argument. How could Hermione want to forgive Potter after what he did to her? Yes, Potter was told under the Imperius that he had to rape Hermione. As far as he knew, though, Potter wasn't told to slap her. That was purely Potter's intentions. How could Hermione just want to forgive him after all of that? Everything he said just then didn't even help deviate her from her plan of action. He knew she was strong minded, he knew she was independent, but now that they were together, his opinion should matter for something. Couples, especially engaged...
Draco froze. His eyes widened. His thoughts had wandered way too far this time. He reached into his pocket, and took out the small velvet box. He fingered it gingerly, a small smile gracing his face. He placed it gently into his pocket, continuing walking.
"Why the hell were you smiling like a fucking idiot?" He heard from a voice behind him. "And I'm pretty sure that was an engagement ring in your hand." Draco's eyes widened and he looked behind him. There stood Blaise, smiling proudly at his discovery.
"How in bleeding hell did you find me here?" Draco asked curiously. "Were you following me or something?"
"Or something," Blaise retorted. "Look man, if you're going to do what I think your going to do, get a move on." Blaise suggested, catching up to Draco. "The war is coming soon, and not to be pessimistic, but we won't all make it out alive. Even goody goody Granger. "
Draco nodded in understanding. "I thought today would be good, but she wasn't really in the greatest mood. She was babbling on about Potter and how she wanted to forgive him. You remember what happened, right?" Draco asked him.
Blaise nodded. "But didn't your father plan the entire thing?"
Draco averted his gaze and closed his eyes tightly, memories flooding his brain. "Yes. Who's to say he won't find Potter again. Hermione could be hurt just like before."
"Then tell her," Blaise stated simply. "Granger seems pretty understanding. It's not like sh-"
"I already tried," Draco cut in. "She won't have any of it. I even told her that Potter could have broken the Imperius curse."
"He could?" Blaise asked incredulously. "But I thought you had to be really powerful to fight off the curse."
"Does Potter look like a meager being?" Draco asked incredulously. "In fifth year Potter took Occlumency and Legilimency with Professor Snape," Draco raised his hand to keep Blaise from speaking. "With this knowledge, he could have fought off the curse if he really, truly, didn't want to do it. Now, answer me this; Why didn't he, if he had the power to do so?"
"You've got a point there," Blaise noted. "Granger must be positively mental if she's going to forgive Potter." Blaise spat with contempt.
"I tried to get her to believe me," Draco sighed. "But she seemed really headstrong about it, so I trust that she'll do what's right."
"You're in love," Blaise grinned mockingly.
"Shut up, you bastard," Draco chuckled, punching Blaise in the arm.
" Are you sure it's Granger you're in love with?" Blaise asked. "No need to touch, mate."
Draco's eyes widened in horror. "We're on the subject of my engagement, and you bring up that?" Draco spat. "If you want a further relationship, find Potter."
"Potter would look absolutely horrible with this outfit," Blaise doubled over in laughter at the look of disgust on Draco's face.
"I think that's enough for one day," Draco uttered, gagging at the thought of Blaise..and Potter.
"You're so primeval. Gay marriage is very in nowadays," Blaise mused.
"Gay marriage my arse," Draco snapped. "Do I look like a muggle?"
"If you got rid of the robes you could definitely pass as one."
"I so happen to be in Slytherin for a reason," Draco stated superciliously. "I may be dating a muggle born, but that is no reason to question my blood."
"Don't we know it," Blaise muttered. "Look, just give Granger the ring and get it over with."
"I'm not sure I'm ready. I'm not sure the both of us are ready," Draco began to think the relationship change seriously. They would have to keep it entirely a secret, save a few people. There was the possibility of one or the other passing during the brewing war. His father would have his head. Who knows, maybe Hermione's muggle parents had a prejudice against the pureblood population. His father did harass her parents during their second year. Maybe it was a bit too soon for the change. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he got Hermione killed because of the engagement.
"Don't be such a pansy," Blaise uttered. "You and I both know that you want to do it, so just do it. If your going to be a girl about it, then wait until after the war." Blaise stopped walking. "But if she somehow finds out about it..."
"Blaise.." Draco warned, turning around to face him. "Look, I'll do it. But I have to make it perfect, so I need a few days. Stop pestering me, because I won't do it any sooner than I plan."
"I'm just saying, mate.." Blaise sighed heavily, running a hand through his black hair. "You might not have a few more days. Voldemort may strike any day now. Knowing you, you would probably beat yourself up if you miss the chance."
"What exactly are you on about?" Draco asked curiously, stepping close towards Blaise.
"Nothing. Just be sure to do it before you lose the chance."
"You know something about when he's striking, don't you?" Draco accused. "Look, I'll be pissed if something happens and you knew about it. So out with it."
"Fine," Blaise sighed. "I overheard my father talking about when He was going to strike over Christmas holiday. I only heard bits and pieces, but I know enough that it's soon. Very soon. So make your move while you have the chance."
"Well, that just assured me not to make the move. We're going to have to focus on the war before we focus on our relationship."
"If that's your decision," Blaise stated sadly.
"Have you gone to Dumbledore yet?" Draco questioned.
"I don't think I should," Blaise mumbled. "My father would honestly murder me if I did..."
"I think you should. Hermione got kidnaped last time nobody spoke up."
"How did you know someone knew?"
"I may not be gay," Draco grinned. "But things get around."
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It took me some time to write the argument, which explains the gap between the installments. Next chapter I'll have the hermione/harry scene, along with some other things. Leave a nice loooong review please!
Anyone else on spring break? I'm going to have lots of time to update this week, SPRING BREAK BABY!
And if any of you are on Spring Break, you should have looooads of time to leave reviews. So please, do me a gigantic favor and leave one!