A/N: I know! I know! I promise next time will be quicker. I was a bit blocked.
Disclaimer: I just own my sweet, dear Beverly, nothing else.
LAST CHAPTER:
When we parted he hugged me tightly. I closed my eyes and heard him whisper: "I love you, Hermione Jane Granger. Now and forever." And he went away, like he came. My eyes widened as I digested the information and sank to my knees, covering my face and crying again. Minutes later, a paper on the floor caught my attention.
My parents' story
By: A.Lupin
Chapter 21: You don't mean anything
A/N: sorry to interrupt you again. But the thing is, that I need to tell you that I found two songs for this chapter! Strange, is it? I hardly put songs I my chapters anymore and in chapter 21, two of them! I hope you think they fit with the chapter! I'll let you read, come on. Enjoy!
"Perfect"
Hey dad look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late and
We can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care anymore
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's alright
'Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late and
We can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
Simple plan – Perfect
"You Don't Mean Anything"
Maybe, I'm just not good enough for you
And maybe, i just don't wanna be like you
And maybe I just don't wanna know
How low you're ready to go
I'm not gonna change, you can't make me, WHOA
Chorus
You don't, You don't, You don't, You don't
You don't mean anything to me x2
You're what I never wanna be
Tell me, does it feel good to be like you
And tell me, why should I waste my time with you
Cuz maybe you always bring me down
And I'm sick of being pushed around
I'm not gonna change, you can't make me, WHOA
Simple plan – You don't mean anything
21. Draco
I was really lost. I had been thinking for days. I had not got more that an average of four hours of sleep a day and I had barely eaten. I know that's strange coming from me, seeing how much I take care of me and of my appearance. But this occasion was special and this meant that I did not have to behave as I had done in every other one. It's not every day that you receive a letter from your father that tells you to join him after you have betrayed his side or kill the one you love.
Well, to summarise, it was a difficult decision to make.
No, not really. The decision was easy to make, what was difficult was to predict what the consequences of my decision.
And it took time. Even now, as I'm walking towards destiny, don't really know what I'm going to do. I'll just… improvise. Yeah, I'll improvise, but always around what I've chosen.
With each step I took, the more nervous I became, I know. I knew that a Malfoy should not hesitate to receive their Dark Mark. I knew a Malfoy should be proud to receive the dark mark. I knew it, but I could not force myself to think as I had been raised. A part of me had to rebel, to go against everything. That part of me had found Hermione.
I arrived to Hogwarts' gates and at the other side of it I saw him. Father was there, waiting for me with a big, fake smile. He muttered some spells and the gate opened. I took some steps to near him.
"I knew you'd come, son" he smirked Malfoyly as he started walking towards the forbidden forest. "I told your mum that that muggle-born was only a teenage desire and she did not believe me. And now here you are, ready to honour the Malfoy's name." we kept walking for about half an hour until we stopped in a clearing. It was full moon and I could see all my surroundings.
"Son, we will wait here for about an hour until the Dark Lord requests our presence." Lucius said calmly.
"We are going to wait for him to tell us when we can go there? Can't we go there now, Father?"
"You fool! Of course not! You always have to obey what the Dark Lord says and do as he commands. You are under his great power now."
"Not yet. But how can you receive orders, Father? You said Malfoys never receive orders! You say we are superior! He is a Half-blood! How can you obey someone who is inferior!" I nearly yelled at him.
Slap
"Don't you dare ever again talk to me like that, understand, son?" he glared at me with his dark grey orbs.
"You know what?" I now yelled into his face, "I will talk however I like to you! I'm of age now and besides, I do not take orders from someone inferior like you do! I don't live to serve others or waste my money, time and power to do it. I think this makes me superior to you, doesn't it?" I smirked wildly at him.
Slap
"Just wait until we get home, child! You'll get the punishment you deserve! And that Mudblood too for making you react like that! Where is my boy? The one I raised with so many efforts? Where has it gone? Has a stupid girl like that one taken him away? What did she do? A potion? A spell?" He came closer to me with each sentence.
"You really want to know what se did?" I looked directly into his eyes. "She gave me love. A thing you never gave and never will give to me! And don't you dare call her that again!"
Slap
"You think slaps are going to make me change my opinion about things? I'm not a anymore boy who fears his father's beatings. Only cowards hit little boys, and I'm not afraid of cowards!" I kept grinning at him, knowing I had touched a fiber.
"You think the Cruciatus would be better to make you learn your lesson?"
"Go on, do it again. It's not like you've ever tried it on me." I grinned madly at him, challenging him.
"Crucio" he said calmly. I smiled softly, forcing myself not to scream. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of watching me suffer under his power. And I didn't. I just fell on my knees. "Time is running, son. Each second that passes you are closer to become a Death Eater, and you will, even if I have to use the Cruciatus again and again."
"When… when will you…learn?" I smiled sadly at him. That stunned my father. Was I, his son, starting to lecture him? He said nothing. "Pain does not matter to me anymore. All that matters is that I've seen the light. Yes. I mean it as in I've seen what I have to live for. To live. Live my own life, choose my path and never let anyone choose it for me." he was still quiet. I know what he was thinking. "No, I'm not going to join the light side," his face softened and my voice with it, "but I'm not going to join the dark side either. I just… I just want to live away from that damned war. Why does it involve me? in no way it involves me! but I tell you, if I by any chance discover that you've done something to Hermione, I will have a reason to get involved in the war! And I will not forgive!" I said this last sentence hoarsely, wanting him to react. But he just stood there, looking at the moon.
"Draco," had he said my name? he hadn't said: son? "the Dark Lord's servant will arrive anytime" he said calmly. How could he be so calm after his son had told him why he didn't want to join?
"But-"
"No buts, son" he turned around and looked directly into my eyes, "now that you've finished that nonsense of yours, you are going to receive the Dark Mark, no arguing or fighting, are we clear?"
"I am not a kid anymore, Father! I am grown up and I want you to treat my like one!" He snorted, "And you have no right to decide about my life! I told you I am old enough to choose for myself without your help."
"That story again, son?" he rolled his eyes. Had he not understood anything of what I had been saying for the last quarter of an hour?
"You know what?" he didn't look at me with even a little bit of interest. "You don't mean anything to me! Stupefy" I roared with anger and dripping malice.
And with that, I walked away from him without looking back once. I walked back home, to Hogwarts.
21. Hermione
I cried. I cried and cried for him. How could he mean so much to me? I can't believe one person can do you such harm just by going away. Is it Love? Is that what they call it? If it is, I am madly in love with Draco Malfoy.
Yet, there was a piece that did not fit in the puzzle. The letter I found on the floor. it was crumpled as if someone had looked at it infinite times. That must have been Draco, of course. It was written by a person I knew, strangely, only from two weeks ago.
--------------------
"mummy, was it the painting in the portrait in the second corridor of the fifth floor?" asked Beverly curiously.
"Have I mentioned passing by that place?"
"Hmmm…" she brought her hand to her chin, "yes?"
"No, darling,"
"I knew it! I was just trying to…"
"yes, yes, just like your mother. Always wanting to be correct." He smiled widely at his daughter and the woman he loved.
"lets continue, shall we?"
-------------------
The writer was Narcissa Malfoy.
--------------------
"I knew it!"
"No you didn't!"
"Just leave it, you two," Hermione sighed.
-------------------
Well, as I was saying before I was interrupted; the letter that had fallen from Draco's pocket was from his mother. I got cautiously, hesitating. That piece of parchment would tell me if Draco had gone away or not…. Well, he could not have followed his mother's advice, after all… even if his mother had told him to go against his father, I don't know if he would have… its going against Lucius Malfoy we're talking about.
So I inhaled before looking at the letter.
21. Draco
As I entered Hogwants I did not go back to the heads, room, no. My feet brought me quickly to Dumbledor's office. I don't know what had possessed me to do so, it just happened. I was about to knock when:
"Come in and sit down, Mr. Malfoy" I opened the door and I saw the headmaster looking at me half knowingly and smiling slightly. "What is the reason of your visit?"
"I-I…well, the other day…anyway, you know, I'm sure." Draco raised his eyebrows suggestively and Dumbledore laughed silently.
"Yes, I'm aware of your… 'reunion'-for lack of a better word- with Lucius and I was here, waiting for you." he rested his hands on the table and waited for Draco to start speaking.
"I tried. I really tried. I explained it to him two times but he wouldn't listen. I lost control and stunned him. I guess he'll be waking up anytime now and will be telling Voldemort," my headmaster nodded and motioned me to continue after hearing me say his name. "I-I… what I want is…" I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. "I need your protection, headmaster. I am sure you understand that I don't want to be part of the Order of the Phoenix because I don't share your ideas but I also don't want to be part of the Death Eaters… I don't want to be part of this damn war. I just want to live my life protecting the ones I love and that's it."
"You've changed noticeably, Mr. Malfoy. I presume it has been the Head Girl's doing, am I right?" he looked at me briefly and my blush was enough to answer his question. "Well, if that's the case, I'll be honoured to help you hide," and with that, he raised from his chair, motioning me to do the same. He shook my hand vigorously and smiled at me. "Don't hesitate to come to my office before the graduation ball, when we will discuss where you will be going."
"Thank you for your help, headmaster." And I as I descended the stairs, I started to run towards Hermione. She knew nothing of what had happened! She must be worried sick! I needed to get as quickly as I could to her. To tell he what had happened. To get her acceptance.
"No running in the corridors, Mr. Malfoy" I heard someone say. I did not care anymore. I had to found her before she did something stupid.
21. Hermione
There are always two options
A small smile started to form in my face. It changed into a grin and I finally started laughing. I relieved all the pressure of the previous week with that laugh. Then, the portrait whole opened and my laughing stopped suddenly.
Will it be Dumbledore telling me Draco has died?
Will it be Draco and Parkinson for a snog session?
Will it be only Draco?
------------------
"And what if it was Harry bringing you back your essay?"
"Don't spoil the mood, Beverly" his father said in a low voice.
------------------
It was him. I couldn't believe it! It was him! I didn't think of what this meant, I just went towards him and threw myself at him. I noticed tears coming from my eyes and he just looked at me and grinned.
"I know I'm irresistible and you can't wait to have your hands all over me, I know I'm sooooooo irresistible that I can even make you cry, but you did not need to prove me."
I rolled my eyes and snorted but he only laughed at me.
"It's good to be back," he said suprisably serious.
"It's good to have you back." I looked into his deep grey eyes and kissed him deeply, full of need. He then started to kiss my neck but I pushed him away.
"What?" he asked rather roughly.
"I…what did you choose?" I asked shyly.
"Isn't it obvious?" he grinned crazily, lifted me and started to twirl me around. What had gotten into him? I looked at him quizzically. "no?" I nodded, blushing. He laughed at me but finally answered my question in a deathly serious tone. "I chose you." he said without hesitating a bit.
"but…"
"Merlin, Granger!" he let his arms fall in amazement of me not knowing. "I chose you! Instead of my father, my family heirloom, my future fame, my social status… I chose you."
"Does this mean-," I started hopefully.
"No," he interrupted, "I'm not going to join your we-love-Potter group," I frowned at the name given to the Order of the Phoenix, "but I will protect you."
"I hope so! What kind of boyfriend wouldn't?" I grinned at him.
"Not many would give their life for their girlfriend, you know. You have to be happy! I am giving my life for you… and, on top of all, I am sexy and intelligent! What else can you ask for?" he suddenly got me in a bridal style and brought me to his bedroom.
"What-" I started, confused. But he silenced me with a 'shush' and a finger in my lips. He dropped me in his bed and sat down beside me.
"Its been a lot of time since we haven't been alone Hermy!" he pounted and tried to kiss me, but I pushed him away.
"You know I hate it when you use that nickname!" I whispered.
-----------------
"Hehehe, Hermy, Hermy!" Little Beverly said. "Wait here, I'm going to the bathroom! Don't continue the story, please!"
"Well, this part she shouldn't hear…" Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Why not?"
"She's seven, for Merlin's sake!" and he finally agreed with her.
-----------------
"I have been a week without anyone… I need you. now." He urged as he leaned down again, unbuttoning my shirt too quickly for my taste. So I pushed him once more.
"Draco, I don't know if I'm ready…" I said unsurely as I started to panic. What if he didn't like me? what if I did it bad? What if… . I just didn't think I was prepared. We had gone through many things, but it was just too early.
"But I need you to be ready! I've given everything for you! I just want to satisfy my damn desire! Can you just give me your body?" he said it too quickly and he couldn't take it back. " sorry, I-." I sat up and got away from him.
"There are no sorry's, Draco. I know what you did was difficult and you need an immediate reward for it, something to make you think you did good choosing me, but this is not the way. Sorry, you shouldn't have chosen me if everything you wanted was a woman to shag." And I turned away from him, tears starting to fall from my eyes.
"But-" he got my arm but I jerked it away quickly.
"No!" I said hoarsely turning around to face him. His eyes widened as he saw my tears, but said nothing. "Go and get another girl and ask her to give you her body! To me, making love is not just an act to get somebody's body! You give yourself to that person! Your mind, body and soul! And you do it for love, not for carnal desire." I spat. Each moment I was getting more and more furious with him and his behaviour. "I can't believe it" I finally whispered. " I didn't think you were like this, Draco! I thought you loved me more and that you would wait-" I pleaded.
"Then you don't know me" and he turned around and exited his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Then, my knees gave in and I fell to the floor, crying and crying. I heard crashes down stairs, and I supposed it was Draco breaking anything he found. I thought he had changed… if only a bit… . fighting with Draco was the last thing I needed after all the week being stressed. I collapsed suddenly and fell on the floor, sobbing so hard I was sure the whole castle would hear.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! It was quite difficult you know. What did you think of it? And of Draco's behaviour?
You know what you can do to encourage me to write more? Review! Yes, even if you think that I have enough reviews, I never have enough! All reviews are welcomed, and each one is special for me.
oh, and, which song fits better?