A/N: Song: Wherever you will go Artist: The Calling. This chapter was done whilst listening to the song, so I hope it reflects the mood of the song!
Song of the Heart's EmbraceChapter Five
Wherever you will go
So lately, I've been wonderin'
Who will be there to take my place?
When I'm gone, you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face
Draco looked at Hermione and sighed, she was holding his hand tightly as she picked out bread from the shelf. Draco didn't particularly mind that people were looking at them, it was just the way the men looked at Hermione, slightly hungry. So, Draco decided he would make sure that they backed off, and back off they did, as soon as they saw Draco whisper into Hermione's ear, pushing her hair back delicately, making it look intimate.
Hermione was aware Draco was very uncomfortable with the whole arrangement, and this made her respect him even more. He was in a muggle supermarket, something he would detest, and just so, she didn't have to face it on her own.
He looked at her and thoughts filled his mind, what would happen when he left, would someone else replace him, would someone else whisper into her ear to stop the other men from looking?
He had noticed how her face brightened when she wasn't alone, when he was with her. He liked how despite how much they hated each other, they also loved each other, it was odd, and something neither of them would ever admit to the other. When he left, if he left, he told himself, she would need someone there for her, and he didn't like to think whom.
If a great wave shall fall
It should fall upon us all
And between the sand and stone
Could you make it one your own
"Draco?" Hermione asked, aware Draco was getting attention from the female shoppers.
"Yes, Hermione?" he replied, looking to her.
"Can you reach that can?" Hermione said, pointing to the top one.
He reached to it, still holding her hand, pressing his chest to her shoulder as he did so. Hermione blushed as he handed it to her, looking straight into her eyes. He kissed the top of her head, surprising her slightly, before noticing that many men had averted their gaze at this show of affection.
She realised just how much she was helping him, and smiled to herself, letting him hold the basket.
"What would you do without me?" he laughed, reaching for the other can she had pointed out.
"I don't know," she whispered, not thinking he had heard, but he had, and he had smiled.
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Hermione rested her head on his chest whilst they sat on the train, her eyes resting. He stroked her hair gently, holding the shopping protectively.
"If you're not careful you'll fall in love with the shopping," Hermione giggled gently.
"Huh?" he said, not understanding what on earth she could mean.
"You're holding it like it's precious!" she laughed gently.
"It is..."
"And why is that, Mr Malfoy?" she said, laughing.
"I did the shopping myself…"
"What? Did I not help?" Hermione sighed playfully, sitting up straight.
However, Draco did not hear the humour in her voice.
"What? For goodness sake, you take it!" he spat, shoving it onto her lap.
"I was joking, Malfoy…" she sighed, shaking her head.
"Oh," he said, and then he laughed slightly, "you do realise we just fought over the shopping…"
Simultaneously both of them burst into uncontrollable laughter. Hermione leant back onto his shoulder and let out one last giggle, smiling as he laced his arm around her shoulders and neck.
And maybe, I'll find out
The way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you
Through the darkest of your days
Hermione watched as Draco came out of the bathroom connected to her room, his hair dripping, and his scarred torso shining with moisture. He yawned slightly, his eyes skimmed over Hermione, taking a second look at her as she lay on her back, left leg crossed over the other as she looked at the ceiling, her hands laced under her head, a serene look upon her face as she smiled timidly at him. He laughed slightly and she blushed at his carelessness.
Draco sat on the other side of the bed and slipped on some tracksuit-bottoms, using his towel to attempt to dry his hair. A soft hand landed on his shoulder, and he turned to see Hermione kneeling behind him. He relaxed as she took the towel and began to gently rub his hair with it.
"It's like babysitting," she laughed, and this time he recognised the joking tone in his voice.
"No, I think it's more like a married couple," Draco humoured, leaning back against Hermione's stomach.
He felt Hermione's body tense and he thought he had said wrong, and then she pulled the towel away and kissed him cheek gently before peeling back the covers and slipping into her side of the bed.
They both knew that the other needed guiding.
They both knew they were the only ones that could guide the other.
They both knew they were at the darkest points of their lives, despite everything else they had been through so far.
If a great wave shall fall
It would fall upon us all
Well I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you
The second shopping trip was not as successful. Draco had got lost in the bag section of the large multi-storey shop, not quite sure where Hermione was. He had quickly got bored, deciding he didn't particularly need a suitcase any time soon. He sat down on the edge of a display of turquoise suitcases with black stars on them and watched the muggles pass, deciding in his head what would become of them.
That one will cheat on that girl.
That man flirting with the shop assistant will end up in a dead end job.
That girl is going to get food poisoning soon.
That man in gay.
That man is going to ask the gay one out… see, I was right.
"Hello?" came a voice; he looked up at a pretty girl, his voice extremely blank. "Can you help me? I need to know where the front desk is…"
"I don't know…" Draco grumbled, looking away.
He was slightly annoyed when she sat next to him.
"That's not good, I need to find my boyfriend…" she sighed and Draco looked at her disappointed face. " My phone ran out of battery…"
"Hermione has a phone…"
"Who?"
"Oh! Sorry, ignore me, it's the girl I came here with, but I lost her!" Draco mumbled, realising that he had no idea if he would find her.
"Does she have slightly bushy brown hair, medium height, a kind face, likes books?" asked the girl thoughtfully.
"Yes! Do you know where she is?" asked Draco, his voice desperate.
"I might, follow me," the girl led him to an escalator, and then up it and across the floor to a corner of bookshelves.
Sitting amongst the displays was Hermione, face filled with worry, as if she was debating to move or not.
"Hermione!" exclaimed Draco, rushing to her.
Hermione looked up and her face broke into a smile.
"Draco!" she grinned, letting him hug her warmly.
"Thank you!" said Draco, turning to the girl who was smiling at the couple.
"You two must have been going out a long time!" she laughed, winking at Hermione.
"Oh no! We're not going out!" Hermione blushed, pushing her hair back as she laughed nervously.
"Oh really?" the girl looked surprised.
"Oh, Hermione! Can she use your phone?" asked Draco, his eyes pleading.
"I don't see why not… here," Hermione passed it to the girl who immediately punched in a number. "Look, Draco, let's make a pact, the next time we realise we have lost the other, you stay still, and I'll find you!"
"Sounds good!" he laughed, grasping her hand as if to clarify he didn't want to loose her.
"It's just as well someone was there to guide you back to me!" Hermione laughed slowly.
"Thank you, Hermione," the girl said, handing the phone back. "My boyfriend is going to meet me here, so thanks!"
Hermione led Draco away, glad she had found him.
She just hoped that the next time this happened there would be someone there to guide one of them back.
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Draco had persisted on following Hermione into the changing room.
"But Draco…" Hermione said, blushing, and looking down.
"What if I get lost again!" he yelled, making people look.
"Okay! Okay! You can come in…" she sighed, taking his hand in her free one.
Draco smirked, making Hermione shudder. Had she really let him get his way?
Runaway with my heart
Runaway with my hope
Runaway with my love
She couldn't help but think whenever he looked elsewhere that something was tugging at her chest. Yet, he always turned back to her, as if nothing else could interest him.
He felt as though she wanted him not to follow, and he felt that if he didn't go wherever she did, he would loose her, she would runaway with his newly found liking for her, make him a laughing stock, but at the same time he knew she would never make him look a fool on purpose.
I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart and your mind
I'll stay with you for all time
Lying in the bed next to her that night, he wished never to leave her.
He didn't think he loved her, but he definitely needed her.
He needed her to feel the same though
He wrapped him arm around her waist and pulled her back into his chest.
She smiled at this, knowing he couldn't see, knowing he thought she was fast asleep.
She wanted to stay like this with him until he was so sick of her he tore his body from hers.
They both knew, that only the other could help them to go on.
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Draco awoke; aware Hermione was not lying next to him. He frowned, feeling slightly cold.
He realised her nightdress was folded neatly on the chair, her make-up still out. He slid out of bed, his feet grazing the carpet, before they rested on it permanently. The fact she had put make-up on, meant she had gone somewhere without him.
Maybe she didn't need him.
Yes.
She no longer had a use for him.
No longer had a use for Draco Malfoy.
She no longer needed him.
He no longer needed to stay.
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
Hermione read the note as she shook her head.
"No," she whispered, not wishing to believe it.
She grabbed her coat and headed out of the door, hoping to find him before it was too late. If only she had written a note to explain that, she was visiting Harry.
Dear Hermione,
It's all right, I know you don't need me anymore, but that's okay.