Chapter Five- Against All Odds
Two weeks after the breakup, Draco received an owl. It was once again from his father.
Dear Draco,
I will arrive at your school in a week from the day that this letter was addressed and remain for the day. I have some pressing matters that I have to deal with at your school and colleagues from the past to congregate with. I will be talking to you soon.
Father
The letter was addressed on Tuesday, today was Saturday, which meant his father was going to be arriving in only three days. The Malfoy's mansion wasn't too far from Platform 3 ¾ so he wondered why the letter had taken so long. Perhaps the letter was delayed. Still His father was probably coming to the school because he had heard about the love potion he created. Oh well, his father would come to school and see that there was nothing going on between Hermione and Draco. Then finally, he might leave them alone.
On Tuesday, Hermione was surprised to see Lucius Malfoy walking around the school with Professor Snape and other teachers. She wondered why Draco's father was visiting the school. Perhaps it was something to do with her relationship with Draco, or whatever was left of their previous connection. He should see that she and Draco were no longer as associated as they were before. Then again, maybe Lucius would perceive their distance as an act to conceal their feelings. Maybe it wasn't enough that they did not see each other, but their feelings were not right to Lucius. But how can you just stop feeling that way for someone just like that?
Draco's father hadn't approached him yet, but had merely greeted him in the hallway. That was fine with Draco. He would avoid his father as much as possible, as he didn't want to communicate in such a strained relationship. At dinner, his father sat at the teacher's table and talked solemnly with Professor Snape and Dumbledore. Draco tried to hurry back to his dormitory, but his father was too fast and caught up to him at the bottom of the staircase.
"Hello, Draco," said Lucius.
"Hello," replied Draco simply.
"How have you been?" asked Lucius coldly.
"Fine," answered Draco.
"Still with that mudblood?" Lucius sneered.
Draco clenched his fists, "You may be happy to hear that we no longer communicate."
"Severus tells me the same thing, but he also tells me that you have made a love potion for Granger."
"Technically it can't be a love potion. Besides, I wasn't thinking straight."
"Well you better get your act together and never do such a thing again," reproached Lucius. "I want you to end all emotion you have for that muggle."
Draco did not reply.
Hermione had spilt pumpkin soup onto the floor and was cleaning it up so that the elves wouldn't have to be hindered with the task later on. She had told Harry and Ron to leave her and go to the common room without her. They promised to wait for her there. When Hermione finished she was about to ascend the staircase but saw that Draco and his father were talking there. Both of them looked severely agitated, but she felt more sorry for Draco. Not wanting to be seen, she did not venture to the Gryffindor Common Room, and stood well out of site behind a huge pillar that well-concealed her.
"Promise me that you will stop thinking about that muggle girl," scolded Lucius.
"I cannot promise anything, Father," Draco simply replied.
"So you still feel for her?"
"I can't deny that, but we are no longer seeing each other."
"You won't have a relationship?" asked Lucius.
"I told you I couldn't promise anything," Draco said calmly.
"Are you to bring such shame onto our family name?" Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"Shame? What's wrong with being muggle born? Hermione is just as smart as a pure blood witch or wizard and even cleverer and more skilled. We are all human. We bleed, we hurt, we laugh."
"What a great speech," Lucius mocked. "Think about our heritage!"
"I don't give a stuff about heritage anymore. Don't you want me to be happy?" Draco began to raise his voice.
"I know that you will be happy when you marry well."
"You don't know what makes me happy."
"If this is how you feel, I refuse to pass on your inheritance upon my death," Lucius threatened. "You will no longer be my son."
"See if I care," Draco answered. "I don't need your money, and it's not like we ever got along." With that Draco stormed up the stairs, his father also walked away and out of Hogwarts.
Hermione was surprised at what she had heard. Draco would renounce his inheritance, and even his family, all for Hermione! Could he love her? She wasn't sure if he could feel as strongly as she did for him. Maybe she should find out.
"Draco!" Hermione said loudly when Draco was at the top of the staircase. Draco pace was heavy and when he turned around, there was a look of anger on his face. When he saw Hermione, his features were softened. Hermione ran up the stairs and then threw herself into Draco's safe arms. For a few minutes all they did was stay in that position. Then Hermione gently pulled away, but stayed close. He reached out for her hands and she took them.
"You did a pretty mediocre job of defending me," Hermione raised her eyebrows. Draco raised his eyebrows back, but saw that she was joking and they laughed together.
"You know I meant every word of it," Draco said earnestly.
"Yes, I could hear the truth," Hermione replied. "I knew you could do it and stand up for yourself..."
"... and for you." Draco said. "You know, I don't know if this is the end of my father. Or of all of our problems, but I have a good feeling that one day, we'll overcome them."
"I agree," Hermione said. "Thanks for everything, for being there."
"That's not good enough," Draco smiled.
"What can I do?" Hermione asked.
"You can kiss me," Draco said and moved his face closer to Hermione's. She closed the proximity and they kissed in each other's arms. They didn't know how long they were at the staircase, but soon it was time to go back to their common rooms to avoid the risk of detention.
When Hermione entered the common room, she looked at the time and it was about an hour after the set time that the students had to be in their common rooms. Hermione didn't care, there was still a light smile on her face. She saw Harry and Ron about to enter their dormitories. When they heard footsteps they looked around and saw Hermione.
"Hey, you're a little late. I didn't know it took that long to clean up pumpkin juice," Ron said teasingly.
"You're smiling. Was cleaning that fun?" joked Harry.
"Oh that was okay. What was even better was... getting back with Draco," Hermione replied.
"Here we go again," said Ron, but seeing that Hermione was starting to look upset, he quickly covered up, "but I think it's best for you."
"Yeah, Draco is much more deserving than Josh. You seem much happier with Draco to, and you suit each other."
"Thanks!" Hermione glowed. She knew that this was not the end of her problems. However, she decided to prepare herself for the worst, but it didn't hurt to indulge in the meantime.
