Chapter 17: Tube
Stop, tell me where you going?
Maybe the one you love isn't there
Better luck next time, Lifehouse
Tokyo, Japan
Ronald Weasley, aged 22, has already become one of Great Britain's most distinguished Healers in the wizarding world. He has contributed on numerous accounts in order to help the Asian world. As a Healer, Tanaka Yuji has said that Healer Weasley had made a "fusion of medicinal herbs and the latest medicine of the West to create even better results".
Healer Weasley was sent to Asia as part of his basic Healer Course he had taken up during his last year of Hogwarts. When the war broke out, he became a big help for the Order of the Phoenix, often helping with burns and wounds as a dispatch from St. Mungo's. He was given a scholarship for the Course in Asia, in which he chose to help in Japan. He has been quoted to say before he left, " Japan has one of the greatest amount of natural herbs besides China, and this could help improve their current health status."
His efforts have not been in vain for he quickly made many changes under the mentorship of Tanaka to improve the lives of the Japanese Wizarding World. Sadly, Healer Weasley did not stay in contact with his family or his friends, and we have been unable to get more information about him about his stay there.
His current status is still unknown but it is rumoured that he may be coming back after four years away from England. –Hideoshi Aki
Draco glanced up at Hermione who was gripping so tightly onto the tray that her knuckles were white as she stood just next to him. The water in the clear glass was shaking visibly.
Draco cleared his throat and looked at Hermione over the newspapers. The tray was practically trembling, and a tight-lipped expression appeared on her face as she looked anywhere but his face. He folded the papers neatly and placed it on the rumpled covers next to him. "Granger, put down the tray before you hurt yourself." Curt and precise, it was a command rather than a suggestion.
Finally, she spoke as she slammed down the tray on the drawing table. " You have an hour to eat and change before we leave. We've got a fitting to attend and I need to collect my dress from the store, and Ben's outfit to get and maybe even yours, plus a rehearsal dinner. Have fun," Hermione announced and flashed a large smile before she closed the door behind herself.
Draco blinked. He just felt the bed tremble and realised that the food was five metres away from him, his wand was no where to be seen and his feet were lead.
His toes felt strange to him as he wiggled them in his shoes. It had been days since he had used them and they felt old and unused. Getting out of bed seemed like child's play compared to walking down the long stairs and finding his wand. His wand had vanished and after a full ten minutes of hoarse mutterings of Accio, did his wand then fly towards him from under his bed.
After that came breakfast/lunch. It was a simple matter of spreading jam on toast; or so it seemed. His fingers were numb and he had to sit up straight to eat and to do that meant he had to struggle for full five minutes into an upright position. Eating seemed okay. The toast stuck to his throat and ground his oesophagus. It soon got flushed down with cups of scalding tea but at least his throat didn't hurt that badly anymore.
Soon after came the enormous task of getting out of bed. He flailed helplessly for a while then remembered he had his wand and was soon able to fling his legs rather haphazardly out of the bed and landed on the floor with a solid thump. He was not the fittest Auror besides Potter for nothing. Even without a few days of training he was fit enough to haul himself towards the large clothes closet on the other end of the room with his arms. When he reached there, he was panting in a very undignified manner.
Granger had refused to help him. She had downright refused by walking straight past him with one fluid motion; avoiding all contact as he tried to make his way down the hallway to the main stairs, grabbing onto the side ledges and paintings on the side. Even after he had grunted, she had not come back.
"Ben's waiting, Malfoy," She had called out a few minutes later as he struggled down the slippery stairs. The idea of sliding down the banister was tempting. The idea of confronting her wasn't.
And now here he was, sitting on a train headed to Knightsbridge. His toes had finally regained their senses and he felt glad. Just for a moment though. She was still not talking to him even though she was standing right in front of him, her bum almost in his face as commuters jostled to get out of the sardine-packed carriage. "Stupid Tube," He had heard her curse underneath her bright smile. A trickle of perspiration stained her purple tank top a darker shade.
"Hermione," he began, still uncomfortable with saying her name. She grunted in reply as she grudgingly sat down next to Ben, leaving Ben in the middle of their crossfire. "You probably think that I was going to blow up when I saw the newspaper and I thought that I would too but I— There's no easy was to say this Granger, I mean Hermione, but if you really want to go back to Weasley and live happily ever after like you've always wished then I'm not going to stop you. You'll probably think I'm a really stupid person if I didn't chase after you but, I'm not going to hold you back because you won't l—love me, you won't want me so I'll just let you go.
"You probably think I'm a coward too, for not chasing after you, but as I've said, I won't stop you from what you want. If you want Weasley, I can't shoot him with the Killing Curse and force you to have me instead, can I? Her—Hermione, I really love you." And as he said the last words, he looked up from his twiddling of thumbs and looked to his left.
"Honey, I'm no Hermione Granger, but I love you too," An old lady said to him in reply. "Sorry, sorry. Wrong person," Draco replied flustered and stood up abruptly, hitting a man with a suitcase that was standing in front of him. "Sorry!" Draco said half-heartedly, trying to find bushy brown hair and a small blond child.
"Malfoy! It's our stop, you might want to get off," a muffled voice sounded from outside the train. Hermione rapped the thick Perspex again and glared at him. Draco blinked stupidly before he registered what was happening and lunged out of the train into the safety of the platform.
Before he could even steady himself, Hermione rapped his head smartly and walked ahead of him as Ben jumped excitedly around her waist. "Keep up, or you'll be lost," She called out. Draco rubbed his watery eyes and coughed. "You didn't hear what I said just now, did you?" He asked cautiously. "What did you say?" Hermione replied without faltering. "Nothing, nothing," Draco muttered under his breath and quickened his pace even though his thighs were killing him.
"You're kidding."
"No I'm not."
"You have got to be absolutely joking."
"No I'm not! How many times do I have to say it?"
"Is this some kind of cruel joke to make sure I'm not late again?"
"I'm sorry, honey. But the other ladies came in earlier and took their pieces. The short hair one took the pink, and the other three took blue, green and black. This is the only colour I have left."
"It makes me look like a prune."
"I'm sure it's not that bad, c'mon love. I'll get you into it and you can show it off to your husband and son."
"I'M NOT MARRIED."
"Right my dear, just follow me."
"But I'm really not married."
"Your wife will be out in a minute sir, would you care for a drink?"
"No it's okay, I'll just wait for her to come out."
"Yes sir."
Draco sat on the plump round cushion watching languidly as Ben jumped all over the rest. The banter between the witch and Hermione had been humorous enough. Ben gave a whoop of delight and lay flat on the carpeted floor. "Uncle Draco, I need to pee." Draco nodded and grinned, "Okay, listen Ben. You have to find the old witch again and ask her to take you there alright?" Ben nodded and bounced his way out.
"Are you there?"
"Yes dearie," Draco imitated the witch's voice, "You can come out anytime now."
"I think it's too tight a fit, and it's making me look fat, don't you have another dress?" Hermione walked out from the changing room with her neck craned to see her back. When she turned back she came face to face with Draco. "You don't look like a prune," He said mildly and grinned. He looked at Hermione's dress that plunged down the front and the back, rippling in shades of purple under the light.
"And you're not a coward," Hermione smiled back. "You heard what I said on the train!" Draco gasped. Hermione nodded then looked confused, "Was I not meant to hear it?"
"I guess you were."
"Mm."
"You really don't look like a prune," Draco said honestly and twirled Hermione. "Nope, not prune material at all. I don't see any wrinkles anywhere. I'm sorry if I shocked you with the papers. I didn't mean to."
"And I didn't mean to clip your head just now. I was just confused over what you said. Would you care to repeat it?"
"Which part?"
"The last bit."
"I, uh. I."
"Go on, I think you're at the right bit."
"L, lo…"
"Oh hurry up already, I'm growing old just waiting."
"Ilubew."
"I didn't really hear that, Draco." She smiled and put her hands round his neck.
"I love you, Hermione." He grinned as he said it and bent in for a sweet little kiss. "I could have Weasley shot, or sent to Azkaban where I see fit, but it won't make it any easier to have you," Draco whispered. "Who's the stupid dolt who said that I wouldn't come back to you on my own?" Hermione asked.
"So you're really going to break my heart and leave me?" Draco pulled apart, wide-eyed with shock. "Do I really need to answer that question?" Hermione grinned and gave Draco a large hug.
"Aw, would you see that young man, your mum and dad love each other," The witch sighed as she looked on from the doorway. "Aw," Ben sniggered. Hermione's face flushed furiously and she pushed Draco aside and stomped into the changed rooms. "We'll take the dress and a pair of heels, and a set of jewellery to go with the dress," Draco told the witch and the witch gave a hearty laugh and went to the counters. "This is a very dangerous dress Malfoy, I can't get my head out of it!" Hermione called from inside the room. "Want me to go in?" Draco joked.
Hermione came out soon enough and handed the dress to Draco. "Dangerous indeed," Draco murmured, eyeing the flustered Hermione. "I don't wear make-up," She wailed. "That's alright, I'll get Blaise in to do it. So you're wearing this dress tonight or on Saturday to the wedding?"
"Tonight, I'm picking the wedding dress up tomorrow evening," Hermione replied and stuffed and fabric into her tote bag that she was carrying. "Careful with that, Granger," Draco cautioned her and pulled out the dress again, this time folding it neatly and wrapping it up in soft tracing paper. Hermione grunted in reply and wore her shoes.
The witch helping them came back with a brown paper bag. "Purple heels, three inches with detachable straps, silver and black beaded floater, and five row shank cuff bracelet. Would you like a clutch bag and hair accessories?" She asked kindly and pointed out the items. Draco nodded his head gravely, "Yes please, this lady has no sense of fashion and colour co-ordination. Look at her now, purple tank top, baggy green trousers and black heels." The witch laughed again and disappeared, only coming back with a simple purple clutch bag and silver earrings.
"Have fun now," the witch said as they left the store. "Oh we'll have fun alright," Draco murmured into Hermione's ear and Ben giggled. Just then, a small owl popped up in front of Hermione with a small scrap of parchment. "Oh no," Hermione inhaled as she read the parchment, "Lavender forgot to cater for the rehearsal dinner." Draco gave a low whistle when another owl popped up, this time carrying the latest Weasley innovation. Designed for talking between people, it was just like an extendable ear just with an added mouthpiece.
"Hermione," Ginny's voice came from the ear, " Lavender forgot to cater. She forgot to cater. Do you think she's hoping this thing would fail?" Her voice trembled mightily, "Is she sleeping with Harry." Hermione exhaled and yelled down the ear. "GINNY DON'T BE DAFT. Harry would never cheat on you; you know that! Pull yourself together and get the place set up. I'll get some people down to help. What's on the menu?"
"Anything! As long as you can cook for thirty, I'm happy. Appetizer, main course and dessert."
"I'll, um, cook something. Just make sure that Harry gets white and red wine. We might need it. Draco and I will find something to cook."
"I'm sorry," Ginny said in a small voice. Hermione calmed herself down and said down the ear, "Sorry Gin, bad start to the afternoon. But I'll be there as soon as possible with the ingredients for cooking." Hermione heard Ginny choke back a tear before she said thank you and the two owls disappeared.
I AM ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU ARE TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED. WELL SO AM I. OOOH I HATE MYSELF. Huge writer's block straight after the article bit. If it's crap don't read. The next chapter's going to be better (I hope). Even then, read and review! TERRIBLY SORRY I kept you guys waiting forever! Just hit me when some person sent me a private message and I just HAD to do this or else I'll be disappointing you guys.
Thanks for the lovely reviews, and I'm not going to reveal anything. Go on guessing HAHA :D GAH. It's getting mushy. I just might stop :x