While Marcus was away, Hermione missed him terribly. Despite helping Harry try to decipher the clue of the second task, Marcus is always on her mind. It makes her wonder, is it okay to miss a person this much? So, she tried hard not to, but the missing and longing didn't seem to go away. This ache in her heart is a prelude for when he graduates. It's terrible. Her days just don't seem right without him.
But there's something about their first kiss, their tight hugs, and late-night conversations that she'll never forget. No matter how far Marcus goes, those memories will be near. He has a place in her heart that no one else can have. Her Slytherin doesn't just fit into her world. He belongs there. That's when the realization dawned that missing someone is a part of loving them.
Love is a category Hermione has explicitly stayed away from. But she can't help it. These new thoughts and feelings are begging to be pondered. The idea of Marcus not being at Hogwarts next school year brings her to tears. It's unfathomable, and yet it's happening. He's doing so well in charms and arithmancy due to figuring out his underlying learning problem. He'll do well on his NEWTS this time, so graduation looms large.
Then it's quidditch tryouts, in which a team will for sure pick him up to sign a contract. There's no way a team won't do so unless he totally bombs out, but that won't happen. So basically, Marcus Flint will be out of her life in the foreseeable future. And no matter how painful the thought of the distance will be, not having him in her life would be so much worse.
Why would he want to spend time with his high school girlfriend? Especially when he could date witches close to his own age. Pretty soon, Marcus will forget her like last week's lunch. That's the other way Hermione knew this new feeling was love. His happiness is important to her, even if she isn't a part of it. It's funny because she always thought Harry was her best friend, but he's not. Harry is the brother she always wanted, and Marcus is her best friend. He knows her better than she knows herself. She's freaking in love with her best friend, and it's terrifying. Finally, Hermione understands all the love songs, movies, and books. This is what love feels like.
Needing a breather, the thoughtful Gryffindor gathered a book and left the dorm to read in the common room. And she really wished she hadn't because, after all these days, Lavender noticed the bracelet Marcus gave her for Christmas. The annoying girl pointed at it and said, "He gave it to you, didn't he? Krum did. That's so romantic but not practical. The guy is leaving at the end of the school year. You'll never see him again. Don't kid yourself, Hermione. He'll be in Bulgaria and on the quidditch circuit dating other witches. Who wants a witch that's still in school?"
Those words cut to the quick more than Lavender would ever know. Snapping her book closed, Hermione met Ginny and Luna's eyes from across the way. With a subtle motion of her head, Ginny got up and led the way. The blonde and brunette followed the red-head to her dorm room, where they sat on the bed and enclosed themselves with the bed curtains and silencing spells. With Harry busy researching for the second task and writing to Sirius, Hermione desperately needs someone to talk to for advice.
With a slender finger, Ginny also pointed to the bracelet and said something different from Lavender. "All three of us know that isn't from Krum but Marcus Flint. It's beautiful, by the way. I can't believe I didn't notice it before now. That shows how observant I am." She shook her head at the absurdity.
Then Luna shared, "I knew everything would work out in the end. It always does if one is patient enough. I'm glad Marcus's frobbskumpings didn't let his father's figgles get to him. Plus, it appears they protected you too."
Hermione thought Luna was finished with her weird creature mutterings, but she wasn't. Instead, the blonde explained something profound. For all the nonsense the Ravenclaw speaks of, she can equally say the most heartfelt and keen statements. "Your bracelet is stunning. Knots are common in jewelry design, you know. The symbolism behind the act of tying a knot is binding. It's a metaphor for love in many cultures and is a symbolic gesture signifying the union of two lovers. Knots themselves are an unbreakable pledge and eternal connection- no beginning and no end. Each is moving forward but always remaining inseparable. Your bracelet means Marcus loves you very much."
Staring at her bracelet with a newfound admiration, Hermione asked, "So did he know the meaning behind the knot when he gave it to me?" If he did, then it brings up a whole bunch of other questions.
Then Ginny remarked, "He's a pureblood. Marcus has been raised in the etiquette of symbolic gifts, jewelry, and the language of flowers. Of course, when he picked it out, he knew what it meant. My parents may not be as strict on the old ways as most wizarding parents are, but they did train us in the art of customs. That way, we'd be able to recognize it if the time ever came."
Now Hermione's whole previous head conversation about distance and other negative drivel seemed a moot point. However, "What Lavender said is true though. I won't see Marcus after this school year. He'll be on his own and running the quidditch circles. Why would he want someone like me- a muggle-born still in school?"
That's when Luna reminded her, "Because he gave you that bracelet. It means that you're close to him in his heart even though he'll be far away in the distance. It's his pledge to you."
A tear ran down Hermione's cheek as she let those words sink in. Ginny grabbed her hand and told her, "You can't just give up on someone because the situation's not ideal. Sure, distance is difficult, but great relationships aren't great because they don't have problems. Relationships are great because you have two people who care about each other. They find ways to make it work. If you love him, then make it work."
And Luna added, "Love isn't maybe. You know when you love someone. Plus, the humple bugs tend to fly around people. That's a dead giveaway for love. You have them flying around your head, even now."
Staring at her friend, Hermione wondered, "But I thought it was lovebugs that flew around people that meant love."
The blonde giggled. "Oh, Hermione, that's funny. Lovebugs are nothing but a nuisance, especially in late August and September. It's not a good time to fly on a broom because it's their mating season. They carry disease too. The best thing to do with a lovebug is to squash it. No, the humple bugs mean love."
The girls giggled and talked about the Yule Ball, Christmas, and other girly things. The day Yule break was over, Hermione sat on pins and needles, waiting for Marcus to return. It wasn't until late that evening that the curly-haired witch heard scratching on the window of her room. After opening it up wide, Glimfeather flew inside and perched on Hermione's Hogwart's trunk. Glimfeather is Marcus's great grey owl. He's named after the owl in C.S. Lewis's The Silver Chair. When her Slytherin had told her his house elf had read the book to him as a child, she could hardly believe her ears.
Hermione had to know, "Why would you want to read a muggle book?"
His answer was simple. "My Gram loves reading C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia."
Ever since that day, her heart fell a little more for Marcus Flint. Taking the letter, she asked the owl, "Does he want a reply?" Glimfeather hooted for yes. The letter said, Meet me in our room in thirty minutes. Don't eat a snack. I have something you'll enjoy.
Smiling at the thought of what he could have, Hermione wrote a short response. She gave the note to Glimfeather, and the owl bumped his head under her hand for a pet. Of course, she obliged. Her boyfriend's owl loves being petted by people he likes and trusts. However, when Parvati tried to pet him, the owl hissed and clacked its beak. It hooted a goodbye to Hermione and flew out of the room.
Parvati muttered, "Rude beast."
Hermione disagrees. Glimfeather is sweet and loyal like his owner. Throwing on a pair of black leggings and an oversized white sweater, the Gryffindor looked at herself in the mirror. She decided to put her hair into a messy bun and put on a pair of soft boots. After spritzing herself with Witches Brew 53, her second favorite scent, she was ready to see Marcus.
Not caring who she met on the way to their room, Hermione rushed through Hogwarts. Once in the room, Marcus stood tall, looking out a window. The Slytherin was dressed casually in khaki pants and an untucked white button-down. Having missed him for so long, she ran and embraced him from behind. He turned around in her arms and held her back. "This is the best greeting I've ever gotten returning to Hogwarts. Maybe I should be gone longer," he joked.
Then Hermione's grip loosened, and her face became downcast. The Slytherin took notice and stated, "I was only kidding. I missed you terribly, and I've needed your hug."
After conjuring pillows and blankets, Hermione sat on the floor. With a hint of sadness in her voice, she explained, "What you said is not too far from the truth. Pretty soon, you'll be gone for real, and I'll still be here. Why would you want a girl who's in school, especially when you'll be around witches your own age?" She picked at a knot in the knobby pillow.
Sitting beside her, Marcus took her hand and declared, "Because you're the only girl I want and the only one who matters. Is that what you're worried about? That I'll forget you and won't want you anymore once I graduate?"
She nodded. Her Slytherin pointed at her bracelet and asked, "Do you know what that means?" She nodded again. "Then you must know how I feel about you. That bracelet says everything I'm too unsure of saying out loud. I'll admit us being apart is not going to be easy. I missed you every day I was away from you; that was only a week. So it's going to be really hard when we're apart for more than that. But we'll have to work at it every day because I want to do so. I want you- you and me every day for as long as you'll have me."
Hermione wiped a few tears from her eyes. "I do want you, Marcus. And I want to work at it with you too because you're worth it. I know we're young, too young to talk about forever, but that's what all of this kind of feels like- especially with the bracelet."
His hand raked through his dark hair, and a few butterflies flew into his stomach. "Well, I don't want to say forever yet because there's a lot of connotation behind it, but one day we'll talk about that. This connection between us isn't going away because of distance, Hermione. It'll only get more powerful because the more time I spend with you, the closer I want to be to you. The only way that will happen is if we work at it. The way I see it is we're somewhere at the beginning of forever, walking towards it. Is that what you want, though?"
Without thought, she blurted out, "Of course it is. I love you, Marcus. And that love grows stronger each day."
His eyes grew as large as a full moon, and his hands shook a little. "You love me? Really love me? Me? Marcus Flint, stupid Slytherin brute who has troll blood," he commented in unbelief. Doubt loves to creep into his mind at the worst moments.
Moving to sit cross-cross in front of him, Hermione brought a hand to his cheek and caressed his stubbly face. Her eyes whispered love, and her voice did the same. "I do love you. I realized it while you were gone. And you're not stupid, nor do you have troll blood. Those are mean things people say who are insecure with their selves. You've grown into your looks, and you'll continue to do so, but I admire your sensitive heart most of all. You're exactly and precisely the type of guy I've spent hours wanting."
His eyes locked on her chocolatey caramel ones. It was a soul-stirring expressive look radiating from them. A look can be so simple and yet mean so much. There are electric currents of possibilities flowing between them. His voice belied his composure. "I don't know why you chose to date me, but I'm glad you did. I'm thankful every day for you and your love. And I'm glad you love me because I love you too."
Some people kiss after big declarations of love. It would be more than appropriate. But Marcus and Hermione wrapped each other up in a cocoon of tender affection that began with her sitting on his lap. Then they kissed a sweet, short kiss. The two moved to lie on the blankets and pillows, and Hermione charmed the ceiling to look like the night sky. They held hands, which was romantic because hundreds of galaxies collide with the touch of their hands. And their hearts skip a few beats too.
As they looked at the shooting stars across the ceiling, she wondered, "Is everything alright with your father? I know the betrothal contract was on your mind before you left."
Hearing him sigh did not put her mind at ease. It brought up thoughts of him being forced into marrying January Davenport or being disinherited. Neither of those things is positive. Lacing their fingers together, Marcus confided in her. "Well, Christmas in the Flint household was not a happy occasion. I had it out with my father and point blank told him that I'm of age and can marry whomever I damn well, please. He did not take kindly to my saying that and tried to backhand me. But don't worry because I stood up for myself. Then he gave me some verbal assaults by saying good luck in finding a witch who will have me with my I.Q. being what it is. The old man basically called me an idiot to my face and said I'm not as good-looking as my brother."
A lump grew in his throat and tears in his eyes, but he pushed them down. "Parents are supposed to be loving and caring. It hurts when your parents don't care about you. You never think that you would be the one it would happen to until it does. At one point in my life, when I was younger, they were kinder. But now I feel unwanted. People always talk about how the family is the most crucial thing in life, but I've found that it's family who hurts the most," he confessed. The lump in his throat grew more significant.
Ultimately, all a person truly needs is someone who loves them and has their back. Hermione scooted over and fit herself into Marcus's side. Her voice assured him, "If someone treats you like nothing, something is wrong with them, not you. Normal people don't destroy others, especially their own family. I don't understand how some people can live with themselves knowing they emotionally tried to destroy someone, especially when that person is your father. Home is supposed to be our safe haven, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's the place of deepest heartache. And I'm so sorry, Marcus. If I could take that hurt away for you, I would."
His heart has waited so long to be loved by someone like her. It's the way she crawls into his mind with her words of life and peace. It intoxicates him. He knew he loved her because home went from being a place to being a person. That's when she said, "You have been trampled on so many times. Yet you always get back up. You're tough enough to weather the worst storms and grow and flourish, even in your most broken places. You've shown me those damaged parts of your heart. Marcus, I'm here to tell you that it still shines like gold."
Then he kissed her suddenly without warning. He kissed her and swore she made him feel her magic in his bones. But that happened long before this kiss, with her words. He never knew magic had a taste until Hermione because it tastes like hope and joy, and peace. And he's been starving for it. A little moan left her mouth, and Marcus slowly pulled away.
When their kiss ended, he laid back down with her head on his chest. He realized Hermione is every beautiful thing that's ever happened to him in his life. It's all wrapped up in one tiny person. Hermione may think she's ordinary, but she's pure magic because two souls don't just find each other by accident. He failed his NEWTS and had to have a tutor. And maybe it was supposed to happen this way. Perhaps he was supposed to fail to be able to stay at Hogwarts another year and find her. That's deep.
So Marcus lay there, falling more in love with every ounce of who she is. From that very first meeting in the library with her tutoring contract, he knew she was the girl that was going to change his world. She showed him her magic, and Marcus chose to believe again. That's all he knew, and now all he knows is that he loves her.
