Writing prompt - Letting go
The arrangements were made with care for every detail. Everything had to be perfect, the flowers, the music, the speeches that spoke of love and life. Nothing was left to chance. The church was filled with family and friends. People from miles away were in attendance. Though none could offer any real comfort. Not even those who were as close as brothers could offer any solace.
And there she stood at her Mother's funeral in the mass of crying people, the only one with clenched fists and dry eyes. Hermione did everything to protect her. The vile twist of fate was like a slap in the face.
Draco walked up to the coffin cautiously, then looked over to Hermione, he knew she was having a hard time accepting her Mother's death. He also knew that she had to break past the barrier in order to fully grieve. Leaning closer to her, he whispered. "Let go, Hermione." Startled by his voice and his proximity, Hermione slowly turned her head to look at him.
"If I cry that means she's really gone." She said. "If she is really gone the I've failed her." Hermione concluded.
"You've failed no one especially your Mother. It was a random act of violence. The only one to blame the bloke behind bars." He voiced in a low tone.
"But Draco…I…I don't know…" She was cut off as he turned her body towards him. "I know you are strong but now is not the time. Now you need to let go and say goodbye. Just for now… You carry her with you wherever this journey takes us." He was cupping her cheeks as his gentle gray eyes met her sad browns.
"She was my first friend…the only one who truly understood me. Even when I didn't understand myself and now… Now she's gone and… No one understands…I..I'm no one's little girl any more. I'm alone, all alone and scared and mad and it hurts…..it hurts so much…" The words poured out of Hermione as the emotions finally found their release. Salty tears spilled from her eyes running down her cheeks and over Draco's hands that were still holding them.
He pulled her close to him, she buried her head into his chest. Draco held her as the sobs racked her body. "It hurts, I know… But you are not alone Hermione. You have Potter and Weasley and… Well you have me too." He finished as she looked up at him with her tear stained face.
Taking a step back as she turned to face the casket again, she held his hand. "You won't let go, right?"
Looking down at her, he uttered. "Never."
The End
Inspired by promptsonpaper
"And there she stood at her Mother's funeral in the mass of crying people, the only one with clenched fists and dry eyes."