It's a little bit longer than usual, I got a bit carried away! Hope you enjoy it, leave your thoughts in a review!
- HermionesPolyjuice xo
Chapter 18
Hermione didn't realise she had fallen asleep until she felt a tapping on her shoulder.
"Hermione. You should probably get going," a voice came from slightly above her, startling her awake. It took her a couple of seconds to remember where she was and what had happened. Seeing Charlie looking down at her calmed her shock, however.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I…um…thanks for the coffee. I guess I'll see you around," she stuttered jumping to her feet.
"I'll get you to the reserve soon, I promise," he said, also standing up. Hermione smiled and walked towards the door.
"Bye, Charlie," she called over her shoulder as she pulled open the door and stepped into the bitter wind and shut the door behind her. She leant against the wall beside the door and closed her eyes, trying to deepen her breathing. She was surprised but she wasn't. she had had a hunch it was Charlie for a while and it was almost a relief to know he was there for her. But she knew her hiding wasn't going to last for much longer now that Charlie was aware of everything. It wasn't going to be long until everyone knew. She could already picture the headlines flashing across the top of The Daily Prophet GRANGER IS A MONSTER, MUGGLE-BORN GRANGER SHUNNED FOR BEING A WEREWOLF.
Hermione took a couple more deep breaths before twisting on the spot and apparating back to an alley in Enisala. She tried to put a smile on her face as she wandered down the high street and entered her flat. She was surprised to find the flat empty but didn't think anything of it. She also wanted some alone time so after grabbing a glass of water she headed to her room and flung herself onto her bed, locking the door behind her. Her mind was racing a hundred miles an hour, thoughts and thoughts racing through them she just didn't know how to start filtering through them.
She must have fallen asleep because it was a long while later that she heard a gentle knocking on her door. She grunted out a response and moments later Draco Malfoy stuck his head into the now dark room. Hermione rolled over and rubbed at her eyes to focus on him. She was surprised to see a large grin spread across his face.
"What is it Draco?" she asked sitting up and gesturing for him to sit next to her.
"I got a job," he beamed at her as he settled next to her on the bed.
"You did? Well done," Hermione said trying to portray enthusiasm but failing somewhat.
"I thought you'd be a bit happier for me," he said, his smile faltering.
"I am happy for you, Draco, very happy. I…I just had a bit of a difficult afternoon," she said trying once again to plaster a smile on her face.
"What happened?" he asked, immediately forgetting about his own news. It was something that Hermione never failed to notice, he would always put his own life on hold to help her.
"I…I met him," she whispered after a long pause. Realisation dawned on Draco's face.
"Oh."
"Yes, oh," she murmured avoiding his gaze. A silence fell between the two friends.
"Who is it?" he finally asked. Hermione hesitated. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to tell him, of course she did, he was fast becoming her best friend and brotherly companion, but that would be betraying Charlie. He hadn't told anyone, she was the first, and only, person who knew so it felt wrong to just go straight and tell Draco, an ex-Slytherin nonetheless. Draco didn't press her though and she felt no obligation to say anything for a long while.
"I don't think I can tell you," she responded quietly. She turned her head and caught contact with his grey eyes, that portrayed no kind of emotion.
"Right," was all he said before they fell into another silence, this one slightly more awkward than the previous ones until Hermione broke it a few minutes later.
"What's the job?" she inquired.
"You know the potion shop in Tibertan?" Hermione nodded.
"I'm basically just a potion maker, nothing flash really but it's something to keep me out of trouble. Don't worry though, your wolfsbane will still be a priority," he added as he caught sight of her concerned look, which immediately morphed into a grin.
"Good for you, Draco. We should go and celebrate." And just like that Hermione jumped out of bed, dragging Draco to his feet in the process of running out of her room. Draco barely had any time to register what was going on, fortunately having the sense to grab a coat on the way out, until he found himself shoved by Hermione into a booth in a small pub, neither of whom had previously entered. It wasn't much longer until he had a pint of beer thrust into his hands was sipping happily, enjoying the cool liquid and the company.
"You know what?" Hermione said as they were half way through their second drink. She was slurring her words slightly, her eyes getting wider and her hair frizzier. Draco knew she was well on her way to becoming very drunk.
"What?" he asked, eyeing her curiously as she took another rather large gulp of beer.
"Never in a million years did I think I would find myself sitting in a pub, a Romanian one at that, across from Draco Malfoy, my ex-nemesis, celebrating him getting a job as a potion maker," she hiccupped, her golden-brown eyes shining in admiration. Draco snorted.
"You want to know something, Hermione?" She nodded, unable to form any words. Draco leant over the table so his mouth was right by her ear.
"Neither did I," he whispered. Hermione giggled at the tickling of his breath against her ear. She turned her head to look at him and their eyes made contact. And something clicked inside of Draco. Even if she didn't have any feelings for him that didn't mean he wasn't going to just give up like that. He had found himself beginning to fall head over heels for the witch and there was no way he wasn't going to try and pursue whatever it was he felt. He leant forward even closer. He could see the surprise, and almost fear, in Hermione's eyes but she didn't pull away. He reached out and ran his thumb down her cheek, relishing the smooth skin under his touch. He grinned as she shivered under his touch. Knowing that she would majorly object to what he wanted so desperately to do he instead settled for planting a gentle kiss on her forehead before sitting back against the back of the booth. He smirked as he caught sight of the blush spreading up her cheeks.
A relaxed silence fell between the duo as Draco watched Hermione get flustered and take a few more sips of beer, trying to avoid his eyes. They managed to find it in themselves to pass the rest of the night, talking easily and amicably. Draco's eyes never drifted from the witch's face and eyes. He was becoming increasingly aware of the affect she was beginning to have on him, especially in her rather intoxicated state as it meant she had stripped off her jacket and jumper leaving her in just a tight fitted t-shirt. When she asked for a third drink he took charge and made them leave, knowing there was no way she would make it through another drink.
They stepped out into the cool night air, Hermione shivering rather significantly. Draco pulled off his own jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, bring her cold body into his trying to pass on some of his body heat to her. They walked side by side through the town back towards their flat, neither of them talking just welcoming each other's company. Draco lead Hermione to her bed but before he could even give her a sobering potion she fell asleep almost instantly.
"Sleep well, Hermione," he whispered as he brushed a stray curl off her face to tuck it behind her ear. He leant down and planted a kiss on her forehead, his heart racing at the sight of her peaceful face.
[-||-]
Hermione woke the next morning with a pounding head, worse than ever before. It took her a while to remember what had happened, although she did not remember making it back to her bed. She sat up, groaning as the pounding increased even more.
"Ah, so sleeping beauty has finally woken up," a voice came from the door to her room. She looked over and saw Draco standing there, his typical smirk plastered on her face. Hermione rolled her eyes, only to grab her head. It turned out that movement only made her headaches worse. Much to her relief Draco handed her a bottle of a green potion informing her it was hangover potion.
"I haven't poisoned it," he said sitting down on her bed. Hermione eyed it carefully as if she was waiting to explode in her hands. When it didn't she raised it to her lips and downed it in one. Its effect was instantaneous.
"Let me guess I drank too much last night," she said falling back against her pillows.
"Indeed," Draco smirked.
"And you didn't?" Hermione asked as she closed her eyes.
"Hermione, dear, I can handle two drinks I'll have you know," he said with an eyeroll. Hermione hit him across the back of the head.
"For that, you can bring me breakfast in bed," Hermione said.
"Breakfast? Hermione, its nearly 2 in the afternoon," Draco said. This made Hermione jump to her feet immediately.
"It's what? But I was meant to be at work at 10. Merlin, I need to go. Why did you not wake me up? Draco I'm going to kill you," she shouted hurriedly rushing around her room in search of clothes.
"Hermione! Relax. I went in and told her you were sick," Draco said reaching out and grabbing her arm. He pulled her back to the bed so they were now sat shoulder to shoulder.
"You did what? Why didn't you just wake me?" Hermione asked again.
"Why would I do that? You looked so peaceful," Draco replied honestly, knowing he wouldn't get away with a lie. Hermione punched him in the shoulder.
"But I had work. You should have woken me up," she said indignantly.
"Well, next time I'll remember," Draco said rubbing at his arm knowing he would see a bruise the following day.
"Yes you had better remember," Hermione said through gritted teeth as she jumped to her feet and started towards the hall.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked following her, still rubbing his arm.
"To get some food," Hermione responded sharply.
Twenty minutes later found Hermione and Draco sat across from each other eating their cheese and ham toasties.
"You going to tell me any more about the mystery wolf?" Draco asked as if he was simply asking the time.
"No," Hermione grunted. Draco raised his eyebrows at her. Hermione sighed.
"What do you want to know?" she asked giving in to his look, at which he let out a broad smile.
"Well, given you won't tell me who he is, you can tell me is he a wizard?"
"Yes," Hermione said not looking at him.
"Is he local?" Draco asked, keeping the questions simple to begin with.
"Yes."
"Does he live in Tibertan?"
"I…I don't know," Hermione replied truthfully. She knew Charlie lived at the reserve but where the reserve was she wasn't entirely sure.
"But you were there yesterday."
"I know but I didn't exactly take note of exactly where he lived. I had other things on my mind so sorry to disappoint Draco," she replied tartly.
"OK, no need to take that tone with me. Does he at least work in Tibertan?" Draco asked in mock surrender.
"I don't think so," Hermione murmured quietly.
"You don't know? What on earth did you talk about?"
"Other more important things," Hermione groaned rubbing at her temples. Draco was giving her a headache.
"Hm…is he older or younger?"
"What sort of question is that?" Hermione asked heatedly.
"Older or younger, Granger?" Hermione sighed, she couldn't even be bothered to put up a fight.
"Older."
"Do I know him?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Hm…is he Romanian?"
"No."
"European?"
"He's British."
"Oh, so I probably do know him."
"No, he's quite a bit older," Hermione said. She was getting close to slipping out an telling him who Charlie was. "Enough interrogation, Draco." She crossed her arms across her chest as she leant back in her chair, glaring at Draco. When they were younger, Draco would have continued but after living with her for over 4 months he knew better than to provoke her anymore, so he just left it. He would get it out of her soon. He didn't like the sound of her hanging around an older, British wizard, who was almost definitely in her pack. Who knew what would happen next between them?
[-||-]
Hermione was just locking up the book shop a few days later when she sensed someone watching her. She turned carefully, her hand reaching into her pocket to grip her wand. Even in a muggle village the other side of Europe she was still jumpy and didn't want to take a risk. She let out a sigh of relief as she caught sight of the recognisable head of flaming red hair.
"Charlie, what are you doing here?" she asked, walking over towards him.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go for dinner," he asked, stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets a sheepish look flitting across his face.
"Yes, of course. Draco's working late tonight so I'd love to," Hermione responded with a grin. The comment however made Charlie tense, something even Hermione noticed.
"What is it Charlie?" she asked, eyeing him curiously.
"Oh, nothing. Let's go. There's a lovely Italian restaurant tucked away down the street," he said as she turned around and walked off, leaving Hermione to almost jog to keep up with him. Truth be told he wasn't alright. He did not like the thought of Hermione only making her plans because of what Draco Malfoy was doing. He also didn't like her calling him Draco. And he still didn't like the thought of her living by herself with that Slytherin git.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of having dinner with Charlie Weasley?" Hermione asked as the waiter disappeared with their orders.
"I thought it would be nice to catch up some more given, well, given what we both…are," Charlie said, somewhat hesitantly. Hermione nodded, waiting for him to lead the conversation, but Charlie didn't know quite what to ask so they ended up just sitting there in silence, which Hermione finally ended up breaking.
"Charlie, have you really not told anyone about you? Or is it just your mother?" Charlie couldn't help but laugh making Hermione frown at him.
"No, I haven't told anyone, not even my best friend at the reserve, or my boss," he muttered.
"But why?"
"I would have thought you'd know the answer to that, Hermione. You are the one who ran off, scaring everyone shitless. We had no idea what had happened to you, we all thought you had died," Charlie said, almost angrily.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said so quietly Charlie almost didn't hear her.
"No. You can't just say you're sorry, Hermione. You've broken everyone's hearts just leaving everyone like that. You literally disappeared off the face of the earth. We were terrified so don't just sit there and say you're sorry. We had to learn from Remus you were fine. Why did he know before us? You couldn't even grace us with an owl saying you were fine. It's going to need more that just a 'sorry' for people to forgive you," Charlie said, his voice getting louder. Hermione's eyes stung with tears, she didn't even try to wipe them away. She knew she had been selfish by just disappearing and she regretted it within a week but by then she had made matters so bad she couldn't just go back.
"I…I don't know what to say. I was an idiot. I panicked and just fled. I was scared and I didn't want everyone to shun me even more," she whispered, staring straight into Charlie's eyes. He knew then that there was more to the girl sitting in front of him than he first thought. She was almost irreversibly broken. It was going to take a long time for her to trust him and anyone else.
"No one would shun you, Hermione. Everyone loves you. Look at Remus, everyone accepts him. No one cares," Charlie said, his voice softening as he reached out and took her hand.
"I know that now, but not then. It was a spur of a moment action and I regret it. Not only am I a mudblood but I'm also a freakin' werewolf. I would have been kicked out of society. I wouldn't have got a job or anything. I was scared, Charlie. I still am," Hermione said, tears spilling more freely now.
"Hermione, you're overthinking it. You would never have been kicked out. You're a war heroine. Everyone idolises you –"
"They idolise me because they don't know I'm a monster," she growled.
"You are not a monster. Never, ever say that again," Charlie said sternly.
"Why do you care? It's not as if you don't have your own secret either. It's very hypocritical of you to be telling me I'm in the wrong when you haven't even told anyone you've been a werewolf for five years. How do you think your family will react?" Hermione asked, her eyes glistening with more than just tears and sadness. Charlie could tell she was concerned, worried, exhausted, angry, upset and every other emotion in between.
"That's beside the point."
"No. No it's not. If you're going to tell me I'm being an idiot then you had better expect me to tell you are exactly the same," Hermione said fiercely.
"But –"
"No, no buts. Tell me, Charlie, why haven't you told anyone about you? I've left it, what five months, you've gone five years. Why?" Hermione's voice was so soft and full of emotion that it made Charlie's eyes water.
"I was scared. I didn't want to lose my job. I was in such a good place. It wasn't exactly something to put into a letter back home and I didn't go home for over a year after until I brought the dragon's over for the Triwizard Tournament, hardly the best opportunity to break it to everyone. So I left it and then I just assumed I'd never have to tell everyone," he said honestly, hanging his head.
"See. You have no right to tell me I'm in the wrong. You've left it half a decade, Charlie. It is going to be so much worse if people find out it's been so long," Hermione said.
"So they won't find out it's been so long. I'll tell them it happened in the lead up to the war and I didn't want to worry anyone." Hermione huffed in response.
"OK. I've messed up bad, but we both have. If you go back and tell everyone, I will," Charlie suggested.
"It's going to take more than that to make me go home, Charlie. Like you said, I full on disappeared. You just withheld the truth," Hermione said morosely. Charlie reached out and took her hands in his.
"We're going to get through this. Together. I promise," he said giving her a smile. Hermione smiled back, it not quite reaching her still glistening eyes.
"Thank you, Charlie," she whispered, running her thumb over the top of his hand.
"Is everything OK, here?" a voice came from the side. Charlie and Hermione both laughed. They knew they looked a sight, both with red-rimmed eyes, gripping each other's hands.
"Yes, fine thank you," they both responded together. The waiter just eyed them and walked away, very confused.
(A/N: I really enjoyed writing their interaction, I hope you enjoyed reading it! Don't forget reviews = love (and motivation ahah)!)
