I see your true colors
Shining through
She saw his true colors for the first time on their first train ride back in 1991.
"Excuse me, have you seen a toad? A boy called Neville has lost one."
"Toads are out of fashion," the beautiful blonde boy answered, not lifting his eyes from the book he was reading.
"Oh, I just finished that one," the girl with the crazy hair said, taking a seat uninvited and reading over his shoulder. "I think the theory of potion brewing is fascinating."
His grey eyes caught hers, and they shone with delight.
"Yes, it is. I'm very good at it. The potions master is my godfather, and he has taught me quite a bit already."
"Really?" the girl clapped enthusiastically. For a second, the blonde boy puffed his chest, but then she continued, "that is amazing. I have no experience of any kind. I'm the first one in my family to have magic."
The boy's face fell, and he instinctively moved back. His eyes showed a profound disappointment that turned to embarrassment when two bulky boys walked into the compartment.
"Don't you have some stupid toad to find? Go!" he spat.
Hermione felt her heart sink and run out of the compartment.
Despite Draco Malfoy's efforts to be a schoolyard bully, Hermione occasionally saw glimpses of the warmth he had shown that first day: at the great hall when he would open the care packages that his mother carefully arranged for him; when he was flying a broom outside of quidditch games; when their eyes met as she walked into the great hall for the Yule Ball in the arm of Viktor Krum.
And the darkness inside you,
Can make you feel so small.
But I see your true colors,
Shining through.
Then came the war, the final battle, the trials. She saw his eyes fill with tears when she took the stand to say that he had been a victim, that he had refused to identify Harry to the Death Eaters and let them slip through the cracks. She saw him mouth "thank you" as the Aurors escorted him back to his cell. She saw the lessons learned in his eyes when they paired up for assignments again and again during their eight year. She saw hints of something more than friendship but never dared to ask.
You with the sad eyes,
Don't be discouraged.
I see your true colors,
Shining through
She saw the intense sadness behind his curt nodes when they crossed in the hallways of the ministry. His wife was sick, a blood curse that slowly drained her magic and would eventually take her life. She saw the deep love in his eyes when it was time to pick up his toddler at the daycare. She saw the smile that lighted his face for a few minutes as he watched little Scorpius sing nursery rounds, one hand holding Albus Potter, the other one holding her daughter, Rose.
She saw him fall apart the day of the funeral, as he stood by the coffin, leaving one last rose over it. She couldn't help but break down too. She knew some heartbreak, as she was now divorced, but nothing could compare with his pain.
"I can get Scorpius from your parents' and take him to play with Rose and Al," she offered. "Give you and them some time to grieve without the baby seeing you cry."
"Thank you," he answered, his voice breaking. She was about to leave, but he reached for her. She brought him in a firm hug, holding him and waiting patiently until his sobs subsided.
But I see your true colors,
Shining through.
I see your true colors,
And that's why I love you,
So don't be afraid to let them show.
She saw the light slowly return to his eyes as a year went by. She saw it in the joy he found watching their children play. She saw it in the way he first bit his tongue and then withheld a laugh the day that her ex-husband Ron sat down three-year-old Scorpius and asked him what his intentions were with little Rose. She joined Draco, guffawing with him as they watched mini-Malfoy look his future father-in-law in the eye and declare with no uncertainty that he would marry the girl.
That day, as the playdate dwindle and they were left alone with two sleeping kids splayed on a blanket, still holding hands, she saw his true colors shine through. They were sitting on her couch, quietly sipping tea, merely watching the napping children.
"I think I can be happy again," he said quietly.
"Of course you can," she responded. "You will find happiness again."
He gave a soft chuckle.
"I think I already have. I'm happy. Right here. Right now."
Hermione felt her heart pound in her throat as he slowly leaned in and touched his lips with hers. As their mouths started to open up, a cute snore brought them back. Little Rose was now crisscrossed over Scorpius, covering his shirt with drool.
"I think they need to go to bed," she tried, not pulling back.
"I think they can wait a bit longer," he responded, covering her mouth with his.