Always

The cold rain slashed across my skin as I sat still on my bench. The weather had changed drastically in the last two days, but I hadn't moved. I felt frozen in my spot just thinking of her. Pondering all that she had done and all the love she had to give. Once I had started thinking of her, I'd found it hard to stop. I couldn't lose this little warmth in my heart that being here brought me. I didn't care that my shirt was stuck to my chest or that my skin was frozen. This had been the first time I'd felt close to her, the first time I'd felt a small bit of peace.

"Excuse me sir are you ok?" I jumped at the sound of the man's voice as he stood over me. I hadn't even noticed him leaving the house or walking up to me, I'd been so deep in thought. I stared at him blankly for a few moments trying to think of an answer. He was probably wondering why I was staring at his house in the pouring rain.

"I'm sorry I was just reminiscing about the girl that use to live here." I said gesturing towards the house and trying to sound friendly. I knew I probably sounded insane, but a large part of me didn't care.

"You know the girl that lived here?" The man said sounding curious. Perhaps he wondered who had lived here before them, perhaps he'd heard about them on the muggle news. I took in his appearance for a few seconds. He wasn't too old, late twenties or early thirties, he hard light brown hair and brown eyes. He was well dressed, and very clearly didn't struggle for money.

"Hermione? Yes, I loved her." I replied absentmindedly thinking of her eyes, her smile, her laugh. It still hurt to think of her, but it was the only comfort I could hold onto.

"How did you know she was here?" My breath caught in my throat at his words. Was he joking? Was I dreaming?

"She's here?" I stuttered refusing to allow that little bubble of hope to grow any further.

"Yes, she arrived badly injured, she begged us not to take her to a hospital and luckily my wife's a doctor. We've done our best but it's a slow process. I thought that's why you were here?" I couldn't breathe, this couldn't be real. She couldn't be alive. Surely someone would have known she was alive.

"I thought she was dead." I muttered feeling ashamed as the words left my mouth. Maybe I should've known. I knew something hadn't felt right, I should've fought harder to find her.

"Come, you can see her. She's been in and out of consciousness but I'm sure she'd be glad to have someone she knows close by. I'm Aiden Blackwell by the way." I stared at him as he turned to go back to the house trying to process everything, still a little scared of feeling hopeful.

"How do you know you can trust me?" I said quickly as panic flooded through me. He could be putting her at risk, and he wouldn't even know it. What if I had been someone else?

"My wife is the love of my life and for a few years life pulled us in different directions, losing her meant that I lost me. I've seen the look in your eyes, that's the look of a lost love. You can be trusted." My jaw dropped at his words. He was clearly an intelligent man and at that point I decided not to challenge him further. Silently I nodded and followed the man through the door.

The house looked so different from the last time I'd been here. It seemed more open and the décor was carefully placed and modern. The last time I'd been here it had been in ruins, and I'd helped make it that way. Trying to push those images out of my mind I followed Aiden upstairs. He led me to the first floor and a shut door that sat right opposite the stairs.

"Ready?" He said quickly, his hand on the door. Part of me wanted to say no and just keep that tiny bubble of hope alive just in case it wasn't her, but I knew I couldn't stand out here forever. I'd have to face it eventually. Unable to find the right words I simply nodded, taking a deep breath as the door was pushed open.

It was her. Cuts and bruises covered her body and her arm was heavily bandaged as she slept peacefully in the middle of a large double bed that sat perfectly in the middle of the light room, its brightness unaffected by the terrible weather outside. Trying to catch my breath I stood watching her chest rise and fall.

"You can sit by her if you'd like." The Aiden guy said as he gestured towards an armchair next to the bed. I felt frozen to the spot as if giving my heart chance to catch up with my mind.

"I'll grab you a towel and some new clothes." He muttered quietly, heading across the landing towards the other room. As if walking on ice, I carefully walked around the bed, not taking my eyes off of her. All the pain and hurt from the last few days faded away, she was here, she was safe, she was breathing. Not wanting to ruin the chair I waited until Aiden returned with a towel before sitting down. Being in a muggle house, I couldn't exactly wave my wand and dry myself so I quickly slipped into the en suite bathroom and dried off, changing into the clothes he'd given me, a pair of green jogging bottoms, a white shirt and a lime green zip up hoodie. They fitted perfectly and I let the warmth slide across my body.

Finally, I sat down next to her, taking her bandaged hand in mine.

"Thank you, for the clothes, for helping her, for everything." I said quickly reminding myself how much this family had done for Hermione.

"That's ok. I'll get your clothes washed for you and bring you some tea up. I'm just glad we've been able to help her." Aiden said as he grabbed my soaking wet clothes and left the room once more. I took in the beauty in front of me and found myself appreciating every breath she took. I would never lose her again. I'd do anything to keep her safe.

I sat for hours just watching as she slept. Aiden came and sat with me for a bit and checked on her bandages, apparently, he was under strict orders from his wife, who would be home shortly. The sun was just breaking through the dark clouds in the late afternoon when at last, Hermione's beautiful brown eyes opened. She winced slightly and looked around grogily before her eyes met mine and she managed a weak smile.

"You found me." She said, her voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I'll always find you."

******end of chap****

Hey guys! Just a short chapter! Sorry for the sadness in the last few chapters I just really wanted to explore the full depth of emotions that Draco had but there's hope! More coming soon, I hope you enjoyed! Stay safe everyone xoxo