MY LAST NAME

Chapter 22

Hermione stared at the letter in her hand. The last time she had spoken to Harry wasn't on the greatest of terms, and now this? She didn't understand. Draco walked round so he was facing her, his face now concerned and worried.

"What? What does he want?" Draco stood with his hands resting on his hips.

"He wants to meet for coffee, and talk…" Hermione trailed off. She felt like she needed to sit down; a lot had happened these past few days, hell, she didn't even know how many days had passed, everything was such a blur, and now this?

"Well, what does it say? Is it a 'tea and chat' or, 'tea, and chat'" Draco perched on the arm of the sofa, watching Hermione stare dumbfounded at the letter between her fingers. She threw the letter onto the coffee table and walked away, arms crossed with her back towards Draco.

"It says" she hesitated and took a deep breath. "It says he's worried about me, a-and you." Hermione spat out the last part quickly hoping Draco wouldn't hear it.

"Me? W-what? He knows?" Draco stood up and walked over to the letter sittin on the table.

"Draco I really don't think you should read it" Hermione spun around and attempted to take the letter from him. Unsuccessful, she watched with sympathetic eyes as Draco read it.

"We've heard about what happened at St. Mungo's… We don't think that its right you stay with him… He could be dangerous still?" Draco shook his head in disbelief.

"Draco please, it's not what he means." She walked over to Draco and tried to reassure him by placing her hand gently on his arm.

"Still?! I thought we were fucking civil Hermione how can he turn around and stab me in the back like this?!" Draco pushed her hand off him and walked over to the other side of the room, pacing as he did so. He was furious, but also hurt, he spoke to Harry to iron things out, so make sure shit like this stopped happening.

"Draco, listen" Hermione walked over and cupped Draco's face in her hands. "He wants to see me, and he will see me, and I will explain everything. Please, everything will be fine." Draco stared deep into the eyes of his one and only love and calmed his breathing and his racing heart. He nodded with a clenched jaw.

"Ok, fine." he closed his eyes.

The house was silent as they stood for a few minutes holding each other. The only sounds to be heart was the ticking of the clock and the humming of the fridge in the kitchen. It was late, and both were exhausted.

"Come on, lets go to bed." Hermione kissed Draco gently on the cheek and slowly walked to gather the few remaining things down the hallway before locking up. Draco shrugged off his coat and laid it over the arm of the sofa before walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind him. He turned on the shower and leaned on the sink as it heated. Looking at his own reflection, he was shocked and at the same time repulsed. He saw a gaunt, old looking man who's eyes were surrounded by deep grey circles. His skin was pale, almost grey and his hair looked thin and frizzed at the ends. He shook his head and climbed into the shower. The hot water felt good on his skin, he finally washed away the smell of the hospital and it seemed to renew him.

He climbed out of the shower and wrapped himself in a large fluffy towel before walking back into the bedroom where Hermione lay fast asleep. He quickly pulled on some pj bottoms before silently sliding in next to her. He kissed her on the forehead and closed his eyes.

Hermione awoke the following morning feeling fresh and re-energized. She stretched in bed and sat up slowly. She looked over at her slumbering boyfriend before quietly sliding out and into the kitchen. After filling up and turning on the kettle, she turned her attention to Harry's letter still sitting on the side. She walked over, picked it up and read it through once more.

Hey Hermione,

Harry here, look, me and Ginny heard about what happened at St Mungo's. It sounds like you both had a really bad time, and I get it, I really do. And I'm sorry you had to spend your Christmas like that. What I don't get is why you are still hanging around. I speak for myself, and Ron, and everyone who has ever cared about you when we say that we don't think that its right you stay with him. He could be dangerous still. I know he came and we had a chat and whatever, but a leopard never changes his spots Hermione.

Just hear me out, and meet me for a coffee? We can talk better then and you might learn to actually understand.

Love you always,

Harry.

Hermione placed it onto her desk and sighed as she heard the kettle begin to whistle. She stood up and made herself a tea before sitting back at her desk, pen in hand.

Harry,

I appreciate the concern, or lack of it, but what we both need right now is support, and understanding. We are both exhausted, but we are also both very much in love. You cannot help who you fall for, you of all people should understand that, please, please try to understand it…

Love always,

Hermione.

P. S. The Singing Kettle, 10:30 tomorrow, try not to be too late.

Hermione took in a deep breath of fresh air as she walked through the bustling streets of her home town. She had spent the day yesterday with Draco sorting through his medication and documents from the hospital. They had had enough and ordered a chinese to relax for the rest of the evening, but even so, being trapped in the flat was draining enough. It had been a while where she was able to leave Draco without worrying that he would have another panic attack like before, but she took a deep breath and told herself that it would be fine.

She turned the corner and saw the sign for 'The Singing Kettle' cafe and walked through it's doors. It was warm inside and smelled of fresh bread and ground coffee. There was a large cake selection as well as a variety of sandwich and salad toppings. She removed her leather gloves and searched the room for Harry. She was nervous, and felt a little uneasy but just kept telling herself she was fine.

"Hermione" Harry's voice sounded from one of the corner tables near the windows. He stood and waved, a huge smile on his face. Hermione walked over, her heart almost beating out of her chest when all of a sudden she felt his arms around her, and she was immediately soothed. She returned the gesture and held him tightly.

"Gosh, its so good to see you Harry." she squeezed a little longer before they broke off and they sat down at the table.

"It's bloody amazing to see you too 'Mione. It's been too long since we did anything like this." he sat back in his chair, his kind green eyes developing soft wrinkles. Stubble darkened his cheeks and neck, his hair slightly longer than it appeared it should be, as it was pointing in different directions, almost like he'd just taken a hat off.

"It is." Hermioned stopped and remembered why it had been so long. She had been so wrapped up with Draco's anxiety problems that she had almost forgotten about her own. She sighed and looked up at Harry, his face soft, warm and full of concern.

"How are things?" Harry took his cup of coffee and brought it to his lips.

"Well, Draco has been better, I mean, yesterday wasn't too bad but we still have a lot of…"

"Woah woah woah, I meant with you, 'Mione." Harry chuckled warmly, but his face turned serious. "I know about, him, but I also know the reason why we haven't seen each other since Lily was born."

Hermione sighed and leant back into her chair. She gripped her gloves tightly in her hand, her heart starting to pound. She could feel her palms gettin sweaty.

"Hello there can I take an order?"

Hermione jumped from her seat, the colour flooding from her face.

"Hermione, are you ok? Do you need some water or something?" Harry stood and held his arm out in support.

She cleared her throat, "y-yes, please can I get a pot of tea? Assam will be fine. Thank you." she sat back down in her chair and placed her gloves on the table.

"Sure, that's no problem ma'am. We'll bring that right over." the waitress walked away.

"Okay," Harry sat forward, "we really need to talk."