Disclaimer: Not mine. Not yours. Only JK Rowling's.
A/N: Yes, yes, I know, I only updated Time's Up! after a long, long time. I'm so sorry, it's just that I'm very, very busy these past few days. Yeah, my reason might be getting old already but I swear that's the truth. Schoolwork, updating my iPod nano 3rd gen, reading books, doing some important activities... it's just that I don't find any free time anymore to do my story. Anyway, just be happy I'm here because honestly, I'm happy I updated already. I'm really sorry... Just, read this chapter. It's longer than the other chapters, just to make all of you happy. Enjoy! And review afterwards, okie?
Goodbyes and Promises
June 11, 1990
Hermione was pacing back and forth in her dungeon cell. Merlin was supposed to meet her now. Merlin was supposed to get her out of this… this horrible, horrible cell! But no, Merlin was not in sight and now, Hermione was getting more and more worried.
'Okay, Merlin told me he'll be here today in the morning,' she thought, frowning. She stopped pacing and then sat down on the cold floor, her back resting against the wall. 'He told me he'll be here today but he's not yet here!' Hermione stood up again and started to pace again. Seriously, she was starting to hyperventilate. 'Okay, Hermione, calm down. Calm down. He'll be here soon. Merlin promised you, Hermione. He promised you. He'll be here soon.'
The door of her cell opened with a loud squeak, making Hermione shriek aloud and jump because of surprise. Hermione whirled around until she came face-to-face with Lucius Malfoy.
"Well, well, well," the older Malfoy drawled, quirking one, pale eyebrow. "You're a little jumpy today, Miss Hermione. Is there something wrong?" Lucius gray eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Or, are you planning a way to escape from this dungeon cell?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes, too, feeling slightly brave. "So what if I am?" she spat venomously.
Lucius released a mirthless laugh. "As if you can, Miss Hermione," the older Malfoy said. "You don't have a wand, which, by the way, surprised me greatly because I have a feeling you're quite clever. Tell me, since you don't have any wand, are you a Muggle? But actually, I think you are witch."
"Yes, I am," Hermione said coldly and tersely.
"Ah, so I am right," Lucius answered. "There's no way that a Muggle will put absurdities inside my son's head." A wide smirk formed on the older Malfoy's face. "Then, pray tell, do you study in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, or, in Durmstrang Institute of Magic, if you are not a Mudblood?"
Hermione cringed when Lucius Malfoy said that insult. Her glare darkened. "What is this? An interrogation or something?" she spat again.
"Oh, no, Miss Hermione, I'm just curious," he said, his smirk widening. Hermione had a great urge of wiping that smirk off of his stupid face.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Hermione quoted, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"I'm no cat," Lucius shot back, his eyebrows raised. "And tell me your answer, Miss Hermione. It's rude not to answer a question."
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'He has no right to say what is rude or what isn't because he's way ruder than anyone else is here in the whole wide world… well, second since Voldemort is the first,' the brunette thought with a sigh. "I'm studying in Hogwarts."
"Ah, Albus Dumbledore. I wonder if he's doing well," Lucius mused loudly.
The young woman snorted loudly. 'Yeah, right,' she thought. 'I'm guessing that maybe he's thinking when Dumbledore will retire so that he can take over Hogwarts. Sorry, Lucius Malfoy, but Professor Dumbledore will never retire so that he can give his position to you' – Hermione immediately frowned – 'I forgot. He died and Severus Snape took over.' Hermione sighed.
"What year are you in?" he asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes but answered him anyway. "7th and last year."
"Do you have a position in Hogwarts?" Lucius continued to ask.
The brunette looked smug. "Of course," she proudly said. "I'm Head Girl."
"Hmm… you must be clever," the old Malfoy said, looking at the brunette with interest in his eyes. "And, what house are you in?"
Hermione grinned. She knew her answer would piss Malfoy off. "Gryffindor. And I'm a proud one," she answered. She watched in glee as Lucius Malfoy's eyes narrowed into thin slits again.
"Gryffindor, how unfortunate," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I think you'd rather be in Slytherin than in Gryffindor because of that biting tongue of yours."
Hermione didn't know if he was complimenting her or insulting her so she just chose to be silent. The brunette watched as Lucius started to circle her, as if a predator watching his prey. Hermione gulped silently as the older Malfoy continued to stare at her intensely. And then, he stopped just right in front Hermione. "I smell Mudblood," he said, a look of disgust flitting on his face.
The brunette gasped… she had to because Lucius Malfoy guessed right. "I-I am not!" she protested, avoiding eye contact.
Lucius Malfoy snorted. "Do you think you can deceive me, Miss Hermione?" he asked her. "I'd encountered a lot of Mudbloods in my past life. I already know who a Pureblood is from a Mudblood."
Hermione glared so darkly. If looks could kill, Lucius Malfoy would be six feet under the ground already. "Take that back, you bastard," the brunette hissed, her voice dropping into octaves. "So what if I'm a Muggle-born… or a Mudblood as you high and mighty Purebloods fondly call us? So what if I'm not born like you? So what if I'm not born as a Pureblood?" Hermione stopped to release an enraged, mirthless laugh. "Actually, I'm so, so glad I'm not born as a Pureblood. I'm glad I'm not born like a heartless, loathsome bastard… I mean Pureblood," she snarled. "Now, take that back, you no-good jerk. We, Mudbloods, are not dirty like what you describe us." She unwaveringly took a step towards the older Malfoy. "Breaking news, Malfoy, you are the one who is dirty" – Lucius Malfoy's face crumpled in anger – "Making Draco think that Lord Voldemort should be the one who should be worshipped? Oh please, that's the dirtiest deed I'd ever heard in my whole life."
SMACK!
A resounding slap echoed around the dark, damp dungeon cell. Lucius Malfoy had slapped Hermione Granger. Because of the strong impact of the older Malfoy's hand against Hermione's cheek, the brunette bit her tongue accidentally, thus, making it bleed. Hermione spat blood on the dungeon floor and glared at the older Malfoy. "What? Did I hit a nerve? Oh, I'm so sorry," she said sarcastically. "I didn't know that I made you angry."
"Enough!" Lucius bellowed, chest heaving.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Hermione continued, not bothering to extinguish the burning fire in front of her. "You are just a poor excuse of a father!"
"I SAID ENOUGH!" the older Malfoy bellowed again.
Hermione raised her voice more. "You should be imprisoned in Azkaban!" the brunette exclaimed. "I wish you are not the father of Draco! I wish he grew up in a family where they didn't see him as just a possession but someone who is worthy of love! I wish he grew up in a family where his father doesn't control his life! I wish he grew up in a family where his mother doesn't think about how she bloody looks but the safety of her own son!" Hermione was sobbing freely right now. "I-I wish He placed Draco in a family who will l-love him with all their hearts! I-I wish… I-I wish Dr-Draco…"
"CRUCIO!" Lucius shouted. He had had enough. He had heard enough. All he wanted to do right now was to punish Hermione for telling him things that he didn't want to hear. All he wanted to do right now was to shut the brunette's mouth.
"AHHHHH!" Hermione screamed as she fell on the floor and curled into a ball. 'S-stop! It hurts!' she exclaimed in her mind. More tears streamed down the brunette's face. 'The pain… please, somebody stop it!'
And thankfully, it did.
The brunette was breathing heavily right now. Her whole body was hurting. It was as if hundreds and thousands of needles were pricking her body. Hermione released a broken, loud sob and slowly opened her eyes. Even doing this was bloody painful.
Instead of seeing the smirking, angry face of Lucius Malfoy, all Hermione saw was the kind and worried face of the old wizard she greatly admired. "Oh Merlin," she whispered as more tears streamed down her face.
The old wizard crouched down and carried the brunette. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger. I'm sorry I arrived late," Merlin said.
Hermione's answer was a soft sob. At the corner of her eyes, she saw Lucius Malfoy's unconscious body. She softly whimpered at the sight of him.
"Don't worry, Miss Granger, he will be unconscious until you already went back to year 1998," the old wizard reassured. Hermione only sniffed. "For now, please take some rest." With the usage of his wand, Merlin made Hermione unconscious, too.
Hermione slowly woke up. At first, she blinked her eyes five times, adjusting her eyes from the blinding light. Slowly, she sat up and looked around. To her relief, she was back to her temporary bedroom in her temporary house. Hermione remembered the incidents a while ago. She remembered provoking Lucius Malfoy. And of course, she remembered the Cruciatus Curse. Hermione flinched. It was her first time being placed under the Cruciatus Curse and honestly, she didn't want to be placed under it anymore.
"Are you all right now, Miss Granger?"
The brunette looked at her left and to her surprise. Merlin was comfortably seated on one of the chairs in her room. She nodded her head and allowed herself to show a small smile. "Yes, Merlin. I'm all right now," she answered the old wizard.
Merlin returned her smile. "I'm glad," he said.
Hermione's smile grew and then she looked around her bedroom. It was weird but really, she had missed her temporary bedroom. Hermione hugged her pillow tighter and snuggled under her bedcovers. The brunette released a satisfied sigh. She missed her comfy and soft bed, too.
And then, her eyes landed on her calendar. Hermione's blood ran cold as she stared at her calendar. "Merlin…" she slowly said. She was afraid of the old wizard's answer. "What's the date today?" She slowly rolled on her other side so now, she was facing Merlin.
"11th of June," Merlin answered.
Hermione gasped and sat up immediately. She stood up from her bed and wore her slippers. "Oh god, I need to go to our meeting place right now! Draco might be waiting for me already!"
"Miss Granger, I – "
"I'll be back before dinner, Merlin! Goodbye!" And with that, Hermione was out of her temporary bedroom.
Merlin just sighed.
Draco was seen seated on the gazebo in the Malfoy garden. Again, a faraway look was seen on his face as he gazed somewhere outside the manor. 'I wonder if Hermione's waiting for me right now,' the blond thought, now drumming his fingers on the table.
"Young Master Draco?" Dobby gingerly said, capturing the little blond's attention. Draco immediately whipped his head towards his personal house-elf with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah?"
"Won't Young Master Draco really go now?" the house-elf asked, casting his eyes downward. He was refusing to look at the youngest Malfoy in front of him.
"What do you mean, Dobby?" Draco asked, eyes raised as he stared at his personal house-elf questioningly.
Dobby looked uncomfortable under his master's scrutiny. "We-well… won't Young Master see Miss Hermione right now?" The little house-elf gulped obviously and soundly as he noticed that Draco stiffened a little and looked out of the window of the gazebo.
"I told you she won't show up today," Draco firmly said, wanting to believe it also. "And I told you that I'll see her tomorrow. If she didn't show up, then I won't go to our meeting place anymore." The little blond looked at his feet and released a sigh. "Maybe, she really won't show up anymore." He scratched the back of his neck and looked at Dobby. "What if I won't go tomorrow, too?"
Dobby shook his head violently. "No! No! Young Master! What if Miss Hermione will be waiting for Young Master tomorrow? No! You will go there tomorrow and meet Miss Hermione!"
"But what if…" he stopped and sighed. "Oh, I hate 'what ifs'," he told his personal house-elf. He looked at Dobby squarely in his eyes. "But, you know what Dobby? I have a… feeling that… that Hermione's waiting for me right now."
The little house-elf's eyes lit up. "Then, why doesn't Young Master see Miss Hermione now! Maybe Miss Hermione's waiting for Young Master now!" he exclaimed in excitement.
"Nah," Draco said, waving a dismissive hand. "She won't come," he said, though, a doubtful look crossed his face. Sadly, it disappeared immediately.
Hermione was wringing her right wrist right now. Why shouldn't she? Draco wasn't showing up at all. The brunette stood up and started to pace back and forth. Actually, her eyes were stinging already. 'All right, you're being ridiculous Hermione,' the brunette scolded herself. Even if she did this, a stubborn tear slipped down her right eye. She hastily wiped it away with the back of her hand and finally sat down on the bench again.
She waited more and more but sadly, as more seconds… minutes… hours… passed by, the little boy she was waiting for was still not showing up.
The brunette was starting to get panicky and paranoid. 'What if he was injured?' she screamed inside her bed while running a hand through her hair in frustration. 'What if he has a fever or… or… oh my god! What if he is suffering from dragon pox now and I have no idea?!' Hermione stood up right now and started to worry more. 'No, no, no. That's ridiculous. Where will he get dragon pox, anyway?' Hermione released a frustrated sigh and held her head with both of her hands. She now released a loud sound that can be classified between a sob and a groan. 'What if Lucius bloody Malfoy abused Draco again?! For the love of all who are loved, why can't he just leave Draco alone? Why the burning hell is he abusing his son, anyway? Stupid, stupid, Lucius Malfoy. I wish he doesn't exist at all!' Hermione released another frustrated shout and clenched her teeth tightly. 'For Pete's sake, I think I loathe him more than Voldemort himself now!'
Hermione stood up again and debated whether to go to the Malfoy Manor or not. She knew that, as what Merlin told her, Lucius Malfoy was currently unconscious in one of the dungeon cells (which she had just occupied a while ago) and he would wake up right after she went back to her real time so, that mean that going to the Malfoy Manor was safe. But still, Hermione had a feeling she would still be unwelcome to go to that old Manor.
The brunette sighed. She looked at her watch. It was almost six pm. Hermione stood up and started to walk back to her temporary house. Her face was facing downward, eyes trained on her ballet flats. She really, really was worried but the brunette thought that Draco had a reason why he didn't show up today. And Hermione had a feeling she knew what it was.
She opened the main door of her temporary house and was greeted by Merlin who was sitting on one of the couches and staring at the fireplace.
"Mr. Malfoy didn't show up, eh?" the old wizard asked.
Hermione's face crumpled and she started to cry. Merlin looked up immediately, alarmed as he watched the brunette sitting down on one of the couches, too. The brunette buried her face with her hands and continued to cry. Merlin immediately stood up and knelt down in front of the crying brunette.
"Now, now, Miss Granger, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that little Mr. Malfoy planned not to show up today," the old wizard said.
"What?" Hermione asked, her voice a little muffled.
Merlin sighed. "Okay, Miss Granger, I'm sorry I didn't immediately come to your rescue when you were imprisoned in one of the dungeons in the Malfoy Manor. Fate made me busy because of some important matters. But I came to your rescue, didn't I?" The old wizard started to pat Hermione's back comfortingly. "The days when you were in the dungeon, Mr. Malfoy was confused because you didn't show up. I know this because all the things that happen between you and Mr. Malfoy in this year are recorded in my cauldron." Merlin paused when Hermione looked at him questioningly, face wet and eyes red because of crying. "Mr. Malfoy jumped into conclusions, Miss Granger. He thought that you were avoiding him… he thought you didn't want to see him anymore because he kissed your cheek and told you he likes you." Merlin allowed himself to softly chuckle while Hermione sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "He thought that from June 8-10, you didn't want to see him. And so, he made up his mind. He will not show on the 11th… today." Hermione released another sob. "But do not worry, Miss Granger. He will show up tomorrow. He promised that."
Hermione sniffed. "Are you telling the truth?" she asked while rubbing her right eye.
"Yes, I am. I promise," Merlin said, a small smile forming on his old face.
The brunette heaved a huge breath. "I just want to see him before I go back and see my real fate, Merlin," Hermione said. "Yes, all right, I admit. I'm in love with Draco Malfoy. I always wished that he's in love with me, too. Funny and ridiculous, isn't it?" She paused as she softly coughed. "But I already know that that won't happen. And then, this… this incident happened. You offered me a mission to change his heart. And so, I did, even if I'm slightly reluctant at first. Because of that, I met the ten-year-old little boy I care so much." Hermione allowed herself to make a small smile. "And those days when I was with this boy, I allowed myself to think that maybe… just maybe… his seventeen-year-old self has feelings for me, too. Which is ridiculous, if you ask me." She released a small chuckled and looked at Merlin through her tear-stained face. "I really just want to see him before I go back, Merlin. Because… because… maybe if I go back already, I might be" – Hermione obviously gulped – "dead or… or if not, maybe, he will continue to be the same jerk he was in school."
Merlin sighed and patted Hermione's back. "Well, let's just see."
Draco was now seen in the great dining room in the Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was also with him, happily eating her dinner.
"Oh goodness, Draco!" Narcissa gushed excitedly, eyes lit up because of excitement. "Did you know that the mother of Pansy, you know, the Pansy Parkinson you were supposed to get married with once you grow old, was seen with another man? Oh that's a real revelation! What if her daughter will be like that once she grows up? Oh, no, no, no, no. I'm being ridiculous. Little Pansy practically worships the ground you walk…"
"Mother…"
"Aww, will my little baby boy deny that?" Narcissa continued. "Oh honey darling sweet, don't be, too modest. You'll soon be the heartthrob once you study in Hogwarts…"
"Mother…"
"Oh, don't deny it again, Drakie-wakie," the she-Malfoy said again, not letting her son talk. "You know that once you grow up, you'll be a dashing, gorgeous, handsome young man. You'll dazzle people. Frequently." Narcissa released a squeal. "That's a line in Stephie's Twilight! Oh, dearie, you'll be just like Edward Cullen even if you're not a vampire! Females all over the world will fall in love with you, my dearest little boy. Don't you like that, huh, Draco? Don't you like that? You'll have many Bellas. They'll shriek your name out loud. They'll swoon if you pass them. You'll blah blah blah…"
Draco couldn't take it anymore. He covered both of his ears and closed her eyes. 'One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten,' he counted inside his head to calm his patience. 'It's all right, Draco. Your mother's becoming a blabbing fool again. It's all right, Draco. You'll survive.' He told himself. He removed his hands.
"… and Edward said…"
Draco covered his ears again, eyes still closed. He then removed his hands again.
"… and Bella said…"
He covered his hands again and counted one to ten. Again, he removed them.
"… and then he answered with…"
He covered it. He removed them again.
"… and then she answered with…"
He covered it. This time, he swore that he will not remove them again. The blond opened his eyes and stared at his still talking mother. Draco had a feeling she will chatter until dinner was done and so, he took a deep breath and said loudly, "I'm done eating, Mother." Apparently, he had cut her from telling him her most favorite part in the Twilight novel (the meadow part was her mother's favorite scene. Draco knew that because she had told that story to him a lot already).
Narcissa immediately stopped talking and blinked several times. "Oh, all right, honey. Goodnight," she greeted, giving her son a big smile.
Draco stood up and was about to go out of hell (a.k.a. dining room) when his mother stopped him. "Where's my goodnight kiss?" she asked.
The little blond sighed and trudged toward his mother to give her a 'goodnight kiss'. Once he finished doing that, Draco dashed out of the dining room before his mother would make ask him ridiculous requests again.
Once he was safely outside the dining room, he'd heard her mother asking aloud, "Did anyone see Lucius?"
Draco sighed and shook his head. And then, he walked towards his own room.
June 12, 1990 (Hermione's last day)
Hermione woke up. Without looking at her calendar or clock, she knew, she very well knew that today was her last day. Her heavy feeling and sadness were proofs that today was her last day. She dashed towards her bathroom to take a quick bath. She needed to see her little best friend. Now.
Once she was done taking a bath, Hermione wore her clothes. And the clothes she chose were special to her, of course. She now was wearing the lavender turtleneck sweater Draco gave her with matching jeans and sneakers. To make her hair a bit orderly, she chose to wear a white headband.
The brunette immediately walked out of her room and walked towards the kitchen. As usual, Merlin was there, fixing her breakfast.
The old wizard looked up and gave Hermione a wide smile. "Good morning, Miss Granger," he greeted. His smile wavered, though, when he saw that Hermione wasn't experiencing a good morning. And of course, Merlin knew the reason why. He watched as Hermione plopped herself down on her usual chair and started to tuck in. The difference, though, was that she wasn't eating heartily. "Miss Granger…"
"I'm fine," she said even if it was blaringly obvious that she was in distress. The way she bit her bread was a proof. After a few more bites and gulps, Hermione was done eating breakfast. She stood up and gave Merlin a weak smile. "I'm sorry if I'm acting like this, Merlin. It's just that..."
"I know, Miss Granger," Merlin said, not waiting for her to finish her sentence. "Oh, and, we both know that this is your last day" – Hermione grimaced – "so I will fetch you in your meeting place." Hermione just nodded for her answer. "Speaking of your meeting place, off you go, Miss Granger. Mr. Malfoy will arrive soon."
"Okay," she said, followed by a sigh and then walked out of the dining room.
Once Merlin heard the slamming of the main door, he apparated. He needed to talk to Fate.
'To go or no to go. That is the question,' the blond thought to himself as he ate his breakfast. He knew that that famous line was from one of William Shakespeare's plays. But now, Draco didn't care.
His parents were nowhere to be seen. His mother was out again, shopping with her girlfriends. His father… well, Draco had no idea where his father was.
The blond now was finished eating his breakfast. He stood up and walked towards the Malfoy garden. He sat down on the gazebo... 'The gazebo where I had my first dance with Hermione,' Draco unconsciously thought, remembering the day he danced with the beautiful brunette.
Draco sighed. He still didn't know if he would go or not. He placed his right elbow on his right leg and placed his chin on top of his hand. "Will I go or not? Will I go or not? Will I go or not?" he asked himself again and again just like a mantra.
"Young Master promised."
The little blond jumped in surprise. He looked around and saw his sheepish personal house-elf. "Dobby, don't do that again," Draco gently scolded.
"Dobby is sorry, Young Master Draco," the house-elf said, though, he wasn't looking sorry at all. Instead, a firm look was evident on his face. "Now, Young Master Draco should stand up and go to their meeting place. Miss Hermione might be waiting for you already."
Draco sighed. "No, I changed my mind. I won't go anymore," the blond said as he looked at the floor. "She won't go anyway."
And there was silence. Draco was still staring on the floor when Dobby suddenly broke the silence with a loud, frustrated noise.
"Stop it, Young Master Draco. Dobby's starting to get upset," his personal house-elf told him. Draco immediately looked at Dobby and glared at him. Dobby wavered a little but then, the firm look on his face came back. "Even if Young Master Draco does not tell Dobby, Dobby knows that Young Master Draco misses Miss Hermione. Even if Young Master Draco does not tell Dobby, Dobby knows that Young Master Draco wants to see Miss Hermione. Even if Young Master Draco does not tell Dobby, Dobby knows that Young Master Draco wants to go to their meeting place now."
Draco's glare disappeared and a forlorn look replaced it. He released a huge sigh and pouted. "Yes, you're right. I miss her. I want to see her. I want to go to our meeting place. Now, are you happy?"
Dobby just frowned.
The little blond sighed again. "You don't understand me, Dobby," he said in frustration. "You don't know because you weren't there when I k… I did that."
Dobby continued to frown.
"Hermione hates me now!" he cried.
Again, the little house-elf continued to frown.
"Don't look at me like that, Dobby!" he exclaimed.
Again, he was still frowning.
Draco groaned in frustration. "All right, fine! I'll go see her. I'll prove to you later that she won't be there to see me."
Now, Dobby was grinning. "Young Master Draco is talking nonsense. Dobby feels that Miss Hermione is waiting for Young Master Draco already. So, Young Master Draco should go now. And don't deny that Young Master Draco is not eager to see Miss Hermione."
The little blond just rolled his eyes and walked out of the gazebo. "I'll prove to you that she won't be there," he told him again.
Dobby's grin widened. "But maybe Dobby's suspicion will be right. Maybe, Miss Hermione's waiting for Young Master Draco now."
Draco was now walking, cursing his personal house-elf under his breath. A sigh would follow and then, he would curse Dobby again.
He couldn't believe he was walking towards the path that leads to their meeting place. Yesterday, he was just in the Malfoy Manor, sighing and sighing and then frowning and then sighing again. But now, here he was, going to their meeting place to meet no one. 'I'll prove to you, Dobby, that Hermione does not want to see me anymore,' he told his personal house-elf inside his mind.
Now, he was nearing the bench. But still, he was still angry with his personal house-elf. 'So what if I don't want to go?' he thought inside his head, an adorable pout seen on his face. A few more steps then he would see their bench already. "I'll prove to that nosy little house-elf that Hermione… will not… come." His voice faded once his eyes rested on their meeting place. He was staring, dumbstruck with his mouth agape.
Because, there seated on the bench… on their bench, was none other than Hermione herself. She was waiting for him, it seemed. And she still has no idea that the little boy she was waiting for already appeared. And she was still oh so beautiful. Apparently, though, he was utterly shocked to see her and so, he was staring stupidly at the middle of the road.
And because of great surprise, Draco couldn't help but to release a huge, astonished gasp. That seemed to attract Hermione's attention because she immediately looked towards the spot where the little blond was currently standing.
Draco just stared at her while blinking rapidly. He couldn't believe it. Inside his head, he was asking himself, 'Is that really Hermione?' or 'Is she really waiting for me?'
Hermione gave him the biggest smile he had ever seen. The smile reached her eyes, he noticed. But then, quite abruptly, her face crumpled and then she started to cry. Draco, still astonished, continued to stand there while still blinking rapidly. He watched as Hermione suddenly stood up and ran towards him. And then, he didn't know how, but, he found himself trapped tightly between the arms of his crush.
A blush slowly grew from his toes towards the roots of his hair. If someone would be observing, they would noticed that he was as red as the Weasley hair.
The brunette continued to cry. Draco was still clueless as to what to do. And so, he just placed his small hands at her back and rubbed it for comfort. "There, there, Hermione, stop crying now," he told her, a small smile now gracing his lips. He could still hear her sniffling soundly followed by soft coughs. The little blond couldn't help but to close his eyes and hug the crying teenager tighter. Yes, he admitted it whole-heartedly. He had missed her. So, so badly. And now, here she was, hugging him tightly, too. She might be crying but… who cares, anyway?
Too bad she already pulled away from him and looked at him straight into his eyes with a big, big smile on her face despite the dampness because of crying.
"I missed you, do you know that?" the brunette asked him, ruffling his blond hair playfully.
Draco just grinned. "I did too, don't worry," he reassured her. He strolled towards their bench while Hermione followed him. The little blond sat down on it and Hermione sat down beside him. He looked at her, a smile still gracing on his pale, handsome face. But then, it immediately turned into a grimace and he slightly glared at the older young girl. "Why didn't you show up these past three days?" he demanded, though, softly since Hermione was still crying.
Hermione stiffened. The little blond noticed it. "Y–you won't understand," she told her softly, her eyes staring down on the ground.
The little blond sighed. "Well, Hermione, you can try me," he told her.
"I-I don't want you to get guilty," she whispered, her eyes now staring straight at the little blond. Hermione noticed the panicked look Draco gave her.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes widening. Hermione noticed that he clutched Mr. Beady tighter to himself. And Hermione noticed that it was her first time to notice Draco's teddy bear. "Did something happen to you? Oh Merlin, Hermione, please tell me."
Hermione just kept staring at the ground.
Draco's eyes narrowed again. "Hermione…"
The brunette sighed in defeat. "All right, fine, I'll tell you. But don't freak out, okay?" she told her.
Now, Draco did freak out. "What did I do?" he asked. He lowered his eyes in an act of guilt. "Was it connected on the day that I told you I… I like you?" His cheeks were slowly turning into red. "I'm… I'm sorry if I freaked you out. I mean, y-you told me I should tell her… you before it's too late, didn't you? I-I shouldn't have kissed your cheek to prove my feelings. And then… and then you didn't show up for three days. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you that. I think… I think…"
"Whoa, whoa, stop," the brunette said, an amused look now present on her face. She shifted her body so now it was facing the little blond. "Okay, Draco, let's make this clear. My disappearance for three days was not connected to your… to your… err… confession," the brunette started. "I mean, when you told me you like me, I was flattered, okay? I'm not a shallow person to avoid you just because you fancy me. Understand that?"
A big, wide smile was now seen on Draco's face. "You mean, you're not angry with me?" he asked her, a hopeful look now present on his face.
"Yes," she answered back.
Now, Draco absolutely looked blissful. "So, what's the reason why you didn't show up to me for three consecutive days?" the little blond asked, though, not really angry anymore since he knew that Hermione was not angry with him.
The brunette released a tired sigh. "Are you really sure you want to know?" she asked him just to make sure. Once the little blond nodded, Hermione released another sigh. "All right… I was… I was imprisoned by…" – Hermione obviously gulped – "your father in one of the dungeon cells in the Malfoy Manor." The last part was rather said by Hermione quickly.
Then, Draco visibly stiffened. His jaw tightened. His hands were balled into fists. His eyes narrowed. His breathing became slightly faster. He was angry and surprised, Hermione could feel them. Guilt flashed in his eyes and stayed there. Hermione sighed.
"I just told you not to feel guilty," Hermione said. "It's not your fault, Draco. Really. I promise."
The blond swallowed. "How… I mean… why?" he asked slowly, trying to calm his breathing.
Hermione guilty looked at the floor. "Well, Draco," she started, "apparently, your father discovered that I know his… his deepest darkest secret." The blond Malfoy looked at the older brunette with surprise. "He knew that I was trying to convince you to… you know… tell the Ministry of Magic that your father's… one of them."
Draco released a soft growl of anger.
The brunette patted the little blond's hair to soothe him. "Now, now, Draco, calm down. I'm fine now. No need to get angry," Hermione told him. Draco relaxed a little bit, though, he was still angry.
"How did he know?!" the blond exclaimed. "I mean, my father only monitors me whenever he suspects something." Draco looked at Hermione wildly. "You're a Pureblood, aren't you, Hermione?" he asked her. The brunette was driven to look away from him because of guilt. "Father normally monitors me if he suspects that I'm mingling with Muggle-borns or Muggles. Unless…" Draco's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You… you're… Merlin… you…" he spluttered incoherently.
Hermione bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. Releasing a huge exhale, she slowly said, "I'm sorry, Draco. I lied to you, okay?" she said, now meeting the little blond's eyes. He was still shocked with the revelation he discovered. "I'm… I'm not a Pureblood. I'm a… filthy Muggle-born," she spat, slightly angered with the adjective.
And there was silence. The only thing that was heard was their breathing. And then, Draco broke it.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth?" he asked, sadness evident in the tone of his voice. "If you told me before that you are a Muggle-born, then I shouldn't have agreed to be your friend… best friend." Draco stared on his feet forlornly. "Then, my father shouldn't have locked you inside one of the… scary dungeons in our Manor." Draco visibly shivered in fright. 'And if I didn't agree to be your friend, then I won't like you. My problem will be solved,' the blond added in his mind. But, for some reason, he was glad he befriended this beautiful brunette beside him. Yes, he was positively glad.
"I'm sorry," was all Hermione could say.
Draco looked at her again, now a pout evident on his face. "Are you still hiding some secrets from me?" he asked, slightly demanding.
Hermione sighed guiltily. "Actually… yes," she answered him while staring at her clasped hands on her lap. "A lot, honestly."
The little boy showed a hurt expression again. "Like?" he asked.
"The reason why I'm not here is not because of some Head Girl duties," she answered truthfully. "Actually, I'm in a mission… a mission I cannot tell." Now, she was telling the partial truth.
Draco pouted. "What else?" he asked.
A lone tear slipped down Hermione's right eye. "I don't belong here," she told him, almost inaudibly.
"What do you mean?" the blond asked, a worried look now plastered on his face. He didn't like the tone of Hermione's voice.
"I… I belong somewhere else, Draco," she told him while her eyes met his silver ones. "I… I can't stay here. I have to go."
A surprised look was now seen on the little blond's face. "Wh-WHAT?!" he exclaimed. "Wh-when?"
Hermione visibly gulped a lump that formed inside her throat. "Now," she whispered. And she wasn't lying. Today was the 12th of June on the year 1990. Today was her last day. She had to go back to the present… where she belonged… and see for herself what her fate was. "I need to go now."
Draco looked at the ground so the older brunette didn't see his face. "You're going to leave me?" he asked.
The brunette bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, Draco. I'm really sorry," she told him as more tears rolled down her face.
And then something happened.
Hermione was, of course, shocked as she stared at the shaking shoulders of the little blond. At first, the brunette thought he was laughing. But then, she was wrong. She was very, very wrong.
Draco released a soft sob and sniffed. And then, he released another sob. And then another. And another until he couldn't control his cries anymore.
The brunette just stared, dumbstruck. In her entire life in Hogwarts, she never, as in, ever, saw Draco Malfoy crying. Hell, she never expected him to cry. Because, Draco Malfoy was a man of ice, in Hermione's opinion. He would never cry because Hermione knew that that was a weakness for him. But now, here she was, staring at a crying Draco Malfoy. Yes, he was a ten-year-old boy but still… "Wh-why are you crying?" she managed to croak.
The little blond wiped his tears with the usage of the back of his hand. "Y-you're going to leave me, Hermione?" he asked, now staring at the older brunette through his tears.
"I have to, Draco. I can't stay here. I told you I don't belong here," Hermione answered.
Draco looked at the ground again. "Is…is there any way I can make you stay?" he whispered.
Hermione shook her head forlornly. "None… I'm so sorry," she said.
"Will I see you again?" he asked.
The brunette bit her bottom lip. "It… it depends Draco," she told him.
The little blond released another sob again. "Why?" he asked, his voice getting louder. "Why do you have to go, Hermione? Are you… are you not happy with me?"
"Of course not!" Hermione exclaimed in indignation. "I'm happy with you, Draco. I swear." She stared to nowhere. "Because of you, I… I temporarily forget how I miss them so, so much."
Draco sniffed. "Of course, you miss him," he spat, red eyes turning into thin slits.
Hermione made a small smile and placed her right hand on top of his head. "Do you want to know a secret, Draco?" she asked. The little blond looked at her in curiosity. "You're so much like him." Draco looked at her in surprise. "That's why… I'm happy with you, Draco. Every time I'm with you, I remember him through you." And that was the truth, though, not exactly since the seventeen-year-old and the ten-year-old were one.
"Really?" he adorably asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered him.
Draco softly sniffed and stared at his hands. "You know, Hermione. These past days with you were the best days of my life," he suddenly said.
The brunette looked at him, surprised, and then, she started to cry again. The words he said were like music in Hermione's ears. Unable to control herself, Hermione pulled Draco into a tight hug again and kissed the top of his head. Because of this, she surprised the blond greatly. "Thank you," she whispered followed by a sniff. "Thank you so much."
The little blond made a small smile and placed a light kiss on Hermione's wet cheek. "I'll never forget you, Hermione," he told her. "Promise me you won't forget me, too."
"I promise," she whispered.
And Draco hugged her tighter.
Hermione slightly pulled away from him and looked at him straight at his silver eyes. "Speaking of promises, promise me this, too, Draco." She took a deep breath. "Promise me that no matter what happens… you will tell the Ministry of Magic that your father is a Death Eater."
Draco averted his eyes away from Hermione. "That's… that's hard, Hermione," he told her truthfully.
"Please, just promise me, Draco," she pleaded. "Lucius Malfoy will ruin your life, Draco. He will control your life to the point that you don't know who you truly are anymore."
"Why do you always insist this, Hermione?" the blond demanded.
"Because if you did this, it can help me!" the brunette exclaimed. "It can help my friends… my love ones. And most especially, Draco, it can help you. So please, please, please, tell the Ministry of Magic that your father's one of them."
Draco took a deep breath but didn't answer.
Hermione sighed. "And I want you to promise that you will really give that ring to the girl you will love for the rest of your life, okay?" she asked.
The little blond bit his lower lip. And then, he unclasped the necklace he was wearing. He removed the ring from the lace and mutely (and shyly) gave Hermione the ring. The brunette eyed the ring with raised eyebrows.
"Why are you giving it to me?" the brunette asked even though she really knew the reason. Apparently, Draco knew that she knew it.
"You know my reason, Hermione," he scowled.
Hermione just smiled. "I won't accept it," she simply told him.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because, you don't love me, Draco. You only like me, understand?" she told the blond.
"Is there a difference?" he asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered. "You're only ten-years-old, Draco. Someday, you will find a girl that you will love more than your life. What you feel for me is just a silly crush, Draco. Don't get offended because that's the truth. You really don't know the true feeling of love."
Draco was adorably pouting now. "How does it truly feel because what I feel for you sure seems like one," he told her.
Hermione sighed. "I can't explain to you, okay? You're too young to understand," she told him. The brunette ran a hand through her hair. "Remember how I acted when I told you about him?"
The little Malfoy only nodded.
"That's love," she whispered. "That's how much I love him."
Draco just frowned.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione jumped. "Did you hear that?" she asked the blond.
"Hear what?" he asked, curious.
"Don't bother asking him, Miss Granger. Mr. Malfoy can't see nor hear me," Merlin continued.
Hermione looked around wildly until she spotted the old wizard standing just beside her. "Do I need to go now?" she asked. At the corner of her eyes, she saw the curious look of the blond.
"Yes," Merlin said. "You need to go back to your time and see what happens."
"I… I…" Hermione stuttered and then started to cry.
"Hermione? What's wrong?" Draco asked, hugging the brunette again.
"I have to go, Draco. I have to go."
Draco swallowed. "Now?"
"Yes, now," Hermione whispered. She noticed a tear the slipped down Draco's right eye. The brunette sniffed. "You still have to promise me something, Draco."
"What?"
"On your first train ride to Hogwarts," Hermione started, "you might meet a bushy-haired, buck-toothed little girl who will ask for your help to find a toad. Please, promise me that you won't look at her scornfully. Please, promise me that you won't insult her. Please, promise me that you won't laugh at her because she's helping a boy who lost his toad. Please, promise me that you will be her friend, okay?"
"Why?" the blond asked, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
Hermione shook her head. She remembered the first time she saw Draco Malfoy in the Hogwarts Express. He insulted her, she remembered. He also laughed at her which had hurt Hermione's feelings since she developed a little crush for this boy. "Just promise me."
Draco sighed and nodded. "I promise."
The brunette smiled and kissed the top of Draco's head.
"Time's up, Miss Granger," Merlin whispered.
"Goodbye Draco," she said as she stood up from the bench and walked towards Merlin (which she could only see). But then, Draco stopped her when he grabbed her right arm. Hermione looked at Draco curiously. He shyly pulled her right arm down to kiss her right cheek goodbye.
"I'll still like you, remember that," he whispered followed by another kiss.
Hermione just grinned at him before she walked towards Merlin again. Behind her, she could hear the sobs Draco released. The brunette didn't look back because she didn't want to cry again. Once she reached Merlin, the old wizard conjured a portkey.
"At the count of three, Miss Granger," Merlin said. "One…" Hermione didn't take it. She looked back and stared at the still crying blond. "Two…" 'My time's up,' Hermione thought as she averted her gaze away from the little blond. "Three…" The brunette and Merlin touched the portkey at the same time and then disappeared.
Hermione blinked rapidly as she went back to the white room (she named it herself since it wasn't named at all). She looked around until her eyes landed on the old wizard. Once again, Merlin was standing behind the desk and staring at the brunette with a small smile.
"Are you all right, Miss Granger?" he asked. Of course, they both knew it was a stupid question.
"I'm not," Hermione answered curtly.
Silence first hung around the white room until Hermione broke it.
"Can't you… can't you extend my deadline, Merlin?" she asked. "Did you see Draco's reaction a while ago when I told him I have to leave him? Please, can I go back to the year 1990 and extend my deadline?"
Merlin looked at Hermione apologetically. "I can't, Miss Granger. I'm sorry. It's Fate's decision, not mine." The old wizard couldn't believe that the brunette told him that. On the first day he told her about their mission for her, she was so hesitant to the point that she didn't want to go. But then, on her last day, she was persuading him to bring her back to the year 1990 and extend her deadline. 'Ah, little Mr. Malfoy did change her,' Merlin thought to himself.
Hermione just stared at the ground and waited for Merlin to say anything.
"Now, Miss Granger," the old wizard said since he knew that Hermione wouldn't say anything anymore. He pulled out his wand and conjured a door somewhere on his right. The brunette just stared at it. "That's the door that will lead you back to the year 1998. Once you cross the threshold, you will find yourself a few minutes before Mr. Draco Malfoy killed you. Is that clear?"
"Yes," the brunette answered, though, still curtly.
Merlin sighed. "Do you want to go and see your fate Miss Granger or what?" the old wizard asked.
Hermione's eyes watered. "I honestly don't know, Merlin, so please don't ask me," the brunette answered.
The old wizard sighed again. "I know that you still want to be with the ten-year-old Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, but you can't," the great wizard said.
Tears started to pour down Hermione's eyes. "Draco Malfoy… Draco Malfoy… Draco Malfoy is a stupid bastard because he was born in that stupid family," the brunette said. "Draco Malfoy is a stupid bastard because… because he ridiculed me every time he sees me. And most of all, Draco Malfoy is a stupid bastard because he made me fall in love with him."
"Miss Granger…"
"Never mind what I said, Merlin," Hermione said as she stared at the door and turned her back away from Merlin. "I'll just… go now and see what my fate is."
Merlin sighed. "All right, Miss Granger," he told her. The door automatically opened and shouts and cries immediately filled the white room. Hermione cringed as she saw some lifeless bodies lying on the ground with bloods and filths surrounding them. Fear crossed the brunette's face as one wizard fell once he was hit by the Killing Curse. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, firm determination was now seen. Slowly, she walked straight to the door. Before she could cross the threshold, she looked at Merlin.
"Thanks for everything, Merlin. I mean that," she told him. Merlin just smiled. Hermione then turned her back away from him again and walked inside the door to see her fate.
Disclaimer (again): The Twilight series are not mine. It's only Stephenie Meyer's, okay?
A/N (again): End of chapter! Review, please! Oh, and good news, I already finished typing the chapter after this. I'll just edit hither-thither, then I can update Time's Up! already. The bad news, though, is that the next chapter for PiD is not yet typed by yours truly. But don't worry, since the next chapter for PiD is an important one for the relationship of D/H, I'll try my best to type it as soon as I can. For now, just tell me your opinions for this chapter, okie? Oh, and, fyi, there will only be three chapters left before the end of Time's Up! How sad!! I'll miss this story.
With love,
2booklover4