Chapter five… And he cried
Hermione and Draco apparated straight to the front gate of the Potter's cottage. They were greeted at the door by an excited Ginny who took Hermione into a huge embrace.
"So good to see you!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Malfoy welcome!" Ginny was grinning wildly from Draco to Hermione. Hermione loved Ginny. No matter what, Ginny always trusted Hermione's judgment, and when Hermione said Draco was a loving and wonderful man, Ginny took her word for it and welcomed him with open arms. Which is more than can be said for Harry.
Harry stood behind Ginny and took Hermione's coat.
"You look stunning Hermione!" Harry said.
"Thankyou Harry" She beamed and gave him a peck on the cheek.
Draco walked over to Harry and gave him a gruff approval and held his hand out.
"Potter." Draco said.
Harry stared at his hand in silence for a few seconds as Ginny and Hermione anxiously looked on. Draco still wasn't the least bit fond of 'The chosen One' but he was Hermione's friend and Hermione mattered more to him than any grudges he held.
Harry slowly held his hand out and shook Draco's.
"Malfoy." Harry nodded.
Ginny and Hermione let out a sigh of relief. It was more than either of them had expected from the two childhood rivals.
"Lets eat then!" Ginny said and bounced off into the kitchen.
Ginny had inherited her mothers fabulously cooking skills as the two couples sat through a delicious three course feast.
"Mrs Potter that was the best meal I have ever had." Draco exclaimed as he finished off his trifle and Ginny magically made their empty plates disappear.
"I wish my Mum cooked, the trifle the house elves made doesn't even come close to yours!" Ginny grinned and was just about to reply with how flattered she was when she heard Harry mutter under his breath.
"Bet her cooking would come in very handy in Azkaban. Cook up a feast for the dementors."
Harry had no idea everyone had heard him as he continued to stare at the table. Hermione and Ginny were burning holes into his skull with their stares. He looked up to see Hermione's look of disgust for him and Ginny's crestfallen face as her husband had ruined her dinner party.
Draco stared at the opposite wall. His eyes glazed over and his face grey and emotionless at the mention of his mother locked up in Azkaban.
"Harry James Potter you pompous arsehole!" Ginny screamed at her husband.
"In the kitchen! Now!"
Harry quickly moved from his seat and headed to the kitchen Ginny in tow. It was followed by the sound of Ginny's threats of hexing Harry's arse as Harry stood their saying nothing, knowing he had crossed the line. Narcissa had saved Harry's life during the war by lying to Voldemort. She didn't deserve to be in Azkaban and Harry was kicking himself for what he had said. His spite for the teenage Malfoy just got the better of him.
Hermione stared over at Draco whose eyes hadn't moved from the wall. She reached out and took his hand in hers.
"Draco? Are you alright baby?"
Draco didn't say anything. He simply turned and faced Hermione his grave, grey face giving nothing away.
Draco tried everyday not to think of his mother locked up in Azkaban. His father could rot in there for eternity, but his mother didn't deserve it.
"Oh Draco." Hermione whispered as her eyes brimmed with tears for him thinking of the pain he must feel.
She went and curled up on his lap and his arms wrapped around her as his head fell to her chest and he cried. For the first time in his life, Draco Malfoy cried. Hermione had managed to break down the emotional walls he had put up as a child just with her love. Tears streamed down his face for all the times his father had brutally beaten and tortured him. They streaked across his cheeks for all the times he had tortured the woman he loved so much. Draco's tears soaked Hermione's shirt for all the times Draco had watched Voldemort torture and kill innocent people in the Manor. Droplets fell to the floor for his mother who spent her life rotting away in Azkaban, her soul slowly being eaten away by dementors, and Draco cried because he felt love so strong for somebody, that he could hardly breathe.
From the kitchen doorway Ginny and Harry watched silently as Draco let out all the pain he had held in since he was a child to Hermione. Harry finally understood Hermione's decision and found respect for Draco he never thought he would have. Ginny clasped Harry's hand in hers and whispered.
"I told you so."
Harry shook his head in shame and pulled the woman he loved into a tight embrace as they walked out to the kitchen.
A/N: What'd you think aye? Not sure? Well tell me so! I dont care if you love it or loathe it just tell me! Pweez... (pout) Ron and Pansy's wedding is in a few chapters and it is one of my favouritest ever chapters in the whole book. So review and read on!! Hurrah!