Chapter 13: Make-Ups
"Show me what it's like To be the last one standing Teach me wrong from right And I'll show you what I can me Just say it to me, say it for me And I'll leave this life behind me Say it if it's worth saving me..."
I had to atone for my mistakes. Be a man. Grow some balls. Sucking in a deep breath, I looked up at the place I had called home these past few weeks...the place I found myself heading towards if I didn't concentrate hard enough on where I actually intended going sometimes.
I had spoken to Cousin Damien. Besides proffering some half-witted advice about "kiss and make-up" the fellow wasn't even decent enough to have a conversation longer than 2 minutes due to his screaming twins in the background. Children...adorable but made to be seen, not heard...if I ever produced offspring they would be very cute, very quiet, and very small. Rather like a pocket calculator, in fact. Hopefully as intelligent, too.
I sighed and dallied as much as I could, stood outside, until a neighbour came out to ask me if I was quite alright, then forced myself to lift that heavy brass knocker.
She answered.
I wished upon wish that she looked like hell when she answered that door, that she was uncomposed from crying over me and that her face was blotched and tear-stained, but no. The wench was as composed as that first day I met her, all those years ago, her perfect unblemished skin so smooth...her eyes clear and bright and expressionless as a stone.
Inside, my heart was breaking, outside, I was acting just fine.
"Hermione...I'm sorry"
"For what?" She asked me, cool as an ice cube.
"For everything." Sensing this wasn't quite definitive enough, I hastened to elaborate.
"For hurting you. For not being there when you needed me. For leaving." A sneer twisted her pretty lips. I knew what was coming, and I knew I deserved it. I looked at her hand, and I saw my rings there. Mine. She was mine. It brought a smile to my face. Oops. She had been talking and I hadn't been paying attention, in my little la-la land, I was.
"...so you think it's funny, do you? Shit Malfoy, I should've known you would never change! Always the same, immature, conceited, snobbish...mmpf!" I cut her delightfully annoying voice off by grabbing her by the shoulders, staring intently into her eyes and silencing her lips with mine.
She tasted so good, better than a heaven sent delight. There was nothing on earth that came close. Except for that one time that I spent with her...I thought I'd died and my soul had exploded into a million pieces. It feels that way with the one you love, you know. It feels like.
slap
A whole lot of pain on my left cheek. A slight burning sensation also. And about five foot four of furious, tearful woman staring at you from her doorstep.
"How dare you"
"You think you can just waltz back into my life like that? I'm no fool Draco Malfoy, and you crossed the line!" My face fell.
"Hermione...I"
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't spit in your face and kick you to the curb right now." She breathed heavily, her voice wraught with emotion. Angrily wiping the tears away, she looked so vulnerable.
"Hermione...you're completely right." I sighed, dejectedly. Her face turned stunned.
"Wha"
"I am an egotistical, shallow, self-absorbed bastard. But I was hoping that you would change me. That I could learn to be a better person from your example. I know how unbelievable it sounds, but at least once in this lifetime, I want to know how it feels to be on the other side. To be a good person. To love, and be loved in return. I was hoping that, although I pushed you so far, you would have it in you to give me one more chance. But I understand even if you don't...I don't deserve it. All I want, is for you to be by my side. My one wish, is to be with you again, as a lover or even as a friend. I can't understand this feeling Hermione, this pain, it feels like it's tearing apart my very soul. No matter how much I want to go hurt someone else, so they can feel this pain I'm feeling right now...I can't...because everytime I close my eyes...all I see is your face"
Draco whispered. During his dialogue, he had sunk to his knees, look desperate and haunted, and Hermione felt pity tug at her heart. Towards the end, he almost was in tears.
Something whispered to her. "Take pity on the wretched bastard..."
Gritting her teeth, she offered her hand out. As Draco looked up at her, amazement and hope on his face, all she could do was give him a small smile as she pulled him to his feet.
"Come inside darling, it's cold out tonight"
Swearing to God he would never turn his back and that he would be eternally grateful at this second chance at life, Draco Malfoy allowed himself to be led by the hand into the house that he would call home again, with the expression of joy and amazement on his face that a parent gives a newborn child.
He was home. Everything would be okay.
REVIEWS:
Thanks to all who reviewed! muak muaks
MEG: Why thank you...unfortunately I haven't updated in like...erm...a year or two...for good reasons though, I promise! LOL if you're still reading...then thank you for being so dedicated!
ONLY WISH: Erms...this was not asap...I'm so sorry! (
THE SLYTHRIN DRAGON: Shit...my family was killed? Noooooooooooo TT Yeh...quite a bit of delay between chapters on this one...so sorry!! Again...gomen nasai...
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