" You are happy, then? "
------
------
------
------
Draco walked away and clutched his wand tightly in his jacket. Something in him suddenly hurt. Someone was screaming inside, not to walk away. But the head ruled over the heart, and this was for her. Not for any other selfish reason. Hermione was everything to him.
Suddenly everything.
He loved her.
For the first time in his life, he loved someone truly.
He should have felt elated…but it was a bittersweet realization, and he had only to share it to himself. He imagined Hermione running after him in the empty hall, telling him she was going to stay with him despite the very unfavorable circumstance. " Bloody romantic, " he thought. Hermione was too practical to do that. But he had to admit, the fantasy of her running for him, enveloping him with kisses, proved too irresistible.
He veered his thoughts to something else. The signs. And he couldn't help shake the cold feeling he got when he thought about his father resurrecting from the dead. Lord Voldemort alive again…all those other Deatheaters he had betrayed….it seemed like a long time ago, and his past was coming back to haunt him.
And he thought of his mother. And suddenly he wanted to be home, alone, or perhaps have tea with his mother at their old manor, which he knew would bring back bitter memories.
And he finally decided to visit his mother again. A few seconds later, he was gone.
------
------
Hermione ran down the hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse of blonde hair. The feeling of telling him that left he empty. And she decided to be with him, no matter what. She wasn't about to lose her chance of-
There was a tiny pop. And she knew he had just apparated. But where? Hermione stared at the empty space for a long time. Then there was a sound of shoes. And she knew someone was behind her.
" Hermione, " came the voice.
" Ginny, " she said quietly.
Ginny smiled. " You make a great couple, " she began. " Oh bugger, what am I saying? I'm sorry, I can't think of anything else. "
Hermione gave a small laugh, trying to quell her tears. " You sure know how to brighten up the moment, " she said.
" Oh, Mione. " And Ginny took another step and hugged her tightly. Hermione blinked, surprised yet comforted at the same time. Ginny had never been this emotional. The last time she had been like this was when…Harry died.
Ginny released her and wiped a tear away. " It's been fairly difficult, " she said. " Ron's being stubborn, says he wants to get to the bottom of this, mum won't hear of it. She said she didn't want to lose any part of her son at all. Really, mum can be so…rigid. "
" She should be, " Hermione said. " Ron can get really stubborn anyway. "
" We didn't want Fleur to hear of this, " Ginny said. " Mum said it wasn't safe to tell her, she's only about less than 2 months away. "
" How is she? " Hermione asked. She hadn't seen Fleur in months.
" Oh fine, " Ginny huffed. " She eats everything! "
Hermione laughed, not quite imagining a rather vain Fleur hoarding whatever food she could find. But then again, Fleur could get very passionate-
" Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me? " Ginny asked.
Hermione nodded. Perhaps she could now start her lame attempts at keeping herself form hurting.
------
------
------
------
Draco arrived, rather tired looking. The room still looked the same, the furniture still the same. There was a roaring fire in the stone fireplace. A family portrait, with a six year old very serious Draco; hung above it, scrunching his nose often and raising his chin high. His mother was busy raising an eyebrow once in awhile, while his father seemed impatient, tapping his cane.
His father's cane…Ron had said…he shook his head.
His mother looked up, holding a cup of tea in her elegant hand. She set the cup down and ran for him. " Draco. "
And he felt a tight embrace, something his mother had never showed while his father was still alive. The formalities, the protocols were gone nowShe led him to a couch beside her and rang for an elf, using a tiny crystal bell.
" Madam? " it squeaked, popping up to her side all of a sudden.
" Another cup of tea, " she said warmly. The elf bowed and disappeared.
" What brings you? " his mother began. " My son…who's never visited me in weeks! "
Draco stared at his mother. Still a pretty picture, despite being past forty years old. He took a teacup from the elf's hands and said thanks.
" I suppose you've heard the news? " he asked in a low voice.
His mother's eyebrows rose. But she nodded. " I have…it sent chills down my spine, darling. "
" Ronald Weasley, " he began.
" I heard Arthur Weasley's son had been attacked, " she said, pursing her lips afterwards. " I was glad to hear no one died. "
" Someone might soon enough. "
" You apparated. Are you well enough to do that? "
" Mother, it's been a long time now, " he sighed. " I'm well enough to bed eight women in a single day. "
" Draco! " But his mother smiled. " Someone's told me you've been seeing a girl. "
" Mother, please… where'd you get that? "
" Sources, dear, sources. " And she laughed, placing her fine teacup down the redwood table.
" Tell me…who is it? They say she's quite a catch. "
He smiled and wondered how his mother would react. " Hermione Granger. "
His mother frowned for a moment, as if trying to search her memory for this girl. Had she met her at some affair? Whose daughter was she? Granger…Granger…
" The muggle? " she finally said, incredulous.
She remembered the Graduation ceremonies. McGonagall had introduced Hermione Granger with such aplomb. A muggle witch receiving top honors- the highest since the Dark Lord himself! What did Hermione Granger look like again? Unruly hair? Was that it? Was she short, slightly overweight, and pimply? She laughed to herself. Draco knew how to get his girls without her helping him.
Draco didn't say anything, he raised his teacup instead.
Narcissa was quiet for awhile. His son had fallen for a muggle. And suddenly she thought of how immature she was. This was a different time now. The old ways, the traditions and strict upbringing- she shook her head. But she wanted her son happy.
" You are happy, then? " she finally asked.
Draco merely smiled. And Narcissa knew her son was indeed happy. But there was something else in his eyes, something that told a mother that her son was hiding something.
------
------
------
------
It was the start of something big, and Hermione knew it, the moment she saw the Minister of Magic himself, a plump and bearded wizard, who looked a lot like those Santa Clause commercials everywhere; Magnus Tingle.
" Sir, " Hermione breathed.
Magnus Tingle looked at her for a moment, and then he smiled. " Why, Miss Granger! What brings you to St. Mungo's? "
" I was about to ask you that, " Hermione began.
" I'm here to check on our Aurors and hearing Arthur's son here… I had to visit personally, " he answered. Then Magnus's eyes lit up. " Arthur! " he greeted in a booming voice. " Excuse me, lass. "
Hermione promptly stepped back, as the men immediately drew to a quiet and serious conversation. Molly Weasley came up to Hermione.
" Hello again, dear. "
Hermione smiled. " Mrs. Weasley, how's Ron? "
" Wants to go home already, that boy. But I wouldn't let him go back to his flat. I want him at home 'home'. "
" Mum wants to fatten me up, " Ron said in a revolted voice. " Honestly, mother… I don't really need all that planned TLC- "
" Oh shush! You've been through a lot! " Molly eyed him while shaking a finger.
Ginny rolled her eyes as Ron practiced walking around in his room. " Mum, please. "
" And you! " Mrs. Weasley pounced on her. " I don't want you writing about little controversial things…you know…the risen you-know- ah, that kind of rubbish! "
Hermione smiled and quietly exited the room. Now alone, she had things to think about again. Like an impending war, like a battle between Aurors and the 'dark forces', like survival…like Draco.
She wondered what he was doing now, and where he was, and how he was…
Draco.
------
------
------
------
TBC? i don't know. i've been fairly frustrated at the last chapter. i was afraid nobody liked it at all. (; ;)waaahhh! make the self pity stop! hehehe. well...all in all...i guess i just have to keep going on. oh question!
1. will someone tell me what's a MARY SUE?
Fain Oakenbringer: they're still in the wizarding world, but i'm concentrating on their muggle lives for now, i found it best for the story.
i hope i update like i usually do again. i'm really a fan of reviews (urgh, can't believe i said that!) don't make me sad...hehehehe, sorr for this short chapter, but i promise, the next one will be cool...just don't make me sad...nyahahahaha! urgh! stupid self-pity! must kill evil self-pity...