Chapter Ten - Together At Last
Night shift dragged on and on and on for Draco. For the first time ever he could not wait to get out of St Mungo's. He desperately needed to see Hermione and he wanted to apologise and tell her everything which had happened in the past 24 hours.
As soon as his shift was over, Draco got changed and apparated straight to Hermione's cottage. He arrived in the back garden, and could see Hermione through the kitchen window. She looked worse than he had ever seen her. He could tell she'd been crying and she looked like she hadn't slept. As much as this scene hurt him it also gave him hope. If she was this upset, maybe she felt something for him to.
Draco watched as Hermione appeared to leave the kitchen, so he walked up to the backdoor and knocked. Hermione didn't answer, so he knocked again. He could hear Hermione coming, and waited for the door to open.
Hermione opened the door and was stunned to see Draco there. He was the last person she wanted to see. She had spent all the previous night and day trying to figure out what her feelings were for Draco and if their friendship was repairable. It had not taken her long to realise that he meant more to her than just a friend, something which scared her and confused her even more. Hermione had called in sick to give herself more time, not that time was helping, and now it was obvious to her that she was out of time. He was standing at her backdoor, and she knew she couldn't ignore him.
Hermione silently moved away from the door into her cottage knowing that Draco would follow, and he did. She headed into her living room where she curled herself back up under her blanket. The fire was lit, but he could tell by the colour that her floo was blocked. She had obviously wanted space.
Draco sat on a chair, as he wasn't sure how close to her Hermione would let him. The pair sat in silence for a while, neither really sure what to say, or how to deal with the tense atmosphere that they both could feel.
"I'm sorry" Hermione eventually whispered, "I was out of line the other day. Your marriage is none of my business".
Draco was a little stunned, he hadn't expected an apology, especially when he considered himself to blame.
"I should be apologising" he said, "you were just being a friend, trying to help me, and you did. Things have changed a lot in the past 24 hours".
Hermione looked at him for the first time since he arrived. She could see that he was calmer than he had been last time. Draco looked at her too, she looked hurt and in pain. Her eyes weren't shinning the way they normally did.
Draco stood and moved to the sofa, sitting next to Hermione, who was still wrapped in her blanket. He reached for her hand and took it in his.
"I'm no longer marrying Astoria" he told her, never breaking eye contact. "When mother and I were being held in the basement, we spoke about many things, including the life she had and the life she had dreamed of, as well as what she wanted for me. We made a promise, that if we survived we would live the lives that we wanted and not do what was expected of us. Although we both failed at the first hurdle. As soon as the marriage contract was brought to our attention we both did what was expected of us, agree to it. It was never what I wanted, and arranged marriages was something we had spoken about during our time in the basement. I told her I wanted to marry for love. I wanted a different life for my family than the one I had been brought up in and she agreed. Talking to you made me realise that I did have a choice and my mother knew how I felt, I was just scared. Choosing to become a Healer in many ways was easy. The Ministry had closed down my father's businesses after the war, there was no company for me to inherit. I no longer had a determined career. The marriage was different. I would have to say no, to go against everything I had been brought up to believe and expect".
Hermione had turned to face Draco and taken both his hands in hers during his speech. He looked at her for a few seconds before continuing.
"Mother and I spoke about our time in the basement for the first time since we were freed yesterday, and about the promises we made to each other. She agreed to support me if I wanted to break the contract, and I have. The Greengrass's were notified last night".
Hermione smiled at him, "I'm glad Draco, you deserve to be happy". Draco noticed that the smile didn't meet her eyes. This gave him hope and encouragement, maybe, just maybe she felt the same why he did. Just as he was about to speak, Hermione stood and said "you must be tired after the night shift, I won't keep you. Thank you for checking on me Draco, but I'll be at work tonight so I'll see you later".
Draco was stunned, he didn't want to leave. He had so much more he wanted to say. Hermione had headed out of the living room and into the kitchen. He could hear her pottering around, making a cup of tea. He stood and followed her, determined to make her listen to him.
As he entered the kitchen he could see Hermione pottering around, not really doing anything but trying to look busy. He walked over, put his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her to face him.
"Hermione, it wasn't just the conversation in the dungeon with Mother that made me change my mind, it was something a very good friend, in fact my best friend, said. She told me It's your life Draco, you are allowed to have a say. No one should have their life dictated to them. Isn't that part of what we all fought for?"
Hermione looked at him as he recited what she had said word for word a few nights earlier. "You were right, it was my life, and I had fought hard to have the life I wanted, and I had to stand up for that. You gave me the strength to do that" he said with a smile.
Hermione smiled back at him, and said quietly "I'm glad".
Draco pulled her into a hug, needing to feel her close to him, and Hermione responded. Both of them couldn't believe how natural and safe it felt, and neither wanted to move. Eventually Draco moved back slightly, keeping Hermione in his embrace, and whispered, "there is one more thing I want".
Hermione looked up at him, and he smiled as he leaned in to kiss her, his heart pounding with relief when she kissed him back.
AN: I think there is only an epilogue to go... let me know what you think :)
