DISCLAIMER: I FORGOT TO MENTION PREVIOUSLY THATI DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OR THE PLOT; THEY BELONG TO J.K. ROWLING. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ENTIRE PLOT AND SOME OF THE SPEECH BELONGS TO J.K. ROWLING AND I AM JUST MERELY INTERPRETATING THEM. NO INFRINGEMENTS INTENDED.
Note: I know that this chapter is incredibly long and I fear the length of the upcoming chapters. I also know that the chapter's a bit unstable and the only thing I say to my defence is that they're only twelve. When I turned twelve, I just entered high school and I recall the excitement of meeting new people and yes, I did have crushes. Back then, simply 'hugging' another boy was a huge deal and if that is still unchanged, then Draco and Hermione's relationship is legit.
Chapter Two:: Second Year
"Hello, pretty owl," I cooed at eagle owl perching on my window steel. To be honest, the owl actually looked terribly frightening but since it belonged to Draco Malfoy, that didn't seem as important.
Hastily, I grabbed at the lilac envelope (I had never associated Draco with purple but it is my favourite colour) and excitedly ripped the opening to read the letter. I recognised Draco's neat writing, which I can now identify from millions of other handwritings.
Curls,
I'm glad you're enjoying your break and frankly, I miss magic too. Despite being surrounded by magic-wielding parents, they won't let me practise at all! Apparently I have to learn some 'disciple', which I think clashes with the 'Malfoys don't follow anyone's rules' regime.
Nothing too exciting is happening at the Malfoy Manor; it's always the same. Father is mostly attending some business meeting every day and Mother's always preparing some sort of feast as we're always hosting some event. I'm surprised I haven't died of boredom yet.
Hmm, I just realised I exposed who I am in this letter despite how we both agreed to use nicknames in case someone discovers these letters. I am beyond the point of caring. Perhaps our letters can cause some sort of mayhem and I'll be freed from this utter dullness in my home.
Write soon,
Silk
I smiled as I read the letter, imagining his pale eyebrows furrowed together as he released his frustration into the letter. Draco Malfoy isn't always the cool, collected person everyone believes him to be.
Of course, I was the first one to sent him letters during the break; I sent some to Ron, Neville and Harry too. Ron's reply (which said Harry wasn't replying to his letters) was about every four days after my letters and I realised his family has to share the one owl so poor Errol's nearly faint with exhaustion. Neville's replies were a lot faster – about every two days – but he's now in Rome for some holiday with his Gran so keeping in contact by owls would be quite difficult.
Draco's reply was always immediate and I found it comforting. To be honest, I think I can fill a whole draw of his letters but the letters were always about the same thing: the urge to use magic, feeling trapped in his home. I wished I could do something to make him feel better, but what could I do? I had also decided to use 'pen pal' nicknames just in case someone close to us finds the letter because then chaos would certainly erupt. I used nicknames based on our hair because I was simply fascinated with the paleness of his hair. I'm not sure if his hair is actually 'silk' but I can't imagine what else it could be.
And the last person I've been sending letters to: Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter. Harry still hasn't replied and I have no idea how else to contact him! Although I know something might be strange going on (as Harry's Uncle and Aunt are plain eccentric), there was also the possibility that Harry was just ignoring me. Which was a very painful thought.
However, today was Harry's birthday and I sent him a birthday message regardless. I can always confront him at Hogwarts and if decides to no longer be friends, I can live with that. It might actually be easier to be friends with Draco then.
I immediately scowled at myself for such a selfish thought. Sure, I wanted all my friends to live in harmony but to want to be friends with someone more because you liked them more, was wrong, wasn't it? Not that I liked Draco more than Harry…or do I?
I sighed. It was probably Draco's mysterious personality. I loved mysteries, always wanting to solve them, so that's probably why I liked Draco. He was the one last puzzle I haven't cracked.
I grabbed a parchment and neatly wrote back a response to Draco, conscious of the owl peering at me stealthily. Although I felt like I had so much to say and would normally just scribble it down, I was weary of my handwriting, which I know was stupid. It just seemed wrong if Draco had neater handwriting than me.
Dearest Silk,
Well I guess you can always 'sneakily' use magic, when they're not around. I would never have that chance because I will then occur some sort of penalty as stated in 'Decree for Reasonable Restriction of Under-Age Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C'. I can't wait for the next five years when we'll be free from that law. More so, I can't wait to return to Hogwarts either!
Our booklist arrives next week, which I believe is too late in the holidays. I'm sure you understand when I say I want to read ahead. You should also do that as well, not that you're not smart but to ease some of your boredom.
If it makes you feel any better, I'm quite bored too. I know you don't like talking about Harry or Ron, but I think it'll please you to know I haven't heard from Harry at all. Perhaps he is quite arrogant, like you say.
I also realised I might have to restrict myself away from my Muggle friends. They all ask 'What school do you go to?' and I have to answer home-schooled by my aunt in Dublin. I can't say any local schools because they're bound to know someone who goes there and soon realise I'm lying.
I hate lying; I'm a terrible liar too. And with our friendship, I guess I'm not exactly lying, more like concealing the truth.
Anyway, that's all I can think of to write. Let me know when you're going to pick up your books from Diagon Alley, and I'll go during that time too. Of course, I know we'll have to be careful in case someone sees us.
Love,
Curls
Carefully folding the parchment and slipping it into a green envelope (Draco has an unhealthy obsession with green), I attached it back onto the owl. I also gave some extra gold as the owl patiently waited for my response (I heard some owls peck nastily).
Over the next couple of days, Draco and I continued to send each other letters. They were all vaguely similar but regardless, they made me happy. One evening, I received a letter from Draco stating that he'll be in Diagon Alley on Wednesday. Smiling, I replied that I would be there too.
Of course, Ron had sent me a letter a few days back stating he was going to 'break Harry from his prison' and I forcibly fought the urge to snap 'perhaps he just doesn't want to see us!'. So I sent Ron a letter as well, saying when I'll be at Diagon Alley.
I was suspicious of what Harry was concealing but I'd never want Ron or Harry to be suspicious of me.
…
My heart was hammering wildly inside my chest. I just felt like a complete rebel as I hid behind the doors of Gringotts Bank with Draco Malfoy standing very closely behind me. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck and that made my heart gallop a mile per second.
"Get rid of them," he hissed behind me as I saw Harry Potter emerge with Hagrid. "My father will be back soon!"
Lucius Malfoy was a very scary character. I had saw him from a distance and despite the resemblance Draco shared with his father, Lucius radiated such a deep chill that I knew Draco would never emit.
"How long?" I asked breathlessly, trying not to press my face against the glass door for a better look. To me, it seemed like the two of them were walking this way.
"Father likes to visit all our vaults to ensure everything's still in place, you know, after the fiasco last year. I'd say an hour, but don't be too certain," Draco replied, a pace quicker than normal.
I reframed from rolling my eyes. Draco thought than an hour was soon? But I do admit that wouldn't be enough time to see him. We didn't have much to discuss as we said everything in the letter but just simply being with him – seeing him in person – I could do that forever.
"Fine, I'll get rid of them but if you want to meet up, we have to somewhere else. Harry will have to withdraw some money as I don't see him carrying any items on him," I said and then moved over as an old couple headed towards the door.
My ears reddened when I caught their words.
"Oh Jesela, remember when we were that young? Not even realising our feelings?"
"I remember everything, Lucian! Look at how cute they are; hiding from someone. Probably their parents."
I stood still frozen as their chuckles disappeared once they stepped through the door. I didn't want to look at Draco, to know of what he thought. But a quick look out the window (ignoring the old couple) told me that Harry and Hagrid were about to enter the bank.
"They're coming closer!" The tone in Draco's voice told me he had pushed what the couple said about us to the back of his mind. "Do something about them so I can slip pass. Then you rid yourself away from them, okay? We'll meet at that old accessory shop, no-one goes there."
His silver eyes suddenly grew intense and he grabbed my shoulders. "You got all that, Hermione?"
I like to think I have photographic memory but around Draco, sometimes it felt like he wiped away all my memories but the memory of him.
"Yes," I whispered.
Something wonderful shot between us at that moment as we stared into each other's eyes as if we only had precious seconds left with each other.
But then his grip on my shoulders tightened as he dragged his eyes off me to look out the doors. "Go."
With a hasty nod, I fumbled from his grasp and out the doors. Taking a few steps down the long staircase, I called out, "Harry! Harry! Over here!"
When Harry looked up, I ran down the stairs just in case he could see Draco behind the glass doors of Gringotts Bank. Also, I had to make sure Draco slipped pass unnoticed as something unpleasant would happen if Harry and Draco met.
As I neared him, I realised Harry looked slightly different.
"What happened to your glasses? Hello, Hagid…Oh, it's wonderful to see you two again…Are you coming into Gringrotts, Harry?"
I hoped he didn't have to enter the bank until a lot later but I don't always get my way.
"As soon as I've found the Weasleys," Harry replied.
I felt a flood of relief at his words (it would take ages to find all the Weasleys), until Hagrid chuckled, "Yeh won't have long ter wait."
Harry and I both whisked around until we saw a sea of red-heads. Good grief, they were panting but only a couple of metres away.
"Come on," I nudged Harry as I ran over to them. Hopefully, Harry and Hagrid would follow suit and be further away from the staircase that led up to Gringotts. And thank you my lucky stars, they both followed me (Hagrid's run almost making an earthquake in the process).
"Harry," Mr Weasley panted when Harry was within hearing distance. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far. Molly's frantic – she's coming now."
"Where did you come out?" Ron asked.
"Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said with displeasure.
"Brilliant!" Fred and George grinned.
For the first time in a long time, I was not a participant in the conversations that followed nor was I acknowledged. I normally loved talking but ever since I've confirmed my friendship with Draco, I was conscious and didn't want to draw attention to myself.
I gulped as we started to ascend the stairs to Gringotts. I had constantly glanced at the doors but when Ginny was watching me with large eyes, I stopped. So I had no idea whether Draco had managed to get out.
"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked. Without waiting for a reply, he exclaimed, "Malfoy and his father."
I stiffened and hoped that no-one noticed the colour draining from my face.
That would explain why Draco was late to the banks. We had arranged to meet at eleven but he was a few minutes late. I had initially thought it was odd since Draco was always punctual but I had forgotten it when I saw his thin, fresh face. Of course, we only had a few minutes of privacy before we spotted Harry and Hagrid.
"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" Mr Weasley asked before I had a chance to ask what they were doing in there.
"No, he was selling."
As soon as I heard Lucius Malfoy, I shuddered and forced myself not to listen to the conversation. As long as Draco wasn't involved in the Dark Arts, I was okay. I just completely detested Lucius even though I'd never spoken to him before.
Mr Weasley's dark mood lifted when he saw my parents standing nervously at the counter. I had told them that I had to meet a friend (which was Draco at the time, since they're Muggles, they wouldn't know who the Malfoys were) and Merlin bless them for not chasing after me when I dashed out the bank unexpectedly. I had forgotten about leaving them there until Mr Weasley pointed them out. He was finding my parents a lot more exciting than I give them credit for.
"Meet you back here," Ron murmured to me as he made his way over to his family and Harry.
"Wait," I said, my heart beating quite fast. Like I said, I was a horrible liar. "I'll have to do something so I may be a bit late."
Ron looked sceptical but luckily he didn't question me further as Mrs Weasley was ushering him to follow them. As soon as they disappeared to the underground vaults, I made my way over to my parents. They both looked stern and quite unhappy with me.
"I'll be right back," I said to them, my words coming out in a rush so they seemed to jumble. "Remember the blonde friend before? I realised I sent him to the wrong shop. Please wait for me and if Harry and Ron come out, don't tell them."
"I will not tolerate you running off once again," my dad said sternly.
"Oh, please, please!" I said starting to panic. I couldn't bear the thought of Draco waiting and then me not turning up at all. "I've never done anything wrong! I can't wait here knowing I said the wrong thing to my friend."
My mum sighed and she placed a hand on dad's arm. Mum always treasured me as I was their only child and she often told me I reminded her of herself when she was my age.
"Let her go, honey, she knows this place better than anyone else," she said softly to dad. Dad's jaw was clenching and unclenching as he tried to make a decision but finally gave a curt nod.
"Thank-you!" I gushed, sweeping them both a swift kiss before running out of the doors. I ignored the bewildered stares people shot me.
When I finally reached Draco, I was panting and out of breath. I know it was ridiculous but I was blushing at what I would like to Draco. A complete mess.
But for some reason, Draco didn't mention how disorganised I look. And I was grateful.
"How long do we have?" he asked.
"About ten minutes I say," I said, feeling a wave of sadness. That didn't seem like a lot of time. "They're withdrawing money from the bank."
Draco rolled his eyes and I thought I heard him mutter how one vault could accommodate all of the Weasley's finances.
"Well, perhaps you should go back," Draco said I flinched at how deep the words cut me. Didn't he want to see me anymore?
But the hurt was soon quickly replaced with anger.
"I just lied to my friends and my parents just to see you and you just want me to turn back around?" I demanded.
Draco looked back at me, coldness meeting the fury in my eyes. I tried not to recoil from the iciness in his eyes. He normally made me feel warm so why was he so cold all of a sudden?
"What can we do, anyway?" he asked in an expressionless voice. "It was a stupid idea to meet up. We can't walk around because people will spot us. There's nothing left to say as everything has been said in the letters. So tell me, Hermione, what do you want to do for ten minutes?"
His silver gaze penetrated me, as if daring me to object to his claims. He was right of course, he was always right. There was nothing we could do.
"Well, something did come up that we didn't talk about in the letters," I finally said, using my anger to fuel me. I didn't dare tell him that I had hoped to show him the Muggle world. I had wanted to exit Diagon Alley into the busy streets of the Muggle world so we were just two anonymous teenagers. "I just heard that you were in Borgin and Burkes and if you had listened and been on time, we would have more than just measly ten minutes!"
"What I choose not to tell you implies that I don't want to discuss it," Draco said through clenched teeth.
I sharply inhaled from his words. What else had Draco kept from me? Was he more involved with the Dark Arts than I thought? Was his resemblance to Lucius Malfoy deeper than just their appearance? Was everything I thought of Draco just a lie?
"Fine," I said stiffly. "This was a stupid idea anyway. We're too different, we were never meant to be friends."
"I'm glad you finally worked it out," Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Good-bye, Granger. From now on, when we meet we'll be representing who we are."
I tried not to bristle when he called me Granger. He had no idea how much that hurt me. Like we were already no longer friends, perhaps not even acquaintances.
"Good-bye, Draco," I said mutely and swept back around to crawl back up the path I took. I recited the lines from Care of Magical Creatures so I didn't have to think about Draco and how his words made me feel hollow.
When I returned to the bank, I was grateful neither Harry nor the Weasleys were back yet. I beamed at my parents to mask how different I was to when I left. I had never thought ending a friendship would be abrupt and painful but I felt as if Draco had pierced a hole in my heart.
Harry soon appeared with the Weasleys and Mrs Weasley told us to meet at the book shop in an hour. I followed my two friends around, wishing I shared the same interest in Quidditch when they gazed at some Quidditch robes in awe. Somehow it reminded me of Draco and my wounds were too fresh to think of him so soon.
When an hour past and we made our way to Flourish and Blotts, I actually squealed. There was an advertisement depicting how Gildery Lockhart was here. Today.
He was my hero; he had written a series of excellent books and it was definitely a bonus that he had the charming looks all the Muggle models and actors would envy. Ron looked annoyed at all the attention Mr Lockhart was getting but Harry looked blank. I rolled my eyes. Of course coming from a Muggle family Harry wouldn't know how famous Mr Lockhart was, but seriously? Gildery Lockhart?
I beamed in the background as Mr Lockhart and Harry took a photo (Mr Lockhart looking elegant while Harry looked uncomfortable). When Harry hastily tried to give the free books Mr Lockhart gave him (wasn't he just so generous?) to Ginny, I suddenly saw a pale figure emerge next to him. And just like that my euphoria evaporated and I was reminded of that ugly encounter I shared with Draco just over an hour ago.
"Oh, it's you," Ron sneered as we both reached their side. I wondered whether it was best if I hadn't come, so I wouldn't have this encounter also etched into my memory. "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," Draco sneered. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for that lot."
I gasped at the harshness of his words; a thousand times more insulting that him disregarding our short-lived friendship. But I didn't have time to scowl him as Ron had attempted to lunge at Draco and I had to use all my strength to pull at his jacket.
"Ron!" Mr Weasley exclaimed shocked as he made his way over with the twins. "What are you doing? It's mad in here, let's go outside."
Ron seemed to regain his calm but I then heard a chilling voice behind me.
"Well, well, well – Arthur Weasley."
I was frozen to the spot as Lucius Malfoy – so much more frightening up close – walked around me to stand behind Draco. The comparison between them was uncanny and I hoped with all my heart that Lucius Malfoy was not Draco's future.
"Lucius," Mr Weasley acknowledged with a cold nod. I tried to catch Draco's eyes but they were fixed coldly at Harry. Needing a distraction from Draco, I was forced to listen to the conversation between the adults.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of a wizard, Malfoy," I heard Mr Weasley say through gritted teeth. It was strange how he was now referring to Lucius Malfoy by last names. But then again, Draco had no trouble calling me 'Granger', as though we hadn't been friends for almost a year.
"Clearly," Lucius said and that was some sort of disgust in his voice. I watched and to my horror, his eyes were on my parents with great dislike. "The company you keep, Weasley…and I thought your family could sink no lower – "
His sentence was left incomplete as Mr Weasley had lunged at him. The next few seconds, there were a lot of banging and confusion and roars. It seemed like there were people everywhere, robes flying in disarray but one pale face stood motionless in the image.
Draco had taken one step back and he was looking at me. Really looking at me. Seeing me as the friend who was ready to defy the world with him. But his expression was unreadable and it was starting to make me nervous how he was looking at me and not his father who was in some tangled combat.
I was suddenly pulled back and raised my head to see Ron pulling me away from the tangle of Mr Weasley and Mr Malfoy. I looked back to Draco but his eyes were no longer fixated on mine but at the freckled hand that was holding my sleeve. Strangely feeling hot, I shrugged away from Ron's hand and barked at him to get his father to stop.
"I feel like joining him," Ron declared viciously and I found myself grabbing at his sleeve to prevent him from joining in the fiasco. I didn't dare glance back at Draco.
Thankfully, everything returned back to normal when Hagrid appeared and tore the two adults apart with ease. Perhaps 'normal' was the wrong word to use. Lucius Malfoy's lean frame was shaking with fresh anger.
"Here, girl – take your book – it's the best your father can give you – "
He thrust a book at Ginny and wrenching himself from Hagrid's large fist, he beckoned for Draco to follow him.
I kept my eyes on my shoes, so no-one could see the tears seeping out the corner of my eyes. Anyone who saw would think I was crying from fright but the truth was…they were tears of heartbreak.
…..
Unfortunately the fight between the two wizards was still fresh in my parents' mind when we departed from Diagon Allley.
"Wasn't that young blonde your friend?" my dad asked as he started the engine of our car.
Like I said, I was a terrible liar and I was grateful I wouldn't be lying to my parents once again.
"Not anymore," I murmured and the sadness in my voice was too hard to mask.
…
I frowned as I found myself walking back up the train still without either Harry or Ron. I have asked every compartment (except the one occupied by Draco and I was quite positive that my best friends could not be with him) and each person I asked said they had no idea where they were. The Weasleys did not look concerned except Ginny, but she was new to Hogwarts and was finding almost everything concerning.
So taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door of the only compartment I had not inspected. I didn't know whether I was blessed or not, when the door wasn't locked.
It was almost exactly like last year when I first met Draco Malfoy. His appearance was still the same – perhaps he was a bit taller – and he was sitting wedged between Crabbe and Goyle (both who looked like they have grown a foot taller since the break). The difference between this scenario and last year's was that Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini were also present.
"What are you doing here?" Pansy asked wrinkling her nose. I've never liked her and today wasn't going to be any different. It wasn't fair that she was a girl who could be seen with Draco in public.
"I'm looking for Harry and Ron," I said stiffly, placing my gaze on hers so I didn't have to look at Draco.
"Why would they be here?" Blaise asked and I steeled myself before facing him. However, he was not as cold as most Slytherins; Blaise had more of a speculating look on his face.
"They're nowhere else on the train," I said, and I realised how pathetic I sounded.
"Perhaps they don't want you to find them," came the lazy drawl from Draco. Did I have to look at him? Yes, since he was the speaker. I ignored the painful thumps of my heart as I recalled all the bad memories at Diagon Alley. That was the past. I had to forget about it.
"You can always join us," Blaise said and I looked at him with surprise. There just wasn't enough time to hide the surprise from my face. Blaise wasn't speaking in a joking manner either; he was speaking indifferently…like it was a normal gesture to invite me to sit with them.
But Blaise retracted his words when Draco shot him a death glare that I could feel without looking at Draco himself. Somehow the glare seemed to char at my fragile heart even though it wasn't directed at me.
"They're not here so leave!" Pansy snapped, glaring at me with great distaste. The funniest thing was that I was unaffected by her glare but Draco's glare to Blaise made me want to crawl into a corner and wallow in my own miseries.
Somehow the thought made the corner of my lips rise, which made Pansy's glare intensify (which did not affect me in the slightest, I might add), and she snarled, "Get your filthy Mud – "
She never finished her sentence because Draco suddenly stood up and the expression on his face would make his previous glare more like a grin. Because the look on his face right now was downright frightening that I had to look away. However, the image would be forever seared in my memory. Draco looked livid, like he could actually kill someone and at that moment, he resembled Lucius Malfoy more than I thought he ever would.
"Don't ever think your much better, Parkinson, not all of your line is littered with pureness," Draco hissed in a low voice that somehow made his threat deadlier. I flinched at his tone even though he wasn't talking to me once again. It was funny how the heart works.
Pansy shrank back from his enraged gaze and she started to blink her eyes rapidly. Normally I would feel sympathy as I knew what it was like to feel Draco's wrath but Pansy was an exception. She already had him; she didn't have to work for their friendship. Not that I was friends with Draco after all.
I also had no idea what his sentence meant but I knew a warning when I heard one. And I did not want to stay any longer with an angry, Lucius-clone Draco.
"Uh…see you," I mumbled, quickly scurrying from the carriage. Draco was still standing when I left, his left hand twitching a few seconds, if I must add.
I entered an empty carriage and let out a big sigh. Okay, Hermione, clear your thoughts. Forget about the weird encounter with Draco in the compartment just then, EPSEICALLY the look on his face. Think about Harry and Ron. Missing.
But no matter what I did, I still saw Draco glower at Pansy as if he had never hated someone so fiercely as her before.
When my door slid open, I had thought it was finally Harry and Ron joining me but it was actually Draco. And my throat went dry and I saw the image of him terrorising Pansy replaying in my head.
He locked the door behind him and sat at the seat opposite me. Still unspeaking. Not even looking at me. But I could see the tremble still in his left hand.
"Someone will see us together," I finally choked out, unable to stand the silence any longer.
"The ones who would give the biggest headache are Potter and Weasley and they're not here," Draco said stiffly, still looking at something on the floor.
I immediately shot up from my chair demanded, "Where are they, Malfoy?"
Draco flinched and finally looked up at me. I gulped and my finger dug into my robes in case I needed my wand. How could this boy sitting in front of me be my Draco?
"I don't know," he said shortly. "But I haven't seen them since…the bookshop and I take your word that they're not here. And honestly, I don't care even if you do. They're both missing so probably scheming something devious and if it was something horrible like you imagine, Dumbledore would already know and some spell would be cast to quickly whisk the train to the safety of Hogwarts. That's a fact."
Draco was right, of course. It seemed that he would always be right. His words did remind me of some decree I read a few weeks ago: In any danger, the train would indeed be quickly transported to Hogwarts (despite the amount of magic it required). And if something did happen to Harry or Ron, I was sure we were bound to found out.
"Then why are you here?" I asked sullenly, my anger quickly evaporating. The rolls of anguish were radiating off him and it affected me more than I thought it would. It was almost as if I could feel his pain. Even though I didn't know why he was in pain in the first place.
"To apologise and…" his voice trailed off as he looked away from my expectant eyes. My heart did some sort of joyful leap when he said 'apologise'. Apologise to what? I wasn't quite sure. "I think I was wrong."
I took a deep breath and sat back down.
"Draco, I have no idea what you're talking about."
He looked back up at me and the agony in his eyes was almost unbearable. Whatever it was that he was experiencing, a twelve-year-old should not be. He was still so young. We both were.
"I want to apologise for the way I acted at Diagon Alley. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that not when…not after what we went through to keep our friendship a secret. I also want to apologise for the rudeness of Parkinson, she's a disgrace to all Pure – and that's why I want to admit I'm wrong. Perhaps we can be friends after all."
His speech was broken in most parts that I had to strain my ears to understand what he was saying. I think he wanted to be friends again? That was all I gathered from what he said, and all that mattered to me.
"You don't have to apologise, I understand," I heard myself say in a soothing voice. Soothing. Because Draco looked vulnerable in that second and I couldn't stand that. "We're friends, Draco, so of course we fight."
I grinned at him, masking the pain I felt for all those times I thought he was lost to me forever. Draco smiled back tentatively and moved so instead of sitting opposite me, he was now sitting besides me. Warmth spread throughout me at his closeness.
"Curls," he murmured and tugged at my hair. I squealed at the unexpected action then burst into laughter.
"Shh," he hushed, his silver eyes growing large but with amusement. "Someone might've seen me walk in and why Hermione Granger laughs at Draco Malfoy's presence will baffle them."
I smiled back, loving how he was smiling back at me and how he was playfully tugging at my hair. Timidly, I reached out and ran two fingers through his hair. His pretty eyes seemed to flutter and he let out a peaceful sigh.
"Definitely silk," I confirmed, reluctantly removing my hand. His hair was unbelievably soft and silky.
"I should get back before they suspect something," he whispered. He pulled back and I longed for his hands playing with my hair again.
"Then go," I ushered, playfully bumping my shoulders with his.
"Will you be okay by yourself?" he asked and I could've sworn there was hesitation is his voice.
"Draco," I said with a mock-dramatic sigh. "It would be safest if I was by myself; away from you so no-one would suspect the world is in disorder."
"You're right," he said and he stood up. He glanced back at me, a smile still dancing in his silver eyes. "If I hear anything about Potter or Weasley, I'll let you know."
"Thanks."
I watched as he unlocked the door. A pause. Then he turned back and trapped me in those turbulent eyes I have grown accustomed to.
"Astronomy Tower, like always?"
I grinned back at him.
"Like always," I confirmed.
…
Everything seemed peaceful for once and I let the happiness seep into my body, warring away any conflicts I had. Yes, Ron and Harry flew in a car but being who they were, could I expect anything differently? And Ron did get a Howler and the mortification on his face was a good enough punishment.
Another reason why I was in a good mood was that we had Defence Against the Dark Arts with Mr Lockhart this afternoon. To be in the presence of your idol is a wonderful feeling indeed.
I was broken from my dreamy haze when I heart Draco's voice, this time laced with scorn.
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?"
He was accompanied by those annoying cronies but I was secretly glad Pansy wasn't with them. A crowd had quickly formed around Harry and Colin Creevy, the photographer.
Draco used this opportunity to continue to shout.
"Everyone queue up! Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!"
It seemed mighty strange to me that Draco acted immature around Harry but when he was with me, he was a silent brooding character who seemed to be a lot older than he actually was.
"No I'm not," Harry hissed angrily. "Shut up, Malfoy."
Like always, when there was some sort of tiff between my friends, I would never say anything. And I knew it had something to do with displeasing Draco. Wasn't I completely twisted?
"You're just jealous," Colin suddenly piped. This skinny boy had more courage than me.
"Jealous?" Draco echoed, his normally pretty face scrunched up with disgust. "Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself."
Crabbe and Goyly sniggered as if Draco was the funniest clown in the world. It was like those two had an automatic button that would make them follow all of Draco's commands.
"Eat slugs, Malfoy," Ron spat, which caused Crabbe's laughter to cease. Instead, Crabbe was now cracking his knuckles menacingly; funnily enough, I preferred him laughing.
"Be careful, Weasley," Draco warned. "You don't want to start any trouble or your Mummy'll have to come and take you away from school." Encouraged by those pathetic Fifth year girls, Draco suddenly spoke in a shrill, voice: "If you put another toe out of line…"
My hands clenched around the book I was reading. I wasn't sure whether I would be able to stand witnessing Draco, my friend, ridiculing my other friends.
"Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter," Draco continued. "It'd be worth more than his family's whole house."
Ron suddenly withdrew his wand, his hand shaking with fury. I was filled with the same amount of rage but luckily I spot Mr Lockhart making his way over.
"Look out," I whispered urgently, snapping my book shut.
Our small circle dispersed as our new Defence teacher came and quickly diminished all our anger. Of course, he paid most of his attention to Harry, which gave me a chance to shoot Draco a disappointed look.
He touched his left index finger to his right thumb before turning away (a satisfied smirk on his face, if I must add). Surprisingly, Draco knew the basics of sign-language and what he just communicated was the vowel 'A', which meant Astronomy Tower. Oh, was I going to give him a piece of my mind tonight.
…
"I can't believe you keep ridiculing Harry!" I continued to rage in the dark Astronomy Tower. Draco had been politely watching me while I gave him a lecture. "You accuse your Slytherin friends to be immature but you're a hundred times worse!"
"Excuse me, Hermione," Draco finally intervened. He looked calm and slightly smug, which made me the whole lot angrier. "If I'm to say anything in my defence, it is this: To a mere observer, it indeed looked like Potter was giving out signed autographs."
"So you decided to attract the attention of everyone else?" I screeched incredulously.
"A lot of people, for some unknown reason that you might know, like Potter. They would be ecstatic to prove they have actually met him." Draco continued in the same peaceful manner.
"You're impossible," I finally sighed and sat down at the nearest bench with a huff.
"I thought we decided not to talk about your friends when we're alone," Draco said as he took the seat next to me.
"Yeah, well, you kind of make that impossible when you're making fun of them every opportunity you can," I said hotly, ignoring just how close he was. I didn't have to turn my head to feel him shrug.
"It's just a little fun, no-one got hurt," he replied.
"But it's still completely unnecessary," I retorted.
"Tell me, Hermione." His voice was no longer carefree and I stiffened at the serious tone. "Would you ever scold them if I was ridiculed?"
Even if I lied, Draco would know the truth.
"I can't because I'm supposed to hate you," I finally said after a pause.
"And do you?"
"No," I said truthfully. But at times, I do wonder whether it would be easier if I did.
"That proves my point," Draco said and he actually sounded smug. What point he was referring to? Only he knew.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"We both know the truth about each other but conceal it from the others. And to do that, we must act the way they expect us to," he said slowly as if I was actually a Squib.
"So…that gives you the right to poke fun at Harry?" I asked. I felt him shrug besides me once again.
"To a certain degree, people might wonder why I suddenly admire Potter after I constantly declare my hate for him. So…sometimes, you have to act your part convincingly too." His voice sort of trailed off at the last sentence.
"What are you talking about?" I repeated once again. Perhaps I was a Squib if I have to keep asking him what on earth he was talking about.
"When I 'ridicule' Harry, you never run to his defence. Ron does all the time but then again I do 'ridicule' him too. People might suspect you having a crush on me or something," Draco explained.
I hoped he couldn't see the blush crawling up my face and was glad at the darkness in the Astronomy Tower. A crush on Draco? As if! He was just a friend! But I found myself not disputing his words.
"Well, ridicule me too then so I can actually defend myself," I said.
"Okay," Draco said and he took a hesitant breath. "But know I don't mean it, okay? We have to act our parts convincingly."
"Well, I suppose I can always question your true motive when we meet back in the Astronomy Tower," I said with a playful smirk. I was rewarded with a chuckle.
"If you insist," he said just as playfully but than his mirth disappeared. "So next time its Potter gang and mine, we throw a tantrum at each other."
"Okay," I said, hoping the fear wasn't evident in my voice. What would he say to me? Even if he says he doesn't mean it, the words might dig straight into my heart.
"I don't know what I'd say, cos honest to Merlin, you're quite flawless," Draco said sincerely.
"Ha, thanks," I said, my voice with a hint of sarcasm. Draco had never complimented me before and I wasn't sure how I was to respond.
"Don't hate me." This time Draco sounded fearful. I almost laugh at the irony.
"I already said I don't," I said.
Draco suddenly took my hand in his. His fingers seemed longer but they were still smooth and warm. His hands were a different type of 'silk' compared to his hair.
"Until next time, Hermione," he said, giving my hand a painful squeeze. It was the sort of pain I knew I could endure for the rest of my life if I must.
"Until next time, Draco," I said, squeezing his hand with all the energy I could muster. Until next time, I wouldn't be able to breathe properly.
…..
Now was the time. Now was the time! And I secretly hoped a lightening would appear or something so I wouldn't have to face Draco. What would he say to me in front of all my friends and all his friends? What would I say? Aside from his sometimes immaturity, he was quite flawless too. Perfect, in fact.
Ron and I made our way over to Harry, who was with Draco and the rest of the Slytherin team. Draco was standing at the front as if he was the leader even though he was shorter than most of the team. In some ways, Draco did look like a leader.
"What's happening?" Ron demanded. "Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?"
"I'm the new Slytherin seeker, Weasley," Draco drawled and there was triumph in his silver eyes. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought the team."
Honestly, the brooms the Slytherin team pulled out looked quite ordinary to me. But Ron gaped with a gob-smacked expression so I assumed that they weren't just ordinary broomsticks.
"Good, aren't they?" Draco asked, running a slim finger down his broom. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms too. You could raffle off those Cleensweep Fives, I expect a museum would bid for them."
Now's your chance, Hermione! I knew it was now or never to chide Draco but I was also panicked at the thought. Why couldn't he be the first to attack me? But as the Slytherin team roared with laughter, I knew I wasn't only just sticking up for my friends but the Gryffindor team too.
"At least no-one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," I said, trying to look defiant. If I succeeded, only Merlin knows. "They got in on pure talent."
The smug look on Draco's face twitched and he knew what I was playing at. Blood was pounding so furiously in my ears I was afraid I wouldn't hear what he said. What if everything backfired? What if I wasn't convincing enough?
"No-one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he said coldly.
Mudblood? I had no idea what that meant but most of the others did. Harry was just as dumbfounded as me while the twins jumped on top of Flint (who had jumped in front of Draco for protection). People were shrieking, climbing on top of each other and they only stopped when there was a loud bang.
It took me a second to realise Ron had tried to cast a spell with his broken wand and it backfired on him.
"Ron! Ron! Are you alright?" I asked alarmed, kneeling next to him. His only response was slugs crawling out his mouth.
I ignored the Slytherins howling with laughter (mainly Draco because I knew I had to face him in the Astronomy Tower later) as Harry and I decided to take him to Hagrid's.
And it was there, in Hagrid's comfy hut, that I learnt the meaning of 'Mudblood'. I thought I would be hurt, furious, vengeful but instead, all I felt was hurt.
…
"I know what it means," I said quietly as I closed the door behind me.
Draco turned around and he looked stricken. It was a different look to the malice on his face on the train but it was still just as alarming.
"Is that what Pansy was going to call me?" I asked taking a step closer.
"I didn't mean it!" he suddenly exploded, anguish in his grey eyes. In two strides, he was in front of me and taking both my hands in his. For once, the warmth doesn't spread throughout my body. I just feel numb. "You know I don't mean it and I'm…I'm so sorry for saying that, sometimes I feel like…like I want to strangle myself or something because this…guilt it's slowly…damn it, Hermione, please forgive me."
I have never seen pleading in his eyes before and it was strange. Almost as if I don't know Draco Malfoy after all.
"There's nothing to forgive if you don't mean it," I heard myself say.
His grip on my hands was beginning to be unbearable and I fought the urge to pull them away. A one last chance to put a bridge between us.
"I'd do anything," Draco continued to plead. "Won't say anything to Potter or Weasley again. Forfeit my spot on in Quidditch."
"You'll do all that just for me to forgive you?" I asked dubiously.
"Yes," he breathed and for a second I thought he'd rest his forehead on mine. "Because what do I do when you're gone? When one day, what you call me is what you actually feel? That I am a ferret? That when you – "
I surprised myself by pulling out one hand to place two fingers on his lips. They were silk too.
"It's okay, Draco, we had to been convincing," I whispered. I wanted to cry but I didn't know why. I had never cried in front of him before. It was a sign of weakness and sometimes Draco seemed like the strongest person I knew. "It worked. No-one would suspect we're friends."
Draco smiled against my fingers but they didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Forgive me?" he asked when I removed my fingers. I also took a step back because all these other emotions I never knew I had were starting so surface when I was so close to him.
"Like I said, there's nothing to forgive if you don't mean what you said," I repeated.
"But you look so br – " Draco trailed off and cleared his throat. "So we're still, okay then? Still friends? What happened today was something to solidify our friendship?"
"Yes," I whispered quietly.
The truth was when I learnt the meaning, I realised just how different we were. And if Draco called everyone who were Muggle-borns 'Mudblood', why was I an exception?
Pain still marred his grey eyes.
"I thought you knew I was only joking, we agreed on that last week," Draco said softly. "But perhaps I was too harsh. But I promise you, Hermione Granger, I will win your trust again. If I had known how…serious it would be if I said that word, I never would."
"It's okay," I tried to soothe but it sounded fake to my ears. Draco knew my words were fake too.
"I'm sorry, Curls," Draco murmured. As he brushed past me, he lightly tugged at one of my curls before leaving.
When I heard his footsteps fade, I let the tears I was holding in trail down my face.
Why couldn't he see it? He was hiding who he wanted to be just to be my friend? We shared different beliefs, different pasts, different race. How can two people be friends if in doing so, so many other people would be hurt in the process?
…..
It has been a few weeks since he called me 'Mudblood', but things were different. I decided to stop our meetings in the Astronomy Tower because it felt pointless. Somehow I was lifeless around him; I was just waiting for the day he finally realised our friendship was futile. I couldn't stand that thought so I decided to end our friendship.
Draco had looked stricken at my suggestion but it had quickly morphed into anger. And then he became what I always feared; became the monster Harry and Ron saw in him.
He had hissed, "You really are just a Mudblood, who thinks you're better than everyone else. I hid for you, lied for you, went against my beliefs – all for what? To be trampled by someone inferior like you? I don't think so."
Then he brushed past me leaving me alone in the Astronomy Tower. I didn't cry that time because all the tears I had for us were already drained in the last couple of weeks.
So I gulped when I finally saw him push through the crowd to gaze at the immobile cat with glee. This time, if he ever said anything, it wouldn't be a joke. It would be real; speaking from deep within his heart.
"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" he shouted. His words no longer affected me, not that I would give him the satisfaction of wincing when he uttered that word.
Because he and I were too different. It just took me this long to realise.
So I looked at him with coldness; that signature glare that I had learnt from him.
….
It was easy to hate Draco Malfoy after that. Back then, I said I didn't hate him and back then, it was the truth. But now, I was quite sure I despised him.
Watching the Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor was one of the most dreadful experiences I ever had. I was gnawing at my fingers as Harry dived and manoeuvred on his broomstick but I couldn't help looking at the Slytherin Seeker either.
That annoyed me so I muttered, "I hope he falls." Ron agreed from besides me but I was sure the reason why we wanted Draco to fall was for different reasons.
But then I saw that bewitched Bludger that was constantly attacking Harry. It didn't take a genius to work out who bewitched it or why. Draco was a coward after all, if that was the only way for him to catch the Snitch.
Ron and I were standing nervously as Madam Pomfrey fed poor Harry some Skele-Gro. Honestly, I was a bit miffed that Lockhart removed Harry's bones but I wouldn't admit that to anyone.
"We won, though," Ron said with a grin. "That was some catch you made. Malfoy's face…he looked ready to kill."
See what I mean when I say my best friends knew Draco Malfoy better than I did?
"I want to know how he fixed that Bludger," I said through clenched teeth.
"We can add that to the list of questions we'll ask him when we've taken the Polyjuice Potion," Harry sighed. "I hope it tastes better than this stuff…"
"If it's got bits of Slytherins in it? You've got to be joking," Ron said with horror.
For the first time, I decided all Slytherins were the snake that represents them.
…
At times, I found that I hated myself for still caring about that 'ferret'. Today was one of the days.
This duelling club was a fabulous idea by Lockhart until Snape decided to pair Harry and Draco together. And I knew it was stupid that I cared about Draco's safety as much as Harry's, even when I found myself in a headlock from Millicent Bulstrode.
Luckily, Harry – Merlin bless him – yanked at Bulstrode's thick arms to allow me to breathe. I didn't dare look at Draco though, he was probably laughing.
Of course my attention was focused back on Harry and Draco when those two were asked to demonstrate a duel in front of all the students. Of course, it had to be them.
But Draco was pushed to the back of my mind when it was discovered that Harry was a Parselmouth. After all, Harry needed me more than Draco ever did.
….
When Christmas arrived, I blamed fidgetiness on producing the Polyjuice Potion tonight. That was a lie of course.
Because last year, I got a present from Draco. This year? Nothing. My present to him? Drinking Polyjuice Potion to uncover his 'deep, dark secrets'.
It really was funny how things worked out.
And I didn't know whether it was sheer unluckiness, when I turned out to be a cat…
….
I never thought I'd enjoy being in a hospital but it was a peaceful change. The rumours of my disappearance never reached my ears (Harry and Ron tactlessly tried to convince me there were no rumours) and I was grateful. Sometimes rumours do hurt.
But I was mortified when Draco Malfoy had somehow managed to sneak in. Catching me looking somewhere between a monster and a cat. I wanted to cry at the humiliation but I had never cried in front of him and I wasn't going to start now.
"What…happened?" the ferret (funny, because he wasn't the one who looked like an animal) asked, his face paler than usual.
Like I could tell him. That my friends and I were spying on him. But what could I say? What was a decent excuse?
"Get out," I hissed. "I'll call Madam Pomfrey back in here!"
"Tell me what happened, Hermione," he said quietly. There was no teasing in his face, just seriousness.
"I don't want you to see me like this," I continued to hiss, my voice rising higher.
"Well, I have," he said, his eyes blazing with determination. "Was it…the Chamber?"
I couldn't help letting out a snort; very unlady-like I know. But I simply didn't care about him anymore. Or that's what I've been telling myself.
"Like you care," I scoffed.
"I do," he said seriously and swallowed. Somehow I gulped too, ignoring how painfully my heart was beating behind my ribs. "I tried to warn you."
"Warn me?" I asked in disbelief. "When?"
"With the caretaker's cat, I said your kind will be next," he said. He took a hesitant step closer so if he wanted to, he could touch me. Yet, all of me was covered in fur. I refused to look in a mirror but I could feel those disgusting black hairs poking out of my pores.
"Oh, right," I said sarcastically. "That's what you meant when you screamed 'Mudblood'."
I had a stab of satisfaction seeing him flinch but this time I did when he put a pale hand on the black hairs of my fur.
"You weren't talking to me and I didn't know how else to warn you," he said.
"Thanks for the heads-up," I said turning my massive cat-like head away. For some stupid reason, I was more affected by his words than the thought of him catching me in such a state.
"This is serious, Hermione!" he snapped, his fingers digging into my fur. "You could…"
"What?" I snapped back. "Is there something worse than turning into a cat?"
If Draco suspected the reason why I was an animal was due to the Chamber, it was best it was kept that way.
"You know there is," he said after a long pause. He relaxed his fingers and after a few seconds, he pulled his hand away. "I'm sorry for how I acted for the couple of weeks. Please get well soon."
He left after that but not before leaving a lilac Muggle Get-Well-Soon card on my bed. How he managed to get a Muggle card, I don't know.
I panicked when Ron discovered the gold Get Well card from Lockhart but luckily Draco's was pressed close to my heart so neither Harry nor Ron could find it if they tried.
….
Two weeks after I was released from the Hospital Wing, I realised I was a lot better at lying. You see, my dearest Gryffindor friends believed that my giggles and excitement was due to all the enthusiasm Lockhart poured into Valentine's Day.
That was only partly true. Because Draco Malfoy had sent me a Valentine.
It was the early in the morning and I was entering the Dining Hall for breakfast before a surly-dwarf halted my advanced.
"There you are!" the dwarf muttered gruffly. "I was told to deliver your Valentine in private but you're always flanked by those two little boys."
He passed me a massive pink card – equivalent to a size A3 paper, and that was unopened – which was adorned with red roses to spell 'My Valentine'. As I tentatively opened the card, I recognised the neat handwriting and I realised it detailed all of Draco's favourite memories shared with me. I didn't realise there were so many.
"Thank-you," I gushed at the dwarf, reaching awkwardly with one hand (the card was quite big) to shake his hand.
"I'm not done," he said gruffly. "I was to sing this to you:
Curls, let's no longer live in denial
Our friendship is indeed divine
And I miss the way you smile
So today, be my Valentine"
"Did…um…my Valentine come up with the song?" I asked, blushing deeply.
"Yeah, he did," came the gruff reply. "No sense of how to make a rhyme at all."
And to the dwarf's horror, I squeezed him into a hug, wishing that I was hugging Draco instead.
…..
My suspicions were confirmed that it was a Basilisk when I landed in the hospital Petrified. I wonder whether it was a cruel joke that I could still hear and see what happening.
I had drunk a Potion that was supposed to make me immune to a Basilisk's stare, but I'm only twelve so I assume the Potion wasn't successful. Just partly successful. That although I appeared Petrified, I could still sense everything around me if I wasn't asleep.
I was aware of Ron and Harry's worried visits, the way Madam Pomfrey scowled at them as I wasn't aware of them and then I heard those footsteps and I knew that signature walk. Draco Malfoy.
The darkness of the Hospital Wing confirmed it was the osHhlate hours we would meet in the Astronomy Tower. After Valentine's Day, we had rebuilt our friendship again.
I was immobilised as Draco drifted in my vision and then out. Since my eyes were fixed to one spot, I could only see him if he drifted into that line of vision.
But I heard him all the same.
"How could you, Hermione? I warned you to stay safe and you get attacked? Do you understand how hard it is to pretend I like this? I have to tell all the Slytherins that I'm glad you're in hospital and that I wished you were…Damn it, Hermione! Why didn't you listen to me?"
I was glad he was sitting on the side so I couldn't see him. There was anguish in his voice and I almost thought I could hear tears. Gosh, how I wished I could close my eyes at that moment.
I heard Draco take a deep sigh and then I felt something soft press into my frozen left hand. A kiss. Draco Malfoy had kissed my hand. It this was some sort of fairytale, I would be awakened but no. I was still immobile.
"Madam Pomfrey says it's pointless to talk to a Petrified person, that they can't sense anything. I don't care. Better to try then nothing, right? Please get better, Hermione."
I heard a sound between a chuckle and a sob before he swept his fingers lightly across my cheek and then I heard those footsteps fade away.
My heart was beating so fast I thought it would free me from being trapped in this immobilisation. But of course, that only happens in fairytales.
…..
I heard all of Harry and Ron's adventure after I was released from hospital once again. The most shocking news was Lockhart erasing his memories. It made me shudder to think that people aren't who they seem.
So when I met up with Draco one last time before the holidays, I was a bit cautious.
"You're back!" he cried happily in a very unlike-Malfoy way. But he didn't seem to care as he beamed at me.
"I am," I said with a smile. Who was I kidding? Be cautious with Draco? That Draco has some sort of hidden agenda? Who cares at this moment? I was better – able to move for once – and Draco looked as if he had a whole week lined up with Christmases.
"That just made my day," he practically sang. "Potter tricked Father into releasing Dobby but who cares? We could always get another one."
"Dobby? He's your house-elf?" I asked in disbelief. Happiness seemed to drain from my body and I was back to feeling dread again.
"Yeah," he said, watching the emotions on my face change with alarm. "What about it?"
"He was the one who forced Harry and Ron to fly in a car and the Bludger…" I trailed off as I saw darkness cross Draco's features.
"Ah, yes, that," he spat. "You don't know how furious I am at Father for plotting what he did. How stupid. What if he got caught? Practically under Dumbledore's nose! I didn't realise my family had a part in opening the Chambers."
He shook his head in disgust and my heart went out to him. Although I knew it was hard to trust everyone, Draco just realised his trust with his Father wasn't complete.
"You didn't know," I comforted.
"Well I should've," Draco said angrily. "How can I not know what my family's like?"
I didn't want to admit that his family seemed like the ones who dwelled in the Dark Arts, but what could I say?
"But you're a good person, Draco, that's what matters," I soothed, attempting to change the subject.
Draco stared at me for a long second; those silver eyes penetrating into my soul, penetrating through any façade I attempted. But I was open with Draco.
"Am I?"
"Yes," I said with certainty and exactly like last year, I linked our hands together.
"It's because you're here," he mumbled, a faint tinge of pink colouring his cheeks. "You remind me."
"And I will always be here," I promised.
"You promise, Hermione?"
"I do, I would even take the Unbreakable Vow to prove it," I declared boldly. How could I not be there for Draco? He already seemed like a part of me.
"Thanks, Hermione, I'm counting on that. That if I'm ever…lost…you'll help me find my way again."
And I was hoping that day will never come, where Draco is in darkness. Because perhaps I might not have the strength to find help him find the light. Perhaps he'll pull me into the darkness with him.
But one of us had to be strong and one of us had to hope. And if wasn't Draco, it'll be me.
#(-_^)#
Ending Note: Thank-you if you managed to read all that! To be honest, it seemed like a combination of one-shots! Please review to let me know what you think! the button is only just below!