Dramione Drabbles
A.N: This is for all the Dramione fans out there, in honor of today. Happy Dramione Day everybody! 3
Drabble # 6: Reflections
A gentle breeze floated across the lake, causing ripples to form in the water. The moonlight reflected off the surface and the soft sound of water lapping at the shore created a tranquil atmosphere.
It was here that Hermione chose to be when sleep escaped her. Every time she woke up sweating in her bed with the sheets tangled and horrible images of the War freshly imprinted in her mind, she slipped out of her Head dorm and came to sit by the lake. For some reason, she found the chill of the air and the surrounding silence calming, and even comforting.
But tonight, she felt that something was different. It was as if… somebody was watching her.
She turned to see Draco Malfoy, of all people, staring at her with a deer-in-the-headlights expression on his countenance. His eyes widened, and his lips parted as he asked hoarsely, "What are you doing here, Granger?"
"I could ask you the same, Malfoy," said Hermione warily.
Draco sighed heavily, his shoulders going limp. "I… I can't fall asleep, so I come here. Every night. It helps me forget…" he trailed off.
"Forget what?" Hermione pressed. When he shook his head and pressed his lips tightly closed, she huffed. "Tell me, Malfoy! You can't keep it hidden forever."
Draco looked at her with such anger and hatred that Hermione involuntarily took a step back. "NO! You'll never understand. Just –" his voice faltered, and he turned away, looking out across the lake.
Hermione sighed, her own nightmares forgotten. She stepped up to him and put her hand on his shoulder, saying gently, "Try me." When he still didn't respond, she whispered, "Draco, please…"
He turned, and she was surprised to see tears glistening in his eyes. Her heart went out to him, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.
Draco stiffened, staying still for a few moments, but eventually he relaxed and slowly put his arms around her, reciprocating the hug.
Hermione rested her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat as he buried his face in her hair, crying silently.
How long they both stood there, embracing each other, neither knew. Hermione only let go when Draco's sobs subsided. She awkwardly straightened her robes, neither of them making eye contact with the other. She was just about to leave when she heard him say, "Hermione."
She turned back. "Yes?" she breathed.
"Thank you."
Hermione looked up at him, and their eyes met. She could see that he meant more than that, he wanted to say something else, but he couldn't. And she understood.
"No problem, Draco," smiling slightly as she said his name for the first time.
His eyes searched hers one last time. Once he was satisfied, he nodded and turned, sauntering back to the castle.
Hermione stared after him. Long after he disappeared from sight, she whispered into the night, "I love you."
And with that, she walked away towards the lights of Hogwarts.