AN: Well, I can't say I'm surprised about the total lack of reviews for the last chapter. (Except for my amazingly loyal ff-net friends!) It's my own fault for waiting such a long time. I can only hope that more reviewers will slowly trickle back and comment again.
In the meantime…here's another chapter. I wrote it after the English CST. (Yes, now you know what state I live in. Stalkers! :P)
The words were right on my tongue. I almost had them out. I was infinitely close to uttering the words that I only ever dared to think, never to speak.
"I…"
She looked up at me, a picture of hope. It was almost as if she could sense what I was going to say. And it was right then that my courage left me. I couldn't do it; I couldn't do this to her on her wedding day.
"I think you look stunning."
The hopeful glow that just seconds before shone on her delicate face faded. Her lips curved slightly downward, and her eyebrows drew together. I loathed that I was the cause for the frown on her face on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
Gently, I smoothed the small crease between her eyebrows. At the familiar gesture, her lips formed a miniature smile. I couldn't help but be entranced by her beauty; I smiled too. But I couldn't stay there with her; it was time for me to make my exit. I lifted her veil and kissed her softly on the corner of her upturned mouth.
"Go make Weasley the luckiest man alive."
The beginnings of tears shimmered in her eyes, and yet even in her sorrow, she remained angelic in her beauty.
"Won't you stay?" The sadness in her voice was an arrow straight to my heart. I couldn't believe that I was hurting her of all people. Her, the one that I treasure the most.
I hesitated, entertaining the notion for a hair's breadth. It'd kill me to watch you up there, exchanging vows with anyone other than me.
"I can't." The tears spilled down her cheeks, but she nodded. She understood why I couldn't bear to remain.
I thumbed away her tears, only to be rewarded with a more constant wave of them. "Please, don't cry," I whispered. "You know I can't handle seeing you cry."
Suddenly, the music started. I cursed it for ruining what would be my last moment with Hermione Granger.
"I believe that's your cue." I forced a smile across my face for her sake. "Don't let me keep you." I kissed her once more and she threw her arms around me.
For the second time today, the words were right on my tongue.
For the second time today, I almost said it.
For the second time today, I lost my courage.
For the second time today, I failed.
With alarming clarity, I remembered what my mother once told me. "If you love someone, Draco, you must tell them right then. If not…then the moment will just pass you by."
My traitorous mouth started to for the words for the third time, but again, they didn't come out. "I have to go." Her arms immediately fell to her sides and the warmth of her touch evaporated. Reluctantly, I turned and left before I could do anything I would regret. With my back to her, I said the words that I'd been longing to say to her face but couldn't.
"I love you, Hermione."
But it didn't matter now; the moment had passed me by once again.
A soft voice stopped me in my tracks. "I love you too." I turned back around and saw Hermione, just as I had left her. She still hadn't gone in. Tears were streaming down her face. So she had heard me. I didn't know what to do.
I wanted to close the distance between us and kiss her until we both needed air.
I wanted to have her call off the wedding and marry me instead.
I wanted her to walk out with me, no second thoughts or backward glances.
I wanted the impossible.
But I couldn't have any of that. It was much too late. I smiled a bitter smile, cursing my idiocy. If I hadn't waited, had I told her five years ago, would she be walking down the aisle towards me instead? Now I'd never know.
With a regretful sigh, I blew her a kiss and left. Only when I left the building was it safe for me to mourn what could've been.
End notes: Short, bitter, and yet sweet. The quote from Draco's mother was taken from the movie, My Best Friend's Wedding. The rest is solely mine.
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