Chapter 16:
Something inside Draco had snapped the day he saw her kiss the Weasel. Some people would call it insanity and some would call it passion, but whatever it was certainly took a toll on his life.
After his hearing, he was told he was 'free for his heroic actions in helping Harry Potter defeat the darkest wizard of their time.' His mother was spared from Azkaban and put under temporary house arrest at the manor. His father, however, was not so lucky. He was sent to Azkaban for his Deatheater actions and his abuse towards his family.
Since the manor was currently being occupied, and Draco wanted to spend his time alone, he thought he might do something with his inheritance. He took his belongs and apparated to the one place he had always called 'their place,' the cottage.
It looked just as small and old as he had left it, and upon entering it, it became clear to him what he had to do.
"I'm thinking about fixing it, replacing the floors, painting the walls, refurbishing the whole thing."
"The muggle way?" she said surprised.
"Yes, Hermione, the muggle way,"
"Well, what about me? Don't I get a say in this?"
"Would you like a say in this?" he said as he stalked towards her.
"Yes, I would."
"What would you like?" he whispered, placing kisses along her neck.
Her heart fluttering, she answered, "I want a white house with blue shutters, and lots of bookshelves, and that window seat..."
He remembered this conversation like it was yesterday. It was the day he decided he would spend the rest of his life with her. Funny how things change, a little voice in his head told him.
He ignored the voice and only heard Hermione, telling him how a muggle would approach this.
After the battle, Ron had approached Hermione with a slight skip in his step.
"So, Hermione, what does this mean for us?"
She smiled back and said, "I don't know, what would you like it to mean?"
"Well, I guess we could go have lunch sometime. Not like we already don't do that..."
"Lunch sounds wonderful, Ronald."
Hermione never wondered why she said yes to their date, but felt that her life with Draco was behind her, and she did not need his memory holding her back from making her own. Ever since then they have been together, and Hermione was finally happy once again.
Ron was never better, considering this was what he wanted all along. Molly was thrilled to no end that her son had finally found someone. But there was still tension and sadness in the Weasley household, due to the fact Fred had died during battle. George was the one who took it the hardest, looking next to him each time he saw something funny, only to find that there was no one to look at.
The Golden Trios' faces was plastered on each Daily Prophet every week, remembering the triumphant day they took down Lord Voldemort. An article had appeared about the relationship between, Ron and Hermione. It never really occurred to her that anyone care, only everyone did. Ron constantly hogged the limelight, but she still liked him regardless.
Draco held the daily prophet in his hand as he sipped his coffee. He was sitting in his newly refurbished dining area, of which he made himself. Sure it had take several months and he had nearly lost all his fingers, but it was worth it. It had a modern look but was still cozy, and the outside was just as they pictured it; a white house with blue shutters. The window seat lay untouched and on both sides were bookshelves, stocked with only her favorite books.
He turned the page, and noticed a picture of the Weasel and Hermione. He couldn't help but grow furious at the title:
Ron and Hermione: The Gryffindor Power Couple
He knew that Hermione moved on ever since that kiss, but he always had that feeling in his stomach that one day she would come back, that it wasn't over.
Draco contemplated selling the cottage to a worthy buyer, only he never really sold it. If the buyer were to meet his asking price, he would say that it was worth more than that. If the buyer were to pay more than what he asked, he would kick them off his property. He didn't want a crazy person to live in his house.
At night, Draco would lay down on the grass and look up at the stars. He didn't want to go to see a movie or go to the carnival, he only had one person on his mind.
Attempting to move on he would sometimes invite over Astoria Greengrass. Her family had remained neutral in battle and for a while he took a liking to her. He described her as good company, but Astoria wanted more. Goyle had died in the Room of Requirement that day, and she's been quite distraught. It was obvious they had plans to be together, but his loss had hurt them both; Draco losing a best mate and Astoria losing a lover.
They would lay in bed and just think in comfortable silence.
"Draco?" she would say.
"Yes?"
"I was thinking, maybe we could go see one of those muggle movies..."
"Well, I don't think so. I have a lot of work..."
"Or go to the carnival, you always said you liked it there..."
"I never really had time for the carnival," he mumbled.
She turned her face to examine his. He seemed to be looking at her, but not quite.
"Draco, what do you want from me?" she said.
"What do you mean?" his expression emotionless.
"You know, what do you want?"
Draco sighed, understanding what she had said.
"A woman knows when a man looks into her eyes and sees someone else. Who is she?"
Astoria didn't look mad or upset, but only concerned.
"That doesn't matter,"
"Well, you obviously really care about her..." she said with tears in her eyes.
Draco noticed her tears and pulled her closer, "Astoria, you know I want to give you everything you want, but I can't be him." Astoria seemed to know what he meant by him, and her tears only increased.
"Yes, I know," she muttered before curling up closer to him, forgetting the conversation.