A/N: Damn my younger self, I practically changed eveerything. But you know what? I'm wayyyy to lazy to rewrite anything.
Chapter 17:
Months had passed and before long, it was time for school again. but this time, Ginny was the one to leave. She gave a teary goodbye to all her friends and family, and especially Harry. They held hands on the way there, and on the way back, you could see the sad expression on Harry's face. It would be a long time until Christmas break, and Harry wouldn't enjoy any of it.
Ron and Hermione's relationship only got better. They practically spent every moment together. Hermione told herself she could forget about Draco, but she never did. Sometimes she would look at Ron and see Draco, although she would never admit it. At one point she almost called him Draco, but quickly stopped herself.
She often told herself that it was normal to not forget your first love, and what she had with Draco was strong.
On the night of Bill and Fleur's wedding, everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves. Ginny got to come back early, which had caught Harry by surprise, but he was thrilled regardless. As Hermione and Ron danced, which wasn't very good considering he had 2 left feet, he whispered in her ear,
"Come on, let's go out in the yard."
The yard was filled with white twinkling lights from the tree above them, and lanterns were aligned around the edge. As they walked under the tree, Ron had gotten down on one knee and asked to spend the rest of his life with her. This had caught Hermione by surprise, they were only 20 years old. True, the Weasleys did marry at an early age, but was she really ready? Before she could comprehend what was happening, she had already said yes.
Everything was happening so fast for Hermione. It seemed that Mrs. Weasley had already planned everything out and was already halfway there, and Hermione did not like that feeling.
She would lie awake in bed, and contemplate everything that has happened in her life. But she could never seem to get Draco out of her head, why did every aspect of her life have to include him in the back of her mind? Everyone thought of Ron and Hermione as the perfect couple, they never bickered and fought; but maybe that was just it. With Draco, they argued constantly but always made up for it, there was passion and heat. And Ron, while Ron was just about as passionate as a stuffed animal.
Once again, that feeling of obligation and force came back. Mrs. Weasley had arranged the wedding sooner than expected. The wedding would take place in January, nearly 3 months away. She would be using her mother's old gown, and it was a very casual dress code for everyone else. Hermione never wanted her wedding to be a big deal, but she never wanted it to become unimportant or tacky.
Hermione had made up her mind, she needed to get away. Just for a few days, to clear her head of all the commotion around her.
Ron was at the table, in another heated Wizard's Chess match with Harry.
"Ron?" Hermione interrupted.
"Yeah?" he said.
"I was thinking...I think I might spend a few days at my Grandmother's house. Just because..."
"Yeah, okay," he said not taking his eyes off the board.
"Okay?"
"If you want to, sure."
"Oh well then, I'll just get my things."
And with that she raced up the stairs to grab her luggage. Ron is such a git sometimes, she thought, you think he would remember me telling him that my grandmother died several years ago.
Hermione never really knew where she was going, anywhere might be a good place. She dropped her things off at her house and wandered around muggle London for an hour or two. The place never really changed, as if it were waiting all this time.
As she walked, she had passed the movie theater and the park where the carnival took place. After thinking for quite sometime, she knew what she had to do. Then she apparated away.
Draco was in his study, thinking of ideas for his latest novel. As he thought, he caught a glimpse of honey brown hair passing by his window. No Draco, it's just your imagination, he thought.
But the timid knock that came at his door was more than reassuring. He usually never got surprise visitors, so you can imagine his shock to actually have anyone come. As he opened the door, it felt as though he had remained that way for an eternity.
Her honey brown hair had been tamed ever so slightly, and she grew possibly a couple of inches. But her face never changed, eyes filled with thought, and subtle frustration.
"Hello, Draco." she mumbled lost in his gaze. He continued to stare at her, absorbing her every word.
When he wouldn't answer she continued, "I was just in town...and thought that I could visit...I didn't know you would be here...and the house...you know maybe I should just go."
With that she shuffled back to the gate, but tripped on a rock. "Oops," was all she could say before she tripped yet again, this time leaving a scrape on her elbow.
She didn't notice him approaching her and before she knew it, he was helping her inside. They sat across from each other in the living room in awkward silence. Draco had poured her some tea and there they sat waiting for the other one to talk first.
Yet again, she was the one to break the silence, "How have you been, Draco? I see you have fixed up the cottage."
"Yes, well it was a dream, thought I could pursue it."
"What about your writing?"
"I still write, although nothing was ever really published yet. To me...it would never be finished."
"Ahhh, I see," she said taking a sip of her tea.
"And what about you? How have you been?"
"I'm fine...I'm engaged," she mumbled.
Hurt and discomfort course through his veins, hidden by his infamous smirk.
"The Weasel?" he said hesitantly.
"Yes. I would prefer you call him Ron."
"Ahh, Ron. So that's all you came to tell me? You're getting married?"
"Well, no. I've missed you, Draco. I came just to see you."
"Fine, call it what you will."
Not wanting to cause another argument, she changed the subject,
"How are your parent?" she said, but immediately wanted to take it back.
"Well, my mother's under house arrest, and my father's in Azkaban. So yeah, they're all right," he said with a smirk.
Hermione couldn't hide the slight smile creeping up on her face. Her smile was one of the things he missed most about her, he could never forget it. They stayed like this for a while, just talking. They reminisced about their times together, and even though they wouldn't admit it, those old feelings returned.
They failed to notice how the sky had changed and nightfall took over. Draco had lit a fire and they stayed near the fireplace, they're laughter filling the room.
"Draco, it's getting late. I should leave..." she said, hoping that he would let her stay.
He wished she could stay, and not return to that husband, he was nothing but an idiot who was forcing her into something she didn't want to go through with. How he wished he could kiss her, the slight pout on her lips told him she didn't want to leave either.
"Yes, I guess so," he said hesitantly.
He walked her to the door, and to the gate, and before she could apparate, he practically shouted,
"Will you come back?! Tomorrow?"
She was taken back by his tone, but she agreed nonetheless, and apparated home.