Chapter 19 – Good To You

April 7, 2001 - Evening

I slowly blink open my eyes, the world around me gradually losing its fuzzy edges. My entire body aches terribly and I have this dry, chalky feeling in my mouth. Eyes scanning my surroundings, I find I am in a bed at St. Mungos.

Draco is sitting in a chair just to my left, head bent into his hands.

"Hey." My voice is little more than a croaky whisper but causes his head to snap up and his worried eyes lock onto mine. He looks as though he hasn't slept in quite a while, with dishevelled hair and slightly bloodshot eyes.

"You're awake." He sounds so relieved, as if he thought it may not occur. Draco takes my hand, squeezing it lightly. "Healer says you'll be alright. Wasn't anything too difficult to heal with magic."

"What happened?" I ask.

"You don't remember?" He's beginning to panic.

"I remember that part," I assure him. "How did you find me? Why was Harry there? What happened after?"

"So many questions," he says, smiling slightly. "You wouldn't be yourself if you didn't want all the answers." Very True. "But now, you should rest."

"I need to know. You can't expect me to just lie here and wait until you think I've rested enough. You know perfectly well how much more stressful speculative wondering is for me," I say.

Draco sighs. "Fine. Not sure if you're going to like all that you hear though," he warns, making me worry. "I knew something had happened the moment it did. And when you didn't show up to lunch," he shakes his head. "It was absolutely terrifying."

I can see the pain in his gaze, the way it accents every word, every movement. He blames himself.

"It isn't your fault," I tell him.

He looks at me. "It was my father who did this."

"It was Ron."

"My father set him off," Draco argues.

"Your father. Not you. Draco, don't do this to yourself. I knew what I was getting into when I went on that first date."

"You did?" He seems shocked.

"Yes," I admit. "But now, tell me the rest of the story. How did Harry fit in?"

He clears his throat. "That's the part you may not be too pleased about." He takes a breath. "I went to him. I knew I couldn't find you on my own and was desperate. I told him about everything and, of course, he didn't believe any of it at first. Why should he have? It was me." Draco pauses. "I may have gone a bit too far with trying to convince him to help."

"What did you do?" I ask, not sure if I want to hear the answer.

"I threatened . . ." He looks down at his hand, still interlocked with mine. "I threatened to kill him if anything happened to you because he wouldn't help."

"You didn't." I don't like hearing that he threatened Harry, but I'm not sure whether to be upset or thankful.

"I did," he replies sheepishly. "But I think he understood how serious I was being and agreed."

"Where is he now? Is he alright?" I ask. I know I am interrupting the story that I asked for, but I have to know.

"He's here, in the waiting room. To be honest, he's a bit of a wreck," Draco tells me. "He keeps going on about how this is his fault. Doesn't think he can face you after what happened."

I sigh sadly. "So, you think it's your fault, he thinks it's his fault. Next thing you know I'll be blaming myself."

"Don't even joke about that," Draco says sternly.

"I know it wasn't my doing, Ron is sick. I just wish I saw it earlier; wish I could have helped him." It dawns on my that I haven't heard the end of the story. What happened to Ron? "He's alright isn't he? Sorry, I know I'm a bit all over the place. But he is? He's alright?"

"Only because Potter was there. If he hadn't been . . ." he trails off. "Seeing you like that . . . I thought I was losing you." He takes a deep breath. "Potter took Weasley and I brought you here. I still have to talk to him about what's happening with my father." Draco looks down avoiding my eyes. "I should have seen this coming. He must have had a spy. Maybe one of the elves. . ." he continues.

"No, Draco, you saved my life." I clear my throat once more. "And, I do remember what you said." I bite my bottom lip as my stomach flutters nervously. I realize that it isn't only my own nervousness I'm feeling, but his as well. "I made an utterly terrifying realization when I was down there, alone, with Ron." I pause, willing myself to say the words.

"And that is?" he coaxes softly.

"When I was there, on the brink of death, all I wanted was to see you, one last time. Others may have a problem with who your family is and what they've done, but my heart is seeming to against all rationality." I pause. "I'm desperately in love with you."

And in that moment, I feel the greatest surge of emotion I think I've ever experienced.

Love.

I feel so much of it; enough for not one, but two people. It's as though our hearts are joined and this wonderful, powerful force is filling me inside.

Draco lightly traces the frame of my face with the tips of his fingers before capturing my lips in a slow and deep kiss. My eyelids flutter shut as all my senses are filled by him, by the pure passion and love dancing between us.

But far too quickly, he pulls away. Probably doesn't want to excite me too much in my current state. Too late for that.

"I never thought I'd hear Hermione Granger say those words to me," he says.

"Why not?"

He raises a brow. "Gryffindor Princess, one of the Golden Trio, war hero. How could I have fallen in love with the most amazing woman in all the world? And much harder to believe; how could that woman possibly have fallen in love with me?"

"Oh, Draco. I think it's somewhat plausible. Entertaining at least," I reply thoughtfully, smiling. "Many romance novels are based off seemingly impossible relationships."

Draco rolls his eyes and chuckles lightly.

We sit in silence for a moment, hands still joined, simply being together.

"I think you should talk to Potter," Draco says, breaking the peaceful quiet.

"I think I should too."

"I'll try to convince him to come in here," he offers.

"I know you aren't exactly fond of Harry, but thank-you for putting that aside for now, for me."

"All for you, Hermione. All for you," he announces with a smile as he leaves the room.

My heart breaks for Harry. None of this is fair for him. He's been stuck in the middle of the disaster and all he wanted was for us to be friends again, to go back to the way things were before. I didn't tell him what Ron was doing; I left Harry in the dark about everything. I feel horrible about the position I've put him in.

It takes quite a few minutes before Harry finally comes around the corner. His eyes are slightly puffy and red, as though he's been crying.

"I'm sorry," he manages, coming to stand beside me.

"Harry," I whisper. "You didn't know."

"I should have," he claims.

"No. I should have told you," I say. "Sit."

Harry nods and takes the place where Draco had sat.

"It's all a bit of a mess isn't it," I state sadly.

"You could say that." He sniffs and rubs one hand over his face. "I never thought –"

"Don't. I don't blame you, so don't blame yourself. Draco was shocked when he found out I never told you. It was stupid of me. I should have told you from the start."

"Why didn't you?" he asks. I can see how much pain this has caused him.

"I was afraid." I can't meet his eyes. I don't want to see how my words are hurting him. "Not of you. Just . . .I didn't know who you would have believed. Ron's your brother-in-law, your best friend. I didn't want to risk losing what we had left between us."

"I don't understand what happened," Harry says. "Malfoy said . . .he said Ron was abusive towards you when you were together, was writing you threatening letters, broke into your flat. I didn't want to believe it. I just don't understand how he could do something like this."

"The war caused a lot of damage. He couldn't handle it. Needed someone to blame and I was there," I explain softly.

"But to blame you for all of it? He's convinced you're a Death Eater, thinks you're the reason Fred was killed. I don't see how he could have possibly gotten those ideas," he responds, bewildered by the situation.

"And we may never truly understand. He needs help." I take a deep breath. "Lucius Malfoy manipulated him. Somehow, he knew about Ron's ideas and preyed upon them. Draco thinks he may have used one of the family house elves to get the information. He wanted me gone. Thought I was defiling the Malfoy name, that I was trying to break their pure family line. He tried to have Ron do it for him."

Harry nods. "Ron told me about those letters."

"What's going to happen to them? Ron and Lucius?" I ask.

"Well," he looks at me as though unsure if he's doing the right thing. "I'm going to try my best to keep Ron out of Azkaban. As you said, he needs psychological help and he won't get that in prison."

"Good. He's done some terrible things to me, but I don't want him in that . . .place," I assure him.

He runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath. "He won't go without a sentence, but perhaps he can be confined to the hospital instead of prison. Lucius on the other hand, was already very close to a prison sentence and I don't think anyone can save him from that now."

My mind drifts to Draco and how this will affect him. He may resent his actions and beliefs, but Lucius Malfoy is still his father.

"I just can't believe this happened," Harry mutters, pausing for a moment. "You and Malfoy was something I never saw coming either. I'm so confused about it all." His head hangs into his hands. "I know I wasn't there for you and he was, and he does seem to care about you. But it's Malfoy and it's so hard to believe."

"I know," I agree quietly. "We've all changed."

"You love him, don't you," he states sadly.

I can't help a small smile at the words.

"I do. He was raised with some questionable morals, but he's stepped out of that life, become his own person; a good one," I tell him. "Are we alright? Can we still be friends?"

"Hermione, these past months I've missed you so much. If you can forgive me, of course we're friends. Always will be. The Malfoy thing is going to take a little getting used to, but I don't want that to get in the way."

"Oh, Harry. There's nothing to forgive you for." I pause. "Have you talked to Ginny? How's she handling it all?"

"She'll be alright. Quite upset right now about everything. She believed what Ron told her and is absolutely furious that he would do this to you. And the way she's been treating you . . . just finding out that it was for no reason . . . I don't think she really knows what to do," Harry explains.

"It's understandable. Would you tell her I don't hold any of it against her? He's her brother, of course she wanted to believe him. I don't have siblings, but if I thought Ginny cheated on you, I'd probably be the same way," I request.

Harry nods and rubs his face with a hand once more. He has tears in his eyes, but smiles when he sees my questioning expression.

"You still compared me to a brother. After everything that's happened," he explains.

"You'll always be like brother to me," I tell him, taking his hand.

"Mother, stop!"

My eyes snap to the hall where Narcissa Malfoy rushes into the room, closely followed by Draco.

"I'm sorry," he tells me. "Mother, it's a private moment."

"I don't care whose moment it is! It will be over now!" the woman commands.

Draco sends me an apologetic look.

"It's alright," I assure him, sliding my hand from Harry's.

Narcissa turns to her son. "See, she says it's alright." He rolls his eyes. "Anyway, my dear." She comes to stand beside me, opposite to where Harry is still sitting, looking dreadfully confused. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine," I say.

"Of course, you're a strong girl. Draco's always telling me as much." Narcissa sighs. "I am so terribly sorry for my husband's actions, and I apologize for my own inability to stop him. He does things so . . . discreetly. I would never have known."

"So, you did consult a seer," I confirm.

"Smart one, too." She takes a breath. "Yes, I did. I have been for a few years now. Never hurts to be prepared. I've learned that I need to take action early in order to protect my family." Her eyes seem to sparkle when she says that word: family. It's as though she knows something I have yet to discover. And maybe she does.

"Forgive me if I'm too blunt," the woman continues. "I take it the bond worked?"

"It did, Mother," Draco confirms, rolling his eyes.

"I'm so confused," Harry says.

I sigh. "I'll explain it all later."

I turn back to Narcissa. I'm a bit confused myself when it comes to her. Contrary to her previous claim, it seems as if the woman truly cares about me. She would deny it of course, saying she only did it for Draco's sake, but I can tell from the way she rushed in here that she cares more than she lets on.

"I'm glad everything is working out," she states. "So, did he ask you yet."

"Mother, not now!" Draco mutters angrily, almost a whispered shout.

Narcissa seems far too pleased with herself and Harry looks to be growing quite uncomfortable.

"Maybe I should go," he says, standing up.

"Harry," I begin, looking back to him. "We've survived so much together. You will always be my best friend."

He smiles and leaves the room.

"Really? You two couldn't have waited a few more minutes?" I ask in exasperation.

"I tried to stop her," Draco replies, hands in the air, saying it wasn't his fault.

"I'm sorry. I know, you were anxious to make sure I was alright," I tell Narcissa. "I just haven't really talked to Harry in a long time, and now he finally knows the truth about what happened between Ron and I – it's a long story."

"Yes, well, I don't know what took hold of me," she says.

"I think I might," I tell her with a smile.

Narcissa turns to Draco. "You know that I don't fully approve of this, but after what's happened, it's your decision to make. And every time I see Hermione here, I think it just might right one, even though I don't like it. So, ask her, and I'll support you in any way I can." She looks to me, then back to her son. "I think I'll go as well; leave you two alone."

"Thank-you," Draco says as Narcissa walks out into the hall.

"So, what's this that your mother let out of the bag?" I ask.

He's so nervous, his stomach in a knot, heart beating fast. I can feel it, but I'm still quite unsure as to why.

He clears his throat. "I'm leaving the Manor," Draco announces. "And I know this may be moving a little fast, but I want to get a place of my own in London and I was wondering . . ." he's having trouble finding the words. "I was wondering if you would make it yours as well." He pauses. "Wait, did that sense?"

I can't help the small giggle that bubbles up inside me at his insecurity. "Are you asking me to move in with you, find a place of our own?" I clarify.

"Yes, well, I guess it depends on your answer."

"Perhaps, you're right and we're moving quite quickly," his face falls and I know I need to hurry in my explanation. "But, I can't live at my flat, and the Manor certainly isn't the place," I smile at his incomprehension. "I love you Draco. Where else would I go?"

"So, that's a yes?"

"Yes," I confirm.

Without a moment's hesitation, he kisses me once more.


Author's Note:

Hello all my amazing readers! A bit of a longer chapter and not a cliffy! YAY! It seems a bit like a revolving door to me and I'm not super sure about it, but I hope you still found it entertaining. Let me know what you thought of it! Personally, I love Narcissa in this chapter and the way she dominates the room.

I know a lot of you wanted something bad to happen to Ron after everything he did and probably won't be happy with how things turned out with him. Maybe it was a bit anticlimactic for you. I thought that it really isn't something Hermione or Harry would want for him. They would be upset about it, confused, but Ron was still their best friend since childhood and, in my opinion, they wouldn't want to see him rot in Azkaban.

But that's my thoughts and I would love to hear yours! What did you think of Harry in the chapter? What about Draco's question? Where will they go from here?

Thank-you so much everyone who reviewed! I think I replied to everyone who signed in as of yesterday and to all the guest reviewers, a huge thanks to you guys as well! You all make me so happy and want to do my best.

So, I'm flying home today :(. I will be on my flight in a few hours, then go straight back to university for a week of leadership training. I can't believe the summer is over already! Anyways, again, it might be difficult to reply right away, but I will try to do that as soon as possible!

I also can't believe this story is already ending! I have one more chapter written and that could be the end. I was thinking of writing one more after that, but I think I'll wait and see. If you guys are begging me to write that one last one, I'll try it. If not, the next one will be the end. Duh Duh Duh . . .

Thank-you so much for reading, I love you guys, have an amazing week, and I'll see you next Sunday!