The Harry Potter universe and its characters are the sole property of J. K. Rowling. By using them below, I am in no way claiming ownership.
The bat swung true, meeting its target with all the force Hermione could muster. Draco's expression never changed from one of love, even as he shattered into a million glass pieces. The shards danced across the floor and against her robes like a final caress.
The imposter was gone.
She knelt down and attempted to remove the binding from Draco's wrists. He stared back at her in awe. 'You didn't choose him.'
'No,' Hermione gave up on trying to untie the knots and removed her wand, using a quick reducto to turn the bindings to dust. Draco rubbed his wrists appreciatively.
'But why not?' Her eyes moved up to his. 'He could have loved you.'
'He wasn't you.' She pushed herself up into a standing position, then offered a hand to Malfoy. He took it gratefully, lurching to his feet.
'He looked like me.' Hermione smiled weakly,
'You're more than just your good looks, you know.' He smiled in return and sat down on the bench with a sigh. He patted the seat next to him and she shook her head. The destruction of the counterfeit-Malfoy had hurt her deeply, tearing further at the emotional damage the real Draco had already inflicted on her heart. Draco's expression became shielded, as he realised what the consequences of the encounter had been.
'Is this it, then?' He asked, his voice barely able to disguise his pain. Hermione didn't trust herself with words and instead gave a quick nod. The rejection had upset him, but was nothing in comparison to the effect of his multiple rejections on her. If they stayed friendly, it would only happen again. She didn't know how much more she could take. Without a second glance at her, Draco pushed himself up and left the changing rooms.
Hermione fell onto the place where he had sat, tears streaming freely down her face.
A shadow moved across the silvered glass on the floor and she paused in her sobbing. A flash of white, then green, and she saw at least part of her heart's desire reflected back in the largest shard. She moved down, cupping the fragment between her hands. Her Draco stared back at her, his gaze everything she needed. Everything she wanted.
Hermione walked slowly back towards the castle, her eyes fixed firmly on the green eyes which stared back out from the glass.
'It does not do to dwell on dreams, and forget to live.' Hermione jumped, the glass slipping out of her grip and shattering into smaller pieces against the ground. He was lost forever. She turned back to Dumbledore, who had somehow appeared from behind her, despite the grounds being practically empty.
'Miss Granger,' he acknowledged with a slight bow of his head. The headmaster wandered away from her, back in the direction of the lake.
She stared down at the cracked silver, then moved her gaze up to the castle. She finally felt free.
THE END
Want more? Check out the precursor to this story - Hermione Granger and the Surprise Editor
Or, check out the sequel - Hermione Granger and the Confidential Source
Did you enjoy this? What did you like/hate? Please leave a pm/review if you have the time, I really appreciate it!