Chapter 2 Hermione
It'd had been an impossibly long week, starting with waking up gasping for air and feeling as though my entire body was on fire. I hadn't remembered anything for the first hour or two, but then things began coming back to me. The last thing I remembered was Draco stabbing me in the heart.
I knew he'd done it for a reason, but I couldn't remember why. I knew I'd felt some kind of connection to him, but I couldn't remember exactly what it had been. I just remembered him in general, and spending a lot of time with him. Many of my memories of emotions towards people had been foggy through the week.
Different healers had come in through the week to make sure I was healing alright, but nobody would answer my questions. Was Draco alright? Was anyone else alive? What had entirely happened? Why was I alive?
Then came the day of the interview. I was ushered to the Quidditch Pitch by an unknown healer, and I was met by everyone else who had died in the arena. They had us lined up in the order we had died in.
We were all quiet, I was unsure if it was shock and disbelief, or something else.
I could hear Draco, Mrs. Weasley, and Mrs. Malfoy on the stage talking with Penelope Clearwater. I felt my heart clench when I heard Draco choke up, almost undoubtedly crying. I felt a strong urge to hug him and tell him everything was alright. This surprised me, as I still didn't really remember why he'd plunged a knife into my heart.
And suddenly, it was time for the world to know. Time for them to know we were alive.
A few ministry officials, including Kingsley Shacklebolt, led the line into the pitch. The former tributes followed, in order, one by one. I stepped into the light and made instant eye contact with Draco. Tears streamed down his cheeks and I saw him mouth my name, disbelief written all over his face.
I was ushered to a seat in front of the stage along with my fellow tributes. We listened in silence to the conversations with the minister until the replay of the tournament began. I stole glances at my peers to see that they too were being reminded of the events of the past few weeks, accompanied by the new knowledge of events we all went through.
I paid attention to Harry and Ron, but my main focus was on Draco. I saw him wipe a few tears from his eyes as he tried to keep a straight face, but I could tell how upset he was.
As I watched the replay, I began to remember not just the events, but, finally, my feelings n those events. And then I remembered. I remembered my connection to Draco. I loved him.
My eyes widened in shock and I rapidly glanced around until I found Draco. He was focused on watching the replay. I knew what he was saying when I had been under the stands waiting to enter. He was saying he loved me. I loved him! And he loved me! But, how? Why? He'd killed me.
I wiped a few stray tears from my eyes and continued to watch the replay, hoping to see the reason. And it came. I begged him. I begged him to kill me. I was in pain and dying. And I wanted him, Draco Malfoy, the one I'd fallen in love with, to live.
The replay finally ended and the Minister answered some more questions before stating that we would be expected to go back to life as usual. I was horrified. How were we supposed to continue as if nothing had ever happened to us? We'd died! I'd died!
I felt angry and hurt. I wanted nothing more than to go on as if nothing happened. I wanted to scream and cry all at the same time.
Penelope concluded the interview by thanking everyone for their time and dismissed the Minister. She then asked for the crowd to begin vacating. They did just that.
It was obvious everyone wanted to talk to all of the tributes, find out how we were doing, ask all their questions, but they were being led out by teachers and prefects.
I noticed there was one section of the stands still seated and unmoving, but they were too far away to make out any faces until they were led down onto the pitch and towards us.
I managed to find a group of redheads, quite obviously the Weasleys, and then other faces began to emerge in the crowd. I found Mrs. Longbottom, and then Mr. Lovegood and others. And finally, my own parents.
Parents and siblings began embracing each other, crying heard all around. I caught sight of Harry, Ron, and Ginny being embraced before my own parents nearly crushed me in a hug.
My mother wept openly as she whispered, "I'm so sorry honey. You shouldn't have gone through that. I wish we could have protected you." My father hugged me and my mother tightly in silence, tears falling softly.
My parents held me forever, their tightness unwavering until my father pulled me even closer and scowled. I was unsure why until I pried myself from his grip so I could turn and see the person his glare was directed at.
I was met with a stormy grey gaze wet with fresh tears. My father still held my shoulders protectively until I pushed them away and ran towards Draco, fresh tears falling from my eyes. I must have caught him entirely off-guard, as he nearly lost his footing, managing to regain it just before falling.
He wrapped me in his arms tightly, like he had so many times in the arena, yet also so different. This wasn't an embrace of fear. This was one of happiness and knowing. He was here. And I was here. And we were both breathing.
He buried his face in my hair, and mine in his chest. He whispered softly, "I am so sorry."
I hugged him tighter, "Don't be."
"I'm sorry I hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you. I will never hurt you again."
"I trust you."
There was a calm silence between us until I heard him whisper, almost inaudibly, "I love you Hermione. I shouldn't, but I do. A lot."
I gave a single soft chuckle before pulling away to whisper back, just as quietly, "I love you too Draco."
I saw his eyes light a little bit, but still filled with remorse, before he hugged me again and gave me a kiss on my head.
He let go of me, reluctantly, as more people came to say hello. I turned and found the group of gingers and Harry.
Harry and Ron stayed back and stayed quiet, but Ginny ran forward and hugged me, "Hermione, I am so sorry. I can't apologize to you enough for what I did. I…" She suddenly began choking on some tears before continuing, "I tried to kill you. I…I let the arena get to me. I went crazy! Please, please forgive me!"
I gave her a soft hug. I wanted to forgive her, but, how many times would she have trouble trusting me again? She'd tried to kill me because she thought I kissed Harry. How many times had she not believed me before?
I nodded slightly, "I do." But I couldn't find it in me to entirely believe the words. She looked to Draco with a blank stare before turning and retreating with Harry and Ron.
And then the rest of the Weasleys were hugging me all at once.
As the reunions began to die down, I got to give a quick hug to Luna and Neville before being approached by Narcissa Malfoy.
She gave me a smile, a tear falling down her cheek, "Thank you dear."
I was confused, "For what?"
"For protecting my son, and for being honest with him. I completely trust that he loves you. And I trust that you'll look after him. I thank you for caring for him."
She stepped forward hesitantly before giving me a small hug. I returned it awkwardly.
And then it was time to leave. Many families were travelling home by apparating and portkey, but mine would be traveling home by ministry car. I looked forward to going home, but I also dreaded it. How could I possibly act like everything was normal?
Author's Note: Hey guys! I know you probably hate me fr not updating in so long! I am so beyond sorry! Life has been very, very, very crazy the past month with holidays, a family emergency, shopping, work, and trying to enroll in online school. Oh! And my internet being shut off! Anyway, thank you for your patience and I hope you still give Finding Life a chance! On another note! I hope everyone had happy holidays! -ZutaraDramione97-