Author's Note: This is the chapter that made me want to write this story. I hope that I do it justice as it's been in my head for so long…four long years and this fic is finally coming to an end. Please remember that this is the last chapter but there is an epilogue. The way this one ends is wide open so I want you to know the epilogue will explain everything. I recommend listening to Pieces by Red as you read this as the song is what inspired the main scene. I honestly should have named this fic Pieces, but Letting it all Go just went better with the theme. Anyway, enjoy my loves…and review! Thank you to those that reviewed the last chapter! I love all of you!
Disclaimer: I write for fun, not for profit. Harry Potter does not belong to me. Sadly.
Letting it all Go
Chapter Fourteen: Pieces
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"Then I'll see your face, I know I'm finally yours.
I find everything I thought I lost before.
You call my name, I come to you in pieces,
So you can make me whole."
—Red
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Yawning, Hermione winced at the cracking sound her jaw made. She had been up late finishing the testimony for her trial this morning. She'd gone to bed only two hours before the sun had risen and was already awake at half seven and stepping out of the lift to her floor at the Ministry. Granted, there were other Ministry workers there as well, but not many. Walking to her office with coffee in hand, she began running through her speech to the Wizengamot in her head. Today was the day she'd been waiting for since starting back at with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Today, she would be proposing her bill to eliminate all blood status laws for good. The Daily Prophet had said she was bold and brilliant and that she would change the Wizarding world as they knew it. All in all, everything seemed rather promising.
If only she could stay awake long enough to make it to the trial at nine. She knew there wasn't much to worry about as most of the more pressing blood purity laws had been disbanded years ago, but there were still a few that caused loopholes to arise. After today, hopefully, that wouldn't be an issue any longer. Getting settled at the mahogany desk in her office, Hermione set her cup down and opened her file folder to where she'd left off last night. Harry had mentioned yesterday how she was overdoing it, but that was who she was. Today was an important day and she wasn't going to let anyone down.
Speaking of letting people down…Rose would be covering the trial as her first large writing piece for her internship at the Prophet. Hermione definitely didn't want to make a fool out of herself in front of her daughter, and she didn't want Rose to become the laughing stock at the paper because her mother had failed. Hermione had been working many cases since Chapman had promoted her, but this was a big one—it was a make it or break it sort of case. Besides, Rose had been doing so well at her internship that her mother really didn't want to ruin it for her.
Sure enough, after Rose had returned home for the summer, she and James had moved into a flat right near Diagon Alley. James was working at Gringott's and Rose took a part time job at Flourish and Blott's so she could earn money during her internship with the Daily Prophet. Hugo had gone right to Sydney to visit her parents. Hermione rather enjoyed all the post cards she'd been receiving from him. She planned on visiting sometime in August before he returned home to prepare for his sixth year at Hogwarts.
Ron and Padma had gotten engaged and were planning a winter wedding at the moment. Hermione had even managed to tell the two congratulations while they were all together moving Rose and James into their new flat. Padma had been a bit cool towards her, but when Ron showed he was being civil, she had changed her tune. Hermione suspected Ron and Padma would be moving to Paris permanently within the next year which as fine with her. As long as Padma refrained from writing any more scathing articles about her, she didn't care where she ended up.
All in all, it appeared as if life was returning to normal for Hermione. It was hard to believe that it was almost a year since she had taken Draco into her home and her heart. Every day was a struggle with her alcoholism and her heartache…but she was surviving. She was doing just as Harry had taught her—taking it one day at a time. If she kept doing that then nothing could stop her from finding happiness.
According to Abigail, who Hermione had started meeting for lunch every Friday, Draco was continuing his therapy. Hermione wasn't sure how these sessions were going because Abigail didn't legally have access to the files, but at least he was attending them. Hermione truly hoped that Draco found the peace and happiness he deserved. Harry insisted that they were meant to be with each other and that Draco was just being stubborn, but Hermione thought maybe it was for the best. She and Ron had settled their differences but who was to say that he wouldn't change his mind if Draco came back into her life. She couldn't risk it and she knew Draco wouldn't let her. He had broken her into pieces when he left, but she'd gotten herself back together with the help of her family and friends…and a bit of strategical maneuvering from the Slytherin king himself. No, at this point Hermione was convinced she would be alone for the rest of her life.
A knock on the door brought Hermione out of her train of thought and back into the present. She closed her folder and smiled when she saw Rose in the doorway. "Come in, Rose. I was just thinking about you." She gestured towards the plush chair across from her and then put her folders and papers into her briefcase. Rose came in and sat down in the chair a bit roughly. Hermione scanned her daughter's features and decided she must be a bit nervous considering the green tinge she had. "You're going to be fine. Just make sure to write down all the important events that and quotes that happen."
Rose leaned forward, placing her face in her delicate hands. "Oh, mum, what if I miss something and screw up my entire article?"
Hermione had to laugh. "Well, if that happens you can just ask me for an interview. I'll fill in any blank spots you may have." The green tinge seemed to dissipate from her daughter's cheeks at the proposition of a one-on-one interview with such an esteemed Ministry official. Rumor was that Chapman was retiring at the end of the year and she would be up for his position. It was just a rumor though…
"Really? You wouldn't mind? I'd use one of those note-taking quills but I'm always so afraid they're going to miss something or misquote someone."
"Of course…and don't use those quills. You remember the horror stories Uncle Harry and I told you about Rita Skeeter, don't you?"
Her daughter groaned but cracked a smile that finally made her face light back up like her mother was used to. "Oh yes! The famous beetle!"
Hermione laughed as well and tapped her coffee with her wand to warm it back up. "You're going to be a fantastic journalist, darling. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you will get there eventually. Don't forget that your Aunt Ginny writes her Quidditch column and can help you out as well. I've never been much of a journalist but I am excellent when it comes to presenting the facts, or so they say."
"You're the smartest witch I know, mum. Don't be so silly." Rose stood up and smoothed out her pale blue work robes. She looked so professional with her quill behind her ear and her hair pulled back into a simple pony tail. Hermione felt a twinge of pride that her daughter was graduated from Hogwarts and on her way to becoming a journalist for one of the most prestigious papers in the Wizarding world. Life just kept on moving no matter what, didn't it?
Looking at the clock on the wall, Hermione saw that it was nearing quarter to nine. "We should be heading downstairs. The trial will start at exactly nine." Hermione stood and grabbed her briefcase and ushered her nervous daughter to the door. Hermione knew she should be nervous as well, but she didn't want to alarm Rose.
Once in the lift, Rose turned to her mother and gave her a strange look. Hermione quirked an eyebrow and asked, "What is it, Rose?"
"I was just wondering if Mr. Malfoy was going to be there this morning. He was elected onto the Wizengamot last week, wasn't he?"
Raising her eyebrows at her daughter, Hermione anxiously tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "See, you are going to be an excellent journalist. You're already digging up the facts."
"That didn't answer my question, mum. You're on your way to becoming an excellent politician."
"Honestly, I'm not sure if he will be there or not. I know there is a waiting period once you get elected, but seeing as Mr. Sheppard passed away last month, he could be on the stands." Hermione internally hoped that he wouldn't be there as that would make her want to focus on him rather than the case at hand. It wasn't because of the feelings she knew she had for the man, but rather that she would want to inspect him. She had been a Healer for many years, after all.
Rose didn't say anything more about the issue as the lift arrived and they existed into the hallway. Hermione gave Rose an encouraging smile as she joined the other journalists waiting to be let into the courtroom. Hermione went over to the side door where just seven months ago she had waited before her custody hearing. Today would be a breeze compared to that fiasco. At exactly one minute to nine, the doors opened and the short bald man that had been there before beckoned her inside.
Just as Hermione was stepping inside the courtroom, her phone beeped. Quickly grabbing it from the pocket of her robe, she glanced at the screen. It was a missed call from Abigail. Hermione silenced the phone and put it away. Abigail probably just wanted to wish her luck. That was all…
Once inside Hermione looked around the cold, dark room and found her daughter sitting on the right side with the other reporters. She flashed her another smile which her daughter returned. She then set about preparing her folders to begin her case. The short bald man announced the Wizengamot was ready for her to state her case. Hermione turned her head slowly from side to side to see who was in attendance. Sure enough it looked as if everyone that had been voted in recently was there…all except for one. Draco's assigned chair was empty. Taking a deep breath, Hermione pushed her worries away, rationalizing that he probably did not come because he didn't want to upset her. Swallowing back the anxious feeling that had suddenly crept to her throat, Hermione put on a brave, smiling face and began the trial.
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Nearly three hours later, Hermione was finally finished stating her case, hearing the verdict (she won), and answering the questions from the press which included a one-on-one interview with her daughter. Everything had gone according to plan and the Wizengamot had gladly voted mostly in favor of abolishing all remaining pureblood supremacy laws. The Wizarding world, at least in the UK, would be one-hundred percent free of any former prejudice when it came to following the laws. Hermione couldn't get the smile off her face as she said goodbye to her co-workers and the press before heading towards the lift.
She didn't even remember the missed call from Abigail until she reached her office where she found Harry waiting with a congratulatory latte. She took the latte and the immature high-five that was offered with it before pulling her phone out and setting it on her desk.
"Congratulations, Soon-to-be-Head-of-the-Department-of-Magical-Law-Enforcement," Harry said and then grimaced. "That's a horribly long title, don't you think?"
Hermione gave a short bark of laughter as she plopped down into her chair. "Just a bit." She then sighed and let her head fall back against the chair. "I feel like a million galleons right now. I just can't believe it was almost a unanimous vote. I really thought some of the old school purebloods would have wanted to keep things as they were."
Sipping his own coffee, Harry waved her statement away. "Come on, Hermione, of course they weren't. The world has changed a lot since Tom's demise. They know it just as well as we do. If they didn't agree to the changed laws now, you would just keep pestering them for years. Besides, most of the old codgers that were on the Wizengamot who would have wanted to keep purebloods in power have passed away or retired."
Nodding in agreement Hermione smiled as she spoke, "True. Thank you for the latte, Harry, but I might actually take an early day and go home and sleep. I didn't get more than three hours last night, if that, and I could really use the rest right now."
"More coffee for me then." Harry stuck out his tongue as he snagged the cup off her desk and held it close to his chest. Hermione couldn't help the peel of laughter that escaped her throat and her smile only grew when Harry joined in. It felt good to smile. It felt good to laugh. It felt great to be happy. The happy feeling wouldn't last, though, for Hermione reached for the phone she'd set on the desk.
"Oh, thank you for that, Harry. I needed a good laugh." She frowned as she noticed that she not only had one missed call from Abigail, but five. She sat up a bit straighter and scrolled to her text messages. There was only one that read 'call me ASAP'. Hermione gave Harry a worried look.
"What is it, 'Mione?" Harry had leaned forward and stopped victory dancing in the chair with the two cups of coffee.
Swallowing dryly, she looked up at her friend. "I have five missed calls from Abigail and a text to call her as soon as possible."
"Go ahead, then," he said setting the coffee down and paying full attention to his friend. He crossed one leg over his knee and watched patiently as she hit the send button. He then reached forward, plucked the phone from her hand, and put it on speaker before setting it on the desk between them. Hermione mouthed thank you as the ringing filled the silence of her office.
Abigail picked up after the second ring. Hermione could hear the hospital sounds in the background as her friend breathed into the phone. "Hermione? Thank Merlin! I've been trying to reach you all morning!"
"What's wrong, Abigail? I was in a hearing." Hermione gave Harry a panicked look to which he shrugged in reply.
"It's Draco Malfoy. He's been at the hospital all morning pestering Ernie about having a session with him. Ernie had department meetings all day though so no one can see him. It's bad Hermione…he threw a chair through Ernie's office window." Someone shouted Abigail's name in the background. "Look, Hermione, I have to go, but I think you should come down here…I'll talk to you later." The line went dead and Hermione reached for the phone and clutched it to her chest.
"I have to get down there!" She made to get up from her chair but Harry put his hand up.
"No, listen, there's nothing you can do. He's upset but he'll calm down as soon as Ernie is done with his meetings. It's not like you're a registered Healer anymore. Your license was revoked remember? Besides, I don't want you to get hurt…again."
Hermione slumped in her chair as her heart clenched as if it was in an angry vice. Panic was starting to take over and the only thought in her head was 'GET TO THE HOSPITAL'. She had to think this through though; would Draco even want her there? Was this why he wasn't at the trial this morning? Maybe she should stay and let the Healers take care of it? But…but what if Draco did something more drastic than just throwing a chair through a window?
She shook her head with conviction. "No, Harry I'm going down there. He needs me even if he doesn't realize or want my help." She stood and pocketed her phone. Harry just watched as she breezed through the doorway and to the stairs. Hermione wasn't wasting time waiting on the lift, so she took the stairs down two at a time all the while slipping in her expensive pumps. Why didn't she wear flats today of all days? The flats had worked perfectly the last time she'd had to do this. Pushing open the doors to the Atrium, Hermione set off at a flat out run to the floo network fireplaces. Finding the closest unused one, Hermione shouted 'St. Mungo's' and was on her way whirling through the green flames.
In her haste, she nearly toppled onto the floor when she arrived. Not caring about the soot on her skirt-suit, she ran for the ER. The first thing she did was check the chair in the waiting area where Draco would sometimes sit for hours at a time when she had worked here. He wasn't there—only a handful of witches and wizards were loitering about waiting to be seen. Hermione turned her attention to the nurse's station only to throw her hands up in frustration. No one was there either. In a rage, Hermione tore past the desk and down the hall to the room where Astoria had died. Luckily no one was in there and it looked undisturbed. Backtracking out of the room Hermione was just about to head up to the Therapy floor when she spotted Abigail coming out of the on call room.
"Abigail," she called out before making her way towards her friend, her heels clicking against the polished floor of the hallway. Abigail turned at hearing her name, dark hair flicking about her shoulders. Her face brightened, and then fell at seeing Hermione there.
"Oh, Hermione, you're here. I was hoping you would come. It's been awful…"
"Where is he?" Hermione didn't want to talk—she wanted to know where Draco was so she could talk him down and take him home…if that was what he wanted.
Abigail turned towards the waiting area. "He was over there…" She frowned again and crossed her arms. "Maybe Ernie has him upstairs. Let me just call there quickly." She went to the desk and picked up the interdepartmental phone. A moment later Ernie must have picked up. "Ernie? Is he there? No…well Hermione is here. No, she was looking for him. Of course I called her." She was quiet for a moment and Hermione suspected Ernie was ranting about the fact that she was there in the hospital looking for his patient. "Okay, I'll tell her. See you shortly." She hung up and turned to face Hermione once more. "He said to wait here. He wants to talk to you."
"I don't have time for this!" Hermione was seething and she immediately felt bad at how uncomfortable her friend was looking. The poor woman was biting her lip and giving her this sad look. Hermione tried to relax but it was impossible. Something was wrong and Hermione could feel it in her stomach…her heart.
"I know…but Ernie will be right—actually there he is now." Abigail was pointing behind Hermione, so she whipped around and walked towards the short, stout man.
"Ernie, I don't really have time for idle chit-chat, so you either tell me where Draco is or I get security on it." She narrowed her eyes at her old coworker and hoped he would play along.
Ernie's smug face crumpled and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "You don't have the authority to do that anymore, Hermione."
Swallowing back the scathing remark she had planned, she changed gears. "Look, Draco was here and now we can't find him…just tell us where he is and we'll be on our way. He's obviously in distress and in need of his therapist which happens to be you." This was taking too long. Draco could be a danger to himself the longer they waited.
Ernie smirked at her, and not in the sexy way Draco did either. He leaned forward and spoke very softly with a voice that made the hair stand up on her arms. "Listen here, Hermione, that man is a lost cause. He won't take his therapy seriously and is constantly fighting me about getting put on medication to help his depression because it 'makes him feel numb'. Personally, I think the guy could use a bit of numbing. He spends way too much time dwelling on the past. His wife died…get over it. Maybe he would take my therapy seriously if I let him fuck me like you did."
Abigail gasped and Hermione just stared at the man before her as she slowly narrowed her eyes. She felt all the blood leave her head and she pulled her arm back, forming a fist as she went. The next second she had let out the most guttural sound she had ever heard (and she had given birth twice) and thrown everything she had into the punch that slammed into Ernie's fat little face. She felt his nose give way under her knuckles and watched in satisfaction as he tumbled backwards into the nurse's station. Abigail screeched and covered her mouth with both hands. Hermione simply shook out her now bruised one before reaching out to grab Ernie's bloodied Healer coat.
"Tell me where Draco is now or so help me." She was deathly calm and Ernie's terrified eyes indicated he realized she was not in a playing mood. He tried to get free of her grip, so she let go and watched as he tried to right himself all the while using a hand to stem the flow of blood from his nose.
"He went towards the staircase…probably the roof."
Hermione turned towards Abigail. "Go to Devon. Tell him what this fool just said and make sure to be clear that he delayed giving information that could potentially have caused a patient harm."
"I'll go right now…hurry, Hermione!"
Hermione hardly heard her friend as she had already taken off for the staircase.
"Hold on, Draco…I'm on my way…"
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Dark clouds were rolling in as Draco stared out at London from the rooftop of St. Mungo's. It had been nearly a year since the last time he'd found himself alone up here. His fists were clenched and he ground his teeth together as he thought about what had happened since that fateful day. Walking forward, he let his fists come undone. The wind whipped his long, blond hair out of his eyes as he came to stop mere feet from the ledge. Here he was again—alone. Of course it didn't have to end this way…he could turn around and walk back inside and wait patiently for his idiot Healer to talk him down again.
Draco snorted at the hilarity of it all. Macmillan was a subpar Healer at best and he spent more time asking questions about Hermione than attempting to help Draco come to terms with what had happened. Sighing, he let his head drop forward causing his hair to tumble into his face once more. How was he supposed to find a way to put himself back together again when he'd had to give up the one thing that kept him from falling apart? Macmillan didn't understand him. Hell, he didn't even understand himself.
Hermione did though.
The wind picked up again, and Draco rubbed his hands up his bare forearms. His white button-up shirt was rolled to his elbows. Surprisingly, his once scarred and cut forearms were clean and clear. The day he'd left Hermione he'd made a promise to never cut again…and he'd kept his promise. The temptation was still there, but by throwing himself into his work, the nagging for the blade had been silenced. Until today that was…
Last night he'd held the opening gala for the Wizarding depression clinic he'd worked so hard on these past few months. All his work was finally coming to an end. Hermione had her children. She had an excellent position in the Ministry. She was healing. She was happy. And then there was Draco…he had nothing.
When he'd woken up this morning the only thing he could think about was the razor blade he still had hidden under the sink in his new bathroom. Instead of going for that sharp little menace, Draco had gotten dressed and ready for his first trial as a member of the Wizengamot. Upon arriving at the Ministry, however, he couldn't suppress the urge to hurt himself so he had turned right back around and come straight here. Only, Macmillan had been unable to see him and had not so nicely said he wouldn't be available all day. Damn that man to hell. The one bloody time he actually had to come in without an appointment and the man couldn't make the time to see him.
Draco actually felt quite bad about scaring that nice dark haired nurse when he'd thrown the chair through Ernie's office window. It wasn't her fault Hermione didn't pick up her phone. After all, she was about to start the trial the entire future of her career would be based off of. After that fiasco, security had wanted to make him leave, but the dark haired nurse talked them into letting him stay. He'd sat in that waiting area for hours…When the pain and anxiety became too much to bear he'd started walking. Low and behold he'd found himself up here on this bloody roof once more.
Opening his eyes, Draco lifted his leg clad in expensive black trousers, and placed his foot tentatively on the ledge. When the old rubble didn't give way, he stepped up so he was standing on the very narrow ledge. Not quite ready to look down just yet, Draco closed his eyes and lifted his head to the sky. The wind was fearsome and he suspected rain would come soon enough…maybe it could help wipe away all the pain and fear he felt. He had tried so hard, so damn hard to keep his depression away since he left Hermione. As it turned out she was the only thing holding him together. Without her he was lost. Without her, he was just broken…
Slowly, Draco spread his arms wide like he was about to fly into oblivion…and maybe he was. His eyes were still closed, his face tilted upwards, but he felt the power of the wind all around him. The wind would guide him through this. All he had to do was let himself go. All the pain from the past. All the pain he was feeling now. He just had to let it all go. Inhaling deeply, Draco felt the first raindrop hit his cheek, cold as ice.
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Faster. Faster. Faster. Hermione was running faster than she had in her entire life. She was running faster than during the Final Battle. She couldn't breathe but she kept on going knowing that reaching Draco was a matter of life or death. She knew in her bones that he was going to jump. He was really going to do it this time and no one would be there to talk him down or say goodbye. She pushed witches and wizards out of her way as she barreled towards the stairwell. People were jumping to get out of the way and a nurse even tipped over a cart full of medical supplies. Hermione didn't care though. She had only one focus and that was getting to Draco in time.
The stairwell door came into view and she ran dead ahead for it, throwing her arms in front of her to hit the opening bar. As her body slammed into the door, it opened with a great crash and banged against the wall behind it. Hermione didn't stop. She had five flights of stairs to climb and she didn't have time to even take a breath. Images of the time she spent with Draco flashed through her mind as she ran. Draco helping her make dinner. Draco's arms zig-zagged with angry red lines. Draco at the zoo with her children. Draco sticking up for her against Ron. Draco holding her hair as she cried and threw up. Draco kissing her in the living room. Draco making love to her. Draco. Draco. Draco. Draco.
With a lurch, her heel gave way and Hermione slammed headfirst into the steps. Her head cracked off the edge of a step and her vision ran red. Turning into herself, Hermione finally felt how breathless she was from her race to get to the roof. She was bleeding profusely from a large gash along the side of her head. Gagging, she braced herself on her hands and knees. If she'd had anything to eat it would have been all over the floor. Sobs wracked her frail body as she attempted to stand up. "I have to get up. Get up!" She screamed at herself kicking away her useless shoes. "Only one flight to go…"
Somehow, Hermione managed to right herself and rub the blood out of her right eye. Taking one quick, shallow breath to steady herself, she began to climb the last flight of stairs. It was much slower as she was nearly at her breaking point, but a moment later she saw the roof door in front of her. She'd made it. Finding inner strength, Hermione went for the door, not knowing what she may find on the other side. Pushing it open, Hermione's wild, tangled hair was whipped behind her as the wind gusted fiercely. She squinted into the grayness and shut the door behind her, barely making a sound as it clicked into place.
Quickly, Hermione stepped into the open area of the roof and looked from side to side. She stopped dead when she saw where Draco was. There, on the flimsy ledge of the roof Draco stood with his arms wide and eyes closed as he tilted his head towards the sky. Not wanting to startle him, Hermione moved as quickly and quietly as possible. Fear gripped her as she watched the wind whip up around him causing his loose, white shirt to fly about. If he fell forward there would be no saving him this time. She was too far away still—he would fall and be lost forever. Swallowing roughly, she ignored the tears streaming down her face as she ran a few steps forward. Rain was beginning to fall, but she ignored the cold drops as they began to mix blood with her tears. She had to do something and quick.
"Draco!"
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"Draco!"
His name echoed in his head. It was louder than the pain and fear gripping him and he slowly opened his eyes just as the rain began to fall more steadily. Blinking, Draco tried to figure out if the voice was in his head or behind him. He swallowed thickly and slowly turned his head just enough to see behind him.
Hermione.
She had come after all. She had come for him. He couldn't hold it back anymore. Draco loved Hermione more than life. She had come for him and that meant she still loved him too. But—but something was wrong. There was blood…too much blood flowing down from a gash in the side of her head. No…she wasn't supposed to be hurt. She was supposed to be healthy and happy. He opened his mouth to call out to her but a clap of thunder distracted him causing him to stumble. Dropping his arms from the air beside him, he tried to get his balance. It was raining harder now and his foot slipped as he tried to turn around and get to Hermione.
His eyes lifted and caught hers—the terror he felt was reflected back at him from her brown eyes. The rain continued to pour down…dragging him with it.
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"Draco! Noo!"
Hermione ran forward as fast as she could, fighting through the rain and the sobs that still radiated from her chest. Draco was flailing and falling and she had to stop it right now! The rain pounded the rooftop as her bare feet slapped against it. Inches, Draco was inches from her as she flung her arm up and grabbed hold of his soaked white shirt. His arms were floundering but she tugged with all her might, the damp fabric giving slightly under her grip. Then he was falling, falling, falling…but not backwards—forwards into her arms.
They landed roughly on the roof and Hermione shivered when a bolt of lightning lit up the darkening sky. Draco was breathing heavily and crying, or was that her? Both of them. It was both of them. She cradled Draco to her chest and slid arms around him as she struggled to get them into a sitting positon against the roof ledge. She was shaking and bleeding but it didn't matter anymore. Draco was safe here in her arms. She had him now. It was going to be alright.
After their breathing had calmed, Hermione let go of Draco and cupped his face in her hands. Her heart raced as his eyelids opened and revealed those silver debts she'd missed so damn much. She rubbed her thumbs across his cheeks like she'd done with Rose a couple months ago. She wanted to kiss him, but it wasn't the time. She had to know why…why the bloody hell he had come up here.
"Draco, why…why would you come back up here? Are you missing Astoria? Please you have to talk to me. You have to tell me so I can make it better for you…"
Before she could prattle on some more, Draco reached out and gently touched the spot on her head where she'd hit it off the stairs. She watched as compassion filled his eyes and he dropped his hand to cup her cheek. Her hands slowly dropped from his face to hold his shoulders as she involuntarily tipped her head to fill his palm.
"Hermione…" He cleared his throat and tried again. "Hermione, I didn't come up here because I was missing Astoria…I came up here because I'm a broken mess without you. I came up here because I was missing you…I couldn't take the pain anymore."
Another sob escaped Hermione's mouth and her hand came up to cover it. Fresh tears broke free from her eyes mingling with the blood and the rain as she grabbed onto Draco's shirt once more. "I'm here, Draco. I'm here…and I'm not going anywhere. We can be together now. You'll see…everything is going to be fine…" the pain was starting to become persistent in her head as well as the other parts of her body that'd been hit the most during her fall.
"I love you, Hermione," Draco whispered. "I never stopped. When I'm with you, I feel whole." His face crumpled and he covered it with his free hand as he openly cried.
Despite the rain pouring down or the blood still running from her head wound, Hermione lunged forward and grasped Draco behind his head, bringing his face to hers and kissing him roughly. It was just as she remembered. His lips were soft, but rough as they moved against hers. His hands tangled in the hair at the base of her neck as he carefully avoided her wound. She kissed him until she could no longer breathe and then gently untangled herself.
"I love you too, Draco. Please, please don't leave me again…"
"I won't," he muttered quietly, shaking his head. "I know now that it's you who is meant to make me whole again. I will always love Astoria, but I'm meant to be with you now."
Hermione nodded her head and pulled Draco into her arms once more. "We have to get you inside. You need to calm down now…" He was shaking so badly, Hermione was afraid he was going into shock—which wouldn't be surprising. She was startled when she heard a small laugh come from the man held in her arms.
"I think you are the one who needs medical attention, Hermione."
Blinking twice, she realized he was right. Her head was pounding and she was feeling a bit dizzy. She didn't even protest when Draco stood, dragging her with him. He held her up when she winced at the pain in her ankle. She must have sprained or even broken it when the heel broke on her shoe. Leaning against the man she loved, she allowed Draco to help her through the rain towards the roof door.
Before they went back down into the hospital, Hermione took a look around. This is where it all had started for them. Both Hermione and Draco had a lot of emotional trauma to deal with, but they would get through it together this time. Together, they would let it all go—all the pain and problems of the past. Then they could take their broken pieces and make each other whole once more.
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