Sunday, August 23
The cold, barren atmosphere of the Malfoy Manor had always made the end of the summer holiday feel as if it were taking twice as long to pass.
Draco despised being at the Manor and felt grateful that it was his final summer there. His seventh year at Hogwarts was beginning in a matter of days and after it was over, he could find his own place and officially move out of the dreadful place he had been forced to live in his entire life.
He flipped the page of his book, though he wasn't truly reading it. There was a knock on his bedroom door, and he called for whomever it was to enter.
Tiggy, a young House Elf entered shyly and said, "M…M…Master Draco, sir, Master Lucius sent me to escort you to his study, sir."
Draco sighed and closed his book, getting off the sofa. He followed the House Elf through the cold, dark and terribly unwelcoming corridors.
They arrived at a tall, oak door and Draco could smell the harsh scent of his father's cigars coming through the slightly open doorway. He stepped into the room and looked over at the other blond man.
Holding in his contempt for the man, he cleared his throat and quietly said, "Father."
Lucius Malfoy turned to his son with a pleased expression, something that always made Draco feel uneasy, "Draco, I have splendid news!" He said, "Your mother and I have procured a match for you. Tomorrow evening, you shall officially be engaged to Astoria Greengrass."
Draco's back stiffened, but his father evidently didn't notice or didn't care…likely the latter.
"It shall be a marvelous match. The pairing of the two of you will produce powerful heirs to carry on the Malfoy legacy."
Swallowing, Draco prepared himself for whatever would come after his next words. "Father, I'm sorry, but I must decline the engagement. I'll be sure to write Astoria a letter but…"
"Excuse me?" Lucius said with a slight sneer.
"I said that I must decl…"
"I heard you!" Lucius shouted. "However, I do not believe it. Why would you…" He said before going silent and staring into Draco's grey eyes.
Suddenly Draco couldn't move or speak.
He knew exactly what was happening. His father was using Legilimency on him. He could see memories, one after another, flashing through his mind.
Her face was at the forefront and his heart swelled with love and panic filled him. A moment later the memories were hidden back in his mind, and he was staring at his father.
"You're in relationship with the Mudblood?" Lucius sneered with such rage in his tone that Draco felt an eerie chill come over him.
The younger wizard clenched his jaw, needing to steady himself before he spoke, "Hermione and I have been together for some time now. Yes, I'm in a relationship with her."
Lucius exhaled heavily through his nose in disgust. "Well then, Draco, you'll need you decide exactly how you want to handle it."
"Handle…what?" Draco asked apprehensively.
"Breaking off this so-called…relationship with the Mudblood" His father said as though it were obvious.
Clenching his jaw, Draco steeled himself once again before replying, "Father, I won't do it. I love her and I will not…"
Lucius shook his head, and casually reached into a drawer, pulling out a parchment, "Richard and Julia Granger. Heathgate Street, Hampstead Garden Suburb in London, Great Britian. I have their home address here, as well as their place of work. I've had the information for years."
Draco clenched his jaw angrily but didn't speak.
"Do not test me, Draco." Lucius said warningly, "I know exactly how I will torture and kill those filthy muggles and leave them for that Mudblood to find. Should that not be persuasive enough for you, I also know exactly how I will torture and kill her if you continue with this childish act." he said with pure evil practically dripping from his lips. "Break off this pitiful association with her and be prepared for your engagement celebration tomorrow evening." He said, pausing before asking, "Is that understood?"
Swallowing, Draco slowly nodded. "Yes sir." he replied quietly in a hoarse voice before turning and walking out of the study in a complete daze.
Had that truly just happened? Father would do it. I know he would. There's only one thing I can do to protect her.
"I have to break her heart." He muttered to himself as he sat on the edge of his bed sometime later. "And my own." He added with a sigh.
Monday, August 24
His bones ached from emotional weariness and lack of movement as he had remained in the same spot, on the edge of the bed until nearly sunrise. He had been contemplating just how to tell Hermione, but nothing had come to him. There was no good way to do what must be done.
He knew the brunette witch well and she would be furious if she knew the truth. While a furious Hermione Granger was a substantial threat, he knew well enough that his father was also extraordinarily dangerous…lethally so, and he couldn't take that chance.
When Draco finally fell asleep, he was consumed with nightmares of mazes and searching as he heard sounds of Hermione screaming in agony, but not being able to locate her.
"Master Draco must wake up! Master Draco, sir!"
Draco woke with a start and looked over to see the House Elf looking at him with dreadful concern in his wide, glowing eyes.
"Master Draco! The family Greengrass shall be here in one hour's time. Master Draco must get ready before Master Lucius comes up here!" Tiggy ranted.
The wizard groaned and rubbed his face, "Okay. Fine." He mumbled, realizing that he had slept the entire day.
He rolled off the bed, having never gotten under the covers, and made his way to the ensuite to take a shower. He felt as if her were in a fog…a dreadful delirium of some sort as he showered and got dressed. Looking at himself in the mirror, he hardly recognized the sad, grey eyes looking back at him.
As he made his way down the white marble staircase, the fog never lifted or lightened nor did the weight on his heart.
He could hear voices coming from the library and inhaled deeply before walking in. Once inside, he found his parents in front of the fireplace, eagerly entertaining Dimitri and Athena Greengrass as well as their two daughters, Daphne, and Astoria.
"Ah!" Lucius said in a cheerful tone that hid his irritation at Draco's tardiness. "There's my boy!"
Draco choked back a bitter laugh at the term that his father had never used until that moment.
"Draco it is wonderful to finally meet you!" Athena said kindly with a small smile.
Draco nodded with a forced smile, "You as well, Missus Greengrass."
He could feel his mother's eyes on him but forced his eyes toward Dimitri.
"Mister Greengrass, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir." he said, shocking himself in his ability to get the words out without regurgitating.
Dimitri nodded, but didn't speak, eyeing him with a curious expression.
Draco swallowed and glanced over at the two daughters. He knew Daphne well, she was in his class and was promised to one of his best friends, Blaise Zabini. Astoria, however, was a bit of a mystery. He knew that she was a year or possibly two years younger than him. Two things that he knew about the Greengrass sisters were that they were beautiful and kind.
But they aren't Hermione.
He stepped over to the two girls, knowing that he was being watched. It was a test; he was well aware of that fact.
He smiled at Astoria, "It's a pleasure Miss Greengrass."
She smiled and did the slightest of curtsies, "Yes, it is, Mister Malfoy."
"How about we go to the Tea Room for a bit of tea while the three of them get acquainted?" Lucius suggested.
The others nodded and all four parents left. The moment the door shut; three pairs of shoulders relaxed.
Daphne looked at Draco knowingly, "How are you, Drake?"
He huffed through his nose and glanced at Astoria who appeared to be nearly as depressed as him.
"She's not happy about it either." Daphne said, hoping to help them a bit.
Draco tilted his head, "What?"
Astoria sighed, "I'm sorry, Draco. You are a wonderful man, but I'm in a relationship…or, well, I was."
"With whom? If you don't mind me asking."
"Dean Thomas." She replied.
He nodded, "I hear he's a decent bloke."
"He is." She smiled. "What about you?" She asked.
Daphne smirked slightly.
Draco inhaled, "Well, I haven't ended it just yet, but I'm in a relationship with Hermione Granger."
Astoria's eyes nearly popped out of her skull. "Really?"
He chuckled, "Yeah. I suppose I'll have to end it tonight after dinner."
She sighed, "I'm sorry, Draco."
"Yeah." He said and cleared his throat, "Me too."
Later that evening, once the Greengrass family had left, Draco went up to his room and began to write a letter. It wasn't much of one. He knew that. Hermione would hate him for it. He knew that as well, but it would be for the best.
Better that she hates me and remains alive than to love me from her grave.
Tuesday, August 25
Once the letter was complete and sealed, he pocketed it and looked at the time. It was past midnight…she'd be asleep.
He grabbed his broom and flew, high above the clouds. He felt as if his hands would fall off from the freezing temperature, but he didn't care, this was a trip he had to make and if he died from it, all the better.
Arriving at Hermione's house, he noticed that the only light that remained on was the one in her father's study on the ground floor. Draco knew he'd have to be quiet. He flew up to her window on the first floor. It always remained unlocked in case he came by, and this would be his final visit. He inhaled deeply, taking to memory the scent of her room. She had been burning her favorite candle earlier that day which smelt of vanilla and citrus, making his smile a sad smile.
He stepped toward her bed, seeing her sleeping form covered by the mauve-colored quilt. He saw that she was wearing his spare Quidditch jersey and felt the crack in his heart deepen.
She looked utterly beautiful and serene. He sat in her desk chair and watched her for what must have been an hour, maybe two, but it wasn't long enough. Thoughts crossed his mind of what she might possibly be dreaming about as a slight smile formed on her lips.
He felt a warmth on his cheeks and suddenly realized that tears had slipped from his eyes.
Swallowing, he stood and stepped closer. Leaning down, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead and whispered, "I love you, Mocha." He placed the letter on the bedside table before walking over to the window. He considered looking back but simply couldn't do it.
Flying away, he felt as if he had left something behind and realized that he had. His heart remained with her and that was something he'd never get back.
Sunday, October 4
The cottage remained quiet with only the sounds of rain pattering against the dark windows and logs crackling in the fireplace.
He watched her face closely for any sign of her true emotions after knowing the truth, but her features remained blank, giving him no hint of how she felt.
When she finally spoke, it startled him.
"I'm…I'm going to bed." she said quietly as she stood up, book and teacup in hand.
"Hermione…" He breathed but she simply shook her head. "I was trying to protect you and your parents."
"I know, Draco, but…you should have told me the truth. We can discuss it more tomorrow. I'm utterly exhausted. Goodnight."
He swallowed, "Goodnight." He replied quietly, watching her walk to the bedroom.
When the door shut, he covered his face with his hands, and groaned, "Fuck."
