Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 30
The morning after the ball was eventful to say the least. Hermione dressed quickly before making her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
Draco had apologized. Seriously apologized. He had given her a genuine, heartfelt apology that she knew came straight from his heart. The apology was something she didn't know she needed until he gave it to her. It made some of the pain of his betrayal ebb away. Hearing his regretful words, the tone of his voice and the pure and utter shame and regret on his face seemed to mend her broken heart just the slightest bit.
It felt good to know she wasn't as easy to leave as she thought she was. It felt good to know that Draco's feelings for her were actually genuine… not something he had to fake to enlist her help in his task. And most of all, it felt good to be on good terms with Draco again. Friends. That's what they were.
So why did your heart plummet when he said he would let you go once and for all? A nagging voice in her head asked and Hermione frowned, pushing the thought aside.
She instead thought back to the rest of the ball once her and Draco had returned last night. She smiled as she walked down the corridors, reminiscing on the memories. The rest of what she thought would be another terrible school ball had actually turned around for the better. She had spent the night dancing with Draco and Blaise as well as with her other friends like Neville, Harry, Ginny and Luna. Ron had kept himself at a distance from her, though she hoped he would let it all go. She was tired of fighting over Draco Malfoy. Luckily Harry had not brang it up, though Hermione thought this was because Ginny had forbidden him from doing so.
The rest of the school however, was a different story. Whispers had followed Hermione all throughout the night, however she had tuned them out after a while. She refused to let anything dampen her night after the fiasco with Draco and Ron.
As she entered the Great Hall, she made her way towards her usual seat at the Gryffindor table, a small spring in her step. She was completely unaware of the dozens of eyes that followed her.
After the war, she, Harry and Ron had been forced to get used to the many eyes on them as the Wizarding World often referred to the trio as the heroes of the last war. Being best friends with the Chosen One and assisting in the defeat of the greatest dark wizard of all time seemed to have some sort of effect on people in which they couldn't help but stare. Today however, there were certainly more eyes on her than usual.
Taking her seat, she frowned as her eyes caught sight of Neville's copy of the Daily Prophet, laying folded up in front of him. "Can I see that, Neville?" she asked him politely, picking up the paper when he smiled and nodded.
As she unfolded the paper, she groaned as she caught sight of the front page.
"HARRY POTTER'S BEST FRIEND AND WAR HEROINE, HERMIONE GRANGER SEEN ARM IN ARMS WITH EX DEATH EATER, DRACO MALFOY AT HOGWARTS VICTORY BALL."
The paper's headline was printed in large, dark font and was accompanied by a magical photo underneath. She felt her cheeks heat up as she analyzed the photo, watching as Draco twirled her mid dance before pulling her back close to him so they stood chest to chest, eyes locked on each other. Her snow white dress and his pitch black robes contrasted against each other but somehow worked… the photo seemed to compliment the story's headline perfectly. She looked like the light, epitome of pureness and femininity whereas he looked like a dark fallen angel.
Suddenly aware of the increased amount of eyes on her, she felt her own eyes flicker down to read the article further.
"Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry hosted the first victory ball following the recent defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Reporters and guests invited to last night's ball were surprised to see Draco Malfoy appointed as Head Boy this year at the school. For those who are unaware, Draco Malfoy was a Death Eater who fought on the Dark side during the latest Wizarding War. Although cleared of all charges, wizards and witches alike have been speculating the conditions of his release. Due to his being underage during the time of his Death Eater's initiation, the details of Draco Malfoy's case have not been released to the public. It is unclear what exactly led to Malfoy's release, leaving curious outsiders to speculate.
News of Malfoy's appointment as Head Boy has been greeted with mixed reviews. Here are some insider scoops from guests at last night's ball regarding the matter.
"I think it's insane." says an unnamed seventh year Ravenclaw student at the school. "Draco Malfoy is the last person who should have been given the title. It's like, if I allowed Death Eaters to infiltrate the school and took on the Dark Mark when I was 16, would I have been appointed Head Boy? It completely contradicts everything it means to be given such a prestigious position."
"At first I did think it was a bit odd that Draco Malfoy returned to Hogwarts and on top of that was appointed Head Boy… but if Hermione Granger is okay with it -as we can see she clearly is- then so am I. They say she's the brightest witch of our age." says another Hufflepuff student.
"It's an insult to everyone who suffered a great loss during this war. I personally find myself feeling very upset -betrayed even, by Hermione Granger's alliance with Malfoy. I feel as though all of this recognition and praise Malfoy is receiving after everything he and his family have done is a complete slap in the face." reported a Gryffindor student.
Headmistress McGonagall did not offer us much on the matter and her decision in the appointment of Draco Malfoy as Head Boy. "It is what Albus Dumbeldore would have wanted and it is what I, as Headmistress, believe is best. The war is over and in order for the remaining wizarding population to heal and recover, we must unite as one. Separating ourselves from one another ris what caused the war in the first place.", is all reporters could get on the matter.
Although unlikely, could this Granger-Malfoy alliance lead to further reconciliation between witches and wizards following the aftermath of the great war? Should the rest of wizarding society follow in the steps of these prominent figures and join arms, uniting together to show new and improved wizarding alliances?
Complimenting each other surprisingly well, Malfoy and Granger seem to be a perfect match made in hell. Eager readers can find more information on the potential couple on page 6 of today's paper, where Rita Skeeter puts forth her perspective on-
Hermione stopped reading as she read Rita Skeeter's name, not bothering to read her column on the topic. She knew Rita had a tendency to twist and distort things in order to sell more copies. With a sigh, she handed the paper back to Neville, trying to avoid the large moving photo of herself and her ex lover staring up at her from the front page.
Instinctively, she turned her head towards the Slytherin table, her eyes searching for Draco. His silver eyes locked on her own just seconds after she had sought him out and an amused smirk played on his lips as he held up the paper to her from across the hall. She felt a small smile crack on her lips in response.
They both seemed to be thinking the same thing. If only they knew our history…
Harry and Ginny strolled into the hall just then, forcing her to break eye contact and turn her attention to her two friends. Her stomach twisted in nervous anticipation as they sat across her. "Hi." she said, sighing tiredly. "Before you two yell at me after you see today's paper, I just want to say-"
"Don't bother, Hermione." said Harry, scooping eggs onto his plate as Ginny smiled sideways at him. "The war is over. I know the circumstances of Professor Dumbledore's death." he swallowed hard at the words. "Dumbledore knew about Malfoy's mission. He knew and he didn't hate him for it… he felt sorry for him. I helped you advocate for his release over the summer, Mione." he continued.
Hermione let out a sigh of relief at the words. She and Harry had previously discussed Dumebledore's knowledge of Draco's plan but she knew Harry would never be overjoyed with the idea of her and Draco rekindling whatever it was they had.
"I'm not saying I love the guy or even like him. But we're all adults now. What you choose to do with your life is entirely up to you. I'm all out of fights for a lifetime." he finished, shaking his head.
Hermione pursed her lips as she saw the familiar haunted look in Harry's emerald eyes. She knew how badly the war affected him out of everyone. She knew how he felt responsible for the deaths of his loved ones in the war.
Hermione reached across the table, patting Harry's hand with a small smile. "So, did you two see today's paper, then?" she asked, trying to sound light hearted.
Ginny snorted. "Yeah. Saw it in the common room while I was waiting for Harry this morning.." she nodded, eyeing Hermione for a reaction. "You look really hot in that photo, Hermione. Good one!"
Hermione cracked a smile at this, glad she didn't have to defend herself against her friends like she expected. "Have either of you seen Ron?" she asked, her mood deflating once more at the thought of him. She knew Ron would see her new found friendship with Draco as a betrayal against him.
"You know him, Hermione." said Harry, shrugging. "Give him some time. He'll get over it."
Ginny rolled her eyes, looking annoyed at the topic of conversation. "Oh, he needs to grow up! He's always sulking around about something or another, I don't know how you two put up with it!" she explained.
Hermione did not respond, finishing up her breakfast and getting up. Classes did not resume again until after the New Year, and due to the ball so many students had chosen to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays. Hermione thought she might head down to Hogsmeade today to complete some last minute Christmas shopping.
"Well, I'm headed to Hogsmeade today. Maybe I'll see you two there?" Hermione asked, beginning to rise out of her seat.
They nodded in response before Hermione said her goodbyes and headed out of the hall.
Changed and ready for the cold outside, Hermione made her way down to the Entrance Hall towards the Hogsmeade exit, a small piece of parchment with a list of people she still needed to purchase gifts for tucked neatly into her bag.
She had yet to purchase a present for Ginny, Neville, Blaise and (last on her list with a large question mark beside the name), Draco. She was unsure as to whether or not she should even get him something, but they had declared each other as friends. And she did intend to buy a present for each of her friends…
Before long she had found herself browsing through different stores in Hogsmeade, checking off names on her list as she went. She had purchased a beautiful pair of emerald green earrings for Ginny that she had seen her friend eyeing when they had gone shopping for the ball last. For Neville she had managed to snag a small Wiggentree plant, which she knew from her studies had interesting magical properties and actually protected one from dark creatures when touched. For Blaise she had purchased a handsome emerald green scarf of the finest wool, knowing Blaise had a rather expensive taste.
She spent nearly an hour searching around Hogsmeade for something to get Draco. What did one purchase for their ex-lover-now-friend who was filthy rich and could buy himself anything materialistic with a snap of his fingers? She scowled to herself as she left another shop, beginning to lose hope.
She felt her heart drop as she passed Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley, reminiscing on her memories of Fred Weasley. She felt her stomach twist further as she remembered the times when she would bring home some of their silly products for her parents for Christmas. Being muggles, her parents were always amazed at the magical joke products she brought home and she remembered the way they would all laugh until their stomachs hurt as they tried each product.
It was the thought of her parents and their past Christmases together over the years that gave her the idea. She would show Draco how she celebrated Christmas! The cozy, muggle way. She knew Draco grew up in a very traditional, Pureblooded household. He had never had a holiday where he could lay back, joke about and actually relax without a care in the world.
She was just beginning to formulate a plan when she bumped into someone, falling back into the snow covered ground, her bags splayed out around her. "Sorry!" she began, pushing her curls out of her face as she looked up.
The smirking faces of Draco and Blaise stared down at her and Hermione felt her cheeks heat up as she scrambled to her feet. "Head in the clouds, Hermione?" asked Blaise as he bent to pick up her bags.
"Thanks." she mumbled as he handed them to her. "What are you two up to?" she asked, looking between them.
"Christmas shopping." said Draco, though he only held one bag in his own hand.
She took a few seconds to subtly look him over. He too was dressed for the cold with a pair of handsome dragon skin boots, his usual black trousers and shirt and a wool coat. His silver hair and icy eyes looked even better in the winter with the snow around them complimenting him perfectly. He reminded her of the muggle tale of Jack Frost.
"Me too." she said. "Hey, I actually wanted to ask you something." she said, turning to Draco. He raised a brow in surprise, though nodded in encouragement.
She opened her mouth to speak, before noticing the surrounding shoppers whisper as they passed them. "Um, do you guys actually want to grab a butterbeer?" she asked, gesturing to The Three Broomsticks up ahead.
"You sure you wanna be seen with us?" asked Blaise, though they all knew "us" really meant Draco. "This morning's paper was-"
"Oh, don't bring that up!" said Hermione, cutting him off with a huff. "I really hate that Skeeter woman! I'm giving her one last chance to write about me before I lock her in a jar again," she said, brushing past them and heading towards the pub.
Blaise gaped at her in shock at her words before the two boys followed after her. "Before you what?" Blaise asked.
Hermione blushed slightly at his shock, glancing at them over her shoulder. Draco was sniggering into his hand and Hermione felt butterflies erupt in her stomach as she noticed the dimple in his cheek.
"It's a long story," she muttered as the three slipped into the pub and found a table.
"Uh, I'll grab us some drinks." said Blaise, scurrying off towards the bar as Draco and Hermione took off their coats.
"So, what did you want to ask me?" asked Draco as he watched her organize her bags.
"Well… I was Christmas shopping today." she began, avoiding eye contact with him. What if he thought her idea was silly? What if he said no?
"And…?" he pushed impatiently, gesturing for her to continue.
"And well I couldn't find anything for you." she said quickly, ignoring his attempt to protest. "So I was wondering," she continued before he could speak. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for Christmas this year. In the muggle world. A-as friends."
She stared at him expectantly, though as usual his face held no emotion. She hated that he was so good at schooling his features. It made it impossible to be able to tell what he was thinking.
"You want to spend your Christmas with me?" he asked, brow raised.
Her stomach plummeted. "Nevermind. You're right, it was stupid. You wouldn't want to go to the muggle world. And besides, we've only just become friends. You'd probably like to go home for the holidays anyways." she said quickly, looking around the bar for Blaise. Could he come back already?
"I didn't say it was stupid. Or that I don't want to go to the muggle world. Or that I would like to go home for the holidays." he said, smirk on his lips as he leaned back in his seat.
Her head snapped back to him in surprise. "So…" she asked, somewhat hopefully.
His smirk widened and Hermione clenched her fist on the table. He loved watching her squirm and she hated him for it.
"So, yes. I would like to join you for Christmas this year. As friends." he said finally. "Mother won't be home for Christmas this year. She's rekindling with her sister Andromeda now that the war is over. I was planning on staying at Hogwarts, but I think it would be… interesting to see how you celebrate Christmas."
Hermione's brows shot up in surprise. "Your mother is rekindling with Andromeda?" she asked. "That's… that's amazing, Draco! Did you know you have a baby cousin? Well, technically a second cousin. His name is Teddy Lupin." she said, excited at this news.
She knew Andromeda was devastated after the loss of her husband, her daughter and her son in law during the war. She was now taking care of Teddy since Harry was both far too young and still completing his school. She was sure a visit from her sister would be a delight, despite their dark past.
"I'm aware." Draco said shortly.
Before Hermione could pursue the subject further Blasie returned with their drinks. The three sat for the next hour, chatting about their Christmas plans, their grades and the ball. Hermione was surprised to find that she was actually enjoying herself with the two Slytherins. She had never been so… at peace with things since the war.
It seemed that Draco's presence alone was a comfort to her. And it felt even better to not have to hide their interactions like they used to. Sure, people were staring and whispering, but they did that whether she was with Draco or not. She didn't care anymore. Life was too short to worry about what others thought. They had all lost so much because of the war that she refused to let anything else be taken from her.
"Oi! Malfoy!" She heard a voice call from across the pub and the three of them turned towards it.
Zacharias Smith was approaching their table, brushing off a Ravenclaw boy who was staring at their table with wide eyes as he attempted to pull Zacharias back.
"You think just because Skeeter wrote about you being all chummy with Granger you can waltz around Hogsmeade like all is well?" said Zacharias, stopping in front of their table. "My best mate died in the war! Because of you and your lot!" he hissed, hands clenched in fists at his side.
Hermione glanced at Draco, who was staring up at Zacharias from his seat, his usual expressionless mask back in place. "I didn't kill your friend, Smith." said Draco shortly.
"Fall back, Smith." said Blaise with a frown, glancing around the pub as people stopped what they were doing to stare.
"Zacharias…" Hermione began quietly, not wanting to draw more attention to them.
"And you!" Zacharias turned to her and Hermione caught a whiff of firewhiskey coming from his mouth as he did. "What the hell are you doing? They're death eaters! They killed members of the DA, your friends! You little traitorous bitc-"
Draco rose from his seat, shoving Zacharias back. "Watch it, Smith. You're drunk." he said warningly as Zacharias stumbled backwards.
"I'm not drunk! I'm saying what everyone is thinking." Zacharias said, his face growing red in anger. "Isn't that what you're all thinking?!" he said aloud, gesturing to the others around the pub. "Who the fuck let Draco Malfoy back into the school after what that prick did? He's a murderer and a-"
"Enough!" Hermione stood until she was face to face with him. "Draco did not kill your friend, Zacharias. We all were dealt some terrible cards during the war, but that's all over now. You need to-"
"It's not over! It's not bloody over Granger, you don't know how it feels-" Zacharias tried.
"I don't know how it feels?" she asked, growing angry herself now. "I lost people too, Smith. I lost people I loved, I've seen people die in front of my eyes and I fought in the war. Might I remind you that you didn't stick around to fight… I'm so sorry for your loss, Smith, but don't tell me I don't know how it feels." she said, shaking her head before she turned to the rest of the pub.
"Draco Malfoy is my friend. Blaise Zabini is my friend. The Slytherins are not your enemies. Draco Malfoy is not your enemy." she said to the room at large. The pub was now silent and all eyes were on her. She had refused to make any statement regarding the war to the press, and this might be the closest thing to it. "This divide between us all is what led to the war to begin with. Muggleborn. Half-blood. Pureblood. Slytherin. Gryffindor. It doesn't matter. None of it matters. Our enemy was Lord Voldemort and he's dead. If anyone here has a problem with Draco then you've got a problem with me as well. I understand you all have lost people we loved and cared for. We all have… but we can't keep blaming others for that."
Cheers erupted from a table of Slytherins in the corner of the bar and Hermione felt her face heat up as the attention from everyone caught up with her. Her eyes skimmed over the rest of the pub. Some groups were nodding in agreement, others shrugged in indifference, and a few faces glared back at her. But for the most part it seemed that the members of the pub understood and agreed with her words.
"Look, Zaharias." she said softly, raising a hand and placing it on his shoulder. "I know how you feel. But your anger is misdirected. You're lucky to have survived this war.. so many others didn't. Don't live your life in anger." she said so only he could hear. His Ravenclaw friend took the opportunity to guide Zacharias away and Hermione turned to Draco and Blaise.
"Let's get out of here." she said before either of them could speak.
They left the pub, walking back up to the castle in silence. She snuck a glance at Draco, watching as he stared straight ahead, jaw tensed. Blaise broke the silence at last.
"Your words have an effect on people, Hermione." said Blaise, looking down at her as they walked. "I've been trying to tell people the same thing but no one bothered to listen to me."
Hermione knew Blaise had spent the school year defending Draco in his absence against the rest of their peers. "The perks of being friends with Harry Potter, I suppose." she muttered, shrugging.
"More like the perks of being Hermione Granger." he said, nudging her lightly. "Don't discredit yourself."
They arrived back at the castle and Blaise immediately headed off for the dungeons, leaving Draco and Hermione alone.
"You didn't have to do that." Draco finally spoke, staring down at her with his hands in his trouser pockets.
"I know." she said simply. "I wanted to. It wasn't fair what he was saying to you."
"Wasn't it?" Draco countered, and for the first time that day, Hermione saw a flicker of emotion in his face. Guilt.
"No. It wasn't. You didn't kill anyone, Draco. You didn't-" she began.
"I didn't kill anyone but I may as well have. I've done a lot of other things during the war… things that I'm not proud of. I'm not… I'm not as good as you think I am." he said, breaking eye contact with her as he lowered his gaze to the floor.
Hermione stared at him sadly. "Look, Draco. I'm not excusing what you did. But you had to do those things. To survive. I understand that, Harry understands that. You paid for things that had nothing to do with you simply for being your father's son. And that wasn't fair to you." she said reaching out for his hand and squeezing it. "I know how much you regret those things. I can see it in your eyes. You're not a bad person, Draco. You're a good person who's been dealt some terrible cards and therefore had to do some bad things. But that's all over now. Who you are depends on what you choose to do with your life going forward. Not what you did with your life when you were 16."
Draco didn't respond, though she felt him squeeze her hand the slightest bit before dropping it.
"Meet me after breakfast tomorrow. I'm going to show you a bit of my world." she said, changing the topic.
He sighed, then nodded. "Alright."
Just as he turned to leave, Hermione stopped him, pulling him in for a hug. He froze for a minute before he wrapped his arms around her. They stood in their embrace for a minute, holding each other. Comforting each other. And it felt perfect.
A/N: OMG! GUYS! IM BACK!
I'm sooooooo sorry for ghosting you guys for the last few months! :( I was finishing up my degree and have been so so so busy. I haven't had the time, energy or motivation to write! I've been reading your reviews and those are honestly what encouraged me to come back to this story! So many of you guys have reviewed, favourited and followed my story and it is truly what motivates me to keep writing. Thank you all so much! I'm getting back into writing now and I'm super excited to write some cute Dramione moments after all of that drama!
I promise I wont make you guys wait too long for the next chapter (Dramione Christmas!)
Please read and review to let me know you guys are still with me after my hiatus!
A/N #2: As I mentioned I'm finishing up my degree and will have a lot more free time over the next few months! I wanted to know your opinions on a new story I'm interested in writing. I'm a SUCKER for the forbidden love trope and so I'm debating between writing a Daphne Greengrass/Harry Potter story and a Andromeda Black/Ted Tonks story. Which would you guys prefer?
I'll be writing it either after this story is complete or alongside this story.
