Lifeline in the Storm
The early morning sun filtered weakly through the manor windows, casting long shadows on the dark wood floors as Hermione paced back and forth in the hallway outside Draco's room. Theo had finally woken up, but his screams and sobs still echoed in her ears, reverberating through her entire being. She tried to shake it off, to steady herself, but the guilt and grief were a weight she couldn't cast off.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door to the connecting room peering in hesitantly. He was leaning against the windowsill, staring blankly out into the misty grounds. His back was to her, but she could see the rigid set of his shoulders, the way his hands clenched the windowsill so tightly his knuckles were white.
"Draco?" she called softly, her voice trembling.
He turned slowly, his face closed off, carefully neutral. But his eyes… they were dark, shadows pooling beneath them, the green-gray depths clouded with pain and uncertainty.
Hermione swallowed hard, stepping further into the room. "I—" Her voice caught, and she took another breath. "I came to say I'm sorry."
His gaze flicked over her, confusion flashing across his face. "Sorry? For what?"
"For doubting you," she whispered, feeling the burn of shame in her chest. "For—thinking that you were the one who betrayed us. I shouldn't have accused you. I—I should have trusted you."
Draco's expression softened, just slightly. "Hermione…"
"No," she cut him off, her voice thick with emotion. "I was wrong. You risked so much just to be there for us, and I—I thought the worst of you."
He sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. "It's fine," he muttered, looking away. "I get it. With everything going on, I'm not exactly the most trustworthy person in the world."
"That's not true," she said fiercely, stepping closer. "I trust you, Draco. Ido. It's just… this war, it's—it's making me suspicious of everyone. And after what happened with Blaise…"
"Yeah," Draco murmured, his gaze darkening. "Blaise…"
Hermione bit her lip, guilt gnawing at her insides. "It was him," she whispered. "All along. He's the one who leaked everything. And—and Theo—"
"Hes devastated" she murmured, wrapping her arms around herself. "He woke up an hour ago. He… he had a breakdown. I've never seen him like that, Draco. He—he was screaming, and sobbing, and—"
Her voice broke, and she had to blink rapidly to clear the tears blurring her vision. Draco's gaze softened, and before she knew it, he was crossing the room, his hands gently gripping her shoulders.
"It's not your fault," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "Hermione, it'snot."
"I killed him," she breathed, the words tearing out of her like a confession. "I—I killed Blaise, Draco. I—"
"You had to," he murmured, his grip tightening. "If you hadn't, Theo would be dead."
"I know," she whispered, her chest aching. "But it doesn't change the fact that Theo loved him. That he trusted him. And I—I took that from him."
Draco's jaw clenched, his gaze intense. "You saved his life," he said firmly. "You did what you had to. And Theo will see that. Eventually."
Hermione bit her lip, looking away. "I just… I wish none of this was happening. I wish—"
"Hermione," Draco interrupted softly, his fingers brushing her cheek. "Stop. Wishing won't change anything."
She looked up at him, her heart twisting painfully. "I know," she whispered. "But… I don't want to lose anyone else. I don't want to lose you."
Something flickered in his eyes—something raw and aching. "You won't," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."
"But you are," she whispered, shaking her head. "I'm leaving. Theo and I—we're going back to the Order. And you'll still be here. Still stuck in this horrible place, surrounded by people who want you dead."
"I can handle it," he said quietly, his gaze steady. "I've handled it this long."
Hermione took a deep, shuddering breath. "Promise me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Promise me that if it gets too dangerous, you'll leave. That you'll—run. Even if it means leaving your mother behind."
Draco's face tightened, conflict warring in his eyes. "Hermione—"
"Promise me," she begged, stepping closer, her fingers clutching the front of his robes. "Please, Draco. I need to know that you'll be safe."
He stared at her for a long moment, his gaze searching hers. And then, slowly, he nodded.
"I promise," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "I'll stay safe. But… I need you to promise me something, too."
Hermione blinked up at him, surprised. "What?"
He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "Write to me. About anything. Everything. Even if it's not Order business. Just… let me know you're okay."
Her heart clenched, and she nodded quickly. "I will," she whispered. "I promise."
"And keep fighting," he added softly, his gaze intent. "Don't give up, Hermione. No matter how bad it gets. Don't give up."
"I won't," she whispered, though a part of her wondered if that was true. If shecouldkeep going, with so much blood on her hands and so many ghosts haunting her.
"Good," he murmured, his fingers brushing her cheek again. "Then I guess this is goodbye."
Her throat tightened, tears prickling at her eyes. "For now," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Just for now."
Draco nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on her face. "For now."
They stood there, caught in the moment, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between them. And then, before she could think better of it, she leaned up, her lips brushing his in the softest, most fleeting of kisses.
He froze, his breath hitching, and for a second she thought he'd pull away. But then his arms were around her, holding her close, his lips gentle and desperate against hers.
It was over too soon. She pulled back, her heart aching, and he let her go, his eyes dark and stormy.
"Take care of Theo," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Hermione nodded, stepping back slowly. "I will."
"And, Hermione?"
She paused, looking up at him.
"Be safe," he murmured.
She gave him a trembling smile. "I'll try."
And with that, she turned and walked away, her heart shattering with every step.
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As she reentered the guest room, Theo was sitting up in bed, his face pale and drawn. He looked at her with hollow eyes, his shoulders slumped, the fight drained out of him.
"We're leaving," she said softly, stepping up to the bed. "As soon as you're ready."
Theo nodded listlessly, his gaze falling to his hands. "I… I thought he loved me," he whispered, his voice broken. "I really thought…"
Hermione's heart twisted painfully, and she reached out, taking his hand in hers. "I'm so sorry, Theo," she whispered.
"I know that. It's just… it hurts."he murmured, his eyes closing.
"I know," she whispered, squeezing his hand gently. "But we'll get through this. Together."
He nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah. Together."
But even as they left the manor, even as she said her final goodbye to Draco, she couldn't help but feel that something had broken between them—something fragile and precious that they might never be able to mend.