A Confession Too Late
Draco had been avoiding becoming close friends with Hermione since 8th year. It was an impossible romance that he had to drown. When they got partnered up on an Auror assignment, he had to put his feelings aside. He knew it would be hard. She was a magnet. He didn’t want to be close. He wanted to avoid the delusion that she could ever want him back.
Over the years he did the opposite, as per usual. He was tempted by her perfection, her intelligence, her ability to brighten up a room.
They became closer and closer at work. He eventually asked her to chat outside of work.
That’s how he found himself at a pub with Hermione. This was their usual Friday night. Just friends. Just friends. Friends drink together. What could go wrong?
“I used to have a crush on you, you know?”
Hermione laughed and took a sip of her butterbeer.
Draco was mortified. The room suddenly felt small. His face was red. Was it the firewhiskey or the confession?
“I- uh- I didn’t know that…” he responded. Wow. Stupid, stupid, stupid. “I didn’t know.” really Draco? That’s all you could come up with?
“I mean, yeah! It was terrible. Gods I was so embarrassing.“ she giggled. Clearly she had one too many drinks tonight. Draco on the other hand, needed something stronger.
“Oh.” He didn’t know what to say. Her smile faltered for a second.
“Gods. It was so childish. And you hated me! Can you believe it?” She lightly pushed his shoulder.
“I- I didn’t hate you.” He said. Somehow he felt his face grow hotter.
Hermione checked the time on her phone.
“I’ve got to get back to the office and pack some paperwork for next weeks meeting, but I’ll see you later, okay?”
She stood up and wobbled a bit.
“Hermione, I believe you’ve had one too many. Perhaps we can side along? I’ll drop you off. Don’t worry about the work it’s not due until Tuesday.”
Hermione didn’t fight him on it, she giggled a little bit. She was wasted with two drinks. Adorable really.
They made their way outside the pub and apperated to her flat. “I- I think I’m going to be sick.” She mumbled. Before he could register what she said, Hermione grabbed onto Draco’s arm. It all happened so fast.
She threw up. All over his Auror robes and new dragon hide boots.
“Oh Gods. Oh gods! I’m so sorry! I- let me clean it up.” She was red faced and frantic. It sobered her up quickly. She ran to her door before Draco could respond.
Once inside she quickly ran to grab a towel.
“I can scougify you know? Did you forget you’re a witch?”
She paused her ministrations on his shoes and put a palm to her face. “Such an idiot.” She mumbled.
“I’m never drinking again!”
Draco chuckled. She cast a scourgify on his pant legs and shoes and offered him a seat.
Draco was still in utter disbelief at her confession. The woman he’s been pining for since his fourth year at Hogwarts just told him she had a crush on him! Then he internally frowned. Emphasis on had. She HAD a crush on him. She doesn’t anymore and it’s too late anyway.
He was so utterly, and completely in love with this woman. It was too fucking late. He wanted to jump off the astronomy tower just thinking about it. It must I’ve been the liquor that motivated him but he reached for her suddenly.
He cupped her cheek and lightly grazed his thumb over it. She stared into his eye, her eyes wondering, questioning.
It was definitely the liquor. He would never be so bold. “I used to have a crush on you too.” He whispered. If her embarrassing moment didn’t sober her up, this definitely did.
Hermione’s breathing seemed to stop for a moment. She tried to lighten the mood by pushing him. “Don’t play with me Draco.” She laughed but it was clearly an awkward and forced laugh.
“I did.”
The awkward laugh escaped her lips once more.
“Stop it.” She said. She couldn’t look him in the eye suddenly. Her eyes wondered around him. She remembered their closeness and moved away from his hand on her cheek.
“I would never lie to you, Hermione.” Sweet Salazar he needs to leave. Too many drunk confessions for one night.
She looked as shocked as he felt.
He shot to his feet and smoothed out his robes. Hermione was still seated looking into space.
“Well, I’ve best get going. It’s pretty late.” He scratched the back of his neck. The energy in the room was tense.
“Wait.” She came back to herself.
“W-why didn’t you tell me?” The color returned to her cheeks and she couldn’t meet his eye again.
“I didn’t think you’d want me. Especially 8th year, after everything.” He instinctively scratched his arm where the deatheater mark sat under his shirt.
“Draco, I loved you for years.” She whispered.
“I wasn’t worthy then. I’m not worthy now.” He shrugged trying to be nonchalant. As if he didn’t just hear the love of his life mention she liked him once. As if he wouldn’t give up his entire fortune for this woman.
“Draco I-“
“It’s okay, Hermione. I didn’t think you’d ever find out.”
“So you were just going to go all your life without saying anything?” She seemed really upset about that.
“Granger when I saw how happy you were to marry Weasley, I knew I had to sit back and let you be.“
She was engaged. Remembering it always sent a cold dread across Draco’s body. He simply had to accept it. She couldn’t be throwing her feelings at him like that. Especially at this point. They got too comfortable and their feelings became exposed.
There is a reason why they both kept their distance as much as possible. As much as they liked to hide their feelings and deny it, when they were together there was always a sort of tension. Their friends told them as much.
He began to occlude. Hermione seemed to have caught the flip and she frowned up at him.
“I’m- I best be going now.”
“Wait.” She grabbed his wrist.
Don’t do it. You can’t control yourself. He won’t be able to stop himself from having her. He’s been trying to drown the feelings ever since she got engaged. Ever since they became work partners.
He thought he could have a decent friendship even though he longed for more. But asking her to hang out outside of work crossed a line.
“Hermi- Granger, I- I can’t be here.”
“Im Sorry.” She said.
“No, I’m sorry.” He pulled himself away from her and walked towards the door.
“I’ll see you at work.” He walked out. How the fuck is he going to face her now? It was too painful to think about. It's too late. It's too fucking late. He wanted to cry or fight someone.
He lost her once, and now she's twisted the knife.