Forevermore

Malfoy flew them both to Hogwarts by going the long way, over the hills that surrounded Hogsmeade and then the forbidden forest. Hermione was frozen in air, partly due to her fear of flying and party because Malfoy had her held in place. Flying on a broom with Draco Malfoy was electrifying. Unlike the handful of times Hermione had been flying with Harry or Ron, he had seated her in the front with him behind, and had wrapped his arms around her to grip the handle before her. Because she was so securely nestled in his embrace, Hermione felt less afraid than she had ever done before. Slowly, she felt her anxiety and her fear calm, replaced by the sharp awareness that she now exclusively associated with Malfoy’s presence. She was very conscious of how close Malfoy was to her, how his arms were taut with tension, enhancing his lean yet powerful muscles, how his face was almost next to hers as he hunched forward trying to navigate her hair which must be blowing right into his face, and how he smelt of peppermint and cinnamon. The energy between them crackled with anticipation and longing.

He swept them over the castle and then descended onto the North tower. As their feet touched the ground and Draco brought the broom to a stop, Hermione waited for him to remove his arms and let her go. He, however stayed fixed in place, breathing into her hair. Slowly, he withdrew his arms, gliding them over her hips and wrapping them around her waist. Then, in one effortlessly graceful movement he dismounted them from the broomstick and turned Hermione around in his arms. She was aware of the fact that her heavy breaths matched his. Keeping one arm still wrapped around her waist, he cupped her chin with the other, and gently tilted it up. 

“Look at me Granger,” he whispered hoarsely.

Hermione, who had been staring at his chest, watching it heave with every breath, moved her gaze up. His eyes were darker than she had ever seen them, almost black pools of longing. If she let her, she could lose herself in their endless depth. She moved her gaze down to his mouth. How had she never noticed that he had a perfect pout. Subconsciously, she licked her lips. This made Draco break into the half smirk he saved only for her. 

“Admiring something Granger ?”

Hermione blushed in response and tried to take a step back, but he tightened his grip on her. 

“Don’t.” he whispered into her ear, sending goose bumps all over. 

“Don’t pull away. You have no idea the way it makes me feel, to be able to make you blush.”

She looked into his eyes again and found no confusion, no shame, only want. 

“Why?” she asked trembling, “Why now?”

He hesitated, took a deep breath, as if bracing himself, then said “It’s not - it didn’t start now.”

He loosened his grip on her and ran his fingers through his hair. 

“I - I have felt this for a while now. I don’t know how to even begin really.” he paused, turning away from her, looking into the horizon. 

“I am anything but cliché Granger, but the best way I can describe it, is that one day I realised that in a room full of people, you stood out. I always knew exactly where you were. I found myself compelled to look at you, to know what mood you were in. I started seating myself so I could see you in the great hall. I obsessed over how to break the ice with you, imagining a hundred different scenarios in which I could get you to talk to me. But it didn’t matter how much I deliberated, I never gained the courage to actually approach you. I was so horrible to you Granger, and at the same time I couldn’t stay away from you. It sounds so sick and twisted, but I couldn’t help myself. The number of times I have wanted to punch Weasley in the face for hurting you, or hex Potter because he was too stupid to see your worth.”

He paused, stealing a brief glance at her, before continuing.

“The last couple of years, my life just went to shit. I was - I didn’t have the capacity to feel anything but fear. I was constantly thinking of how to survive. My mind was in a hellscape. I was relieved when you didn't come back last year. Relieved that no one knew where you were, because that meant you were safe. Then you got captured and brought to my fucking house. Brought in confinement. I can’t tell you how much that day haunts me, Granger. I was your captor; not your saviour, not your protector, not your confidante. Your fucking captor. I felt helpless because how was I supposed to help you when the one person I had protected in the war – my mother, was right next to me. If I tried to aid you, they would’ve punished me through her. I watched you being tortured under my nose and I merely looked on, too afraid. Always a coward. When you escaped that day Granger, I swore to myself that if we all came out of this alive, I wouldn’t hide anymore.”

Hermione slowly let go of the breath she had been holding. He strode back to her, this time gently running his hands up and down her arms comfortingly, as if to warm her. 

“Don’t ask me why now. Ask me why - Because you have since the very first day challenged everything that I believed. Because you have consistently been loyal to two of the biggest dumb wits in the world. Because when you smile Granger, you take away all my pain. When I see you hurt, a monster inside me roars to be let out and destroy the world for you.”

Hermione was floored at his declaration. She was completely tongue-tied and out of words. How did you even begin to respond to such a pronouncement? She shook her head and walked away from him to the battlements. She needed the fresh air, that wasn't laced with peppermint and cinnamon. 

She was tempted to give in to the emotions swirling inside her, but after Ron she had promised herself that she would put herself first. 

“I - believe you,” she said after a spell. “However, I think we both need some time to figure out where we stand after the war. You finally have a chance to be the man you want to be. And I finally get to figure out who I am when I don't have to save the world,” she said, sadness lacing her words. “The war, it has changed something inside me. I feel broken. I need to feel whole again. And I need to do it by myself..”

“Granger.” 

She turned around

“I didn’t say what I said because I wanted you to feel obligated to return my feelings. I have a lot of anger, too much resentment and a bucket full of bitterness. I would never be able to do us any justice, to be even a sliver of the man you would deserve, right now. I have made you a vow, and I’ll make you another. One day Hermione Granger, I will be fixed enough to be capable of loving you the way you deserve. That day I will let you determine whether you can let me in your heart.”

Hermione was conflicted. She could feel the pull to Malfoy more than ever, but she had to stay strong. She knew, however, that she didn’t want him to be a stranger any longer. 

“Will you let me in though?” she asked with trepidation.

“I can’t process whatever this is or could be,” she said gesturing between the two of them, “if all I have to go on is our past. And maybe you have an attraction towards me,” she said choosing her words carefully, “but you don’t really know me either.” 

“What are you suggesting then Granger?”

“I want to get to know you, the real Draco Malfoy. No hiding behind occlumency, no silent brooding, no maliciousness.”

“Alright Granger,” he said with a slight chuckle. But only on one condition; you have to take care of yourself, you have to help yourself heal. You have to find your strength, whatever it takes.”

“Alright.”

“Then it’s a deal.”

*****

Hermione was having breakfast the next morning when her copy of the Daily Prophet was delivered. She opened it expecting the worst and was not disappointed.

GOLDEN GIRL GONE ROGUE

 By : Harriette Edgecombe

Hogsmeade

There was a large picture of Hermione and Theo stepping out of Madam Puddifoot’s. They both looked equally surprised and uncomfortable in the picture and were standing atleast a foot apart. Under the picture ran the following article-

Our very own golden girl, Hermione Granger was seen stepping out of a cosy cafe in Hogsmeade with none other than death eater sympathiser Theodore Nott. 

We are wondering if this romantic tryst means the Golden Girl has forgone her values and is rebelling against her Gryffindor sweethearts or is this a sinister attempt by the dark wizard to control the brightest witch of our age. We at Daily Prophet want to know if Hogwarts is as safe as it deems itself to be or if an unforgivable curse has gone unnoticed - again. 

Previously Ms. Granger was dating none other than Gryffindor heartthrob Ronald Weasley. She has been known to have a penchant for dating famous wizards, but this new twist in the tale is nothing but mysterious. 

A source close to her, who wishes to stay anonymous, told us that Ms. Granger is not as saintly as she seems and has openly resorted to hexing her classmates. “No one reprimanded her. She has all the teachers wrapped around her fingers”, divulged the source to our correspondent. Could this golden maiden have a darkness she has successfully veiled, only to step out and embrace it now that the war is over?

And what of her ex-beau Ron Weasley? How is he tending to his broken heart?

Fear not readers, for we will expose the truth for all to know.

Keep following us as we keep you updated with new developments. 

Hermione snorted in anger after she finished reading. “What absolute tosh!” she exclaimed. “Anonymous source my arse! Looks like her sister still hasn’t gotten over being called out as a snitch. This is just getting out of hand. Why don’t the two of you have your life splayed on the pages whenever you’re clicked with a witch?”

“I am quite literally the Prophet’s favourite boy wonder Hermione. I don’t know why you insist on reading this drivel,” stated Harry from beside her.

Theo must have seen the article as well. He trotted to their table and began guiltily, “Hermione, I am so sorry for yesterday. You have to believe me I would never take advantage of our friendship in this way. This was exactly what you were afraid would happen and now it did.”

“Theo stop,” she said. “I know you didn’t do this.”

“No Hermione, I feel terrible. I have let you down.”

“Theo, listen to me,” she said reaching out to take his hand in hers. “I have full faith in you. Being hound by reporters isn’t something new for me. I should actually warn you - this is just the beginning. The Prophet loves writing me as a scarlet woman. So I am the one who should be apologising to you, because they will keep dragging you in with me now for atleast a while. If anything, this is the price you pay for being my friend.”

Theo still seemed unsure but any further conversation was interrupted by Professor McGonagall. 

“Mr. Nott, would you like to escort me to my office.”

“What?!” said Hermione incredulously. “Professor is this about the article? Because you can’t honestly believe”-

Ms. Granger, unfortunately this is not something in my control. The school board have requested for some precautionary measures this year and I am merely complying with their request.”

“Fine,” fumed Hermione. “But I will be coming with Theo.”

She accompanied the duo out of the hall, realising as she looked around that in the eyes of her schoolmates, she had just validated her apparent relationship with Theo by taking a stand for him.

Theo and Hermione walked in to the Headmistress’ office to be greeted by three surly and beefy aurors, dressed in their official robes.

“Mr. Theodore Nott,” began the one standing closest to them, “we are here on behalf the ministry of magic to ascertain that you have not been performing any dark magic on person/ persons unnamed. We would like for you to submit your wand for evalution,” he said brusquely.

Theo didn’t respond, only extended his wand towards the auror, who in turn passed it on to a man with a long dark hair and a full beard to match. The dark-haired auror seemed to conduct a thorough inspection of the wand muttering several spells, of which only one was familiar to Hermione – priori incantatem. Once he was satisfied, he returned the wand to Theo wordlessly.

Hermione had naively expected that once they found no evidence of dark magic being performed with Theo’s wand, they would let him go.

However, the third auror approached Theo and stated, “Mr. Nott, my name is auror Brown, from the DMLE. I specialise in legilimency and would like you to submit for an assessment under veritaserum.”

“Absolutely not!” exclaimed Hermione in anger. “You have no right to invade his mind. He has done nothing wrong, you have already checked his wand. What premise do you have for dragging him through such an ordeal?”

She turned to McGonagall. “Since when does Hogwarts allow for aurors to just step in harass it’s students?”

“Ms Granger, the aurors are only trying to do their job. If Mr. Nott has nothing to hide, he will be cleared and can resume his day with no more interruptions,” offered the professor.

“But why should he have to submit his mind to a stranger when he has does nothing wrong? He was cleared by the DMLE after already submitting his memories and proving his innocence. You can’t just come and badger him over a photograph in the newspaper,” cried Hermione.

“Mr. Nott is well-acquainted with the terms of his probation,” said auror Brown impatiently. “We are only trying to do our job hear like your headmistress has explained. The more you resist, the worst it will get.”

“BUT I AM RIGHT HERE,” screamed Hermione. You can just check if I have been cursed or am under the effect of a potion.”

“If we find anything suspicious while interviewing Mr.Nott, we will be taking you to the ministry to conduct those evaluations,” finished Brown smugly.

“Now if you’d be kind enough to follow me Mr. Nott,” he said, motioning Theo to a room further ahead.

Theo who had yet to say a single word, followed the aurors, his expression neutral and eyes blank.

“How could you allow this Professor?”, she demanded from McGonagall.

“You know Theo has no reason to be ‘evaluated’. They are bullying him into submission. This is so wrong.”

“Ms. Granger please, you have to calm down,”, said McGonagall.

“No professor I will not calm down! Prejudice is wrong no matter who it is against, and I will not stand it now when I didn’t stand it before. How are these students, who are just children, like we are, supposed to rehabilitate themselves when no one will let them move forward? They are getting slandered, receiving hate mail, being targeted by bullies, all in the name of justice and no one is making the slightest effort to change it. How can you as Headmistress not protect them?”

Before Hermione could say more, the door opened and Theo walked out. He still looked stoic, but Hermione knew it was just for show. She took his hand and guided him out of the office, not caring for what the aurors might have to say.

Once they were back outside the Gargoyle that guarded the headmistress’ office, Hermione put her arms around Theo, gripping him hard.

“I am so sorry Theo,” she whimpered.

He buried his face in her neck, trembling from head to toe. They both stood there, anchoring each other, till Hermione heard a set of footsteps followed by Harry’s voice.

“Theo, Hermione, c’mon. Let me take you back to our room.”

He gently pulled them apart, taking Hermione’s hand and Theo’s arm he walked them back to their common room. All the Slytherin eighth years were there, waiting for Theo, and as soon as them saw him, they enveloped him in hugs.

Hermione stayed away, not wanting to intrude. Harry wrapped his arm around her and sat her by the fire.

“What happened?” he probed gently.

Hermione looked into his clear green eyes, her home, her family.

“There were aurors waiting for him Harry. And they interrogated him under veritaserum. Just because some hag happened to click a picture of us together. What will they do next time? What if they find out we all duel together? Will they imprison them? Torture them? I feel so lost Harry. Fighting Voldemort was easy morally. He was dark and we were light. But I don’t know how to fight this bigotry Harry. Am I wrong in wanting them to be treated fairly?” she sobbed.

“You are not wrong Hermione,” comforted Harry. “You have a bigger heart than most people. We need to find a way to help the others. And I have faith, that as long as we work together, we will find a solution.”

Later, at night, Hermione quietly came down to their common room, hoping that Theo would be there. She found him on his favourite couch, once again looking out. She sat down, rolling her legs out, across his, holding him tight by the waist, her head on his chest, and they sat there, in the comfort of each other’s steady breaths.

“Thank you Hermione,” whispered Theo.

“I am the one who got you in this mess Theo. I feel so guilty,’ she sniffled.

“You did nothing wrong Granger,” hissed Malfoy from a distance.

Hermione peeked over Theo’s shoulder to see Malfoy moving towards them, levitating three goblets in his wake. He sat on Theo’s other side.

“Nightcap?’, he offered.

“Thanks,” replied Hermione and Theo in unison, accepting the goblets.

“If it wasn’t your picture Granger, they would have found something else. They can’t let us be by ourselves for too long can they? How would they exert their importance on us if not by harrying us, pun intended.”

Hermione gave him a small smile. She wasn’t sure if he had joined them because of Theo or because of his promise to her, but she realised she didn’t care. It was enough that he was here.