Chapter 13
Prompt: Close Your Eyes
Hermione woke up with a groan. The dream had returned, as it had every night for the past nine months after the war ended. Each night she dreamt of being in a dark room. She was lying on her side staring at a dark figure, but all she felt was an overwhelming sense of peace.
Each night she tried her hardest to see their identity, but never could. The dream always ended the same with the figure saying “Close your eyes” and just like that, Hermione would wake up. It frustrated her to no end. It felt so much like a memory rather than a dream. It was irrational, but Hermione was possessed to find out who this mystery person was; by the sound of their voice she knew it was a man but his face never came into focus.
With a huff, Hermione got out of bed, got ready and made her way to the Ministry.
Still in a sour mood from her dream, she stormed into the lift paying no mind to the only other person with her. With a jerk, the lift stalled seemingly stuck between floors. Hermione tried to slow her breathing as she felt the familiar pull of a panic attack in her chest.
Suddenly, strong hands were rubbing her back and a deep voice was beside her ear, “Easy Granger, focus on my voice, just close your eyes.”
Like a train, a million memories slammed into place and Hermione was reeling. Flashes of her and Draco at Hogwarts sneaking into alcoves between classes, the two of them convincing the Order of his deflection, dancing beneath the stars in the Astronomy Tower, years of memories overwhelming her senses.
Draco must have noticed a change because he had stepped back, his expression guarded as he gazed at Hermione carefully.
Hermione stepped toward Draco.
“You - you obliviated me,” she choked out, the hurt in her voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Immediately, Draco’s carefully guarded expression crumbled, his anguish raw on his face. Swallowing hard, he shoved his hands into his pockets and let his gaze fall to the floor. “It was the only way to protect you.”
Fury shot through Hermione’s blood as her hand connected with his face in a resounding crack. “It was not your choice to make!” Hermione’s indignation faded quickly as Draco began to cry silently.
“I knew you’d never forgive me, but I’d rather you hate me than live in a world where you don’t exist. I am so sorry.” Draco spoke these words to the floor, unable or unwilling to make eye contact.
Hermione was silent, unable to sift through the conflicting emotions passing through her body. Her anger was threatening to spill out with every breath, but beneath all of that anger was love. A love so strong it was making it difficult to breathe.
Somehow, Hermione found her voice. "Close your eyes," she instructed, her voice flat, giving nothing away.
Draco's eyes found hers and with a resigned sigh, he closed his eyes, bracing himself for what was to come.
Hermione crossed the lift and stood before his imposing figure. Slowly, she reached up and placed her hands on his face, guiding his lips to hers. Draco let out a soft sob before he grabbed her close to his body. His touch apologizing for everything his words could not.