Choices
"That. Was. Brutal." Draco sighed, pulling his tie free and rolling it in his palm.
"That's about what I expected to be honest." Hermione mumbled, transfiguring her heels into flats. "A mastery program is a very serious undertaking."
"I need to get out of this castle. Come on." Draco grabbed her hand, leading her out onto the grounds. Students were scattered around the lawn, enjoying the post exam days before term ended.
"How do you think your interview went?" She asked, lacing her fingers in his, trying not slip in her flats on the steep grass, leading them to where she wanted to sit.
"About as well as can be expected. I won't get it but at least it'll get Slughorn and McGonagall off my case." He held up his hand for Hermione to lower herself as gracefully as she could to lean against the tree. When she was settled, Draco laid his head in her lap, stretching out on the grass. "I already know how yours went. Are they going to duel for who gets to have you as an apprentice?"
" Ha-ha. " she intoned quietly. "To be honest, I don't know if either of them will take me now."
One pale eyebrow arched up. "What'd you do?"
"I told them I wasn't interested in traveling anymore, actually. " Hermione stroked a piece of hair from his face.
"Why is that?"
"Because," she smiled down at him, meeting his eyes "I found something worth staying for here."