May 2, 2008
Hermione tried her best to look good, the dress make up and accessories are perfect, and she arrived just in time as people began to pour into the Ministry's atrium. Yearly a large gathering is held in the Ministry to commemorate all the people that had fought in the war against the dark lord, so that they can be remembered for their heroism.
This year Hermione attended, in place of Harry who cannot leave his wife alone now that Ginny is eight months pregnant with their third child. Everyone she sees in the gala were mostly former schoolmates back in Hogwarts, she smiled to herself and waved at them as she passes by. Ten years after the Dark Lord was defeated, everyone got back up and become better, they thrived. Her heart flutters as she scanned her eyes around, she loved this future of the magical world, everyone was happy and not living in fear, she sees her friends and colleagues.
Everyone was here....
Everyone...
Her heart stopped for a millisecond as her amber eyes met with a familiar striking grey's.
His grey's.
Draco Malfoy stood next to the pyramid of champagne filled glasses, the light's refraction casing a soft golden glow on the black suit that he wore. He was already looking at her by the time her amber eyes even landed on him. the next move he does nearly sent her heart jumping out of her chest, he began walking towards... towards her. Hermione doesn't know what to do, her throat became dry and her feet seems to be rooted on the floor she was standing on. A deer caught in the headlights. Frozen in place!
"Granger..."
His voice sent a shiver running up her spine, he looked the same, smelled the same. the only evidence of his aging was the stubble that's growing on his otherwise well groomed face. it was as if time itself had not touched him at all.
"Malfoy, i haven't seen you in a long time" she commented. Draco nodded slightly a ghost of a smile gracing his lips and merely gave her a shrug.
"I've had some... mistakes that i had to atone for, as well as a Manor to inherit after my family moved away" he says, rolling his shoulders as he did so. he looked about as tense as Hermione was.
Mistakes? for Hermione his only mistake would only be two things. Being born into a family of dark wizards, as well as being at the wrong side of the war.
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May 2, 1998
Hermione met the same grey eyes, the moment his parents beckoned him to switch to the other side. Their eyes met, speaking to each other with the words they couldn't say out loud.
'Draco, Don't, Please.' Hermione's eyes begged.
But the blond kept walking, towards the dark wizards trying to eliminate the school. the Then eighteen years old Draco could only glance at her momentarily, the a simple glimpse that screams a thousand words, yet the only thing she could deduce from his grey eyes were the unspoken apology. This was his family after all, and he can't betray his family.
'I'm Sorry'
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"you look good, Draco" she managed a complement as she shakes those memories back into the corner of her mind. She didn't realize that she just casually used his given name to address him, little did he know his heart wanted to explode with joy hearing them after all of those years isolating himself.
"... Likewise, Granger. You look stunning.... as always" Hermione's heart did leaps at his compliment, especially when he almost whispered to her the last part, it was almost intimate that it made Hermione's breath hitch.
Not long after, Hermione had to excuse herself to give a speech. It was supposed to be Harry to be the one giving the speech, however in his absence, Hermione was the next person they asked to give a speech.
"And now to give her speech, on behalf of Harry Potter who cannot be with us on this evening, i give you the War Heroine, Order of Merlin - First Class awardee and the Brightest witch of all time Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcements, Miss Hermione Granger!"
As Hermione goes up to the podium she was greeted with a loud round of applause, she quickly casted a Sonorus charm on herself as she prepares her speech. "Ahem... err... Good evening everyone, i am here on behalf of Harry Potter, who is only weeks away from being a girl-dad, as we speak as he is with Ginny to get Little Lily Luna checked up before we welcome her into the world. But we're not talking about Harry's family life, of course. we are here to celebrate the lives of the great people who fought along with us in the battle exactly ten years ago..."
Hermione paused, she did not prepare for this speech at all, she thought she could improvise it on the whim but her nerves are making her mind race at what she could possibly say, her head writes and erases speeches every second and it's beginning to cloud her mind. She scanned her eyes around nervously, all of them were waiting for her to continue.
She gulped until she met his greys once again, as he drank from the champagne, and noticing a familiar 'X' inked on his ring finger. The intensity of his gaze still seemed to speak to her.
'You can do it, Granger. I believe in you'
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Sometime in their Fifth Year in Hogwarts
'You can do it, Granger. I believe in you'
Draco's said in his most droll tone, his chin resting on his palm while his other hand turning a page of a text book about Ancient Runes. It was already dark outside and classes have long ended, but Draco found himself sitting in the library with Granger, his... someone he tolerates.
"can't you be a bit more encouraging?" Hermione says sarcastically, To which Draco replied by tapping his index finger against the page. "Ancient runes are not only used as means of communication among the vikings, but also for magical purposes. It is used in spells or divination, and is often craved on objects to imbue them with magic. Such as memorial stones and weapons." The blond explained, he had no need to look at the text books as he appears to know it by heart.
After a few more careful explanation the pair, mostly Draco, quizzed the other about the topic. "Now this Rune means?" Draco took Hermione's hand and traced a symbol on the back of her hand. The rune was simple, it was just an 'X' and Hermione knew the meaning. "It's Gebo, also known as Gyfu, represents gift, exchange, and fair trade within the Elder Futhark-"
"It symbolizes the act of giving and recieving gifts, tangible and not, and the balance between offering and acceptance..." Draco says as he plucks the quill from her other hand and casually draws the 'X' on her ring finger. Seeing this her eyes her eye immediately found his, "In other contexts... It can also represent, friendship, marriage... and the sacrifices made in relationships" He finished, writing the same symbol on his own ring finger. Hermione seem too stunned to speak, how can a Malfoy be so infuriating and endearing at the same time? It didn't even helped when Draco brought her hand up to press a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
"Lessons are finished. Get back to your dorm, Granger, or i will have to deduct points from your precious house" He stood up, a sardonic smirk on his face as the Prefect pin on his uniform glint under the candle lights.
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"We are here to celebrate our victory against the evils that haunted us in the past. We are also here to remember everyone that we lost during those dark times. We wouldn't have this future if it weren't for them, to the ones who fought for this future with the last of their breaths. They are not just a wizard or a witch... They are a friend... a family. If it wasn't for them, the Wizarding world would still be covered in darkness and fear. So... Hears to them, the heroes we lost but we will never forget. Let's live on and cherish this moment they are still with us, let's live on and forever keep them alive in our minds... and our hearts" She raised her champagne glass and the crowd also raised their own. Followed by a massive round of applause and cheers for her wonderful impromptu speech.
Hermione exhaled in relief as she got down from the podium and was immediately showered with complements and she was thrown into a few minutes of some of the Hogwarts alumni approached her, moved by her speech. She simply smiled warmly and nodded at their tales and offered her words of advice to them. After Hermione's third conversation about her speech, the band's tune slows down to a slow waltz, and suddenly everyone wanted a chance to dance with her.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I'm not in the- oh sorry- Malfoy?" Hermione thinks that the fates are playing with her as she stumbles into the strong arms of Draco Malfoy. "Sorry, the lady promised me her first dance" he said as his hands flies to her waist to balance her.
'play along' Draco winked at her, as he took her hand and lead her towards the dancefloor, and Hermione could do nothing but follow his lead. And just as usual, Draco lead her with steps into the dance.
1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3... Hermione counted in her head.
"No stepping on my foot, Granger"
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December 26, 1994.
02:00 AM
Draco witnessed how the pompous weasel brushed Hermione's feelings about the night that's supposed to be the greatest night of her life. He was livid and jealous as well, but unlike the weasel he managed to hold himself together and let Hermione have her fun, but no, Weasley just had to open his stupid mouth and ruin her night.
"Don't listen to the rubbish, that Weasley says. He's just jealous he didn't got to take you to the yule ball" Hermione lifted her head to see Draco approaching her, who was sitting at the stairs. The Slytherin crouched down and rubbed some dittany on her irritated ankles before he carefully slipped her shoes back on. Hermione couldn't help the blush creeping to her fair features and retorted "You were jealous too, i see you in the corner of the great hall glaring daggers at Krum"
Draco stood up straight, his hands now shoved into the pockets of his robes "I knew my place, Krum was your date. If I could i would've whisked you away from that Bulgarian oaf."
"but you didn't, the dance was finished hours ago" Hermione says, her voice laced with disappointment "Well, Granger..." he began and holds his hand out.
"but the ball is--"
"I don't care, Granger, now do you want to dance or not?" he winced at the harsh tone of his voice, but Hermione eventually took his hand and stood up.
"but there's no mu-"
"Merlin, you talk to much" Draco groaned, but tighten his hold on the Griffindor's waist as he guides his through their silent dance.
"There's always music around you, you just need to listen carefully for the beat, I'll lead, just follow my steps."
1,2,3... 1, 2, 3... 1, 2,-
"Sorry!" Hermoine winced when she stepped on a lump on the ground, the lump actually being Draco's foot. The blond took a deep breath and steadied him "Just count in your head, Granger... 1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3... and repeat" He once more guided Hermione through the dance.
Draco watched his partner as she slowly but surely began to get a hang of the steps, her body moving and adapting to the steps in her mind. He could see her grow more confident with each steps, their hearts now seem to beat in sync, at was as if the beats are creating a tempo only heard and felt by them rhythm. He saw Hermione smile at him, a smile wider than what she had shown to Krum tonight. As their dance continued on the empty hallways of the Hogwarts castle, a slow tentative smile would grace the couple's features, mirroring each other, as the background around them blurs until all they could see were each other.
A small giggle was heard from the girl, as she allowed herself to enjoy this dance with the beat of their silent song. Her Amber orbs finds her partner's cool pools of grey. Draco couldn't help but chuckle as well himself, as their steps, breathing and hearts in perfect sync as they lost themselves to the freedom of their movement, the joy of connection, and bubbling ecstacy of synchrony.
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Hermione felt like it was that night once more, her heart going in sync with his. the lively background seemed to fade into blur and all she could see was him, Draco Malfoy, Her Draco.
"Granger, listen... I have to tell you something before i go" Draco began as their waltz slows down to a stop as he graciously lead her to the corner of the room, next to the pyramid of champagne glasses. away from the prying eyes of the crowd.
Hermione's heart raced as his hand lingered on hers for a moment longer before he let's it go. But Draco's next words were not even on the list of Expectation Hermione had in mind. "I just came to see you one last time, and say goodbye" he says, she felt like her heart would stop.
"one last time? goodby- I'm confused, what are you talking about?"
"I am going away for a long time, travelling..." he trailed off, but Hermione could clearly see through his pretense. He was lying, and he never was a good liar.
"wh-... When, where? for how long?" Draco, shakes his head, as he himself do not know when exactly he can return, be free. He braced himself as he could feel a fury of emotions simmering just underneath Hermione.
"Ten years you've been gone, Draco Malfoy..." she scoffed "Ten years I've waited for you only for you to come pop out of nowhere to say goodbye to me?! No Draco, you don't do this to me, please, you can't leave me again" Draco's heart breaks as he heard her pleas
"I don't..... I don't have a choice Hermione"
"You have a choice, you always have a choice Draco! Honestly when are you going start choosing for yourself? back when were at the war, you chose to join them. When are you gonna chose me?!" Hermione unleashed her frustration on him by hitting him with the side of her fists until Draco eventually caught her wrists.
"I've chosen you over and over again! I i chose to protect you! you are the most selfish choice i have made my entire life because i love you!" he raised his voice, catching the attention of a few people, but they immediately turn away, trying not to get involve in their quarrel.
"If i didn't join them they WILL kill me, and i couldn't protect you, Hermione, when if I am dead" he held her hands in his. His thumb affectionately tracing the familiar rune on her ring finger.
Hermione let her tears fall into the shoulder of his suit as she clings to his desperately. She missed him so much, and she didn't want to let him go, because the moment they pull away from each other is the moment he will go, she will lose Draco once more.
"Shhh... Don't cry love. and don't wait up for me to return. I'm not sure, when if i ever will come back" Draco whispered and pressed a kiss on her temple before taking her smaller hands in his own larger ones. Before several Ministry workers approached him from behind. Hermione couldn't recognize what department they are from exactly but she's seen them in the Ministry once or twice.
"Mr. Malfoy, we must leaave now" Hermione whimpered, tightening her hold against Draco's torso while shaking her head profoundly, Draco didn't want to go. If he can he would choose not to go, he would choose her, like he always did... But he can't.
He was, and still in the eyes of the world, a criminal after all.
"Hopefully the fates become kinder to us, so reincarnation will bring us back to the place we belong...."