Authors Note: If you are still stuck with me this far, I figure you already know by heart all about the disclaimer and the warnings. Okay then? Marvelous!
Cher, my beta, ! And I hope the readers like this chapter. So far, is one of my favorites!
She Drives, He Walks – Chapter 09
Harry apparates near Hermione's cottage to check on her without her knowing about it, as always. He does it every month, just to ease his spirit. She is his best friend after all; he worries about her. He checks around the house, and the wards are perfect, as he left them. Noticing the lights in the library windows, he pulls his invisibility cloak on, and goes near it. With a smile, he wonders how thick the book she must be “eating” now is. The smile dies as soon as he sees what is happening inside the room.
Hermione is standing with her wand pointing to Draco Malfoy, who seems to be screaming. White lightning shoots from the wand, and it’s landing on his forearm. Harry knows exactly what is going on.
He can hardly believe his eyes. Harry watches as in a few minutes the spell lifts itself. Hermione falls on the floor. Malfoy is panting hard, and suddenly he falls from the chair as if something that has been holding him in it is not there anymore. He lifts his arm, and seems to say something to Hermione, and appears to fall unconscious. Then, of all things Harry could imagine Hermione would do, she does the unthinkable.
She hugs Draco Malfoy like a child and begins to rock back and forth. Harry Potter stares at the back of his friend and watches as her body shakes. She is crying. After some time, she gets up weakly, and levitates Malfoy out of the library. Harry hears noise coming from her room and rushes over that window.
Her eyes are red from crying, and she looks like she has put the world on her shoulders. He can see Malfoy’s face as well: the pale man is apparently asleep, but there are traces of tears and pain in his face. Harry watches as his best friend lays his nemesis on her bed, and then lies besides his limp body. Harry can't watch anymore. He vanishes.
...
Draco awakes with a start. He regrets it immediately; his head hurts like hell. He slowly opens his eyes to his surroundings. Creamy walls. An antique wardrobe. A full body mirror next to a very delicate desk, bearing some small boxes with jewelry coming out. One flask of perfume. He inhales deeply.
Flowers and fruit orchards. Hermione Granger.
Last night comes to him. He remembers everything, but not how he ended up in her room, her bed. He slowly sits up, noticing a blanket over him, and moves his eyes to the pillow at his side. There is a piece of parchment on it, folded with his name on it. He knows that handwriting; it is the same as the note she left him weeks ago, on that rainy evening. He unfolds the parchment.
... I have no idea how to address you. But that is the least of my worries for now.
Look, I... I know. I know there are things that happened that can't be undone. I know.
I was there too. I'm not saying I will forgive and forget, but... But I don't want to think about it.
Not now. All I know is that I do not hate you. Did you hear me?
I. Do. Not. Hate. You.
As far as I know, you don't own me anything. Really. You are free to leave and never think of me again.
Or you can stay.
... I would like if you stayed. I have no idea why. Blame my Gryffindor side, if you must.
I don't care. I don't know what will happen if you stay. But I want to take a chance to know you.
I really do.
Hermione Granger
Draco is livid. Hermione Granger doesn't hate him. She wants to KNOW him. She must be nuts. He feels tired. And relieved. He lies down again on her bed. He stares at her things. He thinks about everything that has happened since he met her that day on Piccadilly Street. He chuckles lightly, remembering her brown eyes. This is it. This is his chance to change. So, he closes his eyes to sleep again. His last thought is that he must be insane.
He chooses to stay.
Continues...
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