Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Closer	By : Nocturne Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 29797 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling. I do not own the Harry Potter fandom, nor do I make any money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 1-Closer
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 15
- 16
- 17
She felt the tension radiating from him. He was cross with her, that much was apparent. Those grey eyes never lied, and in that moment they were glazed with a mixture of confusion, panic and hurt.

“It’s done?” he blurted, avoiding all Hermione’s attempts at proper eye contact.

The young woman stood by him in the foyer. She had only just returned from her meeting with Ron, knowing it had stretched far longer than either of them anticipated. It looked bad, and because of that, she didn’t know what to say or do. Draco had always been insecure regarding her previous relationship, but there was no need, not anymore.

She loved Ron once. She loved him with all her heart, with every bit of emotion she could feel. He was her best friend, confidante and lover. But so much had changed since then. She was no longer the bookish know-it-all of the Golden Trio. She had grown and so had he. Being with him now would not only be a betrayal towards Draco, but also to herself.

Her emotions were stir-crazy. She didn’t know what it was she felt for the fair-haired wizard before her, but she did know it gave her the strength and confidence to approach him. Hermione stepped forth, lacing their fingers together and resting her head against his chest. She could feel his heart beat through the fabric of his shirt, in perfect harmony with the rain that pitter pattered overhead.

“It’s done,” she concluded, having read between the lines before he had opened his mouth.

Draco’s body tensed against hers. He placed on hand on the small of her back and the other through her hair, brushing through it calmingly. “He’s agreed to help?”

“Yes,” she answered. “But we’ll be gone before that happens.”

“That’s fine,” Draco blurted, a little too fast for his own liking. “Blaise will take care of everything. I trust him.”

And so did a small part of Hermione. She had never gotten to know Blaise Zabini very much during their time at Hogwarts. He was always passive for someone from Slytherin – reserved, removed, and alarmingly responsible…quite unlike his best friend.

“I…I’d like to make a small stop before we take our leave,” she said softly.

“You’re quite welcome to do so, but keep in mind we don’t have much time,” explained Draco, curious. “Where is it you’d like to go?”

“Godric’s Hollow.”

~

Potter, he gathered. She wants to visit Potter. It made perfect sense. The last time the world had been at risk, young Harry had still been alive. The Chosen One, they called him. He was their only hope. He was their beacon. But in all the chaos only one survived and it was not the man buried beneath their feet.

Draco watched his wife kneel before the grave, brushing her fingers over the tombstone as her eyelids fell shut. She wanted to cry. He could sense it in the way her breathing changed. But Hermione kept her composure. Instead she opened her eyes and parted both lips.

“I…” she began. “I…I can’t begin to explain how much our world has changed since you…left. Part of me still doesn’t believe it. Part of me is waiting for you to arrive at my doorstep with messy hair and crooked glasses.” Hermione took a deep breath. “And another part of me is glad you aren’t here to witness all of this. If there’s one thing I could never tolerate, it was your disappointment, Harry.”

There was a tug in Draco’s chest. He knew what she was talking about, and although it was perfectly reasonable, it still made his insides ache.

“I love and miss you more than you could ever know. I think about you every day. Some nights I stay up and dream of a world where we could all co-exist,” Hermione explained. “The good, the evil and…” Something was caught in her throat. “The misunderstood.”

The ache turned into understanding.

“Wherever you are, Harry, it makes me happy to know that you finally found peace. You’re with loved ones no matter where you go. That’s what it means to be a hero. You’re not feared or worshipped. You’re loved.”

A few tears escaped her eyes, trailing down her face and falling into the damp earth. Hermione stood on both feet, turning to Draco.

“Ready?” he asked, uncertain as to whether or not it was insensitive.

She nodded. “Let’s go.”

And yet, as they linked arms and prepared to leave for the long journey ahead, something felt wrong. Draco turned back to the grave. There was something pulling him towards it, as though he was meant to be there longer, but why?

“Hold on,” he told her, separating. “I…I think I should stay for a little bit.”

Hermione gave him a look of surprise, but nodded understandingly nonetheless. “Of course.”

Draco didn’t know what possessed him to do it, but in a matter of milliseconds he was there, standing adjacent to the grave of his ex-rival. He glanced back and noticed Hermione had given him the appropriate amount of space. She was close enough to lend her support, yet far enough not to hear what he had to say.

Enough sidetracking, he told himself.

The young man knelt down, closing his eyes for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “I’m sorry for everything.” The weight on his chest lessened. “It was never hatred. It was jealousy…and I think you always knew that, which is what bothered me from the beginning. Sure, I had money and power, but like Hermione said, you were loved.” The words came pouring out before he could stop them. “That first day at Hogwarts, when I approached you, that’s when it all started. I saw it then as clear as I saw it on your final day. You were chosen for a reason, a reason beyond the prophecy and beyond anything any of us could begin to comprehend.”

He paused for a moment, trying to make sense of it all.

“I need your strength, Potter. I need your conviction,” admitted Draco, focusing on Hermione through his peripheral vision. “If you can hear this, I’m sure you know the truth by now. It wasn’t meant to be this way, but I love her. I love everything about her. It would destroy me if anything were to happen to her, especially on this mission.” There was another pause. “Which is why I need your help, your…guidance. Not so much with the mission, but with Hermione. I need you to give me a sign, tell me if I should leave her be. I care for her, and I know she cares for me, but I also know I’m not good for her. She deserves better…and yet…I wouldn’t have been sorted into Slytherin if I wasn’t at least a little bit selfish.”

Draco glanced down, feeling terribly guilty.

“Who would have known, Potter? Who would have known I would end up here…?”

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