Dramione ~ 20 Years Later

Dress-Up and Delay

A loud ringing noise resonated from somewhere to my left. With a great sigh of effort, I slowly peeled one eyelid open to look for the source of the horrific sound echoing around my skull. It was the kind of sound that made it feel like your eardrums were being violently stabbed.

The alarm clock (Draco's Mum bought it for us after she discovered muggle shopping centres) read 8 a.m.

My first thought was to either Avada Kedavra my alarm clock or throw it put the window.

My second thought, however, was me just being confused for a solid 40 seconds because on a weekday I woke up at 5:30 for work and I never set alarms on the weekend. Usually my body clock (more commonly known as my children) woke me up just before 9 on weekends, later if I'm lucky. So why on earth is my alarm going off?

Jabbing the button to turn off the alarm, I rolled over in bed and sank back into my pillow. I concluded that it was probably just Zoe pranking me because she's still bitter about my reluctance to let her go to the reunion thing.

My muscles went taut as the last thought crossed my mind. The "Stupid Reunion Thingy". It was today. I groaned and sat up. At this point, I wasn't going to waste my energy trying to avoid it because the whole situation was inevitable. I would have to get over my fear of being around those I used to consider family. Once I saw everyone through the eyes of my new identity, I'd be able to put them all behind me and continue my life without worries plaguing my mind everytime I brush past any of them in public. Hopefully, anyway.

With these thoughts in mind, I heaved myself into a sitting position with my legs planted on the floor at my bedside. Just a few hours, I reminded myself, I can last a few hours.

My bare feet slid gently over the cool, grey carpet as I made my way to the bathroom to wash my face. As I stared at my reflection in the clean (not for long- Draco splatters toothpaste all over the poor thing every morning) bathroom mirror, I sighed.

After splashing my face with cold water from the sink to try and make me feel more awake, I stretched and turned away from the bathroom.

Making my way to mine and Draco's wardrobe, I pulled back both of of doors to stare at my chosen outfit for the evening. If the universe decided everyone should horrifyingly find out who I am- at least I'll be looking stunning for it.

A rustling behind me said that I had woken Draco up. With his feet clad in his favourite bright pink socks, Draco walked to stand behind me and rest his head on top of mine.

"Good morning, Hermione," he mumbled with tiredness into my wildly messy hair.

"Morning," I replied with an equally tired voice.

I didn't say anything but Draco sensed that I felt a bit distressed. "You'll be fine. Potter now has a Potterette to keep him in check and Weasley isn't worth your time anyway. Besides, I'll be right there next to you the whole time," he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a quick hug before announcing he was going downstairs to make us breakfast.

Today was going to be a long day. A day of lies and trickery and hiding. But that's just my life. I've managed to keep my ruse for this long, why should today be any different?
_____________________________

"I hate the universe."

Mia raised an eyebrow at me. We're sat in the centre of our dormitory with a circle of dresses strewn across the floor and our pajamas thrown carelessly over our bed posts looking like dull, misshapen buntings.

Mia stands and stretches, her back giving a quiet pop as she straightens. She studies me. I was currently sat cross-legged in grey jogging bottoms and a hideous salmon dress we'd uncovered at the bottom of my trunk. I probably looked quite the state with no makeup on and my hair that had loose strands all over the place because the messy bun I'd quickly done wasn't tight enough to keep all my hair in place.