Glacius

Chapter 6

Yet again, Draco was once more dragged into the first-class lounge. He felt very out of place on the rich divan that he was perched on with one hand holding a glass of expensive elf-made wine. A handful of men, including Matteo and Lucius, were present.

"—and the venue! Only the finest magical vineyard for the Malfoy-Greengrass wedding!" Lucius drawled on about the wedding just as he had been for the past hour or so. Draco had stopped listening since the words left his father's mouth.

He zoned out and had his attention upon a young wizard— a boy who hasn't even reached his Hogwarts age.

The boy was sitting up tall, his back looked like it was itching for a slouch. His hat was placed perfectly on his head, as he looked around in the room. The man beside him, who seemed to be the boy's father, whispered something in his ear. The boy quickly took his hat off and perched it on his lap. He unbuttoned his suit's bottom button, grinning at his father as he did so.

Draco watched the boy and couldn't help but see the resemblance between himself and the boy. It seemed as though the young boy too had spent most of his life trying desperately to impress his father. It was years upon years of conditioning that made it second nature for him to know to take off his hat when sitting. And that's what made Draco question etiquette.

If he was going to die, nobody would remember him for the way he unbuttoned the bottom button of his suit or the way he pulled Astoria's chair out for her before he sat. They would remember the time he spent with them. They would think about the happiness he gave them. And with Astoria, he would not be remembered for any of that.

He had to leave. His life has developed into a large trap for him. And he had to escape.

And his only escape was Hermione Granger.

Draco budged his house-elf lightly, purposely causing her to spill wine onto his freshly ironed clothes. "Master Malfoy, Mippy is so sorry— Mippy will get you a new one—"

"It's fine, Mippy," Draco silenced her, standing up and nodding to the rest of the table. "If you would excuse me,"

"Will you be back, Draco?" Lucius asked him.

"I don't know," he responded with a sigh, getting up and leaving to where he thought she could be.

He was going for Hermione Granger. If only he could have seen himself from his perspective from a few years ago. Completely, utterly and truly in love.

~

Hermione Granger had never felt so low. She found herself resting her head in her arms at the front bow of the Titanic. The fresh salty water's air lightly ghosting over her cheeks. She lost two of the people she loved most in the world in a matter of minutes.

She wasn't sure if it was the salt from the spray of mist that fell upon her, or if it was her raw emotion that poured out of her, but tears flowed down her cheek like waterfalls.

"Granger."

Hermione's neck snapped at once, facing Draco, who stood behind her.

"Draco?" Hermione said, walking towards him, nervously.

"You're crying?" He said, stepping closer to her.

"Draco," she sobbed. His eyes were furrowed in concern. "I- I changed my mind. I want you."

Draco's lips tugged upwards into a smile. Draco watched her as she nibbled on her bottom lip. He let his eyes devour her, he allowed himself to give in, notice the small things about her. Her freckle dusted cheeks, her eyes that seemed to sparkle. Her hair was blown onto her face, making her wild curls seem wilder. She looked like a goddess to him.