the key to happiness - dramione

(18)

Hermione Granger, age 24, working as Draco Malfoy's assistant at the ministry, for about another month. In a relationship with Draco Malfoy. Moving in with Draco Malfoy.

Draco Malfoy, age 23, working at the ministry. In a relationship with Hermione Granger. Moving back into Malfoy Manor.

- - - - -
"ASTORIA GREENGRASS!" Draco shouts in pure anger. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! And where the hell are you....?" Draco walks up to Daphne. In front of her there are two wmpty bottles of butterbeer.

"She went to the bathroom dumbass." Daphne explains. "You've got to calm down Draco. Astoria is not here to hurt you or anyone else. She went here to tell me something, something very important. You see, Astoria is sick. And it's impossible to cure her disease, it's a blood curse and it's been getting worse..."

"She's gonna die." Draco abruptly says. He doesn't know what to do or how to act. If what Daphne just told us true, he regrets everything he's done. Is it now he's supposed to take back Astoria back to let her last time on earth be filled with joy? Astoria walks out of the bathroom.

Astoria walks up to Draco and places a hand on his shoulder. Draco looks at Daphne. At the same time Hermione is standing in the doorway to the guest bedroom since the door is still open. Nobody seems to think about it, but of course she can hear and see everything. She starts to get a little worried about what's gonna happen next.

"Astoria." Draco coughs. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm with Hermione and I love her." Hermione relaxes. Astoria looks down at hers and Draco's feet.
"Idiot." she hisses. "Did I ask to get you back?"
"I thought-"
"You're a complete idiot. I wouldn't ever want to get back with you. Goodbye."

Astoria grabs her things and leaves.
"Daph..." Draco starts.
"It's not your fault Draco, honestly I think she still wants you, but not out of pity. She wouldn't want you to date her out of pity. Anyway, go to Hermione now. You're moving tomorrow, right?" Draco sighs heavily and turns to go back to the room.

"Granger... I..." he mumbles as his and Hermione's eyes meet.
"I saw. I heard."
"Huh, how do you mean? You saw?"
"When you made a complete fool out of yourself." Hermione giggles, Daphne joins her laughter.

"Good, kill him!" Daphne jokingly shouts before Draco goes into the room and shuts the door behind him.
"I didn't make a fool out of myself."
"Yeah you did."
"Fine, maybe a little."

"Draco, you did."
"Okay."
"Say it. Say it out loud."
"But..."
"Stop."

"Yes, I made a complete fool of myself. Happy Granger?"
"Very happy." she smiles. She kisses him one last time before they go to bed. Hermione pretty quickly but for Draco it's a long night. His thoughts are with Astoria.

The brown haired and simple girl. If what Daphne and Astoria is true then it's a horrible destiny for Astoria. She deserves to be happy, Draco overweighs his options with Hermione. He knows he's not gonna leave her, but what's the right thing to do?

When the morning arrives Hermione wakes up with a smile all over her face. Draco, ego haven't slept all night is looking the opposite. He is tired, confused and sad. Hermione rolls over in the bed so that she is laying on top of Draco.

He tries to smile after all, but it doesn't go very well and he closes his eyes again.
"Draco." Hermione tries. "What's wrong?"
"Everything and nothing." he sighs. "You know how much I love you, right?" A tears leaves one of his eyes and she wipes it away for him
"Oh Draco, I love you too." Hermione answers, not knowing all about Draco's thought.

Suddenly someone knocks on their door
"Can I come in?" Daphne shouts
"Just a second!" Hermione screams back. She rolls away from Draco, but on the wrong side so that she lands on the floor. Daphne opens the door.

"Ehum... am I interrupting something?" she wonders. Hermione has also dragged their covers with her.
"Granger." Draco hisses and tries to get the quilt back. But Hermione is laying on top of it so instead Draco rolls down on the floor too, on top of Hermione.

"I'm leaving soon, there is breakfast if you want to join me." Daphne says and walks away. She doesn't close the door but leaves them alone on the floor.
"Draco! Get off me, you're heavy." Hermione complains. "And I'm tiny."
"I can't, you've wrapped me in the quilt."

"Roll over then." Hermione forces and laughs. They roll again on the floor so that Hermione is on top of Draco instead.
"I can't reach my wand." Hermione sighs.
"Granger, just do it without magic ."
"I was gonna untie us from the sheets."

"We don't have to." Draco smiles. A real smile fills Draco's lips and they meet Hermione's in a kiss.
"Stop it, you're just horny." Hermione interrupts after awhile.
"Am I not!"
"Yeah you are, cause we're naked and I'm on top of you."

"No, but perhaps you are Granger, I didn't even think of that til you said it."
"Sure." she sighs and bites her lower lip. They meet in another kiss.
"Just stop making out on my floor! Again! Hello? Now! Dorks!" Daphne shouts all of a sudden.

Ten minutes later they've tangled themselves out of the sheets and Draco makes the bed while Hermione starts getting dressed. When they're both ready they go out to Daphne.
"You were slow, so I ate." she explains.

"Oh well." Hermione says. "Daph could you help me with this?" Hermione holds up a silver necklace.
"Yeah sure." she smiles and takes the necklace. Hermione and Draco eats their breakfast and then they start packing their things.

Before lunch they have arrived outside Malfoy Manor. But before Draco opens the door he looks at Hermione. He has just decid d something and it's one of the most difficult choices he has ever made.
"Granger." he tries. "There is something I need to tell you. About Astoria."