From Wiltshire, With Love

Chapter 74

Author's Note: If you are reading in 1.5-2 hour reading blocks, it is suggested that this be your next stopping point to eat/sleep/breathe/go to work :). Chapters 75 and on you can just go to the end.

Crack!

Hermione whirled around to see Draco appear six feet away in the forest clearing. His blond hair was a mess, and there was a few days' scruff covering his jaw. Lip quivering, she sucked in a breath as his bright eyes immediately focused on her.

"You're okay." His voice cracked over the words.

She lurched forward and quickly closed the gap between them. Tears streaming down her face, she threw herself into his arms.

"Draco, I'm so sorry," she sobbed, uncaring that she was wetting his shirt. He held her tight against his chest, and cradled the back of her head.

Limbs shaking, he squeezed her into his body. Hermione's muscles and joints still hurt and the pressure from his arms made it worse. But she didn't care, and hugged him tighter as he pressed his cheek atop her head. They held each other in anguished relief, listening to the birds chirping around them. His shoulders heaved once, twice and then a third time as he released a guttural cry. She sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut, trembling as she wept. After a few moments, he sucked in a shuddering breath and she felt a cold trail on her scalp from his tears.

"I'm so sorry," she croaked, fisting the fabric at his lower back. "I betrayed you in the worst way. I knew–" she choked on another sob, "I knew you wanted to be free. And I used that against you. I knew what it was costing you. It's–it's–" she broke down crying again, unable to get anymore words out.

"You're alive." His throat sounded raw, and he pressed several closed mouthed kisses on the top of her head. "That's the only thing that matters."

She gazed up at him, resting her chin on his chest. Draco's eyes were glassy and bloodshot from crying. "I knew I had to tell you. I didn't want you to find out when this all ends. But I didn't know when, and I thought I could fix everything first."

"I know," he said with a sigh, and cupped her cheek. "I understand why you did it."

Hermione slid her hands up his back, and dug her fingers into the fabric again. "I'm so sorry that I hurt you, Draco," she couldn't stop trembling. "I didn't want to."

"You did what you had to do to win, I might have done the same." Draco rubbed her cheek with his thumb, wiping her tears away.

She shook her head and smiled sadly. "You wouldn't have."

The corner of his mouth lifted upwards. "You sound so sure."

"Of this I am."

Draco pressed his fingers into her side and she grimaced. Abruptly he loosened his grip on her. His gaze roamed her face in concern and he asked, "Are you still in pain?"

Hermione sniffed, and wiped some of the tears off his cheek with her sleeve. "It's getting better every day."

"I keep seeing memories of you like..." His eyes were haunted as he stared at her, agonized and stroking her hair, searching for something. "I can't believe you survived."

"I wouldn't have if not for you." She swallowed, enjoying his caresses and the way his fingers tangled in her hair. Her entire body still hurt, but the pain was manageable. "Did you lose anyone?" His eyes snapped to hers. "In the blasts?"

His face fell. "Yeah."

"Pansy?" She furrowed her brows in concern. "Your... your father?"

He closed his eyes and shook his head but didn't elaborate.