Project 137.43.M.D.

LIV. | CONFESSIO

LIV.
CONFESSIO
(confession)

Draco let go of her hand. He couldn't believe what she had just revealed to him. What she had offered the Wizengamot without even thinking of seeking his approval first. Heat crept up his cheeks, and he seethed with suppressed anger.

"What the fuck has gotten into you, Granger?" he hissed, clenching his hands into fists.

Hermione cringed, as if her surname was now a swearword and not a proper form of address when it came from him. In fact, she wasn't entirely wrong about that because he had actually used it on purpose to let her know how angry he was. After a few seconds, however, she recollected herself and lifted her chin haughtily.

"I want the truth to come out, Draco!"

"And I told you I don't!"

"It's about your future."

"Tsk, obviously it's the past you're stirring up."

They glared at each other stubbornly.

Draco gritted his teeth, jaw muscles rippling. This time, she had gone too far. Had taken it to extremes to get her way - like fucking always. And sheknew it. She was only too proud to admit it. Instead, she made him feel like he should be thankful for it, or at least accept it. But what was swirling inside him now was the exact opposite of gratitude and acceptance.

"What were you even thinking seeking out Pansy and Nott after everything that happened in their house? Have you completely lost your mind?"

She rolled her eyes.

"So that's your problem?"

"That's one of the problems," Draco snapped.

"I spoke to Pansy alone. Nott wasn't home - I would never have taken that risk. That being said, I can defend myself very well, at least I have my wand."

Draco gasped. It was really bold to point out that, unlike him, she was quite capable of countering the two of them when it came down to it. But it was also typical. Hermione Granger, famous war heroine, brightest witch of her age. She probably thought she was invincible.

"It was reckless of you. He could have come home. They could have hurt you," he persisted.

Hermione's eyebrows drew together. Oddly enough, the corners of her mouth twitched shortly thereafter and she took a step closer.

„You are scared for me!" she stated triumphantly.

Draco snorted in irritation.

"That's not the point," he warned, though there was a grain of truth in it.

Just the thought that she had willingly accepted the danger he had experienced firsthand was enough to make his hair stand on end.

"What is the point then, Draco?" she demanded softly, cocking her head. "You can't just ignore what we found out. Parkinson and Ogden - they can't get away with it. And this law must be abolished. You could start all over again..."

Hermione's voice broke at the end of her sentence.

Draco frantically sucked in air through his nose. She probably just didn't want to understand and he didn't have the patience to explain it to her calmly. For the last few weeks he had tried to suppress and forget what still stood between them, but now that was no longer possible.

"I'm really fed up with someone else making my decisions for me. My parents, Severus, the Death Eaters, the Dark Lord, Parkinson and now you," he hissed and his voice sounded menacing. Clinical. How long hadn't he spoken to her like that?