The Right Choice

Chapter Sixteen

Draco was surprised for a second, but then he returned the hug. He squeezed Hermione as tightly as he dared, relished in the feel of her hair in his hand. He had missed it so much.

Hermione was the first to pull away. But then a sad look overcame her. Draco moved his hands to her shoulders.

"What is it?" he asked.

She wiped a tear from her face. "Draco, I feel like a weight has been lifted now that I know you weren't lying to me."

Draco couldn't understand why this would upset her.

"But, it was by far the most difficult emotional ordeal I have ever experienced. I felt used, betrayed, and stupid. You could have told me what you were doing, we could have gone to Dumbledore."

Draco was still a little confused. "Hermione, I did everything to keep you alive. Don't you understand? I couldn't lose you, and neither could Potter and Weasley. You and my mother, you were all I had in the world." he paused for a moment, "And now you're the only thing worth fighting for. My mother was willing to let me die. You're it for me, Hermione."

"I'm sorry, Draco. Truly I am. I'm here for you, but I don't think we can go back to the way we were. Please, I can't put myself through it. I need to know I can trust you again."

Draco considered this, he supposed having her around only as a friend would be far better than what he had before, nothing. And she didn't say that things would never return to what they were before, she just needed time and he needed patience.

I'll wait forever. He declared in his head. I just need her here with me.

Draco nodded, and Hermione took him in her arms again. Draco basked in her touch, he knew he would not get many moments like this in the near future.

The boys returned around ten at night that evening, to a very anxious Hermione. The moment they entered, she rushed forward and embraced them both at once.

They opened their bag to reveal a cup.

"You're sure this is it?" Hermione asked, examining it.

"Yes. I can hear them." Harry said.

Draco was confused as to what they were discussing. He only knew that it involved the cup they were looking at.

They were now trying to decide how to best destroy it, apparently the sword they had was the only way to and the goblin they took to Gringotts had taken it and wormed his way out of helping them escape.

"So how did you get out?" Hermione asked.

"A dragon." Weasley answered.

Hermione gasped, and Harry continued the explanation.

"It was guarding the vaults. We released it and it flew out from the roof of the bank with us on its back. We jumped off over a lake and apparated back here."

"You two are mad!" Bill exclaimed.

"We're alive, aren't we?" Weasley said to his brother with a smile.

They all laughed, save for Draco, and Fleur informed them that she would have a meal ready soon. Draco ate and went back to the room he was previously in, leaving the others to talk without him there.

Draco was lying in bed, facing the window and thinking to himself, when he heard the door open.

"You're welcome among us, you know." Hermione said to his back.

"I was tired." Draco replied.

"Draco, you risked your life and turned your back on your family. We all trust you, and we all want to include you."