The Right Choice

Chapter Twenty One

Hermione and Draco ran about the castle, searching for Harry. Hermione didn't dare let go of Draco's hand for fear that he would take off again. After several minutes of searching, the two resigned and chose to return to the Great Hall.

"Wait," Draco said, stopping Hermione. "Let's sit here." He gestured to the stairs just before the main entrance of the castle.

Hermione silently nodded, she supposed they could use some quiet time to talk alone. Draco sat down and pulled Hermione down with him. He took her hand.

"I'm sorry Hermione." he said.

"Thank you." she replied. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"When this is all over, you and I should hide away for a few days. Just us." she told him.

Draco smiled. "We'll go anywhere you like."

"As long as I'm with you. How are you faring? It can't be easy. Your parents must be out there with You-Know-Who."

Draco thought for a moment. "My mother was willing to let me die. My father never cared for me anyway. I don't necessarily want them dead, but I can go without them."

"But they're your parents." Hermione said, astonished. "Surely you must miss them on some level."

"Hermione, I admired my father for years for the wrong reasons. I grew up try to please him, but he was always disappointed in me for one reason or another. My mother showed me affection, yes. But I didn't turn out the way she'd hoped, so she tossed me away. I miss the people I thought they were. You know, when you're a kid and your parents are the greatest people in the world."

"I suppose so. Draco, I know you don't like letting people in. But not everyone is going to be like your parents. You have to take chances to find the people who will love you." Hermione told him.

They heard footsteps behind them. Hermione stood up and saw Harry coming down the stairs.

"Blimey, we thought you'd gone to the Dark Lord." Draco said to him.

"I'm going there now." Harry simply stated.

"No! Please Harry." Hermione begged him.

"It has to be done." Harry said, staring at the floor.

"What is it?" Draco asked.

"There's a reason I can look into his thoughts. I think I've known for a while, and I think you have too." Harry said to Hermione.

"I'll go with you." Hermione said with tears welling up as realization hit her. Harry was a human Horcrux, he had to sacrifice himself.

"No kill the snake. Then it's just him." Harry told her.

Hermione hugged her dear friend. When she released him, he turned to Draco.

"Look after her. And Ron too." he said, shaking Draco's hand.

Draco nodded, and Harry turned away. Hermione watched him for a minute. Then she turned to Draco when she couldn't keep the tears at bay any longer.

"We can't tell anybody." Hermione said when she had calmed for what felt like the tenth time. "It will just start a panic."

"I agree. Do you want to go and be with your friends?" Draco asked her.

"Yes, I think it's a good idea."

Draco took her hand and together they re-entered the Great Hall.

"Where's Harry?" Ron asked them.

"He's helping to search the castle for anyone else. I've just been talking to him." Hermione lied.

Ron nodded and sat with his family once more. Hermione and Draco joined them, keeping the conversation away from Harry so no more questions would be raised.