The walk to Flourish and Blotts was a very short one. It went by very fast from the active chatter between Malfoy and Hermione.
“You mean you haven’t read it?!” Malfoy exclaimed, a shocked look on his face.
“No, Draco. I didn’t grow up in the wizarding world.”
They were discussing a children’s book from the magical world, “Gwendolin and the Enchanted Goblins”. Hermione had never heard of it, let alone read it.
“We are getting that book when we get there. I’m not going to have you go on without
reading it.” Malfoy was determined.
Hermoine laughed loudly.
“It’s a children’s book!”
Malfoy’s face was serious, no trace of a giggle upon it.
“You are going to read it. That’s final.”
“You must really care about this book, hm?” She said in a teasing tone.
Malfoy’s face grew more serious, getting sadder with each step they took.
“My mum used to read it to me when I was little. She’d get at the foot of my bed and do all the voices.” He smiled slightly, one corner of his mouth pulling upward.
He ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it a bit.
“How old were you when she read?” Hermione was genuinely curious.
It was a little strange, hearing about Malfoy’s past. Hermione had never really gotten used to the fact that he was a bit more open than before.
“I was probably younger than eight years old. She didn’t have any time for me after that.”
Pain cut through his voice.
“What about your father?”
He looked at Hermione with a harrowing expression.
“You really wonder?”
He had a point. His father was never warm to many people, especially Draco.
“So your childhood wasn’t the…ideal one.” She said this as a statement; not a question.
“It wasn’t all sugar quills and smiles, that much is for certain.” He said with a biting tone.
The smile that was once on his face when he talked about his mother reading to him had dissipated until it finally vanished, leaving nothing but the ghost of it behind.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered.
They were now standing outside Flourish and Blotts, looking at one another. Malfoy looked at
her with a pained expression.
“It isn’t your fault at all. No need to apologize.” He smiled, but it was off.
Hermione reached out to his face with her hand, and she stroked his cheek. He sighed, closing his eyes. He reached with his right hand and pulled her closer to him until their stomachs were touching. He analyzed the way Hermione’s chest rose and fell with each breath, her heart beating as fast as his in a synchronized rhythm.
Malfoy said something, but Hermione couldn’t catch it.
“What?”
He looked at her, his eyes piercing into her.
“Nothing. I’m just glad you decided to come today.”
“I almost didn’t, to be completely truthful.” She admitted.
