Something Real {Dramione} (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 9: The Serpent and the Raven

   Hermione watched discreetly as Draco left the Hall. She excused herself and silently slipped out, following shortly behind him.

   The room was rather quiet except for the roaring fire that crackled throughout the room. Draco's door was closed, Hermione crossed to her room and changed into her night clothes. She opened her closet and pushed her shopping bags further down and reached for a pair of Gryffindor pants and a tank top.

   After she was dressed, she went into the bathroom and began to wash her face. She was in the middle of rinsing the soap off her face when Draco came in wearing a pair of baby blue boxers and a plain white shirt. Without a word he began washing his face as well. And then carried on to brush his teeth. After he was done, he turned right around and went back into his room, closing the door firmly behind him.

  It was only 8:45 when Hermione was done and decided to go spend some time in the common area. As she approached the couch, she discovered it was already occupied with Draco. "May I?" She asked gesturing to the couch. He looked up from the fire and lazily pulled his legs in and sat up looking at her. Hermione slouched in toward the couch and stared into the fire. "Why are you being so polite? It's annoying. I'm not going to curse you or anything. All I'm saying is that you're allowed to use words." He paused waiting for her reply, but she remained silent. "Whatever." He said looking into the flames. Draco chuckled to himself. "Goodie Two-shoes Granger still? I understand."
   "What do you mean by that? I am not. And for your information I can be risky if you didn't notice when I saved you from you impending doom." She smirked and then turned back to the fire.

"So Hermione, what are your plans for the ball?" Draco sat back placing his hands behind his back stretching briefly.

"If you are wondering if someone has asked me, the answers no. I will probably go and be with my friends. You know, keep it simple."

Draco nods silently. "That sounds nice, though every 7th year is supposed to have a date out of custom and proper etiquette." He said with slight annoyance in his tone.

"Says who?" She asked. "This is supposed to be fun, let lose you know?" She sighed. "Sorry. So who do you think you are going to ask?"

"No one." He said solemnly.

"Alright." He cheeks were flushed as she focused intently on the fire.

   Unsure of where the conversation was headed, Hermione quickly steered the conversation in a different direction. "So are you going home during the break?"

"No." He answered. His eyes changed and darkened and his features became unreadable. "Well I guess we'll have more time to get to know each other then. That should be refreshing." Said Hermione in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

He looked up lazily at her and gave her a little half smile, at least she was trying and he guessed it wouldn't hurt for him to try as well.
"It's late." He noted nodding at the clock hanging over the mantle. "I guess you're right. (Though it was only 9:30) Well goodnight Draco." She slowly pulled herself up and gave him a small smile then crossed to her room closing the door behind her.
"Goodnight Hermione" He whispered once the door had shut.

********************

It was just after midnight. The castle was quiet and dark, lit only by the torches that lined the corridors. A willowy figured floated through the halls casting her shadow as she danced along. But her eyes where closed, her breathing was a light whisper that could barely be heard. When all of a sudden she was woken by another.
"Oh hello Draco. What are you doing out so late?" Asked Luna. "And why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?"
"Luna, uh you were sleepwalking." Draco looked off at the window seat he was occupying just moments ago.
"Oh yes, I tend to many times a night." She answered, "you still haven't answered my question."
"It's complicated." He said.
"Come, let's sit down. You can tell me."
And he knew he could, so he did.

"I don't know where to start. I'm hurting. My heart aches, just wishing to be relieved from the pain that still haunts me every night I go to lay down. I spend most nights wandering the castle trying to memorize it's various rooms and hideaways. It's usually 4:30 when I finally go back to my room and collapse for an hour of sleep." Luna sat quietly beside him studying his face.
"I never wanted any of this life. But they tainted me, I just wanted to be a normal kid with a normal life."
"But then you wouldn't be you." Luna stated curiously.
"What's so great about this life? There's nothing good about it. I should just pitch myself off the astronomy tower."
"Draco Malfoy don't talk silly like that. People care, you just have to let them in. I care and I am listening."
"Who am I kidding, you wouldn't understand, your life is perfect, and full of life and color. And mine is full of dark shadows of the horrors that happened in my home. But that's not home, home is here."
"My life isn't perfect Draco, you should know that." He knew what she meant, so he quieted himself.
They both sat quietly watching the torches flicker. "Do you want me to hold your hand?" Luna asked, "or a hug?"
He looked up at her puzzled. "Sure I guess." He whispered as a tear fell. She closed hers in his and squeezed tight and waited patiently while he cried his silent tears.

"I still remember that day." He said gasping for air. "The day I got this." He rolled his forearm over and pulled up the sleeve of his shirt. The black ink stood out heavily on his pale arm. The Mark. "Father told me that it was to be done, that the Dark Lord required it. I thought I was doing the right thing for my family, to protect them. It was either me or Mum, but I couldn't let her take it. Some of the other deatheaters gathered in the meeting room and Voldemort came toward me. The air was cold and dry. It smelled mildewy and stale unlike it's usual musky wood smell. He told me to hold out my arm, which I had no choice but to obey. He lifted his wand and then suddenly jabbed it in my flesh. I remember seeing my mother holding her hand over her mouth and my father standing by with red tired eyes. I knew it was for the best so I took it."
Luna nodded and gripped his hand tighter and patted it with her other hand.
"It felt like death, like I was being cursed from the inside out. There was a shot of cool black ink that swirled around on my arm until the Mark formed. Then he backed away and let me study it. The mark was evil, I could feel it lulling and dancing around daring me to call Voldemort. But now it is nothing but a permanent reminder of my mistakes."
"But it's our mistakes that make us, we can't all be perfect for then we wouldn't be living."
Draco wasn't sure what she meant, but he didn't question her.
"I think it is time to rest. I'm always here to talk, and Hermione too. I think she's in need of someone too. Goodnight Draco." She gave his hand another squeeze. "Goodnight Luna. She then turned away and wandered back down the corridor.

A/N: Hello.
I hope you are enjoying the fic and I can't wait to write more :)
Stay tuned!

Love,
Emily 🐱