Left to you

Chapter 16- Rejected Vindication

                  

Hermione stood in the shadows, waiting for his arrival. She checked her watch... nine forty-five. He was late. You know, as always. She checked the pocket of her cardigan to see if the note was still there. Her fingers connected with parchment and she immediately relaxed. Although it was evident he had not written the letter, she still felt that this note symbolised the connection that they now had.

Maybe Ginny had done her a favour, giving her a new friend to add to their company. It felt great to have someone else to depend on. The more she thought about it, the more she realised that it was quite irrational to interrogate someone who had done something good. Maybe she should thank her. But it was too late to back out now. Hopefully tonight would help rekindle the long friendship between the two girls. Hermione decided she would play good cop tonight. Knowing Draco, he probably wouldn't find it difficult to ask the tough questions. She knew he desperately wanted to find out who had set them up. She hoped that he wouldn't give up on her once he found out who wrote the letters.

She heard the door open and crossed her fingers that it wasn't Ginny. Although she did really want to know the truth, she was sure that if it came to questioning her alone, she'd lack the ability to truly figure out what her motive was. If it's Ginny, I'll stay in the shadows and wait for Draco to arrive, then I'll come out, she decided. Hermione held her breath as the door creaked open. A head of blond hair bobbed into view and she sighed in relief. As he started scanning the room, she stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello, Malfoy." She said with a devilish smile, mimicking his smirk.

He jumped and did a sort of squeal, the kind that a baby makes when they laugh. Who knew that such a sweet scream could come from such a manly man. He did a double take, blinking a few times.

"Granger? Is that really you?" He smoothed down his hair, approaching her.

"Better believe it." She put her hands on her hips and did a sort of dance, making him laugh.

"What on earth are you wearing?" He asked, his eyes wide.

"Just a little something I put together."

Hermione had chosen this outfit especially for tonight. A tight charcoal turtleneck with a loose collar, a short black skirt, a pair of sheer black stockings and finished off with a pair of short pumps. She had straightened her hair and let it curl slightly. Her fringe was clipped back and her hair out. She admitted she had worn this to impress. But not just him. She wanted to show them both that she would do just fine, whoever she hung out with. It made her feel like a whole different person. Full of hope and with high expectations.

"Now we match." He sidled up beside her and placed his arm around her waist, winking at her.

"Now, we look like a couple of thieves." She muttered, desperately trying to ignore the shivers running up her spine.

"Well I know I am."

"How so?"

"I certainly... stole your heart." He joked, but with a completely straight face.

She scoffed and pushed herself off his chest, suppressing a laugh, moving to lean against the railing. He came up to stand beside her.

"So how's this going to go?" She pondered.

"Don't you have a plan, like you always do?" He gave her a quizzical look.

"Well, of course I do," She said matter-of-factly, shifting her position. "I'm just worrying about the execution of it all."

"Thank god, because I am shit at planning." He breathed a sigh of relief.

She raised her eyebrow at him.

"Hey!" He raised his hands in surrender. "We're friends right?"

"Yeah of course... friends." She combed her fingers through her hair.

A sudden click of the door made her turn and look. There stood Ginny Weasley. And boy was she mad.

"Hermione? What the fuck?" She stormed into the room, arms crossed.

"No, what the fuck to you, Weasley." Draco swooped in, coming to her defence.

"What is this all about? I'm meant to be asleep by now!" She shouted.

"Don't be daft, Weasel. You'd probably be shagging Potter all the way to Australia." He quipped.

"It's about this, Ginny." Hermione interrupted, stepping forward and holding up the letter.

"And this." Draco held up his own letter, now calm.

The look on Ginny's face was of pure confusion. She snatched the letters out of their hands and began reading them.

"Ginny I can understand that you're upset, but why would you do this?" Hermione asked as she read.

"I didn't do this." Ginny said, handing the letters back calmly.

"Well then who did?" Draco asked, arms crossed.

"I've honestly got no idea." She said dismissively, turning to leave. "I've got to go."

"Ginny, wait!" Hermione called, causing Ginny to stop.

"You've got a long time before I forgive you Hermione. Especially after this." She said coldly, then left.

Hermione slowly turned to Draco, and he gave her a wary look. That was the final blow, the final rejection. She felt numb. Rejected by her fiancé, by her friends, all she had left was herself. Before she knew it, she was rushing into his arms, falling into his warm embrace. How stupid can I get? She thought, as she leant against his hard chest. Hermione had really been expecting for Ginny to give her a chance. Her heart was slowly withering without her friend. Although there were many who cared for her, they were just drops of water trying to fill a whole ocean.

He rubbed her back and whispered kind words into her ear. She never thought a Malfoy could be so kind and caring. Hermione let her tears leak into his jacket, and let him stroke her hair.

They stood like that for a long time, until her knees were weak and there were no more tears to cry. He quickly scooped her up into his arms, carrying her bridal style. She clung onto his jacket. She had never been carried like this by anyone except her father. Not even Ron. He probably wouldn't have even carried her across the threshold after they got married.

Before she knew it, her shoes were on the floor and she was lying tucked into bed. She glanced over to see Draco climbing into his own bed, his jacket discarded on the floor.

"Goodnight, Draco." She croaked.

"Goodnight." He paused. "Hermione."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A/N

And here's the second chapter! Things are heating up and I have so much planned for you guys!! I have one more chapter written but I just want to double check it, so it will probably be up tomorrow.

also thank you guys for 1.6K reads! Last time I checked it was at only 600 so seeing in made me so excited. You guys make my day and it make me soo happy to be sharing my story with you!

if anyone designs covers, hit me up, cause mine is pretty average. also any title suggestions would be good too!

vote or comment or do what even feels good. i read every comment and see all the votes and it makes me feel awesome!

thanks guys!

love,

ash