Just a Kiss

Chapter 36

  Once, early in the summer, Draco had told Hermione of his own secret place, much like her hidden library. A place that only those with Malfoy blood knew about. He'd shown her, speaking in quiet whispers, and removing the wards for just a short while so she could cross the invisible boundary surrounding the area. It's at the very edge of the Malfoy property, hidden deep in a forest. 

"I come out here when I need to be alone," he'd said, keeping her close at hand. His palm had rested against her lower back, a comfort as the wind had rustled the branches high over their heads. "When I need time to think. It's like my very own home away from home." 

During summer, it had been a beautiful little area, untouched by the pollutants of the outside world. A small pond nestled in the center of a ring of tall oak trees. Over the crystalline water, rather than a dock, hung an outcrop of stone. Wide enough and stable enough to hold at least three people at once. The entire space had been warm with golden summer sunlight 

Now, it's dark enough that Hermione can hardly see in front of herself. She walks by memory alone, not daring to use lumos for fear he will see her coming and run away. When she reaches the clearing with the pond, cool moonlight filters down and gives her enough light to see by. 

A small smile breaks through her expression of determination as she catches sight of a familiar figure sitting on the edge of the rock. His back is turned towards her and his head is down as he stares into the water below. 

Careful not to disturb him or alert him to her presence, she slowly picks her way forward. When she reaches the rocks, she stops. He's still unaware of her arrival. Taking advantage of the time to gather herself, she sets her jaw and presses her lips together tight. Her head lifts and her shoulders square. 

She's here for a reason and she'll be damned if she'd allow herself to forget by getting caught up in staring at him. 

Draco picks up a slow, sad tune, humming it quietly. Despite herself, she is captivated and listens for a long while. She's heard the song before, on more than one occasion. Often times, back when they still lived together in her home, she would hear this same tune coming from his room in the evening. Each time, she had paused whatever she was doing and listened. It's a wonderfully depressing song, but beautiful nonetheless. 

She hesitates now, afraid to interrupt the gentle melody of the song, then clears her throat anyway. 

He stops abruptly, leaving a note hanging in the air with nothing to follow it, and it leaves her feeling like she's balanced on the edge of a tall ledge, stuck on the threshold of satisfaction and disappointment. 

Without turning around, he says, "I told you, mother, I want to be alone tonight." 

She frowns at the back of his head, wondering why he assumes she's his mother, then remembers that he isn't exactly expecting Hermione to show up. 

Drawing in a breath, she whispers, "I knew I'd find you here." 

Draco whips around, eyes widening as he takes her in. He scrambles to his feet faces her, eyes her closely with a hint of something dark in his gaze. "What're you doing here? Come to taunt me for what I said? How terribly cruel of you," he hisses, leaning forward in what she thinks is meant to be a threat. She knows him far too well to be afraid, though. 

"Draco, I-" 

He shoves past her, stalking off the stone overhand, and scoffs loud. Hermione watches him walk away, silently hoping he won't leave completely. Luck is in her favor tonight, because he stops beside one of the oaks and throws a burning glare at her over his shoulder. 

"Don't bother making excuses. I don't want to hear a single word of what you have to say," he spits. "Now leave so that I can change the warding on this place. You can't expect me to get over you if you come to the only place I can find peace at now. Get out, now."