To Me, From Me // DHr ✔️

f i f t e e n

As the two lapsed into silence yet again, Hermione drew in a breath, clutching onto the rails with a force that might very well break them if they weren't made of steel and enhanced with magic. She opened her mouth to speak but suddenly closed it not a second later, fearing that she's in no place to talk about how to properly cope with the fallout of a war because she sure as hell isn't coping well herself. How is she fit to help others when she doesn't even have a clue on where to start?

She decided it was best to just leave him be.

Before she disappeared down the spiral staircase, Hermione momentarily stopped and called for the attention of the standing figure of Malfoy who was still sweaty and Quidditch gear-clad. "Isolation isn't a good look on you. When you're up for it, you can talk to me."

Hermione knew that she really wasn't the most appropriate person to talk to Malfoy, even though war breeds understanding between once-enemies, so she left the Tower with the intent of leading either Zabini or Nott up. Good thing that Parvati, along with one of them, found her first as she was crossing the courtyard. She didn't really fancy going down the dungeons to look for them.

"Here is the final plan for the Hall's design, all that's needed is your sign-off and the prefects will start gathering the supplies." Parvati handed Hermione a piece of parchment that had all the details of what she's envisioned from the tablecloths to the lights, to the food that's going to be served and the list of all possible acts that she could get to perform.

The design was simple enough, but not too simple because that simply isn't how the Parvati Patil way was done. It took on a 'Winter Wonderland' theme, Hermione noted: an icicle chandelier in the middle of the room, fake snow, a light display that resembles aurora borealis. It was beautiful and elegant and easy to achieve, but all Hermione could think about was how the pure white contrasted nicely with the blood red that rained down on the very same Hall floors just a few months ago. She didn't say it aloud but the thought hung in the air anyway.

"This is really good, Pav." She managed to choke up after a few seconds, burying the memories of burying those she loved back down to the deepest part of her brain.

She waved her manicured fingers, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "As much as I want to take full credit, I can't. Theo here came up with it." And then she blushed some more. "I originally didn't want to even see what he's got to offer because I already had some ready to show you, but he really is gifted in the art of persuasion." And then she giggled. And Hermione wanted to throw up.

When Parvati left, she had asked Nott to stay behind before he turned to go as well.

"Malfoy's at the Astronomy Tower, if you're looking for him." She said, trying to sound as casual as she could. Nott looked amused.

"I didn't know stalking is one of your past-times." Like Malfoy, he had one eyebrow raised, his posture straight but also somehow relaxed, his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers.

This must be the everyday stance of a Pureblood scion. Maybe that's why they have perennially irritated faces on, their backs are constantly hurting.

Hermione huffed indignantly. "Rubbish, I just didn't want him to jump. Blood, as I've come to personally realize, is terribly messy to clean up."

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AN:

This chapter goes out to @Unknown_Cookie_496 for voting on all the fourteen chapter of this book! You guys have no idea how much it means to me knowing that you enjoy my work xx