Beginning at the End ⏃ Dramione

Chapter 8: Reflect

Draco was left sitting there, wondering if he had just made things worse between them. Given that he was under the effects of the Veritaserum, he decided to let it wear off, vowing to check on her later. Standing slowly, he made his way over to the kitchen counter and busied himself with making more potion to heal her condition, should the effects come back. Her wand lay discarded there, which reassured him that she was not planning to do anything rash after their interaction.

Hermione sat outside the tent, only a few feet away from the opening, just so she could get some fresh air and to think. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze floated lazily through the air. It appeared to be mid-day, but she could not be too sure. No wonder... New Zealand...

She stared at the ground and noticed two blue-colored mushrooms that she had never seen in person before. She looked around the area for more, but they were the only ones she could see. The unique mushroom made her reflect more on the land. Why would Draco would pick this country?

Even though they were on a different island from her parents, it was still difficult to believe the coincidence. If his serum was working, which it seemed to be from his in-depth answers, then what does that mean? We just have similar taste?

Hermione looked out toward the ocean and reflected on Draco's fears. She had learned a lot from the twenty questions she had asked, but his answer to the last one had really shaken her up. She looked back down at the mushrooms and leaned to pluck one out of the ground to study it as her mind continued to reflect.

There was the matter of his boggart and she could not help but feel sorry for him. My fear at the time of Lupin's class was failing and being kicked out of Hogwarts. Looking back, it seems quite stupid, but for a Muggleborn trying to belong in a wonderful magical world, I was worried to be thrown back out. And now I don't feel like I'm in any of those worlds, but well, his. Hermione turned the little mushroom by the stem, I bet he would love to have this mushroom for his collection. Then she flung it as far as she could.

In his fear from the boggart, I was the only student turned around, does this mean that I wouldn't forgive him? Or was I the only one not making a swift decision to kick him into the darkness? Maybe it was another depth of his fear that I would forget him or refuse to help make a decision for him at all. Why am I a part of his damn fears anyway? She looked to the remaining mushroom, standing alone as the sun cast an elongated shadow behind it.

And he wrote a LETTER to me? I mean, had that letter actually gotten to me, things would have been so different, even if only at first. I wonder what it said... Ugh! She leaned to pluck the lone mushroom from the ground, holding the stem firmly. This is supposed to be about trusting him to help the Order and the mission and all I can do is think selfishly. Focus! In the questioning, did he say enough for me to trust him? I would have to say 'yes'. He said 'yes' to helping Harry, and he has never killed anyone... that's really all that matters right now. She released her hold on the mushroom and watched it bobble slightly.

Then, Hermione felt her legs tingle again and when she tried to shift her legs, they rejected her control.

"Bugger!"

Feeling frustrated, she hoped for a swift recovery, but knew that Bellatrix had done a number on her. She would still require Draco's help. Given their most recent interaction however, she decided to stay outside a bit longer before having to shout for him, again. After all, he could probably use a bit of space right now, too...

She thought about her list of questions; she had got through all but the last one, but it was the one that had been nagging at her the most. Why had Draco Malfoy saved her in the first place?