Beginning at the End ⏃ Dramione

Chapter 15: Amends

As they continued to walk back to the tent, Hermione's thoughts linered on Harry and Ron. She still did not know if they were alive, captured, being tortured, or all of it. For all she knew, the war could be over. A small, pessimistic voice dissented, Doubtful.

A deep guilt had built up in her chest by the time they entered the tent.

Seeing that her mind was elsewhere, Draco tugged at her hand and inquired, "I can see you thinking, Granger. What is it?"

He never misses a beat, she thought. It was something she liked about Draco. Harry or Ron would likely have avoided asking what she was thinking. She imagined they would find her thoughts exhausting, as they often had.

Letting go of his hand, she made her way over to where she had left her parchment with the list of strategies, "I really feel like we should be going soon."

Draco's empty hand fell to his side, "First date was that bad, huh?"

Too focused to make any funny retort, she gave him a frank look and insisted, "It was the best date I've ever had, actually."

Draco smiled, but recognized that there was more on her mind, and waited for her to explain.

"I just think... I'm worried about Harry and Ron, and what else could be going on..."

"Granger, you need to get better. I mean, what good are you to them if you have a relapse and can't even walk?" Motioning to her legs, he added, "Look, you're doing great today..."

"I know, but I'll never forgive myself if while I'm enjoying this beautiful sanctuary with you," she paused, and looked down while playing with the parchment, "people are dying back home..."

Draco stepped toward her, "You can't fight in your condition. I can help you with that, and I'd be willing to bet Potter and Weasley would agree."

Nothing he could say could shake the feeling that she needed to be doing something more, and she was annoyed that he was probably right about her friends agreeing to her resting here, or mostly right. Quietly, she mumbled, "I doubt it..."

Draco took a half step back, "What is that supposed to mean, Granger? You doubt that they would want you to rest? Or you doubt they'd want me taking care of you?"

She knew he could already see the answer and sighed. "I doubt Harry and Ron will be pleased when they find out you took care of me... and, you know, this relationship..."

"You're worried they won't be pleased? Because resting at the hands of me, will make them mad at you?" Draco was beside himself. He guessed what the others would think, but in the end, he was helping her.

Hermione looked away; it was true, but not entirely. "Draco, I don't want to argue with you. We just had a lovely time. I only want to do my part to end this war."

But Draco, whose thoughts had been harping on this particular thought for awhile, could not hold back any longer. He rubbed his knuckles and began to pace, "I bet you're worried about how Weasley will react, not Potter, Potter is truly your friend. Sure, he and I have- well, you know- but he has other shit to worrying about." He paused in front of her. "Weasley, on the other hand... well, he's probably in love with you, and the two of you have some unspoken history." He looked into her eyes to find some answer only to find her cheeks turn pink and her nose flaring. "Yup. If Weasley finds out any of this..." He waved his hands between them. "...about us..." Then he turned and crossed his arms, "he'll be after me, make no mistake." Then he made flourishing hand movements and paced back toward her. "He'll even tell you I've put you under a spell... and you're worried about it, because your relationship with him is teetering on edge. Is any of this right? Am I close?" He ended up dangerously close to a fuming Hermione but he continued to peer at her.