When Love Hurts | Dramione - COMPLETED

Breaking

Professor McGonagall's POV 

She wished she could help them. 

She really did.

Of course, no matter how dark that Malfoy boy claimed to be, his spell wasn't heartfelt enough to keep her under properly, especially since she could resist.

But she held still, and told them what she knew. That was one way, at least, to try and help them, even if it was indirect. 

She sighed. The Obliviate had been blocked with a simple, non-verbal shield charm. Malfoy just didn't want to do it, which meant it was even easier to deflect. 

She could've gone and told them that she knew that they knew, that she could help them, but she literally couldn't. Umbridge had spies everywhere; every teacher's letters were checked, she came in during classes to 'keep tab' on them; that woman was relentless. 

Besides, it wasn't something she could do. From what she had gleaned upon, they knew some other way to defeat Umbridge, a way that wasn't as direct as simply locking them away. It was probably the only way it would work. 

McGonagall sighed heavily. She needed to get ready for tomorrow's classes. 

oOo

Hermione's POV 

"Alright, what now?" 

"Take a break," Hermione groaned, grabbing a book out of a random shelf in the library. 

"But - " Harry whined. 

"I don't know, okay?" Hermione suddenly blew up. "I don't know, Merlin! And that terrifies me; that I don't know what to do when the entire world's fate is in our hands, but I can't do anything about it! It terrifies me that I don't know my best friends anymore because Ron's a prick, and Draco's acting all weird. Harry, I didn't have you for the longest time! It's been years since the real you came out, and now - I don't know! I feel like I can't remember you, can't remember who you are! I just - " she broke off. "I want my best friends back."

Draco's eyes softened into a molten silver. "Mia... "

Harry's eyes were wide under his circular glasses. "'Mione, I thought we could just.. go back. I didn't - Ron's a jerk, don't - " he stopped, faltering. 

"I'm sorry," Hermione sniffed, laughing waterily. "I just - I don't know. Why is it always us? Why can't someone else save the world for once?"

Draco wordlessly crossed over to her, putting his arms around her in a silent gesture of comfort. Harry squeezed her hand. 

"It's my third chance, Mia," Draco finally said quietly. "I'm sorry, but I didn't want my father coming in and messing it up. Not after I blew it the first time."

Hermione twisted around so she could hug him back. "No one blames you, Draco."

Harry smiled at them. "So, I'm just going to third wheel from now on?"

Draco got up, his eyes sparkling ever so slightly. "Ginerva?" 

"What?" The redhead snapped. "Don't call me that!"

"Sorry, but Harry would really like to talk to you," Draco nearly smiled. Hermione had to laugh at the fiery expression on her face. 

They hadn't gotten a chance to bond with her, because... well, Hermione hadn't known Ron, she hadn't had memories of her, and all of the other complicated things that come along with screwing up the timelines of multiple periods.

"Spit it out, then," Ginny crossed her arms. 

"Uhm," Harry stuttered. "I actually - "

"He has nothing to say, he'd just like to hang out with you," Hermione cut him off. 

Ginny clenched her teeth. "Ron told you to play a joke on me, right?"

"No!" Harry said quickly, his eyes widening. He fixed his glasses nervously.

Ginny waited. 

Hermione and Draco shared a look. 

"Go," they said in unison, pushing him forward.

oOo

"Draco," Hermione said after an hour of peaceful work. 

"Yeah?" Draco looked up from his Potions essay that was covered with graceful writing. 

"We have to do something," Hermione nervously said. "I know I said I wanted to do something else besides just war, war, and war, but what if - "

"Mia," Draco calmly said. "Not stressing over this for one day won't hurt anybody. How about we ask to go to Hogsmeade?"

One of the only good things about this time period was that if you got permission, you would be able to go to Hogsmeade without much hassle. 

"Okay," Hermione agreed rather hesitantly. 

They packed up their work and made their way to McGonagall's office. 

"Professor?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with a little bit of fear. She couldn't forget what they had just done to her. 

"Ms.Granger," Professor McGonagall looked up sharply. "Mr. Malfoy."

"May we please go to Hogsmeade?" Hermione questioned. 

"Why?" 

"Christmas shopping," Draco cut in. "It's in two weeks."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I'm aware, Mr. Malfoy. But we have a school-wide trip before for gifts."

"Yes, but it's usually very crowded, and we may not be able to make it," Hermione explained. 

"And may I ask why you might not go?" McGonagall looked keenly at them. 

"My father has his hearing soon," Draco murmured.

"You may go," McGonagall abruptly said, her voice gentle. 

Hermione quickly nodded her thanks.

"Where do you want to go?" Draco asked, trying not to set her off. 

Hermione didn't even think twice before heading towards Tomes and Scrolls. 

Draco laughed and headed after her. 

"This is nice. Normal," Hermione said, browsing through some old books. "I like it." 

Draco grinned lightly. "I wonder how Harry's doing, wooing Ginny."

"That is not normal," Hermione chuckled. "I will never get used to you referring to him so casually."

"I'm lucky, in a way," Draco's expression turned serious. "I had three chances to figure out what kind of life I want. That's two more than people usually get."

"If you add it up," Hermione hummed. "We've been going to Hogwarts for... nearly six plus that half of a year, and these six years. We've been going to Hogwarts for about 12 years!"

Draco snorted. "That's - okay, well, I didn't see that coming. I never really wanted to stay in this school for more than seven."

Hermione laughed lightly. "Why not?"

"I mean, I may have changed my mind now," Draco winked at her. 

Hermione set two books down at the counter. "I'd like these, please."

As the cashier rung her up, she turned to Draco. "Which one did you like the most?"

Draco looked away, his grey eyes reflective. 

"This one," he finally said. 

Dedicated to s-schnapp for voting on nearly all of the chapters! Also because of their pfp and username 😀 

Also, I might start crying soon? You guys are just such beautiful people and I swore that yesterday I got to 15K and today I'm at 15.5K!? THIS IS SO CRAZY, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!

Update: AND THE DAY AFTER I GOT TO 15.5K, I GOT TO 16K!??!?! OH MY GODS, AGHHH!

Hope you enjoyed! 

- Eliza