Blissful Oblivion

Chapter 26 - Longing

They walked back in silence, fingers intertwined as they made their way to their common room. Hermione knew that her relationship with Draco was a risky one if the death eaters got word of it, but she didn't care. She really thought that he had changed and would deal with whatever inevitable trouble would find her. 

She slept in his room that night, finding comfort with Draco by her side. With all the negativity that followed her around, it was nice to feel safe. Even just for one night. The words 'I love you' floated around in her head as she drifted off to sleep.

Draco dreamt that night. Terror crept into his mind and played tricks on him. These dreams weren't unfamiliar to him, yet in the moment each felt as real as the next. Usually his dreams were plagued with fear. Fear of the all to famous dark lord, fear of his father, fear of his destiny. But not this one. In this dream Hermione lay on the floor with Bellatrix Lestrange standing above her. Hermione's screams filled the room as she cried out  in agony. Draco plunged forwards before being restrained by his father. He struggled against him but was forced to stand and watch as Bellatrix carved the word mudblood into Hermione's arm. 

He woke in a sweat and breathing heavily until he felt a sleeping Hermione next to him, one arm draped over his chest. A fear of terrible dreams forced him awake for the rest of the night and he lay waiting for morning.

The next day, Hermione sat with at the Gryffindor house table in the great hall with her friends. The ball had been planned for the following evening and Draco still hadn't asked her to go with him. She wasn't entirely sure if he would even go at all. Even if they did go together, she knew that everybody would have an opinion on that. Everyone was going with someone. Harry and Ginny, Luna and Neville.. she sighed, drawing the attention of Ginny who changed quickly changed the subject.

'At least you get to choose your own robes this time Ron' Ginny teased. Everyone at the table laughed at the memory. Hermione thought of Molly Weasley as a second mother, but even she knew that those robes were truly awful. Thinking of Mrs Weasley made Hermione think of her own mother. It had been over a year since they last spoke and she missed her parents more than anything. Yet they had no idea she even existed. She had put off bringing back their memories after the war because she wasn't sure if it was safe, maybe now it was. Hermione stood from the table and turned to leave.

'Where are you going off to?' Ron questioned.

'The library' She lied. 

Hermione was going home.