A Bunch of Love and Hatred

the end of all things?

"Promise me... promise me one thing..." Draco whispered, voice husky underneath his breath. His platinum blonde hair was quite disheveled, a few scratches were visible on his pale cheeks, and his usual neat clothes now wrinkled on his body, looking similar to a dirty rug. Draco Malfoy was a pure mess after the battle.

However, he wasn't the only one disarrayed in sight. Even the woman in front of him, Hermione Granger, stood with clothes stained with mud, in addition to her face with noticeable cuts and dust as well.

She swallowed hard, knowing that at any moment, she will breakdown into tears. With fists tightly curled up on her sides, Hermione replied softly, "Anything."

Draco stepped towards her, not minding the other people in the scene looking at the two of them. "Years will come to pass, but promise me... you will continue to live for me. Promise me, Hermione." Stepping closer furthermore, his hand reached her ruddy cheek, then tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. She didn't mind the grubbiness of his hands, or the callous on his fingers; Hermione wanted to feel his touch more than before.

"No, no, no... please don't say that. I promise... I will always be yours, Draco." Tears began to fall from her eyes as she grasped the sleeve of his raised arm.

She felt a chill on her back as his hand touched her cold, damp cheek, and gently wiped her tears dry. With a hand cupping her face while the other held tight on her arm, he pulled her until their lips met. Hermione shut her eyes firm whilst her tears continued to fall from her closed eyes.

This time, tears trickled from Draco's own eyes. The tears he kept hidden for so long from his parents, his friends, and from her... he released them alongside with the pain and fear he's been concealing in his chest.

Afraid he might ruin the perfect moment he's been waiting for too long, he slowly titled his head to the side, moving his mouth to deepen their kiss. She reciprocated his action, embracing his neck with her delicate arms as she tiptoed on her toes to reach his height. Neither of them paid attention to those around them, probably watching them as they kissed and cried their hearts out.

Pulling away from the heat of the moment, none of them opened their eyes just yet. With no other protest, Hermione peeked her eyes slightly and swiftly landed on his arms to kiss him again. With all his strength left, Draco embraced her waist with his arms, sending her up in the air for what seemed like a few seconds during their kiss.

Once they have pulled away, he locked his silver eyes at her chocolate ones, smiled at the sight of her red, swollen eyes and velvet cheeks. He lifted her chin with his index finger.

"I am going to miss you..." he whispered, probably wanting only Hermione to hear his statement.

"I will miss you too," her eyebrows knitted together in agony as her eyes shifted to the swarm dementors flying from afar. She felt her heart sank in pain as she tugged on his sleeved, "I will wait for you..."

She locked her gaze only on his own, silently reminiscing the moments they had together at Hogwarts, secret dates at the library, and before life has become complicated for them. She smiled at him before being distracted from a person standing beside them.

"Hermione... it's time to go."

The brown-haired Gryffindor turned to see her best friend, Harry, stood with a weak smile on his face. Beside him was Ron, and both of them looked as disheveled as her. With a nod at Harry, she turned to see Draco with two unknown men beside him, putting chains on his wrists. She understood it is the moment.

Hermione walked towards in between her two best friends, and immediately, Harry put an arm around her shoulder. So did Ron. Yet. Her attention never left the Slytherin pacing away from them while his wrists were chained behind his back. But he halted, and Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to see them again behind his back.

"Take care of her for me, Potter, Weasley..." He said as he stared at them.

"We will, don't fret." Harry replied.

Draco nodded at Harry and Ron, which he received their acknowledgements as well. Hermione formed a weak smile on her face as she watched Draco smiled back at her before turning his back on them, and slowly, disappearing from their sights behind huge, tall doors.