Nyctophilia : A Dramione Fan fiction.

~acerbumdulce victoria~

Acerbumdulce Victoria: Bittersweet Victory  

Chapter 01

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Voldemort was dead. The battle was won.

Victory was the last thought in Hermione Granger's mind as she ran through the ruins of hogwarts, desperately searching for him.

" He has to be alive. He just has to."She repeated to herself as her eyes roamed over what was left of the great hall, for a familiar mop of platinum hair.

Hermione's heart pounded painfully in her chest and tears threatened to spill over as she thought of those silver orbs that held so much love and that signature smirk he teased her mercilessly with.

"He promised... he promised..." she whispered sinking into her knees unable to even think that he could have died.

"Hermione!!"

Her head sprang up to see her best friend, Ginny Weasley, grab her hand and lead her away towards another corridor. It was the sheer look of fear in Ginny's face that made Hermione follow her without a protest. Together they ran until they reached the dungeons. Inside was a huge crowd. Ginny let go of Hermione's hand and ran towards her boyfriend.

In the middle of the room stood Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, his arms raised with a considerable look of obstinacy, defending whatever was behind him. Ginny joined him, her raising her arms too in defense shouting furiously at the crowd in front of her.

In front of them stood many Gryffindors, an angry crowd including Dean Thomas, Cormac Mclaggen and Seamus Finnigan, that was lead by none other than the red faced Ronald Weasley. All of them were pointing their wands at something behind Harry and Ginny with murderous expressions etched across their faces.

Hermione turned to see the cause of the commotion and gasped when she saw who Harry and Ginny were defending.

The Slytherins.

Most of them were on the floor severely wounded. The rest however, were on their feet, despite their injuries, determined to protect the individuals of there house.

Hermione's gaze swept over Theodore Nott, who had his wand out ready to defend the fallen and Blaise Zabini, who stood protectively in front of Pansy Parkinson, until her eyes reached the man she was searching for.

Draco Malfoy stood in front of the Slytherins, his wand raised, his other hand clutching his side. The growing pool of blood around his feet was a clear indication of his injuries yet he stood determined as his eyes scanned the crowd frantically until his gaze landed on her.

Silver orbs met her warm brown ones.

"Mione..." he whispered, the relief evident on his deathly pale face.

Draco's head rolled back as exhaustion seemed to take over him and he collapsed on the ground with a thud, his injuries far beyond the healing capacity of an ordinary wand.

"Draco !!" Hermione screamed as she rushed forward towards her love, tears escaping her eyes.

Several things happened at once.

Blaise and Pansy leaped at Draco attempting to break his fall while Theo stood in front of them his wand firmly pointed at the Gryffindors, his shaking hands and teary eyes being the only indication of his fear.

The door of the room bursted open as Kingsley Shacklebolt entered accompanied by the Ministry officials and the professors of Hogwarts.

Raised voices intensified as Harry disarmed Ron.

But Hermione paid no heed to her surroundings as she raced towards Draco, roughly pushing Blaise and Pansy aside.

She cradled the head of the platinum haired boy as sobs broke through her.

"Draco... Draco please... " Hermione cried." You promised that... that we'll make it... that we'll live happily...ever after..."

The boy who her arms managed to raise his head weakly.

"I'm so...sorry..." he croaked, his eyes full of regrets as he gazed at the woman who held the key to his heart.

"No ... no.. don't apologize .. Its going to be okay." Hermione whispered suddenly frantic. " You're not going to die... What am I thinking? Of course you're going to be fine... I..."

She urgently looked around amidst the chaos, her grip tightening around him.

"Someone... Someone please help!!" She screamed through her tears.

Draco with the last of the remaining strength he had left raised his hand weakly to cup her cheek, gently wiping away her tears with his thumb, forcing Hermione to look down at him.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered. " Mione... I... love you... always and... forever..."

With that the mighty Slytherin warrior closed his eyes his body falling limp in her arms.

A cry rose through Hermione's body as she wailed in agony hugging the body of the man she loved. She was shaking violently unable to even think straight.

Theo fell into his knees with a thud, staring at the fallen body of his best friend, burying his head in his hands while Blaise stared down at Draco sobs breaking through as he held his crying girlfriend to his chest.

The rest of the room seemed to be in a tense arguement until Harry finally yelled out;

"For merlin's sake, can everyone stop being a bloody idiot for one bloody second and get Malfoy to the infirmary! Now!"

Finally noticing the condition of the platinum haired boy, the professors rushed to get him to the infirmary, Hermione being too weak to protest when they took him out of her arms.

Hermione felt arms wrap around her and she saw the familiar red hair of Ginny Weasley as she sobbed.

" He was breathing..." She whispered gently.

Hope. Hope was the only emotion Hermione felt as she let darkness overcome her.

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