Time Heals (D.M. - COMPLETE)

Time Heals // Chapter Five

The doorbell rings at precisely 9:59am. Draco only knows this because of the digital clock (Y/N) keeps on her coffee table. A cold sweat breaks across his brow and his nerves settle into a riot. He's more than nervous; he's terrified. He has no idea how this will go. He can hear (Y/N) answer the door – his guests voices puzzled at her – who is she? Does she know Draco? Is this a trap?

They walk in in a single file. Hermione at the front with Ron following close behind her. Harry takes up the rear, but still ensuring that he's close enough to Ginny to grab her should this turn out to be a trap.

Draco doesn't blame them for thinking that way. He's looked over his shoulder for years, checking for traps around corners. Why should he blame them for still thinking the same way?

Draco runs his eyes over the four of them; they've changed so much and yet not at all. It's only been a couple of years, and they've all aged but he can still see their First-Year selves in their faces.

They each stare at him; Draco stands in greeting, fastening the button to his suit jacket.

"Please," He gestures to the couch, "Sit down."

They do, all without uttering a word to him. Draco wants to groan and hide his face in his hands, he's so nervous it's making him awkward. The atmosphere is so tense, he physically doesn't know what to do or what to say. He opens his mouth but his voice is stuck in his throat.

He hears (Y/N) close the front door before she walks into the room. And he begins to calm down; feels his heartrate slow down to a normal pace.

She smiles as she walks over to him, gesturing to him to sit down.

He does.

(Y/N) sits on the arm of the chair, her hand resting on Draco's shoulder. He places a hand on top of hers, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand in a soothing motion that is more for his benefit than hers. The movement is watched by four pairs of eyes.

Draco clears his throat before speaking, "Thank you for coming. Merlin, thank you for even reading my letter. This is (Y/N), it's her flat that she's letting us use for this. I didn't think a public place would work and I wouldn't ask you to come to the manor."

His eyes flicker to Hermione as she stiffens at the mention of his home.

"She's a muggle," Ron says, nodding towards (Y/N), as if unable to stop himself from pointing it out.

"I'm aware of that, yes."

"You're dating a muggle?" Ron asks; the filter between his mouth and brain disappearing at the sight of Draco in love with a muggle.

Draco shifts in his seat awkwardly, "We haven't discussed that yet, but thank you for bringing it up."

"But we will be discussing it later," (Y/N) promises, her hand squeezing Draco's shoulder lightly; a reminder – I'm here, and I won't be going anywhere.

"Before anything happens, would anyone like a drink? Or some cake? I baked it fresh this morning." (Y/N) offers.

Hermione smiles politely, "I'd love a coffee, please."

Ginny seconds that. Ron asks for the flavour of cake; deciding to have a slice when he's told it's Red Velvet.

The silence that falls upon the room once (Y/N) leaves is stifling. Draco doesn't know what to say or where to look so he focuses his attention on (Y/N)'s bookshelves, committing the titles to memory.

"How long have you known (Y/N), Draco?" Hermione asks before Draco can move onto the second shelf of books. Polite small talk to break the tension in the room.