What I Deserve

Soulmate

Narrator's POV

It had been a week; Hermione had not awoken, Harry and Ron had left Malfoy Manor trusting Draco with Hermione, but returned and visited everyday. Draco never left her side. Occasionally, Draco would leave the room, breaking down and trying his best to be strong. He'd sleep by her side, wake up in the morning, use the bathroom, and return to her side. He had all his meals brought up to him, but he ate only a bite or two before having it taken down again. His baggy eyes became a normal look for him throughout the week, and his mouth was dry and chapped. He changed his clothes whenever his mother made him, but everyone knew that if no one told him to eat. Drink, or sleep, he'd spend his days wide awake, waiting for Hermione.

It was Thursday, when Draco stepped into the bathroom and started tearing up again. His tears ran dry; he barely had the strength to cry anymore. He waited a minute or two in the bathroom to regain his posture before he entered Hermione's room again. However, when he returned, her bed was empty. The blankets were pushed, the pillow was dented, and the door leading outside was opened.

Draco bolted out of the room. "Hermione!", he ran down the halls, searching the rooms before proceeding to run down the stairs. "Oh god," he cried. "Hermione?!"

He searched as much as he could. "Where are you?"

He found the front door open, the cold wind blowing leaves in. No explanation was needed.

Draco woke up, gasping and clutching the sheets of the bed.

In front of him laid Hermione, safe and sound in the bed. He continued to breathe heavily, relieved she was safe. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

Hermione. Please, wake up.

There was no reply.

I can't do this. I can't live without you. Without you, I would wither away, I need you as much as I need air. I love you, I need you. You are the heart, you are my heart. WIthout you, I am simply a dead body. I can't do this without you, please. Don't male me live without you.

First, it was her finger. It twitched in Draco's hand. Then, it was the fast draw of breath,a s if she was breathing for the first time. Then, her eyes. They fluttered before opening.

Draco let his tears fall as he watched her wake. "Hermione?"

She smiled slightly.

Draco helped her up before embracing her softly in his arms.

"I love you," he said, before fainting.

*****

Narcissa nursed Draco in his room. Hermione was strong enough to walk, and she sat next to him.

"He's a little warm, but he'll survive," Narcissa said. "He was always good at being over-dramatic though."

Hermione smiled. "I know."

Narcissa got up and sat next to Hermione. "I never said thank you," she said. "For what you did. You saved him."

"I would've done that no matter who it was," Hermione assured. "I didn't want anyone to die."

"Well, yes, that of course," Narcissa said. "But I was talking about loving him." Hermione looked at Draco before returning to Narcissa. "Your love saved him. He was so lost and he was not himself after the wat, especially when they took his father away. But you," Narcissa continued, "you changed everything."

Hermione smiled softly. "He saved me, too."

"I know he lied," Narcissa said, "and I'm to blame. I don't want you to blame him. He can't go back to who he was before he met you."