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Below are the drabbles for week 1 of dramione_ldws!
Choose your favorite and least favorite drabbles. favorites will receive +1 point per vote, and least favorites -1 point per vote. The drabble with the most point wins the week, and the twoauthors of the two drabbles with the least votes is voted off.
Skipping this week:
dorito2000
all_fics
1
Title: It’s always been you.
Author: love_eachother
Word Count: 481
Rating: PG [kissing/violence]
I’d heard the trite line about how the world seemed to slow down when you were stuck in the middle of some catastrophe. You know, as if you’ve found yourself suddenly standing between a nesting dragon and her eggs, and the shock and surprise of the situation somehow freezes your legs to the spot. I could see that it was all bollocks now, because the world was doing anything but slowing down.
I saw her wild curls before I saw her face, and only the swift plummeting of my stomach registered the fact that a jet of green was shooting straight at her. This was when I hoped against all hope that the world would do the slow motion trick, and I wondered exactly when it was I fell in love with her. So I stood up straighter and threw myself at her, because the Malfoy pride kicked in and I’d be damned if I let her die before I could tell her the truth.
The truth that I hadn’t slept since that night they were all brought into my house; that I still heard her screaming inside my head.
The dark brown curls rub against my face now as I pin her to the ground. She’s puzzled for a moment and she frowns at me; I remember that we are indeed lying in the middle of a room that is crowded with bodies and blood and by this time nobody remembers why they’re fighting, they just know that they’re fighting.
“Granger,” I start, as I tighten my arms around her, because now that I’ve got her I’d be damned if I let her go again. This damn battle should have worked like that damn muggle ship when it sunk, women and children first. The expression on her face makes me wonder that maybe she feels what I feel, and only one past instance would support that particular ideal.
Sixteen and pressed against each other in the darkness, both wondering where one ended and the other began. She’d pulled away and smiled at me, a small smile, the corners of her lips trembling, and ran a finger down my cheek, breathing sweet words into my ear that I’ll never forget so long as I live.
It’s you. It’s always been you.
I remember this now, my body covering hers, her head occasionally ducking into my shoulder as her fear, so carefully buried under bravado, takes over, and I release one of my hands to copy her movement that now, stuck inside this soulless vortex of shame and pride and guilt and love and pain, seems a hundred years ago. I run a cold finger down her cheek, flushed and bruised and bleeding, and lean my head closer to her face, turned to her ear, and I kiss her skin so gently it’s almost a whisper.
It’s you. It’s always been you.
2
Title: Them, amidst the chaos
Author: lylianf
Word Count: 400
Rating: PG
They were fighting together, he saw.
Them amidst the chaos, the yelling, the screaming and the deaths.
She shot a spell to the left and grabbed Weasley’s hand almost instinctively, because he had cried out as a hex flew past his forearm.
To the attacker, she directed a well-aimed curse and the hooded man fell to the ground, still as stone.
Draco would have been surprised if it were not for the fact that he knew exactly what she was capable of. He knew that her Patronus was an otter with its grace and empathy. He knew that she could cast an Imperius if she so willed it. He knew that she was capable of killing just as easily as she was kissing.
But Ronald Weasley knew none of this, and he was jaw slacked and open eyed.
Draco watched again as Weasley’s mouth moved to form words. He could almost hear “Hermione,” whispered so intimately into her ear, like he had done on so many occasions. He watched as her eyes blinked slowly and Weasley moved closer. Too close, until their lips were touching, and instantly Draco knew that he had lost her completely.
In that moment, he saw red, too much red, and he never wanted to be rid of something so badly until the split second when their lips had touched. He demanded that the hideous color be entirely and completely destroyed.
Draco pointed a wand at him then. He aimed and a stream of blue and violet shot out.
“Crucio!”
It was Hermione who screamed.
But no, that’s not supposed to happen. Hermione was not supposed to pull away from Ron, and look directly at Draco, at his wand, at the Unforgivable that hit her.
Immediately, Draco removed the spell as if burned. But the steady look in her eyes told him everything.
Monster.
Enemy.
Traitor.
Unforgivable.
And he couldn’t receive that look without his gaze wavering to the ground in disappointment of himself, with his black hooded robe and a mask of skeletal figures.
Draco watched, as Ron picked Hermione up, cradled her in his arms, and trudged forward. And Draco threw no more spells that night. Instead, he shadowed the pair, daring to protect her at all costs, even if that meant protecting Weasley as well. He would shield them, amidst the chaos.
Hermione would be safe, even if it wasn’t in his arms.
3
Title: Distraction
Author: floorcoaster
Word Count: 318
Rating: PG
All around me was chaos; it’s important that you understand that. There were Death Eaters, your people, spells of all colors going every direction … even Peeves was there, and it was his offensive that did it.
A Death Eater had shouted about someone being invisible. I knew it was you; there was no doubt in my mind. You and Potter and Weasley were on a different mission than everyone else. While the rest of us fighting, you were trying to sneak off to complete your secret task. I didn’t know what you were after, but I sensed that if you failed, the rest of us were utterly doomed. As I watched you struggle through the crowd, one thing became clear to me: you needed a way out.
One of yours Stunned the Death Eater who had shouted, but there were plenty more with him. The green, worm-like tubers still floated through the air, and I watched you move through the room. Your friends kept Stunning the Death Eaters, but there was one left who hadn’t taken his eyes off you. He was just waiting for you to come closer so he could strike. I had to do something; I hadn’t saved your life for you to be killed, or worse, at the hands of a Death Eater.
I’ve relived that night a hundred times since, and each time, I come up with something better. But when I saw you reach the upper landing, I did the only thing I could think to do at the time. I tried to distract him, speaking frantically, drawing his attention away from you, and getting in his face so he couldn’t see. It worked; Potter Stunned him, and you had a clear path out of the commotion. I was thrilled at the small role I had played in ensuring your safety.
What did I get for my trouble? Weasley broke my nose.
4
Title: One Small Change
Author: nikkilicious377
Word Count: 483
Rating: PG 13 (For Mild Swearing)
He’d only seen her cry twice in his life. The first time had been by accident. He’d come upon them in the hallway. Her and the Weasel. He never knew which one of them ended the relationship but the crystal tears poured out of her gleaming brown eyes, signifying the end. Even when she was crying, broken and destroyed, her eyes still shined beautifully.
The second time she cried in front of him was because of him. He supposed he’d hurt her before that, but she never gave him the satisfaction of seeing the damage he had done. Except that once. After months together; fighting, fucking, falling and fumbling. After all that… he’d ruined it. He’d opened his big fat mouth and said the word he promised her he’d never say again.
He could still see the devastated look on her face. It was branded into his memory, constantly reminding him. Punishing him. He was such a fucking idiot.
But, despite all she’d been through, she wasn’t crying now. Kneeling on the floor, filthy and bloody, the Death Eater’s wand pointed at her head… Hermione Granger refused to cry. She wouldn’t crack. No matter how much the masked man yelled at her and scolded her and humiliated her, she stayed silent.
He had no idea how she managed to do it. How she managed to stay so strong right in the face of death. And this would be her death. He knew, as he sat, huddled in a ball on the stone floor in the dark corner, that he was watching Hermione’s last moments on Earth. And he felt sick. He hated himself for watching. For not being able to look away.
He should do something. Anything. He could. He lost his wand somewhere along the way but he could still fight somehow.
He could save her.
Change or be changed. That was what she’d said to him once. She had been laying by his side, her head on his shoulder, her hair, wild and mused, sticking to his face. And she’d said that people never stayed the same. They either changed themselves or they were changed by something else. But, no matter what, they changed.
He had always been a coward. He wondered if that part of him had changed.
*****
Hermione didn’t breathe as she stared into the black eyes of the man who was about to kill her. She didn’t breathe as he laughed and lifted his wand. She didn’t breathe when she felt something moving beside her. She didn’t breathe when the Death Eater was slammed into the wall.
She didn’t even breathe when Draco Malfoy stood in front of her and held out his hand.
But, finally, she took a long draw of air when he smiled. When he said he was sorry.
When he died.
And every moment after that, she wished she’d never started breathing again.
5
Title: Laughter Like Bells
Author: miyabita13
Word Count: 497
Rating: PG
Flashback…
… to potions.
That's when it started. Crabbe had spilt some ingredients onto his robes that caused little pink flowers to grow. You mentioned something to Zabini about symbolism and Crabbe's relationship with Goyle. Somehow she heard you and laughed. Really laughed. The sound reminded you of bells and clear water.
You pretended not to notice and hid your smile behind the pages of your book.
Flashforward…
… to the battlefield.
You’re sprinting towards the forest. You saw them drag her there. Potter and Weasley hadn't seen, too engrossed with battle. For a moment, you can't help but smirk at the fact that Weasley doesn't know his precious princess is gone.
You hear a dreadful scream, stop thinking of victory, and continue to run towards the Forbidden Forest.
Flashback…
… to the library.
You see her from your position among the stacks… sleeping. It’s weird to see her so relaxed, and as you approach, you wonder what’s made her so exhausted in the first place.
You reach out to touch her hair. “Ron…” she whispers. You recoil your hand, burned.
The next day she glares at you, furious you didn’t show up as planned. You glare back, unable to help the pangs of jealousy burning in your chest.
Flashforward…
… to the forest.
You’re panting hard, but she’s screaming, so you run faster. Three of them stand around her up ahead.
You don’t want your family killed, you’re tired of being a disappointment, you had promised yourself that this war would show them all that you were more than just a spoiled pureblood brat who used “daddy’s money” to get what he wanted.
But more than that - more than anything - you don’t want her screaming. Laughing… she should be laughing. It’s that thought that leads you to raise your wand.
Flashback…
… to the stacks.
You like watching her fingers caress the books as she walks down the aisle. Watching her has become routine. The way she smiles lights up your dark world.
Today is different, however. Today, a fight breaks out between some first years. You watch as the two brats knock into the shelves, causing books to rain down on her.
At first, you feel pride in your quick response, but it is bittersweet. She’ll never realize you were the one who came to her aid.
Flashforward…
… to the clearing.
It feels as if you’re walking on sacred ground. Her eyes are closed, and there is a definitive way in which she breathes that makes you realize she’s close to the end. You bend down, ready to heal her.
“Ron…” she breathes. You freeze because - no, no, NO! - she thinks you’re Weasley. Seconds pass; you continue to stare at her. Save her. Don’t save her. You choose to save. She seems to smile as you whisper, “Hermione… it’ll be all right.”
But you’ll always remember how you were the one who came to her rescue both then and now. And she’ll never know.
6
Title: Security
Author: drcjsnider
Word Count: 401
Rating: PG-13
Draco Malfoy was not a man who believed in fate, destiny, providence, or any of that other shite people clung to so they could justify their pathetic lives and irrational decisions. Draco didn’t need the false security that faith and trust bestowed on the mindless rabble. He was content with the knowledge that he would one day be judged, and most likely punished, for his actions. This philosophy did not cause him to toss and turn at night, it didn’t make him to tear at his hair or clothing in despair, and it certainly did not push him to seek redemption from Harry-fucking-Potter or his band of devout cronies.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t always had such a healthy outlook on life. He’d experienced an embarrassing period of weakness during sixth year. He had been commanded to do the impossible, threatened with the unthinkable, and had been desperate to find a way out of his dilemma. Then she had appeared, like an angel of mercy. She had promised him salvation and like a fool he’d reached for it, strained for it, fought against tradition and his upbringing to grasp what appeared to be a way out.
He’d been hoodwinked. He’d believed her words of affection. He’d believed that her intervention would protect him. But she turned out to be just as callous and capricious as any Death Eater. She had known immediately that the mead, which had almost killed Weasley, had been his doing. And despite his protest that he had gifted the tainted beverage months before her offer to help him, that he’d had no clue that anyone besides Dumbledore might be at risk, she’d refused to listen to his pleas. She’d ruthlessly cut him from her life and mercilessly denied him further emotional support. Hermione Granger taught Draco Malfoy that there was no such thing as deliverance.
He, therefore, did not flinch or cower as he watched Bellatrix duel Hermione and Ginny Weasley during the final battle at Hogwarts. He remained impassive as the two girls struggled to match the skills of his aunt. Even when the brown haired witch had lost her balance and stumbled, he’d clamped down on any wayward thought of rushing to her assistance. Determined to remain dispassionate to the end, Draco would neither actively aid nor hinder either side in the war. Survival was the only objective and it was a goal most easily accomplished alone.
7
Title: Hide or Fight
Author: kalina_blue
Word Count: 498
Rating: pg-13
Hermione carefully rounded another corner. She was in the Charms corridor - alone - or at least hoped she was. Scorch marks were marring the walls, the window front was partially collapsed and Hermione feared it would crumble altogether.
How she had ended up in the corridor, separated from the other DA members, she wasn’t quite sure. Death Eaters had attacked them and the fight had been fierce. Ron had been next to her the whole time, duelling a Death Eater, while Hermione was engaging another.
Then Ron had been gone.
The Death Eaters had still been there and it had taken all of Hermione’s skills to fight them off. Hermione fervently hoped Ron was alright.
Since defeating the two Death Eaters she had been alone and Hermione was desperate to find her way back to Ron.
She walked further on, around another corner. And still she was alone. The castle was big and the fighting was spread throughout.
A few more steps.
Suddenly a curse hit her, immobilising her from her neck downwards. A strong arm grabbed her and pulled her towards a classroom. Hermione tried to find a way to break the spell, but motionless as she was her options were limited. All she could do was scream. Nobody heard.
She was dragged along until they were inside the room and the door closed.
“Fuck, Granger, stop bitching.” The arm let go of her and the spell was released. Hermione wheeled around.
“Draco?! What are you doing?”
Draco Malfoy ignored her question. Instead he sat down on a desk, used his wand to light a cigarette, and inhaled the smoke deeply.
“I hate it when you do that,” Hermione hissed.
“None of your business. Not anymore,” he replied and took another drag.
“True,” Hermione agreed. “I’m not staying anyways.” She meant to grasp the handle of the door, but one flick of his wand and the handle glowed bright red. Hermione didn’t dare touch it.
Instead she pointed her own wand at it.
“Stay. It’s safer here.” Draco said, but didn’t take any further actions to prevent her from leaving.
“I have to find Ron.”
“You’ll get killed before you reach the Weasel.”
“None of your business. Not anymore …I won’t hide.”
Hermione left the classroom.
She had almost reached the stairs when she ran into another group of Death Eaters. They immediately charged towards her, encircling her like hunters did their prey. Hermione raised her wand ready to fight. Or die.
Suddenly, two of her attackers fell to the ground. Surprised Hermione saw Draco standing behind them, his wand already pointing at the third. Together they disposed off the Death Eaters quickly.
When they were the only ones standing, Draco wordlessly walked away. Hermione caught up with him at the staircase.
“I thought you were going to stay at the classroom?”
“I was,” Draco replied evasively.
“What changed?”
Draco gave her a wry smile.
“I won’t hide.” He continued down the stairs, leaving a stunned Hermione behind.
8
Title: One Last Step
Author: savepureness
Word Count: 189
Rating: G
-
Another step, another flash of light; it send him back on the floor, cringing. His mind goes blank, his head feels suddenly lighter, and he's fighting his way back on his knees. What for? - a pitched voice yells at him, quickly crumbling at the back of his conscience.
He's well aware of his reasons. This time, it's not about fathers and sons, not a matter of impress or be scolded; it's not even about pride, about proving them wrong and laughing in their astonished faces.
This time, it's about what has been; he takes a split second to dream of having it all back: every hidden shared smile, every breathtaking touch. Every moment when he could state to the whole world that she belonged to him.
-
One more step, his ankle crushed, his trousers soaked in blood. She's so close now, so easy to reach; he can almost feel her body heat filling his open hand. Pressing his eyes close, half crawling, he takes the final step, avoiding a green flash as his hand gropes.
He reached her first, his last thought dies, before Draco Malfoy plunges into darkness.
9
Title:On Your Side
Author: pokeystar
Word Count:499
Rating:PG
He’s standing at the marble staircase overlooking the entrance hall, arguing with some half-witted flunky in a Death Eater’s mask.
“I’m Draco Malfoy. I’m Draco. I’m on your side.”
But is he really? Is he really on the side of insanity wrapped in a reptilian monstrosity? His lack of conviction presses down on his cunning, making his indecision apparent even to the dunderhead in front of him. Draco reads his end in the lackey’s eyes. Abruptly, time pulls apart, like the taffy in Honeyduke’s window, stretching in opposite directions.
He’s in the second floor bathroom waiting for Myrtle to show up. He’s leaning against a wall next to the door and his foot shifts a loose tile abruptly from its slot and down he goes, arms wind-milling comically. He kicks at the hideous square and notices the strongbox it was hiding. The box is full of parchment scraps - letters, plans, wishes, fears. He understands fear. He devours it all, Myrtle forgotten. Next time he’s there, he brings a quill. He adds his letters, plans, his wishes, and fears. There are more scraps when he returns. None of them have answers - he’s not expecting it anyway - the sharing makes answers unimportant. This surprises him. Sharing is an alien concept to Malfoys.
Then, She’s there, waiting for him. He knows the scraps belong to Her, but he’s frantic from terror and sleeplessness and the rock that’s pushing him against the hard place. He sneers at her sympathy. He rails at her righteousness. He shuts her up the only way he knows how. It’s a benediction. She can save him. But it will rip him from everything and everyone he knows and suddenly, he’s pushing her to the floor and filth floods his mouth, pouring out over her. And then he’s sobbing at Myrtle and Potter is there and the blood is everywhere.
With a rush, time snaps back into place. The moronic minion raises his wand and topples over, stunned. Draco grins reflexively until a granite fist meets his jaw and he lands on his ass, dazed. He comes to all at once, watching Her pink trainers shuffling down the stairs between two scruffy pairs. Snargaluff tubers fall on the trio, clinging to the invisible, revealing Her position and the taffy stretches again endlessly in opposite directions.
She is frozen against a backdrop of multi-colored light and distant howls of pain and triumph. He is on his feet, measuring the distance to the wand of the Death Eater taking aim at the space above those pink trainers, an Avada halfway out his gob. He is sprawled over a tangle of black robes, landing punches haphazardly, before the Kevadra meets the air. He tracks the green beam of light across space - as time is pulled past its limits - it hits the Slytherin hourglass and spills points over the floor. The irony appeals to Draco and he can’t help smirking as he beats his past, his fear, his prejudice into a bloody pulp.
Author’s Note: “I’m Draco Malfoy. I’m Draco. I’m on your side.” - from DH, p.645, US edition.
For the purposes of this drabble, Malfoy gets his ghost therapy in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. In HBP, the Sectumsempra scene happens in the boy’s sixth floor bathroom.
10
Title: Realization
Author: royalty25
Word Count: 407
Rating: PG-13
He couldn't breathe. The moments before him were happening in slow motion and he stood there frozen. His eyes were glazing over with tears. The tears weren't of sadness, fear or guilt. The tears were of realization.
"Granger," he whispered to himself as he started to make his way towards Hermione.
Soon he found himself facing Augustus Rookwood. Rookwood held his usual sneer and his pockmarked face didn't make him look anymore agreeable. He was pointing his wand directly at Draco's chest.
"I think the Dark Lord will be pleased if I kill you now, but he might be aggrieved by the fact he didn't have the pleasure of doing it himself," came out Rookwood's raspy comment.
"You couldn't kill me even if you wanted to," was Draco's flippant reply. He couldn't face the seriousness of Rookwood's threats. The entire week had been filled with threats. How were Rookwood's any different? Death threats were as common as the usual niceties people liked to observe, such as 'Thank you' and 'Your welcome'.
Next thing he knew he saw a flash. He half expected to be lying dead on the ground, but instead Rookwood was the one on the ground. His mate Blaise Zabini was standing behind Rookwood's slumped body. He didn't ask the begging question because the answer was already chasing it. He continued to make his way through the separate duels, dodging spells as he went. Finally he reached her and Mr. Crabbe, who she was now dueling. Someone had told him about the death of his son and he lay the blame on Hermione, even though she hadn't killed him. He watched the two of them cautiously. Mr. Crabbe was winning, but Hermione was determined and kept up the good fight. The fresh scent of blood hit Draco and that's when he noticed that Crabbe's last spell caused her to bleed.
"Crabbe," Draco bellowed.
Mr. Crabbe was shocked to hear Draco address him by his surname and to be spoken to in such a tone. This distracted him long enough for Hermione to stun him. Draco cast a powerful sleeping spell on him as well, which knocked him out instantly. She didn't know what to do next so she pointed her wand at Draco, still considering him a threat. Draco simply stared and his eyes started to glaze over once more. Hermione pointed her wand away as though she had seen herself reflected in his eyes and didn't like what she saw.
11
Title: Time is still
Author: dhfreak
Word Count: 333
Rating: PG 13
Screaming was all around them. The sound of spells was heard all around. Draco was trying to run. Run away from all the death around him. As he ran he saw the sight of a girl that he thought would never be in a situation that would be life and death. He saw as she was thrown across the yard by a spell.
He acted in pure instinct as he yelled, "Avada Kedavra". He had never use the curse before even when his father yelled at him and threaten him. But by the sight of the girl that represented everything his father had thought him to hate he felt pain.
He ran towards her as he knelled beside her fallen body. "Hermione, hold still everything will be okay," he said as he placed his hand on her for head. He could feel her slow breading.
"Ron?" she asked as she slowly started to open her eyes. Draco felt pain at the first word that she said was of the Weasley.
"It's going to be okay," was all that he responded.
"Draco?" she said surprise with a hint of fear in her voice.
"I am not going to hurt you Hermione, everything is going to be okay," her name sounded weird in his voice. A voice that was always full of hate when he spoke to her. However, even though all he had done to her she trusted him.
She closed her eyes at his promise of his voice. "Don't go anywhere Granger?" He said to her with fear in his voice. After a while she finally spoke.
"You can't get ... ride of me that easily Draco," she said with a small smirk in her face. It was weird in her angelic face. But he smiled back.
He hold her hand and stayed with her as the world around them was burning. All that matter at that moment to Draco was being beside his enemy, the person that he secretly loved for years.
12
Title: Confidence in Me
Author: apple_blossom24
Word Count: 491
Rating: PG-13 for some language
Hermione was in big trouble. Her protective spells had gotten progressively weaker and now she was running through the halls of Hogwarts chased by no less than four Deatheaters. She tossed suits of armor haphazardly behind her, desperate for any means to slow down her pursuers. She thought for a millisecond how her situation resembled a scene from some muggle horror film where the helpless girl runs left when she should have gone right. Well, Hermione Granger wasn't one of them! She had a strategy and by Merlin, she wasn't going to go left!
Just as she rounded a corner, a spell struck her heel and she tumbled to the stony floor. She felt her shoulder crack and only took a second to push back the pain, then counted the feet of 3 more Deatheaters approaching from her front.
Her mind reeled with scenarios--seven Deatheaters and one Hermione. Playing dead was not an option. Everything was numb, the sounds bleeding together to create a haze. She saw them raise their wands...
"Protego..." she cried and her shield sputtered weakly. When she saw three wands raised at once, she knew, this would be it. Maybe it wasn't like the muggle movies after all. Where's the convenient plot twist?
As the spells streaked toward her she found herself surrounded by light. Oh fuck, this is really it. The spells struck and were repelled in an explosion that sent the Deatheaters flying.
"Ron? Harry?" she shouted and looked around hopefully.
"Ugh! No Granger, not even close." Draco Malfoy gazed at her slumped against the wall, and the Deatheater lying face first and unconscious in her lap.
"I see you've moved on. There's no accounting for taste, but you can do better." he said.
"Some white knight..." she grumbled.
"I just saved your arse! Was 'protego' the best you could come up with? Creativity is not one of Gryffindor's greater attributes is it?" he huffed and bent down to help her up.
Hermione was too sore to be insulted. She felt the prickly warmth of the healing spell as she listened to him breathing and counted his heartbeats.
"Man up Granger!" he chastised. "How many times have I told you that strong shields require confidence? You have to know that your magic is stronger than the person cursing you."
"Is that why you're always unscathed?" she mocked.
"I'll admit that I'm cocky, you know this." he remarked lewdly. She saw the trademark smirk and raised eyebrow that she knew so well. She missed him.
"You have to be careful Hermione." he sighed and the humor in his voice faded as he began to walk away. "If you'd have picked me instead of the Weasel, everything would have changed."
She counted the seconds it took for her to make up her own mind, and then counted the steps she ran to catch up with him.
"Everything will change anyway" she said breathlessly. "And who says I won't pick you?" she smiled and cast a perfect shield around them.
13
Title:I Knew How it Would End.
Author: desdiamonds
Word Count:246
Rating:G
Hermione lay across a long stone bank facing the dark sky above, the moon bathing her in its soft light. Her chest rose and fell sporadically as her hands clutched her bloody abdomen. He wanted to run to her, but his body failed him. Instead he stood at the entryway, the chaos around them forgotten.
If he had been a better man this would have never happened, things would never have gone so far. Draco took a few steps closer standing next to a nearby tree, one he used to sit under years ago. At the sound of movement Hermione sighed,
"…Ronald?..." It tore him apart. He suddenly felt exposed, foolish to think she still thought of him. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Where was Weasley when she needed him most?
"Draco..." she had moved her head ever so slightly and watched him with sad eyes. In a matter of seconds he was by her side. He took her hand in his with a firm grip, as if willing her to live.
“You need to hold on.” He said. She gave him a faint smile and blinked slowly, it wouldn’t be long now. Draco stroked her cheek as a stray tear fell down his own.
“I knew it would end like this,” her voice cracked as she cried. He shook his head but did not speak, he was afraid of what he’d say. Instead he simply held her. “I always knew you’d come for me.”
Poll
Choose your favorite and least favorite drabbles. favorites will receive +1 point per vote, and least favorites -1 point per vote. The drabble with the most point wins the week, and the twoauthors of the two drabbles with the least votes is voted off.
Skipping this week:
dorito2000
all_fics
1
Title: It’s always been you.
Author: love_eachother
Word Count: 481
Rating: PG [kissing/violence]
I’d heard the trite line about how the world seemed to slow down when you were stuck in the middle of some catastrophe. You know, as if you’ve found yourself suddenly standing between a nesting dragon and her eggs, and the shock and surprise of the situation somehow freezes your legs to the spot. I could see that it was all bollocks now, because the world was doing anything but slowing down.
I saw her wild curls before I saw her face, and only the swift plummeting of my stomach registered the fact that a jet of green was shooting straight at her. This was when I hoped against all hope that the world would do the slow motion trick, and I wondered exactly when it was I fell in love with her. So I stood up straighter and threw myself at her, because the Malfoy pride kicked in and I’d be damned if I let her die before I could tell her the truth.
The truth that I hadn’t slept since that night they were all brought into my house; that I still heard her screaming inside my head.
The dark brown curls rub against my face now as I pin her to the ground. She’s puzzled for a moment and she frowns at me; I remember that we are indeed lying in the middle of a room that is crowded with bodies and blood and by this time nobody remembers why they’re fighting, they just know that they’re fighting.
“Granger,” I start, as I tighten my arms around her, because now that I’ve got her I’d be damned if I let her go again. This damn battle should have worked like that damn muggle ship when it sunk, women and children first. The expression on her face makes me wonder that maybe she feels what I feel, and only one past instance would support that particular ideal.
Sixteen and pressed against each other in the darkness, both wondering where one ended and the other began. She’d pulled away and smiled at me, a small smile, the corners of her lips trembling, and ran a finger down my cheek, breathing sweet words into my ear that I’ll never forget so long as I live.
It’s you. It’s always been you.
I remember this now, my body covering hers, her head occasionally ducking into my shoulder as her fear, so carefully buried under bravado, takes over, and I release one of my hands to copy her movement that now, stuck inside this soulless vortex of shame and pride and guilt and love and pain, seems a hundred years ago. I run a cold finger down her cheek, flushed and bruised and bleeding, and lean my head closer to her face, turned to her ear, and I kiss her skin so gently it’s almost a whisper.
It’s you. It’s always been you.
2
Title: Them, amidst the chaos
Author: lylianf
Word Count: 400
Rating: PG
They were fighting together, he saw.
Them amidst the chaos, the yelling, the screaming and the deaths.
She shot a spell to the left and grabbed Weasley’s hand almost instinctively, because he had cried out as a hex flew past his forearm.
To the attacker, she directed a well-aimed curse and the hooded man fell to the ground, still as stone.
Draco would have been surprised if it were not for the fact that he knew exactly what she was capable of. He knew that her Patronus was an otter with its grace and empathy. He knew that she could cast an Imperius if she so willed it. He knew that she was capable of killing just as easily as she was kissing.
But Ronald Weasley knew none of this, and he was jaw slacked and open eyed.
Draco watched again as Weasley’s mouth moved to form words. He could almost hear “Hermione,” whispered so intimately into her ear, like he had done on so many occasions. He watched as her eyes blinked slowly and Weasley moved closer. Too close, until their lips were touching, and instantly Draco knew that he had lost her completely.
In that moment, he saw red, too much red, and he never wanted to be rid of something so badly until the split second when their lips had touched. He demanded that the hideous color be entirely and completely destroyed.
Draco pointed a wand at him then. He aimed and a stream of blue and violet shot out.
“Crucio!”
It was Hermione who screamed.
But no, that’s not supposed to happen. Hermione was not supposed to pull away from Ron, and look directly at Draco, at his wand, at the Unforgivable that hit her.
Immediately, Draco removed the spell as if burned. But the steady look in her eyes told him everything.
Monster.
Enemy.
Traitor.
Unforgivable.
And he couldn’t receive that look without his gaze wavering to the ground in disappointment of himself, with his black hooded robe and a mask of skeletal figures.
Draco watched, as Ron picked Hermione up, cradled her in his arms, and trudged forward. And Draco threw no more spells that night. Instead, he shadowed the pair, daring to protect her at all costs, even if that meant protecting Weasley as well. He would shield them, amidst the chaos.
Hermione would be safe, even if it wasn’t in his arms.
3
Title: Distraction
Author: floorcoaster
Word Count: 318
Rating: PG
All around me was chaos; it’s important that you understand that. There were Death Eaters, your people, spells of all colors going every direction … even Peeves was there, and it was his offensive that did it.
A Death Eater had shouted about someone being invisible. I knew it was you; there was no doubt in my mind. You and Potter and Weasley were on a different mission than everyone else. While the rest of us fighting, you were trying to sneak off to complete your secret task. I didn’t know what you were after, but I sensed that if you failed, the rest of us were utterly doomed. As I watched you struggle through the crowd, one thing became clear to me: you needed a way out.
One of yours Stunned the Death Eater who had shouted, but there were plenty more with him. The green, worm-like tubers still floated through the air, and I watched you move through the room. Your friends kept Stunning the Death Eaters, but there was one left who hadn’t taken his eyes off you. He was just waiting for you to come closer so he could strike. I had to do something; I hadn’t saved your life for you to be killed, or worse, at the hands of a Death Eater.
I’ve relived that night a hundred times since, and each time, I come up with something better. But when I saw you reach the upper landing, I did the only thing I could think to do at the time. I tried to distract him, speaking frantically, drawing his attention away from you, and getting in his face so he couldn’t see. It worked; Potter Stunned him, and you had a clear path out of the commotion. I was thrilled at the small role I had played in ensuring your safety.
What did I get for my trouble? Weasley broke my nose.
4
Title: One Small Change
Author: nikkilicious377
Word Count: 483
Rating: PG 13 (For Mild Swearing)
He’d only seen her cry twice in his life. The first time had been by accident. He’d come upon them in the hallway. Her and the Weasel. He never knew which one of them ended the relationship but the crystal tears poured out of her gleaming brown eyes, signifying the end. Even when she was crying, broken and destroyed, her eyes still shined beautifully.
The second time she cried in front of him was because of him. He supposed he’d hurt her before that, but she never gave him the satisfaction of seeing the damage he had done. Except that once. After months together; fighting, fucking, falling and fumbling. After all that… he’d ruined it. He’d opened his big fat mouth and said the word he promised her he’d never say again.
He could still see the devastated look on her face. It was branded into his memory, constantly reminding him. Punishing him. He was such a fucking idiot.
But, despite all she’d been through, she wasn’t crying now. Kneeling on the floor, filthy and bloody, the Death Eater’s wand pointed at her head… Hermione Granger refused to cry. She wouldn’t crack. No matter how much the masked man yelled at her and scolded her and humiliated her, she stayed silent.
He had no idea how she managed to do it. How she managed to stay so strong right in the face of death. And this would be her death. He knew, as he sat, huddled in a ball on the stone floor in the dark corner, that he was watching Hermione’s last moments on Earth. And he felt sick. He hated himself for watching. For not being able to look away.
He should do something. Anything. He could. He lost his wand somewhere along the way but he could still fight somehow.
He could save her.
Change or be changed. That was what she’d said to him once. She had been laying by his side, her head on his shoulder, her hair, wild and mused, sticking to his face. And she’d said that people never stayed the same. They either changed themselves or they were changed by something else. But, no matter what, they changed.
He had always been a coward. He wondered if that part of him had changed.
*****
Hermione didn’t breathe as she stared into the black eyes of the man who was about to kill her. She didn’t breathe as he laughed and lifted his wand. She didn’t breathe when she felt something moving beside her. She didn’t breathe when the Death Eater was slammed into the wall.
She didn’t even breathe when Draco Malfoy stood in front of her and held out his hand.
But, finally, she took a long draw of air when he smiled. When he said he was sorry.
When he died.
And every moment after that, she wished she’d never started breathing again.
5
Title: Laughter Like Bells
Author: miyabita13
Word Count: 497
Rating: PG
Flashback…
… to potions.
That's when it started. Crabbe had spilt some ingredients onto his robes that caused little pink flowers to grow. You mentioned something to Zabini about symbolism and Crabbe's relationship with Goyle. Somehow she heard you and laughed. Really laughed. The sound reminded you of bells and clear water.
You pretended not to notice and hid your smile behind the pages of your book.
Flashforward…
… to the battlefield.
You’re sprinting towards the forest. You saw them drag her there. Potter and Weasley hadn't seen, too engrossed with battle. For a moment, you can't help but smirk at the fact that Weasley doesn't know his precious princess is gone.
You hear a dreadful scream, stop thinking of victory, and continue to run towards the Forbidden Forest.
Flashback…
… to the library.
You see her from your position among the stacks… sleeping. It’s weird to see her so relaxed, and as you approach, you wonder what’s made her so exhausted in the first place.
You reach out to touch her hair. “Ron…” she whispers. You recoil your hand, burned.
The next day she glares at you, furious you didn’t show up as planned. You glare back, unable to help the pangs of jealousy burning in your chest.
Flashforward…
… to the forest.
You’re panting hard, but she’s screaming, so you run faster. Three of them stand around her up ahead.
You don’t want your family killed, you’re tired of being a disappointment, you had promised yourself that this war would show them all that you were more than just a spoiled pureblood brat who used “daddy’s money” to get what he wanted.
But more than that - more than anything - you don’t want her screaming. Laughing… she should be laughing. It’s that thought that leads you to raise your wand.
Flashback…
… to the stacks.
You like watching her fingers caress the books as she walks down the aisle. Watching her has become routine. The way she smiles lights up your dark world.
Today is different, however. Today, a fight breaks out between some first years. You watch as the two brats knock into the shelves, causing books to rain down on her.
At first, you feel pride in your quick response, but it is bittersweet. She’ll never realize you were the one who came to her aid.
Flashforward…
… to the clearing.
It feels as if you’re walking on sacred ground. Her eyes are closed, and there is a definitive way in which she breathes that makes you realize she’s close to the end. You bend down, ready to heal her.
“Ron…” she breathes. You freeze because - no, no, NO! - she thinks you’re Weasley. Seconds pass; you continue to stare at her. Save her. Don’t save her. You choose to save. She seems to smile as you whisper, “Hermione… it’ll be all right.”
But you’ll always remember how you were the one who came to her rescue both then and now. And she’ll never know.
6
Title: Security
Author: drcjsnider
Word Count: 401
Rating: PG-13
Draco Malfoy was not a man who believed in fate, destiny, providence, or any of that other shite people clung to so they could justify their pathetic lives and irrational decisions. Draco didn’t need the false security that faith and trust bestowed on the mindless rabble. He was content with the knowledge that he would one day be judged, and most likely punished, for his actions. This philosophy did not cause him to toss and turn at night, it didn’t make him to tear at his hair or clothing in despair, and it certainly did not push him to seek redemption from Harry-fucking-Potter or his band of devout cronies.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t always had such a healthy outlook on life. He’d experienced an embarrassing period of weakness during sixth year. He had been commanded to do the impossible, threatened with the unthinkable, and had been desperate to find a way out of his dilemma. Then she had appeared, like an angel of mercy. She had promised him salvation and like a fool he’d reached for it, strained for it, fought against tradition and his upbringing to grasp what appeared to be a way out.
He’d been hoodwinked. He’d believed her words of affection. He’d believed that her intervention would protect him. But she turned out to be just as callous and capricious as any Death Eater. She had known immediately that the mead, which had almost killed Weasley, had been his doing. And despite his protest that he had gifted the tainted beverage months before her offer to help him, that he’d had no clue that anyone besides Dumbledore might be at risk, she’d refused to listen to his pleas. She’d ruthlessly cut him from her life and mercilessly denied him further emotional support. Hermione Granger taught Draco Malfoy that there was no such thing as deliverance.
He, therefore, did not flinch or cower as he watched Bellatrix duel Hermione and Ginny Weasley during the final battle at Hogwarts. He remained impassive as the two girls struggled to match the skills of his aunt. Even when the brown haired witch had lost her balance and stumbled, he’d clamped down on any wayward thought of rushing to her assistance. Determined to remain dispassionate to the end, Draco would neither actively aid nor hinder either side in the war. Survival was the only objective and it was a goal most easily accomplished alone.
7
Title: Hide or Fight
Author: kalina_blue
Word Count: 498
Rating: pg-13
Hermione carefully rounded another corner. She was in the Charms corridor - alone - or at least hoped she was. Scorch marks were marring the walls, the window front was partially collapsed and Hermione feared it would crumble altogether.
How she had ended up in the corridor, separated from the other DA members, she wasn’t quite sure. Death Eaters had attacked them and the fight had been fierce. Ron had been next to her the whole time, duelling a Death Eater, while Hermione was engaging another.
Then Ron had been gone.
The Death Eaters had still been there and it had taken all of Hermione’s skills to fight them off. Hermione fervently hoped Ron was alright.
Since defeating the two Death Eaters she had been alone and Hermione was desperate to find her way back to Ron.
She walked further on, around another corner. And still she was alone. The castle was big and the fighting was spread throughout.
A few more steps.
Suddenly a curse hit her, immobilising her from her neck downwards. A strong arm grabbed her and pulled her towards a classroom. Hermione tried to find a way to break the spell, but motionless as she was her options were limited. All she could do was scream. Nobody heard.
She was dragged along until they were inside the room and the door closed.
“Fuck, Granger, stop bitching.” The arm let go of her and the spell was released. Hermione wheeled around.
“Draco?! What are you doing?”
Draco Malfoy ignored her question. Instead he sat down on a desk, used his wand to light a cigarette, and inhaled the smoke deeply.
“I hate it when you do that,” Hermione hissed.
“None of your business. Not anymore,” he replied and took another drag.
“True,” Hermione agreed. “I’m not staying anyways.” She meant to grasp the handle of the door, but one flick of his wand and the handle glowed bright red. Hermione didn’t dare touch it.
Instead she pointed her own wand at it.
“Stay. It’s safer here.” Draco said, but didn’t take any further actions to prevent her from leaving.
“I have to find Ron.”
“You’ll get killed before you reach the Weasel.”
“None of your business. Not anymore …I won’t hide.”
Hermione left the classroom.
She had almost reached the stairs when she ran into another group of Death Eaters. They immediately charged towards her, encircling her like hunters did their prey. Hermione raised her wand ready to fight. Or die.
Suddenly, two of her attackers fell to the ground. Surprised Hermione saw Draco standing behind them, his wand already pointing at the third. Together they disposed off the Death Eaters quickly.
When they were the only ones standing, Draco wordlessly walked away. Hermione caught up with him at the staircase.
“I thought you were going to stay at the classroom?”
“I was,” Draco replied evasively.
“What changed?”
Draco gave her a wry smile.
“I won’t hide.” He continued down the stairs, leaving a stunned Hermione behind.
8
Title: One Last Step
Author: savepureness
Word Count: 189
Rating: G
-
Another step, another flash of light; it send him back on the floor, cringing. His mind goes blank, his head feels suddenly lighter, and he's fighting his way back on his knees. What for? - a pitched voice yells at him, quickly crumbling at the back of his conscience.
He's well aware of his reasons. This time, it's not about fathers and sons, not a matter of impress or be scolded; it's not even about pride, about proving them wrong and laughing in their astonished faces.
This time, it's about what has been; he takes a split second to dream of having it all back: every hidden shared smile, every breathtaking touch. Every moment when he could state to the whole world that she belonged to him.
-
One more step, his ankle crushed, his trousers soaked in blood. She's so close now, so easy to reach; he can almost feel her body heat filling his open hand. Pressing his eyes close, half crawling, he takes the final step, avoiding a green flash as his hand gropes.
He reached her first, his last thought dies, before Draco Malfoy plunges into darkness.
9
Title:On Your Side
Author: pokeystar
Word Count:499
Rating:PG
He’s standing at the marble staircase overlooking the entrance hall, arguing with some half-witted flunky in a Death Eater’s mask.
“I’m Draco Malfoy. I’m Draco. I’m on your side.”
But is he really? Is he really on the side of insanity wrapped in a reptilian monstrosity? His lack of conviction presses down on his cunning, making his indecision apparent even to the dunderhead in front of him. Draco reads his end in the lackey’s eyes. Abruptly, time pulls apart, like the taffy in Honeyduke’s window, stretching in opposite directions.
He’s in the second floor bathroom waiting for Myrtle to show up. He’s leaning against a wall next to the door and his foot shifts a loose tile abruptly from its slot and down he goes, arms wind-milling comically. He kicks at the hideous square and notices the strongbox it was hiding. The box is full of parchment scraps - letters, plans, wishes, fears. He understands fear. He devours it all, Myrtle forgotten. Next time he’s there, he brings a quill. He adds his letters, plans, his wishes, and fears. There are more scraps when he returns. None of them have answers - he’s not expecting it anyway - the sharing makes answers unimportant. This surprises him. Sharing is an alien concept to Malfoys.
Then, She’s there, waiting for him. He knows the scraps belong to Her, but he’s frantic from terror and sleeplessness and the rock that’s pushing him against the hard place. He sneers at her sympathy. He rails at her righteousness. He shuts her up the only way he knows how. It’s a benediction. She can save him. But it will rip him from everything and everyone he knows and suddenly, he’s pushing her to the floor and filth floods his mouth, pouring out over her. And then he’s sobbing at Myrtle and Potter is there and the blood is everywhere.
With a rush, time snaps back into place. The moronic minion raises his wand and topples over, stunned. Draco grins reflexively until a granite fist meets his jaw and he lands on his ass, dazed. He comes to all at once, watching Her pink trainers shuffling down the stairs between two scruffy pairs. Snargaluff tubers fall on the trio, clinging to the invisible, revealing Her position and the taffy stretches again endlessly in opposite directions.
She is frozen against a backdrop of multi-colored light and distant howls of pain and triumph. He is on his feet, measuring the distance to the wand of the Death Eater taking aim at the space above those pink trainers, an Avada halfway out his gob. He is sprawled over a tangle of black robes, landing punches haphazardly, before the Kevadra meets the air. He tracks the green beam of light across space - as time is pulled past its limits - it hits the Slytherin hourglass and spills points over the floor. The irony appeals to Draco and he can’t help smirking as he beats his past, his fear, his prejudice into a bloody pulp.
Author’s Note: “I’m Draco Malfoy. I’m Draco. I’m on your side.” - from DH, p.645, US edition.
For the purposes of this drabble, Malfoy gets his ghost therapy in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. In HBP, the Sectumsempra scene happens in the boy’s sixth floor bathroom.
10
Title: Realization
Author: royalty25
Word Count: 407
Rating: PG-13
He couldn't breathe. The moments before him were happening in slow motion and he stood there frozen. His eyes were glazing over with tears. The tears weren't of sadness, fear or guilt. The tears were of realization.
"Granger," he whispered to himself as he started to make his way towards Hermione.
Soon he found himself facing Augustus Rookwood. Rookwood held his usual sneer and his pockmarked face didn't make him look anymore agreeable. He was pointing his wand directly at Draco's chest.
"I think the Dark Lord will be pleased if I kill you now, but he might be aggrieved by the fact he didn't have the pleasure of doing it himself," came out Rookwood's raspy comment.
"You couldn't kill me even if you wanted to," was Draco's flippant reply. He couldn't face the seriousness of Rookwood's threats. The entire week had been filled with threats. How were Rookwood's any different? Death threats were as common as the usual niceties people liked to observe, such as 'Thank you' and 'Your welcome'.
Next thing he knew he saw a flash. He half expected to be lying dead on the ground, but instead Rookwood was the one on the ground. His mate Blaise Zabini was standing behind Rookwood's slumped body. He didn't ask the begging question because the answer was already chasing it. He continued to make his way through the separate duels, dodging spells as he went. Finally he reached her and Mr. Crabbe, who she was now dueling. Someone had told him about the death of his son and he lay the blame on Hermione, even though she hadn't killed him. He watched the two of them cautiously. Mr. Crabbe was winning, but Hermione was determined and kept up the good fight. The fresh scent of blood hit Draco and that's when he noticed that Crabbe's last spell caused her to bleed.
"Crabbe," Draco bellowed.
Mr. Crabbe was shocked to hear Draco address him by his surname and to be spoken to in such a tone. This distracted him long enough for Hermione to stun him. Draco cast a powerful sleeping spell on him as well, which knocked him out instantly. She didn't know what to do next so she pointed her wand at Draco, still considering him a threat. Draco simply stared and his eyes started to glaze over once more. Hermione pointed her wand away as though she had seen herself reflected in his eyes and didn't like what she saw.
11
Title: Time is still
Author: dhfreak
Word Count: 333
Rating: PG 13
Screaming was all around them. The sound of spells was heard all around. Draco was trying to run. Run away from all the death around him. As he ran he saw the sight of a girl that he thought would never be in a situation that would be life and death. He saw as she was thrown across the yard by a spell.
He acted in pure instinct as he yelled, "Avada Kedavra". He had never use the curse before even when his father yelled at him and threaten him. But by the sight of the girl that represented everything his father had thought him to hate he felt pain.
He ran towards her as he knelled beside her fallen body. "Hermione, hold still everything will be okay," he said as he placed his hand on her for head. He could feel her slow breading.
"Ron?" she asked as she slowly started to open her eyes. Draco felt pain at the first word that she said was of the Weasley.
"It's going to be okay," was all that he responded.
"Draco?" she said surprise with a hint of fear in her voice.
"I am not going to hurt you Hermione, everything is going to be okay," her name sounded weird in his voice. A voice that was always full of hate when he spoke to her. However, even though all he had done to her she trusted him.
She closed her eyes at his promise of his voice. "Don't go anywhere Granger?" He said to her with fear in his voice. After a while she finally spoke.
"You can't get ... ride of me that easily Draco," she said with a small smirk in her face. It was weird in her angelic face. But he smiled back.
He hold her hand and stayed with her as the world around them was burning. All that matter at that moment to Draco was being beside his enemy, the person that he secretly loved for years.
12
Title: Confidence in Me
Author: apple_blossom24
Word Count: 491
Rating: PG-13 for some language
Hermione was in big trouble. Her protective spells had gotten progressively weaker and now she was running through the halls of Hogwarts chased by no less than four Deatheaters. She tossed suits of armor haphazardly behind her, desperate for any means to slow down her pursuers. She thought for a millisecond how her situation resembled a scene from some muggle horror film where the helpless girl runs left when she should have gone right. Well, Hermione Granger wasn't one of them! She had a strategy and by Merlin, she wasn't going to go left!
Just as she rounded a corner, a spell struck her heel and she tumbled to the stony floor. She felt her shoulder crack and only took a second to push back the pain, then counted the feet of 3 more Deatheaters approaching from her front.
Her mind reeled with scenarios--seven Deatheaters and one Hermione. Playing dead was not an option. Everything was numb, the sounds bleeding together to create a haze. She saw them raise their wands...
"Protego..." she cried and her shield sputtered weakly. When she saw three wands raised at once, she knew, this would be it. Maybe it wasn't like the muggle movies after all. Where's the convenient plot twist?
As the spells streaked toward her she found herself surrounded by light. Oh fuck, this is really it. The spells struck and were repelled in an explosion that sent the Deatheaters flying.
"Ron? Harry?" she shouted and looked around hopefully.
"Ugh! No Granger, not even close." Draco Malfoy gazed at her slumped against the wall, and the Deatheater lying face first and unconscious in her lap.
"I see you've moved on. There's no accounting for taste, but you can do better." he said.
"Some white knight..." she grumbled.
"I just saved your arse! Was 'protego' the best you could come up with? Creativity is not one of Gryffindor's greater attributes is it?" he huffed and bent down to help her up.
Hermione was too sore to be insulted. She felt the prickly warmth of the healing spell as she listened to him breathing and counted his heartbeats.
"Man up Granger!" he chastised. "How many times have I told you that strong shields require confidence? You have to know that your magic is stronger than the person cursing you."
"Is that why you're always unscathed?" she mocked.
"I'll admit that I'm cocky, you know this." he remarked lewdly. She saw the trademark smirk and raised eyebrow that she knew so well. She missed him.
"You have to be careful Hermione." he sighed and the humor in his voice faded as he began to walk away. "If you'd have picked me instead of the Weasel, everything would have changed."
She counted the seconds it took for her to make up her own mind, and then counted the steps she ran to catch up with him.
"Everything will change anyway" she said breathlessly. "And who says I won't pick you?" she smiled and cast a perfect shield around them.
13
Title:I Knew How it Would End.
Author: desdiamonds
Word Count:246
Rating:G
Hermione lay across a long stone bank facing the dark sky above, the moon bathing her in its soft light. Her chest rose and fell sporadically as her hands clutched her bloody abdomen. He wanted to run to her, but his body failed him. Instead he stood at the entryway, the chaos around them forgotten.
If he had been a better man this would have never happened, things would never have gone so far. Draco took a few steps closer standing next to a nearby tree, one he used to sit under years ago. At the sound of movement Hermione sighed,
"…Ronald?..." It tore him apart. He suddenly felt exposed, foolish to think she still thought of him. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Where was Weasley when she needed him most?
"Draco..." she had moved her head ever so slightly and watched him with sad eyes. In a matter of seconds he was by her side. He took her hand in his with a firm grip, as if willing her to live.
“You need to hold on.” He said. She gave him a faint smile and blinked slowly, it wouldn’t be long now. Draco stroked her cheek as a stray tear fell down his own.
“I knew it would end like this,” her voice cracked as she cried. He shook his head but did not speak, he was afraid of what he’d say. Instead he simply held her. “I always knew you’d come for me.”
Poll