bleedingangel84 | Fallen: A Thwarted Love Story, 3/12 (Reply)

Chapter 3: The Confession

Time had never seemed to pass so slowly in class as it did that day. Hermione was burning with curiosity by the time the bell signaled dismissal. Sliding her gaze in Malfoy’s direction, she was surprised to see him nervous. Well, that certainly is a first, she thought to herself.

“Hermione, hurry up! I’m starving.” Ron’s less-than-surprising announcement brought her attention back to her two best friends. “When are you not starving, Ronald Weasley? If you’re so hungry, why don’t you two head down to the Great Hall? I’ll be along in a bit.”

Shooing the two out of the door, she busied herself with packing her belongings, waiting for Malfoy to break the awkward silence that pervaded the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Hearing the sound of a throat clearing behind her, she turned. Malfoy’s normal signature pallor was gone, replaced by a deep beet-red blush. Hermione couldn’t help the small smile that flitted across her face at his discomfort. After so many years of torment at his hands, it was intensely gratifying to see him squirm a bit as he worked up his courage.

“So, you got my note?” he asked. “Yes, Malfoy, I got your note. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, would I?” Hermione answered simply. “No, I suppose not.” he conceded. The silence between them began to stretch to an uncomfortable length. Finally taking matters into her own hands, she asked the question that was foremost in her mind.

“This isn’t some kind of prank, is it? If it is, it’s not very funny.” The expression on his face turned suddenly pained, and he looked suddenly crestfallen. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t believe me. Why should you?” he said hopelessly. The last observation was said more to himself than to Hermione.

“You’re serious, aren’t you? she asked in disbelief. “Yes, Granger, I am serious,” he said, “why would I lie about this?” Hermione simply appeared dumbfounded for a few moments before finding her tongue. “Why did you wait until now to tell me if you’ve felt this way for so long?”

Draco raised his eyebrows. She was the smartest person in their year, and had been called the brightest witch of her age. Surely she knew why. His answer was succinct and to the point. “My family is Pureblood, Granger. What else would you expect?” Hermione blushed in confusion. Of course she had known that. This entire conversation was throwing her off balance.

“Why tell me now, then?” she inquired. “Your family is still Pureblood. What changed?” She waited in silence while he appeared to have an internal debate. “I did,” he answered, “I realized certain things about myself before the school began this year. I am required to act as if I am loyal to the Dark Lord. As a Malfoy, that has been predestined from my birth. I have no choice in the matter but to serve him. That isn’t what I want to do, but I must.”

After his declaration, Hermione was silent. “What brought about this epiphany, Malfoy? Last year, you seemed content to serve V-Voldemort without reservation.” Maybe there was hope for Malfoy yet. He looked at her, and for once there was no guile in his eyes. “I saw his cruelty for what it was, Granger. He is a dangerous madman who rules by fear. I no longer wish to follow such a person as that,” he explained, “but as I’ve said, I have no choice.”

“Then, why bother telling me how you feel at all?” she asked uneasily. “I have nothing to lose by telling you my feelings. The Dark Lord intends on a war with Potter. I thought it pointless to keep it from you any longer,” he confessed.

“But, why me? I’m just…Hermione. There is no way possible that a Malfoy and a Muggleborn would work. There is no future there,” she concluded, “It isn’t logical.”

“Perhaps not, but the heart has little to do with logic. The two of us may not have a future, but what is there to stop us from enjoying the present in one another’s company? Will you have me….Hermione?”