I used to think that you were nothing more than a Mudblood. Someone who had no feelings, no emotions, and I was better than you because of my blood status.
I still do, in a way. I am from a better family. I am better than you.
It just took me a while to realize that you’re a person, too.
*
I knew it in May.
It was just after the Final Battle between Potter and You-Know-Who, and I was in the Great Hall with my mother. There you were, just sitting there with that Weasley.
He was holding you like his life depended on it, and unshed tears were making your eyes seem brighter than ever.
You didn’t seem to be the High and Mighty, I Know Best girl I knew from school.
I knew, right then, that maybe you were more human than I originally thought.
*
Two years later, it was raining.
I think it was in April, and torrential rain was pouring down my office window. Wind was shaking the trees attempting to bring down those Muggle whatsits that line the sidewalks (power eyes?).
I couldn’t concentrate on my work, and I had a date with some woman my mother wanted me to meet—Daphne Greengrass, I think—in half an hour, so I left the harshly-lit office my father so desperately wanted me to work in.
I almost crashed into you.
You smelled like lemons.
Without looking up, you were profusely apologizing while picking up your court papers.
“I’m so sorry, sir! Are you—oh.”
You realized it was me and you stopped, your mouth shaping into a perfect “O.”
“Sorry, Mal-Draco. I didn’t mean—“
“It’s fine,” I said curtly, brushing off my coat.
“No, really, I wasn’t looking where I was go—“
“Honestly, Granger, I’m fine.”
Your eyes hardened when I mentioned your last name.
“It’s Weasley.”
You were gone in a flash.
*
You were strong, so much stronger than anyone I ever knew.
*
We were older when we met again, no longer teenagers.
No longer tied down by social hierarchy.
…For the most part, anyway.
I was twenty-five, and I had no idea where my life was going.
I was staring out the window of an old coffee shop with Daphne and her sister, Astoria.
She was chattering animatedly about our upcoming wedding, and Astoria was nodding her head like Daphne had her full attention, but I knew better.
I found my eyes trailing towards the younger Greengrass sister.
Astoria.
She was beautiful, with her brown hair and her brown eyes and her smile.
…I was screwed to hell and back, and I had no idea what to do.
Then you came in.
You were with Potter, chattering and laughing, and his arm was latched protectively around your shoulder.
Your eyes landed on mine and you nodded slightly. You surveyed the scene, me and Daphne and Astoria, and your eyes went wide.
You looked at Astoria and I, and how my hand was slightly touching hers, and I knew you knew exactly what was going on.
Maybe you knew more than I did.
*
And I don’t love you, but I always will.
What?! Draco/Hermione?! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
To tell you the truth, I have no idea.
I've decided to turn Zest into a short story collection of...stuff. I don't know.
Stuff. Yeah.
Review! I don't own HP, Death Cab For Cutie, or The Civil Wars.
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