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Draco paced the length of his cell, holding tightly to the Prophet article that had gone out just an hour ago. It was late, the papers usually ran first thing in the morning, but when breaking news occurred special circumstances were granted, most of the wizarding world having no other way to learn what was happening in their community; and today was very much a special circumstance. His heart thundered in his chest drowning out the sound of the guard at his door.
What has she done?
He had sent 3 letters to her since the paper arrived, hoping against the odds that he would get one in return. It would explain that it was all a misunderstanding, that she hadn’t been so stupid—so reckless as to throw her career away on a convicted criminal.
Why?! Why would she do this?!
“Malfoy!”His head snapped to the guard, Warren he thinks his name is, standing in his cell; he hadn’t heard him come in.“What?!” he spat.“Its time to process you out. Let’s go.”He couldn’t move. Nothing felt real. The relief he should have expected to feel upon learning he was free was, instead, full of dread. The guard stepped towards him, taking him by the arm.“Why would she do this?” he asked out loud to himself.“Listen mate, I think you are a spoiled prat.” Warren said holding his shoulders, his fingers digging into his flesh. Yes, that was his name, Draco could see the white embroidered letters on his chest, “But as a father of 3 daughters, I think what you did for Hermione Granger was heroic. Stupid, but heroic. I don’t know why she did what she did, I could guess, but the best path to your answer is outside of these walls.” He gestured around them.He looked Warren in the eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity. It made him feel sick, biting the inside of his cheek to stave off vomiting. He tried to steady his breathing.
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
When the wave of nausea passed, he nodded, finally taking a tentative step forward.
I’ve ruined her life… she will never be respected in the Ministry now.
The journey through the bowels of Azkaban felt like a never ending nightmare. There were moans of prisoners that had been kissed by dementors; their limp bodies unable to move with their nearly empty minds. There were screams of the ones who had gone mad from isolation and likely some from those who were in here because of their madness. The nausea rolled through him again, violently this time, he needed to get out of here.“Don’t vomit Malfoy, exit is just ahead.”He lifted his gaze from the ground. It was impossible to see the door, until a bright flash illuminated the window for a brief moment, a loud CRACK following after.
Poetic.
“Over here Malfoy.” Warren said, pointing to a small room just off the exit. He handed him a bag, presumably full of his belongings that they had taken from him when he had arrived.He took the bag and disappeared through the door. It was a small bathroom with a shower. He wanted one desperately, but saw no point with the storm raging outside, he would be wet soon enough. He opened the bag and pulled out his clothes, but something fell to the ground at his feet. He reached down for it, his heart skipping a beat when his fingers connected with it.
My wand.
When his fingers wrapped around the soft handle he burst into tears. The swell of emotion that coursed through him as his magic sang at its reunion to the wand was almost too much to bear. He sucked in gulps of air, trying to compose himself. Still gripping his wand, he turned the tap on, sticking his free hand under the running water. It was a trick his mind Healer had taught him early on, grounding he had called it.
Breathe. In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
When he felt his heart rate begin to slow he reluctantly placed his wand on the counter, removed his prison clothes tossing them to the floor, splashed his face with some water, and put on the clothes he had worn that night all those years ago; there was no longer blood on them thankfully. He picked up his wand, placing it into his pocket, took another minute to steady himself and stepped back out into the corridor.“You ready? She’s waiting for you.”
She’s here?!
His eyes snapped to the door, another flash of light, another CRACK.
I…
“How can I face her?” he said softly.“You just have to, mate. If you don’t, you insult everything she’s just given up.”He stared over at the guard, “I don’t deserve to see her.”“Why, because you love her and you think she deserves better? That’s crap.”I… I…“What do you know?” he spat, “Have you ever ruined someone’s life?”“No, I haven’t, but I also bet that if you were to ask her if she felt like her life was ruined, she would honestly and openly tell you no. But you won’t know if you stand here for the next 5 years, so get your ungrateful arse out there and live your life with the girl who chose you above all others.”He heard the click of the lock releasing, and the door swung open. A flash and a CRACK guided his way out of Azkaban into the fresh, cold, damp air of the North Sea. The rain on his skin felt euphoric, washing away all the pain and suffering of his past. He felt like he had never smelled the scent of salty sea air or felt the caress of wind on his skin before. He felt… new.“DRACO!”His head snapped to his right.
Hermione…
His mind couldn’t process what he saw before him, but his body moved of its own accord, sprinting towards her with newfound energy, energy he shouldn’t have after 5 years in Azkaban. His body collided with hers, nearly knocking them both to the ground. The air cracked and rumbled around them, flashes of lightning illuminating her face. His mouth sealed over hers in a bruising kiss. It was everything he had ever hoped for; her lips were soft and warm, and she tasted like honey and cinnamon. He planted his hands on either side of her face, pulling away to look at her.“Why did you do that, Hermione?!” he shouted, a little louder than he intended. He kissed her again, “God’s, you’re so fucking stupid, why did you do that!? WHY!?”He kissed her again and again. She was clinging to him, pawing at his back. Gods he was so angry at her, but also so very clearly, utterly, and unwaveringly in love with her. She was perfect in every way; a beacon of hope for the weak, a trailblazer in the way the wizarding world operates, the literal golden girl of her community. Lightning flashed across the sky, and while rain poured down over them, he knew the wet forming around her eyes was also from her own tears. He kissed her once more.“Why?” he asked, softly this time.The answer would surely break him, the millions of possibilities running through his mind.
Obligation… Guilt… Pity…
“Because I love you.”He was sure his heart had stopped completely.
She… she…
He enveloped her mouth with his, desperate to taste the truth of her words. He knew he had fallen in love with her, but he had never dared to hope she felt the same. He licked at her lip, seeking entrance, and she parted them for him willingly.
Gods she is perfect. I never want to taste anything else for the rest of my life.
“Say it again.” He pleaded, his voice cracking. He was going to break again.A flash of lightning illuminated her face long enough for him to see her smile.“I love you, Draco.”Tears rolled down his face, mixing with the rain. His heart thundered to life at the realization that this was all real. She was here, she had gotten him out, he was free, he loved her and she loved him.“Fuck! Merlin Hermione, fuck, I…. I love you. I love you so fucking much! I’m so mad at you for wasting your career on me, but I’m also immensely happy to be standing here, holding you… free.”She wrapped her arms around his neck, and lifted up on to her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek, “You stand here a free man Draco Malfoy. Let’s go home.” She whispered in his ear before taking his hand and disapparating them off the island and into their new life.