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She doesn't know why she is here.
Harry told her that assistance was mandatory for every ministry employee for this event. She feels overdressed and a bit stuffy wearing these golden robes and keeps telling herself that is not looking for a certain blond-haired wizard in posh robes.
No matter what, she can't forget those nights, the hushed conversations in the library, the walking paths in the rain, the kisses that stole her breath. But he did.
- 'Mione, Ron is looking for you.
- Thank you Harry
The atrium is filled with people in fancy clothes, champagne flowing from self-serving flutes, sparkling lights floating all around, and blooming flowers in ornamented vases.
Everybody who is anybody is here. So he should be.
She keeps looking around, the splendor everywhere. Nothing like him though. Midnight blue robes, hair slightly coiffed, a storm in his eyes, a perfectly neutral expression. She doesn't know what is he thinking. Is this the result of Occlumency, or years without talking to each other?
Her feet move towards him, she needs to know why. It's been years, but she can't get over him. She needs to know why he left.
Ron catches her arm and talks hurriedly. Her eyes are still on Draco.
- Are you listening to me?
- Sorry Ron, my head was on the clouds.
- 'Mione, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. - A collective gasp is heard around the atrium as everyone sees him go on one knee, cameras clicking- Will you marry me?
The air is suddenly gone. She is suffocating, wide-eyed, a deer facing headlights, looking frantically around, for something, anything, that takes her away from here, then she sees him, those sad eyes, and all she wants to do is run, so she says
- I'm sorry Ron.
and runs.
Someone suddenly turned the volume up. All she hears is the thump thump thump of her heart, the heels clicking on the marble floors. Someone catches her arm and turns her around.
Is him. Out of breath, desperation in his face.
- I can't do this anymore. I don't care. I'm selfish. Please don't marry him. I know I'm more trouble than it's worth. But I need you, I need you so damn much. I can give you whatever is that you want, but please stay with me. Take me back.
- What?
- I love you Hermione. I've been living in the dark since I left you. I had to. They would've destroyed you, and when the war was over, I was a pariah, I couldn't take you down with me. So I left you and your light and watched you shine from afar. But I'm going blind in the darkness. Please be my light again.
- Draco I... I've missed you. I can't marry him. If I'm your light, you were my air. I can't breathe without you. The war is over, and we said we'll survive, so let's start all over again?