Just Us
It had been three weeks since Hermione had begun observing Draco Malfoy. He appeared only during meals and classes, and she’d resolved to follow him one evening to discover his destination after dinner.
She found him on the Astronomy Tower, gazing at the black sky, his eyes unfocused, his posture rigid. She retraced her steps, returning to the relative safety of Gryffindor Tower.
When Harry asked if she’d discovered anything suspicious, she politely declined to elaborate, excusing herself with a vague wave of her hand.
She found his behavior odd, but not particularly alarming, and decided against sharing her observations with Harry.
This pattern continued for three weeks. Each day, Hermione ascended the Astronomy Tower, watching Malfoy lose himself in contemplation of the night. She sensed something was amiss, but couldn’t pinpoint the source of his distress.
“Hello, Hermione,” a voice said softly.
She looked up to see Luna Lovegood regarding her with her characteristic dreamy gaze.
“Hi Luna. How have you been?”
“Oh, wonderfully. The weather is exceptionally agreeable today. Would you like to join me at today’s Quidditch match?” Luna asked politely.
Hermione hesitated. “Umm… uhh.” She craved solitude to unravel the mystery of the blond who would be on the field, but it was difficult to refuse Luna.
“Sure,” she finally managed to say.
“Excellent. The match begins in precisely two minutes and forty-seven seconds.”
As they entered the stands, Angelina Johnson announced, “And now, the Slytherin team. Slytherin Quidditch Team Captain Marcus Flint… The seeker, Draco Malfoy…”
The list continued, but Hermione heard nothing beyond the announcement of Malfoy’s name. Her gaze locked onto the Slytherin seeker, and the world seemed to fade.
He had been so different these past three weeks. Almost… human. He hadn’t taunted or insulted them, or anyone else, during their encounters.
Lost in her thoughts, Hermione didn’t notice Luna nudging her elbow.
“You seem lost in another world,” Luna observed, her blue eyes holding a strange, knowing glint.
“Oh no, I uhm, I’m just nervous. You know, Ron’s second match and all.”
“I see. But you were looking over at someone else.”
Hermione froze. A sudden roar erupted from her right, drawing her attention to the field. A bludger was hurtling directly towards Malfoy.
The first thing Draco noticed upon entering the stadium was Hermione Granger, seated with the Ravenclaws instead of the Gryffindors. Her bushy hair was instantly recognizable. She must be here to support the Weasel in his second match, he thought with a dismissive sneer.
A surge of jealousy, sharp and unexpected, pierced him. He hadn’t even noticed the bludger until it struck him.
It slammed into his head, sending him tumbling from his broomstick.
All air seemed to rush from Hermione’s lungs. She leaped to her feet, drawing her wand and whispering, “Arresto Momentum.”
She quickly concealed her wand and glanced down. Draco Malfoy lay on his back, a pool of blood blooming around his head.
Worse, neither Blaise Zabini nor Theodore Nott were present. They were both serving detention.
The rest of the Slytherin team cursed him for failing to locate the Snitch before his fall. The Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors openly mocked him.
Anger flared within Hermione. She barely registered Harry catching the Snitch or the cheers of the Gryffindors. She ran past the celebrating Gryffindors, her heart hammering in her chest. Reaching Draco, she knelt beside him, locking eyes with him. Her eyes stung, tears threatening to spill.
She untied her scarf and cupped his face in her hands. With the other, she carefully placed the scarf under his head, cushioning it gently.
Draco blinked, wondering if he was dreaming. No, this was real. Hermione Granger was kneeling before him, once again offering solace when no one else would.
His heart fluttered, his stomach flipping with each breath. He’d never seen anyone so beautiful. Draco had never seen anyone so beautiful in his entire life.
The moment her hands, small and warm, touched his face, he closed his eyes and breathed in her scent, opening them again. He wanted to memorize this moment, to hold it forever. He could lay here forever with her hands cradling his face.
Just him and just her.
She tied her scarf around his head, her gaze unwavering. She barely noticed the murmurs and stares, the fact that Hermione Granger was tending to Draco Malfoy in the middle of the field, for everyone to see.
She heard approaching footsteps and glanced up to see Theodore Nott running towards them.
“Oh my God, Draco!” he gasped.
“Geez, Granger, move it. You might want to go and look after your friends who are probably waiting for you,” he spat, still panting for breath. Hermione knew better than to provoke an already agitated Slytherin.
She nodded, and with one last look at Draco, she released his face.
As soon as she did, she felt a hollowness settle within her.
Unbeknownst to her, Draco Malfoy felt the same.