The Road

The Stars are Watching

Hermione got dressed early the next day and quickly descended the stairs the next morning in search of Draco, but was instead greeted by the lonely boy at the breakfast table.

"Where is he?" she asked a tired Harry, who was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Morning to you too, Mione," he sent back to her and she sighed.

"Morning, Harry," she said apologetically, but her tone quickly switched back to ask again, "Where is he?"

"He and Blaise went to the Wizengamot early this morning to contest for his inheritance," Harry informed, "They've managed to build a pretty credible case for it all."

"I-I need...." she started, but really she didn't know what she needed. Her eyes darted to the coffee pot. Coffee. She needed coffee first.

"What is it, Mione?" He said to her as she somewhat frantically poured the drink into the mug. "Are you feeling alright?"

"No, Harry, I'm not. I...he is just..." she couldn't articulate it, but settled on, "He's driving me insane, you know. First he arrives here, and stays under the same roof as me knowing I won't speak to him. And then sits here for breakfast with you, knowing I will come down but still won't speak to him. And then he arrives at my store, and tries to get me to remember our past like I don't think about it and him every bloody day and night. And then he gets me this beautiful gift and I-"

"Mione," Harry came to her side, "Breathe."

She breathed in deeply, and out slowly, while staring into her coffee mug, as if it had all the answers.

"Why won't you just speak to him then?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Because I don't know what to say anymore," she confessed, "Because I have all these questions, but I can't bring myself to ask any of them because it won't change the fact that he left me. Here. After it took so long to....to get back here."

"I know," Harry let her fall into his arms in a warm embrace, "I know, Mione. I'm sorry."

He held her as she cried softly into his chest. It wasn't long before she mumbled quietly, "What was so important that he had to do that required leaving so abruptly?"

Harry tensed around her and Hermione pulled away slowly. His eyes avoided hers, and his mouth was pulled into a thin line. She narrowed her eyes and questioned, "What do you know?"

"Mione, I-"

"He told you, didn't he?" She pushed him away. "You knew. How long have you known?!"

"Just a few days ago, I swear!" He defended.

"Why did he go to you and not me?!"

"Because you wouldn't speak to him, Hermione!" Harry yelled lastingly. An air of silence hung heavy in the room.

Hermione huffed a breath as she calmed down and finally asked, "Where was he that whole time?"

"I'm sorry, Mione," Harry said sadly, "He has to tell you that himself." Hermione stepped back at this. And Harry sighed before continuing,

"And you have to let him."

_______

Draco took Blaise's offered hand and shook it firmly in thanks. Blaise's aid with getting his full inheritance back was more than he could ever ask for, and he was to make sure he'd be more than compensated for it. However the moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the Wizengamot doors from the far end of the hall. The pair turned their heads and Draco's eyes widened at the very irate Hermione Granger marching towards them.