A Winter's Kiss

by EgyptianAngel
 
 

Chapter 3
Tears of December
 

"Who gave these to you Draco?" she asked in a sweet, sympathetic tone.

"Promise you won't tell anyone." he demanded sternly.

"Draco, who gave these to you?" she asked again, her voice not daring to show the
emotion her eyes did.

"Lucius" he whispered, lowering his eyes.

"What kind of father would do that to his son?"

"One that doesn't care about his son, one that wishes me dead."

"Then he is no father at all Draco."

Awkward silence filled the chamber for a few moments.

"Tell me what these scars are from, what caused him to bestow so much cruelty upon
you, his own son."

"It is too long of a story to bother you with." he said, trying to dismiss the topic.

"No Draco, it is no bother. Come sit with me Draco, tell me."

Draco sat against the stone wall beside Hermione and sighed after pulling his robes back
on. She was incredibly stubborn, a reason why his anger so easily boiled against her. Yet
again, it was also something that pulled him to her, something about them that was alike.
They were both strong-headed. There was nothing that he could come up with to avoid
this subject, even prolong it. He sighed deeply, and gave in.

"It wasn't always that way. I wasn't always punished. My parent's loved me, I was their
pride. I was their joy. Their only child, their only son. It was like that until I was twelve or
so. My father was always talking about how proud I would make him someday. How
proud I would make him the day I joined the long line of powerful Malfoys. The day I
would become a death eater. I guess when I turned thirteen just being their son wasn't
enough. At first my father said I wouldn't have to become a death eater until seventh year,
enough time for me to build strength. Then it was fifth year, and soon after he decided it
would be fourth year. My mother prolonged it as far as she could. She's the only one that
truly loves me. She protects me as much as she can, but we both know that it won't work
forever. 'He's just a boy' she would say. Then he would say I was a boy that needed to
learn the ways, that I needed to serve the dark lord. It was when I told him that I did not
wish to be a death eater he had nothing but hatred for me. I was only thirteen when I told
him that, too young and too stupid to realize what the consequences would be. I'm still
not strong enough for the day when he will force me to give my allegiance." He looked to
Hermione, who's face was a lighter shade.

"W-w-why didn't you wanna become a Death Eater?" she asked, not sure about what to
make of all this just yet.

"Don't get cute Granger. You of all people should know the light in me, or at least the
light I hope for. I'm not a bad person, I just let people think I am. Do things to confirm
their suspicions. That way I won't get to close to anyone and no one will get into my
heart, and I won't get hurt."

Hermione nodded, her eyes telling him all she needed too. That she hadn't really meant
her question, and they both understood what Hermione really thought of Draco.

"Beginning the summer after third year the punishments started to come. Small things at
first. Five lashings for talking at the dinner table or not clearing my plate. Seven lashings
for not answering my father right away. Punishments I could tolerate. Then it worsened.
Fifteen lashings if anything was out of place in my appearance, or if I did anything to
arise suspicions of what was going on...and thirty, thirty lashing if I dare say something
to embarrass him in front of guests. It came to the point where it was thirty lashings for
saying anything at all. It's like that every summer, enduring hours or torture down in the
chambers. Lashings, cuts, burn, slashes. Even more lashings for your screams. Of
course, no one hears your cries of pain when you're worthless." At this he turned his
head, he couldn't let Hermione see him this way, this weak.

"Oh Draco" she said, turning his face to hers, "you are not worthless. What your father
does to you is wrong. Would I be here with you in this chamber if I thought you were
worthless? Would I be in here if I didn't think that you are the most amazing person in
this world, muggle and magical, to ever breathe? Would I love you if you were of evil
thought?"

Hermione threw her arms around Draco, and although he was shocked, he wrapped
his arms around her in return, never wanting to let go. He rested his head on her shoulder
and she could feel his body tremble in her arms as he sobbed. Almost an hour passed
before another word was spoken. Hermione lifted Draco's head from her shoulder
gently, looking at his pale, tear stained face.

"We could tell Dumbledore you know. We could even go above him if you want, to the
Ministry. I doubt this is something they would talk lightly. Especially when it involves..."

"This is far beyond the power of the Ministry Hermione. It's not my father I fear. The
pain that he inflicts upon me will be nothing compared to what Voldemort can, and will
do to me."

Warm tears began to run down Hermione's cheeks. Hours ago she had been carefree,
reading a book in Hogsmeade. That seemed like ages ago, and now if was as if she
carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"Do not cry Hermione, I hate to see it. I hate to know that I am the reason you cry. I
was weak to shed even a tear in your presence."

She wanted to tell him the he wasn't weak and to try and comfort him. She suddenly
felt a need to make things right for Draco. However, she couldn't find any strength to
do any of these things, making her feel helpless. He seemed to understand this, and
took her into his arms once again. He rested his head where he had before and the
material felt odd. He lifted his head to examine the material of her robe. There were
tear stains.

"I've ruined your robes."

"What?"

"Your robes, I've stained them with tears."

"Don’t worry about it, you haven't ruined them. They are only tears of December."

"I was raised not to ruin the possessions of others."

He grabbed his wand and performed an advanced cleaning charm that cleaned her robe.

"Show off" she said teasingly, smiling.

"This from Hermione Granger?! Teacher's pet and a bossy professional know-it-all?"

"Oh shut up!" she said, lightly smacking him across the shoulder.

"Oh ouch Granger, I'm aching in pain." he retorted coolly.

"You will be if you don’t shut your trap Malfoy. I hear ferret skin is itchy, but then again
you would know that, wouldn't you?"

Draco stood up, and Hermione could have sworn she saw a hint of pink in his cheeks.

"We should go" he said, extending an arm to her, which she took and arose, checking
her watch.

She glanced at the star on her watch.

"It's half past..." she starred at the stationary crescent moon in disbelief, "It's half past
three! We should both be in our dormitories by now! What if we're caught?! We could
both be expelled! I'm Head Girl for cripes sake! Can you imagine how fast that news
would spread? What people would assume...a Gryffindor and a Slytherin! Sworn
enemies for centuries...Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy no doubt! Great Wizards!
What people would think! A Gryffindor and a Slytherin..."

Draco shook his head and sighed. Hermione looked to him in confusion.

"I knew you couldn't do it Granger." he said coldly.

"Do what?" she asked, her confusion growing.

"I knew you couldn't get past our differences, I thought you were different, but you are
just the same. I gave you trust you weren't worthy of Granger."

"This coming from a Death eater?!" she said in brewing anger, not actually meaning it.
But it had been said. Death Eater.

Draco struck her forcefully, and she fell to the ground. She looked up at him, trembling.
He still had anger in his eyes.

"I should have known better than to trust you, I bet that this was all a set up to get
information out of me. Was that it Granger? Here doing business for Potty and Weasel
are you Granger?

Hermione's entire body trembled, even her lips. She made an effort to speak, but it was
a worthless attempt.

"Too afraid to answer me Granger?!" he asked in rage.

"No!" she tried to shout, be came out as a whisper.

"What’s that?" he said darkly, not knowing while his rage was against her.

"No! It was no trick Draco!" she said, pleading with him.

"Don't Lie to me Mudblood!" he said, striking her again. Not Hermione, not even a
harsh Granger. He was back to calling her Mudblood. He sneered at her and turned
on his heels.

"Don't Leave......"

Draco's step faltered, yet he continued to walk.

"Please. I love you! Please, you're all I have Draco....I love you.."

He turned around to look at her, anger still in his eyes. Yet that anger began to fade
as he looked at her, nothing more than an exhausted, frightened and brave young girl.
She had given him a chance in Hogsmeade. She had listened to his troubles. And this
is how he repaid her? By hurting her both physically and emotionally? He was in
deep regret about what he had done. He was such a fool.

He extended out his hand and touched her trembling shoulder. She flinched, as if she
thought he would strike her again.

"You're all I have too you know 'Mione." he said, forcing a weak smile.

She looked up and met with his eyes, and jumped into his arms. He held her tight,
and it was that night that he promised himself he would never let foolish pride get in
the way of their love. From this day on he would do anything to protect her, and to
keep their love strong. He felt her trembling body within his arms, so was overcome
with tears. He raised her head, and kissed her powerfully. And in this kiss they shared
their strength, their will to live. In this kiss was their desperation for each other. Their
hopes, their fears and worries and their troubles. But most of all, in this kiss, was their
deep, unbroken love.
 
 
 

Author's Note: Lol..yeah...I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, however odd it may have been.
Because that's what this may seem  like, an odd story. But really it's about the things we take for
granted. Our strength, our power, our will to live, the affect we have on other people. The ability to
make a difference, and the power to lead. It proves that within everyone lies at least an ounce of
light. It should inspire you, and teach you to never let go. Never give up. But after all, isn't it the one
we love the most, we hurt the most? Maybe some things aren't meant to be, but we still should make
the best of it, you never know what you may lose. Take nothing for granted, and live every day to
the fullest. Leave nothing left undone, for there may come a time when you won't be able to 'do it
tomorrow', for there will be no tomorrow for you. Find out what happens with our new couple in the
next chapter, "Starlight".  Remember, you never know when you will shed your tears of December.
 

Back to Chapter 2
Chapter 4