Paper Moon

by Black-Diamonds and Beck
 
 

Chapter 21
H's House -> Soho
 

The day passed by rather quickly. Too anxious to sleep, yet too tired to do much, Hermione
and Draco passed the time by Hermione explaining some things about the Muggle world to a
befuddled Draco. At around eight in the evening, Hermione went to the fridge and pulled out
two silver trays. She placed them on the kitchen counter and got some forks from the drawer,
not noticing Draco's confusion.

"What is this?" Draco poked the TV dinner in front of him with his wand.

Hermione laughed.

"It's a TV dinner. I need to nuke it in the microwave."

"What's a-" He was cut off by Hermione pointing at the microwave next to the kitchen sink.
As Draco poked and prodded it, Hermione went to her bedroom, which she had tried to avoid
during the day. Everything in the room brought back memories of her life before Hogwarts. A
glance at a picture on her bedside stand brought misty tears to her eyes. A five year- old version
of her, one hand each held on to my her parents. A time when nothing couldn't be solved by a
hug and a bandaid. A time when there were no big ugly evil people wanting nothing more than
to see her dead. There were soft footsteps from the door.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Draco came over and wrapped his arms around her.

"We can't stay here Draco. They'll find us. We have to go somwhere else."

"What, like a cheap motel or something?" He grinned at her. "I'm not completely daft when it
comes to the muggle world you know."

"Draco, I'm serious. Maybe we do need to a motel in the middle of anywhere. At least we'd be
harder to find there."

Draco's eyes took on a tender look of love and concern. His fingers gently held Hermione's
chin and tilted her face towards him.

"I have never, ever, felt loved...not truely." He hugged her fiercely. "Not until I met you. And
nothing will ever come between us. I won't let anyone ever take you from me."

Hermione realised that right then and there, in Draco's arms, she felt safe. She had half a mind
to say "bugger it!" to everything, settle where they were, and stay forever with Draco, wrapped
in the perfect moment of happiness. But the ugly truth of reality came back, and she pulled
reluctantly away from him with a sigh.

*

They arrived in Soho district around eleven. They'd shrunken their brooms to fit in their bags
and enchanted their trunks to look like normal luggage. Their wands, however, were tucked
away safely in their pockets.

The man at the counter of the motel grinned nastily at them

"A young couple...newly weds eh?"

Hermione looked horrified, and let out a small sound of protest. Draco smirked and whispered
into her ear.

"Come on Mione, I can't be that bad can I?"

Hermione blushed furiously and swatted Draco. She all but ripped the keys out of the man's
hand.

*

After walking up what seemed like hundred of narrow stairs, they finally reached room 47.

"Finally!" breathed Draco in relief. "I've never climbed so many stairs in my life!"

Hermione laughed.

"There's more in Hogwarts!"

"I know," he sighed, "It's just that I'm so tired."

"Right, same here." She replied as she unlocked the door. They walked in to a three room
apartment. The living area and the kitchen were connected, and there was also a bedroom
and a small bathroom

"That's it!" Draco said loudly suddenly. "I'm going to bed!" The threw his luggage across the
room and slumped down on the couch. Within minutes, he had fallen into a deep sleep. Well,
he has the right to, Hermione thought, placing her bag next to Draco's. She wanted nothing
more than to curl up in a soft warm bed. After watching Draco for a few minutes, she left his
still form and went into the bedroom, where she collapsed in bed, utterly exhausted.

*

About 5'am, Draco woke up, yawning and rubbing his eyes. Stretching his arms, he went into
the kitchen to get a glass of water. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, he heard a soft
rustling of sheets from the bedroom. Draco stepped into the room and found Hermione tossing
and turning fitfully in her sleep, the sheets around tangled and twisted. After placing the covers
back on her, Draco sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He lovingly brushed a strand
of hair off her face, and kissed her cheek softly. Leaning against the bed's headboard, he
closed his eyes. He had intended on merely resting his eyes, but seconds later, he fell asleep.
 
 
 

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Chapter 22