Better This Way

Decisions

Hermione began to run once she was outside of the Leaky Cauldron. She ran and ran until it hurt so bad she had to stop. She dropped onto the grass and began to cry. She let the tears flow in rivers down her dirt streaked cheeks.


How could she have let this happen? How could she have opened her heart to him again? She was sure it didn’t mean anything to him, so why had she let him do it? She took several deep breaths.


She hadn’t expected to see him there, and when she did see him there, it was like the whole world melted away, and he was the only person in the world. She couldn’t explain what made her want to kiss him so bad.


She couldn’t explain why she let him take her upstairs and make love to her. It had felt so right, and yet so incredibly wrong at the same time. Towards the end of it all, all she could see was the pain that he had caused her. She kept hearing him tell her over and over that it was a fling.


Viktor was good man, and he would never abandon her, of that she was sure. It was clear her parents liked him very much, and it was also clear that he adored her.


She still loved Severus, sure, but he had never loved her back, and he didn’t want to be with her. Her heart was still broken, and she had to protect the pieces. Yes, marrying Viktor would do just that.


She stood up and scourgified herself. She dried her eyes and placed a glamour on her face to hide the redness. It was time to move on for good this time. She couldn’t spend her life being miserable, and she wouldn’t any more.


She would tell Viktor as soon as possible that she would marry him. She knew her parents would be thrilled, and she knew that over time, she could learn to love Viktor as he loved her.


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Severus stared at the mahogany box for what seemed like hours. He thought quite seriously about burning it. After all, if Hermione wasn’t going to wear it, what was the point in keeping it? The fire crackled before him, but he just could not bring himself to throw her away like that. The contents of that box were all he had left of the love of his life.


He took another sip of brandy. Things were certainly going to be different from now on. He wasn’t going to let another witch near his heart. It just never seemed to work out for him. If he wanted sex, he could get a whore from Knockturn Alley.


Gods knew he had enough galleons for it. He wondered if his pay would be different now that Minerva was stepping in as Headmistress. He doubted it. Minerva wanted very much to keep things as they were.


He wondered who would be taking over her post. Probably some dunderhead like Sybill Trelawney, he thought, hitting the bottle of brandy again.


He held the box to his chest. He knew he should throw it away, but his legs seemed glued to the stone floor. I’d better order some more brandy from Rosmerta, he thought bitterly, or this will be one long holiday.


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Hermione turned the brass knob that adorned the front door of her parents’ home. She had finally gathered the strength and courage to come home. She took a deep breath as she entered the house.


Viktor was seated on the sofa and he stood immediately when she entered the room.


“Hermione! I vas beginning to vorry about you,” he said, hugging her tightly.


“I’m so sorry, Viktor. I shouldn’t have left that way,” Hermione said, allowing him to embrace her.


“I am just glad you are safe,” He replied.


“Viktor I have been thinking about your proposal, and…..I accept,” Hermione said.


She felt as if she were outside of her body when she said that. She felt as if she were watching herself say it rather than actually say it.


She heard an excited squeal as her mother came into the room smiling.


“Oh, Harold! Our baby’s getting married! I told you she would come around, Viktor! Oh, I’m just so excited for you!”


“Thanks, Mum,” Hermione said, allowing her mother to embrace her.


“Oh I think a spring wedding would be lovely!” Jane said excitedly.


“Actually mum, we’ll both be at the school in the spring. I was thinking perhaps we could have the wedding before the new year,” Hermione heard herself say. “I don’t want to wait until summer.”


Viktor’s eyes widened.


“That vould be vonderful, I think,” he said.


“Ohhhhh we have so much planning to do! Come along, let’s go to that robe shop and get your wedding dress right now!” Jane squealed.


“Most of the businesses are being run by house elves today, Mum. We can still go if you like, though,” Hermione said.


“Of course, Dear! We barely have a week to plan!”


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“How can Twinkle help the misses?” A house elf with large blue eyes said from behind the counter at Madam Malkin’s.


“We are here to look at wedding Robes,” Jane Granger .


“Of course! Twinkle knows what looks best,” the house elf squeaked. “Here is the mistress’ selection.”


She led them to a rack in the back of the store.


“Theses can all be charmed to fit just right,” Twinkle said sweetly.


A flash of silvery white velvet caught Hermione’s eye. She gently pulled the dress off the rack and her breath was taken away. It was a floor length gown with a slight train. The sleeves were long and came to a point on the wrist, and the bodice was embroidered with silver snowflakes, accented with a tiny emerald in the center of each. The dress was absolutely gorgeous, but Hermione could not explain why she made herself put it back on the rack. She turned to look at what Jane was holding.


It was a simple Ivory gown made of heavy satin. There were pearls on the bodice and it came with a matching cape in place of a veil. It was very elegant, but also very plain. Hermione felt that this was the dress she should wear to marry Viktor. The cape had a hood that was also accented with pearls as well.


“I’ll take that one,” Hermione said.


“What’s wrong with the one you had just now, Dear?” Jane asked her daughter, concern etched on her face.


“It was just too feminine,” Hermione lied.


As Twinkle wrapped up the ivory gown, Hermione knew exactly why she did not want the other gown. The other gown would have been perfect for marrying a certain black haired Slytherin in.

A/N: Thank everyone so much for the lovely reviews once again. This story is nearing its end, and I am so grateful for the support is has received. Please continue to read and review. I hope you all enjoy it! 5/2/07: My daughter has Roseola, so I won't be able to post today, and probably not for a few days. Thank you all for understanding.