His Saving Grace

WARNING!! OOC, AU/AR……no canons for me, they hurt my head.





PROLOGUE



It was a cool night early in June that found Draco Malfoy wandering along the edge of the black lake in search of a quiet place to think. The castle was filled with celebrating students for this would be he and the other seventh years last night at Hogwarts, tomorrow was commencement.


Draco didn’t much feel like celebrating; in fact he didn’t feel much like doing anything at all. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts and try to find a way out of the melancholia that had slowly grown worse since the end of the war.

He pushed through the low hanging branches of the willows and into the soft, shady nook that offered him the privacy and peace he sought. He stood on the water’s edge and stared out at the still surface of the lake. The sun had set hours ago, and the light of a three quarter moon reflected off of the mirrored surface.

“What are you doing out here, Malfoy?” He turned abruptly, startled by the soft, raspy voice from behind him. She was sitting on the grass, her back resting against the trunk of the tree. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and he could see the tears staining her cheeks.


“I come here a lot, why are you here, Granger?” He asked, sitting down beside her. “Why are you crying?”

“You could care less about what has me crying.” She said, swiping at the tears rolling down her cheeks with frustration.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know.” He said softly, returning his gaze to the still waters, a dejected expression on his face. Hermione had noticed that over the months since the war Draco had withdrawn almost completely into himself, refusing to socialize or participate other than to do what he had to in order to finish his schooling. She felt guilty for rejecting the olive branch he extended.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be so rude. I think I’m just sad that school is over. I have no idea what my life holds for me outside these walls. I feel a bit lost.” She said, sniffing a little.

Draco reached into his pocket and handed her a neatly folded handkerchief with a silver M embroidered in one corner. She gave him a teary smile and wiped her eyes, then blew her nose as delicately as she could.

“You aren’t the only one, Granger.” He said, his silvery blue eyes looked so haunted that she wanted to cry more.


“What will you do after tomorrow, Malfoy?” She asked, slipping the soiled handkerchief into her skirt pocket. Draco loosened his tie and unfastened the button on his shirt collar.

“My family is leaving England for a while, my parents haven’t said where exactly it is we are going, only that we need to get away, get some perspective. They are very worried about me.” He said softly, his sadness increased with thoughts of how his melancholy state affected his parents.

“Are you alright?” She asked. Draco sighed, his shoulders slumped as though falling beneath a massive weight and he closed his eyes.

“I don’t know.” He said, amazed that he wanted to talk to her, wanted to tell her how confused and frightening it was not to care if he saw another day. “I have no idea why I feel so….dead…and I don’t know how to make it stop.”

Hermione was stunned as she sat there beside him. She didn’t know what to think about this soft, vulnerable Draco Malfoy. She probably would have thought it were a trick had his eyes not revealed his sorrow so blatantly. She tentatively laid her hand on his shoulder.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of…this last year has been so traumatic for everyone. We have all had our own demons to deal with.” She said, squeezing gently.


“It’s just that…for so long, I thought I knew who I was. Then suddenly things started to change and I realized that I was who they told me I was. I had no real sense of my true self.” He shook his head slowly. “I still don’t know who I am.”


“I’m not sure that it is something you figure out early on in life, I think perhaps it is a knowledge that comes later when you have been shaped and molded by your life experience. I wouldn’t fret too much over not knowing who you are, Malfoy. You have a long life ahead of you to discover yourself.” Hermione said smiling.


“You aren’t so bad, Granger. I never thought I would open up to you of all people.” He said, forcing a small smile. “Would you even consider accepting an apology from me, for everything?”


“Thank you, that means a lot.” She said, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.


“Well don’t start crying again, I don’t have another handkerchief.” He said, frowning. Without a thought as to what he was doing, he reached out and wiped the drops from her cheeks. “You know, you aren’t very pretty when you cry.”

Hermione laughed, despite her tears and sniffed softly. She took a deep breath and shook her head at Draco.

“You never thought I was very pretty anyhow, Malfoy, why would that be any different now.” She asked, still chuckling softly, not offended by his comment in the slightest.

“I never thought you weren’t pretty.” He said, shrugging his shoulders and looking a little sheepish. “I just couldn’t admit to it.”


“Stop…I can only handle kindness from you in small doses….let me accustom myself to it before you pour it on too heavy.” She said, smiling brightly.


“It’s getting late; I should probably walk you back to the castle.” He said, glancing over his shoulder towards Hogwarts. “Thank you, for listening and not judging.”

Hermione did something she never thought she would ever do in her life; she put her arms around Draco’s shoulders and hugged him. He was stiff at first, and then slowly he relaxed, sinking into the warmth of another’s touch. He put his arms around her waist and buried his face in her shoulder as he accepted the comfort she offered so unselfishly, despite the fact that he did not deserve it.


She was amazed to feel his body relax into her embrace. Her eyes widened and she held him just a little tighter, sensing that he needed the comfort of someone else’s touch. She held him until he began to pull away, his cheek sliding alongside hers as he withdrew. He paused for a moment, looking into her eyes. He could see sympathy, confusion and something else he couldn’t quite place.

“Malfoy?” She frowns slightly as her breath catches.


“Draco…call me Draco, please?” His hands come from around her waist to cup the sides of her face.


“Draco, what are we doing?” She whimpered, their lips nearly touching, their breaths mingling.


“I don’t know, but it feels right.” He said before he captured her lips with his. The kiss was slow and tentative, neither one sure just how they reached that point but neither willing to release the other. Slowly, he lowered her onto the grass kissing her softly all the while as he settled over her. “Stay with me.” He whispered. “Just for tonight.”

There on the banks of the black lake hidden beneath the drooping foliage of a willow, enemies became lovers and lives were changed forever.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

It has been a while since I was inspired to write a DM/HG.....this sweet, romantic tale found its way to me and I am happy to share it with you all.

Thanks to Sygnus who sits with me late into the night while I bounce plot off of her. She is dear friend who is there for me without fail regardless of what I need. I love you.....


LadyVoldemort87....here you are, luv....you have been waiting patiently, sort of LOL