Giving Into Temptation

Chapter Eight: Moving Out

Draco was sitting up in bed when Hermione came back into the bedroom, and her stared at her with imploring gray eyes.

"You let him go."

"He was already gone."

"Is this really what you want? Us, I mean?"

"I wouldn't be here with you if it wasn't."

"A simple yes or no would do, Hemione."

"Yes, it is."

Draco nodded, slipping out of bed and going over to her. He ran his hands down her arms and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. It was still odd, Draco being so gentle toward her, but she would get used to it.

"I have to go home and... er... sort things out. I'll see you later?"

"Yes. I'll be here."

"Good."

He kissed the tip of her nose this time, before moving away from her in order to get dressed. She watched him until he slipped past her out of the bedroom, and with a small wave, he headed out the front door. She leaned against the doorframe, running a shaking hand through her hair. You're doing the right thing, Hermione. This is where your heart has led you. Stop worrying. You'll get accustomed to being with Draco instead of Ron. You'll no longer feel empty when you wake up. You have someone that understands you... someone that has been where you've been. You're meant to be with Draco. Fate decided that. She directed you to him. You can love him. It's not wrong. Yet she couldn't help thinking that if it wasn't wrong, then why did she have to keep convincing herself?

~ ~ ~

Draco arrived back at his mansion a short time later, and he was thankful not to see Pansy when he made his way to their bedroom. But his relief was short-lived, when she suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Draco, you're back." Her voice had a tone of false happiness, reminding him eerily of his mother.

"I've just come to get some things."

"Draco... you can't leave."

"You seemed pretty keen on that idea yesterday," He replied bitterly.

"I was upset. But I'm over it now."

Draco regarded his wife, with her overly bright eyes and frozen smile... Dear Merlin, she's placed a Self-Cheering Charm on herself. Draco realized he'd take the raging Pansy over this Stepford wife anyday.

"I can leave and I am leaving. I never wanted to marry you in the first place. I practically had to write my name on a contract in blood that I'd go through with it once we graduated from Hogwarts. But I can't lie anymore, Pansy. I can't pretend. I could place a charm on myself every day and it still wouldn't make me happy. Do you honestly want a husband that you know doesn't love you? You deserve love, Pansy. You deserve someone better than me. I know you didn't want this marriage either, but it was easier for you to disillusion yourself. Find someone else. Find Blaise again. Be loved. I am sorry I couldn't give that to you, I really am. Please understand, Pansy... Please..."

He stared into her eyes as a single tear trickled over her left cheek. The Self-Cheering Charm was wearing off, and emotion began to show in Pansy's eyes once more. There was anger... pain... but also...underneath all that... understanding. He'd gotten through to her, he realized with a sigh.

"They'll hate us," She said finally.

"We'd hate ourselves more if we tried to save something that wasn't worth saving."

She nodded, reaching up to wipe away her tears.

"Go. Be with Granger. But you're explaining this to your mother."

Draco smiled, and after a moment, she smiled back. He gave her a brief hug before he went about packing.

"Do you really think Blaise would take me still?"

Draco glanced at her as he snapped the locks on his suitcases.

"Pansy, he'd have waited for you forever."

She grinned and swept out of the room, to Floo to Blaise's, not doubt. It's over, he thought. I can finally live for myself. Hermione, my lovely little bookworm, I am yours now... and yours alone... With a genuine smile on his face, he Disapparated to Hermione's house and the new future that awaited him there.