The Reason

The Reason

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you

In a dark drafty room located deep underground in the dungeon of Hogwarts, a young man was pacing the length of his room. As he contemplated the course of action he was about to complete on this very day, he struggled to decide if he is ready to take this step. He looked back on his first six and a half years of school. He was so different then, a polar opposite of himself now. He was a naive easily manipulated eleven year old boy, brought up to believe that he was superior because of his lineage. Born to a long line of pureblood ancestors, he was pampered and spoiled, educated to believe that he could get whatever he wanted from the power he had because of who he was. He was also taught that those that were below him, those with 'dirty' blood, were worthless insolent creatures that did not deserve to live. They were filthy and vile, and were the cause to all that was wrong with civilization. Without them the world would be a much better place. He came to believe all this indisputably. It was his philosophy of life and anything that contradicted it was blasphemy. And he lived out this philosophy religiously. Starting trouble with those he felt were unworthy and putting them down on the way. He reveled in seeing those despicable rodents suffer in any way possible.

And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

Heading passed the Great Hall towards his destination; he saw that there were already many people that had arrived early to witness this day's exciting event. He scanned the crowd briefly out of curiosity and his eyes immediately came to rest on one figure. Standing towards the front of the hall was a tall lean man with his back towards the door. He was wearing a magnificent long black robe, his silver blonde hair tied in a matching silk black ribbon, and his head was slightly bent as he whispered quietly to two other men standing by him. The younger man watched the group inconspicuously for a few minutes until one of the men pointed to something across the hall. The trio turned towards where the man was pointing and looks of hate and revulsion could be seen on their faces. The young man moved closer to the door to see what had caused these men to be so disgusted. He peered into the room and looked towards the direction they were facing, and knew instantly what had caused such an unpleasant reaction from them.

There standing to the side of the hall was another group of people, much larger than the small cluster of men watching them. There wasn't anything visibly sordid about them at first glance, but he knew why the men reacted the way they did. The group consisted of about eight people, most of which with flaming red hair. With smiles on there faces, they talked animatedly with one another, laughing boisterously and gesturing with their hands. Yet the young man knew that despite the fact that these people were being loud and obnoxious, or had ridiculously red hair, they were not the motive that caused the three men to glare venomously at the group. No, that basis was obvious to him; it was the two other people with them, the brunette couple, standing close to each other and looking somewhat out of place.

He shook his head slightly stepping away from the door, determined more then ever to carry out his plan. He stormed up the staircase, taking the steps two at a time, on route to the one place he knew she would be.

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears

He threw open the doors to the quiet library, walking briskly passed the many bookcases towards the back of the room. He knew no one else would be in here, they were either saying their goodbyes in their common room or downstairs in the Great Hall welcoming the visitors. Well, everyone except her. He knew she would be here. Being who she was, she practically lived in here for seven years. He made his way to the back of the room towards her favorite table in the far corner, the one next to the window that overlooked the lake. He stopped walking when he caught sight of her. She was sitting at the table with her head in a gigantic book, while dozens of others lay haphazardly around her. Hearing his footsteps from before, she looked up at him, a small smile gracing her face when she saw who it was.

"Bloody hell Granger, I guess you weren't lying when you said you take your studying seriously," he said teasingly, his infamous smirk adorning his face as he went to sit in the chair across from her. "We have what, like two hours until we're out of this wretched place forever and you're still in here studying?" He shook his head, "What are you reading anyway?"

She rolled her eyes, sighing exaggeratedly, as she shut the book she was reading. "If you really must know Malfoy," she replied while gathering the other books on the table, "I was just checking if I answered number 14b on the Potions NEWTS correctly."

"NEWTS? That was over a week ago! How can you even remember what the question to number 14b was?" He exclaimed, dumbfounded. "Besides, with the O we got on our project, you can afford to get one measly question wrong," he pointed out.

"I know that, you git," she replied indifferently, "I just wanted to make sure I got it right." She had finished stacking her books together and looked back at him from across the table. "So, was there something you wanted, or were you just in here to get in some last minute studying also?" He looked away from her, suddenly feeling somewhat hesitant about what he was about to profess.

He stayed quiet for several minutes, still deciding on what he should do. 'Should I go through with this? What if something bad happens? Maybe I should just keep quiet about it and just let things work themselves out. Wait, what am I thinking? If things work themselves out, everything might end up in tragedy.' He was so consumed in his own thoughts that he didn't realize she had moved to the chair next to him until he felt her lightly place her hand on his shoulder. He looked up startled to see she was there.

"What's wrong Draco? Is everything okay," she asked softly. He stared into her toffee colored eyes, seeing nothing but warmth and concern. He knew he can trust her. He knew she would help him through this. But where should he begin?

He sighed and said quietly, "Um, I just saw your parents. They're in the Great Hall with the Weasleys." His gaze wandered to the table as she cocked her head slightly and looked at him confused.

"Well of course," she started slowly, unsure of what he was trying to say. "Professor Dumbledore placed a charm on them and the other muggle parents so they could see the castle. But I don't see why that would cause you to be upset or..."

"My father is there as well," he interrupted. After a tiny 'oh' came forth from her lips, he continued. "I... I've decided something," he paused, his eyes catching hers once again, "and I need your help." She nodded her head encouraging him to continue. "I'm going to talk to Dumbledore," he said determinedly.

"Oh Draco that's wonderful!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him in a friendly embrace. He hugged her back, feeling relieved for finally confessing what he wanted to do. However, doubts still lingered in his mind questioning him on whether he could actually get through this. After a while she pulled back and looked at his face, uncertainty showing in his eyes. She took his hand and held it tenderly. "Draco, I know this is going to be hard, but you can do this. I know you can. You're a strong wizard, on the inside and out. Everything is going to be alright, I promise. Do you know how many people you can help save?"

"I know Granger," he said, "I just wish I could save my father too." He looked away again, not wanting her to see the hurt in his eyes.

"Oh Draco," she said, pulling him into another hug. "It's okay," she whispered into his ear, "there still might be hope." They stayed that way for a few minutes, content in each other's arms. Neither said a word as they were distracted by their own thoughts. Finally Draco broke the silence.

"I'm sorry," he replied quietly, not wanting to fully disturb the peaceful calm that surrounded them.

"For what," she asked, pulling away a bit to look at him.

"For everything I did to you, to everyone. For what I used to say and how I acted. I was wrong," he said firmly, "and I'm sorry."

"I know," she replied, a beautiful smile on her face. She pulled out of the embrace fully and took his hand once more, "Come on, let's go find Dumbledore."

That's why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

They stepped out of the Headmaster's office with a half hour left until graduation. Walking down the spiral staircase in a comfortable silence, both teens allowed their minds to wander. Draco stopped abruptly right outside the stone gargoyle. He turned to his side and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder to stop her from walking as well. She looked up at him curiously, wondering way he had stopped so suddenly.

Draco looked into Hermione's toffee colored eyes seriously, "I just want to say thank you," he said as he tentatively took a few steps closer to her, the distance between them becoming a few mere inches apart.

"Do you?" she asked breathlessly. His closeness was sending a sort of warmth throughout her entire body as she unconsciously leaned in towards him.

He smiled at her slight movement and shook his head, his hand rising from his side to tenderly cup her face. Hermione gave a small sigh as he began to gently stroke her cheek with his thumb, causing his smile to widen. He tilted his face closer to hers, their lips barely an inch apart.

"What for?" she whispered with bated breath, her hand now on his as he continued to caress her face.

However, before he could force himself to respond, Draco closed the gap between them, their lips meeting in a soft yet passionate kiss. Hermione responded by moving her arms around his neck to bring him closer. He smirked to himself as she kissed him back. He rested his other hand on her waist as many emotions ran through him. He felt contentment, gratitude, anxiousness, pleasure, and something else he couldn't quite place. After a minute or so, Draco reluctantly pulled out of the kiss to catch his breath. He looked at her flushed yet glowing face and smiled yet again.

"For helping me realize the truth," he explained.