EPISODE 7 : Worlds Away

A loss within the Potter family brings everyone together, even while others spread apart. Accusations of lies and betrayal form a rift between the newlyweds. Others, meanwhile, have their secrets finally revealed.

Chapter 33 : Mistakes

“You’re drunk.”

Draco paused at the top step and turned slowly to look towards the Duchess’s chambers. Hermione had never inhabited them when they were last in London, seeing as how he had been residing at Nottingham House and they had left after the wedding. He had imagined, time and again, just what she would do with that bedroom.

After all, they were to share his rooms. His rooms were darker in the morning, had the larger softer bed, and he had had no intention of allowing her to be far from him, ever. Her rooms, well, the Duchess’s rooms, had such a natural light to them, he had imagined her sitting on a chaise, reading, while he was on his knees devouring her…

Now, he wondered if he would ever see her within those rooms. Now, he wondered if she would ever again be in his bed.

“I am not,” he answered slowly, careful to hide any slur to his tone. He could understand why she would assume that he was drunk, given how he must smell like liquor, but—"I have sobered up before returning home.“

"Why?” she asked, forcing him to look at her once more.

He had not intended to do so. In fact, every step up the large staircase, he had reminded himself to simply turn right once he reached the landing and enter his own room. He hadn’t wanted to look her way and see her door shut. He had been trying to spare himself from his regret and his longing. He had been trying…

Well, it was futile now, and so, he allowed his gaze to pass over her.

He wished it had not.

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EPISODE 7 : Worlds Away

A loss within the Potter family brings everyone together, even while others spread apart. Accusations of lies and betrayal form a rift between the newlyweds. Others, meanwhile, have their secrets finally revealed.

Chapter 32 : Questions, No Answers

Draco was quiet as he watched Hermione sleep, despite the sunlight shining in through the carriage windows. They had been riding for hours, traveling through the night, and at some point in the early hours, she had finally fallen asleep.

Throughout the ride, he had wanted, on more than one occasion, to offer for her to sit beside him so that his shoulder could be her pillow, and he could keep her warm. Every time he thought to offer her that, his comfort and support, every time he thought to pull her close, to whisper her the truth…

After all, it had been a twelve-hour journey from Wiltshire to London, with them having to stop twice to change horses and to give the footmen a rest. This would have been the perfect opportunity. He even had all of the paperwork with him, including his correspondence, and even a few journals he had kept while in school… He could have shown her everything, and yet…

All throughout the night, with only the glow of the moon to light the carriage, Hermione had clutched the letter. She had stared at it, reread it over and over again. She had run her fingers through her hair to the point that it had doubled in size, had run her hands over her dress over and over again, had wrung her fingers together…

It wasn’t about him. This wasn’t about him. And, it wasn’t about their relationship either. Harry and Ginny were suffering a great loss, and her heart was breaking for them. She was falling apart, wanting nothing more than to be with them.

What she wanted and needed was to be by her brother’s side.

It didn’t matter that they were overdue for their talk. It didn’t matter that Draco was living in anguish. It didn’t matter that his wife hated him for things that were not even true. It wasn’t about him, and it wasn’t about his lies.

All that mattered was getting Hermione to London as fast as possible.

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EPISODE 7 : Worlds Away

A loss within the Potter family brings everyone together, even while others spread apart. Accusations of lies and betrayal form a rift between the newlyweds. Others, meanwhile, have their secrets finally revealed.

Chapter 31 : A Disaster

Hermione tried to relax as she sat upon one of the settees in the library. The space normally gave her such comfort, filled with knowledge and research and stories, but today, she was unable to relax. Partially, this was because she had not slept the night before and had been rather uncomfortable in the Duchess’s rooms, without her things, but also, because she was on her guard.

Normally, Draco would check on her throughout the day, and she would have, in the past, smiled and kissed him back. While she had been ill, he had still checked on her, but she had not forced herself to smile, blaming it on her exhaustion. Now, however…

Now, if she looked at him, she feared she would throw a shoe at him, or worse, a book.

She didn’t want to look at him. Didn’t want to talk to him. She didn’t want to be in the same room as him. In fact, if she looked at him for even more than a breath, she might punch him, which he rather well deserved.

The bastard… to do such a…

No. She would not think of it. She could not change it, nor could she change him. All she could do was bide her time until they returned to London, at which point in time, she would throw herself into her work and avoid him at all costs. He could take up residence somewhere else, and they could live apart while he enjoyed the bribery money, and in a few year’s time…

In a few year’s time, when he needed to set her aside, perhaps she would have enough friends, then, that she would be able to find companionship and someone to take her in. Perhaps, even, with the Prince’s help, she would be able to find sanctuary from her Uncle.

She just had to wait. Wait until she returned to London.

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