hisdarkmark | Thirty-Ninth Hex

[As usual, Draco has once again gone and made himself scarce from a majority of the village as he works out more of his inner dilemmas. First and foremost, there's Hermione. She's most definitely, definitely not the same Hermione and it's freaking him out.

Secondly, he's officially given up on searching for Caroline Forbes. After running into other vampires...it's safe to say the blonde will never show up again.

And thirdly...? Even with his power, even with his abilities to turn into a coyote or produce patronuses or blow things up, he's finding it isn't enough to make him happy.

Recently he's returned from a mission, but he couldn't help but constantly think about the last experiment. He'd been convinced he was someone else, and he had absolutely no memories of who he really was...and it was nice. He was able to function like a normal human being again. Normally, he would make an elaborate announcement about his return, but this time...well, he's already pieced together what's happened in the village, and he's not sorry he's missed the tornado. No, instead he's entirely focused on what he's determined to find out. When he opens his journal, he's only got one sentence he'd like to share.]

What do you reckon it takes to bargain with our captors to permanently erase memories? Just curious.

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Haven't you had some good ones? I'm sure you've made friends here and -

You seem...different. [And not in a bad way.]

[Of course he's made friends. He actually has a lot of friends, now that he thinks about it. But this is more interesting than that so he bypasses the entire first subject.]

Different. [Go on, elaborate. You know you want to.]

Easier to talk to... [Less abrasive and abusive.] You don't seem as judgmental as you once were.

No, I'm still pretty judgmental. [A smirk. But no, definitely not as much as he was. Or, at least, he's quieter about it.] A lot can change in three years.

You wouldn't be you if you weren't. [Said a little huffily.] I don't doubt that. I'd say the change has been good for you.

Which is partially why I'd hate for you to forget something essential to that change.

Good, bad, I'm still deciding that. Part of it might have been good, but the rest has been rather useless.

...Hermione, if you knew half of the things I've lived through here, you'd understand why I need to get rid of them, essential or not.

Edited 2012-10-22 10:04 (UTC)

[Hearing her first name causes her to pause.]

Talking about it can help. I wouldn't mind listening.

You might not mind listening, but I'm not exactly one to share.

[A beat.]

I have stories about aliens, dead kids, vampires, war, destruction, death, you and Potter. It's a start, anyway.

I was privy to some of it before. [Far more than she initially realized.] Most of those you could have - and probably did - encounter in our world.

Oh of course you were. You were a rather large part of my life. [And it's said so casually, almost too casually, just like someone trying not to make a big deal out of something that's actually quite painful.]

Not in the way I have here. Trust me on that.

[She does her best to keep her composure, but hearing that causes her heart to skip a beat. How much had changed between them? Had Luceti, somehow, been able to repair years of hateful words and actions?]

And then I went home and now I don't remember. [Even Gryffindors need extra courage to ask the next question...] I know it's probably conceited of me to ask this, but...

Is what we had - what we were to one another - the part you want to forget?

[Luceti had, for the most part, undone everything from the past seven years and shoved it all back together in some mashup of good friendship. For a while, Hermione was one of his best friends, which was weird in and of itself. Hell, for a while he had thought he might have been able to date her, but...well. Another story for another time. He doesn't say anything quite yet, allowing her to wait for the answer.]

It's incredibly conceited. [If Draco knew what Jeopardy was, he might be humming the theme song now. As it is...even if she doesn't remember, he just doesn't feel right lying to her.]

...but it's one of the things, yes.

Edited 2012-10-22 10:27 (UTC)

[Pressing her lips together in a tight line, Hermione manages to hold her tongue until he finishes. Something about her expression softens, though she also looks...tired - almost as if the fight has been driven out of her.]

Draco... [It feels odd to say his name, but she brushes it off and continues...] If we were friendly before, we could probably be that way again.

And I can tell you, if we were - are - friends, I would be against you putting yourself in danger. I would much rather you find someone you trust to confide in and -

Well, I might be able to make some Dreamless Sleep if that helps matters at all.

[It even sounds weird coming from her and knowing she doesn't quite understand why they were friends. Still.]

These aren't the things that sleep will help. It's being awake that's the problem.

Then that leaves confiding in someone. [If there was such a thing as currency, a therapist could probably make a killing in Luceti.] There's no reason you should have to shoulder your burdens alone.

You'd be surprised. I can find plenty of reasons that I have to do just that. Everyone I've ever confided in has usually left anyway, save for one or two people.

Thirty-Ninth Hex - [Written]

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