Chapter Text
There were many ways to describe the relationship that blossomed between Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy in their eighth and last year in Hogwarts- or at least, that was how long the entirety of the school knew that they had something going on between them.
Unexpected. Controversial. Insane. Absurd. Mad .
Such words were the initial reactions, but when they do chance upon the couple with their own very eyes, whether they liked it or not, whether they acknowledged it or not, thought that they were…
Sweet. Cute. Happy. Affectionate. Undoubtedly In love .
The entirety of the school’s opinions of the two would often range from disbelief, to horrified or in-awe astonishment, to acceptance, and to helpless admittance of the two’s clear and obvious chemistry and romance. And so, the one word that they couldn’t ever describe the two was…
Subtle .
Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were anything BUT subtle.
They were stupidly affectionate and they weren't afraid to show it. In fact, they were always all over each other to the point that it didn't take long for the student body to get used to the two being in a clearly very loving relationship.
Such was especially true for their close friends, who had claimed to suffer the brunt of their sickeningly sweet displays of affection for one another. It was to the point that they couldn’t tell whether they were meant to see such displays or they were just frustratingly awful at hiding it. Their friends decided it was both.
In truth, compared to the student body of Hogwarts who had only witnessed the relationship in their eighth year, their friends had suffered far longer. Far too long to the point that they would tear their hair out if the two didn't end up together in the end after everything they had gone through for the couple. May that be listening to them deny their feelings, pine for each other from afar, hear tantrums fueled by jealousy or stopping any reckless, stupid and emotion-based impulses during their pre-public phase. Not to mention the lengths they had to go through to assist the two during their courting and secret relationship phase- which, they couldn't stress enough- was the most frustrating and difficult phase of it all, because, again, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were anything BUT subtle .
Of course, despite it all, other than the fact that they were their friends- the chemistry and love the two had for each other was undeniably beautiful, enchanting, and soul-stirring, and seeing such love take root, grow, and bloom was well worth it- a kind of love you couldn't help but wish to come true and last. It was the kind of love where you'd feel the heartbreak yourself if it was torn apart- something their friends had felt when they were amidst the precipice of war.
War .
Thank Merlin they held steadfast and strong enough through it. Thank Merlin that the love they had was strong enough to withstand it, together, in spite of it all.
Perhaps that was why they couldn't be subtle .
Perhaps that was why they couldn't ever be described as such.
Because they loved each other too much- so much that it overflowed- to be subtle .
But still .
That didn’t mean they had to take Public Display of Affection on a whole other level.