It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 43

"Might I suggest splitting up into groups and show each of our guests what they consider worth a visit.  Then we could all meet, right outside by the entrance doors at, say 10:00, to make our way to Hagrid's and then tour the grounds, the Quidditch Pitch and then return for lunch and our meeting this afternoon to finish our telling of the last year of the war."

Draco glanced at Emma and saw her dawning realization of what would follow that meeting . . . going 'home'.  Her eyes filled with tears and she hastily used her napkin to wipe them away, but the grief-stricken look in her eyes broke his heart.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered to her.  Emma nodded.

Standing, he took hold of her elbow to help her stand as he announced, "Emma has asked to see the Potions classroom and lab first, so we'll be heading in that direction."

Emma got up from the bench without a word and walked out of the Great Hall, hand in hand with Draco.  There was complete silence, even the young children sensed something was amiss.   Professor McGonagall looked to Harry, who held up a hand to stop her from saying anything.  As Draco and Emma disappeared around the corner,  everyone started talking at once.

"Harry, what is going on?"  Minerva asked.  "Have I missed something?"

"We all did, Minerva," replied Harry.  "It seemed that Draco and Emma have formed . . . a relationship.  I think she's just having trouble coming to terms with having to forget all of this . . . and him."

"Oh, dear,"  Minerva sat back down.  "That is unfortunate.   When did this all come about?"

"I know the answer to that question, Minerva," volunteered Tom.  "It seems when we went back in time, and they met that Christmas, Draco developed a crush on our Emma, which she realized at the time, but did nothing to encourage, I might add."

"Do you mean to tell me that Draco Malfoy has waited all this time, just to spend a few hours with her?"  Molly Weasley asked, having been told by Ginny about the earlier events of the morning.  "That doesn't make any sense . . . why would he do that?"

"Mrs. Weasley," Luna spoke up before Molly got up a full head of steam. "It's been half his life, waiting for her to return.  Emma obviously has feelings for Draco, so I think we should let them alone." 

"It's going to be hard on both of them, Draco especially.  He didn't invent the 'Time Turners' we used just to meet Emma, he did it to give your world a second chance . . . meeting Emma and falling in love with her, when we showed up at Grimmauld Place, was just an unexpected part of it," added Dan. 

"I think we should just go ahead as planned, then,"  Minerva directed.  "If we encounter Emma and Draco somewhere in the school, invite them to join your group, but if they'd rather not, then we'll all catch up with them at 10:00."

"Well, while all of you tour around, Molly and I are going with the grandkids to the Quidditch Pitch for a little broom flying practice, so they can impress our guests later this morning . . isn't that right, kids?"  Arthur turned to the children's end of the table, hands raised.

"Yeah, Grandpa!"  "We're ready right now!"  "I've got my broom!"  "Yeah, let's go!" "Me too, me too!"

Shouts and laughter replaced the somber attitude as all of the Weasley grandkids grabbed their 'junior' brooms and trooped out of the Great Hall with their Grandma and Grandpa.  Fleur, Bill, Angelina, Alicia and Teddy went along to help coach and supervise.

* * *

Draco and Emma had walked down the stairs to the dungeon level in silence, but as they reached the door of the Potions Classroom, he stopped and pulled her into his arms, where she sobbed for a few minutes.