Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything that is affiliated with it.

A/N: Well after I wrote "The Invitation" a couple of my review asked me to write more, so I decided to write a prequel to it showing how Draco learned that Hermione was engaged. I hope everyone likes it as much as they liked the "The Invitation."

The Ring

She was avoiding him, that much Draco knew. He would see her on the street and she would turn and back the way she came. He had sent countless numbers of owls to her, yet they all went unanswered.

Even her friends seemed to be avoiding him. Ginny would give him a weak smile whenever she saw him, but she always made some excuse to scurry of before he could question her. Ron ignored him as usual, but it was Potter that bugged him the most. He was so damn chirpy these days. Walking around, smiling like crazy unnerved Draco to no end. Especially since he knew that Potter had something to do with this. He didn't know how or why, but he knew. Hermione had avoided him long enough and it was about time he found out why.

As he walked into her office at the ministry, her head shot up then went back down when she realized who it was. She was nervous, he could tell. Her hands were shaking slightly and it was then when he went to put his hand over hers, in a comforting gesture, that he noticed the ring on her finger. Drawing back, Draco suddenly knew why she had been avoiding him these last few weeks.

"You're engaged?" He asked, trying to keep the shock and hurt out of his voice.

She nodded her head yes, unable to look at him.

"Is it Potter?" He questioned her and was once again answered by a nod of her head.

"Do you love him?" Draco asked in a voice barely above a whisper. He waited for a response, but none came.

"Look at me, Hermione!" He demanded, and she slowly pulled her head up so that their eyes met. "Do you love him?"

"Yes" She whispered.

Nodding, Draco turned around and left the room. There was nothing that he could do. She didn't belong to him. She wasn't his girl and now she never would be.

A/N: Well that's it. I hope you liked it. Please leave a review and let me know what you thought. I'm thinking of writing one more oneshot titled "The Wedding" to go with this, but I'm not sure yet. Please review.

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