Hermione stared at the face of the boy she'd been dating for years. She felt like she didn't know him anymore. How could he have changed so much without her noticing it?
"Draco, why?" Her boyfriend looked away. He couldn't face her eyes. He knew she was disappointed. He hated disappointing her.
"Because of my father. You know what he's like. I told you years ago. After failing at the Department of Mysteries, the responsibility was passed to me."
"Do you really have to do this? Can't there be another way?" She grabbed his hands.
"You know there isn't. He already knows what I'm going to do. How does that old fool know everything that happens in this school?" Hermione smiled a bit.
"Because it's his job to know. Can't you stall?"
"I've stalled as long as is safe. If I wait too much longer, I'll be killed." Hermione hugged him, silent tears streaming down her face. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
In first year, Draco knew she was different. Around Christmas, he finally asked her out. They both already knew how dangerous it would be, even at their young age. So they hid it. Did you ever wonder why Hermione knew how to make the polyjuice potion in only her second year? Well, she learned her first year, so the two of them could be together.
All through the years, they hid their relationship. It flourished in secret. They had arguments where no one could hear. Whenever their fights in public were at their worst, they were really having an argument in their relationship too. Second year – Draco calling her a mudblood; third year – Hermione slapping him; fourth year – Hermione going to the ball with Victor Krum; and fifth year – Draco getting the bat-bogey hex courtesy of Ginny.
The actual arguments were these: second year – Hermione telling her parents she was seeing someone at school (they had agreed to keep it a secret); third year – Draco getting Hagrid in trouble; fourth year – Draco implying that no one would want to go with her to the ball; and fifth year – Draco keeping Umbridge's plans from her. This year, they had no major arguments... yet.
"Draco, I don't want any of this to happen. What if we both just leave?"
"We can't. You know that. They can trace me. I don't want you to be in any more danger than you already are." He hugged her fiercely. She pulled him tighter in worry.
"How did it come to this?"
"I don't know. But it's too late now. There's no way out." She cried harder.
"Draco..." He loosened his grip and used a hand to tilt her face towards his. He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb before softly kissing her. It was short and sweet, and Hermione didn't want it to end. But it did end, all too soon. She whimpered low in her throat, knowing that it all soon would end. Silent tears streamed down her face, and she hugged him fiercely, knowing that as soon as she did, he would be lost forever. He hugged her tightly back, tears sliding down his own cheeks. She felt him pulling away, and tightened her grip. He gently loosened it and stepped back. She looked into his face and knew he had no choice. Her tears fell faster.
He cradled her chin and kissed her again, for what they both knew was the last time. They finally separated and looked into the other's eyes. Eventually, Hermione couldn't take it anymore, and turned, running down the hall and away from him forever. He watched her go until she was out of sight before wiping his face clean and walking into the room of requirement, ready to perform what would be the biggest mistake of his life. And he knew it.