"I can't stand seeing you with her. I can't stand it, Draco Malfoy, because you have no idea... No idea how much I wish it was me."
Draco had already opened his mouth to give her a piece of his mind upon hearing that... But the last five words that came out of her mouth have suddenly shifted their conversation in to trecherous waters. His mouth freezes in an 'O' shape and his silvery eyes widen. His expression would be utterly comical to Hermione Granger under any other circumstance. She stands before him, hazel eyes glistening with tears and wringing her hands nervously, waiting for him to say something. She can't look at him now. Not after saying that.
"You Gryffindors..." He croaks, suddenly finding his throat to be incredibly dry. He inwardly curses their dreadful impulsiveness. He has heard that she was a Ravenclaw hatstall, but despite her intelligence beckoning her to the house of the 'Claws her impulse and foolish bravery are definitely the qualities that landed her in Gryffindor. Unfortunately, despite himself, these are his favourite qualities in her. Something that he has always admired; but from a safer distance. He had never dreamt that she would - or could - feel this way about him. "Granger..." His voice is hoarse, "Hermione, you don't want this."
"Don't try to tell me how I feel!" She snaps, still staring at her feet.
"But... But let's say I did feel the same way..." Her eyes meet his at this, "I could never go against my family like that. I'm sorry, Hermione. But Astoria is a pureblood and you're... You're..."
"A mudblood," She spits venemously, causing him to jump in surprise.
"I'm not really prejudice. You know that-"
"Coward."
She storms away, after that, and Draco feels his heart become heavier and heavier with the feeling of hopelessness and guilt. The desire to chase after her and press his lips to hers is completely and utterly overwhelming, but the thought of what his father and fellow Death Eaters would say cause his legs to still. He stands there for twenty minutes before he finally leaves... Instead of heading towards the staircase that would lead him to Gryffindor tower, the Slytherin makes his way to his rightful common room.
Coward.
And he finally has to admit that she is right. He is a coward, and someday he will learn to truly regret it.
That day arrives a few years later; when he learns of her engagement to Ron Weasley.