For Love

~Draco~

I guess you could say it was cold outside, though none of the inhabitants of the mystic castle felt the chill. Fires and torches burnt across the castle and windows shut out the forming blizzard. Those who had someone to hold, were snuggled in every corner of every room; finding privacy wherever they could. One lone pair of shoes traipsed the halls, looking for something to pass the aching time until the student body swarmed for the dinner tables. These two feet were ensconced in scuffed, leather shoes. Those shoed-feet attached to two legs, and a body, some arms, and a head – topped off with a striking head of platinum blond hair.

Draco had found himself suddenly and completely alone when Pansy Parkinson decided that his 'affections' were not worth the torturous hours spent with little returned attention. Draco never cared for her, a tid-bit of information he often disclosed – straight to her face. Though he never thought she would do anything about it; which is why he was so shocked when she left. He wasn't sad, so-to-speak, but he did feel a little empty – lonely. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a horrible strangled sob. Peering around the corner, Draco saw Hermione sitting there with her head in her hands, shoulders shaking. You should say something! He thought to himself, and then quickly whispered 'No!' under his breath. Hermione looked up, her eyes darting around the small corridor, making sure she was still alone.

Draco, back pressed against the wall, listened for her movement and let out a soft sigh when a few minutes passed and her soft sobs sounded once more. She hadn't found him.

~Hermione~

She felt stupid, sitting there like a five year old, crying over a crush who couldn't possibly know what she felt. But every time she saw them together, her heart drifts from pure jealous rage to soul destroying heart-break. Get over him, Hermione. He has obviously moved on! She chastised. But the fact that it was Lavender. Lavender, the girl who played with make-up in their dorm, the girl Hermione has watched torment boys and play with their hearts since they were eleven, it was Lavender who used to tell Hermione that she would be alone forever – Now I guess we see who's right. Hermione wrapped her arms around her legs, feeling as though she might fall apart on the floor of the empty corridor. She heard a small noise and turned to look. After not seeing anything, and convincing herself that she was hearing things, Hermione felt the sobs start again.

"What are these crocodile tears about?" A snide voice echoed from the shadows. Hermione jumped to her feet, her heart bouncing into her throat in shock. She was temporarily speechless as he stared at her. His pale blue eyes not leaving her plain brown ones as they stood, only a few feet from each other. Finally her voice returned and a scowl graced her features.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione barked as she wipes away the remnants of tears from her flushed cheeks. His disgusted expression leaved his face for just a moment, and one of hurt and sympathy replaced it… but as I said, just one moment.
"I heard some horrible noises, sounded like a cat being flushed down the loo," his confidence seemed to return, and he placed a hand on his hip, "so I thought I'd check it out." Hermione eyed him, trying to see through to the real reason he had come. Her eyes were narrowed as she sat down on one of the steps leading out of the small hallway. With careful movements and a watchful eye, Hermione indicated for Draco to join her on the step.

Draco sat, looking at the wall opposite them. Hermione felt strange – somehow she was sitting next to Draco and she did not want to strangle him. She decided that, to get rid of all the 'awkward' that was surrounding them, she would tell him that. So, she did.
"Thank you?" He responded with a chuckle, looking at her for the first time since he sat down.
"For what?" She asked, not really knowing what she expected him to say.
"For not wanting to strangle me now, and for giving me the image of you restraining yourself every other minute of every other day." He was smiling – actually smiling at her. Hermione found herself smiling to. What is happening?! She thought, her stomach twisting with the strangeness of the situation.

"So, why are you actually crying?" He asked, his eyes focused on her. Suddenly Hermione felt something change. Before she realised it, she was being completely honest with him.
"It's Ron… I lied to him and now everything's falling apart." Well, almost completely honest. Draco nodded, looking away, his brow furrowed in thought.
"What does someone like you lie about?" He asked, a smile on his lips. "I mean, I honestly. What is your diary like? 'Dear Diary. A chipmunk asked me my name today. I told him it was Joe...that lie will haunt me forever.' I mean, come on," he said, his voice becoming high pitched as he attempted to re-create her voice. He was smiling, trying to make a joke; trying to comfort her, and it was working.
"It's just that… he's with Lavender and she's going to hurt him. He won't listen to me." Draco nodded, looking straight at her, making her feel vulnerable.
"If he can't see that she's bad for him, that's his fault for being short sighted and thinking was a muscle other than his brain," Hermione blushed, trying not to think about what Draco was insinuating. "As for you, you've done all you can. Now let. It. Go!" It was weird. Suddenly she was sitting next to her enemy making fun of her best–friend. Hermione frowned.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked, looking from one of her eyes to the other, trying to figure out what was ailing her. Hermione stared at him. Why was he helping her? Why did he care what was bothering her? What could he possibly get from this? Bragging rights that she trusted him? Gossip to spread? Hermione held her breath as she finally let all her thoughts go, finally cleared her mind and told just did what her inner Gryffindor was pushing her to. Their lips met and both teens were shocked. Hermione had her eyes squeezed shut, scared to find malicious contempt in his. Though, if she had looked, she would find nothing of the sort. Draco's heart had actually stopped, his eyes were wide and his hands were held high, unsure of what he was doing, or what he should do. They broke apart, Hermione laying her fingers over her lips and Draco staring at her.

"I'm sorry," she breathed, her eyes darting around his face, looking for anything to tell her that what she had done was the most terrible thing she could have. Draco's mind was running fast through every possible reason, explanation, reaction, or word in his vocabulary… anything to say would be good right now. Blank. Before they knew it, they were kissing again. His hands were on her hips, pulling her to him; her hands were running through his hair, trying to make the kiss last.
"Wait!" She said, breaking the kiss and breathing deeply. "Wait, please. We can't – this can't happen." She indicated between them, shaking her head softly.
"Why not?" Draco pleaded, suddenly terrified to lose something he barely even had. What was going on? Why was he feeling like this?
"Because, think about who you are. Look at me, I'm not someone that ends up with you – and I'm not the kind of person who 'flings'." She sighed, standing up. As she walked away she felt a hand grasp her arm, holding her back.
"I'll do anything."
"What?"
"I don't know why, but I can't bear to lose this. Something happened to me and I know it's been happening for a while. I can't stop it. Please, don't make me lose you for something as uncontrollable as who my family is."
"This isn't Shakespeare… we can't just disregard the fact that on multiple occasions you have said horrible things about me and people like me."
"I know, and I hate myself for it! Hermione," he held out his hand, pleading for her to listen, "Can't you trust that people can change?" They stared at each other, both wrestling with demons within them, both trying to find the words to say. "Please, I will give up my family if you need me to. I –" He stopped, staring at her. "Hermione, will you trust me if I do something that will definitely lead to my disownment from my family and… those we're associated with?"
"The Death Eaters?" Draco nodded. Hermione considered what he was saying.

"Please don't let this be a bad choice," she pleaded looking to the roof, and sighing. Draco smiled. Something within him warmed. Why did this girl suddenly mean so much to him? Maybe she's always meant something to me, I was just too cowardly to see it? He stood, holding out a hand to her.
"Come on, we have to go see Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore?"
"Yeah, I'm about to do something dangerous. I want him on my side."

Hermione smiled as she followed him down the hallway and couldn't find it within herself to feel self-conscious as people stared at them as they climbed the stairs. What was she thinking? Maybe she wasn't?


A/N: 1,598

Things I Would Do For You: Give up my family, who disapproves of you, for your love. Huge TV Show Quote: "Dear Diary,…" Damon TVD. Getting Around: Hermione/Draco.