Most people would ask for forgiveness from God. Pray to him for his forgiveness. Others would ask the family for forgiveness or those closest. Some would ask the judge and jury. But not him, the only person Draco needed forgiveness from was Hermione. She had told him not to; that it would hurt so many people, that it would hurt her as soon as he showed her the evil mark on his left arm and of the task he was required to do. She had gasped, and then told him not to do it. Yet he still did, Dumbledore was still at the bottom of the astronomy tower, lying stone cold. All because of him. His stupid father and Voldemort.
She was the wise one. The level-headed one. The intelligent one. Yet he still was stupid enough to go against her, to continue with this stupid plan. He wouldn't be able to stay with her now. Potter knew, he would blame him and keep Hermione from him. He couldn't live without her. Why hadn't he taken Dumbledore up on his offer? Hermione was in the order. He could be with her whilst being safe. He was so stupid! Dumbledore was wise, he could still be alive too if Draco had seen sense. Yet he hadn't. The headmaster was lying cold, and Draco was full of guilt. His wand still pointed towards the spot where Dumbledore had been. His feet firmly stuck on the ground, unable to move. His face still crumpled in the painful, stressed way he had been stuck in since the moment. He thought over his options, jump off the tower. No, he couldn't apologise to Hermione then. Run to the order. They wouldn't accept him. Go along with the death eaters. He had no choice. Nothing else was possible. Nothing.
"I'm sorry Hermione" he whispered, running down the stairs to join the others. His aunt, Snape, Dolohov…
Harry sat still, hearing what Draco had said beneath his invisibility cloak. Hermione needed to know. No matter what. She should know.