Back due to the amount of traffic this story gets...I present chapter 3.

Please keep in mind it has been about 6 years since I wrote the other 2 chapters. My writing style has changed, mostly influenced by the authors I am currently reading.

Enjoy!


Draco woke like he had every day for the past few months, with a killer headache. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the bright light, before trudging toward his not so tidy kitchen and reaching for a glass of water.

What he wouldn't give for a healing spell to ease the pain. But he couldn't jeopardize Hermione's future by using magic just yet. He needed to remain off the wizarding grid for a while longer.

Taking a step back, he reached for the photo frame on the counter next to him. His feelings welled up in his throat as he laid his eyes on the most beautiful woman he would ever know. He often passed the lonely days staring at the picture of her on their wedding day.

She had looked exquisite. Happiness bestowed a rosy glow upon her cheeks. She glowed from the inside and it had shown in her eyes even though it had only been the two of them and Hermione's parents. That was how it was for them.

The wizarding population wasn't prepared to forgive the Malfoys for all the service they had provided Lord Voldemort. His heart felt heavy as he thought back on the friends who turned on Hermione when they found out she was in love with a disgrace.

Worst of all, he could still see the hurt look on her face. He had forced back the instinct to protect her. "Why are you throwing your life away for a worthless piece of garbage?" Harry had spat in her face.

"He's not what you think he is 'Mione! Don't let him fool you. He is the same worthless scum he always was." Ron's face had been darker than his hair as his eyes pinned the ground furiously.

Draco tensed rewatching the scene in his mind. It was like standing by as they drove a knife through her heart. He started on them, wanting to dish back the same devastation they had her, but she grabbed his arm in warning, his gaze unwavering as he met hers.

She was the only being on the planet who had ever understood him. When everything around him crumbled, only she remained standing. Hermione took an encouraging breath before responding, "If that's how you feel, so be it. But, I will not allow you to ruin my life! After all these years of depending on me, you still can't accept that I can make my own decisions. We are not children anymore!"

"You'd give up your only friends, friends who have always been there for you, for this lowlife?" Harry's eyes flamed with rage.

As he watched her, her brow furrowed. She slid her hand down to clasp his, giving it a firm squeeze before responding. A look of sadness washing over her face as she responded, "Why do I have to choose? We have shared so many wonderful moments together. We've relied on each other, laughed with each other, cried with each other. I want all of you in my life."

Ron took a step forward grabbing her free arm. He spoke up finally meeting her gaze. "I can't stand by and watch you ruin your life! Choose!" Draco felt the urge to pull her toward him. His grip tightened of its own accord turning his knuckles white. He could not lose her.

The seconds dragged by as his heart panicked within his chest. The familiar feeling of having no hand in his own destiny clung to him, sickening his stomach.

Hermione withdrew her arm from Ron's grasp. Draco had half expected Ron resist. Hope lingered on the edges of his mind.

"I choose Draco." Her voice resonated with confidence and resolve. Turning her head she smiled at him, her curly hair bouncing around her face. He would have kissed her right there, but all too soon, she turned back to face her "friends". "I can't put off my life waiting for you two to grow up. I would love for you to be part of my life. Your decision feels like a blow to my heart. Just know that when you are ready to accept us, I will welcome you as my brothers."

With that, she turned on her heel. Draco was stumbling trying to keep up with her. He could feel her frustration and anguish thicken around him. He wanted more that anything to comfort her in that moment. Her hand trembled in his and he knew she was crying, crying because they had hurt her.

Anger held him in a fierce vice as he remembered where he was, standing in his own kitchen dreaming like a fool of the woman he would never again have.

He smoothed his fingers over the picture's glass. In the frame, Hermione stopped waving and turned to kiss him. The corners of the real Draco's mouth tilted upward. If only he could fall into that picture and live that moment over and over, he would always be happy.

He dropped his arm by his side and closed his eyes as he let his past emotions fade. Building up his strength, he turned away from the photo. He grit his teeth, braced himself, opened his eyes, and strode out of the room away from the comfort and torture of the photo.

Emotions would prevent him from doing what he had to. If he wanted to protect Hermione, he would have to pull up his big boy pants and sacrifice anything he could to keep her safe.

A face appeared in the flames of the fireplace, almost making him jump. This was what he had been waiting for, the event that would spring everything into action.

Excitement crawled through the air, prickling his skin before settling like electricity on the back of his neck. His hair raised in anticipation.

A low rumbling sounded, it was the voice, a decibel almost too low for Draco's hearing.

"Have you prepared what I asked?"


Reviews will decide whether I continue or not.

It's been a long time since I have read Harry Potter. However, I hope I was able to entertain you for a little while.

-Pranks Are So Siriusly Padfoot