AN: Thankums to every one and two who wrote a review. *eeh… lame.* Anyhoo, chapter three's here! Juz wanted to fix something. The summary sez eleven years. This chapter, (and the first two) are set in the last few days of their seventh year. The real stuff comes on a bit later, when these characters are *ahem!* mature enough. But nothing past PG-13… I guess.

Dedicated to Berna (who is one and the same as CharmedHpfanatic), and to my pet rabbit, Stinker a.k.a Draco Miguel Malfoy, whom I bought on the field trip, and who is indescribably cute! To Nico D, as well, as my little birthday gift to my big "brother", on Feb. 13, his birthday it was. Also to Raf, my inspiration for the moonlit dance, and to everyone who reviewed!

I'd like to thank azlyrics.com for all the Corrs lyrics! (And CharmedHp for the Rent MIDI files!)

Disclaimer: The characters you recognize belong to JK Rowling, who in my opinion is a goddess. The plot, and the unfamiliar charas are MINE! Whoo! And the songs I'm using all belong to that wonderful Irish band called the Corrs. One song, though, was taken from the Broadway musical, Rent. Don't sue me. Ü

*In this chapter: A moonlit dance, snogging, pretty girls with dark secrets to reveal, great songs, great band, juicy dark, angsty stuff coming up a few chapters later. For all this… is just the beginning.*

Chapter Three: It's A Traitor's Moon Tonight

*Looking back on the memory

The Dance we shared 'neath the stars above

For a moment all the world was right

How was I to know that you'd ever say goodbye

And now I'm glad I didn't know

The way it all would end, the way it all would go

Our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I'd of had to miss the dance

Holding you I held everything

For a moment wasn't I a king

If I'd known for a moment how the king would fall

Well then who's to say I might have changed it all

Our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I'd of had to miss the dance

-The Dance, Tony Arata

The cool night air rushed to Hermione like the outstretched arms of a long-lost friend. She smiled and breathed deeply, taking in the scent of moonshine and stardust, of green earth, and silver sky, of love and pain… of Draco. Draco… he was there, standing beside her, his arm encircling her waist affectionately. He was there, his scent of mint and cold night air, his smile that conveyed devotion for her and no one else, his coolness, his suave, his aristocratic tastes, pure Draco.

He was like the night wind, cool, able to blow past you and bury himself deep into your bones, embedding all thoughts of himself into your mind, so as you seek shelter from the frigid howling of his desire, the obsession with the wind has now begun. A strange line from an unknown author dashed through Hermione's brain, but she didn't bother searching for that unascertained name, all she wanted was to go out and get lost in the wild night with Draco.

Harry looked up from his dance with Ginny when Ron sent a red ribbon flashing past Harry's nose, a sign they had established before the Ball. It meant, as Ron had delicately put it, "Look up and see what that slimy piece of flobberworm mucus is doing to Hermione!" Harry blocked off Ginny's chatter and the music momentarily, and he searched for Hermione's dark curls, and Draco's silver hair. He found them easily, as they were standing by the door that led out to the garden. They had their backs to the dance floor, to the stage, to Harry, and he could vaguely see Draco's arm around Hermione. They seemed lost in their own little world, which they probably were. Harry frowned. How dare he… "Is everything alright, Harry?" Harry looked back down at Ginny, who was looking quizzical, to Ron, who was gesticulating wildly over Parvati's head, to Hermione and Draco, who were already stepping out into the garden.

Then he remembered his words to Hermione. "We're best friends, nothing more, nothing less." "Yes Hermione." He shook his, head, pushed his glasses up and smiled down at Ginny. "Everything's fine."

Draco led Hermione out of the Great Hall, his arm a warm and comforting weight around her. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hermione gave out a small, stifled laugh at the splendor of the garden.

Each little hedge had frosted in silver, green, blue, red and yellow, bringing House ambience to the piece of land. Thousands of scintillating fairies flitted past them, showing off their iridescent wings. The trees were draped with twisted ribbons that quavered with the slightest breath of wind, filling the garden with the impression of motion. The rosebushes were humming slightly, and if you drew nearer, you realized that they were singing in a sweet soprano. Hermione saw Teresa and Jason McKone a few feet ahead. She heard Teresa giggle, then bending close to a bush with yellow roses, whisper something that sounded like… In A Rush by Blackstreet. The tune of the rosebush changed, and Teresa and Jason sat down on the bench beside it, presumably to snog… Hermione thought. She and Draco walked in comfortable silence through the garden, past crystalline statues sparkling with fairies, past stone benches with people sitting on them and talking, past rosebushes with people in them doing something beyond talking…

Draco led Hermione over to a secluded bench where the rest of the garden was partly blocked from view. She sat down and shook her gown out. Draco leaned against the wall, the tiniest of smiles lingering on his lips. Hermione sighed and strained to catch the notes coming from the open doors on the other end of the garden. Draco noticed this, and whispered three incantations, one after the other. Suddenly, a faint blue mist appeared between them and the rest of the world, shining off Hermione's robes. At the same time, their little dance floor was filled with the music that was playing in the Great Hall. Hermione smiled at Draco, who was looking pleased with himself.

"Privacy, Music Transferring, and a Soundproofing Charm darling. I was getting tired of Potter and Weasley breathing down my neck." Draco walked nearer and wrapped his arms around her gently. Hermione's eyes widened for a moment with the surprise of it, then closed the gently and placed her arms around him as well, swaying slowly to the beat of the song.

*I wonder… should I tell you

About all the crazy things that I have done

I've been hiding all my life

When I should have stayed

I tried to run...*

"Draco, we'll always be together, right?" Hermione shut her eyes against the pleasantly dizzying whirl of fairy light, resting her head on Draco's chest. "Forever? Tell me that this night isn't just some beautiful dream… because if it is, I never want to wake up and have to face the world again." Draco closed his eyes as well, taking in the smooth harmony of their bodies and the mellifluous music that he had magically sent to their private Eden. "This is no dream, Hermione. We'll be together, through thick and thin, through everything that dare stand in our way… amor omnia vincit." Hermione smiled to herself and moved her hand slowly to the back of his neck, running her fingers lazily through his blond hair. "Latin for… love conquers all. Yes, I believe that. Love has conquered Voldemort, love has saved the life of my best friend, not once, not twice, not even three times… but everytime he came across Voldemort, he was saved. That's the power of love, is it not?"

*I was searching for an answer

In a world so full of strangers

But what I found was never really enough

Now that I've found you

I'm looking in the eyes of love*

"The power of love…" Draco opened his steel-grey eyes and watched Hermione's lashes flutter against her cheek, the small smile on her warm lips as she spoke those words, as if affirming herself that everything was right in the world. "Yes, Draco. It's love's power that will keep us together, even though people will try to take it away, try to keep us apart." Suddenly Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at Draco. "You know what that bat Trelawney did a few days ago?" Draco smiled sympathetically, but continued to move to the music. "No dear, what did that overgrown mantis say?!" Hermione shook her head. "Something along the lines of: Love has found you, but it shall be taken away, if the fates find their way. It will be snatched away, and never given back, unless you find the right, separate it from the wrong, and follow your heart." Hermione laughed and stroked Draco's cheek. "You'll never leave me… I trust you that much."

Draco scrutinized her with sparkling eyes. "I'll never break that trust."

*Baby you've been good to me

Oh, so much more that you could know

I never thought that I would find

Someone who's so sweet and kind

Like you...*

"I hope Harry's happy." Hermione's soft blue slippers made the grass rustle. Draco raised an eyebrow coolly. "With Berna? I doubt it."

"Why? She seems perfectly nice."

"Ah, the key word there is… seems."

"Stop being so biased."

"I'm not biased. She is."

"What makes you say that, Dragon?"

Draco leaned closer and touched his lips to her ear, raising sensual goosebumps on Hermione's arms. "She's got her own dark past. Like me. Like Parvati. Let's just say…" His lips found their way down her neck. "The pretty ones hide the darkest secrets."

*Please believe me when I say

This time I won't run away

I swear be all the heaven's stars above

Now that I've found you

I'm looking in the eyes of love*

Hermione touched his cheek as he moved away. "Draco…" His expression changed into a warm smile. "Oh I get it! You're beautiful, Hermione, but you don't have any evil inside. Which makes you even more ravishing to me." They laughed and continued to dance, drinking in the bittersweet pleasure of that one last night.

*Looking in the eyes of love...

I can see forever,

I can see you and me

Walking in this world together

Oh, my heart's found a hope...

I've been dreaming of...

Now that I've found you

I'm looking in the eyes of love*

"We'll be seeing each other again over this endless summer before us… right?" That was Hermione, in such a bitter, sad tone that Draco looked down into her somber brown eyes. "What makes you say that?"

"You'll be living with your mother, won't you? And she hates me, Draco."

"That doesn't mean I can't go down to wherever you're staying and visit you, right?"

"I live in a Muggle town!"

"When will your parents let you go?"

"Hm?! Eighteen, I guess… but…"

"There! Your next birthday, I appear suddenly at your doorstep and sweep you off your feet on silver wings, take you to my palace…"

"Draco!"

"Okay… maybe not to my palace. Mommy dearest might try to murder you while you sleep."

"Oh, stop it- " Hermione protested, but her next sentence was cut off by a slow kiss from the lips of a dragon.

*Looking in the eyes of love...

I can see forever, I can see forever

I can see you and me

Walking in this world together*

Hermione closed her eyes and lost herself, in the gentle touch of his lips upon hers, in the music swirling around her like the blood-red champagne in Draco's wineglass. He's intoxicating… just like the… wine. Well, who's to say I can't get drunk on kisses?

*Oh, my heart's found a hope...

I've been dreaming of...

Now that I've found you

I'm looking in the eyes of love*

The music slowed and stopped, and in the distance, through the magic Draco had cast, they could hear people clapping and cheering. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting this to go on forever, the pressure of his lips on hers, the way he caressed her hair… forever.

But the giggling from the garden outside their blue barrier startled Hermione, and she immediately stepped back. Draco pulled her to him again, whispering huskily "Nothing… never mind… leave… them." But Hermione turned away. She stared up at him with reproachful eyes.

"How?"

"How… what?"

"No, scratch that… where?"

"What where? Be quick, I was enjoying that."

"Draco, seriously. Where am I going to live?"

The music was starting again, and Andrea's voice echoed into their minds, making them jump. "This is a song from a Muggle Broadway musical called Rent. The song is called Without You. Hope you like it!"

The violin's haunting notes pierced the cool 10'o clock air around them. Slowly the keyboard joined in, then the singer's sweet voice.

Draco and Hermione stood there, invisible to the rest of the world, listening closely to what would be their last dance.

*Without you…

the ground thaws

the rain falls…

the grass grows

without you…*

Hermone looked up at Draco. "This is probably going to be our last night together." Draco's grey eyes softened, as he saw the sad look in hers. She lifted a graceful finger and traced Draco's elegant jawline, sliding it up to his ear. "Better make the best of it…" she whispered. Then, as Draco's eyes widened in surprise, she laughed. "What I meant was… well, aren't you going to ask me to dance? This is my last dance." Draco sighed, whether relief or disappointment, she did not know. All she perceived was his arms around her waist once again, the warmth of his body, and the tender look on his face.

*Without you

the seeds root

the flowers bloom

the children play…*

So infatuated were they for each other that they hardly noticed the blue sparkling wall behind them growing dimmer. They weren't even vaguely aware of the other couples in the garden, Teresa on the stone bench near them, sitting, talking to Jason over the soft tones of the song "When You Smile".

Harry and Berna actually walked past them, holding hands, with Berna staring up at Harry and giggling prettily. Teresa and Jason's conversation was once rudely interrupted when Teresa shrieked and jumped back when the rosebush beside her shook violently and Ron and Parvati tumbled out with their robes half-off, very red in the face.

But to Draco and Hermione, they were lost in their own little world, where only two people existed, where there was no need for others, where there was no need of anybody else but each other.

They could hear the smooth voice building up, and the finely tuned instruments, keyboard and violin, adding up to a melancholy melody.

*The stars gleam…

the poets dream

the eagles fly

without you

The earth turns

The sun burns

But I die

without you*

The drums started, making Draco grin down at Hermione. Draco leaned down and whispered two words. "Godric's Hollow." Hermione frowned. "Hm?" Draco pulled her closer. "Here's a little promise of mine. When you've settled everything with your parents, on the night of your eighteenth birthday, I'll Apparate to your living room, then sweep you off your feet and carry you away on silver wings. I'll rent a nice, cozy place for the two of us in Godric's Hollow. It'll take some getting used to, after my cold stone halls of wealth, but I'd rather live with you in the Shrieking Shack then rule the whole of England without you." Hermione smiled up at him, tracing his fine lips with her pink-tipped finger. "Thank you." she whispered.

*Without you

the tides change

the boys run

the oceans crash

the birds soar

the crowds roar

the babies cry

without you*

"Why Godric's Hollow, though?" Hermione asked, her head returning to it's position on Draco's chest. "Oh… well, I know for a fact that Pott- ahem! Harry will be staying there after school, as well. I thought you might appreciate living next door to your best friends." Draco, like so many years before, when Harry himself had refused to accept his friendship, turned the slightest shade of pink. Hermione's eyes widened with happiness and pleasure. "Draco! You didn't!" Draco laughed. "I did! Or at least, I plan to." He laid a finger on her lips. "Are you happy, my little book-worm?"

*the moon glows

the river flows

but I die without you*

Hermione stopped dancing and took his hands in hers, tracing the lines with her fingers, avoiding his eyes. But when Draco gently tipped her head back, her eyes shone with mirth. "I'm happy, Draco. I truly am." Draco nodded. "Good. Now I understand you haven't been listening in Divination lately, but what can you see in my palm?" Hermione frowned jokingly and pretended to scrutinize his palm seriously. "I see… a well-cared for palm, hmm… softer than a lady's. You're obviously very rich and spoiled. Hm… I can see the smallest of veins here in the back, you have a fiery temper when angered, but most of the time, you prefer the relaxed, calm and cool approach to antagonists. A long Life Line, oh my… a beautiful Health line… a wonderfully straight Love line… do you know what that means?" She grinned up at him, completely forgetting their dance. Draco shook his head. "Nope. Care to enlighten me, darling?"

The music reached a climax, the four voices echoing each other in a unisonant rhythm. Hermione and Draco stood there, under the stars, simply smiling at each other, speaking through the simple twinkle of their eyes.

*the world revives (colors renew)

but I know blue

only blue

lonely blue

within me blue

without you*

Hermione traced the line slowly, sending pleasant shivers up Draco's spine. "A straight Love line means…" Draco pulled her closer… "Oh come on, just… tell me."

*Without you

the eyes gaze*

"It means that…"

*the legs walk

the lungs breathe*

"that…" Hermione smiled as she watched Draco's perfect forehead furrow in indignation and impatience.

*the mind churns

the heart yearns*

"that you will be completely devoted to one very… very lucky girl." Hermione dropped Draco's hand gently.

*the tears dry

without you*

Draco raised an exquisite eyebrow. "And who could that fortuitous girl be? I wonder…" he whispered mockingly.

*Life goes on*

Hermione drew closer, flirting ever so faintly. "Oh, shut up, will you?" Draco took her face gently in his hands. "Gladly." And he kissed her.

*But I'm gone…*

Hermione shut her eyes as warmth flooded her whole body. He is so… beautiful. Her mind seemed completely incapable of any other thought as Draco's lips pressed tenderly on hers. Draco's fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, because they both knew that his moment should last forever.

*'cause I die…*

Blindly, Hermione reached up to cup Draco's chin as his arm encircled her waist. This kiss should be encased in silver crystal… I want to relive this over and over again… every day of my… life.

Then, there was cold air replacing Draco's warm body. Chilly air against her lips where there was once pure passion. She murmured something unintelligible and tried to pull him back, but instead, Draco just held her close. "Beautiful night, don't you think?"

Somewhere behind them, the music faded away, the last words and the last notes of the violin.

*without you…*

Draco stroked her hair, which was already coming out of her carefully charmed updo. "Thanks, Hermione." Hermione frowned. "For what?" Draco shrugged, which Hermione felt as a little shudder, since he was holding her so close. "Simply for making my last night here in Hogwarts absolutely…" He glanced down at her. Hermione laughed suddenly. "Draco Malfoy, lost for words?! The world is comign to an end!"

Draco frowned. "Shut up, Granger!" She lifted her face for another kiss. "Gladly." He gave in.

They broke apart to the sound of laughter and applause. That's only the sound from the Great Hall… everyone's applauding the Corrs… Hermione thought as Draco's intoxicating kiss began to take over her whole body, making her very bones melt. But as Draco suddenly jerked away, she realized that it wasn't coming from the Great Hall…

A fair-sized crowd had gathered on the other side of Draco's Invisibility Barrier… wait a minute… Hermione thought incredulously, her head still swimming form Draco's kiss… what barrier?! Beside her, she heard Draco whisper something that sounded vaguely like… "Oh shit… it wore off."

All she could do was stare dazedly at the cheering crowd. She heard Draco say something… much louder.. in a faux cheerful voice "Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the show! Now everyone leave this place or get your head blown off by a very well-placed hex!"

The crowd began to disperse, two by two, muttering among themselves, most with smiles on their faces at catching the usually bossy Head Girl and suave Head Boy snogging. Last to leave was Harry and Berna.

Draco watched them go with an expression of mild annoyance. Hermione sat down on the bench dazedly, staring up at the bright full moon. Draco ran his fingers through his hair and looked up as well. "Ah, the moon." Hermione nodded. "The moon… what about it?" Draco turned to her and caught her gaze in his, and it was as if his stare pierced her very soul. "It's a traitor's moon." Hermione's eyes widened. "What?" Draco shook his head and turned away. "We will be betrayed. By one we love…" he shook himself. "Never mind… I'm babbling. Wait for the crowd to leave…"

When they were alone again, Draco didn't bother putting up another Invisibility Barrier. He simply took Hermione's face in his hands and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

With that one kiss, all his emotions were immediately spoken. He didn't want to leave her. He didn't want to go. He would see her again, and that was a promise… he loved her with all his heart and soul.

*because I die without you.*