We land in the backyard of Tonk's parents house, me landing practically on top of Ron.
I move away, thinking of Draco.
He reaches over and touches my cheek, "Do you love him?" he asks, his eyes serious.
I look up into his blue eyes, "Ron-," my voice cracks and I look away, "I- I love you too Ron. I love you both."
"You can't have us both, Hermione," he says quietly, then turns and walks toward Harry, his shoulders rigid.
I sigh, heavily, my shoulders slumping in defeat.
That's when I hear Harry's sobs. I look up to see Dobby in his arms.
"Harry Potter," Dobby whispers, then his eyes go blank, staring up at the sky, unseeing.
That's the second person today, I think sadly.
I turn and look out over the fields, thinking of Draco. It all started in Sixth Year.
I'd noticed the troubled look constantly casting over his features, the way he snapped on everyone, and had no one to help him. I could tell he'd gotten himself into something he regretted and couldn't get out of. He needed help.
I'd passed him in the hallway once, just us two in the whole school it seemed.
The look on his face made me stop.
He looks over at me, glancing me up and down, "What do you want, Granger," he sighs like talking to me is taking him an effort.
I tilt my head to the side, assessing him, "Are you okay?" I ask quietly.
He looks at me, really looks at me, his sad gaze boring into mine.
"I'm fine," he snaps but his eyes betray him.
"No your not, Draco," I say, reaching my hand out as if to touch him and then dropping it. I sigh and look out over the corridor, "Listen. I know we're not exactly friends but-," I look up, meeting his gray eyes, "I can keep a secret."
He studies my face.
I look at him for a long moment then turn and walk away, disappearing into the Potions classroom.
Then later that day I'd been sitting in the common room reading, when the portrait swung open and Draco walked in.
He sits down next to me on the couch.
"How'd you get in here?" I ask.
He holds up a piece of scrap paper, "Found it in the hall."
I smile a little and shake my head, "Neville."
He looks down at the fire, his eyes going unfocused, brow furrowed in thought.
I study his profile. His eyes are like ice or steel. I have the sudden urge to reach up and trail my finger along his pointed jaw.
His eyes shift toward me and he swallows hard, "I- he hesitates and looks back down at the fire, and then he pulls his sleeve up to reveal the Death Eater mark that would forever be imprinted into his arm.
I gasp in surprise, "Your a Death Eater." I say, my voice going hard.
His eyes shift up to meet mine, an apology on his face, "I was forced," he starts to say but I'm already shaking my head.
"You're just like your father," I growl, standing up.
He shakes his head, standing up too, "I knew I couldn't trust you," He glares down at me.
I soften a little, "Draco, I didn't know you'd-" I indicate to his arm.
His eyes soften slightly, but his voice stays hard, "I didn't have a choice." He looks away, jaw working in anger.
I look up at him, "You always have a choice, Draco."
He looks back down at me, eyes troubled, "They were gonna kill me if I didn't!"
My eyes harden, "Maybe," I say slowly, "That would've been best."
He goes still. I'll never forget the look in his eyes that moment; full of sadness, pain, and despair.
He shakes his head, "Goodbye, Granger," He turns his back on me.
I reach out and grab his arm. He stops, but doesn't turn around. "It's selfish to do something just because they were gonna kill you. You should have fought." I say quietly, "It's better to die for something you love than for no reason at all."
He turns around, slowly, and then he's kissing me, pulling me closer to him, his arms wrapping around my waist.
I kiss him back with everything I have.
We pull away from eachother a moment later, breathing heavily and staring at eachother in wonder.
"I-," he glances away, "I gotta go."
He turns and hastily leaves the common room, the portrait swinging shut behind him with a final click.
I stare at the back of the door for a moment, wondering what in the world I'd just done.