The Forbidden

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Harry Potter. I am merely an overly obsessed fan who likes to borrow the characters, that's how I get my kicks. The whole Harry Potter rights and stuff belong strictly to J.K. Rowling. If it makes anyone feel any better, I'll put the characters back, and even perform a memory charm

Chapter 3: A Heart's Silent Calling

Hermione's heart beat with the ferocity of a thousand's soldiers drums. The imprint his lips left on hers was felt and cherished. The arrogant smirk in his eyes had sent her soul into blessed shivers. Her skin tingled from his touch, and her arms ached to hold him once again. Two kisses had sealed her fate. Their fate. It was destined, it seemed, preordained by some a power of higher sorts. Hermione knew that the tide of fate was turning into an unknown shore.

But Hermione was frightened by this unknown. Her father had set up her marriage with Sirius Black. And while Sirius was undeniably handsome, he was a playboy. Hermione knew deep through all the lies she was feeding herself that Sirius had nothing but an image of a trophy wife for Hermione. He did not love her, not like she deserved to be loved, not how she had dreamed.

The revelation that her newest love was none other than her childhood enemy and from the family of her family's sworn rivalry set heavy in Hermione's stomach. The electricity between them was palpable; there had been chemistry in those two kisses. Chemistry in those minutes that with Draco that in the months she had known Sirius had lacked desperately. She was torn; torn between passion and posterity. If she were to elope with Draco, which she wanted more than anything to do, she would be disowned by her family, and she would brand herself a harlot and bring shame upon her family. But at least she would have love, passion; the fire her heart longed for. If she stayed with Sirius, she would be renowned as his wife, her parents would not shun her, but she would be unhappy for the rest of her days. Sirius was not a man to settle down, and Hermione knew that. Her father had known that, yet Sirius was the final choice for marriage. Hermione wanted to scream in all frustration from the situation. Her heart was torn in two; the lesser of two evils, it seemed. Either she could live for her happiness, but lose everyone dear to her, or she could live for her parents' happiness, and lose everything dear to her. A love with Draco and her everlasting happiness, of a loveless marriage to Sirius and her everlasting misery. Hermione was falling into a despair, and there was no easy way out.

She ran from Draco as fast as her feet would carry her. She ran to Sirius, and kissed him out of her guilty conscience. He took it, not knowing she wished he was someone else, someone she loved already more than life and eternities. Hermione could see Sirius' smirk as their lips parted. He looked around, gloating at the fact that he had the belle of the ball right there next to him. Hermione felt sickened by the arrogant pride he took in the knowledge. She glanced over to Draco, and their eyes met. Hermione felt her heart soar heavenwards as they stared at each other. She quickly looked away before Sirius could see her connection with Draco which was evidently written on her face as she looked at him.

"Enjoying the evening of festivities lovely?" Sirius asked with a grin that Hermione cringed inwardly at.

"Yes, I am. The celebration is nice, the food is esp-" Hermione started saying, but Sirius cut her off.

"Yes, yes. That's wonderful lovely," Sirius muttered. He spoke to Hermine like she was a piece of furniture, a fixture that once it had served some sort of function, it was unnecessary until it was needed again. Hermione glanced towards the last place she witnessed Draco. He was gone, as she knew he would be. Sirius grabbed her had and led her towards a group of wealthy merchants Sirius was particularly good company with. Hermione nearly cried. She wanted to be in the darkened alcove with Draco, feeling his lips pressed to hers, his body cemented to hers. She hoped that the stars could be rewritten without dire consequences. Please, Hermione thought to herself, let true love conquer this dilemma, let fate unite two souls meant to join as one, let me love as I want to love, not as I have to love.

The days were eternity to Draco. It had been only three days since the ball where Draco had kissed Hermione. In those kisses, Draco felt more than he had ever in his short life. Passion that burned deeper than the hottest flame. He craved it; it was his aphrodisiac, the lips of his lover. His only love. His heart had never felt so strongly. Sure, he had experienced young love and puppy love, but never anything like this, nor at this intensity. Even though he fell fast, Draco knew it was true. Everything was brighter to him now, the brilliant blue sky, the vibrant reds and blues and yellows of flowers. His heart was happier than it had ever been. He needed her in the worst ways. He ached to be with her, be completely hers and she completely his. He made up his mind the moment he tasted her strawberry lips that she was his, consequences be damned. Now all he needed was the other crucial element to his dream; Hermione, his love, his soul. She would be his, he just needed to some editing to the designs of fate, and all would fall into line. He could wait for a few more days, and then he would seize his opportunity and have Hermione's heart in the palm of his hand.

"Soon love, we will be together," Draco said to no one in particular. He knew it would take a cunning and clever plan to work, but he was willing, and whatever the stakes, Hermione would be his.

--A/N--

First off, an apology! Sorry for not updating this story in sooo long. I got caught up with my other fic, and I had no idea how I wanted to plot out this story. I've had a bit of writer's block, so this helped some. I will be updating as soon as I can. I've just got to outline the next few chapters, and it will be done! And the plot will definitely be moving along. So, thanks to all the reviewers and readers. You guys are love! Please review, reviews definitely light a fire under me to write faster! So, I'll be writing soon. Promise!

..xx..starburstrocker