Disclaimer: If I was JKRowling, Dramione would go in the book, not a sight where people spill their hopes and dreams for their characters!

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She giggled, and then kissed him. "You're everything I could ever want."

Draco smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. He could smell her strawberry shampoo. "You're everything I've ever wanted."

"I could never love anyone but you."

Draco frowned, drawing back. "But you do."

Hermione smiled. "I thought I did. But, this is true love."

Smiling at her answer, Draco cupped her face in his hand and leaned forward, brushing her lips with his. She leaned in more, crushing her lips on his and snaking her hands into his hair.

"I love you, Hermione," Draco whispered against her mouth.

"And I-"

"Avada Kedavra!"

And she was dead.

He could feel her tense, and go stiff in her arms. She slid out of his arms and fell to the floor before his sluggish movements could catch her.

Draco gaped at her, lying crumpled on the floor, her eyes wide open and glassy, staring into another world that he could not see. All the life, everything that Draco had loved about her was gone.

Fury ripped at his stomach, and Draco yelled, turning on the person who had killed the woman he loved.

"Come back! Come back and face me you bastard! COME BACK!"

Draco listened and could hear footsteps running away. Growling, Draco followed.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! I'M GOING TO FIND YOU, AND I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! WHO ARE YOU?"

Draco listened but the only footsteps he heard were his own. "DAMN IT!" He sobbed, slamming his fist into a nearby tree.

She was dead. Hermione was dead, and he didn't know who killed her.

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Draco woke up with a start, his heart pumping and his breathing heavy. He knew that trying to fall back asleep would be useless, so he stumbled out of bed, his head throbbing. Mother of fuck, he hated headaches.

He shivered, thinking of Hermione's blank expression, of her glassed over eyes.

Blinking, he slipped on sweat pants, and walked to Hermione's room and gently knocked on the door. There was a muffled response from the other side.

He slowly cracked the door open, and then opened it wider. Hermione was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong, Malfoy?" She asked, her voice scratchy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I just had a bad dream-"

"Are you here to tell me about your terrifying nightmare so that I can kiss your forehead and pat your cheek and say, 'It was just a dream'?"

"Actually, I was going to say I was checking in on you. I'm sorry for wanting to make sure that you didn't die in the middle of the night," Draco said sarcastically.

He started to walk out, but she called after him. "Malfoy, wait, I'm sorry. Come back, please."

Draco paused, and then, knowing he would regret it later, turned around to face Hermione. Staring at her petite frame, shrunken by her too big pajamas, he couldn't help but feel the twinge in his stomach that made him hate himself. Maybe it was his exhaustion, maybe it was the nightmare, or maybe it was just staring at the girl he'd loved since the moment he had met her, but he said something that he would instantly regret. "Why do you hate me, Granger?"

She blinked. "What?"

Well, there's no going back now, Draco thought. "Why do you hate me?" He articulated slowly, not making eye contact.

"I don't hate you, Malfoy. I used to, but not anymore."

"How come you used to?" He asked, walking until his hands were resting on the footboard of her bed.

She sighed and fell back on her bed, her head landing on her pillow. "Because you were a dick, Draco. You always called me a Mudblood, you were so bloody arrogant, and you acted like I was no better than the dust bunnies in the corner." She paused. "And, honestly, you hated me."

"I've never hated you, Granger. Never."

Hermione laughed. "Yeah, right."

"No, honestly." Draco moved around the bed, his voice urgent, trying to make his voice clear. "Sure, I've been jealous of how smart you are, and sure, I've not liked you at times, but I've never hated you."

Hermione scooted over so that Draco would have enough room on the bed. Draco stared at the space, shocked before he slowly climbed on the bed with her. This is what he had always dreamed of, and more than he ever had before, he wanted to reach over and pull Hermione into him. He wanted to kiss her, stroking her face and neck, and he wanted it now.

Draco swallowed continuing. "I know I probably was a huge jerk-"

"You were a huge jerk," Hermione said, rolling on her side to face Malfoy, a smile playing on her lips.

"Hey, I'm confessing my heart here, Granger. There's no need to for any confirmations on how childish I was," He said, rolling his eyes and attempting to slow his heartbeat. Surely she could here it? It seemed to be thundering out of his chest.

"I'm sorry, go on," She said, sitting up, and crossing her legs, and Draco realized that their knees were touching.

He scooted back half an inch, trying not to make it obvious on how she affected him.

"I was so mean, because, well…" He faded off, looking away.

"Yes?" She asked, reaching over to touch his arm.

"I had to be," He whispered, taking her hand, and, for the first time, accepting the friendly affection instead of brushing it away. He held her hand in his, tracing the wrinkles on her hand.

"Draco," She whispered, scooting closer, again. Draco could see his own reflection in her big brown eyes. He swallowed loudly.

"I guess I never really hated you, either. You were just the one element in my life that didn't work how I wanted it to."

"That can be a good thing," Draco said, before he could stop the words.

Hermione smiled. "I suppose." She frowned. "Malfoy, where is all of this coming from?"

Draco grinned. "You tell me." He grinned, and stood up. "You've effectively chased away the bad dreams, Mommy," He joked, beginning to leave.

"You want to know something funny?" Hermione said as he began to walk away.

"Sure."

"When we were first years in Hogwarts, I had a crush on you." She said, giggling. "Isn't that silly?"

Draco felt his stomach drop and everything that was just said felt like it evaporated out of his brain. "Hilarious," He said, smirking in an attempt to mask his true feelings.

"Draco?" She said, her voice small, as he was about to shut the door.

He sighed, resorting back to his I-don't-give-a-shit façade. "What, Granger?"

"Thanks, for everything. You're a good friend."

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Draco woke up to the sun glaring in his eyes. Muttering a stream of profanities, he rolled over, promptly realizing that he had fallen asleep on the couch. His knees thudded to the floor and the palms of his hands stung as he caught himself.

After a moment of confusion, Draco remembered that after leaving Hermione's room, he had sat on the couch in an attempt to read. Of course, her last words echoed in his ears.

So, this is how it feels to be friend-zoned.

Draco sighed, heading towards the front door. He needed fresh air. To his surprised, Hermione was already sitting outside, sitting on a blanket and facing away from him.

Draco felt bitterness rise in his stomach, and he turned away, slamming the door behind him. Angrily, he stormed into his room and pulled on blue soccer shorts. He tied his shoelaces ferociously and he walked out the front door.

Away from her.

Away from the pain she caused. Away from the sleepless nights where his mind only thought of her. Away from the stupid hope that she would realize that everything he had ever done, he had done for her. Away from her big, brown eyes that looked into his soul.

Away from the possibility of friendship.

He walked away, and ran. He pumped his arms, pushed his feet deep into the ground. He welcomed the sweat that trickled down his back, and the soreness that etched itself deep into his muscles.

The sun moved up and up, moving its focus from his right shoulder to his left. Draco felt as though he would collapse at any moment, but he turned around and pushed harder.

And as Draco ran, he realized. He knew that all of his dreams were shattered. Whatever kind of relationship he and Hermione had, whether it was acquaintances, or friends, it would never be more. He realized everything his abusive father had ever taught him was right. He was a Pure-Blood, and she was a Mudblood, and they could never ever be together.

Draco ran in a blind rage, and, when he started recognizing the woods, he slowed to a stop. And, though he would never admit it, tears leaked from his eyes. Guilt was ripping at his chest, threatening to slaughter him if he didn't tell Hermione the truth, because he knew that he could never live with himself if she never knew.

Draco walked with cold determination, heading straight for the house. She had to know. He'd want to know.

"Granger?" He called as he opened the front door. And, as soon as he saw her big, brown eyes full of worry.

And he delivered the secret that would rip her heart apart, along with his.

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a/n: Okay, I'm really really really really really really reaaaaaaaaaally sorry about all the slow updates and short chapters. I'm just so busy, and started growing away from this fanfic.

BUT, then I read it again, and I was like, "Oh, yeah! I could totally pick this up again!" Aaand, I did.

Sorry about the huge cliffy! What is this big secret Draco has?

I'll give you a hint… Hermione doesn't know! :D

Okay… Thanks so much for your reviews, they helped inspire me to pick it up again!

Thanks for reading, also.

And, please, more lovely reviews to remind me to get off my butt! Thanks!