Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

A/N: Sorry this is a shamefully short chappie, but the next ones are decently long, this one just didn't fit in either the previous chapter or the next so I made it a stand alone one. I had a question about the bracelet Hermione received, and no, there is no special meaning being the clap disappearing, it's just a standard security measure to make sure the clasp doesn't break and fall off. Hermione can remove it at any time and it's not a charmed or cursed piece :D I love that a lot of you see to be team triad lol but unfortunately Hermione int his fic is a one wizard type of girl, especially since I don't see either Draco or Theo sharing lol. I'm flattered that some of you have jumped ship to Team Theo, even though you normally are Team Draco, because of the way he is in my story...you are either going to be reallllyyy happy later...or hate me with a passion hahahaha

btw...I'm bracing myself for the hate mail after this one lol Enjoy!

Chapter Nine: Out of Reach

Hermione retired to her common room and had just grabbed a glass of elvish wine that Millicent had cheekily sent her for the holidays when the portrait slammed open, startling her to spill her drink. "Draco, what in Circe's name?" she frowned at her wet nightgown, standing to grab her wand from the coffee table. The blonde sucked in a breath at the wet clingy material around her chest. He almost whimpered when she silently flicked her wand to dry the material before facing him with an annoyed expression.

"Well? I hadn't even had a SIP of that yet! I thought you would be out for at least another hour with your little witch," she pouted, folding her arms across her chest. Her eyes were slightly golden from the fireplace that crackled behind them, curls falling across her shoulder and tumbling down her back. Gods, she was so beautiful. He started shrugging off his robes, grinning wickedly at her.

"Yes, well, don't tell her this but I'd much rather spend time with this witch right here," he snaked her hand into his and brought it up to his lips, not missing the flush that spread across her cheeks. "Flattery won't make me forget you made me waste perfectly good wine," she turned quickly from him, plucking her hand hastily from his, and going to pour more wine. Draco conjured another glass and took the decanter from her hands, purposefully grazing his fingers against hers. Filling both glasses, he placed the wine back and raised a glass to her. "What shall we toast to?" he asked, eyeing her slightly breathy appearance with pleasure. "To friendship," she answered after a beat, quickly clinking their glasses before downing her own.

He smirked quickly before drinking and placing the glass down on the table, seeing she had already sat back down on the couch and grabbed a book. "Hermione," he cajoled her gently, sitting next to her. "Hmm?" she answered distractedly, not looking up from her book. "Your book is upside down, love."

Amber eyes widening comically, he chuckled as he reached over and turned her book around for her. Blushing brightly, she mumbled her thanks, still refusing to meet his teasing silver orbs. After letting her be for a few minutes, Draco let his fingertips graze her leg as he bent over to untie his shoes, pleased with the little jolt he knew she felt. Slamming her book shut, she looked at him curiously. "What game you playing, Draco?" she asked, her mouth twisting slightly. Silver brows raised up in feigned innocence.

"I got a letter from mother today. She got my father to start thinking about breaking my betrothal," he smiled at the witch next to him, taking her hand and caressing it with his roughened thumb. "It's only a short matter of time before he'll consent to doing a check on her family." Looking at their entwined hands, her breath stilled slightly. "Who is she, Draco? You never said," she asked quietly, smiling softly up at him. "Something the brilliant Hermione Granger doesn't know? Well, it's my lucky day," he smirked, pressing himself against her. "Tell me, did you like the bracelet I sent you?" She gasped quietly, looking down at her wrist where the sapphires twinkled at her.

Taking her trembling chin in his hand, he tipped his silver head down to capture her surprised lips, his chest bursting as he finally tasted her. Her book fell off her lap, neither caring as her hands flew up to his hair to rake her fingers through. He lifted his lips off hers for a moment, nipping her ear lightly. "It's always been you, you silly witch," he groaned into her soft cheek. Her eyes were wide and wet, surprising him when a tear fell down as he wiped it away. "What's wrong, love?" he frowned, cupping her face.

"Oh Draco….."

He chuckled softly, using his thumb to wipe another tear away. "Why the tears?" She closed her eyes, as if looking at him was the most painful thing she could do. Taking his hand from her face, she turned away. After a few shaky breaths, she looked back into his eyes. "I can't do this," her voice cracked and before he could stop her, she hastily got up to run into her room and away from him.

Draco stared at the spot she had just vacated, his brain trying to catch up with what just transpired. Was he too late? Did she….did she already have a contract? His heart clenched at the thought. No, she would have told him. But, what else would keep her from accepting him? Shaking his head to clear away the cobwebs, the lithe wizard jumped up and pounded on her door. "Hermione, you don't just get to say that and then run away!" he demanded, his heart racing with a strange panic.

Silence

Draco could feel his magic swirling around him, and before he realized it, the door before him blew open and off the hinges, startling the blotchy faced girl inside. Her eyes were large and red with shock at the brutal display of his raw magic, and she could feel his emotions rolling off of him in large, desperate waves. He stood there like a shaking leaf, before storming in and pacing in front of her bed. Hermione wished she could soothe him and tell him it was all right, she would love nothing more than to be his wife one day. She had never anticipated that her feelings would ever be returned by him, so she was now faced with the agony of rejecting her heart's desire in order to keep her secret. Logically, her reasoning was sound but that didn't help much when the gnawing in the pit of her stomach intensified. "Draco, I have to ask you to not pursue a contract with me," she sat up at the edge of her bed and tried to look calm as Draco's head whipped to her incredulously.

"No."

She sighed. One trait that she knew Draco would be loath to admit he had was a stubborn streak that ran deeper than even the staunchest Gryffindor. He was not used to being told he couldn't have something, especially when it was seemingly within his grasp. So, she would have to make herself out of his grasp, and quickly. "Draco…I don't think that you have really thought this through all the way. You're confused. Being in close quarters with a girl, even your best friend, has blurred a line that wasn't meant to be broken…" she pleaded, trying not to shrink away from his gaze. He said nothing but continued to burn thru her with those molten silver eyes.

"You can't tell me you don't feel it too, Hermione! Who BETTER to understand me than the girl who has been there with me the last six years, who knows me better than I know myself sometimes! I love you," he declared defiantly, crossing his arms defensively across his hard chest. Hermione raised her chin, fire meeting ice. "The answer is no, Draco. I love you but I don't think that a romantic relationship will be possible between us. Let us not ruin a perfectly good friendship over some elvish wine and misplaced affections," she hoped she sounded convincing, her resolve cracking just the tiniest bit at the crestfallen face of the man in front of her. His face hardened, jaw clenched, as he glared at her for a moment. She could see no forgiveness in his icy silver eyes.

"I see. I apologize if my feelings for you have made you uncomfortable."

Before she could say anything, the blonde stormed out of her presence and didn't look back, reaching his own room in record time before slamming the door. Shakily, Hermione reached her hand out and silently called for her wand from the sitting room. With a wave, she repaired the door and shut it tightly before collapsing back down on her bed, tears leaking out of her eyes and a shuddered sob of her heart breaking. She had to be strong, but she was by no means made of stone…and hell, even stone crumbled in the face of a storm. It certainly didn't matter if it was a storm of her own making. She would feel that pain quite keenly regardless, for possibly the rest of her life.