Disclaimer: I own none of the characters here. I just use them for my own amusement. JK Rowling and co. own them No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: When two old enemies meet up again, will they be able to look past their differences and get along? What happens if they fall for each other but he's slated to marry someone else? Will he follow his heart or his parents' wishes? Dramione.

Author's note: Lyrics by Marc Almond

Wildest Dreams

I'm a labyrinth of hopes and fears
Of tears of frustration and of anger
But if you can break through this wall
And search amongst it all
You'll find a man there
Who has a heart of love
Who is afraid of getting jaded
Growing older
Who needs someone to love him
Through life's winter
When the weather grows a little colder

Hermione sat lay in her bed nursing a headache from too much champagne the night before. She was also very confused and hurt by Draco's disappearing act. He never even said goodbye to her. She was watching him as intently as she could, but she got distracted when Harry found her and asked what happened. She was busy telling him the story about the love declarations and the make out session when she looked over again, Draco was just gone. She'd looked everywhere for him, and he'd vanished, along with Astoria. To say that she was disappointed was the understatement of the year. How could he just leave without even telling her goodbye? But she'd found some solace in Jonathon, surprisingly enough. He'd put the pieces together and realized Hermione was very much smitten with her assistant, Draco. And he asked her if she was going to be alright now that he was gone. He was incredibly understanding, despite his disappointment that they hadn't made a love connection. But he told her that anyone with eyes could tell she was in love with Draco. And vice versa. So his thinking was, Astoria got jealous and made them leave. Without letting him say goodbye. She supposed Jonathon might be right. She had no other explanation. But he'd been very sweet and saw her home because she was drunk and crying. She was a mess. And he was a perfect gentlemen, leaving her only once she was safely tucked away inside her apartment. He kissed her hand and told her goodnight and said he hoped they'd be friends. She was touched by it, and maybe in another life, Jonathon could capture her heart? But in this life, Draco was the only one who had that honor. And he was missing in action.

She intended to go see him if he didn't come see her. They needed to talk more, preferably without other people around. They'd made some serious headway with each other, but he'd still left the party with his supposed fiancée. That made Hermione's blood boil. Shouldn't Draco have just told her to shove off? But she supposed it was more complicated than that. He'd already promised everyone he'd marry her. It wasn't so easy to break an engagement and a business deal, she supposed. But she wanted him to end it with her as soon as possible. But she didn't know if he would. Maybe their love wasn't enough to stop him from making this mistake? Maybe he just thought they'd sneak around forever and he'd get married anyway? She wasn't sure she wanted to live like that. She didn't want to be the 'other woman'. She wanted to be the only woman. But maybe Draco didn't realize that? Maybe his riches and his family still took precedence despite him telling her that she was the only thing he held dear? She wasn't sure of any of it, which was why she was so eager to see him.

She got out of bed and jumped in the shower. She hoped it would perk her up and help ease her aching head. Why did she drink so much champagne? She was hating herself for it now. But once she was all showered and dressed for the day, she sat at her table and ate some toast to settle her queasy stomach. She sipped some tea as well and figured that if Draco had not shown up at her place by the time she was done, she was just going to go to his place. She had to. She had to see him.

Draco was in a state where he wanted to kill himself mostly. He could not believe what he'd drunkenly done. And Astoria seemed so fucking happy about it, he didn't know what to say to her. She tried be all lovey and affectionate to him and even offered to cook him breakfast. He said no, but she insisted, so he found himself sitting in his kitchen with her wearing nothing but his tuxedo shirt, flipping eggs over in a pan. He wanted to hang himself. How could he break up with her now? It was going to be a lot more complicated, that's for sure. But he knew he had to do it. He couldn't keep this charade up when he knew Hermione loved him. But what was he going to tell his family? What was he going to tell Astoria and her family? He'd made a promise to them all and he never usually went back on his promises. Especially now that he'd been intimate with Astoria. He'd robbed her of her virtue and he didn't even remember doing it. He felt like an asshole. She was in love with him so much so that she offered him her virginity, and he felt bad because he really could care less. And he thought a better man would care more about something like that. But how could he care for her feelings, when all he could think of was Hermione and her feelings? She'd flip out if she knew he fucked Astoria. Whether he was drunk or not, it was still a horrible thing to do to her. And he still didn't know what the hell possessed him to do it. It wasn't like him. He loved sex, sure. But he had never been so desperate for it that he'd shag Astoria behind Hermione's back. He could wait for Hermione. Whenever they might get together. That was his plan. But apparently in his drunken state all his plans went up in smoke.

Astoria handed him over the eggs and sat across from him with a big grin on her face.

"Are you gonna eat them? I made them how you said you liked them," she told him.

"I'm not that hungry, but I'll try and eat them. Thanks," he said, digging in with his fork, and wishing she'd just bloody get the fuck out of his house. But he didn't feel like he could say that to her. "Aren't you eating anything?"

"Nope. I'm just watching you. I like to take care of my man. And this is what you'll have to look forward to when we're married. Me cooking you meals and wearing nothing but a shirt," she said coyly.

"Splendid," he lied and took a bite of his eggs. He wished he could say they were burned or disgusting but she made a good breakfast. But so what? He bet Hermione could cook an egg too.

"So what are we going to do today?" she asked happily. "I was thinking we might go antiquing in the next village over. There are bound to be some lovely pieces we could put on our list for the wedding gifts."

"What? No. I've got plans. Sorry," he said, not wanting to spend the whole fucking day with her. He wanted to see Hermione. He didn't even know if he'd told her goodbye last night. He wanted Astoria to leave so he could go see her.

"Plans? What plans?" she asked with disappointment.

"I'm having a day with a pal of mine. We're going go-Kart racing," he lied, trying to pick an activity she'd not invite herself along with.

"Oh. I did expect we'd spend the day together after last night…"

"I'm sorry, but I made these plans a while ago."

"Alright. Well I do hope we'll have supper together, won't we?" she asked hopefully.

"I don't know. I plan to be gone all day and then me and my friend are probably going to hit a pub. Maybe another time?" he said putting her off.

"Fine. If that's how you want it. But when we're married, I do expect you to set aside some time for me," she said crossly as she got up and walked out of the kitchen.

Draco just let out a deep breath, happy to be out of her presence. She was a bossy little thing. He didn't feature her being so damn demanding about his time because she never was before. But now he supposed that they'd taken things to a new level, she expected more. And that was no good. He didn't want to give her more. He just wanted her gone. He just didn't know how to do that yet. Once he'd finished eating his breakfast, he tossed the plate into the sink and caught Astoria as she was heading down the stairs in her evening gown. It was the only outfit she had. But she looked really upset and he felt slightly remorseful, but not enough that he wanted to spend the day with her.

"I'm leaving now. I do hope you have fun. And just so you know, we're having brunch tomorrow with my family. So if you have plans then, cancel them. I've already promised we'd be there," she said snottily.

"Brunch? When were you planning on telling me this?" he asked with confusion.

"I just told you right now. I figured you wouldn't mind. We don't see enough of each other. But I trust you'll be at my family home at ten am sharp. And do comb your hair this time. I don't know what you were thinking with this mop on your head last night," she said, touching his hair distastefully.

He wanted to tell her that Hermione liked it that way, but he bit his tongue. He just nodded and said brunch was a go. Then he showed her out of the house and he slumped down on the floor next to the door. What was he going to do? He had fucked up in the worst way possible. There was no way Hermione would ever forgive this if she knew. But he wasn't going to tell her. Which only made him feel dishonest and like a total fuckwit. But he knew if he said something, Hermione would bolt and probably slap the shit out of him. And he'd have it coming. Why couldn't he control his hormones?

He sat in the foyer of his house and tears rolled down his cheeks. He was disgusted with himself. He didn't know how to live with what he'd done, and he didn't know how to get out of the mess he was in. Logic told him he should just tell everyone to fuck off and leave him alone, but then he still had the secret that he'd slept with Astoria. And if Hermione knew, she'd leave him. He had no doubt. He didn't deserve her loyalty. He didn't know, but he assumed she didn't fuck Jonathon after the party. And if she did, he'd rather not know either. So maybe it was just a kindness to never tell her? Maybe he wasn't a horrible person? He wasn't sure. He just didn't want to be punished for a mistake he didn't even remember making.

Just then, there was a knock at his door. He prayed it was not Astoria again. But when he looked out the peephole, he saw it was Hermione. He took a deep breath and wiped his eyes and opened the door slowly.

"Hey. Where'd you' go last night?" she asked as he peeked his head around the door.

"I'm sorry. I guess I left. I honestly don't remember," he admitted as he motioned for her to come inside.

She walked in and he shut the door behind her. Then he faced her and realized he couldn't look her in the eye.

"What's wrong? You're acting strangely," she noted his shifty behavior.

"Nothing's wrong. I'm sorry. It's just I have a really bad hangover. I drank way too fucking much last night. That's why I don't remember leaving. If I had known what I was doing, I would have said something to you," he assured her.

"I was worried. But Jonathon said Astoria was probably jealous of me and made you leave. Is that true?"

"Jonathon said that? Well how observant of him. Did you go home with him?" he asked accusingly, trying to assuage his own guilt. If she went home with Jonathon, maybe he wouldn't feel so bad.

"No of course not! He's just a friend. He was very sweet actually. But no. I love you, Draco. Don't you still love me?" she asked nervously, not understanding his behavior.

"Of course I do. You're the one good thing in my life. I'm sorry. I'm just out of sorts. It was a weird night," he admitted as he took her hands and held them tightly.

"I've been standing here for over a minute now and you've not even kissed me," she pouted.

He smiled and leaned over and kissed her lips. She tasted so sweet that he never wanted to stop kissing her. But he finally pulled back for air.

"I'm never going to get tired of kissing you," he whispered, holding her close to him.

"I'm never going to tire of it either. I was so worried that something changed last night. I-I mean aside from the obvious. We finally admitted our feelings. But then you just left. Poof. Disappeared. I had no idea what to think," she told him seriously.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to do that. I wasn't thinking clearly at all and I must have just blacked out. It's all a blur," he admitted, caressing her arms gently.

"You remember us though right? What we said? What we did?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes. I remember it all. We said we loved each other. And then there was lots of kissing. I definitely remember the kissing. But then after that, it's a blur."

"Did you take Astoria home?" she wondered.

"Uh, yeah. I guess. I don't remember. But she's not here, so obviously she went home right?" he said, trying not to feel guilty.

"Yeah. That's good. God, if she was here when I showed up I think I'd barf and faint. Probably in that order. I-I don't want to think of you with her at all," she confessed making a face.

"You don't have to worry. She means nothing to me," he said honestly. Even if he was hiding a terrible secret.

"Can you just be kissing me now?" she asked with a small smile.

He grinned at her and pulled her to him and kissed her wildly. He'd never tire of those lips. She was the best kisser he'd ever known, and she could say the same for him. They were lost in each other. And soon fell to the floor and pawed at each other desperately. Hermione thought they'd have sex, but for some reason Draco put the brakes on before things got really good. He pulled back from her and looked at her breathlessly.

"Let's slow it down. We've got all the time in the world. I-I don't want to rush things," he said. The truth was, guilt was eating him alive. He couldn't possibly share his bed with Hermione when Astoria had just vacated it moments earlier.

"You don't want me?" she asked suddenly feeling hurt by his actions, or rather non-actions.

"Of course I want you. God, I want nothing more," he said earnestly. "But not right this moment. And not when I'm hungover. Let's wait a bit and make it special."

"Okay. I can wait. I thought I'd be waiting forever honestly. I never thought we'd get this moving," she told him.

"I didn't either. I really didn't. But I'm so happy we did. Why don't we go somewhere today? Just us two. I'll even let you pick the activity," he said trying to get her away from his house and his rumpled bed without clean sheets on it.

"Okay. Um, maybe we could go see a movie? I know it doesn't really give us time to talk, but honestly, I'm kind of in a mindless mood. I drank a lot myself last night. Not that I don't remember! I do. But I was pretty far gone," she admitted with a slight laugh.

"A movie sounds perfect. And then maybe dinner?" he offered.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

"Okay. Just let me shower and change and you pick a movie. The newspaper is on the kitchen table," he told her as he gave her another kiss and headed up the stairs to wash away the Astoria off his skin. He didn't even feel right touching Hermione with the possible scent of sex with another woman on his person. He felt too horrible.

So he went to shower, and Hermione sat down at the kitchen table and perused the paper. She found a nice romantic comedy to watch and it started in an hour and half. They should have plenty of time. She got up from the kitchen table and noticed there were half eaten eggs in the sink along with a pan. And next to the sink a woman's bracelet sat. She scrunched up her nose at it and picked it up. It was filled with diamonds and emeralds and looked startlingly like the one Astoria wore last night. But why would it be in Draco's kitchen? She picked it up and looked at it and then she took it to the couch with her. Was Astoria at Draco's place last night? Did they go home together? She wasn't sure. But how else could the bracelet have gotten there? She didn't like to think of them together in any capacity, but what scenario would have her leaving a bracelet in the kitchen? It didn't make any sense. But Hermione waited for Draco to ask him about it. She didn't like where her mind was going with it and needed him to ease her conscience.

He walked down the stairs, all fresh and clean and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. His feet were still bare and he smiled at Hermione at least until he saw her holding Astoria's bracelet. Why did that bitch leave that lying around? He pretended he didn't see what she had in her hand though, and just breezed into the living room.

"I'm just about ready. Did you pick a movie?" he asked happily.

"Uh, yeah. I picked one. Draco, what is this doing in your kitchen?" she held up the offending jewelry item.

"That? I don't know," he lied.

"Doesn't this belong to Astoria?" she prodded him.

"Yeah, it does. She probably dropped it here before we left for the ball," he said trying to cover it up.

"Huh? No. That can't be right. I saw her wearing it at the ball. Did she come back here with you last night?" she wondered curiously.

"No. Of course not."

"I thought you said you didn't remember most of the end of last night. Was she here?"

"I don't know. Maybe?" he shrugged, wishing she'd stop playing detective. Maybe she was like Scully after all?

"You don't know if she was here last night? Was she here this morning? I saw the eggs in the sink."

"I can cook eggs," he said defensively.

"But were you wearing her bracelet while you did it?" she pushed him.

"What do you want me to say, Hermione? She may have been here. But I didn't fucking invite her! She invited herself. I was too drunk to even protest," he said holding up his hands.

"Oh my God. Did she spend the night here?" she asked feeling a wave of nausea hit her.

"No!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm fucking sure. I think I'd know if someone spent the night."

"Right. I'm being silly. Sorry Draco. I-I don't know what got into me. I just got really jealous for a moment. I apologize," she said putting the bracelet down and shaking her head in dismay of her own actions.

"It's okay. No worries. It's just you know I'd never spend the night with her willingly," he told her with much honesty. He never would do it on purpose but apparently when he was black out drunk he thought it was a grand plan. But he could never tell Hermione. Not when she already seemed so upset. She'd never understand.

"I know you'd never do that to me. I know you don't want her. I guess I just lost it for a moment. I mean, you did disappear with her last night. I-I had no idea what to think," she stammered slightly.

"It's fine. Let's just go to the movies, shall we?" he offered her his hand and she readily took it.

"I'm sorry if I doubted you," she said, giving him a kiss.

"It's water under the bridge," he told her, feeling like an utter shithead.

They just took off to the movie and enjoyed each other's company and Draco tried not to think about what he'd done. Or the fact that he was lying straight to Hermione's face about it. That was what killed him. If she hadn't asked questions, he wouldn't have to lie exactly. He'd just omit the truth. But now he was an outright liar and it pained him inside. He hated himself almost as much as he did when he was trying to kill Dumbledore. That's how bad he felt. And he didn't know what to do. He couldn't fix this. It was done. All he could do was never repeat it. No matter how drunk he might get, he'd never repeat it. And maybe if enough time passed it wouldn't seem real anymore? It didn't seem real now, especially since he didn't remember it. But it apparently happened. He wanted to strangle himself for it though. The world would be better off, he thought. Hermione would definitely be better off without him in her life.

When they got to dinner, he was feeling slightly better because the movie had been so nice. They'd shared a popcorn and a soda and held hands the entire time. It was just about perfect, if there wasn't a dark cloud hanging over his head. But he was determined to forget it as they ate dinner in a small casual restaurant that served up plates of spaghetti that they both had been craving. They even fed each other a little and Draco couldn't help but love her even more. She was so perfect. She was everything he ever wanted.

When they finished eating their meal, she leaned over the table and kissed his lips gently.

"Still love me?" she asked with a shy smile.

"In my life, I've never loved anything more," he told her.

"Good. That's what I want to hear," she said grinning wildly.

"Now that it's finally left my lips, I never want to stop saying it. I love you, Hermione Granger. I love you!" he said with a gregarious laugh.

"I love you too, Draco Malfoy! God, I never thought I'd say that shit," she laughed herself.

"Hey now. I'm insulted. Am I really that bad?" he held up his hands in defeat.

"A couple of years ago, I would have probably drowned myself rather than spend time with you. But things change," she shrugged.

"They really do change," he admitted holding her hands across the table.

"Are you still getting married?" she tossed out, eager to know the answer to the one question she was afraid to ask.

He was quiet for a time and then he shook his head.

"I don't think so. I don't know. It's complicated."

"Complicated? But you love me. Don't you want to marry me someday?"

"Of course I do. I'd love nothing more. But you have to understand that my family would never approve," he said seriously.

"I don't give a shit. I mean, a few years ago, I'd never approve of this either, and yet here I am. They'll get used to me. And I bet they wouldn't even disown you if you told them how in love we were," she said hopefully.

"Darling you don't know my family that well. They'd never get used to it. But that doesn't negate how I feel. I just don't know what to do," he said earnestly. "I'm confused."

"Well let me simple it up for you. Ditch her, and marry me," she grinned at him.

"Are you asking me to marry you?" he laughed slightly. "That's a bold statement. And it's my job! Not yours!"

"So? I'm throwing away gender stereotypes. I want to marry you someday. And I don't want you to marry someone else. So in my world, that means you pick me."

"I would pick you. In a heartbeat."

"But?"

"I didn't say there was a but," he assured her.

"It sounds like it to me though," she said softly.

"I'm not trying to make excuses, it's just very complicated. I'm going to disappoint a lot of people. And I'm going to lose a lot. Are you sure you want a poor man who can't even pay for meals when we go out?" he asked her.

"I don't care about money, Draco. And I know you're going to disappoint people, but you have to live your life for you. Not for someone else," she urged him.

"I know. I know all that, yet it's still hard. I'm so used to bowing down to everything my father asks of me. I don't know how to stand up to him," he admitted with an embarrassed look.

"You just have to do it. Maybe he'll be more understanding than you'd think? But you'll never know unless you try. And if he's not understanding, then you don't need that in your life. You deserve to be happy," she said sincerely.

"I never thought I deserved anything except a swift kick to the head. At least that's what everyone told me," he said to her.

"Who ever said that to you?"

"Everyone just about. I was not a very well-liked person, Hermione. My own parents couldn't even stand me most of the time. And you may love me now, but there was a time you hated me just as much as everyone else did," he reminded her.

"That was ages ago. And you're different now. You deserve happiness. Not to be punished for your past actions. I think you've punished yourself enough," she told him seriously.

"I'm not sure if there is such a thing as too much punishment for some people," he said softly, unable to look her in the eye. She was defending him, and he'd betrayed her. He wasn't deserving of this support.

"I don't think that's true at all. You're a good man. A good man whom bad things have happened to. But you have to stand up for yourself. You have to take your life back. Remember how proud you felt getting this Ministry job all on your own, without your father's help. Life can always feel like that if you let it," she said, taking his hands and holding them.

She was trying to show him that he had options and didn't have to cower down to his father's wishes. Even if he lost things, he'd still gain more than he ever lost. He'd have his self-respect. But he was a harder sell on it. He just sighed and leaned back in his chair and didn't say anything at first. What could he really say? She had a point, but if she knew what a terrible person he really was, she'd feel differently. Of that he was sure. He just didn't feel like he could make any decisions right now. They were all so life and death. He just wanted to forget all about it and enjoy Hermione's company. But she felt like she needed answers. And he didn't know how to give them.

She finally broke his silence when she could see he was in pain while lost in thought.

"Draco, it's alright. Forget I said anything. I don't want to push you to do anything before you're ready. I just need to know that you're going to choose me," she said in a small worried voice.

"Love, of course I choose you. I'll break it off with Astoria. I promise. I just need a little time. Please just give me a little time. That's all I'm asking. I need to figure stuff out. Maybe hide some money away. Pay off my house. Make it so I'm not a penniless beggar on the streets when all this goes to hell," he told her, trying to explain his silence.

"Okay. I'll give you time. It's alright. As long as I know that it's me you want, I'll be okay," she smiled at him.

"It's definitely you. It will always be you. I promise you that," he smiled back.

"Then that's all I need to know."

"I love you, Hermione."

"I love you too."

And with that they just sat across the table from each other and held hands in silence. This time, for once, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was perfect. It was just what the other person needed. They wanted to be connected, but didn't need to always be talking. They could just hold hands and smile at each other and exist in the same space quietly. And it was okay. It was what they'd both been searching for their entire lives. And Draco just hoped he wasn't going to ruin it.

To be continued…. Thanks for all the reviews! I love them. So keep them coming! It helps me write even faster….