Right, guys, I changed my mind. I've got nothing to do today. I'm updating!

So, yeah... This is the 10th chapter. :O Can't believe I've gone this far. Ooohhh. :D Right, I present to you... *drum rolls* the 10th chapter!

Draco sighed as he entered RoR. He can't believe he had to do this. Raising the sleeve of his left arm, he gave a disgusted look at the black tattoo that's attached to his skin. He hated the Dark Mark, why would that nose less bugger choose him for this task? It's all because of his father! That bastard can't even defeat a 15 years old. Then, Draco had to pay for his mistake. Stupid Lucius. Stupid father.

He rolled his sleeve back and looked at the huge cabinet standing before him. He placed a green apple in the cabinet and closed the door. 'Harmonia Nectere Passus.'

Draco opened the door and saw that the apple was gone. He smirked and closed the door again before repeating the cycle. When he opened it again, the apple was there, though, it got a bitten mark.

It's getting better and better. He smirked. The Vanishing Cabinet should be fixed soon enough. However, a thought suddenly struck him. Hermione.

He scowled and clamped his eyes shut. Kicking a table next to him with a frustrated groan, Draco fell to the ground and clenched his hands into fists. He wanted to tell her so bad, he knew, the prophecy was about his situation. If Hermione truly understood him, she can help him.

But he just didn't have the guts to tell her. He can't tell her! Of course, Hermione was a very understanding person but he's afraid if she's going to leave him. He can't stand it if he had to let her go. Call him greedy, call him selfish, but he's keeping her to himself this time. He's not going to let her go.

He suddenly remembered something and quickly stood, brushing his pants and quickly ran to the door. He rushed to the third floor and entered the library. Draco went to search for Hermione and found her at her usual table behind the shelves in the Reference Section, as always.

'Hey.' He greeted and her shoulder hunched in shock.

'Draco. You shocked me.' She said and smiled. 'You're late. Where did you go?'

'Urm? Just lost track of time.' Draco murmured. 'What are you doing?' He stretched his neck to see her parchment.

'Just some research.' The girl informed and Draco nodded.

'I actually got no homework since I've already finished them last night. And I don't really think that research is really important. Wanna snog, Granger?' He leant back in his seat and smirked.

Hermione blushed and glared at him. 'How about no, Malfoy?'

'Mia, I'm joking!' Draco said desperately and he laughed. 'I'm bored.'

'Just do some researches or you can read the Hogwarts: A History.' Hermione muttered without looking up from her parchment.

'I've read it, Granger. I've got tired of it already.' Draco sighed.

Hermione's head snapped up at his statement and she widened her eyes. 'You've read it?'

'Yes, Granger. In fact, I've already read it for 3 times.' Draco said smugly.

'I thought I'm the only one who did.' She shrugged. 'Good for you.'

'You're not the only one who love to read, Mia.' Draco mocked, smirking and Hermione rolled her eyes.

'I know that, Draco. However, it'll do no harm if you read it again.' The girl said as she turned back to her parchment. Suddenly, she looked at him again. 'You know, Draco, Harry's acting kind of weird these days.'

'Seriously, Granger, even if Potter grew another head I would be the last person on earth to care.' He drawled lazily and she rolled her eyes.

'I'm just telling you, Malfoy.'

'Oh...' He nodded and smirked.

'Always the annoying git.' She muttered to herself and he laughed.

'Jealous, Granger?'

'In your dreams.' Hermione poked his arm before continued reading the book.

'Don't you get tired of reading, Hermione?' He asked and she groaned.

'No, I get tired of answering your questions.' She said and glared at him. Draco gave her a look as if saying "I'm bored, okay?" and Hermione gritted her teeth. 'Fine, I'll just finish this page and then we can go somewhere, cool?'

'Okay, okay.' He smirked. 'But...'

'Don't disturb me again or we're not going anywhere.' She threatened.

'Fine.' He leant back, crossing his arms and pouting.

'Good.'

Hermione held back her laughter as he opened his mouth but remembered what she said and bit back his question. He repeated it for almost three times and Hermione finally laughed. 'Fine, Malfoy! Let's go!' She said and slammed her book closed as he glared at her.

She stood and slung her bag over her shoulder, going to Madam Pince's table and taking out a book from her bag before handing it out to the old woman. Hermione thanked her and walked away with Draco trailing behind her. It was Saturday and most of the students joint the trip to Hogsmeade so they're free to go anywhere.

'Want to hang around at the Black Lake?' She asked, smiling as they walked next to each other along the hall. There's no one to tell them they don't belong together or stop them from seeing each other.

'Why not?' He smirked and took her hand. Hermione blushed and slowly wriggled her hand away from his grasp. 'Come on, Granger, it's been a month.'

'I know, but...' She sighed and kept her head down. 'I'm sorry, Draco.'

'Nevermind.' He huffed, stepping a little bit away from her and fastened his pace. Hermione lifted her face and saw her best friend walking away from her. She knew she had upset Draco again. He's been trying so hard to get them back together. She's the one who was not trying.

She had accepted it. The fact was glued to her mind and she knew whatever she'll do, Draco was still her best friend. It's not like she wanted to change that, she loved him. She just missed them as a boyfriend and girlfriend, but she didn't know if she wanted to get back together with him or not.

Hermione knew it's so not her to defy the truth, but she's just confused. She needed to get her mind right and make a decision. She's not supposed to leave the choices hanging in the air, she's got choices and she had the right to make the decision. So, why wasn't she?

She can choose either to just stay friends with him or claim him to herself back. Hermione knew Draco would want the same if they get back together again. She already thought of it. If she chose to stay as friends, she would surely get jealous if Draco went with other girl. Of course, maybe he won't move on just so easily but people can change.

Though, if she chose to take him back, she can keep him to herself. She trusted Draco; he won't betray her, never. Blaise had told her once, the Slytherins are cunning of course, and they always use foul ways to get what they want, they don't care about others and they were selfish. But, when it comes to love, they can be as loyal as Hufflepuffs.

Hermione knew Blaise liked Pansy, he just didn't have the guts to tell her. She knew she can believe him about the Slytherins being loyal, because Blaise was willing to wait for Pansy since they were in third year. Now that she thought about it, maybe she can help him to get her; Pansy was currently riding solo so it'll be easier.

Okay, Hermione, focus!

Of course, she needed to decide now. She hoped she made the right choice. Hermione let out a heavy breath and quickly ran to the Black Lake only to find that Draco wasn't there. She sighed and sat near the lake, he's probably sulking. Hermione looked around as she took out a book and placed it on her lap. 'Draco?' She called out, worried if she truly had upset him and he's really mad at her. No answer.

Hermione started to get nervous now, she was sure he was around, but now she's not so sure anymore. The girl stood and turned around, raking her eyes over the woods, trying to see if she can find any glimpse of him but she found nothing. 'Draco? Draco!' She tried again but nothing came back as an answer.

Suddenly two hands were on her shoulder and a pair of lips visited her cheek and a chuckle erupted from that mouth. 'Got you, Granger!' Draco chirped and Hermione clutched her chest, panting and sweating before she turned around and hugging him tightly.

'I thought you left.' She whispered urgently. 'I thought you were upset with me.'

Draco raised his eyebrows and let out a small chuckle. 'I am mad at you, Mia, but I've got my revenge. You should've looked at your face, you were so worried.' He laughed out loud.

'Draco! It's not funny at all!' She whined. 'I thought I lost you!'

He sighed. 'I'm not going anywhere, Granger. As long as you want me, I'm here.'

'Draco, I'm sorry.' She apologised, blushing.

'Urm, forgive me for being in the wrong train but, what are you sorry for, Granger?' He drawled, cocking an eyebrow and she sighed.

'Nothing.'

Draco gave her a confused look but let it drop. He sat on the ground and she followed suit, taking a place next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder as she read her book and he threw the rocks into the lake, the Giant Octopus splashing the water every now and then.

They just stayed there together, both of them enjoying the silence. She missed this, being with him and not caring about anything else. She wished she could stay like this forever, but given their circumstance, any chance of being seen with him in public was a very high risk. And as long as Voldemort lives, no one can ever find any peace in their daily life, including his own followers.

Hermione moved her head slightly to see his face. He was in deep thoughts, staring at the lake, his eyes empty. She knew people would think he looked creepy that way, but she thought it was kind of hot. Boys usually don't take anything very seriously, like Ron and Harry. But Draco did, that's what that made him more mature.

After a very long moment, Draco broke the silence. 'Hermione?'

'Hmm?' She replied, lifting her head from his shoulder to look at him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. 'What is it, Draco?'

He opened his mouth hesitatingly, trying to speak and she tilted her head forward, waiting for his words but none came out. Draco shut his mouth and looked at his hands, playing with his own fingers and shaking his head. 'Draco...' She called out his name. 'Is there something that's bothering you?'

When he didn't say anything, Hermione took his hand and grabbed his chin, lifting his face so he's looking at her. 'What's wrong, Draco?'

'Hermione.' He finally said, moving his face away from her grasp. 'If, if I'm not who I am, like I was before, would, would you still accept me?'

Hermione frowned. 'What, what do you mean?' She asked, staring at him intently.

'If I was powered by dark magic, would you still stay with me?' He questioned her, looking at her now.

'What are you saying, Draco?' She frowned. 'I, I don't understand.'

'Hermione, if I am to become someone evil, if I attempt to kill someone close to you, what would you do?'

'I...' She gasped, cupping her mouth and pulling her hair back and staying silent. She didn't know what to say.

Draco nodded, understood by her silence and he stood. 'It's okay, Granger, I understand.'

'No, Draco.' She stood too, stopping him as he tried to walk away.

'Just think about it, Hermione! Why would you still want me if I have such a dark soul? How would you live with it if I am to kill the people you love?' He said, frustrated. 'I know, you would never want to be with me if I become someone like that... Hermione... I..'

Hermione rushed towards him and turned him around, cupping his cheeks and resting her forehead on his as she stroked his skin with her thumbs. 'Draco... I know you were raised with such things. I know Lucius wasn't exactly a civil man. He taught you with dark magic, you grew up with that. I know, Draco! We're friends since we're 10!'

'I knew you long enough, to believe that you're not like that. You're not your father. I trust you Draco. I believe you're just scared. I know why you had to insult me with that word, "Mudblood." It's because Lucius threatened you with it, Narcissa told me. She told me everything. So, don't you ever think, at once that you have a dark soul, or that you're evil because you're not! Lucius is the one who made you think so. So, stop! Stop putting everything on yourself. Don't blame yourself. Your father's the one who's guilty.' She said, looking at him in the eyes and he started crying.

'Draco, please don't ever think about this again. You're not who you think you are.' She whispered as he engulfed her into a hug, burying his face at her neck. This wasn't the first time he cried in front of her. During the summer of second year, he had cried in front her when Lucius tortured him with the Cruciatus Curse. It was only because Draco tried to tell his father that blood doesn't really matter and Lucius lost it.

'I'm sorry.' Draco whispered, his breath tickling the skin of her neck.

'Shhh, it's alright.' She reassured, rubbing his back and kissing his cheek.

Yeahh,, so, literally that was chapter 10. I don't know... Was it good? What do you think? Did I suck? You hate it? Was Draco too out of character? :O Well, if he is, there's nothing i can do. I'm not gonna rewrite this whole thing again. It's my story, not yours! Muahahahahaha. Okay, I think I've gone mental. Whatever. Reviews? :D I love you!