Kiss with A Fist - Florence and the Machine

[/edit 08/06/2011]

Malfoy Senior finally got the message after who knows what kind of threats. I was laughing with Victoria at the Gryffindor table when I got a letter. URGH! Could I not get a break here?

I looked at Draco who gave me an intense stare before smiling his support. I turned back around and drowned everything else around me out and opened the letter.

Sparks and confetti flew out of the envolope and I jumped back in surprise. A enegetic voice screamed, "CONGRAGULATIONS! Hermione, you've been selected for our 3 month exchange program with Wizarding America!" I stared at the parchment that literally flew out of the envelope and landed in my quivering hands.

This. Could. Not. Be. Real.

"Draco! Please! Please hear me out!..."

"Hermione, NO! I REFUSE!"

"Dra-"

"NO! HERMIONE GRANGER! I SAID NO!," Draco Malfoy paced in our common room.

"MALFOY! ITS NOT YOUR BLOODY DECISION! AND DON'T YOU DARE YELL AT ME LIKE THAT AGAIN. I will send you to St. Mungo's if you dare do it again," I ended with a harsh gowl.

He looked at me in disbelief. "What the hell? I'm surprised that your even considering this! I can't believe that you would leave with all the odds against us. I just got you, babe. I can't let go," he ended softly a frown gracing that beautiful face of his.

"I'm not asking you to, Tiger." He sent me a vicious glare and I returned it strengthening my voice. "Malfoy. I've been wanting this since I came to Hogwarts. Do you even know what this means? What it means to me? You're being utterly selfish and I don't appreciate that your not even trying to understand my stance on this. Its just for one year. I'll be here for you when you get back." I tensed when I saw him freeze but he said nothing. "I'm sorry, Draco," I continued softly trying to sympathize. " This means so much though! Its what I've shot for... And I understand that you can't help but feel betrayed but this is my future on the line."

This time he did speak.

"Hermione Jean Granger. Don't. You. Dare. Are you telling me this is the only means for you to succeed in life? Are you seriously trying to feed me that bullshit right now? YOU'RE THE FUCKING SAVIOR OF THE WIZARDING WORLD! You've been offered all kinds of jobs already. Everything you could possibly want! At the tip of your fingertip. But you can't just take what you have, can you? You always have to go the extra mile. Can't this be the only exception? The one thing you sacrifice? ARRGHH! HERMIONE! I CAN'T LOSE YOU!"

I sighed heavily. "Dra-"

"For me? Please," He pleaded with tears in his eyes getting on his knees before me.

"I can't, Draco, " I said looking away from his sad eyes to keep firm in my decision.

He growled but didn't lose his cool. "Can't we at least talk about this? Can't we make this decision together lik couples should?" I turned away but he continued nonetheless."I don't-"

"DRACO SHUT UP! WHY? WHY DO YOU KEEP SAYING YOU? I'M THE THE ONE WHO NEEDS THIS? What about my dreams? You're being selfish."

He shot up and walked out slamming the door shut. I was set to leave in a week and if I was swaying before, I wasn't now. I would miss him though.

Ï tossed and turned all night and looked as horrible as I felt. I got ready regardless glad we didn't have classes today. Draco had already stepped out but instead I saw Blaise grinning up at me. I gave him a simple nod.

"Hermione~! Your not actually leaving us, are you? I mean Draco came to me crying last night and I told him you wouldn't actually leave. You love me too much." He chuckled nervously at the bad joke but it quickly dropped to the Blaise who-shall-not-be-messed-with."I know you'll make the right decision in the end. I'll support you through it but make sure you don't regret it."

I sighed. "I'm leaving Blaise. I..."

"No need to explain it to me. I understand completely and still support you," he said seriously and pulled me into a comforting hug.

He walked me down to breakfast which was awkward considering how tense everyone was. Draco sat at the Slytherin table obviously not giving me the choice to sit next to him.

About halfway through, Lavender Brown came up to me with a smirk. "Hermione, I heard you and Draco are over now that your leaving. So does that mean he's fair game? You know, for the rest of the female population," she winked with a giggle.

Before anyone could open their mouths another rich, deep voice came in. "What's it matter to you, slag? I'd never go out with the likes you regardless," Draco Malfoy replied with a look of pure disgust towards the brunette and malice dripping from his silky voice.

Her eyes widened and she whimpered, scurrying off. I couldn't look him in the eye as he took his place next to me. It was silent and I waited to hear him breaking up with me. The tears welled up in my eye each one wanting to break free and pusing further against my eyelids. Instead, I felt his hand find mine under the table and give me a squeeze of comfort. My heart stopped up in my throat as I looked up at him. He sighed and pulled me to him.

I wrapped my arms around him burying my face into his chest letting my tears fall. He kissed the top of my head in comfort and whispered, "I support you, love. You should go."

I notices how he said I should, willing me to go, over saying I can go, giving me permission to leave.

Why? Why me? Why did I have to end up with the one guy who would actually be understanding in the end? Why did I have to leave? Do I have to leave?

"Sing to me," I whispered.

He hesitated but began softly in my ear.

"I can show you the world

Shining, shimmering, splendid

Tell me, princess, now when did

You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes

Take you wonder by wonder

Over, sideways and under

On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us no

Or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here

It's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Now I'm in a whole new world with you "

I continued the song for him...

"Unbelievable sights

Indescribable feeling

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world

Don't you dare close your eyes

A hundred thousand things to see

Hold your breath - it gets better

I'm like a shooting star

I've come so far

I can't go back to where I used to be

A whole new world

Every turn a surprise

With new horizons to pursue

Every moment red-letter

I'll chase them anywhere

There's time to spare

Let me share this whole new world with you "

We sung together the ending notes of the song bringing it to a harmonious end

"A whole new world

That's where we'll be

A thrilling chase

A wondrous place

For you and me"