Hermione looked as if she was sleeping. Her breathing was even and her eyes delicately closed.
"You have to start getting yourself hurt, Granger," said Draco placing the antidote on her bedside table. He sat down near her on the bed, careful not to disturb her too much.
"I have to get something out of my head so I can forget about it and move on. I don't think it's something you want to hear, especially from me, and I'd rather not be assaulted by you." He let out a nervous laugh. "Or ignored. The second one would be far worse, to be honest."
He took the antidote and opened the lid, studying the liquid.
"I think I am falling for you," he said with ease. His heart was beating fast and his words meant things that had never even appeared in his mind, but they were true nonetheless. He had been trying to ignore it for the last couple of days. Of course, he had accepted the fact that he cared about her and for her, but this was another level.
"Like I've never fallen before." He sighed and then inhaled deeply, trying to calm and steady himself. "You will not have to worry about me," he gazed at her unconscious face. "I just wanted to say it out loud, acknowledge it and move on. I know you will never be able to even accept being with someone like me."
He neared her and tentatively inserted a hand through the mane of hair, pushing her head up. Her lips parted on their own accord and he poured the antidote little by little, making sure she had swallowed it before pouring some more.
Once done, he let her head rest on the pillow again and left.
Hermione woke up to an empty room and dried up flowers on her desk. She pushed the covers away from her body and saw the bandages around her leg.
She tried to think about what had happened. She remembered the spiders, Draco, and the Three Broomstick. She did not remember much else.
She looked on her bedside table for her wand and saw next to it an empty phial.
Draco.
"Oh God," she said, placing a hand on her forehead.
Did she dream that? Did he really say what he did? And he told her to forget it. Should she just ignore it?
She took her wand in her hand taking a deep breath. She summoned some clothes and got dressed.
She could just forget it. But was he referring to him being a werewolf when he said that she wouldn't accept someone like him.
He must've. She had to talk to him.
Hermione walked to his classroom hoping she'd find him there. She knocked on the door after taking a deep breath.
"Yes," he answered.
Hermione opened the door an peeked inside. His brows shot up, surprised to see her appear at his door.
"You're awake. Come in, Granger," he said. "I don't bite this time of the month."
She smiled tightly at the joke and entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm ok, just disoriented and a little tired."
He nodded.
"Thank you, for saving my life," she tried.
"You would've done the same," he said smirking. "Being the noble Gryffindor that you are."
His sarcasm was harmless but she could not bring herself to smile at the joke. "I, just," she started unsure, unwilling to meet his eyes. "I heard what you told me before giving me the antidote," she rushed in one breath.
Something akin to lightning passed through him, as his heart started an irregular drummming against his ribcage.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
She looked at him. She knew this was the first card he would play. He would pretend like nothing had happened and never mention anything ever again.
"I heard you, Draco, I heard you say how..."
"It doesn't matter, forget about it."
"I can't," she let out. "I tried. Draco, I tried to forget about it. Trust me, it's not something I want to be responsible for-
"What do you mean?"
"Your heart," she said after a brief pause. "I don't want to be responsible for your heart. Please don't misunderstand me." She took a step towards him. "I can't do that."
Draco placed his palms on his desk, letting his weight rest on them.
"Then why did you come here Hermione?"
"I have come here because I want you to know and to believe, that the reason why I can't do that is not the nature of who you are."
Draco let his head down and took a deep breath.
"No need for the pity party, Granger."
"What? No, Draco-
He stood up streight and circled the desk to stand in front of her. "I cannot ask for what I know it's impossible for you to give, Granger. No need to lie about it."
"It has nothing to do with who you are!"
"No," he said in a harsh tone. "It's what I am!".
"Why do you not believe me?"
"Because you didn't even give me a chance!"
Hermione took a step back, surprised.
"You decided that you wanted to forget what I said without even giving it a second thought. And you even tried to forget it."
"Draco-
"I know you're still in love with Weasley, Granger. I know. But it would've been a better excuse than 'It's not you, it's me'"
Hermione remained quiet.
"I thought you wanted me to forget."
"I did," he said. "But I changed my mind. I'm not going to beg you for a chance to change what you feel, Granger."
"Draco," Hermione started now completely confused. "What are you saying?"
"I want you to consider what I said," he said quietly. "I don't want to forget how I feel, because I found it's impossible to get you out of my head."
He turned around, tearing his gaze away from her confused and almost hurt face.
"If at any given point in time, you'll find that you do want to give this a chance, than you know where to find me. Otherwise, please don't come here again."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something but thought against it.
At the door she turned to look at him. "I'm sorry, Draco."
He wanted to stop her and ask her what was she sorry for, but he didn't.
Thank you for reading :) I appreciate it a lot.
Please tell me what you think of the story so far, would be happy to read your opinions.
Cyther
