Chapter 13- Down by The Lake

"Aww... Isn't that just so darn adorable? My, my, Draco. I didn't think you were the 'lovesick puppy' type. But you looked damn silly, crushing on Granger."

Draco turned around to see Pansy, hands on her hips and wearing a sneer.

"What the hell are you talking about, Pansy?"

Pansy raised her eyebrow and started towards him, smirking. "Oh come on, Draco. Stop trying to deny it. It just makes you look pathetic, trying to hide your little crush."

Draco sighed. "I'm tired of playing games, Pansy. Will you go look for some jackass who's willing to snog you and just leave me alone?"

But Pansy just ignored what he said. "Tell me, Draco. Would you rather have her hating you... Or have everyone else hating her?" She asked, giggling.

Malfoy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Seeing his puzzled look, Pansy continued talking.

"The minute everyone realizes your little puppy love, Potter and Weasley will shun her. I'll bet she like that, having no friends because of you." She said, laughing her ass off. "And let's not forget your dear ol' dad." Pansy scoffed. "Lucius Malfoy's son is in love with a nerdy muggle. And not just any muggle, but Goody-Two-Shoes Granger. What do you think he'll do to her?"

"Why are you doing this, Pansy?" Draco finally asked her.

Pansy grazed her hand on his chest. "Silly Draco. If I can't have you, then no one will. Especially Granger."

Malfoy smirked, and released her hand away from him. "You're right, Pansy. You can't have me." And he ran off.

He hurriedly tried to catch Hermione before she got to the Gryffindor dormitories. And then he saw her. She was sitting down by the lake, looking at the moon.

"Granger..." He called out, and she turned to look at him. She looked beautiful as she smiled and got up.

"Malfoy, what's going on?" She asked, but Draco didn't have time to answer as he pulled her nearer and kissed her. Pansy's right. I shouldn't be with her. But not tonight. Tonight, I'm gonna pretend that Potter, Dad, and Pansy aren't around to ruin this.

"Not that I didn't find that nice, but what was the kiss for?" Hermione asked, blushing.

"I wanted to be the first to kiss you. Because I know... I won't be the last." Draco explained. She opened her lips to speak, but he held his hand to stop her.

"No, don't. Let me explain. No matter what happens, I'm never gonna be good enough for you. But at least I got to tell you... That you're the most amazing girl I've ever met. That there's no one else I would rather kiss, or hold hands with, or whatever it is that couples do. But this damn war's getting in the way. And maybe someday that will all change. Or maybe not. I don't know. What I do know is that I love you." He finished explaining.

But Hermione just kept quiet.

"So, uh... I guess it's your turn to speak now. Just say something... Anything... Cuz the silence is killing me." He said to her.

"It's kinda like Romeo and Juliet." She finally told him.

But Draco didn't understand. "Who the hell are they? Are they in Hufflepuff or something? Cuz I don't think I've ever heard them..."

Hermione laughed. "No. They're characters. From this Muggle play. To make the long story short... They were from two families that didn't get along, yet they fell in love with each other. Unfortunately, someone put a curse on both houses. And... Well, Let's just say they didn't end up living happily ever after." She told him.

"What happened to them?" Draco asked.

"They both died." He just had to ask. Hermione thought to herself.

Malfoy let out a low whistle. "Wow. Definitely not how I want our story to end."

Hermione lifted her eyebrow. "How do you want our story to end?" She asked him, moving closer to him.

He grinned. "I don't care how it ends. Just as long as I get to be with you." But Hermione frowned.

Draco squeezed her hand. "But it's just wishful thinking..."

"Well, at least we'll have this night to remember." Hermione said to him.

I'm in a beautiful dress. I actually don't look bushy and frumpy. And the most handsome guy in the whole world just told me he loves me. Too bad that tomorrow, I'll be back to Homely-looking Hermione. I'd trade all the books in the world (well, okay, not all, but most), just so things won't go back to normal... But I guess Hermione Jean Granger should just have to settle for one extraordinary night of having him kiss me and holding my hand, rather than a lifetime of just dreaming for something like that to ever happen again...

And with that thought still in her head, she let go of his hand and said goodbye. Because daybreak was fast approaching and that only meant one thing: In a few minutes, she'll no longer be the beautiful Cinderella. And Draco will no longer be her prince.

Author's Note: I hate Pansy.