Hermione chose to believe Draco when he told her he did believe there was a future for them. She knew in the back of her head he didn't believe it but she was going to ignore it and hold on to his words. The next couple of months had been tough. Hermione had been trying to convince Harry and Ron that Draco couldn't be behind the strange things going on. The cursing of Katie Bell had started Harry on this crusade against Draco then the poisoned mead. Anything untoward and Harry jumped to the conclusion that Draco was behind it. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't convince him Draco had no part in it. She was beginning to think that maybe she couldn't convince Harry because she couldn't quite convince herself. Draco had been acting so strangely lately that she wasn't sure what he was capable of.

Draco was getting closer to fixing the vanishing cabinet things were coming back whole and working. His plan would soon be put into action. He just had to find the best opportunity to complete it. He knew he was becoming more angry than usual and he was becoming jumpy. He was nervous someone would catch on to him, mess up his plan, and endanger his family. Even his father, he hated his father for ever getting them into this situation, he put all the blame on his shoulders. A normal life had never been on the cards for him ever since his father had become a death eater. He was grateful he had managed to keep his anger in check with Hermione he didn't want to hurt her, although he knew in the end it was inevitable. They would both be hurt when it all blew up.

Draco had made his way to the great hall to eat when he saw Katie bell. He hadn't cursed her but it scared him that she was back. She could blow the plan if she remembered who did. It was Madam Rosmerta she was under the imperious curse. A rush of panic ran through him and he left as quickly as he could. He made his way to the girl's toilet where moaning Myrtle was. He had spoken to her sometimes he didn't know why.

He had only been there a minute before Potter came in behind him shouting accusations. He didn't have a clue. He thought he was so high and mighty. With each word Potter spoke Draco's anger rose. How dare he challenge him.

They dueled and he was holding his own. Then a curse hit him in the chest and pain shot through him. He didn't know what curse it was but he was in pain. He lost consciousness. He come to and went back out a few times he heard Snape muttering something, felt the pain subside slightly. Was he dying? He didn't want to die yet he needed to let Hermione know how much he loved her, needed her to know that the task he had to do was to save his family. He needed her to understand. He had to know she forgave him. He tried to hold onto the thought of her, to the feel of her lips then he drifted out of consciousness once more.

Hermione was sitting in the common room with Ron and Ginny when Harry came bursting in. She couldn't believe him when he told her what happened, how he had seen blood and gashes on Draco. Panic welled up in her chest. Was he ok? She had to find out. She had to listen to Harry tell them the details about what happened. He had used a spell from that damn potions book. Ginny convinced him to hide it.

'I'll try and find out if Malfoy is ok.' Hermione said.

'Why?' Ron asked with a look of disgust on his face which Hermione wanted to slap.

'Because Ronald I'm pretty sure Harry didn't want to kill Malfoy.' She looked at Harry for support.

'You're right Hermione.' He said. 'Will you try and find out?'

'Yes.'

She left with Harry and Ginny and then went the opposite way out of the portrait hole. When she was out of site she ran to the hospital wing. She arrived at the door out of breath and shaking with the fear of what she might find inside. She pushed inside and looked around for Draco. There was a bed at the end with a screen around it. She began to walk towards it slowly. Pleading in her head that he was ok. Just before she reached the bed Madam Pomfrey came rushing out of a side room.

'Miss Granger what are you doing here at this hour?' She asked.

'I have a headache.' She thought on her feet. 'I was wondering if you had a tonic I could take?'

'I do have something but I'll have to whip it up I gave out my last vile this morning please wait here.' She said as she bustled back into the side room.

She rushed over to the curtain then, she didn't have long. When she walked around and saw Draco in the bed a sob escaped her lips. He looked so pale. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his cheek he felt cold.

'Minnie?' He asked his eyes still closed. He thought he recognized that touch.

'Yes it's me Draco.' Tears running down her cheeks. 'I love you.'

'I love you too.' He managed a small smile opening his eyes slightly. 'Don't cry. I'll be ok.'

'I can't believe Harry did this to you.'

'Minnie I tried to hurt him too.' He was exhausted he could feel himself being pulled back into sleep. 'He just got there first.'

'Draco what's going on?' She asked things had gone too far now.

'I can't…' was all he managed before sleep took him again.

'Draco?' Hermione said. 'Draco?'

He'd fallen asleep. She kissed his head and then she heard Madam Pomfrey coming back so she rushed out. She thanked her for the tonic, which she thought she could actually use now, and left to go back to

Gryffindor tower.

How could this be happening to her? The man she loved and her best friend trying to kill each other. Maybe Draco was right maybe there was no future for them. If it came down to it who would she choose? Because they would make her choose wouldn't they? Who was more important to her? This was something she would probably have to figure out soon.