In the candle lit, dark room, four men sat dozing. They had been left alone for over a year, and boy were they pissed.

At a sudden creaking at the door, the four stirred and sat up.

"If your name begins with J and ends in Enni, get the hell out!" Sirius yelled up the steep dungeon steps.

"What if my name begins in S and ends in Orry?" a hopeful voice called down.

"Get lost!"

"What if I was dressed as a pirate?"

"A sexy pirate?" Sirius asked eagerly.

"Just a pirate..."

"Go away!"

"You're no fun!" the author huffed. The door slammed shut, and for a moment the four captive men thought they had escaped their useless captor.

"Bloody woman. How dare she forget and abandon us like that!"

"I've been dying to know if I get with Hermione for ages..." Draco huffed, turning bright red as six pairs of eyes turned to look at him.

"Well you can finally find out," a voice boomed, seemingly from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. It was followed by manic, evil laughter. And then an "ouch, bloody hell that hurt!"

The author appeared from underneath Harry's invisibility cloak, in a heap at the foot of the stairs. The four men glared at her.

"Guys, I know I fail, and I'm sorry! You're not going to accept my excuses of friends and work and love and laziness are you?"

The four shook their heads. "For a whole year?" Fred demanded.

"Okay then, I'll tell you the truth! I was abducted by aliens!"

Eight eyes rolled.

"I was murdered!"

Sirius snorted.

"I've been travelling in the TARDIS for the last year!"

"The what?" Draco asked.

"Wizards," the author huffed, annoyed. "Okay, I give up on excuses. I suck, I know! You all hate me, I get that! I don't deserve reviews, fine! And is this chapter worth the wait? Definitely not! But I'm giving it to you all anyway, because you are amazing a deserve it, crap as it may be. I am also releasing you four, so that I have room to lock away my new favourite person – Greg House! Mwahahaha."

"You're nuts," George mumbled, as he followed his twin up the stairs. "But at least we're free..."

"That's right, mon ami! Now shooo!" The author starts pushing Sirius and Draco up the stairs after the twins. "You are free now. Freeee!"

"Wait, so what happens between me and Hermione?"

The door slams shut in his face.

Wilted Rose and Muddy Blood – A Dramione fic

*24*

Finale

It was with begrudging steps that Hermione left the dorm the next morning, Lavender's gloating eyes following her the entire way. She had lost the bet; hadn't even tried to hunt Draco down that final night, after Lavender had announced that she only had a few short hours left. There had been no point, Hermione reasoned. She had fallen in love with the Snake, had taken a bite from the forbidden fruit and had been outcast from Heaven, all in the space of a month.

Hermione had spent the entire night crying. It was pathetic really. If she'd been told a month ago that she would spend the night crying over Draco Malfoy she would have said 'I wouldn't give him the satisfaction'.

I've changed, Hermione mused, and I doubt for the better. Why, oh why, did I agree to that stupid bet? Why did I fall in love with that Slytherin, my enemy...

Hermione dragged her feet as she made her way to the Great Hall. According to the rules, she had to wait until everyone was present for breakfast. There was no way Lavender was going to let her embarrass herself in front of only half the school. Where would be the fun in that?

She sat herself inconspicuously in sight of Snape at the Gryffindor table and chewed on her fingernails as she mused the best way of doing it. Not that there was a best way to announce to the whole school that she was secretly in love with the Potions Master and kiss him. Groaning, she threw her head into her hands, resisting the urge to cry, or puke or something...

Raising her head to the burning sensation of eyes, Hermione spotted the old Headmaster's blue orbs twinkling in her direction. Of course he knew, and just like Lavender, he was eagerly awaiting her performance. It was typical that she would have to have a Headmaster more eager to see the act than to put a stop to it.

Twisting her head away from Dumbledore, Hermione spotted Draco sitting alone at the Slytherin Table. At least he hadn't run back to his little friends yet, perhaps that meant something? It was too late now anyway, the Hall was almost full, and Hermione could feel Lavender's expectant eyes watching her, teasing her.

Once again Hermione turned to watch Snape. It was – amazingly – less painful than watching Draco. She tried to vision herself walking up to him, announcing her love and planting a kiss on his lips. Of course it sickened her, but somehow Hermione felt as if she deserved it. It would teach her never to agree to anything stupid ever again.

As Ron and Harry entered the Hall, Hermione knew it was time for the performance. Her hands trembled and she gripped the table, turning her knuckles white as she tried to convince her legs to stand.

"You can do this," she muttered to herself, ignoring the curious look she received from some first year opposite her.

Without her permission, Hermione's eyes sought out Draco again. To her surprise he was watching her, almost curiously. He must have noticed her determination and decided that she was willing up the power to speak to him. If only he knew...

"As if she will actually do it," Parvati whispered to Lavender. The two girls giggled and sent a cruel look Hermione's way. As if that was the encouragement they needed, Hermione's legs straightened and she stood abruptly. The sudden movement caught the attention of just under half the Hall but only the nosy ones remained watching as Hermione glared at Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Lavender's eyebrows rose, almost daringly.

I'll show them... Hermione swung her legs over the bench and took a single step towards the Professors table. Her heart was thumping furiously, and her palms were sweating like crazy. She had never, ever, done anything this extreme before. It was crazy, insane, childish... Hermione caught Draco's eyes. They showed little emotion. She had to do this.

"Professor Snape!" Hermione hadn't even realized she had actually said it until the Hall fell abruptly silent and all eyes fell on her. Lavender's mouth dropped slightly; clearly she honestly had expected Hermione to back out. The Potions Master looked up, his dark eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Clenching her fists, Hermione strode determinedly over to the Professor. She heard, and ignored, Harry as he uttered her name in disbelief. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, Hermione wondered what people expected her to do: shout at him? Curse him?

Whatever it was they expected, it was not what she did.

Reaching the Professor's table, Hermione leaned over and, without hesitating, brought her lips to Snape's in a firm but brief kiss. Suddenly the hall was alive with noise; gasps, cries of shock and wolf whistles broke out in amass. Nervous giggles and outright laughter: cries of disgust and cat calls to keep going. Hermione felt her blood rush. The audience was a thrill, and suddenly she no longer felt embarrassed or nervous. Excitement coursed her veins.

"I know it can never be," she played up, feeling more daring than she had ever before. "But I need you to know I love you." With a smirk, Hermione turned away from the furious Professor, hesitating only to raise her eyebrows smugly at Lavender, and then she swept from the hall. Behind her retreating back, Hermione heard applause, and somehow she knew that Professor Dumbledore had started it. A smile touched her lips.

Later, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Blaise found Hermione sitting alone by the lake.

"Why didn't you tell us the whole thing was a bet?" Ron demanded. Although he tried to sound angry, Hermione could hear the amusement in his voice. Clearly she was forgiven.

"I didn't want to," Hermione shrugged. "Besides," she blushed "it became so much more than just a bet."

"So you actually do love him?" Harry asked softly.

"I do," Hermione agreed quietly. "Not that it matters now." There would be time for tears later, but for now Hermione was determined to be strong. She would not let her friends see how much she was hurting.

"I'm so proud of you," Ginny gushed, wrapping her arms around Hermione in a tight hug.

"That was a spectacular show," Blaise laughed.

"Snape nearly exploded, it was hilarious!" Ginny continued. "Dumbledore actually had to announce to the school that it was a bet to save Snape from murdering everyone. I'd stay clear of him for a while though if I were you..."

"Doesn't miss a trick, that man," Ron said, impressed.

"Of course," Hermione agreed. "Dumbledore knew from the beginning. How could he not?"

"It's bloody weird I say," Ron muttered. "Having that old man know everything."

"It wouldn't be Hogwarts if he didn't," Harry shrugged. The group stayed talking for a while, until hunger set in and they decided to hunt for some lunch. Hermione declined the offer, saying she would rather stay by the lake, alone for a while. Surprisingly, nobody pushed her. They all understood that she needed her space, and for that she was grateful.

At least an hour passed. Hermione sat alone, in peace, staring at the shining lake. No tears fell, but she felt empty inside. The thrill from breakfast had worn off and now she only felt hollow. Now that he knew he was a bet, there was no chance of her and Draco. He would go back to hating her, and eventually she would learn to return his hate, although there would always also be love on her end. It would always hurt, but Hermione was certain she would get through it.

"That was some show, Granger," a voice drawled behind her. Hermione almost fell in the river from surprise.

"Draco?" she hardly dared to believe it true. Of course, he had probably come to say he hated her, but the fact that he had come at all...

"I didn't actually think you had it in you. I thought you'd back out."

Hermione blinked, confused. Did that mean... "You knew? About the bet?"

"The Weaselette told me," he shrugged. "Why do you think I never said I loved you?"

"So you were just punishing me?"

"Of course," Draco shrugged. "I was a bet. Thinking about it, I never really expected anything less. Why would a mudblood like you go after me?"

Hermione took a deep breath. It looked like he had been playing her more than she had him. Her heart throbbed but she grit her teeth. Don't let him know you're upset! Climbing to her feet, Hermione began to walk off. She didn't get far before a cold hand gripped her arm, spinning her around.

"Hold up there Granger! I said I was punishing you, I didn't say I don't forgive you."

"..."

"If it hadn't been for that bet none of this would have ever happened. And as much as I hate to admit it, I hate the thought of that. Now that the bet's over, now that your punishment has been served, I can say this freely...

"Hermione Granger, I love you."

The End.