Note: Okay, well, I wasn't going to post this yet... I was doing this thing on my page where five people could get this chapter and the next chapter before everyone else, but nobody responded to it! That's why you should all check my page constantly; to get special things like that, including previews for the next chapters.

I was going to just post a preview, but since I finished the whole thing and I reallly like this chapter, I suppose I'll post it early. So... here it is! I hope you like it... I liked writing it!

Anyhow, expect the next chapter, again, 1-3 days. And I might have a little competition on my page to get a special preview of it. ;) So stay tuned to my profile, and this fan-fic! It'll be updated soon, I promise. I've never kept you waiting TOO long, have I? ;)

And thanks for getting me to 250 reviews! I love reading them!

And addressing one review saying it wasn't very Draco/Hermione; it'll get there. It's a story. And it wouldn't be much fun if everything went perfectly, now, would it?;) Didn't think so.

Well, read and review! (275?)

Chapter 37

Hermione

I arrived at the end of his street, deciding on some fresh air before went back to Draco's home. I hadn't seen him in two weeks, and I decided it was time to see him again.

My mind flashed images of years at Hogwarts in my mind, reminding me of the pain he'd caused me. He'd often had me in my room, crying, late into the night, more often than not. I used to be so sensitive, despite how strong I tried to pass myself off as. Over the years, by fifth year, at least, I'd learned that he treated everyone that way, and that he was a git to more people than just me. Then it had started affecting me less. Much less.

If you told me two years ago that I'd be friends with Draco Malfoy, I would have slapped you across the face and sent you to St. Mungo's. I never would have believed that, let alone that I'd shared kisses with him.

My mind decided to churn up the images of our time together, the week I spent there, and the night I went to his home for dinner. I remembered the gentle touch he'd first used, just a light peck. Then I remembered the hot searing touch as we toppled onto the guest room bed, and as I was pushed against a mirror in the prom shop. I remembered with a smile our brief food fight, that had once again ended in a few quick kisses. I remembered the desire that had been stirred up within me, a deep desire. I also remembered pushing that feeling away, for the sake of Ron. For the sake of my fiancé, whom I was marrying in a little over a month.

And after everything that happened, Draco was going to be there. Despite the small feelings we shared for each other, he was going to be there, as my friend. And that made me overwhelmed with joy. I pictured myself on my wedding day, exchanging vows with Ron. I closed my eyes, and kissed him. When I pulled back, my veil dropping back over my face, my eyes blinked open. No longer was there bright red hair and a freckled face in front of me, but there was a tall, handsome, aristocratic face. His eyes were a piercing blue grey, and his platinum blonde hair flopped elegantly over his forehead.

I shook my head, assuring myself the only reason Draco had taken Ron's place in my daydream was because I was thinking about him, and because I was stopped in front of his door.

I raised my hand to knock, and sighed as I did so. The sound of the wooden door echoed around me, filling the odd silence that surrounded me in the early morning. I waited for an answer, but there was none. I pounded again. It didn't cross my mind that he could be working at Slug and Jiggers, because when I stood on me tiptoes and tried to see through the peephole, a light was definitely on.

I groaned in frustration. He was ignoring me! That, or he was in the shower. I prayed it was the second one, and tried the door.

It was unlocked, and upon stepping inside, I came across a horrid scene.

Someone with a head of platinum blonde hair was crouched on the ground, curled up into a ball. His shoulders were broad and his shirt tight around his back, showing off his defined muscles. Draco.

My eyes searched the room, searching for a reason that he would be on the ground. Then I saw her. Astoria Greengrass, standing a few feet from Draco, her arms folded and a wicked smile on her face. She hadn't noticed I came in, so I pulled my wand, and aimed it at her.

"What did you do to him?" I asked, seething. Draco could be a git sometimes, but he wasn't so much anymore. He didn't deserve whatever what was happening.

Astoria's head snapped up at my voice, but to my surprise, Draco didn't even move. He just let out a big breath, and breathed in again. He looked upset, but not injured.

"What did I do to him?" Astoria asked, enraged. She pulled out her own wand, and aimed it at me. "More like what are you doing here."

I smiled cruelly. "Please, Astoria dear. I'd be able to hex you to oblivion before you could even think of something to do to me. Put your wand down." I said, laughing sadistically. Astoria made no motion of following my command.

Astoria suddenly had a look of shock across her face, and she pointed her wand at Draco.

"Please, isn't he hurt enough?" I asked. I still had no idea what was going on, but I didn't want her causing him any more pain, be it emotional or physical.

"Oh, so this is why you refuse to marry me? You've got your little Mudblood secret here, huh?" Astoria hissed, stepping closer to Draco. "Well let me tell you something, Draco. If you don't marry me, I swear I'll kill her."

I raised my eyebrow in curiosity. I wasn't even frightened by her threat, she was too stupid to be capable of any real damage. "Marriage?" I heard myself asking. Astoria snapped her head up, and aimed her wand at me.

"Yes, Marriage, you insufferable bimbo. I bet I know why you were coming here. Up for another round here, you slut?" Astoria asked wickedly, sauntering towards me. I stepped backwards, holding my wand firm. "Well let me tell you something. He's mine."

I almost laughed. I had no idea what Astoria was even going on about! Did she think I was…? Oh, Merlin.

"Astoria, I'm not having an affair with Draco. I'm engaged." I explained, holding up my left hand. I still held my wand firm.

"He proposed to you? Draco, give me your left hand!" Astoria snapped, turning to Draco. He still wasn't moving. The only sign that he was alive was his ragged breathing.

"No, you moron. I'm engaged to Ron." I said, laughing. Astoria really was the stupidest person I'd ever met.

"So you say! I bet it's a cover up! But he's mine!" she shouted, turning towards me once more and aiming her wand. "I'll kill you right now, I swear it!"

"Astoria. You aren't nearly smart enough to do anything like that." I said, smiling. I knew she would try to kill me, but by the time she finished saying the words, I could disarm her. Easily.

"I sweat, I'll kill you right now!" she screamed shrilly. "I SWEAR, DRACO, I'LL DO IT!"

Her screaming only caused him to tremble more. He looked broken on the ground. I couldn't see his face, but I just knew he was crying. Bawling, more like.

"Expelli-" I began, as soon as Astoria's face shriveled up. I knew she was going to try and kill me.

"AVADA KEDEVRA!" she shouted, a green light shooting out of the tip of her wand. She had interrupted me, and finished her spell before I had finished mine. I watched as the light came towards me, slowing down as it did. The last few seconds of my life were going by slowly, so slowly... I said my goodbyes to everyone in my head. Goodbye, Draco. Goodbye Ron. Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville. George, Mrs. Weasley. Fred; I'll see you soon.

Suddenly, a bright red light shot at Astoria, stunning her. She fell to the ground, her spell recoiled. She'd broken her concentration. It had been just centimeters away from me, but it recoiled! Somebody had saved me.

I blinked open my eyes, and saw a shaking Draco pointing his wand at where Astoria had just been, his hand shaking. Suddenly, Blaise Zambini and Pansy Parkinson ran from the kitchen. All of Astoria's spells must have been stopped.

"Draco, are you all right?" Blaise asked, finally noticing the trembling boy. Him nor Pansy recognized my presence.

Draco just shook uncontrollably, not answering. He fell back to the ground, his wand falling from his hand. It rolled across the floor. I stepped forwards.

"I'll take care of him. Bring… her… home." I said, wrinkling up my nose at Astoria. She stared blankly into space. "Give her some sleeping draught."

I walked over to Draco, and knelt beside him. Then I noticed Blaise and Pansy were still there.

"Go, I said!" I repeated, narrowing my eyes. Pansy shared a glance with Blaise, but he nodded. They both grabbed onto Astoria, and I heard a pop of apparation as they disappeared.

Then I turned myself to the curled up body in front of me. I sat back, crossing my legs Indian-style as I scooted next to him. I lifted Draco's head, and rest it in my lap. I stroked his head gently, trying to get him to calm down. He continued shaking.

"Draco?" I asked quietly. He made no motion to let me know that I heard him. I sighed, and looked down sadly at the shaking body of Draco Malfoy.

He really deserved nothing that was happening to him right now. He'd changed, and I'd witnessed it first hand. I prayed, that whatever was happening, wouldn't affect him too badly. I would miss the new Draco.

I continued stroking his hair, and sighed. He looked broken, truly, and entirely broken.