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BKC

Chapter 31

When Michael arrived at her office, he knocked quietly before listening for movement after a few moments. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a sound hit his ears and stopped him in his tracks. He could hear her heave then the sound of liquid hitting the carpet filled his ears. Opening the door, Michael stepped into Hermione's office to see her in a heap next to her white rug which was now, unfortunately covered in pink chunks. He bent down next to her, placing a hand on her back as her body made another violent contraction. Looking away, from the smell alone, Michael could tell Hermione had emptied her stomach. With two small children at home, Michael was, regrettably familiar with the smell of stomach acid. He rubbed small circles in her back, hoping to comfort her.

"Water?" Her voice was shaky and cracked a bit. For a moment, Michael worried more would come up, but he stood, heading to a drink cart by her window and pouring her a glass. When he approached her again, Hermione had managed to sit back up, her back resting on the front of her large desk. She gave a small thanks as Michael handed her the glass.

He frowned at the way her body was shaking and his concern grew as he watched her once again empty her stomach. Michael took the glass of water from her, setting it above him on the desk. He reached over, pulling her long hair away from her face, trying not to get anymore vomit in her hair. Michael heard a small thud to his left and to his surprise, Draco Malfoy just dropped to his knees in the doorway. Michael tried to motion for him to leave, but it was too late. Hermione already saw him.

"Granger?" It came out meek and worried. Her head turned fully to the side to look at him. He looked on the verge of tears; His face red, sweat dripping down his forehead. For just a brief moment, she was concerned. But catching sight of the spilled contents of her stomach snapped her back to reality. This was his fault. His doing. He couldn't help himself, couldn't stay away from her and now look what had happened.

She pulled her hair from Michael's grasp and using her desk for support, brought herself to her feet. She teetered once, but Michael steadied her from behind. She stepped towards Draco, paying no mind to the mess on the floor and wiped her mouth on the back of her sleeve.

"You! This is all your fault! You've created this mess. Hell, you probably told the world about our business. I trusted you! I put aside my better judgement and got involved with you even though I knew it was a mistake, even though I knew deep down you would hurt me! And what do you know, a few screws and you were bored of me. Spent two weeks avoiding me. You didn't even have the decency to tell me to my face I was just a good fuck to pass the time," he flinched under her words, but didn't speak. "And now, I'm ruined! I can't be taken seriously. They are going to fire me all because of you!" Her whole arm shook as her slender finger pointed to him on the floor. His head was down, eyes never leaving the floor. "What do you have to say for yourself huh, Malfoy?"

For a moment, he said nothing. He didn't move, didn't breathe. When he did finally look up, his eyes were watery, beginning to go blood shot. He stood slowly, using the door frame from support and stood tall, head titled down slightly to look a disheveled Hermione in the eyes.

"I love you." His voice was soft but strong. His expression never changed, still hardened from her outburst. She stepped back, away from him unable to process his statement.

"You what? Please Malfoy, just leave me alone. I don't want to play your games anymore. I'm done." She turned away, closing her eyes praying for him to leave. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, twisting her around in his arms. Her eyes still clenched closed, Hermione refused to look at him.

"Look at me Hermione. I won't try to make you understand again," her eyes tentatively opened and she looked up at him through her lashes. "I want you. I've been wanting you! But that jackass over there," he motioned to Michael who was still by Hermione's desk. "Told me not to ruin you. That's why I've stayed away from you. I thought it was better this way."

"What?" Her voice was soft, hardly above a whisper as she looked back towards Michael confused.

"But staying away from you only made matters worse. I promised you I wouldn't tell a soul about us and that's one promise I haven't broken. Please Hermione, please." She slipped a bit in his arms, her head spinning as he pleaded with her. She shook her head, trying to make heads or tails of his words. Could she really believe him? Had he given her any reason not to trust him before? He watched the dilemma dance across her face and gripped her shoulders tighter.

"I may have agreed to join your team with alternative motives in the beginning, but those are no longer my reasons for staying here. You are Granger and if you need to replace me for us to be together, then so be it." Her face hardened and her face scrunched up.

"What alternative motives?" Draco's eyes widened.

"No Hermione, those don't matter anymore, I only care for you…"

"You've got a really shitty way of showing it." Hermione pulled herself from his arms, stumbling as he let go. "This is all a game to you. You don't care for me!"

"Hermione, haven't you heard a word I've said?" He reached out for her, but she yanked her arm away, stepping back to put as much space between them as possible.

"I've heard you loud and clear Malfoy, at least as far as I'm concerned." She turned her back to him, causing his jaw to drop slightly in the process. "We're done here."

"Hermio-," he started.

"DONE." She crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to look back at him. Clenching her eyes shut tight again, Hermione waited to hear his footsteps hit the tile in reception area before her knees finally gave out and she fell in a heap on the floor.