Pressing his finger to his ring, Draco Malfoy, sent a message to his girlfriend, Hermione Granger. Hermione and Draco had been dating for a year since beginning 5th year and their friends were yet to find out. Leaving the common room, Draco headed to the Room of Requirement to meet Hermione. Since beginning their relationship, Draco had gotten enchanted jewellery for him and Hermione so that they could communicate and it had been decided that Draco would only contact Hermione if it was urgent as it was easier for him to leave his friends than it was for her.
Arriving on the seventh floor, Draco paced in front of the wall and as the door appeared, he quickly slipped inside. Seeing Hermione wasn't there yet, he made himself comfortable on the large sofa in the middle of the room and waited for her. Five minutes passed and he was beginning to think Hermione wouldn't be able to get away, until he heard the door open and looked up into the sparkling brown eyes of his girlfriend.
"Hermione." He breathed. Draco stood from where he sat on the sofa and pulled Hermione's small frame into his arms.
"Draco... I've missed you so much." She sighed into the hug.
"I've missed you too beautiful." He replied. The couple settled themselves on the sofa and Draco took Hermione's hand in his, holding it close to him. "I have to talk to you." He whispered, looking down at their intertwined hands.
"What's wrong Draco?" Hermione asked, her worry showing on her face.
"If I tell you, you won't want to be with me anymore." Draco whispered.
"Nothing will change how I feel about you Draco, please tell me what's going on." Hermione urged.
"I, erm, I... it's better if I just show you." Draco pulled his left sleeve up to his elbow and Hermione gasped softly to see the Dark Mark burned into his skin, his pale complexion making it stand out all the more. "I know you won't want to be with me now but I just want you to know that I didn't willing do this. I wouldn't do that to you Hermione. I promise you." He whispered the final words as he dropped his head into his hand, too ashamed to look at her.
Hermione leaned forward and placed her lips softly over Draco's. She pulled back and lay her forehead against his. Her fingers found his forearm and began to trace small circles where she knew the Dark Mark to be situated. "Draco, please look at me." She spoke softly. Draco raised his head slowly to look into her honey brown eyes and didn't find the disgust he expected to find there. When he looked at her, he only saw the love she truly had for him in her eyes and it made his heart clench in his chest.
"I would never abandon you. I promised you I would always be here and it's a promise I intend to keep. You're not like those monsters who bare the mark proudly, you're still the same boy I fell in love with." Hermione stated.
"Hermione you don't deserve to be with someone who can't give you what you need and who you have to date in secret just because..." Draco's words were cut short as Hermione leaned forward again and placed her lips over Draco's.
"You don't deserve this mark and you don't deserve what life has been given to you. I won't take no for an answer, I'm not going anywhere." Hermione replied.
"I truly don't deserve you Hermione Granger." Draco sighed.
"I love you Draco." Hermione smiled.
"I love you too Hermione." Draco replied. Draco wrapped his arms around her lower back and pulled her flush against him as he leaned back against the arm rest of the couch, Hermione's head resting on his chest. The young couple lay together in each other's embrace for a few hours before reluctantly returning to their respective common rooms. Draco feeling relieved that he still had Hermione and Hermione feeling determined to be there for Draco.