I stormed down to the lake; a favorite spot of mine when I needed to think. I sighed, and headed to a rock that sat at the opposite end of the lake, tucked into a little cove of trees. He settled down on the rock and pulled his knees to his chest. He knew he loved her. He had had crushes on girls before, and even gone out with a few of them, but this was different. It seemed magical and whenever he saw her small figure moving towards him, he grew weak at the knees and felt entranced by her beauty. Draco stood up and shouted, "I LOVE HERMIONE GRANGER!" It echoed slightly across the lake, but he didn't care. No one could hear him, nor did anyone care.
---
Ginny Weasley entered Hermione's room and walked over to her bed. She pushed the curtains open to reveal Hermione curled up into a ball, tears running down her cheeks from red, puffy eyes. "Herm," she whispered softly, "What's the matter?" Hermione turned away from her friend and rolled over.
"Leave me alone, Ginny. I don't want to talk."
"Hermione, tell me whats wrong. There's something wrong and I know it,"
Hermione swung her legs to the edge of the bed and with her back to Ginny said, "Get out, Ginny. I'm not talking to anyone about anything."
"Herm-"
"GET OUT!" screamed Hermione fiercly. Ginny was startled and was hurt that Hermione wouldn't tell her anything.
"Fine Hermione. Whatever, don't talk, but don't expect me ever to talk to you again." Ginny slammed the door to the room. Hermione buried her face in her hands and rolled over sideways. She didn't understand why she was upset. She couldn't stand the forbidding stone walls of the castle any more, and grabbed her cloak and ran out of the Hogwarts building to the lake.
She reached a small cluster of trees near the other side of the lake and walked into the grove, sure that she was alone, and crying louder than she ever had before. She leaned against a tree close to the lake and slumped down, letting her knees bend and her back slide down the trunk. She pressed her head to her knees and wrapped her arms around them.
---
Draco heard muffled cries coming a mere ten feet to the right of him. Puzzled, he got up and followed the sound. He was puzzled when he came to where the sound was, but saw no one. He craned he neck to see around the tree, and saw a girl with her head buried in her knees, sobbing. Hermione.
He was filled with more compassion for her than he had ever felt in his life before. Draco wante to go and hug her and tell her everything was going to be okay. He shook that feeling and tried to work up a nasty remark to throw at her. She looked up at him with puffy eyes and a tear stained face, and Draco knew he shouldn't try to pick a fight with her now.
She was startled when she jerked her head up, and gave him a look that tore him apart. It was a mix of all sorts of conflicting emotions. Hermione stood up at began to walk away. Draco grabbed her arm and she turned around to look at him. He expected her look to be full of malice, but it was still soft, and not as confused as before. Hermione didn't pull away, but surrendered to him. "What, Draco?"
Draco pulled Hermione closer to him, and much to his suprise she didn't pull away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest. He didn't know what to do, but then gently placed his arms on her back, softly patting it to comfort her. Hermione began to softly cry, "I'm sorry Draco...I'm so sorry.."
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