CHAPTER 4~ A Promise of Forever
HERMIONE'S POV~
I just stared at him. What was I supposed to say? **Congratulations! You finally figured out what I am after five miserable years. You want a medal?** No, I didn't think that would go over too well. I was so confused. A week ago I had become Hermione to him, now I was a witch. I used to think that the day he called me a witch I would be overcome with joy, but that day had come and all I could do was sit there and stare at him.
"Can't you take a compliment?" He had finally broken my trance after I had stared at him for two minutes.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled and looked down at the table. "I just don't know what to say. You have been acting really weird lately. It's like you have a split personality and I don't know which I like better. There's the rude, sarcastic Malfoy, who has tormented me since the day we met. And then there's Draco, who's kind, and caring, and even sweet at times. It's Draco that scares me, not Malfoy. And I want to get to know Draco better."
I continued staring down at the table until he reached over and lifted my chin until my eyes locked with his. "I could say the same about you. On one hand is the, 'Fuck you all! I hate you all!' Granger. On the other hand we've got Hermione, who opens up to me and tells me what she's feeling. After a while, she realizes who she's talking to and closes me out again and becomes the prude, ruthless girl who I have taunted for the last five years."
I felt a smile come across my face. "I guess we are alike in some ways. Aren't we?"
"We're alike in a lot of ways. I think I have more in common with you than anyone in the Slytherin House." He was smiling a true smile, not that smirk. What happened next, I don't think I could have ever prepared myself for. Draco leaned across the small table and kissed me. He wasn't rough like I had expected him to be. His lips were soft and the kiss gentle. Just as I started to respond, he pulled back and looked at me. For the first time, I had actually seen love in his eyes.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I wasn't thinking when I kissed her. It's amazing how a girl with blue hair and baggy clothes could look so angelic. I couldn't help it; I leaned across the table and kissed her. Her lips were so soft, but when I felt her respond, I pulled back. I looked deep into her eyes, and saw the look my mother had given me right before she died in my arms, a look of pure love.
I broke eye contact with her, and my eyes began darting all around. Something felt wrong. I had this prickly feeling on the back of my neck, and that was never good. Then I spotted it. My father was standing at the bar, looking straight at our table. His grey eyes were cold and it felt like they were penetrating my skin. "Hermione, go to your room and don't open your door to anyone but me."
"Draco?" he voice was shaking and she looked very nervous. "What's wrong?"
"My father is here. From the looks of it, I'm in serious trouble."
"How will I know it's you?"
"Believe me, you'll know." She nodded and headed up the staircase. With one backward glance, she disappeared.
As soon as she was gone, Lucius filled the recently vacated seat. "What were you doing with filth like that?" he sneered.
"She's not filth. Don't you ever talk about her like that again!" I whispered harshly. I didn't want anyone to overhear this conversation.
"That girl is mudblood trash. How could you even consider doing something with someone so horrible? Didn't I teach you anything, boy?"
"Yes, Lucius, you did," I answered. "From living with you for the past sixteen years, I have learned that almost everything you have ever told me was a lie. Muggle-borns aren't bad. They are people, just like you and I, they have feelings too. I've also learned that Voldemort is a power-hungry asshole, and you are just like him. Why don't you go shove your head up his ass, that's where it always appears to be? Or maybe it's between his legs, either way, it's a horrible image and I don't wanna think about it,"
I had definitely gone overboard and I knew it. "I swear, if I catch you any where near that filth again, I will kill her and disown you. Do I make myself clear?" I didn't answer, I just glared at him and watched him disapparate.
I knew that I was going to have to hurt her to save her. The next day, when we got off the train was when I planned on telling her. But at that moment, I had more important things to do. I raced up the stairs and banged on Hermione's door. "Hermione! Let me in! I have to talk to you!" The door opened right away and I stepped inside. "You have to listen to me. Don't say a word, just listen." I saw her nod and I continued. "Over this last week, I have learned more about you than in the five years we've known each other. I feel like I know you better than I've known anyone in my entire life. Hermione, I love you, and I need you to know that no matter what happens, I will always love you. It probably won't seem so at times, but I do and always will. Remember this especially at the rest of our time at Hogwarts. Don't say anything." I opened the door and walked back out of the room. Tears were welling up in my eyes, and I know she had seen them, but I didn't care. As I walked into Diagon Alley, I felt a single tear run down my cheek. I had cried for the first time in my life.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
He didn't let me respond. I didn't get a chance to tell him that I reciprocated his feelings. Something had happened between him and Lucius. While Draco was talking to me, I saw tears start to form in his normally cold, evil eyes. He had never cried before and once said that the only person he loved was his mother. In one day, though, he opened his heart and shared emotions that I never knew he had. I desperately wanted to know what was wrong with him. I needed to talk to him, but I knew better than to disturb him. I pulled out my disc-man and put in Good Charlotte. I skipped to track 10, "Say Anything"
Here I am on
The phone again, and
Awkward silence is
On the other end
I used to know the sound
Of a smile in your voice
But right now (right now)
All I feel (All I feel)
Is the pain of the fighting
Starting up again
All the things we talk about
You know they stay on my mind
On my mind
All the things we laugh about
They'll bring us through it every time
After time after time
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Some say that
Time changes
Best friends can
Become strangers
But I don't want that
No, not for you
If you just stay with me, we can make it through
So Here we are again
The same old argument
And now I'm wonderin'
If things'll ever change, yeah
When will you laugh again?
Laugh like you did back when
We'd make noise til 3 AM and the neighbors would complain
All the things we talk about
You know they stay on my mind
On my mind
All the things we laugh about
They'll bring us through it every time
After time after time
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin' down
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin' down
Down
Down
Down
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
If you'll just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Don't say a word (Please don't leave)
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away (Please don't leave)
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
By the time it was over, I was so tired, and even though it was only 4 pm, I fell asleep.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I walked out of the jewelers with a single black box. I would give it to her that night and then I'd have to break her heart. She would think everything was a farce. I had to do this, though; it was all I had to live by. She was all I had, and I knew it. I had fallen for the enemy. This would probably end up being the worst school year that I would go through.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
I was awoken by a soft knock on my door. "Who is it?" I asked groggily, not wanting to get up.
"Draco," came a response.
Forgetting that I was even in the slightest bit tired, I took a few long strides to get to the door, and opened it to let him in. "Draco, I need to tell you that I feel the same way as you do. I love you. No matter what happens, I will always love you."
He smiled, but it was a sad smile. I watched as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket. "Good. That's why I wanted to give you this." He opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring. There were two hearts in it. One was made of jade and the other was ruby. The jade heart had a "D" inscribed in it and the ruby had an "H." "It's a promise ring. I don't care what happens between us, I promise that you will be the only girl I ever love." I noticed an inscription on the inside as he slipped it on my finger, but I couldn't read it.
"What does it say inside?" I asked smiling at him.
"Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. Best Friends forever."
"You consider me your best friend?" He nodded and a few silent tears slid down his cheeks. "What's wrong Draco?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"For what?"
"I was planning on telling you tomorrow. It's horrible, but I will still love you afterwards. No matter what I say to you at school, no matter how harsh my words are, you will still be the person I love. Okay?"
"Okay," I whispered. I looked at him and studied all his features. This was probably the happiest moment of my life, but he looked so sad. "This has to do with Lucius."
He nodded. "Can I tell you what's wrong now instead of doing it in front of the whole school?" He looked so distraught. I had never seen him so disheveled. Silent tears were running down his perfect face, his hair was in all different directions; he had probably run his fingers through it numerous times.
"Please tell me."
"We're not gunna be able to speak in public. I will have to call you Granger or Mudblood and you'll have to call me Malfoy or Ferret Boy. To everyone, this week never happened. We still hate each other. This relationship will be non-existent to everyone except us. If we don't keep this a secret, my father will kill you and disown me. I could care less if he disowned me, but I would kill myself if he killed you," Draco explained.
"Will we ever get a chance to see each other in school?"
"I don't know." We were both quiet for a few minutes. Draco broke the silence by asking, "Hermione, will you go out with me? 'Cause we're not exactly dating or anything."
"Yes," I whispered.
We wrapped our arms around each other and stayed like that until it was time for dinner. Draco told me to go down first and sit in my corner and that he would be down five minutes later and would sit in his corner.
I did as I was told. I was really happy that I was going out with Draco, but it hurt so much that we wouldn't be able to show how we felt for each other. I knew I was going to get hurt by him countless times that year, but I tried not to think about it.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I asked her out. This was not going to work well at all. I knew we wouldn't be able to speak to each other at school. I would have to yell at her and be cruel and hurtful like I usually was. I knew I couldn't hold her and kiss her. Maybe we would be able to meet in the Astronomy Tower late at night when everyone was sleeping, but Filch would probably end up catching us. This relationship would make me happy; yet at the same time tear me to shreds. She wouldn't even have anyone to talk to at school now either because of me. She needed someone to confide in at school; she would have to have her friends back. After dinner, I'd tell her to make up with her friends the next day on the train. She'd need them this year, I had a feeling.
About five minutes after she left, I headed down to dinner. I saw her sitting in her corner with her back to me. I sat down and ordered my food. I ate with my head down until a tall, cloaked figure sat down across from me. "It seems you got rid of the mudblood as I asked."
"Yes, Father. I will never say a kind word to her again. I will make sure she dies when she cuts her arm to deep because of my actions. Are you happy? 'Cause I'm sure as hell not! Thank you for ruining my life once again." I got up and stormed up the stairs to my room. I knew he wouldn't bother me. He'd probably apparate back to the Malfoy Manor with that sick, twisted grin plastered on his horrid face.
About ten minutes later, there was a soft knock on my door. "Draco, can I come in?"
I got up and went over to the door and opened it. "Yeah, sure, come in."
"Why didn't you go down to dinner?" she asked.
"I did. I ate some food before my father's horrid face caused me to lose my appetite. I told him what he wanted to hear even though it wasn't the truth. Well except for the part where I said he ruined my life; I don't think he really wanted to hear that." She didn't say anything, but she knew what I was thinking about. "You should make up with Potter and the Weasleys. You'll probably need them this year."
"I was kinda hard on them. Wasn't I? They were probably right. I didn't tell them anything, and I really didn't talk to them at all. Wait a minute, you hate them. What's up?"
"I just figured that since we can't talk to each other at school, you should at least have someone you can confide in."
"You're not planning on cheating on me are you?" she asked quietly.
"How could you think that?" I was truly hurt that she would even think like that. I would never dream of cheating on her.
"I don't know, Draco. You're just-I'm just scared that we're gunna go back to the way we have been for the last five years. I don't want that to happen. I'm afraid that once you meet up with all your friends again, and you see all the other pretty girls at school, you'll forget all about me. I'm not totally blind to what's going on. Girls talk you know. They all say that you're the hottest, most wanted guy in the school. I know there must be someone else who catches your attention."
"Hermione, listen to me. I love you. Do you see that ring on your finger? It's a sign to you that I won't leave you or hurt you intentionally."
"I love you, too."
I leaned over and kissed her softly. It would be one of the last times we had together until we went back to Hogwarts. I didn't want that day to end. So much had happened, and I had never expected any of it. Hermione fell asleep in my arms. Instead of waking her up to make her go to her room, I laid her down on the bed next to me and wrapped my arms around her and fell asleep.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
The next morning, I heard an alarm clock go off at 7 am. I knew I hadn't set mine the night before. I also woke up with someone holding me tight. I looked up, and saw Draco's beautiful, silver eyes looking down at me. They didn't look happy like they had the previous day; they had sadness in them.
"Back to school today," he said.
"Back to the way things used to be," I answered.
"It won't be exactly the same. I won't mean what I say in the halls or in class or when there are people around."
I nodded. "I should get changed now," I mumbled. He didn't loosen his grip on me. If anything it felt like he pulled me closer. I smirked at him. "That is if you'll let me go."
"Right." His grip loosened this time. I got up to leave, but gave him a quick kiss first. Back in my room, I started thinking. I had felt so safe in Draco's arms. It felt like no one would be able to touch me. For the first time in my life, I felt true love and happiness. I had regrets about going back to school though. I'd have to confront Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and I didn't know how well that would go over. Just a week I said I hated them, even though that wasn't totally true. I just went a little psycho- ass-bitch that day. In my mind, I began to list the negatives of going back to Hogwarts. They went something like this: I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I was a Prefect and had a ton of responsibilities. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I would have to deal with nasty comments from the Slytherins. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. Draco would join in to keep his image. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I would have to pretend I was into books and studying even though I preferred Draco and music. Finally, I wouldn't get to be with Draco.
I knew that wasn't much of a list, but it was there. Those were the nine main reasons why it wasn't the greatest idea to go back to Hogwarts. Oh well, I had to go back anyway. I took a shower and went downstairs for breakfast. Draco was already sitting in his normal spot. I walked by and he didn't even look up. I noticed that he liked to leave his head down when he was eating. Maybe it was a complex or something. I shoved the thought to the back of my mind as I ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, and a French Vanilla cappuccino.
When I finished, I went up to my room and finished packing everything in my trunk. Draco was waiting for me outside my door, and I didn't see him when I first walked out. When I turned my head towards his room, I jumped. "Don't do that!" I shrieked. "You just gave me a fucking heart attack!"
He was smirking that devilish yet oh-so-sexy smirk of his. "All I did was stand here. You gave yourself a heart attack."
I rolled my eyes at him. "So where are we meeting the Knight Bus?"
"At the entrance to Diagon Alley. It should be there in about ten minutes or so." We walked down to Diagon Alley and waited by the brick wall that had just transfigured into an arch. Draco and I didn't talk. We couldn't, and at that moment, I felt like I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I couldn't show any sign of weakness.
HERMIONE'S POV~
I just stared at him. What was I supposed to say? **Congratulations! You finally figured out what I am after five miserable years. You want a medal?** No, I didn't think that would go over too well. I was so confused. A week ago I had become Hermione to him, now I was a witch. I used to think that the day he called me a witch I would be overcome with joy, but that day had come and all I could do was sit there and stare at him.
"Can't you take a compliment?" He had finally broken my trance after I had stared at him for two minutes.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled and looked down at the table. "I just don't know what to say. You have been acting really weird lately. It's like you have a split personality and I don't know which I like better. There's the rude, sarcastic Malfoy, who has tormented me since the day we met. And then there's Draco, who's kind, and caring, and even sweet at times. It's Draco that scares me, not Malfoy. And I want to get to know Draco better."
I continued staring down at the table until he reached over and lifted my chin until my eyes locked with his. "I could say the same about you. On one hand is the, 'Fuck you all! I hate you all!' Granger. On the other hand we've got Hermione, who opens up to me and tells me what she's feeling. After a while, she realizes who she's talking to and closes me out again and becomes the prude, ruthless girl who I have taunted for the last five years."
I felt a smile come across my face. "I guess we are alike in some ways. Aren't we?"
"We're alike in a lot of ways. I think I have more in common with you than anyone in the Slytherin House." He was smiling a true smile, not that smirk. What happened next, I don't think I could have ever prepared myself for. Draco leaned across the small table and kissed me. He wasn't rough like I had expected him to be. His lips were soft and the kiss gentle. Just as I started to respond, he pulled back and looked at me. For the first time, I had actually seen love in his eyes.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I wasn't thinking when I kissed her. It's amazing how a girl with blue hair and baggy clothes could look so angelic. I couldn't help it; I leaned across the table and kissed her. Her lips were so soft, but when I felt her respond, I pulled back. I looked deep into her eyes, and saw the look my mother had given me right before she died in my arms, a look of pure love.
I broke eye contact with her, and my eyes began darting all around. Something felt wrong. I had this prickly feeling on the back of my neck, and that was never good. Then I spotted it. My father was standing at the bar, looking straight at our table. His grey eyes were cold and it felt like they were penetrating my skin. "Hermione, go to your room and don't open your door to anyone but me."
"Draco?" he voice was shaking and she looked very nervous. "What's wrong?"
"My father is here. From the looks of it, I'm in serious trouble."
"How will I know it's you?"
"Believe me, you'll know." She nodded and headed up the staircase. With one backward glance, she disappeared.
As soon as she was gone, Lucius filled the recently vacated seat. "What were you doing with filth like that?" he sneered.
"She's not filth. Don't you ever talk about her like that again!" I whispered harshly. I didn't want anyone to overhear this conversation.
"That girl is mudblood trash. How could you even consider doing something with someone so horrible? Didn't I teach you anything, boy?"
"Yes, Lucius, you did," I answered. "From living with you for the past sixteen years, I have learned that almost everything you have ever told me was a lie. Muggle-borns aren't bad. They are people, just like you and I, they have feelings too. I've also learned that Voldemort is a power-hungry asshole, and you are just like him. Why don't you go shove your head up his ass, that's where it always appears to be? Or maybe it's between his legs, either way, it's a horrible image and I don't wanna think about it,"
I had definitely gone overboard and I knew it. "I swear, if I catch you any where near that filth again, I will kill her and disown you. Do I make myself clear?" I didn't answer, I just glared at him and watched him disapparate.
I knew that I was going to have to hurt her to save her. The next day, when we got off the train was when I planned on telling her. But at that moment, I had more important things to do. I raced up the stairs and banged on Hermione's door. "Hermione! Let me in! I have to talk to you!" The door opened right away and I stepped inside. "You have to listen to me. Don't say a word, just listen." I saw her nod and I continued. "Over this last week, I have learned more about you than in the five years we've known each other. I feel like I know you better than I've known anyone in my entire life. Hermione, I love you, and I need you to know that no matter what happens, I will always love you. It probably won't seem so at times, but I do and always will. Remember this especially at the rest of our time at Hogwarts. Don't say anything." I opened the door and walked back out of the room. Tears were welling up in my eyes, and I know she had seen them, but I didn't care. As I walked into Diagon Alley, I felt a single tear run down my cheek. I had cried for the first time in my life.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
He didn't let me respond. I didn't get a chance to tell him that I reciprocated his feelings. Something had happened between him and Lucius. While Draco was talking to me, I saw tears start to form in his normally cold, evil eyes. He had never cried before and once said that the only person he loved was his mother. In one day, though, he opened his heart and shared emotions that I never knew he had. I desperately wanted to know what was wrong with him. I needed to talk to him, but I knew better than to disturb him. I pulled out my disc-man and put in Good Charlotte. I skipped to track 10, "Say Anything"
Here I am on
The phone again, and
Awkward silence is
On the other end
I used to know the sound
Of a smile in your voice
But right now (right now)
All I feel (All I feel)
Is the pain of the fighting
Starting up again
All the things we talk about
You know they stay on my mind
On my mind
All the things we laugh about
They'll bring us through it every time
After time after time
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Some say that
Time changes
Best friends can
Become strangers
But I don't want that
No, not for you
If you just stay with me, we can make it through
So Here we are again
The same old argument
And now I'm wonderin'
If things'll ever change, yeah
When will you laugh again?
Laugh like you did back when
We'd make noise til 3 AM and the neighbors would complain
All the things we talk about
You know they stay on my mind
On my mind
All the things we laugh about
They'll bring us through it every time
After time after time
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin' down
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin'
I'm fallin' down
Down
Down
Down
Don't say a word
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away
I know you wanna stay
If you'll just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Don't say a word (Please don't leave)
I know you feel the same
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
Please don't walk away (Please don't leave)
I know you wanna stay
Just give me a sign
Say anything, say anything
By the time it was over, I was so tired, and even though it was only 4 pm, I fell asleep.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I walked out of the jewelers with a single black box. I would give it to her that night and then I'd have to break her heart. She would think everything was a farce. I had to do this, though; it was all I had to live by. She was all I had, and I knew it. I had fallen for the enemy. This would probably end up being the worst school year that I would go through.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
I was awoken by a soft knock on my door. "Who is it?" I asked groggily, not wanting to get up.
"Draco," came a response.
Forgetting that I was even in the slightest bit tired, I took a few long strides to get to the door, and opened it to let him in. "Draco, I need to tell you that I feel the same way as you do. I love you. No matter what happens, I will always love you."
He smiled, but it was a sad smile. I watched as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket. "Good. That's why I wanted to give you this." He opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring. There were two hearts in it. One was made of jade and the other was ruby. The jade heart had a "D" inscribed in it and the ruby had an "H." "It's a promise ring. I don't care what happens between us, I promise that you will be the only girl I ever love." I noticed an inscription on the inside as he slipped it on my finger, but I couldn't read it.
"What does it say inside?" I asked smiling at him.
"Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. Best Friends forever."
"You consider me your best friend?" He nodded and a few silent tears slid down his cheeks. "What's wrong Draco?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"For what?"
"I was planning on telling you tomorrow. It's horrible, but I will still love you afterwards. No matter what I say to you at school, no matter how harsh my words are, you will still be the person I love. Okay?"
"Okay," I whispered. I looked at him and studied all his features. This was probably the happiest moment of my life, but he looked so sad. "This has to do with Lucius."
He nodded. "Can I tell you what's wrong now instead of doing it in front of the whole school?" He looked so distraught. I had never seen him so disheveled. Silent tears were running down his perfect face, his hair was in all different directions; he had probably run his fingers through it numerous times.
"Please tell me."
"We're not gunna be able to speak in public. I will have to call you Granger or Mudblood and you'll have to call me Malfoy or Ferret Boy. To everyone, this week never happened. We still hate each other. This relationship will be non-existent to everyone except us. If we don't keep this a secret, my father will kill you and disown me. I could care less if he disowned me, but I would kill myself if he killed you," Draco explained.
"Will we ever get a chance to see each other in school?"
"I don't know." We were both quiet for a few minutes. Draco broke the silence by asking, "Hermione, will you go out with me? 'Cause we're not exactly dating or anything."
"Yes," I whispered.
We wrapped our arms around each other and stayed like that until it was time for dinner. Draco told me to go down first and sit in my corner and that he would be down five minutes later and would sit in his corner.
I did as I was told. I was really happy that I was going out with Draco, but it hurt so much that we wouldn't be able to show how we felt for each other. I knew I was going to get hurt by him countless times that year, but I tried not to think about it.
~
DRACO'S POV~
I asked her out. This was not going to work well at all. I knew we wouldn't be able to speak to each other at school. I would have to yell at her and be cruel and hurtful like I usually was. I knew I couldn't hold her and kiss her. Maybe we would be able to meet in the Astronomy Tower late at night when everyone was sleeping, but Filch would probably end up catching us. This relationship would make me happy; yet at the same time tear me to shreds. She wouldn't even have anyone to talk to at school now either because of me. She needed someone to confide in at school; she would have to have her friends back. After dinner, I'd tell her to make up with her friends the next day on the train. She'd need them this year, I had a feeling.
About five minutes after she left, I headed down to dinner. I saw her sitting in her corner with her back to me. I sat down and ordered my food. I ate with my head down until a tall, cloaked figure sat down across from me. "It seems you got rid of the mudblood as I asked."
"Yes, Father. I will never say a kind word to her again. I will make sure she dies when she cuts her arm to deep because of my actions. Are you happy? 'Cause I'm sure as hell not! Thank you for ruining my life once again." I got up and stormed up the stairs to my room. I knew he wouldn't bother me. He'd probably apparate back to the Malfoy Manor with that sick, twisted grin plastered on his horrid face.
About ten minutes later, there was a soft knock on my door. "Draco, can I come in?"
I got up and went over to the door and opened it. "Yeah, sure, come in."
"Why didn't you go down to dinner?" she asked.
"I did. I ate some food before my father's horrid face caused me to lose my appetite. I told him what he wanted to hear even though it wasn't the truth. Well except for the part where I said he ruined my life; I don't think he really wanted to hear that." She didn't say anything, but she knew what I was thinking about. "You should make up with Potter and the Weasleys. You'll probably need them this year."
"I was kinda hard on them. Wasn't I? They were probably right. I didn't tell them anything, and I really didn't talk to them at all. Wait a minute, you hate them. What's up?"
"I just figured that since we can't talk to each other at school, you should at least have someone you can confide in."
"You're not planning on cheating on me are you?" she asked quietly.
"How could you think that?" I was truly hurt that she would even think like that. I would never dream of cheating on her.
"I don't know, Draco. You're just-I'm just scared that we're gunna go back to the way we have been for the last five years. I don't want that to happen. I'm afraid that once you meet up with all your friends again, and you see all the other pretty girls at school, you'll forget all about me. I'm not totally blind to what's going on. Girls talk you know. They all say that you're the hottest, most wanted guy in the school. I know there must be someone else who catches your attention."
"Hermione, listen to me. I love you. Do you see that ring on your finger? It's a sign to you that I won't leave you or hurt you intentionally."
"I love you, too."
I leaned over and kissed her softly. It would be one of the last times we had together until we went back to Hogwarts. I didn't want that day to end. So much had happened, and I had never expected any of it. Hermione fell asleep in my arms. Instead of waking her up to make her go to her room, I laid her down on the bed next to me and wrapped my arms around her and fell asleep.
~
HERMIONE'S POV~
The next morning, I heard an alarm clock go off at 7 am. I knew I hadn't set mine the night before. I also woke up with someone holding me tight. I looked up, and saw Draco's beautiful, silver eyes looking down at me. They didn't look happy like they had the previous day; they had sadness in them.
"Back to school today," he said.
"Back to the way things used to be," I answered.
"It won't be exactly the same. I won't mean what I say in the halls or in class or when there are people around."
I nodded. "I should get changed now," I mumbled. He didn't loosen his grip on me. If anything it felt like he pulled me closer. I smirked at him. "That is if you'll let me go."
"Right." His grip loosened this time. I got up to leave, but gave him a quick kiss first. Back in my room, I started thinking. I had felt so safe in Draco's arms. It felt like no one would be able to touch me. For the first time in my life, I felt true love and happiness. I had regrets about going back to school though. I'd have to confront Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and I didn't know how well that would go over. Just a week I said I hated them, even though that wasn't totally true. I just went a little psycho- ass-bitch that day. In my mind, I began to list the negatives of going back to Hogwarts. They went something like this: I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I was a Prefect and had a ton of responsibilities. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I would have to deal with nasty comments from the Slytherins. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. Draco would join in to keep his image. I wouldn't get to be with Draco. I would have to pretend I was into books and studying even though I preferred Draco and music. Finally, I wouldn't get to be with Draco.
I knew that wasn't much of a list, but it was there. Those were the nine main reasons why it wasn't the greatest idea to go back to Hogwarts. Oh well, I had to go back anyway. I took a shower and went downstairs for breakfast. Draco was already sitting in his normal spot. I walked by and he didn't even look up. I noticed that he liked to leave his head down when he was eating. Maybe it was a complex or something. I shoved the thought to the back of my mind as I ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, and a French Vanilla cappuccino.
When I finished, I went up to my room and finished packing everything in my trunk. Draco was waiting for me outside my door, and I didn't see him when I first walked out. When I turned my head towards his room, I jumped. "Don't do that!" I shrieked. "You just gave me a fucking heart attack!"
He was smirking that devilish yet oh-so-sexy smirk of his. "All I did was stand here. You gave yourself a heart attack."
I rolled my eyes at him. "So where are we meeting the Knight Bus?"
"At the entrance to Diagon Alley. It should be there in about ten minutes or so." We walked down to Diagon Alley and waited by the brick wall that had just transfigured into an arch. Draco and I didn't talk. We couldn't, and at that moment, I felt like I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I couldn't show any sign of weakness.