Disclaimer: I swear by the moon, the inconstant moon, that I do not own any of this story....except everything except the stuff you recognize from the series.... or something confusing like that. Just don't sue me! I don't have any money anyway! I have to search the cafagymatorium's floor for lunch money! Haha, okay, maybe not, but...





CHAPTER TWENTY NINE: The Definition of Endearment

Draco didn't know what to do. The second Hermione left, it felt as if everything good in the world had been burned to black ash. He tried to be rational; **She's fine; at least I know where she is...it could be worse,** he told himself, but Draco didn't know how it could feel worse. He felt alone and... empty, as if the part of him that mattered had shriveled up and blown away, leaving a gaping hole behind.

Draco wanted badly to run, but he wasn't allowed out and the common room was too small to do it adequately. Instead, he did the exact opposite. Draco laid down on the rug in the common room and closed his eyes, letting his thoughts of Hermione resume, but it wasn't long before he had to stop and restart. For a while, he was content with thoughts of her with Lucifer, re-envisioning the incredible feeling he had gotten when he walked in with Fristy and had seen her there with the little elf. After that, though, the memories were too painful to relive.

Instead, he skipped to yesterday afternoon; her face when she saw him covered in snow, her laughter and happy shrieks as he picked her up, and the elegant way she lounged in the snow. **She's too perfect for her own good,** he thought as his mind played the scene in front of his eyelids. Mistakenly, Draco's thoughts drifted over Snape, and his blood seemed to boil with anger. He just didn't see how someone could cause pain to a creature so wonderfully beautiful and perfect as Hermione Granger. Something wise stopped him from realizing how hypocritical that statement was coming from him, as well as the fact that he really didn't want Snape to think Hermione was wonderfully perfect and beautiful.

* * * * * * * * * *

Just then, there was a knock at the portrait door. Draco jumped up and bolted to it, hoping and praying that it was Dumbledore to tell him he could leave. He thrust the door open and nearly screamed at who he saw behind it.

"Snape," Draco said in disgusted acknowledgment.

"Malfoy. Sorry to hear about your mudblood," the professor said, not sounding at all sorry. Draco couldn't say what held him back from attacking, but he forced himself to remain relatively calm, and ignored the remark.

"She's in the hospital wing, Snape. She didn't die," he informed him through clenched teeth. Snape smirked at his obvious rage and shrugged.

"Pity, that," he said in his uncaring drawl. Draco impulsively slammed the door in Snape's face, unable to even look at the greasy potions master for another moment.

Then Draco spun and walked straight through the common room, his own room, and onto the balcony, despite the heavy drops that fell around him. He needed to get as far away from Snape as possible, so he stood there, grasping the railing and breathing hard from anger, until the rain made him shudder and Draco realized that he wouldn't be able to hear a knock at the door if someone were to come.

Draco stepped inside his room again and looked slowly around, taking in everything. His roaming gaze stopped as his eyes fell upon the half empty teacup on Hermione's bed-table. He smiled at the thin pink smudge that must have come from her lip balm, then frowned.

"You leave me hanging on, only to catch my breath. I got you and I got nothing left, don't leave me all alone down here, with myself and all of my fear. I'll be fine as long as you don't leave, if you're here that's good enough for me," he softly sang out loud, once again quoting what had been deemed 'their band'. Draco hated that isolating feeling she left behind when she was gone; he had to see her. He got up and stomped arrogantly into the common room, grabbing a handful of sparkling powder. Almost instantly, Draco was faced with none other than Professor Dumbledore.

"Mr. Malfoy? Is there a problem?" he asked, evidently not knowing why the boy would be calling him.

"Professor, would it be possible for me to leave my quarters anytime in the near future?" he asked hopefully.

"Why, of course, Mr. Malfoy. I sent Professor Snape almost an hour ago to tell you; did he not give you the message?" the old man said, raising an eyebrow. Draco's jaw dropped. **Son of a bitch...**

"Snape was here, but he never told me I could leave!" he practically yelled in outrage.

"Well, perhaps if you'd given him a chance before shutting the door in his face, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore suggested, looking warningly.

"He brutally insulted Hermione; twice!" Draco said, holding up two fingers. "Snape's lucky I didn't rip OFF his face."

"Now, now, Mr. Malfoy. I've told you that you may go, so go. Miss Granger is probably wondering where you are; I had Poppy tell her when to expect you," he said and made a shooing motion with his disembodied hands.

"Thank you, Sir," Draco said and bolted out of the common room without another thought. He started running when his feet hit the hallway and didn't stop until he was outside the infirmary doors. He forced himself to wait and catch his breath before continuing into the room. When he was satisfactorily composed, Draco entered the hospital, eyes searching for a familiar lump. His gaze stopped on the bed in the far corner; he'd know those curves anywhere; it was most defiantly Hermione.

Not really caring where Pomfrey was, Draco walked slowly up to her bed; she was laying with her back to him on her side and Draco couldn't tell if she was in pain, asleep, or neither until he got closer.

"Hermione?" he called softly as he rounded her bed. Hermione, who was awake and reading some sort of magazine, smiled excitedly as she looked up at him.

"Draco," she said happily and moved to sit up. Then her smile dropped and she turned to look at the doors, making sure Pomfrey wasn't listening. When she was sure the nurse was not eves-dropping, she turned back to Draco. "Wait, where the bloody hell have you been? Pomfrey said you'd be here an hour ago," she said, somewhat hurt and sad.

"I know love, I'm unbelievably sorry; Snape misunderstanding," he told her and leaned down for a kiss. Hermione kissed back, then smiled as Draco sat in the chair conveniently placed next to the bed.

"Do me a favor?" she asked and Draco looked up expectantly.

"Anything, Hermione."

"Never say the word Snape three seconds before you kiss me again," she asked and he chuckled.

"Done," Draco agreed.

"Now, explain to me this 'misunderstanding'," she demanded. Draco smirked before answering.

"Actually, I stopped down in the Great Hall to be seduced by forty hott Bubble Tramps," he said.

"I see. And where does Snape fall into this? Was he one of these hott Bubble Tramps?" she asked with a smirk. Draco almost shuddered and Hermione laughed. Draco smiled; she was laughing.

"Hey, do you want me to tell you or not?" he asked and Hermione nodded. Draco explained what had happened with Snape, but purposely didn't tell her what Snape had said; there was no need to get her upset. Hermione understood and wasn't angry, making Draco feel much better. "So, how are you, love?" Hermione's smile dropped and Draco was scared for a moment.

"I don't know; Pomfrey won't tell me. I know she knows, but she won't say. It's rather frustrating, actually," she said and crossed her arms. Draco smiled; for some reason, ignorance was comforting. He was about to reassure her, but was interrupted as Madam Pomfrey stomped down the alleyway between the rows of beds. Both Draco and Hermione looked up at her as she approached them.

"Hello again, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger, please lay back down," she said as she came up to the bed. Hermione rolled her eyes and obeyed. "Take this potion and stay in bed," she said to Hermione, handing her the potion, then looked to Draco, "Keep her there Mr. Malfoy, or I'll have your head as well," she warned. Draco smiled.

"Yes, Madam," he said. Pomfrey looked suspiciously from Draco to Hermione, then she turned away and stomped back down the aisle. Draco smiled at Hermione and she laughed. She held up the little green vile and smirked at him.

"I TOLD you she'd just make me go to sleep," she said smartly. Draco smiled and shrugged.

"It's better than being doubled over in pain, isn't it?" he asked and Hermione frowned and shrugged, looking away.

"I've felt worse," she said and Draco leaned in to kiss her forehead. Hermione smiled and took his hand before downing the green liquid. Draco squeezed her palm, no longer smiling; he knew he hadn't been the only one to get a Crucius that night with Percy, but he didn't know what else she had been through. She was a lot stronger than she looked.

For the first time, Draco actually realized the possibilities of what Hermione could have been subjected to. Never had he needed her more than now and needed to be there for her in return.

"Hey," she said, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Are you okay?" she asked when he looked at her. He smiled, loving her more in that instant that he probably ever had. Draco pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly.

Hermione leaned over to kiss him and Draco rushed to meet her lips, knowing what she wanted and not wanting her to move too much. Draco kissed her good and hard, wanting to more than anything. When they broke away, Hermione smiled.

"Does this scene look familiar, Romeo?" she asked as she laid back on the bed. Draco smiled.

"Other than the fact that I'm not dead and that wasn't poison, yes it does fair Juliet." Hermione smiled.

"We don't know it wasn't poison. The way it tasted, I wouldn't argue," she said and took a deep sigh. "Maybe I'm not going to sleep; I certainly don't feel like it." Draco shrugged.

"Maybe she really does know what she's doing," he suggested. Hermione smiled and placed a hand casually on her stomach. Draco looked at it in fear, then turned his gaze up to Hermione. "Are you feeling alright, love?" he asked, a little more worried than he had been a moment ago.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said in a carefree tone that eased Draco's worry. He sighed and relaxed back in his chair, squeezing her hand. Draco's eyes drifted around the room and he smiled as they landed on the bedside table. He picked up the magazine than lied there and held it up for Hermione to see, then rose an eyebrow and smirked.

"Teen Witch Weekly? I never saw you as a teenage anthem, Hermione." She smiled and shrugged.

"I'm not usually; I was desperate. It was either than or that damn moth- eaten Quidditch Quarterly," she said and smiled widely. "Oh my god, you have GOT to read this," she said and snatched the magazine away. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I'm sure that I do. And just so you know, in your shoes, I would have chosen the same thing." Hermione laughed and brushed a piece of hair from her eyes as she flipped through the pages. She smiled as she found what she was looking for.

"Well, I had to do SOMEthing while I waited for you. Here, read this," she said, pointing. "I swear it's entirely coincidental." Draco looked suspicious, but took the magazine and looked at the page she indicated.

"Hogwarts Hear-say? We have our own section?" he asked, seeing the headline. Hermione nodded.

"Every school does. Read the question, there," she said with a wide smile and pointed. "You'll die," she laughed. Draco looked where she pointed and read the article out loud.

"Dear Witch Weekly Editors, I have a huge crush on my Potions master, but I have a boyfriend. Can you help me find a way to get over him before I graduate? - Anonymous 7th year," he read and looked up at Hermione with wide eyes. "Snape is the only potions master," he stated and Hermione nodded, shaking with silent laughter. "You didn't," he accused in deep disbelief. Hermione stopped laughing and turned on her side to face him.

"No, of course not," she said, "That's why it's so damn funny; I swear I didn't send that in," she said, propping her head on her elbow.

"So some girl in 7th year actually has a crush on Snape?" he asked as the humor finally got to him.

"Unless it's someone playing a joke; yes. But that's not all; read the advice they gave," she insisted. Draco turned happily back to the magazine.

"Make a list of pros and cons for your boyfriend and one for the Professor. (The fact that he is a teacher and you're a student should count for at least five cons). This should help you decide between them. When your boyfriend wins (which he will; we know Professor Snape) try to focus all of your emotions on him and away from that slimeball of a wizard. Good luck, and just so you know, we pity you. Greatly," Draco read, laughing hysterically by the end. "Did they jus insult Snape? In print... three times? That's hilarious!" he said. Hermione was laughing as well, but not nearly as hard; she was focusing on how good it sounded to hear Draco do so.

"I told you," she reminded him.

"Miss Granger! Mr. Malfoy! Please calm yourselves, or I will be forced to separate you," Pomfrey threatened from an undisclosed location somewhere in the hospital wing.

"Sorry Madam Pomfrey," Draco called and looked to Hermione, who was pretending to look scared. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her. It was originally intended to be a short kiss, but Hermione had different plans; she was quick to wrap her arms around him and pull Draco closer, bringing their lips together again. Draco seemed happy enough and took over, leaning in so that she was laying on her back again and kissing her hard.

Hermione tried to kiss him back, but Draco was hardly letting her, doing most of the work himself. When they finally broke apart, both were a little breathless. Draco stayed close for a minute, then kissed her lips very lightly and pulled away, sitting back in the chair. He took Hermione's hand again and she smiled.

"You probably shouldn't kiss me like that, you know. I could be contagious; it's my fault if you get sick," she said, then added quickly, "I'm not saying I didn't like it, Drakkie-po," giving his hand a squeeze. Draco smiled and brought her hand to his lips.

"I'll take my chances," he said, then paused for a moment before speaking again. "Why do you insist on calling me that?" he asked with a small pout. Hermione smiled.

"Because it irritates you. Alright, fine I'll stop. It's verbal plagiarism anyway; that's Pansy's. I have to think of my own embarrassing nickname for you," she said with a smirk. Draco sighed, not even planning to bother with talking her out of it.

"If you must, Mia," he said and Hermione smiled wider.

"Mia? Where'd that come from?" she asked and Draco smiled, then shrugged.

"If you get a nickname for me, I get one for you. Hermione, Maya, Mia," he explained. She smiled again.

"Am I missing the hidden embarrassment aspect there?" she inquired, letting the name run through her head. She could live with that; she could even like it.

"I think I've already embarrassed you enough to last a lifetime, love," he said seriously. Hermione shrugged.

"Well, that was malicious embarrassment. This is fun embarrassment," she pointed out with a smile.

"What, you don't like it? I can try and think of something else..." Draco suggested, but Hermione shook her head.

"No, you know what? I do like it," she told him and Draco smiled. "I'll let you know when I think of one for you. Until then, we can stick with Drakkie- po," she said and Draco smirked evilly.

"Think fast, love," he warned. Hermione laughed. They were quiet for a moment and Hermione looked curiously at Draco, her eyes seeming a little worried.

"Draco, are you alright? Have you even eaten anything today?" she asked, taking her hand from his and reaching it up to his face, letting her fingers glide gently over his hair. Draco just smiled.

"I'm not worried about me, Mia. I'm worried about you," he told her and Hermione smiled at the cute new nickname. Then she sighed a little and let her hand fall back down.

"You didn't answer me, Ace," she said and Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Ace?" he asked with an incredulous smile. Hermione shrugged.

"Work in progress," she explained. "...and you still haven't answered me." Draco sighed happily in defeat.

"No love, I haven't eaten, but yes, I am fine. So who are the other five?" he asked.

"What?" Hermione momentarily forgot about his eating habits and now was focusing on his strange question.

"Well, Ace is eleven. I'm trying to think of the other ten," he said and started naming off his fingers. "Snape, Viktor, Evan, Herm, and Bubble Boy. Who else? Oh wait, Harry and Ron, so that's seven; I'm missing three."

"You know, Draco, Ace means one too," she pointed out. Draco smiled and shrugged.

"Yeah, but I'm not that lucky. Your dad would probably be in there... oh, and Lucifer. So who's the last one? I give up; I can't think of anyone else," he said, looking away thoughtfully. Hermione smiled, **Let's play dirty, shall we?**

"Neville," she said suddenly. Draco looked quickly to her face, a little surprised. "What can I say? He's been my potions lab partner for six years; I've grown attached to the poor guy. Once literally; binding potion plus explosion usually won't have good results," she explained and Draco smiled, although a little crookedly; jealousy obviously on the rise. "No Ace, you can't be jealous of Neville. I don't know if you've noticed, but Gryffindor and Slytherin have had potions together for the last century. You could've been my lab partner; I would have let you," she pointed out and Draco smirked.

"Yeah right you would have let me; Harry and Ron would have killed you," he said, defending his emotions and taking her hand again.

"Only after they killed you, but it doesn't matter. You're still not allowed to be jealous of Neville. I don't really even like him that much; he's nice, but his insecurity is kind of annoying... I think I did it out of pity," she said, looking to the ceiling.

"Did WHAT out of pity?" Draco asked, eyes full of forbidden jealousy. Hermione rolled her eyes and looked back to him.

"Screwed him on Snape's desk after class," she said with heavy sarcasm and Draco squeezed her hand. "I was his lab partner Draco, that's all and that's enough. Ow," she said and he released his grip immediately.

"Sorry Mia," he said and she smiled. Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment, then smirked.

"No, you know what? I've changed my mind. I like Crookshanks WAY better than Neville. Are you threatened by my cat as well?" she asked and Draco smiled.

"Hm; he DOES get to sleep in your bed... I think that's reason enough to be jealous," he told her and Hermione was quick to lash a comeback.

"Hey, it's not like I'm in my bed when he is... and if you want to sleep there, we can, but I've become rather accustomed to yours." Draco smiled and kissed her cheek.

"You know, we probably should watch what we say; Pomfrey could be eves- dropping," he reminded her and Hermione shrugged.

"Who's she going to tell who doesn't already know?" she pointed out, bring her knees up. Draco shrugged.

"Good point, I think," he said with a crooked smile. "Oh god, here she comes again," he said through his smile, not moving his mouth. Hermione giggled and Draco smirked. "Shh, don't laugh Mia... we'll be separated," he reminded her, mocking warning. Hermione pretended to be scared again, then made a zipping motion over her lips.

"Hello Madam Pomfrey," she said politely as the medi-witch came into view.

"Hello Hermione. I've brought you another potion. This one may put you to sleep, but only for an hour or so. You should really be resting anyway," she said, shooting Draco a glare and handing Hermione a purple vile. Hermione sighed and took it.

"Am I going to have to spend the night here, Madam Pomfrey?" she asked, sounding unhopeful.

"I'm afraid so, dear," the nurse answered, sounding regretful herself.

"May I stay as well?" Draco jumped in. Hermione looked eagerly at Pomfrey as well as Draco; both teens sporting pleading looks.

"Well..." Pomfrey began reluctantly, unsure of what to say.

"Please?" Hermione begged and Pomfrey seemed to give in. She sighed.

"Alright," she said and the students looked to each other with smiles. "But you are to stay in that chair or one of the other beds. I won't have any more illegitimate Malfoy children conceived in my hospital... and no kissing for at least half an hour after you take that potion, Miss Granger, or I may have to admit Mr. Malfoy as well," she said, then turned and stormed off.

"Well that was rather rude," Draco said in mild surprise. Hermione looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What does she mean, 'illegitimate Malfoy children'? Who would do that in the hospital wing?" she asked and Draco smiled sheepishly.

"My parents," he said and paused while Hermione's mouth cocked open a bit in mild shock. "Remember that time last year when I got a nasty blow from a bludger and was up here for almost a month?" he asked.

"Do I; Harry was really pissed off about that. Malfoy this and Malfoy that; it was all he talked about the entire time," she said and Draco looked surprised.

"What? Why? Should I be scared?" he asked and Hermione laughed, but quietly.

"No, because no Draco equals no Slytherin seeker and no Slytherin seeker equals no games against Gryffindor in which Harry shows off and kicks your butt; yippee, hooray, get over yourself," she explained.

"Riiiiight... well, anyway, my mother came to visit me and ended up telling me all about her time at Hogwarts, and how the hospital wing hadn't changed it's crummy curtains since the night my father and she... well, you know. I'll give her a little credit; she thought I was unconscious, but you still don't say that to your kids, it's just not right." Not even wanting to get into how much she agreed with him on the sick and twisted quality of that story, Hermione just pretended it didn't bother her.

"Take no offense, but it's pretty stupid to do that here. You'd have a lesser chance of being caught in the great hall," Hermione said and Draco smiled.

"Evidently, they did it there too, and they did get caught here, by Pomfrey, that's now she knows," he explained. "You should take your potion, love," he reminded her.

"And you should get something to eat, Ace."

"I will if you will," he suggested and Hermione smiled.

"Deal," she said and brought the vile to her lips.

"Wait," Draco said as he stood. Hermione looked confused, but didn't drink the potion. Draco smiled a certain smile and Hermione knew what was coming. That was his 'I'm going to kiss you,' smile, and that's what he did. Draco leaned down and kissed her softly, letting Hermione take control. She took advantage of this privilege, and the couple broke away with smiles. Draco smirked. "I don't want to be admitted," he explained and Hermione kissed him quickly on the lips before letting him go. She downed the purple liquid and made a face at the horrible taste.

"Ugh, that was worse than the poison," she said and Draco laughed. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

"Do you want anything, love?" he asked and she smiled.

"If you could bring me back something chocolate, I'd be much obliged," she answered and Draco shook his head.

"Why am I not surprised?" he asked and kissed her forehead before walking back around the bed. "I won't be gone long, Mia, I promise," he told her and walked down the aisle and through the doors, looking back before leaving. Hermione smiled as he left, but the happiness was gone with him.



A/N Hey, at least she's not comatose, right? I'm sure Hermione will be just fine; and as I am the one calling the shots, we all know she will be... what am I gonna do, kill off one of the protagonists? That wouldn't be wise, would it? No... it wouldn't.... thanx for reading my author's notes. I know not many people do, but I'm glad at least there are a couple people. I try not to make them long, therefore there is no reason not to. Okay, this one is getting long, so I'll stop. Sorry.

PRF: Wow, there are quite a few reviews for just having posted yesterday!

JoeBob1379: Thanx for asking questions, but I assure you, they will be answered in due time.

Michelle: Yes, you're just going to have to wait.... I'm not going to tell you. But don't worry; it's not THAT serious. Hehe.

Lily Rainwater: Hm... maybe! We'll have to wait and find out, shall we? Yes! And thanx for reviewing My Precious Empty Space. I'm sorry if you didn't like the crying thing, but that was almost the point; lol. You will not believe how pathetic I am; I was like sobbing when I wrote it... it was worse than when I reread it.... so very tragic, that story! Lol, read my review for it from Xia, if you get a chance. Seems I can't write ANYTHING without someone jumping at me! Lol ::coughLirawencough:: haha.

Snapegirl: Yes, I'm sorry... and yet again, this one is termed a 'cliffie' as well! HAHA!

Malfoy: HAHA! Like I would tell you!

Bitter Sanity: Thank you, but you are too kind! It's okay; I've been busy too... I hardly pay attention to any of my classes anymore... I just take a seat in the back and write all mod.... lol, except English. For some reason, Mdawg (my prof.) doesn't care if I don't pay attention to him. Anyone else he would..... creepy! You've BEEN on the mailing list, haven't you? Haha.

Belle: I agree! What was JKR THINKING! She should have made Percy evil all along... it just fits that way.

Karly: I'm sorry you were sick, and that sucks that you don't have time for writing! I wish upon you more free time! Tiempo....por nada! ::swish-and- flick:: Damn; it didn't work. I KNEW I should have taken Latin and not Spanish!