DISCLAIMER: I don't own them.

----------------------

CHAPTER XXII – The truth

Two days went. Still nothing. Draco's condition hadn't changed at all. Hermione had taken every chance to go and see if he's already alright. And every time she did go see him, Ron got angrier. Hermione didn't even care to hide it anymore. Ron and Harry would've found out it some day anyway… Hermione still cared about them and she needed them to be there for her now more than ever. Harry was but Ron wasn't… He still couldn't understand. Well…nor did Harry. They both tried their best to understand her but it was hard for them. Harry probably felt somewhat disgusted and Ron was just stubborn. Hermione understood how they felt but still…she needed someone she could tell all her worries.

Pansy was kind of in a same situation as Hermione but Pansy was the last person Hermione wanted to tell everything. Pansy would of course kill her if she knew that Hermione loved Draco.

The only one Hermione could open up to was Lavender. But Hermione felt like she already had said too much. Lavender seemed to feel pretty troubled around Hermione.

Saturday came. Hermione had went to the hospital wing 8 a.m.. She didn't feel hungry or tired at all. The only thing she wanted to do was be with Draco. She even took the risk to bump into Pansy in the infirmary.

*Meanwhile*

"Harry…?", Ginny asked carefully at breakfast at the Great Hall.

"yes?"

"where's Hermione?"

Ron stopped eating and an angry expression appeared on his face.

"I would…try hospital wing", Harry said glancing at Ron.

"oh, why is she there?" Ginny asked curiously.

"er…she..", Harry saw Ron turning red in anger, "or maybe you should ask her yourself."

"o…k…", Ginny said and stood up.

***

Hermione looked at Draco. He looked so peaceful lying there on the infirmary bed. His face was pale and no one could really tell if he was dead or alive. But he was alive… He still breathed. But how long would he live? Years? Months? Weeks? …days?

Hermione sat next to him. She touched his cold hand and squeezed it a bit. She couldn't see any reactions on his face.

"I wonder where you are right now", she whispered, "You know, I always thought that when people die they go to a place where everything is just perfect", she said, "Like everybody has their own heaven…"

"I hope you go into a perfect place like that when you… when you…" Hermione started sobbing.

Hermione tried to block her tears by closing her eyes.

"you can't die now… you just can't…"

She smoothed his hand. There were so many things she had wanted to say to him. If she knew that this would happen she probably would have told him…everything. Hermione stroked his pale cheek. It was so smooth.

"I wonder what you would say if you knew I'm touching you like this", Hermione laughed a bit. "But being a "mudblood" isn't a disease though…"

She stopped stroking his cheek.

"if only I could see your eyes…", Hermione murmured. "They are so beautiful…you know…"

"I would want to see you smiling again…or smirking", Hermione laughed just a bit.

"I couldn't say you things I wanted since…since Christmas…"

A tear fell down her cheek. Hermione took his hand once again.

"I shouldn't say this to you…" she hesitated a while. "But I have waited too long…and if you…go…away I will regret that I didn't tell you…Draco… I…love you", she said as tears filled her eyes.

She touched his temple and stroked his cheeks once again.

"I love you Draco", Hermione said and sobbed.

She gave Draco a slight kiss to his cold lips. Hermione looked at him. This might be her last time to see him breathing. If she only could talk with him. If only he could hold her.

***

Ginny stepped into the infirmary. She saw Hermione sitting on the bed where Draco was sleeping.

'is she crying?' Ginny wondered.

She hid herself behind one bed and tried to hear what Hermione said.

"…didn't tell you…Draco…I love you."

Ginny's eyes widened.

'oh my god! Did she just say what I think she said?! To him?!'

"I love you Draco."

Ginny peeked behind the bed she was hiding to see what Hermione was doing. Ginny saw her cry. Ginny felt sad for her even though it was a shock to hear her say something like that… Hermione loved Draco Malfoy…?

Ginny tiptoed out of the hospital wing leaving Hermione cry.

***

---------------

A/N: This was a short chapter…sorry for that.

I know people hate cliffhangers – even I do – so this time there is no cliffhanger. …er…or was there? Lol. No, just kiddin'. Oh well, I will post other chapter/chapters soon so…till next time!! Lol

Thanks to my reviewers:

Lazerjet – thanks for letting me know. I will fix all the mistakes in this story as soon as possible! (read: I'm too lazy to do that now) lol

Carla – lol, thanks.

Morgan - I wish I could tell you what's going to happen…lol, but you'll see soon. Lol.

Tayz – lol, how can you be so sure I already don't have shaved head? Lol. No, just kiddin. Lol

Galadriel Potter – good point. But now Harry and Ron kinda know.

Feather-quill – lol. Your cheerleaders rock, lol ;)

Shorty – yeah, I don't want Draco die either… oh, and I tried to post these two chapters two days ago but FF.net wouldn't let me! I was soooo pissed! Oh, but now I got these chappies through, phew.

CrackHead – lol, good guess. But just between you and me: no. It's not going to go like that. ;)

Uglinessrox55 – awww…don't cry. :)

Evilearthwiccan – I hate cliffhangers too! It's just "fun" to tease people with those and keep people in suspense.

Oo.DrAcOzAnJeL.oO – I wish I could tell you what's gonna happen.

Super Geek – yeah, lol

Evie-DuGrey – thank you! :D

Angel125 – lol, thanks, I will

Hildie – lol, yes I will

Angel~Innocent