Chapter Twenty-Seven:

(A/N. How much would you have hated me if I'd left it at that? For a week? Heehee. Anyways, just cuz I'm not here doesn't mean you shouldn't review!!!! Okay enjoy this chapter! I love everyone who reviewed!!!! Thank you soo sooo much!)

Draco sat on his bed finishing wrapping the small package he had gotten out of Gringotts what seemed like ages ago. He nodded in satisfaction and took out his wand.

"Orchideous Rosa." He muttered and a bouquet of blood-red roses appeared on his bed. He wrapped their bottom in gold paper and quickly wrote a letter and stuck it on. He smiled happily and stood up. He crept out of the common room and walked toward the Gryffindor Tower, clutching the package in one hand and the flowers in the other. A million questions ran through his head. Would she like his gift? Would she think the roses were too much? He stopped a second and tried to recollect himself. When he began walking again his face hid his nervousness like a perfect mask. He turned a corner and froze. At the base of the Gryffindor Tower stairs were Ron and Hermione. Hermione was pressed up against the wall with Ron kissing her. The roses fell from his hand as he turned and walked away. His composure lasted him two strides before he fell to his knees as agony as he had never experienced before tore through him. None of his father's punishments could ever amount to this. He sat down on the floor and put his head in his hands.

"Oh god." He whispered hoarsely. Hs head was spinning wildly trying to come up with an explanation for what he had just seen. Anger warred with pain deep inside him. He felt so lost. His world had come crashing down on him in a manner of seconds. He felt like crying, but lessons drummed into him for as long as he could remember kept the tears at bay. Malfoys never cry. Lucius would always say. Draco sighed and a single tear escaped his rigid control as he crossed his arms and rested his head.

Hermione pushed Ron away roughly. She didn't know what to say she felt confused and scared.

"Hermione." Ron moaned and moved to kiss her again. Rage boiled up inside her and suddenly she knew exactly what to do. Her hand wiped up and slapped her redheaded friend across the face.

"Get away from me you jerk! Don't ever touch me again! If you ever take advantage of your build with me again, I swear I will kill you." She kissed. She turned and walked away wiping her mouth with her sleeve in disgust. Suddenly she stopped. Lying in the middle of the corridor was a bouquet of red roses. She knelt to pick them up and saw a card on them.

Dear Hermione,                                                                                                      Happy Birthday. May all your dreams come true. You are the brightest star in the sky.

Love, Draco Malfoy

Her hand shook as she reread the card written in an elegant, flowing hand. She looked up and saw Draco sitting on the floor, his head thrown back against the wall and his fist tightly clenches. She raised a trembling hand to her mouth.

"Draco?" She asked softly. Draco straightened his head and opened his eyes. As his gaze met hers she saw deep anguish in his silver eyes.

"Why Hermione? Why did you kiss him?" He croaked. Hermione shook her head and moved next to him.

"I didn't. He kissed me." She said. He laughed a strange sound halfway between a laugh and a sob. His eyes flashed dangerously as she touched his arm.

"And you let him?" He said incredulously. Hermione felt her anger swell in response to his comment.

" I know how you feel. It's like you and Pansy…" She began but Draco quickly silenced her.

"Don't try to turn this around on me, Hermione. It was a betrayal and you bloody well know it!" He snapped. She shook her head emphatically.

"No, Draco. Ron took advantage of me. He used his height and weight to press me up against the wall and kiss me. When he tried to do it again I slapped him. I was too shocked to act the first time." She said. Draco turned away. She cupped his handsome face and forced him to look her in the eye. "Please believe me." She whispered. He stared at her for a long, agonizing second before his body relaxed and he looked down with a sigh.

"I believe you." He murmured. She smiled and pulled him into a hug. They stayed in each others arms for a long time. Hermione looked up at Draco thoughtfully.

"Why were you jealous?" She asked the question which had been nagging at her the whole time. "You never get jealous. I've seen countless girls try."

"I don't know, Mione. You're different. When I saw you kissing Ron I could have killed him. I couldn't bare the thought of losing you." Draco said not looking at her. Hermione took his hand and smiled up at him.

"Draco, you big dolt! I love you. Nothing is going to change that." She cried. He smiled at her warmly. He turned away and reached behind him. He pulled out a small box wrapped in silver paper and handed it to her.

"What's this?" She asked. He raised a hand to a hair and ran a slender hand through its silky length.

"Birthday present." He whispered. She opened the box and gasped. Inside was a necklace with the most beautiful pendant she had ever seen.  It was a snake bent in the shape of a heart, its head overlapping its tail. Its green eyes were emeralds, and diamonds ran down its silver back.

"It's beautiful." Hermione murmured. Draco took it out of the box and turned her around. He pushed back her hair and clasped it around her slender neck. He turned her around and looked deep into her chocolate eyes.

"Hermione I…" He trailed off and cleared his throat. "I love you Hermione." He murmured finally, his silver eyes never wavering from hers. Her eyes brightened and she grinned.

"You do?" She asked. He laughed and nodded kissing her nose and cheeks and eyelids gently. They stared into each others eyes and a deep hunger built up inside Hermione. She had never felt like this before. He bent his head and kissed her. The kiss was wild and passionate. His kisses had always been sweet and tender, this was different. It was raw emotion clashing with the deep hunger she had felt. She moaned into his mouth and pulled him closer. She pulled away panting heavily and rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you too, Draco."