*Sorry…I had my exams (3 days!)…. Oh, I'm a little bit exhausted just finished the tests today. Imagine how I love you, my dear reviewers and readers.

Well, I have my 23rd chapter, *looks sad* I will have just 8 chapters to go and sorry but that's final. Don't worry I'm planning to have a sequel. *looks satisfied*

Now, let me present to you Chapter 23….(drum roll please!)

This chapter is dedicated to: (Mariane...hehe) HIMURAGIC, my trainor!

YOUR TOUCH MAKES ME SHIVER

Chapter 23: I can't hold you forever.

Ron just left. She was totally alone. She didn't even know what's wrong. She was still crying and a little bit nauseated because her head kept stirring the memories with Draco all over and over again.

She didn't want to review the moments with him. She didn't want to see him again. NEVER.

She kept walking to and fro across the dorm, she felt dizzy upon doing that but she didn't stop. After a while, she spotted the portrait…THEIR PORTRAIT…she felt dizzier than before. She hates that portrait but she couldn't refuse to agree to herself that the portrait in front of her was a symbol of a good relationship with him: being his friend and co-head partner, but that was before. Today is a very different story.

She touched the portrait and just in seconds, she was there. The Capercaillie Garden was different. The place was very dark, very deserted. The cold breeze lingered through her veins. She was feeling cold but she didn't mind it at all. The place was joining her. The picture of that Garden perfectly suited her emotions: sad, dark and cold.

She lazily walked at the lawns. She didn't even bother to look down if she's stepping upon little flowers or plants. She was thinking about the days when they were together…she couldn't stop herself from reviewing that precious memories with him… when they hated each other and like him in an instant, seeing his pale face and comforted him, when she saw the sadness in his eyes and stayed with him, the Yule Ball together and also the time when they kissed… that times, the memories that were dear to her and wanted to cherish forever but now they were all just an illusions…nothing really happened.

How she wished they were just her dreams, but they were not. Those times were bothering her: those lead her to him.

She shouted. The outcry she wanted to tell to her brain and to her heart.

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

Draco heard her. He was there. He is there everyday. At that place, he found the silence he needed. He wanted to be alone, isolated from the people he knew because they didn't know him at all, only her…who captured the deepest pit of his soul and his heart. She was the only one. Narcissa knew nothing at least even a little of him. He wanted to show his mother that he's happy, he didn't want her to look sad but now he didn't have any reasons to pretend. His mother was gone and he didn't want Hermione to be next in line. He knew his father's capacity. He can kill anybody…even himself for the Dark Lord's satisfaction.

He himself didn't want to see her even her shadow. Her presence hunts him. Even in his dreams, he can see her. He was very tired. He was lame. He may look stupid at that but at least he knew she would be save. He cares for her a lot.

He was sitting still at the shed of the Weeping Willow. He hid himself even more when he sensed that she's coming to his direction.

She stopped. Draco froze. She landed at the grassland beside the Weeping Willow, just inches away from him. She cried. She cried even louder.

It was very painful for him to see her like that.

"Stop crying." Draco said.

Hermione stopped from crying. She recognized the voice and she searched for him. The garden was very dark she couldn't see anything except the big old maple tree and the Weeping Willow.

"Draco…is…that…. you?" Hermione said trembling because of fear and cold.

He didn't answer. She was terrified.

"Yes, it is me." Draco said coldly.

"What…are…you doing…here? How did you get..here? Where are…you?" Hermione said.

"Hiding. I'm using Dumbledore's portkey, he gave it to me so that I can be hidden from you…to everybody even just for a while." Draco replied.

"Draco…could…uh…could we…talk?" Hermione asked.

"We are talking." Draco replied.

"Show yourself to me." Hermione managed to say clearly.

"No. It's better this way." Draco said.

"I will… look for you…." Hermione said but before she stood up…

"No, stay there." Draco said.

"I want to see you." Hermione said.

"I don't want you to look for me." Draco said.

"Why? I…will….just…" Hermione protested.

"I said NO! If you'll be doing that, I will be mad. By doing that, I will feel needed and I don't want you to need me." Draco said.

"Draco…please…I'm begging you, let me see you." Hermione said.

"I thought you're clever enough." Draco replied.

"Why are you…doing this to me?" Hermione asked.

"I am not doing anything." Draco replied.

"You have done a lot." Hermione said.

Draco didn't answer back. Then…

"I have done a lot for other people… maybe it's time to give myself a chance." Draco said.

"You have changed…I do believe you changed. Remember what I told you before, I will always trus…" Hermione said.

"Shh…stop saying that. It is not worth for me." Draco said.

"Yes, it is!" Hermione protested.

Draco stood up and went to her direction. He stood in front of her. It was a little bit of shocked; she didn't even bother to stand.

He knelt in front of her.

"Even if…it was really meant for me… I will not take it as a compliment now…it was really sad to say… I am not worth of that words." Draco paused and tears were leaking from his eyes.

"….I love you, Hermione but I can't hold you forever…."


Author's Note: A little bit sad... isn't it?*sniffs* Of course, the story will not end by that way. I always believe in happy endings! But let's say, they will reconcile and be friends....forever! It's only I who needs to decide.... well...I can't tell. The plot I once decided to use was revised. I add little spice,' hope you can see it.

Oh, well need to go...I have to think of a better ending for you.

THANKS!