Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters, but I do own this story and any characters I add to it.

Author's Note: I'm really surprised by the support everyone's showing me, and I'm really greatful. Sappy as it may sound, it means a lot to me to get those good reviews.

Chapter 7

Hermione say beside Draco's bed in the hospital wing. She held his limp hand in both of hers waiting for him to wake up. Her thumb absently traced a path along his palm. He'd been looking right at her when the bludger hit him. He'd looked so... destroyed, like he'd just realized something horrible that tore apart the entire meaning of his life and yet he knew it was true. Hermione didn't even want to think that she might have somehow caused that look of pain. Hermione looked up hearing footsteps and found herself staring right into the pain-filled eyes of Ron, and she knew then that yes, she could be the reason for such despair.
He didn't say anything as he walked to her side. Ron stared down at Draco, hating him with every bit of fiber in his body. It radiated off of him, and Hermione shuddered.
"Kill me now, Hermione," Ron said suddenly, his voice a harsh whisper. "Put me out of my misery."
"My happiness is your misery?" Hermione felt tears prick at her eyes.
"You're happy with him?" Ron scoffed. "He's using you, Hermione. For what, God, please don't tell me but he is. Me? Me I really care about you."
"Ron, you're my best friend -"
"No, Hermione, not "best friend". I love you," finally he looked at her. "So it's not just you anymore. When someone loves you it changes everything. I love Ginny and she loves Harry and Harry loves her. We've talked about it. That, love, I can deal with and ignore or at the most accept."
There was a long silence and Hermione had to look away. She fought back the tears knowing it was no time to cry. She wiped her eyes and looked back to him. Defiance mixed with agony swam in the tears that her sapphire eyes glistened with.
"I love him, Ron, and he loves me," she whispered. "And I love you. You're my best friend, you've always been there and I thank you. But I love Draco."
"But what about everyone else?" Ron cried. "If your parents hate him, and they will, then you can't be with him! If his parents hate you, and they already do, same thing! If everyone hates you, and they will, you'll be miserable! If -"
"That's "if", Ron," Hermione said gently. "If could be tomorrow or forever away and it may not be at all. I've spent my whole life worrying on what everyone else thought. I've thought of you and Harry when I take extra good notes, and of Ginny when I didn't say anything about liking Harry that short time that I did. The rest of the world can wait for a little while, Ron, because right now is for me and Draco. If forever away it all goes to hell then that's if forever. This is now."
Ron looked hard at her for a long moment as if trying to decide if she'd been brainwashed or if she actually meant what she said. Then, he gave a short nod of digust, turned and walked away. Hermoine layed her head in the blankets against Draco's side and cried silently. Once upon a time she'd thought love always had a happy ending. But now she knew the truth, and she wondered if she was strong enough to lose everything for only one.