Summary: Harry Potter took the only thing Draco Malfoy asked him for. Now, Draco's taking it back.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any sense of the word. So please if it seems like I am trying to claim it just slap me don't sue me.

A/N: I am so sorry to anyone who has been reading this story and putting up w/ my hiatus. I hate to admit it, but it's only because of my simple laziness. Your forgiveness I implore. Read on!

Chapter 5: Be a Designated Friend

"Why all of a sudden?" asked Hermione.

"Beg your pardon?" said Draco.

"Why all of sudden are you angry with him? How exactly did he rob you of happiness?" A thoughtful expression came over Draco's face.

"Its funny how growing up changes people. If there's one thing I can thank Potter for, it's making me more open-minded. Once my father went to Azkaban, I realized money couldn't buy everything. As I got older, the absence of my father's influence changed me. I felt. And I wanted someone to feel for me too." Draco turned to her. Her face was rapt with attention. He continued. "When you became Head Girl, I saw it as an opportunity to make amends and make a friend. But as time passed you became more than just a friend to me. But Potter took that away too," he ended bitterly.

"Hermione are you drunk?" asked Draco.

"No (-hic-) of course (-hic-) not." slurred Hermione.

"I'll take you to your dorm room." Draco said chuckling. He lifted Hermione up and she hung limply in his arms.

"Lavender and Parvati (-hic-) are a good time (-hic-) when you need to lift your spirits (hic-)."

"What's wrong?" asked Draco.

"Nothing (-hic-) is wrong," she yelled. "I was just extremely bored and we decided to take shots of (-hic-) Firewhisky and voila!" she giggled.

"You're buzzed," smirked Draco.

"I am (-hic-) not! Put me down!" she snapped. Draco placed her gingerly on a step and she swayed a little. "Let me tell you (-hic-) something Draco Malfoy," she said as she pointed a finger at his chest. She lost her train of thought and began to poke him. Then she looked in his eyes and stopped. Something inside of Draco's head popped and it made him feel light headed. He swayed a little himself but Hermione did not notice. Draco took Hermione's finger and kissed it. Hermione watched quietly as he leaned in to kiss her. A nanosecond before their lips met, Hermione backed away, tripped over a step and landed flat on her butt.

"Are you okay?" asked Draco. Hermione looked shocked a second then began to laugh.

"Yes! I only fell! Everyone falls! Falling is normal!" she said loudly. Draco sat beside her and put a finger to her lips. When Hermione became silent Draco let his finger rest on her mouth. When he removed it, it felt as if the cold air around it was burning him, making him want to touch her lips again. He released a shuddering breath.

"I want to kiss you." he said.

"You (-hic-) do?" asked Hermione in disbelief. "Why?"

"Because...because I love you." Draco whispered.

"But-but you can't!" she whispered frantically. "Harry loves me too."

"And?" he said edging closer. "What's the problem?"

"He loves me more." Hermione said. She rose shakily to her feet, and continued up the stairs to her dormitory.

"You still haven't answered my question Malfoy! What exactly did Harry take from you?"

Draco spun around and walked towards Hermione at top speed. He had a mad glint in his eye and Hermione quieted at once.

"When we were eleven, Potter made his Quidditch house team. My father had to pay off Flint before he even considered me! When we were thirteen he helped that beast that attacked me go free. When we were fourteen he entered the Triwizard Tournament, something everyone at Hogwarts wished to do just to steal glory from Diggory. When we were fifteen he sent my father to prison. When we were seventeen he took the one thing I actually civilly asked him for! That's when I realized...he needed to be stopped."

"You want to hurt Harry because of...me?" said Hermione shakily. The anger on Draco's face had become more and more apparent as he spoke and she didn't want to trigger it again.

The only way I won't hurt Potter is if you decide whether or not you will stay with him or with me."

"Wha-"

"I won't hurt you. I promise because I-"

"And if I do this, you promise you won't hurt him?"

Draco grinned. "I promise."

A/N: Sorry for the delay guys! Hope that made up for it! RRR!