Summary: Is it lust or love? Draco Malfoy has been pushed too far to the edge by Harry Potter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Chapter 9: Hello to One is Goodbye to Another

Hermione looked at Harry and an insane feeling of longing came over her. She was too weak to walk, even speak after the ultimatum Draco had given her. 'Letting Harry fight Draco is selfish Hermione,' she thought.

"Hermione," Harry half laughed half whispered. "Hermione." He ran to her and hugged her tightly. He held her face and gave her big smacking kisses on her cheeks and forehead. Hermione smiled weakly at him and held back tears.

"Harry I-"

"Listen, we've got to get out of here and owl some aurors quick. I don't know what malfoy has planned, but he's definitely being too nice and calm. Let's go."

"Harry-"

"Hermione let's go!"

"Harry I'm staying." She choked out. Harry gaped at her.

"What!" He yelled. "Hermione what's gotten into you? Let's go!"

"Harry please...just leave without me!" She began to sob lightly. "Just go."

"No," said Harry struggling to keep his voice firm. "No."

"Trust me, you need to go."

"Is he putting you up to this?" Harry screamed. "Hermione, for goodness sake woman come on!" Hermione was really crying now and she was biting her lip and wringing her hands together. "Do you want this?" asked Harry in quiet disbelief. She nodded. Harry ran both hands through his hair and sighed deeply.

"Hermione, why?" said Harry, his voice breaking. "Tell me what is going on!"

"I'm staying Harry."

"You can't honestly say you want to be with him?" said Harry. "Look me in the face and tell me you want to be with him." Hermione looked at his eyes. They were sparkling and the water welled up added to their radiance. As if they both knew that this would be the last time they see each other, a charge swept through them at their eye contact and Harry not wasting a second after this exchange pulled Hermione into an exceptionally passionate kiss.

"Look me in the face," said Harry breathlessly, "and tell me you love him." The only person Hermione could think of at the moment was Harry. He was drowning her thoughts and she was lost in everything about him, his touch, his smile, his face, his voice, his eyes everything she would miss about him. And these thoughts made it much easier to say:

"I love him." She sighed and closed her eyes.

Harry let out an angry growl and began to cry lightly. "Why are you doing this 'Mione? Why-" but before Harry could finish his statement Hermione felt a sudden chill run up her spine and she shivered. She opened her eyes to see Harry go rigid and his eyes roll into the back of his skull. He collapsed and began twitching slightly.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled. She dropped to her knees and shook him. "Harry!"

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger. I trust you know what is going on... I was asked by one of my reviewers not to wait for twenty-five reviews. That in itself is worth thirty reviews. The only reason I was waiting was because I wanted feedback. But, the next chapter will not be up until I hit thirty. Forgive me loyal readers. And I also apologize for the weird flashback thing in the earlier chapters. That was because ff.net was not converting my italics or asterisks. And I was too lazy to re upload. ^_~ Read Review Repeat! (*RRR*) ex oh ex oh :aMaKa