Author's Note: Thank you to all who have reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Without further ado, here is chapter twelve.

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Chapter Twelve

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And here she was once again at the steps of the terrace, entertaining her woeful thoughts that never ceased to bother her these days.

Hermione sighed tiredly. No wonder her grades had gone a bit lower than usual – emotional problems were the reasons. Though no one took notice, she had. And they had added to her burdens.

First, there was this loneliness inside of her because she had no one to talk to about her feelings. Ron, though still her good friend, had, after the 'event', decided to ignore her. Harry, on the other hand, was always staring into space, wearing a vague and nonchalant look these days. He was always in his far off dreamland, dreaming still, after two years or so, about his late godfather. Ginny, however, would never be able to understand what she was going through.

Then there was the overload of her Head Girl duties. Every single night, she was tasked to go around the school, along with the Head Boy to do patrolling.

And then there was her secret admirer, who constantly showered her with his love through roses and sweet letters. Her curiosity was killing her to know who it was.

Finally, there was the utter confusion she felt bubbling inside of her. She recalled that unforgettable night when Ron had asked her for her forgiveness, and she firmly rejected his plea, though she tried to sound as loving and concerned as she could.

Why, a voice in her mind asked, was that event quite burdening?

Hermione replied, as she twirled a strand of hair around her dainty fingers, Because I don't know why it didn't hurt when I didn't forgive him.

Yes, that was the main reason why she felt like this the whole day. Why was she not pained when she told him that?

Clouds in the sky passed lazily over its rich blue color, as birds broke the still silence of the afternoon with their sweet tunes. Hermione tapped her foot impatiently, searching the depths of her great mind for an answer to her own question.

Fate's way of telling you that what you had was puppy love? Said the same voice suggestively.

Foolishness. Hermione certainly did not believe in such folly as 'fate'.

There was a moment of silence as she thought of a more logical reason. Then, out of nowhere, the words of Draco Malfoy swiftly entered her perplexed mind.

People change, he told her wisely once before.

That could be possible. Could it have been possible that Ron had changed, or vice versa? It was bound that one of them changed. Yes…

Could it have happened that their romantic love for each other had just… simply drifted away, and died out like a flickering flame?

"Yes, that's it," she muttered, staring out into the vast space in front of her. That was probably the reason.

Her love for him had vanished, and she was unconscious that it did.

But then, another thought fleeted through her mind. Or probably, the thought stated, you never loved him.

You might have never loved him in the first place.

And, once the idea was absorbed, Hermione's already clear mind was back to its perplexed state.

~***~

He watched her, from afar, as he sat behind a stone statue outside another terrace. Draco gazed at her with a longing, a burning desire that had been set aflame for a long time now. Too bad he couldn't satisfy it…

For he could not touch her, even with a slight prod of his finger. He could not stroke a single strand of her hair, he could not wrap his arms around her and hold her tightly… He could not grasp her hand for even a second.

Such a sad thought, he said inside his mind. What he wanted from her was a wish no one could grant. It was a false hope, a dream never to come true. No matter how many times he'd send her letters expressing his love, he knew she'd never know him. If she did, she'd never accept him.

That was the consequence of his actions in the past years.

Oh, how much he wanted to turn back time, and be the first to befriend her during their first year…

But it was too late. She hated him, he loved her. She'd never see him, he'd always be watching her from a distance. The way of life.

But he never wanted to give up on her. There was still a chance. One chance he mustn't blow.

And that was why he had brought with him two parchments and two feather quills.

~***~

And here it goes again, Hermione thought, seeing a parchment and [queerly] a feather quill hovering above her. She was certain that it was, as it always was, from her secret admirer.

Once she touched its surface, a tingle of electricity rushed through her veins. Merely excitement, she thought, dismissing the feeling right away. Yes, just excitement. Wasn't it a feeling every girl who had a secret admirer felt?

She opened it, and scanned through the one line that he had written.

What must one do to place a smile on your lovely face?

It had disappeared seconds later, and getting the idea, Hermione grabbed the quill from the air and began writing. Fortunately, it had its own ink. Tell me your name and I'll smile, she wrote. It sank into the surface of the parchment, and was replaced by his reply.

If I tell you my name, I'd think you'd frown. No—shriek actually, out of shock. Sorry but I can't.

She laughed mirthfully at what he said. He was not only sweet, romantic, poetic, definitely clever but also funny. Who could've known that there was another guy in Hogwarts who possessed those qualities? Hermione's curiosity rose on a higher level.

Well then, she answered, just smile back at me then, even if I'll never get to know you're already actually smiling back at me.

Oh, I can smile at you.

How?

And his reply came no sooner than a second. Hermione stared at it and laughed. Her cheeks burned a rosy red, and she had forgotten her problems.

For he did smile at her.

He drew a happy face on the parchment, complete with big eyes and two identical dimples on each side of its smile. A tingling feeling ran through her. She shivered.

What in the world, she thought, smacking herself on the head. Wasn't she just depressed a while ago? Now, just because of this person, she felt giddy…

This definitely wasn't how Hermione acted. She knew only girls like Parvati and Lavender felt like this.

She shuddered and wrote a small thanks.

You're welcome. He replied. Well, I've certainly put a smile on your face.

Yes, you have.

Well then, see you around. I'm glad that I did; you're prettier when you smile.

And their conversation ended. Hermione smiled gleefully and tucked the parchment and quill in her pocket.

~

An hour or so passed, without Draco noticing. He was still in the same spot, observing the Gryffindor from a safe distance.

She had fallen asleep because of the dragging day that was annoyingly dull, barely changing as minutes passed by. Her head leaned gently on the stone wall, her chest heaving up and down slowly as she breathed.

She wore a content expression. Draco smiled, placed his hand inside his pocket and pulled out a long-stemmed rose. Again it was simply white, with its petals slowly starting to open and spread out.

He planned to give it to her as she slept. That way, she wouldn't know it was him and she wouldn't be angry. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel anything but glee.

And so, he stood up and walked to where she was.

Draco kneeled beside Hermione's figure.

"You're even more beautiful up close," he whispered, reaching for her cheek and caressing it. He tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear and smiled.

The grandfather clock inside the castle rung powerfully. Draco turned his head sharply and panicked. The sound might've woken her up.

Thankfully enough, her eyes were still shut tight. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and placed the rose on her lap. "I love you," he said in a barely audible whisper.

And he stood up and prepared to vanish in an instant.

But he couldn't, for someone was grasping his wrist tightly. Draco's body stiffened; he knew what was happening. His heart began to race, and his surroundings swiveled as he turned around.

She had her eyes opened. She was still holding his wrist.

Hermione's lips quivered as she let his name escape her lips. "Draco?"

He couldn't breathe…

She finally knew.

~***~

Author's Note: Did you like it? It took me about two weeks to finally finish this… I hope it all satisfied you! Please, if you have any violent reactions, tell me so I can improve the story and my writing!

It'll surely help me…

Anyway, don't forget to review! Thanks a bunch!