EXCEPT HER

Chapter Fourteen

~***~

He walked and he walked, not caring where his feet brought him. His hair cascaded in front of his eyes but he did not bother to brush them away. The cold wind swept through him as he continued on, but he still went to whichever direction he was brought to.

This was the only way he could show his frustration at what had just happened.

________

That was what she had wanted all this time, right? And he had been so kind as to give her that exactly.

An apology. A downright sincere apology.

He was sorry for ever loving such a girl like Hermione Granger.

And it was the truth. Even he knew that. His once perfect life was shattered because of her. Because of her bright brown eyes that he adored looking into, her sweet, sincere smile that made his knees wobble, her voice that immediately caught his attention… Because of the love he strongly felt for her…

Because of her, he was now miserable. Vulnerable.

It was all her fault.

~***~

She couldn't concentrate. Her eyes skimmed down to the last paragraph of the page she was reading. She anxiously tapped the tip of her quill on the parchment. Her mind searched for a sentence to begin her essay with, but nothing came. The only thing on her mind was Draco…

He finally left her in peace. Her life was back to normal and yet, why couldn't she stop him from entering her mind? Why did emotions she never thought she'd feel at that moment stir and awaken?

Oh, for heavens' sake, she thought angrily, slamming the book and ruffling her hair. I haven't time for this!

Hermione groaned and rested her head on the table. Thoughts of the Slytherin swirled around in her mind… she remembered what he told her.

Could he have been telling her the truth?

Was he sorry for loving her?

Why was he sorry?

She had so many questions only he could answer.

~***~

She sighed, exiting the library. It was of no use to stay there any longer anyway… she couldn't finish her essay because of him. In fact, she couldn't finish any of her tasks.

All Hermione ever wanted to do now was to sleep and think of everything as a dream.

As she turned round the corner, she stopped, eyeing a blonde-headed boy in the midst of a group of Slytherins. Her heart began to race so suddenly and she couldn't understand why…

You've been wanting to see him, that's why, an inner voice explained, but then she retorted that she just wanted answers… And so, she walked casually and slowly by them and then she saw him.

She halted dead on her tracks, having a firm hold on her books and looking at his lean figure. He too was looking back at her, ignoring the others around him. His eyes bore into hers, and now more than ever did her heart pace faster that it hurt. But there was something different… a certain hostility hung around him as before.

"What are you drooling at, Mudblood?" One of them had finally noticed her presence. The others glanced at her contemptuously and smirked.

She tightened her hold on her books and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Draco kept silent, wearing a nonchalant expression. It was a relief that he didn't join their jeering, but then…

His eyes told a different story. They were burning with emotions. Anger, frustration, contempt, hate.

All meant for her. And oddly, it hurt. But there was something else… pain and longing.

"Stop wasting your time on her," he said, as he started walking. He looked back at her. "She's not worth it."

And like a pack of dogs, the others silently followed. They left her alone in the corridor, staring into space.

She's not worth it. The second time he spoke words that stung.

Ouch.

~***~

Once again, she was able to talk to him face to face. Only this time, it was the worst.

"Leave me alone, Mudblood," he had told her. "I've gotten over you already."

"You're kidding."

"Look into my eyes and tell me I'm kidding." He gave her his signature smirk. "Think of it as just physical attraction." He waved his hand impatiently and continued towards the Quidditch field.

She eyed his back and breathed heavily.

"I admit that you're pretty, Granger," he said over his shoulder, "But face it—that was just it."

And he left her like before.

Now Hermione lay on her four-poster bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, still wearing her uniform. The lights in the dormitory were dim, and she was the only occupant of the vast room. She thought of her situation.

Why am I even affected in the first place? She thought. Why was it so important to her to know what Malfoy felt about her?

It was excruciating when she couldn't think straight and when she was so confused that she didn't know what to do. How she grew to despise the feeling of love; right now, it seemed sensible and more comforting to become a loner.

At that moment, Parvati came in, adjusting the ornaments she hung on her long hair. She glanced at Hermione and smiled slightly. "Alone too, huh?" she said in a strained voice she hardly used.

Hermione nodded. "I presume your friend's with Ron?"

"Uh huh. I can't believe she doesn't have time for her best friend anymore." Parvati sighed sadly and sat at the edge of her own bed. "Friends before boys, that's what we promised to each other; and look at what she's now doing – ditching me!"

There was silence, and then Parvati continued on. "On behalf of my friend, I apologize for her stealing your boyfriend—well, ex-boyfriend."

Hermione smiled. "I've gotten over that a long time ago."

"But are those roses from Ron?" She nodded her head to the vase full of white roses.

"No."

Parvati's eyes bulged in excitement. Hermione knew what was coming; she was going to squeal and ask for the details. "Ooh… secret admirer?"

Not anymore, she thought, as thoughts of Draco popped in her head. Nevertheless, she nodded.

"Romantic he is! I recognize these kinds of roses." Parvati stood up and fingered the petals of a rose.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "They aren't just white roses?" she joked.

"They're Everlasting Roses," Parvati explained knowledgeably, looking at her. "These roses will never ever wilt until the one who gives them stops loving the person he's given them to."

Hermione blinked. "Pardon?"

"In simple words, whoever's given these to you must still love you a lot since for one thing, I've known that these roses have been sitting here on your table since around November, and for another, these are rare." Parvati smiled gleefully and clasped Hermione's hands. "You are blessed, Hermione! You are so lucky."

However, Hermione hadn't heard her last words. Her head was spinning and one thought continuously swirled inside her head:

He still loves me.

~***~

Author's Note: Sorry if this chapter was sort of confusing… forgive me. :) Please review! Thanks so much!