Draco paced the common floor... pondering on whether or not he should go up to his room and ignore Hermione, or yell at her for being such a hypocrite. Just the thought of Hermione in another man's arms, Harry Potter's arms for that fact, made his Slytherin blood boil. After practically walking a hole into the stone ground, he finally decided to ignore her. It would make Hermione even more furious and maybe even more afraid of what Draco would say.

All Draco could think about was turning the corner and seeing them in each others' arms. He could see it in the way she responded, in the way she held him by the neck. She was definitely responding to his kiss. For a moment, Draco began to think about how only he was supposed to touch Hermione in that way, or make Hermione feel certain emotions.

::But that would mean... No!::

It was too hard to deny now.

Draco entered his room and immediately headed for his bed, plopping himself down and covering his eyes. He grabbed his wand from his robes and pointed it towards the door, muttering a charm to lock the door.

He had to think this out. She was a mudblood. He was a pureblood. She was a Gryffindor. He was a Slytherin. Her parents were Dentist Muggles. His parents were Death Eaters who followed the most powerful Wizard of all time, who was also planning on killing her best friend: Harry Potter. Even if he did love her, it could only lead to disaster. Nothing could save them. Everything would be wrong.

But each time he looked at her, even if she were doing something very normal like picking up a quill or reading a book, his heart leapt into his throat making it harder to breath. He watched her a lot more, in the hallways, during class, in the Great Hall. Ron had even caught him looking in their direction a few times and when he did, Draco would always snap his head back. Ron would whisper into Hermione's ear, probably about Draco's staring habits, and she would always look his way. Her eyes twinkling. He knew she liked it, but he also knew she could never show that in front of his two worst enemies.

But what if he could love her. What if he could come to this realization that loving a girl who was completely wrong for him... was in reality, completely right? What if having her in his arms for the rest of his life was much better, beyond belief better, than worrying about what his father would say... so much more better than what his future would hold for him. Maybe she was the first step? Maybe she was the door to a different path? What if he didn't have to follow in his father's footsteps, even though Draco had looked forward to it for so long?

Every idea she had, everything she said, every twinkle in her eye... it opened his mind. It opened his mind to a whole new world.

Draco's heart was beating faster and faster. He opened his eyes. What if falling in love with Hermione Granger... was what was in store for him.

Draco sat up and looked at his hands. They were clammy... as what he felt all over his body. He heard footsteps approach his door. She knocked softly...

"I think... I think we need to talk."

"Well that's obvious... Alohomora."

The door opened on its own. Hermione stood in the doorway, wringing her hands together, not sure of whether to enter or not. After a few moments of silence... while Draco absentmindedly cleared up his nightstand... she stepped in.

"I know that you must be furious..."

"Ofcourse I'm furious." Draco snapped back as he threw a piece of parchment into the drawer, and slamming it shut. He turned around and looked at Hermione who stood in the middle of the room. The moon peeked in through the french doors over the forbidden forest and illuminated Hermione in a vast milky glow. Draco's eyes widened.

::The dream...::

He walked in closer. She looked up at him with large, round eyes, afraid of what he was going to do.

::Don't be silly he won't hurt you::

Draco took Hermione's hand lightly and ran a thumb across her palm. She looked down, her hair falling into her eyes.

"Do you love him?"

Hermione drew in a breath. Her heart stopped for a minute, hitching in her throat... when she realized she was holding her breath. It was a question she knew would be keeping her up all night. Hermione looked down towards the green silk sheets and let go of his hand.

"I guess that's a yes..." he said and turned around. He was stopped when a small bit of pressure that was put on his forearm.

"No, I never said that." Hermione turned him around.

Draco twirled his wand around his fingers and observed Hermione. Her brown eyes darted back and forth across his face, searching for an answer. She wrung her hands even harder... an obvious show that she was nervous. She was never good at keeping her emotions intact. The brown in her hair was highlighted by the moonrays and her lips were as red as ever... It was almost inviting. Too inviting. Draco stopped twirling his wand as he realized that she too was observing him as well.

He knew he needed to tell her. He needed to tell her before she slipped away from him... before she slipped away through his fingers... like sand in a sieve. She was already slipping away... at the tip of his fingers.

"Hermione..."

Her eyes widened. He had only said one word and it had effected her in some way. What would happen when he told her that... that he loved her? It felt as if a rock was lodged in his throat.

"Maybe... maybe you don't know it yet. Or maybe I just have some weird way of showing it. I have feelings for you I can't deny Hermione."

Draco swallowed hard. Hermione looked away.

::Please not now Draco...:: She shut her eyes tightly and looked away. She felt a finger on her chin... begging her to look in his direction. She reluctantly obliged and opened her eyes.

"I know it would never work... but somehow I have a feeling deep down that no matter what happens... it will. Because the way I feel about you... can jump any obstacle that comes my way... our way."

::Dammit just say it Draco:: he thought to himself.

"I love you."

Tears slipped from Hermione's eyes. It had been something that she had been waiting for all her life. Ever since she pretended to be a princess with her prince charming coming to rescue her. It had been something she had wanted to hear ever since he had first kissed her that night in the common room... ever since she was in his arms for the first time. But something pulled at her heart strings from below... something that was truly bugging her... something that needed to be resolved. It was Harry. She needed to know what was going on. She needed to find out.

Hermione opened her mouth... but was stopped when Draco put his hand over her lips.

"I know your confused. I can see it on your face Hermione."

He wiped away her tears with his hands. He ran his hands through her thick brown waves.

Reluctantly, he let go and pulled out his wand from his pocket. Draco opened up his palm in front of Hermione and pointed his wand towards it. Slowly something began to form and finally it took the shape of a very delicate necklace. Turning Hermione around, he placed the necklace onto her neck and clasped it from behind beneath her hair. Draco placed a hand firmly on her back and led her to the mirror.

The necklace itself glistened in the moonlight. It was made of crushed diamonds... which gave the glistening effect... but did not horde her small neck. The pendant was a small pink diamond. What held the diamond to the necklace was a top with engravings put into it. They were so small that you couldn't read it in normal lighting. Hermione touched the diamond and felt that it was cold as ice.

Draco put his hands onto Hermione's shoulders and whispered into her ear while looking at her reflection.

"This is a family necklace that is given to all women who have been loved by a Malfoy. It doesn't necessarily mean marriage, but it is a special bond that means that I only belong to you and no one can ever have me. Once this necklace is placed on you, it can never come off. I can never be with another woman but you."

"Malfoy..."

"Don't call me Malfoy... just call me by my first name."

"Draco... I can't let you do that. It's too official."

"I would never come to this realization if I weren't so sure. But I am Hermione... I am sure. I would risk anything for you... just so you would be in my arms, just so I could love you. Even to have you sit next to me and talk to me. This... necklace has been passed down through my family for so long. My father gave it to me when I entered Hogwarts. He told me that when I found the right girl, the girl I truly love, I should give this to her. And she's in front of me right now. I have to give it to you. I can't deny it. I have been for so long. But not now."

Draco put his arms on her forearms and lightly kissed her forehead. He took hold of her hand and led her out of his room, opening her door, and sitting her down on her bed. Draco lifted her hand and kissed it.

"Goodnight Hermione."

It was 3 A.M. Hermione knew that it was a futile attempt to sleep. Her eyes were wide open. It was as if she had set a new world record by just staring at the ceiling. She counted the different moldings on the wall numerous times. Lion's began to dance before her eyes, prancing as though nothing were wrong.

She shot up from bed.

"This isn't working."

Hermione swung her legs out of her bed and slipped them into her comfortable slippers. She decided that she needed to find out for sure... she needed to know. She had thought this over many times before, not sure if she should do it or not. Considering she was Head Girl, she could get caught and all of her privileges could be taken away. Her authority stripped from her. But she had to risk it.

Slipping on her robe and grabbing her wand, Hermione headed out the door and through the portrait hole. She knew she had to be very careful, and very quiet. Being Head Girl did have its advantages... she knew the password to every entrance, including every house.

Hermione tiptoed through the halls, making sure she wouldn't echo and looking around corners. After a few minutes, she carefully ventured to the Gryffindor hallway. The portrait of the Pink Lady sat snoozing.

"Excuse me..??" Hermione whispered. The fat lady grunted awake.

"Why are you waking me up?"

"I need to get in."

"Well that's very apparent isn't it! Password!!"

Hermione whispered the password and entered. The fire had been extinguished and a 5th year lay on the squishy armchair sleeping soundly with his books out in front of him. A pang of nostalgia hit Hermione. It was almost yesterday when she sat studying in that same squishy armchair into the wee hours of the morning.

Looking around, she headed for the Boy's staircase and found Harry and Ron's dormitory. Hermione took in a deep breath and slipped through the door.

Atleast 2 boys were snoring. Hermione guessed Neville and Ron. Ron's bed was nearest... half his body was falling off and the blanket was tangled up beneath him. She walked past Ron's bed (candy wrappers were everywhere... and his clothes lay askew on the floor near his trunk) to Harry's bed. He was wearing plaid pajama bottoms and was laying on his stomach, his glasses on his nightstand. Compared to Ron, Harry was a very neat boy, but then again... what was neat for a boy was a mess for a girl. Especially a girl like Hermione.

She gently touched Harry's bare shoulder, shaking him.

"Harry... psst... Harry??"

Harry's eyes opened.

"Five minutes." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry it's me, Hermione. I need your invisibility cloak."

"Hermione?"

Harry sat up in his bed and grabbed his glasses.

"Shh, not so loud. Just give me your invisibility cloak."

"But... why?"

"Trust me. Please I need it."

"Oh, well it's in my trunk. Here I'll get it."

Harry swung his legs over his bed side and walked over to his trunk that lay at the foot of his bed. He scratched his head.

"Why do you need it?"

"Harry please not now! I'll tell you later."

"Hmm okay."

Harry quietly opened up his trunk and began rummaging through. He pulled out an assortment of things. Books on quidditch, his broomstick kit, a broken sneakoscope, parchments, broken quills, magazines, posters, old school robes stuffed in. Harry noticed apprehension with Hermione...

"Harry hurry up!"

"I'm hurrying... sorry!"

Finally he pulled out the silvery cloak that was all to familiar and handed it to Hermione.

"There you go."

"Thank you so much. I'll tell you about it later... but I have to go." Hermione got up and headed towards the door.

"Goodnight Harry." Hermione gave him a genuine smile.

"Goodnight" Harry smiled back.

It brought her all the way back to 2nd year with the Polyjuice potion... sneaking into Snape's dungeon. It was cold, dark, and dank, which did absolutely no good to how cold Hermione felt.

"Lumos.."

A light emitted from the end of her wand. Approaching the door handles to the dungeon, Hermione pulled open the door. She checked to see if anyone was in. Noting how dark it was and how quiet it was, she cautiously entered and pulled off the cloak.

"Alright... love potion."

She had memorized the ingredients of the potion before so she was able to easily obtain them. Her shaking hands were the problem. Hermione was so nervous, but she knew she had to do it. She had to take this potion to see what would happen. To see who she belonged to.

Grabbing all the ingredients into her arms, she carefully slipped the cloak over her head, making sure she wouldn't drop anything, and made her way back to her common room.

After entering her common room, she let out a long sigh. It was now or never. She would have to make it tonight, otherwise she would put it off and Snape would find out. She had to make the potion now, and put everything back in its place before the sun came up. Three hours. Hermione brewed the love potion in her room, with a locked door, in the cauldron that lay ontop of her desk. After about 20 minutes of stirring, it bubbled a happy pink color which signaled that it was done. Grabbing a vial from her messenger bag, she spooned the potion out and corked it.

She didn't know when she would take it, or what she would see. But she knew that it would have to be in the near future... tomorrow.

The next morning was very nerve wracking for Hermione. With the thought of the potion in her possession and Double Potion's today, her hands were beginning to turn white. What if Snape would notice that things weren't in their correct place. Hermione had made sure she put everything back in the exact same spot and in the exact same way.

Facing Draco was surprisingly even harder. He had actually woken up earlier but had given the bathroom to her first.. As they passed each other in the hallways, no eye contact was made. He let her into the bathroom and headed back to his room. That... was very unusual.

She noticed I his eyes as well when she glanced his way. Red... loss of sleep. Puffy... annoyance. As she headed towards the Great Hall, Hermione could feel the anxiety creep up behind her. Facing Harry would be even worse. She predicted he would probably be smiling... what would happen if she didn't see him? She had a strong feeling she wouldn't.

Maybe it was the bad-boy in Draco, but when she was with Draco... he wasn't a bad-boy. He was caring, and made her feel special. He loved her... how could she throw that love away.

As she ate breakfast, casting glances towards the Slytherin table, and walked the halls to her next class, she wondered whether or not she should take that love potion. Why couldn't she make up her own mind? Why did she need a silly love potion to make up her mind. Harry was the ideal man. The man she was supposed to be with, and the man that she was expected to be with. Harry was sweet, caring, and listened to her whenever she needed him. But Draco, he was someone that she had not expected... she had not expected him at all to fall in to her life... and her heart. Maybe what was unexpected, was right?

She gazed through the hallways, not really sure of what to think. Ron had even noticed her as her eyes glazed over.

"Hermione? What's wrong? It's like you just missed a point and a half in Charms or something?"

"Nothing Ron, really..."

"You know you can tell me anything right?"

"Can I?"

"Yea! Sure... what are friends for?"

"Well that temper of yours ... it really..."

"Is something bugging you that much. I promise I won't lose it Hermione, please let me help you."

Maybe telling Ron would be the right way to go. Maybe telling him in an indistinct way would be the way to go. She pulled at his robes towards the courtyard.

"Promise not to tell a soul. Not even Harry or Ginny or even your owl."

"I swear on my ginger hair Hermione!" he gave a wide grin.

Hermione sat him down on the fountain... where she recalled she had recited a poem to Draco. Everything reminded her of him.

"I know I'm not the type of girl, and I'm not much of a looker or anything. But I have a problem."

"Hermione, who said you weren't pretty."

"Ron, I've known it for so long. My bushy hair and my nose always stuck in a book. I guess I was so bookish because I hid from everything else. All the other girls had their way... flirting... making so many friends. I only had you and Harry... and even before that you thought I was a nutcase."

"Yea well... you really were a nutcase Hermione... but that's what is so special about you." he lightly punched Hermione on the arm.

"I never really was into what, oh I don't know, what Parvati or Lavendar were into. They were so beautiful, and I was the ugly duckling."

A tear ran down Hermione's cheek.

"I never really thought anyone could love me but my few close friends. I hid behind those books so no one could see the real me. So no one could see who I truly was. I wanted what the other girls had."

Ron wiped away Hermione's single tear.

"Hermione... in every way possible, you are the most wonderful girl I've ever met."

"You're just saying that Ron."

"No I'm not. Ever since that day on the train in our first year I fell in love with you and your personality. I mean common... you were one vivacious girl." Ron winked.

Hermione laughed and wiped away another tear.

"Hermione, you've really grown into a beautiful young woman. I mean, forget what Parvati and Lavendar look like. They wear too much makeup anyway. You have a natural beauty. You don't need makeup or the coolest clothes, or anything to make you beautiful. And you don't need books to hide it either. You're oversized brain makes up for half of it."

"You always get me to laugh in some way Ron."

"I'm a Weasley, I'm good at that." Ron genuinely smiled. "Look... in my opinion... a beautiful girl is a girl who has confidence. I know really cliche. But it's true. I know you may think that other people hate it when you strut around with that brain of yours, but I think that's something wonderful. I mean, you can read a really great book and interpret it into so many different ways, while other people need teacher notes and book sources to do it. You can do it all on your own. You have that open mind. You can take the most boring, horrid, absolutely pointless book... and turn it into a work of art. Hermione you're not ugly... you're not even beautiful. You surpass anything beautiful. You are what you are."

Hermione put her head on his shoulder.

"There are these two boys..."

"Ahh.. It's a boy."

"For once in my life I'm loved... but by the both of them. I made this potion." she pulled out the vial. "To see who I belong to. But I'm not sure if I should take it. I can't decide for myself... because well..."

"Who are these two boys?"

"Well... I don't think I should tell you really."

"Hermione..."

"Ron, you'll flip your lid I swear."

"Try me."

"Okay, hypothetically if I said I was involved with a certain Slytherin..."

"I'd flip my lid."

"Exactly."

"Okay, okay. So it's a Slytherin?" Ron said with apparent disgust.

"Yes, and Harry." She sighed.

"Well... you know who to go to then right?"

"Ron! I can't just do that. This... this other boy said he loved me yesterday."

"You sure he meant it?"

"Yes I am Ron. Look..." She pulled out the necklace. "He gave me this... this basically binds himself to me. He can't be with another girl for the rest of his life but me. There's an enchantment on it, I've read all about them. They are passed down through families for generations."

"Blimey..."

"I know. And I really do have feelings for him Ron. I really do."

She smiled and looked at the diamond.

"No wonder Harry won't tell me anything. He's in a right state of confusion too you know. I've asked but he won't tell me. I think he thinks I still have feelings for you... when I don't ofcourse."

"What do you mean confusion?"

"No idea, but he sits and thinks a lot. Real serious too..."

"Thanks for listening to me Ron."

"Your welcome. Uhh... Hermione?"

"Yes Ron?"

"Who is this Slytherin."

"Ron... If I told you... you would probably kill yourself."

She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and left the courtyard.

"Alright... this is it."

Hermione opened the door to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"I've got to do this."

She opened her messenger bag and clasped the vial in her hands. It was now or never. She lifted the vial to her mouth and drank the cool, velvety liquid. She shut her eyes tight.

::When I open my eyes... I'll know::

It was so unnerving walking down the halls to the Potion's dungeon. What if Snape would notice the ingredients in the wrong place? What if he noticed her eyes? What if she saw Draco? What if she saw Harry? Too many what if's...

Everyone in the hallway seemed fuzzy to her, but she was still able to make her way around perfectly. Her heart fluttered for a moment... and beat even faster. She clenched her hands as she approached the dungeon doors. Grasping firmly on the handle, shutting her eyes tightly, she opened the door...

Ohh cliffhanger. Don't you hate me? I really think you do. But you can't kill me just yet... no you have to find out who she sees. Probably a next update in a week or so. Hopefully... ::crosses fingers:: I hope you like it ::crosses fingers again::!!!!

Gesym- Crookshanks is a fishy cat... that sounded weird? Yes yes wait and see my pretty... hehe

HiImCrazy - So you don't like H/Hr? Boy I bet you hate this chapter! Muahaha cliffhanger.

TriGemini- You're on to something...

Imogenhm- I'm telling you, girls kicking ass, kicking ass while they are hot... even with all that blood plastered to their face. And I love how the blood like splashes everywhere when in real life It wouldn't. It is so exaggerated!

Po99qp - oh calm down lol! I bet you hate this chapter too... won't find out until next time I update.

Pari- Well I'm sorry you didn't like the story. Draco really is a wuss... he can't stand up for himself. He is all talk and no walk. That's just how I see him. That is also the way JKR portrays him as well as Cuaron. And I also think that ending it with an H/Hr kiss was appropriate for the twist this story has. Harry likes Hermione... they've kissed before. What's wrong with that? Sorry for the no meat.

Onthesidelines- my friend Rachel called me up after she read it and yelled at me for doing that. It was so cute. I love Rachel. The story is an H/D story... that's all I'm going to say. ::Zips mouth shut::

Applescm- Thanks :)

SexybeastlingD707- I love all reviews :) I update every Friday... or every weekend... usually once a week. Yea you get the idea. Last chapter it took a month but because I was so busy... end of school year and all.

Draco'slilgirl- Thanks :)

Saturn's Candlesticks- Well personally I love homemade chocolate chip cookies. It gets my brain going... ::sigh:: I wish I had someone to make me some ::smiles mischeviously:: hehe... have you updated??

Dreamy Luna- You'll be on the edge of your seat lol!

Ahhna- Thank you. I think that staying in character is really important to a good fanfic. This update was fast so I hope you are happy :) Have a nice read

Alyshia Malfoy- I just left it at the most awful place again. Terribly sorry! Don't hate me!

Rinaula- Thanks :)

Fudge72AH- Thanks, and yes Coldplay is the greatest band ever. My friend and I were just blasting "Yellow" in the car the other day. It was good fun. Oh and I suffer from a disease called i-hate-checking-my-work-after- i'm-done. Haha! I just hateee it. It's so annoying!! But I know that what makes a fanfic is its plot and GRAMMAR. When it doesn't have good grammar or too many spelling mistakes, it gets kind of annoying and doesn't sound too intelligent. So I better crack the whip. Lol! Thanks for telling me!

Chillkat- I'm sorry! I hope this is long enough hehe! When I read your review I burst out laughing.

Ali- Haha!!! You want Harry dead... eh... so do I. SHH!!

Abbey C.- Thanks! I hope you're not too mad at the Harry Hermione thing lol! Your sister definitely was! This update was fast. I had to, to make up for my month long wait!

James-Prongs- Thanks :) I don't know about the best story on fanfiction.net but thanks anyway :) Keep reading!

PotterSpayne- Again this is an H/D fic... that is all I am going to say!

Malfoy90- See now that is what I would do. Kick Draco in the ass lol!