Summary: This is a songfic chapter, written to Hoobastank's "The Reason." Draco and Hermione show their true feelings for each other, but not without the usual obstacles.
Disclaimer: Any mention towards Harry Potter characters/settings belongs to J.K Rowling, and "The Reason" belongs to Hoobastank.
A/N: True to my word, here is a songfic...AND a longer chapter! I hope you guys like it! Please please please R&R!!! Thanks!!!
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Taking care not to be seen, Draco silently slipped out of the Head Boy/Head Girl common room into the shady halls of Hogwarts. Although he was no stranger to sneaking out at night, he took care to see whether or not anyone was around the corner. "Silencio." He muttered to himself, charming his feet and breathing not to make any sounds. Unhurriedly, he sauntered around Hogwart's halls, contemplating his decision to become a new person.
Lost in thought, he found a few reasons as to WHY he wanted to change. He made a mental list in his mind, and he found that although they were helpful, they were hardly motivational.
"1. I don't want to become a Death Eater and serve Voldemort. I am a Malfoy, I am meant to BE served, not to serve some psycho halfblood.
"2. Ummm...I hate my father. I hate what he does to my mother and me. I hate what he makes us do. The last thing I'd want to do would be to follow in his muddy footsteps. I HATE MY FATHER.
"3. I have to be changing for someone...But who? Mother...no, she expects me to become a Death Eater...Pansy? HELL NO!!! I barely even talk to her, yet she's convinced that I will throw myself upon her feet and bask in her 'undying love'. Crabbe and Goyle...they're too thick to notice if I change anyway. I have to change for someone...But who?"
At that, Draco was surprised to see himself halfway up the astronomy tower. He had walked that path so many times, it seemed that his feet could take him up there without him looking. Tentatively, he opened the door, and found a small figure hunched over, sobbing slightly, staring at the sky as if asking for help.
Instinctively, he walked over to the figure to comfort him...or her...He always had that feeling to go and help someone who needed it, yet he had always ignored it...Until now. Suddenly, the figure turned around with a stifled gasp.
"Malfoy! What are you doing here?" she whispered.
"Granger...No need to whisper you know, nobody will hear." He drawled, a smug look on his face. Remembering his resolution, he softened his voice and said,
"Can't a guy brood in peace? Now, may I ask you what YOU are doing here...?"
Taken aback by Draco's uncharacteristic concern, she bit back an urge to utter "What's it to you?" although these words flashed through her mind unnecessarily.
"Nothing..." she murmured. "Just wanted to think..." "
Trouble in paradise eh? Things not going so well with Weasley?" he inquired, his question void of the usual sarcasm as he sat down next to her.
"How'd you know?"
"Oh gee, I wonder how...Well, aside from the fact that everyone is talking about it...Frankly, I just don't know!" he replied, a trace of his customary sarcasm returning.
"Oh great...I just broke up with him, and now everyone is going to be constantly harping on about it...Just what I need to make my day." Hermione said bitterly.
"Did you love him?" Draco asked quietly.
"Yes..." Hermione answered, slightly stunned at Draco's sense of sympathy.
"But did you really love him? Or were you just...pretending to do so because you were expected to, and finally believed that you love him?"
"Since when did you get so philosophical? Of course I loved him. It's not like you'd know anything about love..." she faltered, and she knew, right when those words came out of her mouth, that she had said the wrong thing.
Draco slowly turned his head towards her, his steely grey eyes cloudy with mixed feelings. "So is this what I had turned out to be towards other people...An emotionless prat...Great, just great...This totally makes my life harder..."
"What would I know about love? To you, perhaps.... nothing...But I know about it more than you think..." he stood up and paced around. "Does everybody think that I hate muggles, and halfbloods, and mud—muggleborn witches or wizards?" he asked heatedly.
"Yes, and quite frankly, so do I." she answered, not noticing his avoidance of the word mudblood.
"Oh I see...Well Hermione, have you ever considered that I may only just be pretending? That over the years, I saw my father as someone to idolize, yet have gradually changed my beliefs? Or maybe the fact that the only reason why I acted so...however I acted, was because of the fact that my family had a reputation to uphold? And if I didn't do my duty as the dutiful son, I would be punished? Maybe I've been trying to run away from my past, but everyone else is too thick to see it?!?! Is that what you think?!?!" he ranted, his chest heaving up and down.
At that, tears started to fall gracefully down Hermione's cheeks once more, as she stood up to put a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry...That came out all wrong..."
As her hand touched his shoulder, she felt a funny jolt in her chest, and she wondered if Draco felt the same thing.
"I have to change for someone...A reason...Hermione..."Slowly, he turned around and faced her. He studied her features carefully, her petite build, her wavy hair, sparkling eyes, the curve of her nose, the fullness of her lips...It seemed that he had found his reason.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry for doing what I did to you. All those hateful things I said to you."
He brushed his knuckles over her jaw, and this simple act was enough to tear at Hermione's heart.
"For humiliating you and your friends, I'm sorry."
"For anything else I did that hurt you in some way, I'm sorry."
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
"Why are you telling me all this?" Hermione muttered curiously, surprised at Draco's sudden changes.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
"Because I want to change. Because I want to run away from my past. Because I always feel so guilty every time I do something to you, but I've never done anything to make up for it. Because I-..." he trailed off.
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear
"Because you...?" Hermione prodded gently, sensing that this was Draco's way to vent all his pent up feelings. Draco didn't answer, and they spent an awkward 5 minutes in silence.
"Because you're the reason I want to change. Because I...Because I love you..." he murmured, almost inaudibly, so only she could hear.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You
and the reason is you
and the reason is you
and the reason is you
Hermione's heart almost broke apart at seeing her so-called enemy confess right in front of her...TO her..."And the funny think is...I love him too..." she stared at him, speechless. Not waiting for an answer, Draco muttered,
"So that's that. That took quite a load off my chest actually...Thank you for listening." And he started towards the stairs leading back down.
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
Something clicked in Hermione's brain, and all feelings of contempt towards Draco disappeared in a matter of 5 seconds as she realized her true feelings for him.
"Draco!" she called at the hastily retreating figure. He stopped and walked a few steps back.
"Hm?" he cocked his head sideways.
"I love you too..."
At that, she ran towards him, and he received her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. He put a finger under her chin and tilted it up slightly, looking into her sparkling brown eyes. Slowly, he bent his head towards hers for what seemed like an eternity, until their lips finally met.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Softly, Draco kissed a trail of butterfly kisses along her jaw line, then focused on her mouth once more. Hermione ran her fingers through his shockingly platinum blonde hair, and pulled herself closer to him. Eyes closed, a sigh escaped Draco's lips as he showed his true colors.
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
Unexpectedly, a mop of flaming red hair burst through the doorway.
"I am a prefect! Who's there?"
"Ron!"
"Weasley!"
"Hermione?!?!"
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A/N: Didja like it? Huh? Didja? Didja? Didja? Ok, sorry, high on coffee...If you liked it, please review! If you don't, please review! More twists and turns coming up...As long as I get reviews!!! : D thanx 4 reading this story!