Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and my own twisted ideas.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote anything; I just got back from spring vacation Friday and then my internet service was being very stupid and idiotic and stuff. So yea . . . anywho, thanx so much to wantedin36states for reviewing, all reviews are greatly appreciated and wanted. O, by the way, if I put something in asterisks, that means the word being spoken is getting emphasis from the character speaking. OK, back to Draco and Hermione . . .
The One I'll Always Love Chapter Four: Midnight Meetings and Damaged Friendships
After Harry stormed past her, Hermione turned around to see a still limping Ron walking over to her. She turned to Ron with a question in her voice, asking, "What did I do? Did I, did I say something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Ron sighed and calmly explained "Harry has a huge crush on you Mione. I'm at a loss that you haven't noticed it. But, seeing you so worried about Draco and not as much about us, especially him, kinda pushed him off the edge I guess. I realize that you probably didn't mean for it to appear that way, but it did and does still. I also realize that he was in a noticeably worse condition than either Harry or I was in. So I don't blame you, although Harry does. And one more thing, just let him cool off, he'll be back with open arms within a few days tops. After he broke up with Parvati a few months ago, he was in a weird mood for weeks, but they're friends again now that she's stopped feeling so guilty over the mood he was in. He'll come back to you, I promise, just don't go making out with Draco in front of him, k?" Ron then leaned over and kissed the top of Hermione's head before hobbling out the door. Hermione sighed sadly as she walked over to Madame Pomfrey's office. "Madame Pomfrey? Um, I just wanted to let you know that Draco's awake now. He was talking to me and everything." The nurse came out of her office with tears in her eyes. "My dear, I do believe it wise that you are with Mr. Malfoy at this time. I have just received some bad news regarding his family. His mother was just found dead. She committed suicide." Hermione gasped. She turned to look at Draco's bed, before asking the nurse softly, "Are, are you sure? He, he'll be crushed. He doesn't seem to get along with his father very well and-" "Miss Granger. I am full aware of his relationship problems with Lucius Malfoy. And Draco will not be left alone. He has a few aunts and uncles who will be more than happy to take him in. I'm sure." Hermione snorted. "Yea, the Lestranges and the Tonkses. And I guess relatives of Lucius'. Great choices he has. He'd be better off here or with a friend over the summer." Madame Pomfrey looked at Hermione carefully for a moment before, "all-right Miss Granger, I'll mention that to Professor Dumbledore. In the meantime, go back to Mr. Malfoy, I'll join you two momentarily." Hermione nodded and walked back to Draco. She sat back in her chair from before and gazed at the angelic face of the seemingly sleeping Draco. She jumped a foot in the air when he murmured "You sure were gone awhile. I thought you left me. I heard Potter yelling at you. I hope it wasn't my fault. If it was, I'm dreadfully sorry. Uh, why the long face Mione? You don't mind if I call you that do you? Um? What's wrong?" Hermione looked at him sadly. "Madame Pomfrey is coming over in a minute. She'll tell you." Draco looked aghast at Hermione's downcast expression. "Hermione? Oh my God, tell me, please. What's the matter? You look as upset as you did when I found you earlier. I'm not dying am I? 'Cause that would really suck if I died right after I confessed my undying love to you. Which I might add is true. Can you please tell me what happened?" Hermione brushed away the traces of tears from her eyes. "No Draco, you're not dying. But, someone you know; someone close to you died. Madame Pomfrey will tell you the rest, I only got the gist of it." Hermione stopped as Madame Pomfrey came over to Draco's bed. "Miss Granger, can you leave us for a minute? I have some pumpkin juice and a tray of sandwiches in my office. I'll call for you when you may come back over here." Hermione nodded and rose from her seat. Draco looked at her questioningly as she left. Hermione bowed her head so that she wouldn't have to look into his icy silver-blue eyes. Madame Pomfrey sat in Hermione's now empty seat and started telling Draco about his mother.
15 minutes later . . .
"Hermione dear, you may go back to Draco now. Comfort him for a little while, then I must ask you to let him rest." Hermione nodded then asked tentatively, "I was wondering, since he'll obviously be distraught, could I perhaps stay the night here? In another bed of course." Madame Pomfrey looked skeptical for a moment before sighing and replying "I'll go talk to Professor Dumbledore while you're with Draco. If he says it is all right, you may stay. If Draco wants you here of course. I know that in the past you two haven't been the best of friends, so if at anytime he wants you to leave, promise me you will. Understand?" Hermione nodded quickly. "I'll go see Dumbledore now. You go talk to Mr. Malfoy." Hermione walked over to Draco's bed. He was sitting propped up on some pillows. He turned his head to the Gryffindor girl at the foot of his bed. No traces of his trademark smirk showed on his face and his normally arrogant eyes were filled with bitter tears that had yet to fall. He reached out to her helplessly, not knowing where to turn. Hermione rushed to his side and wrapped her arms gently around him. Completely atypical from his normal behavior, he was obviously in a deep internal pain. He started quietly sobbing on Hermione's shoulder, his eyes red and bleary. "Hermione, don't leave me. Don't leave me. She was all I had. Sure, she was cold-hearted to most people and probably appeared a real bitch, but she was my mum. She protected me from my Dad. My, my dad said earlier 'your mother would die of shame if she weren't already dead'. I didn't understand what he meant then and was too preoccupied with him attacking me and stuff to worry about that. I thought maybe he mis-spoke or something. But, now I know that she's, she's gone. Don't leave me Mione. Don't ever go away. I want you with me forever." Hermione felt tears sliding down her own cheeks as Draco said this. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." The two of them simply sat there for the longest time, neither moving. Draco finally pulled away from the embrace and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "She, she wouldn't want me to cry over her like this. She would tell me it was another weakness that my dad would focus on. She would tell me to 'Be strong no matter what gets thrown my way'. O God, Hermione, what am I gonna do this summer? I haven't seen my Aunt Andromeda in years and I don't like my Aunt Bellatrix and Uncle Rodolphus. They're just as evil as my father. I could go see if my Aunt Cassiopeia will take me in. Although she hasn't been in the area in close to ten years. But she is my godmother, so maybe she'll come ba-" Hermione silenced him with a kiss planted squarely on his lips. His tongue brushed up against her closed lips, teasing her mercilessly. She parted her lips slowly and gave him entrance. Their tongues struggled for dominance as Hermione and Draco deepened the kiss. Hermione ran one of her hands through Draco's golden locks as her other hand was pressed against his muscled chest. Draco on the other hand, used his good hand to draw her closer to him. "Hem hem." The two 6th years jumped in the air as Draco blurted out "O my God! Umbridge is back!" Hermione whirled around to see a bemused Pomfrey. "Well, I see you're feeling better Draco. Hermione, Dumbledore has said it will be all right for you to stay here tonight and possibly tomorrow night if need be. That is, of course, if you limit the snog sessions to a minimum, all right?" Hermione nodded sheepishly. Madame Pomfrey continued "OK, give this note to Professor McGonagall and return here in your pajamas with a change of clothes for the morning. And don't forget, lights go out no later than 11:30. Good night you two." Hermione waited for the nurse to turn the corner before she gave Draco a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I'll be right back. Then we can possibly continue our previous activities. That is, unless you're too injured to get so down and dirty." Draco winked at her and replied with a playfully seductive whisper "I've never been known to deny a lady her share of Draco. And I don't plan on starting now." Hermione rolled her eyes and ran off to get her things.
Meanwhile, back in Gryffindor Tower . . .
"I don't give a damn if she bloody shags every other boy in the school! I just don't want her near him! He'll use her. I know it. What if he rapes her? Or abuses her? I can't stand to see her hurt in any way. And I know that's what he'll do to her!" Harry yelled. The entirety of the Gryffindor House had gathered in the common room to see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley duke it out. Which looked like it would happen anytime now. "Harry settle down. Please. She has the right to like whoever she wants. I can't say I'm happy with her current choice of guys and I wish like heck she coulda picked you or decided to try going out with me again. But I can't pick her crush any more than you can or even she can. You gotta except it man. Who knows, maybe ferret boy will turn around after some Mione lovin'." Ron interjected. Harry glared hatefully at his best friend before balling up his fist and punching Ron squarely in the jaw. The entire common room gasped as the power behind the attack knocked Ron over. Ginny ran out of the crowd and bent over her brother, who appeared to be sporting a dislocated or even broken jaw. She jumped to her feet and grabbed Harry's sleeve, pulling him into a nearby corner. "Harry, how could you? He was only joking! And besides, what on earth could be making you this testy? If you were a girl, I'd blame it on PMS or something. But since you're a guy, I can't. Please, tell me what's wrong." Harry grit his teeth before answering peevishly "Hermione likes a ferret." Harry left Ginny standing there open mouthed as he walked back toward the common room door. Before he got there however, the portrait swung open and a slightly irritated Professor McGonagall and a confused looking Hermione walked in. Harry stopped dead in his tracks and gave the Gryffindor prefect a betrayed look before stalking off in the opposite direction toward the 6th year boys' dormitory. Professor McGonagall took one look around the room and demanded "What on earth happened here? The sooner I'm answered, the sooner we can all get back to whatever we were doing." Ginny stepped forward and said timidly "We heard shouting so we all came to see what was wrong. Harry and Ron were arguing over something, or someone. None of us knows what started it. Then Ron said something to Harry that none of us could hear. So Harry socked him." McGonagall sighed softly and shook her head. "All right. I'll speak with Mr. Potter in the morning. Right now however, I want Miss Granger to do as Madame Pomfrey asked, then walk down to the Hospital Wing with Mr. Weasley. All right everyone, to bed! Now!" And with that, the head of Gryffindor house crossed to the portrait entrance and left. Hermione turned to Ginny and asked "OK, what *really* happened?" Ginny sighed and pulled the older girl away from the rest of the crowd. "OK, to make this easier on you, I'll be blunt: Harry has a huge crush on you. And it appears he thinks you like Malfoy. Which I know isn't true. I mean, you *hate* him. Anyway, Ron said something about how some 'Mione lovin' might make Malfoy turn around." Ginny stopped as she saw the hurt look on Hermione's face. "Mione? What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Hermione simply nodded. Ginny thought over what she had just told the Gryffindor prefect as her mistake dawned on her. "You, you like Malfoy? Like *that*?" Hermione looked up with hurt eyes, betrayed as a result of the other girls attitude toward Draco. "Ginny, I don't know where to start telling you what's going on. I, I think I'm in love with him. He makes me feel like no other guy. I'm happier when I'm near him. It may not always show, it may never show, but I am. He helped me find your brother and Harry earlier today. Without asking 'What's in it for me?' or something similar that we'd all expect from him. And, he said he loves me. Ron never told me that. Viktor never told me that. No one *ever* has. I'm sorry if you're as against this as Harry obviously is. I truly am. Because I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. So, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready to go back to the Hospital Wing." Hermione turned on her heel and strode over to the steps leading up to the girls' dorms. She stomped up the stairs and literally threw open the door, slamming it behind her. Ginny sighed sadly. "Mione, I hope for your sake he isn't lying." The younger Gryffindor walked slowly toward her brother, wishing this whole thing hadn't gotten blown so far out of proportion.
A few minutes later . . .
Hermione came back downstairs covered with her dressing robe and holding a small duffel bag. She walked to where Ron and Ginny were now sitting and held out a hand to Ron. He took it and they set off toward the Hospital Wing. Before they even got out of Gryffindor Tower, however, a slightly bedraggled looking Harry stumbled over to them. "Ron, mate, I'm sorry. O God. I don't know why I did that. Really I don't. Can you forgive me?" Ron nodded sourly to acknowledge his forgiveness of Harry. Then Harry turned to Hermione and muttered under his breath so that Ron wouldn't hear, "Meet me at the entrance to the Hospital Wing at midnight if you think you could ever want to be friends with me again. Please." Hermione nodded curtly and grabbed Ron's arm so he would get a move on. Ron, who couldn't really talk, squeaked in surprise. The two of them left silently and said, nor tried to say, anything. When they got to the Hospital Wing, Hermione set her stuff down by the soundly sleeping Draco's bed and walked with Ron to the nurse's office. As Ron still could not speak, Hermione called out to the nurse and everything for him. "Madame Pomfrey? I, uh, I brought you a patient." Madame Pomfrey came to her door and yawned widely. "O? What's this now? O my, Mr. Weasley! What on earth have you been doing? Your jaw is most definitely broken. I only saw you moments ago!" Ron hung his head as Hermione continued. "He and *another* student got in a fight. Ron said something to provoke the other boy and the other one attacked." The nurse calmly sighed. "Follow me Mr. Weasley. Miss Granger, I'll come over in a moment to find you a bed. Do not, I repeat *do not* wake Mr. Malfoy. Understood? Good." As Ron walked into the office, Hermione walked over to Draco's bed. She sat down on the edge of it and gently placed a kiss on the sleeping boy's forehead. He stirred slightly as she pulled away from him and for a second Hermione thought she had woken him up. But he simply fell back asleep again. Hermione got up and waited for the matron to release Ron and find her a bed when she heard a panicked whisper behind her. Draco was mumbling something under his breath, something about his mother and father. Hermione rushed back to his side when he jolted awake, breathing heavily. "Shhh . . . Draco, I'm here now. It's OK. Everything will be OK now. I promise you." Draco looked at her with tears in his eyes. He reached out for her, pulling her close. She knew he had obviously been upset at what he had seen in his dream. The two teens simply held each other like that for a few minutes when Hermione realized Draco was again asleep. A good thing too, as Madame Pomfrey could be heard sending Ron off. Then the 'tap tap' of her shoes came nearer. Hermione, remembering that she wasn't to wake Draco, quickly stood. The nurse eyed her suspiciously as she walked over. "Ahem. All right Miss Granger. You may sleep, ah! Here. And I don't want to be catching you out of bed after 11:30, is that clear? I'll go ahead and pull the curtains shut so you two can have a little bit of privacy. If he wakes up and is any pain, come get me *immediately*, understand?" Hermione nodded and walked over to the bed Madame Pomfrey had pointed out for her to use. She unmade the bed and used her wand to put a warming spell over the cool sheets. Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes at this action and muttered "Teenagers," as she walked back to her office. Hermione waited till she heard the door shut before she undid her dressing robe, revealing demure, yet sexy, pajamas The girl went back over to Draco's bed and again sat on the edge. She murmured softly "You promised we could continue. But, I guess you changed your mind. O well. Oo! I have a wonderful idea!" Hermione again pulled out her wand. She said a quick summoning spell and drew her bed closer to Draco's. "There, that's better. Now, if only you were awake." "Who's to say I'm not? Silly girl. I can pretend to sleep very well now, especially having to practice it for so many years. Love the pj's by the way; very nice." Hermione jolted as Draco spoke. "Yikes! I thought you were dead asleep!" Draco laughed evilly. "I told you earlier, I've never been known to deny a lady her share of Draco and I'm not about to start now." Hermione smiled widely as she leaned over to once again initiate their earlier 'activities'. After a few minutes of hot n' heavy snogging, Draco propped himself up on some pillows so that he could sit up better. He winced slightly throughout that whole process, making Hermione very worried indeed. However, as soon as he patted the bed next to him, she completely forgot about that. She laid her head on the pillow next to his and wrapped her arms gently around him. They stayed like that till she looked at her watch and realized it was 11:59. "Draco, as much as I hate to leave, I promised Harry I'd meet him out in the hallway at midnight. I promise I'll be right back though and if he tries anything, I'll kick him where the sun doesn't shine and run back in here." Draco smirked slightly and mumbled, "Remind me not to make you mad ever again. K?" She nodded and gave him a quick peck on the lips before jumping up, grabbing her dressing robe and heading to the door.
Gryffindor 6th year Boy's Dormitory five minutes earlier . . .
"Harry, just leave her alone! Please? If she's happy, then why can't you just be happy for her?" Ron shot at the dark-haired boy. "Ron, I can't let her just choose him without knowing how I feel too. My heart won't let me." Ron looked at Harry with a dumbfounded expression before saying sarcastically, "All right dude, lemme know how this whole thing goes for you. Just don't come running to me when she slaps you stupid." With that, Ron yanked the hangings on his four-poster shut. Harry sighed at the reaction of his best friend. His watch beeped to let him know he had four minutes to get down to the Hospital Wing. He dug through his trunk, looking for the Marauder's Map and his invisibility cloak. Once he found them, he headed out of Gryffindor Tower.
Back to the Present . . .
Hermione opened the door as quietly as she could. She looked around for any signs of Harry and, finding none, sat down to wait. Soon she heard muffled footsteps coming her direction. She stood up so she could look Harry in the face when he took off the cloak. Once he did, he launched into a hurried explanation of that night's events. "Mione? I, I just wanted to tell you how God-awful I feel about earlier. You do have the right to like whoever you like and if Draco is the one you like so be it. But, I just had to let you know that I'm, well, to be blunt, I'm over the moon about you. I have been for years. And I need you to know that before you sign Draco off as your boyfriend." Hermione looked at him sadly. "Harry, but he already asked me out. And I said yes. I'm sorry. And as to why *you* never asked me out I'm baffled. I've liked you for a while, but my feelings for Draco are bigger, more prominent. But I most likely would've said yes if you had simply asked me." Harry hung his head in shame. "I didn't want us to end up like you and Ron had been for so long after you guys broke up. You're just now starting to be close again. I didn't want to damage our friendship. Please, please tell me you'll reconsider going out with Draco. Please." Hermione turned her head away so that Harry wouldn't see her tears. "I can't. I love him Harry. I love him. If it was a silly crush, I would. But, I'm in love, and that's not something you take for granted. Besides, like you said, I wouldn't want to damage our closeness. Which would happen if I said I'd rethink Draco and then decide not to. And, his mother committed suicide Harry. He needs me." Harry sighed sadly, then realizing the mistake in Hermione's reason, stated "She didn't commit suicide, Lucius killed her. She was trying to get a hold of Malfoy for some reason and Lucius didn't want her to. So he 'silenced' her." Hermione gasped. "Are you sure? And, and we *cannot* tell Draco; he's already about to kill his father as it is. And Azkaban is not the best place for a depressed teen. O, one more thing, no more complaining about me and Draco, please?" Harry sighed again before answering, "Alright. We won't talk of either topic anymore. But, just once, can I have a kiss? Please? One kiss from a girl who is now as unobtainable as Cho was for me back in 4th year." Hermione gasped. Her thoughts ran wild as she thought of kissing the boy-who-lived. In her head she thought 'Well, one quick kiss can't hurt. Unless Draco comes out to see what's taking me so long. But he can't walk right now. What about Pomfrey though? She might walk out. But he's cute! Not as cute as Draco of course, but cute. Aw, what the heck. One kiss won't change my life or his.' Hermione bit her lip and sighed softly before nodding. "Alright. One kiss. And no tongue. Promise? If we go beyond a regular just lips kiss, *I* lead." Harry nodded eagerly. Hermione placed her arms around Harry's neck and his snaked around her waist. She hesitated for a moment before gently pressing her lips against his. Her heart still with Draco, her mind went ahead and told her a little further might be OK as long as she remembered that this was simply a favor to Harry and nothing more. Using her tongue, Hermione parted Harry's lips to gain entrance. He responded quickly to her actions and decided to take matters into his own hands. One of his arms left Hermione's waist and went up to her long, wavy hair and started twirling it. Hermione knew she should pull apart before it got too out of hand, so she slowly pulled back. Harry opened his gorgeous emerald green eyes and smirked. "OK, still so sure you want Draco." Hermione, who was feeling extremely guilty had had it. She drew her hand back then slapped him, hard, across the cheek. Harry staggered from the sheer power and anger driving it. "You know how you said you didn't want to damage our friendship? Our closeness? Well guess what? You did." And with that she left a heart-broken Harry to stand alone in the hallway as she went back to Draco. It was then she realized that the door had been open the whole time and that, if it weren't for the curtains, Draco would've seen the whole thing. She sighed and closed the door behind her, refusing to look back at Harry. She walked back to Draco who said "How'd it go?" and she simply answered "You don't wanna know. Goodnight my love." Draco pouted for a second before replying "Goodnight. I love you." But by this time, Hermione had already fallen asleep, dreaming of Harry and Draco fighting over her.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote anything; I just got back from spring vacation Friday and then my internet service was being very stupid and idiotic and stuff. So yea . . . anywho, thanx so much to wantedin36states for reviewing, all reviews are greatly appreciated and wanted. O, by the way, if I put something in asterisks, that means the word being spoken is getting emphasis from the character speaking. OK, back to Draco and Hermione . . .
The One I'll Always Love Chapter Four: Midnight Meetings and Damaged Friendships
After Harry stormed past her, Hermione turned around to see a still limping Ron walking over to her. She turned to Ron with a question in her voice, asking, "What did I do? Did I, did I say something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Ron sighed and calmly explained "Harry has a huge crush on you Mione. I'm at a loss that you haven't noticed it. But, seeing you so worried about Draco and not as much about us, especially him, kinda pushed him off the edge I guess. I realize that you probably didn't mean for it to appear that way, but it did and does still. I also realize that he was in a noticeably worse condition than either Harry or I was in. So I don't blame you, although Harry does. And one more thing, just let him cool off, he'll be back with open arms within a few days tops. After he broke up with Parvati a few months ago, he was in a weird mood for weeks, but they're friends again now that she's stopped feeling so guilty over the mood he was in. He'll come back to you, I promise, just don't go making out with Draco in front of him, k?" Ron then leaned over and kissed the top of Hermione's head before hobbling out the door. Hermione sighed sadly as she walked over to Madame Pomfrey's office. "Madame Pomfrey? Um, I just wanted to let you know that Draco's awake now. He was talking to me and everything." The nurse came out of her office with tears in her eyes. "My dear, I do believe it wise that you are with Mr. Malfoy at this time. I have just received some bad news regarding his family. His mother was just found dead. She committed suicide." Hermione gasped. She turned to look at Draco's bed, before asking the nurse softly, "Are, are you sure? He, he'll be crushed. He doesn't seem to get along with his father very well and-" "Miss Granger. I am full aware of his relationship problems with Lucius Malfoy. And Draco will not be left alone. He has a few aunts and uncles who will be more than happy to take him in. I'm sure." Hermione snorted. "Yea, the Lestranges and the Tonkses. And I guess relatives of Lucius'. Great choices he has. He'd be better off here or with a friend over the summer." Madame Pomfrey looked at Hermione carefully for a moment before, "all-right Miss Granger, I'll mention that to Professor Dumbledore. In the meantime, go back to Mr. Malfoy, I'll join you two momentarily." Hermione nodded and walked back to Draco. She sat back in her chair from before and gazed at the angelic face of the seemingly sleeping Draco. She jumped a foot in the air when he murmured "You sure were gone awhile. I thought you left me. I heard Potter yelling at you. I hope it wasn't my fault. If it was, I'm dreadfully sorry. Uh, why the long face Mione? You don't mind if I call you that do you? Um? What's wrong?" Hermione looked at him sadly. "Madame Pomfrey is coming over in a minute. She'll tell you." Draco looked aghast at Hermione's downcast expression. "Hermione? Oh my God, tell me, please. What's the matter? You look as upset as you did when I found you earlier. I'm not dying am I? 'Cause that would really suck if I died right after I confessed my undying love to you. Which I might add is true. Can you please tell me what happened?" Hermione brushed away the traces of tears from her eyes. "No Draco, you're not dying. But, someone you know; someone close to you died. Madame Pomfrey will tell you the rest, I only got the gist of it." Hermione stopped as Madame Pomfrey came over to Draco's bed. "Miss Granger, can you leave us for a minute? I have some pumpkin juice and a tray of sandwiches in my office. I'll call for you when you may come back over here." Hermione nodded and rose from her seat. Draco looked at her questioningly as she left. Hermione bowed her head so that she wouldn't have to look into his icy silver-blue eyes. Madame Pomfrey sat in Hermione's now empty seat and started telling Draco about his mother.
15 minutes later . . .
"Hermione dear, you may go back to Draco now. Comfort him for a little while, then I must ask you to let him rest." Hermione nodded then asked tentatively, "I was wondering, since he'll obviously be distraught, could I perhaps stay the night here? In another bed of course." Madame Pomfrey looked skeptical for a moment before sighing and replying "I'll go talk to Professor Dumbledore while you're with Draco. If he says it is all right, you may stay. If Draco wants you here of course. I know that in the past you two haven't been the best of friends, so if at anytime he wants you to leave, promise me you will. Understand?" Hermione nodded quickly. "I'll go see Dumbledore now. You go talk to Mr. Malfoy." Hermione walked over to Draco's bed. He was sitting propped up on some pillows. He turned his head to the Gryffindor girl at the foot of his bed. No traces of his trademark smirk showed on his face and his normally arrogant eyes were filled with bitter tears that had yet to fall. He reached out to her helplessly, not knowing where to turn. Hermione rushed to his side and wrapped her arms gently around him. Completely atypical from his normal behavior, he was obviously in a deep internal pain. He started quietly sobbing on Hermione's shoulder, his eyes red and bleary. "Hermione, don't leave me. Don't leave me. She was all I had. Sure, she was cold-hearted to most people and probably appeared a real bitch, but she was my mum. She protected me from my Dad. My, my dad said earlier 'your mother would die of shame if she weren't already dead'. I didn't understand what he meant then and was too preoccupied with him attacking me and stuff to worry about that. I thought maybe he mis-spoke or something. But, now I know that she's, she's gone. Don't leave me Mione. Don't ever go away. I want you with me forever." Hermione felt tears sliding down her own cheeks as Draco said this. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." The two of them simply sat there for the longest time, neither moving. Draco finally pulled away from the embrace and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "She, she wouldn't want me to cry over her like this. She would tell me it was another weakness that my dad would focus on. She would tell me to 'Be strong no matter what gets thrown my way'. O God, Hermione, what am I gonna do this summer? I haven't seen my Aunt Andromeda in years and I don't like my Aunt Bellatrix and Uncle Rodolphus. They're just as evil as my father. I could go see if my Aunt Cassiopeia will take me in. Although she hasn't been in the area in close to ten years. But she is my godmother, so maybe she'll come ba-" Hermione silenced him with a kiss planted squarely on his lips. His tongue brushed up against her closed lips, teasing her mercilessly. She parted her lips slowly and gave him entrance. Their tongues struggled for dominance as Hermione and Draco deepened the kiss. Hermione ran one of her hands through Draco's golden locks as her other hand was pressed against his muscled chest. Draco on the other hand, used his good hand to draw her closer to him. "Hem hem." The two 6th years jumped in the air as Draco blurted out "O my God! Umbridge is back!" Hermione whirled around to see a bemused Pomfrey. "Well, I see you're feeling better Draco. Hermione, Dumbledore has said it will be all right for you to stay here tonight and possibly tomorrow night if need be. That is, of course, if you limit the snog sessions to a minimum, all right?" Hermione nodded sheepishly. Madame Pomfrey continued "OK, give this note to Professor McGonagall and return here in your pajamas with a change of clothes for the morning. And don't forget, lights go out no later than 11:30. Good night you two." Hermione waited for the nurse to turn the corner before she gave Draco a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I'll be right back. Then we can possibly continue our previous activities. That is, unless you're too injured to get so down and dirty." Draco winked at her and replied with a playfully seductive whisper "I've never been known to deny a lady her share of Draco. And I don't plan on starting now." Hermione rolled her eyes and ran off to get her things.
Meanwhile, back in Gryffindor Tower . . .
"I don't give a damn if she bloody shags every other boy in the school! I just don't want her near him! He'll use her. I know it. What if he rapes her? Or abuses her? I can't stand to see her hurt in any way. And I know that's what he'll do to her!" Harry yelled. The entirety of the Gryffindor House had gathered in the common room to see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley duke it out. Which looked like it would happen anytime now. "Harry settle down. Please. She has the right to like whoever she wants. I can't say I'm happy with her current choice of guys and I wish like heck she coulda picked you or decided to try going out with me again. But I can't pick her crush any more than you can or even she can. You gotta except it man. Who knows, maybe ferret boy will turn around after some Mione lovin'." Ron interjected. Harry glared hatefully at his best friend before balling up his fist and punching Ron squarely in the jaw. The entire common room gasped as the power behind the attack knocked Ron over. Ginny ran out of the crowd and bent over her brother, who appeared to be sporting a dislocated or even broken jaw. She jumped to her feet and grabbed Harry's sleeve, pulling him into a nearby corner. "Harry, how could you? He was only joking! And besides, what on earth could be making you this testy? If you were a girl, I'd blame it on PMS or something. But since you're a guy, I can't. Please, tell me what's wrong." Harry grit his teeth before answering peevishly "Hermione likes a ferret." Harry left Ginny standing there open mouthed as he walked back toward the common room door. Before he got there however, the portrait swung open and a slightly irritated Professor McGonagall and a confused looking Hermione walked in. Harry stopped dead in his tracks and gave the Gryffindor prefect a betrayed look before stalking off in the opposite direction toward the 6th year boys' dormitory. Professor McGonagall took one look around the room and demanded "What on earth happened here? The sooner I'm answered, the sooner we can all get back to whatever we were doing." Ginny stepped forward and said timidly "We heard shouting so we all came to see what was wrong. Harry and Ron were arguing over something, or someone. None of us knows what started it. Then Ron said something to Harry that none of us could hear. So Harry socked him." McGonagall sighed softly and shook her head. "All right. I'll speak with Mr. Potter in the morning. Right now however, I want Miss Granger to do as Madame Pomfrey asked, then walk down to the Hospital Wing with Mr. Weasley. All right everyone, to bed! Now!" And with that, the head of Gryffindor house crossed to the portrait entrance and left. Hermione turned to Ginny and asked "OK, what *really* happened?" Ginny sighed and pulled the older girl away from the rest of the crowd. "OK, to make this easier on you, I'll be blunt: Harry has a huge crush on you. And it appears he thinks you like Malfoy. Which I know isn't true. I mean, you *hate* him. Anyway, Ron said something about how some 'Mione lovin' might make Malfoy turn around." Ginny stopped as she saw the hurt look on Hermione's face. "Mione? What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Hermione simply nodded. Ginny thought over what she had just told the Gryffindor prefect as her mistake dawned on her. "You, you like Malfoy? Like *that*?" Hermione looked up with hurt eyes, betrayed as a result of the other girls attitude toward Draco. "Ginny, I don't know where to start telling you what's going on. I, I think I'm in love with him. He makes me feel like no other guy. I'm happier when I'm near him. It may not always show, it may never show, but I am. He helped me find your brother and Harry earlier today. Without asking 'What's in it for me?' or something similar that we'd all expect from him. And, he said he loves me. Ron never told me that. Viktor never told me that. No one *ever* has. I'm sorry if you're as against this as Harry obviously is. I truly am. Because I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. So, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready to go back to the Hospital Wing." Hermione turned on her heel and strode over to the steps leading up to the girls' dorms. She stomped up the stairs and literally threw open the door, slamming it behind her. Ginny sighed sadly. "Mione, I hope for your sake he isn't lying." The younger Gryffindor walked slowly toward her brother, wishing this whole thing hadn't gotten blown so far out of proportion.
A few minutes later . . .
Hermione came back downstairs covered with her dressing robe and holding a small duffel bag. She walked to where Ron and Ginny were now sitting and held out a hand to Ron. He took it and they set off toward the Hospital Wing. Before they even got out of Gryffindor Tower, however, a slightly bedraggled looking Harry stumbled over to them. "Ron, mate, I'm sorry. O God. I don't know why I did that. Really I don't. Can you forgive me?" Ron nodded sourly to acknowledge his forgiveness of Harry. Then Harry turned to Hermione and muttered under his breath so that Ron wouldn't hear, "Meet me at the entrance to the Hospital Wing at midnight if you think you could ever want to be friends with me again. Please." Hermione nodded curtly and grabbed Ron's arm so he would get a move on. Ron, who couldn't really talk, squeaked in surprise. The two of them left silently and said, nor tried to say, anything. When they got to the Hospital Wing, Hermione set her stuff down by the soundly sleeping Draco's bed and walked with Ron to the nurse's office. As Ron still could not speak, Hermione called out to the nurse and everything for him. "Madame Pomfrey? I, uh, I brought you a patient." Madame Pomfrey came to her door and yawned widely. "O? What's this now? O my, Mr. Weasley! What on earth have you been doing? Your jaw is most definitely broken. I only saw you moments ago!" Ron hung his head as Hermione continued. "He and *another* student got in a fight. Ron said something to provoke the other boy and the other one attacked." The nurse calmly sighed. "Follow me Mr. Weasley. Miss Granger, I'll come over in a moment to find you a bed. Do not, I repeat *do not* wake Mr. Malfoy. Understood? Good." As Ron walked into the office, Hermione walked over to Draco's bed. She sat down on the edge of it and gently placed a kiss on the sleeping boy's forehead. He stirred slightly as she pulled away from him and for a second Hermione thought she had woken him up. But he simply fell back asleep again. Hermione got up and waited for the matron to release Ron and find her a bed when she heard a panicked whisper behind her. Draco was mumbling something under his breath, something about his mother and father. Hermione rushed back to his side when he jolted awake, breathing heavily. "Shhh . . . Draco, I'm here now. It's OK. Everything will be OK now. I promise you." Draco looked at her with tears in his eyes. He reached out for her, pulling her close. She knew he had obviously been upset at what he had seen in his dream. The two teens simply held each other like that for a few minutes when Hermione realized Draco was again asleep. A good thing too, as Madame Pomfrey could be heard sending Ron off. Then the 'tap tap' of her shoes came nearer. Hermione, remembering that she wasn't to wake Draco, quickly stood. The nurse eyed her suspiciously as she walked over. "Ahem. All right Miss Granger. You may sleep, ah! Here. And I don't want to be catching you out of bed after 11:30, is that clear? I'll go ahead and pull the curtains shut so you two can have a little bit of privacy. If he wakes up and is any pain, come get me *immediately*, understand?" Hermione nodded and walked over to the bed Madame Pomfrey had pointed out for her to use. She unmade the bed and used her wand to put a warming spell over the cool sheets. Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes at this action and muttered "Teenagers," as she walked back to her office. Hermione waited till she heard the door shut before she undid her dressing robe, revealing demure, yet sexy, pajamas The girl went back over to Draco's bed and again sat on the edge. She murmured softly "You promised we could continue. But, I guess you changed your mind. O well. Oo! I have a wonderful idea!" Hermione again pulled out her wand. She said a quick summoning spell and drew her bed closer to Draco's. "There, that's better. Now, if only you were awake." "Who's to say I'm not? Silly girl. I can pretend to sleep very well now, especially having to practice it for so many years. Love the pj's by the way; very nice." Hermione jolted as Draco spoke. "Yikes! I thought you were dead asleep!" Draco laughed evilly. "I told you earlier, I've never been known to deny a lady her share of Draco and I'm not about to start now." Hermione smiled widely as she leaned over to once again initiate their earlier 'activities'. After a few minutes of hot n' heavy snogging, Draco propped himself up on some pillows so that he could sit up better. He winced slightly throughout that whole process, making Hermione very worried indeed. However, as soon as he patted the bed next to him, she completely forgot about that. She laid her head on the pillow next to his and wrapped her arms gently around him. They stayed like that till she looked at her watch and realized it was 11:59. "Draco, as much as I hate to leave, I promised Harry I'd meet him out in the hallway at midnight. I promise I'll be right back though and if he tries anything, I'll kick him where the sun doesn't shine and run back in here." Draco smirked slightly and mumbled, "Remind me not to make you mad ever again. K?" She nodded and gave him a quick peck on the lips before jumping up, grabbing her dressing robe and heading to the door.
Gryffindor 6th year Boy's Dormitory five minutes earlier . . .
"Harry, just leave her alone! Please? If she's happy, then why can't you just be happy for her?" Ron shot at the dark-haired boy. "Ron, I can't let her just choose him without knowing how I feel too. My heart won't let me." Ron looked at Harry with a dumbfounded expression before saying sarcastically, "All right dude, lemme know how this whole thing goes for you. Just don't come running to me when she slaps you stupid." With that, Ron yanked the hangings on his four-poster shut. Harry sighed at the reaction of his best friend. His watch beeped to let him know he had four minutes to get down to the Hospital Wing. He dug through his trunk, looking for the Marauder's Map and his invisibility cloak. Once he found them, he headed out of Gryffindor Tower.
Back to the Present . . .
Hermione opened the door as quietly as she could. She looked around for any signs of Harry and, finding none, sat down to wait. Soon she heard muffled footsteps coming her direction. She stood up so she could look Harry in the face when he took off the cloak. Once he did, he launched into a hurried explanation of that night's events. "Mione? I, I just wanted to tell you how God-awful I feel about earlier. You do have the right to like whoever you like and if Draco is the one you like so be it. But, I just had to let you know that I'm, well, to be blunt, I'm over the moon about you. I have been for years. And I need you to know that before you sign Draco off as your boyfriend." Hermione looked at him sadly. "Harry, but he already asked me out. And I said yes. I'm sorry. And as to why *you* never asked me out I'm baffled. I've liked you for a while, but my feelings for Draco are bigger, more prominent. But I most likely would've said yes if you had simply asked me." Harry hung his head in shame. "I didn't want us to end up like you and Ron had been for so long after you guys broke up. You're just now starting to be close again. I didn't want to damage our friendship. Please, please tell me you'll reconsider going out with Draco. Please." Hermione turned her head away so that Harry wouldn't see her tears. "I can't. I love him Harry. I love him. If it was a silly crush, I would. But, I'm in love, and that's not something you take for granted. Besides, like you said, I wouldn't want to damage our closeness. Which would happen if I said I'd rethink Draco and then decide not to. And, his mother committed suicide Harry. He needs me." Harry sighed sadly, then realizing the mistake in Hermione's reason, stated "She didn't commit suicide, Lucius killed her. She was trying to get a hold of Malfoy for some reason and Lucius didn't want her to. So he 'silenced' her." Hermione gasped. "Are you sure? And, and we *cannot* tell Draco; he's already about to kill his father as it is. And Azkaban is not the best place for a depressed teen. O, one more thing, no more complaining about me and Draco, please?" Harry sighed again before answering, "Alright. We won't talk of either topic anymore. But, just once, can I have a kiss? Please? One kiss from a girl who is now as unobtainable as Cho was for me back in 4th year." Hermione gasped. Her thoughts ran wild as she thought of kissing the boy-who-lived. In her head she thought 'Well, one quick kiss can't hurt. Unless Draco comes out to see what's taking me so long. But he can't walk right now. What about Pomfrey though? She might walk out. But he's cute! Not as cute as Draco of course, but cute. Aw, what the heck. One kiss won't change my life or his.' Hermione bit her lip and sighed softly before nodding. "Alright. One kiss. And no tongue. Promise? If we go beyond a regular just lips kiss, *I* lead." Harry nodded eagerly. Hermione placed her arms around Harry's neck and his snaked around her waist. She hesitated for a moment before gently pressing her lips against his. Her heart still with Draco, her mind went ahead and told her a little further might be OK as long as she remembered that this was simply a favor to Harry and nothing more. Using her tongue, Hermione parted Harry's lips to gain entrance. He responded quickly to her actions and decided to take matters into his own hands. One of his arms left Hermione's waist and went up to her long, wavy hair and started twirling it. Hermione knew she should pull apart before it got too out of hand, so she slowly pulled back. Harry opened his gorgeous emerald green eyes and smirked. "OK, still so sure you want Draco." Hermione, who was feeling extremely guilty had had it. She drew her hand back then slapped him, hard, across the cheek. Harry staggered from the sheer power and anger driving it. "You know how you said you didn't want to damage our friendship? Our closeness? Well guess what? You did." And with that she left a heart-broken Harry to stand alone in the hallway as she went back to Draco. It was then she realized that the door had been open the whole time and that, if it weren't for the curtains, Draco would've seen the whole thing. She sighed and closed the door behind her, refusing to look back at Harry. She walked back to Draco who said "How'd it go?" and she simply answered "You don't wanna know. Goodnight my love." Draco pouted for a second before replying "Goodnight. I love you." But by this time, Hermione had already fallen asleep, dreaming of Harry and Draco fighting over her.