Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N I am so sorry it took so long. This chapter isn't long. I was planning on making it longer, but then decided it was best to stop here. The story will only be about 2 or 3 chapters longer. Then I shall be home free.

Please R/R, and again, I am so sorry for the long wait.

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Chapter Ten- Smile

x-x Smile x-x

I need you around me

But I fear I may have to leave

I'm sorry if I hurt you

But for now

Give strength to me

You touch me; I'm scared

You kiss me; I quiver

You hold me; I stare

Your eyes tell a story

You love me

I smile

I want you to know that

I'll always be on your side

But let the option be open

That one day

I may take flight

You touch me; I'm scared

You kiss me; I quiver

You hold me; I stare

Your eyes tell a story

You love me

I smile

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He pulled her down ever so carefully, not wishing to mar her skin with his callused hands. He gently took her in his arms and never let her go.

x-x-x-x-x

Hermione walked alone, along the forest's edge, feeling the dewy grass beneath her bare feet. She was cold and contemplative, a perfect mix for such a wet morning. Her hair was draped around her shoulders, frizzy from the precipitation. She was singing softly under her breath, not well exactly, but chilling and strikingly, with such biting honesty that made you feel as if she had written the lyrics herself.

"She'd do anything to sparkle in his eyes. She would suffer, she would fight and compromise.

She felt her way through the trees, nearly blinded by the rain that was now heavily falling from the heavens. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes were now completely gone, lost, her eyes sockets now empty, black voids screaming: oblivion.

x-x-x-x-x

Hermione woke up, scared and shaky. Her dream had been so vividly real; it was hard to tell whether that was reality or whether she was now in actuality. She swept her right hand over her brow and realized she was terribly thirsty. She reached over to her bedside table to retrieve a small glass of water.

Once she's calmed down and recovered from the shock of having no eyes, she called softly out, "Hello?

"Hermione?" A voice whispered back. It was Draco. And there he was in all his shining glory, standing tall and strong, his hair contrasting brilliantly with the darkness of the room. He walked silently over to Hermione's bedside and heard her whimper slightly. He sighed.

"Are you scared of me?" He asked.

"No", Hermione replied, "I'm scared of nothing.

Draco looked puzzled, "I don't believe that. No one is scared of absolutely nothing.

"No, Draco. I mean of oblivion. What comes after death? Is there really a Heaven? Or are we all damned to live in Hell for eternity? I can't bear the thought of darkness either. What's going to happen to me, Draco? I can't just sit still waiting for it to happen." Hermione looked as if she'd thought this out a great deal, and her eyes were wild and burning, calling out to Draco, as if they desperately hoped he had an answer to all of this.

"You're not going to die. I'll make sure of it." Draco stroked her head, "I'd like to make love to you." He looked nervous.

Hermione couldn't restrain herself, and she giggled.

"What?" Draco demanded, leaping from the bed, his temper and anger rising.

Hermione's laughter subsided and she cooed, "No, baby. I'm sorry. Of course you can make love to me. Boys don't generally use that expression. I'd never have expected it from you especially." She shook her head and chuckled at the lovability of his words. She sighed and patted the bed next to her, "Come here." He sat, still a bit ticked off. "Thank you for cheering me up.

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He paced his room, looking at his watch every so often. Draco was very nervous. One could imagine the beads of perspiration dripping down his pale, chiseled face. He shook his head and sat down on the bed in front of him. The luxurious velvet duvet felt soft under his shaking hands and comforted him. Today, he would truly show Hermione how much he loved her.

He saw her walk in, and he smiled nervously. She didn't return the smile, but her eyes were bright and dancing. She walked over slowly to him, and sat beside his quivering body.

"Don't be so nervous. You've done this before." Hermione whispered. She stroked his hair gently, and he nodded, and swallowed thickly. She stood, and began unbuttoning the buttons of Draco's school shirt.

The sky outside was dark, and the moon has risen high in the sky, the stars twinkling brightly. Hermione had now managed to remove Draco's shirt. She stood back to admire his pale body. She smiled and took off her cardigan, revealing just her bra underneath. He gulped and wondered why she was so calm about everything. He imagined it would be him removing their clothing and calming the situation. Instead, he was having mini heart attacks with every touch.

"Hermione, I should be doing this." He stood and pushed her gently onto the bed. She nodded slightly, and began unfastening his belt. He shook his head, but let her continue. Then she began unbuttoning his trousers, but he stopped her.

"Not yet." He lifted her up and took her to the head of the bed, where he lay her down, sliding his hands down her body like wisps of smoke, so light, she almost couldn't feel him. She slithered out of her skirt and let him take off her shoes and socks. She was now merely in undergarments, and she wanted to make it even. Hermione sat up and pulled Draco down with her, onto the bed. She began unbuttoning and then when she had finished, pulled off his trousers, exposing his erection. She giggled lightly, so he wouldn't hear her.

"Hermione, I love you." Draco whispered.

"I know you do, Draco." She said, and she stroked his face, feeling slight stubble she'd never noticed before. She kissed him imperceptibly and trailed more kisses down his neck. She pulled herself on top of him and continued her exploration. Draco was enjoying this, but he knew it wasn't how he wanted it to be.

He flipped her over gently and began teasing her slightly with his tongue before reaching behind to unbutton her bra. Then he felt her tug his boxers down and he decided just to remove her panties as well.

"Are you sure you want it this fast?" Draco questioned her.

"Mm hmm." Hermione whispered.

"Alright." And he entered her slowly, letting the pleasure seep to the tips of his toes. He hoped Hermione was enjoying this as much as he was.

x-x-x-x-x

The sun shone brightly through the drapes of the bedroom, casting as eerie glow over the room, bathing everything in a soft golden light. Her hair in her face, Hermione unconsciously swatted it away, hitting Draco on the nose.

"Ow!" Draco muttered, turning over and opening his eyes groggily. He saw Hermione, in his bed, breathing mellifluously. Her unruly hair was in disarray this morning, and he chuckled faintly. He began stroking her hair lightly as she muttered softly. He couldn't make out was she was saying, but her lips formed a small smile. He kissed her head, and tried to get up. He was stiff and his head was pounding.

"Draco?" A tired, small voice asked behind him. Hermione was sitting up, her hair extremely messy and her eyes only half open. "Draco, I don't feel well. Hermione whispered. She tried to get up, but her limbs felt heavy, and her heart sunk to her stomach. She didn't think she was supposed to feel this terrible. She was supposed to be saved.

"Draco." And with that, she collapsed onto the floor.

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Harry and Draco paced the Hospital Wing once again, feeling rather horrible. Hermione was not supposed to be feeling like this. Her system was going haywire and her organs weren't functioning properly. Madam Pomfrey looked worried, but not surprised, when Draco had brought Hermione into her care. She just muttered sadly and stroked the broken girl's face.

"You don't think anything will happen?" Draco asked nervously. He was beyond crying. He felt that everything was his fault in this situation. He was blaming himself for things that secretly he probably knew he couldn't have prevented. I should have fallen in love with her sooner, so she wouldn't have slept with Krum. Or, maybe I didn't do it right. Maybe we shouldn't have waited so long to do it.

"Draco, don't be so fucking pessimistic." Harry nearly yelled, but Draco saw the look in his eyes. He was worried out of his mind too. Draco walked over to Harry and did something he thought he'd never do. He enveloped him in a hug, and began to sob on his shoulder. Harry patted his back awkwardly, and felt his eyes stinging as well.

Harry was beside himself inside. He'd kept such a calm appearance this entire year, when really all he could think about was, What if I lose Hermione? Then I won't have anyone. Ron's gone; my parents are gone. Ginny is practically dead to me too. All I have is Hermione.

"She won't die, Draco." He whispered to the now much calmer Slytherin. "She just can't.

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A/N Please, review. I took so long to update for this, and for that I apologize, but, I have noticed many people adding me and not reviewing. Please, please review!!

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