A/N: I know some of you are confused. Just be patient, it will all be explained!
Chapter 28
"No, it's not Draco," Hermione swore. She spun on her heel and left the common room. She headed up to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
"My, my, it's been ever such a long time since I've seen you, Hermione," Myrtle said as Hermione came in.
"All summer," Hermione said. Myrtle giggled.
"That's what you think," she said, before disappearing into her toilet. Hermione rolled her eyes and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
* * *
Draco sat in the Slytherin Common Room with Breena in his lap. She was sleeping peacefully, leaning on his chest. He didn't want to wake her, but Draco was getting bored just sitting there. Gently he tried to lift her, but she woke up anyway.
"What's wrong?" She asked. He shook his head.
"My legs were falling asleep, I'm sorry," he apologized. She nodded.
"We should probably go down to dinner. Let me go freshen up," she said, standing up. Draco nodded and watched her walk up the stairs. A few minutes later, Pansy ran in to the common room and headed for her room.
"Where's the fire?" Draco teased. She stopped and gave him a look.
"Why wouldn't I have put it out myself?" she asked him. "Gosh, you're weird sometimes."
"It's an expression," he sighed. "Never mind. What's your rush?"
"I didn't want to be late for dinner," she explained.
"Right," he rolled his eyes and sat back down. After a few minutes, Breena descended the stairs and appeared at Draco's side.
"Ready?" she cooed. He nodded and they headed for the door. They were nearing the Great Hall when Breena cleared her throat. "You know, someone's spreading nasty rumors about you," she said.
"Oh?" Draco was unconcerned.
"Yes. They've been saying that you've been less that faithful," she said. Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Who said this?" he asked. Breena stopped walking.
"Does it matter?" she asked. Draco shrugged.
"Well, if you've noticed, I'm not exactly undesirable," he started. Breena drew a sharp breath.
"I've noticed, Draco," she said. "But that doesn't explain much."
"I just mean to say that someone might say something to convince you to break up with me," he explained. Breena rolled her eyes.
"That's a bit second year, isn't it Draco?" she asked. She placed her hand on his chest and pushed firmly so that he backed into a wall. "To be honest, Draco, it doesn't really bother me," she said. Her voice dropped to that thick, seductive whisper that he adored. "It rather excites me," she told him, leaning in so he could feel her breath on his ear. Every hair on the back of his neck stood at attention, but he kept his expression placid.
"Does it?" he asked, quickly scanning the hall for other students. There was a relatively constant stream of pairs or small groups of students, so he decided to tease her. He slid a hand between her legs and rubbed her through her panties, feeling the moisture collected there. Then he drew his hand back. "That's such a shame. We can't be late for dinner," he decided, gently pushing her away and heading down the hall. Breena sighed and hurried to catch up with him.
"Two can play at this game, Draco. No more sex," she admonished. Draco laughed. "I'm serious," she said.
"No you're not," he told her.
"Yes, I am," she replied. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Oh, alright," he agreed, completely unconvinced. He and Breena entered the Great Hall and sat down next to eachother at the Slytherin table. After the meal started, Draco scanned the Gryffindor table for Hermione. She wasn't at dinner, which didn't really surprise Draco. He made a note to take her something to eat when they met in their lounge later that night.
* * *
Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room, reading a book she'd taken out of the library on that day's transfiguration lesson. She was determined to learn it, despite her inability to focus in class. Her notes were just starting to make some sense to her when her housemates returned from dinner.
"You missed quite a meal, Hermione," Ron informed her, "Roast Duck with Orange sauce, and bread pudding for dessert."
"Oh, that's a shame," she agreed absently. "Well, I think I'll go take a bath now," she decided. She headed for her room to get her bath stuff and then hurried through the common room before anyone could ask her any further questions.
"She's a bit off, isn't she?" Ron asked. Sorcha and Ginny exchanged glances.
"Didn't you see her in potions today?" Sorcha asked. "She and Draco, I mean, it was painfully obvious."
"Sorry, I must have missed it. The lesson was just so riveting," Seamus mocked.
"You really think she's got it for Draco?" Ron asked. "That's so unlike Hermione, I feel like I should be shocked, but I'm really not. How strange is that?"
"I know exactly how you feel," Ginny agreed.
Meanwhile, Hermione was sinking into a nice warm bath. She had been sure to ascertain that she was alone before she disrobed, although she was almost disappointed. After her bath, she slipped on a dark green robe that complemented her eyes. She dried her hair and then headed down to the lounge.
Draco wasn't there yet, which was fine with Hermione. She wanted some time to gather her thoughts. As far as she could tell, he wanted to talk about what had happened that morning and Hermione wasn't sure she would know what to say. She had enjoyed it, very much so, and she wouldn't mind if it happened again. However, she know that Draco was seeing Breena and she was afraid of what Breena would do to her is she ever found out. Which made her question the wisdom of telling Pansy what had happened.
Hermione sighed and leaned back on the couch, struggling to gather her thoughts.
* * *
"Draco, stop!" Breena said firmly, pushing him away from her. "I meant what I said. No more sex."
"Breena, you can't be serious," he whined. She gave him a cold stare.
"But I am," she told him. He heaved a sigh.
"I don't understand," he said.
"Listen, Draco, I have something to tell you," Breena began. He sat up to look at her. "My Father is transferring to the U.S. Ministry of Magic. Sorcha and I are leaving at the end of this month."
"You're what?" Draco scrambled to his feet. "You're joking, right?"
"No, why would I do that?" she asked, shaking her head. "I didn't want to tell you this way, but I needed to tell you sooner than later."
"So what does that mean?" Draco asked. "Are we breaking up?"
"I don't want to," Breena said. "I think we can make it," she told him, standing up to rub his neck.
"But I don't want to," he said, suddenly. Breena's eyes flew wide open.
"What?"
"I mean, I care about you, but I don't want to be stuck in a long distance relationship," Draco clarified. Breena closed her eyes. She obviously hadn't been prepared for what he had said.
"Well, if that's the way you feel," she said after a while. He could tell she was on the verge of tears.
"Breena," he whispered. He wrapped his arms around her. "You mean a lot to me, but I don't feel like it's fair to you to pretend that I'm in love," he paused.
"So it was just about the sex," she said finally. Draco shook his head.
"Not at all," he told her. "It was great, but I really did care about you."
"Draco, I love you," she said. He didn't reply, unsure of what to say. "I'm going to miss you," she added finally. He nodded.
"I'll miss you too," he agreed. Breena pulled away from him and sat down on the couch.
"So, we broke up, didn't we?" she asked. He nodded. "I guess it's for the best."
"I have a prefect's meeting," he said suddenly, after a long uncomfortable pause. "I'll see you later," he said before he left.
* * *
Hermione's stomach was in knots. Draco was late, and she was hoping he wasn't playing a trick on her. She still hadn't decided how she felt about him and about what had happened, but she decided that she would just let the conversation flow naturally and the truth would emerge somehow.
Draco came down the stairs just then, interrupting Hermione's thoughts. She studied him carefully, and she could tell right away that something had upset him. He crossed the room to sit next to her on the sofa.
"Are you alright?" she asked him. He shrugged.
"I've been better," he replied. There was silence for a moment, and then he spoke again. "Breena and I broke up."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hermione said. Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe there was hope after all?
"Don't be. It had nothing to do with you, if that's what you're thinking," he said quickly.
"I wasn't, actually," she said honestly. He nodded.
"You weren't at dinner," he commented.
"I had some reading to do," she told him. "Dinner didn't seem very important."
"But you weren't at lunch either," he remembered. Hermione shrugged.
"It's not a big deal," she said.
"You should eat something. Breakfast is a long time from now," he took her hand and led her up the narrow stairway at the end of the room to the kitchen.
"I'll wait here," she said, as the portrait opened. Draco returned quickly with some leftover duck and a few pies.
"Not a fan of the kitchen?" he asked.
"Not a fan of house elves," she admitted. "It's hard for me to see them working like that, completely unaware of the barbaric-"
"Shh," Draco said, pressing a finger to her lips. Hermione felt her heart flutter at this simple gesture.
"Sorry," she said after a minute. Draco shook his head.
"Don't apologize. Sit down," he gestured to the couch. He put the food on the coffee table. Hermione felt her stomach turning around in anticipation of the food in front of her and only then did she realize how hungry she was. Draco lifted the fork to her mouth and she took a bite, the rich flavor of the duck drowned in a sweet orange sauce filling her mouth.
"Oh my goodness," she exclaimed. Ron was right; she had missed a treat. Draco smiled.
"I knew it," he said, "you were hungry." Hermione nodded her cheeks turning a little pink. Draco lifted another forkful of the savory meat to her lips. Hermione swallowed that bite and before she knew what she was doing, she leaned forward and kissed Draco.
He was caught off guard and raised his hand to her shoulder to push her away, but the taste of sweet oranges filled his mouth and he was hooked. Shocked, was almost a better word because he felt like he knew her so well. They had gone to school together for five years and a day now, but they'd only started speaking to one another the previous year. In truth, he barely knew her at all but he had this feeling in his stomach.
Hermione broke the kiss, and looked down at her hands. She wasn't sure how Draco was going to react to what she had just done.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have," she apologized.
"You are going to have to eradicate that word from your vocabulary," he informed her. "Don't ever apologize to me again, Hermione."
"I'm so-" she paused, and looked at him. They both started to laugh. Draco took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.
"You know, it's the strangest thing, I feel like I know you so well, when in truth, we barely know anything about one another," he said finally. Hermione nodded.
"I was about to say the same thing. I just have this feeling," she said, looking at their hands together. His eyes followed hers until they landed on a ring, placed on her left hand.
"Where did you get that ring?" he asked. "It's beautiful."
"This thing?" she asked, holding up her hand. "You know, I don't even remember. I haven't had it very long," she told him.
"That's strange. The same goes for this ring," he said, gesturing to a ring on his left hand. "But somehow I can't take it off. Isn't that ridiculous of me? I'm so attached to this stupid ring that I can't even remember buying."
"It's not ridiculous. It's just funny," Hermione replied. "It probably happens to a lot of people. I did so much this summer that I probably won't ever remember where I got this ring."
"Me too," Draco agreed. "That's probably what happened. I bought it while I was on one of my father's whirlwind weekend trips. We had so many this summer I couldn't retrace my steps if I tried."
"They're fairly similar," Hermione said after a while. It was true, the rings were both silver with emeralds and diamonds on them. Hermione's had a diamond set in the center, with two emeralds on the side, while Draco's stones were just tiny chips embedded in the ring itself.
"Yours looks like an engagement ring almost," Draco commented, looking at hers more closely. Hermione nodded.
"My mother said the same thing," she laughed.
"Maybe it was, it could be an antique," he suggested. "Take it off, let me look at it," he instructed. Hermione slid the ring off her finger and placed it in Draco's hand. While he was focused on her ring, Hermione focused on Draco. He had grown almost a foot taller over the summer, and his muscles had filled in. "It's kind of dirty, but it looks like there's an inscription," he said, rubbing it on his robe. The inside of the ring had an inscription that read: For Hermione with love, Draco. Reading this, Draco went pale and handed it back to Hermione. "I guess it was just dirty," he lied. Hermione slid it onto her finger without looking at it, thankfully.
How she had gotten a ring that said that, he had no idea. What were the odds of another Hermione and Draco becoming a couple? She had been to the states and to other places in Europe, he supposed in that set of countries it was possible to find another, but the odds of Hermione picking up that ring weren't very good. Had she had it made herself?
"You didn't have that made for you, did you?" he asked. Hermione shook her head.
"I honestly do not remember where I found it, but I know I didn't have it made," she replied. Something about the way she said it convinced him she wad being honest, but he was still spooked. She yawned, reminding him that it was getting late.
"Maybe we should go to bed," he suggested. Hermione shrugged, but stood up with him.
"Was there a reason you asked me to come down here?" she asked, as they walked back to the library.
"It can wait," he decided. Hermione was confused, but she nodded.
"Well, goodnight," she said as they went their separate ways.
"Night," he said absently. He all but ran back to his dorm, his heart pounding faster and faster. In his room, he slid his ring off his finger and set it on his pillow. Using his wand he muttered a cleaning spell. The ring sat on his pillow shining up at him. "Don't be an idiot, Malfoy," he said to himself. "It's just a ring," he reminded himself. He reached out with a shaky hand and lifted the piece of jewelry into his hand. Leaning near the lamp on the wall, he turned it in his fingers to confirm his suspicions. Inside his ring was inscribed: For Draco with love, Hermione.
* * *
Ron sat in the common room watching the embers of the fire burn out. He felt like he was completely alone. Yes, he had Sorcha but she was leaving at the end of the month. In the pit of his stomach he had the strangest feeling, like he had lost his best friend. And yet, Ron had never had a best friend. He had only met Sorcha this year, and he was friends with his roommates, but he hadn't really had a confidante. No one to share his thoughts with, no one to get into mischief with, nothing. Ron had always been sort of a loner. True, he had Hermione, but once she had befriended Pansy, their time together hadn't seemed the same.
Until this point, Ron hadn't given it much thought. He'd never really needed a best friend. And he supposed he still didn't. If he could get through five years and a day of school without one, he could certainly get through two more years of school without one just fine.
* * *
Hermione sat in the window sill of the tower where she had sat just the year before. She still remembered Draco stopping her as she passed by and their conversation. How strange it had been for him to be so nice to her then when she had just seen him destroy her best friend. But then she remembered how they had sat there in silence, a comfortable and safe silence, not an awkward one. Nothing made sense in her head lately. How was it that she felt this connection to Draco, like she knew him so well, when really they barely knew each other? What had he really wanted to talk to her about tonight? And why didn't he talk about it?
She stood up and stretched, deciding to sleep on it. Maybe everything would be clearer in the morning.
* * *
Draco wandered into the Potions classroom a week later, dreading the day's lesson. The past classes had all been lectures and note-taking, but today they were brewing a potion that would require them to speak to each other honestly.
"As much as I hate this lesson, it is a required part of your potions curriculum," Professor Snape began the class. Hermione sat in her seat, waiting to hear what it was that Snape didn't like teaching. "If you all will think back to when we made the curios potion, what did I say were the possible derivatives when the proper ingredients were added? Oh, let's see, Mr. Longbottom?" Snape looked down his nose at the boy who was shifting nervously in his seat. Hermione's brow furrowed as she flipped through her notes to find the answer. Somehow the pages for the Curios were missing.
"Professor?" Hermione asked. Snape's head snapped to stare at her, furious for the interruption. "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but-"
"If you were so sorry, you wouldn't have done it," he barked. "What is it?"
"Well, I don't believe we ever covered the Curios potion in class," she said. Snape's upper lip curled.
"Miss Granger, are you questioning my teaching abilities? Are you suggesting that I would intentionally lead my students astray?" he asked. "Neville? I am waiting," Snape turned back to Neville.
"Curios Emotia, and Curios Scientifica," Neville sputtered. An evil grin crossed Snape's mouth.
"See, Miss Granger? Even Mr. Longbottom remembers," Snape said.
"Actually, sir, I don't remember doing the lesson. I'm not sure how I know the answer," Neville corrected. Snape's eyes widened.
"Professor, I think there may be some truth to Hermione's suggestion. I don't seem to have any notes on that particular potion," Draco spoke up. Snape turned to look at his favorite student and then flew to his podium to review his notes. After a bit he stopped and glared at all of his students.
"I don't know what kind of game you're all playing, but I don't find it very funny," He hissed, "Ten points off both your houses." The students all gave a disappointed groan. "Each!" he added. "Now, since you all think you're so smart, we'll just press on with our potions lessons and if you don't know the material, it's your own fault. Today we are making Curios Emotia, a potion intended to control the emotions of the person who consumes it. When asked the proper questions the influenced can experience a wide range of emotional side effects. I expect a four parchment essay on the results of your experiment, the history behind it, and the uses of this potion next class. Well, get started!" Snape waved the class off and they hurriedly got their ingredients.
Draco mixed the potion quickly, not making eye contact with Hermione. If their eyes met, she would say something and then they'd have to speak to one another.
"Alright, once it's cool you can drink it," he said, walking away before she had the chance to protest. He asked to be dismissed and hurried down the hall to the restroom. Once there, he washed his face and studied his reflection in the mirror. "It's just a ring, Draco," he reminded himself. "Mind over matter," he said, as if saying it would make him believe it more. He sighed and headed back to the classroom. As long as he kept Hermione at arm's length then he would be alright. Just as long as she didn't ask him any questions, which was why he was going to make her take the potion.
"I was thinking," Hermione said when he sat down. "Maybe we should both take the potion. There's enough for both of us to have some, and then we could test the different effects on males and females."
"I think that-"Draco began, only to be interrupted.
"That's an excellent idea, Miss Granger," Professor Snape said. "However, you will have to try it one at a time to make sure your records are adequate. I'll expect to see the results in your essays," he said, walking away. Draco glared at Hermione.
"Nice going," He said,"Now I have to waste my free time working on some stupid potions project."
"It's only fair,' Hermione pointed out. Draco heaved a sigh.
"Let's get this over with. You first," he said. Hermione took a sip of the potion, which tasted a great deal like vanilla pudding. She finished the appropriate amount and then sat there waiting for the potion to take effect. Draco looked over the list of suggested questions that accompanied the directions, then looked back up at Hermione. "How do you feel?" he asked. Hermione shrugged.
"I don't feel anything yet," she said honestly. "Maybe it takes some time to kick in," she mused. Just then a light-hearted giddy sensation rushed through her body. She smiled at Draco. "I'm feeling it now," she giggled. Draco sighed.
"I had hoped I'd never see you like this again," he muttered. Hermione giggled again.
"That's what you thought," she teased. Draco rolled his eyes and tried to remember the last time he'd seen Hermione like this. The harder he thought, the more he realized that he hadn't ever seen her like that before.
"Describe how you feel," he instructed. Hermione took a deep breath and appeared to get serious before bursting into another fit of laughter.
"Look at Hermione!" Seamus called across the classroom just then. All the students turned to look at Hermione who was having trouble staying in her chair she was laughing so hard. Ron turned and started to laugh at her.
"It reminds me of the time she came to visit me at the burrow, and she, Harry, and I snuck some of mum and dad's champagne," he told Breena, who was giving Hermione the evil eye as Draco struggled to keep from laughing at her.
"Who's Harry?" Breena asked, turning to look at Ron. Ron thought.
"I don't know, did I say something about someone named Harry?" he asked. "That's odd, I've never met anyone named Harry before."
"Professor, may I take her out for some air?" Draco asked, propping Hermione up on his shoulder. Snape waved them out the door, and Hermione stumbled along next to Draco. They made slow progress getting down the hall. Hermione seemed to be unable to control her limbs any longer, and she tripped, skinning her knee. "Careful!" Draco called, a hint of concern in his voice. Hermione looked up at him from where she was sitting on the ground and burst into tears.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I'm such a mess, and I suck at life. I can't ever do anything right," she apologized. Draco pulled her to her feet.
"What are you talking about, Hermione?" he asked. She kept crying, barely able to speak.
"I know you hate having me for a potions partner," she said, "and I know that I'm horribly boring and that no boy could ever like me, and that not even Neville finds me the slightest bit attractive. I'm just a stupid bookworm, and I scare boys off because I'm too smart and opinionated. And I know that you feel sorry for me and that's why you did all that stuff in the bathroom the other day, and I probably ruined your life because of it, and I know you must have nightmares about it."
"Whoa, hold on there," Draco said, interrupting her. "First of all, I'm really lucky to have you as a potions partner, because not only are you smart, you work fair and don't expect me to do all the work, or just do all the work yourself. And you don't scare boys away because you're smart and opinionated. Confidence is a very attractive quality in a woman. And as for what happened in the bathroom the other morning, I know you had no intention of doing anything with me. That was my fault. I was just testing you to see how far I could get. I wouldn't have taken things much further. You haven't ruined my life, I promise," he told her. Hermione sniffled.
"Are you sure?" she asked. He nodded. Hermione wiped her eyes. "We should probably go back to class."
"I don't think so," he said. "I want to make sure you're okay first. I don't want you to do anything to embarrass yourself."
"Draco, you're so sweet sometimes," Hermione cooed. Draco bit his tongue, wishing he had chosen some other words. "I mean it, gosh, you're always doing nice things for me."
"It's not a big deal," he said. Hermione threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug.
"You're the most amazing guy in the world, Draco Malfoy," she said. Draco was shocked and just stood there while she hugged him. After a while, he patted her back hesitantly. She pulled away when she felt his touch. "That was the most bizarre experience of my life," Hermione said. "All those emotions, Draco, you have to try it!"
"I think I'll pass, thanks," he said.
"But you have to, Snape is expecting something about it in our essays," she reminded him.
"Can't we just interview other students?" he asked. Hermione shook her head.
"You'll enjoy it, I promise," she said. "Everything you've been holding back comes out; it's quite wonderful, actually."
"That's what I'm afraid of, "he said to himself softly. The two headed back to the classroom to collect their belongings.
* * *
Hermione sat at a desk in the library later that night writing her essay for potions. She was hoping Draco would decide that he wanted to try the potion after all, and he was supposed to meet her there if he did. The essay was already six rolls of parchment long, and Hermione hadn't begun to cover half of the things she was supposed to.
"You know, your teachers don't even bother to read your essays, right?" Draco's voice interrupted Hermione's thoughts. "They see your name and automatically mark 100% on the top," he teased. Hermione rolled her eyes but looked up at him hopefully. "Let's go somewhere more private, huh?"
Hermione gathered her belongings and rushed out the door after Draco, until they came to the courtyard. He sat down on a bench and motioned for her to do the same. She took out a fresh parchment and quill to take notes.
"God, I'm not some bloody experiment, just talk to me normally," Draco said. He took the vial of potion out of his robe and swallowed it quickly. "At least it doesn't taste bad," he commented. Hermione smiled.
"That's true," she agreed. They sat in the courtyard enjoying the warm fall night, waiting patiently for the potion to kick in. After almost thirty minutes, Draco stood up.
"I don't think it worked," he decided.
"That's so strange," Hermione started scribbling notes. "I'm sorry I missed class, I wonder how long it took for it to work on the other boys," she looked through her bag for a potions book.
"I'm going to bed," Draco called over his shoulder as he left the courtyard. Stepping into the school building, he was suddenly overcome with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He shook his head, and turned around to rejoin Hermione.
"Did it start to work?" she asked hopefully. Draco shook his head no.
"I just thought maybe it had something to do with how fresh it is," he suggested. Hermione's brow furrowed, and she flipped through the book. Draco watched appreciatively as she licked her finger before turning a page and his thoughts drifted back to the first night of school when she'd kissed him with the Duck l'Orange still fresh on her lips. "You know you're incredibly sexy when you're frustrated," he said, running a finger down her cheek. He took her chin in his hand and guided her lips to his. She pulled away almost immediately.
"Draco, we really should concentrate," she scolded. "I don't know why this potion didn't work, and I don't want to get a bad grade because you can't keep your hormones in check."
"They're in check alright," he retorted. "Women!" he spat, throwing his hands up in the air. "You're all alike, you know that? Just tease, tease, tease; you're never happy unless you're making us men completely miserable. You're one of the worst, Hermione. You act like you're so above anything and everything sexual, but you insist on wearing those short skirts to class and those tight robes of yours to study in. And then you flip your hair, and wear that perfume, and its enough to drive any normal person insane. You pretend like you're interested and then as soon as I show any interest, or make the slightest move you slip right away from me. I'm at my wit's end, Hermione," Draco was almost yelling at her. Hermione sat there, blinking at him, unsure of what to say.
"I'm not sure of what you're referring to," she said after a while. "I'm really sorry that I'm upsetting you so much," she apologized. "I guess, I should probably go now," she said, gathering her books. Draco felt his heart breaking instantly.
"No, listen, I'm sorry," he apologized, taking her hands. She looked up into his icy blue eyes that were right now melting her soul. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. I got a little out of control."
"It's okay," Hermione said, pulling her hands away. "I think it's time for me to go anyway," she decided. Draco wasn't sure what to do, but he wanted her to stay so badly.
"Hermione, I'm sorry," he apologized again, hoping it would make a difference. "Please don't go," he begged her. Hermione turned to look at him.
"You lied to me, didn't you?" she asked. Draco plastered a look of shock on his face. "The potion did work, didn't it?"
"Yes, it's working, "he said. "I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid of what you would ask me," he said honestly. Hermione's face fell.
"What are you so afraid of?" she asked him, her voice sounding very small and meek. He looked away.
"Maybe you should go," he changed his mind. "I'll walk you," he offered. Hermione frowned.
"That's alright, I'll be just fine," she said, and left the courtyard. Draco closed his eyes and after a moment, wiped a tear from his cheek.
"If this is what PMS feels like, I have a completely new respect for the female race," he said to himself before heading back to his dorm.
* * *
Hermione flopped onto her bed and buried her face in a pillow. She was so frustrated with Draco Malfoy at that moment that she thought she would explode. But at the same time, her heart went out to him. He was suffering with some kind of secret that he didn't want anyone to know, not even Hermione, whom he should be able to trust. But why did she feel like that? Why did she feel like she was special to him? So special that he should be able to tell her everything? She thought back to when he had been ranting at her earlier. When he had been yelling, the things he had said had made so much sense, but then when she tried to remember the events he was talking about she couldn't remember them. Hermione let out a frustrated sigh and sat up.
Drying her eyes, she headed down to the Prefect's bathroom to mull things over during a nice warm bath. As she slid into the water, her ring slipped off her finger and fell to the bottom of the tub.
"Darn it," she said, and ducked under the water. She tried to feel for it with her hand, but couldn't find it, so she opened her eyes, hoping the soap wouldn't sting terribly. Much to her surprise, the water didn't irritate her eyes at all. In fact, it was almost soothing. Catching a glimpse of her ring, she dove under and grabbed it. Before she put it back on, she dried it carefully with her towel, not wanting the metal to rust. Squinting, she tried to scrape off what looked like dirt on the inside. Looking closer, she gasped and dropped the ring. Draco had lied to her. Inscribed inside the ring were the words: For Hermione with love, Draco.