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All You Wanted Chapter 10: A Conversation

Hermione and Draco didn't bother to hide their relationship outside of their room. After all if anyone wanted to harm Hermione they would conveniently forget just what it was they wanted to do to her. That was Draco's main concern so he was happy. Unfortunately he still had trouble with the inner demons. The knife he had used to cut himself hadn't been thrown out. He didn't have any fresh cuts, but the knife had been his refuge for so long he could not stand to get rid of it. When his mind got too much for him he would take it out and he'd fiddle with the knife. Hermione would find him with the knife and would sit with him until he told her what it was he had taken the knife out for.

Hermione was affecting Draco in ways that he had never thought that a single human could do. She understood him. It was odd to him to let his guard down to her. She always had a sympathetic ear when he needed it or a temper when he was getting out of line. He hadn't quite told her all that he felt. But here at Hogwarts, they had time. Time for the both of them to figure everything that they needed to figure out together.

Neither one was keen on rushing anything. Draco had stopped particularly passionate moments so they would not do something that together they were not ready for. The last thing Draco or Hermione needed was a physical relationship to mess up what they had worked hard to gain.

Draco's knife stayed in its drawer for longer periods of time, and instead he would let Hermione be his release. It was so much easier now that they knew that the other had similar feelings. Just the fact that they slept most nights on the couch together made things much easier on both minds.

On one of the days when Draco was away from Hermione during the day Harry came up to him.

"Malfoy, can we talk," Harry asked from behind.

Completely off guard Draco turned to face Harry, "Why?"

"Just because, well there is a purpose. Humor me. Come on," Harry motioned for a corner on the side of a stair well where no one usually went.

"What is it?" Why am I talking to him? Draco thought.

"I wanted to thank you for taking care of Hermione."

"What are you talking about, Potter?"

"Honestly, I couldn't do it. As much as I'm in love with her I can't take care of her. My destiny has already been chosen for me. Yours, however, is not. You choose to break from your family."

"How do you know that I turned from my family?"

"That Malfoy left over the summer. I didn't see it until you took Hermione to the hospital wing. Then I knew that you weren't your father."

"I was never my father."

"You sure as hell put on a very convincing act of it then."

"Is that all you wanted to say?"

"No. I really thank you. I love Hermione. She doesn't know and I don't want her to know. She has you now. I don't have to worry about that when it's time for my destiny to come. I know that you and I aren't anywhere close to being friends. We common ground that we have is Hermione. We both want her to be happy. Only you can give her the life that she wants. The life that she needs. I'm not asking you this. I'm telling you that you have to be there for Hermione when she needs you."

"Do you really think that I could let her down like that?"

"No, I don't think you would. I have to say it for myself. I've tried for so long to push her to you. I never trusted you, Malfoy. At least, not until I saw how you were with Hermione. I now trust you to make Hermione happy."

Draco nodded. His head was spinning from what this conversation had brought to light. Harry was in love with Hermione, Harry trusted him with Hermione, and Harry even tried to put them together. Draco wondered if Harry had gone crazy. Harry had let the girl he loved go to another person. Harry even helped her to it.

"Why do you want me to know this?"

"I just have to get it off my chest. And you have a right to know that I'm in love with her. Although, I wouldn't dream of letting her know. You are the one for her. I am meant to be her friend. At least I know that you'll be good to her.

"Why do you want me to know this?"

"I just have to say so. I want to make sure that Hermione is okay when I won't be able to see to in the future."

"You talk like you're leaving."

"I don't know what will happen I just want to make sure that it'll all be alright no matter what happens."

He had a new respect for Harry. It was obvious that he was in Gryffindor. He helped everyone and looked at the future of the ones that would be affected and not for himself. Harry was willing to let go of his love just so the pain of what was to come would be eased.

This got Draco thinking about what life would be for Hermione if Harry wasn't The Boy Who Lived. It was a life that he himself would not be it. And Hermione would have been happy. Draco knew that Harry knew this. Harry wanted him to take the place of what Harry would have been. Draco would not want to be in Harry's place. Giving up Hermione would kill Draco. Maybe that was why Harry's conversation seemed like the end.