Author's Note: I've been getting tons of reviews that say, "I wish they'd just get together already." And I just wanted to warn you: it gets worse before it gets better. I understand the frustration, because it's getting sortof angsty. I feel bad for drawing this out, but it is sortof the 'rising action' in the plot and it has to have more tension and dramatics. So, please understand. I'll try and make it up to you. There are some cutesy "Aww" moments in the upcoming chapters.
Thanks: Gryffindor620, amber-rules, hyparly4suger, Dracoandhermioneforever88, Lady Paine, reviewer, fionger, CassandraTheEvil, Elfaghetti, flirtytype214 (Oh, I'll continue! So dun worry.), Jasmijn, DMTAB (I never really thought of introducing Harry and Ron into the story. I'm not sure how I'd work it in so late in the game, but I'll give it some thought. You always have interesting idears!), Faydra, citcat299, Gopher2806, V0xLoS (I hope you'll like the chapter more.), Sofa Girl, midnight solitaire (I think we all want to be in Hermione's place!!), foxxglove, alka (Yep, my first.), xmaverickf14x, Saiyachick, mesmer, HealerAriel (Yeah, He's pretty hot!), Luna Gypsy, ckrfan (I'm glad someone picked up on that! My favorite part!), and Amanda (Yay, long review! Awh, that's so nice. Oh, and you better have another unrelated topic for me! But, um, you must really like my little story, eh? You're such a sweetheart for actually reviewing twice. You (and perhaps your singing ) actually made me get back to writing. I've been having terrible block on this. It's awful for me, because Draco and Hermione have to fight. Oh well... Thanks. You really made meh smile.)
Chapter Eleven: At the End of the Day
Hermione slowly opened her eyes, and she could feel the corners of her mouth curve slightly upwards into the beginning of a smile. Draco was still asleep, his platinum hair was in his eyes and he looked so peaceful and innocent. Very much unlike his usual devilishly handsome self when he was awake.
His leg was wrapped around hers and his arm was draped over her protectively. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent and when she opened her eyes again she found him looking down into them.
"Morning," He said, grinning and she hoped he couldn't see the blush creeping across her cheeks. She could feel them burning and she nestled her face into her pillow, hoping to hide her embarrassment.
She mumbled what Draco could only assume to be "Good Morning," as her voice was muffled from the pillow.
Draco's grin broadened even more as he watched her, making no obvious move to get up. He laid there, just enjoying the fact that they were close. This was definitely something he could get used to, he thought as he watched her hide her face from him.
And he was about to... When a knock sounded against Hermione's door, causing her to jump up, sliding further away from him on the bed.
"Time for you two lovebirds to get up." Marilyn's voice called from the hall. Hermione's cheeks, which had just recovered from the last blush, now turned a most adorable shade of pink, or so Draco liked to think.
He grinned broadly, watching a murderous look flit across Hermione's delicate features as he sat up.
'I'm going to kill Marilyn,' Hermione thought as she clutched the sheet, holding it against her, feeling modest for whatever reason even though her camisole kept her decent enough. "I'll— we'd better go..." She said, her voice small.
He nodded, watching her scoot out of the room and he let himself fall back down onto the bed.
Why did everything have to be so bloody complicated?
()()()()()()()()()()
At the end of the day, when all of their acting was put aside, when it was only the two of them a somber feeling overcame both of them. It was a sadness that they both tried to ignore by getting lost in the normal day-after-Christmas events.
Yes, December twenty-sixth went by rather quickly. It was mostly a blur to both Hermione and Draco. They spent most of their time doing typical family Christmas things.
The kids, for the most part, played with their new toys and snuck leftover gingerbread men. The adults sat around, enjoying each other's company until it was time for them to get back on the road. Most of Hermione's relatives left, all but Marilyn and Connor, who stayed so they could have some free time to themselves without the kids, who were going to go and spend some time with their grandparents. It left the house rather empty.
Draco even caught himself missing Hermione's family. He didn't want to admit it, but he loved every part of this family life. He loved the laughing and the good times and the happiness that filled him.
He wanted to be a part of it. For real. And that was his downfall. He knew it would never be real. He realized Hermione would never really love him, so why should he waste his time? He would just play along with this façade for the remainder of the holidays and then he'd be out of her life forever.
"Hermione," He said, sitting on the bed as she pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
"Hermione," He repeated when she did not give him her full attention, something he had found himself wanting more and more lately. "What are you going to tell your mum?"
"What do you mean?" She asked as she settled down next to him, pulling the covers over her lap.
"I mean after—" He stopped, not wanting to say it, but knowing he could prolong it no longer, "after we, you know, 'break up'." He said looking over at her trying to cover the sad look in his eyes. She was staring at the wall in front of her, her eyes blank, any and all emotion draining from them.
"Well, I suppose we could have a fight while you're here." She said, looking over at him. "It would be easier that way, I guess. I wouldn't have to explain it to Mum... she could just overhear."
"When?" Draco said simply, his voice devoid of any emotion. He suddenly sounded like the Ice Prince of Hogwarts again.
"Well tomorrow." She said, her voice remarkably similar to his. Then suddenly, she realized she wanted to spend a little more time with him, "Tomorrow night. Then you'll leave..." She added softly, her voice faint.
A part of her wished that he would argue that point. A part wished that he would tell her that there was no reason to fight, because he really did love her. But then her practical side took over and she shook her head, ridding her mind of that notion. He would never love her. She reached over turning off the side table lamp.
Draco stayed sitting up for a moment, leaning against the bed's headboard, letting it sink in. This would be his last night being a part of this. Then he looked over at Hermione, watching her body bathed in the moonlight spilling in from the window. God, how he'd miss her. How he came to love her in a few short days. He slid down beside her, knowing it would be the last night he'd be next to her.
()()()()()()()()()()
The sound of two yelling voices could be heard through the kitchen door. Hermione didn't have the heart to start a fight right there in front of her parents, so she pulled Draco into the kitchen, deciding that it would be easier in there. But it wasn't. Draco leaving could never be easy for her. But they fought nonetheless.
"I can't believe you said that!" Hermione yelled, straining her voice, "I thought..." She started, her breathing ragged, "I thought that we... you..." She had gone into hysterics. What had started out as an act, their pretend fight, had turned into quite a real way of letting out her emotions.
"I know we have our differences. I know I've said things... But we can work this out." Came Draco's pleading voice. The bitter irony of the situation had slowly been breaking his heart and now it was almost completely in half.
"J- just leave." She said, her voice quiet and broken.
He knew it was over. She'd be gone from his life forever. He'd lose her. She was slipping away from him and he desperately wanted to hold on.
He shouldn't have, but he couldn't control himself. His lips pressed against hers. The kiss had started out rather rough, but then it turned into a frantic, pleading one, the salt of her tears on his tongue.
No, she thought. This was too much for her to handle and she pushed him away from her. He staggered back a few steps, then his grey eyes met hers and he looked at her for one last time. Her eyes were red and wet and her lips were swollen and slightly parted. He knew it was over and he spun around on his heel, walking outside in defeat.
She managed to follow him at least out into the front hallway. She stumbled back against the wall for support, as her legs were too weak and she slid to the ground. She brushed her fingertips over her tender lips. She could still taste him.
()()()()()()()()()()
Marilyn couldn't help but overhear. She was going into the kitchen, for a reason she couldn't remember after hearing... well, what she heard. When Draco stormed out into the hall, she hid in the dining room, not wanting to be seen.
She peeked around the corner, seeing her cousin's crumpled form, hunched against the wall. She slowly moved over towards her and went to embrace her, but Hermione tried to push her away, mumbling, "No..."
Hermione struggled in her arms, but Marilyn wouldn't let her go. Marilyn knew Hermione too well. They were family. They were friends. And Marilyn knew enough about her to know that as much as Hermione wanted to be alone, she needed comfort.
Hermione finally realized that and relented, allowing her cousin to hold her. She shut her eyes tightly, leaning on Marilyn's shoulder.
And Hermione cried. Because at the end of the day, she was still alone.