AN- Ok, people, listen up! I know many of you are looking forward to the rest of this story, and I HAVE found a way to post the rest a home. It's not as correct, and there's no spell check so it might be a little sloppier, but I want you all to know that there is a future for this story. You will see the end, don't worry. However, you WON'T see it if I don't get any reviews! Reviews make me think people actually like this story, so no reviews = no story. Got it? Thank you. Now, on with the new chapter!
This song is the cross that I bear. Bear it with me, bear it with me, bear it with me. Be with me tonight.
-"Hermione, can I talk to you?"
Hermione turned and faced Harry. She crossed her arms, her face set in impatience. Harry gestured to a room nearby that was empty and asked, 'Please? I promise, it won't take long." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine."
He held the door open and then shut it after them. She stood facing him. "Well?"
He ran his hands through his hair, partly from nervousness, partly from frustration with Hermione and her hostile attitude. He leaned against a desk and looked at her through his bangs, heaved a sigh and went for it. "Look, Hermione, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. You were right, I DO try to control things too much. I was just worried about you."
She turned her back on him and stared out the window. Feeling like he was losing his chance, Harry hurried on, trying to keep her from interrupting him so he could say what he needed to.
"You're my best friend. I feel like I need to protect you more because I care about you more. You're like a sister to me. I didn't want to see you hurt, and I overreacted. I'm sorry."
She didn't answer. Thinking he'd lost her, he desperately said her name, "Hermione..." She turned to face him and he saw the tears going down her face. Guilt and understanding was rushing through her mind.
"Harry," she sobbed, "I'm... I just can't... I'm sorry." And she ran past him through the door.
Malfoy, having seen her go into the room with Harry, was standing outside the door and she ran into him. He looked at her and rage spread across his face. He went around her and started towards the door. Reaching it, he flung it open, his wand in his hand.
"Potter!" he roared. Harry had out his wand in a flash and they stood facing each other for a second, then Draco went for Harry, wand pointed straight at Harry's chest.
"No!" Hermione screamed, and both of them froze. Not from surprise, they simply couldn't move. Harry looked past Draco and saw Hermione standing in the door, her wand pointed at them, her shoulders shaking. She wiped her eyes with the wandless hand and let out a shuddering sigh.
"Harry," she said as she walked into the room, "Draco is the person I've been seeing. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't tell you."
Draco's eyes were fixed on Harry, and they gleamed with anger. "Hermione," he was trying hard t keep his voice calm for her sake, "Please let me go so I can reduce this bastard to pond scum."
She looked at him. "Draco, Harry didn't make me cry. I was just upset," she added firmly, "He didn't do anything."
His eyes went from her to Harry and back, then said, "All right. I believe you." The strange frozen feeling disappeared and both young men relaxed, but only slightly. They both were struggling with feelings of animosity and distrust, but both also cared for Hermione, each in his own way.
Hermione drew Draco away to explain what had happened. Harry studied Draco and the way he was treating Hermione. He was bending down and listening to her, fixed on her face and he held onto her arm as she spoke. Harry hated to admit it, but Draco was acting like he truly did care. He also saw how Hermione acted. She smiled more when she spoke to him, and her face was more open.
Hermione turned and looked at him, an anxiously hopeful look on her face. "Harry, please don't tell anyone? It's hard to keep this a secret, I know, but please don't."
He looked from Hermione's hopeful face to Draco's mask and nodded. Draco relaxed only a bit more, but Hermione hugged him, thanking him over and over.
AN- Awww... happy ending. Or is it? (dun dun duuunnnn!) Ok, the next chapter will be shorter, but that's the way I want it to be so don't yell at me in the MANY reviews you'll be posting (right? [nudges with elbow threatenily, but can't hold a straight face and ends up laughing at self and you] sorry) AAAAAAaaaaanyway, let me know what you thought, and remember, all criticism is welcome, as long as there's an absence of malice. (Ugh, bad movie! had to watch it in English! shudders) You have yourself a nice day, now, y'hear?