"Damnit, Malfoy," Blaise growled.

The two were inches apart, Draco's back flat against the Slytherin hallway. The blonde had just entered the portal after walking Hermione to her own house when Blaise had cornered him. Now the blonde and auburn were glaring daggers at each other, and Draco was becoming fairly pissed off.

"What the hell is this about, Zabini?" Draco asked, though he knew exactly what was going on.

Blaise simply narrowed his gaze further and icily replied, "I know where you were...who you were with," and Draco's mouth went dry. For some inexplicable reason he found himself wary of being in the hallway with no one present, though he matched Blaise in height and build.

"Do you know that she dreams about me every night?" he continued. "She remembers."

Draco found that this piece of information could go many ways in his mind, and had to steady himself before hissing, "Hermione is mine now, Blaise. You lost your chance. Have a go with Pansy, why don't you? I don't need her anymore." He knew that would rile Blaise.

Before either could continue the ill-fated conversation, a scuffling was heard at the end of the dark hallway and Blaise muttered a curse. With one last glance at Draco, and a glare that clearly said "touch her once more and you're mine," the Slytherin turned with a swish of his robes, leaving Draco to encounter Goyle, who was coming ever closer to where the boy stood.

Straightening himself and brushing his ever-clean attire free of dirt, Draco prepared himself for Goyle's questioning look. But none came - instead, he simply walked right past as if Draco wasn't even there, which punched a hole in the boy's ego. He was too thoroughly disturbed to bother correcting the oaf, though. Realizing that he couldn't possibly intrude on what was now Blaise's territory, Draco reluctantly exited.

"Bloody hell, Hermione!" Ron gaped.

The girl sighed. She had seen it coming. Now, standing awkwardly in front of her two best friends, she seemed to see her former life pass before her as Harry seemed lost for words.

"Look, before you come to - "

"I SAW YOU! YOU AND THAT...THAT BLOODY FERRET! IN THE ROOM! ALONE! HANDS ON YOUR..." he exploded.

"Hands on my what, Ron? Arse?" Hermione's lips twitched as Ron's face grew increasingly more red.

The redhead stood, lost for words. At last he managed to get out, "It's Malfoy!"

"I realize that, Ron."

By this time, however, Harry had stepped in. Putting a hand on Ron's shoulder to steady him, Harry peered inquisitively into Hermione's eyes, which troubled her. It was painful for her to sincerely look into his eyes; she didn't want to bring up memories of their flame. She knew he wanted her...and that was why it made her heart ache to think that she was another loss of his, ever since Sirius had gone.

"Harry..." she started.

He cut her off, holding up his other hand. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Reluctant as she was, Hermione could see his point. Draco was widely known as the heart-breaker of Hogwarts. He had his way with the girls, and then tossed them into the ever-growing pile. It made her sick to think that she was being used, but her gut feeling pushed her to go with it.

She sat down next to Harry, the candlelight blazing above. Leaning closer, she replied, with hesitation, "I need to see him, Harry."

This was obviously hurtful. He looked down and didn't say anything for a long while, until at last he looked up again at Ron, who merely nodded before retiring to the adjoining room.

After Ron had left them, Harry spoke. "The offer is still there." His eyes had such a deep sore in them that it made Hermione's heart swell.

She only repeated, "I need to see him," and Harry turned away.

Hermione left him to be alone. She wanted so desperately to comfort him, but she knew that by staying there she was only a living presence of the thing he could not have. Pushing once at the portrait from behind, she left the house and stood in the hallway, silent tears masking her face.

It wasn't long before Draco found the girl, weeping alone. Coming up from behind he lay his arms across her waist and leaned his head down to kiss away the tears. A small smile brightened her face as he turned to face her.

"Alright?" he simply asked.

Holding her head up and wiping the remaining tears away, she nodded, thankful for his minimal questioning.

"Come on," he said, offering her his hand. She took it and the two agreed without words that this was it.

All the students passing by the two in the main hall caught a glimpse of Draco meeting his lips with his lovers'.

You know what matter to me,

I'm in the wide open space.

You offer me so much,

I fly away.

Song lyrics (c) 4 Strings, from the song "Fly Away"