Author's Notes:

Hello to everyone! Sorry if it took a long time for the sixth chapter to be written. It did not come out as exceptional, though. I also wasn't able to make any revisions since I was hasting in finishing this. I still hope you like this. This is not really my best, but I'll try to make the seventh and eighth chapter unforgettable (oh)… So read and review, guys! The next chapters might come out this week. I love you all! ;-) Thanks to all of my reviewers, especially Ms. Garner. Hope you update your fic soon. :D

Dedication: This is dedicated to God, first of all, then to my best friend Franz Alexa, then to my most consistent reviewer, hermionegarner! I love these three so much! ;-)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Period!

After the Hogsmeade visit, Ron and Hermione were closer than ever. As expected, Draco felt taken for granted. Everytime he visited Hermione's place, Ron would be there. It was so hard for him to find time to talk to Hermione alone.

Summer passed by quickly. Draco did not even realize how near Hermione's birthday was. Finding out it would be two weeks from that time, he immediately thought of possible ways on how to surprise her on her birthday. He wanted to make her feel special and loved. And how he wished Ron would not interfere with his plans.

He phoned Hermione some time before her birthday. He did not give a single indication though that he remembered. He wanted her to be really surprised.

"Hermione! Hey, this is Draco. Just want to hear your voice for a while," he said sweetly, trying to flatter Hermione.

Hermione was grinning on the other line. "Oh yeah? Well, I also wanted to talk to you for some time. Haven't seen you for three days already. Where have you been?" she asked him.

"Well, if that Ron would just let me have some time to see you. I wanted to talk to you alone," he said seriously. Hermione felt uneasy. Draco was always playful whenever he talked to her.

"I'm really sorry. You see, he is my best friend. We just missed each other a lot. Hey, let's not talk about him. Let's talk about something happy," she said, trying to sound jolly. She did not want Draco to feel bad.

Draco looked sad on the other line though. "You sure you just miss him?" he asked, jealousy obvious in his voice. Hermione sighed.

"Yes, I am sure. He is my best friend for eight years, after all," explained Hermione. But she asked the same question to herself – Was she really sure she just missed Ron?

"Oh, I see. Hey, can I come over to your place? I want to talk to you personally. We'll feel more comfortable if we talk face-to-face," Draco suggested. He wanted to take advantage of the time.

"Sure, I won't mind. It's still morning, isn't it? I'll just refuse if it's quite late," she said happily. Draco beamed on the other line.

"Okay, wait for me then!" and he hung up. Not long after, Hermione heard a pop behind her.

"Hey, Draco!" she cried. She looked pleased to see him once more. Draco was happier, though.

They both slumped themselves on the sofa. Hermione playfully threw a pillow at him while laughing like a hyena. Draco threw one at her, too.

After they had their pillow fight, both were laughing out loud like maniacs. It took a while for them to cool down. Both were still giggling a bit after a minute or so.

"That was a hell lot of fun!" Hermione said in between her laughs. Draco snickered.

"Yeah, that was!" he answered. "And I hope I'll have more moments like that with you."

His words made Hermione stop laughing. Draco looked at her.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

It took seconds before Hermione could answer back. "Nothing, I just, felt a bit guilty for not spending some time with you."

Draco smiled sadly. "That's nothing. We can still have fun in the future. There will still be a lot of opportunities."

"Yeah, I know, but I should have tried to give you more attention. I was too occupied with Ron that I didn't realize I was already taking you for granted," she answered, feeling really sorry. Draco held her hand and kissed it.

"That's nothing, I'm telling you. I understand how you must have missed Ron these past few months. I know he's your best friend," he said reassuringly. Somehow, Hermione still sensed the sadness in his eyes.

"No, I know it's not nothing. Draco, I know you feel pushed aside. But I really did not intend to make you feel that way. I'm really sorry," she said sincerely. Draco gave her a big grin.

"Shouldn't be sorry. Okay, I admit I felt taken for granted, but being with you right now makes up for all those times I felt that way. Nothing to worry about, 'Mione. And I will always understand because I love you," he said, trying to conceal his overwhelming sentiments. Hermione looked at him, surprised to feel Draco's emotions. She did not think before that they were that strong.

"Draco, look at me," she asked him. Draco did as she told.

"You just don't know how grateful I am to have you right now. You proved to be a good friend besides all of your taunting when we were still at school. And I'm also grateful for having a suitor whose feelings are true as I see in you now," Hermione told him. She smiled.

Hermione's words made Draco very happy. He was smiling so lovingly at her that Hermione felt guilty of always being with Ron.

"You know what, 'Mione? It feels wonderful to be with you right now. Others really don't believe that I've changed for the better. They think that I'm just playing with your feelings, that I don't really love you. I know how nasty I was when we were still at school. I know how I must've insulted you for being a Muggle-born. But I repent on all of these. I'm really not bad, you know. It's just what I was taught to do, to hate Muggle-borns, to always feel superior to anyone. But I don't want to be that kind of guy anymore. And you know who made me realize that I could also be a good person? You. To tell you the truth, you really are not a looker. But something made you stand out. And it was your soul. I dunno, but I was charmed by it. Remember the time when I was in danger and you still saved me despite of the things I was doing to you?" he told Hermione. Tears were already starting to form in his eyes. He tried to hide them, but in vain.

Hermione felt overwhelmed with what he said. She could not find the proper words to say, and that was why she was stammering when she answered him.

"Ye-yeah, I do re-remembe-ber," she replied. Draco smiled, recalling more of the incident.

"That was the time when I realized someone still cared for me even if I was the greatest git at Hogwarts. And that was the time I realized you were actually good. During that time, I was feeling so bad for always giving you a hard time. And I want you to know again that I really am sorry. If not for you I would not have escaped that ravening werewolf," he told her thankfully. "I was actually stupid for forgetting the right spells to aim at the beast," Draco said, feeling playful. Hermione gave a chuckle.

"No, you weren't stupid. If I were in your place I might have also forgotten what spell to perform. Just did a bit of Impediment Curse and a Stunning Charm. I did not even think I would be able to perform it on an animal that big," she explained to him, trying not to please herself. Draco snorted.

"No, you cannot deny the fact that I really was stupid. But thanks anyway," he answered jokingly. Both of them guffawed.

"Would you like some coffee?" asked Hermione, remembering her manners. Draco nodded.

"But I won't be staying long, I still have to do some errand for my mother."

Hermione smiled and nodded. She then went to the kitchen and made some coffee for the two of them. She went back to the living room and put the cups on the center table. She sat down beside Draco. She did not expect him to look as miserable as how he looked at that time, though.

Draco looked wretched. He did not even prevent his tears from falling on his handsome face.

"Draco?" Hermione tried to call his attention. Draco jumped in surprise, realizing she had already come back from the kitchen. He quickly wiped his tears away.

"Oh, hey. Sorry. Anyways, thanks for the coffee." He sipped some from his cup and felt warmth gush inside him.

Hermione looked at him wonderingly. "Is there something wrong, Draco? You know I can always be your confidant," she assured him. Draco shook his head.

"I better solve this problem alone. And I know what to do anyway," he answered. He took another sip from his cup.

"Is it about me, or Ron?" Hermione inquired. Draco shook his head again.

"Don't ask me questions anymore. If I say yes, it wouldn't change anything. Just want to tell you this, Hermione. Please haste in your thinking. I want to know who you really want. I will accept whatever your decision will be. Just please haste," he told her softly, trying not to sound harsh. "I'll leave now."

"Okay," answered Hermione. Both of them stood up and gave each other a slight hug. Draco grinned at her.

"Does that mean a yes?" he asked and then kissed her on the cheek. Before Hermione could answer, he disappeared.

Hermione smiled at the kiss. She relaxed herself at the couch and thought of the things that happened that morning. Thinking about Draco's visit, she would smile, then scowl, then smile again. Just then, a thought entered her mind.

"He didn't remember my birthday."