Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and places created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: Sorry, this chapter is short again, the chapters just always seem to end before I want them to. Maybe I should elaborate more..

Ch 12- The Truth

…He couldn't hold it in any longer, he had to tell her. His mind was racing and his heart was beating. He knew what he wanted to do, it was just so hard. What would she do… Draco had been fantasizing about this moment for weeks, but now that he was about to do it, it really didn't seem like it would turn out as he had planned. What if after he told her she laughed at him.. Or worse, what if she was disgusted at the thought.

All through Draco's thoughts, Hermione sat looking at him patiently. An eternity passed as Draco looked at Hermione and contemplated what to do, how to tell her. She sat there, knowing he had to say something, but not wanting to push him into it. Finally, Draco said extremely slowly, "Hermione, do you remember how we became friends?" Draco cringed at the last word.

"Of course, Draco. It seems like so long ago now that we've been through so much, but I do remember. I remember that night Harry asked me out…" she paused, as if remembering, "wow, I haven't thought about that night for a long time… but that was the first time I felt a real connection to you. It had been a horrible night, but I went back into the castle that day in a wonderful mood, and it was because of you."

Draco sighed. "I felt the same way, Hermione"

"Speaking of Harry, he had another tantrum last night.."

"What?" Draco said, nearly forgetting what he was about the tell Hermione, "What did he do?"

"Well, it's been a while since any of his anger has been directed at me so it came as a shock. I handled it, though. He doesn't scare me anymore, I've gotten used to it… It just upsets me that we were such good friends such a short time ago and now look at him. I'm not at all close to Ron anymore either, we're still friends, but Ron is always hanging around Fred and George now.."

"And you're always with David"

"Well, that's not exactly who I was thinking of, I was never close to him, really. He's an amusing guy, but nothing more than that, he has no brains, no compassion, no dignity… What I was going to say is that I have been spending all my time with you"

"Not recently, you haven't"

"Well, yes but I thought I explained that to you. I'm sorry anyways, it was just a selfish game I was playing with David, leading him on, you know.. I really would have rather spent the time with you"

"I would have rather you spent the time with me, too. I missed you Hermione, more than you know"

"I missed you too, Draco" she said and hugged him again

"Hermione, okay, I'd better get this over with. I have changed so much since I knew you, I used to be a cocky pureblood-obsessed son of a bitch who didn't care about anyone but myself or anything but galleons… The point is I like the change, and I like the reason for the change, you…" Draco hesitated, "I like you so much Hermione, at first I tried to fight it or ignore and hope it went away, but it didn't.. in the last few months it just intensified and I like you even more now…I guess now it makes a lot more sense why I was so upset by David."

Hermione sat looking at Draco seriously. His heart was still beating and he was now wondering if he had made the right choice in telling her.

"Yea… yea, it does make more sense… I- I don't know what to say, Draco…"

Draco looked into her eyes, "I know… I don't know what I expected you to say, I'm sorry, this was a mistake, I should have just kept it to myself"

"no, no. I'm glad you told me, I think. I just need some time to think this through. You are the sweetest guy I know, and we are such good friends, I just want to think about this before I say anything"

Draco smiled.. That didn't sound so bad. "Sure. Just tell me when you're done thinking, okay?"

"I will… See you later" She got up and left the Room without looking back.