Chapter 8: Goodbye

Draco didn't go into the common room until almost nine that night. He was having an argument with himself, over Hermione. What had happened? He hadn't meant to say that little bit out loud, but he had, and she had heard, of course. Normally that would have never happened, but it always seemed to around her. It was okay, he reasoned with himself, because he had seen the way she reacted, and that got his brain going. After so many hours he got tired of thinking about what seemed unsolvable. So he decided to just go to bed early, but he couldn't get to sleep, so he went to check the journal. What he read nearly gave him a heart attack.

Lightning,

Hey. Something terrible has happened. Two terrible things actually. I feel as though the world is tearing apart right beneath my feet. I won't be writing any more, at all. It's over. And that's why I'm going to trust you as I never have and tell you the truth. You're the only person to ever know me like this, and you probably always will be. I'm in Gryffindor, and I hate the colors gold and scarlet together. They just clash too much. I think Hagrid brings too many dangerous animals to class. My hair is straight and I get it permed every summer. I think I might be in love with Draco Malfoy. And finally, my name is Hermione Granger. My family is coming to Hogwarts, and I'll be forced to spend Christmas with them. My world is falling and I'm still pretending everything is fine. And I always will. Things are different now. I won't be writing. You can continue to if you want, I won't tell anyone. Just as I'm trusting you not to tell anyone about me. For the last time, I say goodbye.

Thunder

His brain was in overdrive. It was Hermione? Hermione Granger was Thunder? It was so outrageous, so unbelievable. As his head was trying to wrap itself around this new information, Hermione was outside his door, debating whether or not to knock. Before she let herself think anymore, she was knocking. He opened the door with wide eyes, full of newfound knowledge. Draco started when he saw her standing there. She looked at his bare chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I just needed to talk to you."

"Oh?" He ran a hand through his hair.

"If you'd rather not, we can talk tomorrow." She turned to leave.

"No! No, it's fine. I…we can talk now." He tried to control his breathing. She eyed him.

"Are you okay?" He must have recently read the journal.

"Yeah, I'm fine." How can you act so normal if you love me?

"You're sure." He's confused.

"Yes." If she can, I can. Right? Well, I can try.

"Okay, then. Well, my family is coming for Christmas, and I would like for them to stay here. Dumbledore can always make room, but you must not tell anyone. If you can't keep a secret, then they won't." Please say no! Say they can't!

"Uh, I guess so? But – "

"Yes, I know. How can they come here if they're muggles? I don't know, ask Dumbledore. Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll keep it a secret."

"All right." Bummer! I don't want them here!

"Okay…"

"Right, well, goodnight."

"Yeah, 'night."

Hermione turned and went into her own room. Draco shut the door to his. Both were breathing heavily, both wishing they had said something else. Draco spent the whole night up, thinking about it all. He had no clue what to do.

The day before Christmas break, he still didn't know what to do. Every time he thought he was going to talk to her about it, his brain would take a step in and get worried. And then he wouldn't say anything. It would seem so simple, but then when he got close, all these thoughts would come in and confuse him, worry him. Right then, it would seem so difficult and he would suddenly loose his nerve. Of course, Hermione never let on to anything, and she never said anything. Lunch was just getting over, and Hermione was about to leave for the library. Really she just wanted to get away from everybody, but today just didn't seem to be her day.

"Hermione, wait up!" Ron came running after her, so she was forced to stop.

"Yes, Ron?" What do you want?

"Do you wanna go for a walk?"

"Now?"

"Yeah"

"Uh, I guess."

"Great."

They walked out and Draco saw Harry give Ron the thumbs up sign. Draco moved his gaze to Ron, and saw him trying to subtly brush his hand against hers. She must have noticed, since she moved to cross her arms. That was the last he saw of them, as the doors closed. He fumed silently, but couldn't do anything. People would notice if he suddenly decided to get up and leave, especially after just witnessing the 'thing' between Hermione and Ron. Everyone in Hogwarts wanted them to get together, after all, they would make just 'the cutest couple'. He wanted to barf just thinking about it. He would have to covertly check it out, which meant making snide comments. Damn, he was really trying to not do that anymore.

They were silently making their way about the castle. Finally, Hermione spoke.

"Ron, was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, yes, actually. Hermione, I…Would you…maybe...want to…go out sometime?"

"You mean, out on a date?"

He blushed scarlet. "Um…yeah…"

"Ron, I don't know…"

"Oh, come on Hermione…It would be fun…I, I really like you."

"Ron, please! Stop. I really don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not? Hermione, I think I might –"

"Stop! Ron, look, you may think you really like me, but…you don't really know me."

"What are you talking about? Of course I know you, you're one of my best friends!"

"Ron, there are things about me that no one knows, and I don't think you would like them. You deserve someone who would devote their time to you in a way that I can't."

"But I want you, not someone else. I know you're a bit obsessive about your work, but I'm willing to deal with that."

"A bit obsessive? What exactly is that supposed to mean!"

"Hermione, please! This isn't going how I wanted it too at all. I don't get you! Everybody said you liked me too."

"You shouldn't always listen to what people say Ron. I'm sorry, but I really do think we'd be better off as friends."

"Wha…Do you like someone else?"

"What? No, that's…preposterous."

"No it's not! Who is it? What do they have that I don't?"

"Nothing, Ron. I just don't like you like that. I'm going to go now, alright?"

"But, but…"

"Ron, there's nothing else I can do. I…I don't like you like that. Don't you see it wouldn't be a good relationship? We're always fighting; we have different views on so many things, and just think about if we broke up. It would be awkward and weird for everyone, even Harry. I'm sorry Ron, but the only relationship I want with you is a friendly one. I'm leaving now."

This time, she didn't wait for Ron to respond, and once she had turned the corner, she started to run. Turning another corner, she ran straight into someone. Looking up, she saw it was Draco. She pulled herself up.

"Sorry Malfoy, I should've been looking where I was going."

"Yes, you should have, but I'm more curious as to why you were running. Don't tell me Weasel's finally decided to come out to you."

"That, is none of your business. However yes, and it was a very awkward situation to get out of. But I'm sure you must have to deal with that all the time. Please excuse me." She made to move, but he moved in front of her once again.

"How did the weasel take it? He didn't start crying, did he?" He said the last part excitedly.

"Please move, Malfoy. I'm quite tired, and I have to get ready for my next class."

"Oh, I could never keep Granger away from her classes, dear god no. Go on." He swept his arm out and moved aside. She eyed him, trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

"Okay then…" She slowly moved passed him, and then started walking quickly away, keenly aware that his gaze was following her. Meanwhile, she had no idea how happy her little comments had made him. She didn't go with Ron, and that was the important thing. He hadn't been sure how far she would take the pretending, but now she knew. She would wait for him. That was what gave him the guts to go ahead and make a plan. A plan that he would follow through with.

Well, how was that? This chapter was sorta boring for me to write, I must admit. But next chapter, something interesting will happen. Very interesting. SO, enjoy the suspension until the next update! You know I love you all, right? He he he, it's Saturday, so I'm gonna get some shopping in. See you!

Dizzy