Broken Vow 9

She sat there, her eyes red, her head pounding, and her stomach turning. She didn't know what to do, the words had left mouth before she even realized she was capable of speaking. She continued looking at him, there connection not breaking. A defining silence filling the room. Both unaware of the several others who had entered during the commotion. In fact, every person who had sat in the room deciding her next move, were now watching the scene unfold. All silent and unmoving, and clueless of what to do for two broken people.

His hand slid off her face, and his shoulders slumped forward slightly. For the first time she made a move to touch him, her hands reaching out and grabbing his own face, pulling his eyes up to meet her own. He was crying, large silent tears. She was shaking so badly that even clenching her jaw couldn't stop her chin from trembling. She opened her mouth to speak but not words came out. Time seemed to be standing still.

"Granger," his voice was so small, so broken. "I can't live without you." She closed her eyes, this hurt too bad. "I need you Hermione, I..." He was fumbling his words trying not to break down "I always have." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her hands away from his face, sliding them to his heart. "I would never hurt you," he whispered. She let out a small sob and opened her eyes.

"You did Draco." She leaned forward slightly. "You broke your promise." Her voice was now as low as his own. He looked at her searching.

"What promise, just tell me," he begged.

"I won't let you down." He kissed her palm and then rubbed her bruised cheek lightly. "I won't ever be like him." He leaned forward and kissed her harshly. She winced from the cut on her lip but she didn't pull away. After a few rough kisses, he lingered for a moment, sucking her bottom lip. His voice then filled her ears and broke the kiss. "I promise."

The memory flashed across her mind, playing like a small movie. And in the middle of it all. Her face red, her jaw shaking, tears falling, and her heart screaming for something she couldn't. An answer hidden behind a curtian. Voices whispering something to her, something that couldn't be made clear. She pulled his hands towards her face, holding them in front of her.

"These hands, I used to know them so well Draco. You have touched me, held me..." she paused slightly seemingly aware for the first time of the other people in the room before continuing, "you have loved me with these hands." And it suddenly became harder to breath again. "But you have hit me, beat me, and choked me with them as well." She saw a wave of confusion cross his face. "I know you don't remember, but you did it." He shook his head.

"No." he whispered. "After everything we have been though... I couldn't. Hermione," he leaned forward his forehead lightly touching her own. "I love you." His voice was so low, she was sure she didn't hear right. She held her breath before speaking.

"Do you remember our first kiss, Malfoy?" She saw him smile slightly, but he remained silent. "During our sixth year, when we were both perfects. You told me I was beautiful and that I was doing something to you. When I replied that I had done nothing and called you an ignorant fool, you smirked at me. But it was a different smirk. The one you always saved for me. You ran your thumb across my bottom lip and told me I had done this. And then you kissed me. Do you remember?" He ran his hand through her hair and whispered.

"I could never forget it."

"You wanted too, you said the though of kissing a mudblood disgusted you, and you slapped me," and before she was sure he had heard her, he pulled away and stood. He turned away from her and walked towards Dumbeldore and Snape, Ginny rushing past him to Hermione's side. She couldn't see his face but she was sure it was blank, it was what he did. Hid from everyone but her.

"Tell me what I have done." His voice seemed slightly shocked. Dumbeldore moved forward and put his hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Of course we will Draco, please follow me." And with that the three of the excited the Hospital paying no mind to the other eight or so people staring. She stared at the door for a long moment, she knew Ginny was saying something to her, but Hermione couldn't hear anything. And after what seemed like a lifetime she stood up and started walking out of the room. Harry grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

"Hermione where are you going?" She looked at him her eyes still red and burning.

"I have to tell his mother."

"I don't think you should go anywhere right now." Said Ron quietly. She glared at them.

"Don't you even begin to think that you are going to tell me what too do after..." She felt a rush of knew tears threading to escape. Harry touched her shoulder slightly.

"I think you need to rest, Ron will be happy to pay Mrs. Malfoy a visit, but Lucius, who knows where he'll turn up looking for Draco, if Ron goes it can seem as if we are searching for you both." She shook her head.

"But I..." Ron cut her off.

"Do you really want them to figure out where he is Hermione." Asked Fred.

"I'm sure Draco knows things about you-know-whos-plan..." added George.

"There probably searching for him." Finished George. Hermione stared at everyone around the room before shaking her head.