Prologue
"Well?" she queried. The pain was evident in her voice. "What're we gonna do now?"
"We, Granger? We, as you so stupidly put it, aren't gonna do anything. You're gonna turn away and leave," he drawled without turning to look at her.
"No. Draco I won't leave it like this! No!"
He turned and looked at her, anguish clouding his eyes. "Hermione," he said softly, "Hermione, look at me." When she raised her eyes to meet his, he continued. "Don't you understand? We have to end it... this relationship. Please..."
Hermione regarded this statement. Of course, she knew this was how it had to be... but it wasn't how she wanted it to be. "Can I at least have one last kiss? Please... then we can go back... back to being the ferret and the mudbl--" she started, but was cut off by Draco's lips.
The couple put everything they had into the kiss. After what seemed like an eternity, Draco broke off the kiss and hastily turned away.
"I... I love you, Hermione... please remember that," he whispered before fleeing the room.
Tears freely fell down Hermione's cheeks as she cried. She managed to choke out, between sobs, "I love you too, Draco. More than you'll ever know."
The rest of the week was pure misery for Hermione. Her roommates, Lisa Turpin, Mandy Brocklehurst, and Ginny Weasley, were worried about her.
"She's been in there for three days now..."
"She hasn't even come out to eat!"
"I hope she's okay in there..."
"That's it!" Ginny exclaimed, frustrated, "She's in there moping, and we're out here worrying and not doing anything to cheer her up! What kind of friends are we?"
Lisa looked up at the fiery redhead. "What do you propose we do, then, Gin? Talk to her? She hasn't spoken two words since she came home, other than 'it's over,' right before she barricaded herself in her room. Fat chance she'll talk to us."
"Yes, but-"
"No buts, Ginny sweetie. I've got a point, admit it," Lisa interjected.
"I know! It's just that-"
"I have an idea," Mandy said, suddenly.
"What?" came three replies.
"I'm going to have a chat with a mister Draco Malfoy," Mandy continued, "So I'll tell you about it when I get back."
Mandy walked down the street back toward their house, shivering slightly. "Where could that asshole be..." she muttered to herself.
"That depends, Brocklehurst. If you're referring to the asshole behind you... then he's behind you," a gloomy voice answered her, making her jump.
She spun around. "I have been bloody looking for you for about two hours! Where the HELL have you been, Malfoy?"
Draco sighed. "I noticed you walk past my office about an hour ago... and I hid from you," he said honestly. Mandy snorted indignantly. "Really, Brocklehurst... I'm sure you've been looking for me to talk about... her?"
Mandy nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact! She has been in her bloody room for THREE DAYS! She hasn't come out; she hasn't eaten... yesterday she almost drowned herself in the bath... LUCKILY I was home and I pulled her out... She's totally broken! You were her EVERYTHING, and you threw it all away..."
Draco hung his head in shame.
"Y'know what, Malfoy?" she continued, "The way that you could so easily throw away a relationship that was so important... so valuable... it leads me to believe that you never loved her... not at all!"
Draco's head shot up. He strode angrily up to Mandy and gripped her shoulders roughly. "How could you say that! Hermione is my everything too! She wasn't the only one hurt by this!" Then, noticing Mandy wince in pain, he released her.
"How do I know if you're telling the truth? I DON'T! Because after this... You did this to her. You haven't seen her. You haven't done anything but break her heart and soul. If you were to go in her room... it's like someone died... because someone... Hermione... did die, in spirit. She is just... like an empty shell. And you caused it. You're the reason for this! And what's worse... you haven't done anything about it! If you truly loved her... well, for one you wouldn't have dumped her, but for two... you would have at least asked SOMEONE if she's okay! And have you? No!" During her speech, she noticed Draco's eyes get teary. She softened her tone. "Why'd you do it?"
"If I hadn't done what I did... Hermione would be dead right now."
end prologue
Quick A/N: Hey everyone! That's my prologue... press that little purplish button... and reviewreviewreview! Hee. I hope you liked it... and for your happiness, I'm puttin' up chapter 1 at the same time! So no waiting for you! Yay! Unless you have slow internet and have to wait forever for the page to load. In that case, you get to wait! But not that long! Hahahaha.
