Whatever is a cruel wrong,
Whatever is unjust,
The honest years that speed along
Will trample in the dust...

A Story about love, about friendship and about Quidditch, A story about war and about sacrifice, and finding their way out of the darkness, this story is about many things but most important this story is about hope.

The Secrets we kept.

He stood at the lake and starred out at all its splendor he placed his hands in his pocket searching for warmth. The last of summer was gone and the world around him was changing into brilliant colors as the season of Autumn begins. The changing of seasons was reasons enough for him to seek solitude though there was more complex matters on his mind. He didn't know why he was here thinking about her of all people. It wasn't too long ago that he couldn't even say her name without a bitter expression on his face. He didn't understand how you could hate someone so much that you wish their death one day, and then the next they are the only thing you can think of, the only thing…you want. He has never been in a situation where money couldn't get him out of, his father never taught him about love, because he never did.

"I thought I told you wanted to be alone." He whispered as his friends came down the hill. Both of them out of breath from the trip and their cheeks were rosy from the weather.

"The feast will be starting soon." Goyle said after gasping for air. Draco shifted his body a little so that he could see the two of them better. He acknowledged that he heard them but made no effect for further conversation.

"Everyone is supposed to attend." Crabbe said taking a step closer.

"Everyone?" He whispered. Draco slowly shook his head "But not everyone will."

Crabbe stood there for a second with his head tilted and Goyle grabbed him by his coat and pulled him a little.

"Let's go." He said and headed up the hill towards the castle, Draco watched as his friends headed up the hill. They had always been there for him, even when the Dark Lord had assigned him the impossible task of killing Dumbledore. Because of his arrogance he saw them as mindless bodyguards and though they are not the most brilliant blokes he can now see them as the true friends that they are.

Draco didn't know how he could ever face any of them again, he was there when it had happened fighting for the wrong side. Draco grabbed his shelve and pulled it up, the dark mark had faded but he could still feel it and remembered the pain. He didn't understand why they let him live, why they had allowed him to return. He sighed deeply and headed up the hill deciding he couldn't put it off any longer. He stopped when he saw a figure coming towards him. Her long curly hair was wind blown and her cheeks wet from tears. He wasn't sure if he wanted to face her , but she was heading towards him and his pride wouldn't allow him to run

"I came to fetch you." She whispered.

"Why?" Draco asked as he starred into Herminone's blood shot eyes.

"You of all people should know that."

Draco looked down at his feet "I am…was a death eater, I don't belong there." Draco whispered

It took all her strength not to run to him to rekindle the flame they once had but his inner torment was transparent and the last thing he needed was to be reminded of the past.

"You saved my life." She whispered "You gave Harry the opportunity to save the world, you deserve to be here for than anyone."

Draco shivered as a gust of wind blew by them and for awkward moment neither of them could find the right words. Hermione felt foolish for even coming down here they only shared a few moments of passion she didn't understand why he of all people had her mind so messed up.

"Ron will be getting out of the hospital soon." She said breaking the silence. Draco glanced up at her trying to hide his hurt.

"He loves me you know."

Hermione waited for Draco but he said nothing he just nervously shifted his body weight he couldn't even look up at her. Hermione forced a smile biting her tongue the entire time and laughed.

"Well I'm not going to stand out here in the cold." She said and she turned away and forced herself not to look back. Everything in front of her made sense she knew who she was, what she wanted in life, but she couldn't help but think about what was behind her. That man made everything difficult and when she was with him nothing made sense. She didn't understand why he was in her head.

Draco couldn't bare to watch her walk away she was everything he wanted, but didn't deserve. It was unfair of him to want happiness when he had so many things to make up for.

It wasn't intended the night they shared and so many nights afterwards he wished it never occurred. She was so much more beautiful than she let anyone else see. Their bodies fit perfectly as if they were made for each other and while he kissed her and playfully messed up her already impossible messy curls he never thought once that this was wrong. His hands explored her amazed by every inch. Despite his boyish claims he had never been with a girl, there had been chances but he never took advantage and he didn't this time either.

Draco glanced up and saw that Hermione was out of view and he sighed miserably to himself. Last year not a month before his plan was set into action to trap and kill Dumbledore he was in a almost deserted library accept to his annoyance Hermione Granger that was surprisingly alone. Although he had been extremely consumed in his plan he had even noticed the fall out of the golden trio especially between Ron and her. Draco knew he should have been paying more attention to his wand movements but between the Dark Lord's plan and other business that he shouldn't have been concern with at all when the most embarrassing thing happened.

Draco glanced up when heard footsteps breaking his thoughts of the past he first thought it was Hermione and his heart lifted a little but than saw the familiar red hair she had her arms cross and she was walking quickly towards him. She walked up towards him and looked him directly in the eyes like Hermione she had been crying and she was shivering from the fall weather.

"What did you do to her you bastard?" She hissed and slapped him across the face

"Who…what?" Draco manage to mumble holding the numb side of his face.

"Hermione, she is in the bathroom crying and won't come out." She said placing her hands on her hip. Draco watched her hands carefully he didn't want to get slapped again.

"More or less what I didn't say." He whispered.

"What?" Ginny said tapping her foot. "I don't know what happened between you two and honestly I don't care. Hermione has lost one friend and nearly another and in her desperation for some reason she went to you!"

Draco took a step back "Nothing happened between us" Draco lied "I was the only other person there, I guess she somehow feels bonded."

Ginny glanced away angrily trying to think what else to say, "I don't like you." Ginny said matter-of-factly "but I love her and I can't ever judge her despite how stupid her choices may be." She said giving him a disgusted look.

"I do know one thing." She said before turning to walk away "Don't hold anything back." She continued with tears rolling down her cheek "Love them like you'll might lose them…because one day you might."

"Was it you in the Library?"

Draco looked at her intensely he was hurt that Hermione had mentioned it. Draco laughed and looked away.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ginny nodded "Good, because she is in love with this mysterious stranger."

"She told you that?"

"She told me about what happened and her feelings but despite my best efforts she never gave a name."

"Why did you think it was me?"

Ginny shrugged "When I heard you save her life and hexed Voldemort in the back giving Harry the chance to finish him off…I figured a person would only do something that stupid if he was in love too."

"We didn't even sleep together." Draco confessed "but I can't get her out of my head." Draco reached out and grabbed Ginny's arm.

"Please let her believe I don't love her."

Ginny looked at him oddly "Why?"

"She would be happier if I wasn't in her life in the long run."

"I would give anything to have Harry back for just one more day, and here you are with the rest of your life ahead of you and not willing to try."

"I love her." Draco said pulling Ginny closer to him "But I do not deserve her…I have so much I need to make up for."

"Fine." Ginny whispered "I won't say anything, but you're right about one thing…you never deserved her."