Chapter 8. I loved all of your reviews! it makes me feel special since its my first fic and all. Thank you everyone who commented on Joseph and her family. It makes me feel better on what you say about Joseph. Well, that's all I need to say... Read away.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 8: I Love You

Hermione awoke on Saturday morning at 10 p.m. She fell asleep late on Friday because she had been talking to Draco all night about everything. They had been talking about their lives and families and stuff. This is why she wasn't surprised to find that Draco and her fell asleep on her bed the night before and she had her arm draped over him.

"Hey." he greeted her.

"Hey, I have a question." she said.

"Shoot."

"Do you always wake up before me and wait for me to wake up or something because you are always awake when I wake up?"

"Uh… I guess," he said at the odd question, "I just think about things when I get up and you awake just a little bit after I do."

"Okay, I was just wondering. Every time I wake up in your arms, you always greet me first."

"I don't want to wake you up." he said casually.

"Well, you can if you need to, you know."

"But your beautiful when you sleep."

"Yeah…right…" she thought he was lying.

"It's true…" he said telling the truth, "You see what you do to me?"

"What could I possibly to do you?" she still wasn't sure to believe him.

"Have you ever heard the Draco Malfoy call a girl beautiful?"

She hesitated. "No…which makes all the more reason to think that you're lying." she said, throwing a pillow at him.

"Well, I'm not." he said throwing it back at her.

"Why would anyone think I'm beautiful?" she said truthfully.

"I do."

"But why?"

"Because you are, Hermione."

"Whatever. It's your mind, Draco." and she walked to the bathroom.

Draco couldn't figure out why she thought she wasn't beautiful. He thought she was gorgeous, and no matter how weird it was that he was falling for one girl, who used to be his enemy, he wouldn't choose any other. He didn't exactly want to figure out why he was falling in love with Hermione Granger, but he didn't care as long as she felt the same way. This is something she hasn't exactly assured him of yet, but he was hoping she would.

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Hermione wouldn't believe him when he said she was beautiful. She didn't believe it herself and didn't think she ever would. She didn't think she was ugly, but definitely not beautiful. She liked him very much and believed every word he said about him falling for her, as she was falling for him. She didn't know why she was falling for him so fast, but she was really glad she was. She didn't want to be alone in the world at such a vulnerable time and he was only the one who understood this because he was feeling it too. Although he slept with many girls, they didn't mean much to him. He still felt alone and told her this last night.

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She walked back to her room and Draco was still on her bed waiting for her. She went and sat next to him and leaned into his muscular body and he put his arm around her. She looked up at him and he was looking back. He leaned down and gave her a kiss.

"I don't know what it is, Draco, but you make me feel better and safer when I'm with you." she said, deciding to tell him what she's feeling.

"Me too, Hermione…." he hesitated," Hermione?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Hermione didn't reply. She didn't think she'd see the day when someone said it to her. She didn't think love was ever going to find her, but here it is, right in front of her and she didn't know how to say those three little words back to the one she hoped she loved.

"Hermione," he said sitting up with her still in his arms, "I need to know if you feel the same way." he was serious.

"I…I…"she stuttered." I can't do this." she got up and walked out of her room.

Draco was heartbroken. He finally said the words he never thought were in him and she didn't feel the same way. I can't believe she doesn't feel the same way. I just told her I loved her and she couldn't say it back. he thought, Relax, she has to feel the same way, she's just having trouble with those words, she never dreamed anyone would say them to her. his conscience replied, I can't just let her go like that, I have to see what she really feels and he got up to go find her. He found her in the common room, crying.

"Hermione?" he sat next to her on the couch.

She looked away from him.

"Hermione, what can't you do?"

She didn't reply. She just sat there crying silently.

"Hermione, I love you and nothing will change that, no matter how you feel about it." he got up and walked up to his room.

"I love you too." she whispered, "But I can't say it to your face, I can't bare to be hurt again." She said to herself.

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Hermione and Draco avoided each other's eyes that night on patrol. They were walking around the castle silently most of the time. They'd been walking for an hour when Draco couldn't take anymore silence and asked the question he's been meaning to all day.

"Hermione, I have to know something." he said nervously.

No reply.

"Do you love me or do you not?"

They walked for 10 minutes before she replied.

"Yes." she said suddenly.

"Really?" he said, not believing his ears.

"Yes."

"You're serious? I didn't think you did after this morning." he said and paused, "How come you couldn't say it before?"

"Because I was scared that I would get hurt again, but even if I do, I won't let this chance get away." she said looking down and then back up into those eyes.

He turned to her and they stopped walking. He didn't say anything, but just pulled her in for the most passionate kiss he's ever given anyone before.

"I'll never hurt you Hermione, I can't believe how fast this is happening, but I'm not going to stop it." he said in all seriousness.

"I won't stop it either," she said, "but promise me something."

"Anything."

"You won't leave me for someone or anything else."

"I promise. I would never let you get away." and he kissed her again.

"Okay." and he grabbed her hand and they finished patrolling.

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Okay, I know this is a very gushy, short, and boring chapter, but I wanted them to be together and if you seriously have a problem with them getting together so fast then let me know'cause i think you have problems...lol jk...and they are really in love, even though they're wondering if its moving too fast and they're not sure what's going on just yet. Review please….ttyl