Disclaimer; Sadly I don't own these characters. Too bad too, I could use the money to buy a new house!

A/N Hi all! Here is the next chapter, I hope you all enjoy it. I cried writing it but I am just sensative. Happy reading and don't forget to review!

Lies of Desperation

"What is it Hermione?" he asked sounding worried.

"It's about last night. I think I made a mistake." she said softly. "I cheated on Ron, it wasn't right."

"Cheated on Ron? Wait, he cheated on you. I thought you broke it off…what do you mean you made a mistake?" so many thoughts were ganging up in his head that he couldn't speak clearly.

"No, it was all a misunderstanding. He and Lavender were planning our honeymoon. She is a travel agent. He booked us on a cruise around the world." she said smiling weakly. The smile had left his face mid-sentence.

"No, I saw them. You gave me veritaserum. I told you what I saw. I bared my soul. I love you Hermione."

"You saw them coming down from a meeting where he made the final payment. He showed me the papers. It was going to be a surprise." she said. She knew that the words were driving a knife in his heart.

"No, it was not a mistake. You told me you loved me. I know you. You would not say that if you didn't mean it." he looked at her pleading.

"I'm sorry. I was hurt and you were there. I shouldn't have used you and I feel terrible. I shouldn't have said all those things to you. I am so sorry." she felt the tears falling down her cheeks.

"No…no. I refuse to listen to this." he said waving his hands about. She stood up.

"I should just go. I am sorry. I am going to marry Ron. Please respect my wishes." she started for the veranda door.

"Wait Hermione, why are you doing this? To hurt me? I know you said you had forgiven me for what I did to you back then but is this some kind of sick twisted payback? Don't do this. Don't marry that Weasley bastard. He is lying. I know what I saw. If they were just signing papers how come they didn't have any when they came down the stairs? Why was she holding his arm and leaning in to whisper in his ear? Give me some more potion. I will tell you the same thing. The way she was staring at him, the way he was softly laughing when she spoke." he was desperately trying to get her to listen to him.

"Draco I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you like this. I have forgiven you for what you said to me back then, this is not revenge. I love Ron. I always have. Please don't look at me like that." his silvery eyes were pleading with her not to go.

"I can't help it. I don't want to listen to this. I know you. You love me. You told me you did." he fell to his knees in front of her. He felt foolish and weak for the first time in ages.

"Good-bye Draco." she said as she left his room and walked out the front door, apperating back to her apartment as quickly as she could. She did not want him to see her tears, her hurting. Draco however let out all of his emotions, screaming at the top of his lungs in his large room. She had come back into his life only to go just as quickly. He had never felt so hurt, like his heart had broken into a million bleeding pieces. He took the small box out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a platinum ring with a large fire cut diamond. He was going to ask her to be his wife. Be his forever.

'I was a fool to believe that she meant what she said to me. She could never love me after all we have been through.' he thought. Anger built up inside of him and he took the box and flung it as hard as he could out into the garden. He looked up to the heavens at the dragon that seemed to be mocking him.

"WHY?" he yelled. "Why are you doing this to me? Why can't I be happy?" he sat on the edge of the veranda and considered jumping for a brief moment. He hadn't truly cried since his mother died, but he was crying now. Large fat tears streamed down his pale face. He had never been so hurt. He stepped off the veranda and into his bedroom where he threw himself on the bed and stared at the ceiling until his weary body fell asleep.

Hermione arrived at home in tears. It was one of the hardest things she had ever done but it was necessary right? She ran into her bedroom and wiped her face. Her mascara had run about her eyes making her look like a teary eyed raccoon. As soon as she had started to tell Draco she had instantly wanted to stop and tell him she did still love him. But she loved Ron as well and she was torn. She had loved Ron for longer, but she loved Draco deeper, on a more personal level. She had made her decision though. She was going to marry Ron and that was that. She changed into her PJ's and went into her kitchen to make herself some tea. The night had such promise to be special. The lengths he had gone to ensure it would be perfect. The candles, the flowers, the starry sky, not that he had control over that, but it was a nice touch. She had not meant to hurt him. She had not meant to break his heart. But whether or not she meant it, it was done.

She patiently waited for Ron to owl, but he never did. And she didn't hear from him the next day either. Or the day after that for that matter. She knew it was the height of the quidditch season and he was practicing 10 or more hours a day, but not even to owl. Fed up after three days she went to his place looking for him. He was not there; she left a note saying how worried she was and went to the burrow hoping to see Ginny or Harry. Instead her soon-to-be mother-in-law was waiting to fawn over her and tell her how proud she was that Ron was marrying a smart girl like her.

"Have you actually heard from Ron lately?" she asked.

"Uh…no. But it is quidditch season so I am used to him not owling for a few days.

"Alright. If you hear from him tell him I am worried and I am looking for him okay?" Molly nodded. Hermione left the burrow in a hurry and apperated to Harry and Ginny's house. The lights were on.

'They are home thank Merlin.' she thought as she approached the door. She rang the small bell and Ginny appeared at the door a moment later holding baby Lily.

"Hermione, what on earth are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

"Is this not a good time?" Hermione asked slightly crestfallen.

"No, it's fine. You just startled me. Harry…Hermione is here." she yelled.

Baby Lily cooed at Hermione.

"Can I hold her?" Hermione asked as she stepped inside.

"Take her; she's been crabby all day." Ginny said relived.

"Awww…she just missed her auntie Hermione." she said looking down at her beautiful goddaughter. The baby smiled.

"Ginny, have you talked to your brother in the past few days?"

"Which one?" Ginny laughed. Hermione smiled.

"Ron. It has been three days since I talked to him. He was supposed to stop by, but never did. Has Harry talked to him?"

"Harry." Ginny yelled. "I said Hermione is here." a minute later Harry came down the stairs looking like he was fresh out of the shower. He was putting on his glasses and he looked at Hermione.

"Sorry Gin, I didn't hear you. I was still in the shower. Hi Hermione." he said smiling.

"Hermione wanted to know if you had heard from Ron." Ginny said casually.

"I haven't heard from him in a few days Harry. I am worried." Hermione said.

"Come to think of it 'Mione, I haven't heard from him." he said scratching his head.

"Oh. Well I just went to his place and left a note. What if something happened to him?" She started to panic.

"Gin, I am going to take Hermione to the Cannons training pitch, see if we can find your inconsiderate prat of a brother." he said putting his shoes on.

"Okay." Ginny said flipping through a book. Hermione cuddled and hugged Lily for a moment before returning her to her to Ginny.

"Let's go 'Mione." he said leading her out the door. He took a hold of her hand and they apperated with a 'pop' to the Cannons practice pitch. The stadium was dark.

"I don't think anyone is here." Hermione said looking around the darkened turf.

"The coach's office is right over there. He is always trying to get me to join the team." he joked trying to put a light spin on the situation.

"Mmmm…" she muttered looking around.

They approached the office and were relived to see a light on inside. Harry knocked and they heard a voice say "Come in."

Harry pushed open the door.

"Hey Coach Camden, how are you?" Harry said.

"Fine Harry, come in, how are you? Come to make my year and be our new seeker." he laughed.

"Oh no, sorry. Just looking for Ron. Have you seen him today?" He asked as he adjusted his glasses.

"Weasley?" he said "Why would I see him today?"

"Practice." Hermione spoke up. "He told me he was at practice yesterday and I assumed today."

"We have been on holiday for two weeks. We have not had practice since mid-august." he said slightly confused.

Hermione's face turned red. Harry looked embarrassed.

"Oh we must have misunderstood." Harry said quickly before dragging Hermione out of the room and onto the dark field. Her cheeks were burning and she pulled her hand away from Harry quickly.

"Damn him." Hermione yelled. "He lied to me again!"

"Wait Hermione, you don't know what is going on yet." Harry tried to reason with her.

"No, I do know what is going on. Ron is out with Lavender and doesn't even have the sense to owl so I won't be suspicious. He lied to me. I know he was at the Leaky Cauldron with her last month. He said it was to make the final payment on our honeymoon, but now I know the truth. Why did I ever believe him? I threw away…well, never mind." she said thinking of how she broke Draco's heart.

"What?" Harry asked puzzled.

"Nothing." she mumbled. "The wedding is off." and with that she disappeared leaving Harry standing there alone.

She apperated directly to Malfoy manor. She had to try to set things right. She ran as fast as she could right up to the large front door. Hermione heaved the giant knocker up and let it hit the heavy wooden door once. It echoed loudly and minutes later the door opened, but it was not Draco. An elderly house-elf looked out cautiously.

"Yes?" the elf squeaked.

"I am here to see Draco, is he home?" she asked.

"Yes, up in his room. Shall I show you up?" It looked to Hermione like the elf wouldn't make it up the large staircase alive.

"No, I know the way. Thank you." she said and walked quickly up the stairs to his room. She knocked but there was no answer. The door was unlocked and Hermione let herself in. Draco was lying on the bed in total darkness. He was asleep, or passed out, Hermione didn't know which. She walked quietly up to the bed and sat next to his sleeping body. An open liquor bottle sat on the small nightstand next to the bed. He was still wearing the same shirt and pants he was the other night, his face was unshaven and he smelled strongly of alcohol. She touched his hand and felt him stir slightly.

"Draco, Draco wake up." she said softly, trying not to startle him.

"Hermione." he mumbled in his sleep. "Why, why did you do this to me?"

Tears began to fall from her eyes. She needed to make this right.

"Draco, wake up. I want to talk to you."

Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Hermione? Is that you?" he asked. She nodded and grabbed his hand.

"What are you doing here?" he asked rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

"I needed to see you, to make this right. I made a mistake. I believe you. You were right about Ron. I shouldn't have walked out of here like that. I still love you."

Her words hit him like a ton of bricks.

"You believe me? You love me?" he asked.

"Yes. I am so sorry." she said again kissing his hand. He jerked it away.

"Too little, too late." he said coolly before walking away from the bed and out onto the terrace.