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Chapter Five

Hermione and Draco tore apart as if they had been struck with lightning. They glanced guiltily at one another, Hermione struggling to wipe the kiss from her lips. It was no use; the tingling feeling that had manifested in her body at Draco's touch would not leave. Her breath was ragged and exhilarated, as if this were the greatest adventure she had had in years. Thinking back on the past few years of her life Hermione realized that it was. What happened to battling evil wizards, fighting dangerous creatures and solving ancient prophesies, Hermione wondered vaguely. How the hell did I manage to score so high on my O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. when I was engaging in that kind of adventure every other night? Hermione wondered to herself, realizing suddenly that this probably wasn't the best time to be thinking about her old test scores. Andrew was still frozen in the doorway, staring blankly from Draco to his fiancée.

"W-what's going on here?" He stammered, clutching his suit coat in his arms. He still clutched his briefcase, his knuckles turning white with the pressure he was applying. Hermione stared between the two men, attempting to ease her breathing.

"Um, Draco and I were—catching up," Hermione said quickly, trying to smooth down her hair. In all of their passion, Draco had managed to undo the braid that she had so meticulously styled that morning. Up until that moment, Hermione hadn't seemed to mind. Andrew raised his eyebrows skeptically.

"Is that the kind of, catching up (he coughed over the last words) that you two engaged in last night?" Andrew asked quizzically. Hermione's eyes widened in horror as she realized what he must think.

"No—no Andrew, we were just talking last night. I swear." Draco stepped up behind Hermione, his hand resting lightly against the small of her back. Andrew watched the two in surprise.

"Is this—is this something you expect to continue?" He asked shakily. Hermione stared at him, puzzled.

"No," she said slowly at the same time that Draco murmured "Yes". Andrew regarded the both of them with a pained expression.

"Hermione, I want you to know that I still believe we can work this out." Andrew said and for the first time it dawned on Hermione that she actually was in danger of losing Andrew. She didn't know how she felt about that. He had been so good to her for so long, and she truly had been happy when he had proposed.

"I don't think that's necessary," Draco said shortly in a clipped, formal tone. Andrew looked at him curiously, a thousand thoughts formulating in his head. After a minute he dropped his head.

"I guess that I'll pack my things then," Andrew said softly, turning slowly to leave.

"Andrew no—wait!" Hermione said suddenly, stepping forward. Draco's hand fell from her back, leaving her standing, suspended between the two men. She thought of Draco. The arrogant, lying deatheater with whom she had been quite taken with in her last few years of school, and then some time afterwards. He infuriated her at times, well, most of the time, and he pushed her to the brink with their arguments. Then there was Andrew. She looked at him lovingly. He was so sweet. More importantly, he was safe. He made Hermione feel so secure and loved. He never pushed her or aggravated her. He was so in tuned to her feelings and thoughts that it was like living with her best friend. Plus, he was so nice. Hermione sighed, regarding her choice with grim determination. It wasn't fair to either of them to string them alone. She had a choice to make, and she needed to make it—and fast. No matter how much she thought about it—no matter how much her head wanted it—she realized that she knew the answer. She always had.

"Andrew, please don't leave," Hermione repeated. She glanced at Andrew, her eyes glassy. He seemed to sigh in relief. Slowly, Hermione slipped the tiny ring from her finger for the second time in two days. She held it out to Andrew, a pitying look in her eyes. "I'll have my stuff moved out by dinner."

Hermione sighed. Of course it was Draco. It had always been Draco.