Now what will happen after Draco's told Hermione how he feels and what will Harry do with the Horcrux?
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Hermione's POV
I was shocked. Reality came flying at me and slammed into me like a hammer. His last two words echoed in my head
"Love you, you, all I want to do is love you, love you"
"That can't be right, he can't love me, how can he? It's impossible"
I looked up at Malfoy, who had retreated back to his bed, head down, his eyes avoiding mine
"You want to love me?" I gasped
Malfoy nodded, still not looking up
"I don't want to, I do, Hermione," he said softly
I tried to laugh, but the shock was still there
"You're the Brat Prince of Slytherin; you are the son of a Death Eater-"
"Am I?" Malfoy interrupted, "is that all I am to you? I can never change, is that how it is? I made your life hell, I am the son of a Death Eater, who is in the inner circle of Voldemort's ring and I am not allowed to change"
"Yeah, doesn't life suck?" I said
"You have no idea"
"Malfoy look at me," I snapped
He looked up and his eyes were still full of hurt, except for a glisten of what?
"You expect me to believe you. You want me to suddenly fall into your arms and declare my love for you? Is that what you want?"
"No," he whispered, "but you can think about it. I know you don't hate me, but I know you want to be with me"
He looked away and bowed his head. I was shaking with shock, anger or anything
"What do you think your father will say if he found out you are in love with a Muggle-born? What do you think Harry and Ron will say?"
"Like I care," said Malfoy, "I've had enough of people running my life; I've had enough of people telling me what to do. I want to be myself, run my own ship, set my own course and follow it. I don't care about what anyone thinks!"
I had no idea what to say to that. What could I say? I didn't love Malfoy, but I didn't hate him either. He had proved himself to be on our side. I couldn't be with him at all. How can anyone think about that, me, Hermione Granger, the book-reading Muggle-born and Draco Malfoy, the pureblood Prince of Slytherin? It was absurd!
Yet, as I looked at him, I saw he had definitely changed. He wasn't the Prince of Slytherin, he wasn't his father's son, he was just a young, confused, vulnerable guy who cared about something he's never had or experienced before. Okay, so his mother loved him, but it's nothing compared to loving someone who is not family
I can't be with him, I couldn't, it was madness
I noticed Malfoy walking towards me. I didn't back away. He grabbed my shoulders, leaned in and kissed me again. I felt like I was in heaven. His arms wrapped around me, as his lips made mine go crazy
Wait, I was kissing Malfoy, again!
I broke away and stepped back. He looked at me and opened the door
"Think about it, Hermione, I'll always be here for you"
He slipped out the bedroom, leaving me in the room alone, thinking about what had just happened
End POV
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Draco's POV
I left the house, unnoticed by anyone and walked away. I wasn't running this time. I had to see someone. I closed my eyes and turned on the spot, disappearing from the house
I arrived a second later in a small village. The houses were all old and shabby looking, but I ignored all of this and made my way down the streets, heading for a particular house. It was sitting alone on the corner, the windows covered in darkness. I looked around to make sure no-one was looking, opened the door and stepped inside
Everything was covered in dust. Well, nearly everything. A chair had been used recently, but I walked up the stairs and arrived on the second landing. A door greeted me. I opened and walked in, where a bed was positioned against the far wall. A figure sat upon the bed, wrapped in a black cloak, looking out the window. I touched her shoulder and she jumped, but when she saw me, she smiled and wrapped me up into a hug. I clutched her, never wanting to let her go, but I did
"Hi, Mother"
She smiled and patted the space next to her. I sat down, looking at the one person who cared about me. It had been a while since I last seen her
"How are you, Draco?"
"I'm fine"
"Are you still with Voldemort?"
She had a hint of concern in her voice
"No, I broke away and joined the Order of the Phoenix. Okay, so I'm not a member, but I'm there, helping"
"That's good to hear"
I knew she didn't want me to be a part of Voldemort's circle, but she couldn't say anything about it. Lucius forced me in
"What are you doing now?"
I looked away, thinking. I looked at her and I saw the concern and worry in her blue eyes, the look that a mother has about her son
"I'm confused"
"About what? The Order or Voldemort?"
"About a girl"
"Ah, I see. And who is she?"
"Hermione Granger"
"The Muggle-born?"
"The same. I more than like her, but I can't get close. I want to be with her, but I can't"
"I see, you're in love with this girl?"
I nodded. Mother didn't care about blood type and who you should marry
"You see, Draco, I was told to marry your father. Why, because he was a pureblood, he had money and he was powerful. I had no choice, but I married him and I didn't want the marriage. But then I fell pregnant with you, so I had no choice but to stay and do what your father told me to do"
"Yeah, he's a bit like that"
"But now, things have changed. You don't have to marry because of blood; you can marry because of love. Blood has nothing to do with it, follow your heart and go with love and you'll find yourself in a life of happiness"
"But how can I be with her if she won't let me?"
"Let things play out"
I gave this some thought. I realized my mother was talking, so I looked up
"You have to be careful, Draco, the Dark Lord is on the rise again. He's tired of waiting and he's going for an all-out attack"
"When will this happen?"
"In the next week, when he has all his forces together. You must be careful. Promise me that"
"I will"
"Good, now go and we will talk again"
I got up from the bed and headed for the door. I looked back at my mother
"Thank you"
She smiled and I left the house, before stealing away into the night
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