It's J.K. Rowling's, not mine. Except the plot, that is. Just so you know.


The Great Hall, The Next Morning

"So..." Crabbe said, "It's today."

"Yep," Goyle joined in. "Today's the day you strike."

"That it is," said Draco, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.

"Ready?" Crabbe asked.

"Oh yeah," shrugged Draco, adding a smirk for effect. "I'm always ready."


Hermione was beside herself. She couldn't stop thinking about Draco. He... loves me? she thought. No, that can't be right... She paced her room, agitated. Because if he does, then, does that mean...?

She paced and paced. She saw images of Ron's face looking tenderly into hers, then Draco doing the same, and she felt each of their kisses and how each of them held her... Finally, it hit her. She had made her decision. She had to find Ron.


She walked down into the common room, searching for the redhead. She saw a bloke with red hair, but his arms were wrapped around a girl who moved just enough for Hermione to see her face. It was Lavender Brown. So that means it couldn't be...

Ron turned around, content after their kiss. Then, he froze.

So did Hermione.

And Lavender.

No one spoke for a good few minutes.

"Right then," said Hermione, breaking the silence. "Well, you've made my choice an easy one after all."

Ron appeared confused. Incredibly guilty, as his face was a bright crimson, but also very confused.

"Huh?" he asked. Lavender remained quiet behind him.

"Never mind that," Hermione said quickly. "Goodbye, Ron."

"Right then..." he stammered, looking after her as she crawled through the portrait hole. "Goodbye."


Draco, for the first time in weeks, was not looking forward to finding Hermione. He knew when he did, he'd have to do it. Crabbe and Goyle were expecting him; he had no other choice.

He went out to the lake, knowing she'd find him but content to remain alone until she did.


Hermione came looking for him a bit later. He felt her soft hands on his shoulders, and he turned and immediately kissed her. Taken back, Hermione let out a small sound of surprise but returned it full force, pressing her body against him and wrapping her hands in his hair.

"So," he said as they broke apart, his voice shaky. But he couldn't look at her, nor could he finish his sentence.

"What is it?" she asked, full of concern again, her hand at his face, pulling his eyes back to hers.

"I... I suppose I'm nervous," he said sheepishly, gently removing himself from her grasp. "Right then," he said, deciding to get over it, "did you decide?"

She smiled sweetly and kissed him again. "Is that enough of a decision for you?"

"And you broke things off with Ron, then?"

"Yes I did," she replied. "He made it quite simple, actually."

"I see." Draco paused, his face a mask of emotion.

She threw herself into his arms without reserve, and he held her tightly.

"I love you, Draco," she whispered.

At that moment, Draco knew it was time.

"Hermione," he started, pulling back. "I-" He stopped as he saw her deep eyes looking directly into his. She was so sweet; so innocent. She really did love him, that much he could tell.

Still, there was no way out. Hermione was waiting in anticipation of what he was going to say, and Crabbe and Goyle were waiting to see how it had gone. He had to do this. Now.

"Hermione," he began again, trying to make his voice sound harsh, "I could never-"

He abruptly pushed her away and turned around. "Aw, bloody hell," he said gruffly.

"What?" Hermione asked, her face full of concern and confusion. She touched his arm, and he turned back to her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said. "Just... nothing."

Hermione looked hurt. She began to chew her bottom lip, her eyes beginning to water. He couldn't take it.

"Look, I have to go," he said sharply.

Hermione reached for him again.

"I have to go now." He pulled roughly away and walked quickly toward the castle.

"Draco!" Hermione yelled after him.

Against his own will, he stopped. But he refused to turn around.

"Draco," she said, her voice full of tears, "I love you." She touched him softly on the shoulder, and then ran her hands along his arms from behind. "I love you," she repeated softly. Then her voice dropped even lower, to barely a whisper. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

He was torn between his mates and this witch, this filthy Mudblood, who he would hardly have even looked at in the beginning of the year, and now... He turned to look at her. He sighed. It was his mates or this witch, this beautiful, sweet...

"Aw, bugger it all."

And he kissed her. Hard. He poured everything he had into that kiss, and he might have even felt the slightest hint of a tear in his own eye by the time he was through with it.

"I love you too, Hermione," he whispered. "Bugger it all, but I do."

He pulled her close again and kissed her, gently this time, and holding her close when he was through. "I'm sorry about before," he said. "I was just scared."

"Scared of what?" Hermione asked, her eyes still brimmed with unshed tears and just a few that had escaped down her cheeks.

"Myself."

He wiped those few tears away, and then he kissed her again, soundly. Then he reached for her hand and started to walk. Hand in hand, they headed toward the castle.

"So," Draco said as they started up the hill, his steps lighter now his decision had been made. "What did the Weasel do to make it such an easy choice?"

"Oh that," Hermione replied flippantly. "He cheated on me."

Draco laughed. "Sounds familiar," he said, looking down and winking at her.

"Hey now," she said, "just because we're together, that doesn't mean I can't still beat you..."

He feigned horror.

"I saw that bruise, Malfoy," she said smugly. "Now admit it, I got you good."

He paused, then considered it. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, okay," he admitted. "I suppose you did."

They walked a few paces in silence.

"So, what do we say?" she asked, suddenly nervous as they approached the castle doors.

It would cause quite a stir, they both knew. There would be a lot to confront inside those walls. His mates, her mates, both of their families, the whole wizarding world, really.

With his free hand, he reached for the door.


A/N: So that's it for the fully updated! I hope everyone enjoyed it. It's still simple, to the point, and very teenage of them, but I can handle looking at it now. Leave a review if you'd like!