Chapter 10: Let The Truth Be Told

February 14

The next day was buzzing with the sound of students opening their cards and letters significant others had given them. Draco sat in the corner of the Great Hall, just feeling thankful for the canceling of classes for the day, nonetheless if he got a letter or card. He had given his card to Parvati Patil so she could give it to Hermione.

In the letter, it basically confessed his true feelings he had for her, and how he was dumb to even care about his reputation at all. A lot of it was almost hard to believe that it came out of Draco Malfoy's green heart, but he hoped more than anything that she didn't throw it out or anything. As he sat in the corner of the Great Hall, a young woman with black shoes and red and gold stockings stood in front of him.

Draco looked up and smiled when he saw her. Her wounds from The Three Broomsticks were far past healed, but somehow, a small bruise replaced the white bandage that was once on her face. He didn't bother to ask what had happened, but it was hard to feel sorry for her.

"Did you get my letter?"

Hermione smiled, took it out of her pocket and held it against her chest. "I did, thank you, Draco. I can tell everything you said in it came from your heart, and it meant so much to me."

Draco stood there in front of her, uncomfortable. Her body had just barely changed since when he saw her over the summer. If anything, it had gotten worst. He wanted to be there for her, hold her, comfort her, tell her that everything Potter did to her was not her fault. Unless she felt the same way, he would never be there to do that.

He waited for what seemed like forever until she spoke up again. "Umm, Draco? There's something I want to give to you. I'm sorry; I can't just tell you in person."

Draco watched as she took a piece of parchment out of her pocket and gently handed it to him. She quickly blushed and walked over to the Gryffindor table.

He opened the tan parchment and began to read to himself:

Draco,

I'm sorry for all the clashes that we've had during our seven years here at Hogwarts. I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart, and believe that we can be much more than friends. Draco Malfoy, you are my life, my soul, my everything. When we go our separate ways after this year, I want us to be together. Know that I will never give up on you, when everyone else has. Meet me in the Astronomy Tower at ten o'clock tonight. I will be waiting for you.

All my love,

Hermione Granger

Draco admired her writing; every curve, every loop, the neat cursive of each letter and word. More importantly, he paid more attention to her request. Her words meant the world to him. In all his life, no one had said any part of the letter she had written. He felt his heart soar as he read the letter over and over again, just to make sure he hadn't missed any cruel remarks or comments.

"Who's your Valentine?"

Draco looked up to see Ginny Weasley talking to Hermione near the Gryffindor table. At first she seemed hesitant, but then he watched as she pointed over in his direction.

Ginny seemed to gasp, but then catch herself and wave. Draco smiled weakly in return and nodded.

She had already told her friends about him. Draco decided that maybe it was his turn now, reputation or not.

He walked over to Warrington, who was greedily ripping open a box of chocolates Pansy had gotten him. She had obviously wasted no time.

"Cole, are those from your valentine?"

Warrington turned around and nodded casually. "Did you get anything from yours?"

Draco proudly held up the parchment letter and then handed it to him. He watched as Warrington's eyes scanned it, trying to figure out the handwriting. He watched as his friend's mouth dropped open when he got to the admirer's name.

"Granger! Hermione Granger? You've got to be kidding me! You better tell me that you're just pulling a joke on her..."

Draco's fists clenched and unclenched as he stared at Cole, who stood there ridiculing his girlfriend.

"No, I'm not. I really, really love her. If you can't understand that, then maybe you don't deserve have a heart. Actually, you and Pansy deserve each other; you're both cold hearted fuckers who don't want to see anyone else happy! By the way, our reputations are insignificant! It's the end of the year and we should love who we were always forbidden to love."

He could see the fire in Warrington's eyes as he tried to figure out what to say. He saw his face go cherry red, and then relax.

"Draco, we can't be friends anymore if you're going to go galloping off with a Mudblood. You better think twice what the hell you're doing, mate."

Draco looked down and smiled at him. "I've made up my mind, Cole. I love her, I love Hermione Granger."