Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter.

Whisper

Chapter Ten

"Potter," Brian said, turning slowly to face him, one hand placed in the pocket of his robe.

"I asked you a question, Urie," Harry said, glaring at him. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Brian looked from Harry to me, his eyes full with fear. "I was helping her, if you must know."

"Helping her?"

"Yes. She just came out of the shower and she fell, so I bent down to help her up," he said, gesturing with his hands.

Harry's face softened, as he took in Brian's lie. "Oh. From here it looked as if you were..."

"Yes?"

"Nevermind," he said, walking into my room.

He walked over to where I was and looked down at me. "You had a pretty bad fall, 'Mione. You're pretty banged up."

I looked up, never taking my eyes off Brian. He pulled me up by my wrists. "I'm fine, Harry. Nothing to be concerned about."

"You sure?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Speaking of being concerned, Malfoy has been asking to see you, Hermione," Harry said, boring his eyes into mine. I quickly divereted my eyes to my beaureau, walking over to it.

"Is that so? Well, he has no need to. I"ll see him later tonite, I thought," I said, rifling through my drawer.

Harry rubbed the stubble on his chin, as if contemplating thought. "Right," he said, turning around. "Well, that's what I came over here for, so I've got to run and help Ginny get ready for the Malfoy thing."

I looked over at him. "Okay then. See you later, Harry."

"Bye," he said, then nodded over to Brian's direction. "Urie."

Brian communicated back with a nod of his head. "Potter. See you at Malfoy's."

Harry disapparated with a small pop.

As soon as he was gone, Brian turned his attention back over to me. "You've been with him, haven't you?"

I scowled and walked over to my closet, taking out my dress for the evening. "What makes you think that?"

"I know you, Hermione. I know what you do. You wouldn't dare listen to Gabby nor I, because you love him so much."

"If I remember correctly, Brian, we're no longer seeing each other, are we? I don't have to answer to you, or anyone else."

He grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face him. "That may be so, Hermione, but if I see him anywhere near you again, I will personally choke the life out of him, whether the potion has come into effect or not."

My eyes widened, as I connected thoughts in my head. "This has nothing to do with power for you, does it, Brian? You're jealous of him, aren't you? You're jealous that he's in love with me."

He let out a gasp of air and turned away from me, his cloak swishing behind him. "Ridiculous," he muttered. He cleared his throat, and said a bit louder, "I am not, nor ever will be jealous of the fact that that prick loves you. Gabby is all of my life now. I want nothing to do with you after everything is done. He'll be dead, and more than likely, we'll kill you, and then Gabby and I -"

I laughed. "You think Gabby isgoing to keep you around? Of course she won't, Brain. All she wants is the power. You're just a pawn in her little game. She doesn't love you, she wants nothing to do with you."

He turned around and faced me, eyes flashing. "You don't know what anyone wants, Hermione. Keep your opinions to yourself. I'm leaving," he said, heading for the door.

"By the way, Brian. I have no intention of letting you take me to the mansion. I will meet you there, but I absolutely refuse to have you take me there," I said, scowling at him.

"That's fine by me, Hermione," he said, glaring at me. He took one last disgusted look at me, and disapparated.

I turned around, looking at my beaureau. In one swift movement, I flung everything off of it, the glass figures shattering on the hardwood floor. I sank to my knees, putting my head in my hands, and cried.

XXX

"Draco! There you are! Where have you been?" my mother asked frantically. She moved quickly across the floor. "Go upstairs and get ready at once! It's almost time for the party!" she hissed through her teeth.

"Yes mother," I said, tightening my lips.

I ran up the stairs, two at a time, slamming my bedroom door shut when I reached it. I kicked my bedpost, and grabbed anything I could and hurled it at the wall. My foot began to throb, and, scowling, I sat down on my bed to nurse it. I was infuriated that Brian was doing this. He was making me keep away from Hermione. He of all people. I hated it.

I heard a soft knock at the door.

"What?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Knicker was sent up here to help master," came the small voice of a house elf.

"Enter then," I said, placing my foot on the ground.

Knicker quickly entered my room, going at once to my closet. "Missus says for yous to wear this tonite at the party, Master Malfoy."

Knicker pulled out a pair of black slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a black waist coat from my closet, and displayed it neatly on my bed. "Does Master wish for Knicker to do anything else?"

I sighed, and looked out my window. "Draw me a bath, Knicker, and then you are dismissed."

She nodded and hurried to my bathroom. I heard water running, and lay down on my bed, careful not to wrinkle my outfit. I ran my hand through my hair. I could smell Hermione's sweet scent on my clothes. It was driving me crazy. I needed to get undressed before I fell apart completely.

"Knicker is finshed, Master," she said, shutting the door behind her.

I sat up, walking lazily to my bath. I stripped myself of my clothes and got into the water. I had only been in there for a minute when -

"Draco? Draco? Are you in there? Are you dressed?" a shrill voiced asked.

I sat up quickly, realizing I had dozed off in the bath. "Yes, I'm in here, Mother."

"Well, get out! Get dressed, Draco! People are expecting to see you sometime tonite!" she said.

I rolled my eyes and listened to her footsteps die. I pulled myself from the tub, wrapping a towel around my waist, walking into my room. I pulled a fresh pair of boxers out of my drawer, and proceeded to get dressed.

As I pulled on my waist coat, I heard a voice say "Hermione! I'm so glad you're here!" Mother had left the door open a bit, and my heart leaped at the sound of her name. I looked at myself in the mirrior, shrugged my shoulders, and proceeded downstairs.

XXX

"Hermione! I'm so glad you're here!" a voice said, rushing to me. It was Sam, followed closely by Ron. She looked at me with concern in her eyes, although her face didn't show it. "Draco came back and told us he found you. We were so worried."

I smiled. "I'm fine, Sam. Everything's just fine."

"Nice to see you again, Brian," Ron said, shaking his hand.

"You too, Ronald," Brian said, accepting the hand. I noted Ron's grip on Brian's hand. Ron's feelings toward Brian had obviously changed.

I glanced at Brain, who had slipped his arm around my waist. I gave him a dirty look, moving away from him. "I need a drink. Will you excuse me?" I asked them, slipping away.

I rolled my eyes, as I headed toward the bar. "Something strong, please," I told the bartender, as I placed my hands on the bar. He grinned and nodded.

I pushed a lock of stray hair out of my eyes, as I surveyed the party. Brian was mixing with the people, a broad smile on his face, like nothing was wrong. My mind filled with thoughts of hate and disgust. I felt bile in my mouth, as I thought about everything that I was told, everything that could happen, everything that would be taken away from me.

"Here you are, Miss," said the bartender.

I turned my attention to my drink, as I sipped the sweet drink. Music was playing softly in the background, as I found my eyes drifting over the crowd. I searched for a blonde head, but didn't find one. I sighed inwardly. A group of women nearby were giggling, pointing toward the grand staircase in the front hall. I rolled my eyes, but they couldn't help but float over to the staircase. A pair of silver eyes met mine.

Those eyes bore into mine. I could feel him in me, taking over me. He looked devishly handsome in his black slacks, his fitting, crisp, white shirt, and long tailed overcoat. I felt my knees weaken under me, as he made his way through the crowd, people moving out of the way, like he was a god.

I saw Brian staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I broke eye contact with Draco, and turned back to the bar, guzzling my drink. I felt eyes on the back of my head, as I sat there, praying that Brian would look away, and that Draco wouldn't get hurt. There was movement behind me, as a soft hand pressed against my back.

"Hermione," he whispered in my ear.

CCC

"Hermione," I whispered softly into her ear. "You look beautiful."

She did. I had spotted her among all of the heads at the party, looking particually ravishing. She had pulled her hair up into an elegant ponytail, curls flowing down her back, and a strip infront of her beautiful face. She wore a silk, black v-neck dress, that floated out slightly behind her. She wore a silver bracelet on her wrist, and a charmed silver necklace on her neck; the charm: a silver dragon, wrapped around an H.

She played with her fingers, and didn't turn around. "You don't look so bad yourself, Mr. Malfoy," she said softly, chuckling.

I put my hand farther around her waist, pulling her around to face me. She looked down at her feet, then coyly looked back up and met my gaze. "Brian's here, you know."

I nodded. "Yes, I know. I saw the prat. But he can't do anything, now can he?"

"Excuse me, Malfoy," a voice said, cutting in. "But I believe you have a hold of my date."

I turned around and glared at him. "Clearly."

We continued looking daggers at each other, until Hermione cut it. "Look, Brian. Do you mind if I hang around Draco a bit? I know you'd simply die if I was to part with you, but-"

"Fine. Go ahead," he said, grinning. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, speaking into her ear. She scowled at his remark. "Have fun."

We watched him walk away, into the middle of the dancing guests. Hermione was biting her lip, and she turned from me. I came up beside her at the bar. "What's up?"

"Nothing, Draco. Forget about it, okay?" she said, turning around, her elbows on the side of the bar.

"Why are you still with him? What's making you stay with him? Clearly you don't like him anymore," I said, frowning.

"Draco," she sighed. "You have to help me. They're-" she was cut off almost instantly, gripping at her throat.

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking her elbow.

She nodded, taking a swallow of her drink. "Yeah. Yeah. Don't worry about it. Jus- just forget what I said."

"What are you talking about? Why do I need to hel-?" she cut me off, clearly agitated.

"Drop it, okay? It's nothing," she said, looking up at me.

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Sorry."

She smiled. "It's okay. No need to apologize, Draco," she said, touching my face softly.

A familar song played in the background. I pressed her forehead against mine, taking her face in my hands.

Lady,
When you're with me I'm smiling
Give me all of your love
Your hands
Build me up when I'm sinking
Just touch me
And my troubles all fade

I kissed her softly on the lips, before taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor. I placed her hands around my neck, as I slipped mine around her waist. We moved slowly, letting the pulse of the music control us.

Lady,
From the moment I saw you
Standing all alone
You gave
All the love that I needed
So shy
Like a child who had grown

You're my Lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling, clear and loving
You're my Lady

Her head was resting on my chest, as we danced in rhythm. "Hermione..." I said softly. She lifted her head up.

"Hmm?" she said, looking up at me with her deep brown eyes.

"You know that I love you, don't you?"

"Of course, Draco. Just as I love you," she said, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed. "I love you so much, I couldn't bear it if I lost you. You're a wonderful person, that makes me see the good side of me, and you always let me be myself around you. You're the most beautiful person in the world, and I love every inch of you," she smiled, a faint redness appearing on her cheeks. "You mean so much too me."

"And you to me," she murmered.

I pressed my forehead against hers again. "Mum really had this banquet not only as tradition, but for another reason, as well."

"And why's that?"

"She wanted me to find a, you know, lady friend."

She laughed. "Really?"

"Yes, really," I said, scowling playfully at her. "And... I think I found one."

Lady,
Turn me on when I'm lonely
Show me
All of your charms
Evenings
When you lay down beside me
Just take me gently in your arms

"Hmm... it wouldn't be me, would it?" she asked, looking at my chest.

"Maybe, maybe not," I said, grinning.

You're my Lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling, clear, and loving
You're my Lady

"Who's the lucky girl?" she asked, meeting my eyes once again.

"It's you, Hermione. It's always been you. I've thought about you ever since we parted our last years," I took in a breath, and closed my eyes. "Hermione... I want to be with you always. I want you in my life. I want to wake up and see you laying next to me, I want to greet you every morning with a kiss," I paused, my breathing irregular. "Hermione.."

"Draco," she said, her eyes widening. "Draco... what is it?"

Lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling, clear, and loving
You're my Lady

"Hermione, will you marry me?"

Dun, dun duuuuuuun! Woo... what do you think's going to happen next? Humor me! Anyway, sorry, sorry, SORRY for my really, really late update. I've been really busy, and have had super writer's block, and I was working on my other story. But then, this chapter just hit me! Hopefully it's a good one! And, while your at it, check out my new fic When Darkness Falls. It's an extremely dark fic, so beware, full of vampires and stuff, but still, just check it out, and review it! Tell me if you like it or not, and if you do, i might post the second chapter for it. But, it's going to be a great fic, if only you'd give it a chance! Pwease! Anyway.. hopefully the next chapter of Whisper will be up soon, but I've got Band Camp coming up soon, and I just got a job, so forgive me! Love you all! REVIEW!