I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Summary: Ron walks away. Hermione Jean Granger finds immediate comfort in the most unlikely ally: Draco Malfoy
Disclaimer: I don't own a single thing about Harry Potter. All rights go to J.K. Rowling and her publishers. I own everything you don't recognize. If I owned Harry Potter, I wouldn't be here.

Chapter 1: Are You Okay?

Draco

Every year since the war, there was a celebration at Hogwarts. I wouldn't necessarily call it a "party." It was far too depressing for that. I went to these "anniversaries," as I have come to call them, because I wanted to fix what I had done wrong. And Salazar knows, I had done a lot wrong. For one, I failed to kill Dumbledore. Most people would say that was good, but I think differently. Now everyone stares at me: the failed Death Eater, the boy who failed his parents, and the boy who started the fucking war in the first place. For two, I screwed up everybody I've ever known. I bullied everyone. I made their lives at Hogwarts shit.

I dressed in a black suit, straightened my tie, put on leather shoes, and Apparated to Hogwarts for the fifth of these "anniversaries."

I never acknowledged anybody. I never actually participated in the damn thing. I didn't need any Hogwarts students who didn't know what I did to, well, know what I did. I always went straight to the back, grabbed a drink, and drank.

That's exactly what I did. Again. As soon as I entered the Great Hall, I went to where I knew the refreshments were every year, snatched a glass of butterbeer off the table, headed off to my usual corner, and tipped the glass back. But I stopped when the entire Hall went quiet.

I peered around the groups of people to see what had caused the sudden silence. Ah, of course. Granger and Weasley, the world's greatest couple. But, though it was strange to admit, Granger did look very nice that night. Her navy blue gown ended in a pool at her feet. She wore a silver cardigan, whose sleeves went to her wrists. Her hair was pinned off to one side. That's what was different. Her hair. It was wavy. Thank fucking Salazar. I hated it when it was bushy. It was so irritating. Her hair looked lighter too. She was in the sun too much.

I must have been eyeing her for longer than what was necessary, because she turned and gave me a weird look. I grimaced and looked back at my glass. I tipped it back. I really needed to get laid. Granger? What the fuck am I thinking? Three glasses and many strange thoughts later, I looked back up and saw Granger at the door to the Great Hall, appearing to be arguing with the doorframe. What? The doorframe? I shook my head angrily at myself and looked closer. She was fighting, yes. But not with the doorframe. An arm grabbed her and the person that the arm belonged to came forward. Weasley. Granger and Weasley, the world's greatest couple, were arguing? I had to get a closer look... and listen.

I crept closer, honestly thinking it was the butterbeer that was making me do it. I stayed behind a pillar, able to hear every word they were saying.

"What the hell are you saying, Ron?" Granger asked with a hint of both anger and sadness in her voice.

"I can't do this anymore," Weasley said softly. I almost choked. It sounded as though he was ending their relationship.

"What did I do wrong?" Wow. Granger sounded frantic. "Is there something I can do to make this work?"

Yep. Weasley was definitely ending it with Granger and she didn't want it.

"It isn't you, 'Mione. It's me. You know I'm stupid. We both know this. You're too smart for me. I'll never level up to your intelligence."

Very true, Weasley. Very true, indeed. But what the hell was "'Mione"? A petty nickname for an extraordinary girl?

"But Ron!" she shrieked.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I hope you find someone who can actually challenge you."

I hid further behind the pillar when Weasley stalked by. When he had gone a safe distance, I peered around the pillar. Granger was picking up her dress, and hurrying out of the Hogwarts boundaries. I watched her silhouette vanish. I had to agree with her. I wasn't enjoying the celebration much either. I gave a quick thank you to McGonagall before I followed Granger's path out of the boundaries and Disapparated to my flat with a loud crack!

Hermione

I woke up for the hundredth time of a restless, toss and turn, night at about seven the next morning. I reached out to touch Ron, but then I remembered what he had done. I got up slowly. It was quite difficult. I was stressed, I was angry. I shrugged on a plain white shirt, black sweatpants, and tied my hair in a messy bun. I leaned against the wall behind my bed. And all I could do was scream. I screamed at my flat. I screamed how I despised Ron. I screamed that I was stupid for ever believing a relationship between Ron and I would actually work. I just screamed out. I turned around and punched the wall. I kicked it with my bare feet, ignoring the pain that was shooting up my leg. I ended up crying with my arm pressed against the wall, my legs barely being able to hold my weight. I felt so heavy. So weak.

In the background of my fit, I heard someone slam the door of their flat shut before knocking hard on mine. I sank to the floor, back pressed against the wall. I grabbed my wand and unlocked the door with a simple Alohomora.

"Come in!" I called as loud as I could.

I heard the door open. I couldn't see who it was. They followed my sobs into my bedroom. I caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair and luring silver eyes. I couldn't believe it. He leaned against the bed and stared at me with a mocking face.

"Granger!" he exclaimed dramatically. "What a surprise to see you here!"

"Malfoy," I groaned. "I am not in the mood for your taunts."

He must have caught the anger and sadness in my voice because he squatted down in front of me. He opened his mouth to speak, but he hesitated. Malfoy's face looked as though he was contemplating hard about what to say next. Finally, he opened his mouth again and said something I never thought would leave his mouth.

"Are you okay?"

He seemed legit. He seemed genuinely concerned for me. I stared at him with sad eyes.

"No," I said honestly. And I broke into tears. "Ron broke up with me last night-"

He held up a hand to stop me. "Spare me the details, Granger. I heard it all."

"You e-e-eavesdropped?"

"The saviors of the wizarding world were arguing," he said with a small laugh. "I had to see what was up."

I couldn't help but give a small laugh myself.

"Thanks for coming to check on me, Malfoy," I said, catching tears in my mouth as I spoke.

I could tell he hesitated a lot before he shifted next to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Didn't really have a choice, Granger."

I smiled at his words and his touch. For some strange reason I couldn't put my finger on.

AN: Hey! This is my first fic and I am so excited. However, I am a brand new writer so sorry if something's wrong. I am still learning this site so excuse me if I'm late updating. Please Read and Review! I want to know what you guys think!