Hermione wasn't typically the kind of person to let her emotions take control, especially in front of a crowd.

"Lacewing." Harry told the Fat Lady, and the portrait swung open. The three of them walked to the couch, where Draco seated Hermione and then left Gryffindor tower.

"It's all my fault." Hermione muttered sadly. Harry sat in front of her.

"I'll be blunt." he started, "It kind of is your fault." he said. "I know it wasn't your choice to start falling for Draco. But you have to put yourself in Ron's shoes right now." he continued.

"Two years ago, not only did he poison Ron, but he stood on the side that attacked Bill. And then the next year, he and his friends fought against us, and attempted to burn us alive. Please tell me you see why he's upset with you? It's about more than just his feelings." Harry explained.

Hermione nodded. She knew he was right. But he was also right about her not being able to control her feelings. "If his parents hadn't been Death Eaters though, he never would've fought for the wrong side. He did it to save them." Hermione said, defending Draco. "And that poison was never meant for Ron, you know that."

"Yes, I do. And so does Ron. But that doesn't change the past, Hermione." Harry stated.

Hermione sat still for a few minutes, pondering things. Harry was right, it was her fault and she knew that. But she was in such a terrible position. She would end up unhappy regardless of who she chose: Ron or Draco.

"I don't want to have to decide between the two of them." Hermione whispered. Harry patted her shoulder, "Pick them both." he said simply. "I know it's going to be difficult and drama filled but if Draco is where your heart truly lies, so be it. You can't be unhappy just to please Ron." Harry frowned.

Hermione nodded, "I suppose you're right. We have to go and find him."

Harry and Hermione flooed to The Burrow and were greeted warmly by Molly.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked unknowingly.

"Ron has disappeared." Harry answered, handing her the note he left. Molly gasped and looked to Hermione, "He didn't tell you he was leaving, at least?" she asked.

Hermione stared at the ground. "Um.. No. We're kind of in a fight right now."

"What about, dear?"

Hermione bit her lip and looked at Harry, sighing. There would be no sense in lying to Molly, Ron would tell her the truth eventually. Though, she wasn't sure exactly what to say. "I've been hanging around with Draco Malfoy lately." she said unsurely.

"Malfoy?" Molly wondered, "Isn't the the bloke who poisoned Ronald not too long ago?" She asked.

"Yes. I mean, the poison was never meant for Ron, but yes." Hermione replied, frowning deeply.

"Why on earth would you be doing that?"

Hermione looked at Molly's expectant face, "Because I want to. He was forced to act on the Dark Lords wishes, that doesn't mean he's a terrible person." She explained.

Molly looked angry. "I'll try to find Ron." she said, "You two should go back to Hogwarts." she shooed them towards the fireplace, where they flooed back to their common room.

Hermione grimaced. "What were you expecting?" Harry asked, "It's a humongous betrayal, Hermione."

Without saying anything, she retreated to her room and skipped the rest of her classes that day and instead, laid in her bed.

A bit after dinner, Hermione remained under her covers, staring blankly at the wall. "You never met me for lunch!" she heard a voice say. Parvati. She'd totally forgotten the plans they'd made.

"I'm sorry." Hermione said, "I got distracted and forgot." Though it sounded like a terrible excuse, it was the truth.

"Are you okay?" Pavarti asked.

"No, not exactly. Ron is furious with me, and I see why. It's horrible of me to want Draco. I know that. But it doesn't change the way I feel." she explained.

Parvati sat down on the bed, "Would you like some advice?"

Hermione nodded.

"I agree with Ron. It's unbelievable that you'd do this. However, if you feel that he's changed for the better and that he'll make you happy, you should trust your gut. And anyway, Draco is downstairs." she finished.

Hermione sighed at this, she wasn't particularly in the mood for him right now.

"Do you want me to tell him you're sleeping?" She asked.

"No.. I'll go down." Hermione answered, climbing out of bed.

Hermione emerged from the dormitories and joined Draco in the common room, and he wore an uncomfortable expression. "Hi." he said. She just stared and waited for him to speak.

"I don't think I can do this." He finally said.

"Do what?"

"We knew it was unrealistic." Draco told her, "I can't be the reason you lose your friends. I'm sorry."

"You came and stirred things up in my life, and now you're walking away. That sounds like the Malfoy I know. It's all clear to me now." Hermione said, shaking her head in disappointment.

Draco bit his lip, "That's really what you think of me?" he asked in a fragile tone.

Hermiones heart wrenched at the sound of his question. At this rate, it clearly no longer mattered. "Yes." She answered finally. Draco looked down, wounded. "I'm gonna go, then." he stated.

"Yes, go." Hermione said grimly, and she watched Draco leave, fighting the temptation to stop him. Harry emerged from the boys dormitories and rubbed Hermiones shoulder. "I was listening." He said.

Hermione suppressed her emotions yet again, feeling as though her heart would burst at any moment. "It doesn't matter. Just find Ron." she replied, sitting on the couch.

"I was coming to tell you, he's back." Harry informed her.

"Oh, how bloody convenient of timing." Hermione whispered to herself. "Where is he?"

"Right here." Ron said. Hermione didn't run and hug him, but instead just stared at him, unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry I ran away!" he exclaimed, "I needed to think." Ron explained. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You couldn't think before falling asleep, or in the shower like a normal person?" She asked sarcastically, pissed off.

Ron looked at her blankly, "Well, now that you know I'm fine, you'd better run back to Malfoy."

Hermione looked at Ron, and then at Harry and stormed out of the room. She wanted to be alone, somewhere she wouldn't be found, so she set off to the Room of Requirement. Once there, Hermione moved a chair near a window, and sat staring at the last of the leaves of the season falling from their branches.

Things don't ever stay the same, Hermione realized. Each year, the tree shed it's leaves and grew new ones. No matter how much she would've liked to deny it, Ron was the leaf that was falling from her branch. They were older, they saved the world together, and they were two different people who were going to take different paths in life. There was no better time than the present to cut this tie, and so she would. Hermione cried for a while as the autumn sun set, and she accidentally drifted off to sleep in her chair.

An unknown amount of time later, Draco shook Hermione awake. "Hey, how long have you been in here? You should go home." he told her, turning to walk away from the chair, but Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"I'm tired. I don't feel like walking back. Would you mind holding me for a while?" she asked, her eyes pleading. Draco avoided eye contact and sighed, "I don't feel like that's a good idea."

"Do you honestly think I'm going to let you spout some noble load of rubbish about friendship and just walk away from me? You made me invest feelings. You aren't allowed to leave." Hermione said demandingly, a way she wouldn't usually if she hadn't been half asleep. Draco moved to the couch and gestured for her to join him.

"I guess I could hold you, yes." He said, and she graciously wrapped herself in his arms. Hermione closed her eyes and focused on Dracos heartbeat, beginning to doze off again. She forced her eyes open, about to share a thought with him, but he appeared to have fallen asleep. Hermione smiled and embraced Draco. Her thought would simply have to wait.