Dracos eyes fluttered open in the dim morning light, Hermione still fast asleep next to him. He laid awake for a while, afraid that he was possibly leading the girl on by being here, because he stood by what he'd said the previous day. Of course, this wasn't what he truly wanted. Draco really like Hermione. He wanted to create a relationship with her, have her all to himself. However, she came with a lot of baggage. It was against his nature to show compassion for anyone but himself. Just then, Hermione rolled to her other side, burying her face into his Dracos chest. He stared at her sleeping peacefully and smiled weakly. It was in everyone's best interest for them to go their separate ways.

Draco slid out of Hermiones grip gently and crept quietly towards the door, unable to actually face her once she woke up.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked sleepily.

"You asked me to hold you for a while, and I did. I'm going back to my bed now." Draco answered, looking awkward.

"You let me sleep in your arms." she responded.

Draco sighed. "I meant what I said last night, I can't be the reason for any unhappiness in your life, Hermione. You've gone through too much already." he said.

"Well, then don't break my heart, Draco." Hermione said impatiently.

"This isn't breaking your heart. This is sparing it, in the long run. I'm a selfish person. I don't deserve you. I'll only hurt you terribly in the end." he stated.

"I don't care!"

"We didn't meet under the right circumstances. I really wish we had." Draco said, and exited the room.

Hermione curled up in a ball, the room was colder now. Maybe he was right, and they would've been able to work under different circumstances. But, that didn't matter. Circumstances could always be changed.

Grateful that it was a Saturday, Hermione returned to Gryffindor tower and slept for a while longer, mulling over what she planned to say to Harry and Ron. When she woke, she sat at the top of the stairs and listened to them talking.

"I don't know what to do." Ron said to Harry.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"About Hermione, and Draco. Do you think she really cares for him?"

He nodded, "It surely seems that way." he answered, hesitating for a moment, "I think we just do our best to grit our teeth and support her. That's what friends are supposed to do. I know the past is unchangeable but it won't do us any good to dwell on it. We have to live in the present. Things and people change." Harry finished.

"But it's Draco Malfoy! Why doesn't anyone understand why I'm so against it?" Ron asked, irritatedly.

"I do understand. I just don't second your feelings anymore."

Hermione smiled at this.

"Anymore?" Ron asked.

"I mean, yeah, I was skeptical about it at first, but it isn't my decision to make. And if it makes Hermione happy, I'll do my absolute best to try." Harry said encouragingly, "You should try the same. Otherwise, she's going to pick you over him, and she'll pretend to be happy while it's burning her inside."

Ron frowned and Hermione came down the staircase quietly, joining them around the fire. This would be the moment that made or broke their friendship, whether or not Ron decided to do the right thing. "So." Hermione started, looking mostly at Ron, "Draco doesn't want to be involved with me anymore." she said as calmly as she could manage.

"What?" Ron asked, wide eyed and shocked that anyone could turn Hermione down.

"He doesn't want to be the reason for any turmoil in our relationship." she answered, continuing to look at Ron with a smoldering stare. Harry proceeded to give him that look as well, waiting for him to say what he needed to say.

Ron sighed and looked down, "Fine, Hermione. You're both expecting me to say this anyway! You know I bloody hate Malfoy. I really do. I guess I can try to stop, if it's what you want. I want you to be happy, even if it involves that git." he said.

Hermione smiled at him, and Harry, silently thanking him for lecturing Ron.

"Thank you." She said, suddenly cheery. "I have to go." she told them, rushing down to the Great Hall.

Hermione spotted Draco as soon as she arrived and approached him quickly. "Draco." she addressed him.

"Yes?" He asked.

"I talked to Ron, it seems like Harry had a talk with him. He's no longer being an ass about this." she told him in a light voice.

Unexpectedly, Draco hugged Hermione tightly. "That's really great." he said, smiling as he let her go.

"Does that mean you no longer want nothing to do with me?" Hermione wondered.

"You know why I said all of that. I just wanted what was best for you, and that was your friends." Draco answered, "But if they're okay, then I do want you. I've always wanted you."

Hermione blushed and hugged him again, "Good." she said. Everyone was staring at them.

"Would you like to sit down for lunch?" Draco asked, returning to his isolated seat.

Hermione nodded and sat next to him. It felt extremely odd to sit at the Slytherin table, she wondered if Draco would sometimes join her at the Gryffindor table. Would it be awkward? Or would Ron be mature? Hermione shrugged internally and began eating and conversing with Draco happily, thrilled to be there.