I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears

-The Reason, Hoobastank

He had watched her retreating to that point just at the edge of the campsite, only a few feet away from the dense forest that surrounded and protected them.

He knew something was wrong. No one else seemed to realize that her smile didn't quite make it up to her eyes, which were so dull and lifeless now, compared to how they had been just a few months ago; Determined brown eyes, the rich color of chocolate.

But then again, they all had someone else to worry about. Someone else that they were so concerned about that it occupied their thoughts every second of the day. Someone they cared so much for, who was in danger at any second, because of this war.

And he had...no one. If it wasn't for the fact that they were in the middle of a horrific war that would go down in the history books of both the wizarding and the muggle world, he would have brooded over the feeling of loneliness that he felt every time the owls would drop off mail, during the morning.

To watch the others recieve something from the ones they loved - and not have recieved anything. To not have someone to love.

Not that he would admit that he believed in love or even the conspete of it. It was just a silly thing people called certain feelings that they couldn't place. But he couldn't help but long to have that feeling - so passionate, so mind numbing, so spontaneous.

But as he watched, his heart ached. He resisted the urge to come forward from the shadows he hid in, and hold her close to him. To let her know she wasn't alone. That together they'd never be alone.

Had the Draco Malfoy fallen in love? No. He was just concerned for her well-being, that was all, right? For his own, as well...He was just concerned for her...more than anyone, or anything else in his life, even himself. But that wasn't love, was it?

"Granger" he said wanting to hear her speak to him - to tell him to bugger off or something that the old Hermione would have said, and when she didn't answer he couldn't help but stroke her hair affectingly. Ignoring the fact that it was wet from the sweat and blood from today's battle.

He stopped realizing that this was not the time, and kneeled down in front of her. He cupped her face in his hands, as he vaguely remembered his mother doing when he was younger. Just looking at that look of defeat on her face made his blood boil with anger.

Where did the fierce and determined young woman go? Why had she vanished so quickly, leaving nothing left but a shell? He wished she would just yell at him for being a prat and to leave her alone-so at least one thing in his life would be normal.

But no. She just stared at the forest with those large brown eyes, so empty, and looked at him as if she didn't care about one thing or another.

"Granger, look at me."

And she did. Her eyes lifted from where she had been staring for the longest of times to look him straight in the eye. He could see some change in her facial expression. Was that shock? As if she had seen something she sort of remembered but was still a tad bit frightened.

Maybe it was because he had glared at her. But it wasn't because he despised her like he used to. It was because he didn't.

"What do you want Malfoy?" she had meant to have snapped off at him, he could tell, but she couldn't while she was so weak. It came out timid and her voice squeaky. He rolled his eyes at her attempt.

Why couldn't she just be the same way she was before? Instead of turning into this whole new person. So secluded. So alone.

And the real question that was playing in the back of his mind was - why did he care?

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I like to give a huge thanks to: Aglispeofthemoon, my amazing beta, & Kawii Kisu, my amazing reviewer