A/N: Here i am readers, ready for the third installment of "Better Than Me". This story isnt catching that many eyes as i'd have hoped for, but maybe with time it will! Enjoy the 3rd chapter!

Better Than Me

Chapter Three: Love is a Battlefield

She opened his tent.

"Harry?"

He looked up at her. She was so beautiful. He couldnt remember the last time he had seen her looking so simple, so perfect. He missed her so much. They hadnt spent a night together in so long, and the last time they were was almost three months ago. Everything was so much simpler then.

Their love had been a slow start. At first, Ron was angry. He had always had a soft spot for the brunette witch, but realized their love was not as spot on as people would like to believe. They were always fighting and at each other's throats. Harry seemed to calm Hermione. He really brought out her best. So Ron had let her go.

"You sent for me?" Hermione asked with inquiring eyes.

"Yes." Harry turned towards her, leaving his notes on the small wooden desk in the corner of the tent.

He approached her slowly.

He gave her a soft smile.

"What is it?"

He came to stand in front of her, lifting his hand up to stroke her cheek.

He softly spoke, "I have missed you."

Hermione smiled, clearly seeming a tad nervous.

"I have too. But, but Harry we cant do this here. Not now, at least. Anyone could walk in."

"Who says we were going to do anything?"

"Well, it's just that, not everyone knows we're together. We need to stay professional. You're the leader here!"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Believe me, with you as my girlfriend, i dont think i could ever forget that little tidbit."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Harry sighed.

"Nothing! Look, Hermione, i have just been so frustrated. I want to be with you so badly. I ache. I really ache! Please, just let me have a few minutes with you, alone. No talking. No fighting. Please just let me kiss you." He had brought his voice down to barely above a whisper.

"I love you." Harry leaned down to rest his forehead on hers.

Hermione looked sheepishly up at her wizard. My. He was so amazing. He had seen so much in his barely seventeen years. If this was what he wanted, even only for five minutes, she'd allow it. Not just for him, but for her too. They'd both been denied each other for so long. This war had made both of them on edge. Romance was gone and out the window six months ago. When they had begun their relationship. But they had to put personal feelings aside. Sex however, well, it was few and far between. But there were nights when they would let themselves go for a few hours. They never expressed it, but they were terrified. Hermione could swear she was going to give herself an ulcer, from worry over Harry. Voldemort's grasp was looming overhead, and she was terrified that her boyfriend would die. Harry was scared of losing Hermione to Voldemort. That he was would kill his last link to survival. That he literally wouldnt have anything to live for after this was all over. If he lost her, he'd be dead anyway.

"I love you too."

Harry leaned down and kissed her so softly, Hermione could swear she couldnt feel it.

She stood on her tiptoes and deepened the kiss. Tongues intertwined and she felt Harry pull her closer to him. His strong Quidditch arms wrapped around her and she could feel that familiarity warm her to her core. Safe was how she described it. She felt at ease now. His hands were on both cheeks running circles around them. Harry uttered a soft moan. It made her want to cry. She was just so scared.

She slowly pushed him away. Gently she backed up.

Harry's look said it all. Rejection. In the worst sense.

"Harry, we need to be careful."

She took a step forward and kissed him once more. Her lips lingering on his, hoping he'd understand why she couldn't allow it go further. Too much was at stake right now.

Harry let out a breath and nodded.

"Please promise something."

Hermione gazed up at him.

"What's that, my love?"

"Please promise me, when this is all over...when i kill Voldemort, that we'll stay locked up for at least a week shagging each other senseless."

Hermione laughed.

"Of course."

Harry winked at her as she left his quarters.

She couldnt wait for that week to come.

Ron was waiting outside for Hermione to give him the okay to see Harry. He was Lieutentant of this army of Harry's and he took it very seriously. Hermione nodded to Ron as he made his way inside the tent.

The cool night air was filling the sky. The breeze cooled her burning cheeks. She wasnt sure if it was from the kiss Harry stole, or from something else. She really hoped she wasnt coming down with something. She decided it was best to call it a night and return to her tent.

She hadnt been sleeping because of her worry over the war, so she hoped turning in early would help her get a good night's rest. She was walking over to her tent when she heard a retching sound.

"What--?"

She noticed it was coming from Malfoy's holding tent.

Rolling her eyes and entering, she was about to ask him not to wake the camp when she saw he was slumped over, and coughing up a dark liquid.

"Malfoy!"

She ran over to his side and heaved him up so he was looking at her.

"Granger...help..." He wasnt able to finish because he passed out.

There was a pool of blood on the floor.

Where was that damn guard that was supposed to be outside his tent!?!

She would murder him!

If their only link to Snape died, Harry would blow a gasket!

"Someone, help!! HARRY!" she bellowed.

Harry and Ron came charging out of the tent and ran towards their friend.

"What's going on!?" Harry demanded.

"Malfoy--he--" But Harry wasnt listening, he had already ran into the tent wand drawn.

"MEDIC!"

A healer came running and went into the tent.

"He has been hit with a Sectumsempra curse, General."

"Jesus, it figures, we'd need Snape for something like this!" Harry was at a loss.

They HAD to save Draco. Or all would be lost.

Harry turned toward the two people he trusted most.

"Ron, find out who did this, THAT's AN ORDER!"

Ron stiffened. "Yes, Sir!"

"Anything i can do?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, get some water and towels. He's lost a lot of blood."

Hermione nodded exiting.

Harry ran a hand through his black, unruly hair.

"Come on, Ferrett, come back to us. If you live, i swear i'll let you see your Mum. Draco, COME ON!" He put a hand down to Malfoy's pulse. It was barely there. He leaned down to his chest listening for his heart. It was very irregular.

Hermione came back with towels and water. Harry poured the water, after tearing open Draco's chest and found the wounds and pouring the water on it. Then he dabbed as best he could some of the blood away.

Neville entered.

"I heard, sir. Here, let me."

Neville muttered some healing incantation over and over again. It seemed to help because Malfoy's color was slowly returning. Well, not that he had much color to begin with, but at least he didnt look see-through now. Harry felt his pulse, his heartbeat seemed to get stronger.

"Well done Neville. Well done." Harry grinned slightly towards his former Gryffindor roommate. Neville nodded.

"I'll have to keep saying this incantation for the next few hours or so. But I'll need some help keeping him restrained."

"I'll do it." Hermione spoke up looking at Harry.

Harry nodded, agreeing to let her take on the task.

"It was me who found him, I should be the one to make sure he's alright."

"It's settled then." Harry said pushing up his glasses.

"Where is Ron?"

"I'm here!" Ron came jogging over, wand out.

"Any word on who it was that did this?"

"Yes sir. It was Dawlish. One of the former death eaters in disguise. Polyjuice potion apparently."

"Dammit! How could we have not noticed!?"

Ron shrugged.

"Find him, and bring him to me. I want him alive." Harry said, giving Ron the order.

Ron nodded slightly and took two more of the DA with him. They wouldn't be making anymore mistakes. They couldnt afford to.

Harry looked over at Neville and Hermione who were now levitating Draco to have him placed in the hospital ward. He looked worse for wear but Harry had a feeling that the stubborn ex-Slytherin would pull through. Malfoy had a habit for being annoyingly kill-proof.

"At least that's what I hope." Harry said aloud to himself.

He rubbed his eyes and marched off to follow Neville and Hermione.

This was going to be one long night.