I got some interesting reviews from people this time around. Some of you have said "Aww…how adorable." And others have said that you didn't like Draco being so nice. For all of those who said Draco was too nice…this chapter is for you…and for all of you who think the last chapter was cute and adorable…sorry. This chapter is not named for a classic rock song, but it has a deep significance in the plot of the story. So, if you have read and understood Hamlet the outcome of this chapter should be quite clear to you. By the way…this is the last chapter!
Chapter Ten
Ophelia
Hermione woke up early on that February morning, before Draco was awake. She rolled out of his grasp and got out of bed. His robe was hanging over the back of a chair in his room. Hermione wrapped it around herself as she stared out the window. A thick blanket of snow covered the grounds and as the sun rose, casting its glow across the white wonderland. Thick clouds on the horizon were alive with color, slowly making their way towards the castle to let loose with even more of their delicate ice crystals.
The night before, Hermione had realized she had fallen in love with the enemy. That startling revelation haunted her even more in the moments she spent looking out at the sun making her first appearance of the day over the distant mountains.
She left Draco's room, glancing at his still slumbering form, and went into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and took off Draco's robe. She hung it up on one of the towel hooks in the bathroom. She stepped out of her nightgown and stepped into the steaming shower. The warm water felt so good against her skin. She dreaded the shower being over when she would have to step out on to the cold tile floor. The door opened and Draco walked into the bathroom. He didn't say a word, merely walked over and grabbed his robe from the hook and left the bathroom. He did not look at Hermione nor acknowledge her presence in any way.
Hermione did not think anything of it.
It was Sunday morning, so no classes to worry about. Hermione was grateful for an extra day, what with the hectic and stressful events of the day before. She also needed a day to herself where she could process the revelation of the previous night. She didn't know what it meant. She knew she loved him, as much as she hated him. She also knew he would never love her back.
She dressed quickly, layering on clothes for she knew she would be taking an early morning walk around the snowy grounds. She made a quick detour through the Great Hall, merely grabbing a piece of toast and some bacon on the way out. Harry watched her come in and gave her an inquisitive stare, as if asking 'is everything okay'. Hermione nodded, answering his unvoiced question. She quickly exited the Hall and made her way outside to the icy morning.
The sun had risen fully, casting warmth across the frozen land. Hermione pulled her cloak tightly around herself as she leaned against a tree. The wind was surprisingly still, holding the temperature just above twenty degrees. She stood outside in the cold for a long while, trying desperately to get a grasp on her emotions. It wasn't working too well. She finally dragged her numb body back into the castle for warmth.
She walked into her Head Dorm; Draco was sitting in front of the fireplace with a book resting on his lap. His head popped up when she entered.
"Hermione, I thought we discussed this. Coming in half frozen will get you sick, and then get me sick." Draco said with a playful smile on his face. He sat up as Hermione walked over and sat down on the couch. Draco pulled a blanket off of the back of the couch and wrapped it around Hermione's shoulders, warming her.
That simple gesture made it that much harder for Hermione. She was in love with Draco Malfoy and he seemed to be warming up to her.
That night, Hermione could not sleep. Her mind was racing and she knew that the only way to get sleep would be to sleep next to Draco's warm body. She couldn't though, she couldn't let him know that she needed him.
She couldn't sleep the next night either.
Or the next.
Or the next.
By Friday night, Hermione realized she couldn't keep having these sleepless nights. She went to the Hospital Wing after dinner to ask Madame Pomfrey for help. She was happy to help the Head Girl.
"This is Dreamless Sleep potion," Madame Pomfrey said, handing Hermione a small bottle. "Take but one spoonful before bed and it should help you. That bottle should last you at least two months. If you need more in two months, come back to me."
Hermione smiled and thanked the kind nurse. She stowed the bottle in a pocket and went back to the Head Dorm. Draco was at one of the desks, working on some homework when she arrived.
"Good evening, Draco." She said pleasantly, sitting down next to him. He wrinkled his nose at her.
"What do you want, Granger?" He sneered, angling his chair away from her. Her eyes widened at his rude reaction towards her.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, resting her hand on his arm. He stood up, slamming his book shut and glaring at her.
"Why do you keep calling me Draco? Do not address me as if we were friends." He spat, giving her a look of the utmost distaste. Her heart began to race, a lump formed in her throat. She didn't know what was going on and she didn't like it.
"I thought we were friends." Hermione said softly. Draco let out a quick, cruel laugh.
"Idiot. You were nothing more than a good shag." Draco sneered. Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes.
"You made me think…" Hermione choked out. Draco put his finger under her chin and pulled her head up to meet his eyes.
"What did I make you think?" He whispered harshly. A tear rolled down Hermione's cheek.
"I love you." She admitted in a voice that Draco had to strain to hear. But he did hear it. His eyes widened tremendously and several emotions flashed through them before they returned to their ice cold grey. Hermione's lack of sleep was not making her think clearly. That, coupled with the stress of her ordeal with Ron, school, and the realization that she loved Draco was making her crazy. She didn't know how much longer it would take until she hit the breaking point.
She didn't know how much longer it would be until she lost her grip on reality.
"You're an idiot. I never loved you and I never will." Draco said through gritted teeth.
"You made me think you loved me. You've been so kind lately." Hermione said softly through her tears.
"I loved you not." He said softly, removing his hand from her chin.
"I was the more deceived." Hermione sobbed, collapsing on the floor. She was losing her grip, fast.
"Yeah. I guess you were." Draco spat. He turned to walk back to his room, leaving her sobbing on the floor. Her sobs suddenly stopped and he paused. Something was going on.
Something was about to happen.
'He doesn't love you, Hermione.' A voice rang out in Hermione's head, causing her tears to suddenly stop.
"I know." She said out loud. Draco assumed she was responding to his last comment.
'He's never going to love you, Hermione.'
"I know."
'You're going to die all alone.'
"No. I'm not." Hermione said. Draco turned and looked at her. Her eyes were wide, her body twitched and she didn't look right.
"Hermione? Are you okay?" He asked cautiously. He was starting to get worried. He didn't want to be, but he was.
'He doesn't care about you. No one cares about you.'
"Yes they do. They do."
'No they don't! You thought Ron cared about you.'
"He does care. It was a mistake."
'It was no mistake! He hit you, Hermione!'
"It was a mistake. It won't happen again."
'Maybe not by his hand. No one loves you. No one respects you. You have lost all respect.'
"I have not lost respect."
'Yes you have! You slept with the enemy! SLAG!!!'
"I AM NOT A SLAG!!!"
"Hermione?!" Draco said anxiously, running over to Hermione. She did not acknowledge his presence at all.
'You do not deserve to LIVE'
"I know."
'You should end things now.'
"I know."
'Do it.'
"I can't."
'Yes you can.'
"How?"
'That little bottle in your pocket.'
"What about it?"
'Drink it. Drink it all.'
"Okay." Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out the bottle.
"Hermione? What is that?" Draco asked as she uncorked the bottle.
'Drink it all Hermione.'
"Goodbye." And with that, she drank all of the potion. She was gone before she fell into Draco's arms.
HA! Like you think I would end the story there?! There are still a few chapters left to go. Don't worry! What kind of sick twisted author do you think I am…don't answer. Anyways…review please!