Okay folks, so what do you think? I know, I know, it's horrible! I felt my own heart break, and I think I even cried, just a little. I know that everything kinda confusing, 'Does he love her, or not?' Trust me; I know what I'm doing. I might even decide to do a sequel, if enough people want one It's going to be good! Stay tuned.

Disclaimer: Please don't shoot me, J.K. Rowling! I know I don't own Harry Potter or anything to do with it. I am just borrowing your characters, but I promise to return them. And if it looks like we had a wild party in Hogwarts, it's because… we did! Ha ha ha!

Hermione woke up on the cold floor, the last embers of the fire finally dying out. She gathered her wand and her robes and walked back to her common room. She felt exhausted, and there was an indescribable pain in her chest. She opened the door to her room and fell onto her bed. She felt another bout of tears coming, but she pushed them back. She would not let this ruin her life; she knew that they could never be together. She knew the consequences; she pushed the visions of walking into the Great Hall on Malfoy's arm out of her head. She picked up a quill and a piece of parchment and began to write.

Ron & Harry,

I am so sorry about these last few months. I know I have let you down, seriously let you down. I don't know the words to describe the pain I have felt not having you in my life. I wish that you can find it in your heart to forgive me of my unforgivable actions. Looking back I can see that I have made many mistakes in our friendship. But I want to set them right. I want to be the best friends we can be. Being away from you for this while I have realized just how much you truly mean to me. Please forgive me.

Hermione

She sealed the letter and sent it to the Burrow. She went back to the common room, picking up her books and various things. She set them on her desk back in her room, and settled in for the rest of the two week torture.

January

Hermione stood, bundled in her coat, on the train platform. She was waiting for Harry and Ron to arrive, and hopefully to be friends again. She heard the train before she saw it, but felt a warmth spread over her body as it approached. She had received Harry and Ron's letter that morning. She smiled as she thought of their heart-filled apologies, and promises of reuniting. The train began to unload, and Hermione could see a pair of bright red heads in the crowd of students.

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed.

She ran to hug him and Harry.

"Oh I'm so glad to see you! I've missed you terribly. Promise me we will never fight like this again." She said.

"I promise." Said Harry.

"I promise." Said Ron.

They gathered their trunks and walked to an empty carriage. They climbed into it, and peeled off their scarves and mittens.

"So tell me, did you guys have a good Christmas? I got your presents. They were lovely. Tell your mom that her fudge kept me alive this winter, Ron."

"Christmas was great. There was awesome snow, and the tree looked beautiful. Mrs. Weasley made the greatest ham. And Mr. Weasley even cooked some pies. Although they tasted a little funny. What about you?" Harry said.

"I had a very quiet break. I mostly stayed in my room and did homework. I thought about going out to enjoy the snow, but I got a horrible chest cold. I thought I was going to die. But I feel much better now that you all are here. So what exactly did Mr. Weasley's pies taste like?" she asked.

Hermione did not feel that it was important to mention her and Malfoy's encounter. She listened intently as they described a bubblegum flavored pie, and a blueberry pie that tasted faintly like duck. As the carriage pulled up to a stop Hermione saw the back of a blonde head and felt a pull on her chest. She had to exercise great force to stop from running into Malfoy's arms.

"Hermione! Are you okay? We've been calling your name. Where are you?"

In a room dancing with Malfoy, she thought.

"Sorry, I'm just so happy you all are back."

"Look, the Golden Trio is back together. Look Zabini, the morons have they're bookworm once again."

The trio turned their heads to stare at Malfoy and Blaise. Hermione glared daggers into his eyes. She didn't know what to think. One day he was confessing his love, and the next he was calling her names.

"I don't get you Malfoy." She said.

"You never did. And that was the beauty of it all."

"What are you talking about Malfoy?" asked Harry.

"Nothing Wonder Boy. Don't you worry your pretty, little, scarred head about it."

Hermione watched as Malfoy walked away. She stood speechless. I never understood him? What? She thought.

"What was that Hermione?" asked Ron.

"I don't know. I really don't get him."

Later that evening Hermione was looking at her prefect duty calendar. She saw that she and Malfoy had hall patrol that night. With a quick glance at the clock she saw it was time to leave and check in with Filch before starting their patrol. She grabbed a cloak and walked to Malfoy's room she gave it one quick knock.

"What?"

"We have duty, and I don't plan on wandering the halls alone. Let's go." She yelled through the door.

She heard shuffling behind the door and walked to the portrait, waiting for him. She held the portrait open and followed him to Filch's office. After they checked in and got their assignment they began patrolling. She made sure to walk a few feet behind him to avoid any weird looks. They had been walking for an hour when he spoke.

"So, are you going to bring it up, or do I have to?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop playing dumb. I know you want to. Just ask."

"Fine. Do you love me? Or was it all a joke?"

"No."

"No what? No you don't love me, or no it was not all a joke?" her voice raised.

"No, it was not all a joke."

"So you do love me?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"
"So why are you being such an arsehole?"

"Think for a moment. Surely you can understand the stupidity of a relationship between us. My friends would disown me, and my father would kill me. And your own friends would never talk to you again." He reasoned.

"I know that, but isn't there a way for us to be together? Even if it's just in secret? I know we could never be open about our relationship, but can't we be together in our rooms?" she pleaded.

"No. I would never be able to hide this. I either want all of you, in public, or not at all. Can't you see it would only make us hurt more to hide our feelings? I know you love me, and you know I love you. Isn't that enough? Please Hermione, tell me that's enough. Tell me you'll be okay."

"No I won't! I won't be okay. Every time I see you I want to run into your arms, I want to kiss you and hold you. I want to love you, and I don't care what anyone says. Please don't make me hid these feelings Draco. I can't! I won't!"

"Then you'll be dead. I watched you over the break. I thought you would die without your friends. I can't stand to see you like that. Please, just stop. You know that we can't have a relationship."

"Please Draco, don't say that. We can. We can hide it. Please?" she whispered.

"Hermione," he laid a hand on her cheek. "I couldn't do that to you. I could never live with myself knowing that I was the reason you didn't date. I will not be the one to begrudge you a happy relationship. I can't do that to you. We would only end up hating each other."

"I could never hate you. Never. I will always love you."

"It's good to hear you say that. It may well be the last good thing I hear for a long time."

"What are you talking about? We live together, we'll see each other."

"No, we won't. I'm leaving Hermione. There is nothing you can do. That's why no one can know about our feelings."

"What do you mean your leaving?"

"My father sent me a letter. I am to leave school and join the Death Eaters."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know. A little last minute, right? Well, tonight was supposed to be my last night. There is a group of us leaving."

"You can't. Go see Dumbledore. He'll know what to do. You don't have to go."

"Yes I do. There is nothing I can do. It's already done basically. All I have to do is show up and get the mark."

"And then you're coming back right?"

"No. I am never coming back."

Hermione saw him look around, and then glance at his watch. She felt a mountain of pain in her chest. She could not let him go. She had to convince him to go to Dumbledore. But deep down she knew that it would be useless. She pulled him into a tight hug. She felt his arms circle her body, and she knew it would be the last time they would be able to touch each other for a long time. She tilted her head up and caught his kiss on her lips.

"I have to go Hermione."

"I know. I love you."

"I love you too."

And with those last words she let him go. She watched him walk down the hallway and turn the corner. She ran after him, but by the time she reached the corner he was gone.