Warning: This Chapter may explain everything that is coming up or perhaps nothing at all.

Her Last Sentence

A Few Days Later…

I was working my guts out to complete every assignment given by the professors. I tried to do my best in the reports. I had to strive to be the second achieving pupil in the week. In three days, I skipped ranks to being the second in the level. My goal was achieved but not done.

I looked at my hands. They were aching, probably from all the extra work I had to do.

"I don't get why you're working so hard," Blaise said, we were on our way to the dungeons for Snape's potion lessons.

"McGonagall said that other than celebrating my engagement," I paused sourly, "The ball is for celebrating star students too."

Blaise looked at me in puzzlement, "What has that got to do with Greengrass and Granger?"

"Elementary, my dear Zabini," I quoted from one of the famous muggle detective. I smirked at him, surprised at my own genius. I may have gained humane feelings with Hermione but my ego was not any lower than before.

"The top male and female students will lead the dance," I stated, grinning smugly.

"You're the top male student, right now and Granger has occupied the top female student spot for years…"

Understanding dawned on him like a bullet and he too gained that smug grin on his face. Just then, the evil bitch had arrived. Even from the dim light lit with the licking flames I could see whatever she was wearing. It seemed that she had learned a thing or two from one of the 'girls' of Hogwarts, her blouse was tight and her skirt was short for school limits. Her heels clicked rhythmically on the Hogwarts floor.

She gave me a smile that resembled the Cheshire cat's,—I had no idea why I knew so many muggle icons— it was nauseating and I just wanted to deal a punch to her perfect porcelain face. She walked over-confidently to me and hooked her arms with mine.

My eyes narrowed at her self-assuming manner. Had she no upbringing at all? Unfortunately, my brain reminded me that I held myself with the same sort of arrogance a few years ago. I could feel her elbow digging in my rib as we walked, somehow punishing me for my indifference.

I would certainly not tolerate such behavior, from a mere woman at that. The only woman that can treat me like dirt was perhaps Granger and I smiled at the thought. Not forgetting my intention when she linked her disgusting arm with mine. I silently unsheathed my knife for cutting ingredients out of its scabbard. The blade glinted in the light of the flames. I leaned over and felt my wrist flick left, it hit the spot.

I watched in pleasure as my knife tore through her sleeve and gave that damn Greengrass a good deep cut.

Astoria's—as I was deemed to call her—eyes widened and narrowed with annoyance.

"Unhook your unworthy arm from my contact immediately," I hissed. Her defensive stance faltered and she meekly withdrew her arm. I rolled my eyes. I detested females like her. Faking a rebellious streak, it was pathetic.

I strode into the dungeon feeling spiteful. My hateful emotions faltered as I saw Hermione's brown eyes. Her gaze had unknowingly wandered to my face and she smiled politely at me.

Frustration came flooding back. I had rather she scold me or hit me. This lack of interest was killing me, filling me with emptiness. I could not bear that she felt nothing. Felt alright when I was due to be wed with another woman…

I was walking to the library. Somehow I had an addiction to the place, and I knew that was where Hermione was. I slipped into my original seat. In front of Hermione, this time she was reading a History of Magic book instead of the usual leisure fantasy novels.

Hermione like the past few days ignored me, pretending to be engrossed in her book. Even if she could not see me, I gave her a reassuring smile. But it felt like my smile was reflected off the cover of the book.

I sighed quietly and fished whatever book that I had picked up from one of the random shelves I passed to get to this table and began to idly sweep across the words.

Suddenly the little light from the sun covered by clouds was blocked. I lowered my book to stare at the figure that was blocking.

He was the same dark haired guy that had kissed Hermione's hand; it seemed to me that he was trying to start up a conversation. Their casual chat held of no importance to me, but since he was talking to my woman, I made an effort to listen. And I thanked god I did.

"So Hermione, want to go with me to the Celebratory Ball?" he asked, finally revealing his motive for the conversation.

Hermione's eyes widened, her polite voice dropped at her stare turned from his eyes to mine. I gave her a warning stare, she responded with a diminishing look. She turned back to him.

"Joel—

I stood up roughly, drawing both their attention. I had to act now. And to tell him she was mine.

"I'm sorry, Joel," I said mockingly, "Hermione is the top female student, and I currently being the top male one. We're going to the ball together, to lead the first dance."

Joel's eyes narrowed at my brazen statement. Hermione stared at me in anger and surprise. I gave her no heed and focused my stare on the damned guy. He left giving me withering glares. Hermione obviously not informed of this, grabbed my collar, like what I did to Astoria a few days earlier.

"What do you mean by 'going to the ball together'?" she asked forcefully.

I could not help but give her a grin. If Astoria had popped into the library now and saw us in this position…

Sensing that I was not going to give her an answer, Hermione stood up in aggravation.

"I will go to McGonagall about this. Bring your fiancé too!" Hermione shouted as she stormed out of the library…

"Malfoy is the top male student currently, Hermione," Professor McGonagall said, debating with a flushing Hermione.

Astoria was standing beside me. He eyes bulging out from anger and her face red and blotchy. If any guy saw her now, they would not say that she was beautiful. Hermione's banter with McGonagall was uninteresting and I zoned out.

"So what do you choose, Draco," McGonagall's shrill voice startled me out of my reverie. I looked at her in confusion.

McGonagall sighed and repeated the question, "Who shall you choose? Ms. Granger or Ms. Greengrass?"

Both of them were standing in front of me now. Neither of them getting close to McGonagall's towering frame though.

Astoria was but an inch taller than Hermione. But that was probably because she wore those migraine-giving heels. Astoria's hair, like I mentioned was honey blonde and was straight. Not a single strand of hair out of place. Her cold blue eyes stared at me shrewdly, daring me to make a decision. Her upturned nose high in the air her lips in a thin line. She had make up on, light green around her eyes, her tinged cheek with her blush making it pinker than ever and her lips were caked with blood red lipstick.

Astoria had a good figure, I guess. I chuckled softly to myself. Who was I kidding? She had a brilliant body, a nice rack. Everything seemed to be proportioned.

I had only known her for day but I knew she possessed the exact same qualities Slytherin wanted. The model Slytherin, you could say. I knew that if I chose her I would break Hermione's heart. But if I did not, there was a possible chance she would tell my father, bringing the 'day' closer than ever.

Hermione's unruly brown hair dropped around her face, her brown eyes flecked with auburn streaks, the eyes I had observed for months, the shadows of her eyes were lighter than before. Her prominent nose, was slanting in a slope, her cheeks was flushed with peach pink. Her lips were a natural sort of red.

Hermione did not have a great body but she held her own charm. She was tall for girls her age. She had a kind of leanness that Astoria could only wish to possess. I could deem that her body was very lithe.

In a way, I guess you could say the two women in front of me were not much different. But I had to disagree. Maybe I was just biased, for I was sure every guy in Hogwarts, had they not known Hermione, would pick Astoria in a blink of an eye.

Maybe I would too. But I knew Hermione; I knew what she was like. It was true; Astoria was certainly a little more beautiful than Hermione. But she can never match up to her. Looks would fade within time, but not your character.

Your character stays with you. And I had already known Hermione's character the day she laid her hands on me. She was determined, a planner and bossy. All that I could tell, but I also knew how she hid her feelings.

I had felt doubt for the past few days whether I should really try so hard. What if she really had no feelings for me? But my doubts evaporated when I saw the slight upturn of her lips when she realized that I had worked hard to become the second achieving pupil. Not to mention how many essays I had to do within the day to make up for my previous ones.

I do not know from what degree she fancied me, but I loved her. I loved Hermione Granger. I loved her because of the flaws. Because that is what makes her what she is. I knew that she conceded to Astoria because she was not sure of her feelings. Not sure of herself. And perhaps the only one thing I wanted to change was self-esteem.

She always seemed to think that being a sidekick to Potter was helping the Light. And to be true, it is. The Light could use some brains like her. But one disadvantage about being next to Potter was that all the attention is always on him. Whether he wants it or not.

Hermione gave the impression that she loved being out of the limelight. And I believe she really does. I doubt her parents shower her with much attention. Boys came and go, she knew that. So she found her refuge in books.

But I wanted to give her attention. I wanted to remember every contour of her face, every strand of hair in its position. Until I can see her even if she is not with me anymore.

If only she could see herself like how I see her. How I see her heart. And right then, I knew the answer.

For just this one night, I decided. My father can put me through all sorts of torture after that. But I wanted to be sure that I had this one night. One beautiful memorable night with her, so I can keep it in my head forever.

"Hermione Granger,"

Author's Note: Once again bear with me for the rush.