DRACO'S POV:

The next morning, I got ready for class and then walked to the library, not quite ready to head to the great hall yet and subconsciously hoping to see Hermione. This had become our meeting point of sorts. I pulled out a book, not paying attention to the title, and started thumbing through the pages. Then I heard an indignant huff from behind me. I turned and saw Hermione, red-cheeked and bushy-haired. I smiled a little to myself and went to talk to her.

"Draco." she said, smiling at me in greeting.

My heart thudded unevenly for a second before finally steadying out. "Hermione. I need to talk to you." I said, my voice nearly imitating that of a businessman.

"Okay." she nodded.

"I mean… I need to talk to you. In private." I said, motioning for the door.

"Oh! Okay." she said, gathering her bag and wand and walking out into the hallway with me.

I led her into a corner by a set of stairs that was rarely used by anyone.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" she asked, leaning back against the wall beside me.

I reached a hand out to push a strand of hair back out of her eyes and looked straight into them, feeling the immense pressure her gaze put on my heart. I tried desperately to get my breathing under control, but so far it wasn't working, so I just began talking.

"I really need to tell you something. But I don't know how to tell you… I've never had to do this before. I-I really like you a lot, Hermione. More than I should. But, I know that my family and friends wouldn't approve and neither would your friends. I'm prepared to leave you alone and completely forget about all of this." I said, motioning between us to indicate the odd relationship that had grown recently.

She started to shake her head, looking confused.

"Well, I guess… that's all." I said, dropping my hand and turning away. She didn't make any move to stop me, so I continued walking. I tried to convince myself that leaving her alone would be good for her as well as for myself. Maybe I was stopping what I already felt from growing even more. Maybe if I left her alone, I would get over this little school-boy crush on her.

Steve said from the back of my head, "Its not just some school-boy crush."

I ignored him, thinking, "Nobody likes you, Steve."

HERMIONE'S POV:

I watched his retreating back, unsurprised but still chagrined. The back of my eyes pricked and I fought the urge to let a few tears spill silently down my cheek. I had known from the beginning that I couldn't be with him, and in the beginning I hadn't wanted to. But now I wasn't sure what it was I DID want.

The tears never came, much to my relief, and the 2 weeks after the events in the hall went on in a very bland, boring manner, without any sight of Draco but for meals where he didn't bother looking up. Nothing happened in between the small gaps of time that I wasn't using for studying or eating or talking very little to Harry and Ron. Every day I tried to appear as though nothing was wrong.

But every night when I laid down, I couldn't help the tears that fell and soaked small circular spots on my pillow-case. I couldn't help the fierce ache in my heart. Couldn't help that Draco didn't want me.

RON'S POV:

Something was different about Hermione. It was a scary difference. She hardly talked and when she did, it was only a few words that could have belonged to any other topic. She didn't pay much attention to anything and she filled her time with studying. I missed hearing her really get into a conversation and listening as she corrected every mispronounced word, I missed the eager spark in her eyes at any challenge of wits, I missed the sight of her throwing her head back in resplendent laughter. There was a whole long list of things like this. Things I loved about her. And I could guess why they had been taken away.

I looked up across the Great Hall and directly into the cold slate eyes of Draco Malfoy. He looked curious, whether it was as to why I hadn't even touched my food or why I was looking at him I couldn't tell.

I nodded toward the door of the Great Hall slightly and under notice. He understood and nodded, standing up without complaint from his surrounding Slytherin friends. When I stood up, Harry looked at me and cocked a brow.

"Leave your appetite in the hall, Ron?"

I put on a fake smile and said, "Something like that." Then I turned and walked out into the hall.

He was standing leaned up against the wall with something like resignation written clear across his pinched features.

"What do you want, Weasley?" he asked, his expression drawing to agony. "Do you want me to stop seeing Granger? Fine. I've already told her we cant be together. I never would have thought that not being able to be with Hermione Granger would have bothered me quite this much, but it does! I want her more than I've ever wanted anything and for once in my life, its for an unselfish reason. I want to make her happy. I want her for her own good. I want to BE good. I want to be like you!"

I could only stare wide-eyed as Draco poured out his heart. It was shocking to hear that the boy that had tormented and picked on both me and Hermione now wanted a relationship with her and to be more like me.

"But I cant do that. My side has been picked for me." he sounded so melancholy that I started to argue.

I actually wanted to make him feel better! What was going on with this crazy school? Was there a gas leak somewhere?

"Your father cant make all of your decisions for you." I said, my voice quiet.

He looked up then, as if realizing for the first time that I was standing here. "Its not that simple." he said after a long pause.

"Why does everyone always say that? It can be." I said, suddenly exasperated from hearing that tired old line.

He looked at me through eyes narrowed in suspicion and said, "What's gotten into you Weasley?"

I shook my head, shrugging. "You made Hermione happier than I remember seeing her. If being with you is the only way to make her smile again, I figure we've got nothing to lose since you seem to be turning over a new leaf."

His eyes popped open wide for a moment and then he stared at the space where the wall and the floor connected, seeming unsure of himself; another new trait in him.

He may not have noticed, but my heart was breaking. I could feel it ripping slowly down the middle. The thought of giving Hermione up to Malfoy had seemed revolting just a day ago, but I was starting to see that he actually cared. It was hard for me to accept, but I knew I could never be right for Hermione with as much as I had hurt her recently. I loved her more than I had ever loved anything, but they say if you love something, you have to let it go. So I could stand to let my heart get broken if it meant she would be happy.

Seeing that he was closer to the decision I wanted him to make, I smiled lightly and said, "Besides, I don't think you were much cut out for being a death eater."

He smiled brightly and nodded, standing straighter and only running down the hall after my prompting.

Watching him run to her, I felt half of my heart sever itself from the rest. That half would always be hers and would stay with her. The other half would be with the girl I was mildly annoyed with at the moment but would learn to love.

DRACO'S POV:

I ran up to the Gryffindor common room and walked up to the girl's dorm where only Hermione was sleeping, her body rising and falling lightly with her deep breathing. I tiptoed over and sat on the edge, careful not to jostle the bed any. I placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her gently.

She jumped and thrashed about, flailing arms and legs into a tangle of limbs and sheets. Then she caught sight of me and her sleep-worn face turned to relief. Then she looked at me angrily. "What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.

I supposed I deserved that and started explaining. "I had a talk with Weasley. He gave me some very good advice." I decided to ignore her surprised gasp. "He told me I shouldn't let what my father wants for me affect what I want. Well basically anyway. His way of explaining it was much less tediously worded. At any rate, I've realized he's right. I can deal with the hostility of our classmates, and I want to join you and your friends in your cause against Voldemort. I don't want to help my father destroy you. Because I cant live without you. I love you too much."

Her eyes watered and both of her hands covered her mouth. I waited for her to say something, anything, but she just sat and stared at me with wonder and happiness. Finally, she threw her arms around me and whispered in my ear, "I love you too, Draco."

I pulled my head back and kissed her, this time not afraid that what we could be, what we now were was wrong. I could give happiness to someone. The thought made something warm flood my face. I was blushing? I laugh against her mouth at the thought.

"What?" she asked.

I smiled and lied, saying, "Tomorrow… You get to explain all of this to Potter."

THE END