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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything else recognized. The plot is mine and my sister's.

As if We Were Meant to Stay Together:

A Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 3

Out in the corridor, Hermione had begun to search for a certain Slytherin.

"Draco!" Hermione called.

"What?" Draco whispered his voice barely carried to her ears.

He was slouched against a wall as he stared up at her.

"What were you doing back there?" Hermione asked as she peered back at him.

"What are you talking about, Granger?" Draco lied, despite that he knew, Hermione knew, it had been him in the library.

"I've seen you stoop low before, but this…" Hermione said with a shake of her head.

"I'm sorry…" Draco said with a sigh.

"I actually thought there was something wrong with her! …Well…you…"

There is! Draco thought bitterly.

"Do you know how dangerous that spell is?!" Hermione asked. She squinted in disgust and turned to leave.

"Stop!" Draco called out.

"What now?!" Hermione called back.

"Hermione, it's true!" Draco pleaded.

"What's true?" Hermione asked in confusion.

"What I said in the library about…you and…me," Draco admitted.

Hermione just stared at Draco, unsure how to respond.

"It's…a spell, isn't it?" He asked, becoming angry.

"Yes…but…it doesn't affect your emotions…" Hermione agreed with a shake of her head.

What does that mean? Draco thought, as he stared at Hermione expectantly.

"Draco I…I think you should go and see the nurse," Hermione said at last.

"Why? Just…stay with me," Draco pleaded. His voice was weak in comparison to the usual, menacing tone he used.

"Stay with you?" Hermione gasped. "I—"

"Hermione, there you are!" Harry called out to her.

"Hermione—" Ron began.

Great… Draco sighed.

"You guys…" Hermione said through a sigh. "I'm in the middle of something right now."

"Oh, okay," Ron said sarcastically.

"We can see that," Harry said as he sent a glare towards Draco.

Draco swiftly returned it with a scowl of his own.

"Look, Hermione," Harry continued. "We all know it was a rotten trick Draco just played on you and all, but…what's the big deal?"

Hermione widened her eyes in annoyance at Harry.

"Get out of here!" Draco said, unable to contain his irritation with the duo.

"What?" Harry and Ron said at the same time.

"You heard me," Draco snapped.

"Fine!" Harry replied curtly. "Come on, Hermione."

"Harry…" Ron mumbled.

"No! We're leaving!" Harry said sharply.

"Well…leave her," Draco said suddenly.

"You wish," Ron sneered.

"What?" Harry and Hermione asked.

"I mean…I'll…" Hermione said. "I'll catch up."

"Sorry guys," Draco said in an awkward and uncharacteristic manner.

"Sorry guys?" Harry asked in dismay

"Guys…?" Ron reiterated. He's totally nuts…

Maybe Draco has gone loony… Harry silently wondered.

Draco inwardly cringed as he stared at them.

"Just…go! I'll catch up," Hermione said.

Draco subconsciously envisioned himself taking Hermione's hand and leading her away.

"No way!" Harry said with a shake of his head.

"Harry—" Hermione pleaded.

"No. I'm not leaving you alone with him," Harry argued.

"Hermione, come on," Ron groaned.

"No!" Hermione screamed. Why don't I just go with them? Draco doesn't really need me…does he?

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked in distress.

Harry stared at Hermione in confusion.

"What have you done to her?" Ron accused Draco, his tone laced with hatred.

"I told you to go on without me!" Hermione screamed.

Draco shrugged, taken aback by Hermione.

"NOTHING! He's done nothing! Just go!" Hermione screeched.

"Are you bloody serious right now?" Ron asked.

Harry stared at Hermione open mouthed.

"How has he not done anything?" Ron asked incredulously.
"I am serious," Hermione said with a sigh. "Just please...let me take care of this."

"Of wha? …Him?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head with a sigh, his right hand poised to rub his temples. "Fine…"

"Really?" Ron asked, not wanting to give up.

"Come on, Ron," Harry said sulkily.

"Go," Draco said to Ron.

"Fine!" Ron said.

Harry gave Draco one last glare before leaving, Ron close behind.

Draco looked down, feeling overcome with guilt. "I'm…sorry."

"…For what?" Hermione asked shakily.

Really?! Draco thought, feeling somewhat irritated.

"Everything, I guess…" Well…not everything…

Hermione looked at Draco, unsure of if she should trust him or not.

"Sorry, they're mad, okay?" Draco said, his frustration peaking.

"Well…thank you for apologizing, but…it's not really going to help," Hermione said while she glanced down the hallway. "They're already mad at me."

"Whatever…" Draco muttered bitterly.

I can't let her leave… He realized, instantly catching his mistake.

"Now I'm thinking I shouldn't have even stayed here!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Hermione!" Draco called.

"What? Hermione what?" Hermione asked, irritated.

"Just undo the spell!" Draco demanded.

"Undo what spell?!"

"You said it was a spell…" Draco murmured as fear crept into his heart.

Didn't she…?

"I said what was a spell?" Hermione questioned as she massaged her temples with her right hand.

"Me…" Draco whispered nearly inaudibly.

"Draco! I was talking about the gender spell…that changed you into…you know!" Hermione said desperately.

"No! I meant…oh, you meant…" Draco frowned and sighed in confusion.

"What did you mean…?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I thought," Draco clarified through a sigh. "You meant the spell that connected us."

"Connected…us…?" Hermione asked.

"I guess…I guess…" Draco stuttered. I have gone mental…

Why do I feel bad for him...? Hermione asked herself.

"I can't be too…" Draco began.

"You can't be too what?" Hermione inquired.

Draco sighed. "If we're too far apart, it just, it like…bothers me?"

"Bothers you?" Hermione reiterated.

"Do you feel that? Or is it just…" Draco mumbled.

"I…don't understand…" Hermione admitted while shaking her head.

I'm…crazy. Draco thought sullenly.

"It feels…weird," Draco said.

Why do I feel…? Hermione mentally slapped herself. NO…no...you…you feel nothing…NOTHING!

"It feels bad…like painful, physically painful," Draco continued.

"Are you…um…sick?" Hermione asked, growing fearful.

"No!" Draco interjected. "I…thought you'd cast some tormenting spell…or something."

"Tormenting spell?" Hermione asked, confused. "Why would I do that?"

Yeah Hermione…Why would you do that? Draco thought sarcastically to himself. Hmm, let me see…maybe because we hate each other!

"I only use spells when I really need them," Hermione continued.

"I don't know! No—!" Draco admitted, frustrated.

"Draco…" Hermione whispered, as she reached her hand out to him before pulling it back.

Draco looked at her just as she turned so she wouldn't have to meet his eyes.

"I'm just scared that if we separate too much…I'll die," Draco whispered.

"Die?" Hermione asked, her heart rate speeding up yet again.

That sounds nuts…dramatic. Draco thought bitterly.

"Draco…" Hermione whispered, her glance back on him.

"Yes…" Draco asked quietly.

"I…you're not making any sense! And…and it's scaring me!" Hermione exploded.

"I…I know, but what am I supposed to do?" Draco asked desperately.

"I don't know…" Hermione mumbled as she tried to hold her tears in.

"You're the smartest witch in the whole school probably!" Draco exclaimed.

If you don't know what to do… Draco pondered.

"So…?" Hermione prodded in a faltering tone.

No one will. He concluded.

"I don't want to have to go to an adult about this. It's too…" Draco began as he searched for an appropriate word.

"I know," Hermione agreed. "Why don't we…separate for a little while and see…what happens."

"No!" Draco exclaimed.

It sounds like we're…breaking up. Hermione realized.

"Um…you go first," Hermione mumbled.

"Okay…" Draco mumbled back, reluctance evident in his tone.

Wait! Hermione screamed in her mind as Draco stood up and slowly inched away.

"Maybe…that's far enough," Hermione concluded.

Why did I do that…? Hermione thought miserably to herself.

"I don't think we should do this anymore," Draco said facing Hermione.

Do what? Draco thought to himself angrily. Why was it he couldn't make sense when talking to Granger of all people?!

"Me neither…" Hermione quietly agreed.

"Okay," Draco said simply.

"Draco…" Hermione began before she burst into tears.

"Yes?" Draco asked feeling frightened by this new position he was in. "What's happened?"

"I…don't know," Hermione admitted through her tears.

"Why are you crying? …Because of me?"

"No…I'm not…crying…" Hermione panted.

We can't tell anyone about this. Draco thought to himself.

"Yes you are," He said in a soft tone.

He moved closer to her. She sat down on the floor with her head in her hands. Draco followed suit.

"Are you having a headache?" Draco asked.

Why do I care? He asked himself.

At that exact moment the words, why does he even care? entered Hermione's mind.

"No," She answered simply.

Draco nodded in understanding.

Hermione stared straight ahead as she spoke. "I think…"

"What?" Draco asked, startled.

"I think I know what you were talking about…" Hermione admitted.

"Do you know what to do?" Draco asked, curious.

"No. Maybe…never mind…" Hermione stuttered.

"What is it? What?" Draco asked feeling depressed.

"No…it's a bad idea," Hermione mumbled.

"It's a perfect idea!" Draco exclaimed.

Calm down. He told himself. It's probably not what you think…

Hermione sighed. "You don't even know what I was going to say."

So? Draco countered in his thoughts. Wait! …Don't I want to get away from her?

"I was going to say…" Hermione said carefully. "That we should… separate again, except…"

Draco sighed as Hermione continued.

"Not come back…"

"Ever?" Draco whined. "Are you serious?"

Hermione suddenly stopped crying. "…Well…we'll see each other in class…"

Draco felt strangely upset for a number of reasons.

"Fine," He agreed shortly.

"So…you're okay now?" Hermione checked.

"Um…y-yes," Draco lied as he stood up to leave. "How about…you?"

Hermione sighed before she stared to cry again.

"Hermione!" Draco exclaimed before he quickly went back to her, making himself instantly feel better in the process.

"Draco, this feels so wrong!" Hermione exclaimed through her tears.

Draco rested his head on hers as he mumbled, "I know…"

Hermione jumped slightly which startled Draco.

"I'm…so sorry," Draco mumbled, embarrassed.

Hermione hesitantly rested her head on his shoulder.

"It's alright, you just…scared me. That's all," She admitted.

"Oh…um…" Draco stuttered before gradually calming down.

"Draco…what are we going to do?" Hermione groaned, her eyes trained on the ceiling.

"We could talk to…" Draco began as he imagined talking to Snape. "…I dunno."

"I don't think talking to anyone about this would really help…" Hermione admitted as she wiped the tears from her face. "Especially not our friends, except maybe…"

"No, not anyone!" Draco exclaimed but then grew curious. "Wait who?"

Hermione nodded in agreement then looked confused.

"…Luna," She said cautiously.

Draco screwed up his face in thought. She's crazy. Were the first words that entered his mind.

"Maybe, maybe not," Hermione said, as if she'd heard him.

"Did you hear that?" Draco worried, feeling freaked out.

Hermione sat up straighter so she could listen better.

"Hear what?"

"What I said about Luna?" Draco asked before he composed himself. "Never mind."

"Well…yes…" Hermione began, feeling confused. "You didn't really say anything about her."

Draco squinted in thought.

"You're correct," He confirmed. "No worries then."

"Do you want to talk to her?" Hermione asked.

"…Alright," Draco sighed.

Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Okay," She answered before getting to her feet.

Draco stood up as well as he pondered to himself.

Amazing how quickly I reverted from calling her Granger.

This is so weird. Hermione thought to herself.

Extremely… Draco thought as if he'd heard her. Maybe this is rare. Maybe this is worth some kind of recognition.

"Should we…go and look for her…together?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

"Yes!" Draco exclaimed, not wanting to risk leaving her side again. "I mean…that sounds safest under the current circumstances."

"O-okay then," Hermione stuttered, feeling nervous.

Draco followed Hermione, staying extremely close to her, as they walked.

Hermione abruptly came to a stop.

"Won't we look…I don't know, weird walking so close together?" Hermione asked self consciously. "Maybe we need…more…never mind."

"What? Space?" Draco asked, concerned.

"I said never mind!" Hermione exclaimed before starting to walk again.

Say no. Draco pleaded in his mind before he spoke.

"We can separate more…if you'd like. Hermione…" Draco began before reaching out and grabbing onto her shoulders so she'd look at him.

"Well…I wouldn't like that so just…What?" Hermione sighed.

"What do you want?" Draco asked awkwardly.

"What do…what do you mean what do I want?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"What should you have to be more comfortable?" Draco rephrased.

That sounded… Draco thought to himself.

Death. Hermione thought simply.

"I…I want to…I don't know…" Hermione stuttered before blushing and looking away.

Kiss? Draco hoped, as he let go of her shoulders.

"Um…" Draco said in a semi-flat voice. "No really, tell me."

Hermione inhaled slowly, making her chest rise slightly.

Draco tried to look away, so he could calm down his hormones, but he couldn't.

"Uh…I want…" Hermione began before looking directly into Draco's eyes. "Um…does it really matter?"

"Of course," Draco uttered.

"What do…you want?" Hermione asked.

Of course! Draco thought irritably before calming down and being honest with himself. …To make you feel better.

"I don't," He said shortly.

"You don't want anything?" Hermione asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I mean…I'd like for us to be…okay, but…" Draco stuttered. "Let's just…go find Luna."

Draco frowned before looking away from Hermione.

Hermione sighed and nodded. Draco was just about to walk away when Hermione called out on impulse.

"Wait Draco…" She sighed. She shyly turned away as she spoke. "Put your arm…around me."

"Are you sure?" Draco asked his eyes wide.

Stupid. He reprimanded himself, wondering if Hermione would take back what she'd just said.

But Hermione didn't. She just slowly nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"Okay," Draco whispered.

He went to put his arm around her shoulders, but she stopped him.

"No…" She whispered.

"What?" He whispered back.

"Not like…that…" Hermione mumbled. She gently took his arm and put it around her abdomen.

Hermione sighed and looked away from Draco to see Ron and Harry staring at her.