Hi readers,

So i see there have been no new reviews. Did you not like the last chapter? :O Or is it just because nobody's read it yet because it's been so long since i updated? Oh, now I'm really sorry, and a bit freaked out. I just got a great inspiration and hope to turn this into an (even more) awesome story! XD

I had my dad read this chapter to see what he thought. Just a heads up, this chapter is kinda intense. I really liked writing this though, so I hope you guys enjoy it as much as me. PLEASE READ IT, LOVE IT, SO YOU CAN REVIEW IT!

SlytherinDream98

There are times when I wonder if we could ever be in love again, or if we were at all, right this moment. Because I felt things had gotten too complicated for us to be together anymore, but every time we caught each other sneaking glances, we knew that we belonged with each other. Which always sent us glaring at the wall, wondering why life had to be so unfair.

The awkward silence Professor Dumbledore left us in was no help at all. I'd say something, but scribbling something down right now didn't seem right. I glanced through my frizzy hair to look at his face, too shy and embarrassed to look him in the eyes. He was scowling at the door, hair sticking up because he hadn't combed or brushed it yet. It was cute, and I wondered why he didn't just leave it that way. It seemed much better than his usual proper hairstyle.

"Let's go then." He grumbled, pulling me through countless hallways, stopping at the blank wall opposite a gigantic tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy's attempt to train trolls for the ballet. He squinted his eyes, pulling me along with him as he paced back and forth in front of the old gray bricks that seemed very unstable. Slowly, the outline of a door appeared, fine red wood calling for us to open it and enter. We did.

Draco had asked for something simple. A cozy room with big cream-colored sofas, cups of tea set down on a mahogany table, and a small window to let the sunshine in, the silk curtains blowing slightly in the wind. He let go and walked briskly to one of the armchairs, seating down comfortably and sipping at his hot tea. I stood there, watching his every move.

I heard the tick of a clock as seconds flew past us. "Well then…" Draco set down his tea with a small clink and motioned for me to sit in the chair next to him. "I believe that old fool is correct this one time. We do need to, um… deal with things." I sat down, gently nodding my head.

We both had our heads down, hands in our laps. The next second, we looked up, staring at each other right in the eyes. I blinked, trying to clear my head, which had become fuzzy and unclear. Draco leaned towards me, his arm resting on the seat next to my leg, his own legs bent, as if ready to run away. I leaned forward too, not knowing what to hope for. His other hand came to caress my cheek, and I tilted my head into his touch, closing my eyes and giving a faint smile. I heard a release of breath as Draco gave a small chuckle. And then we were kissing.

We moved slow, understanding this was one of the few moments we would ever be able to do this. His kisses were soft, meaningful, as if handling a delicate flower. I squeezed his shoulders, reassuring him that I was here and that I cared about these kisses just as much as him. Our lips parted, our foreheads leaning against each other. My smile had grown wider, our quickened breaths coming out as one.

"You know I love you?" He whispered in my ear. He pecked me again, asking me if it was all right to let this continue on. "Even though I've caused you so much pain, Hermione, I love you. So, so much." His voice breaks, and his eyes are squeezed tight, his hand cupping my face, thumb running over my cheeks. I try to whisper, get my voice across. "I know."

Just a breath comes out, and I hear a cry of pain from Draco. There are tears forming in his eyes, I can tell, but he's too afraid to show his emotions, even more than ever. I really notice his eyelashes, dark and long and beads of water covering them; his pale face, the dark shadows underneath his eyes… He's had nightmares, and not enough sleep, even though it's not even been a day since we arrived at school.

His eyes pierce through me, pained and sad, leaving his name choked in the back of my throat, "And.. and, you're voice. You're beautiful, magical voice, Hermione… Gone! Will I never hear you're calm voice, telling me that, that everything is okay? Even when it's not? When you boss me around, telling me that I'm doing this wrong, or when you assure me that I can do better at anything I want as long as I set my mind to it?"

While he rambles on, I try to stay strong for him, but he's shaking me now, like he's gone mad, and the tears force themselves out of my eyes, streaming across my face. I'm trying to yell at him, to tell him that one day we'll find a way to get my voice back, because it's still a mystery left unsolved and we need to have hope, that we'll be alright, that we'll be together… And I'm whispering "I love you, we'll be together, it's alright." But the words don't come out and he blames himself even more.

"I caused you to lose your voice, didn't I? I did it! I killed you!" He cackles, his eyes blaze with anger and I try to force my words out, because we had decided together what we had to do, that it wasn't entirely his fault. But something holds me back as I struggle, and it's as if there's an actual battle happening inside me. I form the words "I love you." And my voice, though as soft and quiet it was, comes out.

"I love you."

The shaking stops, Draco stares at me with wide eyes, and I see my reflection: frazzled hair flying everyone, cheeks stained with tears and red streaks left behind, but my eyes mirror his, shocked and confused and unbelieving.

My heart feels awfully soft and light, as if there had been a heavy weight crushing it. I see Draco grin as he tells me to try again. I do.

The smile falters, then turns into a mournful frown. He kisses me again, all sweet and caring, but my mind is churning slowly, one single thought haunting my mind.

I failed. But my mind is already working. Somehow, my voice is still there, hidden. And I would find out how to retrieve it, no matter what.