What is Draco to do?

Read on please.....

Harry watched Hermione poke at her food. Her cheeks were swollen and puffy and she had skipped their last class. Not that it matters she technically isn't even on the roster and the teachers hate giving her work. What made him more nervous was the fact she hadn't even asked him or Ron what the work for today had been, which was so uncharacteristic of her.

"Are you alright Hermione?"

"I'm fine."

"You're acting pretty odd."

"I'm fine Harry!" she yelled and took off out of the hall.

Draco had been on his way to lunch. His stomach felt like a twisted pit, but he had to eat something. The door hit him in the shoulder hard and he looked towards the door ready to punch someone when he noticed who it was. She looked at him for a second before reaching out to him. This is the test Draco. Would you hug me in front of everyone in Hogwarts? She though and he stepped forward wrapping his arms around her and holding her tighter than she has ever been before.

As if the world stopped students and teachers alike looked up at the scene. Many mouths hung agape in shock. The most shocked person in the room however was Hermione. Ginny and Lavender realizing Harry and Ron could snap in seconds promptly grabbed their boyfriends and held them tightly.

"Granger, this door's heavy." Draco strained to say and she smiled at him before taking his hand and leading him out of the great hall.

"I still don't think you should hurt yourself like this." Hermione said and he shook his head.

"Granger its hurt more not telling you."

"Harry and Ron are going to kill you."

"I'll take it." Hermione started coughing and he jumped to her holding a hanky out.

"No, my breath just caught I'm fine. Thank you."

A week later they Harry and Ron had managed to keep their mouths shut, but as usual there is always going to be that one thing that drives them to the edge. Hermione was walking with Draco to potion and before they entered he kissed her softly on the forehead.

"Bastard!" Ron took off towards them and Draco was not expecting the punch. He backed up in shock as Hermione screamed and Harry grabbed Ron.

"Get over yourself Weasel!" Draco said wiping blood from his bottom lip which was already swelling.

"I can't believe you Ron!"

"He is using you!"

"I really don't care." Hermione said and Harry's eyes widened.

"How can you not care?"

"He is the only person making my life not death sentence! He makes me happy every day, and he is risking his own feelings for it!" her breathing was hard afterwards and Draco reached out to her with a worried expression.

"Are you going to be okay?" he reached in his bag for the bottle of water he started to carry around for her. "Here, take small sips at first."

"Thanks, Draco." She did as he advised and he dropped his bag to the ground watching her carefully.

"Listen Weasley, you cause this again, and I can promise your fucking head will be mine!"

"Come on Hermione." Ron said and she shook her head.

"No Ron. I'm going with Draco. I love you but honestly, I can take care of myself."

Hermione worked on the potion until Snape gave her the time. She was sure the other students would start catching on that something was wrong when she would leave before class was over because being in a crowded hall was too dangerous and fast pace for her. Draco had yet to finish his potion and Snape was left with picking Harry.

"Potter! Follow Miss Granger to the next class."

Harry was actually happy to see his friend alone for a moment. He picked up his bag and headed to the door where she was waiting. Relieved when they exited the room Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Hermione, what's going on between you and Malfoy?"

"We are seeing each other."

"But you're dying. As much as a prat Malfoy is don't you think it might be a little unfair for the both of you?"

"I warned him Harry. He knows and he accepted it."

"But have you?" he grabbed her arm lightly and she didn't turn to look at him.

"I'm not going class today. Tell McGonagall I'm fine will you."

"Where are you going?" he looked at her with concerned green eyes. She tried to smile.

"I'm going for a walk."

She found herself in the owlery sometime after. She took out a piece of parchment and started to write a letter to Draco, for after. Small sentences had become paragraphs and before she knew it she realized that she truly did love him. It hadn't been the past couple of weeks, but the years before that. The small times where he would show his decent side. The time he saved her life twice.

She must have been in there for hours because the sun was nearly down when she walked back into the school. She was surprised to see that see had got back just in time for dinner. She walked into the Great Hall to see Draco jump up and run to her.

"Where have you been?! I have been looking everywhere, the library, hospital wing, I even went into the girls rooms all over the school!"

"I went for a walk."

"For hours?"

"It was quite a walk." She said smiling and he got the hint and led her back to the end of the Gryffindor table.

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