A/N Sorry it took so long guys, I've been really involved in a new HP RP board. It's awesome…haha. Anyways, thanks so much for the reviews. Shall we see if we can get to fifty this time?

Draco smiled down at Hermione as he broke the kiss. "And what do you think will happen to the prince?" he asked her. A small smile broke out onto her face.

"I think that the prince will overcome all of his prejudices and find a servant of his own to love him, and that he'll stop distinguishing between Princes and Peasants," she told him with a smile of her own.

"And when the prince and the servant have to return to the war? What then?"

Hermione pulled herself into a seated position next to him and reached for the bottle of pumpkin juice.

"The prince and the servant will fight side by side I expect, and make the Kingdom a safer place for everybody." She didn't want to think of the war right now. She didn't want to think of Ron, of Harry, of any of her friends. They would be so angry with her. In a very un-Hermione like moment, she decided to put off those worries for tomorrow. Now was not the time or place for them.

"Tell me a secret," she asked him. "Tell me something about you that nobody else knows. Something that doesn't pertain to family or the war."

Draco smiled at her, his eyes shining as he thought of what he should tell her.

"Does telling you that I've always loved you count?"

Hermione grinned. "No, you've already told me that remember? I'll tell you what. We'll play a game. You tell me something first, and then I will respond In kind."

Draco pretended to think about it for a moment.

"I like to paint," he told her. "When nobody is around to make fun of me I like to go out in the middle of nowhere with a canvas and paints and just replicate anything that I see."

In truth, Draco was afraid to tell his father this, as painting was not anything that Lucius would see fit for the only Heir of the house of Malfoy. In his flat, in a closet, he actually had many oils done of Hermione, drawn from memory. His favorites of course were those of Hermione studying in the library, oblivious to anyone who might be watching her. It was then that she was at her most open, candid. "Your turn."

"I like to sing," she told him quietly. "I'm horrible at it, but I can't help myself. I think that my roommates at Hogwarts threatened to do me bodily harm more than once if I didn't cast a silencing charm on the bathrooms before I take my showers."

Draco grinned as he tugged at a lock of her hair. "I'll have to remember that for future reference." Hermione slapped playfully at his hands in protest.

"Hush," she said grinning, not wanting to talk of the future. "Let's not talk of the future."

Now it was Draco's turn to frown.

"Why is that Hermione?" he asked quietly, fearing the answer.

"Because I don't," she replied tersely. "I'd rather think of the here and now and not consider the consequences of my actions for once."

That was not the answer that Draco wanted to hear. He had wanted her to say that she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. But it would take time. He knew that.

"If that's what you really want," he replied softly, wrapping his arms about her as she lay her head upon his shoulder.

"It is. For now anyways," she replied, refusing to let her thoughts wander down paths that she didn't want to take.

The pair watched the water flowing softly down the bend in silence for several hours before deciding to head back to the cabin.

"Thank you Draco," she told him as he helped her back into the cabin, her exhaustion evident in her face. "For everything."

"It was my pleasure," he said, brushing a light kiss over her lips. "Sleep well Hermione. I love you."

Hermione cast him a smile as she noticed a letter on the table, bearing her name. She grinned and ripped it open only for her smile to dissolve as she read it while walking into her darkened bedroom.

Hermione,

I've returned and will be visiting shortly.

Ron

"Where have you been Hermione?" came a quietly angry voice from behind her.

Hermione spun around in shock.

"Ron," she gasped. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough," he growled.

MUWAHAHAHAHA…cough sorry bout that. Couldn't resist the cliffy. Review anyway or so help me I'll leave it at this.  .