Last time:

"Good night, love," he said and kissed my forehead.

I made myself comfortable and enjoyed my new pet name. "Good night, Draco."

"See you tomorrow. Sleep tight."

The last thing I saw before my eyes closed was a loving smile playing on his lips.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?" I asked.

It was about three weeks later and we were enjoying our morning meeting in our Café. Every day was even better than the previous one. Draco always found a way to surprise me and our relationship stayed fresh and exciting. The yearning didn´t weaken, butterflies didn´t fly away and the flame was still burning.

"I was actually wondering if you don´t want to stop by at my place. I could even cook something for dinner."

I raised my eyebrow. There it was again. Another surprise.

"I didn´t know you could cook."

"If ordering-meal-from-nearby-restaurant-and-then-pretending-I-did-it-myself-to-impress-my-girlfriend counts as cooking, then yes," he said honestly and I erupted to laugh.

"You definitely impressed her, she feels very touched," I said, when I calmed down.

Hot, but barely visible blush painted my cheeks. His girlfriend. Draco Malfoy´s girlfriend. He asked me to become his girlfriend the very next day after our first date and I agreed, of course. In fact, it was our one month anniversary in four days.

"Ehm, Earth calls Hermione," the object of my thoughts waved with his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, darling, my thoughts ran away. I think it´s great idea to spend an evening at your place. I mean, we´re dating for several weeks now and I have never seen your apartment."

Darling...Every time I used a pet name on him, my thoughts mixed and then united again into one final result – he is mine. I, above all the others, have the privilege to call him darling, sweetheart, honey. Draco, on the other hand, only called me love. That was a clear and definite thing in our relationship.

"Bringing a girl into your apartment is a big step and I wanted you to be ready. Food, wine, candles – who knows what might happen?" he smirked. I knew exactly what he thought.

"Prat," I murmured with a small grin.

"What was that, love?" Draco asked innocently.

"Nothing, nothing," I said quickly.

Draco let out a small laugh, but tried to mask it as a cough. "Well, here is my address. Come around seven, let´s say," he suggested and gave me a small card with his address.

"Why so late?" I asked, as I was taking the piece of paper.

Draco slightly changed his position and his eyes darkened a bit. "It´s my mother´s funeral today."

"But, Draco, it´s been almost two months," I said confused. The funeral was usually held few days after the death.

"I know. But my father wanted first Healers to have a close look on her. He wanted to know what kind of a curse killed her."

"Did they find out anything?"

"No. They say it´s probably a new spell. Anyway, father also had some troubles with mother´s last will and so on. That´s why the funeral is so late."

I held his hand and caressed the back of his palm with my thumb. "Do you want me to come with you?" I whispered.

He quickly looked at me. "No. No, love, you cannot come any near that place. There will be many ex-Death Eaters and so on, and...I haven´t told my father about you yet. It´s best for you to stay out of there. I don´t want you to get in danger."

"You love me much more than I deserve."

"You´re my life now," he said simply, as if he was commenting the colour of my skirt.

We finished our drinks and I stood up.

"See you at seven, then," I said.

Draco nodded and stood up to hold my hand. He looked me deeply in the eyes. "I love you."

I smiled. "I know, darling. I love you, too."

He surprised me by giving me a passionate kiss, not just a little goodbye kiss. I responded by kissing him back and wrapping my hands around his neck.

Not a bad way to start a day.

xxx

I shot a quick glance at my watches.

6:40

I still had twenty minutes to get to Draco´s apartment. I was already dressed and now just tried to do something before it was time to go.

I swiftly walked towards the phone and dialled the number. The phone was answered, as usually, after long ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Harry, it´s me," I smiled.

"Hey, ´Mione. I haven´t heard from you in quite a long time."

I had to give him that. I have called every week, but I just asked simple questions, before running away to meet Draco. We haven´t talked properly in a really long time.

"I´m sorry about that. I just have many things on my mind."

"It´s okay, really. I also couldn´t talk with you properly, there is so much going on around here."

"Really? What´s so exciting? Something new happened?" I wanted to know.

"As a matter of fact...do you remember the last time we talked about Ginny?"

"I think so, you were thinking about proposing to her," I had to smile at this idea.

"Well, I asked the big question and she said yes."

I screamed. "Oh my God, Harry, congratulations. That´s so amazing," I exclaimed happily and I meant it. Those two were simply perfect for each other and I really was happy for them.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said and he was obviously smiling.

"When are you planning to get married?"

"We both agreed to get married in May. So in five or four months."

"May, that´s so romantic. I wish you good luck," I said, but I somehow felt sad. I was quite sure I won´t be invited to the wedding.

"I´m so glad you called. This is perfect opportunity to invite you to our wedding," Harry said, almost as he was reading my mind. Firstly Draco, now Harry. Am I really that easy to predict?

"Are you sure? I mean, I would love to come, but is it okay with Ginny?"

"Come on, Hermione. Ginny is easy to get mad, but it´s not like she´ll stay mad forever. I mentioned you yesterday during dinner and she didn´t say anything offensive. She simply sighed and I know that she misses you. I think she´s already in the phase of forgiving and be again your best friend in no time."

I cheered up like a sun hit me. "You really think so? Thanks, Harry. If what you´re saying is truth, I would be honoured to come to your wedding."

Harry laughed. "I´m so glad. You´ll get a proper invitation about month before the wedding."

"I can´t wait. My two best friends getting married," I said happily.

"And how are you doing?" Harry changed the subject.

I bit my lip. Even though Draco and I have been together for weeks, Harry didn´t know about us. Firstly, I didn´t want him to know, because such thing has to be said gently and at the right time. And secondly...I wanted Draco to be just my secret for a while.

But I also wanted to share my happiness with him. And Harry was there for me, when nobody else was. He deserved to know.

"I´m doing just fine. More than fine, to be honest."

"I´m glad to hear that. How´s it going with Malfoy?"

"Funny you mentioned him. I have to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone!"

"I won´t, what is it?"

I smiled and love fully sighed. "Me and Draco...we´re a couple now."

There has been a dead silence on Harry´s side. "What?"

"We got together almost month ago. Harry, I feel really happy. He makes me happy."

Another pause. "Harry, are you there?"

"Yeah. I just can´t believe it."

"Is it so unbelievable that somebody might actually like me?" I tried to joke about it.

"Why him?"

I scowled. "I don´t know, Harry. Somewhere between working and being friends, I really started to like him. And now, I couldn´t be happier." It was almost a lie. Happy was a weak word. More like being in Heaven. "Besides, it was you who got me this job and told me to move on."

"I didn´t mean it like you should start to date Draco bloody Malfoy," Harry´s voice was starting to rise.

"What did you want, then?"

"I just wanted you to have a break from Ron and I somehow hoped you two will get back together."

I gasped. "I didn´t realize that´s what you want. I´m sorry to disappoint you, Harry, but Ron and I are not getting back together."

"How could you let this happen, Hermione? I thought you were smart."

My eyes narrowed. "And I thought you wanted me to be happy."

"With Ron. Not with flying ferret!"

"Can´t you at least pretend to be happy for me?"

"No, I can´t do that. My best friend is dating my enemy. It´s really not good news for me."

"Forget I ever said anything, Harry. I thought as my best friend, you will be happy for me, but obviously I was wrong."

"Hermione..."

"Shut up, Harry. Just leave me alone," I barked and hung up.

I didn´t know whether to be mad or sad. So, all this time, he just wanted to me to have a small break and then run back into Ron´s arms. And I thought I had somebody on my side, who will support me no matter what. I wondered if he would eventually try to get me and Ron back together.

Both madness and sadness went away and I just felt disappointed. I checked the time.

6:50

I didn´t want to spend a second more in my apartment, so I turned around and apparated to the apartment of my boyfriend.

"You´re early," I heard him shouting happily.

I laughed and tried to forget everything about the call with Harry. "I know, I just couldn´t wait. Where are you, darling?"

"In a battlefield."

"Where?" I asked confused.

"I mean, in the kitchen. Just walk down the hall and it´s the last door on the right."

I did as he told me. He really had a beautiful apartment. It wasn´t as bright as my place, but his had a certain charm. It slightly reminded me of his family Manor, but it was more common and familiar. I felt like I was at home.

I walked down the hall and found Draco´s kitchen. And it truly did look like a battlefield. The place was a mess. The furniture was covered in flour and many other ingredients. Five knives were bewitched to cut the meat and vegetables. Draco was standing in the middle of the big mess and he looked like a desperate king who just lost all his followers. He was fighting against his kitchen and was obviously loosing.

"Should I help you?" I asked, desperately trying not to laugh. Draco simply looked funny, as he was standing there in a huge apron with words King of the kitchen, with flour in his hair.

"No, no, love, I have everything under control," he tried to smile, before he shot to the oven and stirred some liquid.

"I thought you said you will order everything from the restaurant," I reminded him.

"The orders somehow mixed and they sent me only half prepared meal."

I pointed towards a chopping board, when two of five knives started to duel.

Draco murmured some swear, which made me punch his shoulder. He shot me a painful look.

"Go to the living room, love, it´s right opposite this room. I will finish this mess and be right there."

"Are you sure?" I eyed him. He was desperately trying to hold those two knives away from each other.

"Yes, I can handle this. You go and have some wine," he forced a smile and shut one of the knives in the fridge.

I couldn´t hold it in anymore. I started to laugh the hardest in my life. Tears were falling from my eyes and I even started to hiccup.

"Man tries to prepare a lovely dinner for his girlfriend and this is what he gets," Draco mumbled.

That made me laugh even harder. "I´m sorry, darling. I´m sorry. It´s really sweet and I appreciate it," I managed to get out of me and kissed him on his cheek.

He made a face and pushed me out of the kitchen.

Still giggling, I found a way to his living room. I went through the whole room, studying books and pictures and ended up at his table. My hand touched the mahogany desk. Something fell on the ground.

I picked the thing up and studied it. It was some sort of a letter.

Draco...Mudblood...I refuse...

I shot a nervous glance towards the door. Yes, it was his privacy. But I was curious from the nature. My heart started to race as I unfolded the letter and started to read.

Son,

you left the funeral so soon, we didn´t have a chance for a proper talk. Draco, I refuse to believe what you said. You and that Mudblood Granger?! Son, I thought we taught you better than that. Think of your reputation. What would people say? I´m sorry to shatter your thoughts, but you and the Mudblood have no future. People will never accept you. You are from two completely different worlds. Your mother wouldn´t be very proud of you now. Mark my words, Draco. I will gladly speak to you again, when you come to senses.

Lucius.

My eyes were full of tears by the end of the letter. That was too much. First Harry, now this. I heard blood rushing through my temples and I barely heard loud steps coming closer.

"Well, one of the knives ended up pretty badly, but I think I have managed everything important," Draco said.

I straightened up. "How was the funeral?" I asked, not turning to him.

He was quiet and I was wondering if he was thinking about his father.

"It went quite well, for a funeral."

"Really?" I said quietly.

"Love? Are you crying?"

I took a deep breath and turned to face him. I saw how his eyes noticed the paper in my hands.

"Did you...did you read it?" he asked. He wasn´t angry, he was just ashamed.

"Every single word."

"Don´t worry about him, Hermione. We were all stressed out. I will get rid of that letter right now," he said.

"Wait, did you read this letter?" I asked.

"Of course. It´s stupid, if you ask me. He really thinks he can make me leave you. There, let me..."

"He´s right, Draco," I said emotionlessly.

Silence.

"Love, perhaps I heard you wrong. Did you just say...?" Draco asked, stunned.

"I said he´s right," I repeated with a dead voice.

"What do you mean?"

"We were fools to think this will work. Yes, it was nice, while it lasted, but your father made a point. People will never accept us. We will always be a centre of gossips."

"Love, I think you´re exaggerating. Yes, there will be some issues, but people will come to understand," he tried to hold my hand, but I took a few steps back.

"Maybe on outside, but nobody will ever understand inside."

"Where is this coming from? Did somebody tell you anything?"

I looked at him. "Harry might have been a bit against us as a couple," I admitted.

"Are you really going to listen to Potter or my father? They know nothing about us, about our history, about our feelings. You cannot let them to manipulate with your life!" Draco was almost shouting now.

Tears finally left my eyes and started to fall on the ground. "They don´t manipulate with me, they made me see clearly, before anything bad happened."

"You really believe in everything you´re saying right now. We are strong enough. I can´t be without you and I know you can´t be without me. As long as we have each other, who cares about what people say?"

"I do!" I screamed. "You think I´m strong enough to walk around every day for the rest of my life, explaining to people that I´m with you because I want to, not because of some bet, or potion, or spell or I don´t know. And that´s not a life I want to live."

"You´re making a drama from something completely small. We can face all of that. Even a blind person would see how much you mean to me, it´s obvious it´s not a potion or whatever."

Tears were falling down my face. I didn´t even know how we got in this fight.

"Draco, you know it is right. It would never work out. There are too many differences."

He shot an angry look at me. "It could work. I don´t care what people say. I love you and I want to be with you."

I love you...these were the words he couldn´t take back. I wanted to hear them again and again and I knew I would never get tired of it. But I was a realist and Draco and I had no future.

"If we could just pretend this never happened. You know how I feel about you, but it´s not too late to back off. If we do so now, we can still be happy. If we do so now, it won´t hurt anyone."

He froze. He slowly moved and with a shock on his face said: "It...it won´t hurt anyone?"

Draco seemed to do a quick inside fight but then he exploded.

"It won´t hurt anyone? What about me? It would hurt me, Granger! You may be brave enough to back off, because you are a bloody Gryffindor but I´m a Slytherin. My needs are the most important thing for me. And right now they tell me that I need you. If you think I am going to let the only person I care about just walk away, you are dead wrong," shouted Draco loudly.

I felt so small. But I had to make him send me away. And for that, I had to make him angry.

"So it is Granger again, right? Is it always going to be this way? Playing the nice guy and then be the old Draco bloody Malfoy every time we fight? You see why we cannot be together. We cannot go on few minutes without fighting."

"Did you even listen to me?! I just gave you my heart on a silver plate and you react on a name I called you?"

He was furious. That´s what I wanted - make him so angry he will let me go. But something broke inside me. I wanted to take him in my arms and promise I will always be with him. He was breathing so fast and loudly, I had to make sure he will be okay. I came closer to him, running my hand through his hair. I gently took his head into my palms. I couldn´t stand the look on his face. I realized this was the real Draco, my Draco. Without any cheeky smile, without any nicknames for me, without his derisive behaviour.

God, how I loved him.

Before I realized what I was doing, I pulled him closer. My lips touched his. It was supposed to be a small kiss, but it turned out to be much, much bigger. For a second, I wanted to cut the kiss off, but...I was about to leave him. Don´t I have a right for a proper goodbye kiss? So I put into that kiss everything I had, maybe even more. Every tear I have cried, every laugh, every fear, every hope, every dream...I gave that all to Draco. The feeling I had, when my lips captured his was indescribable. His hand on my back, my hand wandering through his pale hair...I couldn´t get enough of it.

Then breathlessly, we stopped. We were facing each other, our foreheads together.

"I love you," he whispered.

I turned around, pain ripping off my heart. It was the first time, when I didn´t say it back. I wanted to say it. I wanted to shout it to the world, but I couldn´t bring myself to tell him. It would hurt him even more.

"Hermione?" he whispered in shock.

My eyes transformed into a waterfall of tears. I couldn´t even look at him, to face his agony.

"I´m sorry. I´ve made my decision and this doesn´t change anything. Have a nice life Draco, I´m glad I was in it."

It was poor, but my voice was so shaking that I couldn´t even make a proper goodbye. I ran out of the room and I didn´t look back. I blindly ran through Paris streets and when I finally stopped, all I waited for was the pain to take away my heart and crumble it into million pieces. Nothing like that happened. It was much worse. I didn´t feel anything. I felt...like I had no heart at all.

Like my heart stayed with Draco.

I hope you didn´t think they will make love, have a wedding and live happily ever after. That would be too simple. And too short. Merlin, I hope you won´t hate me for this. Everything has its time. Also, I have noticed there was a review made from my account signed as *l*. That was my friend, who wanted to review but didn´t notice I was still logged in. If reviews are made from my account, they are probably my friends. Do you want a spoiler? This will be a happy ending story, don´t worry. Just stick with me. Review me your thoughts.
Betty xxx