"Malfoy…" Hermione's voice trailed off in shock. Why was he defending her? Why was she even here?
"And what do you know, Malfoy? You hate Hermione! At least I know I love her," Ron retorted, striding forward. Malfoy chuckled, amused at this pathetic display.
"Please, Weasel. You love her? If you really had loved her, would you have been sneaking off to this room with that skank all those nights you claimed you were practicing your Keeping skills? Really, how stupid can you get?"
"At least I never called her a Mudblood," Ron spat out. He's digging his own grave here, Malfoy thought. The idiot's just going to keep at it.
"I may have called her a Mudblood, Weasel, but I know she's more than that. She's much more than that. And that's something you're never going to understand, because you never appreciated her. All you're looking for is someone to snog with and maybe shag, and since Hermione couldn't give you that, you cheated. You're just looking for someone to depend on you and worship you. And Hermione..." Here Malfoy turned to Hermione, who was standing there, shocked at this whole display. "Hermione, you're too independent for that. And you're too good for this Weasel."
Hermione was floored. Malfoy… Malfoy was defending her? Defending her, complementing her. Looking at her with eyes that had both sympathy and warmth in them… And suddenly, just as she had realized Ron's disinterest over the previous months, she realized Draco's change in attitude towards her. Holding the door open for her. Picking up her things. Calling her—calling her Hermione. Not Granger. And not… I may have called her a Mudblood. He hadn't called her that. Not in months. Not since the Yule Ball… and their dance…
Hermione looked at Malfoy. How could she have not noticed?
Malfor turned back to Ron. "I would never hurt her, not now. I wouldn't ask her to a dance just as a last resort –she would be my only option. And I would never cheat on her. Not in a million years." He looked at Hermione. "Because I love her. I've loved her ever since she punched me in the face, though I didn't realize it then. She took my heart and in return she gave me a dance I've never forgotten." He stepped closer to her. "A dance I'd give anything to have, even just once more."
Hermione felt as though her heart was full to bursting. Tonight she had lost a king, a pathetic little weasel king whom she thought she would love forever but had broken her heart in the end. But tonight… Looking into Malfoy's eyes and seeing the love and warmth there, she knew. Tonight, she had found her Prince.
xxxxxx
Author's note: I don't know if I should call this complete yet. I may add a future for Malfoy and Hermione, but that could ruin the story. Review please? And tell me if you want to add more. :D