Chapter 22

"Hey, Draco," Henry said as friendly as he could manage.

"Answer my question," Draco said angrily.

"Uh well…we uh…" Henry fumbled for an explanation.

"What does it matter anyway? Why do you care?" Hermione asked with a tint of rage in her voice.

"You didn't answer me," Draco said to put the questioning back on track.

"Well why don't you answer me? Ever heard of 'ladies first'?" Hermione asked, her anger rising.

"I asked first," Draco defended.

"Answer me and I'll answer you," Hermione said.

"Why are you avoiding it?" Draco asked as he took a step forward.

"I'm not. I'll tell you AFTER you tell me," Hermione said as she took a step forward.

"I asked first so YOU should tell me first," Draco said as he stepped forward.

"No, you should tell me first," Hermione said with a step forward. They were only two steps away from each other by now. Henry just stood and watched them. He was lost in the argument. Somehow a somewhat simple question had turned into a full blown war.

"Hey," Henry tried. They completely ignored him. Hermione and Draco were now face to face and body to body. Hermione poked Draco in the chest and knocked him backed slightly. Their argument had risen in volume and intensity. Hermione looked like she was going to beat the crap out of Draco and he looked like he would if she wasn't a girl. Henry tried a few times to break them up, but they ignored him.

"You two act like a married couple," Henry tried. If that didn't work, nothing will. They paused long enough to glare at him. Henry was used to Draco's glares so they had no effect. But Henry was terrified of Hermione. She radiated death and malice. He was sure if she wasn't busy with Draco, she would have actually killed him. He shrank back to the far wall and tried to look as unthreatening as possible. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when she turned her attention back to Draco.

The argument…er…more like war had reached the climax. Hermione tried to punch him, and he caught her hand. She raised her other hand and he grabbed that hand too. Hermione grinned evilly and raised her leg between his legs. Draco's heartbeat tripled as he realized what she was threatening. And he had no doubt she would do it if he didn't comply.

"Alright fine," Draco said as he released her and took a step back. "You wanna know why I care? You wanna know why it matters? You wanna know why I was so worried that you left?" Draco asked, his voice rising with every question.

He couldn't believe what he was about to say. He wanted to stop, but his mouth kept going. His mind screamed for him to stop, his heart begged him to continue, and his mouth just wanted to say the words. His mouth went on, ignoring his mind and even his heart, just wanting to finally tell her that she was driving him crazy and he never wanted her to stop.

"Because I freakin love you, ok? I don't know how or when it happened, but I knew it when I thought I lost you! So that's why I care! That's why it matters! Because I love you," Draco said. His breath was heavy and he panted slightly. He finally calmed down enough to see her reaction.

Her face was swarming with emotion. Shock, confusion, doubt, and a hint of happiness. She couldn't speak, but her face was saying everything. She was shocked and confused that he just confessed his love for her. Doubtful that he really loved her or maybe doubtful that she had heard him right. And the happiness in her eyes showed him that she not only accepted his feelings, but felt the same about him.

He felt hope and happiness swell inside him as he looked at her. But that was all smashed when she ran past him and out the door. It was his turn to be shocked. He had confessed his love and she ran out on him. Not only that, but he thought that she might feel the same and she ran out without a word.

His head was swarmed with questions. The question was, why? Why did she look happy then run out? Why did she leave him standing there after he poured out his heart? Why did she crush the little bit of hope he had left? Why? Then he remembered how the argument was started. He turned to Henry with anger and hurt evident on his face. There was one word to describe how he felt right now. Betrayed.

Hermione ran outside and into the woods. She didn't even slow down until she was sure she was completely alone. She kept walking until she was too blinded by tears. He loved her. He told her he loved her. He told her exactly how he felt, and all she could do was run. She collapsed and kept herself up with her hands and knees. This was all too much. She found out he loved her and she….she couldn't love him back. She wasn't allowed to. Not just because he was human, but because she was…engaged.

Hermione found out she was supposed to marry her best friend, Kieran. He was the prince of a neighboring kingdom (and yes he is a vampire). She was supposed to marry him in a week, but then she was summoned here to Hogwarts. She missed the original wedding date and it would be rescheduled as soon as she returned. Aldon came for her firstly because he missed her and he was worried about her. But he also came because he was sent to bring her back to marry Kieran.

This was all screwed up. She was expected to marry her best friend and they used her brother to accomplish their goals. How could she marry Kieran? She loved him, but as a brother. She always had and she believed she always would. They expected her to have children with someone she considered a brother? From her view, they might as well have paired her with Aldon.

But worst of all, she loved Draco. She realized that was why she felt so weird when he touched her and why her stomach felt uneasy when they talked. She was so determined to make her performance the best because she wanted him to be happy. She saved him because she couldn't stand the thought of seeing him hurt. She loved him. She really did. She knew it when Aldon had asked, but she couldn't tell her brother that she was in love with the human that had taken her away from her friends, family, and life as a vampire princess. She knew what she had to do then.

She had to distance herself from Draco as much as possible. She had to push him away to save both of them the pain of leaving and never coming back. It would be easy enough because Draco felt nothing for her. She was like a pet to him and that was all. It would be hardest on her, but she had to do it. She had to be cold and act like she didn't care. She had to get over Draco so she could be completely faithful to Kieran. She may not love Kieran romantically, but he deserved that. And she really did care about Kieran and she didn't want to hurt him.

But her plan was destroyed when Draco said those words. The three deadly words. "I love you." She was shocked that he said it, confused about what she should do, doubt and fear threatened to consume her as she remembered Kieran and the thought of how Aldon would react. But she was happy. Undoubtedly and completely happy. She felt like it was a sweet dream. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't even speak. She felt surrounded and like she was being crushed. She couldn't stand it so she ran.

Now she was here in the woods…alone. She tried to get her thoughts and emotions all straightened out. What should she do? She could lie and tell Draco she didn't love him but she knew she could never do that. She couldn't possibly say that to him. She could tell him the truth, but that meant telling him the WHOLE truth. She would have to tell him she loved him too, but she was engaged.

Should she really do that? Should she explain why they couldn't be together? Yes. She had to. She wanted to. Yes, she would do it. She would tell him everything. It would hurt them both, but it was the right thing. It was the best thing for them both.

Hermione stood and dusted herself off. She took a few deep breaths to steady and calm herself. She turned and started what felt like the longest walk of her life. She had to find Draco. It was her turn to be totally honest and pour out everything to him. She didn't go far before she saw Draco. He had come looking for her. He really did care about her. No. He really did love her.

"Draco," Hermione said. She didn't know how to start. There was so much to say.

"I'm sorry," Draco said. That was her line. "I shouldn't have….said what I did," Draco said. He stared at the ground as talked. He didn't want her to tell him she didn't love him. He couldn't stand that. So he had to back out. "Just forget everything I said. I take it all back," Draco said. He didn't mean a word of it, but he was so scared of what she would say.

"Draco," Hermione said sadly. He looked up and saw the tears in her eyes. Why was she so upset?

"Mione, don't cry. I'm sorry I…" Draco tried. He didn't know what to say.

"Idiot," she said.

"What?"

"Idiot! I was coming to tell you I love you too!"

"Wh-…really?"

"Yes, really! But we can't be together because I'm engaged! I found out I was supposed to marry my best friend who was like a brother to me and you summoned me here before the wedding! But even though I don't love him like that, I won't be unfaithful to him. He means so much to me and I don't want to hurt him. I tried to push you away so I could get over you but then you…you said the one thing I've wanted to hear you say and I…I just don't know what to do," Hermione explained as she sank to the ground. She did it. She told him everything. She was so worried she couldn't do it, but then her mouth wouldn't stop once it started. This wasn't how she pictured it going, but at least she told him.

Draco stood, unable to move, for what seemed like forever to both of them. When he could finally control his legs, he walked over to her and leaned down in front of her. He didn't know what to do so he let his arms wrap around her. He held her until they both had calmed down and gotten full control over their bodies.

"So what now?" Hermione asked quietly.

End of chapter 22! Hope ya like it! School has started, so don't expect fast updates or long chapters. Gomen but i'll do my best and do what I can when I can. Please R&R! Luv ya! =^^=