Hermione couldn't understand why she was crying. So what if he was snogging someone else for the life within him? She shouldn't care as to what he did with his free time.

'It was not free time, he was supposed to be with you' the little nagging voice was telling her. Somehow it just made her feel worse, considering he'd rather be with that whore. She always had guys picking someone else over her but surely she wasn't that ugly right? If Ernie could be obsessed with her then why not Malfoy?

'So you want him to like you?'

'No. He's Malfoy.'

'But you just said…'

'Malfoy's hotter than Ernie, not in your league.'

'Malfoy is not hot.'

Hermione felt her mind was going. She was arguing to herself. She closed her eyes let her head hit the pillow. She saw Malfoy kiss her on the lips for the first time in the ballroom. Hesitant, gentle and just wonderful. Hermione's eyes snapped open as she felt her ears pounding with the beat of her racing heart. Her hand had made its way to over her heart, wanting to wrench it out for traitorously beating that hard even when she thought of him. She glanced one way and the other, then closed her eyes. She thought of how they had danced and her heart was speeding once more. She wondered why hearts didn't have a speed limit like cars did. She was sure her heart would have broken that limit, caused a few accidents and gone to hell. She had no idea what to do. She could act normal and pretend this was not happening to her or she could find out what to do. Yeah, she was definitely going to ignore it. She just couldn't deal with another anger fit with him. No she could not and she most definitely would not. She closed her eyes and purposely recited Ancient Ruins until she fell asleep.

Draco Malfoy walked was pacing his common room, mentally cursing himself for actually doing that. His impulse was the worst thing about him. He knew that very well, he would often act in anger and haste mostly hurting someone or the other. He sat down on the floor with his left knee propped up and wondered how things could have gone a little more smoothly, wondering of Granger's face. His hand reached up and touched his cheek where he had felt the small pool of tears. He let out a long sigh and let his head fall back against the couch.

The next morning did not bring any calm for him and his over exerted brain that was still full of Granger. He hadn't even gotten to shag the pretty girl. Bringing in more of a foul mood. He saw a girl running towards Dumbledore's office. He caught her elbow, " What's going on?"

"Some girl fell off her broom, they're taking her to the Hospital Wing," she informed breathlessly.

"What house?"

"Griffindor! Not to mention, Harry's friend. I bet he's pissed now,"

"Potter's friend?"

"Red or Brown hair I think?" she mused, "Can't remember!"

Draco's mind was spinning. He knew exactly what girl had brown hair and was Potter's best friend. He took off towards the pitch, pushing past the crowd that formed. He went directly to the center of the pitch to find that no girl lay there. Not one. Instead, he saw a dark blue sneaker that was undeniably Granger's. A large pool of blood and a broken broom that made him sick. He had seen it on her foot once as he was sprawling on the floor with a book and she had walked by. He gulped and then let his eyes drift to catch an earring lying on the floor. He couldn't be sure. Maybe it was hers. Hadn't he seen her wear that during their dance together? He fervently hoped he was wrong. He picked up the little earring and held it in his palm. He didn't need to push his way out anymore. The crowd had disappeared. He began running to the flight of stairs, when he saw Potter with a girl in his arms heading in the direction of the Hospital Wing. The girl was wearing a cap with her hair up, dirtying the floors because blood dripped down her shirt. He couldn't even see her face. He took two steps at a time hoping to catch up. He would have, if the stairs he was running up hadn't begun moving in the completely opposite direction. He let out a string of profanities. He went up to where ever he was being led to. Feeling utterly helpless. He hit his hand against the stone walls, drawing blood. He ran his good hand through his hair letting it rest against the nape of his neck. He stalked by towards the Hospital at a faster pace.

"Professor Binns, could I talk to you for a minute?"

Draco halted. He was sure he was imagining that voice.

"No problem sir, I'll drop by later."

He was sure he hadn't imagined it. He whirled around to see, unmistakable curls coming out of the classroom right next to him. He reached out and grabbed the soft forearm. His heart, relaxed suddenly. Draco hadn't even been aware that his heart was clenching unbearably at the thought of her being dead. He turned her around so he was facing her.

"Who the hell do you think you are? I been looking for you! You weren't at the common room and then I found this!" he growled, showing her the earring he had in his palm, "I thought…Do you even know what I'm going through? Do you know how worried I was? I thought you were…I thought I lost you! And you're here asking questions to a Professor?"

Draco's hands cupped her face gently, his eyes seeking hers hungrily. " What if you were on that broom? What if I lost you Dammit!" he shouted. She was stoned for a minute then she pushed his hands off his face.

"SO WHAT?" she yelled back, " It would be my accident, my fault, my death! Why does it matter to you?"

"Of course it matters! Dammit!"

"WHY? Why does it matter?"

"Because…" Yes, Draco, why does it matter to you if she died? He licked his lips looking at her, then he averted his gaze away. He could feel her looking at him. He didn't know why it mattered, but it did. He saw her bite her lip and then he looked away. He shut his eyes, willing that she would leave and yet he knew deep down he didn't want her to leave him at all. He wanted her to hug him and tell him she was sorry and perhaps maybe if he was lucky kiss him too. It wouldn't happen, he looked at her confused face one last time before he turned on his heel and walked away still pondering about why. Why he suddenly needed to ensure that she was fine, that he kept hoping it wasn't her. AND certainly why he couldn't explain why it mattered to him. Malfoys, never faltered. Not once. He knew he hadn't been thinking about it when he had set out to find her. All he was thinking was not her. Never her. Now, he needed to decide, if it did matter or if it didn't.