A/N: A year since I've updated! cowers I am extremely ashamed. I know I haven't updated in a while—a long period of time—but at least here I am, trying to complete what I have started. I do hope you like this make-up chapter for you guys. I'm really sorry.
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Chapter Six
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I have finally conquered the Gryffindor mudblood.
That was what he was supposed to say but found himself holding back. He knew that he was doing this for all the wrong reasons but why did he found all those reasons to be so right? He turned on his bed and tossed the blankets away from his heated body. He sat up and ran his fingers through his blond locks.
Did he do the right thing to stop his relationship with Hermione?
He contemplated on his thought as he listened from the other room. It was better off this way; she wasn't harmed in any way. His father would leave her alone and the Death Eaters had solely promised not to touch her. She was his. Nobody could take her away from him. Not even the Dark Lord.
He was doing the right thing, wasn't he?
It didn't seem to register in his mind how Hermione would feel. How she would react if she knew that he was trying to protect her by hating her? He growled low from his throat as he threw his pillow at a lone wizard picture of him and his Hermione; together, laughing away as if nothing was holding them back. They were wrong.
The picture took its sweet time to fall, as if it were mocking him that it was only pretend that they were together. And as it shattered on the cold, marble floor, he could only wonder what it was that made him fall.
He closed his eyes and breathed in a familiar scent that always haunted him even at his sleep…
Hermione.
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"Hermione!"
She looked behind her, hearing the known voice of one of her housemates, Creevey. The little fifth year grinned up at her as he held his precious camera, his fingers tapping the metal creating an octave tone.
"Yes? Can I help you with something?" She asked politely.
"I think you can," he said excitedly. Hermione looked at him oddly, fearing that this might be another of his bizarre cook-up stories but she agreed when he asked her if she could answer some questions.
"Did I hear correctly that you and Mr. Draco Malfoy from Slytherin House went out?" He asked quickly, his eagerness for her answer did not faze as she stood there, her mouth agape and her eyes wide.
Her whole body felt numb as she thought of the rumours that were flying around. About her, about them! Oh, for Merlin's sakes. She smiled sweetly down at him and crouched down so she was in eye-level with him. He was still grinning.
"Where did you get that idea?" She questioned her mouth twitching as she forced herself to smile.
He smirked. "I can't tell where I get my sources, Hermione. They specifically told me not to tell their identities."
Hermione's eye twitched as she grumbled lowly, her mouth still twisted in a smile. "Tell me, Creevey," she fished out her wand inside her pocket subtly and grasping it in her fist. "Or else, I just might turn you into a toad." She straightened up and pointed her ready wand in front of the fifth year, his eyes holding surprise and fear.
"Y-you… you can't do that, Hermione!" He cried. His legs wobbled as he stood his ground. "Y-you're the Head Girl!"
"I don't bloody care if I'm Head Girl," she seethed. "Just tell me who's spreading those… those lies!"
Creevey gulped as he felt his legs starting to give up. He closed his eyes and murmured something fast under his breath. Hermione glared at him.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Creevey?" She asked pleasantly as she poked him with the tip of her wand. He jumped and looked at her, scared. "I didn't quite get what you said."
"Parvarti and Lavender." He muttered, his face flushed as he scurried away from her. Her eyes narrowed and she growled.
"Those bloody little…"
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"You—you bloody witches!" Hermione yelled angrily, her eyes ablaze with anger as she stomped her feet on the ground. "How can you spread those horrible lies?"
Parvarti remained calmed as she examined her nails in boredom. "Oh, lighten up, Hermione. It's nothing."
Lavender smirked at her. "It's not as if it's true."
Hermione bit her tongue and glared at the two witches in front of her. They were so… so… She screamed.
"That is not the point!" Her face flushed as she ruffled her hair with her hands, frustrated. "What if Ron and Harry finds out, huh? What happens then? You know how Ron reacts, he'll bloody have a death match with Malfoy!" She was absolutely livid. "What if he's on his way now?" All blood drained from her face as she thought of the possibility that he might have already been there.
"Oh, hush." Parvarti giggled. "Don't you want that, Hermione? Two men fighting for your love..."
"That is so romantic," Lavender swooned.
Hermione gaped at them. Were they bloody daft?
"This conversation is not worth my time." Hermione muttered as she opened the door to the Common Room. "But expect to get a little payback sometime this week." Hermione warned them as she stepped out of the room. "Watch your back, ladies."
With that, she left the two witches with a horrified look on their faces.
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"Draco Malfoy."
He stared at the ceiling, not bothering to look at the person standing at the end of his bed, fuming. He sighed and blinked, now glaring at the ceiling imagining the Gryffindor haunting his dreams and even when he was awake.
"What?"
"Damn it, Malfoy, look at me!" Pansy screeched as she angrily kicked the post of his bed. "Stop acting so arrogant all the time!"
Draco sat up from his bed and glared at her. "Don't tell me how to act, Parkinson." He sneered. "Now get out of my room."
"No," she said stubbornly as she crossed her arms across her chest. "You have some explaining to do."
"And what should I explain to you, dare say?" Draco scowled at her as he rested his head on the stack of pillows behind him.
Pansy narrowed her eyes at him. "Tell me about this rumour I'm hearing about you and the mudblood."
"Rumour?" Draco raised a curious eyebrow and told her to continue.
"Word has gotten out that you had a relationship with her!" Pansy said, unbelieving. "Tell me that it isn't true! It will ruin your reputation and your father will be absolutely furious!"
"I am not stupid, Pansy." Draco said calmly. "I'm not going to say that it isn't true," Pansy recoiled in disbelief. "—but it's just something of an unorthodox relationship. It is nothing to be disgusted with."
"Draco!" Pansy breathed incredulously. "How could you?"
"Simple, Pansy," Draco said as he put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. "I made her fall in love."
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Hermione smirked as she entered the Gryffindor Common Room. That would scare those two little buggers, she thought as she plopped herself on one of the couches in front of the fireplace. She pulled her feet up on the couch near her chest and heaved a sigh.
"This wasn't what I've dreamed of," she whispered. "This wasn't my plan."
She closed her eyes and imagined Draco looking at her from across the room, his gray eyes begging her to love him. His blond tresses swaying with him as he neared her and his lips curled into that all known sneer. She smiled.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him as he sat down beside her, encircling her with his arms and comfortably resting his head on top of hers.
"I'm watching you." He answered simply.
She laughed. "That is a bit of an understatement. You're already holding me."
"And why is that not fun for everyone?" He smiled, his beautiful eyes lit up with genuine happiness.
"The others might see." She whispered, a yawn escaping her lips as she rested her head on his chest, relaxing in his warmth.
"And you care, why?" He asked and gently massaged her from her shoulders to her back, gently soothing her near to slumber.
"They'll hate me." She yawned again and reached up her hand to play with his hair, the tendrils soft to her touch.
"But I won't." He said softly and he kissed her on the forehead. "I'll always love you."
"I know you do…"
"Hermione…"
She grunted and swatted away a hand nudging her on her shoulder.
"Hermione!"
The shout of her name spurred her from her sleep and she lazily opened one eye to see familiar green eyes looking at her in concern. "What are you doing here?"
"Harry," she croaked out as she rubbed her eyes.
"It's a bit too late for you to go back to your Head room so you can stay here and I'll keep you company." He smiled at her and watched her as she looked around the room in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Oh," she said dejectedly, knowing she didn't find what she was looking for. "Nothing's wrong, Harry."
"I know there's always something, Hermione." Harry frowned at her. "You can always tell me everything, you know that."
"I do, Harry… it's just…" Hermione felt her eyes sting as she looked up at him. He was really concerned for her and it hurt her to lie to him but… "I just can't believe that we're near in leaving this school, our second home."
Harry nodded his head and reached out for her, hugging her closely. "I know, Hermione, its hard." He said tightly. "But we just have to let go of the memories that hurt us and learn from it."
Hermione felt her tears prickle and fall from her eyes, tainting Harry's robes. "I… can't."
"Why not?" Harry ran his hands through her back, trying to calm her down.
"I," she stopped, her words echoing in her mind. "I can't let him go."
"Oh, Hermione." Harry crushed her in his chest, murmuring against her hair. "I know about you and Malfoy."
Hermione froze. Her eyes spilling the tears she was trying to hold back. "H-how?"
"I saw the whole thing when you went back inside the classroom." Harry muttered.
"Does Ron know?" Hermione asked, pulling back as she looked at him with a horrified expression.
"No, he doesn't." Harry shook his head. "And we should keep it that way."
Hermione sighed in relief. "Good."
"But too late mate," Harry and Hermione both froze as they looked up at the tall figure standing in the shadows behind them. "I already know."
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End Note: It's official. I am one major suckage machine. But please, please, don't hold back in telling me what I really am for not giving you guys what you truly deserved—a longer chapter. I shall be posting again—hopefully—soon so please, don't forget to drop by a review.