Secret

Coyly

He couldn't help but stare at her for the rest of the week. He was so happy that he had caught them. She was going to make up with him and they were going to be best friends. He could care less about his two shadows that were constantly tailing him. He would ditch them and the rest of his stupid house just to hang out with her. He was sure if he had to he could be resorted. He had the money to do so, he could pay Dumbledore well.

He couldn't help but tease the Weasley kid when he noticed he had to be rushed to the hospital because of a bite. It was too much to resist going in to tease him.

"I just want to borrow one of his books," he told Madam Pomfrey when she started to shoo him away. Luckily some third year Hufflepuff's came in covered in blood and Quidditch clothes and she was distracted enough to rush to their side.

He grinned wickedly at the quickly paling Weasley.

"You really should tell her what really bit you. It might be serious and your arm might fall off. Although I can't imagine what you need it for," he teased.

"You wouldn't dare," snarled the kid starting to sit up and reach for his wand. He really got under this kids skin way too easily it was almost boring. He smirked.

"Could get you expelled… or better yet get that stupid gamekeeper out of here once and for all," he mused stroking his chin. He snatched up a book at random before bidding Madam Pomfrey farewell, waving the book as an alibi. He was so very tempted to blow his cover then, but he didn't want anyone digging. He had a plan and he needed Hermione to forgive him. He smiled mischievously as he exited the hospital wing.

()()()()()()()()()

"You can't be serious," she hissed. "Give me Ron's book back," she snapped holding her hand out expectantly. He grinned as he tossed it back to her.

"I won't say a word Granger," he smiled feeling more and more in power.

"If what? I go back to not being pissed at you. It doesn't work that way," she snapped.

He suddenly felt a lot older than 11 as he glared at her. They were playing a game that a lot of students older than they played. She knew it, and he knew it. He was tired of all the pretending.

"Fine if that's the case then here's the deal. Whoever doesn't get caught on your little meeting gets to choose what to do," he felt his nostril's flare in irritation.

"I think you best not under estimate me Draco Malfoy," she growled. Her eyes were flashing in anger that he had grown all too accustomed to this year. He searched his pocket and held out a small piece of paper.

"I think this is all the evidence I need," he said coolly.

"Not to plant my involvement," she snarled. She sat down at an abandoned desk and busily focused on wiping the dust from the surface so that she could prop her elbows on it.

He quirked an eyebrow to show his mild surprise at her antics.

"I wasn't planning on getting you in trouble," he soothed smiling mischievously.

He could see the confusion flit across her face. What he wanted, what he needed, was a mystery to her. Good it was best to keep it that way.

"Are you placing a bet with me?" she said icily after a moment.

"Yup," he said letting his lips smack together to pop the 'p' sound loudly across the room.

"What's at stake now? Me forgive you if I lose, and if I win…" she paused. She wasn't sure what she wanted.

"You can stay mad at me. I don't care," he said easily.

"I just can't forgive you Draco. This year you have changed so much…"

"You have too," he said quietly feeling sadness overtake him again.

"It does have to be a secret doesn't it?"

He could hear the tears in her voice but he was scarred to look up at her.

"For now yes," he said just as quietly. "If I win I want us to stay friends. I just want you near Hermione. Even if we grow or change as people I don't ever want to lose you."

His own throat tightened with his words and he silently cursed to himself.

"Alright," she said quietly. "We'll keep it a secret. We shouldn't have to bribe each other with a stupid bet."

He dashed across the room and hugged her tightly to his chest. He would never let this moment go. The moment where they both finally accepted that they would grow and change as people but brace it together. It was all he ever wanted.

He was terrified when she almost got herself killed because of Potter. He hated that stupid twit for not being able to protect her, but he wasn't about to tear up their friendship any more. He acted the same for both of their sakes.

They kept it their secret for years. Sometimes he felt like the secret didn't exist and they actually hated each other. Other times he realized why it had to be there. And when they finally grew up and were both out of Hogwarts he was able to look at her with a genuine smile because she was the girl that kept the secret for him, and b that time it didn't matter anymore. It felt like their whole childhood was wasted on pretended hate and contempt but now they could smile and laugh and be the friend's they had always wanted to be. It felt right. It was right. And he was so glad that she was part of the very thing that took away the darkness and gave him back his childhood. She was the one choice that no one else had a say in.

He loved her.

But the secret was too great to let him say it out loud. The secret had held them back from growing together. They grew apart and separate but shared moments with each other. He was just happy enough to keep her in his life as a friend once the whole mess was over and done with. He couldn't ask for a better friend.

A/N: I know it has been a long time since I've updated but I lost my muse for this story. I couldn't leave it unfinished so I just fast forwarded there towards the end and gave a general ending. I'm awful I know but thank you all for the support and reading this story. :)