Even Dragons Have Hearts

Hermione couldn't talk. Her throat had grown sore and tight and her eyes were red and slightly puffy. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks, all the while she held onto Draco, though she didn't know why. She had just seen him, in front of her very own eyes; say yes to the task of killing her and her family. What was she doing? He's supposed to kill her. And she's crying into his shoulder?

She let go of Draco, almost as if she received an electric shock from him. She wiped her face with her sleeve rapidly, though tears still trickled down her face. Draco blinked the tears away from his eyes and looked into her face, trying to find her eyes but she was still wiping away the tears.

Finally she let her hands fall into her lap and she looked up at him.

"Hermione," he said gently, "I don't want to hurt you, I really don't. Please believe me..." Draco lifted a finger and brushed it against his cheek, it became cold and wet. He held out his hand to Hermione's. "These are real, Hermione. Not many people have seen me shed a single tear, but here you are... I'm doing that just now... And it's real. Here..." He took Hermione's hand and she felt the tear in her palm.

She sniffed quietly and stared at their hands, hers seemed so small, and his was so strong, but so pale. Hermione put her other hand on top of his and rubbed the back of his gently with her thumb.

She sniffed again, but then said quietly, "S-so why don't you want to do it? You've always seemed to hate me so much. What made you make this decision?"

"Well... I have been your classmate for five years. I have watched you for the whole time; see you grow from a pretty girl into a beautiful young woman. I've seen you and how loyal you are to your friends, and how committed you are to your education. I've studied you from afar and at some points have been quite jealous of P... I mean Harry and Ron, how you sneak up behind them and hug them, and how the three of you laugh and joke together."

"It's something I've never had; real friends, I mean. Let's face it; Crabbe and Goyle aren't the best mates a guy could have. All they do is eat, flex their muscles and look stupid. There's no way I could have an intelligent conversation with either. The only reason I am always with them is on my Father's orders. My Father and Crabbe and Goyle's are old mates... Fellow Death Eaters, in fact."

"Anyway... What I am trying to get to is, I have never actually hated you. As a matter of fact, I've always liked you. I sincerely regret calling you... Uhh... That repulsive word, you know what I'm talking about?" He said.

"Yes I do know the one," Hermione said, looking at the floor.

"Yes... Well, I never meant it. You are a better witch than any in the whole school. You out did the Seventh Years when you were in the First, you're simply amazing..." Draco reached a hand out and touched her face, "And I think I love you..."

Draco said the last bit very fast, as if he was afraid he wouldn't be able to say it if he didn't do it quickly.

Hermione shut her eyes; his touch was so gentle, so sincere. Whatever he had felt over the past years, whatever it is, he sure did hide it well. She still didn't know what to do, her brain was telling her it was wrong, but her heart seemed to tell her it was so, so right.

When she looked at Draco again, she saw the meaning of his words in his eyes, and knew that now was the time to do what she had wanted to do for some time now. She leant forward and pressed her lips against Draco's. Draco slid his arm around her waist and Hermione put her arms around his neck. Everything after that became a glorious blur...

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Meanwhile

"Oi Harry, check this out!" Ron called from the back corner of the Quidditch supply shop.

Harry pushed himself away from the crate he was leaning on and shuffled his way in the direction of Ron's voice.

"What have you found?" Harry asked when he spotted Ron.

"I don't believe this! I've heard about these but I've never ever seen a set in real life! Look, Harry! It's a Chudley Canons Official Uniform!" Ron was holding a bright orange cloak with a Chudley Canons emblem on the chest and the number 3 on the back. On the floor in front of him was the full set of boots, orange leg and arm guards and the matching jumper with the usual tan coloured pants.

Harry heard footsteps of the shopkeeper coming up the aisle behind him and turned to let him pass. He walked straight up to Ron and said "Ahhh.... A Canons fan, are we? Yes, these are the official robes, only set I've got. My son was on the team but he got a lifetime ban for jinxing an umpire... Serves him right... Foul indeed..." the shop keeper mumbled. Harry was strongly reminded of Kreacher, a miserable House-Elf that served Harry's late God Father.

"The set is priced at 60 galleons and 39 knuts, but for you... 50 galleons. What do you say?" the shopkeeper said.

Ron bit his lip and stared around his feet at the uniform. "I would give anything for these but-"

"He'll take them," Harry said, stepping forward.

"Right you are then, I'll just take these to the counter, if you'd just follow me please?" said the shopkeeper.

Harry put a hand into his robe pocket and pulled out his money pouch. He counted out the coins and gave them to Ron.

"Early birthday present, no I insist you take it Ron, you deserve it. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find Hermione, I'm going to tell her now," Harry said and turned on his heel, he opened the door and shut it, the tiny bell on the top of it jingled slightly, and he was gone.

Ron followed the man to the counter, a dazed look on his face.

Harry looked up and down the road, but couldn't see Hermione, so he decided to go to the Three Broomsticks and find her there.

He walked up to the door and pushed it open. Peering around the room full of laughter and cheerful chattering, Harry still couldn't see her. But seeing as he was there already, he decided to shout himself to a Butterbeer.

"One Butterbeer, please," Harry said to Madam Rosmerta. She smiled at him and passed him a tankard nearly overflowing with white fluff.

"Thank you," he said, handing over a few coins.

Harry went to the back of the room, the table he Ron and Hermione always sat at. Settling down on the bench, Harry sighed deeply and took a sip of his drink. All the while thinking about that girl.

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Hermione pulled away from Draco and her cheeks flushed pink.

"I'm sorry, Draco," she said, fumbling with her cloak and standing up.

"S-sorry for what?" Draco asked, standing up as well.

"I shouldn't have done that, I mean, I should have... Oh no, I have to go" Hermione went to the door.

"But Hermione, please don't go so soon." Draco said, reaching a hand out to her, but it was too late, she had sprinted down the hall.

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Harry looked up from the table to see Hermione appear at the doorway across the room. She looked upset and Harry's heart seemed to have gone very tight. He waved at her a called her over to him. She looked as though she had thought differently from joining him, but did anyway.

"Hi Harry," she said sitting down at the table, putting he back to the rest of the room. Harry was looking at Hermione, and didn't see Draco slip out the door.

"Hey 'Mione," Harry said, "would you like a Butterbeer?"

"I think I need one," Hermione said, twisting her fingers together under the table.

Harry went over to the counter and returned with a drink for Hermione. He put it on the table in front of her and sat back down on his seat.

"Are you OK Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Uh... No not really, I've just been told that my family and I are to be killed by Death Eaters." Hermione said, watching the bubbles in her drink.

Harry nearly dropped his Butterbeer, but put it on the table safely before he leant closer to Hermione.

"What??" he asked in angry confusion.