Never Look Back

Never Look Back 05

Harry sullenly ambled down the granite hallways of the darkened castle, envisions of the 7th year graduation ball filled his head. The echoing sounds of the diminishing music could be heard and the laughter of the students was barely audible in the dark hallway. He shoved his hands into his emerald dress robe, a pout forming upon his face. Harry was confused about what he had just previously witnessed at the ball. How was it that Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were each other's dates? Sure Hermione had the excuse about Ginny daring them, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it for they were awfully cozy while they were dancing. Harry couldn't help but notice the way Hermione stared into Draco's eyes. And hadn't he always suspected something going on between them during that Potions project? Hermione should still be his! Not Malfoy's, then again he had no proof that anything was going on between them. It was his fault that he dumped her but now he totally regretted it. Harry kicked the wall in a fit of rage and jumped back in recoil, shaking his head as he continued walking towards Gryffindor tower.

Harry swung open the portrait door that led to the common room and stormed in. Hermione sleeping on a large red armchair, her legs dangling over the side, hair spread out behind her and a small smile upon her face. Harry briskly strolled over to where she lay, he stared down at her sleeping form and fought the urge the bend over and kiss her. Feeling a pair of eyes watching her, Hermione slowly opened her eyes and nearly screamed, for seeing Harry's face so dangerously close to hers.

"Holy shit, Harry!!" She said in a high pitched tone. "What the hell are you doing there! You scared me!"

"Oh sorry," Harry said sheepishly, "I was just heading up to bed and I saw you laying there and I was debating on whether I should wake you up." He was babbling now.

"Right. I was just closing my eyes for a moment." said Hermione, lazily sitting up in the chair, "Did you have a good time at the ball?"

"It was fine. Ginny and I talked a lot."

"That's good." They had reached a lull in the conversation, desperate for a turn. Harry asked the question that was tugging at his mind.

"What was with you and Malfoy? You guys were awfully cozy with each other tonight. I mean, assuming that nothing is going on between you, right?" Harry blurted. A pink tinge crept across Hermione's face.

"Nothing. Nothing is going on. I don't know where you got that idea." she snapped. "We were dared I already told you that!" Her sienna eyes flashing dangerously.

"Well it sure didn't look like nothing!" Harry fired back.

"Nothing was going on! Why do you care!"

"Because." Harry said in a hushed tone, pausing for a moment. A split second later his lips had descended upon Hermione's in a forced kiss. She held for a instant and pushed Harry back.

"Harry!" Shrieked Hermione, a bewildered look upon her face. With haste she ran up the stone staircase to her dormitory.

"Damn it." Harry said, cursing his foolishness. He should have never tried to kiss Hermione in the first place, a mistake in all rights. But seeing her sleeping there peacefully and seeing the light that radiated from her was all he could handle. Oh how he wanted to feel her lips upon his once again! The moment his lips touched hers brought back a flood of memories of their time together and the second her lips left his, the tear in his heart grew deeper. He sat on the red plush couch for a moment, staring into the flames of the fire. Harry was determined to have Hermione back.

**********

The next day after the ball was a day that passed slowly for all. Hermione did her best to avoid Harry by locking herself in the Gryffindor tower and staring out at the grounds. Harry, being furious at himself for what he did to Hermione blew off some steam on the Quidditch Pitch. The 6th year girls spent the day doing a mini spa and painting each others nails. Surprisingly enough, Ron and Luna spent the entire day together walking hand in hand around the grounds. And Draco? Well, we can all guess what he's been doing - plotting Potter's downfall of course! And naturally, pining for Hermione.

Around noon Hermione left the dormant of her room and traveled down to the lake. She placed herself on a large rock that over looked the lake and mountains beyond. A soft wind tousled her hair and the sun beat down upon her head. Resting her head in her palm she sighed as she thought about Draco and the previous night. Picking a white flower from the ground she fingered its petals the whiteness matching the clouds in the sky.

Suddenly, a shadow stood over Hermione. She slowly turned around and was face to face with Draco. A smile spread across her face as he kissed her gently.

"Hello love," he said breathlessly staring into her eyes. "I missed you." Hermione giggled at this.

"Did you miss me that much in the time between the ball and now?" She playfully prodded his forehead with her finger.

"Yes." He grinned and kissed her again, pulling her close, deepening the kiss. They broke apart and stared into each others eyes. Hermione lifted her hand and placed it upon Draco's face.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too." He murmured back and wrapped his arms around her waist in an embrace. He held her there for moment and whispered into her ear, making her shiver. "Meet me in the Astronomy tower, tonight." He quickly pecked her cheek and walked off in his usual manner. Hermione sighed, stood up and still clasping the flower in her hand she let it go into the wind.

*****

Unbeknownst to the couple, Pansy Parkington stood in the shadows of a great oak tree watching the whispered exchange. She stood paralyzed with shock as she watched Draco kiss Hermione. It was so confusing. Why? She was a mudblood and he hated her. Pansy was the one that loved Draco and was the only one who deserved to kiss him. It was all too bizarre. A part of Pansy shook with confusion and rage, another coursed with revenge. She would make Hermione pay. Oh yes.

*********

Meanwhile, Luna and Ron were enjoying a nice stroll around the castle grounds. They walked in an awkward silence, they stopped and Luna turned towards Ron. She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back, the tips of his ears turning scarlet. Luna leaned slightly into Ron, kissing him lightly on the lips. Ron stared at her momentarily, slightly confused but then kissed her back with intensity. They broke the kiss only when Luna started to giggle. Ron turned red in the face, taking her delicate hand in his as they kept on walking.

*************

The sun beat down on Draco's head as he walked the worn streets of Hogsmeade. It was a sunny day, very much like the past week. The cobblestones under Draco's feet were worn with age and travel but yet they carried thousands of memories. He was dressed in all black, stifling under the heavy garments, for it was a very warm day. He entered the stained glass doors Ophira Jewelers. Today was the day Draco would buy Hermione a ring. He dearly loved her, and he could tell that she loved him too. Many would scorn at marriage so young, but they both would be 18 soon. But love has no age limits.

Not just any ring. An engagement ring so beautiful it would take her breath away. As their time at Hogwarts was dwindling, he knew he had to do something to make sure they stayed together or face losing her. Draco's mind whirred as he remembered that the name Ophira meant gold in Greek. The store was dimly lit - the only light came from the dazzling jewels in the showcases. A hobbled man in a tuxedo strolled out of the back rooms.

"What can I do for you sir?" The man asked in a heavy Mediterranean accent.

"I'm looking for a ring. An engagement ring to be exact. I don't care how expensive. I'm willing to pay." Draco replied in bored tone.

"Ah yes. We have many of those." The man hurried off to find some rings.

One hour, 35 rings later Draco still had not found a perfect ring. Frazzled, the salesman found one more ring, praying that his customer would choose it.

"Mr. Malfoy, this is the last ring in stock. I hope you find it satisfactory."

He slowly opened the black box and on the white satin, lay the most beautiful ring that Draco had ever seen. It was a simple band made of white gold. A delicate 7 karat diamond rested upon the bands center. On either side two smaller diamonds lay nestled in the shadow of the larger one. On the inside of the band the words "I love you" were inscribed in French. The ring was decidedly less extravagant than the others, but its simplicity made it special.

"I'll take it!" announced Draco.

"Excellent." The salesclerk breathed. "That will be 40 galleons." Draco handed over the coins and tucked the ring into his pocket. "Good day Mr. Malfoy."

The salesman tipped his hat in farewell. Draco merely nodded and walked out the door.

*********

Later that night, Pansy was sitting in one of the leather arm chairs in the Slytherin common room pondering what color she should paint her nails. She watched Draco as he hurriedly walked up to his dormitory. Something was up. Pansy could tell. She could tell by the way he fidgeted with his hands and the way he nervously kept slicking his hair back. She had half a mind to ask him what was going on but thought better of it.

An hour later, she saw him leave the common room. Pansy, being her nosy self, decided to follow him. She stealthily followed him, not daring to breathe for fear of discovery. She followed him all the way up to the astronomy tower. "What is Draco doing in the Astronomy Tower?" she wondered to herself. She stood in silence for a moment before she heard soft footsteps behind her. "Granger!" thought Pansy with venom, as she saw Hermione approaching her hiding spot. Quickly, she dashed into the tower door confronting herself with Draco.

"Pansy? What in the hell!" a surprised Draco Malfoy shouted at the sight of Pansy. Pansy walked cautiously towards Draco, Hermione's footsteps ringing in her head. The time was now. Any second now Hermione would be here any second. Then a moment later, Pansy had thrown herself at Draco in a forced kiss just as the door was opening. The kiss was short, but long enough for Hermione to see it.

"Draco!" shrieked Hermione, tears welling up in her eyes. Pansy broke away from Draco and smirked at Hermione. She nonchalantly walked down the stairs, out of the tower.

"How could you!" Hermione cried.

"Hermione!" Draco pleaded.

"I don't want to hear it, you bastard!" she wailed, and ran forward to punch him. Draco, being as strong as he was, stopped her and grabbed her wrist forcefully with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. Hermione struggled against his strong grip to no avail.

"We are going somewhere to settle this like civilized people." He whispered harshly into her ear, leading her down the steps.

Draco dragged her towards a plain brown door and thought clearly in his head "This is the room of requirement, I need somewhere soundproof so no one can hear us and somewhere for us to settle our differences." Draco thought as he opened the door. The moment the door opened he released Hermione. She let out a scream of frustration.

"How could you!" she wailed, thrashing at Draco. "I told you that I loved you! And you betrayed me!"

Draco stayed silent. Hermione picked up a book and threw it at his head, narrowly missing it.

"I HATE YOU! I never want to see your ugly face again, you uncaring jerk!" Hermione screamed, her words piercing his heart.

"Hermione wait! It's not what you think!" Draco reached out to grab her but she pulled away.

"I don't know what to think! All I know is that I saw you kissing Pansy."

"But..."

"Shut up! It's over! I never want to speak to you again! I hope you and the whore have a awful life together!" And with that she threw a glass goblet at him, hitting him in the forehead, drawing blood. She ran out of the room, sobbing. Never looking back.

**************

Draco stormed into the Slytherin common room in a rage. He let out an exasperated yell and kicked the wall. Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair and paced around the room.

"My, my such anger." clucked Pansy, "Things didn't go well with the mudblood I suppose?" she said, a smug look on her face.

"Shut up you bitch! It's your fault she's gone!" Draco yelled.

"Now Draco, is that any way to talk to your future wife?" Pansy said with false sweetness.

"W-w-wife?" Draco said shocked as he stopped pacing.

"Yes wife." She said, savoring the situation. "Didn't your mummy and daddy tell you? We've been betrothed since we were babies." At this statement, all the color drained from his face leaving him deathly pale.

"What?" said Draco weakly.

"Oh yes, isn't it wonderful? We're to be married next year in June!"

"Married... this is too much. I need to go lie down."

"Why don't you lie down next to me, darling?" said Pansy.

"I would rather eat a thousand poisoned flobberworms then lie next to you." Draco said nastily as he stormed up to his dorm, blood slowly oozing down his face from the cut. He threw himself on his bed and let of a moan of grief, the blood staining his sheets.

That night, both Hermione and Draco slept fitfully. Hermione woke up feeling more exhausted then she had when she had fallen asleep the night before. She slowly dragged herself out of bed, and into the bathroom, examining herself in the mirror. Her mascara had run down her face, her skin was blotchy, lips and eyes were puffy. Quickly, she washed her face before anyone could see her in this state. She put on her school robes and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

When Hermione entered the Great Hall her eyes immediately went to Draco. All it did was cause her pain. Shaking her head, she held back tears. Standing tall with head high, and pretending nothing was wrong, she strolled over to the Gryffindor table and sat between Harry and Ginny. Ginny stared at her for a moment, trying to decipher what was different with Hermione. Whom was doing her best to give the idea that nothing was wrong. But all was lost when Ginny looked at Hermione's face. Smiling weakly Hermione spoke.

"Hey Gin,"

"Oh Hermione." Ginny said with sympathy, "What's the matter?"

Hermione bit her lip, looked at Ginny with sad eyes and shook her head.

"Nothing."

Frowning slightly, the redhead grabbed Hermione's wrist and dragged her out of the Great Hall by her wrists. Hermione made no objection, which confused Ginny. They stopped and Ginny stared directly into Hermione's eyes. Hermione started to rub her wrists that had been so roughly grabbed the night before. She would no doubt have a bruise.

"Okay, You're a terrible liar. I know something is wrong. You can't hide anything from me."

"You're right, something is wrong." Hermione said being perfectly calm.

"Well...?" Ginny asked raising an eyebrow, and looking at Hermione expectantly.

"But I'm not telling you." Ginny gave her a dirty look.

"Fine. Draco cheated on me with Pansy. So we broke up. Actually it was me who dumped him."

Ginny's mouth fell open in shock.

"W-w-what?" she stammered. The brunette nodded. "That's absurd! He was besotted with you!! I even think he was in love with you! You could just tell by the way he looked at you." Furious, Ginny stormed off into the Great Hall intending to give Draco Malfoy a piece of her mind.

"Ginny! Wait!"

Glaring, she turned around and looked at Hermione.

"What!? I'm going to give that bastard a piece of my mind for breaking your heart!"

"Don't." Hermione pleaded. Ginny gave her a understanding look and hugged Hermione, who looked like she was going to break down into tears.

"Its gonna be okay. You were too good for him anyway. It'll get better." She whispered. Hermione nodded, tears filling her eyes, knowing that her heart had been broken into a million shards...

Ginny walked into the Great Hall and strolled straight over to Harry and Ron. Leaning down, she whispered something mysterious into Harry's ear. He looked at her, confused, but she just gave him a knowing look. Harry nodded and smiled, and resumed talking to Ron. Soon all the food on the plates disappeared, signaling breakfast was over and classes were beginning, Luna walked over to the three Gryffindors and began to walk with them. She looked up at Ron, taking his hand in hers. She smiled up at him, causing his ears to go red as they walked along. Harry and Ginny gave Ron a strange look, but he just shrugged and grinned at Luna. The tardy bell rang and the four separated to their own individual classrooms. Harry and Ron were running in silence, refusing to be late to Snape's Potions class.

When they entered the dank dungeon they were greeted by Snape, who immediately issued a detention. Grumbling, the two boys walked to their seats and pulled out their cauldrons.

Halfway through the lesson, Harry noticed Malfoy staring at Hermione. Ignoring Malfoy, Harry leaned over and whispered something into Hermione's ear, causing a giggle. Draco clenched his fists as he saw that laugh escape Hermione's lips. "Potter!" he thought with venom as he watched him make the moves on his Hermione. Malfoy saw Potter slip her a note, and watched as she slowly unfolded it, reading it over, and turning around to nod at Harry. Draco gave a menacing glare to the back of Harry's head. Harry was oblivious to it.

*************

"'Mione," Harry whispered into Hermione's ear as they were in the common room that night.

"What?" she jumped at the sound of Harry's voice. She thought she was the only one in the common room. She turned her head towards Harry and stared into his bright green eyes. Their faces were almost nose to nose, the perfect moment Harry thought as he placed his hand upon her face. Hermione's knees shook from his touch for an odd reason. Suddenly, Harry leaned in and kissed her full on the mouth, taking her by surprise. She tensed for a moment before relaxing into the kiss. Excitement filled Harry's mind as he kissed Hermione. "Maybe, just maybe we'll be together." he thought. But all his hopes of spending forever with Hermione were dashed when she abruptly broke the kiss. He stared at her with hurt written all over his face.

"I'm sorry Harry." she said softly. "I just can't do this right now." Tears welled up in her beautiful brown eyes as she ran to her room. Harry screamed and wished he had never gone along with what Ginny had whispered in his ear. He watched her leave as he stood behind, bitterness filling his heart as he watched the only woman he ever loved leave him. Possibly forever.

*************

The day was a sun filled day with skies as blue as the sea. The 7th years were seated at their house tables for the very last time. All were dressed in their finest black robes and caps as they stood. Singing the Hogwarts school song one last time, Deja Vu, was a sense to all of their first night there. Tears were shed. Laughs were sounded. Hermione hugged her 3 best friends farewell. It was graduating day. A runtish photographer scurried around and snapped pictures of all the students. It was the end of their years at Hogwarts. Yet, It was the beginning of a whole new life.

***************

To be continued....