Choices

Orange and pink streaked the otherwise blue sky as the sun set, ending a sleepy Saturday afternoon. The lake was a brilliant blue, rippling slightly in the wind. All this was unnoticed by two people, arguing by the cliffs of Hogwarts.

Draco watched silently as Hermione stalked over to the lake. His hair whipped into his eyes, but he took no notice. Sighing, he got up from the rock he was sitting on and came up to her.

"There has got to be a way around," he said, touching her shoulder. Hermione stiffened, turning her head away. How dare he think that he could sweet-talk his way out of this? He said that his family had accepted he was going out with her... and then he chose. Chose between his money, power, family name and his love, friendship, trust. He said that he would love her forever. She forgot that he loved power more.

"Well, I've tried and I've tried to hold this thing together," Hermione replied, her voice breaking slightly. Draco removed his hand quickly. She tried to hold their relationship together? It was he who had convinced his parents that she was all right - that she was an equal. It was he who had taken his friends taunts - yes, he was dating a 'Mudblood'. But Hermione wasn't a Mudblood... she was... Hermione.

"But you wanted more than I could give." Draco sighed, combing a hand through his hair in exasperation. "I know that's not the way to live." He would have had to give up his status. His money, his power. He wouldn't be worth anything, for if you're not a Malfoy, you're not anything. Unless you're Hermione... that was different.

"There was a time I thought we would last forever..." Hermione shrugged, turning around. She was shaking with rage. They seemed perfect together, but now he had shown his true colours. She had to go... she couldn't stay with someone who loved wealth more than he loved her.

"But you pushed me too hard." Draco defended himself. Why couldn't she see? It was different, being a pureblood. Being a Malfoy. It wasn't just a name, it was who you were. It engulfed you until you weren't anyone anymore... just a Malfoy. He had taken great pains to assure his father that Hermione wasn't 'just' a Mudblood... that Muggle-borns were just as good as purebloods.

"Now I don't know who you really are." Hermione whispered, a tear running down her cheek. Draco moved to wipe it away, but Hermione evaded his finger swiftly. Draco had changed. He used to be caring, sweet... their midnight, secret meetings in the Room of Requirement used to be the only thing she really lived for. It was only then that she realized there was more to life than school, homework and grades.

"Let's go back to days where we were lovers... I used to keep you satisfied," Draco said, almost to himself. The first few days were priceless, shining like gold in his memory. The long talks, the occasional snog - Hermione wasn't much for them. She preferred talking about things instead of snogging. Draco didn't mind either of them, but he definitely enjoyed the snogging sessions.

"I knew that you were on my side," Hermione shook her head. It was so typical of Draco to change sides so quickly. Ron had warned her against it, but she hadn't listened. If only she had now... "You know how it really matters."

"But I still love you..." Draco trailed off, seeing Hermione's eyes bright with tears and with fury. He had disappointed her, he knew. But he loved her... he still loved her... couldn't she tell?

"Now, I'm wasting my time." Hermione bit her lip as tears began to flow. She pushed him away angrily and stalked off towards the school. If he loved her... did he love her? He chose to embrace riches instead of her. Ron was right... she had wasted her time when she started seeing him. Tears blurred her vision as she ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

Outside, Draco stared after her retreating figure.

"But I still want you..." he murmured before turning to go.

~

Lyrics - When I Lost You by Sarah Whatmore

But you wanted more than I could give

I know that's not the way to live

There was a time I thought that we would last forever

But you pushed too hard

I feel the scars

Now I don't know who you really are

What we had was so good

What can I do to get you back?

When I lost you I lost everything

But I still want you

When I lost you I lost everything

Now I'm falling apart 'cause you're still in my heart

But I still love you

When I lost you I lost everything

Now I'm wasting my time

'Cause you're still on my mind

If you hear me now, you know how it really matters

There has got to be a way around

Find a place of common ground

Let's go back to days when we were lovers

I used to keep you satisfied

I know that you were on my side

But I still want you

Fallin' apart 'cause you're still in my heart...