My Soul Mate

Chapter Sixteen - LOve & VisiOns...

---

Jab kissi ki taraf, dil jhukne lage,

Baat aake zabaan tak, rukne lage,

Ankhon ankhon mein, ikrar hone lage,

Bol do agar tumhe pyaar hone lage,

Hone lage, pyaar hone lage.

Chahne jab lage, dil kissi ki khushi,

Dilagi yeh nahin, yeh dil ki lagi.

Andhiyon ko daba ne se kya fayeda,

Pyaar dil mein chupa ne se kya fayeda.

Aur jeena bhi, dushwaar hone lage,

Bol do agar tumhe pyaar hone lage,

Hone lage, pyaar hone lage.

Uski khusbu agar, apne saason mein ho,

Uska sapna agar, apne ankhon mein ho.

Jab na dil ke behel ne ki surat lage,

Jab koi zindagi ki zaroorat lage.

Aur dheere dheere apna sa lagne lage,

Bol do agar tumhe pyaar hone lage,

Hone lage, pyaar hone lage.

Pyaar to, hona hi tha,

Pyaar to, hona hi tha.

-

When you submit your heart to somebody,

When you can't say what you want to,

When you avow your affection through your eyes,

Then admit that you're in love.

When you pray for someone else's happiness,

It's not lust, it's love.

In the same way there's no good in suppressing a storm,

There's no good in hiding your love either.

And when it seems impossible to live without someone,

Then admit that you're in love.

When someone's incense abounds you,

When you carry someone's dreams with you,

And slowly when you feel someone close to your heart,

Then admit that you're in love.

Falling in love is inevitable.

____________________________________________________________________

"We have known each other only for two and a half months, right?" said Draco, looking directly at Hermione's eyes, which were imploring him intently, as if trying to find a clue. "It's not a long time, I agree. When I look back at yesterday, there I was, insulting you, your friends and your family, about something that is out of both of our hands. And you know why I did so, don't you?"

Hermione nodded understandingly this time. She knew very well that Draco had been abashing her only because she was one of Harry's best friends, which with a pang, she realized, she was no longer.

"I have apologized for it many times, haven't I?" Draco went on. "And we both know that you have forgiven me. As I was saying ... it was only yesterday I was hurting you and today, you are here, with the idea that you are my best friend. But you're wrong."

Hermione, whose hands were entangled with Draco's, looked taken aback. She snatched her hands away from Draco, her eyes bewildered. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Draco caught Hermione's hands again and rested them as well as his on her lap. Hermione didn't know what was happening. Surely Draco had meant something else, she thought. He can't ... betray her.

"You'll know what I mean," said Draco, grasping Hermione's hands tighter. "But hear me out. You know what are my life's most terrible moments. Receiving the Dark Mark, killing Hagrid, kidnapping you and behaving offensively to you. One day I was regretting all these, and some part of me still does, but after what you told me, I'm glad all these happened. If it hadn't been for such a series of events, I would still have been the Draco Malfoy who loathed you and the Draco Malfoy whom you loathed. I've wronged you countless times before, and even in the recent days, I have. I took away from you your best friends. I made you suffer embarrassment publicly -"

"Draco, it was not your fault," said Hermione, unable to restrain herself. She hated it when Draco held himself responsible for everything that went wrong. She would do anything to take away that pessimistic being in him. "It was not your fault," she repeated. "It was my choice."

"I know that. I know you had to choose between them and pushing me back into the chasm I were in. And that was when I liked you for the first time. You pulled me out of the abyss when there was no hope, no chance. I was lost and you showed me the path. I was cold and you warmed me up. I had become a machine but you showed me how to feel... Take one look at my life. I have no one other than you and my mother. Even though my mother loves me, I can't be the way with her like the way I am with you. You mean everything to me. I can hardly live if you leave me. I was a hard-hearted Death Eater, but today, even though I still bear the Dark Mark, I don't feel like one. It's because of you. You made me understand. You changed me from a malicious boy to a mature and thoughtful person. Infact, you've changed everything about me. There's so much difference in me from the time I stepped into Hogwarts and now that if you go and tell about my attitude to anyone now, the person will laugh his head off. All will think that either you or I, anyone has lost the right state of mind. You have changed me into a person that I'd never dreamed possible.

"And you have not done it overnight. You did it slowly and I don't know when I had changed. But the fact is I want to remain the way I am forever. And it'd be only possible if you stay with me forever."

"I will, Draco," said Hermione earnestly, her eyes still imploring into Draco's. She blinked a few times before saying, "I will always be with you. I promise ... I'm keeping you forever and for always. I'll never let go."

"Hermione..." whispered Draco, "Hermione, I love you."

Hermione, who had her forehead creased and her eyebrows raised, suddenly felt as though she had just woken up from a dream. Her face relaxed and she sat still, without any movement.

"I love you, Hermione," said Draco. "I love you more than anything in this world."

Hermione didn't react. Infact, she didn't know how she should have acted. She didn't know if she ought to be happy and flattered, or she ought to be angry and furious. She didn't know if she had made Draco fall in love with her or if she had let Draco exploit her friendship. She just didn't know anything.

"Hermione, I can explain," said Draco. "I just want you to understand me like you have before. You trust me, don't you? Even if just as a friend."

Hermione nodded slowly, unable to say anything.

"Thanks," said Draco in relief, getting up. "I just want you to trust me, that's all." He started walking away. "You think about it," he said, going further with every step. "Take your time, I can wait. Just remember that it's difficult for me to live without you. You mean everything to me and you promised never to leave me. And yes, one more thing. Love begins with friendship and ends with it too. I ... I love you."

And he was out of sight. Hermione sat in the cold alone, unable to think straight. She found herself wishing Draco to be with her and help her, but when she realized what she was thinking about, she shook it off. She consoled herself that it was just instinctive, because she had always wanted to be with Draco before. But now, it was a different case. Hermione didn't know what to do. She felt in an abyss herself, let alone help others out of one. But she knew that she felt neither angry nor violated. She just didn't know what she should do and that she needed someone who would make her see clearly and think things logically. Someone who would know what to do, someone who could help her out. Her heart had stopped beating and her mind was foggy.

And help came almost immediately.

"Hermione!" yelled Ginny, running towards her.

Hermione turned around and found Ginny coming, her vivid red hair billowing behind her face.

"Hermione..." panted Ginny as she reached her and sat next to her, her face etched with excitement and thrill. "So ... what happened?"

Hermione stared at Ginny. "How did you know?" she asked surprised.

"I just met Draco," explained Ginny. "He told me that he proposed to you but then he went away."

"Where?" asked Hermione.

"To his manor. He's gone. Though his mother is still here."

Hermione relaxed. After a few moments, she asked, "Why did Draco tell you so soon?"

"Because I knew it all along," grinned Ginny.

"Is it all pre-planned?" said Hermione incredulously.

"Yeah, sort of."

Hermione gave Ginny a disgusted look.

"Anyway," said Ginny. "What did you tell him?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Don't blame me," said Hermione irritably. "He just confessed and then ran away, telling me to take my time."

For a few minutes, no one spoke. The moon shimmered and the music from inside the house sailed around, in contrast to the tension in Hermione's person.

"Hermione," said Ginny tentatively at last. "What have you thought about it?"

After a long time, Hermione replied, "Nothing ... I have no idea about what to say to him."

"Does it mean that you don't love him?

"I don't know. I ... I like him a lot and he's a very good friend, but I don't know if I have those sort of feelings for him. I won't hide it from you, Ginny. Only recently I was comparing him with Harry and Ron. There is so much difference. Harry and Ron make me feel as if I am their mother. I have to run around them, see that they don't do anything wrong. They are silly. But Draco makes me feel active and young. He can think for himself and he is the most mature boy I have ever seen of his age. He knows what he does and he hardly needs advice. He is strong and capable.

"You know what, I have been Harry and Ron's friend for more than five years. But I have never felt that they were close enough to tell them a secret or even my feelings. My personal worries and tensions. But Draco? Draco knows them all. He knows everything about me and he is the first one who appreciates me for what I am, unlike Harry and Ron. They think I am a bookworm, not a girl. But Draco makes me feel different. He listens to me patiently and takes heed of my words. Harry and Ron have never cared to listen to me. They respect none of my principles, but Draco does. He makes me feel proud. Every moment I spend with him, he takes care that each one makes me feel important and wanted. Leave Harry and Ron a Quidditch conversation, they won't realize if I would be taking my bath next to them. And Draco realizes his faults and apologizes for them. But Harry and Ron would never acknowledge it in front of me. When I tell them something, they'll tell me that I'm nagging them. Sometimes ... oh, I've never told anyone this before. Sometimes I feel insulted. But Draco respects me. He cares for me."

There was a long silence before Hermione started speaking again, and in a way that suggested she was speaking to herself, not to Ginny.

"Harry and Ron would always want me out of their way until they need me during crisis. They don't want me beside them, telling them to do their homework. But Draco wants me to be by his side all the time. He makes me feel like the fuel of his life. He just - he just makes me feel so different. These past months, even though I had some difficulty, I had never been happier before. And ... and I want this to go on forever. I ... I want him next to me forever. I promised him that now. I told him that I would be with him until the end of time."

"Hermione..." said Ginny, amazed, "you know what? You love Draco. You truly do."

"I don't know!" said Hermione sharply. "I am not sure. I ... I think I am giving friendship the name of love."

"No you aren't. You are giving love the name of friendship. And what's wrong in loving anyone? Especially when the person is someone like Draco. Just do one thing; go through what you have told me and then tell me, can you ever find someone worthier of your love than Draco? He understands you and you are like clear water to him. Can you find anyone who would make you feel happier than he does? He'll make you feel complete. Harry and Ron will never manage to do that, you know it. Draco is the man that a girl only dreams of. He is the kind of guy parents would want for their daughter. Do you think I am wrong?"

Hermione shook her head, trying to absorb all that Ginny was saying.

"You have fallen in love. The purest kind of love and you never knew it. Draco didn't either. But slowly he realized. It's wise of him, if you ask me."

"When did I fall in love with him?" asked Hermione, her heart beating fast.

"No one wrote down the date when you fell in love with him, sorry," said Ginny sarcastically. She got up. "You can think for yourself," she said firmly. "What I had to tell, I told you. And now it's all up to you. You do what you feel like. But remember one thing: when the well dries, you know the importance of water. Act before it's too late."

And then she walked away, leaving Hermione alone. Hermione stared at the ground. Ginny's last words had struck her hard. She needed to act soon. She didn't want to lose Draco...

Hermione looked at the time. It was half past nine. She didn't know that she had been out in garden for so long. Her shawl had glided down, and subconsciously, Hermione was hugging herself, unaware of the cold. She didn't feel hungry and didn't want to go back to the party again. She wanted rest. She needed to clear her mind before she chose her answer.

So quietly, Hermione went into the house and informed Mrs. Weasley that she would stay in Grimmauld Place for the night. Slowly, she walked up to the room that Ginny used. Both of them had used the same room last summer. Hermione clicked the door open. She went into the washroom to change. And in front of the mirror was...

A small round box covered in red velvet and a letter next to it. It was addressed to her.

Surprised, Hermione opened the letter and read.

Merry Christmas!

If your answer is yes, then wear it. If not, keep it with you.

Might be even for a short time, but at least for once, I had you, as my soul mate.

I love you, because no one has understood me better than you did, and no one ever will.

Hermione stared at the last line. It sounded ... familiar. And then Hermione remembered it. She had told the same words to Draco when she had found him drunk in his dormitory.

Oblivious, Hermione smiled. Draco had never remembered a single word he was told when he was drunk, but here he was, quoting exactly the same words. Hermione had no idea how it happened, but she felt touched at Draco's words. Then she remembered the gift. She opened the box and inside was ... a locket. Hermione picked it up. It was platinum. The chain was thin and delicate. And the pendant consisted of an egg-shaped, compound-sided green crystal, which Hermione suspected was emerald. It reflected the light brilliantly and looked extremely beautiful, and was of course, expensive.

Hermione wore it. It settled about five to six inches from the base of her neck and looked too good on her.

"Thanks Draco," she whispered.

____________________________________________________________________

Draco turned over on his bed. He couldn't get any sleep. He had come back to his manor more than three hours ago and had made for his bed straightaway. He was swaying on his feet when he remembered himself confessing to Hermione his love for her. He had no idea how she would have taken it. And the way he ran away from her, she must have thought that he was either joking or was not entirely sure about his own feelings, which was very untrue.

Draco hadn't meant to go away from her so rudely. But the impassive look on her face scared him. It made him feel that she wasn't listening to him, or even if she was, she wasn't too interested. He was afraid that if he proceeded further, Hermione would answer no. And thus, he ran away. The idea of living without her now was an anathema for him.

After splashing cold water on his face, Draco changed into his black pajamas and slumped onto his bed, intending to sleep. But sleeping was the last thing that he managed to do. Apprehensions, terrible apprehensions were circling his head like a deadly eagle. The night had passed with much difficulty.

But the morning had its own surprises.

He woke up early and strolled in his garden in an attempt to calm himself (the Malfoy Code of Laws didn't work this time). To say simply a garden was an understatement. It was acres huge and all kinds of flowering plants possible were growing there. The aroma was strong enough to make anyone think that an entire bottle of perfume had been emptied there. And that was saying something because there was no magic involved in it as usually found in a wizard's garden.

A house-elf came to him, informing him that he had received a letter from Hermione Granger.

It took Draco a complete minute to recover from the shock. After doing so, he ordered the house-elf to fetch him the letter immediately. The house-elf, noticing the urgency in his master's voice, trotted off quickly and got him the letter.

Draco ripped the envelope open and read the letter eagerly, and nervously.

Dear Draco,

Thank you for your gift. I must say, that was the most peculiar way of giving me my present. But I loved it, anyway. The pendant is so simple and yet so beautiful. I see that you had paid attention when I had told that I like simple things. Thanks. Oh, I sound messed up, don't I? Well, I

am messed up. You shocked me last night, and if you found me too staid, then I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just ... too surprised to react.

I had given you a lot of thought and I'm glad that you are giving me time. I just want to go over through things properly before I made a decision. I hope you understand. If I lose you, I'll lose one of the most important things that I have in the wizarding world.

For the time being, just remember that you mean everything to me too. You must have known that from the painting I gave you, right? I don't have feelings for anyone else, but I think I do have for you. Because I have never felt the same way around you with anybody else. I just need some time.

Anyway, I am at Grimmauld Place today (I know you know that, but how, I guess its Ginny) and probably I'll stay here till the end of the holidays. You can visit me, if you like. Perhaps, I would be able to visit you. Don't worry about Harry and Ron, they won't affect me.

Love,

Hermione.

P.S. Keep owling me, will you?

Draco read the letter again and again. Hermione's answer was not what he had wished it to be but it was satisfactory. If she needed time, she could have plenty. And she was already saying that she had affection for him. They just needed to be intensified and Draco was sure Ginny would see to that. He felt a triumphal sensation run through his body. He had a feeling that soon, Hermione would be his.

Draco went to his study and wrote Hermione a letter, telling her that she could take her time and that he would always love her, no matter what happened.

____________________________________________________________________

Harry and Ron had been the most shocked to find Hermione on the table for breakfast on Boxing Day in Grimmauld Place. Since everyone else, including Sirius, Lupin, the Weasleys and Tonks, were present too, they had not been able to say anything to her. She behaved as if they were not present, and they intended to do so with her too.

But when the people started clearing away, they cornered Hermione, not caring that Ginny was present.

"What are you doing here?" hissed Ron. "Why don't you go to your stinking boyfriend?"

Hermione remained cool. "As much as I would have loved to stay with him," she answered nonchalantly, "I have other people in this world too, who care for me, unlike two particular gits."

Even though she was blunt, her eyes seemed hurt. And this didn't go unnoticed by Harry. He leaned forwards and said quietly, "You're wrong ... let's go Ron."

And then they went upstairs to their room. Hermione stared at the point Harry had been standing. What did he mean?

"They didn't intend to hurt you, Hermione," said Ginny. "It's just that Draco infuriates them."

Hermione nodded. "But why do they have to be so stubborn?" she asked.

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know,"

____________________________________________________________________

Harry and Ron were in their room, which they shared with Fred and George too, but the twins were not there. They had left straight for The Weasley Wizards' Wheezes after breakfast.

"Can you believe Hermione?" said Ron from his chair, rocking forward and backward. "She is still with that scoundrel."

"She's changed," said Harry who was lying on the bed. "She's outsmarting all and no one can see it. If she were a pureblood, she would have become a Death Eater."

Ron froze. "Harry," he said slowly. "Have you really stopped feeling for her?"

"I s'pose so, Ron. It's hard to like her now and anyway, I'm fine with Cho. I guess I was just infatuated with her."

"Yeah, might be ... but I still don't understand what she sees in Malfoy!"

"Devilishly good looks, money and fame. These things can make people do really silly things."

"Yes, but do you think that they are going out?"

"Might be, but it's not our business, so why do we care? And I don't think that there can be any emotion in a person like Malfoy. It's a case of lusty liaison."

"Yeah, it's funny to think Malfoy involved in affaire d'amour," said Ron caustically.

Nobody spoke after that. Ron went to get a book for Keepers and Harry stared aimlessly out of the window. The birds were soaring high and the sun was weak. The snow was thick on the ground...

"You have disappointed me, Nott," hissed Voldemort. "None of you Death Eaters are adept! If it hadn't been for my present condition, I would have killed all of you in a row."

"I dared not kidnap her when Draco Malfoy was around, my Lord," said Nott. "He has already threatened me once, when I tried to hurt that Mudblood last time."

"And you disgraced me by saying I wanted to see his reaction," said Voldemort icily. "How foolish! No doubt Malfoy would be laughing his head off at this memory."

"But it has its own benefit, my Lord. At least we know that Malfoy loves Granger."

"So we will arrange a fancy little wedding for them, shall we? And might be a honeymoon later. Fool! Malfoys don't show love."

"But father had told me that when you had once asked Lucius Malfoy to dispose of Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius had refused."

"Are you back answering me?" said Voldemort, agitated. "You'll pay -"

"Master please, I beg you to listen to me," pleaded Nott. "I am not back answering you, my Lord. But if you find any offence, then please forgive me. We should know that Malfoys are capable of love. And Draco Malfoy is head over heels in love with Granger. I have a plan, Master, with which, we can kill two birds with one stone."

After sometime, Voldemort hissed, "Continue."

"We had earlier decided to kidnap the Mudblood so that Harry Potter and his friends would come to the rescue. And then, you could kill him. But if I am not wrong, you want to kill someone else than Harry Potter."

"Of course, Draco Malfoy. No traitor Death Eater has survived, except Severus Snape. Igor Karkaroff and Alexander Malfoy have suffered pleasant deaths."

"Then Master, we would kidnap Granger and this time, not only will Potter come for her, but so will Draco Malfoy. And we will kill them both."

"Yes, I see, not a bad idea. You, unlike your father, are intelligent. If the plan succeeds, you shall be rewarded."

"Thank you, Master."

Harry's eyes shot open. He had been staring at the white snow when he drifted off. And he had yet another premonition. He hadn't had one ever since returning from the Department of Mysteries because Voldemort had obviously calmed down. But now, he had started plotting again.

Voldemort was going to kidnap Hermione and wait for him, Harry, to come and then he could finish him. Harry couldn't let that happen. And after Voldemort was done with him, he'll show no mercy to Hermione. He had to stop this. He had to do it.

Without thinking anymore, he ran out the room.

"Hey, Harry!" yelled Ron, rushing behind him. "What happened?"

Harry didn't answer, he just ran to Hermione and Ginny's room. He crashed the door open and found them sitting on the bed, doing their homework.

"What do you think you are doing?" barked Hermione, who had upset her homework with ink in surprise. "Can't you have knocked?"

"Thank god," panted Harry, dropping into a chair, "you're safe."

"Did you expect Voldemort to come and finish me off?" asked Hermione coldly.

"If you don't watch yourself," replied Harry, equally hostile, "then that day would not be far."

"Harry!" shrieked Hermione, Ginny and Ron.

"What are you saying, mate?" said Ron, looking as though Harry was in on some joke.

"Really bad quip," commented Ginny.

"Go on, be negligent," said Harry. "But you know, unlike what you think, I am human and I care for others."

"What d'you mean?" asked Hermione impatiently.

"You'll know what I mean. But first, I want to talk to Malfoy."

"What!"

"Do as I say, or you'll be Voldemort's next prey," said Harry harshly.

"You're sick," sneered Hermione. "You just want Draco to come here so you'll play some stupid prank on him. I won't let him come here."

"If you don't, he'll share your grave too!" said Harry angrily. "Why don't you believe me? I care for you!"

There was a stunned silence.

"You really do?" said Hermione, unable to control her tears. "Then where were you all these days when I needed you?"

"I don't have time for that," murmured Harry guiltily, turning his face away. "All right, if you don't believe me, then call Sirius, Lupin, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I'll talk to Malfoy in front of everyone!"

"We believe you," said Ginny, "but why do you have this sudden urge to talk to Draco?"

"Draco?" bellowed Ron unbelievingly.

"I meant, Malfoy," said Ginny hastily.

"Look, I am going down to the fireplace to call Malfoy," said Harry. "I'll explain everything in front of everyone. And I have no sudden urge to talk to him. It concerns him that's all. Hermione's, mine and ... his, our lives are at stake."

And then he walked out; Ron, Ginny and Hermione following him, utterly bewildered.

Harry had called each one into the living room. All looked equally puzzled but Harry didn't answer to anybody's questions and instead pushed his head into the fireplace where he had put Floo Powder, making the fire burn green.

After two minutes he pulled his head back and dusted off the soot from his face and shoulders. Almost immediately, Draco stepped out of the fireplace, looking immaculately clean next to Harry. Hermione suspected that Draco had used the Impervius Charm.

"Well," said Draco causally. "Hello everyone. I didn't know you all missed me so much."

"Shut up, Malfoy!" hissed Harry. "I called you here to talk about something important."

Draco walked and sat on a plush armchair and then looked around. When his eyes met Hermione, he as well as Hermione missed a beat.

"Go on," said Draco, becoming serious. "Did Voldemort call you for a dinner party?"

"This is not the time to joke," said Sirius. "Harry needs to tell something important. Harry," he turned to his godson, "shoot."

"First tell me," said Harry slowly. "Nott is in Azkaban, right?"

Sirius had started to say yes, when Draco cut him off.

"It depends," he said unconcernedly. "Of which Nott you are talking about."

"What do you mean?"

"Father or son?"

"So, Avery Nott is jailed, but his son is at large?" asked Harry.

Draco nodded.

"Theodore Nott is in Hogwarts, isn't he?" asked Ron.

Draco nodded again.

"And is he a Death Eater?" asked Harry.

Draco nodded yet again.

"And you didn't tell anyone?" raged Harry. "Why? Are you in on some sort of plan, Malfoy?"

"Obviously not," said Draco coolly. "Nott has poor magical prowess and Voldemort will never use him for any mission. No one is threatened by him."

"But at least you should have informed the faculty." reasoned Lupin.

"I am perfectly capable of handling a Death Eater like Nott single-handedly, Professor. He wouldn't dare do anything while I'm around, and that, has been made clear to him."

"But you should have informed the faculty," said Hermione.

Draco seemed surprised, but Hermione's next words drowned his shock.

"You're a Prefect!" she said.

"If I would have told about him," said Draco reasonably. "Then what would have the staff done? Wouldn't they have expelled him?"

"He's a Death Eater, and thus there is nothing wrong in expelling stinking Death Eaters." said Ron with cherish.

"Say that in front of Snape," hissed Draco at Ron. "Anyway, it would be foolish to expel him. If he's at school, then he'll stay engaged and wouldn't indulge in the Dark deeds. And Voldemort can't possibly use him as a spy. Theodore's an idiot and never gets things done in the right way. Even his father is like that."

There was a long silence.

"I think he is right," said Sirius. "That is actually the best thing that we could have done."

"But still," said Mrs. Weasley. "He should have informed the teachers."

"Have I come here to discuss with you the reason why I didn't inform anybody?" said Draco irritably. "If that's so Potter, than I think I got it clear. I'll leave."

"No, sit down," said Harry firmly. "There's more." He turned to Hermione. "Has Theodore Nott attacked you ever?" he asked.

Draco, who was examining his perfectly manicured nails, shot his head up at Harry's question. How did he know?

"Me?" said Hermione incredulously. "No, he hasn't. Why would he?"

"But how can this be? He must have surely done something to you."

"No, he has not. Who told you this, anyway?"

After a long time, during which Draco waited with baited breath for more information, Harry said, "I had another dream."

"What!" gasped everybody.

"Yes," went on Harry quietly. "I had one just now. I saw Voldemort and Theodore Nott. They were talking about having attacked you once."

"But since they haven't," said Hermione. "Your dream was false."

"No it wasn't." said Draco softly.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him, as did all the others.

"No. The dream is true," repeated Draco, not meeting Hermione's eyes. "Nott had tried to attack Hermione in the Quidditch match. But I saw him and I got into the way. That was how I got hospitalized."

"And you never told me?" asked Hermione, stunned.

"I didn't want to scare you."

"But you could have put her on her guard," said Ron. "She ought to have been alert."

"Don't speak as though you care," said Draco acidly. "I had a word with Nott and I hurt him enough so that he would never dream of harming Hermione while I am around."

"Well, I think I would have acted in the same way if I was in his place," said Sirius.

Ron mouthed the word 'hero' at Draco sarcastically.

"Anyway," said Harry. "In my dream, Voldemort and Nott were planning to kidnap Hermione."

Hermione gasped. Ginny and Mrs. Weasley clapped a hand to their mouths.

"And then?" prodded Sirius gently.

"They were planning to do it, so that I would go after Hermione and then Voldemort would kill me," said Harry tonelessly. He had heard and said so many times that Voldemort would kill him that he had become bored.

Draco's face hardened. How dare that red eyed reptile think of such a thing?

"Heaven forbid!" said Molly.

"But how does it concern Draco?" asked Hermione, coming out of the shock.

"Voldemort wants to kill him too," said Harry looking away, as a lump formed in his throat. "Because ... because he has turned traitor on the Dark side." He didn't feel mentioning Draco loving Hermione part.

Draco remained impassive. There was nothing new in this, he knew it. Voldemort would have done this soon. Nott had told him so. But Hermione was giving him frightened looks.

"We need to talk to Dumbledore," said Arthur. "Harry, Hermione and Draco ought to be heavily guarded. I'll go to him now. Remus, Molly and Tonks, take care of the children. Put protecting spells on them. Draco, stay here, Sirius, you get Narcissa. They will stay together and no one will step out before I had a word with Dumbledore. This case is pressing and dangerous."

At once, action began. Draco was impressed to see the Order's co-ordination and tactility. Sirius and then Arthur stepped into the fire. Lupin, Molly and Tonks went and checked if all the entrances were properly closed. So at last, Draco, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny were left alone.

"So," said Hermione to Harry. "Now do you believe that Draco's on our side?"

"He might be but that doesn't make him good." said Harry curtly.

"Yeah," chimed in Ron, "look at Snape."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco, who smiled back slightly.

"But at least you can negotiate, can't you?" said Ginny.

"There's no need," said Harry. "We know that he's innocent, then let him be. He'll stay in his way and we in ours. The roads will never cross."

"I would be the most pleased, Potter," said Draco. "But the idea that if Voldemort succeeds and then I will have to share my death anniversary with you is disgusting. I feel like vomiting."

"You think it's funny?" hissed Hermione at him. "Do you have any idea about what you are saying?"

Draco bit his lip. He knew that Hermione was sensitive when it came to his welfare. "I am sorry," he murmured. "I was only joking."

"Pathetic joke." said Hermione and stomped out of the room up to the staircase.

Draco hurried out behind her.

"He loves her," said Harry. "Voldemort said so in my dream."

"Ha!" said Ron. "When hell freezes over."

"No, I am speaking the truth. And anyway, he came into harm's way in the Quidditch match only to save Hermione. He loves her very much."

Ginny remained silent, and started looking very interested in a tapestry.

"And what about Hermione?" asked Ron.

Harry shrugged.

"Does this bother you?"

"Yes," replied Harry. "And you know why it does."

Ron nodded his head understandingly, while Ginny looked surprised. Did Harry...?

____________________________________________________________________

Hermione stalked into her room and dropped onto the bed, upset. She was already preoccupied with last night's events and now all that she needed was more trouble.

"Hermione," said Draco as he entered the room too and sat in front of her. "Hermione, I was joking."

"Don't you ever speak such things again!" said Hermione accusingly. "It makes me sick."

"I promise, I never will." said Draco. And by this you make me sure of your feelings for me, he added to himself.

"I'm so wound up, Draco," said Hermione, running her hands through her hair. "All this is so sudden. I mean, I was so glad till this morning, thinking about you, and when this came up..."

"Hermione," whispered Draco, taking her hand in his slowly and entangling his fingers with hers. "Are you afraid?"

Hermione nodded. "I am," she said. "But not for myself. For you."

Draco stared at her amber colored eyes hard. "Do you really care about me so much?" he asked her quietly.

"I do. I care for you more than I do for myself."

Draco didn't reply. He kept staring at her eyes.

Suddenly, Hermione leaned forwards and hugged him hard. She buried her face on his shoulders and tears leaked out of her eyes.

"Promise me that you'll never let go," said Hermione.

"I promise." said Draco, patting the top of her head.

"And that you'll never hurt yourself because of me."

"I can't say that Hermione. I'll never let anything happen to you, even if my life's at stake."

Hermione pulled away from him. "What do you think I'll do without you?" she asked him. "It would be a cursed life."

Draco's breath caught in his chest. Her words sounded as if she loved him as much as he did. Then why didn't she say it directly, damn it!

Hermione stared at his bluish-grey eyes, oblivious to everything. The very idea of staying without Draco was a nightmare she had last night and was having right then and there. She needed to clear her mind of worries. She wanted to be with Draco.

Slowly, Hermione leaned forwards and brushed Draco's lips with hers. "I can hardly live without you too." she whispered on the edge of his mouth.

The moment her lips touched his, Draco forgot all his anxiety. He knew nothing other than the very moment he was in, with Hermione so close to him. He snaked his hands up to Hermione's waist, looking at her face for permission. But Hermione's eyes were closed as she wrapped her hands around Draco's neck. Taking this as an invitation, Draco pulled Hermione closer to him and kissed her. He kissed her slowly and tenderly.

Hermione felt the stress wash away from her body at Draco's touch. His body was cold, but his mouth was warm and inviting. She kissed him back gently, never having felt so much intensity in her whole life. And then, she felt Draco's tongue come out and lick her lower lip. She gasped at the feeling. She had never felt so ardent before.

Draco heard her gasp and inwardly enjoyed the feeling of her petal soft lips. She was intoxicating. She drove him mad. If she only knew how much he loved her. This was the moment he had fantasized hundreds of times before. And he had achieved it.

One day, which was rather soon, he would achieve her. Entirely and forever.