Forever and a Day

Love is a bird she needs to cry,

Let all the pain inside of you die.

You're frozen

When your heart's not open.

Madonna, 'Frozen'

Draco sat on his bed willing himself not to cry. Cry? He was a MALFOY. Malfoy rule #2: Never show weakness anywhere, any time, any place. (Rule #1 being of course 'Never run with scissors.') Well, can't argue with that, Draco thought to himself. After all they'd been through. It was all over because of his pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face. Well I guess it wasn't necessarily my fault. I guess I'm just afraid of getting hurt.

All his life Draco had experienced nothing but heartbreak. Sleeping around just to feel that small, sweet tingle of love. It was all bull shit though. He couldn't fool his heart. Because of a repressible hunger he had succeeded in hurting the only person he had ever loved. All because of a one night stand. A one night stand with Blaise. He thought back to that fateful night.

* * *

Hermione was getting ready for the leaver's dance. It was the second to last night of school, ever. She wore a long blue dress from 'Lucille Taylor' that shimmered silvery white whenever the light moved. Hermione was never really into parties but this was THE party. She swept down the Great hall stairs. She scanned the crowd and spotted Draco. He was easy to spot being the sexiest guy in Hogwarts. (As voted by Hogwarts.)

They went into the great hall together and found a table by themselves. Since they had gone public quite a few people had given them the cold shoulder. Harry hadn't spoken to her for weeks. She caught his eye and he glared at her and turned away. Parvati and Harry were the newest thing. Was she upset about it? Not really. It was good for Harry to have some adventure in his life.

A slow song came on and Draco bent down on one knee. "May I have this dance, mademoiselle?" He lightly grasped her hand ad pulled her onto the dance floor.

Little did they know something really cunning was going on... (Dum dum dum!)

* * *

"Come on, it's foolproof!" Harry said with a malicious grin on his face.

"I dunno Harry, it's kinda stupid and cruel," Dean said, looking concerned. "I mean what has Malfoy ever done to you to deserve this?"

"Oh come on, Dean! All we're going to do is spike his drink, what's the worst that could happen?"

"What's the worst that could happen?" One of the stupidest things you could possibly say. Just mentioning that phrase could mean entire forests burning down! Well, as you will see, this pretty much turns out the same.

"Draco? Draco?" Hermione's voice sounded far off...distant...

What's wrong with me? Draco thought to himself. The room was spinning...spinning...spinning...the last thing he felt was a heaving sensation in his stomach.

* * *

"How are you feeling this morning?" a smooth, seductive voice whispered in his ear. Draco's head was killing him.

Oh no! he thought, I have a hangover. What stupid, stupid things did he do last night?

"Good morning, Hermione." Hermione angrily sat up next to him.

"Hermione? God, how pissed were you last night? For your information, I'M BLAISE!!!"

Well, that definitely made Draco sit up. Just Draco's luck Hermione decided to come in just at that moment to check how he was feeling.

"Draco I...Oh my god! Draco, how could you?" Hermione burst into tears and ran out of the room.

"Happy last day of Hogwarts!" Blaise said with a smile and slipped out of the room.

* * *

Well, that pretty much brings you up to scratch.

Draco decided to go for one last walk around the grounds. In the background there was a cloudless sky, a sapphire blue lake and Ron slowly being devoured by the giant squid. Oh shoot, he had five minutes to board the train!

He practically ran to the train and he hopped aboard just in time. The last piece of work they had to do was an essay on 'What have you gained at Hogwarts?' The question was what had Draco gained at his time at Hogwarts? He hadn't changed much as a person. He hadn't made incredible friendships. In fact the only thing that paid much relevance to his Hogwarts life was Hermione; everything worth living for came back to Hermione.

She was the only person he had ever cared about, ever loved ever, the only thing that meant something to him. He was a wreck without her. She'd move on get a great job new friends, new life, new everything. Would she ever give a thought to him out of school? He put a CD in his Discman. The haunting melody of 'Colourblind' by Counting Crows came on. He watched the houses flicker past. The train came to a grinding halt. He trundled his stuff up the escalator. There was something he needed to do and there was one thing he knew he should do.

* * *

Hermione was still crying. God, Draco was the first person she ever trusted herself with and he had killed her inside. All that had mattered in her life had gone. It used to be her books, now it was Draco she loved too much. He'd move on, he was probably with Blaise right this second. Another tear fell down her cheek. The train came to a halt. She collected her luggage and sitting on top was an envelope. She opened it and stepped onto the escalator.

Dear Hermione,

What can I say to rectify the harm I have caused you? The truth is being with you is the only time I have ever being truly happy. My whole life has being a joke. I prided myself on taking joy in others' misery. Well, it finally backfired. I succeeded in hurting the first Person I loved. I was drunk and stupid and no words could ever describe the pain I feel from it.

Please give me another chance; I'm a wreck without you.

Draco

As she neared the top she saw Draco looking at her from the landing. She stepped up to him.

"I'm impressed," she said folding the letter.

"Well I'm in love." Draco leaned forward and gently kissed her.

The End