It Had To Be You

IT HAD TO BE YOU

Story Begun – 12/26/04
Chapter ten begun 12/3/06
Chapter ten completed – 1/8/07
Beta Thanks – My amazing - RahNee

OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: JKR owns it all, although Draco owns a piece of my heart.

A/N: Love abounds.

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Ch 10 – Declarations

“Oh, thank Merlin! There you are! I’ve been looking for you positively everywhere.”

Hermione was seated on the floor in her private dorm room in Gryffindor Tower. She was sitting Indian style with inkpots, a few quills and muggle pencils strewn around her. Books were piled strategically by her sides within easy reach and various notebooks were spread wide at her feet. “Here I am.” She looked up from the book her nose was currently in to take in the flushed appearance of one out of breath and clearly flustered Ginny Weasley. “Where have you been?”

“I believe I just said looking: looking for you.” Ginny gave a wide berth to the books and notebooks as she circled them looking for a place to sit beside Hermione and finally gave up. Using her foot, she shoved aside miscellaneous items to create a spot and plunked down. “What are you doing?”

Hermione looked at her friend quizzically; clearly that was obvious. “I’m studying, Ginny.”

Ginny sighed impatiently. “It’s Sunday, Hermione. Isn’t there just one day when you don’t study?”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed marginally, “Ginny, I have less than a month and a half until our final exams. I need all the extra time I can get to study. You’d think after all these years you would know how important end of the year exams are! And you, you should be studying too! After all, you’re in your sixth year; it’s a critical time in your academic career. Why when I wa-“

“Please, Hermione, give it a rest. I’m not in the mood to study today. I’m not going to be in the mood to study today. And no amount of your badgering me is going to make me want to study.” Ginny snorted, raised a hand and cut Hermione off before she started some long, boring speech about school and the importance of academia, blah, blah, blah.

Hermione closed her book slowly and cleared her throat. “Alright, Ginny.” She could see the girl was obviously very upset, so she decided to overlook the insult to studying. Ginny wasn’t into school as much as Hermione was, but she was certainly a good student and was diligent and timely with her schoolwork; so there must be something really bothering her to elicit such a response. Aside from the fact that it was Sunday, of course. I mean, come on, tomorrow was a school day! She laid a comforting hand over Ginny’s and smiled kindly. “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”

“What about your studies?” Ginny snapped huffily.

Hermione sighed, “You’re more important than the books, Ginny. You come first.” At Ginny’s raised eyebrow, Hermione relented with a little grin, “Okay, fine, you come in a very close second.”

Ginny laughed sadly and leaned over and hugged Hermione. “I’m sorry, Hermione. I didn’t mean to be such a horrendous bint. I just – I…” Ginny took a deep breath, “I need to ask you a couple of questions and I need you to answer me honestly. Can you do that?”

Hermione hesitated and finally replied carefully, “I suppose so…”

Ginny was still breathing heavily from her jog up to the Tower and from the surprising amount of emotions suddenly bubbling around in her belly, so she took another deep breath and decided she might as well get right down to business and plunged in, “How did you know you were in love with Malfoy?”

Hermione’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. “Come again?”

“I said –“

“I don’t recall ever saying I was in love with Draco, Ginny.”

Ginny was in no mood for coyness presently, if her sharp tongue was any indication. “Oh, come off it, Hermione. I know you are over-the-moon, head-over-heels, gaga in love with Malfoy. So, stop dancing around the question and just answer me, for heaven’s sakes!”

Hermione reared back a bit. She was a little shocked by Ginny’s brashness, even if her statement was totally true. “What’s going on? Are you and Harry having problems?”

“What?” Ginny’s eyes widened in her unease. “What makes you think…No…” she shook her head. “I – No. I just need to know how you knew you were in love.” Ginny looked very closely at Hermione, her expression was earnest and expectant. “So?” she asked, “Spill. How did you know?”

“Fine,” Hermione sighed resignedly, “It wasn’t in any one thing he did, per se. And I didn’t fall in love with him right away either. It was,” she paused and thought about it for a minute before answering, “I guess you could say it was just, oh how can I say it…It was just, right, natural. It felt like it was meant to be.” Hermione smiled wistfully and her voice took on a dreamy quality. “Like the first time he kissed me.” Hermione glanced at Ginny, “Did I tell you?” Ginny shook her head. “It was in my room, the first day we were there and he gave me my copy of Hogwarts, A History.” She sighed, “I had already had feelings for him since the end of fifth year.”

Ginny nodded, “I recall.”

Hermione looked surprised. “You do?”

Ginny nodded again. “You were fairly obvious.”

“Was I? I don’t recall that. Then again,” Hermione laughed a little, “I suppose I was still in denial.” She picked up a piece of paper and began rolling the edge in. “I was afraid of what Harry and Ron would think if they knew how I felt. Afraid that they would be upset with me for fancying Draco.” She sighed forlornly. “I guess I was right about that, they are unhappy and angry and –“ Hermione glanced at Ginny and stopped abruptly. “Well, you already know how the boys feel.”

“All too well.” Ginny leaned in even closer to Hermione. “But take their feelings out of the equation. What I want to know is how you realized you loved Malfoy? I mean, what if…What if it had been Ron? How do you know you wouldn’t have felt the way you feel right now if it had been Ron who had made the first move, before Draco?”

Hermione blinked. “Ginny, I’m not sure I should be talking about Ron with you. I mean, I don’t want to say anything that would make you uncomfortable.” Ginny shook her head and assured Hermione she wouldn’t. “I – I just knew it wouldn’t work with Ron. I didn’t feel the same way I felt around Draco. It took me a while to realize that I was feeling more than friendship for him and even longer to actually let myself be okay with the fact that I was attracted to Draco. But, it was definitely not the same with Ron.”

Ginny tossed her hands up and groaned, “But, Hermione how do you even really know? For Merlin’s sakes, you’ve not even kissed Ron!”

Hermione’s eyes widened and she looked away quickly from Ginny, her face flushing brightly as she began stacking up her notebooks and gathering her quills around her busily.

“Hermione!” Hermione’s head snapped up and her eyes met Ginny’s; they were wide as saucers.

“What?” she replied sheepishly.

At Hermione’s expression Ginny barked loudly, “No! You – you kissed Ron?” Her eyes became just as wide as Hermione’s. “Really? You actually snogged Ron?” When Hermione only flushed and nodded she gasped, “When?”

“It was last summer.” She swooped up Ginny’s hand and grasped it tightly. “Please, please don’t tell Draco! Oh Lord, he’ll have an absolute fit if he finds out; he’s so jealous of him already, I’m afraid this would push him over the edge.”

Ginny gaped at her. “Details,” she said breathlessly. She couldn’t explain why her heart was beating just a bit faster than before.

“Well,” Hermione shrugged, “it was last summer, when I was staying at the Burrow for those couple of weeks, remember?” Ginny nodded and motioned for her to continue. “Ron and I were down at the pond swimming one afternoon. It was almost sunset and we were getting ready to head back to the house when Ron suggested it might be grand to stay and show me the woodland fairies that come out just as the sun goes down.” Hermione sighed, “They really are glorious little creatures, so industrious. Why just the other day –“

“Snogging, Hermione!” Ginny growled with irritation.

Hermione flushed. “Er, right. Ron was searching around trying to find their nests, and he got upset with me when I told him he was looking in the wrong set of trees. It’s common knowledge that woodland fairies only nest near ponds in White Willow trees.” Ginny rolled her eyes and Hermione pursed her lips. “Anyway, he got a bit peeved when I pointed him in the right direction. You could see them waking and stretching through the branches if you looked closely enough. I tried to show him and he started yelling at me for ruining the moment. ‘Ruining the moment?’ Can you imagine? I was trying to help facilitate the moment and he yells at me for ruining it. Honestly! Well, then I got upset as well; I was only trying to help him find the fairies after all! It’s not my fault that I knew where they were and he didn’t. Anyway, I started yelling too and next thing I knew we were surrounded by dozens of fairies all lit up, buzzing angrily around us trying to see what the fuss was about.”

Hermione smiled ruefully. “They came out just as the sun went down. They were such a sight to see too, dancing around us like they were, all fretful and poking at us, tweaking our noses and boxing our ears. We both were so startled we just stood there, speechless. We thought if we waited long enough they would calm down so we could enjoy them. That was until one bit Ron.” Hermione chuckled at the memory. “He didn’t wait for an encore. He just grabbed me and we started running. Once we were far enough away from their nests, we stopped to catch our breath and just started laughing and laughing.” Hermione paused uncomfortably and hesitated before adding, “And then…then he kissed me.” Hermione peeked up at Ginny through her lashes. “It was all very sweet and romantic, but – but even though it was a perfect setting, I just didn’t feel what I should have been feeling. That’s probably when I really realized that I was attracted to Draco,” Hermione trailed off.

Ginny’s eyebrows rose. “Then? Why is that?”

Hermione flushed as deeply as her Gryffindor tie. “Because,” she whispered, “even though it was so very nice, I…I wished that it had felt different.” She looked at Ginny nervously and gushed, “Oh! I’m so sorry! That is horrid of me to say. It was such a tender moment, but I just knew that it wasn’t,” she hesitated, “wasn’t quite right. Not like what I envisioned a passionate kiss to be.”

Ginny mumbled quietly, “I see.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Ginny.” Hermione drew her knees up and hugged herself. “I didn’t mean to say that. I – “

“No. You didn’t upset me, Hermione. Honestly, you didn’t.” Ginny watched as Hermione stood up and began gathering her books and stacking them on top of her desk. “Are you done studying?”

Hermione raised a shoulder slightly. “I think I’ve covered everything I needed to get through today.”

Ginny stood as well and finished helping Hermione put all her materials up and then grasped her friend’s shoulders gently. “Hermione, listen, I’m not angry with you for telling me the truth. Why would I be? You’ve not done anything wrong. And I won’t be mad at you for having feelings for someone other than my brother. You know me better than that.”

Hermione looked at Ginny for a long moment then flung her arms around her and held her tightly as she began crying and choked out, “Thank you, Ginny! Thank you so very much. You’ve no idea what your support means to me. I wish –“ She pulled away from Ginny and swiped at her eyes distractedly. “I wish sometimes it could have been different.”

“Different how? You mean between you and Draco?” Ginny questioned.

Hermione let out a long breath. “No, between Ron and I. It would have been so suitable, so neat and tidy to be with Ron. Harry’s two best mates falling in love, ending up together. Like you and Harry are, so perfect.” Hermione turned to Ginny and smiled sadly. “But love isn’t that easy to control. It doesn’t fit into any orderly molds or boxes. It’s not neat or logical like we’d hope. It’s messy and unkempt, unpredictable. It doesn’t follow any of our rules or guidelines.” Hermione tossed the last of her quills down and sat on her bed, her shoulders slumped. “Ron and I tried to make a go of it that summer. We were together quite often, but something was always missing and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I know he won’t admit it, but Ron felt it too. And me, I was distracted and I – well, I missed Draco. I tried to tell myself that I just missed his friendship, but,” Hermione shook her head sadly, “I knew it the moment he kissed me in our dorms that first day.”

“Knew what?” Ginny prodded gently.

Hermione closed her eyes and wiped away at another onset of tears. “What I’d been missing all summer with Ron.” Hermione opened her eyes and looked at Ginny. “It was one tiny kiss in the doorway of my bathroom for Merlin’s sake and yet, it was mind-blowing.”

Ginny sat down next to Hermione and glanced at the girl’s dreamy expression and sighed, “Oh.” She looked at her friend closely. “No question then?”

Hermione shook her head. “Not a one. With Draco it’s been magic, cliché as it sounds. And, if I’d not let myself be open to the possibility, well, I never would have had a point of reference to distinguish the difference.”

Ginny seemed to shrink into herself even more. “Open to the possibility…”

“Ginny?” Hermione took her friend’s hand. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on; because I have a feeling this doesn’t have so much to do with me, as it’s got to do with you.”

Ginny shook her head and smiled reassuringly at Hermione. “I just have a few things that I have to figure out, that’s all. I’m just – re-evaluating some choices I’ve made, and I’m going to think about what you said, too. I’m going to consider that there may be other - possibilities out there for me that I’d not considered before.”

Hermione’s eyes sharpened perceptively. “Sometimes Ginny, we make choices that we are convinced are ideal for us, when in fact they turn out to only be the first of many options we have available.” Ginny’s eyes widened and Hermione added, “But, then again, just because we make a decision early on that we think is the right one, that doesn’t mean it’s not. It just means that you’ve chosen wisely.”

Ginny looked less than satisfied with that cryptic response. “But how do you know?”

“Only you can say, Ginny. But if you’re so unsure, you owe it to yourself,” Hermione paused, choosing her words carefully, “to your future, to make certain. Don’t deny life its gifts or surprises. Even the ones that we think we may not want. You’d be doing yourself and anyone else that could be affected in your life a great disservice if you did.”

Ginny snorted and folded her arms. “That’s all well and good Ms. Granger, very pretty, poetic words; but isn’t this a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black?”

Hermione blushed. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Bollocks. Are you going to sit here and tell me that Draco isn’t one of those surprises you were just telling me about?”

Hermione raised her chin defiantly. “Of course he is. Why do you think I’m telling you all this? I happen to be speaking from personal experience.” Hermione stood up and began pacing nervously. “And besides, it’s not me we’re currently discussing. It’s you.”

Ginny was already shaking her head. She stood up and pointed at the door as she walked over to Hermione and began pushing her toward it. “No more fancy words, Hermione. I believe that Draco is right for you. I believe in everything you’ve just told me. Now, it’s time for you to believe too. Don’t let him go.” She grasped her friend’s hands and smiled. “Hermione, don’t worry about Ron and Harry. They love you. Eventually they’ll come around. But Draco, he’s in love with you. He’s more vulnerable than they are. They can see objectively, even though Ron loves you too, he’s your friend first. You have years backing your relationship with him to work through the rough times. You’ve been in snits before and you’ve survived and remained friends; and you will this time too.”

When Hermione opened her mouth to protest, Ginny smiled and kept right on talking over her. “But Malfoy, he’s new to all this. He doesn’t have all the years of friendship behind him to pull you both though this. If he’s really what you want, Hermione, really, then you need to get him. He wants you. You want him. Don’t be too proud to fight for your man.” She let go of Hermione’s hands and opened the door and stood back for her. When Hermione stood there, clearly indecisive, Ginny lowered her chin and raised her eyebrows and waved one hand, gesturing her out the door. “Go.”

Hermione bit her lip and looked out the door and back at her room. It would be easy to stay here and wait for Draco to come get her. And she was no fool; she could see how longingly he looked at her, how expectantly. It was easy to see he missed her just as much as she missed him. But he’d been hurt by her. Yes, it was all taken out of context and yes, he should have waited to hear what she had to say. But Hermione also knew that Draco, for all his posturing and grand gestures of aplomb, was really quite unsure of himself in their relationship. He had a bad habit of letting his sins of the past cloud his memory of all the good he’d done over these couple of years. He’d changed. She knew it. He knew it, too, but he would get so caught up in the guilt of being an absolute ass to her when they were younger, that he would overlook the simple fact that she’d forgiven him.

She loved him. She knew it.

He didn’t. Well, maybe he did, but he would know for sure once she told him.

And she’d not told him.

She needed to rectify that.

Then maybe things would change.

And, after she’d said what she had to say, if he still wanted to walk away, then she’d let him.

Hermione was an empowered woman. She was an adult and she was in love and she had not had the satisfaction of saying the words aloud to the man she loved.

Hermione looked at Ginny and squared her shoulders. “You’re right,” she nodded earnestly, “There are things that need to be said. Things Draco needs to hear and he’s going to listen this time.”

It was time to take charge and go get back her man.

She marched out the door.

Ginny grinned, satisfied for a moment, staring at the empty room and basking in her accomplishment. Her smile faltered, though, as she thought about all that Hermione had said.

She walked out the door as well, closing it quietly behind her.

It would appear that Ginny had some thinking of her own to do.

--- * ---

Hermione’s determination and resolve began to waver slightly as she descended the last few steps and entered the main entrance of the school, just outside the Great Hall. Where should she go to look for Draco?

She’d thought about going to their dorm, but every time she’d been there since moving out it was obvious Draco had not been around for quite a while. She’d questioned Ophelia, their portrait guardian, who had confirmed her suspicion.

Besides, that’s not where Draco would be anyway. It was a beautiful, sunny, brisk afternoon and he’d be where all normal boys who loved to fly on days like this would be.

Outside.

Oh. Outside. Hermione didn’t have her jacket with her. She’d have to go back and get it to go find Draco. She paused at the foot of the stairs, her hand on the banister. She could go all the way back to Gryffindor Tower to get it, or she could go find Draco.

Someone came in through the huge doors and she shivered from the blustery wind that shot in with them. Okay, fine. So she was hemming and hawing a bit, so what? It was cold outside.

Hermione rolled her eyes. She was a witch after all; she could overcome the elements with the flick of her wand. And she certainly wasn’t using the cold as an excuse because she was afraid to face Draco! No, she wasn’t. She was a Gryffindor! She was courageous. Right! She’d faced down one of the most evil beings ever to walk the face of this earth; so she could definitely find the willpower within to face one reformed Slytherin – right?

Right?

Hermione took a steadying breath and mumbled, “Right,” not sounding the least bit convincing to herself and turned to head out the main doors. She paused when she heard a deep chuckle coming from her left. She’d know that laugh anywhere. She should, she’d been responsible for making it happen more times than she could count.

Hermione turned down the corridor and stopped short at the sight that met her eyes. There, standing before her, was Padma Patil with her hand resting, in Hermione’s opinion, rather possessively on the arm of one Ronald Weasley. And what’s more, said Ronald Weasley didn’t seem to be minding it one bit. In fact, he had firmly affixed to his face one of the most adorable grins Hermione had ever seen. She watched as Padma leaned in to whisper something in Ron’s ear and Hermione grinned herself as Ron’s ears promptly turned flaming red with the color slowly washing over his entire face and neck. He looked down at Padma and his charming lop-sided grin grew wide. It was an endearing mix of boyish self-consciousness, a hint of optimism and that extra little sparkle in his eyes that was all Ron.

Padma didn’t stand a chance.

The pretty girl smiled up at him and leant up on her tiptoes to give him a swift, barely-there kiss to his cheek and turned to leave. She faltered when she saw Hermione; her eyes became somewhat serious and her voice was cool and formal when she addressed Hermione, “Afternoon, Hermione.” Padma glanced back at Ron for a moment. “See you at dinner?”

Ron nodded. “Er, you bet.” Padma’s response was to beam a brilliant smile his way and she left, nodding to Hermione as she passed.

Hermione turned to watch her go and then turned back to Ron with a raised eyebrow. She wasn’t upset, per se, but she was a bit surprised. She decided the best way to handle this was to just be straightforward. Hermione smiled kindly at Ron and folded her arms across her chest. “Padma?” Ron’s face flamed again and he began stuttering to reply, but he stopped fumbling for words when Hermione chuckled and shook her head. “Oh, Ron stop! She’s a lovely girl.”

Ron raked a hand through his shaggy hair and cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, it’s certainly a surprise to me. She came up to me a couple weeks ago and said she noticed I’d been looking sorta down lately.” He smiled weakly. “Can you believe it, she actually noticed me?”

Hermione nodded. “Yes, Ron. I can very much believe it.”

Ron looked at her closely for a moment, then continued, “Anyway, we’ve been talking these last couple of weeks, you know, studying and stuff. And er, she’s a nice girl. But, there’s nothing going on between us.” He looked at her. “You know how I feel about you.”

She closed the distance between them and smiled warmly, her voice was mild but firm, “Ron, there is nothing going on between us, either.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“We both know that it would never work between us –“ she stopped short when Ron opened his mouth to reply and raised her hand, “Uh, uh, Ron. Don’t say it’s because of Draco. Because we know it’s not. It’s just us. We’re meant to be friends. The most wonderful, closest of friends.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “You know it don’t you? Please, please tell me that you understand…and that,” Hermione’s voice trembled a bit, “that we can still be friends.

“Because, Ron, it would break my heart if you said we couldn’t.” She looked pleadingly into his blue eyes and grasped his hands affectionately. “Ron, you and Harry are my dearest, my most treasured friends, and to lose you, well, I simply couldn’t bear it. I honestly don’t know how I could go on. Please don’t end our friendship because I’ve fallen in love with someone else.”

Ron’s eyebrows shot up and he blinked in surprise. “Love?” He croaked out the word.

Hermione caught her breath and hesitated a moment before nodding. “I love Draco, Ron,” she whispered. “I love him more than I know how to put into words.”

Ron’s grin returned; it was tinged with sadness, but sweet and affectionate nonetheless. And, could that be acceptance she saw mixed in there as well? “Well now, when is our Hermione ever speechless? For you to be at a loss for words, it must be a big deal.” His voice was gravelly and a bit guarded sounding, but Hermione gasped and squeezed his hands tightly in response. A tear slipped down her cheek and he reached up with his thumb to swipe it away. “Aw, come on, Mione…You know I’d never turn my back on you, don’t you?”

Hermione flung herself into his arms and cried in sheer relief. She pulled back and peered at him. “You, you promise?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I promise.”

“No matter what?” She poked him in the ribs. “No matter what?”

“Ow! Easy!” he chided and then said seriously, “Yeah, no matter what.”

“Oh Ron!” Hermione cried happily, “You really mean it, don’t you?”

He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “I mean it. After all, you can’t help it if you have bad taste in men. I ‘spose I won’t hold it against you.”

Hermione laughed through her tears, “Thanks.” She swiped away a few more tears and asked, “But, Harry?”

“Come on, Harry’ll be fine. He’s just worried about you, Mione. He wants you to be happy. Shit, I want you to be happy. That’s all either of us ever want for you.” Ron grasped her gently by her arms and asked seriously, “Will he…” he forced his voice to be even, “Will Malfoy make you happy, Mione? Truthfully?”

Her breath was shallow, but she nodded and smiled. Her voice was even and sure when she spoke. “Yes. He makes me so happy, Ron. Truly. I’m sorry, please, please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad, Hermione.” Ron shook his head. “It’s gonna take me a while to get used to. Both of us, I’m sure. But, geeze, he’s hurt you so much this past month…”

“I’m partly to blame for that. But he’s just; he just needs to listen to me. We’ll work it out. I know it.” For the first time since this entire mess started Hermione felt like things might just work out.

Ron looked dubious. “If you say so. But, if he hurts you, Mione, all bets are off. No one is going to hurt you.”

“He won’t, Ron. At least, not on purpose, of that I’m certain.”

“I’ll talk to Harry. Everything will be fine,” he rubbed her back reassuringly, "I'll make sure."

Hermione was literally shaking with happiness, her soul was finally released from the horrible burden of fear she'd been holding onto at the thought of not being able to have both Ron and Draco in her life. She threw herself back into Ron’s embrace. Thank you, God she chanted over and over in her head, I didn’t lose Ron. Things will be all right…things will be all right.

She pulled back slightly and smiled up at him through her tears. “You know I love you Ronald Weasley, don’t you?”

Ron rolled his eyes. “Now you tell me?” His smile was warm. “I love you too.” He leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek and hugged her close once more.

--- * ---

Draco could barely hear, his ears were ringing so loudly. All he could focus on was the sound of the blood whooshing through his head. He’d been fine just moments before. His hearing had been perfect. So perfect, in fact, that he’d heard with crystal clarity the words that stopped the breath from moving through his body. The words that made his vision blurry and his heart stop. ‘You know I love you Ronald Weasley…’

His mind had stopped working precisely after that. His body seemed to be shutting down. Lord help him, but he thought he might well and good pass out! Suddenly his lungs seized and Draco gasped in air raggedly. He staggered for just a moment.

The sound made the two friends look up. Hermione pulled away from Ron and stared at Draco in shock. “Draco,” she gasped.

Draco took one more look at the two, turned and bolted out the front doors. If he’d stayed one second longer he’d have killed Weasley. He needed to get away from them both until he cooled down and the murderous rage that was running through him could be quelled.

His heart was broken. He’d lost Hermione.

And what was worse, was there was no one, NO ONE, he could blame, except for himself.

Draco Malfoy had fucked up again, royally, and now he’d lost her.

He needed to…Draco grasped his temples fretfully. He needed to fly.

His eyes zeroed in on the Quidditch pitch.

Fly.

Maybe he’d go up and just never come back…

--- *---

Hermione stood there, trembling, absolutely numb; she felt Ron’s hand on her arm and swung around sharply. “Oh GOD, Ron! Oh no!” Her hands flew to her face. “Draco…” her voice was frantic.

It was Ron’s voice, calm and steady, that made her look up. “Hermione, do you really want that dolt in your life?”

“Yes.”

He turned her around. “Merlin forgive me for what I’m about to do,” he groaned and gave her a gentle shove. “Then go get him.”

She glanced at the doors and back at him over her shoulder. “He’ll never believe me now, when I tell him we’re not together.” She fisted her hands in frustration. “He must have seen us talking…heard me…Oh God.”

“Hermione Granger, if that idiot Slytherin has even one ounce of brains in that ugly, bleached head of his, he’ll believe you. Anyone would be a fool not to be with you, Mione.” Ron took a step forward. “And even as stupid as I think he is, I know Malfoy’s not that much of a fool as to let you get away.” Hermione just closed her eyes. Ron hesitated, his voice was low and uncomfortable sounding when he asked, “Listen, I can go talk to him, if you like?”

“You would do that for me?” she asked, surprised. She’d never let anyone fight her battles for her, but the gesture moved her more than she could express.

Ron quirked his lips. “You know I’d do just about anything for you, Mione.”

“I – thank you, Ronald,” she said earnestly. “You’ve no idea what that means to me.”

His voice was gruff. “What are friends for?” Hermione gasped and covered her mouth, steadying her breath. “Go on, get outta here, before I change my mind and carry you kicking and screaming back to the Tower.”

She smiled tumultuously at him, turned and raced out after her man.

Her Draco.

--- * ---

Once Hermione was outside, she gasped and shivered in the frigid air. She glanced in the sky and noted it was later in the afternoon than she’d thought. Evening was beginning to settle in and the temperature was steadily dropping. But Hermione didn’t pause to think about any of that. She looked around and didn’t see Draco anywhere. That didn’t matter though; she already knew where he was and set off immediately.

When she arrived at the Quidditch Pitch, she saw a pale blond and black streak blur past her vision, high above the field. “Draco,” she breathed and strode to the very center of the pitch, shaking from the cold and from absolute terror that Draco could fall off his broom, he was flying so recklessly.

Her eyes were barely able to adjust to keeping him in her line of vision when, lightning quick, he stopped and looked down at her. He came down lower, the freezing air blowing his hair around his face, like a golden mist swirling around and haloing him. His cheeks were flushed with anger and from the cold and Hermione caught her breath; it was the first time he’d met her eyes in quite some time.

She’d missed him so much; it hurt to look at him.

He didn’t descend any further, just hovered, looking down at her. “This is the way it should be, you know,” he finally spoke.

Hermione shook her head. “How?” she asked.

“Me being away from you, being able to look at you, watch you, but not get close to you,” he paused, “it’s safer that way.”

Hermione snorted. “Safer for whom? You?”

Draco was already shaking his head ‘no’. “No,” he said firmly, “For you. I’ll –“ he caught his breath and stopped short. Was he about to do this? Was he going to go against everything in his body, in his spirit? Was he? He looked into her eyes, she was so beautiful. He loved her so goddamned much…He tried to take some bitter comfort in knowing he was about to do the right thing. “I’ll only hurt you in the long run.” He sounded so sure.

He came lower still, but did not touch the ground. Hermione noted he was shivering, so was she, but only watched him and let him talk. He had to get this out, she knew. And once he’d finished, she’d blow all his silly, pureblood antiquated theories right out of the water.

“I’m listening,” she said softly, taking a step closer to him and wavering slightly. Her pulse was racing and her breaths were little short puffs of air, billowing in front of her.

Draco’s eyes were fixated on her lips for a moment before he continued, “I saw you and Weasel. I saw him kiss you. I heard you say -” he couldn’t say the words, it would kill him to hear them again, to have to say them himself.

“Draco, you -” Hermione began, but he cut her off.

“Weasel told me weeks ago, after…after the library. He told me I shouldn’t be with you.” Hermione gasped and whispered his name, but he waved her off and looked away, unable to keep eye contact now; his heart suddenly felt so very constricted, it hurt. “I knew it too, months ago. I guess I’ve always known it, really.” His broom backed up from her as she took another step toward him.

Hermione froze then. Don’t spook him, Granger! she growled silently.

He turned to glance at her again and his voice shook slightly. “You’re like a glimpse of this dream, a vision of a life that I want, but can’t have.” His voice was husky with emotion. “I’m not good for you. Merlin help me, I want you. But I’m no good for you. I don’t deserve any of it.”

He wanted to lie to her. To tell her that being with him was the right thing, but he’d heard her say she loved Weasley. He’d let her go, release her and…and what?

Draco had no idea where to go from here. His heart felt leaden.

Hermione was getting angry now. Her cheeks became just as flushed as Draco’s were moments before. His had turned deathly pale now and he shivered even more. She noted that he was only wearing his school robes. No wonder he was shaking like a leaf; the wind was blowing quite strong and it was bitterly cold.

“Don’t deserve any of what?” she said quietly. She didn’t like where this was heading.

“Everything. Anything, you name it.”

Hermione fumed, her voice quaking as she spoke, “And what if I disagree?”

Draco snorted. “Of course you will. You’re everyone’s champion. You’d sacrifice anything to make someone happy. To see them smile, to…to,” Draco raked a aggravated hand through his head and spat out, “You’re too good for me, Hermione, and I know it. You’re with the right bloke.” Words failed him then, so he stopped talking.

“Oh BOLLOCKS!”

Draco grinned ruefully, raising his broom up just a bit more from the field. “Go be with Weasley. He loves you,” Draco choked out, turning his face from Hermione so she wouldn’t see the torture there. “He doesn’t deserve you,” he continued, “but neither do I. At least I know he loves you as much as – “ Draco inhaled sharply and cut himself off short, his eyes widening; he hadn’t meant to say that.

He turned to look at Hermione and yelped as he was hurtled off his broom by a brown blur. He was only dimly aware of the icy snow soaking instantly through his robes. A veil of wild brown curls impaired his vision and he was enveloped by her scent that he’d missed so damn much. And then lips, soft and warm, were on his. Hermione was kissing him wildly, desperately, lovingly and Draco gave in instantly, wrapping his arms around her waist and hauling her closer to him. He groaned as she straddled him and wrapped her arms possessively around his neck, cradling his head in her hands. He couldn’t breathe, but he didn’t care, all the sustenance he needed right now he was getting from Hermione and her warm body and her soft lips.

He was finally home.

They broke away when they couldn’t hold out for one second longer without air, gasping and panting and through the rushing of his ears he could just make out that she was speaking to him, breathing words onto his lips and into his ear and jaw, soft words, breathy and low, “You’re mine, Draco Malfoy and no one is going to take you away from me.” She pulled back just a hair to stare into his eyes, just so he knew she was deadly serious. “Not your parents,” she shook her head and smiled at him, “not any of your crazy Slytherin friends, not my friends, and especially not Ron.” Draco reached up and pushed a froth of her curls over one shoulder gently and she turned his face to get his attention. “No one. Period. Not even you.” She dropped her face closer to his. “Got it?”

Draco shook his head and opened his mouth, but she was on him again, taking the advantage once more, her tongue plunging into his mouth, her fingers knotting into his hair, her knees digging into his sides as she held him tightly to her. She pulled away to breathe onto his lips, in between kisses and soft groans from them both, “I’m not with Ron, you impossible, stubborn, wonderful man. I never have been. It’s only you.” Her lips found his temple, she trailed little kisses down to his cheek and he turned his head, desperate to find her lips, but she evaded him, whispering in his ear, “Only you. It had to be you. You stole my heart long ago, Draco Malfoy and I don’t want it back.” His lips found hers then and he groaned into her mouth, their tongues twirling and teasing and expectant. She broke away from him again and moaned, “Oh God, how I missed you, Draco!”

Finally she pulled away. Draco was stunned. He shook his head. “You, you really aren’t with Weasley?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course not.”

“But I heard –“

“You heard me telling one of my best friends that I love him. And I do, you silly goose. But I’m most definitely not, nor will I ever be IN love with him.” He blinked at her and opened his mouth but she put a finger to his lips. “Are we clear on that, once and for all?”

He swallowed hard; it was too good to be true. But maybe, just maybe, he’d been given that one last chance that he’d been desperate for? Would a condemned man give an opportunity for a reprieve up? Not this one.

He looked into her eyes, shining with hope and he nodded. “Clear.” He added dazedly, “You can still surprise me, Hermione Granger.”

“I’d get used to it, if I were you.”

He smiled, remembering very clearly that that was actually the first time she’d launched herself into his arms, and really, into his life. She’d said those very words. “And I’ve been pleasantly surprised ever since,” he echoed his own words from long ago.

Hermione smiled shakily; she was getting through, she could see it. She quirked a brow at him. “And I intend to keep pleasantly surprising you for a very,” she bent down and kissed him softly, “very,” promisingly, “very long time,” she finished, tilting her head and letting her lips open fully over his.

He groaned, “Hermione,” as his hands slid down to her hips, holding them gently against his.

“Yes?”

“If I promise not to leave you and not to kill the Weasel for touching you, will you let me get up? It’s cold down here, you know.”

Hermione’s eyes lit up as she raised herself off of him slowly. He sat up on his elbows looking at her. “What?” he asked, “What’s that look in your eyes?”

Hermione’s smile was warm, alluring. “I just thought of the perfect way to warm you up.”

Draco’s eyes widened and he shook his head amazed. “My, my you are full of surprises.”

“See,” she smirked, “Like I said, lots of them.” Hermione held out her hand and Draco looked at it and then up at her. It was an important moment and they both knew it.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, searching her face for any sign of uncertainty, of apprehension.

“I’m sure I want you.” Hermione paused. Draco watched as her cheeks flushed sweetly. This was it, this was her moment. “Draco,” she began, her voice was soft, and her eyes as they met his, were full of all the emotions he’d dared not dream he’d see in them again. “Draco, you know…You know that I –“

“Stop!” he said forcefully, shaking his head. Hermione looked at him, her eyes grew wide with hurt. He reached up and took her still outstretched hand and rose, towering over her.

Draco stroked her cheek, his thumb running across the edge of her lower lip. Hermione shivered and slid her eyes closed, forcing back the tears that were suddenly threatening to spill over. She was so very sure she’d gotten through.

“Hermione, look at me,” he urged her tenderly.

With great effort she steeled her shoulders and looked up into those silvery eyes she loved so dearly, into his soul that she loved so completely. He hesitated and glanced around, “This isn’t the place I wanted to say this…” his hand gesturing around the cold, frozen pitch. “I wanted to tell you where I first realized it. Where I first knew that I couldn’t let you go. Where I wanted to be the first to hold you, touch you.” He paused again searching her face. Hermione was trembling; they both were, from the cold and from something more.

“I wanted it to be in our home, the place where I want to make you mine completely. Mine for always.” A tear slid down her cheek, her lips were parted and slowly she bit down on her lower lip. Draco grinned easily; it hit him then, fast and swift. He realized it didn’t matter where he said it, as long as he said it to this amazing woman, his angel, who for some crazy reason picked him.

Draco had given her a chance to go. He’d been willing to sacrifice his happiness for what he thought was best for her. Even thought it would break his heart, crush his very soul. But seeing that simple little gesture of hers, biting her lip, reminded him that she was what was important. Not anyone else, not any place else. Not anything else, just her being with him.

“Hermione Jane Granger,” he began and she looked at him with teary eyes, “I want you, I need you. I’m not going to ever let you go now.” He quirked a small half smile at her. “I hope you know that you had your chance. I would have let you walk away.”

Hermione’s choked-out half-sob, half-laugh cut him off. “Oh, Draco,” she cried.

“No,” he stopped her, “let me finish. Not ever could I have imagined the first time I met you that we would be here, right now. Life can be cruel and unforgiving, I know.” Draco took her cold hands in his surprisingly warm ones. “Yet, it can also be forgiving and generous and amazing.

“I never knew that until I got to know you. You bring those things into my life, Hermione. You make me happy and that’s not something I really knew, until you. I didn’t understand what it was. But I get it now. You’ve forgiven me of things I am ashamed to admit to having done and you’ve been so generous, open minded and kind with everything you’ve done for me. All of it.” He smiled. “There is something I’ve not thanked you for though.” Draco paused; his eyes were sparkling, dancing. Hermione noticed vaguely that she wasn’t so cold any longer.

“What?” she asked, not really caring. As long as she had Draco back, that was all that mattered.

“It’s a gift you gave me. One that I’ve treasured quietly for over a year now.”

Hermione looked at him, her curiosity roused. “A year now? What gift did I give you a year ago?” she asked. For all her quick searching of her memory, Hermione could only recall giving Draco a study schedule book (which she made sure he used) and his Christmas gift.

Draco smiled. “You can’t guess, can you?” He seemed quite smug.

“No…” she answered. Hermione was racking her brain, but she didn’t remember.

His smile was so genuine and sweet that it made Hermione’s heart do summersaults inside her chest. He squeezed her hands. “You gave me my life back.”

“I -What?”

“You gave me my life back. You gave me my friends back.”

Hermione’s eyes widened and her cheeks flushed, then her eyes narrowed. “He told you I spoke to him.” Hermione was going to kill that Zabini. So much for a Slytherin’s word.

Draco shrugged. “He thought it was cute.” Hermione snorted. “He said I must have been really making everyone miserable if a goody-goody Gryffindor was begging the Slytherin to take me off her hands.”

Draco chuckled at the outraged expression on her face. “I most certainly did not say that!” Hermione fumed. “Take you off my hands indeed!”

“Well, whatever you said, you gave me my dignity back and I never did say thank you.” He leaned forward and said quietly, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied.

Draco caught and held her gaze. “There’s something more.”

“More?” she whispered, and he nodded.

“I still haven’t mentioned one last gift.”

“What is it?” Hermione asked, but as an idea popped into her head, she felt fairly certain she knew what he was about to say and the smile that lit her eyes was evidence.

“Want to guess?” he teased gently. Hermione shook her head.

The small puffs of air that frosted in front of them made Hermione remember they were out in the elements, but at that moment she’d never felt more warm and intensely alive in her life. Draco let out a small breath and she noted the way his cheeks were stained red from the cold and that his eyes had taken on this gorgeous ice-blue color, mirroring the blue of the quickly darkening sky. His voice was rumbly and thick with emotion and it made goose-bumps shoot up all over her body. He stepped closer. “You gave me your friendship, Hermione,” he paused and shot her a sweet, lop-sided grin, “and I just wanted you to know, that I’ll treasure it always.”

“Draco…” she breathed, too elated, relieved, overcome with too many emotions to say anything more. Once again, words failed her as tears clung to her lashes, blurring her vision and they both laughed shakily, holding hands tightly, their bodies moving instinctively even closer.

“I love you, Hermione Granger,” he announced and his voice was strong and so very clear. “I’ll not hide it anymore. I’ll shout it from the highest turret if that’s what you so desire.”

Hermione closed the small distance between them flinging herself against him, their lips meeting in a joyful kiss sealing their reunion, their mingled breaths warm against each other’s icy cheeks.

“Draco Malfoy, I love you!” she cried, “And I’m not afraid to say it.” Hermione looked at Draco and smiled. “I never have been and I never will be.”

Draco kissed her cheeks, her lips, his voice was low and smooth, “My courageous little Gryffindor.”

“It doesn’t take courage to love you, Draco. Just a lot of patience.”

Draco groaned. “Of that I have no doubt.”

“Fortunately, I’m a rather patient lady.”

“That you are indeed.” He offered her his arm. “My lady.”

Hermione accepted his proffered arm and announced, “I most certainly am and don’t you forget it!”

“Never. You’re mine, forever and a day.” Hermione graced him with a dazzling smile that lit his heart and filled his soul and he couldn’t help the wide grin that broke out across his face in response to hers.

It was the smile of a man in love.

They set out arm in arm and began making their way back to the school with the promise of new beginnings whispering to them in the winds.

In the distance, breaking through the ice and cold, the blades of a lone crocus emerged, tiny but vibrant and thriving beneath the frozen ground, shaking off the deathly pallor of winter to hint at the warmth beneath and to herald the arrival of new life.

_____________________

A/N: Well, there ya have it folks. The kids are back together – aren’t they A-STINKIN-DORABLE? Ah love, ain’t it grand.

I must inform you that the next chapter will be the conclusion of IT HAD TO BE YOU. Thanks for all your support thus far and have no worries, on deck we’ve got lots of joyful consummation! Three cheers for copulation! Hip, hip, hurray!

Leave me a little note and let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Lorett