You know that feeling you get when you and your best friend finally resolve a long lasting conflict? Yeah, neither does Draco. His best friend and him are currently dueling in the Astronomy Tower, and she’s been winning for a while. Until now. “Reducto!” Draco was slammed into the stony floor. “Expelliarmus!” Hermione’s wand landed cleanly in Draco’s open hand. “Silencio!” Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but nothing escaped her pink lips. “Granger, let me talk,” he gasped, “you've had your fun now. I think my tongue will spontaneously swell to your liking for the next month!” Hermione silently laughed at Draco. “But, I think I deserve a minute to speak.” Hermione sat on the floor, patting the stone next to her, indicating for Draco to join her. He sat. “Are you going to hex me if I give this to you?” he said, holding Hermione’s wand up for her to see. She shook her head and held out her hand. He placed the wand in her hand and took the ‘silencio’ charm off of her. “Ok, so I want to know why you've been avoiding me. I thought we had a good time a few weeks ago at the lake. So why have you been glaring at me and acting as if we aren't friends?” Hermione slumped and dropped her head, releasing a heavy sigh as she did so. “Because you've been acting strange, Draco. Missing quidditch matches, sneaking off early from classes, not completing your homework. What's wrong?” Draco’s hand moved to cover his already-sleeved arm. “I- I can't tell you why. Just trust me that you can't know why. We have to be secret friends again, Hermione. Just-” he sighed, “trust me,” he pleaded with Hermione. “I don't know if I can, Draco. Why can't you tell me?” He thought about telling her. He thought about that everyday. But he knew that the Dark Lord would kill him if anyone else knew about his plans. Draco’s hand itched to pull his sleeve up, if even to make her understand. But that would put her in danger. And he wasn't willing to do that. “Please, Hermione,” he itches to tell her, if only to make her understand why he is how he is. But she would be in danger if she ever found out. He wasn't willing to put her in danger, even if that meant they couldn't be friends. “Are we friends? Is keeping you safe worth our friendship? Do I matter to you enough?” Hermione couldn't answer. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. Open. Closed. Open. Closed. No response. “If I tell you, then we can't be friends, and you can't tell anyone. Is it worth it to you?” Hermione pondered for a few moments. “Tell me. Just because we aren't friends doesn't mean I can't help you.” “You don't understand, if I tell you, we can't interact at all. It would put you in too much danger.” Draco watched Hermione think. “I'm Harry Potter’s best friend, I think I can handle a little danger,” she smirked. He smirked briefly, but it soon fell. His hand moved to his left sleeve, his fingers wrapping themselves around the wrist of his shirt, ready to reveal the ugly mark. “Promise me that you won't tell anyone, and that you won't run from me.” She nodded and he pulled the sleeve up. Her eyes widened and she audibly gasped, dropping her wand with a sharp clank. “Dr- Draco! What did you do?” He winced at her tone. “It was to save my mother’s life. If I didn't take it, he would've killed my family.” “But why you?” “Because I'm here. He's planning to infiltrate Hogwarts. He asked me to help him and to kill Dumbledore.” Hermione began to shake. “Draco, you can't!” He slowly closed his eyes, keeping them closed for what felt like a thousand hours. “I have to, Hermione. I'm so sorry.” Hermione fell into his arms. “Please, Draco! Don't!” Draco couldn't stand to see her like this. He had to help her. “Can I do something to help you?” “What the bloody hell could help me? My role model is going to be killed by my friend!” “I want to erase your memory of this meeting. We won't be friends, you won't know, and you won't be in danger.” Hermione sat up quickly. “Why would you do that?” she sniffed. “Because you seem miserable knowing!” Hermione rolled her eyes. “I told you that I wasn't going to run. I promised. And I always keep my promises.” She linked her arm through his. “After all these years, we’re always going to be the same, aren't we? No matter what hell breaks loose” Hermione smiled at Draco and formed a quiet reply. “Always.”

She's avoiding him. She hasn't spoken to him since that day in the classroom. Not a word. Only hate-filled glares in the halls. Draco didn't understand why she was avoiding him. He hadn't done anything wrong. He had been polite and civil. She seemed to have had a good time at the lake. Why would she avoid him? Draco attempted to answer these questions during potions class. He was partnered with his friend, Blaise. Blaise had issues working with other people, so he mostly did the entire assignment himself. Draco didn't mind, it gave him opportune time to work out the puzzles in his head. He ran the night through his thoughts over and over again, trying to find the moment that went wrong. Nothing. He found nothing. He had a great time. He loved spending time with her. He had a great time. Why does this bother him so much? What does it matter to him that they get along with one another? Draco knew the answer, but he didn't want to admit to it. He still loved her.

For my Dramione shipping fans.  I dig this video.  The monologue is just like perfect.

And you remember why you had that strange OTP for, like, ever.

Know what my dream was about?