My light, My beacon of hope
"I love you. I love you don't you get that?" shouted Draco as Hermione stood still, gaping at him in astonishment.
What a strange, weird, crazy, ridiculous, unbelievable word to come out of his mouth.
"I thought you Malfoys weren't aware of that emotion," snarked back Hermione, believing he was saying this to lower her guard down.
"Oh, you want to know my emotions, do you? Well, how about we take a look at THIS!" said Draco in anger as he shoved up the long sleeve on the left side of his arm.
Gasping, Hermione was rendered speechless as she gazed down at the abomination that was inked into his arm.
"THIS, Granger, used to make me feel powerful, used to make me feel superior, used to make me feel invincible," he said menacingly.
Shocked at the venom in is voice, she looked up at his face.
The harsh lines she was so used to seeing softened, the glamour that he had over his face fell.
She could see the dark circles of sleepless nights, could see how sickly pale he looked, could see his red rimmed eyes from the many tears he had shed.
"This, Granger, now makes me feel desperate, now makes me feel inadequate, now makes me feel hopeless," uttered Draco as he collapsed onto the bathroom floor.
Continuing, he looked her way, as she too sat down.
"Look, Hermione, I don't want to be that nasty boy I was before, I've been set an impossible task by Him and, and I just can't do it. When I got the mark, I had to shield Him from my mind, so...so he wouldn't figure out my weakness, Hermione,"
"You are my light, my beacon of hope, ever since you came down those steps at the Yule Ball in fourth year," whispered Draco.
He gave a long yawn, struggled up and began to walk out.
Over his shoulder he heard Hermione call out.
And saw hesitation, reluctance, and a tiny little spark of determination in her eyes.
"You can't say you love me, show me your Dark Mark and then walk out on me," stated Hermione.