#dhr dump

[dhr-dump]

"I didn't know you had this sense of humor, Malfoy. If I'd known, we would have been friends since we’re first years."

Hermione gave him a smile that reached her eyes.

Draco felt his heart skip a beat as he watched her. Never in his life would he have imagined Hermione Granger smile like that. Especially for him.

"Don't Potter and Weasel joke around with you?"

"They do. But sometimes, I just don't get their jokes."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her as she continued, "Their jokes are so childish most of the time. I think I'm such a killbuzz to them since I lash out to them whenever I hear them joke about other people."

"That's so you."

She blushed at the comment, the moonlight shining on her saw to it that he saw that.

Draco's eyes opened wide and coughed, "I mean, I know you care about others too much. And berating Potter and Weasel is just you. I can just imagine."

Then he laughed.

———

It was the first time Hermione heard Draco laugh. It was a sound that made her think how long butterflies got into her stomach.

———

If only He-who-must-not-be-named wasn't back, she thought, they could do this for as long as they want.

If only there wasn't a war incoming, he thought, they could take their time and get to know each other like this.

If only they just lived their lives as they wanted to, they thought, they might give themselves a chance in love.

[dhr-dump]

"I dreamt about you," I heard her say, my back facing her.

I wanted to walk away—from her—but my brain just decided not to move.

I needed to say something to, at least, get her off my back—to let myself move. But I couldn't.

Not when she was there. Not when she sounded so desperate.

Not when I was falling for her.

"Stop it, Granger," was all I said after what seemed an eternity. I didn't know how those words fell out of my mouth and how I even uttered a sound. But I felt my heart clench.

I wasn't facing her, but I could tell she was surprised at my remark as she heard her try to stutter out her thoughts.

"There is nothing I can do about this anymore. We... can't continue to be anything anymore."

"Draco—"

"I said STOP!"

I could hear her breath falter. I couldn't hear mine.

I couldn't take it. I couldn't bear hearing her calling me by my first name. I couldn't bear the tears that started to fall down from her beautiful eyes that I love staring at. I couldn't bear thinking about her laughter which shot an arrow through my heart.

I couldn't bear to taint her.

My feet started to hurt but I felt it move. I didn't waste any more time, and I left her alone, with her tears.

I heard her slump down. And as I turned to the right corridor, out of her sight, I stopped and held my chest where my heart was. I didn't know why but it was burning, my façade was breaking.

I can't do this anymore.