Happier

Relationships: Hermione/Draco

Description: Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy are in their last year of Hogwarts along with the remaining students who survived the previous year. The two have become very close and while neither know the other's feelings, they've fallen in love.

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Draco Malfoy was in the Hogwarts library under the appearance of doing Transfiguration homework, but he was really there to clear his head.

The past month has been beyond amazing for him, he's finally been given a chance to start over with Hermione Granger. They've become very close friends and every moment with her makes his love for her stronger. But, he knows the same month hasn't been the same for her.

Ron Weasley refused to accept their newfound friendship and has decided that he's going to make her choose between the two of them. It was a major shock for Draco when Hermione chose him instead of Ron. But the red haired boy has done anything to make her miserable.

He's turned almost all of the Gryffindors against her so now not only does Weaselbee always make fun of her and insult her, so does the majority of the Gryffindors. Though Harry and Ginny support Hermione, it isn't enough to make them stop.

It doesn't help that Draco and Hermione have been getting into quite a lot of arguments recently.

Oh how Draco missed seeing her genuinely smile.

The fights are usually over stupid things but the last one was pretty nasty. She was particularly frustrated by Ron's antics today and Draco had spent the day dealing with furious Slytherin's. Draco made a snarky comment and she blew up, which inevitably made him blow up as well. It wasn't even what they fought about that bothered him, it was how personal they chose to make it.

She said he never changed deep down.

He said she lost everyone because of her decisions.

So Draco was sitting there, in the library hating himself, and trying to think of something to do to make this right. They've made up from previous fights before but afterwards it just becomes more tense, they never truly make up.

Before Draco could think anymore someone slammed their hands on the table he was sitting at.

"Why don't you just leave Hermione alone?" Ron Weasley snapped.

"Why? So she can suffer from all the shit you're doing to her alone?" Draco said angrily.

He never hated Ron Weasley before this year, he was just ill mannered and he was frustrated by how he treated his friends. But now that he's hurt Hermione, Draco did hate him now.

"Once you leave I'm going to take back what's mine," Ron said with a stupid imitation of a smirk.

Draco glared at the man with disdain, "and what's that supposed to mean?" He asked.

"Once you're out of the picture, I'll make her happier than you ever could," Weasley said with a smile as if that would actually work.

"You really think she'd forgive you? After everything you've done to her?" Draco asked incredulously.

"She will," he said dumbly.

"Keep dreaming Weaselbee," Draco said before pretending to work again. He made sure to keep his hand on his wand but luckily the Weasel actually walked away.

As Draco tried to calm himself down so he didn't go after him and hex him into next week, an alarming thought crossed his mind.

What if you did leave?

No, Draco couldn't do that to Hermione. He didn't think he could even do that to himself, he cares for her too much now. But the voice was persistent.

It told him that there wouldn't be anymore fighting. He won't have to look at her everyday and remember that she will never feel the same about him as he does for her. She'll never love him and he knew it.

Besides, then she would finally have what she wants back. Her best friend and the other Gryffindors would be back on her side again now that she wasn't hanging around a death eater. She wouldn't have to worry about Slytherin's hexing her in the hallways.

And best of all, Draco could see her smile again. Even if that means he has to leave...

The rest of that day and a few days after, Draco tried to keep his distance from Hermione. Everytime he got close to telling her he was going to leave her alone from now on, he chickened out.

It just didn't feel right to him.

But today was the day.

Draco had sent Hermione a letter via owl that he wanted to meet her in the Astronomy tower after classes. Well, it's after both of their classes now and Draco was beyond nervous.

He made sure to walk up there as slowly as possible to stall the supposedly inevitable. Dragging his feet, he once again debated whether this was the right thing to do or not.

No, this is what's best for Hermione. Not you. You don't deserve a happy ending anyways, but she sure as hell does. Draco told himself and pushed forward.

Draco walked up what must be thousands of stairs in what felt to be three seconds, he's never dreaded anything more.

He reached the Astronomy Tower where Hermione was waiting for him. Draco found her leaning on the wall near the edge looking out into the woods. The light from the sun made her look angelic and peaceful, but even so he could tell she was tense and if her fiddling fingers told him anything, she was nervous as well.

"Hey 'Mione," Draco called out nervously.

Upon hearing his voice, she whipped her head to look at him before rushing over and giving him a big hug.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Hermione said sounding as if she were about to cry. "I didn't mean what I said!" She added.

Draco was surprised by her outburst but smiled and held her tightly, knowing this would be the last time. He buried his face in her hair and savored the moment.

"You're forgiven. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said any of what I did, I didn't mean any of it," Draco admitted. Hermione broke the hug, too soon Draco thought, but stood near him with a smile.

"Apology accepted..are-are we good again?" Hermione asked nervously.

Draco hesitated at that but as she grew more anxious he decided to answer. "Yeah we're good, but um there's something I need to talk to you about.." Draco said even more nervous than she was.

"Oh ok," she said.

"Well, you see I've been uh I've been thinking," Draco started before pausing and avoiding her eyes, "well we've been fighting a lot now and it doesn't seem like you're happy anymore. I understand, don't get me wrong, but I hate seeing you so miserable. So I uh..I don't think we should be friends anymore," he finished looking at the ground with a foul taste in his mouth.

There was a tense silence that followed.

Very tense.

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. Draco didn't think she was happy? So, what, he wanted to make it worst? Didn't he realize that he was the only thing keeping her sane?

Draco prepared himself to be yelled, screamed at and maybe even punched like back in third year. But nothing came, she just stared at him.

After a few moments of agonizing silence, Hermione opened her mouth to say something and Draco flinched. She paused and closed her mouth.

Before Draco could say a word Hermione grabbed his tie and pulled him down to her until their lips crashed together. He was beyond surprised at this point but just as he was about kiss her back, she pulled away.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you make me happier," Hermione said. Draco smiled brightly before leaning down and kissing her once more.