When Lightning Strikes Twice

Desire

Draco's P.O.V
Lately Ron had been getting more and more jealous. Even Harry was starting to tease Draco.

Ha had opened up to Hermione about his family. He was scared she would think he was weak, but no. She accepted him, and that wasn't going to change.

Harry and Ron would look for Draco when he was alone. Then they would attack him, trying to make him stop talking to her. But no matter how hurt he got, he would never stop loving her. She was his other half. If he had to get battered and bruised to stay with her, he didn't mind.

One night, he was walking back to the common room, when he saw Ron amd Harry staring at him menacingly. "Guys, I don't want any trouble, I just want to go back to my common room" he said tiredly.
"No. I think we need to have a little chat" Ron said cracking his knuckles. " Stay away from my girlfriend"
"She is not your property!" Draco retorted "she can choose who she wants to be around, you don't just get to claim her!"
"Aww, how sweet" said Ron with a mocking tone "you're in love with her are you? Well when we're done with you tonight, you will stay away from her" At that, Ron advanced toward him, but he didn't have the energy to fight back. As they punched him and kick him, they continued to mock him. He heard every degrading word. Suddenly, Ron said something he would regret. "Why do you even like her? She is only really worth it because she looks pretty!" this gave Draco the strength to fight back.
"No, don't say that about her!" said Draco as he fought. Then he had them both beneath him, wand pointed at them. He was so triumphant he didn't notice Severus walk in. "No one insults her and gets away with it. I love her because she is sweet, kind, accepting and smart, and she is worth more than you will ever be" Draco said with an even tone.

Severus' P.O.V
As he walked down the hallway, he saw Potter and Weasley beating Draco up. Severus was about to interviene, when the Weasley boy made a comment about Hermione. At this, Draco shot up with a sudden burst of energy and defended her.

Severus watched as Draco held them at wand point and said "No one insults her and gets away with it. I love her because she is sweet, kind, accepting and smart, and she is worth more than you will ever be" As he watched the scene before him, he saw how much she really meant to Draco. This was true love, and even Weasley and Potter could not get in the way now.

Hermione's P.O.V
The next morning, she found out what happened to Draco. She told him they needed to go to Dumbledore, but Draco said there was no point, because he quite obviously favoured Gryffindors.

From then on, Hermione refused to leave Draco's side. She would be with him until the end. She would protect Draco at all costs. If Ron couldn't get the hint by now that she hated him, then he was even more stupid than Hermione originally thought.

Draco's P.O.V
He and Hermione had been side by side all week. The most he got from Ron and Harry now were scathing looks. They were happy, but he knew it wouldn't last much longer. He wasn't supposed to be happy.

He was walking back from class when he was cornered. This time they didn't punch or kick him. They started shooting curses at him, and then Hermione appeared. They noticed her, and Ron shot a crucio towards her. Draco responded quickly, jumping in front of her to shield her. As the curse hit him, he felt pain like no other. It felt as if he had a thousand daggers dragging through his flesh. Hermione started hexing Ron and Harry, and the pain receeded. Draco stood up, his hands shaking, and walked away with Hermione.

"We need to go to a teacher now. This is just too far." Hermione stated sternly. "Professor McGonagal is my head of house, so she will help"
"Ok, but don't get your hopes up. I'm a Slytherin, remember" Draco said hopelessly. He didn't think she would help.

They walked into her office and explained their situation. "I'm so sorry Draco, but I can't help you. The headmaster is very prejudice, but I will send Weasley and Potter to his office so you meet them there." she looked at them with a hopeless expression. He knew it. Well, at least she wanted to help.

They walked into Dumbledore's office, Ron and Harry were in there already, glaring with firey rage at Draco and Hermione. As expacted, Ron and Harry got away witha slap on the wrist and Draco was blamed for 'seeking trouble'. "I'm sorry Draco" Hermione said glumly.
"It's not your fault. I'm not worried" Draco lied. He was worried. He was terrified of what the boys would try next. If they would use an unforgiveable and get away with it, they were now unstoppable.

It was time to leave for the summer. Draco had been dreading this. It was hard to go back, bit now that he met Hermione it was worse, because he knew exactly what he had been missing all those years. His father would kill him if he found out he had anything to do with a muggle born.

Hermione lead Draco to a spare compartment. "Draco, i'm truly sorry I couldn't help you" Hermione said with tears in her eyes. "I just don't know who to go to for help now. I feel like I have failed you" It broke his heart to see her upset.
"Hermione, you haven't failed me. You have done more for me than anyone else ever has. I don't need anyone else. All I need is you" He said in a soft, peaceful tone. They sat in the compartment hand in hand as the Hogwarts express drove off into the distance.

Draco was now at peace. He was finally complete.