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Hermione was pretty. Anyone could see that. But to Harry Potter, Hermione was the most beautiful girl he had ever hoped to see.

It wasn't helping either that he and the girl he was madly in love with were alone on her favorite hilltop watching the sunset together. As Hermione watched the beautiful sunset, Harry watched her.

There was a slight breeze blowing Hermione's lovely amber locks around her smooth and perfect face. Her brown eyes dreamily watched the sun go down, her lush, pink lips forming into a slight smile. Her skin was creamy, but at this time, since the lights in the sky were oranges and pinks, it was a sparkling gold color that matched her eyes.

Harry's eyes slowly raked over his best friend's body. She was wearing her school uniform, her robe and tie discarded and in her Head Dorm. Her button-up shirt was pure white with slightly puffed long sleeves, as it was November. It molded around her curves, although it wasn't at all tight, and the neck was collared. Her skirt was the school gray color and went up to two inches below mid-thigh when she was sitting.

Harry's gaze went even farther down to Hermione's legs. They were smooth, creamy, and flawless, much like her face, in Harry's opinion. Her feet were bare, since her socks were rolled into her shoes and were placed next to her favorite tree.

Harry looked back up at her face, her eyes showing that she was oblivious to her friend's looks and captivated by the descending sun. He watched as the hand farthest from him moved upwards to clasp at something tied to her neck.

"Hermione," he finally spoke, "what's that?"

She turned toward him, obviously confused. "Huh? Oh, this-" she opened her palm to show that she was holding a broken heart-shaped necklace. She unclasped it from her neck and held it out to Harry.

"A locket?" he asked.

She nodded, looking down at it. "It was from my mum. She gave it to me after...after she and my dad split up." Her smile faltered a bit, but she recovered and continued. "I hardly take it off, or at least let it out my sight."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Hermione, it's broken."

She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. My mum had this when she was a girl, and she never took it off either. But after she and Dad separated, she broke off half of it and gave the original locket to me."

"Why?" Harry asked, still confused.

"Well, she said that she obviously didn't find her true love, and she hopes that someday, I'll find the person, the missing piece, to fix this 'broken heart.'"

Harry looked up at his friend, the girl he was in love with. "Well, how do you know if you find your true love? I mean, everyone has a true love, right? So you'll find him."

Hermione smiled. "Not all people find their true love, whether they believe they do or not. True love isn't the same as destiny. Destinies are your future and are already planned out for you. True love is perfect, but you have to find your true love on your own."

Harry thought about what she said for a few seconds. He looked at Hermione with love in his eyes, although she didn't see it. He would've wished that she was his true love, but if she were, it would be hard to win her heart. She already had a boyfriend, and her boyfriend was the worst guy Harry thought was possible:

Draco Malfoy.

Hermione often talked about Malfoy, and while eavesdropping on the couple, he heard her tell her 'beloved boyfriend' that she loved him, and he would say it back to her. Harry knew he should be happy that his friend found someone who clearly loved her as much as she loved him, but he just couldn't accept the fact that she chose Malfoy and not him.

When Hermione and Malfoy got together a year ago, Harry was heartbroken. He was just about to tell her how he felt about her, but as he walked up to her, she burst out and told him of her new relationship with Malfoy.

To say he was surprised was the understatement of the year. Sure, a month or so before he and Hermione got together, Malfoy joined the Order. He spied for the Light Side and listened to what his father told him about Voldemort and his plans.

When the battle between the Dark Side and the Light Side occurred just months ago, during the summer, Harry destroyed the Dark Lord forever, with the help of Draco Malfoy, who gave him good ideas about where Voldemort was the weakest.

But still, Harry couldn't get over the fact the Hermione chose Malfoy over him. Sure, he saved her life from a few Death Eaters during the war, but he simply didn't deserve her. Or at least, that's what Harry told himself.

Hermione broke Harry's heart that day when she told him of her and Malfoy's relationship, but he continued to love her with all the heart he had left.

With these thoughts, Harry asked Hermione, "Do you think Malfoy's your true love?"

Hermione seemed to think for a short moment. "I don't know. He could be. I mean, we love each other a lot, but... I don't know. I need more time to figure that one out."

Harry's heart jerked when she said that she and Malfoy loved each other a lot. He already knew, obviously, but to hear it from her own mouth pained him deeply. But she said she needed more time. Maybe Malfoy wasn't her true love. And yet, maybe he was.

Hermione looked back out to the sunset, the sun going down faster and faster. The sun made their view of the lake beautiful as the last rays shone on the water, making it sparkle. Harry noticed that she was deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her.

She turned to him. "Huh? Oh, just about Draco." She smiled, crushing Harry's heart even more. "He's a wonderful guy, isn't he?"

He scowled, unbeknownst to her. "I couldn't say."

She grinned at the sky. "He's so sweet to me. He respects me. That's hard to find in guys these days."

"Yeah," he muttered.

"He's just so...I don't know. Words can't describe him I guess. But...he's special. He's...amazing."

"Is he now?" Harry asked jealously. Still, Hermione took no notice. She stood and leaned on her favorite tree, gazing at the sky.

"It'd be wonderful if he was my true love..." she sighed. "Maybe he's my missing piece..."

Hearing those words were torture, and Harry knew that if she went on, he wouldn't be able to take it anymore. Of course, she went on.

"I wonder where he is right now..."

Then, something inside of Harry snapped.

"Draco, Draco, Draco!" he yelled, standing up. "That's all you talk about!"

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "Harry!"

"Did you know," he yelled, "that that's the first time you said my name for...I don't even know how long!"

Realization dawned on Hermione. "Are you seriou-"

"Yes, I'm serious! All you can talk about is your 'fantastic boyfriend!' 'Draco this! Draco that! Draco's the sweetest guy I've ever met!'"

"Harry-"

"No, Hermione!" he screamed, walking closer to her. "Malfoy is the one thing in your life you seem to really care about!"

Hermione started to sob. "Harry-"

"I mean, what do I have to do just to get you to look at me twice? What do I have to do to make you talk about me, and not your 'beloved Draco?' What do I have to do to get you understand that I love you?" Harry screamed out the last part louder than the rest.

Tears flowed down Hermione's cheeks as her eyes widened. "You...you-" she whispered.

"Yes, Hermione!" Harry yelled. "I love you! I love you with all my heart and soul! I love you more than 'Draco' ever will! I love you more than I can even say! But you don't get it, do you Hermione? Because you're so wrapped up in what you do have, you don't even bother to think about what you could have!" Harry knew he was getting over the top, and he was sorry for doing all this to Hermione, but he was so angry, so jealous, that he couldn't stop himself for what he was going to do next. "Don't you get it, Hermione? I love you!"

And with that, he pushed her up against the tree and kissed her hard.

Hermione's eyes were wide open in shock and panic. She knew this was wrong, even if she wasn't doing anything to strengthen it. But she wasn't doing anything to stop it either.

She made a small noise when Harry's arms forcefully wrapped themselves around her waist and kissed her harder. Tears still poured down her face, but she found herself slowly responding to Harry's kisses. She realized what she was doing and stopped reacting, but his kisses were so passionate and full of love, she knew he wasn't taking advantage of her really, just letting out his emotions.

His lips massaged hers, all the passion he felt in the kiss. He knew he was being too hard on her, but the second he pressed his lips to hers, he was drugged. He couldn't stop, even though he knew that what he was doing was wrong.

His skin tingled when he felt her respond, but she soon stopped, although he continued snogging her.

Hermione came to her senses when Harry's tongue ran over her bottom lip. She knew she really had to stop things now, or she'd get carried away. His lips felt so good, but she knew she still loved Draco, and she couldn't do this to him.

Hermione pushed Harry off of her using all her strength, letting her catch her breath. She and Harry were panting, Harry out of pleasure, and Hermione out of lack of air.

Once the two caught their breath, they stared at each other. Harry's eyes showed his clear love and lust for her, and this time she noticed, but her eyes showed fear and betrayal, something Harry felt very guilty about.

"Leave," Hermione breathed.

Harry stared. "What?"

"Leave!"

Harry gaped. "But Hermione-"

"Just leave, Harry!" she yelled, obviously upset and afraid.

It broke Harry's heart even more to hear the tone of her voice. Realization dawned on him:

She was scared of him. The girl he was madly in love with was scared of him.

He knew she was hurt for knowing that she betrayed Malfoy, surprised that he kissed her and confessed his feelings for her, and afraid because he came down on her like that, proving that he wasn't acting like his caring self. No, he was practically taking advantage of her, in his opinion.

If she didn't push him off, he didn't know how far he was going to take things. And what if he did go too far? Harry understood why she was scared, but it pained him to know it.

"Harry," she cried, "just stay away from me!"

And with that, Hermione grabbed her shoes and ran off inside the castle, tears streaked on her cheeks.

Harry stared mournfully at her retreating back. It was over. Their friendship was over, as well as his chances of having Hermione for himself.

Upset and regretful, Harry sat back down on the grassy hill, staring out into the sunset. By now the sun was completely gone from view, but the sky was still colorful and star-free.

As Harry watched the remaining of the sunset, a tear fell on the broken locket that Hermione dropped and left on the ground. He picked it up and ran a finger over it. It symbolized his exact feelings: