"Please Granger, we don't have much time!" His desperation was evident to her, but was it just an act? Her life could depend on this moment.

"What reason do I have to trust you?" Hermione's brown orbs searched his for honesty, only breaking eye contact when faint footsteps and shouts reached her ears. Her heart clenched in fear; this was the moment of decision.

"You don't. The only way you can know I'm telling the truth and not leading you into an ambush is by coming with me." Hermione heard the footsteps rapidly pounding the stone steps leading up to the astronomy tower; she had but a few seconds.

She put her hand in his and they apparated away.

When she opened her eyes, they were all alone outside a small cottage. He didn't let go of her hand.

"You saved me."

He nodded quickly, a blush heating his cheeks. "I didn't want you to die." He started towards her suddenly. A moment later his lips were on hers and the world ceased to exist around them. Her hand quickly found his neck and where wrapped around it, one hand fingering the silky strands of his white blond locks. His fingers gently cupped her cheeks, holding her as if she was a fragile object he could snap between his fingers. He poured out all the emotion, all the feelings, that had consumed him for years. He kissed her like this was their last moment together.

"Stay safe. Please." With one last desperate kiss and searing look he apparated away.

The next time she saw Draco, he was lying, cold, unmoving on the battlefield, half buried under the body of another student. The war was won, but he was lost. A tear fell and splashed on his bloodied cheek, the only evidence of the heartbreak that came with losing someone you had only just realised to be so dear.