I Promise

Chapter Sixteen: "How To Deal"

A/N: Only two more chapters left (not including this one) Please enjoy & review.

): A lot of you don't understand how the story will end so quickly, but don't worry, it will.

Can I let you in on a secret?

I've started writing a sequel to this story !! This story WILL come to a closure, though. The sequel will be much more lighthearted and deal with the children of the couples. I won't give you guys the details yet. I'll tell you guys more about it later. For now, enjoy this chapter. It has D/G and H/Hr.

I'm not going to be updating again this year, so I'll see you guys in 2007.

MERRRY CHRISTMAS, and HAPPY NEW YEAR (:

Ginny rammed herself into Ron, knocking his want out of his hand. "Don't you dare ever point your wand at Draco… or me!" she screamed in Ron's ear. She ran over to Draco, and Draco put his arm around her protectively. "Do you understand me, Ronald Weasley?"

"We will snog when we want, and we will do whatever we please. Ginny isn't a kid anymore, Ron. It's time you learn that," Draco told him quietly, refusing to look Ron in the eye.

Ron didn't answer. He sat down, obviously not absorbing the news very well. His face was bright red, and he didn't look like he was going to calm down anytime soon. He glared at Ginny for another moment, and then shoved his wand back into his pocket. "I'm telling Mum," Ron threatened.

That shut Ginny up. Just the thought of Mrs. Weasley learning that her only daughter was dating a Malfoy was enough to make Mrs. Weasley crazy.

Now it was Draco's turn to get angry. "Ginny, are you never going to tell your family about me?"

Ginny looked down guiltily. "I'm not sure how they'd take the news," she admitted sadly, "They have always been enemies to your family. I don't want to break their heart."

"So basically we have no relationship?" Draco asked, confused, "We can't even tell people that we're dating?"

Ginny shook her head slowly. She gave Draco a pleading look. "Can't we keep it a secret for a while?" She turned towards Ron, who was enjoying the mini fight between Ginny and Draco. "Oh, Ron, you can keep a secret, can't you?"

"I don't think it's right to lie to Mum and Dad, Gin," Ron told her hotly, "I think either you tell them or break it off with Malfoy here." Ron gave Draco a smug smirk. Draco glared back at Ron.

Draco looked at Ginny, waiting for her to agree to introduce him to her parents. However, she didn't answer. She looked back and forth from Draco and Ron hesitantly. Draco shook his head, turning around.

"You know what, Ginny? Just forget it. This wasn't meant to work out." Draco turned around, and started walking off.

"Draco wait!" Ginny cried desperately. She gave Ron a look of disgust. "Thanks so much, Ron," she muttered.

Ginny ran, catching up to Draco. "Draco, Ron was just trying to come between us! You're giving him exactly what he's looking for."

Draco turned around so quickly that Ginny didn't have time to react. She crashed right into him, and landed in his arms. She looked up at him, but Draco ignored her glance. He regretfully pushed her off.

"You know this can't work," Draco told her softly, "Our families hate each other. You're a commitment girl, and I can't commit. I don't know what I'm doing here with you, Ginny. I can't be tied down to one person."

"People can change," Ginny said quietly, "We were doing fine so far, weren't we?"

Draco shook his head, looking close to tears. He took a deep breath. "I wanted to be something different, Red. Honestly. I thought… I thought I could change. I'm…I'm in love with you, Ginny."

Ginny inhaled sharply. Sure, Draco had told her so many times that he loved her, but this was the first time he actually sounded like he sincerely meant it. Ginny bit her lip to keep herself from bawling. "Draco, why can't we work this out? Doesn't love conquer all?"

Draco smirked slightly. "Ginny, we don't live in a fairy tale. You don't understand how hard this is for me. I've never loved anyone before, but I can't commit…not to someone who's family will never accept me."

Ginny closed her eyes, and took deep breaths. The wind was blowing lightly threw her hair. Slowly, she opened her eyes. "But I accept you. And who says my family as to accept the people I'm dating? It's…it's not like we're getting married or something. We haven't really even been dating that long."

Draco's face fell slightly, and he looked disappointed.

Ginny's eyes widened slightly. Did Draco just look disappointed? Did he want more out of their relationship? Ginny had said that they weren't dating too seriously because she thought it would satisfy Draco. It wasn't like she didn't want more out of there relationship, but Draco had just said he was a non-commitment type of person. Was Draco actually looking for more in their relationship?

"Whatever, Red, just forget it." Draco shook his head, looking down. He started walking off. This time, Ginny didn't go after him. She knew there was nothing she could do to prove him wrong.

*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*

Hermione sat in her room in darkness, staring at the clock. She had been sitting in her room for hours, and the daylight had segued into darkness. It was Sunday evening, the night Ron usually came over. However, considering the fact that Ron wouldn't even look at her, Hermione assumed he wasn't going to be coming.

Hermione looked at the cover of the latest Witch Weekly Magazine, hoping to find something to interest her. All the stories listed on the front page had to do with "looking perfect for your dream guy," and "how to make him love you even more." Hermione tossed the magazine aside, angry that it had just made her problems worse. Was her magazine trying to rub in that she was single and heartbroken?

Hermione's glanced turned to the phone. It was sitting on her desk innocently, waiting to be used. She sighed, wondering whether she should call Harry over. They were still friends, right? And they had to clear up the whole Cho fiasco.

Hermione smirked, not believing how ironic the situation was. Just days before, when Hermione had first learned the news, she swore that she'd never speak to Harry again. Now, Hermione was dying to see him. Whether they were romantically involved or not, they were best friends first and then lovers. Friendship came first.

Before pondering any longer, Hermione snatched the receiver and dialed Harry's cell phone number. After three rings, she heard Harry's voice answer the phone.

Hermione's mouth suddenly felt very dry. Was this a good idea? It wasn't suggesting anything, was it? "Uh…Hi Harry."

"Hermione," he murmured softly, his voice low and loving. Hermione could listen to his voice all day, not getting bored. It pained her how much she loved him. Even if she tried her hardest to ignore her feelings, she couldn't. They stalked her, terrorized her. She would never rid herself of her feelings for Harry Potter.

"Come over," Hermione whispered breathlessly, "Please? I need you to be with me."

"Hermione…" Harry told her softly, "I don't know if this is such a good idea. I don't know, it just doesn't feel right."

Hermione shook her head, even though Harry couldn't see her shaking her head. "Harry, just come over as my friend. Nothing more. We'll pretend it's the day before graduation, okay? Nothing has happened between us. I need my best friend."

Hermione waited for Harry's response. Harry was hesitating to respond. Was he considering coming over? Hermione held her breath and closed her eyes, imaging Harry's face. It felt like forever since she had last seen him.

Her Harry was going to be a father. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Harry was going to get married, raise his daughter and possibly have more kids… and she, Hermione, would have to watch from a distance, wishing she was the beautiful Asian girl that Harry was spending his life with.

"Open your front door, Hermione. I'm here," Harry told her through the phone. Hermione gasped, looking down at herself. She wasn't even ready yet! She had no idea Harry was going to come right over.

Hermione rushed over towards the door and opened it. Without realizing what she was doing, her lips collided with Harry's lips. An alarm went off in her head, but for some reason, she couldn't pull herself away from him. As if on cue, she reached out for her just as she reached out for him.

A few moments later, Hermione pulled away, breathless. "Harry, I'm a mess! I had no idea you'd already be over. Don't go anywhere, okay? I'll be in the bathroom for a grand total of fifteen minutes, I swear."

Harry nodded, his expression fallen. Hermione trudged off towards the bathroom. Her hair dryer was on so high that she didn't hear Harry leaving her apartment quietly.

A/N: (: That's the end of chapter sixteen. A bit short, but like I said before, the story is almost over. The next two chapters are all falling action. Tell me what you think about the sequel idea !! I think it's a good story, and I think you guys will like it also (:

PLEASE REVIEW.

THANKS SO MUCH !!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR (:

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