"Yeah. Yeah, Granger, I was. I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have kept it from you. But when I got that reply I – I couldn't give it to you. I didn't want to take that hope away from you. I didn't want to be the one to fucking hurt you again." Malfoy sinks his head into his hands, the next words muffled and wretched, choking out raggedly, his control shattered. "I'm sick of being the one who fucking hurts you." Hermione stares at him wide-eyed and wordless. She doesn't want to see him like this. Can't stand seeing him like this. He's supposed to be strong – holding them together, strong enough for both of them, keeping her safe. It feels like her universe is tipping. And then she tells herself not to be so damned stupid.