“Draco, stop— please! You don’t have to do this!” Tears threatened to fall, and Hermione practically choked on her words. “I have to, Hermione! You know too much.” Harry could hardly believe what he was seeing, much less hearing, and was a step away from breaking up the feud when Draco uttered a few, simple words. “I will always love you. Obliviate.”

Draco rushed down the stairs without another glance to her. He was unsurprised when he noticed Harry on the floor below. “Take care of her, Potter. You’re the only one who can.” He said nothing more, and hurried down the rest of the stairs and out of the castle before he could regret his decision more than he already did.