The Checkout Chick

Chapter One

Hermione hurried down the cobbled path of Diagon Alley as fast as she could without
running. Her long mousy brown hair had been straightened with a simple spell. She
was wearing a white three quarter sleeved shirt and black trousers. She also wore a
red tie loosely around her neck with a name badge pinned on it. This uniform was
standard dress code for the female staff of Diagon Alley Grocery Store.

Hermione had applied for a summer job there in the hope of earning some money to
put towards further education at the newly opened Hogwarts University for Witches
and Wizards. It was expensive and although her parents had offered to pay for it she
knew it would be difficult to pay it off. Therefore the new opening for a checkout
operator in the Grocery store had become very handy.

She briskly walked through the shop and into the staff room located at the back. She
saw her manager sitting down at the lunch table reading the Daily Prophet. Her
manager was Madame Gilberta. Madadme Gilberta was cranky old woman who had
the patience of a two year old and the looks of a mountain troll. It did not help that
she was good friends with Professor Snape.

“You’re late.” the old woman with grey locks snapped as she turned her neck to see
Hermione enter the room.

Hermione nodded, wearing an apologetic look upon her face, “Yes I know I’m so
sorry. My mother..” But what her mother did Madame Gilberta did not want to
know.

“Once more Miss Granger and you shall find yourself without a job. Get to work!” she
cried, her large dark brown eyes glared her up and down before returning to the
newspaper.

Hermione sighed and quickly wrote her name and the time she had arrived onto the
signing in sheet pinned on a notice board. She then walked out of the lunch room
and headed for the front of the store to the checkouts.
“Excuse me, where would I find the chocolate frogs?” asked a young boy with red
hair. He reminded Hermione of Ron. She grinned at the boy and said kindly, “I’ll
show you.”

She walked ahead to the isle with the confectionary. They had more chocloates and
lollies than Honeydukes. The variety amazed Hermione everytime she walked
through it.

She looked around for a minute and finally found what she was looking for. “Aha!
Here they are! There you go.” Hermione smiled at the boy, pointing at the large
stack of chocolate frogs. The boy grinned at her and thanked her.

“You’re welcome.” Hermione smiled. She needed to get to the register before
Madame Gilberta found her. Without looking where she was going she turned and
knocked into someone who had been looking at the Bertie Bott section.

They both fell to the ground. Everbody in the isle turned to stare at them.
Hermione’s face went bright red with embarassment. The confusion of her fall sent
her head spinning. “Ouch.” she muttered before she picked herself off the ground
and turning to help the person she had caused to fall also.

“Watch where you’re going!” a familiar voice snapped.

Hermione’s heart jumped into her throat. She knew that voice. She knew it. ‘Oh
please, not here, not here!’ she cried internally. She knew when she had taken the
job that she would run into a few people that she knew from school, but had not
expected to literally ‘run into them’.

There on the ground, getting to his feet was none other than Draco Malfoy. His
blonde hair hung lossely on his head, but due to his fall a few strands stuck up oddly
in the back. He wore pitch black robes rimmed green on his sleeves and his neckline.
He even had a tiny silver snake which hung from his left earlobe. This snake was
duplicated but in a larger size as a pendant on a silver chain which hung around his
neck. Although the whole ‘Slytherin theme’ was slightly over done Hermione
admitted that it did suit him.

He gazed up at her with large ocean blue eyes with shock then disgust. Hermione
smirked, “So sorry.” He got up. Hermione took a step back. He stood taller than her.
Ron and Harry were taller than her too but somehow when he stood in front of her
she felt as though she was being looked down on.

He gave her a loathing look before looking down to her name tag, “Work here do you
mudblood?” he hissed.

Hermione shrugged, “Yeah you know, holiday job.” she just knew he was going to
take insult her. Something about being poor or being a slave. His mouth twitched.
Hermione glared at him, “You know you want to say it. Well go on do it. I’m a poor
little mudblood who has to work to get money. Go on! I don’t care. I just know that
the money I earn is not dirty.”

Malfoy gave her a dirty look, “Dirty? You’re saying my money is dirty? How dare you,
you little...” But what exactly she was she never found out.
“Miss Granger!” a voice that sounded oddly like Madame Gilberta’s resounded behind
her. Cringing, Hermione began to speak as she turned, “I was just helping a
customer, I didn’t...” but she stopped mid-sentence as she reaslised who was really
addressing her.

“Dan! You scared me!” Hermione laughed, jumping on him to give him a hug and a
slap on the shoulder. Dan was a handsome young man of seventeen, the same age
as Hermione....and Malfoy for that matter. He had curly brown hair which did not
need to be fixed to look perfect. He also had hazel eyes and the cutest smile in
Hermione’s opinion. He wore a short sleeved white shirt and black pants. He also
wore a red tie except his was pulled up as was required. He too was a service
cashier.

Draco’s heart sunk when he saw how Granger regarded the man she called, Dan. He
did not know why his heart tugged at him. After all why should he care if she had a
thing for this guy. ‘Goodluck to her as far as I’m concerned.’ Draco thought, thinking
nothing more.

“Sorry, I couldn’t pass up the chance. Although if you don’t hurry up Madame I-
have-more-than-one-stick-up-my-arse will catch ya.” he let her go giving her a wink
before looking past her to Draco.

“So who’s your friend?” Dan asked, glancing at Draco as if he was measuring up
what sort of character he was.

Hermione turned, the smile slipped off her face. She gave Malfoy a sad almost
disappointing look as their eyes met. ‘She feels sorry for me.’ Malfoy’s mind stated to
him. This thought struck him as odd. ‘Sorry? Why on earth would she feel sorry for
me? Or maybe she’s sorry that she hit me? Or sorry that she had to even see me?’
He could not figure out which one it was so just gave her a blank expression.

“His name is Draco Malfoy and he is no friend of mine.” she said in a matter-of-fact
way as she turned back to Dan, “Come on we have to get back to work. The others
will be working flat out.” Dan nodded. He watched Hermione walk to the front of the
store.

Dan looked back to Draco, “Well nice not meeting you Draco.” Dan nodded to Malfoy
who nodded back. ‘Doesn’t seem like a bad character. No wonder Granger likes him.’
Malfoy thought sadly. Nice. Dan was nice. Did he want to be nice too? But why would
he want to do that? Being mean was so much easier and definately more fun.

Dan left Malfoy and followed Hermione to the registers. Left alone once again Draco
felt both annoyed and disappointed in himself. He had not called Granger enough
names. ‘Where’d my instant insults go?’ he thought angrily before leaving the store
with nothing. He had no intention of being served by Granger or Dan for that matter.
In fact what he needed most was to leave.

Making a mental note, not to go back to that grocery store again, he left quickly. He
chanced a look over the registers, as he left, finding Granger instantly. He did not
know why but she stood out from the rest of the girls on the registers. From that
quick glance he learnt so much more of his arch enemies best friend.
She had changed. Not mentally. ‘Well actually she probably has another few books
memorised in that overly smart barin of her’s.’ he corrected himself. But she had
definately changed physically. She had always been thin. She still was, there was
just something...he did not know what....but it was there and it was attracting. Her
hair had been straightened but he had noticed that change from their previous year
at Hogwarts.

‘I’ll figure it out. It’s not that I’m attracted to her, I’m just attracted to the fact that I
can use her new change against her. Yeah that’s right, that mudblood will pay. She
hit me onto the ground for merlin’s sake!” Draco thought angrily as he stormed down
Diagon Alley in search of his father.

Father...how he hated his father. Lucius Malfoy the biggest bully in the playground.
Yes, that was him. Voldemort’s right handed man. The man many feared. He was
rich which in turn made Draco rich. But had the mudblood been right? Did they really
have dirty money?

‘She’s just trying to get to you. There’s no such thing as dirty money. You either
have it or you don’t. In her case she doesn’t and for that she is jealous.’ Draco
thought logically. He would not and nor would he ever believe something a dirty little
mudblood said. He felt ashamed already for even contemplating it.

“I have to go back to that store. I have to find out everything she hates. This last
year of Hogwarts will be hell for her.” Draco muttered to himself, a crazy grin
spreading on his face. Yes, his plan was perfect. The only problem was he did not
know when her shifts were.

‘But hang on...she’s desperate for money. She’d be working there every night. Every
night it is then. Starting from tomorrow...Granger will regret she ever took that
stupid job.’ he thought. He could not help but let out a small laugh aloud. He could
not wait to put his plan into action. It was just too perfect.
Chapter Two

So far the only person Hermione had encountered who went to Hogwarts was Draco
Malfoy. This slightly surpised her as it was only two weeks until they all had to go
back to school. She had though the place would have been swarming with Hogwarts
students.

The rest of the shift she had on the day she bumped into Malfoy had proved
uneventful. She had served until her feet could no longer support her. Standing in
the one position for three hours straight was severly painful. She used Essence of
Murtlap to soothe her feet afterwards.

‘Tomorrow it’ll be different. You’re going out with Ginny tomorrow. No hiding, no
more hiding at home.’ Hermione thought to herself angrily. She kept mentally
slapping herself for agreeing to Ginny’s night club proposition. Hermione and night
club did not go together. It was like book and Ron or book and Harry. It was just...a
no-no.

The sound of a phone ringing disrupted her. The witches and wizards who had built
this shop had created a muggle phone system that allowed all the registers to have a
phone they could use to call for things over the loud speaker, contact the service
desk if they needed to and many other things. Hermione felt they were much more
handier than anything the wizarding world could create.

She picked it up. “Hello?” Hermione answered as she fiddled with a pen in her hand.
There were no customers in sight. It was late and most people were at home.
“Get back to work slacker.” Dan said. Hermione looked to the Service Desk and saw
Dan holding a phone to his ear. She poked her tongue at him. He looked about to
see if anyone was looking then stuck up his middle finger in response and hung up
the phone.

Hermione laughed. Dan was such a great person to work with. He could make
anybody feel better after a hard day’s work. Hermione guessed this was why he had
been employed in the first place. Everybody thought working in a grocery store was
an easy job but it was not. The amount of rude customers Hermione had come
across amazed her.

“Excuse me? Are you going to serve me or will I just have to serve myself?” a person
asked. Hermione snapped to attention without looking to see who they were.

She began scaning the items. “How are you?” she asked the standard question she
had repeated a million times over. Chips, more chips, chocolate...

“Oh not too bad, unless you count the fact that I am being served by you. The
Queen of all mudbloods.” the person commented in a casual way.

Hermione had never looked up faster in her life. Her neck screamed out in protest
with a crack but she ignored it. He was there yet again. Blonde hair, blue eyes, the
hottest guy in their year as much as she hated to admit it. Draco Malfoy.

She let out a groan loud enough for him to hear. “You again is it? Thought you would
have caught on yesterday that I didn’t want you here.” She scanned a few more
items. Milk, cheese, yogurt...

“Well for your information, I don’t take orders from anybody, least of all you.” he
sneered, leaning casually on the side of the bench where the conveyor belt ran.

“Oh really. Last time I saw, you took many orders from your father. Never heard you
say no.” she smirked, proud of her own insults. She had never known that she could
come up with anything to fight Malfoy back with.

She looked up to find Malfoy glaring at her, his blue eyes flashing dangerously. She
no longer looked calm but electric. She did not like it. It made him look much more
evil. ‘Evil little ferret.’ she thought to herself.

“Listen here mudblood, I don’t care how much you think you’re better than me. The
simple fact is that I AM better than you. The evidence is right here. I am the one
with money buying things, you are the one slaving about trying to get money.”
Malfoy stated in a cocky fashion.

She ignored him. She placed the bags filled with his shopping onto a seperate
counter to her left. She turned to zap her least favourite food. Meat. She wrinkled
her nose as she saw it. It was steak....but next to that was a whole chicked wrapped
in plastic. It made her want to be sick. She hated animal slaughtering. It was a
disgusting habit humans had and felt so angered by it. What gave anybody the right
to kill innocent animals? It was just like making house elves slaves. It was wrong.

She tried as best as she could to pick it up without touching the part where the meat
was. Although she knew it was wrapped she could not bare it. She used her fingers
tips and slowly lifted up the steak and placed it into the bag. Next was the chicken.
The chicken without the head. She could not put the chicken in with her fingertips.

Malfoy watched her with amusement. She was making a big fool out of herself.
‘Scared of meat. Who would have thought the mudblood was scared of meat?’ he
thought with a laugh. He was smirking broadly. Her discomfort was childish.

When she still hesitated to pick it up and laughed, “It’s pretty simple you know. You
just put your hands on it.” He grabbed her outstretched hands and placed it right on
the chicken. Hermione’s mouth dropped open in horror. Her insides were squirming.
She was touching it! She was touching a headless chicken! “Pick it up...” he
instructed her, forcing her to clasp her hand onto the chicken and lift it. It was all
Malfoy’s fault. He made her do this. But something stopped her from crying out. His
soft palms were over her hands. They were so smooth. “Scan it and put it in the
bag.” he finished, having to lean over slightly so his hands could reach into the bag
also. He let go and she let go. The chicken dropped into the bag.

Hermione glanced at her hands. She felt dirty. She felt so dirty! A chicken, a poor
innocent chicken and she had just picked it up and sold it. The plastic wrap had
protected her from actually touching the meat but still she felt as though she had.

She had never sold a chicken before. This happened to be her first one after a week
of working and she felt cheated that it had to have been Malfoy that she had sold it
to.

She looked up, Malfoy was smiling and shaking his head in disbelief at the same
time. She was in the frame of mind of giving him a good lecture. One he would never
forget. But the phone disrupted her again.

Hermione picked it up, her eyes firmly on Malfoy, her lips pursed angrily. He just
continued to smirk at her. “Yes?” she snapped forcefully.

The person at the other end whistled, “Someone’s in a bad mood.”

Hermione smiled slighly, “Hi Dan. What do you want? I’m busy right now, serving
someone.”

Dan sniggered, “Well yeah I can see that. You can close up after you serve that
customer. I’m going out for a pizza, wanna come?”

Hermione answered, “No, thanks. I have to go home. See you soon.” She placed the
phone back on the reciever.

She looked back at Malfoy who seemed to have lost some of happiness. “Man of the
moment?” he asked, his tone was bitter.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, “You think Dan and I are going out?” Hermione gave a
hollow laugh, “We’re just friends. Although I’m sure that word you do not
understand.”

Malfoy glared at her, “Hurry up and get these things in bags. You have got to be the
slowest checkout chick on the planet! I don’t know how you got hired.”
Hermione returned his glare and continued to scan his items. This time she went a
little faster. She wanted him out of her sight. His prescence both excited and
annoyed her. She did not understand why, but him being there made her heart do
backflips. She found their bickering funny and although it hurt to hear the mean
things he said to her, it was always fun to give Malfoy back some of his own
medicine.

“That comes to twenty five galleons and seven knuts.” she said coldly.

He smiked at her, getting out his black wallet engraved with a silver snake. He
opened it slowly. He had many cards but he took out one which was silver. It was
while he did this that she noticed he had a photo. It was of a girl although she was
too far away to see who it was. He snapped his wallet closed. Hermione sighed with
disppointment. For some strange reason she had wanted so much to know who the
picture Malfoy carried in his wallet was of.

“Any money out?” Hermione asked in the same cold tone she had used before.

“No.” he answered, placing the card in the holder and pressing a few buttons. A
receipt printed on a thin piece of parchment. She ripped it off and gave it to him.

“Have an unpleasant night.” she said with a smirk.

He gave her a you-are-so-immature expression before snatching the receipt from her
hands and saying back, “Right back at ya.”

He collected his bags and walked off, sticking his nose into the air. Hermione could
not resist her laughter. He was just so conceited and fustrating. She could not
understand how he could have summed up the nerve to come back into that
particular Grocery store.

‘He knew I worked here. What would make him come back to the place I, his enemy,
works. It’s so stupid. It doesn’t even make sense.’ Hermione thought, rolling her
eyes. She felt silly trying to figure out how Malfoy’s mind worked.

One thing was for sure, he had seemed rather pleased when he had walked out of
the shop. ‘Something’s up and I have to find out.’ Hermione concluded.
Chapter Three

Hermione woke up in her bed at her parent’s house. The sun shone through the
window. Her first thought was, ‘No work today!’ This immediately put her in a good
mood. No work meant no Malfoy. Although she did miss out on seeing Dan but she
would see him again soon. They usually had the same shift times anyway.

“Sweet heart! Ginny’s here to see you!” her mother called. Hermione raced
downstairs, ignoring the fact that she was still in her pyjamas. After all Ginny had
seen her in her pj’s before.

“Ginny!” Hermione cried with glee, giving her friend a big hug. Ginny smiled, “Just
work up did you?”

Hermione shrugged, “Well it is holdays.” Ginny nodded. Yes that was a pretty good
excuse.

“So how’s work? I still can’t believe you got a job! Can you imagine Harry or Ron
getting one?” Ginny laughed, as did Hermione, “It’s not even imaginable.”

Hermione nodded, “Yeah but I can picture them as aurors.” Ginny sighed, “Yes, or
they could become international quidditch stars. Now that would be cool.”

Hermione smiled at that thought. For Harry it would be a dream come true. But as
much as she hated to think it, she did not feel Ron would make a very good
quidditch star. He was good, but he was not that good.

“So why are you here so early? I thought you said we were going to a night club.”
Hermione asked, a little confused. Perhaps she had heard Ginny wrong.

Ginny nodded, “We are going to a night club.” Hermione raised an eyebrow and
frowned, “Ginny, you go to night club’s at night. That’s the whole point of the
name... ‘night’ club. Get it?”

It was Ginny’s turn to give her friend a funny look, “I’m not stupid you know ‘Mione.”
she rolled her eyes, “We’re going to Diagon Alley to get our school things. Might as
well get it over and done with right? Besides it gives me an excuse to get something
for tonight. Mum still thinks I’m just sleeping over your house. Honestly Dad insisted
that he come with me just to spend a night at a muggle’s house but Mum managed
to talk him out of it thank merlin.”

Hermione laughed. She could definately picture Mr.Weasley doing that. “Well let’s go
then. Erm...but how are we going?”

Ginny took a small sealed container out of her pocket, “Floo Powder. Have
a fireplace?”

Hermione nodded with a smile, “Come on. Well hang on I’ll juts get changed then
we’ll go.” It took only a few minutes to change into her clothes and they were in
Diagon Alley before they knew it.

Hermione sighed as she looked at the crowded cobbled street. “I have spent way too
much time here this holidays.”

Ginny laughed, “You’re too right. Well come on then, lets get this school stuff out of
the way so we can have fun shopping!”

Hermione nodded. They went to the usual shops to get their school stuff. Hermione
refused to get any new robes for school even though her current ones were short. It
was her last year and she did not want to waste any money.

“You know I’m thinking we should have gone school shopping after we went clothes
shopping.” Ginny commented as they carted full bags of book and other items
around.

Hermione sighed, “Here, let’s just get them out of here. I’ll send them back to my
house. Disperta school bags to the Granger’s house!” The bags disappeared and
Ginny grinned broadly, “You’re just too smart.”

Hermione laughed and together they went to a shop named, ‘Mystique’. Hermione
had never been there but Ginny swore that it was a really good store.

Upon entering Hermione was taken aback. The walls were painted black with silver
stars stuck onto them. She looked up to the roof finding a night sky filled with
planets, stars and the moon. She guessed it had same enchantment as the roof of
the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The clothes were on racks and all seemed to glitter.

“Oh Hermione look at this! It’s beautiful!” Ginny squeeled, holding up a pretty dark
blue halter top with glitter round the bottom half. Hermione nodded, taking it into
her hands to examine it closer. The material felt so light she barely realised it was
there.

“It would look fantastic on you ‘Mione. Why don’t you get it? You could wear it
tonight. I’ll get this.” Ginny said, holding up another piece of clothing in her hand. It
was a mini red dress thing that fell to her knees in waves. It was one of those outfits
that you wore jeans under. Hermione knew it would suit Ginny.

“Okay.” Hermione answered and together they went to pay for their things. The
witch serving them gave them a warm smile. The tops turned out to be a real
bargain. Hermione’s was only five galleons and Ginny’s was six.

“Father, this is a girl’s store.” a menancing voice spoke through the calm tranquil
music that filled the room. Hermione spun around to find Lucius and Draco Malfoy
standing in the doorway. Draco was looking up at the roof. He had not noticed her
prescence.

“Nonsense Draco. Look over there. Suits, girls do not wear suits. Besides, this store
is one of the only ones in this wretched street that has label clothing. You want to
look your finest don’t you?” Lucius asked with a smirk.

His father moved towards the suits before noticing the other people in the store,
which was only Ginny, Hermione and the sales woman. He stopped in his tracks. He
remembered the girl holding the blue halter top from somewhere.

Draco who had been sneering at his father, noticed that his attention had been taken
by something. He followed his father’s line of sight and spotted Hermione.

His heart jumped into his throat as it did each time he saw her since the moment she
had bumped into him in that Grocery Store. The light was dim in the room which
made Hermione’s hair shine more than it had ever done. Her eyes sparkled as much
as her top did.

“Mudblood?” Lucius muttered under his breath finally remembering where he had
seen her before. “I know you. You are the muggle friend of dear Potter. What would
the magical world do without him?” Lucius sneered, obviously enjoying himself.

Hermione gave Lucius a deathly glare, “A question I ask myself every day.” she
answered in the same tone he had used with her. Draco remained the silent admirer.
He did not know what to say. Yet again any insults he could have used against her
had been wiped from his mind.

“You have a sharp tongue mudblood. I suggest you tame it before someone cuts it
out.” Lucius spat forcefully, his hand clutched tightly at his wand. Hermione also held
her wand. If he tried anything she’d curse him.

Draco watched his father’s malicious face. He noted how ugly Lucius Malfoy looked
when he was angry. He looked back to Hermione. She was quite the opposite. Her
anger created a cute blush in her cheeks which made her look ever more tempting.
Suddenly he felt the need to talk to her. Even if he said something stupid and out of
character. He could not understand his sudden change in feelings.

“Could we leave father?” Draco asked, “I can’t shop in a place mudblood’s shop. It
just is not right.” Draco commented to his father. Lucius would surely agree to this.
He did not really mean what he asked. He just felt the need to get away from
Granger before he did anything he would regret. They had been enemies for so long
that even if his heart wanted to change their relationship it would not be possible.

Lucius smirked, “Quite right Draco. The very air in this room is contaminated by
her.” Hermione looked to Draco who could not help but give her an apologetic
glance. He felt awful, so terribly awful. The sad look on her face wanted him to take
evrything he had said against her in the past six years back.

‘What on earth are you thinking?’ Draco thought, infuriated with himself, ‘Apologise?
To a mudblood? This is getting out of hand. I have to keep away from her. Whta on
earth happened to my plan? I think it’s working against me! Damn it!’

Lucius turned sharply and walked out, Draco locked eyes with Hermione one last
time before walking out also. As he left the shop, his heart began to beat normally
once again. ‘It was just the scent in that shop. Made your mind go funny.’ he
thought, ‘Yeah that was it. The fumes.’

Hermione let out a breath she had been holding. Draco Malfoy in dim light was
almost like seeing an angel. She had ben angry at Lucius but this anger did not
surpass the crazy passion she had felt toward Draco. It had been like a passing cold.
It was there one minute and gone the next. But no matter how much Hermione
wanted to deny it, she could not. It had been there and that was a fact.

‘If only I knew why.’ Hermione thought sadly. She did not want to have a crush on
someone as snobby and conceited as Draco Malfoy. She wanted to have a crush on
someone like Dan. Yes, Dan was a cute, kind guy.

Ginny let out a small laugh. Hermione gave a her a confused look.. “What are you
laughing at?” she asked.

Ginny shrugged, “You should have seen the sparks flying from your eyes and Draco
Malfoy’s! I was scared you were going to zap the place down. Honestly...”

Hermione gave her friend a disgusted look, “Sparks? Ginny are you sure you’re not
sick?” she placed a hand on Ginny’s forehead, pretending to measure her
temperature.

Ginny’s slapped Hermione’s hand away from her, laughing hard, “I can’t believe it!
You and Malfoy! Wait until Ron and Harry hear abou this!”

Hermione’s jaw dropped, “No Gin, don’t tell them anything. They’d kill me.” Ginny’s
eyes went wide with shock, “So there IS something going on between you?”

Hermione felt like kicking herself. She had walked right into that one, “No I’m not.
Just don’t say anything like that to them ‘cause you know what they’d do.”
Ginny nodded but she could not help the feeling that she was being lied to. She knew
what she saw and it was definately not nothing. It was there. It had been there.
Sparks, sparks and more sparks. They paid for their things and left.

**Later That Night**

Hermione had been dancing for two hours straight. She loved dancing but her feet
were getting very sore. “I have to sit down!” she yelled at the boy who she had been
dancing with.

He nodded and went off to dance with Ginny whom many of the boys had taken to.
She was simply a drop dead gorgeous red head and Hermione was slightly jealous of
her friend’s good looks. If only she was as pretty as Ginny...

“Is this seat taken?” a boy with ash brown hair asked, taking the seat beside her
without waiting for an answer.

Hermione looked to him and gasped. “Dan! I never in a million years thought I’d see
you here! Ha!” She gave him a hug which he returned happily.

He winked at her as he had done so many times before. Hermione felt her insides
melt, his smile was so cute! She was disappointed by the fact that Draco Malfoy
could make her heart do backflips and yet all Dan’s smile could do was give her arms
goosebumps.

“Wanna dance?” he asked her with his cute smile plastered on his face. Hermione
shook her head, “My feet are hurting. Dancing too much tonight. How about we just
sit here for a bit?” Dan shrugged, “Fine with me.”

They sat there, silencently for a minute before Dan started up conversation, “Have
you ever been out with anyone?” She was surprised by the question. Dan was hardly
ever straight forward.

“Um...well sort of once but it wasn’t really well...it wasn’t like a real date or
anything.” Hermione said, talking about Viktor Krum.

Dan nodded, “Okay.” he seemed pleased about something. Hermione raised an

eyebrow, “Why do you ask?”

He shrugged, “Just asking...” Hermione nodded, but he had more, “Would like to go
out with me sometime?”

Hermione could hardly believe her ears. Dan was asking her out! Cute Dan, was
asking HER, Hermione Granger, out on a date. It was too good to be true. “Oh I’d
love to.”

Dan grinned happily, “Great! So do you feel like dancing now?” Hermione laughed
and nodded, her energy store had shot up when he had asked her out. She felt as
though she could dance for the whole night.

They danced to some of the Werid Sister songs, one of them was slow one.
Hermione enjoyed this the most as it gave her a chance to be closer to Dan.
‘I am so lucky!’ Hermione thought to herself, ‘But why don’t I feel that way?’ she
asked herself. Yes she was happy. She was extremely happy but she was not head
over heels. In fact she didn’t feel anything that people were supposed to feel when
they loved someone.

At that moment something Ginny had said earlier came to mind, “You should have
seen the sparks flying from your eyes and Draco Malfoy’s!” Her voice faded.
Hermione was scared. Sparks. Sparks was a symptom of love. Was she in love with
Draco Malfoy? Her head was disgusted in herself but her heart was agreeing.

But being a girl who always listened to her mind instead of her heart, she ignored
hearts desire. She forgot all thoughts of Draco Malfoy and instead concentrated on
Dan’s arms wrapped around her waist as they slow danced to a Wierd Sister song
called, ‘Denial’.

Chapter Four

“Hi, how are you?” Hermione asked politely as she began to serve an elderly woman
who was buying a lot of fruit and vegetables. Apart from meat, Hermione hated
scanning the fruit and vegetables. Although it was not because she did not like them,
it was because it took forver to type in the code and weigh them. Such a slow
process that usually got both the customer and the Checkout operator fustrated.

Hermione heard the old woman mutter something as she piled the bags of fruit and
vegetables into her trolley. Hermione’s face went slightly pink. She knew the elderly
woman was muttering something about her.

Hermione disliked people so impatient. It was not like it was her fault that she took
so long with the codes. She could not possibly know all of them off by heart and she
had to figure it out doing a handy magical spell she had come up with.

“That’s ten galleons and five sickles.” the elderly woman paid with cash. Hermione
placed them in the till and the woman took off, muttering more things under her
breath. Hermione gave her a dirty look although she knew she could not see her.
She glanced at the Service Desk. She spotted Dan serving somebody. He looked like
he was concentrating hard. She smiled at him. He turned, feeling her eyes on him.
He gave her a wink and a smile before returning his attention to the customer.

Hermione grinned broadly. She checked her watch. Only half an hour left for that
shift and then she would be going on her first date with Dan. They were going out to
dinner at a fancy restraunt open in Diagon Alley.

She heard the conveyor belt move and looked to see a pile of meat getting stacked
onto it. She groaned quietly. She looked up to the custom and threw her head back
when she saw who it was.

“Not you again! Don’t you ever give up with whatever you’re trying to do?” Hermione
asked angrily as Draco Malfoy grinned at her.

“Malfoy’s don’t give up. Besides, this is so much fun.” he continued to pile the meat
on the belt. He had filled it already.

“Well aren’t you going to start scanning? I have to put more on.” He gave her his
trademark smirk. She leaned over slightly to look at his trolley. It was full of meat.
She felt like being sick. So many dead animals! So much meat and blood.

She glanced at the meat first up. It was the steaks. ‘Good, I can do these ones. As
long as there’s no...’

“Chicken your favourite.” Malfoy held up some chickens before placing them onto the
steaks she had been about to scan.

Hermione let out a fustrated cry. She did not have to put up with Malfoy’s taunting.
He knew she hated meat and had purposefully filled a trolley with it to annoy her.
This amazed her. He had gone to great lengths to make her job a living hell. Meat
was not cheap either. But then again, he was rich and could afford to throw
money around.

“Are you actually going to eat this meat Malfoy?” Hermione asked with a glare,
“You’ll get fat you know.”

Draco gave a short laugh, “No I’m going to just throw it away. I don’t eat meat very
much.” he shrugged, “Well come on.”

Hermione’s mouth was open in disgust. He was going to throw so much money away
just so he could annoy her. “You should use your money on useful things. Like giving
to a charity.”

Draco raised an eyebrow, “Now where would the fun be in that? Besides using it for
this is useful. I get to piss you off and watch you face your worst fear.” He laughed.
His laugh caught Hermione’s heart. It was a real laugh, not one of his sniggers. He
was really laughing and really enjoying himself.

Hermione had to smile. This whole thing really was funny. Malfoy buying a trolley full
of meat to annoy her. Draco watched her smile. He had made her smile! His heart
jumped into his throat. ‘Not again.’ he thought. He found himself soaking in all her
attractive qualities.

She reached out for the chicken and without his help she picked it up and scanned it
and placed it in the bag. Proud of ehrself she went for the next one. Draco watched
her without saying a thing. He was proud of her. He really was. She was facing her
fear. He respected her. If only he could be more like her and face his worst fear...his
father.

Just as she had finally started to overcome her fear, some of the blood from the liver
in a bag squirted onto her shirt. She gasped, dropping the bag onto the ground. She
had animal blood on her! She felt sick. She looked up at Draco who was staring at
her, waiting for her reaction. Her sight went hazy and she began to see double.

Without thinking, his ran round to her side of the counter and caught her just as she
collapsed. She felt so small in his arms. He looked around, what could he do now?
Luckily, Dan had seen the whole episode and had come rushing to his girlfriend’s
side.

“She fainted, I did nothing.” Draco said quickly and Dan nodded, “Yeah I know. Here
give her to me. I’ll put her in the back. She’ll wake up soon.”

Draco nodded hesitantly. He did not want to give Hermione to him. He felt unsure
about Dan. He had seemed like a nice when he had met him but now...he didn’t
know. There was just something there. Something strangely like distrust.

He placed her in the arms of Dan who picked her up and kissed her on the cheek.
Draco’s heart sunk in his chest. So Hermione was with this Dan guy. He felt
something evil crawl up inside him. It was dangerous, a very dangerous feeling.
Jealousy...that was what it was. Jealousy.

“I’ll serve you in a minute. Just wait here.” Dan said, walking off with Hermione in
his arms. Draco nodded, looking at all the meat on the belt sadly. He felt ashamed at
himself. It was his fault that Hermione had collapsed. He should not have bought
that liver. It was going too far.

‘A few chickens would have done. Why did I have to get so much? Idiot!’ he told
himself off, leaning against the checkout.

Dan was back in one munite flat. “How is she?” Draco inquired. Dan gave him a
small smile, “She’ll be right.”

He continued where Hermione left off. He was much faster at scanning things than
Hermione was. ‘She wasn’t built for labour work.’ Draco thought. He knew what he
thought was right. She was so smart at school. Better than him in everything since
first year. Even Potions.

“So are you two going out?” Draco asked, doing his very best to control his temper
and his tone so that he would not sound jealous although he could not remember a
time when he felt more out of control.

Dan grinned, “Yeah started going out yesterday. We were going to go out on our first
date tonight. Guess that’ll have to wait.”
Draco nodded. He hated this Dan guy. He had not done anything to him. But he
hated him. He hated him more than he hated Potter. What made Dan so special?
Why did Hermione like him so much? He was nice, so what? What was so good about
nice guys? Nothing!

“Good thing though.” Dan commented, with a smirk so alike his own that it caught
him in surprise.

“Good? How so?” Draco asked, confused to what he meant. As far as he was
concerned, a girl passing out before a first date was not something ‘good’.

“I had a date with Victoria, my girl friend of three years. Hot thing she it too. Long
blonde hair, sexiest legs I’ve ever seen and eyes as green as a cat’s. Sound hot?”
Dan grinned, Draco’s mouth dropped open and Dan thought it was because of his
description of Victoria.

There it was! The thing that had made Draco feel uncomfortable about Dan’s nice
character. He knew it! He knew there was no such thing as the ‘nice guy’. He was
cheating on Hermione and she had no idea. He was torn between elation and hatred.
Elation because he could tell her that her boyfriend was a cheat and that she would
think better of him because he had told her. Hatred because of the obvious, she had
fallen for a cheat. Someone who would have broken her heart without any care for
her feelings.

“Don’t tell Hermione though, yeah? She’s a sweet thing and well...I couldn’t help but
ask her out. She told me she had only gone out with a guy once. I felt sorry for her
and she was looking so hot. We were at a nightclub.” Dan explained as though that
his excuse made perfect sense.

Draco nodded, “I won’t tell.” he said aloud. ‘Not...’ he thought with a smile.

Dan grinned, “Thanks mate. Here’s your meat. You can have it for free.”

Draco shrugged. It made no difference to him. The meat was going straight into the
bin anyway. He wheeled the trolley outside and began to pile the meat into a bin.

‘How on earth am I going to tell her?’ Draco thought. He knew she would not believe
him at first, but maybe after awhile she would. ‘I’d have to get her alone...Time to
start planning.’

He threw the last bag of meat into the bin and left the trolley next to it as he walked
down the cobbled path and disappeared to the Malfoy Manor as he did so.
Chapter Five

Hermione lay on the only couch in the staff room. She still felt sick from all the meat.
Beside that she felt very dirty. The couch she was laying on was filled with dust and
Hermione cringed when she thought of all the dirty people that had sat on it before
her.

The last thing she remembered was Malfoy’s worried face before all went black. His
expression remained etched in her mind, blinding her of her surroundings. He had
looked so concerned. It was an expression she had never seen and never dreamt of
seeing on Draco Malfoy’s face. He looked much more handsome without his usual
smugness.

‘He really is model material.’ she thought. His face and his Quidditch built body
screamed for the attention of Witch Weekly and Hermione was stunned that they had
not got a hold of him. After all he was an eligible bachelor with a great fortune to
back him up.

“Are you feeling better?” Dan asked, entering the room with a bottle of water in his
hand. He gave it to her and she smiled.

“Thank you. Yes I am a bit. I’m sorry I fainted and ruined our night. We’ll go
tomorrow though okay? I promise.” Hermione told him, feeling awful about wrecking
their first date. “Who brought me up here? Was it you?”

Dan nodded, “Yes. But lucky your friend there caught you, otherwise you might have
hit your head on the register or something. He’s a nice guy. I don’t get why you
don’t like him.” Dan commented a cute look of confusion on his face.

Hermione looked slightly shocked although inside she was appalled. Draco Malfoy
catch her? After the great efforts he had gone to just to annoy her, he had caught
her. She would have thought that letting her fall to the ground would have been a
much better end to his terrible scheme. She knew he was out to annoy her. That was
his plan. Attack her in any way possible, find out her weakness, which he had and
then move onto the kill. Luckily her weakness had led to her fainting. She could not
imagine what Malfoy’####### in for the kill’ would be.

“We’ve been enemies since our first year at Hogwarts. He is acting very different
from the way he usually acts at school.” Hermione told Dan who frowned even more.
“Then why is he different?” Dan quizzed.

Hermione could not help but blush. She did not know the reason but Ginny’s words
to her from when they had encountered Draco and his father in the clothes shop kept
replaying itself in her mind. “You should have seen the sparks flying from your eyes
and Draco Malfoy’s...” What if he did like her? What would she do? ‘Don’t be a bloody
idiot Hermione. Get a hold of yourself! Draco Malfoy, like you! Yeah, when I’m the
last person on earth...if that.’ she thought angrily to herself. Why had she been
thinking stupid things lately? It was not like her.

“Listen I think you should go home. Sleep it off and all that. Are you sure you don’t
want me to cancel your shift tomorrow? I could get someone to fill in for ya.” Dan
asked in a sympathetic tone. He was trying to get rid of her so he could go fetch
Victoria.

Hermione shook her head, “I’ll go home but I don’t want to cancel my shift. I can’t
afford to. I know I’m overworking myself. But I really do need that money. If I don’t
get into that University I could not live with myself.”

Dan gave a small laugh and rolled his eyes, “You and books, honestly Hermione your
obsession is almost unnatural.” Hermione shrugged. This was how she was and she
did not want it any different.

Hermione got up with the help of Dan but once she was on her feet, she felt perfectly
fine. “I can do it myself it’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Dan nodded and she
was off.

When she got home the first thing she did was put her shirt in the wash. The stain of
animal blood made her want to hurl but she controlled herself. ‘This fear of mine is
getting slightly out of hand.’ Hermione thought as she changed into her pajamas and
lay down on her soft, comfy bed.

Draco had been right when he had said that she needed to get over her fear. ‘But
why on earth does he want to help me? Why did he catch me? And for Merlin’s sake
why does he have to be so damn good-looking?’ she gave a frustrated sigh. Trying to
understand Draco Malfoy was like to trying to understand the way the world worked.
It was complicated, intriguing and frustrating all molded into one.

The next morning flew by quickly. She was apprehensive. Her shift was a short one.
Only two hours. Dan’s was three. She would have to wait an hour for him before she
could go on their first date. She did not mind. It would give her a chance to go to a
nice little book store in Diagon Alley that she had been meaning to check out but had
not had the chance to.

“Gawd almighty ‘Ermione you look like you need a break.” another checkout operator
piped up with an accent Hermione did not know as she walked through the staff
room and signed in. Hermione gave the blonde haired girl a weak smile. Hermione
had not talked to the other staff members too much. She just never got the time and
being a social butterfly just was not her thing. She knew only by the nametag that
this blonde girl’s name was ‘Kiamara’. ‘Sweet name for a sweet looking girl’
Hermione thought.

She did not know why but she subconsciously had a thing against blondes. This
included Draco Malfoy and Luna Lovegood. This thing was nothing personal to
anyone. Perhaps she felt jealous that guys tended to go for blonde’s rather than
brunettes such as herself.

Heading to the checkout she glanced around, hoping Draco Malfoy would not show
his ferret face. She was in debt of him. He had caught her before she had fallen to
the ground. No other person would make a big deal out of this but she just knew he
would. He would hold it against her until she repaid that debt although she doubted
she ever would.

She did spot him. He looked rather glum and was trudging along the isle which held
the butter beer. She pretended to scratch her face as she hid desperately from his
view. But he saw her. He had spotted her so quickly it was like someone had
announced her arrival on the loudspeaker. He followed her with his eyes as she
made her way to register nine. Everything inside him wanted to rush up to her and
tell her everything Dan had said the night before. But no...he could never do that.
She would never believe him. ‘Nor should she. If I were in her place I certainly would
not believe her.’ his mind explained to his heart which was begging for a reason to
escape the rational way of dealing with the situation.

Deciding to tease her some more, just to boost his happiness and ego, he walked
closer to her register. She watched him carefully. ‘He’s going to come here again. I
know it.’ she thought, her eyes locked on his. He displayed a devilish grin, slowly
walking as though time did not matter to him. Closer he came, closer and closer until
he was right next to her register and her heart was again in her throat. But he
continued, grinning more broadly as he saw the slight disappointment flash onto her
face before anger consumed it.

He was going to be served by... ‘Kiamara. Hm...nice name, nice hair, nice body.
Where on earth have I seen her before. Her eyes, green-blue...I’ve seen them
before. I know it!’ Draco thought, searching his mind desperately to put a place to
the name.
“’Ello Sir, how are you today?” her sweet voice asked with a cute accent. Draco
smiled as he loaded the conveyor belt with boxes of butter beer and other
refreshments. “Not bad Kiamara.” he spoke loud enough so that Hermione would
hear.

Kiamara grinned. Not too many people actually used their names when they replied.
“That’s very good. ‘Ave a nice night so far?”

Draco nodded, “Yes brilliant. Better than last night, that’s for sure.” he could not help
but sneak a look in Hermione’s direction. Just as he hoped, she was glaring at him,
daggers clearly in her eyes. Her knuckles were white as she tightly clutched onto the
bench. He smiled at his own ingenuity. He had finally got his ego back and was
successfully annoying his worst enemies best friend. Things were back to normal.

“Hey Draco! Nice to see you! Have you seen Hermione? I’m sure she’d love to thank
you for what you did last night. There she is! Hey Hermione, look who’s here!” Dan
cried, as he spotted Draco and then Hermione not far behind.

He had requested Hermione’s attention and she could not crawl her way out of it.
Draco who had been beaming as it was, could not hold in his delight much longer.
Hermione was going to be forced to thank him. She would be furious. His plan had
worked better than he had intended it to.

“Oh hi.” she said with a frown, she was slightly pink and by the way she pursed her
lips, Draco knew she was in a bad mood.

Dan gave her a what’s-up-with-you look and turned to Draco. “Well I’ll thank you
anyway. You’re a good guy to have around. Dunno why she hates you.” he shook
hands with Draco who continued to look at Hermione. She was absolutely fuming.

‘I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.’ Hermione’###### thought over
and over, ‘He thinks he’s so bloody good the pompous git. Oh how I’d love to just
curse him and...’ her mind continued to come up with different ways she could inflict
pain on Malfoy.

“Well I got to get back to work. If there’s anything you need just call me.” Dan made
his leave and Draco turned back to Kiamara who had nearly finished scanning his
products. “Excuse me for a minute.” he said quietly before turning around and
making a few steps in Hermione’s direction. It did take long to get face to face with
her.

“You’re loving this aren’t you Malfoy? You think you’ve won this little game you
started. Well it isn’t over. I’ll never concede defeat, never.” Hermione vowed,
heatedly.

He shrugged, “I didn’t think so. But you’re right, I am loving it. Every bit of it.” he
smirked confidently. She folded her arms and glared at him. If steam could come out
of her ears Draco was sure it would have. He had never seen her that angry before
not even in third year when she had slapped him.

But suddenly he realised why he was there in that store in the first place. Dan...the
guy he had just shaken hands with. The bastard who was dating both Victoria,
Hermione and Merlin only knew who else. He could not tell her now. Not while she
was angry at him. It had to be a time when she was happy. A time when their strong
hatred toward each other had cooled slightly. ‘Not now. But when? What if she finds
out before you get to tell her? Then you’ll have nothing to win her over. But why do
you want to win her over? Damn it, a fine mess I have got my mind into. If father
ever found out that I had these thoughts it would be the devil to pay.’

“Listen I need to talk to you after your shift.” he stated quietly to Hermione who was
clearly shocked by his sudden change of attitude. “It’s why I came here today. I
need to talk to you and I know you’re probably suspicious but it can’t wait.”

Hermione shook her head, “Even if I wanted to talk to you, I can’t. I’m going on a
date with Dan.” she smiled slightly, happy she was one up on him, “Looks like you
came here for nothing then eh?”

‘Bloody annoying...I dunno what.’ He seethed internally. “Listen this concerns you. I
don’t have to tell you, you know. But I am doing this ‘cause well...I know not even a
worst enemy can keep this quiet. If you don’t want to hear it then fine but you’ll
have to find out the hard way.” he sighed, “Such a shame.”

Her eyes narrowed at his words, “Find out what exactly?”

He smirked, happy he had finally got his way as he always did, “I’ll tell you after
your shift. Until then, keep your fly up.” he gestured to her pants. She looked down
to find her zip undone. She gasped and turned around to zip it away, extremely
embarrassed. He could hear his laughter.

“This thing you have to tell me better be good Malfoy. I don’t take time wasting
lightly.” Hermione warned as she turned around. He picked up his bags and winked
at her before leaving the store.

“One day he is going to pay for all of his smug, spoilt brat attitude and I just can’t
wait to see that day come.” Hermione muttered before getting back to work. She
had realised she had not switched on the light to her register. That was why nobody
had been coming.

‘One thing’s for sure. Tonight’s sure going to be memorable.’ she thought one last
time before forcing herself to forget Draco Malfoy.
Chapter Six

“What is it that you are desperate to tell me Malfoy ‘cause as you know, spending
time in your company is not exactly something I look forward to.” Hermione snapped
in an agitated fashion. She had finished her shift and had purposefully taken awhile
to get out of the store.

He rolled his eyes, “You’re telling me! I’m not desperate to tell you anything.” He
folded his arms and they stopped walking down the cobbled lane, which was filled
with a fair amount of people still. She did the same, glaring at him.

“You’re the one who told ME to come out here! Stop trying to make out that this
whole thing is my fault. I didn’t ask you to come into the place I work. I did not ask
you to talk to me.” Hermione seethed, trying her best to keep her anger under
control.

“Listen Granger, I had something important to tell you. It concerns you and not me.
It is entirely your fault because if you had not started this whole thing I would not
have to be standing here wasting my time with you!” Malfoy bickered, letting his
arms fall to his side so he could clench his fists.

“Oh yeah well I’ll just leave then shall I? It’s like you said I can find out the hard way
and sometimes the hard way is better than the easy way. See you later Malfoy.”
Hermione turned on her heel and began to storm off in the opposite direction. She
had no idea where she was going; she just knew she had to get away from Draco
Malfoy before she cursed him to hell.

“Wait! Damn it! Wait you stubborn know-it-all!” he went after her, grabbing her arm
and pulling her around to face him.

“Let go of me you pathetic excuse for a wizard!” Hermione struggled to get out of his
grasp but he was by far the stronger of the two.

“No. I will tell you what i have to. I just want you to promise me one thing when you
hear it.” His bright blue eyes stared carefully into her own brown ones. She had
never seen him look so concerned. ‘What he has to say must be pretty important...’
she mused.

“I want you to promise that you will consider what I say. Don’t blow it off as
nonsense. You have to understand that I’m telling the truth.” he told her carefully,
looking around to see if anyone was listening to them.

“Since when do you tell the truth?” Hermione asked. She did not believe him
already, how on earth could she believe anything else he had to say.

“I always tell the truth Granger. You’re just too full of your own self-loving remarks
in that overly big head of yours that you can’t see what other people around you do
or say.” He smirked, not able to control himself from having a dig at her.

“Self-loving? Self-loving! Look who’s talking! The guy with the biggest head on the
planet. Mr. No-one-looks-down-on-me! Mr. I-am-too-rich-I-can-waste-money-on-
anything-I-want! Self-loving! Ha!” Hermione let out a hallow laugh.

Draco clenched his jaw, pulling her arm and taking them to a nearby alleyway. Once
they were out of sight he shoved her to the brick wall forcefully.

“Listen to me and listen good. Your stupid, pathetic excuse of a boyfriend is cheating
on you. How do I know? He told me so last night after you passed out.” he told her
bluntly. Her eyes widened with disbelief.

“Dan? Now you’re really pissing me off Malfoy. Dan is the nicest, sweetest guy I have
ever met. He does not cheat on anyone. He can’t even hurt a fly, which is something
I can’t say about you. Do you honestly think I’d believe you? What are you? Insane?”
Hermione yelled impatiently.

‘So that’s what he wanted to say. That was it. Some stupid pathetic lie.’ Hermione
thought as she fumed. He glared at her, eyes flashing dangerously.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover Granger. Ever heard of that? I’m sure you would
have considering you’re married to them.” Draco asked in a cool tone.

She shook her head at him, “You have got to be the stupidest person in our year
Malfoy. It’s a miracle that you managed to pass. Next time you expect me to believe
your falsehoods, check your sources first.”

“My source is the best source I can get! He bloody admitted to it, why can’t you get
that through your thick head? He said he was cheating on you. Someone named
Victoria if memory serves correct. Are you so naïve that you are blind to the way
some people’####### work? Did you not ever hear that story when you were
little?”

“What story Malfoy?:” Hermione snapped, her face was bright red and her eyes were
boggling out their sockets. Her patience was about to snap.

“About bad people trying to lure children into their cars by offering them lollies? To a
child they’re friendly people and they’re desperate for those lollies so they just go
with them. You’re the same. You’re like a child. You can’t see anything but the lollies,
which in this case is Dan’s love. But you can’t see what Dan is hiding. You can’t
understand that he’s a bad person.” Malfoy explained to her. Hermione listened to
him. What he said sounded right but she refused to believe it.

“I don’t care if you think I’m a child Malfoy. Your opinion does nothing for me. What I
want to know if why you needed to tell me this so desperately? What’s it to you if
I’m dating someone who’s cheating on me?” It was the big question and Draco
immediately blurted out his answer.

“Because I love…” he froze and so did she. Draco mouth was left slightly open; her
eyes were wide with shock. Both of their hearts were hammering fast. Draco was so
shocked, ‘You bloody idiot! Why the hell did you go saying that? You nearly wrecked
everything!’

“I mean because I love seeing you pissed off.” He stammered after a few seconds
silence. Hermione was breathing hard. He was lying they both knew it. He was more
annoyed at himself than anything else. But she was scared. She had never felt so
scared in her life. Draco Malfoy…love her? Well that was what she was sure he was
about to say.

“You like seeing me pissed off? Well the feeling is mutual. Glad we have that sorted
out.” she rolled her eyes, in a desperate attempt to seem calm and collected, “Now if
you don’t mind, I’m going to be late for a date with Dan.” Hermione said coolly,
brushing past him and walking out of the alleyway. Draco continued to stare after
her, even when she was out of his eyesight.

He loved her and he had just about admitted it to the girl herself! Things were
getting really twisted and he did not like it one bit. But something he disliked even
more was the fact that she had refused to see reason. He knew he could not blame
her but he hated it just the same. She loved Dan and that was that.
Chapter Seven

Draco sat in his bedroom, gazing out into his window at the dark night sky. The
moonlight streamed through it, creating a soft blue light in his normally dark room.
The Malfoy manor was silent.

His father was at a meeting with his fellow death-eaters. Voldemort’s downfall had
them at loss at what to do. Should they elect a new leader or allow their group to
disband. Draco was very sure that even if he was the only one left, Lucius Malfoy
would never back down. He would fight for the dark side until his death.

Draco’s thoughts, however, were far from his father, Voldemort or his followers. He
was thinking of a mudblood. A mudblood who made his blood boil. He still could not
understand the exact time where he had begun to feel...pleasant...to his former
enemy. He could not call it love. He could not even say he ‘liked’ her. He did not. Nor
did he hate her. This was what had him confused. His feelings towards her were
neither here nor there. He had absolutely no idea how to treat her anymore.
Angering her was fun, but not in the way it used to be.
‘This is pathetic. What am I supposed to do? Tell her I don’t hate her? Yeah, Draco,
but what will her next question be? Why? You can’t even answer that yourself!’ he
thought, the urge to put his fist through the wall next to him was strong. He was
pissed off...no he felt even more than pissed off. He felt an overpowering anger and
it was not to her or to himself. It was to his feelings and the way he could not work
them out.

‘What if you really do like her and you’re just trying to block it out?’ the thought
came to him, but he immediately shook it out of his head, ‘No, that’s not right. It’s
probably just because you’ve seen her so often lately that you’re starting to
understand her as a person not just as Pot head’s mudblood girlfriend.’ He smiled
wryly at the thought. What would wonder boy think if he knew his best friend had
seen him so often on her holidays? He allowed himself to chuckle for a few moments
before his anger beset him again.

He remembered her words as clear as day. She wanted nothing to do with him, that
was very clear. ‘She’ll find out about Dan soon enough, then she’ll be sorry. She’ll
feel really stupid then.’ he nodded to himself.

The images he had of her were etched in his mind. If somebody asked him for a
description of her he felt he could give it better than the Weasel or Scar head. Her
cute freckles on her cheeks, her chocolate brown eyes, so trusting and yet daunting
all the same. He could smell her fruit scented hair, his senses becoming hazy. Her
rather well developed body and how her uniform suited her so well. She was
beautiful, not even an enemy could deny that.

‘You’re going too far, just don’t go to that store anymore.’ his mind instructed him
wisely. But his heart disagreed, desperate for any excuse to see her again, ‘Yes but
you’ll see her at school anyway and besides that if you don’t go there, you’ll give off
the impression that she won. We wouldn’t want that now would we?’

He rolled his eyes at the fight going on inside him. It was completely pathetic. He
should not be thinking of her in the first place. He should never have tried to warn
her of Dan either.

‘Because I love...’ his near confession came back to him. He cringed as he saw the
horror stricken look on her face. He could have sworn that he had seen ‘want’ in her
eyes but he had thought that over and decided it was only his want to see that in her
eyes. Something he had made up to console his distraught thoughts.

‘She doesn’t want me. She never did and she never will. We’ve been enemies ever
since first year. Nothing, absolutely nothing can change that. Stop thinking of her,
close your eyes and go to sleep.’ his brain instructed him.

He closed his eyes but sleep would not come to him. Closing his eyes seemed to
make his thoughts go even more wild. He could see her more vividly, could smell her
more vividly. Her soft arm when he had grabbed her. His face so close to her own as
they bickered.

An idea suddenly came to him. Another trick he could play on her. He smiled, all
thoughts of hating her and never visiting her again faded. This trick would annoy her
and scare her if all went well. Grinning broadly into his pillow, he finally could sleep,
his plan and thoughts of her whirled around in his dreams.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“A table for two please.” Dan told the blonde girl at the desk. She nodded, showing
them to their table. Hermione and Dan had gone to the famous restraunt, ‘The
Muggle Way’. This restraunt was famous for its completely muggle delicacies.
Hermione thought it would be a lovely little place to take Ron and his family.
Mr.Weasley, she was sure, would find it quite appealing.

“So Hermione, what would you like to order?” he asked her with his cute smile, his
dimple on his chin could be seen in the soft candlelight.

Hermione smiled at him. Thoughts of Draco Malfoy and what he had said were still
fresh in her mind. She was still reeling with anger. How could he have said such
things about Dan? He really was the nicest person she had ever come across. When
she had been fighting with Draco, she had begun to doubt herself, his presence had
been driving her insane. Draco good looks allowed him to get whatever he wanted
when he wanted. She had won their dispute, she had refused to let Draco Malfoy get
the upper hand.
Gazing in Dan’s face she was even more assured of Dan’s reliability. He was the very
image of the sort of guy she would like to spend the rest of her life with. Draco was
extremely good looking, but he lacked the personality, which she craved. Dan
seemed to have this personality in bucket loads.

‘If only Draco and Dan could be put together. Then you’d have the perfect man.’
Hermione could not help thinking as she ordered the pasta without the mincemeat.
Dan, fully aware of her vegetarian tendencies, decided to order the same. The last
thing he wanted was for her to faint again.

“So what do you want to do when you’ve finished school?” Dan asked her, she
shrugged, “I’m not really sure right now. I guess I wanted to be an auror but I’m not
sure if fighting is really for me. I’m more of a scholar than a warrior if you know
what I mean.”

Dan nodded, “Yeah labour work does not seem to agree with you. I don’t know why
you continue with being a checkout chick. It’s for the dumb girls who are too stupid
at school to do anything else. You’re far from dumb ‘Mione.”

Hermione blushed furiously, “Being a checkout girl is not for dumb girls. Some
people just aren’t gifted at doing school work...”

“Unlike you.” Dan interrupted and Hermione became even more flushed. “No, I’m
just saying. I mean look at my friends. Harry and Ron are good at the warrior, hero
stuff. I’m only there to help them to give them a logical thought on things. What I’m
trying to say is I’m pretty useless at the physical things. So back to your original
question. I think I’ll end up doing an office job at the Ministry.”

Dan scoffed, “You want to work at a place like that? Come on! You’re MUCH better
than that. Those fools at the Ministry have no idea what they’re doing. Don’t be a
fool.”

Hermione frowned slightly. Apart from the Ministry’s rather rude treatment of Harry
in the past few years, she did not have anything against them. In fact, from
everything she had heard, having a job at the Ministry was something to be very
proud of. ‘An honour.’ Percy Weasley had once described it as.

“You can’t seriously be thinking of going there? Why don’t you start up a business? A
book store!” Dan suggested. Hermione shook her head, “No, I don’t want a shop.
Being at the Ministry will allow me to develop my skills. Maybe even working for the
Daily Prophet. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I could be the first reporter who does
not lie!” Hermione smiled.

Dan shrugged, clearly not happy with her career ideas, “Excuse me for a minute will
you? I need to remind the chef that we don’t want meat. You know how they can
ignore those things.” Hermione nodded, taking a sip of the water in her glass.

‘Why do I get the feeling he wasn’t being straight with me?’ Hermione thought, the
feeling of being lied to was getting to her. She looked around the restraunt. It was
filled with couples of all ages. ‘Don’t be stupid, it’s just Malfoy’s words getting into
your head.’ she reassured herself.

‘Your stupid, pathetic excuse of a boyfriend is cheating on you. You’re a chld. You
can’t see what Dan is hiding. You can’t understand that he’s a bad person.’ Draco
words cried in her mind over and over like a broken record. She could not ignore
them any longer.

She stood up and walked around the tables until she reached the kitchen. She
glanced through the circular plastic window on the door. Once look confirmed her
worst fears. Dan was not there.

“Calm down Hermione. He probably went to the toilets.” she muttered to herself.
She was about the walk through the small corridor, which led to the toilets when she
heard Dan’s voice.

“Yeah I know dear. I can’t get home right now, I’m working but I promise I’ll be
there soon. Yes, they made me work overtime.” he was talking to someone.
Hermione peeked around the corner. Dan was using the public phone fixed on the
wall. He seemed rather agitated, he was facing the other way but by the way he
stood she could tell. She had seen him angry before when he was dealing with
stubborn customers. He stood just as he did now.

‘He’s probably just talking to his sister or mum or something.’ Hermione tried to
make excuses. But dear, was certainly not a word Hermione could picture Dan using
with his Mother of his sister. That nagging feeling that Dan was lying to her was
tugging at her again.

“Of course I love you. I’m going to marry you aren’t I? Listen I really have to go. I’ll
be there soon!” Dan cried, he glanced over his shoulder and Hermione moved back
just in time. She did not look back. She leant her head against the wall for a few
moments. She could still hear Dan’s voice but it was very distant from her now. Her
thoughts were louder and clearer.

Tears were brimming in her eyes. She did not want to cry, but it seemed her body
needed to. She fought with her tears and her thoughts as she ran from the restraunt
and out into Diagon Alley. She let her tears run freely. Sobbing every so often.
‘Draco Malfoy was right. He was right. You were wrong. You let your love for Dan
blind you to the truth. Draco Malfoy was right! How could I ever face him again? He
would jump at any chance to humiliate me. He had been right...’ Hermione kept
thinking and repeating in her mind. She did not know where to turn. Everything in
Diagon Alley reminded her of either Dan or Malfoy. She wanted to get away.

Closing her eyes and visualizing her room, she disapparated. She hated Dan, she
hated him more than she had hated anyone, even Malfoy. Malfoy may have been
conniving, scheming, disgustingly rude, but he had never lied to her. Lying, was in
Hermione’s books, the worst habit a person could have.

Astonishingly she was grateful to Malfoy. He had warned her and Hermione was sure
if she had not received that warning she would have been in more of a mess than
she had been then. Perhaps it had been kama? She had slightly believed Malfoy’s
words and her thinking of them on her date had caused it to become a reality.

Whatever it was, she owed Draco Malfoy. She owed him a favour and an apology and
she did not wish to fulfill either. Her pride and dignity would never allow it.

‘I won’t think of him. I’ll think of how much that thing...that bloody asshole called
Dan, hurt me. I hate him. I can’t believe he did it. I can’t believe he lied!’ the
thought frustrated her more. What caused her the most woe was the fact that she
had never seen it herself. She had always seen Dan as a caring, loving, kind person.
How wrong she had been, and how wrong Malfoy had proven her.

Chapter Eight

She had black bags under her eyes and her expression was solemn. She was tired.
She had to be careful because if she closed her eyes for too long she felt as though
she would fall asleep. It had been a whole week since she had bumped into Draco
Malfoy which she saw as the starting point of the mess she had put herself into. But
then, if she had not bumbed into him, she would never have found out about Dan
cheating on her.

She had felt so terrible that morning as she got ready for work. For the first time
ever she did not want to go. She knew Dan would be there, although she was hoping
he would take the day off. She had left without explanation and he would want to
know why. She did not think she could face him without slapping him, or punching
him. But amazingly she had been able to explain to him that she knew of
his girlfriend or rather his fiancee and that she never wanted to go out with him
again. He understood well enough.

She had a four hour shift. During this shift she served many people in her year,
including Dean Thomas, Seamus Finningin, Lavender Brown, Pavarti adn Padma Patil
and Neville Longbottom. She had yet to see Harry and Ron but thought it would only
be a matter of time.

Many of the customers had asked her if she was feeling well. She did not quite
understand what they meant by it, but taking a look in the mirror on her short toilet
break, she soon figured it out. There was nothing. No magical spell or concoction and
no muggle remedy which could cure heart break. For she was indeed heartbroken.
Dan had been the first real guy, apart from Viktor Krum, that she truly felt a
connection to. It broke her heart that Dan thought she was so easy to manipulate
and con. Hermione had half a mind to find this Victoria and tell her what a cheat her
fiancee was. She thought better of it. At least one of them should be happy.

“Hello.” Hermione stated shortly. She had no kind and friendly greeting for anybody
today. She was sad and although the rules were that she was to act happy and kind
to the customers at all times, she could not bring herself to put a smile on her face.
She was depressed so why should anybody else in the world be happy?

She reached out for the first item the customer had placed on the belt. It was
sausages tighly sealed in plastic. These she had no problem with. But she looked on.
Piles of meat. Her heart immediately began to race at a million miles a minute. She
was afraid to look at them properly just incase it was him so he looked at the person
quickly and looked back down. All she had been able to recognise was blonde hair.

“Why are you here?” she murmered, close to tears again. Everytime she thought of
Draco Malfoy she thought of what he had told her about Dan. The truths that he had
brought to her attention still hit her like a gale force wind.

“Excuse me? I am here to shop for food. Isn’t that what you sell here?” the voice
asked. Hermione looked up again and this time kept her eyes on him long enough to
see who he was. It was not Draco Malfoy as she had expected but a blonde boy who
looked remarkably like Draco. He had the same icy blue eyes and soft blonde hair
which was no longer slicked back. His skin was pale and he had a pointed noise. He
even had the same snobby air about him.

Hermione glared at him slightly before answering, “Yes we do sell food and
numerous other things.” she snapped, looking back at the meat and picking it up
with no trouble. The last tiem she had scanned so much meat she had fainted. ‘And
into Draco Malfoy’s arms apparently.’ Hermione thought with a sour taste in her
mouth.

The teenage boy in front of her smirked that same confident smirk that Hermione
had seen Draco use so often with her. It was disturbing how much he looked like
Draco. She scanned another item then looked back at him. He was finding her bad
mood entertaining and was silently laughing, leaning against the silver bars which
separated two registers.

“What is so funny?” she seethed, her jaw was clenched and the way she picked up
the meat and dropped it into the bag gave away her mood.

“When you look angry, you’re face goes so red it looks like a tomato.” he chuckled,
rather amused by his own snide remarks.
She was fit to burst. If there were not customers waiting in line she was sure her
fuse would have blown and she would have charged at him like a bull seeing red.
Hew as infuriating! He was gorgeous! He was an absolute snobby bastard. He was so
like Draco Malfoy!

“Well come on! Look how long your line is!” he snapped her out of the menancing
glare she had been giving him as she thought of what he was. ‘Must keep cool...’
Hermione warned herself as he continued to laugh at her.

Five items left to go and she was unable to control a loud sigh of relief when she was
finally up to the bit where he had to pay. “Glad to see me leave? After all the things
I’ve had to do for you and not a single word of thanks. You should be kissing the
ground upon which I walk.” the boy remarked, his nose high in the air, his sharp
stare staring down into Hermione’s soul. He could see right though her.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed and before she knew what was happening the boy in front
of her began to transform. The customers behind him gasped, some even clapped
another sighed in awe. In a matter of seconds none other than Draco Malfoy stood
before her.

“Surprise.” he threw his arms wide, gave a bow to her and then to the customers in
line. Everybody but Hermione clapped and cheered.

“You’re an animageous?” Hermione gasped, completely shocked and overawed. He

looked back to her and lifted an eyebrow. “Animageous? No, you’re smarter than
that Miss Granger. I’m rather fond of the polyjuice potion if you’re so interested to
know.”

Hermione shook her head at him, “That’s illegal and you know it.”

He shurgged, “So did you but that didn’t stop you from using it and you were what,
four years younger than I am now?”

Hermione’s eyes widened, “You knew?”

Draco gave a hollow laugh, “Of course I knew! When Crabbe suddenly start sprouting
Weasley’s hair, I knew. Weasley’s hair colour is one of a kind. Besides if I was so
stupid to not see that, perhaps Goyle suddenly obtaining Potter’s one-of-a-kind scar
might have given away your secret. Either way I knew.”

Hermione slightly blushed, “Why didn’t you tell anyone? Surely it would have been a
great honour for you to report it to your dear Professor Snape. Or perhaps even your
father?”

The smile slipped from his face at the mention of his father, “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” she asked with a playful grin, “Mention your...father?”

He glared at her and she smirked, about to say something else but was cut off.
“Excuse me, that was a wonderful display.” the elderly man said without any
pleasentness to his face. It was obvious that he did not find Draco’s transformation
wonderful in the least. “But I am in a hurry here and I can’t wait around all day.” he
finsihed with a snap.
Hermione was quick to apologise, “I’m so sor...”

“Silencio!” Draco cried, his wand pointed at the old man. He could no longer speak
and looked rather furious. Hermione turned on Draco.

“What do you think you’re doing? I could get sacked for this!” Hermione moaned
angrily. She looked over to the service counter and was glad to see that nobody had
noticed her predicament.

He shurgged, “Nothing to be angry about. In fact I would be doing you a favour.”

Hermione cringed at the word ‘favour’. He noticed and grinned broadly. “Ah yes,
favours. You’ve been getting a lot of those from me and by your appearance I say I
was proven right about what I told you last night?” Hermione clammed up.

He shook his head slightly, he smiled so that he exposed his gleaming white teeth,
“Meet me outside after your shift and we’ll go for a little walk.”

Hermione opened her mouth ready to resist this before he spoke above her, “Where
you can thank me properly.”

He gave her the money he owed her for his shopping and undid his silencing spell on
the old man who began to shout insults and threats at him.

“See you later Miss. Granger.” he winked at her than strutted off with his shopping
bags. Hermione watched him, even as she served the old man. He was threatening
to dob her in but she was far away. She did not hear him. She watched Draco as he
was outside. She saw through the see-through glass Draco throwing his shopping
bags full of meat into the rubbish bin then walk off into the busy street of Diagon
Alley.

Chapter Nine

“So what is this all about Malfoy? I know your stupid little pranks are to annoy me
but honestly aren’t you going out of your way here? I know if I was you I certainly
would not be putting so much time and energy into making my enemy feel
annoyed.” Hermione said as calmly as possible as they, for the second time, went for
a walk down Diagon Alley.

He did not answer. They continued to walk and Hermione was getting more
frustrated by the minute. He had asked HER to go on that walk not the other way
round. It was his idea. Did he just want to walk around with her without saying a
thing?

“Speak Malfoy. I’m not going any further unless you tell me why I’m out here. I want
to know why on earth I agreed to walk around with you.” Hermione stopped in her
tracks, crossing her arms over her chest to further emphasize her annoyance and
stubbornness.

He stopped also but instead of looking at the ground as he had been the whole time
they had been walking, he stared at her. His expression was grave. He gave no
indication as to what was disturbing him. In Hermione’s eyes he looked confused,
mad and deranged. It was almost like he was in a situation he could not control. But
this thought was brushed off. ‘There’s nothing Malfoy can’t control.’

“If I knew the answer to that question I would not be here at all.” Draco said softly.
Hermione’s eyes widened. His voice had never sounded so affectionate before. For a
few seconds Draco Malfoy appeared to be like a normal teenage boy who understood
nothing of his emotions but believed he knew everything of the world.

“Then what is the purpose of this?” Hermione asked, motioning her hands from
herself to him, “What is the point of dragging me out here for a conversation you
don’t even know is about. Is it to find out the answer from me?”

He shrugged, “Maybe you do have the answer but you’re just not willing to share it
with the rest of the class?” he grinned at her as he said his little pun.

She rolled her eyes, “Well so sorry to disappoint Malfoy but I don’t have the answer.
So if you would excuse me I have better things to do than trying to find out what is
the cause of your distraction and obvious disturbance.”

Suddenly awareness beset Draco’s body. He knew the answer the moment she had
said, ‘distraction’. It had been so obvious and yet he had denied it for so long. Denial
he still strongly had against his sudden brain wave. She was distracting him. He
could not call it love. ‘Not love, something...different. But definitely not hate either.’
he thought.

She was gazing at him with curiosity. He threat to leave had been forgotten.
Suddenly she wanted to know everything about him. She wanted to know what was
in his mind. She wanted to know why he was so mean to her all those years. She
wanted to know who the girl was in his wallet. She wanted to know who it was he
had used the polyjuice potion to transform into. There were millions of questions yet
the only one she could muster enough courage to voice was, “Do you hate me?”

He looked straight into her eyes. He had been stunned and caught off guard with her
question. He was stunned even more but his answer, “No I don’t hate you.”

The bustling crowds of Diagon Alley felt out of the picture. There they were standing
in the middle of Diagon Alley revealing things they had never thought possible whilst
innocent people shopped. It seemed insane.

“Let’s go somewhere a little less...erm...crowded?” Draco proposed, without taking

her arm as he had done on their previous walk. They walked quickly to the nearest
alleyway which just happened to be the same one they had been in before.

“Can’t you just tell me what it is I’m doing that has stopped you from hating me? I
can’t remember doing anything that might have made you feel...erm...happier
towards me.” Hermione asked quietly, tears shining in her eyes. She had no idea
why she was about to cry. He had only told her that he did not hate her. Isn’t that
what she had always wanted? For them to get along. For the bickering to stop? But
now that it had come about she wanted to go back. She felt uncomfortable around
him when he was not telling her what a filthy mudblood she was.
He frowned at her, “I don’t know okay Granger? I just know I don’t hate you. Maybe
it’s because Potty and Weasel aren’t around to stop me from actually talking to you.
I don’t really know you, you know. I mean it is possible that we have things in
common.” Draco suggested to Hermione’s disgust.

“Common? Us? Ha! We’re as far from common as King to peasant. There is NOTHING
in common between us. Why can’t you just hate me again? I liked it better when you
hated me.” Hermione lied, desperate for something normal to take place.

He could tell straight away that she was lying but chose not to expose it. “I brought
you out here so that you could thank me for trying to tell you about Mr. Sleaze. Or
do you not remember my latest favour to you?”

Hermione blushed slightly, “I...well...”

He rolled his eyes, “It’s pretty simple Granger. You just have to say two words.
Thank you. Simple really...”

She smiled. He was being normal again, he was teasing her. She could have shouted
out with trimaphance but was composed enough to realise it would be pretty stupid.

“Thank you Malfoy for being an insencere prick and telling me blandly about Dan
being a cheat. It was really great to hear it from someone like you. Would have
made my day if I had not found out first hand that night.” Hermione said
sarcastically.

The smile on his face slipped and instead a glare replaced it. “I never had to tell you
Granger. I did you a favour. Don’t expect me to tell you every time your boyfriend
cheats on you ‘cos I’m willing to bet it’ll happen pretty often.”

It was Hermione’s turn to be shocked and disgusted, “How DARE you! You really are
an insolent bastard. I bet the reason you come here every day to piss me off is
because you have no life. I mean this is what your father does for a living right?
Instead of bashing up first-years he kills innocent people. You two are practically
identical!”

He was steaming with anger now. She, not Potter nor Weasley could get him riled in
this manner. Perhaps this is what attracted him towards her? Her ability to fight him
back with words and not physically as so many other had done.

“You may be smart in the classroom Granger but outside you’re as dumb and
ignorant as Longbottom. My father, for your information, is nothing like me. I am
reminded of this every day and have been reminded of it for my entire life.” Malfoy
said boldly and yet Hermione could still detect sadness in his tone.

Hermione was slightly ashamed by what she had said. She had no right to talk about
his father in such a way. Yet he was so nasty and mean to her...she had no other
choice. “Is your father really as horrible to you as you and others let on? I mean I’ve
met the man and honestly I don’t think he is capable of love or kindness.” She had
often thought about this. Lucius Malfoy was certainly a treacherous creature and it
was an amazement to her that Draco was still alive and before her. Thoughts of how
Draco must have suffered whilst he was a child made her shudder.
He leant against the wall behind him. “Think of how I treat you and times is by
infinite and then you may get close to how horrible he is Granger.”

Hermione could not help a little gasp. It may have been quiet but it had been audible
enough for him to hear. His heart hammered in his chest. Was she really feeling
sorry for him? He certainly hoped so. ‘No you don’t hope so! You would hate to have
her sympathy!’ a voice inside him cried. But Draco was getting impatient with this
voice. He wanted it to go away so that he could think for himself and act on his
feelings instead of throwing them away.

“Why don’t you run away? Stop talking to him, or having any contact with him?”
Hermione asked, trying to think of a way he could get out of it.

“And go where?” he asked as Hermione looked stumped. There was no-where to go,
he had realised this so many times.

“Hogwarts is the only place I can go and we’re going there in a few days for the last
time. This will be the final year I can get away from Lucius. After that...he’s going to
be there forever.” Draco’s words set him on a wild journey to what he thought would
be his future. He could see himself following in his father’s footsteps. He was a mere
shadow of his former self. He was everything his father wanted him to be. Rich,
successful and everything that entailed the meaning of evil. It was his worst
nightmare.

Hermione had never felt as sorry for him as she did now. She wanted so much to
give him a hug and tell him it was going to be okay. There was no such thing as okay
for Draco Malfoy. There was no okay in his situation only death, destruction and
pain. She looked up at him to find tears streaming down his face. He was crying and
in front of her of all people.

She could not stop herself then...she could not stand stupidly and watch him as he
thought of his horrible future which his father had in store for him. She just had
to...hug him, even if he did not want to be hugged.

She put her arms around him and hugged him, patting his back ever so slightly.
“There is no such thing as can’t. You can get away from him, I know you can.”
Hermione whispered in his ear. Then without further ado, he too put his arms around
her and hugged her.

Hermione’s mind was set of overdrive. She was hugging Malfoy. Malfoy was hugging
her. In the middle of an alleyway with no-one to be seen. Malfoy was crying. It was
all so surreal and insane. Never had Hermione thought she would be doing this.

“I do thank you for telling me about Dan. If you hadn’t I would have had to deal with
it ten times as worse.” Hermione whispered and Draco’s embrace suddenly became
tighter.

“You’re welcome.” he whispered back to her. She leant her head on his shoulder. He
had stopped crying but she still wanted to be close to him. She felt so good being in
his arms. His cologne scent was making her mind go funny. She had lost all
sensibility. She liked being hugged by him and she embraced the felling fully without
any objection.
He had never been hugged before in his life. This was his first hug. His mother had
never hugged him, his father...well need there be an explanation there? Nobody
ever...and for the first time in his life...his body tingled with happiness. He never
thought a simple hug could feel so good.

She let go slightly so that they were still embracing each other some-what but also
able to see each other face to face. She could see in his eyes that hunger and need
to be loved. She did not hate him. She did not love him. She liked him a hell of a lot
as she was sure he felt towards her.

‘What about Ron? What about Harry? What about everyone belonging to the good-
side. The order? Am I betraying them?’ Hermione kept thinking. Her feelings and
emotions were scattered in all different directions. Pretending to hate Draco was so
much easier than liking him. But she could not ahte him and she was sincerely sorry
if she was betraying her friends. She was only giving into her feelings and as far as
she was concered it was not a crime.

“I...I love you.” he whispered in a choking voice. Hermione’s mouth dropped open a
little. She was shocked, just as shocked as she had been when he had nearly
admitted this not long before. She had not thought he had held these feelings
towards her. Not ever.

“How can you love me? I’ve done nothing but hate you just as you have to me.
There is nothing between us that can make you feel this way.” Hermione stressed,
almost pleading for an answer. He shook his head slightly.

“But there is something between us. Only you can’t see it yet.” he whispered and she
could not help but get sucked into his words and begin to believe him. She saw his
face edge ever so closer to her own. Everything inside her told her her to move back,
but she could not. Shock caused her to stay frozen to her spot. Her arms still around
his back.

She felt herself getting closer to him and not in just a physical sense. She was
beginning to understand why he acted like he had all those years. She was
understanding the enemy. The saying was ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies
closer’ But she was sure it did not mean physically closer. Apparently this did not
apply to Draco Malfoy...

Closer and closer he came. Her eyes were wide with horror. She knew what he was
about to do...she knew it was going to happen. Any moment...any moment. There!
His lips melted onto her own and she found that her body was no longer rejecting his
advanced but rather rejoicing. Her senses which had been playing up were sent wild.
She felt as thought she knew every little secret of the world. She felt invincible. His
kissing was invoking euphoria and it was something she was desperate to keep
inside her. She loved how he was making her feel. His lips against her own, his
tongue slwoly crawling into her mouth like a little snake made her want to cry out
with happiness.

Her mind screamed out, ‘No! He’s your enemy! Your enemy! No! No! No!’ Hermione
was not listening. Her hearts words were louder and stronger and made more sense
to her than her mind’s did. Her heart was telling it was right. Her heart was telling
her their embrace and their kiss was right. There was nothing wrong. They were
sharing a kiss. Two enemies were sharing a kiss. It was right...or was it?

Chapter Ten

Footsteps were suddenly heard and Draco and Hermione flew apart. They both
looked at the only entrance to the alleyway, their hearts hammering.

Suddenly Ginny emerged, shocked seeing them alone, in an alleyway. “Hermione?”

she asked in a puzzled tone. Hermione was breathing heavily, recovering from their
heated kiss and her fear of being found out by Ginny.

“Hi Ginny. Draco and I were just talking...I mean Malfoy and I were just talking.
What are you doing here in Diagon Alley?” Hermione asked in the best casual voice
she could come up with. Ginny continued to give her a puzzled look. Draco was
looking at her also with wonder.

“Oh I came with Harry and Ron. They still had to get their things, you know how lazy
they are. It’s great seeing you...” Ginny said, giving Malfoy a frightened look before
looking back at Hermione. Hermione had never felt like disappearing more in
her life.
“Yeah, I’ll hang out with you guys in a minute I just need to finish talking to Malfoy.
Er...Ginny...” Hermione said softly before approaching her friend to whisper in her
ear, looking in Malfoy’s direction as she did so, “Can you not mention Malfoy to Ron
and Harry? I’ll explain everything later I promise.”

Ginny nodded, mischievously smiling to her friend before departing. Hermione

scowled at her friend’s behaivour. She knew exactly what had made Ginny smile.
Ginny knew what was going on, being the catalyst for mentioning Draco’s attraction
in the dress shop.

“Listen...” Hermione began but he cut her off with a sad, disappointed glance,
“You’re going to run off aren’t you? Always on the run, without ever stopping to look
around you to see what you’re missing out on. I get it Granger.”

Hermione’s heart broke at his tone of voice, “You know we could never do this. It
would be a fool escapade if we did and I know we’re not fools.”

“Why, pray tell me, did you submit just then? Why did you kiss me Hermione if you
knew we could never do this? Was that not foolish of you?”

Hermione nodded, “Yes that was foolish of me but I won’t be as foolish again.” He
smirked at her, brushing off her reluctance and walking steadily towards her, “But
what if I tried it again? Would you be able to resist?”

Hermione’s heart began to hammer again. She was scared by the mad glint in his
eye and his ever-approaching body. ‘Oh please don’t do this. I don’t want to. Don’t!
Don’t!’ her mind pleaded to Draco, although she knew he could not hear her.

She could have run. She still had a chance. Her mind began a war, ‘Run! Go on, run,
he won’t chase you. But he might get you with his wand...Oh stop making excuses
and just RUN! Oh but he will hex you, he’s a lunatic, just look at his eyes. Bloody
hell, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! Besides he’s much stronger and faster than you. RUN! No,
there’s no time, you’re too late. Idiot! Why’d you stall?’

“Let’s see who’s the fool now shall we?” he whispered softly to her, before placing his
lips once again onto her own. This time she did not give in. He simply kissed her
without receiving anything back. She stood there, not moving an inch. This was her
fighting back. He could not win, she was determined.

Finally after a minute or so, she managed the strength to push him back. He moved
away but still remained rather close.

“Why do you want this so bad Malfoy? You know you could have any girl in our year
and perhaps even the school. I have nothing compared to some of the others.”
Hermione was bold enough to admit. She was desperate to get him away from her.
Desperate to get that stubborn desire out of his system so they could again be
enemies. ‘Or even acquaitances, I’m all for that too. Just not this!’

“Lust? Desire? I don’t know, it’s something and it’s there. If you can’t feel it, you
must be as unfeeling as my father to my mother. I don’t care what it is, I just want
to experience it.” he said selfishly.
“Well I feel nothing. It must be just you, “she lied, knowing what he had just
confessed was as true to her as it was to him. The desire, the passion, the want. It
was all there, and the only time she could feel it, the only time she could experience
it...was through Draco and his hugs and kisses and even just his presence. She had
no idea why she wanted to leave it behind but she knew she felt guilty feeling it and
that was enough to make her think twice, “ If you don’t mind I need to leave, I have
friends waiting for me.”
Draco ran a hand through his hair, exhaling a frustrated sigh, “You’re crazy you
know that? Absolutely mad and blind as a bat. You can’t see what we have. You
couldn’t see it if it was staring you in the face!”

“If I’m crazy I’d hate to say what you are! Do you think we could just forget six
years of loathing each other all because of a week of stupidity on your behalf? I’m
not as crazy as you think Malfoy. I know what I want and I don’t want you.”
Hermione stated loudly.

Silence beset them. All that could be heard was the wind blowing around them.
Hermione breathing heavily after her strong argument. Draco, on the other hand,
was gazing at her in shock and disbelief. He could not help but feel as though he had
been stabbed in the heart. At least that was what it felt like. Rejection...another
thing he had not experienced. This day brought many first’s for Draco Malfoy.

After a few moments Draco cleared his throat, “Well if this is how you feel, I shall not
bother you again.” he gave a slight tip of his head and brushed past her in the busy
street of Diagon Alley.

Immediately she began to cry. ‘This is truly a nightmare. Draco Malfoy love me?
Insane! Absolute madness! Why on earth did I let him kiss me? And why in Merlin’s
name did I kiss him back? I must be as deranged as he.’ she thought before crying
out aloud, “Bloody hell!”

Hermione spent the rest of the day in Harry, Ron and Ginny’s company. Ron and
Harry could tell Hermione was not in the best of moods and did not push the issue,
Ginny on the other hand, could not wait to hear the details of Hermione’s little ‘talk’
with Draco Malfoy.

“He kissed me Gin, I didn’t know what to do...I feel so...so ashamed.” Hermione
sobbed when they were alone at the burrow in Ginny’s bedroom.

Ginny patted her friend’s back as she tried consoling her, “Do you like him
Hermione?”

Hermione lifted her hands from her face and gave Ginny a glare, “I hate him. I hate
him so much I could be sick.” Ginny laughed and Hermione was slightly taken aback.

“You don’t hate him. Come on Hermione, don’t lie to me. I saw exactly the way you
two looked at each other in the shop and again in the alley. Bloody hell Hermione, he
was staring at you like I wasn’t even there! Surely you can understand that?” Ginny
asked.

Hermione broke down into tears once again, “Yes I could. I could see everything he
felt for me but that does not mean just because he likes me that I have to like him
back! Every time he’s near me...it’s like he has a power over me...he can control my
feelings and my actions and even my thoughts. It’s not love Ginny!” Hermione cried
as Ginny opened her mouth to speak.

“He’s done something. It could be that he’s working with the dark side and they’re
going to try and use me for something. But I know this for sure, Draco Malfoy could
never harbor feelings for me voluntarily.” Hermione stated with readiness.

Ginny shook her head, “How do you know this Hermione? You don’t know the
guy...not really. Everybody has a good side and good things about them...yes
Hermione even Draco Malfoy. All you know is his bad side. You’re not giving him a
chance to show his good side.” Ginny stated logically and Hermione’s mouth was
hanging slightly open. Ginny’s words sounded very true.

“Good side? Draco Malfoy? Oh I wish I could say he didn’t but that would be a lie
against humanity. You’re right Ginny, everybody has a good side. But what if his is
so small and insignificant that it can be barely counted as a good side? He was
brought up in an unloving household. What kind of child can survive something like
that? What kind of child could have a good side in that environment?” Hermione
asked Ginny and herself.

Ginny nodded, “How indeed. I have thought about that a few times too. I mean how
damaged can this guy have been from his family’s upbringing. Him knowing the
meaning of love would be like Harry or Ron knowing the ingredients of essence of
murtlap. He must have been tortured too. His father certainly does not hold him
higher in regard than as his ‘heir’. Oh speaking like this is making me feel sad and
depressed! Let’s go outside and have dinner.”

Ginny got up and together they walked to the table set outside for the family, Harry
and Hermione. On the way Hermione could not help but think of what Ginny had
said. She was desperately trying to forget the way he had hugged her, kissed her
and admitted his love. She wanted to delete the memory of lust in his eyes that was
etched in her memory. Ginny had made him sound so innocent and someone
deserving of pity. She had felt sorry for him and she still did. But was she sorry for
their intimacy? She would be going back to school soon and he would be there. She
either ignored him, fell in love with him or hate him.

‘Ignore and hate sound good to me. All I have to do is forget today and it will be all
settled. He can’t win and nor will he ever. He and I are simply...enemies.’
Chapter Eleven

There he was. Strappingly handsome in his school robes. He was focus of many a
girls eye and he knew it too. But his eyes remained fixed on her. He could not see
anything else. She felt his eyes on her and yet she was determined to ignore it. But
her attention was so preoccupied with this silent war that she accidentally knocked
over someone with her luggage trolley...

She pushed her trolley through the barrier between platform’s nine and ten.
Immediately she heard the train whistle and hundreds of students talking, laughing
and exchanging holiday stories. Hermione sighed. This was her last year. This was
the last time she would be traveling to Hogwarts as a student. This thought
saddened her. Hogwarts was like her second home, sometimes even her first. After
all she spent much more time there throughout the last six years than at her parents
house.

She pushed her trolley towards the back of the train so that some of the wizards
could load her luggage in. After this she looked around, searching for the Weasley’s
or Harry or even someone in her year so that she would not look alone. Another
reason of her desperation for companionship was that she was still paranoid of
encountering Draco Malfoy. Her last days as a cash register chick at the Diagon Alley
Grocery store were nerve wrecking. Her job was easy enough but the thought of him
coming into the store as he had so many time before was just...there was not even a
word for it.

He looked around the crowd and saw her instantly. She was wearing a cute black
halter-top and some three quarter jeans, which had the fashionable holes on the
knees. She also wore large hoop earrings and slightly heeled sandals. He could tell
she was nervous by her twitching and inability to stay in one spot. Her neck was
craning to see above the crowd. She was looking for someone... ‘Weaslette, Weasel
and Potty most likely.’ he thought.

He was of half a mind to approach her but sopped himself. She had told him what
she wanted. She wanted nothing to do with him. He knew she was lying, her eyes
and body language said it all but he could do nothing about it. Her wish for him to
stay away from her was in his mind probably a good one. After all he had his
reputation to uphold and falling in love with a Gryffindor was out of the question.
Gryffindors and Slytherins did not mix. It was wrong, it was despicable and it would
be a ticket to damnation.

She could not see her friends anywhere. ‘Probably late as usual.’ she thought. Rona
and Harry never surprised her, although she wished they would. They may have
been fantastic at the hero, die for your family and friends stuff but certainly not at
the normal things such as being on time, or doing their school work.

People were beginning to get on the train and she was starting to get worried.
‘Where are they?’ She was able to look around the crowd more easily as it began to
subside. Around in circles she went, here there and everywhere. No, not there.

He remained unable to keep his eyes off her. His friends were begging him to get on
the train and would not do so unless he gave the okay. Pansy was whining but he
could only faintly hear her. Crabbe and Goyle’s stomach’s were rumbling like
thunderstorms and Zambini was leaning against barrier, utterly bored with his
surroundings.

“There you are!” Hermione cried, happy and relieved by their appearance through
platform nine and three-quarters, “I was starting to think you’d never come.”

Harry and Ron grinned, “Well if we couldn’t make it, we would have taken Ron’s
Dad’s new car for a spin.” Harry said and all broke out into laughter.

“Here let me help you. You go say goodbye to your mother Ron, I’ll go put your stuff
in the train. You go find us a seat on the train Harry.” Hermione directed them as
she always did and as usual they listened to her. She was like their second mother.

‘Someone’s looking at me.’ the thought suddenly struck her. She could feel it and it
was disturbing her. She looked around, slowly driving the trolley as she did so. Her
heart was racing. What if it was him? What if he was going to pull another stunt to
get her?

There he was. Strappingly handsome in his school robes. He was focus of many a
girls eye and he knew it too. But his eyes remained fixed on her. He could not see
anything else. She felt his eyes on her and yet she was determined to ignore it. But
her attention was so preoccupied with this silent war that she accidentally knocked
over someone with her luggage trolley.

“Oh I’m so sorry! Oh gosh Luna I didn’t mean it.” Hermione cried. She could hear
laughter all around. Many hated Luna and miss-goody-goody knocking her with a
trolley was priceless. Hermione helped Luna up, allowing the trolley to spin off in
another direction. One of the luggage men took hold of it and begun to unload Ron’s
things into the train.

“It’s alright Hermione.” Luna said dreamily then walked off and stepped into the train
without another word. If she did not know better it was like Luna had not even felt a
trolley hit her. So calm and serene she was. ‘If only I could be more like her.’
Hermione thought but laughter herself just in time, ‘Me, be like Luna? Merlin what
am I thinking? Me, be like Luna! Ha! Good one Hermione.’ She smiled at herself.

Draco had watched her hit Lovegood and could not help but grin at her collision. He
knew it had been caused by him. She had seen him and was so shocked that had
forgotten to watch where she was going. ‘Well at least I know I have some effect on
her...even if it is running someone else over with a trolley.’

“Listen Draco if you don’t get that stupid smirk off your face and get into the bloody
train I’m going to clobber you.” Blaise Zambini threatened, striding off the train with
Pansy in tow.

“Shut up Zambini.” Draco muttered before following him, Crabbe and Goyle striding
not far behind him. Those two boulders would never move unless he did. He was
starting to get sick of their presence. He was more than capable of taking care of
himself. His father’s orders since year seven to stick by them was getting on his
nerves. His father thought he was weak. He thought he could not take care of
himself. ‘I’ll show him.’ Draco thought bitterly.

The train ride was a dull one. Hermione sat with her usual friends, talking of nothing
in particular. She refused to get out of the compartment Harry had chosen for them,
not willing to take the risk of bumping into Malfoy.

Malfoy and his mates sat in their own little compartment. He did not say much.
Pansy talked about how much she hated the Ravenclaw girls. Crabbe and Goyle
merely grunted every once in awhile and Blaise...well he just stared out of the
window. To Draco it was one of the most boring train rides he had ever experienced.

‘If only I had something to amuse me...’ His first thought was of Hermione. But no
he could not do anything to her. He hated the fact that she did not want him. ‘I’m
the most eligible bachelor in the school for Merlin’s sake! Who bloody cares if I called
her a mudblood for six years?’ But the reasonable voice in his head replied, ‘She
cares. You hate it when she calls you a ferret don’t you?’ But the simple fact was he
could not get her out of his head. She was always there, taunting him. She had got
her way. That as not how it was supposed to work. Draco Malfoy was supposed to
get his way.

‘I’ll do something, anything to show her that she does want me. Bloody Granger,
always thinks she’s right. Well I’ll show her one way or another.’ he vowed to
himself, ‘And I have the perfect plan.’ he smirked broadly.

Chapter Twelve

He was there! Could she never be rid of him? He was going to ruin her life! That was
it, he would never go away. He would be the pestering thorn in her side. She kicked
the locker and bounced around on her foot as the other began to throb. Tears sprung
to her eyes. How could ever get away? It was impossible, she just had to give in. It
was the only way.

“Are you quite sure you would like this extra responsibility placed on top of your
mounting school work including your duties as Head Girl?” Dumbledore quizzed her,
peering down at her with his half-moon spectacles. His expression was neither
confirming nor denying what he felt towards the matter.

Hermione smiled knowingly, “Please Professor, I am quite capable of managing my

school work and my duties. I know it may seem as though I will be taking up too
much especially since it is my final year and I have N.E.W.T.S fast approaching but I
know I can handle it. Besides there would be no chance of me taking any further
studies if I do not take this job.”
Professor Dumbledore sighed, “Very well.” Hermione nearly jumped for joy. She felt
she could hug the Headmaster at that moment. But she remained as she was,
standing before his desk with a grin planted on her face.

“You do realise I am putting my trust in you to act responsibly as I have never

granted this sort of permission to anyone before. Although you have raised a good
issue, after all many students may need to take up part-time work to secure a good
financial start for their adult lives.” Dumbledore complemented her ever so slightly.

“Yes Professor, I know some students myself that have been interested in taking up
a job to pay for their fees at University. Perhaps it is something the Head Boy and I
could work on this year?” Hermione asked, considering this a good opportunity to do
something for her fellow peers.

Dumbledore nodded, “Yes that would be a brilliant idea Miss. Granger. That is of
course if the Head Boy would not object.” he casted a curious glance her way which
she returned with a frown. If the Head Boy did not want to agree she would just
make him. But only Merlin knew how stubborn and conceited he was. She thought
from time to time that he was even more determined to get his own way than
she...especially after recent incidents.

“I shall ask him Professor. Thank you so much for granting my request. I shall do all
within my power to keep up my grades and complete my Head Girl duties.”
Hermione spoke gratefully to a well respected Headmaster.

Dumbledore smiled, “Thank you Miss Granger. Goodnight.” he stood and watched
her depart from his office. Hermione, upon leaving released a sigh of relief. She had
always known that she would get the permission from Dumbledore but this
knowledge had not stopped her from feeling apprehensive.

Her thoughts jumped to the Head Boy. Nothing had given her more displeasure than
finding out he had become Head Boy. If it had not been bad enough trying to avoid
him she now had extra duties, which placed them together. But she was especially
glad that they were not made to share a room, although Hermione had heard that
the Professors were considering it. ‘Probably knew it would be asking for trouble.’
Hermione thought as she made her way back the Gryffindor Common room.

She had been granted permission to work at Hogsmeade Home Cooking. It was a
little shopping store which sold everyday food and beverages needed for the home.
It was rather similar to Diagon Alley’s Grocery store but considerably smaller in size.
This did not bother Hermione in the slightest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The morning was bitterly cold as Hermione, wrapped in a warm overcoat, trudged
through the snow, on her way for the first time to work. She had ignorantly spent
half an hour fixing her hair the muggle way before realising it was snowing. Needless
to say her hair was ruined and if it were not for her overly large coat her uniform
would be too. The uniform for Hogsmeade Home Cooking was black pants and a
green shirt. The green was the main colour for the store as its home brand food,
(which was what the store generally sold) was packaged in green.
Rushing inside she found herself in the comfy environment she had not expected.
Instead of steel shelves and ugly registers there was wooden shelves all around the
wall of the store. There were only a few registers but they also were hidden under a
counter that was wooden. In the middle there was a few squishy green couches and
on the right side of the room a small fireplace and a cafe. Hermione smiled brightly
at it. She had never felt more comfortable in her life. Softly lit rooms always had that
sort of effect on her.

Looking around again she noticed there was no-one around. She knew there was
supposed to be a staff meeting but unable to find a door which led to a staff room
she decided to wait, figuring she was the first to arrive. Eager to try out the couches
she quickly took of her large overcoat and gracefully sat upon the one nearest to the
fire.

The couch was not too soft and not too hard. It was perfect. She looked around her
surroundings and smiled. Working at this place would not be as hard as she had
expected. Suddenly wishing she had a coffee with her, she tried to dig out her wand
from her pocket, of the mind to transfigure a cushion into one.

But before she could do so she heard a noise from behind her. It sounded rather like
a cough. Curious she stood, took her coat and went to discover the disturbance. It
had sounded like he had come from the cafe.

Her eyes widened with realisation as she saw a door to the cafe suddenly
materialize. She entered it and found herself in a staff room of similar style to the
store complete with couches and a fireplace. Except this one had a some small coffee
tables.

There were people of all ages standing around, apparently waiting for someone.
Hermione did not have to wait long to find out who. A friendly looking lady with a
green dress materialized in the middle of the room. Some young girls who had been
standing close to the spot had squealed when the woman had appeared.

“Sorry for being late everybody. Take a seat and we’ll get started shall we?”
Hermione quickly grabbed a seat next to some girls, aware of the amount of young
males in the room. Her relationship with Dan and what he had done was still so fresh
in her mind.

“Right everybody. As you may know my name is Kelly. I’m the part owner of this
store. My husband, Andy also owns it. You are the first staff to be hired for this
store. You probably noticed the difference between a normal supermarket and this
one when you arrived. The idea is to attract people to our new and hopefully
improved way of shopping. Take a seat and coffee, do some shopping, grab a biscuit.
Well you get the idea. The lists of sheets will be on this notice board here.” she
pointed to the board hanging on the wall. The green writing glowed brightly.

“You will also be getting your own locker. I have the keys here. Everything else you
shall be advised of on your next shift. For today I ask you stay and have some tea,
coffee or biscuits and get to know each other. Well nice meeting you all and if you
would be so kind, sir, could you please hand out the keys?” the lady asked a dark
haired man beside her.
He nodded and began calling out names from a list Kelly had given him. The keys
also shone bright green and was much more alluring than the rusty old key she had
for her old locker at the Diagon Alley store.

“Arnott, Becky.” a red haired girl retrieved her key. People stayed rather quiet but
still had begun to talk. Hermione was desperate to get her key and run off to the
lockers, she hated having her large smelly coat with her and being in such a crowded
room made her dizzy.

“Granger, Hermione.” she jumped up, thanked the man as he gave her key then
walked briskly toward the room labeled ‘Girls’ with the same green writing. But as
she made her way something bright caught her attention.

She stopped and glanced as it approached her. It was Draco Malfoy. Shock caused
her to stay rooted to the spot, her mouth hanging open.

“Close your mouth you look like a Weasel.’ he sneered quietly to her with his sly
grin. He placed a finger at the bottom of her chin and lifted her jaw shut.

She glared at him, “What are you doing here? Did Dumbledore send you? Do we
have some Head duty that we need to complete?”

He chuckled at her, “No.”

If it was not for the soft light she was sure everybody would have seen her face
burning red. She was furious. What right did he have to come into her work and talk
to her? After all that he had done while she had worked at her last job. So what if it
was urgent Head duty that he had come for? It could have waited!

“Go away. You’re not supposed to be here. Only employees are allowed.” she
stressed in a low hiss. The desire to smack him in the face was strong. But lucky for
him he was far enough to move should she muster enough courage to do so.

“I am an employee.” he answered. He raised her eyebrows as her eyes widened with

shock and her jaw slipped back down again. Her mind had gone numb and all
thoughts and comebacks vanished. She was so shocked and so horrified. A million
questions raced around in her mind like a car race had begun.

“Please you must be toying with me. You get a job, I’d sooner call Voldemort a
gentleman. Why is it that you’re really here Malfoy?” she asked, as he moved closer.
Shock was slipping into fright. She was scared of him. She was scared if him
repeating what had happened in the alleyway.

“I’m not toying with you Granger.” he answered simply, his grin was wide and his
eyes shined with glee.

“Why would you need a job Malfoy? You have enough money to start your own
company.” Hermione asked him, disbelief still apparent in her tone.

“You know why I’m here so let’s not waste out breath pretending. I always get my
way Granger. If it means playing along with your facade for awhile so be it but I will
get what I want.” he told her confidently and in a dangerous tone that indicated what
he said was truly how he felt.
Her heart began to thump wildly once again. He wanted her...still. After all that she
had said against him in the alleyway. After all their bickering for six long years. ‘He’s
insane.’ was her first thought. She knew he was not after love and knew Malfoy’s
were not capable of giving love. ‘He must be after...sex.’ she thought, ‘That was
what it was. It had to be! He’s a player isn’t he? He just wants me so bad because he
knows it will be a challenge. He knows I won’t give in. If only he knew me better to
know that I will never give in. It would make things so much easier.’ she sighed.

“Play your games Malfoy. You won’t get what you want. Your will is weaker than
mine your patience too. No matter what you do, or what you say you can’t change
my mind. I’ll never be yours and that is my promise to you.” she stated with a
strong voice and much determination.

With that said she stormed out of the room and back into the cold. He watched her
go and smiled, “You forgot one thing Granger. Malfoy’s never give up and I will live
by this rule. You’ll be mine sooner or later. I swear by it.”

Chapter Thirteen

“So he really does want you.” Ginny thought aloud after Hermione had told her what
had come to pass. They were sitting in the common room, quite alone. The fire was
still burning and was the only source of light. It was terribly late but Hermione felt
she needed to confide in her best friend. She needed guidance more than ever
before and Ginny was the only one she could turn to. She had long decided that
Harry and Ron should not know anything of Malfoy’s dealings with her.

Hermione shook her head, “Wants me for nothing but his own personal happiness. I
can’t believe I haven’t seen it before. I’ve been so naive! No Malfoy ever cares for
anything but themselves and Draco Malfoy is no different. He doesn’t care that I
don’t want him, he just knows he wants me and that’s all there is to it. Ginny...I’m
afraid. What if he tries something?”

Ginny took hold of her friend’s hands and looked her in the eye, “Nothing will happen
Hermione. I’ll never let anything bad happen to you. But honestly I think you’re
blowing this way out of proportion. How do you know he doesn’t really love you?”
Hermione took, gazing at the fire, “How can a Malfoy love someone? How can Draco
Malfoy love me? It’s propostious. We’ve hated each other from the first day of
school. There is nothing I have that he can’t get from some other girl. I just happen
to be the next on his long list of victims. The question is not ‘How do you know he
doesn’t really love you’ but, ‘What is there to say that he does?’. I know there is
nothing.”

Ginny sighed, “Maybe you’re right Hermione...”

“I am right Ginny.” Hermione said quickly.

“Hermione, I know this is going to sound a little stupid but what if he sees something
in you that he wants to become himself?” Ginny asked her friend who gave her a
you-are-crazy look.

“No hear me out here. He has lived with people who treat him as an object not a
person. Even those idiotic Slytherins he’s spent the last six years with treat him like
he’s some sort of God. He’s the bad boy, the one everybody looks up to but are to
afraid to talk to. His parents hate him, his friends fear him. Who on earth does he
have to look up to? There’s nobody around him. Nobody to help him when things get
too much. No one to cry to, no one to tell him it’s all going to be alright. He sees you
with friends who love you unconditionally. He wants to be more like you. That’s why
he’s seeking you out.” Ginny spun her tale as she walked about the room, thinking.

Hermione watched Ginny pace around the room, speaking her mind. Her eyes were
welling with tears as she heard Ginny’s words. “Ginny you’re making him seem like
an innocent boy who should be pitied. You’re fogetting all the things he’s done.”

Ginny stopped, “Done? What has he really done that’s wrong Hermione? Bicker with
Harry and Ron? Join forces with Umbridge? Be the son of Lucius Malfoy? He’s done
nothing so terrible that he is not worthy of being pitied. I’m not trying to say the
things he’s said and done are right I’m just saying think about it. Think before you
condemn him to the darkest circle of hell. I know what hell feels like Hermione. The
time I spent doing Tom Riddle’s dirty work was hell. Voldemort, Lucius
Malfoy...they’re people who deserve hell. But Draco Malfoy? I’m not so sure.”

Hermione broke down into tears, covering her ears, “I don’t want to hear it Ginny.
Don’t make me feel sorry for him! When I feel sorry for people I help them. I helped
the house elves but I don’t want to help Draco Malfoy. I refuse! I don’t care if he
needs help, I don’t care if he’s in a bad situation! Please Ginny! Don’t, don’t tell me
he’s really a good person. Don’t tell me deserves my help. Don’t tell me he loves me
because he needs me! Just DON’T!”

Ginny stood rooted to the spot, watching her friend break down, throw herself onto
the couch a kick a tantrum. She had never expected this sort of thing to happen. She
had only been trying to help.

“I’m sorry Hermione, I didn’t mean to get you upset.” Ginny whispered, shocked to
witness her most calm and collected friend fall to pieces. Never had she expected to
see Hermione Granger cry about Draco Malfoy, or her words.

She sat next to her on the couch and hugged her friend. Hermione hugged her back,
crying into her shoulder. “I di..didn’t mean to shout. I’m **hiccup** so **hiccup**
sorry **hiccup** Gin.”

“Shh, it’s alright Hermione. I think we need to figure something out but tonight isn’t
the time. You need to get some rest. It’s getting late. Come on.” Ginny helped her
friend up off the couch and together they went up the stairs. Ginny made sure
Hermione got to her bed safely and then went off to bed herself.

As Ginny lay on her bed she stared at the ceiling, unable to get any sleep.
Hermione’s words kept replaying in her mind. It sent shivers down her spine.
Hermione was truly traumitised by the affections of Draco Malfoy. ‘Merlin forbid if he
tried anything on her...I think she’d go so mental we’d have to send her off the the
psychiatric ward in St.Mungos.’ Ginny thought grieviously. One thing was certain,
Draco and Hermione were both as headstrong as each other and this little epsidode
was not going to end anytime soon.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day at dinner, Hermione kept her attention on her food and said nothing.
Ginny knew Hermione, who rarely took an interest in what she ate, was deliberately
avoiding the intense stare of a certain person from the Slytherin table.

Hermione was aware of his staring and it was a great struggle to not submit into the
temptation of glaring at him or just simply staring back. Harry and Ron were aware
of her strange mood but continued to talk to her all the same.

“Ghat’s mong Bione?” Ron asked, stuffing his mouth with egg and potato.

Hermione, Ginny and even Harry looked at him in disgust. Ron swallowed his mouth
of food in one big gulp and asked more clearly, “I said, what’s wrong Hermione?”

Hermione looked back down at her plate. “You’ve been acting so quiet and unlike
youself ever since we got here.” Harry added.

Hermione gave Ginny a worried glance whcih Ginny returned with a reassured smile.
“Hey guys, when does Quidditch start?”

With Quidditch mentioned Harry and Ron’s questions stopped and their minds were
sidetracked to their favourite sport. As they told Ginny most enthusiatically of
Quidditch, Ginny looked to Hermione and gave her a wink.

‘You’re my hero.’ Hermione mouthed and Ginny gave a short laugh.

Within the next few minutes everybody hurried out of the Great Hall, most yawning
their heads off. Ginny and Hermione remained.

“Hermione, why don’t we go for a walk outside? I’m sure the fresh air will do you
good.” Ginny suggested to Hermione’s delight.

“I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all week.” Hermione nodded and together
they walked out into the grounds before Ginny suddenly stopped, horrified.

“What is it?” Hermione asked nerviously.

“I forgot! I was supposed to be helping Luna with an essay she has for Professor
McGonagall! I have to go.” Ginny said quickly, hurrying back. Hermione followed but
Ginny turned, “No Hermione you stay out here, you need the air.”

“But...what if he comes?” Hermione half hissed, half whispered. Ginny rolled her
eyes, “He won’t come Hermione. It’s not like he’s following you or anything. Stay out
here and breath in the fresh air. I’ll see you soon.” Without another word or waiting
for Hermione to come up with another excuse she ran back into the castle.

Hermione looked around her. It was getting dark and there was nobody about. The
air was making her feel better, but the dark was not. Hermione had never liked the
dark. As a child she had been frightened by it. Being alone was also making it a little
harder to relax as Ginny has suggested.

Deciding to take a walk around the lake, she set off, suddenly aware of every noise
of the night. Every owl that hooted, the blowing of the wind, the soft noises of the
water moving in the lake. She could hear it all.

A sudden crunching of bark, made her jump a foot in the air. She spun around in a
circle a few times, goosebumps on her arms and legs and her heart racing, she was
so scared. She could feel eyes upon her. There were a few trees where she was
standing. ‘Whoever it is could be hiding behind any one of them! Oh Ginny why did
you make me stay out here?’

She shivered slightly before moving again. ‘It could have been just an animal. A
squirrel or a ferret. Ferret, as in Malfoy? No, don’t think that. He’s not here, Ginny
said he wouldn’t be. Come on deep breaths, one, two...’ but just as she was going to
take her third a firm hand clasped over her mouth.

She tried desperately to struggle but her attacker grabbed hold of her waist. She
could not move. They were too strong. The person began to drag her closer towards
the lake.

Her eyes wide with horror and her heart in her throat pounding wildly, Hermione
fruitlessly began to struggle again. She used her legs, kicking back in the hope of
hiting whomever held her captive. But she could not break loose. She tried to scream
but no sound came out.

They were terribly close to the lake now and Hermione’s imagination began to take
over. She could picture herself drowning, the person holding her head under the
water until she was no longer alive. With this thought in mind she fought back with
all her might.

Struggling for control, they both fell into the water with an almighty crash. Gasps
from both Hermione and the mysterious attacker were barely audible underneath the
sound of the water splashing. Her attacker still had tight hold of her waist but not
her mouth. Pulled to the surface Hermione began to cry for them to let her go. She
tried desperately to open her eyes but her eyes were full of water.

Without any warning she felt lips pressed against her own. She was surprised by
their warmth but did not think on this long when she realised that she recognised the
kiss. Being only kissed by two people in her life, Krum and Malfoy, logic brought her
to the conclusion that it was Malfoy who was her attacker.

Her eyes shot open and her sight confirms her thoughts. It was him. He was as wet
as she, his blonde hair was drenched and sticking to his head. Some of it was in his
eyes but he could still see that he had been found out.

“Why did you throw us in the water?” he asked as though it was all her fault.

“Me! You shoved me in! You grabbed me! I did nothing!” Hermione cried loudly,
hoping someone would hear her. He pulled her closer to him, his hands still on her
waist.

“Get off me you pathetic excuse for a wizard!” Hermione screamed, struggling harder
than ever to get away from him, “Let me go you bloody bastard! Let me go! You’re
sick! Can’t you see I don’t want you?”

“No.” he answered, pressing his lips upon hers once again. The kiss was rather
heated and very like the one they had shared in the alleyway. Hermione’s mind was
screaming in horror but for some strange reason she realised she was no longer
pushing back. His hands were in her hair scrunching it tighter as he pushed himself
against her so that there was not even any room for water between them.

‘What are you doing? Push him off you!’ her mind screamed at her. But either
Hermione was ignoring her mind or she simply could not find it in her heart to do so,
either way she stayed as she was and give into the feeling she internally craved. She
kissed him back with as much desperation as he felt.

She looked so perfect and beatiful when she was wet. He could not believe that after
so many years of hating each other that here they were, two enemies, making out in
the lake of all places! The explosions of pleasure taking place within him was enough
to make him moan softly. He had hated her and he believed he still did but the effect
she had on him was enough to make him forget it. Enough to make him forget that
he was kissing a mudblood, a Gryffindor, and Potty and Weasel’s best friend. The
desire which had slowly been building up since the time he had bumped into her at
the Grocery store, was finally being released.

There was something in her that liked him kissing, holding and controlling her. It was
a strange feeling, nothing she had ever felt before...apart from the other times he
had kissed her. ‘I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m just giving into the heat of the
moment. That’s all.’ Hermione justified her actions as she continued to fulfull her
heart’s desire.

She could feel her brain swimming as her blood pumped and her body filled with a
pleasure she had never known before. Hermione wanted nothing more than to just
to stay that way forever to drink it all in. She placed her hands on his face and pulled
him in further. He gave in for the moment then pulled back to state, “I knew you
loved me.”

As she heard him say these words, she suddenly came to her senses. She pushed
him back with as much force as possible. She tried to swim back to the edge of the
lake so she could get out but he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her back to
him.
He connected their lips once again and this time slipped in his tongue. She was fully
aware of what she was doing at this stage and was quick to push him back. She
moved back slightly, but did not get out immediately.

“You insufferable git! How dare you follow me, throw me into the lake and kiss me! I
shall...” Hermione began but could not finish.

“Do nothing. You loved it, even if you won’t admit to it. There’s nothing to be
ashamed of. A lot of girls think I’m gorgeous and that my kisses are second to
none.” he smirked confidently at her.

She let out a fustrated cry. “I don’t think you’re gorgeous, I think you’re an ugly
bastard! I don’t care if you want me. I DON’T want you and if you can’t get that
through your thick pureblood head I suggest you seek medical attention!” she
screeched.

He smirked, “But you do want me. I know you do.”

Hermione clenched her fists, “I hate you. I hate you so much that if I had my wand
with me I’d curse you to death.”

He chuckled, “But you don’t have your wand. So what shall you do?”

“I will hate you. I will continue to hate you until you die Malfoy because you’re just a
stupid spoiled little brat who can’t make a decision without daddy having a say in it.”
Hermione mocked him and he stared at her like he had been hit by something.

“Tell me Malfoy, what does daddy think of your little romantic thoughts of me. I
daresay he is quite out of sorts with you.” Hermione laughed, gaining much
happiness from his angered look.

“You know my father knows nothing of this. You know I’d be dead if he knew.
Doesn’t this make you think? Don’t you see that I don’t want to be like my father? I
hate him more than you hate me I suspect. I may not be as angelic or heroic as
Potter but I am not as pathetic as my father and nor will I ever. Don’t speak to me of
him.” he told her with a bitter tone.

Hermione glared at him, Ginny’s sympathetic words of him flooded back into her
mind. ‘There’s nobody around him. Nobody to help him when things get too much.
No one to cry to, no one to tell him it’s all going to be alright.’ Hermione’s eyes filled
with tears. He did need her help. He had seen how horrible his father was and
somehow he had decided not to be like him. She knew, however, that without
someone’s help he would never succeed in his aspirations. ‘No, I shall not help him.
He doesn’t deserve it.’ But he was in desperate need...

“I...I have to go.” she whispered gently, tears rolling down her cheeks. She swam off
to the side of the lake and hopped out. He made no attempt to pull her back. She
was obviously thinking his words over and perhaps feeling sorry for him. He could
only hope that she felt something more than hate towards him. She most certainly
had showed that she held something toward him when she had kissed him only
moments before.

She then scampered off to the castle shivering. She had just realised how cold it
really was outside and being wet was not helping the matter. “If I get a cold that
asshole’s going to pay for it.” she seethed aloud. He might have changed his manner
slightly but that did not excuse his actions that night.

Chapter Fourteen

“Good morning. How are you today?” Hermione asked as she served her very first
customer. The lady she was serving smiled warmly at her and replied, “Very well,
very well indeed. It is has been getting rather cold a lot earlier this year hasn’t it?”
the woman asked.

Hermione nodded, “Yes, the Daily Prophet reported yesterday that it is going to be
the coldest winter ever.” She scanned the many fruits the woman had. Thankfully,
the lady had not purchased any meat.

“I certainly hope it is. I love winter. The snow, the rain, cuddling up in front of the
fire...” the woman absent-mindedly looked at the fireplace in the store, “Much better
than summer.”

Hermione grinned, “I guess...” The lady remained silent as Hermione continued to

scan the items. After a few minutes the lady left and Hermione was left with nothing
to do. The store was rather quiet for a Saturday afternoon. The customers that were
in the store seemed more content to sit down in front of the fire and drink a coffee
than do their shopping.

Hermione sighed, looked around the cute little cafe/grocery store. She had never in
her life had been anywhere like this store in her life. it really was most extraordinary.
Who would have ever thought of mixing a cafe and grocery store together to make
one store?

“Working hard?” the person she most wanted to avoid whispered to her as he
stacked things in the fridges next to her. The one thing Hermione did hate about the
store was that the meat freezer was situated right next to the cash register.

She sneered at Draco, “Always.” she answered. He looked to her and grinned, “You
don’t have to be so cold, I was only asking.” He waited long enough to see her give
him another sneer before he returned to his work.

Hermione had hardly forgotten their moonlight...‘encounter’ only a week ago. It was
still very fresh in her mind and as far as she was concerned he had no right to talk to
her calmly as he had. The way he had acted, throwing her into the lake, like a mad
man. It was enough to make her sick. But it was their time in the lake that had her
uncomfortable. And the way she had responded to his kisses. She was so ashamed
of herself! How could she have given into him like that? Even if it had been
momentary.

“Hermione! Your shift is over honey, you can go upstairs.” a girl by the name of
Rachel called to her. Hermione smiled, letting out a sigh of relief. She smiled at her,
“Thanks so much Rach. I though I was going to be here forever. I’ll talk to you later
okay?” Rachel grinned, taking Hermione’s place behind the register and bench.

Hermione hurried to the tearoom and then into the girl’s locker room, desperate to
get away from Draco. The fact that they had a shift at the same time was distressing
enough. She knew Dumbledore had organized it thus so that they could both do
shifts and be back at school at the same time.

She opened her locker with the key hanging about her neck and grabbed her bag but
froze when she heard the door open. She turned and was shocked to discover Draco
standing there.

“This is a GIRLS locker room. Get it, GIRLS? You are NOT a girl, so you do not belong
in here. Get out.” Hermione stated, pointing at the door. He shrugged at her,
smirked confidently and walked to the other side of the room.

She followed him with her piercing stare. “You’re hopeless. I’m going back to
Hogwarts now. You don’t have time to do anything stupid, we’re both expected back
in five minutes.”

He gave her a smug grin, “You can do a lot in five minutes.” She dropped in her
mouth in disgust, “You’re a dirty gutter rat, Malfoy!” He laughed at the word, ‘gutter
rat’, before stepping toward her again.

She shook her head firmly, grabbed her bag and shut her locker. “No I’m not going
through this again. Forget it! I don’t care if you get in trouble but I’m not going to let
Dumbledore down. Se you later.” With that said she began to rush to the door but
had a funny feeling she was never going to make it out.

He grabbed her wrist. ‘Right again Hermione. Why do I always have to be right!’ she
scolded herself in her mind, turning with a frustrated glance. “Listen Malfoy I can’t
make myself any more clearer to you as I have told you many times. Let go of me.”
she wrenched her hand from his grasp, “ Leave me alone, and get lost.”

He gazed down at her, deep into her chocolate brown eyes, “I have a proposition for
you.” Hermione, captivated by the seriousness of his tone and his ocean blue eyes,
which she felt she could drown in, told him she was listening with a nod.

“I won’t do this anymore if you...if you...if we can be friends.” he struggled to get it

out choking on his words. ‘Friends with a mudblood, father would definitely
disapprove.’ he thought with a grin.

Hermione’s eyes widened, “Do what? Friends? With you!” she exclaimed, severely
shocked. She could think of anything, which would motivate him to ask such a thing.
She had got his character down as being someone who only wanted sex and no real
relationship at all. But there he was asking them to be friends and promising not to
touch her.

“That’s what I said.” he said softly, keeping his tone clear and his expression plain.
He did not want to be misread and be accused of being insincere.

Hermione opened and closed her mouth a few times, giving the impression of being
a goldfish for a little while. He dared not push her for an answer. She was seriously
contemplating it and was not going to ruin any chance he might have.

‘This could be a trick. To gain your trust so he can get something from you. Or even
get information from me about Harry. Oh Merlin, what if this is what it has all been
about? But Ginny, she said he needed help. I know he needs help. If he’s being
sincere I can’t just leave him to the hands of his father. Guide me right Merlin for I
shall need all the guidance I can get.’ Hermione prayed desperately before taking in
a deep breath.

“Okay.” she said, exhaling. She could see he was very pleased. The glint in his eye
had not disappeared. That mad glint that she had seen appear in the alley and in the
lake. Draco Malfoy she did not fear, that glint she did.

“Good. As a friend, I have to point out to you that you didn’t lock your locker.” he
said, moving his head in the direction of her locker. She looked around and saw that
it was hanging slightly open from when she had slammed it shut.

She moved toward it, opened the locker, grabbed the keys she had left inside it and
was about to close the door when she heard his voice. “Wait!”

She turned around, “What?”

He opened the locker door further out. There were so many photos stuck on the
inside of the door to her locker. Most of them were of the golden trio. Draco was not
as effected by those as he was with the ones of her family. An old looking one caught
his attention. A much younger Hermione Granger, of perhaps seven or eight, with
her mother and father. There was a baby too, being held by her mother.
“Who’s that?” he asked, pointing to the baby in her mother’s arms. Hermione looked
to the picture he pointed out and he noticed that her eyes had become teary.

“My baby sister, Elizabeth or Lizzie as we used to call her.” she whispered, in a hurt
tone. She did not look at Draco but rather continued to stare at the picture. “That is
the only picture we ever had as a whole family before she...she...” Hermione
shocked up, tears began to roll down her face.

Draco had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. He had never been good with
crying women. He could understand how they could just let out their emotions so
quickly. “It’s okay.” he said the only thing he could think of.

She looked to him, “It’s not okay. It will never be okay. I try really hard in my
studies not only to help myself but to cheer them up. It makes them happy when
they see me get good grades. They’ll never be as happy as they were when she was
alive but I give them momentary happiness.”

Draco gulped, “What happened to her?” He did not know if it was right for him to
ask. After all they had only become, ‘friends’ a few minutes ago. But Hermione
answered him, “She died from food poisoning. Meat.”

Realization dawned on Draco. ‘That’s why she’s afraid of meat and why she’s a
vegetarian.’ It made perfect sense to him. Hermione Granger may be against animal
cruelty, house elf cruelty and any other cruelty but she had a hidden meaning behind
this one.

“That’s why I’m afraid of eating meat and why I don’t like being near it.” Hermione
said tearfully. Draco nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it slowly.
Hermione flinched slightly but relaxed when she realized he was not going to do
anything to her.

She sniffed a few times, wiped her tears away with her hands then said in a stronger
voice, “We’re going to be late for school. Come on.” She slowly closed the locker
door and they both kept their eyes on the photos until they could not see them any
longer.

In Hermione’s mind past memories were flashing before her eyes like a slideshow.
But for Draco it was the lack of family memories that was eating him up inside.
Seeing the happy photos of her family and the obvious love her parents had for her,
showed him what he had missed out on. Nobody in his family had showed affection
to him. His mother, whom most assumed adored him, had never once hugged him,
kissed him or given him anything but material objects.

‘Yeah they gave me presents but what parent can’t buy their child a present?’ he
thought angrily, ‘The Weasley’s.’ he smirked slightly before scowling again. ‘Yeah but
at least those good for nothing Weasley’s love their kids. My mother doesn’t even
care that I exist and my father? He hold my in regard when and only when I do as he
says.’

He wanted to much to have the love Hermione had received as a little girl. he
wanted to see his parents proud of him for his academic achievements. He knew he
could never get those lost childhood years back and he blamed his parents for that.
He blamed them for everything. They were the reason everybody at school thought
he was a selfish bastard.

He smiled as he watched Hermione walk back to school, her head held high. She was
strong, much stronger than he could ever possibly be. He had never known how
interesting the little mudblood could have been. ‘If I had I’d have probably sought
her out a long time ago.’ he thought.

One thing was certain, he was not going to be able to commit to his promise for
much longer. He had never had a real friendship and was not sure how long he could
hold off his desires. He wanted Hermione and no promise he could make could hide
it.

Preview…………….
He pushed her into the locker with an almighty crash. She could feel the pain rush
through her body but she ignored it. Much more pleasant things were going on. The
heated passion electrified as he slid his tongue into her mouth. She cried out with
delight but it was muffled by his mouth. His hips were thrust into her own. She could
no longer hear the little voice in her head telling her it was wrong. For once
Hermione Granger was listening to her heart one hundred percent.

Unable to hold herself up any longer, she hoisted herself up and wrapped her legs
around his waist. They continued to kiss and break apart then kiss again. The moans
and cries of pleasure released from both of them were urgent. She wrapped her
hands around the back of his neck as his held a firm hold on her lower back
supporting her...

*~*~*

She watched him with fear as he held out his wand, his eyes giving off the
impression that they were shooting sparks. He aimed his wand at her but at the very
last moment as he yelled his spell, he directed the wand off to the fridges next to
her. The glass doors shattered into a million pieces, the sound ear splitting. The
customers left, ran out of the store screaming...
Chapter Fifteen

“How can you work when you know you don’t need to?” Hermione asked Draco as
they walked to work. They had been friends for one day. They both silently felt it was
a miracle that it had lasted this long.

He shrugged, “If you think of it that way then you should be asking why am I doing
anything? It’s not like I need to go to school either. After all I have enough money to
support me for my whole life.” Hermione nodded, acknowledging he had a point.

“But why?” she asked again. She needed an answer. He sighed, rolling his eyes,
“You’re so pushy.” before answering her, “Because I want to do something. I hate
being worthless. Besides that the money is my father’s not mine and I do not think it
will be going to me in the long run.”

Hermione was puzzled, “But you are his only son. Who else could it go to?”

He raised his eyebrows, “Who cares? I just know it won’t be going to me.” She
opened her mouth to ask why but he answered her before she had the chance,
“Because I won’t be the son he expects he has raised.”

Hermione could not find anything to say. He was hiding something from her and if he
wanted to tell her he would have already. They both signed in and went to their
separate locker rooms. Today was the quiet day and there would not be many
customers around. For that reason it was only Hermione on checkouts, Draco with
the freezers and another female stacking the shelves.

Hermione hated four-hour shifts. She got a fifteen-minute break but it felt like it
went forever. She spent most of her time drumming her fingertips against the bench,
humming absent-mindedly a tune she had came up with herself. ‘I’m bored. I’m
bored. I’m so very bored. Hmm...Bored.’ It was very original.

The other reason she hated this shift was because it was quiet. With nothing to do
and silence Hermione’s mind wandered. Things she had thought she had long
forgotten popped back into her mind. Memories so old, Hermione could only see bits
and pieces.

Her little sister making the noises all babies made, her mother playing with the both
of them, her father taking that photo she had in her locker. She could still remember
the moment her mother had brought Little Lizzie from the hospital and how she had
felt. She had a little sister! Another person to play with. She was not going to be by
herself.

Yet it had not lasted. No, it could not have lasted. Merlin wanted Little Lizzie. Little
Lizzie could not stay and be Hermione’s playmate. Hermione found herself alone
again. Her parents again with one child. Yet something replaced Little Lizzie.
Sadness. The feeling had never disappeared. Her parents always blaming themselves
for Little Lizzie’s death. If they had only not bought that meat. That meat which had
put an end to her life.

Hermione had often wondered how all of them were not dead. They had all eaten the
same meat after all. But her mother had told her, Little Lizzie was only a baby. The
poisoning had spread quickly. They had all been poisoned but the muggle doctors
had been able to save them. But not Little Lizzie.

‘Why do you think of these things Hermione. Don’t think of it. No more.’ she told
herself off, snapping out of the old memories she knew would never disappear from
her mind. Even if she thought she had forgotten about it, it’d still be there in the
dark recesses of her mind, waiting for the right time to unleash itself.

“Why are you crying?” Draco asked her, he was standing on the other side of the
counter, looking at her with a peculiar expression.

She came back to reality, realising she was indeed crying. She wiped the tears from
her face and smiled, “Nothing. I wasn’t crying, it was the onions.”

He raised an eyebrow, “The onions are over there.” he pointed to the other side of
the shop. She shrugged, “A customer bought them.” she answered.

He shook his head at her, “There has not been a customer in here for five minutes.
Why are you lying?”
“I’m not lying.” she gritted her teeth. Why was he perusing this? Could he not see
that she wanted to be left alone?

“You are. We have break now. Come on before we waste it on the ‘are too, am not’
speech.” he told her in a cold tone before walking to the tearoom, not waiting for
her.

In a huff she followed him. ‘He is so infuriating. Friend or not he’s not going to
bloody change. Once a Slytherin always a Slytherin. That’s how it works doesn’t it?’
she thought to herself, glaring at the back of his head.

“I’m going to get my food from my locker. I’ll be right back.” she told him, not
knowing why she was even talking to him. He did not acknowledge that he had
heard her. She glared at him for a second as he sat down on one of the seats and
opened a can of fire whisky.

“You’re too young to drink that.” she snapped at him.

He looked to her, “So? What are you going to do about it Granger? Tell Professor
Dumble-mumble-dore? Go right ahead. See if I care.”

She was seething. How dare he speak to her like that? How dare he insult
Dumbledore, the greatest wizard in the known wizarding world?“That’s your problem.
You don’t care. You don’t care about anyone except yourself you insufferable
asshole.”

He stood, “Ohh Granger swore. Everybody cower before her! The all-knowing Miss.
Perfect swore! Do you think that’s going to make me care about Dumble-mumble-
dore and his pathetic speeches? Or about what you think of me? Or anybody else for
that matter? Think again Granger.”

“I knew this would happen. We can’t be friends Malfoy. We’re too different. You sit
there and get drunk. I hope it kills you.” Hermione spat angered by his talk and
turned on her heel. She opened the door to the locker room and slammed it shut
behind her.

She opened her own locker and stared at its contents, her jacket and bag, for a few
moments before breaking down into tears. She leant her forehead against the locker
above hers and continued to sob. She knew she should not let Malfoy get to her but
he did. She also knew she should not care about what he said, but care she did.
Everything he said she took to heart and she absolutely no idea why.

She heard the door creak open but did not bother to turn around. “Go away Malfoy. I
hate you.” she cried in a loud tone.

“I can’t see what there is to hate.” he said in a light-hearted tone. She cried even
more, covering her face with her hands. He stood behind her uncomfortably. ‘What
can I say to stop her from crying? Sorry. Say sorry, that works.’

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say what I did.” Draco said. She turned around and gave
him a filthy look, “You’re not sorry. You meant everything you said.”
He did not deny it. She knew him better than he knew himself. “So what do you
want me to say?” She shook her head at him, “Why do you need to say anything? I
told you we’re not friends anymore. I don’t even know why I agreed to it in the first
place. Being friend is in the middle of hate and love. We can’t be in the middle.”

The familiar glint appeared in his eye suddenly. She could hit herself for saying love
in his presence. “So what you’re trying to say is either we’re enemies or
we’re...lovers?”

She gulped. ‘Merlin forbid if I say something to feed his ego.’ “That’s exactly what
I’m trying to say.” she pressed herself against the locker, afraid of the smirk on his
face and the glint in his eyes.

He took a step closer as goosebumps appeared on her arms. “I know what I’d
prefer.”

She shivered, “Well I think being enemies serves us better. It’s less complicated and
I don’t have to pretend I hate you because I already do.”

He took another step closer, she tried to press herself further against the lockers but
there was no more room to fill. She was as far back as she could possibly get. “Are
you sure about that? You don’t want to give that a second thought?”

Hermione gulped, then shook her head vigorously, “I don’t want another thought on
the matter Malfoy. It’s what I want.”

“Well you know, Slytherins aren’t known for giving others what they want but getting
what they want and I’m not one to live the Slytherins down.” he whispered in a
sultry tone. She drew in a deep breath and did not release it. Her heart was
hammering in her chest, her face was heating up.

He was getting much too close for her liking. “Stop. Don’t do this again Malfoy. We
don’t get anywhere.”

He smirked broadly, “Maybe you don’t but I do.” She exhaled and shut her eyes tight
like a child would when they are frightened. “Go away. Go away.” she was whispered
over and over. It sounded more like she was wishing and not really talking to him.

“We’ll regret it like the lake incident and the alleyway. It’s pointless, we’re not
supposed to be together. It’s wrong.” she pleaded again.

He was now only inches from her face. He bent down and silently began to kiss her
neck. Hermione was filled with that euphoria she seemed to only receive when he
touched her. “I never regretted any of it.” he whispered in her ear before making his
way again down her neck.

She wished she could run away but her feet were rooted to the spot. What they were
doing was wrong. It was beyond wrong. This is what made it even more pleasurable.
The knowledge that what they were doing was forbidden. A rush of adrenaline
pumped through Hermione’s body like an oncoming train.

He continued to kiss her neck but he was slowly making way up to her lips. By the
time he made it, his kisses were so frantic that the heat between them was causing
them both to break into a slight sweat.

He pushed her into the locker with an almighty crash. She could feel the pain rush
through her body but she ignored it. Much more pleasant things were going on. The
heated passion electrified as he slid his tongue into her mouth. She cried out with
delight but it was muffled by his mouth. His hips were thrust into her own. She could
no longer hear the little voice in her head telling her it was wrong. For once
Hermione Granger was listening to her heart one hundred percent.

Unable to hold herself up any longer, she hoisted herself up and wrapped her legs
around his waist. They continued to kiss and break apart then kiss again. The moans
and cries of pleasure released from both of them were urgent. She wrapped her
hands around the back of his neck as his held a firm hold on her lower back
supporting her.

Draco had kissed many girls but never had he felt this way with any one of them. It
was so different. Almost like he had died and gone to heaven. Although he did not
believe in such a place. What he felt went beyond euphoric or intense it was ecstasy.
And she was like a drug, he wanted more and he could not get enough of it. just like
a drug she was dangerous. She was just as likely to destroy him as to love him.

At that moment the door started to squeak open. Both of their eyes shot open in
shock. Hermione let her legs drop to the ground. There was not enough time,
however, to make themselves look presentable.

In walked Nicky. By the look on her face she must have realized she had walked in
on something as she almost walked straight back out again.

“No Nicky.” Hermione piped up, “You can go to your locker.”

Nicky smiled weakly at her, she took one look at Draco who was giving her death
stares before saying, “No it’s okay. It can wait.” She ran out of the room, her face as
bright red as a tomato.

Draco looked back at Hermione, knowing that the moment could not be regained
again. Everything she had just done came crashing back down on Hermione as it
always did.

“Oh Merlin what did we just do?” Hermione said in a soft tone, her eyes open with
horror. His heart sank as he realized she was regretting their kissing already.

“Technically nothing. We only kissed...unfortunately.” he replied. She looked at him,

daggers in her eyes, “You’ve made some sort of potion haven’t you. A love potion or
something. Is this some sort of sick joke?” Hermione asked, clearly hurt by the
thought.

He scoffed at her suggestion, “Love potion? If anyone could make something as

complicated as that it would be you!”

“Why is it then that when you touch me I can’t control my actions?” Hermione asked,
the pieces falling together. “It has to be a love potion! That’s one of the side effects!”

He shook his head at her, “You know you’re pathetic. You say I’m blind, but take a
look in the mirror. A love potion is not the only thing that has that side effect.

Hermione glared at him, straightening herself up. “Oh yes, that’s right I forgot, a
different sort of potion perhaps? A spell?”

He looked at her like she was something disgusting, “Love you naive mudblood.
What are the side effects of love?”

She let out a hallow laugh, “Love? What do you take me for Malfoy? I think I’ve
already stated my answer. I want to be enemies Malfoy. I don’t want to do this. I
can’t go on having these little episodes and then regret it later. It’s not right. I have
no regret hating you.”

“But I do damn it! Why are you doing this? Why can’t you love me? It’s not as hard
as you think. I’ll show you it’s not hard,” he pleaded, taking hold of both of her arms.

She brushed him off, “Let go. I made myself clear enough. We have to work. We’ve
already had more than enough of a break. Poor Nicky needs one.”

She walked out with Malfoy not far behind her. “I don’t want to work. I never wanted
to work. It was the only way I could see you without Potty and Weasel.”

She blocked out his shouts, pleading and his confessions. If she heard them she
would fall in his arms and she could not fall. She would not let herself.

“Fine. Fine, that’s it. No more. You’ll regret it Granger. I know you will and so will I
but it’s what you want so that’s it!” he roared just before the made it back into the
store.

Hermione went back to her station behind the checkout. She watched Malfoy make
his way to the exit. She was still reeling from the emotions she had just gone
through. She fully expected him to walk out the doors and was surprised to find him
turn around and stop still. He was breathing heavily. He glared at her a moment
before he reached into his pocket and took out his wand.

She watched him with fear as he held out his wand, his eyes giving off the
impression that they were shooting sparks. He aimed his wand at her but at the very
last moment as he yelled his spell, he directed the wand off to the fridges next to
her. The glass doors shattered into a million pieces, the sound ear splitting. The
customers left, ran out of the store screaming.

He stood, watching the meat fall onto the ground, some of it breaking out of its
packages. Hermione had jumped back just in time but the sight of so much meat and
glass on the ground made her giddy. She looked back at Draco, her face white.

He looked at her one last time, finality in his expression, before walking out after the
customers. She continued to the door even after he had walked out. She could not
believe he had just done that. She felt so dizzy. The meat, Draco yelling at her, the
heated kissing, the broken glass it was all making her sick.

The last thing she saw was Nicky running towards her before everything went black.
Chapter Sixteen

There was an uncomfortable jabbing in her side. She tried to lift a hand to swat
whomever was doing it away but she couldn’t. In fact she couldn’t move at all. She
fluttered her eyes open to find she was in a dimly lit room that looked vaguely
familiar. She was lying down on something rather uncomfortable.

The jabbing stopped. “Hermione! You’re awake thank Merlin!” Ron screeched before
Ginny and Harry hushed him. She was surprised to find them there. That was when
she realized she was no longer at work but in the hospital wing, lying on one of
the beds.

“What am I doing here?” Hermione thought aloud in a soft voice. She could barely
speak, it felt like she had been yelling. Yelling...yes she had been doing that, but to
who?

“We’d like to know that ourselves. Apparently a girl that you work with brought you
here. Nick..Nickette...something like that.” Ginny explained to her as she rubbed
Hermione’s arm warmly. Concern was written across her face but Ginny forced on a
smile.

“Nicky!” Hermione exclaimed, her throat began to soar with fresh pain. Ginny
nodded, “Yes that’s her name. She said that you had an argument with someone.
She wouldn’t say who though.”

‘Argument!’ the word played upon her memory. “Malfoy!” she said aloud in a quiet
tone only Ginny was able to hear. “Who?” Ron and Harry both asked at the same
time. Ginny was looking at Hermione with a mix of shock, amusement and curiosity.

“She said makeup. She still has to give some back to Lavender and Pavarti. Could
you go and get it? It’s on the table next to the fireplace in the common room.” Ginny
asked Ron and Harry who both look dumbfounded. They both left, however, as Ginny
ushered them out of the hospital wing.

When she returned Hermione pretended to be a sleep. “Come on Hermione, I know

you’re awake.” Ginny nudged her slightly, “You can’t ignore my questions forever.”

“I can delay them.” Hermione uttered, not opening her eyes.

“Just tell me what you fought about and how on earth you of all people smell of meat
and have cuts all over your body?” Ginny asked with a stern tone which reminded
Hermione very much of Mrs. Weasley.

“He still wants me for whatever purpose. I told him in numerous ways my feelings
towards the matter.” she paused to regain enough strength to continue, “He went
crazy. Shattered the fridges with the meat. His wand was pointed at me but he must
have had second thoughts. That’s all I remember.” she lied. She had purposefully cut
out the bits at the start. Ginny knew more than enough already about
those...occurrences.

“Nicky said you fainted. Hermione, he’ll kill you if you don’t be careful.” Ginny said in
a quiet whisper, sitting beside Hermione.

Hermione frowned at her, “You’re the one who told me that I should help him. Now
you’re telling me to stay away? What exactly do you want from me Ginny?”

Ginny sighed, “I don’t know Hermione. I don’t think I can advise you anymore. I
have absolutely no idea what I’d do if I were in your place. He needs your help, yes,
but will you risk your own personal safety for him? He is completely mad, deranged,
in need of some serious mental help. Hermione I’m scared for you.”

Hermione was shocked by Ginny’s words. She had never heard her speak this way
about anyone. She was usually positive and looked on the good sides of people. “I
told him to keep away and he said he would.”

Ginny shook her head, “Hermione he won’t listen. You’ve told him this so many
times. Look at what he’s done to you.” she picked up a mirror from the small table
next to the bed and placed it in front of her face.

She was a mess. Cuts graced her face like someone had grabbed a sheet of glass
and smashed it across her face. Hermione could not help but gape at all of thousands
of minuscule cuts. She had never been one to care about her appearance but
still...cuts on her face!

“If he is capable of doing this, what do you think he’ll do next? Mad I tell you
Hermione, he’s mad.” Ginny said gravely, placing the mirror back in its place.
Hermione could not cry. It hurt too much to cry. It hurt too much to do anything.

“What do I do Ginny. Tell me what I should do, I have no ideas, none at all.”
Hermione whispered in a tone that broke Ginny’s heart. Ginny began to cry silently,
“You’re the one who’s the know-it-all Hermione. I have no idea what you should do.
You need to tell someone...Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall...I dunno someone.
It’s getting out of hand. You can’t be alone with him Hermione.”

“No Ginny. I won’t get the headmaster or Professor McGonagall involved in this. I
have to figure this one out myself. I’ll think of something, somehow.” Hermione
refused adult help. She was old enough to look after herself, especially in matters as
delicate as these.

“But...” Ginny began but Hermione stopped her. “No, Gin. That’s it. If he wants to go
on this way, he’s got another thing coming. Crazy he may be but I don’t believe he’s
mad. I’ll help him like you originally told me. Maybe I can turn things around?”

“Help him! No, no, no Hermione. Don’t risk yourself. Don’t do this. It’ll ruin you.”
Ginny practically begged. Hermione’s mind was screaming at her to rationalize her
plans but no she would not listen. It was her heart that she needed to listen to.

“I will change him. Mark my words Ginny, if I want to be the first Wizard Psychologist
this is exactly the chance that I have been waiting for to prove myself. Think about
it. If I can make Draco Malfoy change from evil to good then everybody will know I
can do this.” Hermione said excitedly, forgetting her pain momentarily but suffering
the consequences shortly afterwards.

“I didn’t know you wanted to become a psycho...psycholocogist, however you say it.”
Ginny stared at her blankly for a moment before going but to the situation at hand,
“You can’t do this Hermione. I won’t let you. You’re digging your own grave here.
No-one, not even you Hermione, can change him. He is one of them! Have you
forgotten this?”

Hermione smiled weakly, “Oh no of course not. But I shall try Ginny, I have to try. I
can’t let Voldemort gain anymore death eaters. He has enough as it is. Malfoy as
pathetic and insufferable as he is, would be an advantage on the dark side. His
father has taught him well.” she said stubbornly, ‘As much as he tries to deny it.’ she
thought on the quiet.

Ginny shook her head at her, “If you manage to convert Malfoy to our side I’ll come
to the end of year feast dressed as a dementor.”

Hermione managed a grin, “You’re on.” Harry and Ron burst through the room. “We
couldn’t find any makeup.” They both looked out of breath. Ginny and Hermione
looked at each a moment then burst into a fit of giggles which left Hermione wincing
in pain afterwards.
“Why are there so many students crowding the patient? Out, OUT!” Madame
Promfrey walked into the room, shooing Ginny, Ron and Harry out.

Hermione smiled at them as they all walked out, leaving her with only her thoughts
to keep her company. She was going to change Malfoy, and if this meant she had to
give into him for a little while then so be it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco sat slumped in his favourite green chair in the Slytherin Common room. His
only true friend, Blaise Zambini sat on the couch opposite him. He still could not
believe his own behaivour towards Hermione. He had smashed the refrigerators!
There was no way he was going to be allowed to work there again.

“I just left her there Blaise right there next to all that meat I made fall out. She
hates meat, she can’t stand it.” Draco muttered. Blaise was the only other soul who
knew of his strong attraction to Miss. Granger, the Gryffindor.

Blaise shook his head at him, “What did she do when you smashed them?” An image
of Hermione standing behind the checkout, face white and pasty flashed before
Draco’s eyes. Her knuckles were clutching at the bench as if she was trying to hold
herself up. Her big brown eyes were wide with shock and despair. She looked ill.

“She just stared at me.” Draco said blankly. He wondered if she was still at the store.
If she was cleaning up the meat right then and the glass. What if she was being sick?
Crying because the meat reminded her of her sister’s death? And he was responsible
for all of it.

“How can you like her anyway? She’s a bloody Gryffindor and she’s your worst
enemies best friend. Honestly, it’s not like she’s good-looking or anything either. If
she was I would be able to understand this a lot easier.” Blaise shrugged his
shoulders at Draco who held his hands over his temple.

“So would I.” Draco groaned with displeasure, “But when we kiss it’s like nothing I’ve
ever experienced before. All the girls I’ve kissed, they were good, but not as bloody
good as her.”

Blaise gave his friend a dirty look, “Gryffindors are anything but good kissers.”

Draco raised an eyebrow, “And you know this how?”

Blaise smirked, “Need I tell you?” Draco rolled his eyes before closing them to
concentrate on his current predicament. “You’re not helping you know.”

Blaise sighed, “What am I supposed to say? She’s a Gryffindor. You shouldn’t ever be
in the same room as each other let alone kissing her.”

Draco’s eyes snapped open, “Why does she back away when I kiss her? I mean it’s
not like I’m ugly.”

Blaise smirked even more broadly, “You’re too conceited for your own good, maybe
that’s why she can’t stand being near you. Or maybe it’s the fact that you’ve called
her, and rightly so, a mudblood for the past six years. Coupled with the knowledge
that you will soon become a death eater. Oh yeah and then there’s the fact that
you’ve made her friends lives a living hell. Yeah I still can’t see how she hates you.”
he said sarcastically.

“Yeah but still...am I losing my touch? Girls are supposed to melt into my arms when
I kiss them. Stupid Granger is ruining my track record.” Draco complained in a
childish tone.

“Why don’t you just stop following her around and get another girl. God knows you
need one, I can’t stand you in this mood. You’re like a lovesick Hufflepuff or
something.” Blaise spat, pretending to direach.

Draco threw his head back so it hit the chair with a slight thud, “I can’t do that
Blaise. That means she wins. A Gryffindor beating a Slytherin, I can’t even bear to
think of it. Besides that she’s driving me insane. It’s like I can’t stop thinking about
her. Bloody hell what have I got myself into? This bloody Granger! Shit!” He stood up
enraged with himself.

“This is all father’s fault.” Draco pinned the blame on someone other than himself as
he usually did. Blaise was not at all fazed by Draco’s annoyance, “How do you figure
that?”

“He made me go into that damn store in Diagon Alley. If he hadn’t I wouldn’t have
bumped into her.” Draco punched the couch angrily, “Damn it!”

Blaise rolled his eyes, “You didn’t have to go back there Draco. But you still did so
it’s technically your fault.”

Draco glared at his friend, “I went back because I wanted to piss her off which I did.
It was that boyfriend of her’s! It was his fault. He was cheating on her so I had to tell
her, to piss her off even more. But no that plan backfired too.”

Blaise sighed heavily, “It’s your fault. Yours! No-one else’s. Well except for her’s too.
I mean you said she wants to keep away from you but she still gives in temporarily
doesn’t she?”

Draco nodded, “Yeah it’s her fault.”

“I don’t see why your going on about this. You just told me you put an end to
everything. Remember the whole regretting speech?” Blaise raised his eyebrows.

Draco threw himself back onto the couch, “You know I didn’t mean it.”

“Do you mean anything?” Blaise needed to ask. Draco gave him a dirty look, “Why
the hell do I go to you for help?” Blaise pretended to look hurt but Draco knew he
was not. He got up and went into his room, slamming the door closed and then
throwing himself onto his bed.

Hermione was not scared of him and he like a girl with courage. It was amazing that
he had not fallen for more Gryffindors. In fact it surprised him that Slytherins and
Gryffindors were so against each other. They were so similar. ‘That’s probably why.
We’ve got the same qualities except we’re the evil ones and they’re the good ones.’
‘You’re going to be the death of me Granger.’ he thought angrily as she again began
to invade his thoughts with her harsh words and boldness.

Chapter Seventeen

“So let me get this straight. You, Hermione Granger of Gryffindor, want to be with
me, Draco Malfoy of Slytherin?” he emphasised their names and especially the
Gryffindor and Slytherin part. He still could hardly believe his ears. She was flushed
by his putting the situation so simply. She nodded though.

He smirked broadly at her but she found nothing amusing. “I knew you’d come
around.” he said smugly, “No girl can resist me.” It took everything in Hermione to
stop herself from placing her fist into his perfect face. How she had managed to get
herself in this situation she would never fully understand but it had happened and
there was no turning back.

“Don’t make your head any bigger than it is.” she snapped, her eyes flashing
furiously. But his amiable mood was undeterred. The comment only made him smirk
broader if that was possible.

They were inside the library working on the employment project Dumbledore had
issued them not so long ago. Hermione’s cuts had been thankfully cleared by
Madame Profrey’s healing potions. It had been only a few days since she had been
released from her care but Hermione still felt rather ill.

“If you had any manners whatsoever Malfoy you’d be apolgising to me for your little
tantrum the other day which might I add, injured me.” Hermione said in a matter-of-
fact tone, sticking her nose in the air out of indignation.

Draco’s smirk slipped off his face slightly, “That wasn’t my fault that you fainted.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “No, you just happened to smash the fridges with the
meat which you know has a bad effect on me and for good reason by accident.” she
said in a sarcastic tone.

Draco gritted his teeth, his grip on the quill he held suddenly tightened, “I lost
control okay?”

It was Hermione’s turn to smirk. She had touched a nerve and got him back and
they both knew it. “Well next time you lose control why don’t you try to control it like
a normal person?” she advised with a cool glance.

He glared at her, “Are you trying to say I’m not normal? Well Hermione, dear, for
your information you’re right. I’m not normal. I’m better than everybody else. To be
classified as normal would be an insult indeed.”

Hermione slammed her quill onto the table, “Why don’t you just get your lips
permanently sewn onto your ass. Bloody hell you’re the most conceited prick in the
world.” she hissed angrily.

His smirk returned. He leaned in closer to her, their lips only inches apart, “And you
just love it.” he whispered softly. Their eyes met, one with lust and the other with
hatred. She felt she could gaze into his blue eyes and find his soul. It was damaged
but it could be repaired. The remembered her bet with Ginny. She was supposed to
change him and what was she doing? Bickering with him yet again.

Lost in her thoughts she had not realised that Draco had begun to inch closer. Only
when she felt lips pressed against her own did she came back to reality. She was
drowing again in the most heightened feeling she had ever felt. Kissing him...it was
like kissing heaven.

He stopped kissing her. “You know what the best thing is?” he asked her with a grin
not unlike his usual smirk. She humoured him, “What?”

“Because you are now my girlfriend, you can’t stop me from kissing you.” he
whispered in a sultry tone before locking lips with her again. Hermione’s mind began
to work overtime.

She pushed him back with her hands, “So you think just because I’m
your...your..girl...girlfriend you can do whatever you want to me? That’s not how it
works” she struggled to get the word out, wanting to be sick at the mere thought of
being his ‘girl’ but Draco was amused by her struggles.

“Oh but it is because when you’re my grilfriend, you are entitled and privligied to my
kisses whenever I want to bestow them.” He grinned at her horror-stricken face.

“You’re a - ” she began but was interrupted by him.

“Bloody fantastic snogger and I can’t believe that I managed to get the courage to
ask you out.” he finsihed for her with his tradmark smirk. She glared at him, “That’s
NOT what I was going to say.”

“But that’s what you were thinking, and you can’t deny it.” He said smugly before
kissing her again. Hermione could not stop him, even if she wanted to. No matter
what she managed to say, she could not deny the fact that he was a bloody good
snogger. Privliged she may be but there was no way she would ever admit to it. Just
as he would never admit that she was one of the best snoggers he had ever had the
pleasure of encountering either.

He placed his arms on her waist and pulled her across the bench so that there was
no space left between them. She was lost in her own little world of sheer bliss, not
realising that she had placed her arms around his neck and was pushing his face
closer to hers.

The kiss was intense and she was enjoying it. Unfortunately Madame Pince, the
librarian Draco loved to call, ‘The sex deprived hawk’ had turned the corner and had
begun shouting at them.

“Never in all my years - ” her long speech had started but the rest neither Draco nor
Hermione heard. They had packed their things instantly and had run out of the
library before she had the chance to tell them off properly.

Well away from the library, Hermione and Draco stopped in one of the deserted
corridors to catch their breath. They had been laughing at the same time. “What – a
– crazy – old – hag” Hermione managed to gasp, clutching her heart.

Draco grinned, catching his breath, “I told you she was a sex deprived hawk. She
couldn’t stand the fact that students more than half her age were getting some and
she isn’t.”

Hermione could not help but laugh at his remark. Draco smiled broadly, he loved her
laugh. It was full of life. Not like Pansy’s dead, completely forced, shrill one.
Hermione was as genuine a girl as they came. He could hardly believe that they were
going out.

“I think we should finish this another day. I have to go and see if Ron and Harry are
doing their homework. I’ll see you later.” Hermione cried, running off before he could
catch her.

“Wait!” he cried but she had already turned the corner. His anger and fustratioin
returned. Why did she always have to do that? ‘Damn Pince and her bloody temper.’

He sighed. There was nothing he could do. He just had to wait and hope Hermione
would eventually feel as much as he felt because he knew she did not. She had
asked him out, yes that was true, but it was not out of love or like...there was
another reason behind it. He had no clue as to what it could be and he didn’t really
care, he was going out with her! But still...there was a reason...

Chapter Eighteen

“LONGBOTTOM! I told you to stir it three times after you put in the dragon’s heart!
Get rid of this disgusting mess!” Professor Snape roared at poor Neville who cowered
before his potions teacher, shaking like a leaf.

As soon as Snape’s back was turned she scurried over to her friend to see if she
could help him out in any way. “It’s okay Neville. Don’t listen to him, you can do it
well I know you can. I’ve seen it. Now all you have to do is...”

“Sir!” drawled a familiar voice from the back of the classroom. Hermione froze.

“Yes Mr. Malfoy?” Snape’s voice was calm and tolerable as he gazed upon
his prize student. Draco smirked at Hermione before stating to the entire class,
“Granger’s helping Longbottom out. Isn’t this potion supposed to be marked? I don’t
think it would be fair if Longbottom got help.”
Hermione could feel herself burning up, her patience slipping and her anger nearing
boiling point. How dare that son of a death eater interfere with things he knew
nothing of? Snape turned to Hermione who gave a weak smile. She could see Draco
over Snape’s shoulder having a good old chuckle with his goons.

“Miss. Granger, please pack away your things this instant and you too Mr.
Longbottom. I do not tolerate cheating in this class. You would think that after seven
years you would know this.” Snape hissed, a greasy grin crawling onto his ugly
featured face.

Hermione could not figure out what was more hideous, his greasy hair or his
abnormally large hooked nose. Either way she was still going to be graded zero and
all because she had wanted to help Neville. ‘Of all the injustices of this school, Snape
has to be the worst.’ she thought as she dragged herself back to her own cauldron
and began packing her perfect blue potion away.

As everybody else handed in their potion vials she remained in her seat, doing her
best to not look put out. “Next time Granger, I suggest you keep your smart brain to
yourself.” Draco hissed in her ear.

She spun around, “Next time I suggest YOU shut your pathetic ferret mouth up and
stop budding into other people’s business.” she gave him a sweet smile before
turning back around.

“Well that would not be very nice now would it? You would be denied the pleasure of
kissing me and I know that would put you out most grievously.” he stated in a cocky
tone that Hermione wished she could squash out of him.

“I would not dream of ever kissing you again Malfoy.” Hermione stated in a quiet but
cool voice so that nobody else in the room would hear her acknowledge the fact that
she had kissed him.

“We both know that’s not true. You dream of more than kissing me.” he hissed in her
ear in a rather audible tone. Hermione was getting anxious now. What if somebody
heard? What if somebody told Harry or Ron?

“Go away Malfoy.” Hermione hissed, trying to put on a happy face as Ron and Harry
turned around in the line to wave. They were near the back so Hermione was sure
they would not be back for another minute at least.

“So you don’t deny it do you?” she may not have been able to see his face but she
could tell he had that conceited face on him.

“If you want to bicker fine but just not here and now. We’ll fight later.” Hermione
informed him, deciding that she would not say anything more. But Draco’s words
always managed to spur her into a little verbal frenzy.

“Who said you get to decide on where we fight. People don’t arrange to fight
Granger, that’s just stupid. It would bring all the fun out of it. So where was I? Ah
yes, the part where I tell you that you can’t deny me.” he gave a small chuckle.

Hermione clenched her teeth and her fists. ‘Stay in control Hermione. Don’t listen to
what he says.’

“You know I thought dating you would be less fun. Turns out I’m wrong.”

“You’re always wrong.” Hermione could not help but put in another two cents worth.
If she had to pay two cents for rude remark she had said lately to Malfoy she knew
she would be broke. But there was no way she could help it. He was insufferable and
she, being the righteous know-it-all could not keep her insults to herself. ‘We’re
rather alike in that way.’ the thought comprehending what she had just thought, “No
we’re not.”

“What? Now we’re not? What are you talking about Granger?” Draco interrupted her.
She had not realized she had said it aloud.

“Nothing.” Hermione said grumpily. How long was it going to take for Harry and Ron
to get back?

“Talking to yourself again I see. You know what the cure to that is?” he asked her in
a ‘I-know-everything-and-you-don’t’ tone.

“What?” Hermione sighed. Maybe it would be better if he just got out whatever he
had to say so that she could finally be alone.

“Spending time with me. You can just let out whatever it is you want to say. I say
that’s pretty good medication don’t you? You don’t even need to spend any money
on it. Unless of course you want to give me presents although I doubt you know my
taste.” he said softly.

“I think that’s downright dangerous medication. It would have side effects. Honestly,
you would not even be able to fit them all on the box. You’d need a whole book of
them!” Hermione chuckled at the thought. She could already think of number one.
“Caution – May become conceited ferret” she said it aloud for him to hear.

At the mention of ferret, he turned slightly pale but then he grinned again, “But the
effects could depend on the individual. You may not get any side effects at all. Just a
positive result at the end.”

She rolled her eyes, “You mean become like you. I’d rather keep saying some of my
thoughts aloud.”

As Ron and Harry began to return he quickly said before leaving, “Let’s try it out
shall we? During dinner in the room of requirement.” With that said and done he left
before she could even answer.

‘Bloody idiot.’ she thought angrily before putting on a cheery face for her friends.

“I have to get a good mark this time. It was exactly the same colour as yours
Hermione and nothing happened to it on the way.” Harry said in a proud tone.
Hermione could not help but feel proud for him too, “I knew you could do it Harry.”

Ron was put out, “And what about me? Mine was good too. Yes I know it wasn’t
exactly the same colour but it was close!”
Hermione smiled broadly, “Yes good boy Ron.” she patted him on the head, or tried
to as he was so tall she could barely reach.

Harry cracked up laughing and so did Hermione, leaving poor Ron to frown. “You’re
both mean know-it-all’s. Harry sighed, slapping his friend on the shoulder, “Ah come
off it mate, you know I won’t get a good mark even if it did turn out right. Snape’ll
probably break the potion himself and say I never handed it in or something.”

Hermione was horrified by the notion, “If he does it would be very unfair indeed.”

Ron smiled, feeling a little better, “Since when has Snape ever been fair?”

Hermione sighed, agreeing with Harry and Ron. Snape was never going to change
and that was a fact. Perhaps it was a fact with Draco Malfoy too and she was just
wasting her time. But she had to try didn’t she? But only Merlin knew what would
happen at dinner.

Chapter Nineteen

“Hermione, where are you going? It’s dinner.” Harry asked her as she began to walk
in the opposite direction the Great Hall.

“Oh erm...” she started nervously, “I have to go to the library, you know, heaps of
things to read.” she lied, cursing herself inside. It was all Malfoy’s fault that she was
lying to her friends.

Harry and Ron gave her a quizzical look. Harry seemed less convinced than Ron who
was muttering something about being an ‘insufferable know-it-all’. But they let her
go all the same. She took her time getting to the room. She really did not want to
go. She did not even know why she was going. Everything to do with Draco Malfoy
was no good.

‘Except for his looks.’ she could not help but correct herself. Automatically she
slapped herself on the head. ‘No, not that. He’s no good altogether.’ The door was
there. Her insides were squirming nervously.

“Come on Hermione, get yourself together. You can do this. Just ignore all the
insults. Think of what Ginny said. It’s not his fault that he’s like that. Okay here we
go...” she turned the knob and entered the room.

Immediately she was stunned. She could not breathe. She could not move. Inside
the room there were thousands of candles and roses. In the middle was a table set
for two and what looked like a meal. Soft music played harmoniously from an
unknown source. The floor was covered in rose petals. And standing right in the
middle was none other than Draco Malfoy.

He bowed to her, “Welcome my lady.” He stood upright and gave the most conceited
smirk he could possibly summon. Hermione could not think of anything she could
say. She could not insult him but then she could not complement him as it would
feed his ego.

She walked inside and the door closed behind her without anyone touching it. Draco
moved forward, grabbing hold of one of her hands. He led her to the table and urged
her to sit down.

“Malfoy?” Hermione asked questionably as she sat opposite him at the table. He
smirked at her. “What?” She frowned.

“You didn’t do any of this did you? I mean the whole point of the room of
requirement is that you just have to imagine what you want and it’ll appear. You just
imagined this and here it is. No hard work at all.” she commented, still frowning.

He chuckled at her, “You can’t just accept things can you? You always have to pull
out the bad things and throw them in people’s faces. You know I may not have done
anything but I didn’t have to think of doing this. I had to think of the idea didn’t I?”

She rolled her eyes, “Oh yes, thinking. How terribly hard. But I will credit you, to
feed your bloody ego.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Tut, tut Miss. Granger. Where are your manners? No cursing
at the dinner table.”

“What are you doing this Malfoy?” she asked him, her eyes narrowed. She did not
trust him. Not one bit, “What are you trying to prove?”

He did not answer straight away. Instead he picked up a small piece of paper beside
him and look over it a moment. Then finally after a few seconds of silence he handed
it over to her.

She stared at the piece of parchment. Did she dare touch it? It could be cursed, it
could have a special charm to do something to her. Her smirked at her, “Where your
Gryffindor courage? Take the parchment Granger, I swear on my honour as a
Slytherin that it nothing but parchment.”

It was her turn to smirk, “Well that’s not much than is it?” But she did as he said and
took the parchment. Nothing happened. She stared at him curiously. He had that
glint in his eye, which she had learnt to be wary of. He motioned for her to read the
paper.

She looked down and read the perfect curvy, calligraphy handwriting.

Draco,

The time has finally come. You are to assemble at midnight in front of the school
gates this coming Saturday. From there we shall escort yourself and your brother to
the Dark Lord’s chosen place. I shall inform you of the finer details when I see you
next. Do not disappoint me, my son.

LM

Millions of questions began to cloud Hermione’s mind. She looked up to find him
smirking yet again. ‘How can he be smirking at a time like this?’ she thought to
herself angrily.

“The dark mark?” Hermione asked him. It was the only thing she could think of
which would explain ‘the time has finally come’ sentence. He nodded, still smirking.
She glared at him, a sour taste in her mouth. Why was he smirking?

“So you’re going to get it and with your long lost brother so it seems.” Hermione
commented. She dearly wanted to know everything about this so-called brother but
she did not want to give Draco the pleasure of knowing that she was interesting in
his personal affairs.

He nodded again. His smirk was ever broadening. He looked as though he was about
to burst into laughter. She was seething. “Why are you laughing?!” she cried angrily,
unable to keep herself from asking the question any longer.

He began to laugh aloud, “You.” he answered simply. Her hands, which were on her
lap clenched into fists. ‘Come on punch him. Just one punch. It’ll get all this anger
out.’ her mind thought. She fought the desire.

“What is so funny about me? This.” she waved the parchment in the air, “Is serious
not funny. I don’t see anything humorous about it.” she said through clenched teeth.

He shook his head, chuckling, “Oh no it is. You see I knew this was going to come. I
knew this year was going to be there year that I would become forever branded as a
dark, evil little cockroach as you so kindly dubbed me.”

She raised an eyebrow, still unable to see where he was getting at, “So?”

He laughed, “Don’t you find it ironic how I’m about to finally become what my father
wants and this year, this very day I am defying his golden rule. Don’t fraternize with
a mudblood.”

She still could not find it funny. It was stupid. “That’s not funny. You could get into
serious trouble being here tonight with me. Going anywhere near me, in fact, would
be downright dangerous.”

He nodded, “True. Don’t you have other questions to ask? I know you do. I can see
you do.”

She pursed her lips, “Yes many. But the most prominent are, one, why are you
holding a dinner with a mudblood when you know you could get killed for it, two,
who is your brother and three, are you going to get the mark?”

She waited with baited breath for him to answer. And he took his sweet time too. He
picked up a glass full of fire whisky and sipped at it, looking at her the whole time.
Setting his glass down he turned to her.

“One, because you’re my girlfriend.’ he emphasized the word, ‘girlfriend’, ‘and why
shouldn’t I hold a romantic dinner for you?” he smirked and she opened her mouth,
clearly infuriated but he raised his hand to stop her. “I’m not finished yet. Two. His
name is Salazar and he is not only my brother but my twin.” Hermione’s mouth
dropped open in shock, before he added, “You have seen him too.”

“No I have not.” Hermione was sure of this. She would know if she had seen
someone that looked like Draco Malfoy. But suddenly she realized she had.

“Diagon Alley. That day that I used the polyjuice potion.” he cleared up for her and
she nodded. He continued before she could say anything else, “And three, it’s up to
you.”

She gave him a dirty look, “It’s up to ME to decide whether you get your dark mark?
What are you on Malfoy?”

He shrugged, smirking at her, “A lot of things and nothing.” Hermione rolled her eyes
for the second time that night. He confused her and infuriated her so much that all
she wanted to do was clobber him one, but knew even that would not make a
difference. He was cocky, stubborn and completely and utterly conceited.

“Better get dinner on the table then. I wouldn’t want my girlfriend getting hungry
now would I?” again he emphasized the word ‘girlfriend’. Hermione gave him a
quizzical look before clapping his hands three times.

Hermione looked about the room nervously. What was he doing now? Suddenly a
few dishes of pasta, fruit and other different things popped in front of them.
Hermione inwardly gave a sigh of relief. He must have seen the relief wash over her
face as he commented, “I would not have used house elves. I know how you detest
it.”

Hermione smiled thankful for the gesture. She looked upon the food and noted there
was no meat. It was completely vegetarian meal. Another sigh of relief escaped her.
He gave a small smile as she thanked him for not including a meat meal.

“You’re welcome. Now let’s eat.” he said, picking up the fork and digging into a bowl
of pasta. She watched him for a second as he ate the curly pasta. She then looked to
her own and picked up the fork, a thought suddenly entering her mind. What if it’s
poisoned? She dropped the fork.

He looked up and she looked form the pasta to him. He stopped eating, “You’re
pathetic.” he said, the smile slipping off his face.
“For not trusting my enemy?” she asked, her expression was of pure distrust.

He gave her a frown and look than implied he was disappointed in her, “I’m your
boyfriend not your enemy.”

She shook her head, “You’re both. Besides this isn’t a real relationship is it? It never
was.” They both knew it was the truth and had known it for sometime. But to have it
said aloud was a shock to both of them.

“What is it then?” Draco asked, hatred filled in his tone, “What are we?”

“Enemies.” she stated without a moment’s hesitation. He shook his head at her, “You
know what? You’re right. We’re enemies. Always were. Always will be. And yet here
we are, having dinner together. Neither of us friends nor lovers. We’re sitting here
away from our friends and our fellow classmates. Why is that Hermione?”

Her eyes were brimming with tears. “The Supermarket. Diagon Alley. Summer.
Everything. Events is what led us here Malfoy. I just want thing s to go back to
normal. Do you want to know why I asked you out? Because of a bet I had with
Ginny. I said I could change you. She didn’t believe me. I said I could make you
nice.”

He stared at her a moment with shock but then his expression turned livid, “Nice?
How would that happen Granger? You know I come from an evil family.” he said in a
sarcastic tone. “Do you want to know why I asked you here?”

“Tell me.” Hermione hissed, tears had started to spill down onto her face. She felt
sick.

“Because I wanted to know if this relationship was worth saving. I guess I know the
answer now don’t I? So guess what Granger, you just ruined your plan, this
relationship and any hope of stopping me from becoming a death eater.” he said, a
crazy grin sliding into place on his pale face.

“What relationship Malfoy? You knew it wasn’t a real relationship! So stop trying to
make me feel sorry for you, or feeling as though this whole thing is my fault because
it isn’t okay? It’s your fault. You were the one who decided to come into that damn
store. You were the one who decided to get to me while I was working there. STOP
SMIRKING!” she roared as she stood up.

He stood also, still smiling, “I wish you could have chosen otherwise Hermione. I
would have gladly given up the dark mark for you.”

She glared at him, “You know you would not have.”

He raised both eyebrows, “Oh no, I would have. I know I would have. Don’t you
remember what I told you in that alley way? What you told me?”

How could she forget? She could not. That moment would forever remain etched her
mind. He walked around the table and whispered in her ear, “I still love you Granger,
you stubborn, pathetic little mudblood.”

“And I still hate you, Draco Malfoy, you conceited, insufferable ferret.” she told him
quietly, shivering at his closeness. ‘Go away, go away, go away.’ she thought over
and over. But she could not, for whatever reason, say it aloud.

“I know you do. You hate me just as much as you love me I expect. But that does
not matter does it? The choice you made it true to your heart?” he asked her. He
wanted desperately for her to tell him that she meant nothing of what she said. That
she wanted to help him still. But he knew it would not happen.

Her tears were now flowing non-stop down her cheeks and her chin. But she kept her
head held high, “It is.”

He nodded, there was no smile on his face any longer. “Then so be it.”

Chapter Twenty

The days were getting colder and although the rain pelted down upon them, the
students of Hogwarts from third year onwards were not to be deterred. Christmas
was fast approaching and this was the only chance the students had to buy gifts for
their family and friends. The excitement and Christmas cheer had filled the entire
castle. But for two students, the fact that it was Christmas was meaningless and
could not stop them from drowning in self-pity.

Hermione felt she was rather lucky to have a shift on the day they could go to
Hogsmeade. After all, Ginny, Harry and Ron would be able to visit her as she worked
and she could have lunch with them on her break. Another reason she felt
particularly happy on this day was because he would not be there. She was fairly
certain that after his angry outburst, which had resulted in damage to the store,
would have got him fired. He would not be there! But not even this could cheer her
up completely.
Clutching at her robes trying desperately to seek extra warmth, she ran through the
deep snow to the store. Her eyes were darker than ever and it was apparent that she
had a very minimal amount of sleep. She had been trying with every effort to be the
Hermione that she had been before he had entered that store in Diagon Alley and
changed everything. It had been only two days since that night that she kept reliving
in her mind through classes, meals and even her dreams. Nothing, it seemed, could
erase this memory. She had been tempted, more than once, to perform a memory
charm on herself but remembering Lockhart she chickened out.

“Good morning Hermione!” a cheery Lindsay greeted her as she entered the cozy
and rather warm store. Hermione had become friends with the sweet redhead but
had hardly enough time to speak to her other than at work.

“Morning Linds’. How’s business going?” she asked politely, doing her best to sound
casual. Instead her voice came out cracked and raspy. The amount of crying she had
been doing of late had done some damage to her vocal cords.

“Doing better than you are. What’s up?” Lindsay asked, placing a comforting hand on
Hermione’s shoulder.

Hermione gave her a weak smile, “Nothing, just a throat infection.” She lied, hating
herself for doing it. It was fast becoming a habit to lie to her friends and she blamed
it on him. She blamed everything on him. It was the easiest thing to do.

Lindsay was not fooled by Hermione’s lie. She shook her head at her then frowned.
“When you’re ready to come clean I’ll be in the tea room. I’ll be leaving soon though.
Oh and you’ll be working by yourself on registers today. Your friend will be doing the
fridges.”

It took awhile for Hermione to register Lindsay’s words but when they had finally
sunk in she nearly screamed, “Friend? What friend?” she asked aloud. Her heart was
thumping wildly. ‘It couldn’t be him. He was fired. There was no way he could have
squirmed his way out of it after causing so much damage! Besides he nearly killed
me. People can’t get away with hurting fellow staff members!’ she thought
desperately.

“Oh you know, the guy from your school. Draco, I think his name is. Such a babe if
you ask me.” Lindsay grinned, winking at Hermione. But Hermione was taking no
notice of Lindsay. She was busy trying not to be sick. ‘There’s no way I can face him.
I’m not ready. Nope, can’t do it Hermione. Say you’re sick and go back to the castle.
But what about your lunch plans with Ginny, Harry and Ron? Don’t be stupid! Here
you are in a positively lethal situation and you’re worrying about lunch plans? Lethal?
It’s not lethal! Yes it is, no it isn’t.’ “SHUT UP!” Hermione cried aloud.

Lindsay who had been talking immediately stopped and looked shocked. A couple of
customers looked their way. Hermione blushed, “No not you. I was talking to
myself.”

“Ah…okay. Um…I’ll talk to you later Hermione.” Lindsay gave her a weak smile
before heading off to the tearoom. Hermione looked about the room. He wasn’t
there. They had always had the same shifts. Maybe he had decided to pretend to be
sick? She could only hope so.
Taking her place behind the register she began to serve. Throughout the first two
hours she saw Pavarti Patil, Lavender Brown and Padma Patil who all brought a
packet of condoms each. Hermione was rather embarrassed but not because they
were buying condoms. She was unable to give them a parting greeting. Saying,
‘Have a nice day,’ would only feed their egos and she did not want to do that. How
she hated egos! Especially someone’s…but she could not think of him. She couldn’t.
If she did the tears would begin before she could snap her fingers.

“Hermione!” Ginny Weasley bounded towards her, her long dark red hair fanning
behind her.

Hermione grinned, or rather tried to unsuccessfully. “Hi Gin. Is it lunch already?”

Ginny nodded with a bright grin. Ginny had been rather happy lately and Hermione
had a feeling that it had something to do with a certain dark haired boy whom she
knew as Harry Potter. The two had been rather smitten and although Hermione could
not be happier for them she would not help but feel a twinge of sadness also. She
wished she could be in love with someone as much as they loved each other.
Sometimes she had thought she had loved him but she could not think of him. Not
now. She had forbidden herself to think of him. Yet not thinking of him was like Ron
acting like a gentleman. It simply was not going to happen.

“Hurry Hermione! We don’t have long. Who’s going to be looking after the store
while you’re on break?” Ginny asked furrowing her eyebrows. Hermione looked
around the store. Lindsay had said it would only be Draco and herself. But he had
not shown up. Or so she thought…

“Hey isn’t that…” Ginny began but she did not need to finish as Hermione had
spotted him. He was across the store, filling the fridges with boxes of some product
or another. Hermione’s heart leapt into her throat. Her stomach churned. Her brain
went fuzzy and all sensibility seemed to have been lost.

He turned, feeling a pair or two of eyes upon him. His eyes immediately found her
large brown one’s, which were slowly driving him tom insanity. She was all he had
thought of those past few days, except his father and his upcoming marking. That
simple stare that had lasted only a few seconds brought a million memories flowing
back. That day in the alleyway where they had kissed for the first time., the night in
the lake, their fiery moment of passion in the locker room and finally that dinner.
The dinner was the only memory that he wanted to erase forever. She had denied
love for him in all of his other memories yet it was that night that hurt him most.
Somehow he knew there was no more, ‘them’. She had meant every word she had
said and that was the end of it.

“Hermione?” Ginny asked softly, pulling the arm of her friend who was transfixed by
the sight of Draco Malfoy. Ginny had noticed the sudden decline in Hermione’s
happiness ever since Draco Malfoy had stepped into her life yet she had also realized
something had changed between the enemies. Something un-nameable that Ginny
experienced every time she looked at Harry. But as Hermione’s best friend her first
concern was Hermione’s happiness.

“I’m coming.” Hermione breathed, moving her eyes away from his. They walked out
of the store and went to the Hogs Inn. Neither of them wanted to be around a noisy
crowd. “So where’s Harry and Ron?” Hermione asked solemnly. Pain and anguish
was evident by her tone.
Ginny rolled her eyes as she sipped her dusty butterbeer, “Zonkos.” Hermione
nodded, trying to smile but it just would not come.

“Listen Hermione. What’s going on? I know a heart-broken girl when I see one.”
Ginny said boldly. “I’M NOT HEARTBROKEN!” Hermione seethed her grip on her
butterbeer tightened.
Ginny nodded, not saying anything else. But when Hermione suddenly burst into
tears, she was beside her friend in a heartbeat. “You win Ginny.” Hermione managed
to say through her tears and sobs.

“Won?” Ginny asked, confused. Her friend was crying, what had she won?

“The bet! You win! You win!” Hermione sobbed, placing her hands over her face as
she continued to cry. Ginny was stunned momentarily. She placed her arms around
her friend.

“That was a stupid bet. Forget it Hermione. What happened, tell me.” Ginny
sympathized, patting her friend’s back.

Hermione through her tears told her friend where she really was at dinner that night
not so long passed. By the time she had finished Ginny was speechless.

“He...he...a romantic dinner!” Ginny stumbled over her words. Her bright blue eyes
were as large and round as galleons. Hermione nodded, “Yes how stupid! He thought
that’d sway me. He tried to put everything on my shoulders Gin. He’s a liar. He’d
have never given up his place as a death eater to be with me.”

Ginny was still shocked, “Hermione! He gave you a romantic dinner! Candles and
everything! Oh, I would have given anything to see the room. Roses!” she groaned
as she thought.

Hermione frowned, “Stop thinking of the ploy Ginny for that was all it was. He was
trying to involve me in his death eater games. Probably just trying to get me for
Voldemort. I’m Harry’s friend am I not? Voldemort would want me to get to Harry.”

Ginny shook her head vigorously, “No Hermione, I don’t think so. Neither Voldemort
nor Lucius Malfoy would have ever been able to think of a plan like this. I mean how
would they know you love roses?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Ginny practically every girl loves roses. But you’re right.
They wouldn’t have been able to come up with a plan like that. It must have been
Draco .He probably thought if he gave his master Hermione Granger he’d get in good
with Voldmort. Yeah, that’s it.”

“ No Hermione! If he came up with a plan like that I don’t think it would have been
this…good? I don’t think he’d have gone to all this trouble just for his master. It must
be real Hermione. He must love you! A romantic dinner!” Ginny squealed.

Hermione could not believe her friend. Draco Malfoy was nothing but a liar and death
eater to be. He would kill mudbloods like her without so much as a batter of an
eyelid. Perhaps he would even kill her some day. Merlin knew he was killing her now
with his games.
Before either of them could say another word, two ashen-faced boys rushed into the
inn. It was Harry and Ron. They took a second to catch their breath before
approaching the girls.

“Hermione!” Ron cried at the same time as Harry

Hermione quickly wiped away some of the stray tears left on her face. Ron and Harry
did not notice her tears or that she was in a distraught frame of mind. What they had
to say was so important that they could see nothing unusual going on around them.

“McGonagall wants you. She says it’s really important and that we should come with
you.” Harry said in one breath.

They hurried back to the castle where the Professor had told them to go. Hermione
asked the boys questions but they refused to say anything. Ginny had gone tot notify
Draco that she would not be returning to work. Hermione would have told somebody
else but Draco was the only one there and Lindsay would have already left.

“Miss Granger, please take a seat. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley if you may.” she nodded
to the door. They both nodded, giving Hermione an apprehensive look, which she
returned with curiosity.

Once they were alone the Professor began, “I know this will come as shock to you
and you are welcome to miss classes if need be.”

“Please Professor just tell me.” Hermione begged. What had happened? The
professor seemed rather upset.

Professor McGonagall nodded to adhere to her wishes, “I’m very sorry dear. Your
parents, they have died in a car accident.”

Chapter Twenty One

Lost, dead, sad, angry, shocked. She felt all of these emotions and yet somehow she
could do nothing about it. Her parents were…dead? No, it was not right. It could not
be! They were alive. They had to be!

She felt dizzy, she felt sick and she was sweating profusely. She was slipping in and
out of consciousness. But to Hermione there was not much difference. She could only
think of how her parents must have died. Pictured her father’s red car spinning out
of control, hitting a pole just as Professor McGonagall had described.

The tears had never seemed to stop. The uncontrollable trembling. Harry, Ron and
Ginny were beside her. Ginny was trying to calm her. Her soothing words however,
Hermione could not hear. Harry was dabbing a wet cloth upon her forehead whilst
Ron held her hand. She loved her friends to bits yet somehow through this fever she
had suddenly received, she needed only one person. The one person she knew would
never come.

Professor McGonagall had granted special permission for Ron, Harry and Ginny to
stay with her at the Hospital Wing until she was well enough to go back to classes.
They did however; have to attend their own classes.

The light in the room was dim. The darkness comforted her. It was like it was
hugging her, protecting her from what lay beyond. Her breathing was shallow, but
every breath she took was sharp. Her friends were frightened but Madame Promfrey
told them there was nothing more she could do for her. It was apart of the mourning
process and she would simply have to cry it out.

“Mourning process! My godfather died and I wasn’t like this!” Harry snapped at
Madame Promfrey angrily. He had always been sick of people pretending to
understand how he felt and now they were doing it to Hermione. Where would it
end?

“Everybody deals with death differently Mr. Potter. If you cannot accept this I
suggest you leave.” Madame Promfrey snapped, pointing a long thin finger at the
door. Harry muttered under his breath, glaring at the witch until she disappeared
into her office.

Hermione had slipped back into a restless sleep. Ginny, Harry and Ron watched her
struggle, heard her cry out, “I hate you!” before shutting her mouth and falling
silent. Ron and Harry had no idea who she was supposed to be talking to but Ginny
knew. And suddenly she had an idea.

“I’ll be right back. If Hermione wakes up tell her I’ve um…gone to the toilet or
something.” Ginny muttered, a crazy grin spread across her face. Her eyes glinted
fiercely.

Harry and Ron watched her run out of the room before looking at each other with a
bewildered expression. “She always was mental.” Ron said, Harry smirked slightly,
“Nah, just excited over something that I wish I knew.”

Ron gave his friend a concerned look, “Er…right.” Ron had been noticing Harry’s
preoccupation with his sister. He was never quite sure whether he wanted his best
mate going out with his sister. But if it came down to it, Ron would rather Harry than
Dean or someone like him.

“Ron, she’s trembling!” Harry cried, he was nervous. What if this was not mourning
but something else? He did not want Hermione to die.

Ron rushed to get Madame Promfrey. She took one look at Hermione and flicked her
wand and muttered a spell unknown to Harry and Ron. Relief spread over Hermione’s
face and the trembling stopped.

“I think you boys should go to bed. I put her nerves to rest so she should not wake
for a while. Go on.” Madame Promfrey ushered them out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Malfoy!” Ginny cried, running down the corridor to the dungeons towards a blonde
seventh year boy. He turned, surprise written across his face, as he watched the
Weasley girl running towards him.

He had finished his shift only moments ago. His thoughts were only on one girl.
Ginny Weasley had been rather obscure when she told him that Hermione would not
be returning. His immediate thought was that she was avoiding him. But seeing
Ginny Weasley running towards him at that moment struck the fear of Merlin within
him. What if she was hurt? Or worse?

“Malfoy. I need a favour.” Ginny cut to the chase once she finally reached him. She
did not even pause to catch her breath.

He sneered at her, “You expect a favour from me Weasel?” He gave a hollow

laughed, “You must be deluded.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, “What if it was for Hermione?” She allowed herself to give him
a knowing grin and a wink.

The sneer was wiped off his face in seconds. Ginny Weasley knew. ‘Everything. Bet
Hermione told her. Damn girls and their insane gossip sessions! Why can’t they keep
anything to themselves.’ Malfoy sighed, “What do you want Weasley?”

Ginny grinned, “Knew you’d come around if it had anything to do with her.” Malfoy
scowled, “Don’t mess with me girl. Tell me what you want or leave.”

Ginny nodded, still smiling, “I need you to come with me.” Malfoy smirked, “Please
Weasley I’m not that low. Follow a Weasley! Ha!”

Ginny’s smile slipped, “Listen Malfoy I don’t like you, you don’t like me. Yes I know.
You have to come with me because Hermione’s in the hospital wing…sick! Now if
you’d like to swallow that ego-filled pride of yours and come with me I’d very much
appreciate it.”

Draco could not help but let his ‘bad-boy, evil asshole’ façade slip. Hermione was
sick! Worry and fright filled his usually emotionally empty body. “She’s hurt…? How?”

Ginny gave him a small smile, “Not physically. Her parents were killed in a car
crash.”

Draco was a little relieved, “Well I’m sure she doesn’t need me. She has Potty and
your good-for-nothing brother to comfort her. Piss off Weaslette before I make you.”

Ginny raised her wand, “I won’t piss off Malfoy. Hermione DOES need you. She may
not have said it but I know. She’s come down with a fever Malfoy. The shock has hit
her hard. She’s been crying out things in her sleep. Lucky for you Harry and Ron
have no idea what she’s talking about.”

Draco remained tight-lipped. So Hermione was delirious. What was she crying out?
He didn’t care. “Trust me Weaslette, she does not want me there.”

Ginny shrugged, “Well I don’t trust you Malfoy. I know everything that has happened
between you. I know about your dinner and what Hermione said. I’ve been friends
with Hermione for so long I know her back to front. She wants you there right now
Malfoy.” Ginny made her last plea. If he refused to come then she would stop. But
she was determined to bury the hatchet between those two.

Draco stared into Ginny’s bright blue eyes and nodded. As far as he knew she was
telling the truth. Maybe he wanted to believe she was telling the truth. Whatever it
was he found himself following the redhead to the Hospital Wing.

Ginny peeked through the door to see that Harry and Ron were not there. “Go.” She
hissed to him, opening the door further so that he could get through. When he would
not budge she pushed him in and closed the door behind him.

His first reaction was to curse her for pushing him but he realized she was really
doing him a favour. He swallowed his pride as she had advised and moved forward.

He was both nervous and uncomfortable. Hermione was laying on one of the beds
right at the end of the room. The room was dark and lit only by a few candles. She
was sweating profusely and although Madame Promfrey had administered potions
and spells, she still looked uncomfortable in her sleep. A cloth was lying over her
forehead.

He took a seat beside her. What was he supposed to do? Even if Hermione wanted
him there he was useless. He could not help her. “Stupid Weasley.” He muttered
quietly.

“DON’T!” Hermione suddenly screamed aloud, tears springing from her eyes. Draco
froze staring at Hermione as she cried.

“DON’T GET THE DARK MARK! Please don’t.” She cried. Her eyes were still closed
and it was obvious that she was sleeping. Her hand flew out and lay sprawled over
the bed as though she was reaching out for something.

By this time Draco was close to tears himself. He took hold of her hand, comforted
by the knowledge that there was nobody else in the room. She was very hot. The
fever was not calming itself at all.

Her hand gripped his tightly as she mumbled, “Promise me.” She was asleep, he
knew, but he felt as though she really was asking him to promise her that he would
not get the dark mark. Perhaps at some level of consciousness she knew he was
there.

“I promise.” He whispered to her, a single tears escaping his eyes and rolling down
his face. She relaxed and her grip on his hand loosened. She was as quiet as death
itself. Even her breathing was shallow.

He spotted a bucket full of water on the table next to the bed. He took the cloth from
her forehead and dipped it in the cool water, squeezed it and then placed it back on
her head.

Hands still wet he held her hand again and cringed when he noticed the difference in
temperature between his own cold hand and her hot ones.

His eyes began to close but he struggled to keep them open. He needed to be awake
in case she woke or got worse. But he was tired and staying awake proved too hard.
Before he knew it, sleep had taken over.

Chapter Twenty Two

Hermione received the shock of her life when she woke the next morning to find
Draco Malfoy sleeping on the seat beside her, his hand clasped in her own.

“Malfoy?” she whispered in a frightened tone. She did not want to startle him. She
was afraid that he would tell at her but she knew it was unlikely.

He did not stir. “Malfoy!” she hissed a little more loudly. He woke with a jerk, his
eyes wide open, “What?” he asked in a rather loud tone. She could not help but
smiles lightly. “Rise and shone Princess but I think I’d cut out the shine part. Your
hair shines enough.” She used her free hand to cover her eyes.

“ I can see you’re feeling better. You gave your friend Weaslette quite a scare. She
seemed to think I was needed.” He said in a disbelieving tone.

Hermione’s smile slipped, “She called you? Why? Her eyes narrowed. Ginny was up
to something. She could feel it. She knew Ginny like a favourite book. She was
complicated but she understood her because she had analyzed her time and time
again.

“You were talking in your sleep.” Draco said simply. Hermione was confused, “You’re
avoiding my question.”

He shook his head, “No I’m not. That’s why she called me because you were saying
things she knew were related to me. Something deluded her into thinking you
needed me but we both know you need no-one…least of all me.” His tone was light
but Hermione could tell what he said hurt him by the look in his eyes.
Disappointment. How she hated that look!

“What did I say?” Hermione wondered aloud, trying desperately not to sound worried
or frightened. What if she had said something very embarrassing? Something she
would regret? Something he would spread around the school just to get revenge?

Draco shrugged, “She never told me. But while I was here you said, ‘Don’t get the
dark mark’ and was trying to make whomever you were talking to, to promise.”
Hermione’s mouth dropped open in surprise, “I said that!”

Draco nodded.

“I…” she was about to say she did not mean it. But she did. “Did you promise?” she
asked. Draco raised an eyebrow, “You weren’t talking to me. You were asking
whoever it was in your dream.”

“You know it’s you.” She narrowed her eyes before repeating, “Do you promise?”

He frowned, “You don’t care if I do or do not get the dark mark. You made that quite
clear to me the other night.”

Hermione sat up but immediately began to feel dizzy so she lay back down again.
But her eyes were not on him but on the roof. “I do care.” She mumbled. He
pretended he could not hear what she had said, “Huh?”

“I said I DO CARE! OKAY? I DON’T WANT YOU TO GET THE DARK MARK!” Hermione
screamed, tears running down her cheeks.

“Why?” he asked her. He wanted to know everything, the full story.

She turned to him, “Why do you think?” she lifted her hand which was still holding
onto his so they could both see, “This.” She began, “I wanted my life back but I’ve
since realized that I can never get it back to the way it was. Even if you ignored me
and treated me like you used to treat me. I would still remember those times…” He
knew exactly what ‘times’ she referred to, “ Those memories will still be there.
Everything this years has changed…everything.” She remembered her parents, “My
parents were never the same when my sister died as I already told you. They were
barely parents to me. Their death was not what made me sick. It was you.”

Draco moved from his seat and sat on a free spot on the bed next to her. He leaned
over her and whispered, “I promise.” Before locking his lips to hers. But their
moment of rapture was short-lived when a loud, “Finally!” reached their ears.
They turned their heads to find a cheerful Ginny standing in the doorway. Draco and
Hermione released a nervous laugh.

Ginny’s attention turned to Draco, “You better leave. Harry and Ron are on their
way.” Draco nodded, he turned to Hermione who shook her head, “Talk later. If
Harry and Ron find you here…well you know. Go.” He gave her a quick parting kiss
and finally let go of her hand.

“I’ll see you later.” He said loud enough for Ginny to hear but then leant close to
Hermione to whisper, “Room of Requirement, dinner tonight.”

Hermione grinned and nodded. He left as quickly and discreetly as possible. Harry
and Ron arrived only moments later to a very unusually cheerful Hermione.

I think that fever did you some good Hermione. I haven’t seen you this happy since
last year!” Ron exclaimed. Hermione beamed, a small blush creeping into her
cheeks. Ginny simply giggled.

“Well Hermione, I’m glad you’re better.” Harry nodded, giving his friend a big hug,
“And I’m sorry about your parents.”

Hermione sighed, “Yeah, thanks Harry and Ron. You too Ginny.” She looked to her
friend whom she owed most of her present happiness to. If it had not been for
Ginny’s interference who knew how long it would have taken to get Draco and
Hermione together?

“Miss Granger, you’re feeling better are you? Good, good. You may leave. If you
start heating up again see me immediately. Good day to you all.” Madame Promfrey
left as quickly as she had come.

“Come on then ‘Ermione, breakfast!” Ron beamed. Harry, Hermione and Ginny rolled
their eyes. Ginny had enough cheek to mimic Ron but adding a pig’s snort at the
end. This sent all but Ron into a fit of giggles.

At breakfast Hermione received many expressions of sympathy. Most of which came

from the Gryffindors but none whatsoever from the Slytherins. This came as no
surprise. What Slytherin would feel sorry for her? Except for Draco of course but then
he never really seemed to feel sorry for her. The Slytherins were all more likely to
offer their sincere happiness and delight that two muggles were dead.

For the first time in awhile everything seemed to be right. Sure, Draco and herself
were together but it was okay. She was not worried about anything.

“Hermione you seem rather quiet. Have you eaten?” Harry inquired, motioning to the
food around them. Hermione glanced at the food then at Harry and shook her head,
“Still feel a little queasy.” Harry nodded, he understood perfectly. Every time he had
been sick the last thing he wanted was food.

Suddenly an owl flew across the room to her. Because there were other owls, which
were entering the hall, nobody noticed that the owl had come from the Slytherin
table. Ron, Harry and Ginny were engrossed in a conversation over Quidditch, which
left Hermione to read the letter.
Hermione,

Eat something. If you don’t you’ll only feel worse. Father sent me another letter
regarding my marking. It is due to take place tonight. I shall keep my promise to
you but I must ask you to kindly get out my mind. I must plan so I can save myself
from the wrath of my father. Can’t wait ‘till dinner. Can you?

Always yours,

DM

Hermione laughed slightly and looked up. Ice blue eyes met hers. He was grinning
but under this façade she could see the worry. Flipping the parchment over, she
used a quill from her pocket that she always carried around to write him a message.

Draco,

I’ll get out of your mind if you get out of mine. I’ll help you plan. A Slytherin could
never come up with a better plan than that of a Gryffindors. We both know the truth
of this. See you tonight at dinner. Don’t poison the food!

Love forever,

HG

She sent it back with the fluffy black owl he had sent. This time it was less discrete
as there were no owls flying about. The students were still busy reading and
responding to their letters. Gryffindors and Slytherins alike watched with amazement
as Hermione Granger’s owl flew over to Draco Malfoy.

Draco read the letter, looked up and sneered for the benefeit of those watching who
turned away when they saw this. There was nothing unusual going on between
Malfoy and Granger. It was widely known the two hated each other. The sneer Draco
Malfoy had on his face was proof enough so they all went back tot their eating. Well
most did anyway.

But once everybody’s attention was diverted. Hermione smirked before sending him
a flying kiss. Draco rolled his eyes before he released a small laugh.

“Drakey, why are you laughing at the mudblood?” Pansy cried, displeased that her,
‘boyfriend’ was not paying attention to her.

He did not dignify the question with an answer. But Blaise he could not deny. “You
finally tamed the shrew did you? Congratulations. You are officially Hogwarts’ biggest
player!” He clapped Draco on the back.

“What?” Draco asked, “I’m not a player.”

Those who heard the remark burst into laughter. This included the whole of the
Slytherin table as they all seemed tohanf on the words of Draco Malfoy.
“You are too Malfoy. You’ve had every girl now.” Blaise laughed. Draco frowned, “I
have not. Besides what makes you think I tamed her?”

Blaise rolled his eyes, “Come off it. Your mood is much cheerier than it has been
since this term started. She looked a lot happier too.” Both Blaise and Draco looked
to Hermione who was laughing at a joke Ginny had told. There was not a sign of
sadness on her face. Draco smiled slightly. She really was beautiful when she was
smiling.

“AND just the sight of her make you go from hard Slytherin bad boy to a juicy kind
Gryffindor gentleman.” Blaise said, pretending to be sick afterwards.

Draco slapped the back of Blaise’s head in play, “You’re a moron Zambini. Comparing
ME to a Gryffindor. What the hell were you thinking?”

Blaise smirked, “I’d ask you the same questions if I wasn’t scared of being
murdered.” He jumped out of the way before Draco could hit him again.

“See you later lover boy..” Blaise laughed as he scampered out of the hall looking
thoroughly pleased with himself.

Draco had not the heart to be angry at his friend. He was so happy that not even his
father could wipe the smile off his face.

Chapter Twenty Three

“There’s nothing!” Hermione cried, flinging yet another heavy book upon an ever-
growing pile. Frustration was eating at her and all she wanted to do was give up. But
she could not and would not. Hermione Granger never EVER gave up.

“Come on, let’s have some dinner. We’ll look later.” Draco soothed as he patted her
upper arm. They were both sitting in a dark corner on the library floor. Everybody
else was currently in the Great Hall enjoying his or her dinner without a care in the
world.

“There is no later Malfoy. The ceremony is tonight!” Hermione snapped. How could
he be so calm at a time such as this. The ceremony was merely hours away and they
still were unable to find a spell that would protect Draco’s arm when Voldemort
imprinted the mark.
“Yes and we still have a good…” he glanced at his watch briefly, “Six hours. Dinner
won’t take long.” He stood to look down at a rather disgruntled Hermione.

“And if it does take a long time I could just miss the ceremony and we’d have a heap
of time to do whatever we want.” He smirked and gave her a wink.

Hermione scoffed, “Stop thinking between your legs and use this.” She tapped her
head, “If you have one that is.” She smirked back at him sweetly as he covered his
heart with his hand, “I am deeply wounded madam.”

Hermione stood also, laughing at his antics, “Come on my brainless ferret. Dinner
will have to be very quick if we have any hope of saving your fury ass.” She began to
walk off when he caught her arm and pushed her back into the bookshelf.

“I’m not so hungry. I say we spend the little time we have enjoying ourselves. After
all, the next time I see you I’ll be a death eater.” He whispered before placing his
soft lips onto hers. Although the feeling was getting familiar, Hermione still felt weak
at the knees whenever he kissed her. There was no way she would tell him that of
course. She could just imagine the remark… ‘That’s just the effect of kissing a
Malfoy’ Just the thought made her roll her eyes.

She pushed him back so hard that he collided into the opposite bookshelf. A few
books fell off and landed on the ground with soft thuds. “You promised you wouldn’t
get it Malfoy!” she exclaimed in a quiet hiss. Her eyes flashed so dangerously Draco
flinched. It was part of the wild side he did not see too often and found himself trying
to avoid.

She took a few steps towards him, a finger pointed in his direction, “If you become a
death eater I’ll murder you myself.”

He wanted to tell her that he had only been joking but obviously she had a few
things to vent about and therefore he let her go on.

“You’re not trying to find anything Malfoy. You don’t care whether you’re a death
eater because yet again you’re only thinking of yourself. Up until recently you’ve
always wanted the dark mark…haven’t you? You don’t understand why I don’t want
you to get it. You’re so immature! I don’t know why I agreed to this. It’s pathetic.
You’ll never change. You’re too conceited and stupid.” Hermione whispered angrily,
her finger poked him in the chest every now and then as she spoke.

She opened her mouth to say more but he covered it with his own. A few muffled
protests went unnoticed. He pushed her back into the shelf he had pushed her into
before. Without any more thoughts she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave
into him. Her heart and her head were hammering. Time was going too fast.

They pulled apart. “I’m scared for you Draco.” She whispered, tears threatening to
fall from her eyes at any moment.

His arms were still firmly around her waist as he whispered, in between soft sensual
kisses on her neck, “Don’t be. I love you Hermione, even if I am conceited and
stupid in your eyes, I have changed. If I hadn’t would I really be kissing you?”

“It could be just an act, to get me to reveal information about Harry.” Hermione
replied, rarely giving a thought to what she said. Her mind was completely focused
upon Draco’s touches on her neck. It gave her that strange feeling in her stomach.
Like she wanted to go do something wild like jump off a building or fly on a
broomstick…or share sexual intimacies with Draco Malfoy…

‘Merlin no, that is not it.’ She scolded herself lightly for the thought. But just who
was she trying to fool?

They finally pulled away but still held each other, both afraid that if they let go the
other would disappear forever.

“You’ve changed too Granger. You would never have allowed this.” Draco whispered
his eyes a shiny bright blue Hermione had never seen before.

“We can’t get you out of this Draco. I’ve never heard of a spell that protects you
from the dark mark.” Hermione sniffed. Draco would become a death eater and there
was nothing she, he or anybody could do about it.

“Snape!” Draco suddenly had an idea, but Hermione quickly squashed it. “Snape
received the dark mark. He wouldn’t know how to stop you from getting it. Besides
he would tell Dumbledore and then where would you be?”

Draco could not see the negatives of such a situation. “Dumbledore could hide me!”

“And you want that do you? To go into hiding just like Sirius Black did? I saw him
while he was hiding Draco and it was not a happy situation. He was mad, crazy,
driven to insanity by having to keep hidden. He got killed by being out, do you want
this all to happen to you? Do you want to die?” she snapped, moving further away
from him.

Draco shrugged, “I’ll die quicker becoming a death eater. Dumbledore’s my only
chance Hermione as much as I hate admitting it.” He added in a bitter undertone.

Hermione tears began to fall freely, “But…we might never see each other again.”
Reality was hitting her hard. He would have to go away. Dumbledore would never
risk letting her visit him. He would have to stay in hiding until the downfall of
Voldemort and only Merlin knew when that would be.

Draco shook his head firmly, taking hold of both of her hands, “That will never
happen. Come on, the sooner we get this over with the sooner I can come back.”

“Wait!” Hermione cried, throwing herself into his arms again. “We won’t be able to
do this in front of Dumbledore and he won’t let you out of his sight once you tell
him.” She pressed her lips into his again.

The kiss was fierce and passionate. Their tongues did battle for the last time, the
crazy sensation in the pit of their stomachs, their hearts racing, the electricity
created between them all one last time. Their bodies were so close there was no
space between them.

It was a goodbye kiss. Hermione hated good-byes. But she had no choice. It was this
or his funeral. Only a few months earlier and she would have chosen the latter
without a moment hesitation. She had to concede that she had changed. She loved
him, Draco Malfoy, conceited, pompous, Slytherin-obsessed, bouncing ferret, git, and
positively the best kisser in the entire wizarding world, if not the muggles too. She
had no idea why she felt this way about him, nor did she care. She loved him and
that was enough.

Draco had stopped kissing her but her eyes were still firmly shut. She wanted to
remember this moment in case it never happened again. She wanted to remember
his taste and his scent. She could smell that invigorating cologne which she loved so
much. It cleared her mind just as much as it fogged it. The way his hair felt between
her finger tips when she ran her hand through it.

“Hermione…” Draco uttered, not wanting to spoil the moment but they did need to
leave.

“I know.” Her voice shook slightly, opening her eyes to see him in the dim light.

“Isn’t it funny? I finally get you and now I’m going to lose you again.” Draco thought
aloud. His heart was breaking. What if something did go wrong? He would never see
her again. What if he could not come out of hiding for years? Would she forget him
and go and marry that Weasel? He would not allow it! Neither Voldemort nor his
father would keep him hidden if the Weasel dared to go anywhere near her.

“You’re not losing me. I’ll always be with you. In here.” She placed a hand over his
forehead then ran her hand down his face and neck to rest on his chest over his
heart, “And here.”

Draco picked up the stray hand and pressed her fingertips to his lips. “Come.”
Together they made their way to Dumbledore’s office.

Chapter Twenty Four

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his hands resting in a prayer position in front of his
mouth. His light blue eyes were staring at Draco who remained silent, as did
Hermione.

They had told him everything about what Lucius wanted and how the night was to
proceed. Hermione had pleaded to Dumbledore, Draco’s need to go into hiding.
(Draco had trouble asking for help.) Thus far, the aging professor had not uttered a
word.

After a few more silent moments passed, Professor Dumbledore broke the silence,
speaking directly to Draco, “ Mr. Malfoy, I wonder…would it be too much to ask, for
you to tell Miss. Granger what your true agenda as when you met her this summer?”

Hermione instinctively took a step away from Draco, whose eyes had widened at
Dumbledore’s request. “True agenda?” she whispered in a tone that clearly defined
her shock and need for consolidation.

Another few steps backwards and Hermione had collided with a table with an
ornament which Hermione knew not the name of. “What does Professor Dumbledore
mean Malfoy?” she hissed, anger was boiling within her like a fire ready to rage
through a forest and destroy everything within its path.

“The dark lord assigned me to follow you and…and…” his voice faltered when he saw
Hermione’s horror-stricken face. Her face was slightly pink but he knew if he did not
tell her the all of it, she would be fuming and possibly letting out steam.

“I was to get information about Potter. Not what he was planning but the places he
goes to, the people he knows. The easiest way I could find these things out was to
get close to you. I would have had trouble chatting up Weasley or Potter…but of
course they might have been easier than you were. I had told him I would be proud
to do as he wished…he knew I could be trusted as Lucius Malfoy’s son.” Draco
continued with his tale.

Hermione had covered her mouth with a shaking hand, her other hand resting
against the table for support. Her large brown eyes were filling with tears. They were
as round as galleons.

“But after I saw the pictures in your locker…” his voice faltered again. He could
hardly remember what he was supposed to be telling her. Her expression, how angry
and disappointed she looked, all he wanted to do was put his arms around her.

Flashes of that day in the locker room went through Hermione’s mind. It was the day
when they had almost…out of lust…how undeniably handsome he had looked…how
furious he had made her…it was all there stored in the deep recesses of her memory
along with her sad childhood.

“I couldn’t do it anymore, I had to but I couldn’t. That’s why I got so angry and
smashed the fridges. He took a step towards her, pleading with Merlin that she
would forgive him.

Hermione was shaking her head at him, tears spilling onto her cheeks and rolling fast
off her chin. She lowered her hand from her mouth, “I was right all along.” She
whispered, “I was a fool for believing you.”

“No Hermione, please listen to me. I stopped wanting to be a death eater. I’ve been
giving him false information. I swear to you, I don’t…” but Hermione would not let
him finish. She slapped him hard across the cheek. She did not care that
Dumbledore was still in their presence or that he was asking her to calm down. All
that existed was Malfoy and the bitter anger she felt towards him.

“You never changed Malfoy!” she screamed, her face was glowing with rage, the
monster within her had been unleashed, “You’re a liar and a spiteful, inconsiderate
bastard who thinks only of glory, money, power and of course YOURSELF!”

“Really Miss. Granger, I must ask you to lower your…” Dumbledore asked in a civil
yet stern tone but Hermione would have none of it.
She gave one last deathly glare at Draco before running towards the door. She
pulled on the handle but it would not budge. She turned on the headmaster, “OPEN
IT!” she demanded.

The Professor shook his head, “You must listen to what Mr. Malfoy has to say Miss.
Granger.”

“LET. ME. OUT!” she bellowed, turning to face the door and banging her fists against
it, “Open it!” She continued to best the door until all of her emotion gave way and
she slid to the ground, sobbing hysterically.

“Hermione please listen to me.” Draco put a hand on her shoulder, she slapped it
away, “Don‘t touch me you pathetic excuse for a wizard!”

“I love you Hermione.” He whispered in her ear so the headmaster would not hear.
Hermione sobbed once more, “The last time you told me that I believed you. This
time I cannot. In Diagon Alley, all those things you said were a lie. I can’t ever
forgive you Malfoy. I trusted you…I trusted you.” She crying subsided and instead a
blank look replaced her expression as she looked at him.

This look hurt Draco more than her crying, her slap or her screaming had done. She
was looking at him as though she did not know him. It frightened him.

“I’ll take veritaserum, anything to prove I’m not lying to you Hermione.” He kept eye
contact.

“Mr. Malfoy” Dumbledore called for his attention, they both turned to their
headmaster who held a teacup in his hand, “Veritaserum.” He explained in a word.

Draco took hold of Hermione firmly around the wrist and hauled her to the
headmaster’s table. She unwilling followed him, insulting him along the way but he
blocked her harsh words out.

Draco and she took a seat as Draco took the cup from Dumbledore. He kept his eyes
on Hermione as he drank it down.

“Would you care to ask the questions Miss Granger?” Dumbledore asked her.
Hermione nodded, her expression showed how desperate she was for answers, but
first she needed to see if he really was telling the truth.

“Malfoy, who is the greatest quidditch player at Hogwarts?” she asked Draco who
gave her a pained look before answering, “Harry Potter.” She could not help but
snigger at him.

Dumbledore also smiled, “Time is slipping away Miss. Granger, we must find out if
Mr. Malfoy is worthy of our assistance.”

Hermione nodded, turning back to Draco, “Are you faithful to the Dark Lord?” He
kept eye contact and answered plainly, “No.”

“Would you ever reveal information to the dark side relating to those against
Voldemort?” Hermione asked, receiving another no.
“Is all that you said before to me true?” Hermione asked and she received a, “Yes.”
She looked to Dumbledore who seemed pleased but she was not finished yet. She
leaned closer to him and whispered, “Do you love me?”

Large electric blue eyes met Chocolate brown eyes in a moment of truth.

“Yes.” He whispered back to her.

“Do you believe he is worthy Miss Granger?” the Professor asked Hermione who
nodded without looking away from Draco.

“Very well. We shall hide you Mr. Malfoy under the following conditions.” Dumbledore
began. Draco looked from the Professor to Hermione and back again, “Anything.”

“You must not move from the place we shall hide you. If you do leave, our protection
shall not be provided again.” Dumbledore told him sternly. Draco nodded.

“You cannot contact anybody in any form, this includes owls and through the fire.”
Dumbledore gave his next condition. Hermione had trouble accepting this one.

“Can he not contact you Professor? I don’t want a repeat of what happened to
Sirius.” Hermione pleaded quietly.

Dumbledore frowned, “I shall come to see you frequently Mr.Malfoy but if there is an
emergency you may owl me but you understand the problems which could arise from
this?” Draco, still under the veritaserum, nodded, “Yes Professor.”

“That is all Mr.Malfoy. Let us depart.” the Professor stood, turning his back on them
to retrieve his cloak and hat from the small room behind the wall. This conveniently
gave Hermione and Draco time to say goodbye.

“I’m sorry for hurting you.” Draco whispered wiping a few stray tears from her face.

“I hated you then anyway.” Hermione tried to brush it off. She did not want it to
interfere in this moment. The truth was she had not forgiven him but she knew
would eventually.

“I love you. I miss you already.” He whispered to her, kissing her lightly on her lips.
Hermione sniffed back the tears,” I wish we had more time.”

He nodded, “Enough time to say a proper goodbye?” he flashed his trademark smirk.
Hermione rolled her eyes and let out a little chuckle, “How so typical!”

He pulled her in for a hug, “Promise me something?” he asked her.

“Depends what it is Malfoy.” Hermione said, knowing full well that she could not
promise him everything.

“Don’t forget me and go and have a relationship with the Weasel or Potter.” He
begged, hugging her tight. She remained silent. Her pulled her back to she could see
her face, “Do you promise?”

She bit her lip, trying her best not to laugh, “Oh I don’t know. I mean we don’t know
how long you’ll be in hiding do we? I might get lonely.”

His smiled turned into an enraged frown, “Granger I’m being serious.”

She laughed, unable to contain herself any longer, “Oh I promise if it makes you feel
any better. You should be worrying about Voldemort not my getting with Harry or
Ron.”

He sighed, “You getting with anyone besides myself worries me more than anything
Voldermort or my father have in store for me.”

“Are we ready?” Dumbledore asked, his cloak and hat already on.

Draco nodded and without caring about what the headmaster would think or say, he
grabbed hold of Hermione’s face and pulled her in for one last kiss. “Goodbye my
sexy little Gryffindor.” He whispered in her ear, “Maybe you can come visit me.”

She grinned, “Maybe, if I have the time. Having a relationship with Ron and Harry
might keep me busy.” She laughed as he glared at her.

“See you soon my evil conniving Slytherin.” She winked at him and stepped back.
Touching the end of Fawkes’ tail both Dumbledore and Draco disappeared.

Chapter Twenty Five

“Hermione?” asked Harry as they sat down at the Christmas lunch. She took no
notice that he had called for her attention. She had taken no notice of anything for
the past two days.

“Are you okay?” Harry asked, watching her play with her pasta. She stared into
space, a blank expression set on her face.

Ron who was sitting on Hermione’s other side waved a hand in front of her face,
“Earth to Hermione, where are you?” he asked with a grin.

Hermione heard the question but chose only to answer in her mind, ‘Far, far away.’
At least she had heard Ron. She found that to be a miracle in its own right. She was
not ignoring her friends on purpose, she just could not speak.

“You know what I find unsettling? Malfoy disappeared a few days ago. I wonder if
he’s up to anything…you know…dark?” Harry spoke quietly so as to not alert the
attention of others around him.

Harry had Hermione’s complete and utter attention when he had mentioned Draco.
Nothing else could have made her listen.

“Yeah interesting.” Ron said darkly, “Bet he is though. It’s right up his ally. Probably
gone to become a death eater.” Hermione choked on the piece of pasta she had just
put in her mouth.

Ron patted her back until she stopped spluttering, “Are you okay ‘Mione?” she
nodded.

“You know everybody went home for Christmas yesterday. Maybe Malfoy went
earlier?” Hermione said aloud. Harry and Ron agreed.

“So what are we doing today?” Ron asked his friends. Harry shrugged but Hermione
said, “I’m working.”

“On Christmas!” Harry exclaimed, “That’s mad!” Hermione nodded simply. It was
going to be torture without having Draco there. She had thought about taking
another day off but she had already spent too long away from work. She needed the
money for University.

“Hey, ‘Mione, my mum wants to adopt you!” Ron laughed as he read the letter his
mum had sent him with her gifts.

“That would be brilliant!” Ginny who had just arrived and taken a seat next to Harry
smiled, “We’d be sisters!” Harry grinned at Ginny who smiled back at Harry and then
looked back to Hermione.

Ron frowned, “What about Harry? Why doesn’t she adopt him?” Ginny looked to
Harry who laughed aloud. Ginny also gave a little laugh. Ron was very confused. Had
he missed something?

“I don’t think being your brother would work.” He told Ginny who smiled wryly.

“Why not?” Ron asked, unable to see a problem with having his best mate as a
brother,

Hermione smiled for the first time since Draco had left, “I think Harry can make his
way into your family a better way than being adopted. Tell your mother thanks for
offering but I’ll be okay.” Harry and Ginny were a dark shade of pink.

“Another way? What does she mean? I mean I can only think of one other way…” he
suddenly looked shocked and stared at them, “WHAT!”

“Erm…I have to go to work. See you later!” Hermione ran off, hearing Ron’s cries of
surprise until she left the Great Hall.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You have to come to the Christmas Party ‘Mione!” cried Lindsay. They were both
serving many customers on the registers.

Hermione had never taken notice of the bright green and red posters hanging
throughout the staff room and the locker room advertising the Christmas party. She
had been too busy fighting and falling in love with Draco Malfoy.

“I can’t come I have homework.” Hermione made her excuses. The very last thing
she wanted to do was go to a party. Having fun was definitely off the agenda, not
that she could have had fun even if she wanted to. The pain she felt stabbing within
her heart and the fear implanted in the back of her mind were so overwhelming she
had not slept properly since he had left.

“Bother with homework, have some fun every once in awhile Hermione. You always
look so depressed.” Lindsay commented, speaking her mind without a second
thought.

Hermione glared at her a moment, “Maybe that’s because I AM depressed!”

Frustrated she threw the item she had in her hands into the bag. Both the customer
and Lindsay flinched.

“Well a party would be the perfect cure for it. Please Hermione, it will be fun, I
promise.” Lindsay continued with her case. She was stubborn and even the Queen of
Stubbornness herself, Miss Granger, could not stop her from pursuing her goal.

“I don’t want to have fun!” Hermione shrieked angrily, shoving the wizard gold she
had received into the register draw.

“Why? What is your problem Hermione? You have to move on from whatever is
eating you up. It’s not healthy to be upset like this.” Lindsay consoled, turning to talk
face to face with the stubborn Gryffindor.

Handing change to the little old witch she had been serving (who had rushed away
rather quickly), Hermione found herself at leisure to face her work mate, “Listen you
don’t understand what I’m going through. Don’t presume that a good old party will
fix everything because I assure you it won’t!” Where was he when she needed him
most? His absence was surely going to send her into madness. Already she had
spotted him, or thought she had, three times. Three times she had been
disappointed to find it was only a blonde young man, or just somebody who looked
like him from behind.

“Fine don’t come Hermione. But you don’t know what you’re missing out on.” Lindsay
grunted and began to serve the next customer in line.

What she was missing out on…she knew exactly what she was missing out on. It cam
in the form of a conceited, pathetic, handsome Slytherin named Draco Malfoy, the
amazing bouncing ferret.

Hermione wanted to laugh at the irony of the situation unfolding. She, of all people,
was depressed because she had not seen Draco Malfoy for two days! Bloody hell,
only this time last year she would have been glad never to see the pompous git
again. Now she missed him? No she did not miss him. She craved for him. She
longed for him. Another laughable matter. She wanted Draco Malfoy. If Harry and
Ron ever found out they would immediately take her to St.Mungoes to see if her
brains had been addled.

Yes if this situation was not so serious she would be laughing. Laughing at herself, at
him, at the thought of them being together, at the thought of everybody finding out.
It was irony at its very best.

“Excuse me?” a deep voice asked in a professional manner. Snapping out of her daze
she found herself looking at two men in black suits and hair slicked back. Hermione
could tell by the way they carried themselves and by their appearance that they
were not customers.

“Yes how may I help you?” Hermione drawled in a tone that indicated that she cared
not to help them.

“Are you Miss. Hermione Anne Granger?” asked the other man with a large black
suitcase.

Hermione was taken aback. Who were these men and how did they know her full
name? She nodded. They gravely looked at each other before looking back to her.

“We are here on some official business regarding your parents’ finance. They have
passed on and therefore their financial matters are now yours.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open, “Finance? Er…I have break in a few minutes we’ll
sit down over there and discuss erm…finance.” Hermione said pointing to the
couches in the store.

The two men nodded and took a seat on the couches. Hermione had no idea how two
men dealing with muggle money could find out where she was. They were terribly
daunting and Hermione was a little frightened of discussing matters she knew
nothing of.

“Oh Draco, I need you more than ever.” She whispered under her breath. Draco
would not know much about muggle money but he certainly could understand
finances in general. He would understand and he could help her understand. But of
course he was not there.
Chapter Twenty Six

It could not be. Her parents had always been tight on money but not…not this. Never
this. They would never have descended into such a low point of poverty. They had
been smart, they would not have let their financial problems get so out of hand.
What these men were saying had to be wrong.

“I am very sorry Miss. Granger. I understand this may come as a shock to you at
this time.” One of the men dressed in black sympathized without so much as a smile
of comfort.

“My parents…this is wrong. I am sorry but I am afraid you have made a mistake.”
Hermione said stubbornly. These people had no idea what they were talking about.
But they sounded so professional.

“I am afraid not.” The other stated in a grave tone, “The money in question must be
paid back in a month. If not, personal possessions will be taken to pay the debt your
parents left. Now if you could sign here…” the man pointed to the dotted line,
handing her a black pen.

“Why?” Hermione asked, unsure about he situation. She had no proof that these
men were who they said they were. What if she was being conned?

“To say that you understand what shall happen should you not come up with the
money to pay the debt in time.” The other man said in a certain and confident one.

Hermione played with the pen in her hand, biting her lip. ‘Draco where are you? Help
me, I have no idea what I’m doing!’ she thought desperately in her mind.

“Miss Granger, Mr. Clark, Mr. Rickman. How are you all this fine day?” A familiar
calm voice resounded from behind Hermione.

She whipped around to find her headmaster standing before them with his knowing
smile on his face and a piece of folded parchment in his hand.

“Very well Albus, very well. Perhaps you could assure Miss. Granger here that we are
who we say we are?” the man Hermione had heard Dumbledore refer to as Mr.
Rickman spoke up.

Dumbledore smiled, “Certainly Alan. Miss. Granger I have glad tidings from
somebody I am sure you would be happy to hear from.”

“Draco!” Hermione breathed, her uncertainty blown away by her sheer happiness
and glee. Draco was contacting her!

Dumbledore nodded, “Yes. Now if you could sign that document I may give you
these tidings.” He waved the parchment in his hand in the air. Hermione’s eyes
followed the parchment like a hawk would do with its prey.

Snatching up the pen she hurriedly signed the document and looked to Dumbledore
expectantly. Dumbledore the two men chuckled. Dumbledore, with a sparkle in his
eye, handed her the parchment and watched her open it quickly.

Hermione,

I could think of only way I could communicate with you without taking the risk of
being found out. I have made arrangements with the headmaster to have you visit
me tonight. Put on your best and you shall be escorted by the Professor to an
unnamable place. How does a romantic dinner for two sound? I knew you would like
it. Hope to see you at precisely seven.

With all my undying love,

DM
Xox

Hermione could hardly contain her excitement or the broad grin that had found itself
on her face. She felt like jumping up and down like a crazy woman. She was so
happy! A vast difference to her sadness that she had felt only moments before
Dumbledore had given her the letter.
“Miss. Granger you understand the predicament you are in? The amount you must
pay is quite a large sum of money.” The man named Mr. Clark commented.

Hermione looked back to the document she had signed. There was a figure upon it,
which made her heart jump into her throat. Roughly estimated, the amount she
currently has in her bank account was the amount she needed to pay. The men must
have translated the muggle money into wizard gold.

“ I can pay it back.” Hermione told them confidently, glad that they had that over
and done with. At that moment she wanted nothing to damper her spirits. She was
going to see Draco that night. She was going to really see him!

Dumbledore frowned, “The money you have earned working.” Hermione nodded
glancing at the old Professor who seemed rather disappointed.

“ I was under the impression that money was supposed to be for your further
education?” Dumbledore queried.

Realization dawned upon her and for a moment it felt like her entire world had
turned upside down. She would not be able to attend University, after all that hard
work she had put in. Draco’s letter hung loosely in her hands. Shock was passing
through her slowly.

“Come Miss. Granger. You and I can talk this over tomorrow. Do you not have
something more important to think about? Like what you shall wear tonight?”
Dumbledore put a hand on her shoulder, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

Hermione nodded. She needed to forget this debt until after she saw Draco. She
could not let these problems get to her and therefore to him. He was most likely
worried as it was with the entirety of the dark side looking for him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Are you ready Miss. Granger?” Dumbledore asked.

Hermione nodded, fixing her body hugging, green dress (a colour she had picked
especially for Draco’s liking, knowing his favourite colour, ironically, was green) It
was not a long formal dress. It was halter necked and just stopped on her knee. It
was a little low cut on the bust but it was nevertheless rather appealing and fit her
snugly.

She shut her eyes tightly. She put her finger on Fawkes’ tail and opened her eyes
with shock. The sensation was just like apparating. She felt sick. She was spinning
out of control and after a few seconds she felt herself land on her feet. She was
unsteady however, and began to fall forward when a pair of strong-arms aught her
up.

“Draco!” Hermione whispered, recognizing the familiar scent of his cologne and his
embrace. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. Only Merlin knew how much she
had missed him.

“I must say I was hoping to have dinner first but if you want…we could skip that part
and get straight into the real festivities.” He smirked. Hermione pushed him back
after his perverted comments, of the mind to tell him off. But she could not. Not
when she saw what he had made for her or where she was.

“Grimmauld Place!” Hermione cried, recognizing the house. It was very dark and
they were in the dining room, candles lit everywhere. Bunches of roses were in vases
and an exquisite dinner ravished the table.

She turned to look at Draco whose hair glowed like an angel’s in the dim light. He
wore a black shirt and a pair of baggy jeans. It was a little strange to see him
dressed in muggle clothes but they suited him well. ‘Very well.’ Hermione could not
help but thinking.

He smiled at her, “And before you ask I didn’t get Kreacher to do this. I did it by
hand, no magic.” Hermione was taken aback.

“By yourself! Surely you didn’t cook this?” Hermione asked.

Draco smirked, “Well I did have a little help there.”

Hermione grinned, “I knew Draco Malfoy couldn’t cook.”

He rolled her eyes at her and she laughed. He took hold of her hand and led her to
the chair. She smiled up at him, “Why thank you kind Sir.” He pushed her chair in
and she sat.

Because the table was too long and he was not about to move from her side, he had
set his spot beside hers.

“Pasta. My favourite.” Hermione said approvingly. He smiled, glad she liked it. “It’s
beautiful Draco! Thank you.” Hermione smiled happily.

“You looked ever more beautiful than any of this.” Draco said in a quite seductive
tone. Hermione felt the heat rush to her face and silently thanked Merlin that the
room was dim.

They began to eat, there was silence at first but soon enough they began to talk.

“Ron’s mum wants to adopt me.” Hermione said hoping to start some conversation.
As expected, Draco choked on his food and only stopped when he took a sip of his
pumpkin juice.

“And? What did you tell her?” he asked, “Because I refuse to go out with a Weasel.”

Hermione laughed. “I thanked her but declined.” She replied to the relief of Draco
who seemed to relax.

“Good, it’s bad enough living in Potter’s house, let alone the thought of you
becoming a Weaslette.” He shuddered.

“Yes this is Harry’s house isn’t it? Oh he’d murder Dumbledore if he knew he had let
you hide here!” Hermione laughed thinking of her friend and what his reaction would
be.
“I’d murder myself if I wasn’t so intent on living.” Draco muttered, unable to believe
he was actually living in Potter’s house of all people.

Hermione shook her head at him, “You and Harry are very alike Draco. You would be
the best of friends if you gave it a chance.” Draco immediately burst into laughter.

“Me…me and Potter!” again he laughed hysterically, “I’m sure we’d be like brothers.
Yes, the very best of friends, shame that we hate everything about each other.”

Hermione scowled at him, “You both like me don’t you?” Draco clammed up and she
smiled in triumphance.

He gazed at her intently,. His piercing blue eyes burned holes through her. She
looked up, from her meal to meet Draco’s gaze. Never in her life had she been able
to eat while others were watching her.

“Harry likes you, you said. In what way exactly?” he asked, his tone was edgy. She
raised an eyebrow at him and let slip a small chuckle.

“Your jealousy streak will get you into trouble one of these days.” Hermione said
returning to her food. She did not eat anything, however, she just played with it. He
was still staring at her.

“Answer the question Granger.” He snapped, the scowl that had crossed his face was
infuriating her. Was there any moment he could not ruin?

“Don’t snap at me Malfoy.” She said back in the same cold manner, she looked up
and glared back at him.

“You’re avoiding the question! He fancies you?” his eyes were wide with shock and
realization.

Hermione smiled and shook her head, “Hardly. Ginny and Harry, I predict, will be
married by this time next year.” She thought of her friends and her smile grew. They
made the perfect couple. In a way she envied them. The never fought, Draco and
she on the other hand, fought every time they met.

Draco’s frown did not waver after receiving the information, “What about the
Weasel?”

“His name is Ron and I don’t know.” Hermione answered him shortly but truthfully,
“Are we quite finished here? I think I’ll get back to the castle.” She wiped her already
clean mouth with a serviette and pushed her chair back. She stood up and was
stunned when she found Draco standing right beside her. How did he move so fast?
‘Quidditch reflexes.’ She thought to herself.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He told her, his eyes firmly upon her.

She turned to face him, folding her arms over her chest, “And who’s going to stop
me? You?”

He smirked at her and raised his eyebrows, “Who else?” She was not impressed by
his forceful behaviour. For two days she had been pining for him and now…well she
hardly felt he was worth all of those tears.

“Listen Malfoy, I came here o see if you were okay. Obviously you’re fine so I think
my business here is done.” She stated indignantly, brushing past him into the hall.

He followed her and caught her to pull her back, “One. You didn’t come here just to
see if I was okay. Two. You’re business here hasn’t ever begun. And three, you’re
not leaving tonight.” He said confidently, that insufferable smirk still graced his face.
He was so confident it was a sin.

She tried to twist her arm out of his grasp but her strength was no match to his. “I
don’t think I want a boyfriend who continuously suggests that I’m cheating on him.”
She said in a scathing tone.

He sighed, “I’m not suggesting you’re cheating on me. I’m just worried that while
I’m not there someone like that Weasel will try to make a move on you and I won’t
be able to stop him.”

Hermione frowned, “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself Malfoy.”

“Oh really? You can’t escape from my hold. Although that Weasel is weaker than I
am he plays Quidditch, terribly I might add, and he has enough strength to have a
hold over you.” Draco said softly as though he was spilling his secret fears.

“Ron would never do what you’re suggesting.” Hermione seethed, “I told you I don’t
know if he fancies me. It’s not like I go around asking!”

He pulled in closer and whispered in her ear, “You’re mind Granger, and only mine.”

“Don’t flatter yourself Malfoy. I’m nobody’s.” Hermione answered in her strongest
voice. She hated it when people thought they owned her or it was up to them to look
after her. She was a big girl and was more than capable of taking control of her own
life.

He moved his hands from her arms to her waist. He pulled her close and pressed his
lips to hers once and then pulled away to say in a hushed tone, “Then make me
yours.” At his words she was almost certain that she would faint. The bloody
insufferable boy had managed to brush aside her anger in a matter of seconds. ‘How
does he do it? Damn him!’ she cursed in her mind, just before it began to fill with
that fog which blocked all rational thought.

He planted his lips back onto her own trembling ones. She could not support herself
any longer she wrapped her arms around his neck. Hermione had missed his touch,
his scent and his presence those past two days that the moment they shared in that
kiss felt like something out a story. She felt like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping
Beauty and all of those other fairytale girls when they finally got their prince and
lived happily ever after. Since she was a small girl it was all she wanted…to live
happily ever after. With Draco she felt it could all come true.

Hearts racing they both poured out the feelings they had kept hidden since they last
saw each other. For Hermione it had been easier. She had other people to distract
her from her longing for Draco. But Draco had been cooped up in a big house with
nothing but Hermione to occupy his thoughts.
“Come on.” Draco whispered in her ear, kissing her a couple times afterwards,
unable to stop. He took hold of her hand and began to lead her up the stairs.

“Wait.” Hermione paused and Draco looked back to her, “Dumbledore wants me back
before midnight.”

Draco smirked, “Liar. He said you could sleep over as long as we have separate
rooms.”

Hermione grinned, “Are we going to have separate rooms?”

He made eye contact with her, smirked broadly and whispered, “No.” Hermione
laughed again and Draco led them to a room Hermione had not been in before. It
looked like the main bedroom, as it did not have bunks but just one queen size bed
and a few other different pieces of furniture. She looked back to Draco who smiled at
her, looking just as excited as she felt. For once in her life she could not be more
glad or eager to break the rules.

He dropped the hand he held and slid his own around her waist. She turned and
smiled up at him. Walking backwards he pulled her further into the room whereby
the door creaked to a close.

He nuzzled at her beck and she released a nervous giggle, “Promise me.” He looked
up and softly caressed her right cheek with his left hand. “Promise me you’ll be mine
forever.” He half requested, half ordered. His ice blue eyes had that made glint in
them again. It was the same glint Hermione had seen when they had previously
shared intimate moments.

“Forever is an awfully long time.” Hermione told him in a hushed tone. Her body was
trembling with expectation. Couldn’t he just stop talking and start kissing?

“And if I don’t have you forever I’ll surely die.” He whispered in a seductive tone.

In the heat of the moment and her desperate need for him to kiss her again she
promise, “Yours forever Malfoy.”

Pleased he took her into his arms again. A rush of adrenaline passed through their
veins. Every slightest touch created euphoria. Her lips were again interlocked with
his, her body pressed up against his, everything was perfect. He kept moving
forward until her legs reached the edge of the bed and she lost her balance, falling
onto the bed with him on top of her.

The mad rush to get their clothes off began. Hermione’s dress proved to be a
struggle. The zip got stuck half way down. Draco proposed to cut it free from her
when it finally gave way.

“You always get your way! I hate you!” Hermione breathed, pleasure shooting
through her like electric surges.

He smirked at her, “Love you too Granger.” He whispered as kissed his way down
her neck.
Hermione could not remember a moment when she felt more happier, excited and
loved. Of course she could also not think of another time when she had felt more
nervous. How on earth could she life up to Draco Malfoy’s sexual expectations? He
had obviously had many girls before her. What if she wasn’t good?

He unhooked her bra and threw it some corner of the room. He looked over her
naked form and smirked broadly. Hermione caught his eye and melted into a smile
also. He had the best looking eyes she had ever seen.

“Bloody hell.” She whispered in sheer ecstasy as he ran his hands over her breasts,
down her stomach and finally coming to a rest on her upper thigh.

Draco could feel euphoria taking over his being. Not one girl he had ever been with
could give him this feeling, not even close. But Hermione was capable of doing this
by just kissing him. How she had managed to keep him under her spell he’d never
know. He had kissed only her that year. Ever since that summer nobody but
Hermione Granger had been in his mind. He loved her so much there was no word to
describe it. He loved her more than he loved himself that was how much he loved
her.

Her arms were firmly around his neck, she was grinning, her bright brown eyes
sparkling. He kissed her again.

“Do it.” She whispered in his ear as he moved his face from her’s. Their eyes met
and he nodded, fireworks going on in his head.

With his legs either side of hers, he slowly lowered himself into her, their eyes still
locked. Hermione let out a small gasp and he a barely audible moan.

Her hands pushed hard against the skin on the back of his neck as he set the pace.
He rocked slowly at first and she began to do the same. Tears of pleasure rolled
down her cheeks as she began to moan louder.

He was groaning her name as they rocked harder and faster. At the peak of their
pleasure they both screamed out each other’s names. Draco collapsed upon
Hermione who was breathing heavily. Both trembling from the emotions and pent up
love they had for each other, they remained close for the remainder of the night.
Chapter Twenty Seven

His arm was securely around her waist, her hand was resting on his chest, and their
bodies still very close to each other, as neither wanted to let go. It was early
morning and they had had no sleep whatsoever.

“Draco.” Hermione whispered, her head raised a little. His eyes remained closed but
only so he could completely experience this feeling of bliss. It was something he had
never felt before.

“Mmm…” was his response. She sat up and he immediately opened his eyes, feeling
the extra weight on his chest move.

“We have to get dressed.” Hermione whispered in a disgruntled tone. She did not
want to move…hell she even wanted to stay in bed with him forever.

“Why?” Draco moaned, snuggling in closer to her.

She sighed with content, “Dumbledore.”

Draco groaned in protest, “Why doesn’t the old man just leave us alone damn it!
We’re old enough!” Draco muttered angrily. Hermione smiled but shook her head
firmly.

“We have to get up.” She said in a light but authoritative tone.

“Well I don’t want to.” Draco whispered and kissed her with fervor on the lips.
Giggling, Hermione gave into him but pushed him back after a minute or two.

“Really Draco we must get dressed! I don’t fancy Dumbledore walking in on us like
this!” Hermione persisted.

“Oh alright!” he huffed, annoyed that she had to get out and fully clothed too as she
had muttered a spell to dress herself. He watched her as she stood next to the bed,
smoothing out the invisible wrinkles on her jeans and halter-top.

Suddenly he remembered something. “Shit!” he cried aloud, muttering the same

spell as Hermione had and ran out of the bed. This was not as successful as he had
hoped. His leg got caught on one of the bed sheets and he fell on to the ground.

Hermione burst into laughter, her eyes twinkling. Draco muttered a string of curse
words as he got up.

“Stop laughing! It’s not funny, that hurt.” He cried angrily as he stood on the
opposite side of the bed as her. A scowl had crossed his face as his hand rubbed his
backside.

She grinned, “Poor Drakey-poo, did he get hurt?” she said in a simpering voice which
sounded awfully like Pansy, “Does Drakey want me to kiss it better?”

His scowl disappeared and he smirked, “Yeah!” he cried enthusiastically.

Hermione laughed, “Not until you tell me why you were in such a hurry to get out of
bed.”

Draco’s eyes widened. Why was it that when she was around him, everything in his
mind just disappeared? “I’ll be right back.”

She sighed, sitting back on the bed as he ran out of the room. He was back in a
matter of seconds with two mini boxes in his hand.

“I have a present for you.” He announced, sitting beside her on the bed. Hermione
gave him a quizzical look.

“A present? When and how did you get me a present if you’ve been hiding here all
this time? You haven’t gone out have you?” Hermione immediately jumped the gun
as she gave him an accusation lecture.

He smirked, “No, I’ve had these for awhile. Call it a family heirloom if you must.”
Hermione frowned at him, “Dark Magic?” she asked and he rolled his eyes at her.

“No. Would you just open it for Merlin’s sake?” he handed her one of the boxes. It
had a little white bow on it. She undid it and opened the box. It was a ring. She
looked up at him and back down at the ring, her mouth hanging open. It was
beautiful in a medieval way. The band was of metal and it had a stone of green
emerald, which was held, in place upon the band with thick metal.

“It’s rather ugly I know, but it serves its purpose.” Draco told her, taking the ring out
of the box and placing it on her index finger on her right hand.

Hermione watched him place the ring on, “You mean it’s not…” her voice trailed
away, her cheeks began to go red.

He grinned at her, “What’s with girls and rings? As soon as a guy gives his girlfriend
a ring they immediately think it’s a proposal.” Hermione gave him a weak smile, her
racing heart slowed down to a normal pace.

He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, “But all in good time Granger.” Her
face flushed again before she glared at him.

“You enjoy toying with me entirely too much.” She pouted.

He shrugged, “If I didn’t I wouldn’t be me.” He smirked that oh-so-annoying smirk

and she could not help but roll her eyes at him.

“What’s its purpose then?” Hermione asked. He took the other box, undid the bow
and slipped and identical ring on his own finger.

“Apart from being a ring it tells the other wearer if somebody is cheating on them.”
Draco told a horrified Hermione. She took the ring off, jumped off the bed and threw
it at him.

He caught it before it hit him and smirked even more, “I was joking.” He laughed.

Her eyes flashed angrily before she seethed, “You better be joking Draco Malfoy or
else I’ll shove that ring up your arse.

He chuckled at her. “An amusing prospect to be sure. But a question before I tell you
it’s true purpose if I may.”

She sat back down next to him, “What is it ferret boy?” He laughed harder.

“Touchy in the morning aren’t you? I just wanted to know why the thought of this
ring being a cheat detector had you so worried?” he queried.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, “Because it means you don’t trust me!
Just like last night when you practically accused me of being with Harry.”

Draco made no further comment. He simply stared at Hermione who was huffing and
puffing, her eyes pitting fire at him.

“Well? What is the purpose of this ring. Does it even have one?” Hermione asked in a
cold tone as she continued to glare at him.

“Alerts danger. Say if you’re in danger, this green stone.” He pointed at it, “Will turn
red and so will mine so I’ll know.”

Hermione’s anger waned, “Well that’s actually pretty smart.”

Draco nodded, his smirk returned, “Did you expect anything less than brilliance from
ME?”

Hermione punched him playfully on the arm, “Someone should invent a potion to get
rid of conceit.”

Draco grinned and nodded, “At least I’ll be left with my audacious looks.”

Hermione coughed and he pretended to glare at her. “Hmph.” He grabbed her hand
and slipped the ring back on. She kissed him on the cheek, “Thank you Draco.” She
whispered, admiring the glittering green gem.

He held his hand in hers, fiddling with the ring on her finger, “If it does go red I want
you to know I’ll be by your side in a second. Even if I’m still supposed to be in
hiding.” He said in a deadly serious tone.

She kissed him on the lips, her left hand stroking his cheek as she looked into his ice
blue eyes.

“The ring will go black if either wearer is dead.” Draco informed her gravely.

Hermione nodded, “Hopefully that doesn’t happen.”

“Hope isn’t a factor, it won’t happen.” Draco told her surely, with a firm nod.

Hermione nodded a pout forming in her lips, “I hate this Draco. What if the Great
War doesn’t happen for years? You’ll be stuck here and you won’t be able to have a
life. You won’t be able to finish your education.”

He smiled at her, laying back on the bed and pulling her down with him, “You’re
smart enough for both of us. If I’m stuck here for years you can go to University, get
that good job you want and when you’re finished making a name for yourself I’ll be
right here waiting for you.”

At the mention of University, Hermione’s mind went through a shock process. She
had just remembered the debt.

“Draco I’m not going to University.” She mumbled. He rolled onto his side and leant
his head in his hand.

“What do you mean you’re not going to University? You’ve always wanted to go.” He
told her.

She nodded, “I still want to but the simple fact is I cannot. I don’t have the money
for it.”
Draco was officially confused by this point, “No money? You’ve worked your cute butt
off since summer.” At the mere mention of ‘summer’ both Hermione and Draco
grinned.

“You know how my parents died? Well apparently they were heavy in debt and I
have to pay it back”, Hermione told him, “The money I’ve earned working is just
enough. So I’ll be back where I started before I began working, with nothing.” She
released out a heavy sigh contemplating her circumstances.

She looked to Draco who gave her an encouraging smile, “I have money.” He told
her sitting up.

“No, no, no! I’m not taking your money!” she refused, sitting up also.

“Why not?” he asked her. He could see nothing wrong with his generous offer, “I
don’t have a use for it.”

“I can’t Draco it’s erm….” She bit her lip. She could not explain her reasons without
insulting him.

“What?” he asked.

“Dirty money.” She mumbled but he heard her loud and clear.

“It’s money Hermione. All money is dirty.” He chuckled. She shook her head at him,
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

He stood infuriated, “Dirty? Of course it’s dirty! The money wasn’t earned through
hard labour but passed down. But it’s still money! Dirty or not it can still get you to
University.”

She stood also, “But I want to get to Uni through my efforts. I don’t want to have to
rely on my boyfriend to get me there!”

Draco snarled at her, “Yeah because my money’s dirt! I’m dirt! That’s what your
saying isn’t it?”

“No it’s not what I’m trying to say! I’m saying your money is filthy like your father!
It’s his money not yours. I don’t want money from a death eater.” Hermione
snapped.

“But I’m giving you the money because some of it, if not all, will be passed down to
me once he dies. I’m entitled to use a certain amount already.” He informed her.

“I don’t want it.” Hermione said stubbornly, lifting her chin slightly to heighten her
decision.

“You’re impossible!” he told her, as he through his arms in the air out of
exasperation. A scowl formed on his mouth.

“Good.” Hermione pursed her lips, glaring at him like he was something she had to
get rid of. The pair glared at each other before Draco had had enough. He grabbed
her roughly by the shoulders and smothered her lips with his own.
“I’m still not accepting your filthy money.” She told him once he released her. He
kissed her cheek and whispered, “You will, one way or another.”

“Don’t be so sure of yourself Malfoy.” She poked her tongue at him and squealed
when he began to chase her.

She ran down the stairs, “A Slytherin can’t catch a Gryffindor!” she laughed, rushing
through the kitchen as fast as she could.

“They can when the lion has no-where to go.” He cried back at her, grinning slyly.
She had herself cornered. She pushed herself against the wall, “Come any closer
Malfoy and you’ll be wishing for death.”

He confidently stepped closer to her, “You know…I don’t think I will.” He flashed a
smug smirk and she laughed again.

“Chasing me won’t make me take your money either Malfoy.” She told him. He was
very close to hr now. He bent down and kissed her neck, “Nor will kissing.” She
added.

“I’m not going to make you take it. I’ll make Dumbledore let me pay for you. I’m
sure he’ll find my offer more than acceptable.” He smirked, taking hold of her waist
and pulling her into a long deep kiss.

“I’m sure I will Mr. Malfoy if you would kindly release Miss. Granger.” Dumbledore’s
voice reached their ears. They looked to where the voice had come from.

At the head of the table, Dumbledore sat, his light blue eyes reflected neither anger
nor happiness.

“Professor.” Hermione said meekly, pushing Draco from her, “Erm…do you want
something to drink or eat?” She could feel the heat emanating from her face. She
was so embarrassed! It was not the first time the headmaster had seen them kiss
but still… She looked back at Draco who was leaning casually against the wall,
chuckling at her. She shot him a death glare before turning back to Dumbledore.

“No thank you Miss. Granger. I do request that you come with me back to the castle
however.” Dumbledore told her in a firm tone.

She felt Draco’s hand find her’s, “Couldn’t she stay for the rest of the holidays?” he
was right beside her.

Dumbledore shook his head, I’m sorry Mr. Malfoy I do not think that would be wise.”
Is expression was rather grave. Hermione began to wonder whether her knew what
they had been up to the previous night.

“I think it’s a wise idea. Please Professor?” Draco continued with his plea.
Dumbledore shook his head firmly, “When you are ready Miss. Granger we shall
depart.” He then walked into the lounge.

Hermione turned to Draco who was staring furiously at the spot where Dumbledore
had been standing, “Bloody old - ” he was not given a chance to continue as
Hermione’s hand covered his mouth.

“He has his reasons Draco. Now are you going to say goodbye or not?” she asked,
lowering her hand.

“It would take a lifetime for me to say good bye to you.” He told her, that glint
appeared again in his eyes.

She kissed his with a rush of passion bolting through her. She had a bad feeling
brewing within her. She did not want to know what it was but it was there and it was
getting harder to ignore.

“I love you.” She told him for the hundredth time.

He broke his frown to grin at her, “How unfortunate for you.”

“Really well I won’t be missing you then my jumpy ferret.” Hermione sneered.

“Well I’ll miss you.” He kissed her again, slipping in a little tongue. She pushed him
back, matched his smirk and whispered before leaving to disappear to Hogwarts with
the headmaster,

“How unfortunate for you.”

Chapter Twenty Eight

“Where is he, Granger?” Blaise snapped angrily, glaring at the Gryffindor in front of
him.

She frowned at him, shaking, “I can’t tell you because I don’t know.”

Blaise grabbed hold of her wrist firmly and snapped back, “Don’t bullshit with me
Granger. I KNOW you’ve seen Draco.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. There was no way he knew that she had seen
Draco because only Dumbledore knew about her visit.

“You know no such thing Blaise. Now if you’d kindly unhand me I’ll be on my way.”
Hermione said in a cool, professional manner. He let go of her wrist and she smirked
at him.
He gave her a disgusted look before sneering, “He’s actually rubbing off on you!” he
pretended to gag before continuing, ‘And I DO know that you’ve seen Malfoy. Why
else would you be so cheery after days of misery?”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open slightly. Was she really that obvious? ‘Merlin, I
have to keep my emotions under control.’ She thought as she tried to walk away
from the Slytherin for the second time.

“Granger, I’ll ask you one last time before I’m forced to use magic, where the bloody
hell is Draco Malfoy?” he hissed angrily, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“You’ll use no magic against me Zambini. I’m head Girl. I could dock points off your
house for just threatening me.” She warned him.

He scoffed at her, “Dock points? Please Granger do you really think house points are
important to me?” he laughed menacingly. He raised his wand and she quickly
whipped out hers.

“Hermione!” Harry’s voice cried from afar. She turned and saw her two best friends
running towards her. She sighed with relief. What on earth would she do without
them?

“Blaise seemed to realize his harassment had come to and end so whispered before
rushing off, “All the death eaters, are searching for that betraying bloody idiot. I’d
watch your back if I were you.”

When Ron and Harry finally reached her there was nobody but Hermione in sight. He
had run away.

“Hermione? Are you okay? He looked like he was going to curse you.” Harry
breathed.

“Curse her? Merlin, he looked like he was ready to murder you Hermione. What did
he want?” Ron asked curiously.

Hermione shrugged, “Just tried to bully me. All that filthy mudblood name-calling. No
big deal” she told herself off within for lying to her friends.

Harry and Ron’s faces contorted with anger and fury, “How dare he?” Ron seethed.

“He’s probably opting for Malfoy’s position as the school biggest git since he’s
disappeared to Merlin knows where.” Harry thought aloud his suspicions.

Hermione smiled slightly at the mention of her lover’s name.

“What are you smiling about Hermione? Zambini harassing you is not funny!” Ron
cried, balling his fists, desperately wanting to throw them into Blaise’s face.

“Oh just nothing. Why don’t we go to lunch?” Hermione suggested. Ron and Harry
nodded eagerly, their stomachs grumbling loudly at the same time. They grinned
before walking to the Great Hall. For Hermione it felt like old times.

There still weren’t too many people around. Christmas Day was the next day. A few
had come back, only going to see their family for a few days so that they could
spend Christmas at Hogwarts. The castle had been decorated magnificently…
something Hermione had only noticed moments ago.

As they sat down Ron grabbed her hand. She gave him a quizzical stare but he did
not notice. He was staring down at her hand in awe.

“Bloody hell! Where’d you get that ring ‘Mione?” Ron near shouted.

Hermione’s eyes widened and she snatched her hang back. “My parents were going
to give it to me for Christmas and well because they died some muggles sent it to
me. Apparently they had just paid it off the day they died. “ She allowed herself to
sniff and for her eyes to well up as she spun her tale.

‘Blaise is right. He IS rubbing off on me. I’ve lied to them twice in the space of five
minutes!’ she thought angrily. Hoe could she have let things get so out of hand?

Ron nodded and Harry smiled at her, ‘it’s pretty ugly though isn’t it?” Harry asked
unabashed.

Hermione frowned at him, “It’s not ugly! You just have no taste in jewelry.” She did
not tell them that she herself had thought the ring ugly at first. But Draco had given
it to her and she would hear no criticism against it.

‘I think it’s beautiful.” Ron commented, smiling at Hermione who smiled warmly back
at him. Harry rolled his eyes.

“Thank you Ron.” Hermione said before turning to Harry. “See Harry at least Ron has
some taste.” Ron nodded, sticking out his chest slightly.

Harry scowled at Hermione. She simply took s sip of her juice. Ron, however did not
touch his lunch, which was highly unusual.

“Hermione?” Ron asked quietly. She did not answer so he asked again, “Hermione?”

“What?” Hermione asked in an edgy tone. He had interrupted her fantasizing of

Draco time. Then she noticed Ron had not touché his food and gave him her full
attention.

“Well erm…” Ron gave a nervous laugh. Harry and Hermione exchanged perplexed
looks before looking back at Ron. He was acting awfully strange. His eyes had gone
bright red and his face was slightly flushed.

“What is it Ron?’ Hermione asked in a nice tone than she had used before. She
suddenly felt as though she was being watched. She quickly glanced at the Slytherin
table to find none other than Blaise Zambini glaring at her. She looked back to Ron
who was running a hand through his untidy red hair.

“Well Hermione…er…Dumbledore letting the seventh years go to Hogsmeade…

tomorrow since it’s Christmas and er…well you know…well you don’t know but…
erm…” Ron mumbled. Harry coughed and then moved further up the table to where
Ginny was sitting.
“Why is he letting seventh years go now? There’s hardly any of us here.” Hermione
asked.

Ron’s breathing was wheezy and he only shrugged at Hermione’s question, “Well
erm…do you want to go? With…without Harry I mean His face flushed a deep crimson
red, “I really like you Hermione and erm…well I though you might wanna go…do
you?” he asked nervously.

Hermione was surprised, so surprised she almost fell off her chair. Ron continued to
stare at her, waiting for an answer to the question he had spent hours preparing to
ask.

“Ron..” she began, he smiled weakly at her, “I’d really love to go but..” she was not
given a chance to finish her ‘sorry but no’ speech as he spontaneously kissed her.

Shock waves bolted through her. She was too shocked to even push him back. But a
burning sensation on her finger brought her back to her senses.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco sat on the couch in the living room, staring absently at the fire he had lit to
keep himself warm. His thoughts were upon only one girl whom had captured his
heart and mind. He was trying desperately to cling onto the memory of her scent.

Alone in an empty house he could do nothing else. He had never been more bored.

“No Potter to tease, no Weasley to sneer at and…” he sighed heavily, “No Granger to
make love to.” He grinned stupidly at himself.

He had tried distracting himself by exploring the house but it was completely devoid
of anything worth looking at.

He leant his head in his hand and wondered what Hermione was up to at that very
moment. He smiled as he pictured her crying because she missed him. But he knew
she would be more likely in the library reading until her eyes were sore.

Without any warning the ring on his finger began to heat up. He stared down at it
and watched in utter horror as the stone turned royal blue.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She turned to look at Blaise whose mouth was hanging open in shock. Another wave
of heat caused her to look down again. The stone was blue.

Ron could be heard breathing heavily. He could not believe he had just kissed the
girl of his dreams. It was unbelievable!

Hermione was too shocked and worried to care. Shocked because her best friend had
kissed her so suddenly and worried because the ring had obviously detected her kiss
with Ron. She could only think of one thing…

Draco knew.
“So you’ll come with me Hermione?” Ron asked with a grin. His face had calmed
considerably in colour and he was feeling a lot more confident.

Hermione was too confused and still to shocked to be able to say anything
comprehendible. She resigned herself to opening and closing her mouth a few times
like a fish would.

Ron had not noticed Hermione’s confusion or her preoccupation with her rung. All he
knew was that he and Hermione were together.

“Great well I better go. I promise Harry we’d go flying today.” He kissed her on the
cheek and then ran off to tell Harry the good news.

Hermione stared at her ring until it turned green again. ‘Maybe he didn’t feel it.
Maybe he took it off for a bit?’ she thought, hopeful that Draco had not noticed the
wearer was cheating. She was furious at him but knew that what had happened
would make Draco even furious.

She looked up at Blaise again. This time he was not looking at her but scribbling
something furiously on a piece of parchment.

Shaking, she rose from her seat and rushed to the Gryffindor common room, up the
girl’s staircase and into the bathroom.

“Cold shower! I definitely need a cold shower.” She muttered under her breath
before stepping into the shower and gasping at the sudden change of temperature.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Numb from shock Draco stared at the fire. How could she? After one day! Sure he
had done that to many girls over the years but never contemplated doing such a
thing to Hermione!

He could hardly fathom the idea of Hermione cheating on him. It was practically
crazy.

‘Maybe someone forced her? They could have used magic. She would not have
willingly…no she would not.’ He thought.

“Damn it!” he stood up and began to pace the room furiously, “She had to have been
threatened. She just could not…”

A large fluffy owl flew through an open window and to Draco. He stared at the owl
questionably. Was he allowed to read the letter? He stared at the letter tied to the
owl’s leg and shrugged. It looked normal enough. He untied I and the owl flew out of
the house.

‘Mustn’t be expecting a reply then.’ He thought then wondered, ‘Who would send a
letter and not want a reply? Well only one way to find out.’ He opened the letter and
read;

Draco,
I don’t know where you are but hopefully this owl will find you. The entirety of the
Dark lord’s followers, including your father, is searching for you. If you are not found
soon they will begin to pick off students until you appear. Might I add that your
mudblood girlfriend will be the first on the list should they decide to murder? If I
were in your place I would not worry too much about her. She has her beloved
Weasley to look after her. In fact she is kissing him as we speak. Things seem to be
getting off to a great start for the two. I cannot say the same for you’re my friend.
Reveal yourself now Draco and you may be speared from the Dark Lord’s wrath. The
date for the massacre is drawing nearer. You must chose where your loyalties lie.
Friends of mudbloods will die. You knew this once, Draco, I can only hope that you
shall remember in time.

Sincerely

Blaise

Draco let the letter flutter to the floor as he stared, open mouthed, out the window
the owl had left through.

He felt anger; bitter disappointment, hate and pain sweep through his body like a
tornado. His mind exploded with resentment. He wanted to tear the worthless weasel
to pieces with his bare hands. He was seriously considering leaving his hide out to do
just that.

Then he thought of Hermione and the memories of her love and smile cut through
him like a knife. He remembered the last night they had spent together, the euphoric
feeling of being with her, and the fierceness of her kisses.

He grabbed the nearest thing to him, which happened to be a large vase and hurled
it at the fireplace. It smashed into a thousand pieces. The crashing sound seemed to
make him feel happier. He was releasing his anger. If he could not beat Ronald
Weasley to a pulp then he would destroy anything he could see.

An ornamental plate was next. When that was in pieces he put his foot through a
wooden table. It snapped in half.

“She promise me!” he yelled furiously, snatching up the photo he had of them
together and tore it into pieces before throwing them into the fire.

A filthy mudblood had cheated on him. He remembered her face when he had
accused her of being with the Weasel. He thought of her reaction when he had told
her of the ring being a cheat detector. How long had this affair with the good-for-
nothing red head been going? Only Merlin knew.

His anger had still not vented itself completely but the destructive side had calmed.
All he wanted now was revenge.

“If she can break her promises then so can I.” He thought aloud, clenching his
teeth.

Shutting his eyes tightly he put a picture of the Malfoy Manor in his mind and
disappeared. There was only one way he could exact his revenge upon her. That was
to find his father and do what he had intended to do before he had won her heart.
He would become what she feared he would become. He would become….

A Death Eater.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Revenge had never been more painful.

He gritted his teeth, his eyes shut tightly and not a sound came from him as a long,
pale finger pressed the skin on his forearm.

He loved the pain. He adored the pain. The pain had become his life. Without it he
knew he would lose his mind. He could forget the past. He could forget the girl, the
mudblood, for her part in his life. Yet forgetting her was very hard. She was always
lurking there in the dark recesses of his mind just waiting for an opportunity to make
an appearance.

He loathed her with a passion he knew went deeper than the veins of hate. He had
loved her. He knew it would take time for the wounds to heal. The process was slow
but the thought of revenge was hastening it.
Slowly yet surely he was concocting a plan for the ultimate revenge. She would pay
for using him. She would know what happens when you take advantage of a Malfoy.
He wanted to make sure she would never forget him and the grave mistake she had
made by choosing a Weasley over him. He could only hope that she would live long
enough to experience the dreadfully vivid and most probably accurate images of the
one you love in the arms of another.

“Welcome Draco, to our circle.” Voldemort hissed behind the shadows. The finger
was moved from his skin and Draco felt relief wash over him like a cool breath of
wind.

A circle of death-eaters surrounded him. He was finally a part of them. For years he
had dreamed of the moment when he would become what his father wished of him.
Yet now, he was a death eater, he felt no more a man than he had been before. In
fact, he felt degraded. He was branded. It was no better than being an item on the
shelf with a barcode on him. He was no more important than the other items on the
shelf. Just exactly the same.

It was at that moment that Draco Malfoy could not understand why his father found
being a death eater so appealing. The Malfoy’s were born leaders but as death eaters
they were followers. They thrived on standing out, on being better than everybody
else, and yet again being a death-eater did not include this.

“Draco, we wondered about you when you were being held captive by that old fool
running Hogwarts. Most believed you to be a traitor. I had faith in you. I knew you
wanted this since you were a child. I was right of course.” Smirked a near-mirror
image of Draco as their fellow death eaters began to talk, “I’m just disappointed we
could not get our mark together. Never mind, we’re both faithful followers now.”

After the ceremony Lucius, Draco and Salazar apparated to a small but lavish house
in the mountains. With Dumbledore and the order most likely searching for Draco,
the manor could not be used.

Lying on his bed with the moonlight streaming upon him, Draco began to think of
her. It was only at night that he allowed her to take over his mind. Most of the time
he thought of the possible reasons that could explain why she had decided to have
an affair with the Weasel. But at rare ties, when he was almost asleep, his mind
traveled back to the good times they had shared together. These memories included
kissing her, touching her, hugging her, laughing with her and his favourite…fighting
with her.

He missed her and he wanted her but there was no way he could forgive her. She
had betrayed him. She was the traitor. She was a liar and a deceitful Gryffindor. He
wanted never to see her again if he could help it. She was stupid, ignorant,
mudblood Granger again.

And he still loved her.

You Gotta Be out There

Tears that shone like jewels slowly rolled down her cheeks until they reached her
chin and fell quickly to the ground. She was rooted to the spot she was standing it…
the doorway to the living room in Grimmauld Place
You Gotta Be Somewhere

The room had been destroyed. Shards of glass splintered wood and other broken
objects covered the floor unceremoniously. Precious items that belonged to the Black
family had been smashed to pieces.

It had been him.

A week had passed and nobody had seen nor heard of the whereabouts of Draco
Malfoy.

Wherever you are

As soon as Ron had left her chocked and confused at the Gryffindor table that fateful
fays she had rushed to Dumbledore and asked him to take her to Grimmauld Place
immediately.

They had arrived to find the living room in the state of dishevelment it was still in.
Dumbledore did not ask her questions. He called a meeting, however, with the order.
From what Hermione could recall, Dumbledore was under the impression that
Voldemort’s followers had managed to find Draco and had kidnapped him. She did
not have the courage to tell the headmaster the truth. It was of no consequence.
She knew he would be with Voldemort whatever the case was.

I’m waiting

He knew the truth from the ring. She cursed the rings with all her power. She
wanted to destroy it like it had destroyed her relationship with Draco. But no matter
what she did, nothing could even scratch the surface. It simply burned a fiery red as
it had for the past week.

As she was in no danger she knew he was. He had gone to Voldemort willingly.
There was no proof to support her theory but she felt in her heart that it was true.

She missed him and she wanted desperately to tell him the truth. For a week she
had cried for him and for a week he had not come.

Cause there are these night when I sing myself to sleep

Nobody could comfort her. She missed him more than she had missed him when he
had been taken to Grimmauld Place.

Every night without fault she clung onto her pillow, buried her face into it, and cried
until she fell into a restless slumber.

And I’m hoping my dreams bring you close to me +

She dreamed of the night they had spent together and the heated display of
affections they had shared that no words could ever achieve. But every dream ended
the same way. He would walk away from her and fade into the distance. She would
scream as loud as her vocal chords would allow and run into the mist to find him but
he was never there. She was lost and he was not there to help her. She would wake
and cry even more.

Are you listening?

Draco Malfoy was as stubborn as a mule. She knew no matter what she told him, he
would never believe that she had not kissed Ron willingly.

Ron and Harry could not understand why Hermione was so unhappy. Each time they
asked her what was wrong she would break down again.

She called for him in her mind. Telepathy was something that even in the magical
world could not be achieved. But somehow Hermione felt Draco could hear her. She
pleaded for him to come back but he never responded.

Hear me, I’m crying out

She was broken inside. If she had not known it was physically impossible she would
have sworn her heart had been torn in two.

I’m ready now, turn my world upside down

He had left without even leaving a letter. She knew she was being ridiculous but felt
a letter detailing how much he hated her would have made her feel better. She had
no idea where he was, how he was or if she would ever see him again.

Find me, I’m lost inside this crowd

Today was the day. Undercover members had it on good authority that Voldemort
planned an attack. It was supposed that he would bring down Hogwarts first. To
bring down the heart of the enemy so that they would gain control.

Hermione watched as people bustled through headquarters, preparing things. They

would go to Hogwarts by floo in a few moments and hopefully put their strategy in
place.

She felt like an outside, a stranger, a ghost. She had been fraternizing with the
enemy and only Dumbledore knew it. How could she help defend Hogwarts when the
man she loved was going to be fighting against her and those she was close to?

It’s getting loud, I need to see you

They arrived at Hogwarts and Hermione felt even more separated. Students were
rushing to the dungeons and listening to what the teachers were telling them. They
were going to lock the students up so that Voldemort could not find them.

Some of the first years were crying and even a few of the older ones could not
control their tears.

Hermione felt the urge to run away. Draco had been able to do it so why couldn’t
she?

I’m screaming for you, please hear me

Harry and Ron led her up the stone stairs and into the first floor. Everybody was
gathered there. The entire Weasley family, Lupin, Mad-Eye, Tonks, McGonagall…
everybody bar Draco.

A tear rolled down her cheek and Ron hugged her, “We’ll be alright Hermione. We’ll
make it through. I won’t let you die.” He told her in a soothing voice.

She cried even more. Couldn’t he understand? She wanted to die. She needed to be
with Draco. He wouldn’t come so she could not live. She could not bear to live whilst
he hated her and was determined to see her in pain and misery.

I used to be scared of letting someone in.

Her lower lip trembled as they made their way to the castle grounds. They had been
assigned to certain sections. Ron, Harry and Hermione and the rest of the remaining
DA had control over the small space around the whomping willow and the tree itself
as it was a good defense should somebody come too close.

“This is it.” Harry said in a quiet and shaky tone. Hermione realized that Harry looked
more scared than she did. His face was ashen white and his eyes darted from place
to place nervously.

“If one of dies at least we’ll be together.” Ron uttered, he seemed scared but a little
more ‘with it’ than Hermione would have thought he would be.

She gave her best friends a small smile in gratitude. She was still annoyed with Ron
for doing what he had but she could not very well blame him. He did not know the
full implications of his kiss.

The three of them had been friends for almost seven years and she was glad to have
them beside her in the Great War.

But it gets so lonely being on my own

But Draco was not there. He was going to kill people and all because Ron had kissed
her.

She closed her eyes for a moment so that she could recuperate. Every thought of
Draco drove a dagger into her heart and made her feel faint.

She opened her eyes and looked down at the blazing ring sadly. She knew it was not
just red because he was in danger. She was now in danger too.

Her lungs tightened and she could barely breathe. He had told her that if she was
ever in danger he could be by her side instantly.

Hopes that he still loved her were slowly fading. He honestly believed that she had
willingly betrayed him. He did not care that she was in danger.

He hated her.

With no one to talk to, no one to hold me

Voldemort’s mouth was moving and the death eaters listened with great anticipation
for their instructions. Draco heard nothing. His ability to hear had been switched off.
He could hear instead, his thoughts and feel the insistent burning of the ring on his
finger.

The strings of his heart were pulling him to her. He wanted to see her. It was like a
mosquito bite that needed to be scratched.

He had thought of taking the ring off and being free of the guilt of knowing that she
was in danger. Yet something always stopped him. If he still had the ring on at least
she knew that he cared at some point, however small that point was. For if he took
off the ring, the connection would be broken and the stone would go clear.

I’m not always strong

He was broken from his thoughts when he was alerted to the movement around him.
They were putting their masks on.

He looked down at the black mask in his hands. Death and destruction filled his
being. He had chosen this destiny and by Merlin he was going to see it through.

He cringed when the ring began to get warmer. Danger was growing. Was this plan,
this charade worth risking when Hermione, filthy mudblood, Granger had a good
chance on dying?

‘Don’t think of that.’ He scolded himself knowing any thought of her would weaken
his resolve.

Oh I need you here, are you listening?

Standing in a circle they apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. Everybody knew they
could not apparate inside the grounds or the castle itself, a fact Draco had heard
Hermione mention often.

“You know what to do my loyal followers. Now kill the worthless wizards and witches
who dare to challenge me.” Voldemort hissed venomously. They barged through the
gates and into the grounds.

Draco had no idea where he had to go. He had not been listening.

“Where are they master?” Draco heard peter Pettigrew whisper to Voldemort, who
chuckled.

“They’re hiding! Like cowards!” Voldemort laughed loudly, obviously trying to achieve
an angry response from the opposing side.

Nothing happened then…

“We’re not cowards you bloody idiot!” Draco heard the voice of Ronald Weasley fill
his ears. He looked around to see if anybody else had heard the voice but nobody
else had heard anything. He then scanned the area carefully but could not find the
weasel.
“Potter’s invisibility cloak.” He thought aloud. His eyes widened as he realized the red
haired bastard was near him.

I’m restless and wild, I fall but I try.

“Shut up Ron.” Hermione whispered angrily, covering Ron’s mouth with her hand.
They were hiding near the tree after touching the knot so that they would not get
lashed at.

“But he called us cowards!” Ron hissed back. He hated it when people called him a
coward. He could barely handle any insult anymore. He was sick of it.

“Shut up the both of you. I think Malfoy can hear us.” Harry said in a hushed voice of
annoyance.

“Malfoy?” Hermione breathed. Her heart skipped a beat and she found herself
leaning behind the tree to see for herself.

Standing not too far away from the tree, with a black mask on, was a blonde haired
boy. Hermione did not know anybody else who had platinum blonde hair so realized
it really was him.

“Draco.” She whispered again, her heart thumping wildly. All rational thoughts
disappeared. She forgot that Ron and Harry were next to her under Harry’s cloak.
She began to walk towards him and was caught by surprise when she was held back.

“Are you mad? What do you think you’re doing?” Harry hissed in a low voice.

I need someone to understand.

“I’m sorry.” Hermione whispered, still looking at Draco. He was looking directly at
them now. Even though Hermione knew he could not see them she was certain that
he had heard them.

But why then, didn’t he alert Voldemort to their presence?

Can you hear me?

He was frozen to the spot he stood on. His eyes were wide with realization.

Hermione was only a few steps way.

He had heard her scold the weasel and also apologize to Potter for a reason he knew
not of.

‘Say something. Tell the Dark lord. Tell him that they’re there.’ His mind instructed.
But his mouth remained firmly shut.

If he said something, Voldemort would murder Weasley (which would give him great
pleasure) and then Granger. His plan would not work if she were dead.

I’m lost in my thoughts.

“Now!” roared a voice and as darkness descended upon them, thousand of people
ran towards them. Draco whipped out his wand and looked to where the ‘Golden
Trio’ had been.

He saw her for the first time since he had found out about her betrayal. She stood as
limp and scared as he did. They stared at each other for a moment as the cries of
people being murdered began to fill their ears.

And baby I’ve fought for all that I’ve got. Can you hear me?

Ron and Harry began to engage in the fighting but Hermione remained wand in
hand, staring at Draco.

His expression was blank and she was unable to read what he was thinking. She was
going to approach him but as soon as she took a few steps in his direction he ran
off.

Her heart sunk in her chest as all hope vanished.

They were over.

Chapter Thirty

‘Oh sweet misery we’re all going to die.’ Hermione mumbled to herself as she
watched hell situate itself in the Hogwarts grounds. She had never seen and doubted
she would ever see again such chaos and death. All around her people fell to their
knees, screaming for mercy or shrieking out in pain.

“There’s too many!” Ron shouted, fending odd a brawny looking death eater, with a
flick of his wand. Fear was written on all of their faces. Harry was scanning the area,
waiting for Voldemort to appear so that he could kill him once and for all.

She felt dizzy. The screams piercing her ears, the terror blinding her eyes and the
fear foreshadowing her heart were all too much. Why was this taking place? Why
were so many people being murdered? She had forgotten the reason it all seemed so
senseless.

Cold droplets of rain fell from the dark night sky. She looked up and realized she
could not see one star. The moon was there, radiating the only source of light, but
no stars. The rain began to fall heavily and before she knew it, she was drenched.

Curse after curse she screamed, watching nauseously as men and women she killed
dropped to the ground. She had no strength for this, it was pure evil. Her source of
strength was gone. Draco was gone.

“No, no don’t think of him.” Hermione whispered to herself, comforted by the

knowledge that what she said could not be heard of the cries of agony.

She had resigned herself to believing he was in her past. Tonight was for protecting
the future generations of witches and wizards, supporting her friends and fighting
the people she had loathed for as long as she could remember. But Draco was part
of the people she had loathed and that had changed. Why then could their
relationship with the Death Eaters change? Surely a compromise could have been
reached? Ni, it could never be. Voldemort wanted blood shed and Hermione
suspected Dumbledore sought the same. Until the war was over, until people side,
peace could not be achieved.

“Watch out ‘Mione!” Ron roared, pushing Hermione down to the ground. Thankfully
neither of them was hit by the stray spell.

“He’s over there! I’m going!” Harry roared over the noise, his eyes still in the
direction of Voldemort.

“Good luck mate! No matter what happens…” Ron began but Harry stopped him with
a clap on the shoulder.

“I know. Take care of yourselves.” Harry responded then took off without another
word. They had already said their emotional farewells beforehand.

“Expelliarmus!” Ron suddenly cried, pointing his wand to a dark masked figure.
Hermione watched the figure skillfully jump out of the spell’s way.

“Impendimenta!” cried a male voice, sending a jet of red light Ron’s way. The spell
hit Ron directly in the chest, knocking him off his feet.

“Ron!” Hermione screamed over the noise of the battle, rushing to her friend’s side.
Was he hurt? Was he going to die? Were they all going to die?

“Hermione it’s…” Ron’s voice trailed off when a cold hand grabbed hold of her arm
and pulled her away from Ron. She mentally kicked herself for turning her back on
the enemy. How could she have been so daft?

“Let go you stupid, bloody bastard!” Hermione thrashed about but his hold on her
was too strong. Having been dragged a couple of meters from Ron, the man let go of
her arm and dug his wand into her neck.

She gritted her teeth. She kept looking at the ground, determined that the Death
Eater have no pleasure in seeing the light disappear from her eyes when he killed
her.

The same cold hand forcefully grabbed her face and pushed it up so she could see
him. She tried to push his hand off but caught sight of his eyes.

His ice blue eyes.

‘Merlin no.’ Hermione’s brain froze.

“Granger.” The man whispered in a tone that was not vicious and yet not pleasing
either. He sounded…disappointed.

She tried desperately to calm herself. Maybe if her heart was not beating a million
miles a minutes she could think things through. Her eyes began to tear up, but she
fought them off. She would not allow herself to cry.

He let go of her face and turned his attention upon Ron. The red haired, freckled
man went to stand but paused when the death eater pointed his wand at him.

He then looked back at Hermione and with one quick movement threw off his mask.
Hermione covered her mouth, shocking back tears that seemed to have a mind of
their own as they rolled quietly down her cheeks. Her worst fears had been realized.
He had comet o find her and exact his revenge. She did not need verbal
confirmation, it was all written in his eyes.

His wand still pointed at her best friend he spat furiously, “You left me , you
betrayed me, for him ?”

Hermione stood, trembling from head to tow, “I didn’t betray you for anyone!” she
had the chance to tell him the truth and she was not going to let it pass. At least she
fulfilled all she could ion her part of this terrible misunderstanding.

“Ron only kissed me because he thought I fancied him!” Hermione finally cried after
a week of wishing to tell the stubborn blonde.

His jaw clenched, Draco shook his head at her, “Please Granger, don’t flatter me with
your extraordinary fibbing skills. I see right through your charade. I was not enough
for you, you needed more. My being in hiding was the perfect opportunity for you.”

“Perfect opportunity! I thought you were smarter than this Draco but now I see how
daft you really are!” Hermione roared, infuriated beyond control. How dare he?

“Daft am I? Explain this then you stupid mudblood…” Draco began. Hermione gasped
when he called her that despicable name. It had been so long since he had called her
that.

“The ring. You threw it back at me when I told you it was a cheat detector. You
didn’t want it because you were afraid I would find out about you and the weasel!”
Draco snapped, his hands dropped to his side, one balled into a fist, the other
clutched tightly on his wand.

Hermione took a few steps forward, her fury plain in her facial expression. She was
angry, she was mad and…she was hurt.

“Draco I loved you, I still love you. If you cannot accept that I did not kiss Ron
willingly and that I was not having an affair then this.” She pointed between them,
“Is over.”

Draco took a step toward her and hissed, eyes flashing dangerously, “It was over a
week ago when you kissed him…willingly.”

With a little scream, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could, tears
blinding her vision, “I hate you!”

Reeling from her emotional outburst, her legs began to wobble. She felt like jelly.
She was about to fall when Draco’s hands grabbed hold of the collar of her robs and
pulled her so close they were practically nose-to-nose.

“The feeling is mutual.” He whispered grudgingly, forcing his lips onto hers. Taken by
shock she tried to pull back but he would not allow her to move. The kiss was harsh
and fierce. It felt like kissing a brick wall. It was painful and nothing like any of their
previous kisses. Even when he had been trying to force her to like him, in the lake
and the supermarket, he had been softer and more caring.

He thrusted her back and she tumbled and fell to the ground with a thud.

He glared down at her and said in a softer tone, “You promised you’d be mine
forever. Do you remember that night at all?”

If his tone had not been so disappointed and saddened she would have told him in a
number of words to take his promises and place them somewhere…where they would
not be found. But as it was…

“I remember every detail of that night…every miniscule detail.” She said in a hushed
tone. She glanced briefly at Ron who was staring at the both of them horrified and
shocked beyond belief. He could not speak as his voice had faltered.

“You broke that promise.” He stated. She frowned, why was he saying all these
things? Was he just trying to make her say that she had cheated on him?

“Draco I told you that I did not kiss Ron willingly. Does it not also stand to reason
that I’ll tell you I have broken no such promise? Why can’t you accept what I’m
telling you?” Hermione asked in a pleading tone. She gazed at him as one would if
they were heart broken. As she had feared, he refused to accept that she loved him
and only him.

As he gazed at her disbelieving she had began to wonder what had ever made her
hope that he would believe her? She closed her eyes and took three deep breaths.
She was dizzy and sick. The screams of terror, the deluge of emotional outpouring
on her behalf and the frustration of Draco’s disbelief were all building up. She could
not cope, she was not strong enough for it. She needed to lie down and go to sleep.
Where had all her energy gone?

She opened her eyes and saw Draco pointing his wand at Ron again.

“Get up!” Draco snapped.

Ron gaped at Draco like a goldfish in its tank. He was still to shocked to respond.
Hermione could not imagine what kind of thoughts were running through his mind.
“Get up you filthy, worthless, piece of scum!” Draco said roughly, poking Ron’s neck
with his wand.

Ron responded by scrambling to his feet and looking at Hermione in the same
hopeless manner. Was he disappointed in her too?

“Stop!” Hermione screamed as Draco went to open his mouth, “Don’t kill him!”

Draco turned to look at her and grinned maniacally, “Oh don’t worry you’ll still
have him . That’s what you want right?”

Hermione shook her head, sobbing emitting from her mouth, ‘I want both of you.
Ron’s my best friend Draco and I love you. Don’t you understand this? Why would I
say otherwise when Ron is right here?”

“Well you can’t have both of us. You have to choose.” Draco responded indignantly.
He stared pointedly at her.

She looked at him like he was something horribly disgusting in her food. He wanted
her to choose ? Was he insane?

“How can I choose between two people I love dearly? You know I could never make
such a decision.” Hermione responded curtly.

He gave her a surrendered look and lowered his head, “Then I must choose for you
as neither of us can live whilst the other does. A situation very like Potter and the
Dark Lord’s.”

She shook her head furiously at him, of the mind of telling him to stop being
ridiculous but she was interrupted.

“It must be so.” Draco gazed at her with his piercing icy blue eyes. It was obvious he
still held a flame for her but why could he not see the inferno she had for him?

“Weasel, get your wand out.” Draco instructed with a glare. Hermione watched as
Ron whipped out his wand, ready to murder Draco as soon as he said those two
words that ended a man’s life in a heartbeat.

“Now kill me.” Draco said, dropping his own wand to the ground. He stepped back a
few paces but then paused, throwing his arms wide, “Go on kill me.”

“No!” Hermione shrieked in a panic. Her heart raced faster than a motorcar. The
dizziness she had felt before increased as she tried to stand but wavered in the spot.
One step would reconcile her with the earth.

“Do it weasel!” Draco hissed venomnesly. Ron was torn between two things; his
friend’s wishes and the strong urge he had had for years to murder Draco Malfoy.

“Kill me fool before I do it myself!” Draco roared and although he sounded angry the
look on his face betrayed his true feelings. He looked forlorn, surrounded and
resigned.
“Are you crazy? Is this what one week in the Dark Lord’s presence does to you?
Where is the Draco I knew?” Hermione sobbed, dropping to the ground, all
sensibilities gone.

He looked at her, his facade hard and uncaring. “He grew up.” He said in an accusing
tone. His eyes were glassy. Nothing remained of the overly confident, arrogant,
conceited, possessive and intoxicatingly sweet man she had fallen in love with. She
was staring at an empty shell only full of ideas of darkness, spite and revenge.

Ron shook his head, ‘I can’t believe any of this!” he managed to say in a choked
voice. He pointed his wand at Draco Malfoy, his mind set.

“No Ron, please!” Hermione begged, crawling forward in the thick mud. She slipped
and fell on her hands and knees, but she kept going.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make you love me Hermione but I can’t let you love him. He’s
right, we both can’t have you.” Ron stated, murderously, glaring at Draco who said
nothing.

“Oh Ron don’t do this because you’re angry! Don’t make mistakes you’ll regret!”
Hermione cried, tears rolling down her muddy face.

Draco gave a hollow laugh, ‘That’s coming from the right person!”

“I’m not going to regret this Hermione. I’ve been wishing for this moment my whole
life and finally it’s here.” Ron stated with conviction.

Distraught, Hermione screamed and mumbled incoherent things as Ron thrusted his
wand in Draco’s direction and screamed those two dreaded words, “Avada Kedavra.”

Draco turned to look at her. The final time he looked at her. The final time she saw
him alive.

In a blinding flash of green light Draco’s life was taken. He stumbled backwards and
then fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.

Hermione clutched at her heart with one hand, sure it had just been ripped out of
her chest. Her other hand covered her mouth as she stared with shock disbelief and
horror at what she saw.

“No, no, no, no.” she mumbled, shaking her head. She was going to be sick, she
would faint, and she would die.

Slipping and sliding she scrawled her way to Draco’s side and took him in her arms.
Crying seemed to insignificant with the pain she felt tearing her up to pieces inside.

He was gone and he was not coming back. The man she had hated as a girl but
fallen in love with, as a woman was never going to kiss her and tell her everything
would be okay. Her other half, her greatest rival, her match in mind, body and soul
was dead.

His ice blue eyes were lifeless and the gray colour some girls had been adamant
were his natural eye colouring. His mouth hung slightly open.
She took his hand into hers, kissed it and watched through her tears, the blinding
red colour of the stone of the ring on his finger fade to a deathly black.

He was gone…

Forever

Chapter Thirty One

“Promise you’ll be mine forever.” He half requested, half ordered. His ice blue eyes
had that made glint in them again. It was the same glint Hermione had seen when
they shared intimate moments.

“Forever is an awfully long time.” Hermione told him in a hushed tone. Her body was
trembling with expectation. Couldn’t he just stop talking and start kissing?

“And if I don’t have you forever I’ll surely die.” He whispered seriously.

This scene replayed over and over in Hermione’s head as she cried hysterically over
Draco’s body. Those fighting had moved from the ground and into the castle, leaving
Hermione alone with a dumbfounded Ron and a deceased Draco.

What now? The man she had learned to love was dead. A man who loved her had
killed him. Love…it was a stupid feeling that changed people both for the better and
for the worst. Love was nothing but lust, desire, infatuation and passion. Love was
ruled by possession. It had been lust and desire that had begun Draco and
Hermione’s relationship and Ron’s infatuation and passion that had killed it.

Had it been real? Had Draco really loved her with list, desire, infatuation and
passion? The moments leading up to his death had been anything but love. The
Draco who had become a death eater to spite her had been callous and unfeeling.

These thoughts only caused her to weep harder. She would go on for the rest of her
life wondering if their forbidden relationship would have lasted, if he had loved her as
much as he had him and worst of all, how many more wonderful moments they could
have shared had he lived.

The tormenting and agonizing sadness she felt was so overwhelming she felt faint.
Surely this was not real. He could not really be dead. Maybe she was having a
nightmare. All she would have to do would be to wake up and Draco would be beside
her and everything would be as it should be.

The tears in her eyes stung like a needle. She had her head lying on his chest, which
remained unmoving.

“Draco, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Hermione mumbled. If she had only screamed
herself hoarse when Ron had kissed her none of this would have happened. It was al
her fault.

“Hermione you need to get a hold of yourself.” Ron said, grabbing hold of one of
Hermione’s arms. She shoved him off and continued to grieve.

“It’s Malfoy you’re crying over Hermione. I know you hate him. He must have slipped
you some potion. It’ll probably wear off soon.” Ron said more to himself than to
Hermione. He could not willingly accept that his enemy had his best friend had fallen
in love. It was preposterous. There had to be a logical explanation.

Hermione ignored his words, purposefully crying louder to drown him out.

“Hermione let go of him!” Ron demanded, pulling at Hermione’s arm again and
attempting to drag her away. But Hermione clung onto Draco, determined not to let
him go.

“Let go!” Ron cried again, this time grabbing hold of Hermione by the waist and
hauling her back a few meters before Hermione broke free and rushed back to
Draco’s body, blind with tears. Couldn’t he just leave her alone to mourn in peace?

Ron sighed looking on the muddy earth for his wand. If she would not respond than
he would use force to get her away from Malfoy. He saw the thin stick and picked it
up. Just as he pointed it towards Hermione a bolt of green light spewed forth
towards Ron. He tried to jump out of the way but failed. It caught him in the right
shoulder and he fell with a thud to the ground.

“Ron!” Hermione screamed, rushing to her friend’s side.

She checked his pulse and sighed with relief when she found it. He was simply
knocked out. But…

Who had cursed him?

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. She felt a presence behind her.
Whoever it had been was as silent as the grave because she could hear nothing but
the wind.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione contemplated what had to be done. It was time to
take part in the war. Draco was dead and Ron unconscious. There was nothing else
that could be done for them, but for Harry or the other there would be. She would
start helping them by killing the death eater who had hurt Ron. (Whom she could not
help but feel deserved every ounce of pain he received after murdering Draco. In
fact she ever wondered if she could ever forgive him.)

She stood, wavering on her feet and slowly turned, ready to face the cowardly dark
figure. She cleared her mind in order to make the best of her magical abilities.

But nothing could prepare Hermione for what came next. No amount of clearing her
mind, trying to calm her racing heart, or ignoring the emotional and physical trauma
she was enduring would have helped her through this moment. She was on her own,
completely subjected to the shock.

It was Draco.

Alive.

Alive?

‘But Draco’s…’ Hermione began to think but was cut short.

“Surprise.” Draco’s voice said quietly in a sarcastic tone, a scowl formed on his lips.

Hermione’s eyes immediately filled with tears once she realized he was no a ghost or
a figure of her imagination. He was really there. But there was still the possibility…he
could be a ghost. Ghosts had unfinished business. Draco needed to haunt Hermione
until she died like Moaning Myrtle. That was how it was supposed to work
right? Right?

Only one way to find out.

Hermione ran to Draco and threw her arms around him. Her disbelief melted into
shock and pleasure when she came into contact with him.

He was real.

He was here.

He was alive !

“Draco!” hermione sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she clutched onto him
for dear life. Relief was struggling to break through the shock and chocking pain that
she experienced only moments ago when she had believed him to be dead.
He was not supposed to comfort her. It was wrong to comfort her. ‘Oh bloody hell,
how on earth is that possible when she’s bawling her eyes out with her arms
wrapped around your neck? Oh and let’s not forget how completely fantastic her
body feels so close after a week… shut up! As though he had no control over his
body, his arms immediately wrapped about her waist,.

“I thought…” Hermione hiccupped, “I though…” she tried again but the outburst of
tears were too much. Finally she managed, “Dead…you…”

Draco hushed her and stroked her hair with a hand, the ring upon his finger glowing
a spectacular scarlet colour.

“How? How” Hermione asked in between fierce kisses on his lips, his face, his head
and his neck. She was not going to let him get away from her ever again after that .

He pulled her back and held her face in his hands so she would not go back to her
wet kissing frenzy. Then soft and sensually her kissed her sweetly on her lips and
gazed into her lovely eyes.

How had he gone so long without her?

He ran his hand lightly across the side of her face, smiling slightly. He was enjoying
her beauty, committing everything about her to memory. Her appearance, her scent,
her taste…everything.

“Draco you made me believe…how?” Hermione tried again, a burning hot tear
escaped her eyes and fell upon her cheek. Draco was quick to wipe it away before
kissing the place it had been.

“Polyjuice potion” he whispered in her ear then motioned to the position where he
had ‘died’.

Hermione turned and saw that instead of Draco lying sprawled and lifeless on the
muddy ground, it was the man she had once served in the supermarket in Diagon
Alley. It was Draco’s twin, Salazar.

As Hermione turned to ask another question he said quickly, “Imperius curse.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open. Draco had put his own twin brother under the
imperius curse, given him the polyjuice potion and then made Ron and Hermione
believe he was Draco. He had used his twin brother to get Hermione back. He
had killed him.

Taking a step back Hermione asked in a hurt tone, “How could you scare me like
that? I thought you were dead! Do you know how much that hurt me? Can you
possibly understand?”

Draco frowned, “I needed to get the truth without placing myself in danger.”

Hermione eyes narrowed at his conceit. How dare he?

“Beside that I could protect you and him. “He nodded his head towards Ron, “From
the other death eaters and get the information I needed at the same time. Draco
added, stepping closer. He had a desperate urge to kiss her again. Perhaps it was
withdrawal symptoms? He did not care about the reason, he just knew he needed
her to be close to him.

She lifted her chin stubbornly and sniffed, “So did you get the truth Malfoy ?”

He smirked at her harsh tone, “Yes Granger and I’m sorry.”

She stared into his eyes, trying to determine whether he was telling the truth or not,
“You’re not sorry Draco, you’re never sorry.”

With one swift move, Draco had grabbed her y the waist and pulled her into a deep
kiss that left them both breathless.

“I’m never sorry, that is true, but today I am. My jealousy got in the way of the
truth. I was so angry and so jealous; I thought you had been playing me whilst
laughing about it behind my back with the Weasel. I went mad.” Draco whispered,
felling close to tears himself. Thankfully he was more adept at controlling them than
Hermione was.

“Hermione! Hermione! We won! We WON!” Ginny’s voice screeched through the cold
air. Draco and Hermione turned around to find Ginny Weasley sprinting towards
them with a broad grin displayed on her face.

“Harry bet the Dark Lord then all the death eaters scampered then Harry started
chasing those who were too weak to run and I caught one and…” Ginny said
breathlessly.

“Okay Ginny!” Hermione said, “We get the gist. I’m so happy for Harry. Was anybody
hurt?”

Ginny came to step before them, “Yeah I’m not really sure who though. I never saw
where Ron…” she paused, spotting Ron’s body behind Hermione.

“Ron!” Ginny cried. She tried to get to him but Draco held her back.

“You murdered him! You murdered my brother! Murderer! MURDERER!” Ginny

screamed as loud as she could.

“He’s not dead Ginny!” Hermione informed her friend, “He passed out…couldn’t stand
the sight of so much death.” She hated lying but it had to be done.

Ginny did not seem to believe her however and broke free of Draco to check herself
Once she was sure Ron was indeed alive she turned back to the couple and frowned.

“He found out about you two didn’t he?” Ginny accused quietly, her eyes narrowed.

Hermione nodded. She could not lie about that, it would come out sooner or later.

Ginny sighed, “Harry will be so upset when he finds out. Actually I think upset is an
understatement.”
Hermione shuddered as she thought of what would happen. Would Harry really kill
Draco this time? There was no telling what people did when they were angry.
Sometimes they were like completely different people.

“Here he comes now!” Ginny announced and they all turned to look. Hermione shot
Ginny a pleading look and she smiled, “I’ll stall while you come up with a story to
explain your new found relationship.” Then without another words she skipped over
to Harry, who embraced her heartily.

“I still haven’t forgiven you.” Hermione said, crossing her arms over her chest and
glaring up at him.

“Well maybe what I’m about to ask you will change that.” Draco smirked confidently.
His blue eyes sparkled with a happiness Hermione had never seen before.

“And what is that Malfoy?” she asked coldly.

“Move in with me,” He said simply.

“What?”

“Move in with me.” He repeated, glancing over her shoulder to check up on how
Ginny’s stalling was going. Harry seemed to be kissing Ginny and whispering sweet
nothings in her ear. At least they were happy.

She then stared at him incredulously. There she was in the middle of the Hogwarts
grounds after the biggest war had taken place, being asked by her former
archenemy to move in with him. Was he insane?

“You’d have a place to stay while you go to University.” He explained his reasons.

“I thought I told you I had no money for that AND that I refuse to let you pay?” she
asked, a small smile creeping to her mouth. She could not help it.

“And I thought I told you that you had no choice in the matter.” He rebuked her
stubbornly.

She continued to stare at him with a bemused expression.

‘Listen Hermione I’d have asked you to marry me if I was certain you would say yes
but I know you would not. That being the case I’m begging you for the next best
thing.” He was trying to be entirely truthful.

She laughed, “How do you know I’d say no?”

He looked slightly surprised, a glint appearing in his eyes, “So you’d say yes?” he
could barely contain his excitement. Surely he was dreaming!

She grinned, “I’d say yes.”

He picked her up off the ground and spun her around as she giggled her head off.
She was so happy. Only moments ago she thought he was dead, that she would be
alone for the rest of her life and now she was engaged to Draco Malfoy, perhaps the
best looking eligible bachelor in the world.

“What going on!” Harry’s voice roared.

Draco let Hermione down and they both turned to face the beast. Ginny stood next
to Harry, a worried expression planted firmly on her face.

“I told him about you two. Why don’t you tell him the story.” Ginny tried to ease the
stressful situation.

“Story?” Hermione stuttered. Oh what was she to do now? Harry was going to hate
her forever. Her best friends of so long would disown her for falling in love with the
enemy. She had no story to tell…

“The story of how you two feel in love after years of hating each other.” Ginny
added, biting her lip. Harry fidgeted at the word ‘love’ as he glared at Hermione.

Draco looked at Hermione, took hold of her hand and squeezed it as Harry continued
to spit fire. Then looked at Harry and answered his question. It was time to let it all
out in the open.

“It all started last summer with a checkout chick…”

THE END