Author's Note:

Big thank you to everyone who have favorited this story and those very few who have reviewed. I really, truly appreciate it. I would love the feedback, it's what inspires the words to flow from my brain into my fingers. Suggestions or questions are welcomed.

Chapter 4-

It had been a few minutes since Draco had left Hermione's home. She took the ring off immediately and placed it on her desk. She moved away from it and looked at the jewelry suspiciously.

Hermione took out her wand and took a deep breath.

"Specialis Revelio." She whispered. She hoped that any trace of magic that was left on the ring would reveal itself. Immediately, a flash of green light caught her blind and she fell to her knees. Before she could right herself it was as if a scene was playing out before her eyes.

Draco stood in a vault at Gringott's, only the scant light from a Lumos charm lit the space. It must have been the Malfoy vault or what was left of it. Inside seemed empty and hollow. On top of a tall shelf in the darkest recesses of the vault was the emerald ring.

"Accio ring." Draco mumbled as the green jewel floated toward his waiting hand. The next scene was Draco standing in the shadows right outside of Rosa Lee Teabag. Hermione could see herself walking casually toward the teashop, her fawn colored waves bouncing as she stepped. Draco stood in the shadows of the overhang not three meters from her, a dark cloak hiding his familiar form. Draco pulled out his wand and quietly mumbled something under his breath, a slight green aura emanating from his wand tip. Before Hermione could really take in what was happening she already knew what he had done. He had placed an enchanting charm on the ring. It was meant so that the moment Hermione touched the piece she would be enthralled by whomever enchanted it. The next scene was Draco making his way over to the elderly witch selling her wares.

"I'll pay for your whole cart if you give this ring to the young woman in the tea shop." Draco said huskily to the old witch. The woman eyed him suspiciously.

"And why should I believe that you, a wizard so young, would have that kind of money?" The old woman said and placed a gnarled hand on her hip.

"Do you want the money or not?" Draco said angrily and pulled out a handful of gold galleons. The witch's eyes began to light up.

"So all I have to do is give this beauty to the young woman in the shop?" She added as Draco handed her a fistful of money.

"Yes." Draco said angrily. He was obviously very tired of having to deal with the old woman's questions.

"Who is she?" She asked, her eyes widening and her crooked mouth pulling at the corners into a smile.

"What does it matter?" Draco hissed and looked around cautiously, pulling his cloak closer around his body.

"Just curious. I maybe able to use that information."

"Granger. Hermione Granger. Satisfied!" Draco ground out.

"Now do it! Don't make me regret it old woman!" Draco added and then quickly shot off out of sight.

Hermione's vision suddenly cleared and she was back in her room, the emerald ring still sitting on her desk, it's brilliant stone staring her in the face. Any trace of magic was now gone from the ring.

So that was what Draco had done. Everything that had transpired between the two of them was just a spell, an enchantment. It wasn't her fault. But why had he removed the spell? Had he been feeling remorseful? Why had he done it to begin with? She was more curious than ever. The other question now was how she was going to tell Ron.

Hermione sat on her bed and stared at her empty hands. Ron's small diamond engagement ring was a heavy reminder of her uncertain future. Something inside her was tugging at her heart. She somehow did not feel the same happiness from the prospect of marriage. Perhaps the ring's enchantment was still clouding her judgement. She stood up quickly and grabbed her light brown jacket only to stop and look back at the emerald ring. She shook her head and grabbed the jewel, placing it back on her right ring finger and made her way out into her sitting room, apparating on the spot.

Harry Potter was standing in Sirius Black's old room. It now was his. He could have chosen the master suite, the one belonging to Orion and Walburga Black but that thought had always bothered him. Sitting in Sirius' room reminded him of the short but wonderful time he had spent with his godfather. Harry pulled his glasses off to wipe them against the hem of his gray shirt when the familiar popping sound of someone apparating startled him.

"Hermione?" Harry eyed the young witch questioningly as she straightened her clothing and smiled at her friend.

"Hi Harry." She grinned sheepishly.

"What...what are you doing here? Is everything alright?" It was customary for Harry that any time someone close to him showed up unannounced he came to the conclusion that it was an emergency.

"Um...I...could we talk?" Hermione asked, shuffling her feet as she looked around at Sirius' old room. Hermione walked over toward the tiny hanging skeletons and touched them gently, their small wings flapping quietly by her touch.

"Of course." Harry said, waiting for his friend to finally speak.

"I...I don't know where to start." Hermione furrowed her brows and sat down on the ornately engraved wooden bed. Harry sat quietly next to her and looked at her carefully.

"Start at the beginning." He answered and placed his hand on hers reassuringly. He could tell she was nervous, her teeth chewing incessantly on her lower lip.

"Something...Something happened. I...um...well…" She stammered. Harry looked down at her hand and narrowed his eyes at the large square emerald sitting on her right hand.

"Where did you get that ring?" Harry interrupted. Something about the piece was alarming.

"Um...it...it was a gift of sorts." Hermione continued to stutter.

"That couldn't possibly be from Ron? He showed me the ring he bought you." Harry said and quickly shut his mouth. He wasn't sure if he had spilled the secret. Ron had showed the tiny diamond engagement ring to Harry about an hour after her bought it, asking if he had possibly made the best choice.

"No...it's not. This...this came from...um...Draco Malfoy." Hermione answered and could feel the heat rise in her face. Harry's green eyes became large and round behind his glasses, his mouth slightly slackened.

"What? Say that again? You couldn't possibly have just said Draco Malfoy." Harry said, his eyes slightly bulging.

"Um...yes. That's what I need to talk about." Hermione mumbled, her eyes cast down toward the large green stone. She didn't have a chance to say much more before Harry was on his feet.

"You...you have to get rid of it! He...He probably cursed it!" Harry looked panic stricken as he pointed toward the ring like it was about to explode.

"It isn't cursed. It...it was bewitched but the charm was taken off...Malfoy took it off." Hermione sighed and looked up at her close friend.

"Wh...what? I...I don't understand!" Harry was so shocked and out of sorts, Hermione wasn't sure where to go next in the conversation.

"I'm just going to say this. I...I slept with Malfoy!" Hermione finally let the words out in a jumbled mess, her eyes cast to the floor. Harry stood motionless like a statue.

"Harry?" Hermione hadn't heard a peep from the dark haired hero for a good five minutes. She slowly looked up at him, awaiting his fury or worse, his disappointment.

"You slept with Malfoy? It was the ring...you said it was bewitched...he...he must have done something to it to take control over you…" He began to ramble and then started pacing around the room, his "I must not tell lies" scar glowing white on his hand as he ran it through his dark hair. Hermione's amber eyes followed her friend as he continued to pace.

"Harry...please...I...I need to talk to you about Ron." Hermione could feel hot tears begin to brim behind her lashes.

"You...you can't tell Ron. It will kill him. Just...just let me think…" Harry continued on, his shoulders hunched as he practically wore a rut in the floor.

"I have to tell Ron! I can't go into a marriage on a lie!" Hermione jumped from the bed and walked over to the Boy Who Lived and stood in front of him.

"Hermione...you don't understand…" Harry began to say.

"No...you don't understand Harry. I...I can't do this! Something...something else has happened. I...I have all of these feelings and I can't go on without dealing with them." She replied and watched her friend freeze.

"Hermione?"

"I...I have to know why he did it Harry. I have to know why he came back. He...he told me he did it to get back at Ron...but…"

"Wait...how many times have you seen him?" Harry's eyes suddenly narrowed and became dangerous. Hermione suddenly bit her lip, the familiar metallic taste of blood slightly touching the tip of her tongue.

"I...um...three times." Harry looked at her with daggers.

"So you betrayed Ron three times." Hermione could see the venomous look creeping onto Harry's face.

"No...no...it was only once! It happened at my flat then he came to the Burrow…" Hermione began to say, her hands up defensively.

"WHAT!" Harry yelled, knocking a few books off of a nearby shelf. Hermione winced.

"I...I didn't know he was there...then...then he came to my home a second time...he...he lifted the charm on the ring…"

"AND WHY WOULD HE DO THAT HERMIONE! HUH?!" Harry was beginning to yell. Hermione took a step back.

"I...I...I don't know...please Harry...please!" Hermione couldn't hold it in any longer. Hot tears began to spill from her amber eyes onto her cheeks as she choked back a sob. Harry's once dark look lightened as he saw the pain in his friend's face.

"Hermione...I'm sorry. I'm just shocked. You were bewitched, I can't blame you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." He said carefully and pulled the wavy haired young woman in for a hug.

"I'm so confused Harry! I don't know what to do!" Hermione cried and allowed her friend to hold her as she sobbed.

"It'll be alright Hermione." Harry tried to sooth her as she trembled.

"I...I don't know what I'm feeling Harry." She cried onto his shoulder. Harry sighed and held tighter to her.

"Listen, we need to think of a way for you to talk to Ron so that he understands. He loves you, I imagine he will be able to let it go and still marry you." Harry replied and pulled her away at arms length. The moment the words came out of her friends mouth, she wasn't so sure she want to be married anymore. Why was she feeling that way? Had Draco really crawled under her skin that easily?

Later that night, Hermione lay in bed staring up at her white ceiling. She pulled her hands up toward the ceiling and eyed both rings side by side. She sighed heavily in defeat.

She loved Ron, there was no doubt about that but what kind of love was it? Did she love him as a possible partner and husband or just as a friend? Everything that happened had sent her into a tailspin. With Ron there was a comfortable feeling. He was goofy but gentle and loved Hermione very much. He would do anything in the world for her. But Draco...that was a whole other animal. He was strong and unpredictable. He was just as quick intellectually as Hermione. She couldn't even fathom the passion that seeped out of him. He was everything she shouldn't want. He was volatile and cruel, not to mention aggressive. But maybe all of that was a facade? She couldn't be sure. Ron was the safe, reliable choice, like a dog that followed her around. Draco on the other hand was full of fire and very dangerous like a monstrous pale dragon, always waiting to strike. He was thrilling and exciting and she couldn't deny how intoxicating it was to be around him.

Just the thought of him was making her excited. She had to stop thinking about him. She had to remember Ron, she had to talk to her fiance. Fiance? The word seemed impossible when associated with the red haired boy she met on the Hogwart's express, dirt smudged on his freckled nose.

Tomorrow would come and with it, the terrible truth.