Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter...I know..tear
A/N:alright, Sorry it took so long. I will say this though. I have a few chapters done at the moment. Also My grandmothers house is finally sold, So I should have a lot more free time to write So posts should be more often from now on. YAY! Also, My old beta, well she is so busy that she is still working on chapter 4. LOL So.. I need a new one. If anyone wants to do it, let me know...This one I went over, but again my typing is awful. So I the sooner I find one the better. :) Well again sorry for making you all wait, but at least this is a long chapter. Well anyway. Here it is...
Hermione walked up the doors of Malfoy Manor. She was trembling. "I honestly thought this would not be as hard as it is. I just need to get a few items, maybe he isn't even home. If he can give me a few days, Maybe I will be able to forgive him. I want to. I really do, but it is to soon. The wound is much to fresh." She continued to have a jumbled mess of thoughts as she continued up the walk. Before she knew it she was at the door. She took a long deep breath and opened the door slowly. She then took the first step through the door way. She began to shake slightly. "Ohh I hope he isn't here. It will be much to hard if he is here." She thought as she gripped onto the door handle and began to close it behind her. The door shut with a loud thud. She then turned to face the stair case. She took not even a full step before Draco was in view. She stopped dead in her tracks Shaking on the spot. This was exactly what she was afraid of. She looked up at him. A determined expression on her face."Draco.."She started, but before she could continue Draco was rushing towards her. He grabbed her by the waist and kissed her. He kissed her mouth, her forehead, her cheeks, even her nose. He then looked into her large brown eyes and said "Please forgive me Hermione, Please tell me you forgive me. I love you, and I know we can work this out. I have to believe we can at least, cause the thought of life without you is so unbearable." He then leaned down and kissed her lips softly one more time before stepping back, hoping she would forgive him.
"Draco..I.." She looked up into his his blue grey eyes, cold like steel. His eyes showed his sorrow and pain. His regret. His worry. She couldn't finish her words. She couldn't say what she was going to say. Looking into his eyes, Just made her want him to hold her. Make her feel loved again. To take the pain away. She then fell into his arms and began to cry uncontrollably. "I...Love...y-hic-ou...so...sob..much...Dra-co...I...wan-hic-t...to...be...able...sob...to...trust..sob...you."
"you still can, Hermione. I love you so much" He replied, to almost incoherent sobs. He then pulled her on closer, and held her slightly tighter. He kissed the top of her head. A few tears escaped him.
Hermione then, began to calm a little."Draco, I was coming here to get some of my stuff, and take a few days, but now that I am here. I just want you to hold me." She then gripped onto him tighter. As if she let go he would fly away.
"I will never let you go Hermione, I love you to much, To go on without you." He replied through the tears.
'I need you to know however, that this doesn't mean things are alright, I still don't feel I can trust you. I just know that I want to at least try, cause I can't even imagine life without you." She then began to cry again, but not as badly as before.
"I am just glad you are willing to try my love." He then cupped her face and lifted it to face his. He then looked deep into her honey brown eyes. He saw all the pain he had cause, and a tear slid down his check. "I am so sorry, my love." He then leaned down and kissed her deeply and passionately. When they kissed it was as if time froze and for a brief second, There was no pain, no heart ache, no mistrust. Then there lips broke apart and all the anguish returned.
"Draco, We should begin by just talking everything out. I know we are both hurting right now, and I think talking about it will help." She said in a shaky voice, after there lips parted.
"Yes, My love your right. Lets go into the kitchen. We'll make some tea, and begin to talk this whole ordeal out." He then took her hand in his, and led her to the kitchen. They sat in the kitchen for hours, drinking tea and talking, Trying to fix. The broken mess that was there relationship. After what seemed liked days, but was only 5 hours or so. Hermione got to her feet. Grabbed her tea cup and his, walked over and placed them both into the sink."I can't talk about this anymore today Draco, It is so exhausting. Today recall helped a lot, Now I know how you feel, and you know how I feel. I do forgive you Draco, but it is going to take some time for me to be able to trust you again." She then turned to him, walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know, My love. I don't expect this to be fixed in one day." He turned his head to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, of course not. Well I think we should eat something, We haven't eaten all day." She then glanced at the clock and realized it was almost 4."Yes, It is almost dinner time."
"It is, isn't it." He too looked over at the clock. How about we go out for something to eat. Take our mind off all of this." He smiled at her.
"Ohh Draco, I am not sure I am in the mood to be bothered with people." She looked down at him, and smiled back.
"Well, How about we go to the place down the street. It isn't far, and hardly anyone ever eats dinner there. They are mostly a lunch place." He placed a hand on her check and began to caress her face softly.
"They do have good food." She stood there considering it for a moment."Alright, Yes let's. Alright, If we are going to dinner, I must shower. I will be ready for about 5. Sound good?" She then went to walk away, but Draco grabbed her hand.
"Shower eh.?" He gave her a smirk, A smirk that she wasn't expecting considering the circumstances.
"Draco..." she frowned." It is much to soon for that. I love you, but Things are still very much a mess with us." she then freed her hand.
"I know sweetie, I just thought I would try." He replied.
Hermione proceeded out of the kitchen and upstairs to their bathroom.
Draco on the other hand, Remained at the kitchen table. He was thinking about everything that had gone on in the past couple days. He couldn't believe it all. He was just thankful that Hermione was willing to try and fix everything with them. He couldn't do this without her. He was sure of that. He heard the shower turn on above him. He smiled. "I just hope everything works out. I need her, I love her." he said under his breath.
"What did you say there? I missed that." A girls voice came from behind him.
Draco jumped and fell off his chair. He turn around so fast, It made him a bit dizzy."Who said that?" His head was shaking around so fast, That this person could have been standing in front of him and he wouldn't have known it.
"Over here. The fire place Draco." The girls voice spoke once again.
Draco looked on into the fire place"Oh, Hey Tonks, I should have known. Just things have been so messed up around here. My nerved are on edge."
" Wotcher Draco. No kidding, I haven't seen you that jumpy, Since last summer, When, well..you know" Tonks was referring to Ron's death."So what has got you all twisted out of joint this time Draco?" she said in a concerned tone.
"Hermione." He paused for a moment, deciding weather he should go on. "I kinda left out some details of the cheating thing, You remember that whole ordeal?" He didn't wait for an answer, He just kept on talking as if he hadn't even asked. " I kind of actually did sleep with that girl, And well now she is pregnant, and well, It is just a whole mess that I just feel awful about it." He looked down at the floor ashamed.
"Draco.." She used a stern voice, which somewhat alarmed Draco, For he never heard her use a stern voice."You didn't, My word, Draco. That is awful. I can't believe you actually did that..." before she could continue however Draco cut her off.
"Look, I know how awful it was for me to lie. I don't really want to talk about it. It is all I have been doing all day." He then gave her a look, To let her know, She shouldn't press him further about it.
"Alright Draco, I understand, and I hope you two work things out." Her voice once again softened.
"So, Tonks, What brings you to my fireplace anyway?" He said in a calm manor.
"Yes, Well. Dumbledore has a mission for you Draco." She replied.
"A mission? What kind of mission could he possibly have for me?" He sounded interested but nervous.
"I don't really know the details to be honest there Draco. I was just told to come here and tell you that you are to meet Dumbledore, Without Ms. Granger. Tomorrow at 8:00 am. At Hogwarts."
"Ohh, Without Hermione?" he stood silent for a moment. "I can't bring Hermione, Why not? We have always done our missions for The Order Together. Well it doesn't matter I can't go. Not right now. There is to much going on anyway." As he thought everything over, He remembered Tonks was still in the fire place. "Right, I guess I will go meet him then. Umm Tonks, Why didn't he come and tell me himself?"
"Very busy, You know always up to something. Oh yes, one more thing, I hear Dumbledore is a big fan of Strawberry tarts." She then smiled at him and gave a little wink.
"Right, Alright then, Tell him I will be there. Also tell him though. That I don't think I will be able to do it. I have so much going on right now."He said.
"He told me you would say that. Anyway Draco, I must be going. Have a goodnight, Oh and one more thing. He told me also it was best if you kept this meeting from Hermione." She then gave a smile and was gone before Draco could ask anymore questions.
Draco began to pace slightly. "Keep this from Hermione, What? Why? It doesn't matter I am not doing anything for the Order right now anyway..."
Hermione walked back into the room."Are you ready to go? I know it is before 5 still, but I am done."
"Ohh, Let me just get some clothes on. I will be down in about 5 minutes then we can go my love." He then kissed her cheek. And proceeded to their bedroom to get dressed.
They Arrived at The restaurant a little after 5. Just as Draco had said. It was mostly empty. There were only one couple sitting at a round table, and an old man, Sitting at another. The place was nice a cozy. It had round small wooden tables everywhere, With matching chairs. Pictures of Landscapes were hung about all the walls. The floor was wood to match the tables. Hermione and Draco walked over to a table by the window and sat down.
"I just love this place, Don't you?" Hermione said as she hung her purse on the back chair along with her coat.
"Yes I do. Remember the first time we came here Darling?" He replied.
"Yes I do remember, How could I forget." She gave him a small smile. At this Draco's insides did a jump. He hadn't seen her smile at him like that since before all this craziness had happened.
"I would hope not." Draco was just about to continue on his conversation, When the waitress came over.
"Can I get you two something to drink?" She said in a pleasant manor.
"Yes you can. I will have a fire whiskey, and Hermione here will have a blue Hawaiian." The waitress, looked over at Hermione to make sure she was alright with her choice. When Hermione nodded she smiled and left to get their drinks.
The rest of dinner went smoothly and calmly. It was exactly what they both needed. They talked,They joked. Things seemed a bit normal for a while. Like nothing bad had ever happened between them. After dinner they left the restaurant, and proceeded to walk back home. Once home though, The reality of everything going on had come back.
"Draco, I truly had a wonderful time tonight. We both needed that. I am going to go up to bed. I will sleep in the spare bedroom off of yours tonight." She was a bit nervous of how he would react when she said this, but she just wasn't ready to share a bed with him yet.
"Ohh, Yeah. I mum..guess that would be the best thing right now." He looked a bit sad, but Hermione could tell he understood.
"Yes, Well Goodnight. I love you." She then kissed him softly on the lips.
"Goodnight, My love, and remember if you want to join me in our room. You can." He smiled at her.
"I know." She returned the smile, Then headed upstairs to bed.
Draco soon followed, but when he go to their room. He found he couldn't sleep. He had just remembered his meeting with Dumbledore. How he couldn't tell Hermione. It was just all so odd and secretive. He didn't like it one bit. Finally after an hour or so of lying in his bed. Thinking constantly about it all, and everything else that had happened. He drifted into a not calm, but much more calm then the past night's sleep. He dreamed of babies, and Dumbledore delivering the baby. Hermione crying over telephone books, and other such weird situations.
He awoke early the next morning. He looked over at his clock and it read, 6:30 am. He stretched and climbed out of bed. Feeling not very rested and very nervous about his meeting with Dumbledore. "It is only 6:30,I can shower and have my meeting, and be back before Hermione wakes up...Hopefully." He thought.
He arrived at Hogwarts promptly at 8:00 am sharp. He was just rounding the hallway to the stone gargoyle. He walked up in front of the gargoyle" strawberry tarts." he spoke aloud. The gargoyle leapt aside, and a winding stair case began to descend upwards before him. He took a deep nervous breath, and stepped onto the steps and began his journey up to Dumbledore's office.
Once at the top. He was met with Dumbledore's office door. He knocked, half a knock and was greeted with a "Come In, Draco." He opened the door and proceeded through the door into his old head masters office.
"Hello Draco, How have you been?" Dumbledore gave a huge smile, while gesturing for him to sit in a comfy looking chintz chair in front of his desk.
"Hello Sir, I have been alright I guess. You?" Draco then seated himself in the chair.
"I have been very well, Thank you. Drink Draco?" he then took out his wand from inside his robes.
"Oh Yes please. Sir. Not to rush it, but Hermione doesn't know I even left. The faster I get back the better."
"Right, Of course." He then waved his wand and some elf wine and two glasses appeared. They poured themselves and set itself down in front of Draco. The other Dumbledore. "Draco. I know that this is the worst trimming for you. Considering everything..." His sparkling blue eyes gave a twinkle.
"How did you.." Draco however was cut off by Dumbledore raising his hand for him to stop.
"I know you have a lot going on, but Draco. This is urgent. I am sure to some extent you have noticed that your good friend Blaise has been acting rather oddly. Well I need you to start making reports on him. I need to know everything he is up to."
At this comment, Draco remembered everything about Blaise, and how odd he had been acting. "Surely, it wasn't that big of a deal. He was acting strange, not evil. Dumbledore, is over reacting for sure." Draco though. "Sir, He has been acting a little strange, but surely. Not evil."
"Draco, Just trust me. You are his closet friend. This task is of the utmost importance. This is all I can tell you for now about it. Please will you do it?"
"Of course I will, Sir. I just don't understand. Also, Why couldn't Hermione know?" Draco had the look of utmost confusion on his face.
"Ms. Granger is going through enough. Besides. The least amount of people who know about this the better. Please promise me, You will not tell her until the time is right." He folded his hands together.
"Of course Sir, I promise. I will keep watch on Blaise, and not tell Hermione, nor anyone else." Draco's Head was spinning. He was so confused. Keeping watch on Blaise, his best friend. Don't tell Hermione. This whole thing didn't make any sense. He knew Blaise had been acting strange, but to actually have to keep watch on him. Like he was a bad guy, when Draco, knew he wasn't. It was just so peculiar.
"Well Draco, I won't keep you from Ms. Granger any longer. I will be in touch. If anything at all significant happens with Blaise, Inform me as soon as you can. Well until then." Dumbledore stood up. "Oh yes one more thing. " Hermione, will come around. She is strong willed and loves you very very much." He winked at Draco.
"Umm right, Sir. Thanks." Draco then too stood up and walked out of Battledore's office. He knew he should have asked a million more questions. Like How did he know everything that was going on with Hermione. Or What was he keeping about Blaise from him, but he was in to much shock from that entire meeting to even comprehend it was over, until he was back on the grounds of Hogwarts. As he headed into Hogsmead to apparate back home to Whiltshire. He noticed the little cafe on the corner, That him and Hermione used to go for breakfast every morning, on weekends. He smiled, and headed over to the cafe to pick up some breakfast. " She will love breakfast in bed."
Well..I hope you liked it, Please R/R...And huge Thank You, to those who do. The next chapter should be up in a couple of days. It is about to get really crazy and intense. Well that's all I have to say for now..:)