Wow! This has to be one of the quickest updates, and in fact one of the longest chapters I have written, I hope you are all proud of me. I am still writing my socks off so I can fingers cross give you another update before school arrives. I hope you all enjoy the next instalment of Love of my Life, my Soul Mate.

QueenofDemons68: Well you asked for more chapters, so I couldn't deny you of this, so here it is

Shark9801: Well I'm glad I made you cry. Not in a morbid way of course, but it means that writing was good, and I am indeed doing my story justice. Well here is another chapter, it's kind of emotional, but it is still nice indeed. I hope you enjoy this

ekatia217: Thank you, I did try to convey the intensity, I had all these different crazy ideas in my head, and I did kind of struggle trying to word and type it right. I'm glad you enjoy it. But it is sad to hear that you have had an argument with your friend. If they are really important to you, try and make up with them quickly, because you don't want to lose someone important to you forever. Because those types of people are hard to get back…not that I have had any personal experience *shifty eyes*

alien.94: Thank you this is a quick update for me, so I hope you enjoy this chapter.

CloudGazer15: I know we all do love a bit of Draco. I do try to incorporate him into most chapters, but sometimes he just isn't needed in certain ones. However he was indeed needed in this chapter, so there is a bit of Draco action in this chapter, and maybe the next one, so stay tuned. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

: I did think it was about time Hermione spoke her mind. Initially I was going to wait until later on in the story, but I felt it fitted better here. I'm glad you loved the chapter, and I hope you like this one as well.

Spikeecat: You said you couldn't wait until the next chapter….well here it is! Hope you enjoy it.

Kariah Bengalii: Well, I have to be honest and say, that I do indeed look forward to reading your reviews :$ I have to agree with you on Ron, I do indeed have love hate view of him. Sometimes I can be sweet, but sometimes…or most the times as you said he can be an insensitive jerk, and I did try my hardest to convey that across, which did work. So yay . And sometimes you do have to question his role within the Golden Trio. Lavender on the other hand never liked her from the beginning with that stupid nickname. But she makes good drama in the story, so why not keep her in I guess :P But you know what they say, violence is never the answer…but in certain cases it is. I hope you like this chapter

Disclaimer: My mum came up to me today, and told me I'm not J.K. Rowling


Chapter Nine: When You Need Comfort.

I woke up from a short and restless sleep. Everything that happened last night came flooding back. My talk with Malfoy and our huge argument. Oh how I regretted what I said…to an extent anyway. Ron needed to learn his lesson, and in return I learnt mine. I forgot how bad Ron's temper can get. I didn't get back to the Gryffindor Tower till around about three in the morning. How I did not get caught? I do not know. But I'm not complaining. I climbed out of bed and realised that I was running late, Lavender had already left our dorm. And I was glad. I quickly showered and got dressed before grabbing my bag and heading to the Great Hall. Over the years my hair has become more manageable and less…bushy. This is such a blessing because it was a nightmare before. As I was walked into the Great Hall, I tied my hair off my face. I walked over to the Gryffindor table and looked along it. Immediately my eyes found the famous red hair. I slowly started walking over to my friends. Harry and Ginny looked up and saw me, and gave me a small tentative smile. I gave them a small smile, and continued to slowly walk to them. And then Ron looked over at me, and the look he gave me stopped me in my tracks. I glared at him, and turned around and sat down at the very end of the table by myself. By myself as usual. I grabbed myself a slice of toast. I took a bite and tried not to make any eye contact with anyone, so that way they wouldn't talk to me. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was around half way through my slice of toast when I felt someone hovering behind me. I took another bite of my toast and turned around. It was the duo, Seamus and Dean. I gave them a questioning look wondering why they were here.

"Hermione. We just wanted to say sorry." Seamus' heavy Irish explained.

"Sorry for what?" I asked, positively confused.

"About your parents." Dean said sombrely. And that's when it all made sense. They were offering me their condolences. I just stared at them. I didn't want or need their fake sympathy.

"Who told you?" I asked them quietly. I didn't want anyone else to hear.

"Well we heard it from Neville, who was told by Romilda, who was told by Cormac, who was told by Parvati who was told by Lavender, who said she heard it from Ron." Seamus responded in some long winded unnecessary explanation. When Seamus had finished I stood up and charged over to where Lavender was sitting in between Ron and Parvati.

"You stupid girl," I whispered into her ear. She jumped as I spoke, and she turned to face me.

"What do you mean?" she asked. I couldn't work out if she was playing dumb, or if she is actually that stupid. Watching the bewildered look on her face, I decided on the latter.

"How dare you start spreading round my business! It was not yours to tell. What gives you the right?" I finished glaring at her, before storming out of the hall not even waiting for her pathetic response.

HGDMHGDMHGDMHGDM

Defence lesson was pointless. The whole hour we just sat and worked on non-verbal spells. And finally we have arrived at potions. We were queuing up waiting to be allowed in. moments passed and we heard our teacher Craft call us in. I was slowly making my way in, when I felt someone barge into my shoulder as they walked past. Ouch! That actually hurt. Ron. Of course it would be Ron. Who else could be that immature? I walked in behind him and Lavender and took my seat next to Malfoy.

"Well class you know the drill. You are continuing with your potion. For those who are on top of the schedule, you should be due to added honey water, rat spleen and flobberworms." Craft said from his seat behind his desk where he was marking essays. Malfoy went to the store room to collect the ingredients that we needed. I sat quietly drifting in and out of our neighbours conversations. Some people talking about clothes, and some about me.

"Did you hear, that Hermione found out her parents died the other day," an Irish accented voice tried to whisper. That could only mean one person. Seamus. I quickly glanced round to see who he partnered with and I saw it was Terry Boot. Great it's bad enough that a few Gryffindor's knew, but now it's going to be spread around the Ravenclaw house. Malfoy arrived back at our table holding the ingredients.

"You alright Granger?" I heard him say, but once again I was too far in my own thoughts to really pay attention. What am I going to do when everyone finds out? I'm going to be the center of attention once again. I can't deal with the stares and the whispers in the corridors. I don't know how Harry manages to deal with that twenty-four/seven. "Granger?" the voice called out again. I felt someone tap me on my arm which seemed to knock me out of my thought process. I turned to look at Malfoy and gave him a soft smile. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"You alright?" he asked quietly keeping his attention on our potion so it looked as if he wasn't talking to me. I have to admit that that was a good idea.

"Yeah." I answered bluntly, counting out the number of flobberworms to add to the potion.

"Don't lie Granger, it's not attractive." Malfoy said jokily. Who would have thought Malfoy's could joke.

"I'm not lying," I lied once again. What has come of me, I never usually lie.

"Have you forgotten that I am a Slytherin? All we do is lie and hide our emotions. I know when someone is lying." He told me, glancing down at me out of the corner of his eyes. I looked up at him briefly and smiled to myself. That is rather impressive.

"Just an argument." I said shortly, not really wanting to expand.

"What with Weasel-king?" he asked. I nodded. I heard Malfoy let out a mock gasp of shock. "Wow things must be bad." He mused.

"Why?" I asked him as I watched as he added the right amount of honey water.

"Well normally when I insult your friends, you go all mad women on me. And either draw your wand on me, or punch me in the nose." He answered slowly rubbing his nose as if it was hurting him now. "And you know what, still haven't forgiven you for that." He smiled.

"Oh no, what ever shall I do?" I mocked, "Well you deserved it." I told him innocently.

"Maybe. But still, you could have damaged these awesomely good looks."

"Wow. How big is you ego?" I asked him trying not to laugh.

"You can always find out if you like," he turned and gave me a cheeky wink.

"Shut up Malfoy, and stir the potion," I responded looking down at our potion, trying to hide my laugh. Who would have thought that Malfoy could be funny? Learning something new everyday. Malfoy let off a little grunt as if he was trying to hold back a laugh. He shouldn't really do that. Apparently it's good to laugh, it's cleansing for the soul…or something along those lines.

"So you not going to answer my question then?" he asked stirring the potion five times clockwise and one stir counter-clockwise. I quickly glanced up at him, so nobody would notice. I guess he wasn't going to let this question go unanswered.

"It was the mother of all arguments really; I'm surprised you didn't hear it down in the Slytherin dungeons." I said softly.

"Oh, it sounds bad." Malfoy commented. I added two rat spleens to the potion and Malfoy continued to stir.

"Yes. But this is Ron, we are talking about. He's always creating something out of nothing. And his good for nothing girlfriend needs to go." I said shortly, trying to control the anger that was increasing. Malfoy glanced at me, but didn't say anything, and for that I'm grateful. The rest of the lesson passed slowly, as all we had to do was sit and let the potion simmer, before adding one more rat spleen before the end of the lesson. The bell rang and I went to pick up my bag. Malfoy had already got up and left before I had even straightened up. And then I noticed it, a small ripped piece of parchment on his seat. I made sure no one was looking before I picked it up. I opened it and it read;

'Granger, I know we aren't friends. But if you want to talk at all about what happened between you and Weaslebee, or about anything else I will be in the usual place.

-DM.'

I folded the parchment and pocketed it before I left the classroom for break. Break was always rather short, and since I had no one to hang with I didn't bother rushing to go outside. Instead I made my way slowly up the stairs to where Ancient Runes class is. By the time I reached there, the bell had already gone, and some people were already there waiting for Professor Vector. As I arrived I'm sure I didn't imagine it, but everyone went stopped talking and stared at me. Hannah Abbot, a friend from Hufflepuff walked over to me.

"I'm sorry about your parents Hermione." She whispered giving me a hug. I held my arms at my side, in clear utter shock. How did Hufflepuff know? And it's only a matter of time before Slytherin will all find out and the taunting and rude remarks will start. I didn't say anything to Hannah as she detangled herself and walked back to her friends. I slinked to the back of the line, and Luna then approached me.

"I'm sorry about your parents Hermione," she said in her dreamy voice. Her eyes caring. I have got used to Luna's odd personality over the few years I have known her and accepted her condolences. "If you ever need to talk, I'm always her. I lost my mum, so I kind of know how you feel," she finished. I gave her small smile. Bless her caring heart.

"Thank you Luna." I said softly to her, and truly meant it.

HGDMHGDMHGDMHGDM

Lessons had finally ended for the day. I eat a speedy dinner, and once again by myself and went for a walk by the lake. I walked over to my usual spot under my usual tree, which was empty thank goodness and sat down. I took out my Arithmacy textbook out of my bag and settled down to read the chapter that was needed for tomorrows lesson. I was peaceful in my own world.

"So what do we have here then?" a voice said. I glanced up briefly from my book and saw it was Parkinson, once again being flanked by Zabini and Malfoy. I turned back to my book not bothering to pay her much attention. "What are you deaf or something Granger?" she asked walking closer to me, as if that would make me pay her any attention. Doesn't she get the point that I don't want to hear her whiny high pitched voice. "I heard something about you Granger. Apparently your parents are dead. Is that true?" She taunted. I counted to ten in my head trying to keep calm. "I guess it's true then. Two less Mudblood's to worry about," She laughed. That's when I stood up, she has my attention now, my book laying forgotten on the floor.

"Do you want to say that again?" I whispered.

"I said less mudbloods. They are in their rightful place now. You should join them, complete the set," she laughed. In a split second my wand was out and pointed at her forehead, her laughter ceasing immediately.

"Give my one good reason why I shouldn't transfigure you into a pug, or better yet…blow your head off?" I shouted at her in fury, slowly digging my wand tip into her head, causing her to groan in pain.

"Hermione, No!" a voice called out from behind me, as I heard the rushing of footsteps. I didn't turn to see who it was; I kept my focus on Parkinson. Zabini and Malfoy didn't move to help her. Only Slytherin's would do that. "Hermione she isn't worth it," the voice said, which I recognised as Ginny.

"Yeah step back Hermione, she's not worth being expelled over," a second voice, which I recognised as Harry added. I realised that they were right and slowly but reluctantly, lowered my wand before pocketing.

"Yeah step back Granger. You are nothing but a useless, worthless pathetic mudblood," she drawled out, laughing. She doesn't know how to keep her mouth closed. How dare she! I thought. And that's when I punched her, harder than I even punched Malfoy and boy did it feel good. Her head reeled back and she fell to the floor. I heard everyone calling out, but I didn't pay attention, I was infuriated. I fell to the ground next to her, and was about to punch her again when I was picked up off the floor and flung over someone's shoulder. Harry's shoulder. He started walking away from the scene. I looked up and saw Zabini and Malfoy helping their friend up.

"You better watch out Parkinson!" I screamed at her, tears falling from my eyes. I struggled against Harry's hold on me, trying to get off. He carried me around the grounds until we reached a quiet area. And then, and only then were my feet allowed to touch the ground.

"Hermione," Harry whispered, looking at me sympathetically. I didn't want his sympathy. I studied him, before trying to walk away. But oh no, I wasn't allowed to leave that easily. Harry pushed me back to stand in front of him. I tried again, but the same thing happened.

"Let me go," I said to him, his face a blur from the tears.

"No. I'm letting you go." He said adamantly.

"Why not? Why now? You never had a problem with that before. You. Basically. Abandoned. ME!" I emphasised each word by punching him on the chest repeatedly. Not hard enough to hurt him, but enough to show him how angry I still was about everything.

"I know," he agreed and then I felt his arms wrap around me, and I accepted it. Finding solace in his arms. All I did was cry, as Ginny rubbed my shoulder. A couple of minutes had passed and I untangled myself from their arms. I picked up my bag and shouldered it.

"Where are you going?" they both asked me, automatically finding each others hand to hold. It was strange watching them; they act as if they were one person.

"Library." I answered. They nodded, why would they question it? I used to always go to the library, when I needed time. I told them I would see them later and walked away. Of course in the back of my mind, I knew I was lying to them. Of course I wasn't going to the library.

I walked up the stairs to the astronomy tower, and walked over to the corner. I threw my bag down and flopped down on the floor bringing my knees up, wrapping my arms around them, and leaning my head down. And I just continued to cry. I don't know how long for, and then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, to stop when they reached the top.

"Granger," his voice said softly as he saw me in the corner.

"Go away," I cried, my voice muffled by my jumper. But he didn't leave. He walked towards me and sat down next to me, not to closely…but close enough. I continued to cry. He patted my shoulder awkwardly not really knowing what to do. But even so, it was enough. He is a Slytherin after all; they are not used to that kind of actions. I have defiantly realised, that when you are alone…when you need comfort you find it in the strangest of places. I'm sorry Miss Granger. But they are dead.


And there we have it…another chapter. Who would have thought Slytherin could be so mean? I hope you all enjoy this, and I shall try my very hardest to try and get another chapter out by the weekend. But if I don't, sometime next week. Hope you enjoyed this, now get reviewing ;) x