:: Chapter Nine: A Time To Dread ::

Hermione pulled away from him and fixed her eyes on the floor opposite of Draco. "Why did you do that?" She asked softly.

"I'm not sure." His voice was filled with uncertainty.

"It was um… needed." She said in a rushed voice.

Ron and Harry gazed up at the large mansion that stood in front of them. They gazed at it for what seemed like hours and yet neither budged.

"You really think she's in there?" Harry asked his partner without even casting a glance towards him.

"Most defiantly." The redhead said looking at the black shutters framing the windows on the massive white house.

"Let's go." He mustered up all the courage in his body; he knew for sure he would need it to fight off these demons.

"Draco." Lucius Malfoy's voice rang in the dark, rank, basement. "Potter should be along soon. A Death Eater noticed him coming in this direction. Bring the mudblood." And just like that Lucius left.

"Now?" Hermione croaked looking at Draco for the first time since their kiss.

"Now." He sighed heavily. He helped her to her feet and helped her up the stairs. He knew somewhere deep in his heart that there was a place for Hermione and that even after her death she would live on in his memory. He scolded himself for thinking such grim thoughts about the woman who he believed was very dear to his heart. Draco was directed on where to put the "filthy mudblood". He told her to sit on the bed in the guest room they were ordered into. It would be only hours before the moment they were all dreaded would rear its ugly head. Draco looked to Hermione, he face contorted in thought.

"What is it?" He asked her.

"I'm just thinking about things to keep my mind off of the truth of what's going on."

"What are you thinking about?" He asked taking the desk chair and spinning it around so that he could rest his arms against the back.

"Harry, Ron, my family. you." Her dark brown eyes turned on his blue ones in a quick glance.

"Me?" He asked. "It was a spur of the moment thing."

"Oh," She said softly.

"You didn't actually think it meant something, did you?"

"Draco stop please." She closed her eyes to keep herself from allowing this man to become the evil inside once again.

"What happened to the Draco that's become a really good friend?" She paused for a long moment. "To the Draco I think I'm falling in love with?" He gulped loudly.

"He was too afraid of the consequences for his feelings. He's not supposed to feel like this for someone of a lesser blood than himself."

"What exactly is it that he's feeling?"

"Love. At least he wants it to be."

"W. Why?" Hermione's voice shook from the stress she was going through mentally.

"Because he loves you. You care about it, and nobody has ever done that before. Or even tried to like him for who he is. Not what his father is trying to mold him into."

"Well if you ever run into him tell him that I love him too."


Special Thanks to:

Iarethirwen: I agree it is a shame that I only have three reviews but I don't write for the number of reviews I get, I write so that people can boost my ego, no I'm just kidding, I write because I love it. It's my lifeline. Thank you so much for reviewing and for taking the time to read my story, it means a lot to me. treachery89: Wow, um. What can I say? Your review was such a major ego boost. Thank you for reading my story and reviewing it, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Edward's Muse: From the bottom of my heart I thank you for being the first person to review my story and giving a "well rounded" critique. The dialogue between Draco and Hermione is also my favorite and I enjoy writing it every single time.

Well all, the end is yet to come and perhaps a sequel is in the far future. Well shall not know until the time comes. Thank you to those who put me in their favorites (another ego boost :P) I enjoy the fact that you all are fans of my fiction far more than you can imagine, so again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.