Friendly reminder: please be respectful and constructive with your feedback to writers as we do this just for fun. The plot of this story is still unfolding so please be patient if you're still enjoying it. As always, my most humble thanks for taking time to read and review. I look forward to your reactions on this new chapter.


The Truth, For Once

Draco observed the gathered Wizengamot as he took up his place at the prosecutor's box. He could feel the eyes of the aurors on his back, Hermione seated between Potter and Weasley.

He cracked his knuckles as he glanced over at Albindor Tilshire seated chained to his chair, snarling and scowling in his general direction.

"Minister, permission to address the Wizengamot," he spoke confidently.

Kingsley nodded from his position behind his podium and waved a hand for him to begin.

"Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Albindor Tilshire has been accused of conspiring and murdering Ministry employees, all in a misguided and sick plan to gain access to the one of the female employees he'd been harboring an attraction toward."

He stepped forward and presented Kingsley with the documents detailing his evidence as well as the sample of the potion Tilshire had been giving his victims.

"Upon consulting with the Magical Law Enforcement Office, I have obtained interviews and physical evidence which not only shows that Mr. Tilshire did in fact commit these murders but also a history of using dark magic."

"You'd know, M-Malfoy," Tilshire sputtered from his chained position.

"Quiet, Tilshire," Kingsley ordered.

"As I was saying, I uncovered a long history of dark magic in the Tilshire family, specifically relating to Mr. Tilshire."

"Were the Tilshires not convicted of such after the war," one member of the wizengamot asked.

"No, they didn't outwardly take sides therefore no investigation was conducted at that time. However, as my documents will show the aurors uncovered a vast variety of spell books and potions in his home during their initial investigation, many dating back ten years or more." Draco turned and faced the snarling wizard, knowing full and well that he would likely be angry with the next bit he was about to reveal. "It should also be noted, Minister, that all of the victims were muggle-born."

There was a collective gasp from the audience and he cringed, not wanting to meet Hermione's eyes. He'd made the connection fairly recently and hadn't wanted to mention it for fear of causing any anxiety over past memories.

Just another lunatic out to attack muggle-borns.

Kingsley quickly sifted through the paperwork in front of him and then glanced up at Draco. "Merlin's beard, how was this connection not made before?"

Draco shrugged, "Generally these days most don't walk around wearing their parentage on their sleeve, Minister. However, I argue that since some of Mr. Tilshire's victims were below the rank of the witch he claimed to be infatuated with that he had ulterior motives and was using this excuse as a cover-up."

"If that's the case," Kingsley nodded in agreement, "and it seems that it very well is then I move that Mr. Tilshire be charged with article three hundred fifty seven: attempts to eliminate based upon parentage." He looked down his nose at the snarling wizard chained and scowled. "This warrants a lifetime sentence in Azkaban, Albindor. The Ministry takes such crimes very seriously, especially after the last wizarding war. How do you plead?"

The wizard snarled, spittle spraying the floor. "What do you think, you fool?"

"Very well," Kinglsey shook his head and glanced around him. "How does the Wizengamot vote?"

A chorus of guilty rang throughout the Wizengomot, all hands raised in agreement.

He nodded at the aurors standing guard, "Take him to the holding cell. The Magical Law Enforcement Office will begin arrangements for his move to Azakaban within the week."

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered, glancing discreetly at Hermione who was seated between him and Harry.

"Alright there, Hermione," Harry asked gently.

The witch blinked blankly as she watched the aurors leading the wizard away from the crowd. She could hear the slurs escaping him. What troubled her most was the desperate glare in his eyes, a glare that seemed to be directed at her.

"Harry," she finally spoke, breaking from her trance. "Didn't you say that there had been a list of names? Something Draco found recently while doing his investigation?"

Harry reached to adjust his glasses and nodded. "I believe so, yeah. I haven't seen it though. Why?"

"I'd like to have a glance at it. We may have caught the man but something doesn't feel right to me about this. Seems a bit too easy honestly."

Ron looked at her warily, "You don't think your name was on the list, do you?"

Hermione shrugged and stood, straightening out her skirt as she turned to face her two best friends. "I don't honestly know but that just wrapped up a little too neatly for my tastes."

Harry and Ron shared a look, not quite understanding what she was getting at.

"Hermione," Harry started gently, "as much as I hate to admit it, Malfoy is quite good at his job. He wouldn't have been given the case otherwise."

"I'm not questioning Draco's skills, Harry." She sighed and crossed her arms obstinately when the two men shared another look.

Ron squinted in confusion. "Since when do you call him Draco anyway?"

"Oh for God's sake," she waved a dismissive hand. "Malfoy, Draco, whatever. Point being—I'm not questioning his ability as an attorney. I'm questioning that we might still be missing something here."

"Did I just hear that correctly?"

Hermione whirled around quickly to find Draco standing just behind her, hands casually in his pockets and a confident smirk marring his stupid, handsome face.

She gulped. What the bloody hell was wrong with her now?

"Potter, you as my witness, Granger just said she's not questioning my abilities. What world are we living in," he teased lightly.

"A bloody barmy one," Ron muttered a bit too loudly.

"I want to see the list of names you uncovered, Malfoy. While I'm quite relieved he was convicted I'm not so convinced this was all that simple."

Draco studied the witch closely. From her stubborn stance, her hip jutted to the side, and the obstinate tilt of her jaw, he knew that she wouldn't be thwarted. He sighed and nodded.

"Still have to know everything, don't you?" He shook his head, "I left a copy of all my evidence next to my briefcase in your office. I promised Astoria I'd stop and speak with her after the trial but I can meet you back there to go over what I'd found if you want."

Hermione gave a sharp nod and then turned to her friends with raised eyebrows. Both men just rolled their eyes and grumbled before pushing to their feet and leading the way back to the Magical Law Enforcement Office.

Once they'd left the Wizengamot the three entered a lift for their floor. Hermione stood straight and staring forward as she watched the numbers of the floors slowly climb. Ron eyed her with mild interest as he leaned against the opposite wall.

"So what's with you two anyway," he finally spoke up.

"Pardon?"

Harry was watching closely and she could feel his green eyes on her, watching her every tick.

Ron sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you like the git?"

"I don't know what would make you think—"

"Oh come off it, Hermione. I'm not judging you…" He paused and tipped his head curiously, "Okay, well maybe a little. He is Malfoy after all. But you've been…different these last couple of months since he's been around."

"Not a bad different," Harry added hastily, shooting a warning look at his friend.

Ron rolled his eyes and shrugged. "No, not bad. But certainly…different."

Hermione stiffened slightly and turned her eyes back to face the doors of the lift again. She fidgeted slightly on her feet but ultimately sighed.

"I think I do. But it certainly doesn't matter. We talked after the…incident."

"What incident?"

She'd nearly forgotten that no one bothered to fill Ron in about the kiss and fought the urge to groan. He was hotheaded and she'd not wanted him to jump to conclusions.

"He kissed me at the Ministry's ball—a barely there kiss."

"But still a kiss," Harry added with an annoying smirk.

"Yes," she turned to glare at him, "still a kiss."

Ron slapped his forehead dramatically, "So that's why you ran off so quickly that night. I just thought you'd gotten your," he lowered his voice, "monthly visitor."

"Ronald," she snapped irritably. "Why is my period your excuse for any time you can't explain my behavior? You've been doing that since third year."

"I only have one sister in a sea of brothers, you know. But get back to the story before I go hex the tosser for clearly hurting you again."

"He didn't," she argued quickly. "He just made it clear that it was a mistake. Just got carried away with the atmosphere that night. It's understandable really. It was a rather odd night."

Harry snorted loudly and lifted his eyebrows in challenge when she glared at him again. "I can't believe you believe that tripe."

"Excuse me?"

"He's Malfoy. I don't believe that shit for a second," Harry argued. "I don't quite know why he's not acting on his feelings but the bleeding idiot likes you, Hermione."

Ron nodded in agreement as the lift doors opened. They all filed out, making their way to her office. "Harry's right, as much as I hate to admit it. He drew you out of your shell, Hermione. I'm almost thankful to the git for it."

"But what I can't figure out is why he's not acting on his feelings," Harry added, frustration clear in his voice.

Honestly, both he and Ginny had given the wizard their support for him to pursue Hermione. What was the moron doing?

"Let me know if you figure it out."

Ginny smirked as she leaned against Hermione's office door. She straightened up when the trio approached, kissing Harry on the cheek as Hermione shouldered past to release the wards on her door.

All four filed inside and Hermione went straight for the file sitting next to Draco's briefcase just as he'd said.

"So did the arsehole get convicted," Ginny asked, taking up a seat on the edge of the desk.

"Lifetime sentence," Ron grinned.

"What's this?"

Hermione squatted down to pick up a leather book, bulging with aged bits of parchment. Curiosity had always been both her greatest strength and weakness. She could smell the age of the parchment tickling her nose and couldn't help the urge to glance inside.

Ginny peered over her shoulder and squinted at the neat handwriting on the pages. "That fell out of Maloy's briefcase? Looks like letters."

Ron snorted, "Maybe he's been writing love letters to himself all these years."

Hermione and Ginny both glared at him before glancing through the pages.

237

You don't really look like a troll, Granger. I can tell that one hurt. Apologies for that. And I know Pansy makes fun of your curls but I actually think she's jealous. Who wouldn't be with that mop of stringy hair on her head?

Draco

425

Today I tripped you before potions class and laughed in your face when Snape deducted points for your eager answer to the first question he posed. My apologies for being such a right git, Granger. And Snape's a prick.

Draco

738

I didn't mean what I said about your parents. I feel I went too far in calling them little more than mudblood breeders. Mudblood. I hate writing the word as much as I hate saying. Apologies for that. I fear if I didn't call you that on a regular basis that he'd find out. I can't risk it. You have to remain safe. Please stay safe. I get sick of watching Weasley and Potter pull you into their shenanigans. It gets harder to keep watch that way.

Draco

855

Where do I even begin? I stood by like a child and let my aunt torture you. I feared they'd kill you outright if I interfered…but…I can't help but think I should have at least tried. I took on as much of your pain during the cruciatus as I could. I couldn't bear the idea of you feeling the full brunt of that kind of pain. I'm, well, I'm used to it. I can only hope it helped some.

Nothing however will ever make up for the horrible slur she cut into you.

I'm sorry, Hermione. So terribly sorry. I can only hope the end of this is near.

Draco

Ginny watched with cautious optimism as Hermione sifted through the thick stack of letters. She'd know now that Draco had lied a lot in the past. However, how she'd react to that would be the big question.

She still had no idea why he'd lied to Hermione when he said the kiss was a mistake. Knowing everything she did about his past and how it had affected them all, it didn't make sense for him to still keep denying himself.

Hermione finally turned to face them all, eyes wide as she shook her head. "I don't understand. These are…apologies. And they're dated. There's hundreds."

"From Malfoy," Harry asked, clearly surprised.

Hermione nodded and sank down in his chair as she continued to glance through them. "Why would he have written me apologies while we were in school? He was so…horrible."

Ginny swallowed. Should she break his confidence and just tell her? She wasn't sure at this point if the git ever would. For whatever stubborn reason, he seemed intent to continue pretending that he'd been a black-hearted git from the start.

All the while, Draco was oblivious to the drama unfolding in her office.

He wasn't quite sure why Hermione wanted to see the list of names he'd found. Hers certainly wasn't on it or else he'd have pressed for a fine against the Tilshires in addition to the man's lifetime sentence. After all, what mattered more to purebloods than their reputation besides their money?

However, after speaking to Astoria and agreeing to catch up some more over dinner with Pansy and Blaise soon, he made his way to pick up his briefcase.

The fact that his time here was done was a little unsettling. He'd miss seeing the witch on a daily basis, arguing with her over books and merely enjoying earning her smiles.

Yet it was for the best. For whatever reason, she'd learned to like him and he didn't need to be encouraging that. Seeing each other on a daily basis certainly wasn't healthy in that regard. And he wasn't strong enough to continue to deny himself the opportunity of pursuing her. Every time he looked at her she pulled him back in with those soulful brown eyes.

They'd become polite acquaintances now and he could put this whole mess behind him. Maybe he'd get a cat. Cats made good companions from what he knew. Maybe a black one with some big fangs that hung over its bottom lip. Like a little menacing dragon. A cat-dragon.

He turned the corner to her office and stopped cold.

All four sets of eyes turned on him at once. He nearly retched when he realized what was clutched in her hands and averted his gaze to the side to avoid seeing the questions burning in those brown orbs.

He was exposed.

She knew. She bloody well knew.

And now came the judgment and the pity. He didn't think he could handle it if she looked at him with the same pity in her eyes that Blaise had done when he'd learned the truth.

"What the bloody hell is this," Ron asked gruffly upon seeing him.

Draco shrugged and thrust his hands in his pockets before turning his gaze on her most irritating friend. "What do they look like, Weasel?" He sighed and prepared himself for what would come after his next admission. "Long story short so I can get the hell away from all of your bloody questions—my father had threatened to kill her when we were in school," he admitted in a growl, his declaration sounding far simpler than his words actually were. "I did what I thought would keep his suspicions at bay and keep her alive. I wrote the…letters…as a way to ease my discomfort with the whole situation. A penance of sorts."

The crowds in Diagon Alley were always worst just before school took back in. He'd managed to get away from his father long enough to browse Flourish and Blotts alone for once and was relieved to have a moment of peace.

He glanced up when the shop's door opened again and he clenched his teeth when he saw her. Flanked by two adults that he assumed were her parents, she hurried inside.

He grabbed the first book he saw and held it open over his face, glancing discreetly now and then to watch her. Her mother chatted amicably with the witch who owned the place and her father followed closely as she picked out her school books.

She'd grown again over the summer. Her hair looked a tad longer, her curls bouncing around her shoulders as usual though. However, she was still small. Some might even describe her as petite.

A cold hand grasped his shoulder suddenly and he stiffened.

"Soon enough her kind will be in their place and out of our world, Draco," his father hissed low in his ear.

He nodded numbly and replaced the book he'd been hiding behind. His father's eyes were cold and dark when he turned to face him. Now the same height, he could look him in the eye but it did nothing to bolster his confidence.

Lucius lifted a cool brow at him. "Mind your eyes, son. You wouldn't want people to get the wrong impression about your interest in the girl."

Draco glanced at his father's hands resting on his cane, fingers gracing the end of his wand hidden within stealthily.

"Of course," he responded in a clipped tone.

He swallowed against the desert in his throat and finally chanced a glance at her. The soft look in her brown eyes nearly undid him and he clenched his hands in his pockets.

"I never actually thought you'd read those anyway." He shrugged and took a few hesitant steps to collect his belongings so he could escape the attention, uncertain of how this revelation was being received and not wishing to stick around to find out. "I realize it's rather twisted but it's the truth of things. I could sling slurs and keep her safe or I could allow him to follow through on his threat. I wasn't willing to chance it."

"Why?"

Grey eyes snapped up at the softly spoken question and he nearly flinched when he saw the witch now standing and slowly approaching him.

"Why what?" Merlin, don't let her ask why his father had threatened to kill her specifically.

"Why were you not willing to chance it," Hermione asked.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, avoiding her gaze again as he reached for his briefcase. "You're not an idiot, Granger. I'm certain you can determine why."

"Maybe I need to hear it…from you."

He heaved a heavy breath and pinched his eyes closed. "Because I cared. Because the older we got the more I realized my fascination with you ran deeper than I originally understood." He opened his eyes after a deep breath, "I wanted you but I couldn't have you. And every year it just got worse."

"And now," Ginny prodded from behind them.

Draco's eyes snapped up to the nosy witch and he glared at her. She merely lifted a challenging eyebrow and nodded her head encouragingly.

"Did you stop…" Her voice faltered into a near whisper, "…wanting me?"

Draco slowly met her eyes, completely unprepared for the hopeful expression there and felt his resolve soften.

"No."

He barely noticed as Ginny ushered a reluctant Harry and Ron out of the office and quietly shut the door behind her, leaving them to themselves to finish the conversation.

"I'm sorry," he finally said aloud, "For everything."

She huffed out a nervous laugh and shook her head. "I do believe you've already apologized…eight hundred fifty seven times to be exact."

Draco groaned and turned to rest his weight on the top of his desk. "Granger…Hermione, don't play with me. You have no idea how difficult it was doing what I had to and then knowing I'd never be able to have you despite keeping you alive. I hated saying the things I did to you."

Hermione tipped her head curiously at him and glanced over her shoulder at the pile of parchment still on her desk.

"You took on the brunt of the cruciatus for me," she muttered, a tone of awe in her voice when she met his gaze again.

He shrugged, "Not really the brunt. Just shared some of the pain."

She shook her head, loose curls shaking about her shoulders, teasing him with their golden sheen. "Still, even then. I read that letter before you walked in."

"It was the best I could do without alerting anyone. You'd have been killed outright if they thought I cared. I was trying to keep your mind intact."

She nodded in understanding and stepped a bit closer hesitantly. "I've been fighting with myself for weeks now. I felt I shouldn't trust you or be feeling the way I did about you. Ginny kept telling me to go with my gut which I thought was rather strange."

"Don't play with me, Granger," he warned, the sternness his voice wavering with his nerves. He felt like a cornered wolf, wary but ready to lash out.

She met his eyes finally and chewed the corner of her lip, her eyes darting to his mouth quickly before meeting his gaze again. She'd not been able to stop thinking about the night at the ball. His lips had barely touched hers but it was enough to ignite a flame she'd long thought was dead.

She'd been locking herself away for years. It was time she took a chance.

"Can you be patient with me? Old habits and such die hard. And I haven't kissed anyone in a while."

His heart nearly thudded to a complete halt at her words before it jumpstarted itself and began rattling a rapid rhythm in his chest again.

He nodded dumbly as he watched her hands reach for him slowly, cautiously, before resting on either shoulder. Was she seriously initiating this?

He shouldn't be allowing this. Shouldn't be hoping for this.

Merlin help him, he still wanted her. Desperately so.

"You realize you deserve better than me?"

His question was meant to make her think twice but his hands still rested gently on her waist. He could feel the warmth of her body under her blouse and he wanted to pull her close and drown in it.

"Says the man who took on a lot of my pain for me while I was being tortured."

Her smile was slight as the comment still unsettled her to some extent and he felt his stomach turn at the memory.

Hermione chewed her lower lip as she watched him watching her. Could she honestly do this? Should she?

His letters shed an entirely new light on who he'd been and who he was now. It would take time to process but it was clear that Draco had never been her enemy. Not truly.

"So can you?"

Draco blinked rapidly, having forgotten her question as he studied the small witch in his hands. She was close enough that he could smell her perfume now and he'd bet his last galleon that she had no idea how intoxicating she smelled. He wanted to eat her up.

"Can I what?"

She swallowed, "Be patient with me. I'm rubbish with men."

Draco realized what she meant then and began the process of mentally devising their first date because clearly he was weak and he'd ignore his conscience if it meant he could finally have a chance.

He was still a Malfoy after all. He'd always have a selfish streak.

"I've been patient for over a decade. I think I can still manage."

His wide palm ghosted along her cheek and she had to dump down her rapidly beating heart from her throat as his face began to lower to hers. Her eyes fluttered closed on their own accord and she nearly sighed when she felt the soft press of his lips against hers.

So gentle and contradicting to his demeanor at all other times, it was still a bit odd to think that Draco had a softer side —specifically that he seemed to reserve for her now.

Draco gripped her waist tighter as he pulled a hairsbreadth back only to press his lips against hers with a bit more pressure. She responded in kind and he wrapped one arm completely around her, pressing her closer against his chest.

Touching her was better than any of his boyhood fantasies. She was soft and firm in all the right places and she fit perfectly even despite their height difference, better than any other woman he'd ever held.

Hermione was surprised by how at ease she was with his touch. His arms were around her like steel bands and yet the urge to bolt wasn't more than a slight tickle up her spine that she could easily ignore. The strength of his broad shoulders under her hands was a comfort and the gentle but firm way his lips moved across hers sent her heart racing.

She drew a deep breath when his lips moved from her mouth, slowly across her jaw. He peppered soft kisses along her skin as he spoke again.

"Have dinner with me? Please?"

Please? Had Draco Malfoy just said please?

"I have to confess," she breathed, "I can't quite think straight when you're kissing me."

Draco pulled back to face her and couldn't help but smirk at her swollen lips. Lips he'd kissed. He ignored his conscience for once telling him to urge her to find someone better. He'd do everything within his power (and his wallet) to make up for the past if she let him.

He trailed fingers across her cheek and down the bridge of her nose tenderly, counting freckles as he went. She'd not put in as much effort into covering them today.

"Have dinner with me…Hermione." He watched as she bit the corner of his lip in that nervous way that she had been doing since they were children. Only now it wasn't because he'd insulted her. Her blush gave that away.

"When?"

He shrugged and allowed her to remove herself from his arms.

Hermione couldn't think straight with his hands on her either apparently.

"Tonight? Just one chance to see if you really want this. If I'm what you want." He tucked a loose curl behind her ear, not able to resist the urge to tug the lobe gently before he dropped his hand at his side. "Just dinner. You don't even have to get dressed up."

I want to spend time with you. Time where I can stare unabashedly into your eyes without feeling like a right nutter, he thought.

Clearly he was worse than a Hufflepuff. He was a right loon but who the hell cared anymore?

She honestly had never seen Draco Malfoy look so hopeful before in her life. And the power to disappoint or hurt him lay in her hands.

"Okay," she nodded and a pleasant shiver ran the length of her spine.

A full smirk bloomed on his face and he gave a sharp nod as he fully released her.

"I'm going to go now or I won't be able to stop myself. We can go over this evidence again later."

Hermione watched as he turned to gather his belongings and was proud of herself when she didn't even jump when he leaned down to kiss her forehead tenderly on his way out.

Slowly, she touched her fingertips to her still swollen lips and sighed. "Merlin help me, what am I getting myself into?"

Moments later, three heads all popped around the corner of her doorway. She dropped her hand to her side and sighed as she rounded her desk to take her seat.

"Well," Ginny prodded as she ushered the boys back inside.

"Well what," Hermione asked, eyes trained on the file in front of her stubbornly.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Ron threw his hands up, "she means what happened between you and Malfoy!"

Ginny stepped closer and scrutinized her face. Her eyes widened and she pointed a finger accusingly but she grinned. "He snogged you! Not just kissed like at the ball. He full on snogged you—and you enjoyed it!"

"Ginny," she hissed as she finally looked up at the nosy lot of them.

"Well," Harry prodded, "is she right or not?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in defeat. "For Merlin's sake, yes. He asked me to dinner tonight as well. Now you're all caught up. Can I get some work done now?"

"By all means," Ginny grinned triumphantly.