A/N: My apologies for the lengthy update. I encountered an error and could not add any chapters to my story :( however, found a way to bypass this and am now able to continue posting! :D

Chapter 9

Confession

July 18th

Draco pushed himself away from the railing and came to sit on the step beside Hermione, while she moved away a few inches to put more space between them.

"So…you're not feeling well eh?"

Hermione nodded and closed her eyes as she began to feel the effects of the ibuprofen wane.

"Well," Draco continued, "try not to breathe on me or anything."

Hermione immediately spun her head around and raised a brow, "how rude are you?"

"Huh?"

Hermione shook her head, "It's not like I invited you over here or anything, or asked you to sit next to me. You did that on your own so, don't be ordering me about."

Draco blinked, "I don't want to get sick."

Hermione laughed, "Well, then maybe you should leave."

Draco scoffed, "are you always so irritable when you're sick?"

Offering no reply, Hermione merely leaned towards him and released a long exhale in front of his face.

Draco immediately stood and walked away from her, "okay, you know what, I'm just going to stand over here."

Smiling to herself, Hermione merely allotted herself more room on the step, shifting her body into a more comfortable position.

"I think you're ruder than me, Granger."

Hermione shrugged, "perhaps."

A passing car swept it's headlights over the pair as it rounded a corner and, within the brief lighting, Hermione watched Draco's face. It was full of curiosity and ease, which was something she faintly envied. Why couldn't she feel as tranquil?

Catching her eye, Draco merely shrugged, "what?"

Hermione bit her lip and looked away as she was once again struck with the thought of what was coming within the next few months.

Harry and Ron's faces flooded into her mind, and she felt a pang in her chest as she recognized how badly she missed them. They had become a part of her, a very intimate and irreplaceable part of her.

Would she lose one of them within the tribulations to pass? She couldn't bear the thought of it.

Closing her eyes she willed the horrific reverie away; it was much too painful to even contemplate.

She hadn't realized how tightly she was clutching her hands, nor how troubled her face had become until Draco suddenly came to stand in front of her.

"Granger?"

Hermione instantly opened her eyes and looked up at him. She tried to conceal the anxiety behind her gaze, but her emotions betrayed her and she quickly looked away.

Crouching in front of her, Draco gazed at her uneasily. "Are you feeling that bad?"

Hermione cleared her throat before slowly turning to face him, "Uhm, I guess my fever's starting to come back."

"Is that all? Is something bothering you?"

Hermione just looked away, "no, nothing's bothering me."

Draco was quiet for awhile, before surprising her with a confession.

He began in a low voice, barely audible yet almost haunting. "Last year, when th-the Dark Lord assigned me to my…task…I was eager at first and proudly carried the responsibility he had placed on my shoulders."

Returning her gaze to him, Hermione's eyes widened slightly at what he was revealing to her.

"However, after I had begun putting the plan into motion, I started to experience difficulties. Emotional difficulties. I finally started to realize the severity of what he had asked me to do and eventually, that realization became guilt."

Hermione watched him intently, his eyes downcast and his face twisted with regret.

"It tore me apart, Granger. I was tormented with the prospect of what I was about to do, yet terrified of the consequences if I didn't follow through. He-"

Draco suddenly stopped and let his head fall into his hand, his fingers clutching his pale strands.

Pity swelled within Hermione and, unthinkingly, she suddenly placed a hand over his.

Draco remained motionless, but tensed at her contact. As Hermione gazed at her hand upon his, she felt unsure on what to do next.

Slowly, after mere seconds, she withdrew it, and simply watched him. He seemed to relax slightly as she removed her hand.

"Go on," she ordered gently.

Draco was silent for another few moments, before removing his hand and letting it fall into his lap. He still refused to meet her gaze as he continued.

"He had threatened my mother, and I. My father was in Azkaban at the time but I know now that the only reason he involved me in this plot was to punish my father for his disloyalty."

"Disloyalty?"

Draco nodded, "my father hates the Dark Lord, absolutely hates him."

Hermione furrowed her brows in confusion, though put no voice to her puzzlement.

"The Dark Lord intended for me to die in my attempt to…fulfill my…task…however, he underestimated Dumbledore's…Dumbledore's…"

"…Mercy." Hermione finished for him, noticing that his eyes had begun to moisten at the mention of Dumbledore's name.

Draco nodded, his voice breaking slightly, "and so did I. I never knew how kind he truly was how, understanding. Even as he stood at the point of my wand, he tried to save me."

Hermione bit her lip as she suppressed her own tears, she missed their headmaster terribly.

"So," Draco continued, finally meeting her gaze. "When I ask if anything is bothering you, I know that something is. I recognize it now. I know the look of torment and anxiety. I see it in you."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. "It's just the coming term, I don't know what to expect."

She decided to stick with half-truths. There was no way she could ever reveal she, Harry and Ron's plan to Draco.

"Is that all it is?"

Hermione nodded slowly.

Draco didn't seem convinced but stood all the same and resumed his perch against the porch railing.

Hermione watched him with a heavy heart. She had been wrong in her earlier assessment of his ease. Outwardly, he was calm and collected but, underneath all of that he still harbored guilt and abhorrence towards himself for what he had almost done.

"Draco," she called out as she stood and walked over to him.

He looked up, "yeah?"

"I really appreciate you telling me all of that."

He seemed uncomfortable but offered a faint nod.

Hermione almost felt as if she owed him something, a word of consolation at least.

"Draco, as I told you the other day, you made the right choice in the end. It doesn't matter what you almost did. Our choices define us, not our mistakes. In fact, because it was so difficult for you, the fact that you still did the right thing means so much more."

Draco's lips parted as he looked at her.

"You acted very courageously, Draco. In fact, it may also surprise you to learn that I actually respect your for that trait. It's Gryffindor and if you weren't such an ambitious little snob I believe that you would've had a fair shot at being placed in our house."

Draco's face broke into a grin and he chuckled. "Now why does that sound so familiar?"

Hermione laughed, "No idea."

They continued to laugh for another few moments, as a gust of cold wind encircled them.

Hermione shivered and wrapped her arms around her torso.

"Do you have a fever or something?"

"Yeah, something like that," Hermione nodded.

"Do you have to work tomorrow?"

With another nod Hermione simply shrugged, "yep."

Draco let the matter rest and looked away as Hermione swept her mind over their previous conversation. She was once again struck by how blatantly honest Draco was about his feelings and torments. He was so open about them. It was a trait rarely found in anyone.

"Granger," he began smiling faintly down at her, "don't you dare tell anyone else what I said, especially your boyfriends."

Hermione grinned before slowly nodding, "I won't."

And she meant it. She knew well enough to secrete such a confession. A confession he had openly entrusted to her.

A sudden wave of light suddenly washed over the pair, momentarily blinding them as Hermione's mother opened the door.

"Hermione, dinner's re-"

Jean Granger's eyes fell over the boy standing next to Hermione and a mixture of surprise and confusion overtook her features.

Hermione stepped towards her mother before indicating Draco, "this is Draco Malfoy, a classmate from Hogwarts."

Draco appeared uncomfortable as he stepped into the flood of light.

"Draco," Jean stated with an outstretched hand, suppressing her startled emotions. "It's nice to meet you."

Draco weakly shook her hand, still unsure as to how he should handle the situation.

"Are you a good friend of Hermione's?"

Draco simply looked at Hermione, his mouth parting slightly, and his mind attempting to sort through his thoughts.

"He's an acquaintance of mine, "Hermione explained. "I ran into him the other day when I was walking home and I told him he could come by and visit me sometime."

"Ah," Jean smiled, "don't say much do you?"

Draco simply shrugged and returned the smile.

'Oh he can talk alright,' Hermione thought with a smirk.

"Are you hungry at all, Draco?" Jean continued, "You're more than welcome to stay for dinner."

Draco exchanged a look with Hermione before shaking his head, "no, I'm alright, thank you though. I just came by to say hello."

Jean waved off his refusal, "darling boy, I would be pleased to have you join us."

"No. Mom," Hermione started to say, "He-"

Jean, however, was already ushering him inside, patting him on the back and grinning widely.

Hermione's eyes had widened as she took in the scene before her and at the prospect of what was about to ensue. Draco Malfoy was in her house. Draco Malfoy was about to have dinner with her family.

'Lord,' she thought as she felt her headache intensify. 'This is going to be interesting.'

As they walked into the house and the aroma of the kitchen filled her senses, Hermione numbly sat in a chair next Draco, her mind reeling with all types of horrific scenarios.

Casting a glance at Draco she saw that he seemed every bit as uncomfortable as she was and this pleased her. At least he could suffer from this awkward event as well.

"Nathaniel," Jean greeted her husband as he entered the kitchen, "we have a guest joining us for supper tonight.'

Nathaniel's face lit up as he saw Draco. He loved company.

"Well, very nice to have you my boy." He leaned forward and shook Draco's hand. "You must be Ron."

Hermione's eyes widened and she gazed at her father in amazement.

"No!" she and Draco stated at the same time.

Nathaniel appeared confused, "oh. Well, sorry about that. I just assumed you were seeing as how Hermione fancies him and all."

"Dad," Hermione moaned, closing her eyes and resting her forehead in her palm.

Draco seemed highly amused as a grin spread across his face. "My name is Draco Malfoy, sir."

"Ah," Nathaniel nodded, "well, nice to meet you."

As Jean set plates in front of everyone she furrowed her brows as she seemed to ponder something. "The name Draco Malfoy sounds vaguely familiar. Have you mentioned him before Hermione?"

Hermione wanted to say no, but couldn't bring herself to lie to her parents so she reluctantly nodded, "I have. Maybe once or twice."

"Hmm," Nathaniel nodded and seemed to be thinking of when he had ever heard it. Hermione prayed he wouldn't remember.

Jean set out four glasses and filled them with a sparkling juice before placing a loaf of bread and some butter on the table as well as a fruit salad.

Hermione heard Draco's stomach rumble faintly as he eyed the main dish in Jean's hands; a pot roast with potatoes, carrots and mushrooms. Hermione herself had to admit it looked intensely appetizing.

"So are you a Muggle as well, Draco?" Jean asked as she sat down to eat.

Draco immediately shook his head, "no, I'm not."

Hermione wished she could just go deaf for a few moments, afraid of how the conversation was bound to turn out.

"Well," Nathaniel offered, "that's okay as long as you're not one of those self-righteous types Hermione has told us all about."

Hermione bit her lip and lowered her eyes. 'Shut up, dad. Please.'

"You know what she said one time?" Nathaniel continued, leaning forward intensely, "that one little boy in her class actually made her cry. Apparently he called her some sort of foul name concerning her Muggle heritage. I don't recall the exact insult, but I felt sick hearing about it. My Hermione's a good girl and doesn't deserve to be talked to that way. I mean, I don't care who you are, you shouldn't go around treatin' other people like that."

Hermione felt her face turn a deep shade of crimson as she hid it in her hands. This was worse than she had anticipated. What would Draco say?

"Do you remember that boy's name, Hermione?"

Silence ensued, in which Hermione fought to control her breathing. "No, dad," she answered meekly. "I don't recall his name."

"Well," Nathaniel replied. "It's just as well. Feller doesn't deserve a name anyway."

Hermione shook her head and kept her eyes closed. 'Oh Merlin,' she thought, 'why is this happening?'

Draco remained silent, which left Hermione to try and discern his thoughts. So many different guesses swarmed through her mind. At the forefront, that he was angry and humiliated. A bad combination when it concerned Draco Malfoy.

"Can you believe that though?" Nathaniel asked Draco. "That there are actually people like that in the world?"

"Okay!" Hermione finally stated, opening her eyes, a look of sheer disbelief plastered on her features. "Dad, can we please stop talking about this? I don't appreciate you doing so in front of one of my classmates. It was a long time ago, I've moved on."

Nathaniel finally seemed to notice that he had embarrassed his daughter and instantly apologized, his face contorted with regret.

Jean rolled her eyes as she ate her roast, "pay no heed to them, Draco, they get themselves into these situations all the time."

Draco still remained silent as he moved his food about his plate, his appetite seemingly lost. Hermione couldn't bear to look at him, for fear of what she'd find written beneath the façade he displayed.

A few minutes passed in which Jean and Nathaniel conversed with one another. Hermione still bit her lip and refused to lift her gaze until Draco suddenly nudged her on the arm.

Slowly turning her head towards him she looked into his face and saw that he was staring down at his plate. Reluctantly, she let her eyes fall to his food and, upon seeing what was there, her mouth parted.

It seemed that he had not been moving his food around absently. Comprised of bits of carrot and potato, was the faint spelling of the word 'Sorry.'

Hermione allowed a soft chuckle to escape her as she looked up at him. He offered a small smile before destroying the evidence of his apology with a fork.

Acting quickly, Hermione spelled a reply of her own with pieces of apple and cantaloupe from the fruit salad.

She pointed towards it and Draco leaned over to see. 'Me too,' it read.

He smiled again and then seemed to visibly relax. Hermione felt loads better though she wondered if she would ever fully recover from the intensity of her embarrassment.

After dinner, and following the exchange of goodbyes, Hermione and Draco stepped out into the night. The moon was at its peak overhead and the chill in the air had increased.

"That was interesting, Granger. Thank you for having me."

Hermione shook her head, "whatever, you know it wasn't my idea."

Draco smirked, "well you didn't do anything to stop your mother so that in itself is something."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "goodnight, Draco."

Grinning, Draco nodded. "Night, Granger."

As he turned to walk away, Hermione tilted her head as she pondered what had transpired. She felt that she and Draco had crossed some sort of threshold. Nothing would be the same between them anymore.

She wouldn't dare go so far as to call him an actual "friend", but she knew there would now remain a level of respect and civility between them.

What would Harry and Ron say if they found out? They trusted her judgment right?

They absolutely abhorred Draco though, more than she ever did.

Biting her lip, Hermione walked inside. 'It doesn't matter anyway. After the summer I'll probably never see him again.'

For the first time, this prospect actually saddened her a bit.

At the sight of her dad, she welcomed his hug as he once again apologized for embarrassing her.

"It's alright, dad." She replied.

He chuckled, "so who is Mr. Draco anyway?"

Hermione smiled, "just someone from school."

"Hmm," her father replied with a shrug, "you two seem to get along pretty well."

"So it would seem," Hermione walked into the living room and sat on the sofa.

Following her, Nathaniel leaned in the doorway. "Have you never been interested in this boy?"

Hermione couldn't help the horrified expression from taking over her face. "No way. Never."

"Huh," he replied. "I really liked him. Seems like a great fellow."

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked away. "Alright dad, that's enough."

"I'm sorry," he replied taking a seat next to her. "You told me you were confused about Ron, so it may be that some part of you feels that you two would not be right for each other. The best friend aspect worked for me and your mother but it typically doesn't for everyone."

He patted her on the knee. "If I were you I'd observe my options and keep an open mind. You and Draco seem to get along wonderfully. Perhaps you should get to know him and see where it goes."

Hermione chuckled, "I've decided to get to know him but, trust me dad, it is not going to go there. It is NOT going to go there."