A/N: I'm really glad you guys are enjoying this particular Dramione fic! I've got several more that I could write but after this one I'm going to be centering on a fic between Draco and an O/C which should be fun. I'm going to start doing more than one fic at a time. On another note, I would like to thank my reviewers patty cake rocks, glazedwater, RobynRavenclaw98, Goddess of Fangirls, and then I had someone review as a guest and I would like to thank them as well. I love all the positive feedback. I do understand that it's a tad confusing right now but I promise that it will become less confusing as the story goes on. I promise. Now, onward to the chapter (can you believe we're already in the double digits!)

Chapter 10

Hermione was starting to get used to waking up in random spots or not where she originally thought she would end up. However, she did recognize her bed and her cat sleeping soundly at the end of her bed. She looked at the bedside table and realized that she had work in an hour. It's 6 at night already? She scared the living out of her cat when she bolted out of bed to turn on the shower.

"You should probably take it easy," a very heavy but familiar voice said from her doorway.

"You of all people know I have to work shortly," she called from her bathroom refusing to slow down.

Draco came over to turn the shower knob off and ushered her out of the bathroom. He then pressed his hand to her forehead before pressing a vial into her hands. He noticed that she had a fever which is a side effect of this particular potion. It was a minor one so he still felt comfortable having her use it instead of causing migraines to resurface. Then she would be in bed for longer with more vials stuffed down her throat.

"Can I ask why you're here, anyway?" Hermione questioned, glancing at the vial.

It's not like she wasn't used to him being there when she woke up and, against better judgment, she arranged for him to be able to have a key to her apartment. Given the threat to her life as of lately she felt like it was a good move.

"You passed out at the Manor. You've been knocked out the longest with this particular feeling." He said.

Hermione stopped and stared at him. Had she missed more days at work? Oh, her boss was going to be angry for sure.

"How long?" She asked.

"Two days," he told her.

Her eyes got as big as saucers and she looked around her apartment for numbers to call Tate and her boss. She had missed two extra days of work? Damn. She wouldn't blame them if they fired her from that place.

"I called them already. Go lay down and don't forget to drink that vial," he instructed.

"You really are a healer, aren't you?" Hermione questioned, downing the vial and leaning up against the counter.

She couldn't believe that she couldn't feel the feeling that she had gained back because there was usually a wave of emotion that would pass over mind whether it had been sub psychotic rages, freakish paranoia, unbelievable pleasantness or worse. However, she wasn't having undeniable guilt or crying spells linked to her new sad feeling. Just a calm and collected attitude.

"What is it for?" She questioned, starting to settle down and breathe slowly.

"It's tear suppression. It keeps the headaches at bay and the tears far away," he said and he heard her giggle.

"That rhymed." She giggled, looking a little loopy.

"It's the reason you haven't been crying as much," he told her and she nodded in agreement.

When she went to move off the counter she had been leaning on she began to fall down before Draco moved in and caught her. She weighed hardly anything and he noticed. He didn't know if she had been eating properly lately or doing anything except bartending and going on trips with him. It seemed like this particular issue was consuming her just as much as it consumed him.

"I think you need to go lay down," he said, carrying her into her bedroom.

"I'm really and truly confused..." Hermione whispered.

"That's better than being sad," he said laying her down into her bed.

She just grumbled but she wouldn't let go of his sleeve. Even her senses told her to let go but she just couldn't do it. Something else was wanting him to stay and she couldn't quite figure it out.

"Don't go," She whispered.

This stunned him more than the eyes that started to have a slight hint of sadness seep into their irises. She was one tough woman if she could beat out the tear suppression potion. He had worked hard on that one for this particular reason. He had done it for her. No one could explain why he was trying so hard to take care of her or to make things easier on her but all he knew was that he wanted to.

"I'm not," He whispered back.

"You look just as tired as me," She commented, her eyes were starting to droop and he noticed a tear fall from her eyes.

"I am," He answered softly, kneeling down next to her bed.

He had this feeling that she would continue to talk through the potion's drowsy effect. She still had a hold of his sleeve and then moved it down to his hand. She gripped it loosely and noticed that it felt very warm and rough on top of hers. That wasn't what she expected his hands to feel like but she liked it. Hermione moved over in her bed that had enough room and made a place for him to lay down with her. She wasn't sure if it was the potion or her conscious but she desperately wanted his warmth to be next to her. In fact, she would do anything to get it.

He took the hint and laid down beside her as gently as he could without breaking contact between their hands. She tried to keep her eyes open but it became too much of a struggle for her to handle. She did the unexpected once again and pressed up against his front to nestle her head against his neck. Never had she felt this comfortable before. Not with Ron, not with Viktor, not with anyone. Draco tensed at first but let it happen, convinced that it was all because of the potion. He wouldn't admit that this is something he had hoped would happen but he enjoyed the closeness.

"Good night, Draco," She said and he felt this sudden feeling that was something unexplained.

She had said his name…and it was the sweetest sound that he had ever heard.

-XOX-

The next day, Hermione woke up and didn't see him there. She expected that and didn't really think anything of it. She rolled over and noticed another vial that had a different coloring to it with a letter attached to it.

Hermione,

This potion will keep you awake through your shift tonight and tear free.
I'll see you at the bar tonight.
I think I may know who is sending you these letters.

Draco

She couldn't help but smile at the note because he had used her name. She couldn't wait for him to come see her tonight but it's not like he ever skipped a night when she was working but the reassurance was nice. She pushed it out of her head so that she wasn't expecting him all day long.

Once she had shown up to work, Tate seemed to be working his magic on the female customers which made Hermione laugh to herself. He looked pretty happy to see her and kept side glancing her while she was tying her apron behind her back.

"Thanks Tate, I think I can handle it from here," Hermione said, patting him on the back.

"Well, I sure hope so. How are you feeling?" Tate questioned her.

"Much better. Thank you," She said, smiling at him which caused him to flash his award winning smile back at her.

He began to untie his apron and then he decided against it which surprised Hermione quite a bit. She looked at him curiously and he just shrugged.

"At least let me help you through the Friday rush. It's the least I can do for someone who just got better," He offered, filling a glass for this regular.

Hermione just nodded in agreement and let him help her through the major rushes of the night. It started to slow down right around ten and he untied his apron to hang it on the hanger.

"Hermione?" He questioned, gathering the last of the glasses on the bar and put them gently in the sink.

"Yes, Tate?" She questioned.

"I have something that I've been meaning to ask you for a couple of days now," He said, wringing his hands with nervousness.

The bell above the door rang when a couple more patrons entered the bar with Draco being among the patrons. She waved him quickly and then turned back to Tate who looked like he had seen a ghost.

"What is it you wanted to ask me?" Hermione questioned.

"Can I get a-" Draco tried to interrupt.

"You can in a second," She replied, not looking at him in time to see him roll his eyes at her.

"I was, uh…wondering if you would have dinner with me some time?" Tate questioned quickly.

Hermione just smiled and felt like she should turn him down. However, it was just dinner and what could it hurt?

"Uh, sure. It might be a few days before I can, you know, with the bar." She said and he nodded like he understood.

"Name the day and I'll pick you up at eight," He said, turning quickly on his heels and stalking out of the bar in a slight huff.

"What's his deal?" Draco questioned, sipping the mystery cocktail that she had made him.

"I just got asked out," She said and he almost choked on the drink he had in his mouth.

He forgot just how much vodka burned when you choked on it and he tried his best to make it look like it hadn't bothered him at all. That little rat, how could he ask her out? He had no right! Draco was angry but he remembered that he had no reason to be. Hermione wasn't his and he had no claim on her whatsoever.

"What did you say?" He questioned, his voice hoarse.

"I said yes but only when I have time. That hasn't seemed possible lately," Hermione said and Draco felt a little relieved.

"Well, I have so good news and bad news," Draco started, looking around at the half empty bar.

"Good news," She said.

"I found your pen pal," Draco said, polishing off the drink he had sitting there.

"Bad news," She answered enthusiastically.

He paused because what he was about to tell her was some extremely bad news. This was quite potentially a death wish.

"She's Voldemort's daughter…" He trailed off, downing the drink she had just refilled.

Her mouth hung open and she had gone completely still. This didn't make any sense to her. Voldemort never married and never felt any compassion towards anyone. How in the world would he have a daughter?

"He reproduced?" She spat.

"Apparently," Draco answered.

"Her name is Victoria Riddle. She's part enchantress and part wizard. She stopped aging around when she turned 25 and managed to stay completely hidden during the entire war. We used to write to each other," He said.

"You knew about her?" Hermione questioned, feeling the heat surge to her face.

"I knew of her. I thought she died," Draco said.

"But apparently she's still alive and dying to finish what her father started," Hermione answered, placing her head in her hands.

"And she started the day after her father was defeated. Can't say this is a good thing but you can't let this get you down. We have a lead, a huge one," Draco said, trying to raise her spirits.

"We can't take the daughter of Voldemort alone, Draco," She said, letting his real name fly out of her mouth as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Does this mean you're going to let me contact Potter?" Draco questioned, enjoying the way his name just rolled off her tongue like water.

"Let me do it…he'll never show up if you do it," Hermione said, trying to plan out a good way for her to tell Harry about everything that was happening.

-XOX-

Victoria Riddle just walked around the throne room planning her letter to Hermione for the last time. She was positive that her plan to bring down Harry Potter would work. She was so sure that she was even betting her life on it.

"Your majesty," A servant beckoned from the corridor.

"Yes?" She questioned, annoyed.

"Spencer has come back. He wishes to speak to you. He says that it is urgent," He whispered as if he were worried that walls would hear.

"Send him in but tell him to be quick about it," He hissed and returned to her throne.

Spencer rushed in after the servant allowed him but not before bowing quickly as he did so. She made sure to let him know that the elder wand was still attached to her thigh and that she wasn't afraid of whatever news he was going to bring her.

"What is it?" She demanded.

"Someone else is working on breaking Hermione Granger's bond. Someone that we didn't see or expect," He started.

Victoria urged him on.

"Draco Malfoy is a part of this mission," He whispered.

"What?!" She shouted so harshly that the walls shook with fear.

"That little lizard," She hissed to herself.

It was shocked that Draco would even be interested in helping this mudblood which is exactly what he is doing. Her head was spinning with alternatives but then she realized that she had to deal with what she already had.

"What you're telling me is that Malfoy is helping this little mudblood break all the seals of her curse?" Victoria demanded.

"Yes, you're majesty" He said, bowing once more.

"So, in other words, I no longer need your services?" Victoria questioned, enjoying the fear that passed through his eyes.

She enjoyed it even more when he didn't have an answer for her. She was much quicker than he was and closed her fists in rage. He lay lifeless on the floor while she demanded her snake eat the rest of him.

"Those idiots have no idea that if they break every seal that her magic powers will be completely destroyed. This is just so exciting," She said to herself, disappearing from her throne room completely and instead retreated to her bedchambers.

A/N: There's a new evil in town! When I do my fan fiction on the Tom Riddle/OC ship you can find out more about Victoria Riddle and just how evil she is. It will be more fun to explain her relation to other characters so…look out for that fic!