Thanks to those who reviewed. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I apologize for taking a few days I had a test in my summer class that had me a bit distracted. Here it is.

Ch.10: Caught and Awakened

Monday morning the results of that weekend's competition were released. Draco, Hermione, and Ginny would be continuing onto the next round. Blaise had been eliminated despite him popularity from the female contestants. It seemed that they liked Draco more and secretly wanted a female to win the competition. It was also announced that the next competition would be a two-night process. Each performer would sing two songs on two consecutive nights. This would take place right before the Christmas holiday.

Hermione and Draco were still becoming accustomed to their new relationship. They had yet to tell any of their friends exactly what was going on between them seeing as neither of them knew for sure. If at all possible they remained even more hesitant around each other now that they were together.

Their usually smooth morning routine was laced with awkward looks and blushing cheeks mostly from Hermione. Draco had never been apart of a serious relationship so he didn't know if this was normal. Hermione on the other hand recognized the absurdity of their actions and decided to put an end to it when they were busying about the common room.

"This is ridiculous. We have been living together perfectly fine all term and there is no need to make this uncomfortable now that we are…" She tailed off at the end of her speech not sure what to say.

"A couple, Hermione." He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into him. "You are absolutely right. There is no reason to be like this. We have been official for a week and I haven't kissed you since that night on the roof."

"Well what are you waiting for?" She smiled at him as he lowered his head to hers. Their lips met tentatively at first but this was soon replaced by pent up passion. Draco pulled Hermione, if possible, closer against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran a hand through his blond locks.

Draco was slowly guiding them over to the larger of the two couches. The back of Hermione's knees hit the cushion lightly and soon she was being lowered onto it. Draco hovered over her in an attempt not to crush her. She apparently didn't see this as a problem and pulled him down to her. They laid on the couch in a heated lip lock for several minutes. Draco was the first to pull away gasping for much needed air. No one had ever made him breathless during a kiss. His lips immediately found their way to the sooth skin of her exposed neck. He nibbled and suckled lightly causing Hermione to gasp in contentment. This feeling, though, was soon replaced by one of panic when Draco's hand began its pursuit towards her skirt.

Draco felt Hermione stiffen under him and knew that he had pushed his luck too far. He immediately removed his hand from her hip and rolled off of her. Hermione curled up to Draco's side and he protectively encircled her shoulders with a heavy arm. They laid like this for quite some time before either spoke. When they did speak it was at the same time and saying the same thing.

"I'm sorry…"

"I'm sorry…" They both smiled at the other.

"You have nothing to be sorry about luv. It was my fault, I shouldn't have pushed you this early." He affectionately laid a kiss on the top of her head.

"No, it's ok. I was just a little shocked is all. I know you don't usually wait for girls to be… what I mean is you have been with… I sound like the jealous virgin girlfriend, don't I?" She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. He caught her chin with the hand that wasn't already holding her to his side.

"Don't think like that. I care about you not any of those other girls. That was just…none of that matters anymore. I will wait for ever if it means I get to be with you just like this, no expectations." She smiled and kissed him soundly on the lips. They stayed there for the rest of the night. Simply resting in each other's arms with no worries. That was until a banging was heard on the portrait.

Draco could vaguely make out to voices coming from not far away but he was still not awake enough to do any sort of interpretation. He instantly shot up when the portrait flew open and there stood the two best friends of Hermione. Draco tried to get up and away from Hermione before either of the two noticed their position but he was not that lucky. He was soon punched squarely in the jaw by a belligerent redhead. Hermione had opened her eyes in time to see Ron knocked Draco to the carpet.

"Ron! Stop what you are doing this instant. To think you have the nerve to come barging into my room and attack Draco." She wiped out her wand and both of the boys were flung apart. Harry had to chuckle at her antics but stopped when she turned her wand on him. She looked at the clock that read midnight and questioned Harry. "What are you two doing here at this hour?"

"We umm… can you put that down Hermione, you are making me nervous." She lowered her hand but the look in her eyes was nothing but as frightening. "He came to tell you that I received a letter from Lupin inviting us to Grimmauld place for the holiday. It is only a few weeks away you know. I tried to tell Ron that now might not be the best time to come over…" Harry gave a pointed look at Draco. "Apparently I was correct."

Hermione let Draco loose of the spell that had held back the two boys but she kept Ron bound for the time being. Ron began complaining but she quickly silenced him as well. " I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you boys." She held her hand out and Draco took hold of it. "Draco and I are together. I don't want either of you making a fuss because it is solely my decision and you won't change my mind. Now Ronald I am going to release you but if you try to cause another scene I will do much worse then restraining you."

Ron scowled at Draco once released but knew better then to cross Hermione. Harry was the first to step forward and extended a hand to the boy who had long been his enemy. "Hurt her and I kill you." Draco nodded but did not accept the handshake until Hermione smacked him on the shoulder. They shook hastily and let go of each other's grasps as if they had been burned. Ron was not so easily persuaded. He sent a disapproving look to Hermione and stormed out of the common room. A tear escaped from Hermione's eye but she was quick to wipe it away. Draco pulled the visible shaken girl into his chest. Harry sent a look at the couple deciding whether to stay of chase after Ron. Draco nodded to the raven-haired boy to indicate that he would take care of Hermione. Harry turned and left the room.

It took a while for Draco to calm the girl and it broke his heart. He had been afraid of her friend's reactions. Even though he cared little as to what his friends would say he knew that hers meant the world to her. He brought her up to her room and put her into bed. She needed the rest after sleeping most of the night on a couch clearly not fit for two.

The next morning Ron refused to speak to Hermione. He sat with Seamus and Dean further down the table. Hermione sulked silently at the table next to Harry and Ginny. It was obvious that Harry had informed Ginny of what had happened the night before. The boy kept sneaking worried glances at his best friends.

"You can go sit with him Harry. I'll be alright by myself." Her voice betrayed what she was saying.

"He'll get over it soon Hermione, I promise. You know Ron can be a little hotheaded sometimes. Just give him some time." He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before they headed off to classes.

They were leaving potions, which had been shared with the Slytherins, a while later. Hermione and Draco took their time packing theirs bags so that they would get a chance to speak but Ron would have none of it. Ron and Harry waited silently by the doorway for Hermione to pack her belongings. Draco stood and walked towards Ron instead of Hermione.

"Can I speak with you in private."

"Bugger off Malfoy."

"Weasley, I just want a word." Harry took Hermione into the corridor but they stayed close enough to intervene if a fight were to break out.

"Here it is Weasley, I don't like you but I do happen to like Hermione a lot. She was really upset after you stormed out last night. Could you please make up with her? I'm not asking you to like our relationship, or me but she has been you friend for a long time. There is no reason for you to ruin a friendship over the likes of me."

"Your right I don't like you." He walked out of the room to find the girl whom had been his friend for their entire time at Hogwarts. Draco rolled his eyes at the immaturity of the Gryffindor.

"That was rather noble for a Slytherin don't you think Mr. Malfoy?" Snape appeared behind his desk.

"Ya, what of it?"

"This girl must mean a great deal to you. I urge you not to forget about the deal your father made with Mr. Parkinson."

"Deals can be undone with enough money and the right people." He left an impressed Snape in his wake.

Out in the hall he stumbled upon the sight of his girlfriend hugging the red haired git. She seemed ecstatic that he had seemingly forgiven her and this did make Draco's heart swell but he was jealous of what the three shared. It was something he would probably never know. The boys shared a look and then walked down the corridor leaving him and Hermione alone.

"Thank-you Draco. For whatever you said, thank-you." She hugged him.

"Just reminded him of everything he had to loose." Draco shrugged.

"Yes and what was that?" She pulled back slightly to question him.

"A wonderful best friend, the likes of which are only found in the fairytales."

When they arrived at their common room not long later Dumbledore was waiting for them. Hermione immediately began to worry about the state of her mother. As if reading her mind Dumbledore assured her that nothing was the matter but that in fact the opposite had occurred. Her mother had awakened. He told them that he had arranged for both her and Mr. Malfoy to floo to St. Mungos within the hour. He left them with the all-knowing twinkle in his eye.

They arrived at the hospital not long after Dumbledore had left their common room. Hermione was ever eager to see and speak to her mother again. She hadn't been to visit in over a week and she felt horrible about it. They stood just outside her mother's room when Hermione began to panic. Draco gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. She smiled up at him and pulled him into the room along with her.

"Mum!" Hermione let go of Draco's hand and flew to her mother's bedside with speed that rivaled that of Harry's firebolt.

"Hermione, I am so glad you could come. I missed you dear but I know that you have been to visit. I remember you coming and talking to me. The nurse says that happens sometimes. This must be Draco." Mrs. Granger had turned her attention to the visible uncomfortable boy near the door.

"Uh hello Mrs. Granger, pleasure to meet you. Glad to see that you have awaken." He stepped forward to shake her hand but instead she pulled him into a hug. When he was in her embrace she whispered something into his ear so that Hermione wouldn't be able to hear her.

"Thank-you for looking after my daughter Draco." She pulled away and gave him a warm smile. Draco felt possibly shyer then he had before.

Hermione and her mother sat talking for hours about everything that had happened. Hermione explained everything that had happened on the night of the accident including how Draco had helped her. This caused Draco to blush ever lightly. She also informed her mother of Richard's death. This did sadden her mother but was not overly devastating. They talked about the singing competition in which both Hermione and Draco were taking place. The conversation took an unfortunate toll when they because to discuss plans for the holiday.

"Hermione, I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be able to get many gifts this year. We are already close to loosing the house and with the depts. Richard left behind I am worried about any repercussions. Maybe it would be best if you spent the holiday with Ron and Harry. Maybe if I can get the dentist office opened again I can get you something nice next year." Mrs. Granger seemed embarrassed to have to discuss money matter with her daughter.

Soon after Draco dismissed himself for a few moments. Hermione's mother took this time to question her daughter about the handsome boy who had accompanied her to the hospital.

"Mum, he is… amazing. I'm not sure exactly how it happened but it is perfect. Her is ever the gentlemen and very romantic. He took me flying mum and I actually enjoyed it!"

"Really? I thought you hated brooms and flying in general. I remember your first trip in a plane, you cried the whole way." Her mother chuckled at the memory.

"I can't describe it he just makes me feel safe. We had a picnic on the beach and watched the sunset and then we watched the first snow fall from the rooftop of one of the towers. Ron was rather upset at first but Draco talked to him and he apologized for being cross with me." Hermione had a dreamy expression on her face.

"He sounds a lot like your father. He was rather romantic too you know." Draco entered the room once again and all conversation halted. He gave Hermione a questioning glance. She announced that it was probably best for them to get back to school on time. With a final kiss to the cheek Hermione and Draco left the hospital.

Please Review so that I know what people are thinking. It would be greatly appreciated. Next chapter is where the story takes a turn and not for the best.