A/N: I am so so so sorry for the lack of updates over the last week. It had been crazy busy at work, and I also just got back from Florida where my team was competing at the USASF world cheerleading championships! We got 5th, so I have been crazy excited about that. Probably one the best feelings of my life thus far. Anyways, I have written the next THREE chapters for you to make up for it! Thank you so much for all the feedback I have gotten from all you lovely people. An extra big thank you to flower123 and xoxFiFixox who, combined, gave me the ideas for the next two chapters! Hope you enjoy, and again a big apology for the late update.

Chapter 10

I was home. Laying awake in my familiar four poster king-sized bed. Although tonight, the comfort of the Slytherin green and silver silk sheets were not giving me the comfort to fall asleep. Ever since the night that I left Hogwarts, I had been thinking non stop of what I had done to Hermione, and myself. At first it didn't bother me. Taking away her memory had seemed, at the time, the best thing to do. For both our sakes. For the last seven years, we had been raised and bred to be enemies. I had been taught by my family, and dark forces, that her blood was not like mine, that it was dirty. That her life was not as valuable as a pure-blood. I know now that that belief is rubbish. When I looked at her, I saw a beautiful intelligent woman that any man would be lucky to have, and I was not one of those men that would ever find out what it would be like to be with her. Until that night, that fateful night.

That night. I could not stop thinking about it. Sometimes I wish that our roles had been reversed, and that she had been the ones to take away my memory. Too many nights had I dreamt about the look of pleasure on her face. It was haunting me. If I was talking to myself from sixth year, I wouldn't know who I was. Because I had to face it. I was falling in love with the Gryffindor princess, Hermione Granger. Books, brains and all.

The realization hit me the day I saw her in the arms of that git, Krum. AS I watched her gaze at him with adoration, I longed for the days when that look would be because of me. I realized that one night of bliss had changed the way I looked at this girl, this woman. It was true, I loved her.

I glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. 12:06 am. It was Christmas, and just like every other year. He was going to be alone. Although this year was going to be much different. Since the death of my mother last year, there would had been no Malfoy Christmas ball, no giant Christmas tree in the foyer, no presents, and as harsh and unloving as they were at times, no family. For the first time in my entire life, I felt the hot prick of tears in the back of my throat, and I let myself really cry.

I awoke to the sun streaming through the window. The clock said it was well after the appropriate time to get out of bed. Especially on Christmas morning. I wiped the leftover tear stains from my emotional night from my cheeks, and threw my sheets back. I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and my feet moved me towards my enormous wardrobe. I pulled out a pair of sweatpants, and threw on an old cotton tee shirt, and padded out the door and down the stone stairway. It still felt odd to walk around my home in something so casual. If my parents had still been alive, I would be expected to be dressed to the nines, suit tie, and shiny black shoes, just to attend breakfast. I would also be expected to eat with my family in the dining hall. But today I requested a simple cup of black coffee, and the daily prophet to be delivered to me in the sitting room.

I was drowned in the boring news of the prophet when suddenly, Blaise came flying, unannounced through the fireplace in front of me.

"Merry Christmas my friend. I figured you would sulking in this depressing stone house all by yourself, thought I would pay you a much needed visit by the looks of it. You look terrible mate. What happened." Blaise said, speaking much too quickly for most people to register. I have been friends with though for years though, and heard every word he said.

"Merry Christmas to you too Blaise." I replied back, careful to avoid the question of what had put a huge damper on my mood.

"I know you avoided my question on purpose, Draco. But since we're all by ourselves now, and I am your best friend, your going to tell me why you have been in such a foul mood ever since the Yule ball."

Blaise knew about my rendezvous with Miss Iron Knickers, he did not know, although, that I was falling in love with the girl. If I told her about my feelings for her, he would either walk off and never speak to me again or laugh in my face. Or both, knowing Blaise. I just shook my head, signalling him I didn't want to answer his question. I didn't even know if I knew how to answer.

"Come on Draco, it cant be that bad." Blaise pushed.

I just stared at him blankly, then rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. When I looked up at him again I buckled, and said one word. "Granger."

His eyes just got all big in wonderment. "I knew it!" he shouted, "I knew she had some sort of spell on you, damn what happened that night." he got up from where he was sitting and started pacing back and forth across the room, anxious to hear the full story from me, and every feeling that came along with it.

It was out now, he knew, there was no use denying it. I told him everything, knowing that as my best friend, he would try his best not to judge, and understand the predicament I had gotten myself into. I told him all about the night of the ball. How amazing that dress looked on her, the tension between the two of us when we danced, and that spark I felt for the first time that scared the hell out of me. I told him about walking out on her, leaving her standing there alone. The hurt I had caused her. I told him about finding her drunk in our shared dorm, and the events that followed. I didn't get into extreme detail, seeing as how that moment had been something special, and it was shared between us and I wanted to keep it that way. Besides, I think extraneous details would have grossed Blaise out just a little bit. I told him how I erased her memories, so she remembered nothing of that night, and how I had been avoiding her ever since. I told him finally about seeing her embraced with Krum, and realizing last night that I was falling in love with Hermione Granger.

He reacted a lot better than I suspected he would. Blaise listening intently, nodding at all the right moments, gasping and groaning at the right spots, and when I had finished my rant, he just sat there in shock; he said nothing. The deafening silence between us was not helping. I couldn't tell if he was in shock, disgusted, or just thinking to himself.

"There's one more thing to this story," I said softly, causing him to finally look up at me, "we didn't use protection." I stated.

That caused a reaction from him, finally, although not I good one.

"Are you retarded man?" he shouted. I didn't blame him, I knew what I had done was stupid.

"Look Blaise, I was extremely intoxicated, and in the heat of the moment, I know you know what its like to be in that position, I just need to know that whatever happens, I'll have someone to stand behind me, be there for me 100%" I told him, standing up and moving out of the room. Blaise got up and followed suit.

"It's a good thing your father isn't alive to hear this revelation. He would kill Granger, and then probably kill you too. Do you know the kind of consequences your stupid actions could have?" he asked firmly.

I stopped and turned around, "you don't think I know that?" I snapped, sorry for the way I spoke to my best friend, "I'm sorry, this whole situation has me really stressed out." I looked towards the ground in shame.

"Its okay mate, I know this must be al lot to process right now, but I'll be here for you. I promise." he told me giving me a pat on the back.

I nodded my thanks to him and turned on my heel, strolling towards my office. I opened the door and walked towards the enormous fire place, only one of the many that were scattered around the manor.

"Where are you going?" he asked my confused.

"Merry Christmas my friend, I hope you enjoy the rest of the day with your family." I spoke, grabbing a handful of floo powder before stepping inside the fire. I never liked travelling by floo, or even apparating for that matter. That pulling sensation from behind my bellybutton always left me dazed and disoriented.

"That didn't answer my question, where are you running off too?" he asked again, with a hint more frustration in his voice this time.

I just smirked. "Where else do you think I'm going? She needs to know the truth about what I did to her."

And with that I raised my arm full of powder, making sure to speak very clearly when I said my destination. I didn't know exactly that she would be there, but it was the best chance I had.

"The burrow!" I shouted, before quickly disappearing in the green flames.