A/N

Hi! I'm back from my exam break! This is the chapter where Draco begins to realise his feelings! Yay! Otherwise, it doesn't have much stuff going on but I'm gonna try and upload another one in the next few days, so yeah.

Let me know if you see any grammatical errors, and please review!

Chapter 10

He couldn't disapparate straight out of the ministry, or the disapparition monitors would see that he was leaving with Granger. And if Potter and Weasley were in charge of monitors today, he'd have a lot of explaining to do. So he flew straight to the exit, holding an already sleeping Granger in front of him. He was trying as hard as he could to hold her securely. It was quite a task though, because she kept twisting and turning in his arms while he was trying to stay high above everyone.

As soon as they landed outside, he spun on the spot and disapparated to the apartment, holding the Granger and the broom tightly,

Draco appeared in the living room, losing his balance slightly with the way his arms were wrapped around Granger. She was moving even more now, after the uncomfortable sensation of apparating. She was also mumbling quietly. He let go of his broom and slowly lowered her onto her sofa, covering her with a blanket before going to get a glass of water from the kitchen.

'Granger. Open up.'

He managed to coax her mouth open, and sat her up slightly as he poured water into her mouth. After she finished the glass he gently lowered back into a comfortable sleeping position. Soon her mumbling stopped and her breathing evened out.

He sat on the floor next to the sofa, watching her. Making sure she was alright. He was worried about her. Obviously it was because she was his partner, and therefore it was natural for him to be this worried.

Suddenly she shuddered. Draco instantly stood up.

'Don't hurt me again.' she whispered.

'I'm not going to, Granger. It's me, Malfoy.' He tried to make her hear him. Let her know she was safe.

She didn't hear him.

'Please don't. Please Nott.'

Draco's blood ran cold. Nott? But they had captured the elder Nott. And it couldn't have been Theo. It just couldn't. He trusted Theo. He was his friend. No. Granger had said the wrong name. He had to ask her.

'Granger?'

She carried on murmuring Theo's last name. He knelt down next to her and gently shook her.

'Granger. Wake up.'

Her eyes opened a fraction, and she slowly sat up, curling her legs underneath her.

'Malfoy?'

He sat down on the sofa next to her.

'I found you collapsed in the ministry. In a deep, dark, unused corridor. What were you doing there?'

'Nothing.'

'Well it was evidently something.'

She didn't reply.

'Granger. Tell me. I'm here to help you. Were you attacked today again?'

She shook her head.

'Then why were you there?'

No reply.

'Fine. I just have to ask you something.'

She shrugged.

'Was your attacker Theo?'

She suddenly looked up at him, fear in her eyes.

'Theo? You call him Theo? You're friends? Oh Merlin, you're in it with him aren't you? I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!' She began hyperventilating and attempted to get off the sofa, but she got herself tangled in the blanket.

'Let me go!' she screamed. She tried punching him but he caught her wrist before it hit her. Unfortunately, he didn't notice the wrist aiming for his stomach. He made a small grunt as she winded him, but carried on trying to pin her down. He should've known she was easily scared right now.

'Granger! Calm down! What in Merlin's name is wrong with you?!'

He finally succeeded in controlling her flailing limbs.

'Leave me alone! Don't hurt me! Please!' she cried out, sobbing.

'I'm not going to hurt you.' He told her reassuringly. He slowly got off the sofa and threw his wand to the other side of the room.

'See? Not going to hurt you.'

She seemed to slowly come to her senses, realising who he was.

'Granger. Tell me something.' This was a phrase he seemed to be saying quite a bit recently. 'Was your attacker Theodore Nott?'

She said nothing. He walked over and sat beside her on the sofa. She looked so weary. Must be tired. Don't blame her, to be honest. He had given up on waiting for a response when he saw a slight nod.

Draco couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it. He refused. Even if it explained her reaction to the name Theo, he still didn't believe it. It must've been another Theo.

'You must have seen wrong.'

'It was definitely him.' she said quietly.

'No. Theo wouldn't-'

She sighed. 'Look. If you don't want to believe me, don't. But I saw Th- Theodo- I saw him, okay?'

'No.'

'Look in a pensieve then.'

'Fine.'

Draco walked across the room, picked up his wand, and summoned Hermione's pensieve. The small basin came flying towards him. He was sure he would see someone else, who Granger had mistaken for Theo. He was sure of it.

She shut her eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled out a silvery strand from her temple.

'Here.' she whispered.

Next chapter coming soon! I'll try and make it long!

Until then,

AK ;)