A/N: I am dreadfully sorry for the amount of time between updates. This school year has kept me busier than I've ever imagined. Don't even begin to worry, because I am going to finish this story. I have endless plans for it, and I plan to fullfill them.

I did have some trouble writing this chapter. I couldn't quite figure how to end it. But I came up with an ending and I hope you enjoy it!

Mon Amante

Chapter 11

Frustrations

She found herself at the library. Again.

Everything had grabbed her attention, she knew too much to back out now. The situation with Abby had grown into something more. It grew into Hermione's personal business. Since she first stuck her nose into it, it immediately became something she also had to deal with.

She was frustrated. For the first time.

She had tried many times to get in a few minutes with Abby, hoping to get some sort of information that could help her. Of course, Abby was being more stubborn now than ever. It was getting tiring. Abby surely wasn't going to say anything. Nothing she said or did made Abby say anything. She hadn't even gotten a hello from her.

How pathetic. It wasn't even her business.

- -

She knocked yet again, silently hoping someone would answer. At the moment, anyone was fine.

She perked up a few moments later. Someone was coming to open the door.

"Drac-Oh. Blaise," She trailed off quietly.

Blaise jabbed his finger towards the middle of the room. "He's in there."

Hermione just nodded, walking into Draco's room.

She took a good look around before announcing herself. "Draco."

He turned slowly, his eyebrows shooting up into his hair line. "Granger, were you invited?"

Hermione shook her head. "I just needed to have a word with you."

"You've overstayed your welcome, then," Draco said, motioning for her to sit.

She sat down, starting to regret her decision to be here in the first place. "I've found a few things that I'm sure you'll be interested in."

He nodded for her to continue.

"You know how you asked about my research on our portrait the other night?" Hermione explained. "A few nights ago, the portrait transformed into something going on in the castle."

"Transformed?" He blinked a few times. "Explain that, Granger."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I have my proof. Quiet, or I won't be letting you in on this. Understood?" She warned him carefully, handing him a scroll of parchment.

Draco read a few lines before looking up. "What exactly did you see that is so important?"

"Well, that doesn't concern you."

"Granger, from the looks of these notes, you've made it your job to concern me," He told her.

"Don't read too much into it, Draco. I'm just asking for your help on something," Hermione stated.

"That's obviously not the case. Now, share with me whatever it is your hiding."

She shook her head stubbornly. "This isn't gentlemen behavior, Draco. Surely someone like yourself would know not to pry into a woman's business."

"And these compliments, Granger, where do you keep them? I think I'd like to borrow a few."

"Tremendously funny," said Hermione. "Real witty."

"On with it, Granger. I'd like an explanation."

She didn't want to be spreading word of this right inside their dorm. Knowing her luck, Abby would come in the moment she began explaining to Draco. Of course, Draco wouldn't agree without an explanation. She sighed dejectedly, giving in. She wasn't going to get any farther without explaining herself. "The other night, during our tutoring session, Abby's father interrupted. Abby was dreadfully terrified, almost refusing to greet him. When she finally agreed, Abby's father disappeared with her. McGonagall and I found her underneath an alcove on the seventh floor."

"That's what the portrait transformed into?" He asked.

Hermione nodded. "I just feel as if it's my fault. I was the one who persuaded her to meet her father. Now, I'm trying to find out some background on the situation."

Draco shook his head disbelievingly. "You are quite a catch, Granger."

"Will you help?" Hermione asked tiredly. She was here longer than she had planned.

"Fine, fine," He muttered. "I have noticed that Abby has been a little off. I'm a bit curious myself."

"That's the spirit," Hermione chided, snatching the papers from Draco's hand. "Meet me at the library tomorrow. Sometime around noon. There's a lot to be done."

"Lovely, my favorite place." He muttered sarcastically at her retreating back.

- -

Hermione pulled a few scrolls of parchment out of her bag, placing them on the table. "I want to find out a few things about Abby. I haven't really been able to speak with her, and I was hoping you could pick up the slack."

"Is it going to be off the record?" He questioned, gesturing towards her quill and parchment.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine. I won't write on the parchment. Now will you behave?"

"Have I been doing otherwise?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, handing the quill and parchment to Draco. "Speak."

He sighed, scratching his neck awkwardly. He didn't really know where to begin. "Well, Abby's parent's have known mine longer than I can remember. My first memory of her was with Blaise; our parent's would leave us with some sort of nanny for the day, while they went off on their own. I don't really know her father, he didn't really socialize himself much with my fa-" He jumped slightly at the sight of the quill scribbling notes on the parchment. "-bloody hell Granger. I thought you weren't going to be documenting this!"

Hermione laughed quietly. "I told you I wouldn't write on the parchment. My hand is nowhere near that quill."

Draco muttered the incantation and the quill stopped suddenly, dropping onto the table. "You shouldn't be playing jokes on the one supplying the information."

"Do you take me as some sort of boring person?" Hermione asked him.

He blinked a few times, staring at her pointedly. "I'm biting my tongue. I'm almost positive you don't want to hear what I've got to say."

"I don't want to hear about your play-dates. I want to know about Abby's father and how he got into the castle," Hermione explained. She giggled quietly. "Oh don't be an old sod. It was brilliant, you've got to admit."

Draco groaned. "I have better things to do, Granger."

Hermione calmed down a bit, clearing her throat. "Just let me know about her father."

He shook his head. Right now he could be out with Blaise on the Quidditch field. He still wondered why he didn't skip this interview for that. "Do I look like I spend time with that girl's parents? I can barely stand Abby herself, I can only imagine her parents."

"Abby isn't all bad, as weird as it sounds coming from my mouth. I'm sure you can handle her parents." Hermione looked a bit surprised at her own words.

He hissed angrily. "It takes two to create that...that thing. Her parents must feel horrible being held responsible for her creation." He was in no mood to be questioned by Granger, Sunday of all days. He wished Longbottom was in the vicinity, he needed a punching bag.

"Draco, that was terrible!" Hermione scolded him quietly, her eyes darting to the tables around them. "Whatever you have against Abby, you drop it this moment. I am going to help this girl, and I need your cooperation. Your decision to badmouth her will not stop me." Her mouth formed a thin line as she shook her head angrily.

"Granger, there's another motive behind your investigation," He told her, eyeing her carefully. She's never this passionate over something without an ulterior motive. "Something's gotten underneath your skin."

Hermione scoffed. He thought she would tell him? "That's not for you to know."

"Oh, isn't it? Tell me Granger, why else would I be sitting here?"

He should be asking himself that, she couldn't even believe she got him to meet her here in the first place. "You can't breathe a word of this."

He saluted her, taking a gulp of air.

Hermione rolled her eyes. She was beginning to question why she had asked him to help. It didn't seem like a productive idea at the moment. "I have a feeling Abby's being abused."

His eyes bugged out as he slowly released the air he was holding. "Abused? Granger, that girl would Avada herself before she let anyone touch her."

She knew that. "A family member can make all the difference between defending yourself or giving in."

The pieces were starting to fit together now. Finally, a full story. He was starting to wonder if Granger even wanted his help. She hadn't told him anything understandable until this moment.

"And how exactly did you think I would be able to help?" He questioned her.

"Oh, please Draco. You just gave me your entire background. Don't think you're getting out of this by feigning stupidity," Hermione told him, grabbing her enchanted quill and parchment.

"Feigning stupidity? I could have sworn it was genuine from the look on your face," He stated seriously.

Hermione nodded. "It is at times."

"The compliments, Granger. My ego is just beaming with pride."

It probably was.

She rolled her eyes, gathering her things quickly. "Draco, will you just do me this one favor and speak to her? She'll listen to you more than me. For God's sakes, Draco, you've seen her in her knickers."

"I'll see what I can do."

Hermione turned around. "It's just this one favor. I've never asked for anything from you. Don't see what you can do, just do it. This isn't an observation project."

"Alright then, Granger. If you're going to be difficult, I'll do what I can do. The rest is up to you." He left quickly.

She was frustrated. Again.

Again, I'm sorry. But, please, a small review expressing your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Look forward to another update soon!