Author's Note: Ok, you are all going to kill me but thanks to the amazing staff at the UK passport office, I've managed to get my son's passport 8 days before I was meant to which means I'm off to Lebanon tomorrow for 3 weeks. I'll have very limited access to the internet and won't be able to post any new chapters. But I promise you all that I will continue to write the story in between being fed until I can't move by my in-laws.

But look, I'm such a good person, I wrote this chapter especially for you whilst turning my flat upside down packing, then cleaning the mess up and generally chasing my toddler about.

Thank you all so much for your continuing reviews, alerts and favourites. You'll all be rewarded when I return with hopefully the completion of the story.

Chapter 11

McGonagall's Office

Harry knocked on McGonagall's door as soon as the winding staircase stopped. He'd left Dennis under the watchful gaze of both Ron and Neville. He didn't want the news to get out just yet as to who had hexed Pansy. He'd made sure Pansy had no idea and for now she and Ginny were in the common room gossiping. He just hoped they weren't comparing notes about him. The thought made him shudder. McGonagall called for him to enter. "How can I help you Mr Potter?"

Harry looked up into the twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore before straightening his shoulders. "I found out who hurt Pansy Parkinson, Professor."

McGonagall sat up and there was instant silence from all the portraits. She looked at Harry, encouraging him to continue. "It was Dennis Creevey. He told me he did it in revenge for his brother Colin being killed in the final battle."

"And how did he so fortunately come to confide in you all of this Mr Potter?" Snape sneered from his portrait.

Harry faced his former potions professor. Knowing that Severus Snape had loved his mother his whole life and had died to avenge her had made him respect Snape a lot more. Unfortunately, Snape's love of his mother hadn't extended to her son. Harry Potter was too much like his father James for Snape to ever be fond of him.

"He confronted me about my feelings for Pansy. He asked if it was true that we were seeing each other and when I replied that we were he told me that he had attacked her."

Harry saw that the news of his relationship with Pansy had stunned the office except for Dumbledore who was smiling at him with approval. Harry turned to McGonagall, "I think he needs professional help Professor. He is obviously unstable and isn't coping very well with the death of his brother. I think he'd do much better with some time away at St. Mungos."

McGonagall nodded at Harry's assessment. She trusted him to make such a decision especially in light of his surprising relationship with Pansy Parkinson. "I'll have to talk to him of course Mr Potter before referring him to a healer. May I ask where he is?"

"Unfortunately I had to stun him. He was getting increasingly upset and I didn't want him to inflict any more damage. I left him under the care of Ron and Neville."

"That makes sense. If you could please return to your common room and bring him back with you. I do believe it would be best to deal with this tonight."

Harry agreed and left in order to bring Dennis to McGonagall. He was glad that she had accepted his recommendations.

McGonagall leant back in her chair, "Who'd have thought it? Harry Potter and Pansy Parkinson becoming an item. Maybe there is more to your plan than appears Albus."

Dumbledore smiled, "I knew these seventh years wouldn't let us down. Harry and Pansy being able to put last summer behind them really bodes well for the future of the wizarding community."

Snape rolled his eyes. Trust the sappy former Gryffindors to be so happy about this development. He wasn't so thrilled. He needed to go and find Draco. He was sure his Godson wasn't aware that the girl he viewed as his sister was dating his least favourite student.

Slytherin Common Room

Blaise was deep in thought. Despite his flippant attitude in front of Ginny earlier, he was keen on helping Draco get his girl as much as he could. He knew how lonely Draco was deep down. His family life had been ripped apart by the second coming of Voldemort and now his father was in Azkaban and his mother was a shell of her former self. The pressure of restoring the Malfoy family name was firmly on Draco's shoulders and this automatically singled him out from other pureblood families who weren't so closely connected to the Dark Lord. Blaise looked over at the curly haired witch doing her essay by the fire. Draco could do with someone like Hermione by his side. She was smart, dedicated and loved with a passion. Anyone could see that from the loyalty she gave her friends. Draco would benefit so much from having that much faith put in him but how to bring it about?

Hermione could feel someone boring a hole in the back of her head. At first she'd thought it was Blaise but apart from a brief look at her he went back to contemplating whatever he was and staring into the fire. She looked around the common room and spotted the source of her discomfort. Malcolm Baddock. He smirked at her before flexing his fingers. She felt her throat tingle as she remembered the sensation of them wrapped around her throat. He really was a creepy little git.

Draco walked into the common room and sized up the situation at once. He'd been perfectly serious with Snape earlier that day when he said he wanted to lull Baddock into a false sense of security. His revenge would be so much more powerful if it was unsuspecting. It would also serve as a lesson to any other pretenders that Draco Malfoy was not someone to mess with. So all Draco did for now was glare at Baddock before sitting next to Hermione and putting his arm protectively around the back of the sofa, resting his hand on her nape.

"What do you think you're doing," she hissed at him

"What do you think I'm doing? Making it look as if we're an item."

"Why?"

"Because as our knuckleheaded friends," Draco scornfully nodded towards Blaise, "thought it was such a good idea to wrap you in my scarf at the match, the rest of the Slytherins think we're dating each other."

"Why not just tell them the truth that we were set up and it was all a joke?"

"Because my sweet Hermione, it's safer if the Slytherins think we are dating."

Hermione scoffed, "Yeah because that worked out so well yesterday."

Draco scowled at her. Why couldn't she, just for once, go with him on this? Why did she have to fight him every inch of the way? "Yesterday happened because you wandered off alone giving Baddock a chance. That's not going to happen again."

Hermione shivered as she thought about how helpless she'd be and how lucky it was that Draco had happened upon her when he did. He felt her shiver, wrapped his arm about her, "Hey, there's no need to worry. I won't let him touch you again ok."

She nodded at him, "I just need you to trust me a little bit Hermione. I know that's hard for you to do and that you can look after yourself but you don't understand the Slytherins or how they think. I do."

Hermione hated to let go of the reins but Draco made sense. He was after all the Slytherin Prince and if anyone could protect her in this situation it was him. "I trust you Draco, what do you need me to do?"

"Try not to tense up as soon as you see me. I will have to touch you so relax and not make it seem as if you need to rush off to disinfect yourself straight away."

"Ha bloody ha Malfoy. You were the one obsessed with blood and germs." She leant against him, resting her head on his shoulder, "How is this?"

"An O for outstanding as usual Miss Granger," he teased.

Theo waltzed in and sat down, "I see the Malfoy charm is functioning perfectly well. I had higher hopes for you Hermione. I expected you to at least give Draco a run for his money."

Blaise laughed, "They're sickening. I think you and Daphne may be about to lose your title as most disgustingly loved up couple in Hogwarts."

Hermione blushed, "For your information Theodore, this isn't how it looks. We're just pretending to be a couple, mainly because of that idiot over there." She pointed to Blaise.

"I ask again, how is this my fault? Why doesn't Pansy or Ginny ever get any blame?"

"Because they aren't here to witness my shame and you are," Hermione said sticking her tongue out at him.

"Real mature Granger. Draco, I see you've got yourself a keeper." Blaise drawled sarcastically.

"She's seen through your lame act Blaise which makes her a keeper in my eyes." Draco retorted.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I've had about as much Slytherin charm as I can take. I'm going to bed." As she got up to walk away, Draco caught her hand and tugged her back.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

"You aren't really going to make me kiss you are you?"

"You didn't have a problem giving me a goodnight kiss yesterday."

Hermione huffed, leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. "Is that the best you can do? That has to be D for Dreadful which has to be a first for you Granger."

"It's an D I can live with perfectly happily. Now let go of my hand."

Draco laughed at her, "Not until I've done this," and pulled her back down for a proper kiss. Hermione's breath caught in her chest as his soft lips moved against hers and she melted against him for a brief moment, opening her mouth when his tongue demanded entrance. Then she realised where she was, pulled back and glared at him angrily.

"I can't believe you just did that Malfoy," she hissed at him

"I have standards. No-one would really believe I'd accept a goodnight kiss on the cheek."

"You're lucky I don't hex you here and now," retorted Hermione before storming from the common room, her cheeks stained bright red.

Draco leant back into the cushions smugly. He was determined to use this situation to his advantage and that meant kissing Hermione regularly until she gave in to the chemistry between them.

Theo coughed and smirked at the Blond. "Try not to be too pleased with yourself Draco."

Gryffindor Common Room

Harry, Ron and Neville had managed to get Dennis out of the common room and up to McGonagall without anyone noticing there was anything wrong with the fifth year. They had left him with McGonagall who had already contacted St. Mungos. They were a solemn bunch as they made their way back to the common room. Dennis' plight had affected them all. Made them realise once more that all the death and destruction they had seen was still playing a role in their lives. Pansy ran over to Harry as soon as he climbed through the portrait hole. "Is everything ok?"

Harry sighed, he didn't want to bring any more trouble into Pansy's life but she had the right to know who it was who'd put her in the infirmary ward.

"Come and take a walk with me."

Pansy smiled and held Harry's hand. She could tell he was troubled about something and didn't want to add to his burden by questioning him incessantly. They walked through the deserted Hogwarts corridors. Harry pulled Pansy in close for a hug. The thought of losing her now was unbearable. He couldn't believe that just last month he'd been so blasé about her safety.

"I found out who cursed you tonight." Harry stated matter of factly.

Pansy's heart missed a beat and leapt. She felt herself shake. She didn't want to appear weak but she'd tried her hardest to put that night out of her mind. She didn't want to think that there was someone out there who hated her that much. "Who was it?" she asked quietly.

"It was Dennis Creevey, you know Colin Creevey's little brother. He was angry about the death of his brother and blamed you because you happened to be in Slytherin and well because of what you said that night." Harry hated to remind Pansy of that and his heart broke when he saw her dip her head in shame. "Hey, you know I don't blame you for what you said."

Pansy felt tears well up in her eyes, she was so ashamed of her actions back in the summer especially now she'd come to care so much for the boy she'd wanted to hand over to that evil prick Voldemort. She disentangled her hand from Harry's and moved away from him. "How can you forgive me so easily?"

Harry grasped her shoulders and turned her back round to face him. He put a finger under her chin and tilted it up forcing her to look at him. "You did something stupid and you admitted it. You aren't an evil person Pansy, you were scared. I know how it is to be scared and I know what it is like to have caused someone's death which is so much worse that what you did. For me there is nothing to forgive. I care for you and I never want you to doubt my feelings again."

Pansy sobbed as she hugged Harry fiercely. "I don't deserve you."

"You deserve more than me," Harry said pulling her up onto her tip-toes for a passionate kiss. His past feelings for Cho Chang and even Ginny paled in comparison to what he felt for Pansy. Now he needed to make her see it.

Ten minutes later, a thoroughly kissed Pansy asked "What's going to happen to Dennis?"

"McGonagall has sent him to St. Mungos to receive counselling. She will make sure that receives all the help he needs to get back on his feet."

Pansy nodded "I'm glad. This war has destroyed too many lives."

Slytherin Girls Dorm

Hermione pressed her hands against her burning cheeks. She couldn't believe that Malfoy has just done that. He sure can kiss the annoying little voice in her head said at least you get that benefit whilst pretending to date him. Shut up shut up shut up she chanted to herself.

"But Draco kisses so well. Why can't we allow ourselves to enjoy it?" Hermione asked.

"You do not think about him that way, you cannot have feelings for him, I won't allow it," Granger retorted.

"You're no fun. What's the harm in playing along with his game especially with perks like that?" Hermione responded

"Because it's Malfoy, he's an annoying ferret who made our life hell." Granger said

"But at least he's a sexy annoying ferret who appears to want to kiss us and kiss us incredibly well." Hermione pointed out

"When did you turn into such a pathetic little fan girl?" Granger mocked

"Since he gave us the best damn kiss we've ever experienced and I want more. Come on, live a little. What's the worse that could happen?" Hermione asked.

"NO! Stop it and go away." Granger shouted

Daphne peered into the room, "Are you ok Hermione? I heard you shouting?"

"Er yeah, fine. Just thinking out loud," she answered trying to not blush too much.

Daphne gave her a weird look and went back into the bathroom.

Hermione groaned and shoved her pillow over her face. Great now her internal dialogue was external for the whole of Slytherin house to hear. "Stupid evil Malfoy," Granger said.

"Mmmmm sexy yummy Draco," Hermione responded.

AN: I hope that makes all of you nagging for a proper Dramione kiss happy. Please review, it'll cheer me up as I have a 5 hour flight with a 20 month old hyperactive boy to look forward too.

Oh if any of you wonder where I got my crazy internal dialogue for Hermione from, then read Georgette Heyer's the Quiet Gentleman or any of her books in general because they are amazing.