Author's Note: Hi guys. We're back for another chapter. Sorry about not posting in two weeks. We promise it won't become a habit. Thank you again to all our readers who stuck with us for 10 chapters. It means alot to us and makes us feel really happy.

A man stood in the shadows. Not a single feature on his face could be seen in the darkness.

"Come here."

Shapes loomed around him as he walked closer and closer to the voice.

"Stop." A voice sounded. It had no shape or form. If one were to grab it, it would only evaporate like mist. But even so, you could still feel the power and menace once it reached your ears.

The man jerked back and froze. "Let me see your mind." the voice commanded.

The man was thrown to his knees.

"Have you gone soft?" the voice spat.

"No, your lordship, never," the man hurried to answer.

"Then, why have you not succeeded?"

The voiced boomed across the darkened forest. Birds, bats, any living thing dared not to be in its presence. The man watched as hundreds of birds flew above him, away from their place of rendezvous.

"I- I-" The man stuttered and another wave of pain overcame him.

"No, do not answer it. Finish the task. Find the stone. And you shall be forgiven."

The man stood up and bowed. "Yes, my lord. You are generous, I am not worthy of your kindness. I failed you. I will not fail you again."

He turned to leave.

But the voice hissed for one last time, and the words hung in the air, "Kill the girl."

Hermione walked down the corridor, her face almost glowed with happiness. It had been a week since the Yule Ball. A week since the magical kiss that had brought Hermione and Ron back together. It was as if it had never ended, that the conflict and break up between the two had never happened. They would walk in the halls, hand in hand. They would sit next to each other in class, apart from during Defence Against the Dark Art, where they had to sit with their partners, study together, eat together, and do almost everything together. The Halloween holidays were inching nearer and nearer, and Hermione couldn't wait for the break, where she would go back to the Burrow to tell Molly and Arthur Weasley the good news.

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but I have go to. Quidditch, they're pretty strict on this kind of stuff. If I'm late by a single minute, they'll make me do five laps around the field."

Hermione pursed her lips, she hated that she had become so clingy, so desperate like the other girls whom she had despised and regarded with disrespect. But love seemed to make her turn into a puppy of some sort, like the one she had owned when she was a child- blind with love, and too eager to please.

She calmed herself by taking a deep breath. "No, that's ok. I understand. I'll see you at dinner."

He left with a goodbye kiss on the forehead.

"Do you love him?" a voice said behind Hermione.

Hermione jumped. She had been so deep in thought.

"Yes, I think so."

Ginny cocked her head to the side. "You think so? Love's not to be toyed with. You of all people should know that. Are you sure you're doing the right thing?"

"What do you mean?"
"Well, sorry if I'm being blunt here, but is Ron really the right guy for you?"

"Of course he is. I mean, who else could there be?" Hermione asked. If only there were textbooks that you could study that taught you about love.

"Sometimes it's hard to know what love is, to understand it. It's not really something you can describe. It just… is. When you're in love with someone, you will know."

"Is that how you felt, how you feel, with Harry?"

"Yes. I guess so. First I just admired him. After a while, it grew into something bigger."

"Love?"
"I guess. Is that how you feel… with my brother?"
"I- I'm not sure."

Ginny gave her a look, a look that Hermione could not read.

"Ok, this is going to sound so cheesy, but I think that, at times like this… you should just go with your heart."

As Hermione hurried to the library, Pansy brushed past her shoulder, a little too hard for it to be an accident.

"Hey," Hermione yelled. "What was that for?"

But she had already disappeared behind the sea of students.

"Granger."

Hermione didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Hello, Malfoy."

"Good to see you, too. You know, it's a little rude talking to someone with your head buried in a book."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Too many people had used that saying on her.

She looked up, acting like it took a lot of effort.

"What do you want?"

"That night, at the Yule Ball. What happened?"
Hermione was confused. "What happened?" Then she realised and blushed. "Oh… that. It's really none of your business, Malfoy. Do you always go around snooping into other people's love lives?"

Draco smirked, though it was a little less smug than usual. "No, only for you."

"Shouldn't you be congratulating me? I did it! I got him back."

"I- I just don't think it's right. I don't think he's right for you."

"God, why does everyone keep saying that to me nowadays? Can't they just be happy for me for once?"
"Hermione- stop, you're speaking too loudly."

"And besides, if you can only blame yourself for what happened to Ron and I. It all wouldn't have happened if you hadn't abandoned me and gone off doing Merlin knows what. Probably chatting up the prettier girls. So thank you for that, Malfoy, I really appreciate it."

Draco closed his eyes and took a breath.

"What? Now you're too lazy to even look at me? Just admit it, you're jealous that Ron and I have a relationship that you will ever be able to have. You know why? Because you are a-"

"He died."

"What? Who?"
"My father. That's why I wasn't there. He's dead."

Hermione's eyes widened and when she looked into Draco's eyes, she saw a sadness that she hadn't noticed until now.

"Le-let's talk about this in the common room."

Not a single word was exchanged as they walked up to the Head common room. Hermione gave Draco a few quick glances, while internally chiding herself. How had she not realised that something was up with Draco? How had she not noticed when Draco was called to McGonagall, that day in the library? Well, now she remembered, but it was no use now. The damage had already been done. Hermione could see the hurt in Draco's eyes, as much as he tried to look away.

As soon as they walked into the room, none of them sat down. The Heads stood face to face, eye to eye. Hermione leaned in and pulled Draco into an embrace. "I'm so sorry. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have said those things to you." She pulled away.

"Oh Granger, that's the dumbest apology I've ever heard. Of course no one would've said those things knowing that their bloody father was dead. Besides, there's no point being sorry when it's not your fault."

"Oh shut up, Draco," Hermione said lightly with a hint of endearance. "Just stop being a smart ass for once."

She looked at him intensely. "Are you alright?"

Draco thought for a moment. "Of course I'm not alright. My father is dead."

He repeated the words with a choked-back sob. "My father is dead."

Draco began to chant the words, each time as if he had just begun to process it. Draco blinked. "And don't even feel as sad as I should."
"It's ok to cry," Hermione whispered. "No one will judge you here."

And Draco let out a silent cry as the tears fell. One tear at a time. The scene was so agonizing and painful that Hermione's hairs stood on end. After what what seemed like years, Draco fell to the ground, and so did she. They sat there, him weeping and her comforting him.

Ginny and Blaise were patrolling, part of a prefect's duty. They were patrolling the border of the Forbidden Forest. It was a boring task- walking back and forth at the same trees each time, nothing much usually happened during patrol. Aside from Blaise's constant flirting with Ginny, which she did not appreciate.

"So, Weaslette, meet me at the lake tomorrow during lunch." Blaise said in an offhanded way.

"What makes you think I want to have lunch with you?" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"So you want to do something else."

"I don't think you understand-"

"Oh, don't worry I understand. You want to have a make-out session with me under the branches of a tree."

"Stop! I already have a boyfriend, I've told you that so many times. There is no way in a million years that I will make-out with you, even if you were the last person on earth." Ginny was fuming.

"Ahh… Fiery. I like it," said Blaise, nonplussed by Ginny's indignation.

If Ginny wasn't outraged before she definitely was now. Her fists clenched tightly together, some people could not take a hint. Must tell Hermione to change my patrol schedule.

"If you're planning on getting your schedule changed, I'll warn you that Draco is my friend and I'll just make mine the same time as yours again." Blaise winked at her.

"Urgh," Ginny sighed. It would be hours until she was freed from patrol. A few hours before Blaise would finally get off her back.

Blaise gripped Ginny's arm, making her wince.

"Stop touching me Blaise, how many times do I have to tell you-"

"No, look," Blaise's stubby finger pointed at a spot on the edge of the forest, a few trees down.

A large figure was stumbling out of the Forbidden Forest, before collapsing and falling unconscious on the ground.

Ginny put her hands to her mouth. "Merlin's beard is that-"

"Hagrid?" Blaise said. "I think so."

The two ran towards the body, which was now sprawled across the ground, among twigs.

Ginny turned the man's head to face her. "Yeah, that's definitely Hagrid, all right. And he doesn't look good." She checked his pulse. "Thank goodness, he's still alive.

Blaise nodded. "He won't be if we don't take him to Hogwarts soon. Here, you help me lift him up, we'll both carry him to the castle."

Hermione dashed to the hospital wing, to find Ginny, Ron and Harry already by the hospital bed where the half giant lay.

"Hagrid," Hermione exclaimed with relief. She dropped her heavy bag of books on the floor and took her place beside Ron.

Hagrid tried to sit up, but even that seemed to strain him. Harry helped him rest his head back down on the bed again. "Don't worry Hagrid, don't strain yourself too much. You need to rest."

"It's ok Harry. I'll do just fine thank you very much. I'll just talk to Hermione over 'ere and I'll go back to bed, as the doctor ordered."

Hermione smiled. "Hagrid, you're ok."

"Aah, yes, apparently so. It's good to see that you're ok."

"What happened to you all these months?"
"I'm not sure. It's all a haze to me. I was just walking around with Fang, looking for you, when I suddenly felt a strange wave of sleepiness. Then, before I knew it, I was out like a light. Luckily Fang here was able to run away before the wave hit. I think he's somewhere in the forest, I'll look for him once I'm meself again."

"That's exactly what happened to me," Hermione said. "I'm so sorry to see you like this. This is all my fault."
"No, don't worry, Hermione. Don't blame yourself. I think I needed rest anyway, I'm not getting any younger."
"But not a few months rest! I truly am sorry, Hagrid."
"Don't worry kid, I'm just glad that you're alive, that's all." Hagrid paused, and at the moment, Hermione could swear she saw a green flash of light in his eyes, before it flickered away. She blinked. It had probably been just a trick of light.

"Oh yeah, Hermione. I'd like to invite you three to me house sometime soon, maybe after the Halloween holidays. Bring along your friend Draco too, I don't mind that kid."

Hermione smiled, perhaps this way she could make up for her unneeded comments the other day. "Ok, I'll make sure to do that," she ignored the strange look Ron was giving her.

The lake was a stunning blue and only one person chose to spend their afternoon enjoying it. Well, that was until another that joined. Pansy was leaning against the trunk of a tree when Blaise walked over.

"Hello Pansy, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing much."

"I know you're lying, so don't think you're of the hook. But there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Yes?" Pansy eyed him warily.

"Should I take up a challenge from Potter?"

"What challenge?"

"Oh nothing, it's just that Weaslette is pretty attractive."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"So now that I've opened up, and thanks for your advice by the way, that was really considerate of you, really, why don't you tell me what you're really doing, sitting here by this beautiful lake on your own?"

"Planning." Pansy replied.

"Oh, trying to get a certain blond a girlfriend now are you?" Blaise smiled as he nudged Pansy.

Pansy smirked. "Maybe."

"I have a feeling that the girlfriend's not you."

Pansy rubbed her eyes. "I have long since given up on that prospectprospect."

"Do you still have feelings for him?"
Pansy blushed. "I only love him as a friend now, and I want the best for him. I know a perfect girl for him, but both of them are so stupid they can't even notice how perfect they are for each other."

Blaise nodded. "I think I know who you're talking about, and I totally agree."

"Too bad they're both too stubborn to admit it."

The Halloween holidays flew by quite uneventfully. Hermione and Harry stayed at the Burrow. As soon as they arrived at the door, Molly Weasley walked straight up to Ron and slapped him hard in the face. She then grabbed a tuft of his hair and pulled him behind a creaky door, before slamming it shut. Muffled shouts could be heard from the kitchen.

"How dare you? How can I call you my son when you go out and hurt dear Hermione like that? She's too good for you…"

And it went on and on like that until it was dinner, although it seemed that Molly still hadn't let it go.

Hermione smiled. "It's ok, Molly. I forgive him."

Molly dropped her fork. "Honestly, Hermione, such a nice girl like you deserves someone much better than my idiot son, whose brain seems to have fallen out after the war."

Arthur quickly interrupted, noticing the tension in the room. "Happy Halloween, everybody."

And so the festivities begun. Hermione would walk with Ron every morning around the Burrow, and they would talk between kisses, and during the day they would pass the time enjoying each other's company, before going to bed- when Hermione wondered if Draco was asleep yet. When did he sleep anyway? Does he get enough sleep? Hermione grabbed a piece of parchment out and a quill, thinking about writing a letter to him, to ask how he was going, with the grief of his father's death on his shoulders, but she decided against it. Hermione would be seeing him in a week anyway, and she could ask how he was going then.

School came again. During her first class, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Hermione found Draco oddly distant. She couldn't help but worry for him.

"Draco, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, whatever."

"Look, if you don't want to go to Hagrid's tonight, it's totally fine. Honestly. I know that you guys didn't really get along back in the day, but Hagrid's a really nice guy and he doesn't hold anything against you, and his rock cakes are really not that better- they aren't as hard anymore, well sort of. It will be lots of fun, promise and-"

"Stop rambling on like an idiot, Hermione. It's fine. I'll come with you to Hagrid's. Geez, you can be such a worrier sometimes."

Hermione sighed. "Are you sure you're ok, Draco? Your cheeks look a little more sunken. Have you been eating enough? Getting enough sleep?

Draco groaned. "For Merlin's sake, get off my back. You're beginning to sound a lot like my mum."

The sun was just beginning to set, as Hermione, Draco, Ginny, Harry and Ron all walked together to Hagrid's hut. They were getting along just fine, laughing with each other about school and what had happened during the holidays and before they knew it, they were at the door. Harry knocked and called Hagrid's name.

The door was opened almost immediately and the fivesome entered. The hut was covered with dust from the owner's absence for the past few months, but other than that, the hut was just like always.

"Come, take a seat guys."

They sat on the five stools that were set around a small table. Hermione and Draco sat down next to each other. Ron was not pleased when Hagrid squished himself beside Hermione, forcing Ron to sit next to Draco. He sat down with not the slightest smile on his face.

"So guys," Hagrid swung his arms in the air. His wooden chair creaked against his weight. "How have your holidays been?"
There were a few mumbles.

"We all, minus Draco, stayed at the Burrow, it felt empty without the other Weasleys, but Molly and Arthur were there," Harry started.

"The food was really, really great," Ron added.

Hagrid nodded. "Ahh, that's good. Oh, I almost forgot, you all want some rock cakes?"
Hermione nudged Draco with her elbow. "His rock cakes are famous among wizards," she whispered in his ear.

To which he whisper back. "Oh really? And do these wizards have many teeth?"

Hermione giggled. She saw Ron in the corner of her eye, who looked not all too happy.

"Have a rock cake, Draco. They're really delicious," Ron said, picking up a rock cake and throwing it on Draco's plate.

Draco cocked his eyebrow. "I've heard," he popped it into his mouth and began chewing, a difficult task. "Mm…. you're right, these really are quite delicious." Draco took it out of his mouth and placed it back on his plate, the cake still in one piece. "It's so delicious I might just save some for later."

Hermione laughed. "Would you like me to eat that for you, Draco?"
"No it's fine. And besides, my saliva is all over it. We wouldn't want your boyfriend over here to get even more red, would we?"

Hermione choked back a chuckle. Ron was becoming rather red.

Hagrid chewed his sixth rock cake. "So… Draco. How's your dad? I still don't agree with all that Azkaban business, I've been in there before. I don't think that your father deserved that, even after he supported You-Know-Who. He's a good man."

Draco's face bleached white as Hermione chided herself for not thinking to warn Hagrid earlier. She gripped Draco's arm, which was now shaking, as his face turned ghost-white.

Hermione changed the topic. "Hm… how about we recap Hagrid on what'd happened while he was unconscious?"

Ginny, catching on, agreed. "Oh yeah, there was the Yule Ball," and she began ranting about the night, and how amazing it had been. During her rant, Draco turned to face Hermione, and mouthed the words "thank you", which Hermione knew he'd really meant.

Hermione mouthed the words back "you ok?", to which Draco nodded.

"Here, you've got a crumb of rock cake near your mouth."

Draco feigned surprise. "Really? I didn't think I broke a single piece of that thing."

Hermione laughed and brushed the crumb off his face, her finger just touching his cherry-red lips. The air seemed to become hotter, for some weird reason, and Hermione quickly turned away and joined in the conversation about the Yule Ball. She could feel her cheeks burning up and willed for it to cool down.

After spending a few hours in the hut, the stars twinkled as the five said their goodbyes and see you tomorrows to Hagrid and walked the short distance from his house to Hogwarts. Hermione looked back to see Hagrid walking into the Forbidden Forest. What was he doing, going back in there? But she shook it off. He's probably just looking for Fang.