Disclaimer: I don't own it.

A/N: Before you question it, yes I do intend to finish this story. But it might take a while. Sorry. I'm just going through a hard time right now and it would help a lot if you'd understand why I'm not able to update as often as before.

Thank you reviewers for reviewing my story and motivating me: Grovek 26, snarryapple, Mrs Hiddleston, I13AdrianP, Crystalline-Enchantix, yourloved, blackhawksbabe29, annabethchase1620, Guest#1 and Guest #2!

Note 1: This chapter may not be so good as I struggled with it and wrote it over a long period of time.

Note 2: Not proofread.


Chapter Twelve

Hermione was incapable of speech. She just stared at Ginny in sheer shock.

Ginny had her hands on her hips. "Well?" she demanded.

Finally Hermione was able to stutter out, "I don't even know what to say."

"I'll tell you what you should say," said Ginny, "You should explain."

Hermione sighed. "There's nothing to explain, Gin. It just…happened."

"That's what I don't understand! I've been trying to make sense of everything. How could you develop feelings for that nasty, little ferret?" exclaimed Ginny, frustrated.

Hermione took a shuddering breath. "I don't know, okay? It just happened and trust me when I say…he isn't that bad. And forgive me for saying this but…I really like him. And I can't change that, even if I want to."

"Yeah," said Ginny bitterly, "He really likes you too."

Hermione blinked. "What?"

"Oh come on," said Ginny, "Don't tell me you haven't noticed. It's written all over his face. Have you seen the way he looks at you?"

"No…" Hermione mumbled.

Ginny laughed mirthlessly, "Well, he looks at you like you're the only one in the room and all that lovesick crap."

"Oh," said Hermione, feeling warm for some reason.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah whatever. I'm sure you're happy," then she sighed exasperated, "But I still don't get it, Hermione. You could have anyone. You could have Viktor Krum for Merlin's sake! And who do you choose? A Death-Eater!"

"He isn't a Death Eater, Ginny!" snapped Hermione.

"He might as well be," shot back Ginny.

"You don't even know him. You don't know that's he's a different person on the inside. You have no right to say those things about him!" yelled Hermione.

"Don't talk nonsense! You're saying all these things based on 7 days of detention! For all you know, he's tricking you. Maybe he just fakes all those feelings. What do you know? Can you trust him? Do you trust him?" said Ginny.

"I don't! Not yet. But I'm sure I will someday. He's a worth chance, Ginny. I've seen that now," said Hermione, willing Ginny to understand.

Ginny shook her head. "Why do you like him?" she asked, somewhat calmly now.

Hermione smiled dryly. "No idea. You can't control these things. You can't control who you like. I thought you'd understand that."

Ginny nodded. "I do. It's just…difficult to wrap my head around after all the tormenting he's done. Aarghh… I don't even know how and what I'm going to tell Harry and Ron."

"NO!" exclaimed Hermione, "You can't tell them!"

Ginny looked at her in disbelief. "What do you mean I can't tell them? Merlin Hermione, you can't just keep it a secret."

Hermione shook her head, "I have to! They'll kill me or Draco. They won't be able to handle it, Gin. Not as well as you. Please don't tell them. Please."

Ginny stared a Hermione for a few seconds, then closed her eyes in resignation. "Fine. I won't tell them. For now. But you have to. Sometime. Unless you break up with Malfoy."

Hermione laughed. "Thanks, Ginny. You're the best."

Ginny smiled. "That I am."

Then they realized they were still standing outside, in the freezing corridor.

"Let's go inside," said Hermione stifling a yawn, "Portkey".

The portrait hole opened and they stepped in.

"So is he a good kisser?" asked Ginny suddenly.

Hermione choked on her own spit, "Excuse me?"

Ginny grinned. "Is he a good kisser?"

Hermione blushed deeply before stuttering, "Yeah…he is."

"Good for you," said Ginny, "At least the ferret can do something right."


"Oi Malfoy!" Draco heard and stopped because well, what other Malfoy was there at school?

His shoulders slumped when he saw the form of Ginny Weasley jogging up to him.

He sneered at her and said maliciously, "She Weasel. To what do I owe the displeasure?"

He might have changed a little bit when a certain Hermione Granger entered his life (bringing sleep-depriving detention along with her) but old habits do die hard. Besides, he didn't want to be nice. The idea of being all, "Hi Ginny! Want me to do your hair?" didn't thrill him all that much. The prospect just gave him shudders.

"Malfoy…polite as always," said Ginny sarcastically, "But anyway, I haven't come here to fight with you."

"Really?" drawled Draco, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Ginny snapped. "This is about Hermione. I know about you two."

Draco narrowed his eyes. He was surprised –oh very –but wasn't going to show it. "Soo?"

"So if you break her heart, I will break every one of your bones. And with pleasure," she said fiercely.

Draco looked up and down her petite form and smirked, "Was that an attempt at a threat?"

"It WAS a threat you worthless little cockroach!" Ginny screamed, frustrated and offended.

Draco dramatically rubbed his ears and looked at her like she was crazy. "Merlin Weaslette, don't yell. My ears work fine thank you though I'm not so sure anymore."

Ginny was breathing hard by then. Holding up a conversation with Draco Malfoy was exhausting AND exasperating. She promised herself never to talk to him again unless under dire circumstances.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" said Ginny, eyes blazing.

Draco coolly raised an eyebrow and shrugged. She jabbed a finger at his chest and barked, "Well, let me tell you something. You are clever but you are shamelessly evil as well. So if you have some cruel plan involving Hermione to get back at Harry or something, you'd better spill the beans now rather than facing the consequences later."

Draco didn't have a 'cruel plan' like the redheaded nightmare put it but he decided he wanted to play with her.

He grinned cunningly in his mind while perfecting the 'thinking' look in reality. "Hmmm…" he said, tapping his foot, "Let me think…uh….How about…NO."

Ginny looked at him warily, "I'm not sure I'm getting you. Are you saying no, you don't have a plan or no, you won't tell it?"

He smirked. "Take your pick."

Ginny threw up her hands in disbelief. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Before Draco could give another infuriating reply, the clock chimed. He looked at the sky. It was darkening and he had to be somewhere soon.

"Later Weasley," he said distractedly, "I have to go."

Ginny just stared at him in shock as he hurried away. But he couldn't care about her then (or ever, he decided) because Draco had work to do.


"Ginny Weasley, what were you doing with Draco?" hissed Hermione as she kept a wary eye on Harry and Ron as they struggled to eavesdrop.

"I wasn't with him," Ginny shrugged, not making eye contact.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Marauders' Map, Ginny."

"Rightt.." said Ginny, "I forgot about that."

"You didn't answer the question, Gin" said Hermione, tapping her foot and arms across her chest.

"Um…I was doing a teensy bit of threatening, that's all," said Ginny casually, holding back a laugh.

"WHAT!" roared Hermione. Harry and Ron jumped out of their seats and gaped at her but Hermione hardly noticed.

"It was nothing, 'Mione! He wasn't even threatened!" Ginny tried to explain.

"Who wasn't threatened?" asked Harry as he came beside Ginny.

"No one you know, Harry. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go for a walk," said Hermione glaring at Ginny.

Ginny looked so innocent, Harry couldn't imagine what she had done that had Hermione in such a mood.

Ron abruptly stood up, looking like a kid who'd just been given his favourite candy. "Can I come with you?" he asked eagerly.

Harry grinned proudly. Ron was finally going to confess to Hermione about his feelings.

Ginny just shook her head, looking at Ron with pity. Harry wondered why.

Hermione sighed, fixing Ron with an annoyed look. "No Ron. I'd like a little time by myself, if you don't mind."

Now Ron looked like someone had snatched the candy before he'd even opened the wrapper. "Okay," he said sadly, "Whatever you want."

"Thanks," Hermione said smiling gratefully, "I'll see you for dinner."

Then she left.

Hermione had things to think about.


It was chilly outside but Hermione didn't mind. There wasn't anybody around and Hermione was glad. She finally had time and a clear head to think about her life. Everything had just happened so fast, she hadn't been able to catch a breath.

What am I doing? She thought, Do I want this?

She knew she had feelings for Draco. Strong ones. But she couldn't just be with him because of feelings. She had to think this through. Hermione wasn't the kind of person who just blindly followed fate. No, she went by logic and every relationship had to make sense but theirs didn't.

I mean, she was a muggleborn. He was a pureblood.

She was a Gryffindor. He was a Slytherin.

She had lived in the Muggle world for eleven years of her life while he hadn't even been exposed to it.

Harry Potter was her best friend. Harry Potter was his worst enemy.

He supported everything she was against while she supported everything he was against.

Their relationship was doomed. She knew it.

Yet she wanted it.


Draco read the letter again before going to sleep.

Son,

I have very good news.

The Dark Lord has decided to forgive us. And he has a task for you. You are very fortunate indeed. You have a chance to get in the Inner Circle so young.

But, I will tolerate no resistance. I haven't failed to notice you don't reply to mine or your mother's constant letters. Cease it. Respect your elders. We only wish good for you.

Revealing anything else is dangerous here hence I order you to meet me in Hogsmeade Village this Saturday night. Sneak out of school, I don't care. Just be there. I want you there no matter what.

If you fail to do that, there will be dire consequences.

Lucius Malfoy.

Draco rubbed his eyes. Saturday night. Saturday night was tomorrow. Dang! He didn't want to get involved in this so early. Not yet. Or ever.

He thought he had a few years before he entered all this Death Eater mess.

He knew he didn't want to go but he wasn't sure if he wouldn't. When his father said there would be dire consequences, he meant it.

Draco didn't even want to think about Hermione or what this would mean to her. To them. Sure their little thing had only happened two days ago but he didn't want it to end. It was nice, being with her. He wanted to continue with it -take it forward, see where it goes.

But of course, his father and the "Dark Lord" had to come to ruin it.

He just didn't know to what extent.


A/N: I'm going to be honest with you. I don't know when the next update is going to be. But I would LOVE some reviews…they would definitely help me through this crappy phase.

Thank you all for reading :)