Chapter 14 – Crystal

WOW! 150 reviews! Thank you all so much! Well, as promised, here's another update - but first, a couple of questions to answer:

Lots of people were confused by the last chapter...guys, READ THE ANs! So, there was a competition to write chapter 13, but only the LAST version was what actually happened.

Also, so far I think Uncovered is 24 chapters - including an epilogue. Just for those of you wondering :D

Well...hope you guys like this one!

She awoke, a dull ache travelling up her left arm. At a glance, she realised it was Ron, his entire weight crushing – at least that's what it felt like – her limb. There was no sign of Ginny…Luna must have taken her home, and only when she slowly pulled her arm out from under Ron – literally terrified of waking him – did she remember what had happened last night. It took a moment of confusion as she stared at her creased gown in the mirror, hair escaping from its clip, and tear-stained eyes before she'd realised what she'd done.

It would have been awful, but not as bad if only Draco had…kissed her. But the worst thing was that she'd kissed him back – only for a moment before apparating away, but still responded nevertheless, and in her opinion she was no better than Astoria.

A lying, cheating, good for nothing bitch.

She almost screamed in frustration as she felt tears forming in her eyes again. She just couldn't understand – What in Merlin's name had possessed him to do such an absurd thing? And why had she responded? She was taken by surprise to say the least; his kiss had been gentle but insistent. It almost felt as though he cared for her.

But he didn't.

And then the anger surfaced. How dare he? He came to her about a cheating spouse, but that was EXACTLY what he was himself! And she knew that though he may have changed slightly, he was still exactly the same person inside. It wasn't like this would affect him, he probably just felt like going off with anyone to spite Astoria, so how dare he bring her into this? She'd quite literally kissed another man while she was married. And even if she did have doubts about Ron, she still loved him…

At least that's what she told herself. She broke down, sobbing on the carpet of her bedroom, desperately wishing that this mess she was in had never unravelled in the first place. When she eventually sat up, she realised that Ron was gone, and it was dark. She must have awoken later than she thought she had. Exhausted, she crawled back into bed, only to find she couldn't sleep. Instead, she simply stared at the ceiling, trying to be logical but finding no words to express her theories. Defeated, she squeezed her eyes shut, as though by blocking her sight, she could block the whole world out too.

ooooo

Draco paced back and forth, back and forth. Astoria had been missing since Saturday, the night of the ball, which meant pretty much the whole of Sunday he'd had to himself to dwell on the happenings of that night. But now, Monday morning, and he was going straight to Charming Investigators. She wouldn't miss work, he told himself, not for anything. And by Merlin, was he going to give her some explaining to do.

How dare she? He didn't know what had come over him that night, and he'd had the whole of Sunday to berate himself, repeating the phrase his father had drilled into him during his childhood:

You are a Malfoy. Malfoys show no emotion. Act like one.

But now, the anger had overtaken confusion. Yes he had acted out of line, but what in Salazar's name did she think apparating away like some coward would do to solve their problem? Where was the rational character he remembered from school?

He stopped pacing, and grabbed his robes, determined to carry out his thoughts.

Time to talk to Hermione.

ooooo

Hermione stopped working for a second as she remembered she needed to owl Rose. Quickly, she grabbed a piece of parchment.

Rose. Saturday night. Don't even think about lying – I know you were there. I want answers.

She softened slightly.

Please, honey. I'm just confused – that was an adults' ball, and I just don't understand why you were there. I only want to know why. Owl soon.

Mum

She sentthe letter off, than carried on working, but looked up from the paperwork she was using to distract herself at the sound of heavy footsteps. And there, in the doorway, stood Draco Malfoy, eyes blazing. He looked furious. But he was dressed immaculately.

How could he, when he had started this mess, have the nerve to be angry at her – when she had done nothing? And she'd spent the best part of her weekend practically falling to pieces: she knew she looked a mess, and he just waltzed into her office as though nothing had happened?

Well, that was slightly inaccurate, but at that moment, she felt fury blaze up inside of her, in her the madness of the moment did the only thing she could.

"OBLIVIATE!" She screamed, pointing her wand at him, but a split second before, Draco had anticipated her move.

"PROTEGO!" he'd yelled, then stepped forward, only inches away from her face.

"GRANGER!" he growled.

"Oh, so we're back to Granger, are we? What happened to "I think first names would be appropriate"?" she mocked.

"That, was BEFORE you tried to remove my memory! What in Salazar's name did you think you were doing?"

"I wasn't the one who KISSED MY COLLEAGUE!" she screamed. His expressions immediately became pained, and he turned away, as though deflated.

"You don't understand." He spoke so quietly, she almost didn't hear him. For some reason, this only fuelled her anger. She advanced towards him with each word she spoke.

"What? What exactly don't I understand, Malfoy? That you kissed me? That you used me? That you practically drove me insane, asking "Why? Why did he do that?""

"I DON'T KNOW!" he bellowed, silencing her. "I DON'T KNOW WHY! Do you think this is easy for me?"

"You tell me!"

"BE QUIET! You have no idea how it feels, to be betrayed by your wife. I was confused."

But she did have an idea. First-hand experience, actually. And at his words, she felt a pang of pain. "So you did use me?"

"NO! I mean, yes. I don't know."

She turned away. She had to maintain a professional appearance – though deep down, she knew it was too late for that.

"Right then, Malfoy - " she began frostily but was cut off.

"Malfoy? What happened to Draco?" he sounded hurt. She scoffed inwardly. He was a good actor.

"I believe you were correct to revert back to our original forms of addressing each other." She spoke scathingly, "I think we should put our misfortune behind us and continue in a professional manner."

No answer.

"Do you agree?"

"So you're just going to run away from this? Don't pretend nothing happened!"

"I think we're beyond pretending. And nothing happened. We are in a professional relationship." She spoke louder, trying to convince herself. "Professional relationship only. Is that clear?"

He stared right at her when he answered. It felt as though he was looking through her, with those steely grey eyes.

"Crystal."

Ack. I'm so sorry, but it was too soon for romance. It it would have been really obvious for them to "fall in love" at the ball...soon, though, I promise. Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? 160 reviews and I'll update!

Tris xx