Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, especially that damned epilogue (kidding! haha).

A/N: Hey everyone. I almost forgot the disclaimer! haha. First of all, guys, I just want to say that I am very much sorry. A lot has been up (A LOT meaning COLLEGE). One thing is for sure, I will not abandon this story. Hope you're still with me. I am really sorry. This is just a filler chapter because the next one would be Christmas-y. So there. Take care everyone! ) I miss d/hr so much. (

Chapter 21.

"Whip her!" The unmistakable voice of Bellatrix echoed.

"Faster!" Another called.

Hermione was in so much agony, but when she raised her head, she looked at the hooded figure. The person inside was crying.

"Take your hood off!" Lucius Malfoy commanded.

"Let the mudblood see the person who slays her!" Goyle Senior called again.

"Yes!" said Crabbe Senior in response.

The hooded figure raised his hand, and put it on the hood.

Hermione was about to see the face of her perpetrator.

And when it fell down…

Hermione woke up, and she was crying.

She stared out of the window, watching the snow fall. She hugged her knees, she needed Draco. She really did.

Hermione walked to Draco's room and knocked on his door. There was no answer. After a lot of trials, she finally decided to believe that Draco did not sleep over for the night.

"The portrait!" She said, smacking her forehead.

She ran to the shepherdess, Wendy.

"Wendy," she called.

"Unh?" She asked drowsily.

"I know it's really very early but could I ask you something. It's sort of urgent." She told the groggy-looking portrait.

"Unh, what is it?" She asked yawning.

"DID DRACO COME BACK LAST NIGHT?" She asked a little too loud for the Shepherdess' liking.

"Shhh…" She had to remind Hermione because her sheep were still sleeping. "No."

Hermione's face dropped, "Oh. I'm sorry for bothering you."

"Unh," said the portrait rather snobbishly.

"Even the lack of sleep can turn little miss sunshine into little miss witchy," she muttered.

--

The week had passed and Hermione had not heard from Draco.

She had done everything to know of Draco's whereabouts… except for one thing. One thing that she would definitely not resort to, and she had promised this to her great great grandmother's grave one summer.

But love was indeed too powerful for the smart girl, probably more powerful than a promise made in front of an old woman's grave. And she found herself in front of her.

"Pansy…" She called after the pug-faced bitch which she should treat well to 'extract' the needed information.

"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" She drawled. "Why it's the pathetic know-it-all, and she's not with her two dimwitted friends. OH! I forgot, you have no friends," Pansy laughed maniacally.

"Where is Draco?" She asked her straightforwardly.

The light in her eyes shifted to something that Hermione felt told that the pug knew something, "I don't know."

"Where is Draco?" She asked again.

"Granger, you know the problem with you virgins? You don't know where your toys run around. And when they come running to bitches like us, you leave no rock unturned, suspecting each and every bitch you think qualifies." She said firmly.

"Tell me where Draco is," she said calmly.

"Or what?" she challenged.

"Or this, Parkinson." And she showed her a photograph which made Pansy's eyes larger.

"I have tried asking you nicely but I will not be nice anymore, where is Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked her once more.

Pansy's horrified look shifted into a suspicious one, "Blackmailing now your style, Granger? Never thought."

"Saints were once sinners too, Parkinson, so what makes the reverse impossible?" She said with a smirk. And she was proud of that smirk. Her boyfriend was definitely rubbing off her.

Pansy looked like she was having an internal battle inside.

"Fine. He's at the manor," she told Hermione.

Hermione looked at her suspiciously and she reacted, "I AM NOT LYING, OKAY?" She said rather loudly.

"What makes you think I'd give you this picture back? When it proves to be quite useful?" Hermione asked Pansy.

Pansy smiled sadistically and said, "Because you're still a saint, Granger, now give that to me so you could save your wretched soul." She said, laying her open palm in front of Hermione.

Hermione gave the photograph to her and she instantly incendioed it.

As Hermione walked away, she smiled as she felt for the re-copy on her pocket.

She was worried. Very worried. Why has she not heard from him just yet?

It was finally the last day in Hogwarts before the Christmas break.

Hermione was in a corner with Neville. Ron was not speaking to her, nor was he speaking to Harry. Harry was not speaking to both of them to show that he did not want to take sides. Life was pretty much fucked up.

And then it came. His owl.

It was a scribble.

I'm fine. I'll see you during break. This is really me. You giggle when I kiss the back of your ear

DM

P.S.

I love you.

She was on the verge of tears. She ran away from the table and into an empty corridor. She re-read his letter. It was definitely him. And she could not take her eyes off the last statement. P.S. I love you.

Reading just that statement, made her forget about her bouts with her friends, Ginny, Voldemort, even Pansy's disturbing photo, and as guilty as she should've felt, there was not an ounce of guilt on her.

He loved her.

A/N: Reviews, anyone? Hope to hear from you. the guilt really consumes. I am sorry.

outkasthpfanatic