Forbidden Feelings

Chapter 25

Draco

Draco stared at her. 'Y,you what?'

'We've come up with a plan. Do we need to spell it out?' Weasley stood up and walked over to them, looking irritated.

'I wasn't talking to you.' He snapped and turned to Hermione. 'What's going on?'

'Ginny and I have been talking about Saturday. When you see your father. And we've decided on a plan.'

'Hermione, I don't want you getting hurt-'

'Please just listen to me.' She interrupted him firmly.

He narrowed his eyes at Weasley, who was smirking slightly. 'Fine.'

'Okay.' Hermione took a deep breath and began. 'When you go to meet Lucius on Saturday, Ginny and I are going to follow you.' She held up her hand as he opened his mouth in protest, and he stopped. 'Let me finish Draco. We're going to follow you, and hide. If Lucius starts trying to hurt you, we will hex him from our hiding places, and you will run.'

He stared at her. 'Are you being serious? That is the most foolish plan I've ever heard! What if he sees you? And what am I supposed to do after I've ran from him? Because he's bound to want revenge!'

'I just want you to be protected.' She whispered.

'Well I can take care of myself! For someone so bright, you can really be stupid sometimes!' He shouted.

'Now you listen up!' Weasley snarled. 'I agree, yes it's a risky plan. And after a whole afternoon of trying to persuade Hermione to back out of it, I gave up. You know why? Because she loves you so bloody much that she's willing to put her life on the line for you! So why don't you stop acting like a child and accept the help from the girl you supposedly love!'

'Oh just shut it!' He shouted at her angrily.

'No! You know what, I believed Hermione when she said you'd 'changed', but now I can see you're still the arrogant, stubborn, selfish git I've loathed these past few years!'

'Well I can still see you're a Weasley with your pathetic secondhand robes and-'

'STOP IT!'

Draco jumped as Hermione shouted. 'I've had just about enough of this! You both agreed to at least act civil towards eachother! And how are we supposed to work together if you're at eachother's throats the whole time?!'

'Well we aren't working together as this plan of yours is not going ahead.' He snapped.

'Yes it is!' Hermione slammed her hand on the table, clearly frustrated.

'I'm going. Clearly this isn't going to work out. See you later 'Mione.' Draco scowled at the youngest Weasley sibling as she exited the common room. He looked at Hermione who was now sitting at the kitchen table, hands knotted in her hair and looking extremely exasperated.

'I told you me and Weasley wouldn't be able to work together.' He muttered.

She looked up at him, her eyes flashing furiously. 'You didn't even give eachother a chance. Thanks for ruining everything.'

'Me? I think you'll find it was Weasley who started everything!'

'Both of you were as bad as eachother.'

'Well I wasn't going to sit back while she insulted me!'

'I know.' She sighed. 'But you're going to have to work this out by Saturday.'

'Why Saturday?' He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

'For when we help you with your father.'

'No! You aren't doing that!'

'Yes we are.'

'NO. You're not. And that's final.' He turned his back on her, advancing towards the steps leading up to his room.

'Where are you going?' Hermione called out after him.

'To be alone.' He replied, walking quickly up to his room and slamming the door. He laid back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. There was no way in hell he would allow Hermione to put herself in any kind of danger. Deep down he knew she was doing this because she wanted him to be safe; because she loved him. But he could not allow her to put her life on the line for him.

'Draco!'

He almost fell off his bed as Hermione burst through the door, looking furious.

'You can't just walk away from me like that! What the hell is wrong with you?!'

'Me?! What the hell's wrong with you! You're the one who is coming up with the most ludicrous plans, basically putting your life in danger because of me! I won't have it!' He shouted.

'You won't just accept will you..' She breathed.

'Accept what?!' He glanced up at her, beweildered.

'The fact that I love you. More then anything, and that I am absolutely willing to put my life on the line for you.'

'Hermione-'

'No!' She shouted, throwing herself on the bed next to him. 'Just listen to me! I am not just going to sit by and watch while your father does this to you! He could kill you Draco! And I cannot let that happen!'

'And I cannot let him kill you either.' He looked into her eyes deeply. 'You have no idea how much I love you. And the thought of you being harmed because of me...I cannot bear it.'

'But I won't be harmed. I'll be careful, I'll have Ginny with me! She's going to get Harry's invisibility cloak. We'll be fine. I will be fine.'

'But what about after? If I run from him..there's no telling what he'd do!'

'We'll cross that path when it comes to it. But at the moment my main priority is to make sure you're safe.'

'We can't afford to do that! This is my father we're talking about, a Death Eater!'

'I am well aware of that Draco. Which is why..why I've decided that after Saturday, we're going to have to tell Harry and Ron.'

He gaped at her. 'You what?'

'We're going to have to tell them. We'll need Harry's help, and I can't keep lying to them, or expecting Ginny to keep it to herself. It's not fair.'

'We don't need Potter's help! I can deal with this by myself.'

'Oh really? So you don't need the person who defeated Voldemort's help? You can deal with your abusive Death Eater father and his followers by yourself can you? Stop being so stupid!'

'I can do without Potter and his idiot Weasel sidekick.' He snapped.

'You know what? I'm done. I'm done trying to help if you're going to be so stubborn and childish.'

Draco watched as she stood up, throwing him one last furious glance before exiting and slamming the door.

'Hermione!' He called out after her, but there was no response. Sighing, he got up and opened the door, running down the stairs and into the common room. When he saw that she wasn't there, he ran up to her room, bursting through her door just as she had done to his only 15 minutes ago.

'A few minutes ago, you told me off for walking away from you. So now I'm doing the same thing.' Draco smiled slightly, but as Hermione looked up at him, he saw the tears that were now running freely down her cheeks.

'Hermione?' He whispered, sitting on her bed next to her.

She cleared her throat. 'All I want is for you to be safe. I can't have anything happen to you, and I definitely can't sit by and do nothing when you go and see him. I can't lose you.'

'And I can't lose you! What if he sees you?'

'Please Draco, just let me take that risk. I promise you, we are going to be so careful. We'll have Harry's cloak, we'll be well hidden.'

He sighed, closing his eyes in deep discomfort as he answered. 'Okay.'

'O,okay? You mean..?'

'I mean okay. Let's do it.'

'Thank you. Thank you so much.'

Draco felt numb as Hermione pulled him into a close embrace, resting her head on his chest and crying softly.

'I love you.' She whispered.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't find the words to answer.

'Are you okay?' Hermione's concerned voice interrupted his thoughts.

'No...I'm not.' He answered honestly.

'Draco, I promise you, I'll be okay.'

'I just hate that I've put you in this position.' Draco shifted so that he was facing her. 'I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you.'

'Well it won't.' Hermione smiled at him, and he felt her squeeze his hand in reassurance.

'And how do you know that? How can you be so sure?'

'I just know. I want to do this. Nothing is going to stop me.'

Draco smirked slightly in amusement.

'What?' She frowned.

'You say I'm the stubborn one.'

'I'm being serious, Draco.'

'I know. I know.'

Hermione sighed. 'Here's a thought. Why don't we just forget about everything tonight? Your father, Ginny, Harry, Ron, everything. And just concentrate on eachother.'

'That's the best plan you've had yet.' He smiled, taking her in his arms and holding her close.

The next few days passed by quickly and before Draco knew it, he was bidding farewell to Hermione before leaving to meet his father.

'Promise me you'll be careful.' He urged her.

'I promise.' Her eyebrows were knotted together in worry. 'Draco, I'm scared for you.'

'I'll be fine. Please concentrate on staying safe, I mean it Hermione.'

'I will.' She whispered.

He pulled her into a close embrace, kissing the top of her head.

'Urgh, do I really need to see this as soon as I walk in?'

Draco looked up as a disgusted voice piped up from the portrait and Ginny Weasley entered the room.

'Well if you don't like it why don't you leave?' He snapped.

'Oh believe me, I would love to. There are many places I'd rather be right now.'

'Go on then, go.'

'I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for Hermione.' She said firmly.

'Please, can the pair of you just stop this petty arguing tonight?' Hermione said, sounding exasperated.

'Of course I will. I just don't know if Weasley's mature enough to do such a thing.' He smirked at the red head.

'Shut it Malfoy.' She snapped in reply, then turned to Hermione. 'There, I'm done now. Can we get this over with?'

'You've got the cloak?' Hermione asked quickly, before he had the chance to retort.

'I sure do.' She grinned, holding it up.

'Well we're set then.' She glanced at him. 'Please be careful.'

'I will.'

'Oh Draco.' He felt himself being pulled into a tight hug. 'I love you.'

'And I love you.' He said softly, placing a kiss on her cheek.

'Oh seriously.' Weasley complained.

Hermione smiled slightly. 'You better go. You can't be late for your father, that'll only make things worse.'

He sighed. 'I probably should.'

'It'll be okay.' She squeezed his hand.

'I hope so.' He quickly kissed her. 'I'll see you later.'

'Bye.' She whispered as he turned his back on her and left the common room.

Draco's stomach was in knots as he made his way to the Shrieking Shack. The thought of seeing his father again was terrifying him, memories of his last visit flashed across his mind.

'But Hermione wasn't there last time...' A cruel voice said at the back of his mind.

'No..' He muttered to himself, shaking his head furiously. If anything happened to Hermione, he would never forgive himself. She was his life, and if she was taken from him, he honestly didn't know how he would live. A fresh wave of nausea swept through him as he spied a dark silhouette standing by the Shrieking Shack. He stopped, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to try and keep himself composed.

'Ah Draco!' His father greeted him as he got closer.

'Father.' He nodded.

'For a moment there I thought you weren't going to turn up. But I knew you wouldn't be so foolish.' His eyes flashed dangerously.

'I was held back by a Professor. That's why I'm late. Sorry.' He muttered, bowing his head.

'Of course. I should have known school work would have been involved.' He sneered at his son.

Draco didn't answer, keeping his head bowed and staring hard at the ground.

'What is the matter with you?' His father demanded, making him jump.

'N,nothing.' He looked up at him, meeting his eyes boldly.

He studied him suspiously. 'I trust you have some news for me?'

He closed his eyes, swallowing nervously. 'No.'

'No?' Lucius repeated in a low voice. 'I hope this is some sort of joke.'

'No. I don't have any news for you. At all.'

'Did you not pay attention to my little...warning last time I saw you?'

'I don't want anything to do with you anymore.' Draco said quietly.

'What did you just say?' His father's face was slowly turning red in rage.

'I said I don't want anything to do with you anymore. That's why I came here tonight. To tell you that. This is the last time you'll see me.' He turned his back on him, shocked at his own courage.

'You get back here. NOW.' Lucius shouted.

He turned around. 'Or what? Are you going to hit me? Break my bones again? Or kill me? Are you going to kill your own son, Father?'

'How DARE you!' Draco felt a familiar painful blow to the side of his face as his father hit him, and he cowered as he grabbed him and threw him against the hard wall, pointing his wand at his throat. 'You will obey me. You know perfectly well what I'm capable of, and I will stop at nothing to get what I want-'

'Expelliamus!'

Draco fell to the ground as his father dropped him, watching as he cursed to himself, searching for his wand. He looked around desperately for Hermione, terrified that her presence would become known. But his fear was shortlived however, as he spotted Lucius picking up his wand, picking it up and pointing it at him.

'Cruc-'

'Stupify!'

His father flew backwards, falling to the ground in a heap.

'Draco, RUN!'

Relief flooded through him as he heard Hermione's voice, and he struggled slightly as he stood up, forcing himself into a sprint, running as fast as he could away from his father.

'I'll be back for you Draco. This is not the end.' A chill ran down his spine as he heard Lucius' weak voice call out, but he carried on running, moving as quickly as possible, only stopping as he entered the castle grounds.

Avoiding any eye contact with fellow students, he raced up to the common room, praying he would not be stopped by any Professors. He could feel the blood trickling down his face from his nose and mouth, and the witch in the portrait did a double take as he muttered the password hurridly.

'Mind your own business.' He snapped at her, as she opened her mouth.

'So rude!' She said crossly as the portrait swung open.

Draco rushed in, immediately concerned as it dawned on him that Hermione and Weasley weren't there. He felt sick as he thought of how angry his father had been, knowing that if he had caught them, he would have made them pay.

'Draco!'

He swung round as the portrait opened, and Hermione flew into his arms.

'Are you okay? You're bleeding, let me fix that!' He could feel her sobs as she held him close.

'Never mind me. Are you okay?' He pulled away, positioning her so she was looking into his eyes, her own filled with tears.

'I'm fine. Thanks for asking!' A sarcastic voice sounded behind them.

'Shut up Weasley.' He snapped, turning back to face Hermione.

'You're really okay?' She whispered.

'Yes I'm okay.'

'B,but your father. He, he almost used the Cruciatus curse on you! If me, if me and Ginny hadn't turned up..' Her voice cut off as she choked on her tears.

'Oh Hermione...' He wrapped his arms around her protectively, trying to soothe her. He looked at the youngest Weasley sibling, who was watching them, looking concerned. 'Could you make her a cup of tea? Please.' He added, trying to be civil for Hermione's sake.

She nodded in understanding. 'Okay.'

'Here. Come sit down.' He said gently to Hermione, guiding her to the nearest sofa.

'I'm sorry.' She whispered.

'It's okay. I'm just glad you're alright.'

'I'm fine. It's y,you. It's you I'm w,worried about. He was going to torture you. Torture his own son. And look what he's done to you again!'

'But I'm okay. I'm here and I'm okay. That's what matters.'

'Draco, if Ginny and I hadn't been there-'

'But you were. So thank you.'

'Here's your tea 'Mione.' Weasley handed her the steaming mug, sitting down on the chair across with them, her eyes wide.

'Thanks Ginny.' She whispered, taking a sip.

'Are you okay?'

'Yes. I'm fine.'

'You look exhausted. Why don't you go up to bed and get some rest after your tea?' Draco suggested.

Hermione looked at him as if he were mad. 'What? No! We need to work out what to do! Lucius isn't going to leave things this way! He'll come after you Draco!'

He closed his eyes and sighed. 'I know. I know. But you need to rest. We all do.'

'We don't have time! He could come for you anytime!'

'Ssh 'Mione, calm down. Malfoy's right. As much as I hate to admit it.' Ginny grimaced and he scowled at her.

'I can't get the image out of my head, your father, pointing his wand at you and, and..' Her voice broke as a fresh wave of tears fell down her cheeks.

Draco took her hands, looking deeply into her eyes. 'Hermione. I will be fine. Tonight, for the first time in my life I managed to stick up for myself against him. We will come up with a plan, and he will go back to Azkaban. We need to stay positive. We can't let him win.'

She stared at him, her eyes wide. 'I can't lose you.'

'You won't. I promise. There will be no more meetings from now on. And I highly doubt he would come here.'

'Okay.' She sighed, and Draco could tell she was exhausted.

'Come on. Why don't you get some rest. I'll clean myself up and then I'll be right with you.'

Hermione nodded, slowly standing up and he followed suit. As they entered his room, she turned to him and wrapped herself in his arms, resting her head against his chest.

'Shouldn't you be getting to bed?' He smiled down at her.

'I just needed to hold you.' She whispered.

As Hermione got showered and ready for bed, Draco went downstairs, wondering if Weasley had left. He found her sitting on the sofa, and as he cleared his throat awkwardly, she glared at him.

'Can't you see what you've done? I've never seen Hermione like this before! This is exactly why I don't want her to have anything to do with you!'

'Do you think I don't know that?! I've told her so many times, warned her off me on so many occasions but she won't have any of it!'

She laughed. 'Give me a break. If you really cared for her you'd have walked away. You would have stopped her from facing any danger.'

'Don't you dare tell me I don't care about her.' Draco snarled.

'How can you care about her if you are willing to put her through so much pain and worry?!'

'Because when I left before she had to use sleeping draught just to get her through the nights! She didn't attend classes, and I wasn't there to protect her! She was attacked just days after I returned, and if I hadn't been there and found her, who knows what would have happened! So spare me the bloody lectures Weasley! I don't need to hear anything that comes out of your mouth, I don't care for it and I don't care for your opinion! I love her! I've never felt anything like this for anyone before, my life actually feels like it's worth living for the first time, and that's because of her!'

'Hermione would be a lot safer if you left. You know it.' She stood up, and as she made her way to the portrait, she stopped and looked back at him. 'Just think about it.'

'There's nothing to think about. I'm not leaving her.' He said firmly.

'Your mistake.'

Draco watched as she left the room, frowning to himself. It was true what she was saying, as much as he loathed to admit it. He walked up to his room, discovering Hermione wrapped up in his duvet fast asleep. She looked so peaceful, as if she had no care in the world, and Draco was relieved. The stress he had brought upon her this evening had left him angry at himself; and he remembered Weasley's words, how she had never seen her like that before...He thought back to their conversation. The more it played on his mind, the more he had begun to realise just how right she had been. If it wasn't for him, she would be safe, completely out of harm's way...

Draco shook his head. There was no way he could leave her. Yes, it was selfish, yes it was dangerous. But the thought of life without her was something he hoped he'd never have to endure.

After showering and removing all traces of blood from his skin, he climbed into bed next to her. As he moved her into his arms, she stirred.

'Draco?' She mumbled sleepily.

'Shh go back to sleep. I'm here.' He whispered, kissing her head tenderly.

'Mmm okay..'

He waited until she'd fallen asleep again before closing his own eyes, feeling completely exhausted.

Hermione

'Come on Granger, wake up! I haven't gone to all this trouble for nothing you know!'

Hermione smiled at the sound of Draco's voice, opening her eyes to find him stood next to the bed holding a breakfast tray and grinning at her.

'So much for having a lie in.' She rolled her eyes, sitting up.

'Oh stop moaning. Here.' He sat down next to her, handing her the tray, which held a huge plate of bacon and sausages, along with a mug of tea.

She raised her eyesbrows. 'You made this for me?'

He sighed. 'Okay, the house elves may have helped a little, but I did make the tea!'

'I thought so.' Hermione laughed.

'Hey, it's the thought that counts!'

'I know, I know. Thank you.'

'It's no problem. How are you feeling?' Draco's expression turned serious.

'I'm okay. Slightly mortified at making such a fool of myself last night by getting so upset.'

'Hermione, you did not make a fool of yourself. It was perfectly understandable. I feel terrible for putting you through all of that.'

'Draco, please do not blame yourself. We're in this together remember?'

'I just...I can't help but think that if it wasn't for me, you'd be so much safer, free of any worry or stress.'

'If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be happy, and I wouldn't be in love.'

'Just promise me, if things get too much for you, you'll tell me?'

'They won't.'

'But if they do?'

'They won't.' She repeated firmly.

'You're so stubborn.' He smiled.

'It's just the truth.'

'Here's a deal...why don't we not talk about anything related to my father today? Let's just stay locked up in here, shut the whole world out.'

'Draco we can't afford to do that. We need to plan what to we're going to do about Lucius. We can't ignore it.'

'He's not going to do anything. He won't come here, he's not strong enough, he doesn't have enough followers.'

'But he might! We have no idea what he's planning! He may have gained more followers!'

'Hermione, I promise you if I thought that was the case I'd be wanting to plan our next step as much as you do. But I know my father. Why do you think he's wanted to use me to get information? If he had a strong enough army he would have just attacked, not hung around waiting for me.'

She sighed. 'Are you positive?'

'I promise you. With all my heart.'

'Okay. I believe you.'

'Thank you.' He took her hand. 'So do you agree to my idea of shutting ourselves away for the day?'

'It does sound good..' She smiled.

'Well that's settled then. Now come on, eat your breakfast, can't have my hard work going to waste.'

Draco dodged out of the way laughing as she swatted at him.

'So do you have any plans for our day in?' Hermione asked as she started eating.

'Oh I can think of a few...' He winked.

She rolled her eyes. 'Oh how did I know they would be those sorts of plans.'

Draco smirked. 'Please...you can't say you didn't think of that.'

'Alright, okay, maybe a little.' She blushed.

'I thought so..' He leaned in and kissed her.

After spending the majority of the day in bed, Hermione was curled up on the sofa in front of the fire with Draco when she heard someone clear their throat behind them. She sprung apart from him, relief flooding through her as she saw it was only Ginny.

'Relax, seriously.' She rolled her eyes.

'Ginny! You could at least give me a warning or perhaps tell us when you're entering the room instead of creeping up on us!' Hermione said crossly.

'I could...but where's the fun in that?' She grinned, taking a Fizzing Wizzbee from the kitchen table and popping it into her mouth.

She sighed. 'What's going on anyway?'

'Well I was wondering if you could come for a walk with me.'

'A walk? Why, has something happened?'

'No, but I'd like to speak to you. Alone.' She added, throwing a glance at Draco.

She frowned. 'Anything you want to say can be said in front of Draco.'

'Go. Honestly, it's okay.' He said, nodding at her.

'Ginny, no offence but we were enjoying a day to ourselves.'

'Hermione, just go. It's fine, I'll be here when you get back.' Draco repeated.

'Fine. This better be good.' She smiled slightly at Ginny.

'Hanging out with your best friend is always good.' She poked her tongue out, taking another sweet from the table before leading Hermione out of the common room.

It was after ten minutes of small talk, and when they had reached one of the trees by the lake when Hermione finally cracked.

'Ginny, what's this about?'

'Before I tell you, promise me you will listen to what I have to say? As much as you hate to admit it, you are stubborn as hell.'

'Ginny...'

'Fine.' She sighed, looking out to the lake. 'I spoke to Malfoy last night. After you went to bed.'

'Oh?' Hermione raised an eyebrow in question.

'I told him what I really think. And you aren't going to like it.'

'What did you say?' Her voice trembled slightly in worry.

'That he should leave. That he should protect you and get the hell out of here.'

'You said what?!' She cried in disbelief.

'Hermione, I said it because I care about you! Can't you see, that's the safest option! As long as Malfoy is far away from you, you're safe. After last night, surely you must know that?!'

'No! Ginny, you can't be serious! I know the situation we're in is dangerous, of course I know that! But I can't be apart from him, I can't. Last time we were apart I was a mess! And when we went on that break for those weeks I had a breakdown in Potions and had to actually leave the castle! I can't be apart from him! I can't, and I won't!'

'But can't you see you're in danger? Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater. He will kill you if he gets wind of what's going on, and I'm sure after last night, he's already suspicious!'

'Of course I can see the danger! But I cannot and will not be apart from Draco! He needs me now more than ever! You saw what Lucius was going to do to him last night! I can't let him leave and walk into his own death. Because that is what it'll result in. And if he ever died I don't quite know how I'd be able to live myself.'

'Hermione. Please, just listen to what I am saying.' Ginny begged.

'I am listening. But I can't let Draco walk away from me. And you need to accept that.'

'I'm so worried for you 'Mione. If anything happens to you-'

'It won't.' She said firmly.

'But it might! As long as you're with Malfoy, anything could happen to you!'

'Well I'm going to have to take that chance then, aren't I.'

'Please Hermione..'

'No. I'm staying by his side no matter what. And that's final.' She glared at her, daring her to argue.

She sighed. 'Fine. But I'm not happy about this.'

'Well you're going to have to try and accept it.' She frowned as Ginny stood up. 'Where are you going?'

'I need time to think. I'll see you later.'

Hermione watched as she briskly walked away without a second glance. She closed her eyes in exasperation. She understood where Ginny was coming from, she really did, and she felt bad for being so difficult. But she couldn't let Draco go.

She stood up, deciding to get back to the common room. As she entered the corridor which led to the portrait, she noticed a dark shape walking towards her. Her breath became quick and she tried to remain calm as she found her wand.

'Oh look who it is.' Pansy Parkinson stepped out of the shadows, sneering at her.

'What do you want Pansy?' Hermione scowled.

'You better watch how you speak to me Granger. I don't appreciate being spoken down to by Mudbloods.'

'Well I don't appreciate finding scum like you outside my common room.' She snapped.

'What did you just call me?' Her eyes flashed dangerously.

'I think you heard.' She stared back at her boldly.

Pansy paused for a second, then her mouth lifted into a smirk. 'You may think you own the place now Mudblood, but you wait. You'll see just what I'm capable of, if you haven't already.'

'And what's that supposed to mean?'

'Not so clever now are we? Maybe you're not such a know it all.'

'Just get lost.' She rolled her eyes, deciding she was just playing games.

'No. I'm here to see my boyfriend.'

Hermione snorted. 'Your boyfriend? I think you'll find Malfoy can't stand you.'

'And what would you know about it? Draco wants me, I know he does. In fact, that night a few weeks ago just about proved that.'

A wave of nausea passed through her. 'W,what?' She stuttered.

'Draco brought me back here. Said he wanted me. Then we kissed.' She grinned triumphantly as Hermione stared at her dumbfounded.

'You're talking rubbish.' She whispered.

'That's the thing Granger. I'm not at all. And I know that Draco wants me. He's just playing hard to get, trying to keep me on my toes. And it's working.' She licked her lips and her eyes sparkled mischievously.

'Get out of here.' Hermione said quietly, trying to control the angry tears that were threatening to spill.

'No. Like I said, I'm here to see my boyfriend. And he will not be happy if he knew you were trying to stop me. You see he hates you even more then I do. He knows things Granger. I'd watch your step if I were you-'

'JUST GO! GO ON, LEAVE!' She screamed as she finally lost her temper.

Pansy blinked, looking slightly beweildered at her outburst. 'Fine. But I'll be back. You should calm down Granger. People will start to think you're mental or something.' Throwing her one last smirk, she finally walked away.

Hurridly muttering the password to the portrait, Hermione made her way into the common room. Draco looked up and greeted her cheerfully as she entered the room.

'I wondered where you'd got to. I was about to send out a search party then I thought maybe you'd gone to the library and got lost in a book or something.' He grinned at her.

Hermione looked up at him, and his smile faded.

'What's wrong..?'

'Is it true? Were you with Pansy a few weeks ago?' She whispered.

Draco's face paled slightly. 'Who told you that?'

'ANSWER MY QUESTION! Is it true?!'

She watched as he swallowed. 'Yes.'

'Oh god..' Hermione sank down onto one of the sofas suddenly feeling very dizzy.

'Hermione please-'

'Let me guess! 'It meant nothing, it was a one off!' Spare me the lies!' She spat, angry tears finally spilling down her cheeks.

'It's true! Nothing happened! Yes we kissed, but I couldn't carry on, I couldn't do it to you, I pushed her away, I told her to get lost and I have been for ages!'

'Oh how big of you!'

'Please just listen to me.' He begged.

'Why should I? You've been lying to me all this time.' Hermione whispered.

'Because you need to know the whole story. The true story, not whatever madness Parkinson's spouting.'

'How do I know you aren't lying? How do I know she's not telling the truth?'

'Because I love you. And you know that.'

She studied him, noting the desperation in his eyes. 'Fine.'

'Come sit down.' He gestured to one of the sofas.

She sank down onto the squashy cushions, waiting for his explanation.

'It was after we'd had that stupid fight. I'd seen you and Weasley in the hospital wing and jumped to conclusions, and I was angry, really angry. I remembered that my friends had invited me to the Three Broomsticks, so I went and met them, deciding to drown my sorrows. After a few drinks, Pansy started getting..friendly, and the image of you and Weasley was playing on my mind constantly, I couldn't get it out of my head, I was convinced you two were together. So I decided why not, you had someone else so why shouldn't I.' He paused, looking at her, and she could see the regret in his eyes. 'We went back to the common room, and Pansy was all over me. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't be with her and I couldn't get you out of my head. So I rejected her. I told her to leave, she kicked up a fuss, but she left in the end. And that's it. That's all the happened. I promise you with all my heart, I couldn't do that to you Hermione. I couldn't be with anyone else. Even if you were.'

She blinked, swallowing down the lump in her throat. 'Why didn't you tell me?'

'I was ashamed. I was disgusted with myself, and I thought you would be too.'

'You're right there.' She snorted.

'I'm so sorry.'

'So you're saying..you're saying you only did it because you thought I was in love with Ron? It's not because you have any sort of romantic feelings for Pansy?'

'Yes. I promise you, that's the only reason. It has nothing to do with her. It could have been anyone, but she was there, she was throwing herself at me and I'd had a few drinks.'

Hermione closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. 'Okay. I forgive you.'

'What? You do?'

'You seem surprised.' She raised an eyebrow.

'I just..I didn't expect you to forgive me so quickly.'

'Draco, your father is out there somewhere trying to build an army to wipe out Muggle Borns. And is probably planning on killing you too. We can't afford to let stupid mistakes and arguments get in the way.'

'You're right.' He nodded.

'Pansy did tell me you're her boyfriend though.'

'Pansy Parkinson is a pathetic nut job. She needs to grow up.' Draco snapped, and Hermione was surprised at the venom in his voice.

'There is one thing actually...'

'What's that?'

'Well when we had that charming conversation about you, she claimed you 'know things'. Any idea what she's alluding to?'

'No.' He answered quickly, and she noticed he didn't meet her eyes.

'Draco Malfoy you tell me the truth right now.' She demanded.

He sighed. 'I really don't want to tell you this.'

'Well you're going to have to.'

'Pansy was the one who attacked you. She admitted it to me weeks ago.'

Hermione gaped at him. 'Pansy..Pansy attacked me?'

'Yes, I wanted to tell you, I really did, but I couldn't, I knew you'd want to tell McGonagall, and she can't know, Pansy would know that I was the one who told her and she'd be suspicious, all the Slytherins would be.'

'I..I don't know what to say.'

'Hermione, please know I kept it secret because I was protecting you. If anyone got wind of what's going on between us-'

'I'd be in danger, I know.' She finished for him.

'So you understand?'

'Yes. But you should have told me. Did you really think I'd just go running to McGonagall without a second thought?'

'I thought you'd want whoever did it to you expelled and as far away from you as possible.'

'Of course I do. But I'm not risking getting you in trouble.'

'Hermione, she could hurt you again-'

'I highly doubt that. Not with McGonagall already suspecting Slytherins and keeping an eye on them. And how there are more Prefects on patrol now.'

'Well I'm going to make sure she doesn't. I've already told her more then once that I'd go to McGonagall if she didn't leave me alone.'

'Somehow I don't think she's got the message.'

'Well I'll bloody make sure she does.'

She sighed. 'I'm sorry I've been so difficult lately. I've been unfair on you; I should have known what Pansy was saying wasn't all it seemed. And I shouldn't have been so hard on Ginny. She's just looking out for me.'

'You've got nothing to apologise for. You're scared, I get it. And I should have told you about Pansy.'

'Listen, I understand why you didn't. You were protecting me, and it must have been so hard for you. I am a little ticked off by the kiss though.' She smiled slightly.

'I am so sorry about that. I honestly-'

'Draco. It's okay. You thought I was with Ron, you were hurt. People do stupid things when they're angry.'

'I do very stupid things when I'm angry.'

'Yes, I can tell.' She shook her head. 'Pansy Parkinson, really? I know you two have history, but you could have had any girl you wanted!'

'Well I only want one.' He looked into Hermione's eyes.

'I'm glad to hear it.' She whispered.

His lips found hers and as she layed back in his arms, she felt the familar safe, secure feeling she always felt when he held her.

'We'll be okay. I know we will.' He murmered.

'I hope so.' She whispered.

'We will. We'll get through all of this.'

'And then what?' Hermione raised an eyebrow.

'Let's wait and see shall we?'

She laughed. 'You have our future all planned out I see.'

'Well to be honest, if my father doesn't kill me, then I'm pretty sure Potter and Weasley will when they find out about us, so my future's looking pretty bleak.'

'Harry and Ron will not kill you. I'll talk to them. And neither will your father. We're going to beat him, and we're going to be happy.'

'Someone sounds a lot more positive.'

Hermione sat up. 'Someone has an amazing, caring person in their life who they love very much. And maybe because of this they've made me think more positively.'

'Well I try my best.' Draco smirked.

'I was actually talking about Ginny...'

'Oh shut up.' She giggled as he kissed her. 'How about I get us some Butterbeer and those Chocolate Cauldrons you appear to love so much, and we just stay here and forget about everyone else? Wasn't that the plan today?'

'It was. But then everyone else appeared to not agree with it.'

Draco looked at his watch. 'Well we have a few hours to make up for it.'

'You're on.' She grinned, and he quickly kissed the top of her head as he got up. As she watched him pottering about in the kitchen, Hermione smiled to herself. Even though everything was a mess and she was in a dangerous situation, she still thought herself incredibly lucky to have Draco in her life.

'Here, catch!' She jumped as he threw a Butterbeer can at her and dodged out of the way to avoid it hitting her face. The can slammed against the wall, spraying drink everywhere. Crookshanks hissed crossly, speeding out of the room and up to Hermione's room.

'You absolute idiot!' She shrieked at him, half laughing as she ran a hand through her drenched hair.

'I told you to catch! What kind of person dodges out of the way when someone says catch?!' He was shaking with laughter.

'A person who doesn't play silly catch games with Butterbeer!' She retorted, but she was unable to suppress a smile.

'Here. You've got foam on your face.' He grinned, sitting down next to her, bringing a finger up to her cheek and tenderly wiping it away.

'Oh I suppose you think this is hilarious! Hey, what about those Chocolate Cauldrons, why don't we play catch with them next?!'

'Hermione Granger. I love you so bloody much.' Draco laughed, kissing the tip of her nose.

'Oh do stop with the flattery.' She rolled her eyes.

'It's true.'

'Well I love you when you aren't throwing cans at me.'

'I'll keep that in mind.' He smirked, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. Hermione smiled contently as she layed back against him, but the thought of Lucius Malfoy out there somewhere plotting weighed heavily on the back of her mind, and she suppressed a shudder, not being able to shake off the feeling that terrible events were soon to come.

I'm so sorry I took a while to update, I've been so busy lately I just haven't had the chance! As usual thanks to everyone who's followed/reviewed/favourited!