A/N: So very grateful for the love! For those asking, this story is going to be 35 chapters long. I might do an epilogue as well, but I'm not too sure. What do you guys think? Do you usually like epilogues? Anyhoooo, we'll get to that part when we reach the last chapters :D Now onto the chapter!

Chapter 25

Her back hit the wall and she slid down it, shaking her head all the while. Her feet ached, her stomach churned and her eyes stung. She tried to fight back tears, but one after the other escaped. They gushed forth like water from behind a dam and spilled down her cheeks and neck.

She never thought things would take such a drastic turn. Never thought that he'd leave her just like that. Didn't she mean anything to him? Didn't he promise her a happily ever after?

She let her head drop onto her knees and hugged them closer to her chest. Her heart ached. Ached so much that she felt it thudding outside it's cage. He had looked so normal. So so normal. How? Did she actual mean that little to him? How could he have kissed her?

She squeezed her eyes shut as she fought hard to get the image of him kissing her, out of her mind. She let out a wailing sob. "Draco! " she yelled into her hand as she bit into it, drawing blood.

This wasn't working out. She had to find someone who'd help her. This tosser was of no help. At least not any longer. With a new sense of determination and a glimmer of hope, she stood back up, wobbling on her wounded feet, and made her way towards the shop at the corner.

OooOooO

" Feeling better now?" Draco asked his mother as he settled into the chair beside her bed.

"A lot better. " She smiled up at him.

Draco smiled back and just grabbed her hand, holding it tight.

" How have you been?" She asked as she studied him closely.

" Good" he tried to sound casual, but she was his mother and didn't miss the glimmer of genuine happiness in his eyes.

" Where's Ms. Granger? " She asked knowingly.

Draco's head snapped up at her name. " Oh...she's with Potter. Discussing something."

" Is that why there's an Auror outside our door?" She asked with distaste.

Draco sighed. " Yes"

" Are you happy?" She asked him.

He looked at her and scoffed.

" Don't, Draco. I can see it and you know it" she told him

He sighed and ran a hand through his blonde locks.

" Honestly? Yes" he admitted with a smile.

Narcissa smiled back at him. " Ms. Granger is a very intelligent and beautiful young woman. "She agreed.

Draco's eyebrows rose.

" Ms. Granger? "

" Isn't she the reason behind your happiness?" She asked with a tiny smirk.

Draco's eyes widened. " It's scary."

" What is?"

"You know me too well. "

Narcissa laughed.

" I just wish this hadn't happened. All these attacks" she admitted with a sigh.

" True. But I'm going to find out who's behind it."

"Do you think it's related? The attack on Ms. Granger and-"

"Definitely. It's someone who's trying to get to me. "

" Does anybody know about you and her?" Narcissa asked with a frown.

Draco looked at her, unblinking.

" No. Even we didn't know about us until 2 days ago."

"Then whoever it is, is closer to you than you think."

This phrase sent shivers down Draco's spine.

OooOooO

" The Aurors are trying their best, Hermione, but the attacker hasn't left a single trace behind."

" But Harry, can't they trace the attackers magic?"

Harry sighed. " I'm afraid no. The attackers made sure to wipe out all evidence,including his/her magic."

Hermione bit her lip and concentrated hard.

"There must be something."

"We're trying, Hermione. We really are" Harry grabbed both of her hands.

"But you have to be patient."

Hermione sighed and dropped her head on his shoulder. "I know... but I can't just...I don't want him to go through anything else." She admitted out loud.

Harry smirked into her hair.

" You care about him, don't you?" He asked softly.

" Yes" she admitted and then froze. She pulled away and looked at him with wide eyes. He was smirking!

" I mean..."

"Yes, you mean?" He prompted.

She licked her lips. " You already know" she admitted softly.

Harry smiled at her. "We all do. So...are you both dating ? " he grimaced at the last word.

Hermione laughed and nodded. "We've decided to give it a try."

" Pansy won"

"Won what?"

"She and Ginny had a bet. "

"Oh?"

" Ginny said you'd wait until he was completely free. Pansy said you wouldn't. "

Hermione laughed. " Oh god. Those two!"

Harry grinned and then his face turned serious. " I'm really happy for you, Hermione. You've finally found someone you like and someone who likes you...After...you know...Ron."

Hermione smiled at her friend.

" I'm happy for me, too. But I wouldn't go as far as saying that he likes me" she chuckled half heartedly.

Harry grabbed her hand. " He does. Trust me, he does."

She looked up into his green eyes and could only see honesty.

" You didn't see him when..." he trailed off.

" When? "

"When that farmhouse...he was devastated...I can't believe I'm saying this, but Malfoy...He was more worried than anybody else. He cried, Hermione. He cried so much that it made Ginny cry. He was going to run into the fire without a wand. You probably don't remember, but his feet were literally sliced open. He had bruises all over his face and arms. I...I felt like I had betrayed you, Hermione. I had never seen such a devastated man in my whole life."

Harry finished, his eyes downcast and shoulders shaking lightly.

Hermione's eyes were wide and glossy.

Draco cried.

She felt a teardrop leave her eye.

" I love him" she admitted out loud.

Harry heard it, but he already knew that she did.

OooOooO

" How's Mrs. Malfoy now?" Ginny asked Harry as she snuggled up closer to him.

Harry looped his arm around her waist and tugged her closer.

" She's fine now. But they're still keeping her under observation for a day."

She hummed, the sound vibrating off his chest.

" And how's Mione?"

"In love." Harry grinned.

Ginny pulled away and sat upright.

" Did she tell you something that you were supposed to tell me?" She asked him with narrowed eyes.

Harry held up his hands in surrender. " I didn't know that you didn't know."

"What is it, Potter?"

'Pop'

"She's dating Draco Malfoy"

"What?!" Ginny shrieked.

Ron and Pansy entered the lounge. Ron's face was passive, but Pansy's face showed exactly what she was feeling. " YES!" she yelled and threw her fist in the air.

Ginny rushed towards Pansy and enveloped her into a hug. The girls began to jump up and down, excitedly.

" It was about time! " Ginny exclaimed.

" That it was, but now you owe me 20 galleons, Mrs. Potter"

"Take 30!" Ginny yelled as she began to twirl in the middle of the room, happy for her best friend.

" Aunt Mione is dating ferret boy!" She placed her hand on her bulging belly and yelled.

Harry and Ron shook their heads.

Women.

So wotchu thought about this chapter? Leave me a review?

Oh! And also...I'm going to be publishing a new chapter twice a week!! So keep your eyes peeled every Tuesday and Thursday! Love x