First of all: Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry for updating that late! I know many of you waited for another chapter and I had so many things to do, I really didn't have time to update! So once again SORRY! And now, please enjoy chapter 26:

When you say nothing at all

It was a cold and silent morning, but Hermione didn't care. They were still walking hand in hand, both tired but happy. She didn't know where to find a car or how to explain everything to her parents, but she was optimistic and grateful and simply satisfied with just being alone with Draco for the moment. Hermione had decided for herself that it was best not to make too many plans. The last months had shown her that things never turn out the way you expect. And she didn't want to ponder now about everything she'd heard tonight.

Draco suddenly stopped and she followed his gaze to the snow-covered car, standing in front of a little house. They'd finally reached Ottery St. Catchpole.

Their eyes met and Hermione nodded, even though she felt guilty. The muggle family would be shocked to notice that their car had actually been stolen. But she was tired and cold and just wanted to finally go home, so she didn't complain.

Draco approached the car slowly and started melting the snow on it. Hermione used the Muffliato spell to make sure nobody would wake up because of the noise later. She couldn't wait to finally disappear. So a career as a criminal isn't a possibility… Hermione rolled her eyes self-deprecating. Draco eventually opened the door magically and they both got in the car. He just swang his wand and the motor started with a loud noise.

They both cringed, but nobody seemed to have noticed. Draco gave her a short glance and finally moved off.

Hermione sighed relieved when they left the little town and were alone in the snowy night again. Draco turned on the heating and a famous Christmas song sounded in the radio. He grimaced and Hermione grinned amused. The pretty old Morris was nothing in comparison to Dracos yellow Porsche. He glanced at her and cocked an eyebrow.

"What?" he asked curious.

Hermione chuckled.

"Nothing. I'm just happy, that's all."

Draco gave her a smile that made her heart skip a beat.

"That's good, then."

ooooo

They drove about an hour and got more and more tired. Hermione couldn't stop yawning and Draco fought hard to concentrate on traffic and keep his eyes open. It was too warm, too comfy and they both were much too exhausted.

Draco cleared his throat and Hermione glanced at him. There were dark shadows under his eyes and he was frowning, obviously lost in some unpleasant thoughts.

"What are you thinking?" she suddenly asked stupidly and he smiled in response.

"I actually asked myself if it was a good idea to leave the manor."

Hermione sighed.

"Do you regret your decision?"

Draco surprisingly started giggling.

"Not yet. I wouldn't have wanted to miss Potter's heartbreaking apology."

Hermione smiled crooked. She understood his doubts. He had no idea who Connor really was and why he had so many reasons to actually help them. For Draco it seemed to be just, well… strange and confusing. It didn't make sense from his point of view. And she couldn't tell him without confusing him even more. Much more.

"Why do you trust this guy so much?" Draco suddenly asked as if he'd read her mind.

Hermione glanced at him motionless.

"I just know that he'd never do anything to harm us. He could have killed us, Draco. He could have handed me out to Voldemort or betray you by telling him about our relationship. He didn't. I talked to him and found out that he has enough reasons to hate Voldemort as much as we do. I won't say any more, because that's his story and I'm not authorised to tell it, but please believe me when I say that this guy is the reason why we're still alive – and together."

Draco gave her an intensive glance.

"Ok."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

"Ok?" she asked surprised and Draco rolled his eyes.

"I trust you. I can't deny that I feel strange about him and that I'm worried, but I believe in you and therefore I guess it's ok."

Hermione turned around to look out of the window because she was afraid he might see the little tear in the corner of her eye.

"Thanks." she whispered and Draco was smart enough to say nothing.

This was one of the moments when she felt overwhelmed by his reaction. She knew that he'd changed a lot and she was well aware of the fact that she'd misjudged him all those years, but sometimes Draco still dumbfounded her.

And suddenly she thought of his future self and remembered everything he'd told her and a strange pain hit her and made her feel breathless. Hermione saw her friends in front of her inner eye and tried to imagine the terrible feeling of losing them. She couldn't. The more she thought about the nearly impossible task of destroying Voldemort, the more she felt helpless and close to despair. What should she do? She was just a teenager, still almost a child. What did she know about life until now? What did she know about loss and sacrifice? Nothing. How should someone like her be able to prevent a war? How should she be able to rescue the ones she loved? And if she could hardly imagine the complexity of killing Voldemort, how would Harry feel when he'd finally find out that the only way of saving everyone was to die?

"What are you thinking?" Draco suddenly asked curious and Hermione tried to put on a smile.

"Nothing important, I just thought of my parents and everything."

Hermione knew that Draco was aware of her lie, but he didn't complain. It was strange, but he always seemed to know how to deal with her. Ron or Harry definitely would've wanted to know more, but Draco just nodded and concentrated again on driving. Sometimes he was really more mature than her best friends.

"Tell me something about your family." he asked interested and Hermione sighed.

"My family lives in a little town near Winchester. I have no friends there and I probably would never return if I didn't really love my parents. They are… well…, dentists." she said shrugging.

Draco cocked an eyebrow and smiled.

"That's all? They are dentists? What about their personality, what kind of people are they?"

Hermione grimaced.

"Draco, since I was a child, I could always easily cope with everything. There was nothing I wasn't good in – well, except of flying maybe – but most people said I was a genius."

Draco nodded, obviously not too sure what she wanted to tell him.

"My mother bought me a science book for my fourth birthday." she added, as if this statement would explain everything.

Draco glanced at her expectant and Hermione sighed.

"They are great, ok? I mean, I love my parents. They always supported me. But…" she said kind of desperate. "…they never seemed to really understand me."

Hermione looked at Draco intensively to make him understand, but before he could say something, she'd already continued explaining.

"Draco, my parents always expected me to be the best in everything. They were really proud when I got my letter from Hogwarts. But they kind of couldn't believe that their only daughter was actually a witch. I guess they had some other plans for me in mind. One evening before I should go to Hogwarts, I heard them talking. They were discussing about my future and if it was a good idea to send me to such a school. I promised myself that I would do everything to make my parents never regret their decision. From the first day on I studied hard to get the best marks possible." she said slowly and stopped for some moments, lost in her thoughts.

Hermione shrugged again.

"But no matter how hard I tried, there was still some kind of distance between us. They suddenly seemed to think that I belonged more to Hogwarts and the world of magic than to the muggle-world I was born in."

Draco gave her another glance but didn't interrupt her.

"And when I became Harry Potter's best friend, I suddenly couldn't tell my parents everything anymore. They knew of course about Voldemort and some other important things, but the barrier between us was just getting thicker. Whenever I came home, I felt like I was entering a completely different world. For some weeks or days I could just be Jeanny…"

"Jeanny?" Draco suddenly asked and Hermione blushed.

"My middle name is Jean. My father called me like that when I was a little child. My Mum always calls me Hermione. She named me after some character in a Shakespeare novel and I guess my Dad never really liked that name. Mum thought it sounded prestigious." she answered rolling her eyes.

Draco smiled fondly and Hermione blushed once again.

"I don't want you to think my parents are bad or something. They are actually very loving and care about me and they are always very proud. It's just that we somehow live in different worlds and sometimes I feel… sad." she finished lame.

"Did you ever consider telling them?" Draco asked calmly.

Hermione snorted.

"No. We don't talk that much about feelings. But that's ok. Really."

She smiled and looked out of the window. Some seconds passed in silence.

"When I arrived at Hogwarts, I was pretty insecure. I hid myself behind books and clever statements to make people believe I was smart and self-conscious. But what I really wanted was a friend. Someone I could talk to. When I became friends with Harry and Ron, I finally felt as if I was appreciated because of the person I am and not because of my school achievements. That's why I care so much about them. That's why I even considered breaking up with you instead of losing them. They were the first ones who made me feel alive. Well, before I met you…"

Hermione blushed. Why did she tell him all those embarrassing things?

"But you also had some trouble with your friends, right? I mean, there were times when they didn't even talk to you." Draco suddenly commented and Hermione looked at him surprised.

"You noticed?" she asked amazed and Draco smiled sadly.

"I remember that you had a fight with Weasley in third year. Something about your cat. I saw you sitting alone in the library many times. I saw you going alone to classes. And you visited Hagrid nearly every day. I noticed because of your sad expression. You looked so lonely. I saw you one evening when you returned from Hagrid. It was already dark outside and you suddenly stopped and looked into the sky. I don't know what you saw there and I don't know what you were thinking, but there was suddenly a tear on your cheek. Before I could even think of saying something, you were already gone."

Hermione stared at him with her mouth open.

"You remember something like that?" she finally croaked and Draco shrugged, a little smile on his lips.

"I remember everything about you."

Hermione didn't answer. She just looked at him stunned, not able to find the right words to express what she felt. Well, sometimes his reactions just dumbfounded her.

ooooo

His room in the manor was big and luxurious but it felt nevertheless cold and uncomfortable. Draco hadn't slept all night and it was already morning. He didn't even feel tired. Part of him was afraid of falling asleep anyway. In his dreams he always saw them dying. In his dreams they lost the fight again and again. In his dreams he could see the life in those golden eyes lapse forever. He heard the cold laughter and finally woke up terrified. No, sleeping was not a good idea.

He took a deep breath and went to take a shower. One look in the mirror made him clench his fists. He looked like 16 again. Draco closed his eyes and allowed himself a second of weakness. He'd do everything to fulfil his mission successful and then he'd finally be able to close his eyes and be with her forever.

He showered longer than necessary and then went down for breakfast. His parents were already waiting, as well as Pansy and her family. He gave them a friendly smile and hid his true feelings behind his mask of cool arrogance.

They talked about unimportant things and finally started going over the engagement party tonight. He nodded when they expected it and he said his opinion when necessary. His mother and Pansy gave him estimating glances from time to time, but he just smiled and did his best to appear as if he'd accepted his destiny without being too enthusiastic. It was too easy to fool them.

"Why don't you two go for a walk? You could show Pansy the garden, Draco." Narcissa finally suggested and he just nodded agreeing.

Pansy stood up and they left the manor. It was still cold, but Draco enjoyed the fresh air on his face. He tried to ignore the dark shadows that were following him to make sure he didn't try to escape. How silly. As if he'd be stupid enough to run away in front of them. Draco rolled his eyes devoted. They walked some minutes in silence.

"Are you ok, Dray? You're kind of different today." Pansy suddenly asked worried, her dark eyes examining him closely.

Draco tried a smile.

"Sure, everything's alright. Sorry to make you worry, I'm just tired that's all."

Pansy sighed.

"You're thinking about Granger, right?" she asked subtle. "Listen, this engagement is just fake. If you're worried about her reaction then I'll tell her the truth in Hogwarts. I'm sure she'll understand."

Draco smiled in response and Pansy blushed.

"Thanks, Pansy, but it's ok. Don't worry about it. Everything will be fine."

Pansy just nodded and they continued walking in silence. Draco was surprised about her sharp-wittedness. He'd have to be more careful in front of her.

He glanced at the little girl next to him and felt suddenly very sorry for her. He knew that she loved him. She'd always done. When he'd married Hermione in his future, she'd been devastated. To offer a fake engagement in order to protect him was just self-sacrificing. He wouldn't let her ever regret it. Draco followed a sudden impulse and took her hand.

Pansy looked at him surprised and he gave her a caring smile.

"Thanks for everything." he whispered and kissed the back of her hand.

Pansy blushed even more, her heated cheeks a nice contrast to her dark hair.

She smiled back and squeezed his hand. It was strange, but this simple gesture comforted him in a way he'd have never expected it. He hoped Hermione was safe, wherever she was right now.

ooooo

"Don't you think your parents will be…, well…, kind of surprised if you go home in the middle of your holidays with some guy you used to hate?" Draco suddenly asked and Hermione turned around frowning.

It was already late morning and they were still driving on an empty road, trying to ignore the heavy tiredness.

"Well, they'll be of course astonished, but I'll explain it and then they'll be happy to see us." she answered shrugging and Draco shook his head smiling.

"What?" Hermione asked still frowning and Draco sighed.

"Honey, you're 16 years old and a girl. You're not supposed to travel around alone with a guy. Your parents think that you're in Hogwarts, right? How do you explain our sudden visit to them? You can't possibly say we already spent a week together almost alone, can you? And they definitely won't believe that we visited my grandmother."

Hermione grimaced.

"I guess you're right. We have to think of some plausible explanation."

Draco nodded yawning.

"We should simply say that we both stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas. You wanted to introduce me to your family and we therefore decided to visit them."

Hermione sighed.

"Sounds good. I hate lying to them, but I guess there's no choice. I don't want to worry them for nothing."

"I'm sorry." Draco suddenly whispered and Hermione looked at him stunned.

"What for?" she asked bemused.

Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry that things are so complicated. I mean, I wish I could just be some ordinary guy and not a Malfoy. It would be so much easier if I was someone else."

Hermione snorted amused.

"Easier doesn't mean better."

Draco smiled.

"You don't wish I was some nice muggle-born guy you could introduce to your parents?"

Hermione shook her head determined.

"Draco, the person you are now could only develop because you were born as the son of a rich pureblood family. Everything I love about you is the result of the life you led until now. If we would suddenly change your parents or the place you lived or even your abilities, then there wouldn't be anything left from the guy I fell in love with. It just wouldn't be you anymore. And that's exactly the point."

Draco looked at her intensively and Hermione blushed. She turned towards the window again, trying to calm her pounding heart.

"Thanks." he suddenly whispered. Hermione was smart enough to say nothing.

ooooo

"We'll arrive soon." Hermione suddenly said smiling and Draco nodded relieved.

"I can't wait to get out of this car…" he moaned tired and Hermione nodded agreeing.

They definitely needed a shower, something to eat and a nice, warm bed.

"By the way, what about the car?" Draco suddenly asked and Hermione bit her lip.

"Can't we give it back? I mean, we could give an anonymous call to the police of Ottery St. Catchpole or something."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Suit yourself."

Hermione just smiled in response.

ooooo

After another hour they finally stood in front of a yellow house with brown shutters and a palisade. Hermione was excited and at the same time exhausted. She remembered the luxurious villa Draco lived in and blushed.

"Well, it's not a manor…" she stated with a shrug, but Draco squeezed her hand and smiled.

"It's perfect."

Hermione smiled back relieved and rang the bell. They waited some moments but nothing happened. Draco cocked an eyebrow and Hermione shrugged. She wanted to ring the bell again, when it suddenly came into her mind. She moaned.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked frowning.

"My parents are working. They run a dental office together and they won't return until around 5 in the afternoon."

"Don't you have a key?" Draco asked tired and Hermione shook her head.

"I forgot it in Hogwarts. I didn't think I'd need it…"

Draco sighed. He looked around and took out his wand.

"No, don't!" Hermione shouted and he faced her surprised.

"What? We have to open the door somehow and it'll only take a second…"

Hermione shook her head.

"We can't use magic here. Winchester is a muggle city. As far as I know there are no other witches or wizards here except me. They'd immediately know where we are if we use our wands."

Draco put his wand back moaning.

"We'll have to break in muggle-style, right?"

Hermione nodded, biting her lip.

"Let's look for an open window. Hopefully nobody will call the police…" Draco murmured and walked around the house to examine it.

Hermione followed. First a stolen car and now they were about to break in. Maybe she'd already started a career as a criminal…

Draco pointed at the balcony and Hermione nodded.

"That's my room behind."

"I'll help you to climb up." Draco said and kneeled down to give her a leg up.

Hermione looked at him sceptical and he snorted.

"Come on, I know that you can do it. I'd never let you fall, don't you know that?"

Hermione placed her foot in his hands instead of giving an answer. Their eyes locked, both remembering a similar situation not too long ago. Hermione blushed when she thought of that Halloween party. Draco smirked.

One fluid movement and Hermione was able to cling to the balcony railing. She put one leg over the railing and fell ungraceful on the balcony. Draco chuckled and Hermione blushed. She poked her tongue out at him and he started laughing in response.

It didn't take long to open the balcony door that led into her room. Hermione went downstairs and opened the front door. Draco was already waiting, still amused.

Hermione looked at him smiling.

"Come in." she whispered and Draco followed her into another world.

ooooo

The house was light-flooded and modernly furnished without losing its charm. Bright carpets and curtains, pastel-coloured walls as well as the wooden staircase that led to the first floor were simple but elegant. Draco looked at Hermione, who seemed to wait for his judgement, and smiled. She smiled back and her golden eyes started gleaming. Draco felt once again overwhelmed by her beauty.

"Can I see your room?" he asked husky and she nodded blushing.

He loved to see her cheeks flush.

Hermione took his hand and led him upstairs. There were four doors.

"That's the bathroom, here's my parents' bedroom, their study and this one is mine." she said slowly and finally opened the wooden door.

Draco looked around and felt really pleased. It just fit. The walls were painted in a bright blue, there was a simple single bed in the middle of the room and one of her walls was covered by a huge bookshelf. There was a desk in front of the window and a cat basket for that ugly pet of hers. Her cupboard was ordinary – not the huge closet he knew from his mother. Draco went around and noticed the personal things that made this room belong to her.

There were some stuffed animals on her bed, souvenirs from her holidays and three pictures on her bed table. One showed her as a child on her father's shoulders, another one with her parents on her birthday. They looked actually very kind. But what caught Draco's attention was the third picture. It showed Hermione with Potter, Weasley and the little redhead – Ginny. The Hermione in the picture was happy and smiled and it was the only picture that was actually magical. Draco couldn't describe the feeling that suddenly hit him offhand.

He turned around and examined her books – most of them classics he also appreciated – and finally he met her gaze and smiled.

"It's great." he simply said and her face lit up happy. Draco felt a strange pain in his chest.

"Are you ok?" she suddenly asked worried and Draco pulled himself together.

"Sure, I'm just really tired. Sorry."

Hermione nodded and smiled again.

"How about a shower? I'll prepare something to eat while you're in the bathroom."

Draco nodded grateful. She approached him smiling and gave him a little kiss. Her lips were so sweet, so innocent, so loving.

"Feel free to take whatever you need. I'm downstairs in the kitchen, ok?" she said enthusiastic and disappeared.

The only one I really need is you. he thought by himself but he didn't say a word.

ooooo

Draco felt the hot water on his tensed body and tried to finally relax. He couldn't. Something about this house, about that room, about Hermione herself, just made him feel uneasy. He felt out of place, as if he didn't belong to this harmonic place. Everything was so pure, so nice and welcoming and he was just not meant to be here. He didn't deserve it. Draco shook his head and stopped the shower. He wrapped a towel around his hips and looked into the mirror. He wasn't the one who was supposed to stand here. He wasn't the one Hermione should introduce to her parents. He wasn't the one she should be in love with.

Draco took a deep breath because he suddenly felt dizzy. He entered her room and looked around once again. He was just about to destroy her, to destroy the life she could have led without him. The pain in his chest grew stronger and Draco had to sit down. He'd been an egoistic bastard to let it go this far.

He gazed at the magical picture on her night table once again. Weasleys arm was wrapped around her waist. They'd have definitely become a couple if Draco hadn't interfered. And even though the simple thought of Hermione being with Weasley made him feel sick, he couldn't help but think it'd have been somehow right.

Draco took a pair of jeans and a shirt from his baggage and got dressed. He couldn't shake off those thoughts that made him feel weak and empty and he couldn't erase the picture of Hermione with some other guy – most likely Weasley – from his mind. But worst wasn't the jealousy or the pain he felt when pondering about those things, worst was that part of him really thought it would be better that way. Better for her.

He took a deep breath and went downstairs. Draco opened the kitchen door and suddenly he felt a stronger pain than ever. There were two plates with eggs, bacon and toast and a blue candle was burning. Hermione was sitting on a chair, her face was placed on her arms and she was sleeping. Her mouth was slightly open and she looked very young and very fragile.

Draco clenched his fists. He'd protect her. No matter what it'd take, he'd never let anyone harm her. He'd make sure that she'd be safe and that she'd lead the life she was supposed to lead. He'd take care of her from distance and if it was better for her – and it unfortunately was – then he'd leave her. Leave her in order to keep her safe.

Draco hadn't noticed that he was actually crying. It was the second time that he was crying because of this girl. The only girl he'd ever love. The only girl he'd sacrifice everything for. The only girl that had ever given him the feeling of being complete.

He kneeled down and looked into her sleeping face. He didn't want to wake her up, but his hand moved on its own. He caressed her cheek and his fingers stroked her lips. He wanted to see those eyes once again. He wanted to hear her call his name. He wanted to hug her and to bury his face in her hair. He just wanted to be with her so badly that it hurt.

Draco bent down and placed a light kiss on her forehead. He stood up, turned around and left the kitchen. He knew that he had to leave immediately or else he wouldn't be strong enough to go. He opened the front door slowly and suddenly stood in front of two very surprised dentists…

Hi everyone!

How are you? Do you still read my story? I really hope all of you do! I had a pretty hard time lately and a lot to do and I never felt like writing something good. But now I finished chapter 26 and I think it's a good one. What do you think? I really wanted to show something about Hermione, something about how I imagine her to really be. And about her family of course. But I'll tell more about that in the next chapter. And this time it won't take that long, I promise!

Please take the time to review! Can't wait to read what you're thinking. Your last reviews were just awesome and I appreciated every single one! Thanks a lot to everyone!

Sorry again! Love you all!