Hey!! I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so SORRY!! I was supposed to have this done by Thanksgiving but, I sort of had tons of homework and crap to do. I had all these concerts for my school and community service. My sister came home like twice and after a while it was Christmas like out of nowhere. Then I had to study for mid-terms, which I'm still doing now. My first day of mid-terms is the day with my two hardest exams so I'm kinda pissed. Okay, in this is one chapter I have three parts. The first is really short--or it was supposed to be--but the other two are reasonably long.

Reincarnated Love

Chapter 25-

Part1 - A Secret Revealed

Hermione was frozen, even bundled in her coat and wearing her warmest hat. There was still snow everywhere, causing the bottom of her jeans--the part that dragged on the ground--to be soaked. She still had no gloves and she was shivering. Nevertheless, she allowed herself to be dragged to the next store by Gwyn, Pansy and Ginny. They had been to numerous stores full of silk dresses and beautiful evening gowns. Yet, they had not found one dress that they wanted. All of them looked at each dress with vague acceptance; none of them were good enough for the occasion.

"Hurry up," Gwyn called behind her. She knew exactly where to go to get the perfect gowns.

Hermione and Pansy slugged behind Gwyn and Ginny. This gave them a chance to talk. Pansy had pondered how to approach Hermione with her concerns. She had wondered if Hermione was aware of the immense amount of problems that Draco faced. But she knew that Hermione was well aware.

"Hey," Pansy said.

Hermione smiled weakly and Pansy immediately knew that she was going through an inner conflict with herself. "Hey," Hermione replied.

"Don't worry, Gwyn has some sort of plan." Pansy assured, knowing that Hermione was worried about her encounter with the secret lover.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about," Hermione laughed. Pansy grinned.

"Anyone would be," she said. "Gwyn's plans are sometimes questionable."

"And yet, the work without many flaws," Hermione added.

"You speak the truth," Pansy agreed.

The four girls scanned through more shops and finally found the perfect dresses. Then, they headed back out into the cold.

"Great! Now, who's hungry?" Gwyn asked, grinning wide. "We still have a little bit of time before we set the plan into action. So, who's up for some butterbeers and maybe some food?" Gwyn asked.

Ginny, Pansy and Hermione all grinned. "Food, sounds really good right about now," Hermione said.

"I second that!" Ginny called, rubbing her stomach.

"Yeah, I can hear Ginny's stomach growling." Pansy added. "Are we meeting the guys for lunch?"

"Yeah, we are." Gwyn said. "They're probably there already, but I'll call." She pulled her cell phone out of her bag and dialed a number.

"This will be a fun lunch," Ginny said.

"Yeah, your brother is probably going to try and kill Draco," Pansy added. "And Blaise already has a grudge against Spencer, he'll probably snap at Ron too." Ginny laughed.

"Yup, he probably will," Ginny agreed.

"But Ron could be calm you know," Hermione said, grinning.

"Yeah, if he's around Pansy," Ginny added. She and Hermione grinned.

Pansy narrowed her eyes at them both. "What are you saying?"

"We're saying that, Ron fancies you," Ginny said.

"Yes, and he probably dreams about you every night," Hermione grinned.

Ginny turned to Hermione. "Now that I think of it, Harry did mention that Ron moans in his sleep," Ginny said with a giggle.

Pansy stared at the two girls. She didn't know whether to be annoyed with them or to jump up and down with joy that Ron couldn't stop thinking about her--even in his sleep. The thought of Ron liking her that much made her heart jump. She felt herself blush--something that hadn't happened to her since she was way younger.

"Oh my god!! You're blushing!" Ginny exclaimed.

Pansy snapped out of her thoughts. "What?"

"Oh! She is!" Hermione said.

"I am what?" Pansy asked.

"Blushing!!" Hermione and Ginny both exclaimed.

"You so like Ron," Ginny said. "Can't understand why…but hey! There's someone for everyone, right?" Hermione smacked Ginny. "What, Ron's a nuisance!"

"Only to you. And that's because he's your brother. Brothers are supposed to be nuisances," Hermione said.

"Kay, guys let's go," Gwyn said. "They said they'll meet us there."

"I'm dying to know how they all survived together," Ginny said.

"Ron probably tried to kill Draco and then Blaise probably tried to kill Ron, and Harry and Spencer probably tried to keep the peace," Hermione predicted.

"That's sounds pretty accurate," Gwyn said.

"Maybe we should hurry," Ginny said. "To make sure no one dies."

"Yeah, I'm hungry," Pansy added.

"For what?" Ginny asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Pansy smacked her with her purse. "For food!" Ginny grinned and followed them to the Three Broomsticks.

"Really Ginny, you should stop teasing Pansy. She'll be your sister-in-law soon," Gwyn said.

Pansy's mouth dropped, while the other three girls laughed. "You guys better sleep with one eye open," Pansy threatened. Gwyn, Ginny and Hermione all stopped laughing but they couldn't hide their smiles.

"Sorry, Pansy I couldn't resist," Gwyn said.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just go eat," Pansy answered, walking ahead of them. She ignored the giggles she heard from behind her as she approached their destination. She could see the guys standing outside the Three Broomsticks and her heart leapt at the sight of Ron. She couldn't explain it but she was happy to see him.

"Oh look!" Gwyn exclaimed. "They haven't killed each other yet."

"That's good," Hermione said, smiling. Her heart had practically jumped out of her chest at the sight of Draco. He was wearing his Christmas present and a green and silver scarf. His hair was hanging in his face as usual--adding a another degree of sexiness to him.

Ginny shivered and pulled her hat lower onto her head. "Let's hurry, I'm freezing."

"Same," Pansy agreed.

"I'm not," Gwyn announced with a grin.

"Do vampires even get cold?" Ginny asked.

"Sometimes," Gwyn joked. Pansy smiled at her.

They reached the guys and Ginny practically jumped into Harry, almost knocking him over. Hermione slid her hand into Draco's and he smiled at her.

"You still don't have gloves?" he asked. She just grinned.

"So you guys are still alive," Gwyn said. "I'm surprised."

"Barely," Spencer said before kissing her. "Blaise is a little testy."

"Why shouldn't I be?" Blaise fumed. "You guys forced us to hang out with Potter and Weasel for the day. I can handle Hermione and Ginny but those two…" He pointed to Ron and Harry. "NO! Never again will you get me to be near them! Not all the bribery or seducing in the whole world could get me to do it!"

Pansy grinned. "Aw, poor Blaise. Next time we'll leave you with Lavender. She can satisfy your needs, can't she?"

Gwyn smiled, as did Draco and Spencer. Blaise, on the other hand, glared. "That is not funny! Nowhere close to being funny," he said.

"Plus, Ron and Harry aren't that bad," Pansy added, emphasizing on their first names.

"Yeah, at least they don't hit on you," Gwyn said, grinning. This time everyone laughed. Even Blaise had to crack a smile.

"Alright guys, let's hurry up and go in," Draco said. "Some of seem to be cold." He looked at Hermione who was visibly shivering. She just smiled at him.

"Yes, and others are frozen and starving," Pansy added.

"Some are pissed off," Blaise mumbled as they all walked in.

Surprisingly, there was a table that could fit them all. They sat at a circular table almost in the middle of the Three Broomsticks. Hermione sat in between Ginny and Draco. Blaise sat on Draco's right; Spencer sat between Blaise and Gwyn, who sat next to Pansy; Ron sat on Pansy's right and on Ron's right was Harry and then Ginny, who was next to Hermione. They all ordered their Butterbeers and decided on what to eat

"So, what are we doing after this?" Blaise asked.

"I don't know what you guys are doing, but Hermione, Ginny, Pansy and I have some things to do," Gwyn said. "But I guess we could meet you guys after."

"What is it that you have to do?" Draco asked, suspicious of his cousin.

"Nothing I can let you know about," she said, grinning.

"And that only succeeds in making me more suspicious of you," he added.

"I know," Gwyn grinned. "So when's your next quidditch match?"

"A couple days after the Ball actually," Blaise said.

"Pretty funny how it's a match against us," Harry grinned.

"Yeah, we all know who will win," Ron added.

"You mean, you're admitting that we Slytherins are better than you?" Draco asked.

"No, we--as in, us Gryffindors-- are going to win," Ron said.

"Only in your dreams," Blaise said.

"Oh, great, look what I started," Gwyn said. "Remind me never to bring up quidditch again."

"Well, they've got to fight about something," Ginny said.

"True, very true," Pansy agreed.

"Why is it that us girls can get along but the guys are still on their superiority conflict?" Hermione asked.

"No idea," Pansy said, watching the guys argue about quidditch. "They don't even seem to hear us talking about them.

"And that surprises you, why?" Gwyn asked.

"It doesn't really, I just find it rather amusing," Pansy said. The conversation went on but she didn't pay much attention. She watched her friends laughing and talking. After all that had happened in the past year, she found it amazing how she could even stay happy. And now the recent events of her family life lay on her shoulders. Somehow, she would get through it and the people around her were the ones who could help her the most.

She had tried not to think too much about the funeral of her father but she couldn't help playing out possible situations. She imagined his once handsome face, pale and tortured. Nightmares plagued her sleep, nightmares of her father's dead body. Pansy was so relieved that Draco was going with her. She had no idea how she would get through it but with him there, she might actually get through it all in one piece.

Ginny made some sort of joke that Pansy didn't catch. The whole table erupted in laughter. She smiled at the sight of them all. An outsider looking on would never guess that anyone at this table hated each other. Pansy stole a glance at Ron. His face was bright red with laughter and his eyes glistened. She couldn't help but smile. It was hard to believe that only a year ago, she hated his guts. Now, she felt a certain tenderness to him. Crazy, how you fall for the person you least expect to.

Draco glanced at Pansy. She seemed to be holding up okay, but for how long? He knew she must have had a breakdown of some sort. If not, one was coming soon. Truthfully, he was worried about her. What friend wouldn't be? She had just lost her father, the parent she loved the most, and she had less than a week until his funeral.

She was holding in all her emotions, and he could tell. That was all of their problem: they all had grown into the habit of sucking it in and never letting it out. Gwyn had done it, Spencer had done it, Pansy did it, Blaise did it, He did it and even Lisa did it once in her life. But maybe that was the problem. Maybe what made Draco depressed was suppressing all his emotions. If so, there was no way in hell that he would let the same thing happen to Pansy. He had to help her through this in any and every way he could.

Hermione slid her hand into his under the table and he felt a tingling sensation at her touch. She grinned at him and he smiled back. He had no idea what he would do without her. She had helped him through so much in the past months alone. He was truly in love with her.

Gwyn looked at her watch, her plan had only a few more minutes until it was put into action. She beyond anything that it would work. It wasn't an elaborate scheme--actually, it was really blunt--but she assumed it would work. No one would be able to talk to her, Pansy and Ginny without looking like a scared bunny. They were probably the most forceful girls in Hogwarts.

Ginny's fascination with cursing people scared most. Also, the fact that if anyone messed with her, they would not only have to deal with her but Harry and Ron as well scared plenty of people. Pansy scares anyone and everyone. She can give you a deathly look that would make you pee your pants. As for Gwyn, just the fact that she's a vampire was enough. Yes, there was no doubt that her plan would work. All she had to do now was hurry it along.

She looked around, everyone was basically finished. "Guys, we have to get going," Gwyn said.

Ginny nodded in agreement. "Yeah, what time is it?"

"It's almost two-thirty," Gwyn answered.

"Really?" Pansy asked. Gwyn nodded. "Alright so how are we paying?"

"I've got it," Draco said.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked. "You know we could all pitch in."

"No, I've got it. It's my treat," he insisted.

"Plus, we'll help out," Harry added. Speaking for the rest of the guys. "You guys just go ahead."

"Aw, thanks," Pansy said.

"Well, we're off," Gwyn said, leading the other three girls out into the snow. As soon as they were farther away from the restaurant, she stopped. "Alright, first we should probably send the bags to our dorms." Everyone else nodded in agreement, sending their bags off as they did so.

"So what's the plan?" Ginny asked.

"Okay, it's not all that elaborate so bare with me," Gwyn said. "Hermione you cannot come in with us but you will be close and we'll tape it for you."

"Oh God, what are we doing?" Pansy asked.

"Alright, so basically we're going to confront this kid but Hermione can't be within sight. So it'll just be me and you two," She pointed to Ginny and Pansy. "And since we have the advantage of being rather forceful, we might actually be able to scare him off."

"That makes sense," Ginny said.

"If not, we can just hex him or something," Pansy added.

"Guys, seriously, please no hexing." Hermione put in.

"Fine," Ginny, Gwyn and Pansy said reluctantly.

"Great, you guys just follow my lead and don't relay any important information to this kid." Gwyn said as they walked to the Hog's Head. They reached the door and Gwyn turned to Hermione.

"Stay close but out of sight." She said. Hermione nodded. "Ready?" She said, turning to Ginny and Pansy.

"Ready," they replied.

Gwyn opened the door and they walked in. She looked around for any Hogwarts student. It seemed that none were there. "Do you see anyone that it could be?" she asked.

Ginny shook her head. "No, there's no one I recognize." Her eyes widened in horror. "What if it wasn't a student?"

Pansy smacked Ginny. "That's not even possible," she said. Ginny cracked a grin. "Hey, there is someone from school." Pansy stared off toward a boy sitting alone.

Gwyn looked at him for a minute. "Isn't he a Slytherin?" she asked.

Pansy nodded. "He transferred late last year. His name is Jason," she said.

"Well, lets see if he's the lucky guy," Gwyn said. She walked over to the table he was sitting at and Ginny and Pansy followed. "Jason, right?" she said.

"Yeah," he said, smiling up at her. "And you're Gwyn, right?"

Gwyn smiled. "yeah, you waiting for someone?"

"I am actually," he said.

"Oh great," She sat down across from him. He stared at her. "You wouldn't be meeting Hermione here would you?" she asked.

His eyes narrowed. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, being her friends, we would never ever let her meet a guy that we don't trust," Ginny said, sitting down next to Gwyn.

"And for all we know, you could turn out to be a real perv." Pansy added, sitting on the other side of Gwyn.

"You don't have to worry," Jason said.

"Here's the thing," Gwyn said. "Trust is limited. And you're a bit suspicious."

"How?" he asked.

"Because, somehow, I got this crazy idea that you might have had something to do with that flyer of Hermione and Draco," Gwyn said.

"Excuse me?" he said.

"I honestly can't believe that Jackie Chase and her dippy friends got the idea to stalk Draco and Hermione and take that picture." Gwyn said. "Further more, it's rather hard to believe that they were competent enough to make copies and spread them around the school, seeing as they can't handle even the simplest of spells."

Ginny grinned. Gwyn was very good at this interrogating stuff. She didn't even know that Gwyn thought that was suspicious. When Pansy had said that Jackie took the credit for the flyer, Ginny thought that was it; that they found the culprit.

"What makes you think I had anything to do with it?" Jason asked.

"Well, it was all too convenient that Hermione was made at Draco, just in time for you to intervene. At first, it seemed like nothing but now, it kind of clicks, doesn't it?" Gwyn said. Her eyes bore into Jason's.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Cut the crap," Pansy said, glaring at him.

"Just answer the question truthfully," Ginny added.

"And if you don't…"Gwyn trailed off, giving him a grave look. Pansy made a slashing motion across her neck and Ginny grinned.

Jason looked at the three girls. They presented a major kink in his future life. Couldn't they see that he was in love with Hermione? Why couldn't they see that he was better for her? He wasn't depressed. He didn't constantly hurt her. What would make them all see that?"

"Listen, truth be told, I already know what you did," Gwyn said. "I have a psychic, mind reading little sister. And to top that off, I've already scanned your memories. I feel a teensy bit bad about doing it without your permission but, hey! It wasn't like you'd say yes if I asked you."

"So, if you know, than why do I have to tell you?"

"Because these two don't know," Gwyn said, motioning to Pansy and Ginny.

"What if I don't want to tell you?" Jason asked, only gaining fierce glares from all three girls. His eyes widened; somehow, he was actually intimidated by them. "Fine! You want to know?" They nodded. "Then, I'll tell you."

………………………………

Hermione paced back and forth outside the Hog's Head. She was so nervous. Gwyn, Pansy and Ginny were taking way too long to talk to the guy. It was now three o'clock, almost a half hour since they went in. What if he did something to them? She thought frantically. Of course he didn't do anything to them! her voice assured her. They're good enough to handle anybody. : I guess you're right. : You don't have to guess, I know I'm right: Stop gloating.

Hermione paced more frantically. Her mind went from Maybe I should go in to They probably have it handled. Thrice, she had turned to open the door but had decided better of it. She sat down on a bench only to stand up again. This was killing her. She so wanted to be there, to know what was going on.

Suddenly, the door opened and out came Gwyn, Pansy and Ginny. They were smiling brightly. Pansy's knuckles were red as were Ginny's.

"Well, that was pleasant," Gwyn said.

"What happened?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing really," Pansy said. "We forced him into spilling his guts."

"Almost literally," Ginny giggled.

"Then, those two punch him and got us kicked out," Gwyn laughed.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"He deserved it," Ginny said.

"Yeah, he was a jackass," Pansy added.

"What'd he do?" Hermione asked.

"Well, Gwyn totally scared him shitless when she told him she was reading his mind," Pansy said. Hermione looked at Gwyn wide eyed.

"I didn't really, but it's always a fun trick to use," Gwyn said innocently.

"Anyway, he confessed that he paid Collin Creevey to follow you around and take that picture," Pansy said.

"Then he made the flyers and gave them to Jackie and her cronies to spread around the school," Ginny said.

"And he paid them to pretend that they did the whole thing," Gwyn added.

"After that, he made his move," Pansy said.

"And then he started bragging about how easy it was and how stupid we all were not to catch on sooner so we punched him and told him that the next time we see him, he'll be in serious need of a coffin," Ginny said.

"So he won't be bothering you for a while," Gwyn concluded.

"Oh look! That's him!" Ginny said. Nodding toward a tall guy who had come out of the Hog's Head holding his nose. His hands were covered in blood that matched the color of his hair.

"Why haven't I seen him anywhere?" Hermione asked.

"He transferred to Hogwarts late last year," Pansy said with a shrug. "That's a lot of blood."

"No pain, no gain," Ginny said.

"True," Gwyn said. "Let's go find the boys before they actually kill each other this time."

Ginny grinned. "To…wherever!" she exclaimed with a laugh. They all smiled and raced each other through the snow.

………………………………

Hermione thrashed about and turned in her sleep. She was staring at his face--the boy from the Hog's Head. He had followed her home and she couldn't get away from him. A creepy smile was plastered on his face and laughed with coldness. His face loomed over her…closer…closer. He was only inches away. His breath reeked of beer and tic-tac. His lips were almost against hers before she woke up.

She breathed deeply and wiped the sweat off her face. "It's just a dream," she told herself. "It's just a dream." She fell back onto her pillow and tried to sleep. Yet when she closed her eyes, all she saw was his face.

Hermione sat back up and breathed again. "Gwyn and them took care of it," she reminded herself. "You're fine." She sat there calming herself for a few moments. When it didn't work, she got up and stretched. She silently opened her door and tiptoed down the hall. She took another deep breath and opened Draco's door.

"Hey," Hermione said. "You awake?"

"I wasn't," he mumbled into his pillow. He sat up. "What's up with y--?" He stopped when she hugged him. Draco raised an eyebrow but wrapped his arms around her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing, nightmare," Hermione replied.

"Oh, you okay?" he asked.

"Sort of," she said. "Do you mind if I stay here?"

"No, I don't mind," Draco said. He slid over and she slid under the covers next to him. "You want to talk about it?"

"Nope, I'd rather forget about it," she said, laying her head against his chest.

"Okay then," he said, wrapping his arm around her.

Hermione felt safer next to Draco. She felt like nothing could get to her as long as he was there, absolutely nothing. She would take him over any lover letter writing kid any day.

Again, I'm sooooo sooo so so so so so so sorry for the long wait. I feel absolutely terrible. I hope you all can forgive me. Pleeeeaaasssee REVIEW--even if it is just to tell me how mad you are at me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to my AMAZING editor Isadora120!!!!