AN: Sorry for the late update, messed up schedule and messed up internet connection.

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter.

The end is very near, dear readers! AAAH! By the way, thank you for all your support and much loved reviews.


It was only now that Draco realized how beautiful her eyes were.

She did not remove her gaze, and Draco felt that any moment soon Snape would come, disrupting the only time he could marvel at her eyes…

"I don't know… I was hoping maybe you could tell me." He told her, and even though Hermione didn't say a word, he knew she was hurt. He knew she was expecting something else.

He could feel her be let down.

From a distance Draco could see two boys whispering to each other, making frantic gestures and looking alarmed.

"What's he saying, Harry? What's he saying?! I can't hear from here… can you hear them?!" Ron was saying hurriedly.

"Shut up Ron! I bet they can hear you!" Harry said, putting his hand on Ron's mouth.

Hermione looked at them and smiled. She mouthed the words 'It's alright.' to them, just so they could keep quiet and not attract any unwanted attention from Snape.

"During the summer, you mean?" Hermione asked. She was taking her time. She didn't know for sure if she should tell him, or else there might be a better time to do so, but absolutely not during early morning Potions with an early morning cranky Snape, she decided.

"Yeah. I feel as though there's this great big chunk of something I can't remember… And I can't get any closer to knowing what that something is. Know what I mean?" He said, stirring his potion madly.

"And every time I try to remember it… the more I feel like I'm forgetting it even more. I don't like the feeling of not remembering it, and it bothers me to not know anything about what I may have been through. You know? It's my memory, I have the right to remember, right?" He asked her.

Hermione gulped. She didn't know if she should be glad or sad. Draco finally showed some signs of awareness towards the forgotten love, though he wasn't any closer to knowing more. He just knew there was something.

But exactly what something?

She was frustrated and hopeful all at the same time, and she felt like she didn't need the weight of finishing potions to add up.

"Why ask me?" She croaked.

Draco froze. He should have known it would all come down to that brown leather thing. That little thing that had him thinking of everything he should have thought of long before.

Crap.

"Uhh…" He started.

Did he read the diary? Did he read it, and hopefully saw my name? Merlin Please, Merlin Please, Please Merlin, Please Merlin.

Amen.

Hermione didn't even understand what she was saying. She just knew she was about to find out whether Draco read the leather notebook or not.

"Nothing. Just felt like asking, that's all. Why?!" Draco lamely said.

Hermione bit her tongue. She didn't want to pluck it out of Draco if he wasn't ready to say it to her yet. He'd tell her he read it when he's comfortable.

"So, what did happen!? If you could just tell me… then maybe I wouldn't bug you anymore…." Draco started saying, growing impatient at all the unnecessary spin-offs of the discussion.

Hermione burrowed her eyebrows. "Excuse me! Who are you to demand anything from me?!" She exclaimed, flinging her hair.

"I wasn't demanding! You just keep talking and you answer my questions with questions! Why can't you just stop making things complicated?!" He said, letting go of all pretenses and venting out his frustration on not knowing things he wanted to know. He just vented out everything he felt like venting out.

And he showered all his anger and confusion and all his frustration at her… just simply at her, not knowing nor caring what he said anymore, nor did he care that half the class was listening… all he cared about was letting it all go…

Even though he knew she would get hurt.

"I do not make things complicated, you just expect too much! The world does not revolve around you!" Hermione huffed, putting her hands on her hips and trying hard to look Malfoy straight at the face.

"You know, for someone so smart, you can be so stupid." He said quietly and coldly.

Harry and Ron were now running towards them.

Let them be… let them be… what do you care… you hardly remember anything you KNOW you should remember…

Nothing else matters.

Draco thought.

"ALRIGHT!!!" Snape suddenly bellowed, appearing on the scene, trying hard to conceal his deceitful smile.

"Both of you! Headmaster's office! NOW!" He spat. "Granger! The headmaster shall see you first. Malfoy, you wait." He said, sounding dead and scary.

"The rest of you, ten points off if I hear a word about this. Get back to the potion!" He spat again, and whirled in his bat-like manner, disappearing behind a couple of books.

Hermione hastily made her way out of the classroom. She was glad she didn't have to walk all the way there with Draco.

Draco watched her leave, both resenting and not caring about what he did. He was breathing heavily.

Could've just told me… making life harder… women.. tss…

Back at Harry's and Ron's table, they were conversing in really low tones.

"What was that about?" Ron whispered hastily.

Harry looked around. "Dunno. But I don't think Snape had them go to Dumbledore because of the fight. You know what I think, Ron?"

Ron looked at him. "What?" He asked with an open mouth.

"I think the teachers are taking action."


Hermione was riding the moving steps. She was finally in front of the brass knocker, and before she even knocked, she already heard a familiar voice call, 'Come in.'

"Sit down." Dumbledore said calmly. Hermione obeyed, biting her lip to stop her from blurting out words and talking too fast.

"Why the fight?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

Hermione opened her mouth. "H-h…How did you know we fought in Potions class?" She asked.

"I have eyes and ears in all the essential places. Please Miss Granger, how do you suppose I run this overwhelming school?" Dumbledore asked, half-chuckling, half-choking. He was eating chocolate frogs. "So anyway…do continue."

Hermione bit her mouth for a second or two, then finally just blurted everything out.

"He! He-blamed-me! Blamed me for not giving him answers and all that! He asked me about summer, and of course I didn't know what to say! Was I supposed to tell him, 'Oh, You were my boy.' right then and there?! And I wanted to know why he asked because of course, I was surprised! It's the first time he's mentioned summer after a month!

And then he gets irritated 'cause I don't answer right away and says that I make things complicated and all! And he called me stupid!" She bellowed, expressing anger and frustration.

"We were talking and it started out okay then everything just went fast and boogsh!!!"

She was breathing heavily when Dumbledore smiled. "Have a frog." He said cheerfully, handing her a chocolate frog.

"Thanks." Hermione said, feeling little and ashamed. She just screamed at the Headmaster.

"By all means, you have a valid reason to feel in many ways, frustrated and agitated. Incredulous, what Mr.Malfoy did. There was no need to disrespect you and be so controlling and demanding. It's true, he can get a bit full of himself at times."

He stopped to get one more chocolate frog.

"On the contrary, young Mr. Malfoy made an interesting discovery last night…" He trailed off, intending Hermione to finish the statement for him.

Hermione's eyes widened. "You mean, he actually read it?!?!"

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "I am not sure, but I think so. If not, why would he have asked you in the first place?" He looked straight at Hermione.

"Anyway." The headmaster continued. "That gives him reason to feel uneasy and angry. Understand that currently, he is aware that there was something that happened during the summer, and he is revolted at the idea that he has no idea what it is, nor does it help that he can't get any closer to knowing what it is.

That being said, he understands that you might be the only source he can rely on, because he so intelligently put the pieces of information together.

He opens a brown leather notebook that he hasn't opened for almost a month, which means it must've been written even before he went to Hogwarts this year. He reads it, and realizes he doesn't remember ever writing it. He never recalled writing it during his sixth year… and he finds it the start of his seventh year. Therefore, he would assume that it was written—"

"During the summer." Hermione finished.

"Exactly." Dumbledore said, bowing his head. "And so he feels that he could get answers from you. He grows excited, he grows hopeful and nervous, he's about to know something he can not remember… and he is full of questions… once he finds out, he is ready to ask some more… Why did he forget? Why did it happen? Why was he never informed? Why has it been almost a month? All sorts of questions… he gets impatient. Really, really impatient.

And then, you don't deliver the answers he wants immediately. He gets frustrated, he feels let down, he loses hope. And then he vents this all out on you, he lets go of everything… his anger… his hopelessness… his desperation… he lets it all out on you. He can't tell anyone else. He can't mention a word to his Slytherin friends. And since you two have a history of fighting, he suddenly finds it fit to let go of his anger and not care what people will think, as they find it normal that you guys fight.

Therefore, no one will suspect him, no one will suspect he has gone to you for help. His secret desperation is kept secret between you, and him." Dumbledore finished, this time sucking on a lemon drop.

Hermione was speechless. She didn't know Dumbledore knew so much. But either way, she was relieved, and she felt pity towards the boy who felt so much and had no one else to share it all with.

"Oh. I forgot." She suddenly said.

Dumbledore looked at her, his piercing blue eyes searching her. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Should I really tell him about summer? Should I mention anything? Should I let him know?" She asked eagerly, wanting a strong and wise opinion.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, sat straight and looked alarmingly dignified and serious.

"No." He said. "He shouldn't know anything about what happened. You can not tell him, nor give any clue about it. Nor should your friends tell him, or anyone who knows for that matter. He should not be informed." He said with finality in his tone.

Hermione bit her lower lip. No matter how much she wanted to question his opinion, she nodded, said 'Thank You', and stood up to leave.

"Mr.Malfoy, you can come in now." Dumbledore called.

The door opened, and in came a handsome looking boy Hermione knew all too well. She avoided looking at him, and passed by him passively, not daring to say anything at all. Finally, she closed the door just as she heard Dumbledore say 'Take a seat.'

And she started looking for Ginny.


"Do you want to tell me anything, Mr.Malfoy?" Professor Dumbledore asked politely, offering him some lemon drops and chocolate frogs.

Draco shook his head, saying 'No thanks' to the offer of sweets. He didn't say a word after that.

"Is there something bothering you?" Dumbledore asked politely.

Draco stroke his handsome white blond hair. He shook his head. "Nothing, Professor."

Dumbledore entwined his fingers together, and looked Draco straight in the eyes.

"I believe, and I know, there is something bothering you."

Draco's mouth went dry. There was no point to lie in front of a skilled legilimens, he might as well say everything he had to say.

"Well...there is something that bothers me." He heaved.

"It's about something I can't remember… It's as if there's this one big chunk of memories I can't retrieve… and it bothers me because I feel that I have all the right to know what it is, and yet I can't tell what it is… I can't get close to knowing what it is… and someone who I thought could actually help me is very uncooperative…" He said grudgingly, looking much like a 5 year old on a tantrum.

"I see… and how did you come across believing that here is some chunk of something you can't remember?" Dumbledore asked.

Draco couldn't feel his tongue, his mouth, he lost his voice. Should he tell Dumbledore about what he read?

"I... I read something last night." Draco said, daring to bite his tongue soon.

Dumbledore smiled. "What did you read?" He asked.

Draco raised his eyebrows. "I read something that made me think about what happened... and... and Hermione's name was there, so naturally, I asked her about summer. But she wouldn't tell me, I don't know why." He said coldly.

"Should you get really affected?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

"She wouldn't tell me!" Draco said outraged.

"Is it because you want to learn about summer, or you want to know what might have happened between you and Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked suddenly, catching Draco off guard.

Draco fell silent.

"Of course not! I just want to know about summer!"

"I think, you are scared at the possibility that something happened between you two, and you want to know about it. Which is also why you get so affected by Miss Granger..."

"Who said I'm affected?!?"

"If you don't mind me asking, why Miss Granger?"

"I just read her name!!!"

"My my, have you developed a certain trust in her?"

"What made you say that?!"

"I think you now know that she's important. She's the only one with the answers."

"How can you be so sure?!"

"You said so yourself. Or else, why did you ask her in the first place?"

"Why are you making such a big deal out of it?!"

"If you aren't careful Mr.Malfoy, everybody will find out you actually like her."

"What?!"

"I said, I think you like her."

"I don't!!"

"There is no need to be so defensive. Have a lemon drop..."

"No thank you! And I don't like her! I just nee-!"

"--You need her?"

Draco went red. "NO! I just need answers! That's all!"

"Answers from her. So, in a sense, you do need her. You technically said so yourself."

"No! You can't tell me how I feel! Stop that thing you do with your brain!!"

"I can't. I'm just guessing. You have the choice to believe it or show how it affects you."

"Whatever, You're messing with my brain."

"I think it's clear what to do now, don't you think?"

"Huh? What?"

"Get your answers about a certain summer..."

"What do you think I'm doing?!"

"Going to a person you believe has the answers. Good work, Mr.Malfoy. Just keep going."

"I should?"

"And you'll remember." Dumbledore finally said, standing up.

"Remember?! Remember what?! YOU KNOW?!" Draco asked, standing too and walking towards the door. He was almost as tall as the Headmaster. He had gotten even more handsome.

"I think, it is time for you to go now. Thank you Draco for your time.." Dumbledore said, waving off Draco, stopping him from firing even more questions.

Draco went out silently, his brain flooded with questions and possibilities. His heart raced.

If not her, ask the people who love her..

And, with mental slaps and curses, he approached the Quidditch field, where he knew Gryffindors were currently practicing...


"Come in, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall." Dumbledore said as two figures came in and took their seats.

"Good day, Professor." They both said.

"He is in denial... It is very obvious. And I think, the girl is already losing hope. They're falling apart, right when everything is just about to start." Dumbledore said quietly.

McGonagall straightened up. "Surely Professor, are you saying, we should... interfere?" She said, nervous and a bit uncertain. She was likely outraged at the thought of invading a person's privacy, let alone students.

Snape's lips curled. "He likes her, doesn't he?"

Dumbledore smiled and bowed his head. "Now now, Severus, it is not in our power to tell who has feelings for who. But I won't say I think so..." He trailed.

"I can't believe they actually had summer love!" Professor McGonagall blurted suddenly, as though she was keeping it in for a long time and finally had the courage to let it out.

Dumbledore simply looked at her, smiled and x-rayed her with his piercing blue eyes, saying, "Love comes unexpectedly, and to two unexpected people too."

Snape coughed. "Please Dumbledore, save the speeches."

"Do you think, they will get back together?" Professor McGonagall asked, with a tone like a concerned mother.

"Only time will tell." The headmaster answered.

"Anyway, in the meantime, we shall do something. No no Minerva, it is not invasion of privacy, don't worry." Dumbledore added.

"Well then, what do we do?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"At the start of the year, I placed all Gryffindor and Slytherin classes together.. Now, I want you to make them stay together as long as possible during classes. Make them do projects, seat works, school requirements together... Pair them off all the time." Dumbledore said smiling.

"Don't you think they'll notice that we're trying to bring them together?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Let's just hope they're too busy liking the other. When smitten, they won't notice anything else." Dumbledore answered, sucking a lemon drop.

"Alright Albus." Snape answered.

Snape and McGonagall stood up, ready to leave, when Dumbledore spoke.

"Oh, I have a big plan too. Minerva, Severus, we'll have to help in executing this one. It will be fool proof."

"When do we let the students know about whatever you have in mind?"

"Oh, tomorrow, I'll tell the whole student body about it. What Young Malfoy and Miss Granger needs is just a little extra push..."

And he just continued to suck merrily on his lemon drop.