A/n: I decided you guys are amazing, so here it is! Let me know what you think and be expecting a retrospect chapter up next because I decided to be nice and hold off on it for a moment. As usual, thanks to my beta loveinthemadness! *Not yet edited.

Hermione felt a bit uncomfortable accepting Seamus at her table. He was acting strange, as though he had a bug in his ear. Every few seconds his eyes would dance around the room as though searching for someone. She didn't understand his agitation.

When he asked if she planned to meet Draco there, she knew something was wrong with him. Admitting that she did not, a subtle gleam appeared in his eyes. The feeling of the entire situation was getting worse, and she decided that she preferred to have tiresome news people around in that moment, just to know that someone was around paying attention. Seamus knew her better than she liked to admit, and he had taken to guarding her when she worked at the club. But that didn't mean she always trusted him.

He had his moments, like any other human being. And it was those moments of uncharacteristic venom and outright aggression that left her on edge. She went to school with this man for years, yet she still wasn't thoroughly comfortable around him, even after everything.

You're comfortable with Draco though, and you haven't trusted him nearly as long as Seamus. But your trust in Draco is shaky at the moment, and though Seamus can have his moments, he hasn't betrayed you like that. Maybe you just freaked out too much, maybe not. But you'll go back tonight to see Draco, and things will be sorted out then. Don't be so uptight; it's not going to help anyone.

She tried to relax as they left the restaurant, picturing this as nothing more than an outing with an old friend. And yet there was still that uncertainty lingering in her belly, a different feeling than even how she felt today when Draco's misdeeds were revealed. Although he kept something from her for years, her initial outburst of emotion didn't sit correctly with her real feelings. She was angry, but was she angry enough to let a single incident interrupt the romance building between them? Did she even want to alter that possibility?

Yet with Seamus, there was an air about him that seemed faithless. A dark gloom lingered around his aurora, giving the impression that he had dark intentions. Feeling uncomfortable with the prospect of going anywhere alone with him, she offered that they go window shopping, hoping that he would agree. But Seamus had other ideas.

"You're upset," he said pointedly, glancing at her was they wandered through the street. She drew a lot of attention here, and in that moment she liked it because it meant that she had an audience. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not particularity," she replied, glancing his way. "It's just something I need to mull over in my mind, that's all. I doubt that speaking about it will do me any good. I just have to go see someone and sort things out."

"You mean Malfoy?" he said pointedly, looking at her directly now as they wandered. "I recall the two of you spending an unusual amount of time together the last time I saw you at the club, and then again over by it. I never understood why."

Hermione frowned, looking away. He was certainly eager to get her to admit something. Keeping her cool, she looked back at him with a blank face. "Not specifically. It's an abundance of things piling atop each other. There's more than one person I need to speak with."

As she suspected, he clamped his mouth shut. He wanted proof that she was doing something with Draco, and she would admit no such thing. The last thing she wanted was another leak to the tabloids.

They walked in silence for a bit, and Hermione found herself lost in thought. She couldn't quite decide what she was thinking about Draco, just that she figured she would know when she returned there tonight. Rationally she knew that returning any earlier she might still be heated from their argument, and she wanted to arrive with a clear, sensible mind so as to properly come to a decision about things.

Although her mind was in turmoil, her heart was already dead set on a decision. Despite what he did in the past, she didn't have that to consider until very recently. That never fell into her mindset until today when she discovered the truth, and although knowing that he was keeping that from her, her heart still felt the same about him. Right until that moment she had seen him as a different man, so why should that change due to something he did back when he was seventeen?

It was foolish. Hermione knew that despite not liking it, she would not hold it to him forever. It was a single moment in time that he altered, and he even said his intentions were true. Considering that during their last two years of school she saw very different sides of him than the years prior, she assumed that what he told her was true. And she certainly wanted it to be true.

She was lost in thought, and didn't bother paying attention to where Seamus was leading her. Only when a shadow fell over her did she bother looking around to figure out where they were, and noticing the surroundings of a shadowed alley immediately put her on edge. The girl whipped out her wand, spinning to point it at the man she had been walking with. He had his drawn as well, though his expression was torn, and the weapon lay in a relaxed grip.

"This doesn't seem like the usual place to wander," Hermione said, narrowing her eyes at him. "A bit shady, don't you think?"

"Just a hair," he said an uncertain waver in his tone. "Look, Hermione-"

"What?" she snapped. "I don't suppose you have any decent reasoning for bringing me here? This doesn't seem like a clean walk anymore."

"It's not," he replied airy, though his eyes were back to looking around endlessly. "I have my reasoning."

She felt her nerves tighten, her anxiety kicking in as to just what he might have in mind. "Yes, and what would that be? Do you intend to try to sweep me off to some hidden place against my will? Try me- I'll fight."

Seamus gave an agitated sigh. "That's supposedly the plan, yes?"

"Supposedly?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she cocked her head. Now she was just a hair unsure about things.

"I needed to get us out of the open," he said, again looking around. "I'm not entirely sure where she's watching from."

"What are you going on about?" Hermione asked, placing a hand on her hip. "Who is she?"

"Lavender," he replied, dropping his voice a hair. Her nerves were immediately on edge. "We were supposed to be making a deal, but it's one I find myself not agreeing with."

"And what's your deal?" she spat, doubting that he would give her a clear answer.

He bit his lip. "Do you know how long she has been seeing Ron?"

Immediately, she got tense. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

"Maybe it's not," he muttered, taking a step forward. She took one back in return. "But as business partners she felt compelled to tell me certain things. She's in on this whole thing for Ron you know. That's the only reason we are working together."

Hermione huffed. "I doubt it's the only reason."

"Fine, perhaps it's not the only reason, but right now it's the one that matters to this situation. I didn't quite expect to meet you at the café today," he began, holding up his opposite hand. She didn't even take notice of it, conscious that he might try to overpower her at any moment.

"Lucky chance?" she asked, acid in her voice.

"The plan hasn't been entirely worked out," he snapped, eyes darkening. "I made a deal with her a few weeks back to help her keep Ron out of jail, and in return… in return I could have you."

Her eyes flashed. "As if Seamus! You don't just get to decide who you want and have them come to you! I wouldn't let you have me as it is."

"I've noticed," he snapped bitterly. "When I ran into you outside that shop a while back, I didn't expect to see you there. I was already collaborating with her by then. Seeing you was a shock, but… but I thought for a moment maybe I would have some time to speak to you personally and maybe get inside that head of yours." He dropped his defenses, his already weak hold on his wand slackening to a point where she thought he might drop the object entirely. She however did not drop her stance. "When Malfoy walked out the door however and joined you, I realized something about my deal with her."

"And what's that?" she asked, though it sounded like she could care less.

"That I was going to get fucked out of our deal," he said, shaking his head furiously. "I never expected the two of you to grow so close! He's so protective of you, it's obvious how he feels. Considering that I would've been taking Ron's ex-wife, I didn't think it would be in my favor to take Malfoy's girlfriend as well."

She shifted uncomfortably. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Perhaps not yet," he relented, "But he will be. I can see it between the two of you. Back at the club, back when he visited you and you still worked there, that chemistry wasn't present. Something's changed. You two have grown closer together."

The brunette shrugged. "That happens when people collaborate together."

"It's more than collaboration," he said sadly. "Something's forming. I was fully intending to try and take you away, make you realize why I spent so much fucking time at the club guarding you, but I doubt now that you want to hear a word of it. When I realized that I wasn't going to get anything out of this, I decided to drop my part in it entirely. I've worked magic to be able to get you in this place at all."

Oh yeah, magic. "Well I'm glad you considered being a sensible human being before you did soemthing too idiotic! I'm so fucking happy for you that your mindset changed on the matter only because you would no longer benefit from this situation. That makes this entire experience a whole lot better!"

"Hermione-"

"Would you still let me leave?" she asked, cutting him off. "Would you still allow me to walk out of here even if Draco wasn't part of this. If you still thought there was a chance that you could rip me away and get what you wanted, would you still stop yourself?"

His silence spoke volumes. She saw him then, not as the person who decided to be a decent human being and try to help her in a situation where she barely wore enough fabric to hide her body, but as a bastard who would love to manipulate her if only the odds were in his favor. If he could still benefit in any way from this, he would take her. And that realization was disgusting.

"That's what I thought!" she spat. "That doesn't make you a good person for giving up you idea neitrely; it makes you sick for trying it out in the first place."

"I know," he replied, glancing away. "Look though, I decided to change my mind. I've decided to not go through with this elaborate plan I set up with Lavender. But hear me out Hermione. I placed a spell on this alley when we walked in so reporters wouldn't record this entire meeting. It will also keep Lavender out."

Her expression darkened. "She's nearby?"

"Yes! But look, I don't know how much longer the spell will last. Barriers aren't my specialty." Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a small piece of paper. "Here, take this."

She gave him an unimpressed look. "Why would I take anything from you? You've just blatantly proven to me that I can't trust a word that comes out of your mouth!"

Seamus held up a hand again. "I know- you think I'm a bastard for what I almost did, and I'm not sure I would argue with you." He huffed. "I'm sure you'll go find Malfoy after this and discuss what happened, and he will be all too eager to come and beat my face in." The man shook his head. "But that's not the point! I brought this to give specifically to you. Take it!"

"What is it?" she asked, not moving an inch.

He sighed. "It's the defense Lavender is going to try and set up for Ron. She's hoping to persuade the prosecution so that he won't receive time in Azkaban for what he has done."

Her eyes flashed, and she hurried forward to snatch the paper from his hands. He didn't resist as she tore it away, not even opening it as her wand came to his throat. "And how do I know any of this is true?"

"Well," he said, looking away, "You're just going to have to trust me."

The girl's grip on her weapon tightened. She wasn't sure she could do that. But against her better judgment, she took a step away from him. "And this is going to help me?"

"I would think so," he replied, rubbing the spot on his neck that her wand had been jabbing. "It depends on whether or not you actually use it."

"Don't be smart," she spat, still uncomfortable in his presence. Stepping back, she glanced around. "And you're sure no one can hear us?"

"I wouldn't make that offer otherwise."

She still didn't feel comfortable accepting things from him, but didn't argue the point further. "I hope you're being truthful."

"I am."

The girl shook her head. "I suppose we'll see in court. I suggest that you keep your distance from me from now on. Wouldn't want my boyfriend to get a chance to beat you up."

She was playing on his words, almost mocking him. He had no comment to that. Keeping her wand leveled to him until she had to drop it to leave the alley, she turned her back and ran.

Hermione wasn't sure she could trust him, but she wasn't sure she had much of a choice. She just needed to get back to the Manor and speak to Draco. She still wasn't sure what to really think about things.

And behind her, Seamus closed his eyes. He wondered if it was the right thing to do. From behind him, Lavender stepped from the shadows, grinning.

A/n: Let me know what you think! We are getting close! Ten more chapters at most! Up next a look at the past!