Author's notes

I'm thrilled that so many of you have chosen to review, fav and follow this story- it is wonderful to get all your feedback- I hope you all enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 38- Persuasion

"Draco, wait," she called after him, as she attempted to catch up with him.

"I'm sorry," she continued, "He's an idiot."

"And yet he is your boyfriend," Draco scoffed.

"Ex-boyfriend," she corrected

Draco swallowed, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing. Draco wanted to scoop her up there and then and claim her as his own but he wasn't certain she would welcome it.

"Good on you, Granger, you can do better." He told her, he had intended it as a conciliatory comment.

"Can I?" she asked examining his face as if she were trying to read his mind. Draco prayed she wasn't a legimence, if she could see what he felt…but she wasn't and he was too scared to tell her.

"Yes," he told her, "so much better than Weasley" and so much better than me. He added silently. After all what was he? An ex-Death Eater, an ex-prisoner, he had used dark magic and the Dark Mark would forever stain his soul. So much better than me Granger, all I will ever bring you is misery. He had realised this as he left the ball, if she was with him she would be tainted, he would take the shine off the Golden Girl. Could he allow himself to do that? He considered as he looked at those pleading golden brown eyes.

There was an awkward silence, Draco broke it;

"You need to get yourself a new wand Granger," he told her trying to change the subject, "your current one is misbehaving because it's fractured."

"I suppose that is what caused the surge of magic?" She speculated.

Draco didn't know but he agreed; "I suppose it is, good night Hermione," he said as he turned to walk away.

"Draco," she called after him,

"Yes?"

"I…never mind, goodnight," Hermione wished him, I think I'm in love with you. She secretly told his retreating back.

Hermione was confused, she needed to speak to someone, and she needed to talk to someone about Malfoy but who? She would normally speak to Ginny but she couldn't she had just publically and dramatically dumped her brother.

Perhaps she could speak to Luna or Harry? Would Harry be objective? He seemed to have somewhat got beyond his dislike of Draco. They seemed to have declared an uneasy truce. Harry had testified to save Draco; yes she decided she could trust Harry. She would speak to Harry. Her mind made up she returned to her common room, she would sleep on it then tomorrow she would ask Harry's advice.

Draco returned to his dorm room with his emotion a confusing mixture of elation and despair. He was elated because he had held her; because he was sure she felt something for him, something better than blind hatred. But then he despaired, whatever they felt for each other would it be enough? He knew his family would fight this, they might disown him, he didn't care but what if her friends disowned her? He knew that after the war she was pretty much alone, her friends were her family-it could be the two of them against the world-could he ask that of her?

Draco took to his bed, drew the drapes, cast a muffliato, and cried tears of impotent frustration. He wanted her so much, he was a spoilt child, he was a selfish man could he be selfless now and give her up? He had told Potter he would win her back, in truth it had been little more than bravado, he had not thought he had a chance but now…

Hermione arose bright and early the next morning, there were few of her peers still awake doubtless the dorm after parties had gone on until the early hours. When she arrived in the Great Hall it was all but deserted. A few first years played exploding snap at the breakfast table. Hermione gave them a disapproving look and they swept the cards away before the Head Girl could confiscate them. The only other person at breakfast was Malfoy, his pale head bowed as he played with the porridge in his bowl.

"Not hungry?" she asked as she took the decision to join him.

"Are you sure you should sit with me," she looked at him in confusion, "I don't mean…After last night…what Weasley said." He struggled to express what he meant.

"I don't think anyone really believes me to be a whore Draco,"

"I wasn't meaning to suggest…" he looked horrified.

"I know," she said smoothly, unconsciously placing her had on his left forearm. Draco flinched. Gently without meaning to either startle or hurt her he lift her hand placing it gently on the table, covering it with his own to show he was not objecting to her touch. "I'm sorry," Hermione cringed, "I didn't think," As she realised what lay beneath his sleeve, "does it hurt?"

Draco shook his head, "I don't want it ever to touch you."

"I'm not afraid," she said moving her hand again but he stopped her,

"I know, but I am," he told her, "afraid that it will tarnish you, stain you, it's filthy and evil and I can't bear that you of all people should touch it."

Hermione looked at him unable to speak, how ironic, she thought, that he should now think that it was he who was too filthy to touch. She didn't know what to say but she couldn't let him think that of himself.

"Draco, you're worth more than a dark stain upon your skin."

Draco scoffed,

"If I can see beyond it then others will too, just give them time." She sought to reassure him. Did she really mean that? Draco wondered, did she really think he was better than worthless? They finished their meal in companionable silence each lost in their own thoughts until breakfast was over and they went their separate ways.

It was after lunch, three days after the ball and just before school ended for the seasonal break when Hermione finally caught Harry alone.

"Harry," Hermione began shakily, "I need to talk to you." Harry to his credit sensing it was serious put down his magazine.

"I'm listening." he told her in as reassuring tone as she could.

Hermione swallowed, dragging up every ounce of her Gryffindor courage:

"Harry, I'm confused," she began, "I have feelings for someone that, perhaps, I shouldn't have."

"Malfoy," Harry stated, more quickly than Hermione would ever have expected.

"How did you know?" Hermione asked surprised, Harry was not usually so astute with such things.

"Hermione…" Harry paused, a sudden well of panic boiling up inside him, should he tell her, would she forgive him for keeping it from her? "At the ball you were like a moth to a flame."

"Was it so obvious?" Hermione asked as she blushed.

"Only to those who know you," Harry told her gently patting the back of her hand, "look Hermione," he continued, "I know objectively that Malfoy is a handsome bloke, he is cultured, intelligent not to mention obscenely wealthy." Harry paused uncertain if he was doing the right thing.

"I'm sensing a 'but' here," Hermione interrupted, her hands grasping her pendant in anxiety.

Harry took a deep breath and prayed he was not ruining Hermione's chances of happiness, "but Malfoy is a pariah and…" Harry held up his hand to still her protests, "even if he spends the rest of his days in philanthropic endeavor, he will never be trusted. Even if you think you love him now, will your love survive the censure of your friends, your family, and the whole of wizarding society? Even if his family and friends accept you, even if your children are not ostracised for who they are would you still be happy? Hermione," Harry concluded in all sincerity, "forget about him, the analogy I used it is all too apt. You will burn in his flame."

Hermione wanted to cry she realised with an aching sadness that this was not what she had wanted to hear but, she could not deny the veracity of Harry's words and she was too emotional to note the uncharacteristic eloquence of Harry's words as if he had had a long time to think about them. Perhaps I am being foolish, she considered. May be she and Malfoy were never meant to be more than friends. Perhaps Harry was right, what type of future would they have together?

Author's note

Well of course Harry's words are more eloquent than usual, he has had an unusually long time to think about this! The title of this chapter is taken from the Jane Austin novel. As in the Jane Austin novel 'Persuasion', Hermione's well-meaning friend attempts to persuade her that this is not a relationship she should continue. Will she be swayed by Harry's words? Or will she lose Draco to his own doubts?

N.B. My next up date should be next weekend.