AN: Thank you for those of you who reviewed/favorited/followed! I really appreciated it!

Again, I own nothing. If I did, Draco and Hermione would be happily ever after.

Chapter Two. The beginning of the end that's nowhere to be seen

I didn't know what to do. I was in an armchair by the fireplace in Gryffindor's common room and Ginny was sitting in front of me with that somewhat crazed look in her eyes. She was ready to dig out my deepest secret and I knew she wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. For the past five minutes, I was staring at the same line on the same page of my new book. It was about the categories of spells and when to properly use them, and I spent a fortune (seriously, it costed more than I ever wanted it to). I supposed to be very excited and immerse myself in it, but nothing was registering in my head.

Someone please help me. I had to think of something quick. Perhaps using some cliché romantic movie plot would work, Ginny wouldn't know anything about muggle films, would she? Or, I could just avoid the topic.

"Are you seriously waiting for me to ask?" With a grin, Ginny finally spoke, "Or you are going to address the elephant in the room voluntarily?"

"And what would that be?" I closed the book and rested it on my lap.

"Oh please, Hermione." Ginny leaned forward, "Stop playing the game, I know you know I'm asking about Malfoy."

"What about him?" I curled my lips. I was not proud of how I was handling the situation, but oh well.

"Hermione, Hermione, our good ol' Hermione." Ginny shook her head, "I don't understand why you don't want to tell us what happened between you and Malfoy. Are you embarrassed your boyfriend is the once most hated Slytherin?"

"He's still most hated." I mumbled, but quickly cleared my throat before Ginny could ask if I said anything, "No, why would I? In fact, I am quite proud. Draco is actually very clever, kind and caring."

I tried my best to squeeze those words out. Being seen dating Malfoy was bad enough, now I had to talk good of him. I couldn't help but feel my reputation and dignity had gone down the drain, together with my tears over having to be with Malfoy most of the time.

"I never expected to hear that from you." Ginny rose her eyebrow, "Seriously, I get it if you don't want to talk to Harry and my brother about it, they are boys and they won't understand. But you can trust me. Aside from the boys, I am your best friend."

Ginny had a point and I was tempted to tell her the truth. But I couldn't, I simply couldn't. It was not because what happened was embarrassing-though the word 'embarrassing' wouldn't be sufficient to describe the situation-it was because I made a promise. And Hermione Granger never did and never would, break a promise.

"Ginny, it really was nothing." I said, put on my best sincere look, "I happened to spend a lot of time with Draco in the summer, and we decided to no longer let resentment fuel our relationship. Now, here we are. People do change you know, especially now after everything is over. Draco can finally be his true self."

"And his true self is a disgusting, pretentious, wicked prude." Before Ginny could respond, a voice came from behind.

I turned around and saw the red hair. It was Ron in his Quidditch gear and his broom in his hand, looking nothing but furious.

"Oh dear brother, what's with you?" Ginny stood up and went to wrap her arms around her brother's arm, and said half sarcastically, "Had a rough day, huh? And where's Harry?"

"You didn't come to practice. Harry had some Head boy duties to finish." Ron scolded his sister, but all she did was shrug. Clearly annoyed, he turned to me and said, "Remind me why you have that ferret as a boyfriend again, Hermione. He's absolutely vile."

"What did he do?" I asked nervously. I was hoping Malfoy wouldn't cause any confrontations for a while so Ron could slowly digest the thought I was with Malfoy. But how naïve I was, there was simply no way for Malfoy not to push Ron's buttons. That had been Malfoy's so-called 'entertainment'.

"He envies how Harry was chosen as the Head Boy but not him. And went on a rampage of mocking every single person in the Gryffindor team. He called a new girl 'mudblood'!" Ron pulled his arm out of his sister's and stepped closer to me. I thought he was about to yell at me, but he didn't. Instead, he took a deep breath. With a frown, he continued, "I'm sorry Hermione, but I think you do remember the incident in the second year. What kind of change could he possibly went through that made you fall you love with him? As your friend, I don't think he's worth it. You deserve much better than that brat."

I wanted to bite my tongue but failed. All kinds of emotions came to me in waves unstoppably. stood up and stared right into his eyes: "You left me, Ron. You don't get to tell me who I should be with or what I deserve."

Tension, the air was filled with tension. I refused to break eye contact with him first and he didn't look away either. I was hurt. I thought after a few months away from each other, I was ready to see him with Lavender. I told myself he had always been a friend and the other feelings I had for him were not true.

But it still hurt.

"I've apologized for what happened between us enough times and I'm not going to do it again." He said firmly, "You and I both know that. "

"You broke my heart." I bit my lips.

"So, about Malfoy," Ginny came to stand in between us with a forced smile, attempting to break the tension by changing the topic, "What happened after that? What did you do?"

"You are going to like this." Ron smirked, still locking eyes with me, "I punched him right in the face. I'm sure he's going to have a bruise on that high cheekbone of his."

"Oh for Merlin's sake," I raised my voice. Angrily, I began walking towards the door. Something was compelling me to go find Malfoy, "Grow up, Ronald. Why can't you just grow up?!"

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review, favorite and follow! Until next time :)

-Love, Vesper