Thank you to those who send a kind word or many in their review last chapter...it was very appreciated! Now on to the good stuff!

Walking swiftly back towards the ballroom, Hermione's emotions were all over the place. While a part of her wanted to believe that Rowle and Parkinson were just two jealous witches that were full of shite, she knew on a deeper level that what they'd shared with her was spot on.

And it made her wonder just how many of those in her life suspected the truth.

Obviously there was Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore.

Which meant Snape probably did as well, as nothing got by that wizard.

Her Grandmother.

Fuck! Her Grandmother had tried to forewarn her of this very thing not too long ago. She had told her that when this moment came, and she realized just who her likely bonded was—to not act rashly.

As her footsteps echoed off the tiled floor, Hermione slowed her pace considerably as she pondered just how she was going to deal with this new information.

Malfoy knew, or at least suspected. And if Pansy was correct...he'd suspected for a while.

He'd watched her date Pucey and had not said a thing. He'd snogged Rowle...

Hermione pulled up short, her eyes narrowing at that little factoid.

He'd snogged that bitch, when he'd suspected that he was her likely ancillary?

Biting her lip, Hermione felt her hackles rising as she remembered clearly what she'd felt that night on patrol. She'd been upset, a bit tense, jealous? Angry?

Stopping completely and leaning up against the nearest wall, Hermione tried to catch her breath as she didn't know what to think about any of this!

How in the world was she supposed to confront Malfoy?

Hey ferret? Guess what? It would seem we're to be bonded?

Right!

That wasn't going to go over well at all.

Right?

Running her hands over the smooth, cold, stone wall—Hermione tried her very best to keep a lid on her emotions—which were beyond scattered.

How did she feel about the idea of Malfoy being her future one?

As she pondered it, she found herself going over all their interactions again over the last few months. How Malfoy had behaved in regards to everything that had transpired and truth be told, Hermione couldn't fault him for his actions in the least.

There was no way Malfoy could've known for certain about their likely connection—it was probably an educated guess at best. The facts did seem to support that line of thinking but if Hermione knew anything, it was that the only person who probably knew for certain was Dumbledore and the idea of confronting her Headmaster wouldn't be her first choice.

So dealing with facts as they stood at this very moment, Hermione had to admit she wasn't at all that surprised nor truly upset about the possibility. She'd enjoyed getting to know Draco this year and had seen him trying to be a better wizard. He had changed quite a bit from the hateful prat he'd been and even though she was still a bit wary of him, it didn't change the fact that he was an attractive, intelligent wizard who'd always managed to get under her skin.

Sighing deeply, the thought came back to her that the only way to deal with this was to confront it head on...but the other part of her brain was screaming at her to run home and not deal with this tonight.

Or ever.

Would there ever be a good time to confront this particular situation?

Leaning her forehead against the cool wall, and trailing her hands over the crags in the creases of the stonework, Hermione didn't immediately hear anyone coming towards her until a voice spoke up.

"Hermione?"

Turning her head to the side, her eyes widened when she saw Adrian standing there—looking at her with concern shining from his brown eyes.

Turning around fully, and running her hands down her skirt, Hermione bit her lip as she stared at the handsome wizard in front of her.

"Hello, Adrian."

"Hey little witch." He murmured softly, as he took another step closer to her. "Are you alright?"

Breathing in deeply through her nose, Hermione turned her head down and away—not sure if she could cope with this too, right now.

"Hermione," Adrian's voice was soothing, "Talk to me. I know something's wrong." He paused and then said, "Are you upset that I brought someone tonight?"

Hermione's head flew up and her lips pursed for a split second, but then she just sagged against the wall in defeat.

"Was I supposed to be alright with it?"

Adrian's expression was pained, but to his credit his voice was calm as he replied, "It was my Father's idea."

"Theo mentioned that was probably the case."

He nodded, relieved—but then his brow furrowed when he noticed that she was still upset.

"Did something else happen?"

"If I told you it did?" She began hesitantly. "If I told you I finally figured it out?"

Adrian seemed confused until he registered what exactly she'd meant by that statement and his face paled significantly.

"Your bond-mate?"

Hermione nodded, a short laugh forcing its way through her lips. "Yes."

The older wizard nodded to himself, but Hermione could see the tension in his face, jaw and body as he paced a bit before he asked emotively, "Who?"

Closing her eyes, as she didn't want to see Adrian's reaction and knowing she was a coward for doing so—she just whispered, "Malfoy."

Silence.

Then heavy breathing.

When Hermione opened her eyes, she could see the myriad of emotions in Adrian's eyes.

There was disappointment, anger, hurt, confusion and reluctant understanding.

"How?"

"The short version? Apparently Rowle and Parkinson felt the need to confront me in the ladies loo. Malfoy is wearing a talisman that Lucius gave him. My guess? Rowle noticed it at some point while they were snogging each other. It's why Dumbledore spared Lucius Malfoy at the Ministry. He was there the night Voldemort fell. My Grandmother guessed too, I'm fairly certain of it. She warned me not to overreact when I figured it out."

"Shite." Adrian said darkly as he ran a hand through his hair. "What do you want to do?"

"Run? Cry? Scream until I'm blue in the face? Smack the ferret for keeping this to himself?" Shaking her head, Hermione just choked out a sob and felt Adrian's arms encircling her.

And she clung to him desperately.

"The truth is I've been in denial for a while," She admitted on a sniffle. "Something deep inside me knew it...but I didn't...wasn't ready to deal with the truth." Her blue eyes met concerned brown ones and she cupped Adrian's cheek softly. "Does it make me a bad person that I refused to see it?"

Adrian thought about it for a moment, then replied, "No, little witch. It makes you human, I suppose. Perhaps you're not quite as perfect as I thought you were."

Laughter bubbled out of Hermione as she smiled adoringly at Adrian and his answering smile warmed her heart.

"You are such a good wizard, Adrian Pucey. I'll admit, I wasn't happy seeing that witch Claudette on your arm, but she is beautiful. Do you like her?"

The wizard shrugged. "Well enough I suppose. She's not you, but then no one is. However Claudette is fun, sweet and has an adventurous spirit."

"Then perhaps you might see where it goes?" Chuckling softly to herself, Hermione asked, "would I like her?"

"I think so, why?"

"Because I'd probably want to turn the witch to ash if I didn't."

Adrian's expression was stunned for a split second, before his face broke out into an ear splitting grin.

"Minx."

"Maybe," she admitted with a wink, "but tell me what to do about Malfoy?"

"Do you want to talk to him tonight?"

"Yes and no."

"Understood," Adrian replied with a snicker, "but how about this? You head outside to the gardens. There is a large hedged area that you can't miss when you leave the balcony and head down the steps to the right. Walk inside about fifty feet and turn left. After another fifty feet, you'll come to an open garden and there will be a bench on the right under a large willow tree near the pond. Go there, and I'll send Draco to you."

Hermione nodded and leant up to kiss Adrian's cheek in thanks.

"You're a good man, Adrian Pucey."

"Draco's a lucky wizard."

Hermione sighed, as she watched her former boyfriend turn back towards the ballroom—so she took the opportunity to disillusion herself before heading the way Adrian had told her to go.

It didn't take long to find the spot, and once she was there...she waited anxiously for Malfoy to show.

About ten minutes later, the object of her thoughts came sauntering around the corner...his eyes widening when he noticed her sitting there.

"Malfoy."

"Prewett."

"Sit down please. I think we need to have a talk."

Hermione saw Malfoy swallow slightly, but he nodded as he glided over like a panther and sat down next to her. His grey eyes calculating her every mannerism as they considered each other for a few moments in silence.

Then she blurted out, "How long have you known?"

To Malfoy's credit, he didn't blanch or act surprised in any way—he just tilted his head at her and said evenly, "Since the summer."

Hermione nodded. "Your Father gave you a talisman?"

Now his eyes did widen slightly, but he nodded and pulled out a chain from around his neck and whispered a spell which made the talisman visible to her.

Hermione eyed the jeweled stone, her eyes taking it in and she bit her lip—her eyes lifting to grey ones that were watching her intently.

"If I may?" He asked and she nodded after a moment. "How did you figure it out?"

Shaking her head, she replied scathingly, "Parkinson and Rowle confronted me in the ladies. Told me about that," she lifted her chin at the jewel, "and then accused me of playing games with Adrian's affections too. They were rather..." her voice fell away, but she could see Malfoy's sneer of disgust.

"I'm sorry." He replied sincerely. "I had hoped to find a better way to tell you. Theo figured it out right before we left school and he insisted I come clean or he would. Please don't be upset with him. I think he was going to discuss it with Potter first, but Theo worries about you. He hates seeing you upset."

Hermione sighed and nodded. "I know, and I'm not upset. Not exactly." She clarified at Malfoy's disbelieving look. "I'm just unsure how to do this."

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone is assuming something that may or may not be true," she said emphatically. "The facts may indicate it's likely, but I'm not 100% convinced of it."

"Oh?" Draco drawled. "And why is that? Is it due to our past?"

"No, and don't go there Malfoy." Hermione warned. "We've managed to find common ground recently and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I find there is much about you that intrigues me."

His smug smirk was to be expected.

"However," she went on, "I thought Adrian might've been the one and clearly he wasn't."

"How did you figure it out?"

"My magic," she sighed, "when he kissed me this past summer it seemed happy and pleased? But before the hols at Slughorn's party when he kissed me again..." her voice fell away and she saw Malfoy nod thoughtfully.

"Your Magic didn't feel the same?"

"No it didn't."

"And when you're with me?"

"I don't know," she blushed a bit as she stared into grey eyes that were bright and curious.

"Then perhaps you might indulge me with a slight experiment."

"What kind of experiment are we talking about?"

That infernal smirk made a reappearance and Hermione's gaze narrowed as Malfoy moved closer to her, his eyes locked on hers.

"Let me kiss you," he whispered deeply, and Hermione desperately tried to suppress the shiver that moved throughout her body at the seductive tone. "And if your magic doesn't like me, I'm sure you'll know fairly quickly, yes?"

Hermione giggled softly as she shook her head in exasperation. "Is this just some cheesy way of getting me to kiss you, Malfoy?"

His answering lopsided grin was sexy as hell, and Hermione felt her stomach swoop with butterflies at how utterly sinful he looked all confident and in control.

"Maybe?" His deep chuckle made goosebumps appear down her arms, and then she felt his hands move up to cup her cheeks as he kept eye contact with her. "Let me kiss you, Hermione Prewett. I've wanted to kiss you for longer than you could possibly know."

Blue eyes widened in shock but before she could reply, Malfoy's lips pressed firmly onto hers...

And then everything else came into sharp relief.

Her magic—that had always felt agitated and a little bit off...

Hummed...

Pulsed...

Heated...

Groaned...

Or maybe that was just her...

It was hard to tell what was her and what was her magic but one thing she did know for certain was that Draco Malfoy could kiss...

And she was in heaven.

Her hands were in his hair, and she didn't remember putting them there.

His tongue was in her mouth and she couldn't remember how that had happened either.

Her hands were hot—her stomach a volcano and her core was pulsing with a need she'd never experienced before...ever...

It was that sensation that made her pull back with a gasp as stormy grey eyes stared at her in unbridled want.

In need...

Fuck!

She was so screwed!

Clearing her throat primly she bit her lip again hard and heard Malfoy's answering growl as he pulled her lip from her teeth in warning.

"So?" He drawled huskily, "should we try that again or has your question been sufficiently answered?"

His smug expression had her rolling her eyes as she stood up immediately and stared him down. He didn't seem to be intimidated as he grinned wolfishly up at her knowingly.

"You're a smug prat."

"And you're a stubborn witch."

Shaking her head, Hermione turned and headed back towards the Manor but didn't get too far when she felt a gentle hand reach for her to halt her steps.

"Where are you going?"

"Home." She said evenly. "I have a lot to process."

"Really?"

"Apparently."

Draco sighed. "Hermione," his voice was cajoling as he asked softly, "May I call on you this week?"

Her breath stuttered as she looked up into his eyes in shock.

But Draco just smirked in that oh, so infuriating way of his.

"I told you before, that I intended to court you. Is that not what you want, Princess?"

Hermione groaned and was about to speak when the balcony door opened and Theo walked out with Harry, Blaise and surprisingly...her Grandmother, Adrian and Lucius Malfoy.

"Shite." She whispered lowly, and Draco snickered as he hummed in agreement.

"Dearest, there you are." Muriel's voice echoed in the silence as she and the others walked down the steps and Hermione just grimaced when she looked up at the balcony again and saw Narcissa Malfoy standing there with Theo's father.

It would seem the cat was out of the proverbial bag.

"Yes, Grandmother."

Muriel's eyes locked onto the young Malfoy Heir and she hummed thoughtfully as the young wizard bowed respectfully to her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Grandmother. Draco and I were just talking."

"I see," Muriel demurred haughtily as she glanced over at Lord Malfoy, who's expression was impassive even if his eyes were glittering with amusement.

"And what conclusions did you both reach?"

Hermione's gaze met Adrian's, then Theo's but Harry was just grimacing unhappily as he stared at Malfoy in horror.

"Don't look like that, Brother Mine."

Muriel turned her sharp gaze on Harry, who blushed sheepishly as he mumbled, "Sorry, Hermione."

Draco just sneered at the other wizard, but his Mother's not so subtle cough had him backtracking immediately.

"Awkward." Blaise piped in and Theo snorted while Adrian just rolled his eyes.

"Can we go home now, Grandmother?"

"I suppose that would be fine," Muriel agreed easily enough before her attention was focused back on Lucius.

Then his wife.

"Lady Malfoy...perhaps yourself, husband and son might see fit to come to tea the day after tomorrow at three in the afternoon?"

Narcissa smirked and nodded in agreement. "We would be honored, Lady Prewett."

"Indeed," the older witch replied and then turned to Thoros. "Please join us Thoros. Both you and Theodore. It should smooth the way, yes?"

Thoros chuckled deeply and even Lucius seemed amused.

"Probably wise." Thoros replied.

"Don't I get a vote?" Hermione groused petulantly, causing Draco to shake his head in amusement.

"Turning me to ash doesn't count, Hermione."

Blue eyes locked with grey as she just grinned wickedly. "You're going to spoil all my fun, Draco."

The joint laughter of those in the garden that night was light and free, but unfortunately...no one noticed the small rat hovering beneath the hedges staring beady-eyed at the ensemble of clueless individuals that had no idea they were being watched.