Thank you, everyone, for continuing to read and for all of your great comments! I was so happy the last chapter got a great response.
Doll-Fin-Chick, Thank you! I'm glad you thought the last chapter worked well with canon. I always have fun trying to blend them. And thank you for your interest in Desperate Forest. I'm so happy you think it sounds good. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you do get a chance to check it out :). Just a heads up that next week (7/16 – 7/23) the Kindle eBook will be on sale for $0.99!
shadowfax00, Thank you so much! I'm really happy you enjoyed the last chapter. It went through a lot of edits because I wanted to get it just right. I'm so pleased you thought it was good!
Chelsea always, Thank you! It's exciting to have a book out on Amazon and I'm certainly learning a lot :D I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter and like the way their relationship is building.
Guest, Thank you! It's always thrilling when a reader enjoys the chapters that you enjoyed writing the most 😊 Thank you for reading and commenting!
delia cerrano, Thank you! I'm so happy you're enjoying this story and that you like the way it fits with canon. I always try to make that work if I can 😊
Ardentlyadmired, Glad I was able to surprise you! Haha, no they didn't – we will see their thoughts about it in this chapter. It will certainly change things 😊 Thanks for continuing to read and comment on this story!
ElizColl, Thanks! Haha, yeah poor Draco got roughed up again. I need to stop doing that to him 😉 So glad you enjoyed this chapter and liked my spin on the story.
The two guards threw Draco into his cell, where he landed on the cold stone floor, then slammed the door shut, locking it behind them.
He got up and sat on his cot, placing his head in his hands.
What did I just do?
He could feel bruises forming from where the guards had hit him, but the pain was dull compared to the sensation Hermione's kiss had left on his lips.
He rubbed his face with his hands, then exhaled loudly, throwing himself back on his bed.
Their kiss had been amazing. Unfortunately, it had also probably just cost him his one chance of getting out of Azkaban. He could only assume Hermione was making arrangements to remove herself from his case at that very moment. She was probably fuming.
Although . . . she had kissed him back. There was no doubt about that.
What had started as an emotional impulse had quickly escalated to something real. At least, it felt real to him.
He sighed. What was he thinking, kissing her like that? Not only was it completely inappropriate because of their professional relationship, it was also impossible.
Their history was painful, their present was strained, and their future was nonexistent.
Reliving the memory of her torture had been agony. He felt more horrified over the abuse she'd endured that night than ever before. Then, he had hated watching it because he knew she was a decent, innocent girl. Now, he hated it so much more because he felt something for her. He had gotten to know her and genuinely cared about her.
Looking back, he didn't know exactly why he had tried to help her. It had been a reckless move on his part. If Bellatrix or his father had found out, he probably would have been tortured or killed himself.
His actions didn't make him a hero. That much he knew. But now, he couldn't help but wish he'd stopped the whole thing in the beginning. Saved her all that pain. Even if it meant he would have received it instead.
The thought confused him. He'd spent most of his life caring only about himself and his family. What was it about that girl that made him want to be better? The question danced in his mind until he could make no sense of it.
One thing was certain. His already fragile relationship with Hermione Granger had just gotten much more complicated.
When Hermione returned to her office that afternoon, she felt agitated and extremely confused.
Of all the problems she'd imagined upon becoming Draco Malfoy's Inquisitor, kissing him certainly hadn't been one of them.
She slammed her files down on her desk and sank into her chair with an irritated groan.
She was not falling for Draco Malfoy . . . was she?
The thought was almost laughable. After all, he was a terrible person. She shook her head. Maybe he had been. But now, she didn't think so.
Regardless of that, they now had a professional relationship which made what happened between them completely inappropriate.
What is wrong with me?
She always maintained a safe, professional distance from her clients. Despite what others thought, she'd never been in danger of caring too much before. But now, she knew she was.
She remembered how she had felt just moments before Draco kissed her. Horrified at reliving her worst memory, but somehow, his presence made her brave enough to face it. And then, everything she'd thought she knew about that evening changed.
She had not been completely alone in the room that night. Draco was the unexpected ally she never knew she had. Discovering that, her view of him immediately shifted. He was no longer the boy she loathed all her life, but instead, a broken man just as trapped as she was.
When she asked him why he'd done it, she'd seen real pain in his eyes. And she couldn't explain it, but instantly, she knew they needed each other. They both were searching for comfort and, perhaps, deliverance.
That's why, when Draco's lips had found hers, she hadn't pushed him away. Oddly enough, it felt right. She'd returned his fervor to find that what should have felt like a serious lapse in judgment, instead, felt like renewal.
Draco's kiss had been perfect, although she cringed admitting it to herself. While it had started out almost frantic, when Hermione had responded, Draco had firmly but tenderly made her feel truly alive. It had been intoxicating in a way she'd never experienced before.
What scared her most was, if the guards hadn't interrupted them, she wasn't sure she would have ever wanted to stop kissing him.
A knock on her door interrupted her troubled mind.
"Come in," she said automatically.
The door cracked open and Harry poked his head in. "Can you talk now?"
"Of course." She said, feeling guilty, sure he would somehow know what just happened between her and Draco.
Harry sat down in the chair across from her and took a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said and . . . I decided I'll do it. I'll testify for Draco Malfoy."
"Really?" Hermione looked at him in surprise. "Are you sure?"
Harry nodded. "I wasn't at first, but . . . I talked to him the other day."
"You did? Why?"
"He requested to meet with an Auror. To let us know that Dolohov threatened you. Malfoy didn't specifically say it, but he seemed genuinely worried about you."
"Oh, honestly!" Hermione felt her face flush, and she wasn't sure if she should be annoyed or flattered by Draco's concern. "I'm sure it's an empty threat."
"Probably. But I'm going to have a few Aurors periodically checking your place just to be safe. And let me or one of your other friends go with you if you need to go out at night."
"I can take care of myself, Harry," Hermione said.
"I know, but Malfoy does have a lot of enemies and one of them could come after you . . . It doesn't hurt to be careful. I'm just relieved Malfoy had the good sense to let the Auror Department know what Dolohov said."
"Fine." Hermione let out an agitated breath. "Do your checks, and I promise I'll be extra cautious."
"Good." Harry leaned back in his chair. "I'm glad you're being reasonable."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "It's not like I have much choice with you and Malfoy ganging up on me."
Harry gave a short laugh. "Yeah, I didn't see that coming . . . Who'd have thought we'd ever agree on something?"
"My heroes . . ." Hermione rolled her eyes, then turned serious. "So, you're really going to testify for him?"
Harry nodded. "I trust you. If you honestly think he deserves a second chance, then I'll share what I know if you think it will help."
"It will." Hermione was certain of that.
"Okay, just let me know what you need from me . . . but let me tell Ron. He's going to be furious."
Hermione swallowed, knowing it was true. She felt a new wave of guilt sweep over her. And then it hit her.
She should no longer be Draco Malfoy's Inquisitor. Not after what just happened between them and the rise of her new confusing feelings. She should tell Shacklebolt immediately and remove herself from the case.
But if she did that, Harry would want to know why. She'd have to tell him, and he'd be irate. He'd never testify for Draco then. That fact, combined with the sorry excuse of a new Defense Inquisitor he'd be assigned, meant Draco would almost certainly be sentenced. Especially with Cormac McLaggen acting as Prosecuting Inquisitor. Draco wouldn't stand a chance.
"Are you okay?" Harry eyed her.
"Yes, I'm fine," Hermione quickly assured him. "I've just had a very busy day. But that's great news. It will really help his case. All you need to do is tell the truth."
"If you're sure . . ."
"Yes, I am. Thank you, Harry. Trust me, Malfoy has changed."
Harry stood up and headed for the door. "It's hard to believe. . ." He shook his head. "He has no idea how lucky he is to have you as his Inquisitor."
Hermione smiled weakly as Harry headed out the door.
When he was gone, she sighed, but resolutely pushed herself out of her chair to grab her files and continue working.
She would not take herself off Draco Malfoy's case. To do so would ruin everything she'd worked so hard for and mean an almost definite conviction for him.
She just needed to forget about what had happened between them today. And she could. Whatever she was feeling for him was inconsequential. Anything more than a professional relationship could never exist.
Pushing all other thoughts from her mind, Hermione was certain of two things.
Draco Malfoy deserved a second chance, and she was the only one who could give it to him.
A/N: Next chapter, Hermione and Draco meet again! Chapter preview is already live 😊 Links in bio or search me by my user names:
Facebook: CeceLouiseAuthor
Twitter: CeceLAuthor
Pinterest: CeceLouiseAuthor