Chapter 19 The Break

Authors Note: Okay so sorry I didn't update yesterday but my friends were like you're so antisocial, come and hang out. So here I am eating a tub of frosting talking to people. But on another note sometimes I feel so cool writing fanfictions. Cause I'm like a superhero but instead of a cool power I just use fingers to type. But still! Anyway enjoy.

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After setting up the tent and putting numerous protective spells around their little camp, Hermione finally had time to think. The last few hours have been so action packed Hermione didn't have time to consider anything she recently learned. But keeping guard out in the cold gave her mind a chance to wander.

She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she was Draco Malfoy's mate. That he was a Veela. She had to ponder this for a moment. His eyes turned black as well as hers at the Ministry. Her told her about Dumbledore's death and kissed her. At the wedding, he was afraid for her safety and she completely forgot that his eyes changed to black when he was dueling order members. But it was all too similar to the Ministry. He was once again afraid for her, of her getting hurt. His touch felt so cold and yet again on fire at the same time. Hermione could see the struggle he had with himself as he let her leave the office. She had seen Harry act the same so many times before.

She also couldn't deny the feelings she already had or was forming for the Slytherin. She kissed back after Dumbledore's deaths, she kissed his cheek only hours ago, and she truly felt sorrow and guilt when he knew she wouldn't leave the Ministry.

Like so many times before her hand traced the small bite mark on her neck. She had hated Draco for six years. He constantly called her foul names and pushed her into walls or tripped her but always caught her at the last second. Not to mention how cruel he was to Ron ad Harry. Always making rude comments about their looks, skills, or intelligence.

Suddenly the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She sucked in the cold air that sent chills down her spine. Had Draco made fun of Harry and Ron because he was jealous? Because she was so open and loved them dearly he wanted that. And despised her friends for having something he couldn't. She never noticed that every time he would shove her up against a wall, his body was completely pressed up against hers and how his hands were gripping her hips, tightly as he pushed her further into the wall. For what though … a laugh? How every time he tripped her, then saved her, only inched from the ground his arms were wrapped around her waist and she was once again pressed against him. But was always to enraged to notice the look in his eyes or discover an underlying meaning. Because she thought he wanted to … what hear her scream? Did he know he was a Veela all these years?

Hermione let out an aggravated grunt. She hated not knowing. She hated knowing she mated with him. She looked up numerous things and found that the most important thing for the first mating process was consent. So, she obviously said yes but she didn't know why, or when, or anything relating to it! She could have spent the last year with him in secret and not even of known. Had they had sex? More importantly to her, did he love her or did she ever tell him she loved him? Would she ever love someone like him or had she already?

She hated Draco for obliviating her but once again she understood. It was quite brave of him. He must have really loved her. Hermione knew it must have been hard. Draco was protecting her. If she didn't know anything she would be safe because she wouldn't even think of looking for him. If the Death Eaters looked into Hermione's memories, they would find nothing. She herself hated the obliviate spell and knew Draco didn't come across the decision lightly. He had given her the ultimate protection. He made sure she would never get hurt because of him. But he gave up something so great it hurt him daily. He gave up her. He gave up his everything.

Hermione felt outraged and horrible. She knew the pain he must have gone though and goes through every time he sees her, not remembering anything. She wanted to thank him and just be with him. She truly understands the real person he is under the cold exterior. She wanted nothing more than to currently be in his arms. Listening to his slow breathing. But that was why she was alone in the first place. He thought she would be safe without him.

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After Harry came back running from the village they moved closer to, babbling about how his patronus didn't work Hermione decided it was her turn to wear the locket.

"Take it off."

"Take what off?"

"Your pants Harry. The locket of course!"

"No. Why?"

"Harry the locket is a horcrux. It contains dark magic which is most likely the reason your patronus didn't work. We can switch off wearing it, okay?"

"Okay."

Harry pulled the locket off over his head and Hermione slide it onto hers. Her and Harry walked inside together noticing how Ron looked at them funny before turning the other way on his bed.

Hours later Harry was sitting at the table alone while Ron walked over to Hermione and joined her on the floor.

"Hermione it's been almost a month. "

"Did you really expect use to find all seven horcrux's in a month?"

"No but half of the time we are just sitting her doing nothing, with barely any food!"

"Ronald shush! Harry has a plan; can't you just trust him?"

"Hermione! I have a family, I didn't sign up for this!"

"Harry is our friend and I have a family as well if you have forgotten."

"Yes, but they didn't even know who you are, mine are out fighting."

"Well I'm sorry Ronald that my parents are muggles and dentist!" With that Hermione stormed to the other side of the large tent. Face red, and arms hung tightly around her books.

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The next week for Hermione was brutal. All her dreams intalled a blonde Slytherin and every time she was in reaching distance she would wake up. It was like a nightmare after nightmare. Something she so desired but could never have. Her need for Draco was becoming stronger and stronger. There wasn't a second that went by where he wasn't in her thoughts. It was like her discovery flipped a switch within her that had been turned off for the past few months. Little did she know she always felt this way toward Draco but she would never remember that.

She frantically threw herself from the bed and dug deep into her enchanted bag. Quickly she pulled out a painting of Phineas Nigellus Black and placed a blindfold on him so he wouldn't know where they were.

"Harry, Ron! Wake up!"

The boys sprang out of bed, wands at the ready but only found Hermione sitting on the floor with a blindfolded painting.

"Hermione what are you doing?"

"This is Phineas Black, there is a panting of him in Dumbledore's office. So, I thought we could ask him some questions."

Harry looked very excited about this but Ron however got back in bed with a scowl.

"Um … Mr. Black … um … you awake?"

"Huh. What? Hello. Where am I?"

"I have some questions for you?"

"And who exactly is you?"

"Hermione Granger sir."

"Well I wouldn't believe my eyes if I even could see. Now unblindfold me."

"I can't do that."

"Then I will be leaving."

"Please … wait!" For some odd reason, he stayed. Hermione looked to Harry for support.

He spoke for her. "What do you know about the Gryffindor sword." The Golden Trio had heard many rumors about the where about of the sword.

"Well three students, Ginny, Neville, and Luna I believe tried to steal the sword from Snape's office. They were caught and Snape sent the sword to Gringotts but the goblins know it's a fake."

"What happen to Ginny!" Ron was standing now and looked deadly.

"The three were most likely tortured like they should be." Ron looked furious and flung for the painting but Hermione and Harry quickly stopped him.

Hermione said a quick thank you and tucked the painting away. She ran for a book while Harry followed and Ron sat on his bed.

"Harry the sword doesn't take in dirt or dust. Only things that can make it stronger."

"Okay what's the point?"

"The sword took in the Basilisk venom. That's why Dumbledore left you the sword. You can destroy horcruxes with it!"

"You are brilliant Hermione! Truly."

"Actually, I'm highly logical which allows me to look past the normal details and perceive clearly that which others over look."

The pair laughed at her definition of why she was smart when suddenly the lights went out.

"The sword was stolen … yeah I'm still here. But you two carry on. Don't let me spoil the fun." Ron turned the lights back on and it didn't take long for Hermione to notice his pale skin and dark under eyes.

"What wrong?" Harry was clearly not in the mood.

"Wrong? Nothing's wrong, not according to you anyway."

"If you have something to saw don't be shy, spit it out." Harry and Ron were standing facing each other while Hermione was looking between the two with fear.

"Alright I'll spit it out. But don't expect me to be grateful because now there's another damn thing we have to find."

"I thought you knew what you signed up for."

"Yeah, I thought I did too."

"Well then I'm sorry but I don't quite understand. What part of this isn't living up to your expectations."

"Guys please!" Hermione however was completely ignored.

"I just thought that after all this time we would have actually achieved something. I thought you knew what you were doing. I thought Dumbledore would have told you something worth wild. Thought you had a plan!"

Hermione was standing beside them, keeping her hand close to her wand.

"I told you everything Dumbledore told me. And in case you haven't noticed we have found a horcrux already."

"Yeah and were about as close to getting rid of it as finding the rest of them, aren't we?"

Hermione stepped in between them. "Ron! Please take. Place take the horcrux off. You wouldn't be saying any of this if you haven't been wearing it all day." She kept trying to grab the locket but what surprised her the most was Ron shoving her away. Rather roughly. She now stood beside Harry.

"You wanna know why I listen to that radio every night? To make sure I don't hear Ginny's name or Fred or George or mum." Tears were starting to form in Hermione's eyes.

"You think I'm not listening! You think I don't know how this feels!"

Ron yelled back with such angry and hate Hermione took a step closer to Harry. Grabbing his arm.

"No, you don't know how this feels! Your parents are dead! You have no family!"

Harry lunged for Ron and it took Hermione to finally pull them apart using magic. "Stop! Both of you stop!"

Harry's voice broke through her cries. "Fine then. Go. Leave."

Ron stared at Harry with such distaste he threw the horcrux on the ground and grabbed his stuff. "Ron … please!"

"And you. Are you coming or are you staying" Hermione looked between her two best friends. Ron however took it as a no and disappeared only steps away from the tent.

"Hermione … I'm sorry." Harry went to reach for Hermione but she pulled away.

"Harry its fine. I'm just going to get some sleep." He nodded in understanding and she quickly made her way to her bed. Dimming the lights as her eyes turned black from the loss and silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

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Draco woke from his sleep as a woman kept calling out his name. He could tell she was crying from the way her voice broke with each call.

"Hello?" He sat up in bed. "Mother is that you?" Still no response. "Lumos." He held the wand above his head but found no one in his room. The door was still shut.

Suddenly the voice started again. Pleading to see him. Crying for him to be with her but he couldn't see anyone. He looked out his window, in the hall, and in his bathroom. No one was found. But for some odd reason he was panicking. The pain in this women's voice hurt him deep down. He couldn't help but cringe every time his name was said.

He tried to go back to sleep but the voice kept crying for the next hour. Guilt was starting to build up inside him even though he knew this couldn't be his fault.

On the brink of sleep, he realized the voice was Hermione's. That she was in his head. At first, he was confused. Did she know he was a Veela? That she was his mate? Draco didn't know if he wanted an answer to that but none the less he called out to her in his head. Hoping just hoping she heard him once and it allowed her some peace in whatever she was feeling.