A/N: safe to say... I'm planning for 35 chapters maybe less. There are interesting times ahead! Short chappy because it needs to stand alone.

Chapter 22

Hermione sighed, running a hand through her hair, getting more frustrated by the second. "Look I don't see why you're making this to be such a big deal, Harry. He had his side and I had mine. Honestly, between you and Ginny..."

Harry blinked before folding his arms, "Well you were quite obvious of your intentions, Hermione - what else was I supposed to think? You left wearing just... just..." he trailed off in a shudder as the image was still rather scarring.

Hermione wasn't that surprised he skipped saying it, rather she was grateful he had as the action still made her feel dirty.

"And to top it off, no one saw either of you in the Great Hall. Pansy... well... it was her that was so vocal about it all. Ron... he didn't take the news too well..."

Hermione scoffed, 'So that's how he found out,'

She was ready to respond that she really couldn't careless what Ron thought about the situation, only to be stopped when a hand wrapped around her waist. And judging from the scowl on Harry's face, Hermione knew who it was.

"Be on your way, Potter, you're distressing her," came Draco's calm reply.

'Distressing me?'

"No he isn't" Hermione bit, trying to shrug herself away from his grasp, but Draco only held on tighter. Her chest grew heavy and her mouth suddenly went dry when he pressed his body alongside hers.

"I can feel you shaking," Draco replied casually, relishing in the shocked expression on her face before he turned back to Harry. "So leave us Potter, we have important matters to discuss..."

Hermione stiffened against him and chewed on her lip nervously, trying not to show any weakness when staring at Harry. She desperately wanted to say something, but nothing would come out.

But Harry was too busy glaring at Draco to even notice, "Oh really?" he said with a scoff, "If anyone were to make her uncomfortable, it would be you!" His eyes slanted back over to Hermione's face.

"Come on, Hermione, let's go somewhere else," he reached over to take a hold of her hand.

Draco tightened his hold on Hermione, preventing Potter to take her away. "I know it is rather difficult for you to accept us.." Draco felt Hermione tense his is grasp, making him rethink his retort into something completely opposite to what he wanted to say, "But I've got handled."

He used his other hand to wave him off, "Be on your way now,"

Harry stilled for a moment, frowning as he turned to Hermione. Wondering why she wasn't making any efforts to fighting Malfoy off.

"Oh so you trust him now?" Harry said before he could stop himself, "After..." he refused to say one night, and cleared his throat, "After... everything? I know rebound relationships are... strange, and I know that's what this is. You're just on the rebound! But trusting Malfoy is a little extreme, Hermione. He's just manipulating you all over again!"

Harry didn't wait for her response, he glared at Malfoy and then stormed off muttering away.

Draco stroked his chin, "Rebound...?"

"Emotionally rejected by a lover, one turns to another to fill the void" she said automatically finally getting the courage to brush his hand away from her body, to look at him properly. She decided against being a coward by running away, and to just approach the subject.

"It makes feel-um, things to be..." she went on, not really that comfortable to be having such a conversation with him, "Unlikely for it to be real..."

Or that's what she wanted to believe. Truthfully, the events of the morning left her feeling extremely confused. Terrified even. It was quite the intense kiss. A kiss where she can still taste on her lips! However, admitting that what was going on with her and Draco was a little more than just going with the flow, would be a mistake. He was a player after all. She couldn't let her heart get involved. Not again.

Her heart felt weighted in her chest as she stared into his eyes, daring herself not to blink or show any emotions. 'Just breathe...stay calm...relax'

But Draco wasn't fooled. He knew she was hiding something, or else that answer wouldn't be so... plain.

"Unlikely..." Draco stopped stroking his chin, "But possible..." He wasn't sure where that comment came from, as he found such deep topics to be tedious. But it was just the opening he needed to start that whole conversation thing, with her.

Hermione eyed Draco curiously, wondering why he was asking such a question, "Well, usually rebound relationships end before any...real emotions can develop," She folded her arms and stared him down, much like she always did when she caught Harry or Ron in a lie. It was a good way to keep her emotions in check. She did not appreciate the way he addressed Harry, one bit.

"But I don't see why that should even matter," she added quickly. "We're not... I mean this isn't..."

"Real?" he prompted, itching his throat, as he watched the passerby's with a somber expression. "Now who's lying?" He reached over to brush some of her hair behind her ear.

'Lying?'

"What?" She said stepping away from his touch. She felt her cheek grow warm. If this was what Draco wanted to talk about, then she really was doomed. Or her heart was. She was much more comfortable to storing it in the back of her head and never to be seen or thought of again. But having known quite recently, he wasn't the type to let things go.

Well neither was she!

"You come over here acting all... territorial, and you want me to what, thank you? Harry is my friend! You don't see me going after your friends and yelling at them for talking to you! So I would appreciate the same treatment!"

"You call having meals and studying times friendship?" Draco said shrugging. "As I recall, they are not the one you sit with in classes anymore - it's me."

Hermione narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Draco smirked at her lack of response, "Which brings me to the topic of our discussion. Why did-"

But Hermione wasn't having any of it. "Forget it. I need to speak to McGonagall!"

She was going to march on in the other way, but Draco caught up to her in a few strides, "Well I need to speak to you, so...she can wait"

Hermione stumbled back to escape his proximity and scowling. "No she can't wait, this is important" she held up the sheet of parchment with all the tally's. "We've got a little over two weeks to get things ready for this and-"

"Look this whole bossy attitude might work with Potter and company, but not me. Why did you say you were just a phase? Can you honestly say that after what... transpired this morning?"

Hermione shut her eyes and gritted her teeth. Mentally preparing herself for the emotional roller-coaster she was about to endure. She felt her chest tighten and her breath stop. She really didn't want to talk about this... not now... not ever. It was times like this she wished he were Ron.

"But this isn't..." she tried to sound calm and collected, but it came out into a soft whisper. Stuttering on the words and trailing off. She bowed her head in shame, her cheeks tinting with a light pink.

Draco took a breath and then placed a hand down on her shoulder, "Believe me, it was just as confusing for me as it was for you. So why did you say that? I thought we came to a consensual agreement!"

"Things got out of hand," she said, finding the courage to actually look at him in the eye. "I was angry with you! I-" she stopped once realizing what he really said. Her eyes widened and she pointed a finger to him.

"Wait...you said confusing! Why would you be confused?"

But what he meant by it, she wouldn't know. Would it be that he felt...something too? After all things were rather intense. She poured all emotions into those kisses. Anger because Draco was being so back and forth with his emotions. Frustrated at herself to be drawn into his web without real control. Saddness at what lengths she needed to go through to actually feel again. And disappointment for not being strong enough to actually break it off before it got complicated.

"Well yeah. Here you were, crying in the middle of the corridor wearing...practically nothing! That is rather strange, isn't it?"

Hermione felt the heat rush to her cheeks, and shot her eyes downcast. Feeling even more embarrassed.

Draco put his hand to his forehead for a moment, realizing that was not the right way to approach the topic.

"Look, things can't progress if we don't talk about it."

"But why?" Hermione whispered, "Why are you trying so hard to know everything?" She knew she already had asked him this question, but it really was killing her to know!

"Well it's obvious isn't it? We're together. We should work things out like normal couples do!" He said it as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, when truthfully his mind and body were going complete haywire. "Think about it, for my...I mean you to be out in the middle of the night... upset is not something I can just... let go"

Hermione blinked after hearing him catch himself, unsure of how to properly take the information. 'Was he going to call me his...girlfriend?' Yes, it was the general idea to make everyone think they were together, as they did all the acting. Saying that they were boyfriend and girlfriend with no attachments. But now hearing him say the words gave Hermione a whole new perspective on their scenario.

'So what? He wants to make it work?' Hermione wanted to laugh at her own question. 'Don't be daft!'

Draco took her silence as a signal that he still needed to convince her, "Because I... want this to work," he blinked at his own boldness. Well he wasn't planning to be as blunt as that. 'Oh well, too late now'

'Oh my...' Hermione gulped and furrowed her brows lightly.

Draco cleared his throat to keep his voice composed, "I mean come on, you must know that over time..." he stared up to the sky, fishing around in his head for the proper way to word his thoughts, "Um, things changed"

Her jaw dropped next. 'Where is this coming from?'

"Where is this coming from?" She echoed her thoughts.

"Well as you were sitting away from me, I used the time to think things over. Between us."

'There's that word again...'

Hermione felt her chest tighten again, where she fisted her hand into her robes over her heart. "You...what?"

Draco reached over and took her hand away from her robes to be within his, so he could entwine their fingers together. Hermione felt the heat from his palm. Tingles shot all the way up her arms and down her legs to her toes.

"Look, this isn't easy for me, talking about this sort of thing, so can you please knock of the constant questioning?" Draco growled.

"Well it is strange for me to think that you would care. Usually it's all about getting a good laugh when it comes to you!"

Draco gritted his teeth, "I said I was sorry just this morning, but for some reason you didn't take my word for it"

Hermione snorted, "Because it wasn't much of an apology. I am just 'one of those people that has to hear the word' remember? That's what you said! And to top it off, you still have to apologize for what you did to Ginny!"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Still sore about that one are you?"

"She's my friend and for you to harm her I just-"

"I didn't harm her. You saw the memory remember? Or perhaps not? You were on top of me at the time, who knows, perhaps your mind is still a little foggy..."

Hermione growled balling her fists.

"UGH! See? My case in point, nothing is ever serious with you! So why would now be any different? Draco Malfoy the most selfish, most arrogant, most... wealthy-"

Draco visibly cringed at her words, "Well no, you're wrong about that last part" He didn't bother addressing her issues with him as it was a losing battle.

Hermione did a double-take of his sudden confession. "Um... come again?"

Draco shrugged at her wide-eyed look, "I'm broke"

Hermione glanced down at their hands, which she just realized he was still holding.

"You... you're..."

"The Ministry has my house and vaults. I've got about ten Galleons to my name. So this Malfoy is no longer rich"

She studied his face, trying to find a window to see if he was lying. 'If he's poor then how come he was able to afford to spend money at those places he took me?'

Draco on the other hand, did not like the sad look she was giving him and immediately went on the defensive.

"Why are you so surprised? My Father was a follower of The Dark Lord remember? No amount of apologies would help him. Or my Mother for that matter. So the two of them are locked up in Azkaban. Ministry owns everything."

Lucius Malfoy she would understand but Narcissa? It didn't make sense. Abandoning her thoughts Hermione decided to press this matter instead. "But why your Mother? She didn't have much to do with Voldemort!"

"It was punishment for my Father... and me" Draco bowed his head and clenched his fist, "Seems to be a running thing with my family. The Dark Lord punishes me for my Father's mistake about that stupid prophecy...now the Ministry thought to join in the fun"

Hermione eyed his clenched hand, which just so happened to be his left - the one with the bracelet. Hermione gave his hand a squeeze and offered him a small smile, "Sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset..."

She felt his hand tense in hers and she felt her heart jump.

"I'm not upset. Just angry. Even in prison I am still paying for my Father's fuck ups" Draco muttered rubbing his free hand over his face.

Hermione sighed, not really sure how to proceed.

"But anyway, getting back on topic. I am not the person you think me to be,"

"I... I realize that now..." 'And last night, and this morning...' the thoughts made her nervous so she began chewing on her lips.

Draco smirked at her as she nibbled away. He reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The heat from his palm made her eyes flutter.

"Right and knowing that are you going to answer my question?"

Hermione swallowed and opened her eyes. She tried to remember what he had asked her, but the truth of him being poor and without a home still struck her. Yet she knew she was asking for trouble when asking for it again. 'Whatever, I can handle it!'

"Right, um, what was it again?"

Draco's smirk grew wider, he knew just what to ask...

"Are your feelings for me, genuine?"

The small smile vanished from her lips. She did not remember him ever asking that question!

"Hold on!" She squeaked, stumbling away from his grasp. "I might've not remembered the question, but I know it wasn't... you certainly didn't..." She scoffed and shoved his shoulder lightly, "How dare you!"

"What? It's just an innocent question. Although I think I already know the answer...well, at least my lips do" He said with a wink.

Hermione shoved him harder this time, "Enough!"

Draco laughed lightly rubbing his shoulder. The girl can be strong when the situation calls for it! But did that stop him?

Nope.

"Hermione, I told you before not to be ashamed..."

But before he could touch her again, she had scampered off away. He slipped his hands into his pockets, watching her sprint off.

"The feeling..." he took a deep breath and looked around the field for any eavesdroppers, "Is completely..." his eyes fell upon her disappearing form.

"Mutual"

E/N: happy times ahead! :)