Chapter 17 - You may see, but you can't love

Lucius Malfoy stared at Draco and his beloved from the shadows. It was obvious that his son had never really gotten over Hermione. This was all his fault. If only he had not made Draco promise to serve the Dark Lord. His son had suffered too much.

Narcissa patted his hand from beside him. "Things will turn out the way they want," she murmured. "Don't worry."

He sighed. "Come on, love, it's time to go to the Muggle world."

A weary Hermione stepped into the Allens' house, thinking thoughtfully. Why did Draco run away from me? Hermione thought miserably.

"Bye, sister," a voice said in a sing-song manner. Hermione groaned out loud. Blanda.

"What do you mean?" she queried. Out of the corner of they eye, she saw Matthew Allen storming up to ther, carrying her favourite (actually, her only) bag, containing her favourite Witchcraft book. "Hey!" she yelled. "Don't touch my things."

Matthew glared at her coldly and threw the bag at her feet. "Take it and leave," he said sharply.

Hermione stared at him in disbelief. "What?" she sputtered. "But Mum said- "

"She agrees with me, you silly child," he snarled.

Hermione looked up from the bag to her mother. "I'm twenty," she snapped, her eyes never leaving Pulcheria.

Matthew let out a short laugh. "Oh my God, you are twenty," he mocked. "I'm so afraid."

"Wait a minute," Blanda spoke up suddenly. "Are you related to that blond guy who came here a few weeks ago?"

Hermione looked barely surprised. "You mean Draco? He's my boyfriend," she replied, catching words like, "bad faith" from Matthew.

"How did he end up with someone like you?" Blanda asked in a disgusted tone and made a face.

All the emotions that Hermione had kept inside her far too long stirred up. The first night they spent together in Hogwarts. The project that brought them together. The nights in the Hogwarts' gardens. Nights she cried for him, pinned for him. The last night she spent in the Manor, dancing.

Hermione walked briskly to the younger girl, whose eyes flashed a frightened gaze for a moment. It satisfied Hermione that Blanda was afraid of her. "I think you should ask him," she hissed. Hermione smirked, gathered up all her strength and slapped Blanda across the face.

Matthew pulled her away from a struggling Blanda and narrowed his beady eyes at her. "Leave," he repeated. "Now." He shoved her out the door, before slamming it.

Hermione stumbled and would have fallen if not for the soft hands that caught her. She spun around, hoping to see-

"Mrs. Malfoy!" Hermione felt vaguely disappointed.

Narcissa smiled down at her. "With Luce." Hermione fought back a smile and glanced at Lucius. He looked embarrassed. "We are taking you to the Manor."

"Hold it," Lucius said and Narcissa paused. The couple exchanged knowing looks for a while.

Narcissa broke into a smile and waited while Lucius pounded on the door.

"Wait- " Hermione started, confused.

Blanda opened the door and the first person she saw was Hermione. "Get lost, you ugly- "

"Augeo," Narcissa whispered, pointing her wand at Blanda's nose and stepped in front of Hermione protectively. Blanda's nose grew twice its actual size. "Say bye bye to popularity, princess."

Blanda looked as her as if she was crazy, then touch her face self-consciously. "My nose!" she shrieked. Matthew and Pulcheria rushed up to her worriedly.

"Let's go, Hermione," Narcissa said gently, steering her away. Hermione threw her head back to take a last look at her mother.

Pulcheria had an odd look upon her face. She, too, looked up, at Hermione. Her eyes told Hermione many things. I'm sorry was one. Hermione finally broke the gaze, turned and left.

Draco stared at them in horror. He was having a difficult time trying to process the girl in front of him. "She is not staying here!"

A tear glistened in the brunette's eyes.

"Yes, she is," Narcissa replied calmly.

"Father!"

Lucius arched a perfect eyebrow at him. "Would you rather Beliarosa stay here?" he inquired.

"No!" Draco shouted, looking aghast. He paused for a moment and thought quickly. He'd rather have Beliarosa's life in danger than having Hermione's. "Yes!"

An emotion flickered in her eyes. An emotion he knew far too well. Hurt.

"Hermione will stay here, Draco," Narcissa said firmly. "Whether you like it or not." She turned to Hermione and motioned for her to follow her up to the guest room to settle down.

Draco looked at his father, exasperated. He pulled the sleeve from his wrist to his shoulder and shove his forearm into his father's face.

"I have this!" he yelled. "How can she stay here?"

Lucius simply smiled humorlessly. "You learn to control yourself, Draco."

Hermione opened the door cautiously, to the familiar room she once slept in. Draco, as she had expected, was there, staring off into space, not moving from his spot.

She entered the room and closed the door softly. Draco immediately heard the shuffling and his eyes snapped to her. "What are you doing in my room?" Draco asked roughly.

"I wanted to see you," she replied simply.

"What for?" he snapped. "Haven't you seen enough of me?"

"I would never 'see enough of you', Draco," Hermione answered evenly, surprised.

"You left that day," Draco accused bitterly. "When I wanted you to stay."

"How was I to know?" she cried. "I missed home- " Hermione paused to inhale. "And I guess you forgot to tell me about my dead father huh?"

"You didn't look like you could handle another death!" Draco shot back.

"And I could handle your lies?" she asked quietly.

"You don't understand!"

Hermione looked away and leaned against the door. "So explain," she said coolly.

Draco opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it and closed his mouth. He shook his head. "It is too complicated."

"No, you are making it sound complicated," Hermione said.

Draco got off his bed and walked towards her. A shiver of excitement ran down Hermione's spine. But to her disappointment, he made no move to kiss her.

"You should know," Draco murmured.

"Well, I don't!" Hermione snapped.

"Pause," he said. " And reflect."

Hermione eyed him as if he was being difficult. "Tell me."

Draco looked into her blank brown eyes. "Your 'dream'. Don't you recall?"

Hermione shook her head slightly.

Draco looked away from her for a while. He could not believe how stupid she was.

"I'm a Deatheater, Hermione."

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Finally an author's note...

Ah!! Sorry I didn't put an author's note in every chapter anymore - I find it troublesome having to think of something to write. I just want to add that there will be another sequel in this Dracomione trilogy, so don't worry a bit. For more information on the trilogy, visit e to poll for the posters!