Disclaimer ~ Roses are red, violets are blue; I don't own Harry Potter, but neither do you



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Falling Head Over Heels The Story of Hermione Granger and her relationship with Draco Malfoy By: Befuzzled



Chapter Twenty -Eight ~ True Confessions

"That you're the one for me: The way you make me feel, It really turns me on. You knock me off my feet. My lonely days are gone. I like the feeling you're giving me. Just hold me baby, and I'm in ecstasy." ~Michael Jackson

Hermione never really made it home after she left Hogwarts, and her friends. She immediately went off to collect the 'package'. It had been really hard trying to think of gifts to give Draco. After all, he had all that money could buy. She found out you could even buy companionship when she got him Lucy. There had to have been something that he didn't have, yet. After the talk they had when they both got out of the hospital wing, her mind had been easily made up.

She left her bags in the car that Dumbledore had gotten for her. Hermione breathed heavily and pulled open the thick, highly unwelcoming door. She didn't see anyone in the dim light. She got a foreboding feeling and wanting to flee instantly. But, this was for Draco; he deserved it. "Hello? Is anyone here?" Her voice wavered slightly in the darkness.

Out of no one a tiny little man popped out, behind a desk. "Yes? Yes, I'm here how can I help you?"

"I'm here to pick something up, for Hogwarts." What kind of place would hand something as important as the gift over to a teenager so with permission from Dumbledore, the only other person with the knowledge of the parcel, she used Hogwarts as an alibi of sorts.

"Ah yes. Number H0699033M?"

Hermione couldn't believe they could place a number on this type of thing. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her pocket and verified the number. "Yes that's right."

"Sedgewich! Bring me H0699033M!! NOW!!"

A small house elf brought out the gift. With a quick good bye Hermione took it and left the scary, place feeling sympathy for anyone who had to walk through those doors.

~*~

The car took her to King's Cross station, where she was to wait for her helpful headmaster with a portkey. "Hello, Ms. Granger. I see everything went well."

"Yes, sir. I must say that place is absolutely dreadful though. Doesn't the ministry look into things like that?"

"Yes, but they cannot check them all and very rarely do they actually go back to make sure changes are made to the full extent."

"Well, then in the very least they could hire an interior decorator. It was worse than the dungeons."

Albus Dumbledore let out a light chuckle, "Yes, it may very well have been. Just don't tell Professor Snape. I daresay we should get Mr. Malfoy his gift."

"Yeah, it certainly is overdue enough. But could we please stop in Hogmeade first there's some other shopping I feel like I need to do?"

"Yes of course."

~*~ Ron hadn't even touched the letter Hermione had written out for him. He left it on the corner of his bed where she had left it. He didn't want to think about it. He still felt betrayed. If she had built the relationship, prefects to toleration to friends to close friends then to going out, but know she had to push him into the deep end. Right into the heart of the climax of their relationship.

He did admit to himself that he had missed her over the past few weeks, and it did hurt when she stopped trying to come around the common room. He figured the last stop had been for Harry's benefit more than her own. Harry was always thrown into the middle of their puerile disputes.

Ron went to take his shower and do his other morning preparations, but when he came back the letter was still there. He couldn't just let it sit there forever. He would have to do something: burning it or reading wee at the top of his list. Hermione just asked him for one thing, in the very least just do that.

He sat heavily on the edge of his bed and slowly picked up the packet. He started to read, forcing himself not to read into the words just to take them for face value.

My friend, Ron,

I know I have been rather unfair to you over the past few weeks. That was a lot to throw at a person, anybody. I thank you for not hexing anybody in your hurt and anger. I do however owe you a lot, in the very least an explanation.

We're both hot-headed and head-strong, unfortunately not a very good combination in people. Could you imagine how many trips we would have taken to the hospital wing if it hadn't been for Harry? I'm delaying, I'm sorry.

I'm sure you're confused: How could a Gryffindor and a Slytherin possibly get along? To tell you the truth I don't really know. It's not like it happened instantly I can assure you of that. At the beginning of the year I hated him with just as much fervor as before. Little things began to change and so did my feelings. I guess it's easiest to start from the beginning, at least on the things I never filled you in about.

Do you remember those flying lesson Draco tricked Snape into thinking he was giving me? Well I kind of spent the first half of the year making up excuses to go to those. I wanted to tell you both, but I didn't want you to over react. You guys have been there with me, for me, for everything. I think this was a chance to prove to myself that I could actually take care of myself. I know it's kind of petty, but I was used to being an only child, independent, at least until I came here and then I got the two best friends a girl could ask for. Then, I wasn't an only child, I missed the self-reliance.

Anyway, surprisingly, Draco didn't use the lesson time to terrorize me. He actually tried to teach me. After the first practice I spent with the Quidditch team, running, I forgot I had another lesson. I lost control, well my balance anyway, and Draco caught me. I don't know what was scarier - the fact that I almost fell or the trust I had felt towards the 'evil' Slytherin.

I don't think I ever told you this but he was Romeo at the Masquerade. I kissed him that night not knowing it was him of course. But it had been such a wonderful evening and it was just a good way to end it. The next night, at another fling lesson, he kissed me again. It wasn't anything romantic or anything, he was just proving to me that he was Romeo.

Somebody caught us though. I don't think Paul every told you. I asked him not to. I befriended him, and made plans with him to either go on Hosmead trips together or you know the next dance.

That was what really led up to the truce we made for being Prefects. Then I got the idea for the Concordia Ball. He was a big part in planning that. After you spend all your spare time with a person concentrating on something other than how much you're supposed to hate them, things just kind of fall in place.

All the jewelry I wore to the dance I got from him, and I gave him Lucy. He's lonely and I figured that's why he had been so cruel since I've known him.

We became very close friends and on Valentine's Day he scheduled another flying craft. He flew me to Venice, brought out some muggle clothes, and took me to a lovely dinner. He asked me out that night during dessert.

That's my story or what I can tell you about now. I'm sure more will come out later but we have wait for events to unfold.

I really miss you Ron, I want you to know that. I know I haven't been around enough this year, and I hope you can forgive for that. If you can owl me, and if not I guess I'll see you around school.

I will love you always and forever Hermione

He sighed rereading some parts. After just another moment of processing the words in stood and made his way to the owlery.

~*~

Draco Malfoy was slowly making his way back from the owlery. He had already sent three owls to Hermione. She had only been gone a day, not even, and he missed her desperately. What was he going to do during the summer?

He heard quick foot steps coming but he didn't look up as he turned the corner and crashed into a wild red-head, Ron Weasley. It was the man who had been responsible for Hermione's depression over the past weeks.

"Why don't you watch where you are going Weasley?"

"I didn't see you looking up," he countered standing up.

'Don't kill him, Hermione wouldn't like that much.' "I may not have been looking up but I still see more things than you do."

"What's that supposed to be? A threat?"

"No, just an observation, Weasel. Maybe you should pay more attention to your friends than yourself."

"Does this have something to do with Hermione?"

Draco's voice sliced violently through the air, "This has everything to do with Hermione. Just be thankful I haven't killed you yet?"

"And why would you have any right to kill me?"

"You really haven't noticed have you? She's been depressed, because of you. I don't understand it, but what you think matter's to her. To bad you don't have enough money to buy a brain." With that he walked off to continue his moping.

He was going to head back to the Slytherin common room to see if there were any distractions in there to keep his mind off Hermione, but his feet were drawn to the familiar third floor corridor. He closed his eyes as his whispered the unchanged password and was transported the twenty five feet below. He inhaled; it was the sweet flowery scent that could only be Hermione Granger. But then again that was impossible, she had to be somewhere in London wandering around by now. Did they plant a garden or something?

He opened his eyes and saw Hermione folding a blanket over something on the couch. She looked up and was met with his eyes. She smiled putting a finger to his mouth. She walked over to him and hugged him.

"Surprise," she whispered into his ear.

"Is this my present?"

"No, of course not. She's on the couch."

"She?"

"Yeah, she was exhausted after the trip. I didn't know you would still haunt this place with everyone gone."

"I didn't mean to. I was going back to the Slytherin Common room, and ended up here. I still don't understand what you mean by 'she'. You didn't get me another cat did you?"

"No, why don't you go see for yourself." Hermione let go of him and stepped to the side to let him go view his surprise. He gave her one quick, suspicious look before slowly making his way to the couch, their couch.

Hermione watched as his eyes cautiously looked down to the sleeping figure in the folds of the blankets. As recognition and understanding registered, a single tear slid down his cheek before Hermione went to stand beside him.

He didn't say a word, he just hugged her, a silent thanks. She led him to the facing couch. "How did you-? I mean is it really? But, how?"

"Professor Dumbledore had a lot to do with it, and unless there are two Hermia Malfoys out there, it's her."

He hugged her again. "I'm going to get us some hot chocolate or something. You can stay here and get used to the idea, of meeting your sister."

Draco nodded and watched her leave before his eyes settled on studying his sister. She had the some silky blonde, hair that he did the high cheekbones, a perfect nose, and a defiant chin. He could only assume that her eyes contained the same depths of grey that his possessed. She looked peaceful in her sleep but he could sense the turmoil going on inside her head as he watched her forehead continuously tense.

He hoped Hermione would get back before she woke up. He could see himself now, scaring the little girl to death with a fierce head or confusing her with a handshake a simple introduction, "Hi, I'm your brother." Hermione at least had the chance to meet her. It would be less awkward that way.

Hermione came back, thankfully in time, with a tray of mugs, and pot of hot water, and chocolate mix. She prepared two cups and sat down next to him. "Thanks."

"No problem. Those house elves make everything so easy."

"I thought you didn't like the idea of house elves."

"I don't, but they've been very convincing in telling me they like their jobs. Even Dobby-"

"Dobby works here?"

"Yeah I thought you knew. After your father freed him, well unwilling freed him, Dumbledore gave him a job, with pay. He likes the work; he just wanted to get something out of it, besides punishment."

He nodded and took another sip of his drink. "So what have you two been up to today?"

"Not much. I picked her up at the school, and then Dumbledore met us at King's Cross. We went to Hogmeade and got her some new clothes for the trip and came back here like an hour before you came."

"I see. Where was the school?"

"I don't know exactly you'll have to ask Dumbledore, but wherever it is, it's not very welcoming for little kids. It scared me a little, and I have seen some pretty nasty stuff. They give the kids codes, Draco, not names, codes."

He took it all in. He wished his sister had been born a boy, just so she wouldn't have to suffer in such a despicable place. He heard a faint voice calling out.

"Hermione? Hermione are you still here?" The little girls eyes flickered open.

Hermione stood and went to comfort her. "Yeah, I'm here. That boy I've been telling you about is here. Do you want to meet him?"

She nodded pushing the blankets off and pushing the hair out of her eyes. Draco quietly stood up and went to be introduced. "Emma this is Draco. He's your brother."

She looked a little scared and confused. Draco crouched down to her level and stuck out his hand, "It's very nice to finally get to meet you. I haven't seen you since you were a day old."

The girl never did take his hand; she threw her arms around her brother's neck. "Did Hermione say your name was Emma?"

"Uh huh. That's what all the other kids at school call me. They thought my first name was too weird. But I guess you know how that feels." Little kids are so blunt. "Do you like Hermione? I do, she's really nice."

Draco looked over to his girlfriend. "Yeah, I like her too."

Hermione was blushing slightly. "How would you two like to go see the horses has for classes after break?"

"You have horses here too?"

"Sometimes."

"I wish I went to this school versus mine."

Draco wanted to reassure her, "You will eventually. You have to be eleven first." "Oh." She sounded a little depressed.

"It will come sooner than you think," Hermione took her turn to comfort. "Why don't you go get your cloak and we'll go outside." Hermione watch the girl scamper off. "You should get your too. It's still cold outside."

"Accio cloak." A smug look crossed his face, "There are advantages to being a wizard." Hermione laughed as he followed her to the spot where Emma was getting ready.

"Emma, why don't you wear your new cloak?"

"I don't want to get it dirty."

"I know a ton of cleaning spells, so don't worry about it." She looked unsurely at the person who looked so much like herself before switching the fabrics. "Now Hermione, where did you say those horses were?"

~*~

Hermione, Emma, and Draco ran into the great hall laughing at their fun from that day. Well at least Emma and Hermione were laughing. Draco's horse for the day, Brutus has decided he didn't like him much and bucked him off. They didn't realize they were disturbing so many people until they felt the stares and the thick silent around them.

They themselves were instantly quiet. Hermione could hear something like 'that's what you get for laughing at me" from Draco. It caused her to have to stifle another bought of laughter and suppressed giggles. Hermione made her way to the Gryffindor table while Draco directed his little sister to his own spot at the Slytherin table.

There were hushed whispers all around them. Dumbledore stood, "Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, could I speak with you for a moment?" They had barely sat down and got involved with the conversation before they were called away. "Now I think some arrangements need to be made for your guest tonight."

"Yes sir."

"Sir? I know this may sound premature, but I've grown rather attached to my sister today and I really would rather not send her off to some dormitory with a bunch of ghastly girls she doesn't know."

"So girls are ghastly now, are they?"

"Well, what I meant to say-" "I know exactly what you meant Malfoy." He looked scared, like he really offended her, in front of the Headmaster, of all people. "Oh give it up Draco!" A smile spread across both their faces.

"You'll get yours Granger."

"I might, but remember big girls don't cry they get revenge." Somebody cleared their voice loudly in front of them. "Sorry sir we got rather off subject I suppose."

"Yes. I have a suggestion, well suggestions. Number one, since Mr. Malfoy thinks girls are so ghastly, and I'm assuming you were referring to the Slytherins?"

"Well not just them, but it wasn't Hermione," he added quickly.

"Yes, well then how about Miss Malfoy spends the night in Miss Granger's dorm? I could have the house elves set up another bed." He paused, waiting for their reactions.

"That's fine with me. Would that be okay Draco? Or am I too ghastly?"

"I'm never saying anything bad about girls in front of you again. You're not ghastly, okay? Now, drop it. That would be fine with me, just don't go and try to teach her to be some big bad wanna-be Gryffindor."

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it."

"Would you like to hear my other suggestion?"

"Yes sir," they chorused.

"We could set up some beds in the Prefect Common Room and you all could spend the night there."

Draco looked excited, "That would be great sir. Thank you."

"Good well I'll inform the house elves then. Please go have some dinner."

They retreated from the intent stares of the headmaster back to their assigned tables.

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"What was what about?"

"All the laughing, the conversation with Dumbledore, and who is that girl?"

"Draco's horse bucked him off, we had to make arrangements for a guest, and why don't you go ask her yourself?" Hermione ticked off while counting on her fingers.

"I don't think I will. She looks too much like a Malfoy." Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Oh really? I never would have guessed."

"Are you telling me there are more of them?"

"I'm not telling you anything Ron. But it is nice to see that you're talking to me again."

"Yeah, well somebody told me I was starting to look like Malfoy with all the scowling." Hermione sprayed the pumpkin juice she was sipping on all over the table, her attempt to swallow was thrown off with the laughter that emitted from her mouth. "Oh really Hermione? And you say I have bad table manners. I don't thinking washing the table counts as good."

Hermione took a napkin and started dabbing the pumpkin juice, "Sorry, but it just that you kind of did look like him, with the scowling. I just got a weird picture in my head."

Ron and Harry both put their hands up, "I don't want to know."

~*~

"Draco?"

"Yes, Emma?"

"Who are those boys Hermione is with?"

Draco looked up from his plate. He had been expecting her to ask about food or something. "Oh, the one with the red hair is Ron Weasley, and the one with the messy black hair is Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter? Oh Harry Potter, kids at school talk about him all the time. Do you actually know him?"

Draco put his hands up to his temples, "More Potter Fans, just what the world needs. Yes, I know him. He's in my year. We don't really see eye to eye, though."

"Can we go meet him?"

"Do you really want to do that?" She nodded animatedly. "Alright let's go create another groupie." They walked up behind Hermione, so Ron was the first to see them.

"Malfoy."

"Weasley."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing, but she does," he said looking down to the girl attached to his arm.

"And what could that possibly be?"

"She wanted to meet Potter. Do we have to clear it through you? Are you his fan club manager or something?"

"Draco stop it." Hermione ended the little battle of wits.

Harry pivoted in his sit and stuck out his hand, "Hello. It's nice to meet you, uh I didn't quite catch the name."

"It's Emma," she said really quietly.

"Well it's nice to meet you Emma. Are you here visiting Draco?" She nodded, her mouth to dry to form anymore words.

"Who is she Malfoy?" Ron asked his mind still curious.

"Not that it's any of your business, but she my sister."

"But, you don't have a sister."

"I didn't, until about six years ago."

"How come you never mentioned her before?"

"Why do you care so much Weasley? But to tell you the truth this is only the second time I've met her in my life, and that's thanks to Hermione. You couldn't possibly understand though; you can even decipher your own friends' emotions. You certainly are a self-centered prick for having so little." Draco's pitch had consistently raised through out his rant.

Hermione put a hand on his arm, "Draco?"

"Sorry, I'm done. Emma do you want to go back to the common room with me or do you want to stay with Hermione?"

"Emma why don't you stay here," Hermione insisted. The girl just nodded.

"Thanks. I'll see you both later."

"What was all that about?"

"Ron, how would you feel if you knew you had a sister for six years and couldn't talk to her?"

Harry interjected, "I would freak."

"Exactly."

~*~

'Draco? Are you in here? Emma wanted to know if you could take her flying?" She was looking around the room, and found him reading on the couch. "Good book?"

He finally looked up when she was standing right in front of him. "I'm sorry what did you say?"

"Emma wanted you to go flying with her," Hermione said with a smile in her voice.

"Oh really?" He turned to the little girl, "Have you ever been flying before?"

"No, that's why I want to go, that is if you feel better."

"I feel great now. I told you we didn't get along."

"No, you said you and Harry didn't get along, nothing about Ron. Hermione said you were both stubborn and thick headed and refused to listen to each other's ideas; that's why you fight."

"Did she?" Hermione turned a slight red as Draco's eyes looked through her.

"Um, don't you two want to go flying? Take your cloaks, it's still cold."

"Of course we're going. It will give me and Emma a chance to talk and I'll get to find out what else you have said about me."

"That's fine. It's all the truth, nice or not."

"We'll see about that."

"Just go, I'll get the room ready. It will be just like a slumber party, I'll get snacks and everything."

They sat up late that night, not really doing anything. It was approaching eleven when Draco's brotherly instincts finally kicked in and he decided they should all go to bed. "Can you read me a story first?"

"Sure, pick one." She pulled a book out of the pile that had accumulated from Draco's and Hermione's readings. "Oh this is a good one. Scoot over so I can fit." The small, fragile looking girl slide to the far side of the bed, and Draco climbed into the middle of the bed. The Slytherin slid an arm around her shoulders as she nestled into his chest.

"Hermione aren't you coming?"

She had been watching them from the other side of the room, remembering the look of happy knowledge spread across Draco's face when he had returned from the pitch. She had told Emma a lot about him, preparing him for their first actual meeting and conversation. "Oh sure."

She made her way over and found room on Draco's other side. She rested her head on his shoulder so he was able to control the book. Once everyone was comfortable Draco started, "Once upon a time in a land far away, there was a prince."

The six year old finally succumbed to sleep after the sixth chapter. Hermione was practically there as well. "You know we should probably get you to bed."

"Uh-huh." He picked her up and carried her to her own bed in the room.

"Mina, I really can't thank you enough for this. For the longest time I thought you were going to get me a broom, or some ancient book. But I have to admit, this is better, and probably the nicest thing anyone has done for me."

"Oh you deserved it. The hardest part was finding her, but you know how much I like research. She's a lovely girl; I'm just sorry I didn't find her sooner. I'm glad to see you're so happy."

"Yes, and it's because of you. Do you want to know something?"

"Always."

"I think I'm starting to fall in love with you."

Hermione was nestling into her pillow, "I have been for awhile. Good night, love ya in the morning."

Draco chuckled a little; it was the first time had even mentioned the subject and Hermione had said it as she drifted off to sleep. "Why not now?"

"To tired. Can I have something before you go?"

"Just ask."

"I need a kiss."

"And to think I thought you were going to ask for something difficult."

After their brief kiss, Hermione was momentarily refreshed, "Thanks for sticking up for me with Ron."

"No problem. We both really need sleep. Love ya in the morning."

I know it couldn't have gotten sappier, but I had to some it up fast. I completely neglected the purpose of the chapter until that last page.