A/N: How is everyone? All having fun reading fan fic? Yes anyway… Here we go then chapter 7, I have nothing else to say apart from that I've got a job at last so I haven't got as much time as I did, things may go slow from now on as y'all will have noticed already. Doesn't help that I've had writers block the past two weeks… eek!

Just one little note, if you don't like R/Hr I'd skip the beginning of this chapter. And hold your horses, the detail will come, I'm just kind of… well, waiting.

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Chapter 7

Confrontations

No matter what they say
When it comes to love
Two hearts are inseparable
No matter what they say,
When it comes to love

Nothing is impossible

~ Westlife, Nothing is Impossible

'What's going on? You seem to be living here at the moment,' Hermione said with a sigh, running her hands through her wavy chestnut hair. She was sat at one end of the sofa, her legs stretched out and her feet resting on Ron's knees. 'Are you ever going home?'

Ron blinked a few times and smiled softly, and slightly wistfully. He shrugged his shoulders tracing his fingers across her bare ankle. 'Are you sure you want me to leave?' he asked gently, as his fingertips travelled further upwards.

Catching his hand before he went too far, Hermione glared at him and shook her head. He'd been there for two nights running now, as well as four consecutive days, when Ron wanted to stay he really did stay. Not that she didn't like having him there, in fact she loved it, and they were definitely making up from before. Kinda couldn't get rid of each other anymore, hence the arise of the discussion Hermione was attempting.

Hermione fluttered her eyes closed as Ron snatched his hand from her grip and rested it on her thigh. 'You should really stop,' she whispered.

'Why?' Ron asked looking in her eyes; he looked a little like a child when they've had their favourite toy taken from them. 'Why should I stop? It's not hurting anyone, I mean you can't tell me that this is hurting you…'

'I have work,' snapped Hermione quickly, opening her eyes to give him a stern look. 'In an hour.'

His eyebrows knitted together and he frowned. 'Yeah in an hour, you're being mean to me,' he declared with a growl, 'you always are.'

Shaking her head Hermione moved her feet from his lap and sat up straight, crossing her arms defensively. It was getting stupid, she needed to get some paper work done, but the problem was when Ron got sulky she couldn't resist him. It happened at least once every other day, he just had a knack for it.

'I'm not being mean, I'm just—' she stopped abruptly and stared at Ron, looking deep into his blue eyes. He was looking at her intently and tracing the outline of her face with his hand. She felt herself melt under his touch, there was just something intense about the feel of his hands. 'Oh God…'

'Done being mean 'Mione?'

'Yes,' Hermione answered, voice barely above a whisper. She sighed heavily then crawled her way over to him, pushing him back against the sofa and starting on the buttons of his shirt. 'I'm thinking of being generous,' she said softly, a growl in her voice. She shot him a bright grin and began to push his shirt over his shoulders.

Time seemed to be passing quickly, and it had only taken the two a matter of days to get back into their old routine. Mainly this consisted of spending as much time as possible at each others house, and then in Ron's mind as much of this time as naked as possible. But now it was Hermione's turn. She had an evil streak to her, it just didn't emerge all that often.

Blinking a few times Hermione took her attention back to Ron and smiled again. 'Ron,' she muttered, 'I don't want to go to the Ministry today…' She sighed and then moved a little to lay her head on his chest and look up at his face. 'I want to be with you now.'

Ron's face said it all; he arched an eyebrow in amusement, and his mouth curled up into a wicked smirk. 'Really? You don't want to go to work because of me?' He laughed. 'Are you sure you're feeling okay? Do you need to see a doctor 'Mione?'

'Shut up,' snapped Hermione, and she slapped his arm gently. His facial expression only made her burst with laughter as he looked at her with puppy dog eyes. She smiled softly and then moved her head slightly and kissed across his chest, making sure she took her time. A moment later she felt Ron's fingers run through her hair and down her neck gradually. 'Mmm,' she mumbled against his skin, 'I like that.'

'Oh yeah?' Ron replied gently, and he took his fingers back upwards.

She closed her eyes tightly and collapsed against him, smiling ferociously. 'Mmm-hmm…' whispered Hermione, her body relaxing more with each passing second. 'Just do that all day please… I'll be a happy woman if you do.'

Ron paused, and Hermione felt a moment of sadness coming, but before she could say anything, he spoke. 'Saying you're not happy now, baby?' he asked.

Whimpering she pressed her cheek against his skin, and rested her hands on his thighs. 'Of course I am… aren't you?' she questioned him, letting her hands travel upwards a little.

She was cut off by a dry laugh on Ron's part. 'Oh, well, I am now,' he said gruffly.

A grin spread across Hermione's lips and she arched her body, letting it press against his, before moving to sit on his lap, her face only a few inches from his. 'Do you love me?' she asked in a whisper.

'You know I do.'

'Tell me again… please.' She wasn't sure why she was asking him to, but she did like to hear it. Gave her a sense of reassurance in her little mixed up world.

Ron smiled and them leant in to her, kissing her lips tenderly. A second later he pulled back. 'I love you, Hermione.'

'I love you too,' she answered, and then kissed him again, desperately wanting to continue the close contact. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt his loop around her waist, tugging at the bottom of her shirt. She wouldn't deny him now, it was too late for that. The kiss deepened automatically and she nipped on his lower lip a little before pulling back and looking in his eyes. He was looking at her quizzically. 'Sorry,' said Hermione, 'but I just needed to…'

'Needed to what?' he asked, his hand moving across her skin of her lower back gently. 'Tell me…'

She looked downward, a pale blush spreading across her cheeks, and she brought her hand up to her lips, stifling a light laugh. 'I needed to look at you… check you were really here, because half of the time I feel like I'm living in the past… can't believe we're back to… well, us! Do you understand what I mean?'

'I do.' Nodding Ron loosed his hands from her waist a little and rested them over her hips, lifting her up slowly and placing her to standing on the living room floor. 'Would you like to move this to the—'

'Bedroom?' she finished for him, giggling. 'And yes, I would… I haven't seen it for at least four whole hours, I don't usually do negligence.'

Smiling brightly Ron got up and pressed his lips against hers once more, mumbling occasionally words of agreement to her. She moaned and stepped  closer to him, bringing her arms up and around his neck again and flattening herself against him. It was one of those amazing kisses, she could tell from that very moment, as she felt a shiver move down her spine. Hermione rubbed the back of his neck a little and then started to play with his flaming red hair, twisting it around her fingers.

Feeling the need she deepened the kiss, moving as close as she could to him, wanting to float away in the moment. Unfortunately her floating was rudely interrupted by a popping noise from the left of her. Ignore it Hermione, she told herself, just ignore it.

So she did.

She pulled Ron closer to her, continuing the kiss hungrily, and then smiled against his lips as he picked her up off the floor. Yeah, definitely an amazing kiss.

'Don't mind me, will you?'

Hermione and Ron leapt apart and she almost fell over, but managed to grab Ron's arm before she did. Ginny was stood a few feet from them, a smirk on her face, her arms crossed over her chest, and tapping her foot impatiently. She grinned as they looked at her, and tossed a lock of her red hair over her shoulder casually.

'Ginny!' Ron snapped, immaturely, glaring at her.

She only raised an eyebrow, so Hermione took it upon herself to steer the conversation from petty sibling rivalry. 'What are you doing here? I'd appreciate it if you told me before you just Apparate into my—'

'Shirt, need my shirt!' choked Ron from beside her, and the two girls looked at him to see him grab his shirt from off the sofa and pull it on roughly.

Hermione nodded knowingly and adjusted her clothes slightly before saying anything else. It was embarrassing, and that fact was only just setting in. She felt a blush creep across her cheeks once more, so glanced down at the floor. 'Do you want something?' she got out eventually.

With a sly smile the redhead nodded and took an amble step forward. 'I need to guys to come with me to fetch Poppy, I don't want to go alone… plus I need to talk to Colin about some stuff.'

'About Malfoy,' Ron scoffed.

Hermione turned to look at him, feeling a little bewildered. 'What?'

He looked down at his hands and started twiddling his thumbs in silence, and then gradually started to walk backwards, making a beeline for the dining room. Hermione felt a growl bubble in her throat as her boyfriend backed away. 'Nothing,' muttered Ron a moment later.

'How do you know?' asked Ginny, and she sat down in an armchair.

'What?' Hermione repeated, looking back and forth between the two.

There was a moments silence and then Ginny sighed heavily, running her hands through her hair. 'He came back, Hermione.'

Now she hadn't expected that, she'd actually been hoping that Ron was joking or something. To think that Malfoy was really back was just crazy. Yes, she'd known something was wrong… and it had been wrong for over a month now. But Malfoy being back was ludicrous. She moved her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. Then before she knew what was happening Ron was closing her mouth for her with his hand.

'Close your mouth honey,' he said softly.

She blinked and then cleared her throat, crossing her arms, and setting her jaw determinedly. 'So you're leaving Colin? You're leaving him after everything that happened? You're leaving him for something that you had eight years ago?'

'I still have it,' mumbled Ginny as she shuffled on the sofa, moving towards the edge of it. 'Just because it's eight years later, doesn't mean I stopped loving him. Somehow I couldn't see you ever not loving Ron… you're obsessed.'

Ron raised an eyebrow and smiled genuinely at his sister, Hermione on the other hand felt a scowl coming on. Why was Ginny so crazed with Malfoy? What was so special about the guy? Because she sure as hell couldn't see it. Never had. Rolling her eyes she slumped down slowly to crouch near Ginny's chair.

'This isn't about me,' Hermione spat eventually. 'This is about you and Colin, you and Poppy. You're entire family even, Ginny.'

The red-haired girl shook her head, looking up to meet Hermione's gaze. 'Not it's not, it's really not. It's about me! Just me. And I know that it's selfish, that I'm not thinking of anyone else, but it's my life, my heart, my everything… and I'm not going to live a lie anymore. I can't, okay!'

'How are you living a lie?'

Ginny sighed heavily again and jumped up. 'You don't get it okay, I can't explain it! Just… please, I need you to come with me, I can't face him alone… and someone needs to keep an eye on Poppy while I talk to him. 'Mione? Ron? Please.'

Again there was a silence, and then Hermione nodded, giving in to her friend. After all if Ginny needed her she wouldn't tell her no. 'Fine,' she whispered in a growl. Getting back to her feet she then latching herself onto Ron's arm, nuzzling her cheek against the sleeve of his shirt.. She saw Ginny roll her eyes, that was typical. 'Let's just go alright,' Hermione said quickly, looking in the direction of the fireplace.

'Good idea.'

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Smoke and idle chatter filled the Leaky Cauldron on this particular late Monday night, and from where he was sat he had a perfect view of all the patrons. At the bar were a few familiar faces, Pansy Parkinson had been sat there for around two hours now, spending the most part glancing over in his direction. He guessed she was trying to decide if it was him or not. As soon as she did, no doubt that she'd come over to annoy him in the way that only she knew how. She was sat there twiddling a lock of her long blonde hair around her index finger, snub nose pointed into the air as she talked with her, friend, Draco guessed. But then again it could have been anyone.

The man she had been sitting with was dressed in a Muggle tweed suit, with black hair which was plastered down onto his head, and the most amazingly bright blue eyes. His face was round which suited his rather podgy stomach, and he had a black goatee beard on his chin. Draco was pretty sure he didn't know this man, he couldn't do. Unless it was Crabbe or Goyle in disguise, that though, was highly unlikely.

Sinking down into the wooden chair of which he was sat Draco turned his gaze to the door, watching people come in and out. But part of him kept being drawn back to Pansy, wanting to watch her intently, scout her every move like it was her last. Maybe it was her flowing hair, or the way the candle light hit her face as she laughed. Whatever the case, it needed to be forgotten, and now.

Luckily it was going to be, a wonderful excuse for a distraction had just walked in through the door. Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived looked pained and was glancing around in a frenzy, and as soon as his emerald green gaze fell upon Draco his face flooded over with a scowl. Harry definitely recognised him. Straight away he marched over, and crossed his arms defiantly as he stopped in front of the table. Draco sipped nonchalantly at his mulled mead, his thoughts moving towards a nice glass of fire whiskey.

'Want something, Potter?' he mused staring down into his glass as he swilled the contents around a little. 'Because if I'm sure, I haven't seen you for eight years, so it can't be something I've done or am being accused of, can it?' He looked up on the last few words and saw Harry's scowl falter.

Harry raised an eyebrow a little and then chewed on his lip. 'I wasn't going to accuse you of anything, shows you haven't changed, doesn't it?' The Boy Who Lived dropped his arms to his sides almost in defeat, but it definitely wasn't, and stepped a little closer. Seemed he was getting a bit of his confidence back after being knocked for six by Draco's comment.

'And your point is?' drawled Draco glancing up a moment. 'Not like I need your permission to act how I do, and granted it's none of your business!'

Again Harry seemed taken aback, the typical wounded puppy dog look that the green-eyed boy could pull off so well. 'Yeah, well…' Harry paused, his face going blank, and Draco immediately felt good, he'd just won one over on Mr Potter. 'I know there's something going on!' he suddenly shot, eyes blazing a little.

Draco decided then was the time to bring his full attention to the man stood in front of him. He slammed his glass onto the table, and put his hands down flat on the surface, raising from his seat slightly. 'Is that so? And what may I ask, do you know is going on?'

'Ginny's been acting weird, and obviously you have something to do with it… it suddenly makes sense now I see you sitting here.' Shaking his head Harry kept his gaze steady, and took yet another step forward.

'Just because your girlfriend is acting crazy no need to blame me! I haven't even seen the sodding girl since I came back!' He jumped up from the table and leaned forward, they were now only a foot apart, the oak table separating them.

Harry raised his brows knowingly. 'Somehow I don't believe that.'

'This is pathetic… and it also proves one of the reasons why I didn't want to come back here in the first place, immature attitudes such—'

'Did you just say you didn't want to come back?' asked Harry, smugly. It took Draco a couple of seconds to realise what he'd just said, he'd said something to give Potter some leverage. Probably not the best thing. 'So, why did you?'

Wincing at Harry's note of glee Draco rose on the balls of his feet slightly, yes he was taller than Harry already, but he needed to show him who was boss, scare him a little. 'Why do you think…?' he growled.

'Now you're openly admitting it then, you did come back for her.' Harry's smile broadened, amazing really, it hadn't looked like it could have widened anymore. 'Anyway, denying it won't work, Ron saw you together in the Alley.'

'Ah.' Now that had stumped him… what to do now? Pounding in Harry's face could have worked, or maybe finding something to get at him about. Then it came to him, just the thing. 'So, as we're on the subject, how's the love life Potter? Ever manage to con Ginny into your bedroom?' he asked, arching an eyebrow. 'I know you were just so good at controlling those jealous feelings of yours back at Hogwarts.'

A nerve flickered a little just beside Harry's right eye and Draco saw the green-eyed boys hands ball into fists. 'Fuck off!'

'Temper, temper… I know it'd never happen. She wouldn't come near in that way anyway… after being with me.' Draco couldn't help but smile.

That though seemed to have done it, Harry flung himself across the table, fist heading straight for Draco's face. But the blonde caught his fist mid air and pushed him back sending a couple of chairs flying. Then stepping around the table he looked down with a smirk. 'What was that? Can I still piss you off that easily?' he asked with a dry laugh. 'It's a nice skill to have Potter, I'll tell you that. Amusing at times too.'

'You don't piss me off! You're just a stupid prat, see how much you don't bother me Malfoy… and what makes you think you're God?' Harry glared and pulled his fist from Draco's grasp, before idly sauntering backwards in retreat.

'I don't! Plus God wouldn't piss you off.' With a sigh he pushed past Harry heading for the exit, enough was enough, pointless fights with Harry weren't what he needed right now. They were very amusing granted, but they weren't of any use. 'Oh,' he said quickly, spinning back around, 'tell Ginny I'll drop by her hotel room later.' He grinned brightly and then made his way out of the door.

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More A/N: And there you have it, the long awaited chapter 7… I am really sorry about the long wait, I didn't want to leave you hanging like that, practically thumped myself for it. But I'm back on track now, so hopefully things will get better. Anyway, go and REVIEW!