Author's note: I'm really sorry that you had to wait such a long time for this chapter, but somehow I couldn't bring myself to write it and I didn't have much time. Thank Merlin there's a three week Christmas Break.
In attempt to get on with this story I might change some things…bear with me and let's see what happens…
Disclaimer: I live in a school like Hogwarts. I teach a bunch of really clever kids. I spend 3 out of 4 weekends per month in boarding houses chasing after kids who try to sneak out of their dormitories after hours. My life mirrors the ones Harry Potter and co live like nothing else. But do I sue J.K. Rowling? Listen, I wouldn't dream of hiring a lawyer to sue you, so it would be really nice if you could restrain from suing me either. None of your plots are mine, as indicates the possessive pronoun "yours" and none of your characters belong to me…I hope that is enough.
***
Married?!
Chapter 6
Trust
***
She could hear that somebody was talking. She couldn't understand the words, nor could she tell what language it was, but somebody was holding her tightly and definitely talking to her.
"Hermione! For heaven's sake, please, wake up!" There was something urgent in the pleading voice when suddenly the world came back into focus and she found herself looking directly into the eyes of Ginny Weasley.
"Hermione. Thank Merlin, you're awake. Are you all right? What happened to you? Where have you been? Harry and the others will be dying to see you." The word Harry seemed to register in Hermione's mind and instantly she remembered that she had to warn him before it was too late.
"Ginny, slow down. Do you know where Harry is? I need to talk to him." said Hermione and started getting to her feet with Ginny helping her.
Ginny Weasley frowned at the girl now standing in front of her and who was looking rather solemn, not showing any signs of being happy to be back together with her friends. "Hm. Sure. The camp isn't far from here. Do you think you can walk?" Hermione's silent reply was a little shaky nod with her head and Ginny decided there would be enough time to ask her questions later. For now it was more important to get the two of them back in the safety of the camp.
***
Hermione had thought Harry would give her a warmer welcome than the one she actually received when she finally reached the camp hidden somewhere in the middle of the forest. Ginny had smiled a radiant smile at Harry when she led her to him and both girls had been utterly shocked when Harry greeted them with nothing but a cold stare.
"Ginny, leave us alone," he said, never taking his eyes of Hermione.
"But, I thought –"
"I said leave us alone!" he snapped sharply. Ginny shot a confused glance at Hermione, but almost instantly backed away. "So you finally decided to come back to spy on us, didn't you?" he asked her slowly once Ginny was out of earshot.
"Pardon?" Hermione asked.
"Did you really think we wouldn't find out that you're not longer on our side, Hermione? You're with Malfoy now. What did he do to buy you for Voldemort's side? And I always thought you're not that kind of girl."
"No, Harry. That's not true. I honestly don't know how I could explain it to you," Hermione said. "I myself don't understand what happened. Harry, please -"
"I really don't want to hear your apologies, Hermione. I'm not interested in them anymore." He looked at her with obvious hurt in her eyes. She could see in his green eyes that he felt betrayed and hurt by what she had done.
"Harry." Hermione's voice was a mere whisper. For the last thirty minutes she had been trying to make him understand why she had been with Draco Malfoy. She had tried to warn him that he couldn't trust Ron. And Harry simply refused to listen.
Harry's heart ached. Nervously he ruffled through his hair and didn't quite know what to do. For the past seven years he had trusted Hermione beyond all reason, she had always been there for him and now she was sitting right in front of him telling one lie after the other. Tears were brimming her eyes and for a second he was tempted to kneel down and embrace her, but then his gaze fell on something sparkling on her left hand. The Ring. His Ring. He clenched his fists and his jaw was firmly set.
Hermione followed Harry's eyes and understanding dawned on her. "No, Harry, please, I simply forgot. I don't know why I'm still wearing it," she pleaded trying to slip the ring from her finger, but it was stuck.
"You can do whatever you want to, Hermione, for all I care. Go back to Malfoy, but never ever come back to me or Ron."
"Harry. I'm not lying. Please, Harry, you
must believe me." she pleaded and moved towards him, but he backed away and
stared at her silently.
"Traitor." his voice was void of all emotion as he watched her fruitless
attempt to take the ring off, and without further hesitation he turned on his
heels and stalked of into the darkness, leaving Hermione alone with her
thoughts.
***
In another part of the forest, not too far away from Harry, Hermione and Ginny, Draco Malfoy was still bound by the curse that had hit him a few hours ago and unaware of the hectic bustle that took place all around him.
