Chapter Twenty Six Months Later

Yep, it's time for more Hermione/Draco tension! From this chapter onwards it really starts to heat up, because it's nearing the end of the year… I won't spoil it for you, so read on if you will! All person replies to reviews are at the bottom of the story this time.

I don't own anything in this story, except for the plot.


The days passed slowly at first but gradually picked up speed like a steam engine, until weeks turned into months, and before Hermione knew it, six months had passed and only three weeks of term were left. She had kept her head down and revised like crazy, putting her heart and soul into working, to distract herself from the meaningless despair she felt whenever she contemplated her past.

Where a baby had once been there was now nothing but emptiness, and Hermione liked it that way. She'd rather be empty than feel the terrible tide of emotions that would overtake her whenever she thought of the baby… or Draco. Malfoy was in her past; she gave him no thought at all, and totally ignored him, and the same from him. She had meant it when she said he would never bother thoughts again, and she stuck to it- except at night, just before she was about to fall asleep, he always appeared in her thoughts and wouldn't go away.

The previous six months had been quiet for Hermione, but not so for her best friends. After a couple of weeks of secrecy Ron admitted he was seeing Cho, and just as Hermione predicted, Harry wasn't too happy about it. But after a while he gradually came to terms with it, and now he was pleased for his best friend. Cho and Ron argued often ("I'm telling you, the Tornados are crap!") but they always made up in the end, and came to be one of the sweetest couples. Ginny and Harry remained just as loved-up as before, forever together and muttering sweet nothings into one another's ears. Hermione ignored them. She couldn't stand love- she was bitter and twisted, fierce against it. She imagined she would never ever experience true love again, because after all, what was love? All it did was chew you up, spit you out and leave you to decay- no, she was far better off alone.. then she was safe. Safe from being hurt.

Hermione devoted herself to books in place of love, and the work paid off. When yearly exams came around she passed with flying colours and came top of the year, as per usual. Ron and Harry did slightly less well, what with the distractions of Cho and Ginny, but still passed with fairly good grades. Hermione's parents were "so proud" of her- but she couldn't care less whether they hated her or loved her at the moment. All she could do was eat, sleep and work- there wasn't time for talk or stupid emotions. She had become a robot.

Of course, just because she didn't deal with her emotions, didn't mean they would go away. Being as clever as she was, she should have realised that they would eventually explode, because they built up and built up until she was a bomb just waiting to go off…

It was dinnertime and Harry, Hermione and Ron were sitting next to each other, tucking in to the usual Hogwart's delicacies. Hermione picked at her plate of mashed potato and sausages, idly twirling bits of meat on her fork. She wasn't really hungry- but then again, she hadn't been properly hungry for a long time. She ate for the sake of eating.

"Cho's over there," Ron remarked, chewing another piece of beef.

"Go over there and speak to her," Harry urged him. He had totally gotten over the Ron and Cho thing, and was actually happy for his friend.

"Nah, she looks pretty busy with her friends," Ron said, rather reluctantly. It was true that Cho looked very preoccupied; she was giggling loudly at a joke a friend of hers was telling her. All of a sudden she spotted Ron and waved madly, then got to her feet.

"Ron," she called, and broke into a slow run, eager to talk to her boyfriend. It was unfortunate though, because at that same moment Neville began to bumble along as fast as his clumsy feet could carry him, so he could talk to Professor Sprout about his latest plant. Neville collided with Cho; both of them landed on the floor, faces burning red with embarrassment.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, sorry," Neville repeated nervously, attempting to pull Cho to her feet but falling over again.

"It's- okay," Cho gasped as one of Neville's feet accidentally hit her in the ribs. "Ouch!"

"Sorry," Neville groaned again, carefully getting to his feet once more and helping a disgruntled Cho up also.

"Look what that Longbottom's done now," said a familiar drawling voice from across the Hall. Hermione looked over to see Draco, sitting in between Crabbe and Goyle with a large smirk plastered across his pale face. He looked smug and cruel; his white-blonde hair, usually hanging in curtains, had gone back to its slicked back style, and his gray eyes were dancing with malice just like they used to. Hermione felt rage rise in her throat. She hated him. Everything about him, from his hair down to his feet. She couldn't stand it any longer.

"What are you doing, Hermione?" Ron demanded as Hermione got to her feet. But if she did hear him, she didn't reply, because all she could focus on was the fast pace of her heart and the roar of blood in her ears. Her vision was now foggy except for Draco. She could see him all right. And she was going to kill him. He would be dead by the time she finished with him.

"Sit down," Ginny hissed, tugging on Hermione's robes, but Hermione carried on walking up the aisle, not quickening her pace. The whole Hall had gone deadly silent, everybody's breath held, waiting to see what was going to happen. She swore she could have heard a pin drop.

Finally Hermione stopped in front of Draco, next to the Slytherin table. Cho and Neville had rushed back to their seats, absolutely terrified.

"What are you doing, Mudblood?" Draco asked quietly, but everyone could hear what he was saying.

"Yeah, get away from him," Pansy said from further down the Slytherin table. She got out of her seat and perched on Draco's knee, grinning from ear to ear. "Piss off back to the Gryffindor table, Granger. You don't want to get the Slytherin area all dirty, do you?"

"And what are you going to do about it if I do?" Hermione shouted. She had seen red. She wasn't going to shut up. "You're all absolutely pathetic. I am curious: do you wake up in the morning and think 'I'm going to ruin someone's life today'? Or is it a spur of the moment thing?"

The Slytherins said nothing. Malfoy was watching calmly. He knew her words were directed at him, and he'd been expecting this for a long time. Hermione was so angry that her vision was blurred except for her one target... him, the murderer, the evil cruel bastard!

"No, answer me because I'm dying to know. I think it's my right, considering my whole life has been ruined by one of you!" Tears began to course down Hermione's cheek, but she didn't even notice. "How can you sleep at night, when you know people shed tears for you? Neville is a good friend of mine, and for the past six years you've belittled him and bullied him, so he thinks that he's less than a person. Well, he's MORE than a person- he's a true friend. What have you lot got that he hasn't? He's got a hell of a lot more than you!" Hermione was shouting so loud it hurt her voice, but there was really no need- everybody was hanging onto her every word. It seemed only one tiny comment had started her off, but she was showing no signs of stopping.

"And Neville's not the only one. Loads of people have to face you everyday, and go to sleep at night with the thought that they'll have to see you again tomorrow. I know the sick feeling of worry, the twist of anxiety in your stomach when you think of the future. I know what it's like, because I've been there. I'm one of the people you've chewed up and spat out! I hate you all!" The anger hadn't left her, but grief shook her body. She glanced up and saw Draco's face. The fury hit her again.

She grabbed a plate and threw it into the wall; the smash reverberated around the room. Everybody gasped. Hermione let out a scream of rage, then grabbed another, preparing to throw that.

"Hermione, no," Harry beseeched. He had run over from his place to stop her. Taking the plate, he attempted to put an arm around her shoulder.

"No Harry!" she shouted, making everyone flinch again. "I won't stand it. You're a prick," Hermione said, glaring at Draco. She had forgotten everyone else in the room. "You're cruel, thoughtless and weak. Yes, you're weak," she sneered.

"Hermione," Pansy began in her simpering voice, but Hermione stopped her before she could even say another word. Crack! Hermione had slapped Pansy hard across the face; so hard that Pansy recoiled in horror and could only stare at her enemy, dumbstruck.

Hermione looked around and saw everyone's horrified eyes upon hers. The teachers at the head of the room were stunned into silence; Professor McGonagall looked too shocked to even move. It was lucky Professor Dumbledore wasn't here because she could only imagine how much trouble she'd be in.

"Oh, why don't you all fuck off," Hermione snapped, and without another word she flounced out of the room. Immediately a buzz of gossip began around the room, excited voices raised, discussing what had just happened.

Draco watched Hermione go, his usually pale cheeks flushed with shock and shame. Hermione had attempted to humiliate him- but something other than anger was radiating from his shining eyes. He stared at the door she had just slammed, thinking hard. Meanwhile, Pansy was still sat on his knee, moaning like a tortured hyena.

"My face," Pansy whined. "Malfoy, what do you think of that cow slapping me? Aren't you disgusted?"

"No. If anything Pansy, I'm impressed. Now get the hell off of my knee." Draco got to his feet after brushing away the appalled girl and coolly walked over to the door, ignoring Pansy's pleas. He was going after Hermione.


**** Here you go- I am feeling grateful to my reviewers today so I decided I'm going to try and answer EVERYONE :D Well everyone who wrote a quite interesting review. Please keep posting your thoughts, I really appreciate them.

Caitlin- and here you are, in AN again! Thanks for the review, I know, I love appearing in stories with a little message- so here you are!

Etherelemental- I agree that the guilt Draco could feel from causing Hermione to lose her baby is probably the worst punishment possible. I realise I did make it a little too obvious with Cho/Ron but I couldn't help it, sorry lol- I was very eager for them to get together. Thanks!

Posy- I agree that Ron is totally cool! He's funny, loyal, a good friend, loveable, sweet… oh I could go on forever. I also like Fred and George, but then again I like almost all of them!

Draco Silvan Malfoy- it's good to get your approval, Malfoy! Lol, I agree that you will never beg for approval or pardon from Mudbloods, though sleeping with them is something of question… just how low will you go?! Hey your review made me laugh, keep posting please.

Legend-of-me- Hi Vincie! * waves madly * sorry I haven't been speaking to you much on Neopets, I've been banned from neomail for sending them too often! Sad but true… anyway please keep reviewing and I'm glad you've got it working.

Gazy- wow the longest review I have EVER received! Yippee! Well, was it a long review for a long chapter? Hey if so, I'm going to make them super long in future! Just kidding. Yep, it was pretty obvious that Ron and Cho would get together but I'm a sucker for romance and couldn't help it! And thanks about the Herbology plant- I try and add little details to keep it like the real books. After all, that's why I love `em so much, and it's the little things that count! Yep Hermy's having a bad time right now, but believe me it won't last for ever; I don't like making Hermione moody so she's not VERY bad, but I'll definitely be glad once she's happy again! Aww you give me so many lovely compliments :), I tell you something, you keep flattering me and I'll probably end up with an inflated head! I was also sad when Sirius died; I've loved him since Prisoner of Azkaban, just like Lupin. I roared my eyes out! Anyway please please please keep reviewing and remember, I love you too!

Lita- hehe, guess you'll have to keep on reading to find out the end * winks *

Aquaprincess1- looks like your wish has come true in this chappie!

Natyslacks- fluff coming soon! I know, I can't wait either…

Evilbunnys-playmate- Hey thanks and erm… I'll see what I can do about that request!

Danihell- is my story your religion?! Lol, thanks for the review!

PinkTribeChick- thanks about my chapters. Hopefully, they'll just keep getting better and better…

c-h-l-o-e-06, orodrethciryatan, Oooo and Trapt*ROCKS* My World: Thanks for your lovely comments, here's the update just for you :)

Whoa, replying to everyone took longer than I thought! It's just I felt very appreciative… from now on, A/N's will be much shorter because this is a little TOO long. But thanks again, and hope you liked the AN special! *****