A/N: wow! Another chapter! I just realized how completely out of character Draco is but what the hell? What's written is written. I honestly don't know what's going on in my story anymore. I hope I got everything right. But whatever, I'll figure it out eventually. Sorry it took so long. I had it written down already for the longest time but I had to revise it and stuff. So. here it is! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, I still don't own any of the characters. *sigh* I wish I did.

Chapter Twelve: Confessions and Make-ups

He stared at the door Hermione slammed at him. How dare she? Here he was, trying to protect her from Pansy's wrath and she was mad at him? He tried convincing himself that that was the reason, but to no avail, he knew he had hurt her. She loved him.

Loved.

Past tense.

No one ever loved him before, his mother yes, but that was unconditional love. His father? Not a chance. All the girls he dated all wanted him for the same thing, money and his popularity. Hermione was the first girl who didn't care about what he had or how much he had; she didn't care about what others thought about her. She just lived her life the way she thought was right. That was what caught Draco. E had to make everything right again, maybe he had a chance; maybe they had a chance to be together.

He stood there trying to recall what the password was. "Silver bangles," he uttered. The portrait swung open and he step inside. She was standing by the window looking outside, the moonlight shining down on her. She looked like an angel.

"Hermione," he started. She visibly jumped when she heard his voice.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" she asked before he could finish his sentence, not looking away from the window. "Come to inflict more pain?"

"No." he said, walking over to her and standing behind her. He was a good half a head taller than she was. "I'm here to apologize. Please listen to me?"

Hermione was silent for a while, fighting an inner battle whether or not to hear Draco out. She shook her head to gesture for him to start.

"I'm sorry," he began, "I'm sorry for the pain I caused you. I promise you, I didn't mean it!" he finished sincerely.

"Are you sure of what you're saying Malfoy?" she spat, still not looking away form the window. "It sure sounded like it did."

"I was trying to protect you!" he reasoned. Hermione snorted.

"You have a very funny way of protecting me Malfoy. You don't have any idea of how she's hurt me." Hermione said, not noticing the information she had just revealed to Draco.

"Pansy has hurt you before?" Draco asked, his voice turned from soft and caring to cold and hard. He moved Hermione so she was facing him now. Hermione realized what she just said. She lost all her anger and was quickly replaced by fear. No one should know! Hermione remained silent, head bent staring at her shoes.

"What has she done to you?" He asked again, his voice softer now. Strangely it comforted her.

"I.I can't tell," she replied, her voice was shaking now. She was so scared she didn't dare look at Draco. Anger and a surge of protectiveness engulfed Draco. Obviously what Pansy did shook Hermione, she for one wasn't the type to get scared in front of him, he had known her long enough to know she didn't dare show any weakness in front of people, especially Draco.

"Tell me!" demanded Draco.

Hermione felt a weird feeling in her stomach it felt good to be cared for, for a change. "Oh what am I thinking?" she thought, "He just broke my heart!"

"She.She." Hermione started, she couldn't bear to tell Draco about the beatings. Draco waited for her to finish speaking before saying anything.

"She beat me." She whispered softly, hoping Draco didn't hear. Draco heard. He was furious. "Beat her," he thought, "Pansy beat this charming, kind- hearted, amazing girl?" She was crying again. Draco tentatively pulled her in an embrace. She pushed all the hurt and all the pain aside and cried on Draco's shoulder, as she did many nights ago. She cried until there was nothing left to cry. He decided to calm her down before speaking to her about Pansy. Pansy had hurt Hermione, now she'd have to deal with him. Draco stayed with her the entire time, comforting her and whispering comforting words in her ear. Hermione slowly pulled away and wiped her tears with her hand.

"Malfoy, please don't tell anyone what I told you, and please promise me you won't do anything," she pleaded, "She can't know!"

"I'll kill her, I swear!"

"Don't! If she finds out, she might hurt Harry and Ron!" she begged, "please?"

"I'll protect you Hermione, I promise." Draco reached for her hands and held them. "I really do love you Hermione, I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life, I want to make things right for you and I want you to stop hurting." He finished his piece and lifted Hermione's chin so he could look into her eyes. Tears were falling down her cheeks, he gently wiped them with his thumb and looked deeply in her eyes and whispered, "I love you."

Hermione stared into his eyes. She never felt like thins before, everything suddenly felt so right. Then it hit her. Draco really did love her and she really loved him. Draco realized how close they were. He let go of her hands and placed them on the curve of her waist, he bent down and kissed her on the lips. Hermione put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The kiss was soft and slow expressing what words could not. They pulled away from lack of oxygen. Hermione once again stared into his eyes, the mask he always wore of bitterness and coldness was gone, instead she saw his real self, the Draco she loved.

"I love you too." Whispered Hermione. She kissed him but this time with more passion.

"Stay with me." She whispered after they kissed. Draco nodded; they removed their robes, still in their uniform, slid into Hermione's bed. She fell asleep in Draco's embrace, smiling. Something she thought would never happen.