Summary: Hermione's life is left in pieces, all because of Draco. She finds herself lying often, betraying her friends' trust.
Draco meets a mysterious woman, who has a thing against him. He finds himself spending more time than he cares to stomach with Kyle Thompson—the only guy to ever win Hermione's heart.
As for this mystery woman, well, there's a deeper meaning than Draco could ever comprehend as to why she's sneaking around, bent on being there at every turn of his life. A deeper meaning that she herself doesn't want to remember.
Disclaimer: Sorry I've been forgetting these…All the characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no profit off 'em. Oh wait…I own Kyle Thompson (Yes, he makes an appearance in most my stories), Carrie Granger, and Hope Woods.
Last Time:
[Hermione]
There was a sharp knock on the door, and Hermione froze. "Sweetie…go to your room, and stay there. Please? I'll give you a nice cookie," she bribed her.
Carrie scowled (there it was!), and crossed her arms stubbornly. "No."
"Please, sweetie? I'll buy you something!"
At this, Carrie perked up, but walked to her room, pouting.
Sighing, Hermione noted that Carrie had inherited her stubborn quality from both Hermione and Draco.
She swung open the door, biting her lip. Her eyes widened at the sight of the person in front of her.
Dammit. Busted.
[Draco]
Draco sat broodingly on his favorite chair, refusing to socialize. To hell with Lucius, and his family ideals. To hell with them all.
He had just glanced at a calendar and had realized what tonight was. It was the five-year anniversary of the night that had changed the entire course of his life.
Draco remembered with great detail how he had come around to leaving Hermione in the dust that night.
Draco let a low guttural growl escape his throat. He had been so weak then. But no more.
Chapter Two: Roommates
Draco cursed the sun, for streaming into his room so early in the morning, waking him up long before he should be awake.
His door slammed open with a loud bang, and a furious Lucius stood in the doorway.
"Draco," he said in a silky voice. "Where did you disappear to last night? Women were looking for you everywhere, and I must add impressively high-up men were asking about you."
Draco shrugged indifferently. "I was off thinking."
"Oh," Lucius said, in a quiet voice, as though he understood. "Did I tell you could leave?" he demanded in a booming voice, a vein pulsing on his forehead.
"I don't really give a damn what you tell me," Draco replied. "I'll do whatever the bloody hell pleases me, and if you don't like it, tough."
Lucius walked towards Draco rapidly, his cane clicking on the tile floor. Stopping mere inches from his nose, Lucius looked deeply into his son's eyes, regarding him with frigid silver eyes like Draco's. "You will listen to what I have to say, or suffer the consequences, you idiot son of mine!" he hissed.
Draco slid off the bed, his jaw set. "I'm leaving, father. I've had quite enough of this. But think positively about this. One more bedroom to bang your worthless whores in," he spat, picking up his wand. "God knows you must pay them…"
"Like Hermione?" Lucius sneered.
Draco's teeth slammed together. "Whatever floats your demented boat," he grit out. "I could care less who you sleep with."
"So you wouldn't mind if I told you that not long after you left that piece of trash that I managed to…comfort her?" Lucius snarled.
"No, not really," Draco lied, clenching his fists. Seeing reason, he added, "After all, you're not one to let a mudblood in your bed. Besides which, I must say even she has more intelligence than that."
"Yes. As obviously seen by her beating you for top student," Lucius retorted, his face contorted with fury.
"Obviously," Draco repeated, turning on his heel to leave. "I'll send for my things later."
With that, he apparated out of the confines of the Malfoy Manor.
~*~
Harry stood at Hermione's doorstep, frowning. "Hermione?" he asked, staring at her.
She fidgeted nervously. "Yes?"
"Can I come in?" Harry asked, peering over her shoulder.
Hermione slammed her shoulder against the side he was trying to peer through, and cringed at her suspicious behavior.
Nervously pushing back a strand of wavy hair, her hand quaking, Hermione sputtered, "N-no, sorry. Erm, I'm…I've…just finished painting, and, er, it's very…messy."
Way to go, Granger, she thought, frowning.
"You mean…wet?" he questioned, eyeing her funnily.
"Yes, yes, of course!" she exclaimed shrilly. Hermione cleared her throat. "Um, yes, that's what I meant. Say, Harry, where's Ron?"
Harry tried to peer around the other side, and stopped to stare at her. "Around," he said slowly, narrowing his beautiful emerald eyes.
"HARRY!" a voice boomed from behind him.
"Yeah, Ron?" he called back.
Suddenly, the jogging figure of Ronald Weasley appeared on her doorstep as well. "Hullo, Hermione," he greeted her. "What's the hold-up?"
"Hermione won't let me in," Harry complained.
"Harry, I've already told you! I just finished painting, that's all," Hermione cut in.
"We never get to see your house! It's always something with you, 'Mione."
"Really, now? N-never seen it?" she stammered, leaning to the other side, trying to block Ron.
"What have you hidden in there, 'Mione?" Ron asked distrustfully, his lively blue eyes searching hers.
"I'm not hiding anything!" Hermione squeaked indignantly.
"It's like there's some big secret surrounding your house…and we want to know, Hermione!" Harry exclaimed exasperatedly.
She bit her lip again, and stepped forward slightly, closing the door with a cough. "You know what? I'm really sick and tired of all the crap you two dish out!" she cried, covering her face.
Through the spaces between her fingers, she saw both men shift uneasily looking worried. She knew they were thinking 'Oh Gods, here comes the upset act'.
Hermione smirked, knowing full well that she had let Malfoy influence her far too much…which worked to her advantage every-so-often.
Continuing on her pity party, she wailed, "Merlin, do you know what it felt like when you two ignored me back in seventh year? All over some nice Slytherin! It wasn't Malfoy, who would step all over my heart if I let him…It was Kyle, a wizard who cares a great deal about me."
Proven by events as of late, Hermione added in her head.
"Her—"
"Just stop! After that, when my grandpa died, you accused me of letting Malfoy do something to me! And now…now, just because I'm a little paranoid about how dirty and disgusting my house is, you two think I'm hiding something!" she ranted, feeling guilty.
Lie after lie tumbled out of Hermione's mouth, and it was easy. That scared her, how easy it was to lie to her two best friends in the entire world.
She felt the doorknob turn against her back, and for added drama, burst into fake tears. Hermione shot her two completely innocent friends a dirty look, and ran into the house.
She gazed down at Carrie, frowning. "I thought I said stay in your room!" she hissed, wiping her forehead.
Carrie looked at her with her big, pale eyes and pouted. "You were yelling," she said softly.
The doorbell rang incessantly, and Hermione pushed her daughter gently into the hall. "Room, now…please stay there, darling. I have to invite my two friends in, and they don't know about you yet."
"Are you going to tell them? Can I meet them?" Carrie questioned excitedly.
"Of course, soon I will," Hermione lied again, running a hand comfortingly through her daughter's hair. She winced. "Is that ok, sweetie? You don't want to get Mummy in trouble, do you?"
Shaking her head solemnly, Carrie whispered fearfully, "Oh, no, Mummy!"
"Good, then go!"
As soon as Hermione was sure Carrie was gone, she waved her wand, reddening her eyes, and placing big, watery tears in her cinnamon eyes.
Quickly remember her excuse, she waved her wand again, causing her house to look trashed, and messy. It made her involuntarily cringe, but her reputation was on the line.
She swung open the door again, stepping aside. "There, see?" she demanded vehemently.
Harry and Ron nodded quickly, frowning.
"We're really sorry, 'Mione…we never meant to accuse you," Ron apologized. His usually bright, lively blue eyes were now guilty and downcast.
Hermione felt a huge wave of guilt wash over her, like a wave crashing against the shore. She was the liar, the one who they should never even speak to again! She had no right to be indignant.
Hermione gave a tiny smile, her eyes glazing over.
She was ruining their friendship. Had she not been listening to herself when they made her promise never to lie to the two again? Had she not seen how much her truthfulness meant to them? Was she blind?
But no…not only are you risking your friendships with Harry and Ron just to keep your dirty little secret, but you're risking it by not telling them about Carrie, your pride and joy! Hermione's mind scolded.
She then looked back at Ron, shame written all over her face. He was waving a hand frantically in front of her face.
"Hermione?!" he shouted, jumping up and down.
She had to stifle a laugh at his immature antics. Snapping back to it, Hermione nodded and asked softly, "Yes?"
"Just checking, that's all…you were out of it for a second," Ron admitted sheepishly.
"Oh, no…just…thinking, that's all Ron," Hermione assured him, her gaze falling on the hall that kept her biggest, most hurtful secret.
~*~
Hope Woods leaned against the counter of The Three Broomsticks, where she was spending her time more and more often.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flustered Draco Malfoy stomp around outside, looking huffier than usual.
Amused, she put down the drink, trying to mask her concern. He was carrying luggage, and that was never a good sign.
Hope stepped out the door, ignoring the jangling of the magical bells. Leaning against the doorframe in what she hoped was an alluring position, she called out, "Having a bad time there, Malfoy?"
Draco's head snapped up in an endearing, confused manner. He whirled around, finally seeing Hope. "Hope," he snarled, dropping his bags.
"Need any help there, Sparky?"
"No, I'm fine, thank you," Draco spat, taking out his wand. He set a charm on his bags, causing them to float by his side.
"Too flustered to think of that earlier?" she asked with a smug smirk.
"Shove it, Woods."
"Wounding, I'm sure," Hope replied sarcastically. "So what are you doing out here…with bags? Redecorating the manor?"
"Don't be a git, Hope. I'm leaving," Draco replied, looking frustrated.
Hope straightened up, moving away from the door, and towards Draco. "L-leaving?" she stuttered.
"Yes, Woods, leaving."
"B-but you can't!" she stammered indignantly.
It'll ruin all my plans! Hope thought desperately. After all, how were you supposed to make someone see what they're missing if they're not there anymore?
"Can, and will," he shot back. Rectifying his hunch, he sneered at her. "Besides, what's it to you? I'm just the filthy little Malfoy, right? I'm sorry if you can't handle me bedding and dumping you, but that's the way it goes, honey."
Draco's all-too familiar stinging words caused Hope to wince, knowing with a great accuracy that it was this reason she wanted him to get his.
"Yeah, that's right, darling. That's the only reasonable answer to my question as to why you hate me so much. One, I haven't quite killed anyone yet—" The look Draco sent her after that made her nervous, and wonder if he would kill. "—And two, I'm not married, or taken in anyway."
"You think to highly of yourself, Malfoy," Hope spat, pursing her lips.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "Do I?"
She didn't answer, defiantly. Suddenly, she remembered the problem at hand. Draco would be leaving to only Merlin knew where.
She needed to stop it.
"I know where you can stay!" she shouted suddenly, wincing. He'd hate her for life. He just would.
"Where?" Draco asked suspiciously.
"Erm…this friend of mine…" Hope said weakly. He'd skin her alive, and that was if she was lucky.
Draco nodded reluctantly, still highly suspicious of her sudden goodness. "Ok, I'll bite."
~*~
Hope bit her lip, looking with pleading eyes. "Please?" she begged, on her hands and knees. "PLEASE?"
He shook his head fervently, appalled. "No way," he hissed.
"I'll forever be in your debt! Come on, PLEASE!"
Hope forced a tear into her eye, playing the guilt card, like she often found herself doing nowadays. He'd go for it, and she knew it.
"Merlin, you've done so much for me already…but…it would mean the world to me!"
Kyle Thompson stared at her, looking very cheated. "This has to be some sick joke…Fine, Malfoy can stay in my house. But—" he interjected, at the sound of her squeal, "only for a few months, and any funny business, and he's gone!"
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hope shrieked, jumping up and down, hugging him with joy. "Did I ever mention how much I love you?"
"Yes," Kyle sighed, rolling his eyes.
~*~
Draco Malfoy stood, staring in disbelief at the witch he had only just met. "Are you joking?"
"No. You can live with Kyle. He said it was ok," Hope added, looking nervous. She licked her lips in anticipation.
"How generous of him," Draco drawled sarcastically.
This bitch is crazy. No way I'm going to stay at pretty-boy's house! Draco's mind screamed.
"Draco, you know it's not polite to refuse such wonderful offers! Besides, where else are you going to stay?" she questioned, placing her hands on her hips.
Busted.
He let out a huge sigh, to let her know that he'd much rather eat his own limbs. Then, he looked up at her, and frowned…just to let her know he wasn't happy. "Fine," he said reluctantly.
Hope smiled brightly. "Great. Then let's just go on in…and Kyle will be down in a second. To show you to your room, I mean," she added.
Draco scowled as he stepped inside. The entry to his house was covered with pictures.
He followed her into the living room, seeing the room lined with one shelf going all around. It too, had pictures.
Against his better judgement, Draco stepped closer the shelf nearest to him. He jumped back, not expecting any of it at all.
Wasn't that inappropriate for Kyle to have that?
Draco bit his lip quickly, then looked at the picture that had frightened him so much. It was a wizard picture of Thompson and Hermione, hugging and kissing every so often.
"D-doesn't that bother you?" he shakily asked Hope. "Since the two of you are engaged…"
She shrugged, smirking. "No. Kyle can have whatever pictures he wants up, and same goes for me. Just because she's his ex…I don't care. I met her once. Really nice, but very distraught. Hermione, I believe the name was?"
Draco nodded. "Yeah, Granger."
Hope tilted her head to one side. "Why does the photo bother you so much? Was there something between the two of you?"
He shook his head abruptly. "Me? And the mudblood?" Draco laughed. "Of course not."
She looked hurt at his use of the harsh word. "That's not very nice, Malfoy. I think it would be wisest if you refrained from calling Kyle's ex that in his own house."
"I don't give a damn what I should or shouldn't do in Thompson's house!" he answered hotly.
"If you want to stay you will," a deep voice said from behind him.
Draco sneered, turning around to see Kyle.
This was going to be a double dose of hell…Living with Kyle, and being surrounded by pictures of Hermione.
Fabulous.
~*~
Kyle scowled, hugging Hope good-bye. "Can't you stay just a little longer? You're not really going to leave me with this prat, are you? Hope?"
Hope smiled, pulling away. "Please?"
"What more do you want me to do for you?" he whined.
"Just for a few weeks, until he finds a more suitable place. You know as well as I do that Draco can't stay at my place! If he could, I wouldn't ask you to—"
"Why couldn't you have just left him alone and bitter in the rain?"
She bit her lip, unprepared for the question. Hope glanced around, as though afraid Draco was spying on them.
But he was still in the room they had left him in, looking with longing eyes at Hermione's picture. It made Hope give a small smile. So Draco Malfoy was capable of caring.
Looking back into Kyle's bright sapphire eyes, she sighed, shrugging. "You know just as well as I do," she answered wearily.
"I don't know why you're so obsessed over him! He hurt you, remember?"
"Like I said, you know just as much as I do. I can't honestly say that I love him, because after it all…I'm just not sure what my heart's capable of anymore. Just…please," Hope said, with another sigh.
Kyle thought she looked immensely tired, and his attitude softened. "Two months."
Hope grinned, hugging him again. "Thank you so much," she whispered in his ear. "I promise once I figure everything out…I'll let you know. Now, I have to get back…home. You, be nice!"
He nodded, grasping her hand. "Good luck."
"I think I should be wishing you luck. I'm really sorry…"
"Think nothing of it. But I'm warning you, you owe me so much, your grandchildren will still be paying back mine."
She laughed, and gave a small wave.
He watched her pause to inform Malfoy he was on his own, and had two months to get back on his feet.
Kyle walked towards his former Slytherin-mate; a terse frown embedded on his face. It was obvious that Draco wasn't quite thrilled either.
"Follow me to your room, Malfoy."
Gesturing to the pictures Draco demanded, "Why in the bloody hell do you have her pictures up?"
"To get idiots to ask me questions. Mission accomplished."
Draco sneered. "Funny, Thompson. Be a stand-up comedian, you should."
"Yeah, well I'd be nothing next to the Amazing Bouncing Ferret," Kyle retorted quickly, grinning at the memory.
He fell silent, bitter at the old incident.
"Why do you care so much anyway?" Kyle asked seemingly randomly after they climbed the stairs.
Draco's icy silver eyes shot back over to Kyle. "About what?"
Kyle glanced at the portrait of Hermione from graduation Draco had been gazing at. "Her," he replied, jerking his head in the picture's direction.
Draco's eyes flicked coolly over the picture, his features impassive. He looked back insolently at Kyle. "You know, we were never chums. I'm not going to tell you my personal business."
Freezer burn, Kyle thought instantly, smirking. "You love her, don't you?"
Draco scoffed. "Oh, please." He was silent for a little, until he noticed Kyle staring at him patiently. "Could you just get out of my face, please?"
"Answer my question, and I'll show you your room," Kyle replied smugly.
"I'll figure it out myself," he mumbled, stalking ahead.
"Good luck getting it opened!" Kyle called.
Draco froze, turning on his heel. "No," he answered slowly. "She was nothing to me."
"Say her name."
Draco sighed, rolling his eyes. "Granger."
"No, Malfoy, her full name. Excluding her middle."
"Hermione Granger."
Kyle regarded Draco curiously, searching his cold eyes. "Lucius teach you that?" he asked calmly.
Draco flinched at the mention of his father. "Teach me what?" he shot back, in a dangerous tone.
"Yeah…he must've, to get you to do that to Hermione in seventh year…"
"Teach. Me. WHAT?" Draco said impatiently, his voice rising.
"Teach you how to lie like that, with the same cold, unreadable face," Kyle answered after a moment's pause.
A/N: Well, there it is! The second chappie (three to you guys: there was a Prologue) has been submitted…hehe. Anyways, I've had some good guesses on who Hope really is. But I'm keeping my mouth shut.
Aww, you guys are so nice! I'm averaging, like, 20 reviews a chapter! Did I mention how much I love you guys? Lol, cuz I do…I'm glad you all are liking this as much as I am. I feel so spiffy. Listening to this rock music is making me feel all energetic and crazy…I'm typing super-fast!!! Lol, anyways…
As usual, if you'd like to be on my email list, leave it in a review. If you've asked before, and you got the email for this chapter: you're on it. No need to worry. :-) Keep leaving your guesses on who Hope is/ why she's relevant! I love reading it!
Till next time,
MusikLuver
[Submitted: July 5, 2003]