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: The only characters I own are Kyle Thompson, Hope Woods, Harry's family, and any other random people I'd like to throw in here.

Last Time:

[Hermione]

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.

[Draco]

"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.

Chapter Three: Bloody Marvelous

Draco scowled, staring at Kyle. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied icily.

"I think you do," Kyle insisted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Look, I answered your idiotic question, can I just go to my 'room' now?" Draco hissed.

Kyle shrugged, and murmured an incantation, causing the wall before them to spring open and reveal a room.

"I assume you'll teach me that later?" Draco asked snottily.

"After we have a chat, maybe."

He sighed, flicking his wand. His bags followed him into the magnificent room (which he would never admit to thinking).

Draco dropped down on the enormous bed, finding it not far from the comfort zone he was used to.

He looked up to the ceiling that mirrored Hogwarts, in that the ceiling reflected the weather.

If anyone cared about him at all, it would be cloudy and rainy for the rest of his stay here.

~*~

Kyle smirked, wondering how long it would take Draco.

Whether he realized it or not, that room he was occupying was the room Hermione stayed in when she visited. The room she had hidden out in during the last few weeks of her pregnancy.

It was surprising, to be honest. The second he found out, he wasn't able to believe she had screwed up the guts to tell him.

Tilting his head thoughtfully, Kyle wondered what Draco really felt about Hermione…and if she'd ever know the whole truth.

Kyle knew that whatever Draco told her, hadn't been the truth. Hermione simply refused to look at Draco during the first few months after. She wouldn't talk to him, or associate with him in any sort of way.

Which meant that his hawk-like gaze had fallen unnoticed to Hermione.

Kyle shook his head. Those two were an interesting couple, most definitely. Now, what he and Hermione had shared was buried in the past, where it would stay. There was nothing between the two, except memories, and a strong friendship.

"THOMPSON!" bellowed a voice.

Kyle grinned. Show time.

"Yeah?" he called up, already halfway up the steps.

"What the fuck?!" Draco demanded, pointing up at the ceiling like a deranged maniac. "What the fuck is going on?"

Kyle shrugged. "What are you blathering about?"

"The-the ceiling!" he sputtered indignantly. "T-this…this is Hermione's room, isn't it? She's here, isn't she?"

Kyle snickered, hiding his laugh. "No," he said slowly. "She's not here…"

"But this is her room," Draco insisted.

"Why do you think that, Malfoy?"

"The ceiling…she once mentioned how much she loved the Hogwarts ceiling…" Draco mused, calmer. "I can smell the perfume she wore. And there's a note…with her handwriting," he finished, brandishing an envelope.

Kyle stared, surprised, at the letter. "Where'd you get this?" he asked softly.

Draco pointed to the dresser next to his bed. "It was there. What's it say?"

Kyle read it slowly, a smirk crossing his face. "Just a thank-you," he lied, eyeing her loopy handwriting.

It was truly a copy of Draco's signature from her yearbook. Hermione had brought it with her…and written it over and over again.

"You smell her?" Kyle finally asked incredulously, tearing his eyes away from the note.

Draco looked defiantly at Kyle. "Do you have a hearing problem, Thompson?" he sneered.

"No, I just find it highly stalker-ish. That's all."

Draco scowled, which was slowly replacing his smirk for the most recognizable expression.

~*~

Hope licked her lips, glancing around the quaint shop.

She had to find something for Kyle…she owed him big time. Despite all she had told him about the situation with Draco, he still found it hard to believe she wanted him so bad. And now he was living with him.

A fun little toy broom, perhaps? No, no…too childish. Finally, she settled on buying a golden frame.

The picture she planned on putting in it would serve as a double purpose. One, it would be a picture of Kyle and Hermione, someone he didn't have enough pictures of, beings as how little he really saw her. The second (and her most favorite purpose) was it would be another painful reminder to Draco.

But then…Draco wouldn't focus on her, would he? No, he'd be moping peacefully about Hermione.

Hope sighed. This was worthless! Maybe later she'd shop for Kyle.

As for now, the morning was young, and it was time to visit her two favorite wizards of the time.

She left the tiny shop, and apparated to Kyle's manor.

~*~

Draco crossed his arms, fully regretting that he had let that Hope woman convince him to stay.

Now, he was stuck in a room full of reminders, not letting him forget the things he needed to ignore most.

He cleared his throat, looking up at the people seated at the table, waiting lunch.

Kyle sat next to Hope, talking quietly with her, displaying a range of emotions. He frowned, smirked, smiled, looked amused, upset, disturbed, shocked…

The two stopped talking to look up at the disturbance.

"Am I not a guest?" Draco demanded, biting his tongue gently.

"Not a welcome one," Kyle muttered darkly, shoving his spoon around in the soup.

Hope elbowed him harshly, shooting him 'The Look'. "Yes, of course," she smiled, placing her chin back in her hand. "So sorry, Draco."

He smirked, looking triumphantly at Kyle. "Yes, well…so what's for lunch?" he asked finally, having nothing more to say.

"Mm, a steak, I believe," Hope answered pleasantly. "Potatoes, too, right darling?" she asked, eyeing Kyle.

He jumped when she tapped him. "What? Oh, yes, potatoes and corn. Should be out soon, I'd suspect."

"Lovely," she murmured, beginning to absently twirl a strand of her wavy dirty blonde hair.

Draco tilted his head, trying to remember why the simple action seemed so painfully familiar.

Hope glanced up, undoubtedly feeling his piercing stare. "I-I'm sorry, is something wrong?" she asked, glancing at her hand confusedly.

"No, Malfoy just has a staring problem," Kyle answered her dryly. "Seems to think he can stare at whoever he wants to. I'll have you know that's my fiancée you're ogling," he added defensively.

"Oh, shove it, Thompson. I wasn't staring at her. I was staring at the interesting piece of art you have behind her," Draco answered coolly, finding the lie with ease.

Kyle glanced at him suspiciously, before checking out the said painting. He rolled his eyes, but resumed chatting with Hope.

Meanwhile, she resumed twirling her hair around her finger. She smiled briefly at him, her emerald eyes twinkling in the sunlight.

Draco growled in frustration. She looked so bloody familiar like that!

He almost had a heart attack when he realized where it was that he had last seen a female do that.

~*~ Flashback ~*~

Draco settled into the seat in the library, looking up casually at the person across from him, time to time.

She refused to meet his gaze, and kept a stony face concentrated on the book before her. She'd purse her lips when his stare had been focused on her for five minutes.

Draco imagined that Hermione felt rather uncomfortable, and self-conscious under his cold, probing stare.

Finally, she heaved a sigh of frustration, and slammed the book shut. For one glorious moment, Draco thought she'd finally give in, and would talk to him.

But she merely jumped up, and moved farther down the table. Sitting once more, she flipped open the book, and rested her chin on her palm. With her free hand, she twirled her honey-colored hair.

He stood up calmly, taking his book with him back over to the shelf it belonged to. He randomly picked out another huge book, and settled into the seat across from her new one once more.

Hermione growled in anger, and finally looked up, dropping her hair.

Draco was shocked to see her eyes were watery and her jaw was set in a firm line. "Go. Away," she hissed with a wavering voice, devoid of all emotion. "Just leave me alone!"

He slightly bit his lip, before getting up, and stalking out of the library.

Fine. So she'd never try to talk to him, and understand why he did what he did. She'd just assume the rest, and painfully finish out the year.

Draco could do that too.

~*~ End Flashback ~*~

"Draco? Draco Malfoy? You're food's here…it's been sitting there for the past ten minutes!" Hope screamed in frustration, attempting to bring him out of his daze.

Draco looked around, from Hope to Kyle to his food. "Oh," was all he said before picking up his fork.

~*~

Draco growled, pacing his room.

There was so much to ponder. Why had Hope reminded him of Hermione? It wasn't as if twirling your hair was uncommon—not that he did it, of course—but…

After lunch, she had excused herself, and left again for home. Which meant she had once again left him alone with Kyle Thompson.

The second she had left, Draco left quickly, bounding up the stairs into his room. Since he was fast enough, Kyle had no opportunity to question him once more about Hermione.

Maybe the question isn't why does Hope remind me of Hermione…but who is Hope? Draco thought.

It was true…Hope had just showed up out of nowhere, at the worst time possible. After five long years, Draco had finally begun to stop constantly thinking about Hermione.

So was it really just coincidence that when she had shown up, all he could do was think of, talk about, and hear about Hermione? Was this some cruel joke from God?

"The one time I get over the bitch, you send someone else to me! Not just a pretty face, but one that I managed to piss off!" he ranted, staring up at the ceiling.

He glared hatefully at a cloud, clenching his fists. "I get it. I did wrong, leaving her like that. Don't you think I know that?" Draco demanded.

He kept ranting on, completely unaware of Kyle's presence.

"It's not as though I could tell her I'm sorry! She's not exactly here for me to explain everything, now is she?"

"Talking to the ceiling now?" Kyle broke in finally, a hint of satisfaction buried in his voice.

Draco's jaw set, and he stood frigidly, facing the opposite direction. "Sod off now, Thompson. I've had more than enough of your crap, thank you."

"So I see," he replied dryly, his lips twitching in amusement. "You know," Kyle added after a moment's pause, "I could take you to Hermione…"

Draco snarled, "Is that who you think I was talking about? That stupid mudblood bitch?"

Kyle frowned. "Don't call her that. And yes…I do think you were talking about her. I'm not Lucius, Draco. You can stop pretending."

Draco whirled around to face Kyle. "You shut your trap, before I kick your arse. Whoever said I was pretending?"

~*~

Hermione glanced down at Carrie, brushing a hand through her wavy hair. "Hey," she whispered softly to her daughter, smiling.

Carrie opened her eyes, yawning and stretching. "Hi mummy," she grinned sleepily, blinking slowly.

"Did you have a nice nap?" Hermione asked gently, staring aimlessly at Carrie.

While her daughter looked mostly like Draco, she still had some qualities from Hermione. Like the full, pouty lips, and gorgeous wavy hair. Carrie would hate it when it became frizzy and ugly.

Otherwise, she had the aristocratic nose, the platinum blonde hair, and the same facial expressions. Not to mention the pale crystal blue eyes. Hermione wasn't sure why not silver, but recalled that Draco's mother had blue eyes.

Carrie shrugged indifferently. "Yes. Did you tell them about me?"

"Them who, sweetie?" Hermione inquired, before vaguely remembering her two friends. "Oh, no…not quite yet."

Carrie scowled, pouting greatly. "I want presents."

"Why in the world do you think they'd give you gifts?" Hermione laughed. "It's not Christmas…or your birthday."

"Grandpa and Grandma gave me presents," Carrie insisted stubbornly. "Why not them?"

Hermione bit her lip. Because they'd never speak to me, much less you, ever again, she thought grimly. "I don't know," she said instead. "I suppose they'd love to give you gifts."

Carrie grinned. "Yay! Presents!"

Hermione smiled sadly at her daughter. "Maybe later, honey. Mummy wants to call them now, so if you could keep it down…"

Her daughter looked humorously funny when she solemnly shut her mouth, zipped her lips, locked it, and threw the key away.

Hermione chuckled at the antics, and the way Carrie insisted that this invisible zipper and lock would keep her mouth shut, not bothering to remember that she had talked without undoing the process.

It was time to call them, and to get it out in the open. They deserved to know, and Carrie really wanted it. Maybe Harry and Ron would act like the father she would never, ever have.

Just maybe.

~*~

Harry settled onto his couch, smiling at his wife. "I have to take this one, its Hermione," he told her, holding up the phone.

She nodded, bouncing their son, James, on her left knee. "Go ahead."

Harry put the phone back up to his ear, and asked hesitantly, " 'Mione? You still there?"

"Yes," Hermione answered quietly. "Listen, I really need to meet with you and Ron…It's deathly important."

"Ron's in Romania. Just left this morning," Harry told her, looking puzzled. "Why, what's wrong?"

Ignoring his question, she cursed loudly, "Dammit!"

"Hermione? What's wrong?" he asked again, knitting his eyebrows together in concern.

"Forget it," she sighed. "I'll call back later. Er, how long will he be gone again?"

"I never said how long he'd be gone. But it'll be a good week," he answered, glancing at his wife, who was listening intently.

"Bloody wonderful," Hermione hissed quietly. "I finally work up the nerve to—"

" 'Mione? What are you mumbling about? Hermione, just tell me!"

"I said forget it, Harry!" she yelled, causing him to wince, and jerk the phone away. "I'm sorry," she murmured, sighing in frustration.

Harry looked bewilderedly once more at his wife. "Look, do you want me to come over there? I can be there ten minutes tops."

"No, no…I'm ok, I promise. Sorry if I sound so weird, it's just…I really need to tell you two something. But," she added quickly, before he could offer to just tell him, "I need both you and Ron there."

"Ok, maybe I can owl Ron, and he'll come back fast—"

"No, Harry! I'll wait," Hermione insisted. "I want to be able to talk to you normally…before you hate me."

"Hate you? Hermione, what's going on?"

"How's your wife?" she pressed on, once more ignoring his question.

Harry glanced over at her. "My wife?"

Harry's wife glanced up at the mention of her title, looking at him confusedly. She brushed back her wavy hair, placing James on the floor.

"Yes, your wife. And your son, while I'm on it."

"James is just lovely, and Hope's fine."

A/N: Bwaha, I'm evil, aren't I? Lol, I like being evil! Tis so much fun…

Well, sorry it's not as long as it usually is. But that's all I could squeeze in, if that's how I wanted it to end.

Once more, I'd like to thank all my reviewers and give you huge kisses. Lol, I luv u guys beyond all belief. You're wonderful. I just got off work, and I decided that you people have been awesome, and deserved your new chapter.

Once more, if you'd like to be on the email notification notice, leave a name and address. Thanks!

R/R, por favor!