Disclaimer::: HEY...i realized i need a new disclaimer cuz i DO own some of the characters!! So, don't even think about stealing Nadia..she's MINE! MWAHAHAHA! Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling..lucky gurl

A/N:: I didn't get any birthday wishes….:::sniff:::.... that makes me sad! Haha..nah, I'm OAKY..i just got back from Chi-town!! Family reunion don't ya know!! Twas fun…kate missed me terribly!! Hehe…but everything's OAKY now..so read on mis amigos (though, I think its mostly amigas right now..but for later reference we'll keep it amigos, eh?)!!!!!!!

A/N::: Um…I have a request!! I'm writing my story..and I don't really know what to think about it…so, if anyone wants to read over it when I finish ya know, to tell me it sucks or change this or end it this way or WHATEVA…let me know!! I would really appreciate it….big grin I would be eternally grateful!! We'll see then eh? Now, on to the story…..(its almost over....:::tear:::.....)

Chapter 10: Questions

(A/N:: ....:::clears throat:::...…last bit of flashback-y-ish stuff….i PROMISE!!!)

"Oh calm down Pothead! Be grateful I joined. This way I knew when I had to save your sorry ass. Besides, I would never seriously join."

Oh… Harry relaxed. But wait! There's only ONE way to be sure. So, he asked.

"Malfoy, can I see your arm?"

"My…what!?! Why?" He looked unnerved.

"I want to see if you really were a…..you know, a follower."

Draco stared at Harry for a while until finally he rolled his eyes and pushed up the sleeve of his shirt. His arm was severely burnt and a large bloody gauze was tied around his forearm. Harry just gazed at it, unblinkingly. Draco could tell what Harry was thinking.

"Let's just say Ol' Voldy wasn't too happy to find out that I had tricked him." He smirked and looked up at Harry. The burning noise was…Malfoy's skin! Uh, how awful! "Wanted to remove the Mark along with my whole bloody arm! Luckily Dumbledore was there." Harry actually started to sympathize for the guy.

"I thought Voldemort could tell if he was being deceived…..like some sort of sixth sense of his."

"Sixth sense? Potter, you bloke, you have been reading way too many Muggle comic books. Besides, I had every intention of becoming a full member."

"But you said…."

"I said I would never seriously join. And I didn't, did I? I tried it out for Father's sake, but it just wasn't me."

Harry stifled a laugh. Who knew Malfoy actually had a mind of his own?

"At the last moment, I changed my mind. I knew I had a decision to make: Choose a life of evil and murders or one with Hermione."

"And you chose Hermione?"

"Right."

Merlin, Malfoy had a heart, too! He wasn't as big a git as I thought. All this new information swirling around in Harry's already aching head made him dizzy. He needed a Pensieve.

Just then, the nurse came in and announced it was time for Harry to take his potions and Draco would have to leave. Draco nodded and stood.

"Well, H-harry….get well soon." He extended his right hand.

Harry grabbed it in return and gave it a hearty shake. "I'll try. Thanks for coming….D-draco." Harry smiled. I guess we will need to work on calling each other by our first names.

As Draco walked out the door, he paused to turn and smile back. It didn't look as to be very sincere, but it was a start. They had reached an understanding.

Harry closed his eyes and replayed what had just happened. He couldn't help but laugh. Me….and Mal-DRACO…are…friends. Ha! I didn't even think there was a spell or potion strong enough to bring US together. I guess I was wrong.

.....::::END FLASHBACK::::.....

Hermione gasped. Draco saved Harry's life because of her! She had to find him. Now. But she'd already practically told him to 'sod off' once today….he probably left.

She dashed around frantically looking for him. She ran inside and checked. No Draco. Then she ran back outside, but only this time around front. There he was, talking to Harry. She ran up to both of them and pulled them into a big group hug. Harry and Draco exchanged confused looks over her head. When she finally let go, she had tears in her eyes. She was looking directly at Draco.

"Well," said Harry, finally breaking the silence. He cleared his throat. "I guess I'll be going now. Hermione." He smiled at her. "And Draco, don't forget to, uh , call me…about the…" He cleared his throat again and nodded slightly towards Hermione. Draco raised his eyebrows in response and Harry nodded once more. He then turned and walked away. The two watched him hobble back up the hill. When he finally disappeared, Hermione turned towards Draco.

"Draco," She grabbed his hand in hers. "I'm so sorry I put you through this…this hell this past year. I've been such a git. I didn't know. You are such a wonderful person, I should I have trusted you more. And, I will understand if you never want to see me again. But," she paused as she wiped her tears away, "I love you."

Draco smiled. Not an I-Knew-You'd-Come-Crawling-Back-To-Me evil smirk, but a genuine, heartfelt, mysterious smile. "I love you, too" She hugged him tightly, and then he gently pushed her back. He rolled up his sleeves (she could clearly see the burn marks) and reached into his pocket. A tiny POP could only be heard by Draco as he slowly brought out a small, black box from his pocket. He got down on one knee and opened the box t reveal a stunning diamond ring inside. Hermione gasped and brought her hands up to cover her mouth. She couldn't believe this was happening.

"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"

WOAH…what a shocker, right? I mean, GEEZ, it was only labeled a HG/DM fic….!! Anyways, the last chapter of the first part will be uploaded soon! It's all written, just need to be typed. There's an interesting twist ending to this story so wait around to see! Also, hit me up about my other story like I mentioned earlier….PLEASE! so yeah…PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!! I'll give anyone who reviews a MILLION DOLLARS….ok, not really…I lied…but still, I know I have my FAITHFUL REVIEWERS who wont let me down! So..until later….REMEMBER::: don't feed the squirrels!!! ;)