:: Chapter Fifteen: Finding The Truth ::

Author's Note: This chapter contains some * ahem * sexual references… If any of that offends you, please read with caution.



"'Mione, you look like you've just seen a ghost." Harry said as Hermione entered their flat. Her face was pale even though the cold wind had nipped at her cheeks taunting them to turn red.

"I have." She sighed pulling her gloves off her fingers and shaking her coat off.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Harry asked rubbing Hermione's hands trying to return the warmth into them.

"Harry. he's here." She said softly.

"Who?" Harry's hands froze. His heart leapt, it couldn't be.

"Draco, he's here. He lives here." She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I hate him more than ever. I hate him for leaving me there to die, I hate him for lying to me, I hate him for using me, and more than anything, I hate him for making me fall in love with him."

"I'm sorry." Harry apologized. He was afraid that all the feelings Hermione had been trying to hide would come cascading back.

"Don't be, it's not your fault. I just wish they would start picking on some other muggle born."

"Don't worry about it." Harry kissed her lips softly.

"I can't help but worry, that's what I do." They both allowed themselves to smile softly.

Draco sat at the coffee shop for what seemed like an eternity. He was mentally chiding himself for his behavior. Over the past couple of years he had everything planned out to the very last second of what he was going to do when he ran into Hermione on that one fateful day. Calling her Mudblood, and returning to his old ways was not in the plan. The scene kept replaying in his head; the hatred in her eyes, the coldness of his own heart. He had indeed left her to die, but he had no intentions of having her killed. For some odd reason he knew that his father's spell would not kill her, or damage her in anyway. But he didn't know how potent and vial his words would be. He sighed and leaned back into the cold iron chair. He realized that for a second time, he had broken her heart.

Her heart raced steadily and she tried to relax herself. Memories of Draco once again flooded her brain; at most inappropriate times. Harry lay sleeping beside her, a ring box sat on her bedside table. He had finally proposed, and on the day that someone arrived to confuse the hell out of her. He wasn't supposed to return; he was supposed to be locked up in Azkaban, somewhere other than here. And yet knowing he was only a few meters away was calming. Hermione wanted answers; she wanted an escape. An escape from the empty feeling inside. She knew a telephone book resided in the table next to her; she wanted to know if he was foolish enough to be listed. And he was. She scribbled down the address and pocketed the ring. Putting on her coat and not even caring she was only wearing pajamas she apparated to the address. A familiar popping sound was heard and soon she found herself standing in front of a door; his door. She sighed deeply and knocked softly. After a moment she gained more confidence and knocked more loudly. A shuffling of feet was heard and a very sleepy Draco Malfoy answered the door.

"I want answers Malfoy and I want them now." He moved aside allowing her to enter. "Why?" She asked. The two sat next to each other on the couch, facing one another.

"Why what?" He questioned stifling a yawn. His blonde hair was tousled and he was clad in only a white tank top and a pair of boxer shorts. Hermione felt herself blush.

"Why did you leave me at the hands of your father? You were supposed to be my hero, my savior."

"I knew he couldn't kill you. Deep down inside he really did care for me, and like I said, I confessed my feelings to him."

"Why me? Why did I have to be the one you manipulated? The one you forced to fall in love with you."

"I never manipulated you. And I didn't force you to do anything with me, including falling in love.

"Is it wrong that I did?"

"No. I too fell in love, but I didn't handle it well. Would it be to bold for me to say that I, in fact, still love you?"

"No. My heart keeps telling me this is right, but my head is telling me it's wrong."

"Listen to your heart."

"You would say that, that way you win."

"I'm being serious." He said softly realizing for the first time they were mere inches apart.

"As am I." And for the first time in two years they shared a kiss filled with love. The heat of the moment collided with the pent up anger. Draco's lips ravaged hers hungrily, he was trying his best to make up for the two years he couldn't do this. He tongue caressed her lower lip begging for entrance. Her lips parted slowly and his tongue collided with hers. She kissed him back as if this would be her last kiss before her death. Slowly their bodies pressed up against the seat of the couch. Draco was positioned on top of her. Chills raced up her spine. She pulled away from him, her breathing rapid. She fished around in her pocket.

"This." She began, producing the ring box. "Is my engagement ring." He pulled away from her, nearly sitting up. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't accept it."

"Potter proposed?" Draco asked, still holding himself above Hermione. She nodded.

"I told him I had to think about it."

"What's there to think about? He's your boyfriend, your true love and best friend."

"Draco." She silenced him by placing her finger on his lips. "I'm so incredibly peeved at you right now, for making me feel this way, for leaving me, for not butting an end to your love for me. And yet, I don't love Harry like I love the man that I thought you were. You need to regain my trust. And until that time I'm going to remain with Harry. Unless you can prove to me that you're right for me, and not him." He kissed her finger that rested against his lips. She removed her hand and rested them on her stomach.

"What are you asking me to do?"

"Befriend me. Let me get to know the real you, and you, the real me. But Draco you have to promise not to let Harry catch wind of this."

"I would rather he be left in the dark. He wouldn't understand."

"I'm trusting you Draco."

"And I'm not going to let you down." He promised sealing it with a small kiss. At least that's what it was intended to be. They resumed their snogging session where they had left off. Hermione's hands found the hemline of his tank top and lifted it over his head. Draco's hands became firmly planted at her waist, running his fingers over the small amount of flesh exposed. Her skin was warm against his touch. He pulled her shirt over her head and resumed what he was doing. He hands moved up to her chest, to where her bra line began. She pulled away from him again.

"Draco." She murmured as he began kissing the soft flesh at the base of her neck.

"Yes?" He mumbled against her skin.

"I've never." She flushed. He stopped kissing her and raised himself to meet her eyes.

"Never?" He questioned. "Ever after a two year relationship with Potter?"

"Never."

"I'm sorry." He pulled away from her and reached for his shirt.

"Please. Don't stop." She added softly.

"We don't have to do this."

"I want to." She kissed him softly at first, and then it escaladed. Her hands roamed his strong chest and she curiously awaited his next move. A mix of excitement and fear enveloped her body. She felt truly loved, something Harry had never shown her.

Harry awoke surprised not to find Hermione laying next to him, an owl tapping on his bedroom window. He opened the window and allowed the bird to enter. He fed it a treat and allowed it to rest after taking the letter off of its leg. It was addressed to Hermione. He wandered into the living room as the front door opened and Hermione walked in, a smile plastered onto her face.

"I missed you this morning. Where did you run off to?" He asked greeting her with a small kiss.

"I just headed down to the coffee shop. I hope you didn't mind." She bit her lip. Lying wasn't one of her strong suits. Harry eyed her suspiciously. "Alright. I was just worried about you, with the whole Malfoy incident yesterday and all."

"That's old news, I'm over that. It was petty childish things anyhow."

"A letter came for you." He said handing it to her. She looked at it and noticed the Hogwarts seal on the back.

"It's probably about work is all. A reminder that the winter holidays are over in two weeks and we need to make sure all papers are graded." She said opening it.

Professors,
Three days ago (December 19th) Our Potions master became very ill and was taken to St. Mungo's. I'm afraid he will not be returning. But thankfully we found a replacement. Mr. Draco Malfoy had courteously offered to teach for him this year. Although some of you have harsh memories of Mr. Malfoy he should be treated with up most respect. He shall also be taking the place of our dear professor as Slytherin Head of House. I shall hope that the other HoH's shall treat him with respect seeing as they shall all be sharing quarters with him. Professor Granger of Gryffindor House, Professor Patil of Ravenclaw house and Professor Berry of Hufflepuff house shall all welcome him the first day from holidays. I expect you all to have all grades etcetera to be finished when we return.
Please enjoy the rest of your holiday,
Headmistress Angela Warner


Hermione paled visibly as she finished the letter.

"Well?" Harry asked.

"It's just a reminder."