Sorry it took 'so long' to update. I had to write some thank you notes (my birthday was on the second) and there's an intriguing shark movie on animal planet (so far, bout 5-6 ppl are dead, so its getting close to the climax/end of the story) Hehe, like you care ::angelic face:: but yeah. This chapter in particular ends a lil sadly, but hey, if it wasnt for ashley (our lil Phyre princess) it would have ended tonight. So everyone give thanks to her! And herrrrrrrrrrrrrres the next chappie!

Chapter 12

[Previously]

"I understand this probably came as a shock to both of you, but I must insist that you both keep quiet about it. If you want or need to talk about it, consult each other, or come find me. Mister Malfoy, I'll let you take Friday off tomorrow, to do what you need to do," Dumbledore said mysteriously. Draco huffed and left the room. Hermione got up to follow suit.

"Miss Granger, I too, am giving you the day off. Mister Malfoy might need you," Dumbledore said calmly. Hermione nodded and set out for her room.

[End]

Draco was silent for the rest of the day. He made no effort whatsoever to answer any questions in any of his classes, and he declined to gloat in front of everyone when he turned in his muggle living room.

In potions, Hermione kept looking over at Draco, who was keeping his eyes on his work. Not once did he look up. Not once did he say anything. Hermione was beginning to get worried.

The afternoon crawled by slowly, with Hermione correcting Ginny's Transfiguration essay while Harry and Ron were found playing wizards chess. Hermione took her time, being extra scrupulous. Ginny was frowning at all the red ink that was starting to appear on her paper.

"Thanks for all the help, Hermione. But I was just wondering, you got something on your mind?" Ginny asked quietly once she took back her essay, looking a bit defeated.

"What? Oh, I'm fine..."

"You don't sound like you're fine. You can trust me, Hermione. Don't be afraid to tell me anything," Ginny prompted, taking Hermione to the far side of the study area, where no one could hear their conversation.

'I wish I could tell you everything, Ginny, but I can't,' Hermione thought sadly.

"I'm just worried,"

"About what? Malfoy?"

"Yeah..."

"Why? What's going on? Has he done something to you? Did something happen?" Ginny asked in concern.

"No. Something happened to him. His father...he's been sent to Azkaban,"

"I don't understand, 'Mione. Isn't that a good thing?"

"He's going to be executed," Hermione said, casting her eyes down to the floor. Ginny put her hand to her mouth to stifle her silent gasp.

"Draco is happy about it, but now...he doesn't have anyone to go home too. He said he doesn't know where his mum is either. I'm just a bit concerned, not to mention some new things popped up to make his burden twice as heavy...but I can't tell you about that,"

"I understand," Ginny said.

"Look, if you ever need me, day or night, you know where to find me," Ginny said as she pulled her older friend into a warm embrace.

"Thank you, Ginny," Hermione whispered.

"What, so only Ginny gets hugs now?" a masculine voice from Hermione's right said loudly. Hermione looked up and her eyes met a pair of bright blue eyes, and a pair of bright green eyes. Harry and Ron stood over the girls, grinning. Hermione giggled and launched herself into Harry's arms.

"I love you guys," Hermione said, as she then embraced Ron.

"We love you, too, Hermione," Harry said.

"I love you, too, Hermione, but can we puh-lease go get some dinner? I'm starving!" Ron said, holding his stomach in pain.

Hermione laughed again.

"Sure thing, Ron," Hermione said.

Down at the dinner table, the friends talked animatedly to each other.

"So we're thinking about planning a Valentine's Day dance," Hermione said as she cut up some bites of Beef Wellington.

"A Valentine's Day dance? How romantic!" Ginny cooed as she picked up a strawberry tart and placed it on her plate. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron who, as usual, was wolfing down his food.

"Yeah. I would tell you what the theme of the dance is, but I don't want to spoil the surprise," Hermione said mischieviously.

"Tease," Harry laughed. Hermione stuck her tongue out playfully at the boy.

They talked happily for the remainder of the meal about professional quidditch teams and the upcoming matches. Hermione tuned it out, as she wasn't quite as avid a fan as her mates were.

"Oi, 'Mione!" Ginny whispered suddenly. Hermione turned her gaze to her red-headed friend.

"Where's Draco?" Ginny asked, tossing her thumb over her shoulder. Hermione looked over and noticed a gaping hole that Draco normally filled.

"I don't know. He's probably in our common room," Hermione whispered back.

"You should bring him something," Ginny replied.

"Who, Draco?" Ron said, overhearing their conversation. The girls blushed and tried to look innocent.

"What? What are you talking about, Ron?" Hermione asked, feigning confusion.

"Oh come on, Hermione. We all know you like Malfoy," Harry said matter-of-factly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"No. But we guessed something was up when we saw you two always walking together," Ron said, looking at Hermione with bright blue eyes.

"So...Do you guys accept, or reject him?" Hermione asked, a bit of fear in her voice.

"Well...neither," Ron said.

"He definitely got points for telling us where you were when you needed help, but he's still Malfoy. It'll take a bit of time for him to fully earn our trust," Harry said wisely.

"Oh," was all Hermione could say.

"But yeah. Go ahead and take a plate up to him. He must be hungry," Ginny said, finding an empty plate and beginning to load it with a slab of beef, some potatoes, and other goodies before passing it to Hermione.

"Yeah...We'll see you tomorrow though, right?" Ron said.

"Actually, I'm going to Azkaban with Draco. I'll tell you later, when the time is right," Hermione said mysteriously, as she stood up from the table, plate in hand.

"I'll talk to you guys later, though!" Hermione said over her shoulder.

Once in the tower, Hermione set her things down on the table and looked around. Draco wasn't in the common room, and the bathroom door was wide open, so he wasn't in there. Hermione turned to Draco's bedroom door, which was shut tight.

Hermione removed her shoes, and padded over to the door, knocking softly.

"Draco? Can I come in?" she asked through the door. She didn't hear a response, so she opened the door. The room was a bit dark, but she could see the unmistakeable silhouette of Draco's sprawled form on the bed. She rummaged in her pockets and pulled out her wand.

"Lumos todo," she said quietly as every light in the room illuminated itself. She could now see Draco was staring up at the canopy of his bed. Hermione set the plate down on his desk and walked over to the bed, sitting at the edge, her handing reaching out and holding his.

"You OK?" Hermione whispered.

"Yeah," Draco sighed.

"I brought you some dinner,"

"Thanks,"

Hermione frowned and turned to lay on the bed next to him.

"You're not OK," she said as she placed a hand across his stomach. He put his hands behind his head and sighed again.

"I've just been thinking,"

"About what?"

"A lot of things,"

"Like what?" Hermione was getting tired of beating around the bush.

"Just the fact that after tomorrow morning, I'll be fatherless. And like I said, I'll be here for Christmas by my lonesome self, since I still haven't received an owl from mother. I doubt she's even going to the execution tomorrow..." Draco said sadly.

"It's alright. I'll be staying here over winter break as well. I'll take care of you," Hermione said the last part in a whisper, and hugged his side. Just as she did so, Draco's stomach flipped about and grumbled loudly.

"So...how bout that food!" Draco said, suddenly enthusiastic. Hermione laughed and got up the get the plate.

The next morning, Hermione, Draco, and a select few of others gathered around an open area on the top of one of the towers of Azkaban. Hermione was wearing a conservative black dress, with a black shawl and hat with a gauzy eyeshield. Draco wore black dress slacks, and a black longsleeve button down shirt. He had on some black shades to shield his eyes from the sun that shone brightly through the clouds in patches.

The small crowd quieted when Lucius was led up the tower by a burly wizard in a black hood. Lucius looked regal as ever, though his clothing was tattered, and his hands were in cuffs behind his back. He looked around to see who was there, and his eyes came to rest on his son.

Draco stood there, his hands clasped behind his back, his shades glinting in the sun. Hermione was at his side, watching the Dementor glide up the steps. Neither man noticed. They stared at each other in silence. Hermione gripped Draco's side as the Dementor passed by her. Draco wrapped an arm protectively around her waist, but still not breaking eye contact with his father.

Lucius looked at Draco, then at Hermione. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the muggleborn girl. He drew in a breath to say something harsh, but was cut off, as the Dementor began it's kiss. Lucius fell to his knees as his soul was torn from his body. The blue aura was sucked into the Dementor, and Lucius landed on his chest, not moving. His eyes open, but blank and lifeless. Hermione gasped and hid her face in Draco's chest. Draco still didn't move.

10 minutes passed by, and most of the crowd has dispersed. Hermione had walked away, not wanting to linger around the body, but Draco stayed where he was. Once he was sure he was alone, he took off his glasses and held them in his hand. He bent down at his father's side and closed his eyes. A single solitary tear, slid down his face. He opened his eyes, and no more tears fell after that. He stood up, and look down at the man he had called 'Dad' with no emotion in his eyes.

"Goodbye, Father..." he whispered before walking down the stairs to where Hermione was waiting. She looked up at him and smiled a sad, sympathetic smile while the wind blew through her brown curly hair. Draco looked down at her fondly, and stepped down the stairs to join her. Together they walked out of the prison, side by side, with no words said between them. It would have ruined the moment if they had.

So there it is! Now...back to my shark movie and the next chapter! If the movie doesn't preoccupy me, I might have the next chap up before bed time! (that's a MAYBE, not a promise, mmk?) Hee hee. Enjoy, and please review and recommend to a friend! Thanks everybody! Lots of huggssssss and kissssssses and all that good lovey dovey stuff to all!

English-Foxlette