A/N: It's me!! Took me forever to write, didn't it? haha. Sorry, I always forget until the last second that maybe I should thank my wonderful reviewers and explain my story's…..issues. haha. first! my excellent reviewers:

            Luthien: Always a pleasure to hear your comments. Yes I do love Draco, so I try to stay true to who he REALLY is: a hilarious nymphomaniac. haha. Thanks! And you keep writing, I love where your story is going!

            Slytherin Spirit: You have no idea how happy I am when I get your reviews! SO thorough SO helpful. I really appreciate you taking time to read my story (ps to everyone out there, its sooo cool to have your favorite author read YOUR story. haha!) thanks a million!

             Beekers: Thanks a bunch! keep reading!

more A/N: Just in case any of you are wondering: the "her" mentioned in these few chapters is important. I do have a point for all the seemingly random things I've added. I know its boring right now, don't blame me. blame the fact that we have to introduce all our twists instead of just jumping right into them. lol.

Disclaimer: he who cannot dance blames the DJ….she who cannot write blames J.K.R for stealing all good characters.

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            The mid afternoon sun shone outside of Hogwarts. But inside, the conversations were heated with gossip. All the parties of the summer before were loaded with false details of sex and so exaggerated that they hardly resembled the truth. Naturally, being lunchtime, the 7th years were devoted to this fiery gossip.
            Lavender sat with a group of girls leaning around her, staring in utter rapture at her tales, jaws dropped.

            "Hear about The Double H?" she said slowly, as if she had just said the most incredible phrase in the entire word.

            The girls around her squealed "NO! Tell all!"

            "Well, supposedly Harry asked her out at the Weasley's, sometime after his birthday. They, like, totally fell in love." she looked around carefully, "and my sources say they, like, so did it over vacation. Hermione won't spill, but. . ."

            "OMIGOSH!" they all gasped in jealousy, and started whispering amongst themselves. Harry had definitely grown, they all agreed. His once-awkward height was now rounded out by his well built arms and shoulders and his messy dark hair electrified his deep green eyes. He was, of course, the second most sought after boy at Hogwarts.

            Just down the table, a more factual story was being whispered.

            ". . . and then yesterday she told me that we were not an 'item' anymore!" said an infuriated boy with round rimmed glasses. "Can you believe her? I mean the nerve of –"
             "Harry. Cool it." Ron cut in putting down his pumpkin juice, running his hand through his auburn hair. "No big deal! It's not like you were in love. . ." Ron paused as Harry lowered his head, blushing to the roots of his hair. "Fuck. . . No, you weren't. Harry, no! It was only a month!"
             "I've loved her ever since I met her and it only grew stronger when we. . ." He defended, standing up. "And I'll shout it to the whole Great Hall to hear: I LOVE H –!!"
            Ron jumped up and tackled him to the ground as quickly as he could, yelling before he could say another syllable. "HOLIDAYS!" The room paused only to laugh at the scrambling morons on the floor. "Snap out of it, Harry!" he whispered loudly. "You know you hated her when you first met her, don't make some huge drama out of this. You're just on rebound. Hell, Luna would look hot to you now!"
Harry shoved him off and rolled onto his stomach whimpering. He stood and loomed over Harry. It was true, he had hated her when he first met her. But over the years Hermione had grown up from that gauche know-it-all into a brilliant and beautiful witch. Not even Ron could deny that.
"Bad soup," Ron stated simply to some giggling first years passing by Harry, who still on his stomach moaning. Ron rocked back on his heels scratching his head and gazing down at Harry uncomfortably. Damn hormones, he thought, looking about the room while trying to coax Harry back to his chair.

            At that moment, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Hermione pushed her way through. Harry jumped up and sat down at the table leaving Ron standing awkwardly in her path.
            "Hey, stranger!" she said, smiling broadly and kissing his cheek lightly. "Been a while, hasn't it?" she glanced at the table and saw Harry staring openly at her, his eyes full of longing. "Hi...Harry." She almost whispered, glancing down at the table. She could tell by his eyes what he was thinking, and she didn't want to talk about it. She hadn't had the heart to turn him down before, and she certainly didn't now.
            Sitting down silently, she immediately found something fascinating about her plate while the boys stayed exactly as they were: Ron shifting nervously on his feet and Harry was staring at her with deep admiration. Gag me, she thought. To her relief, she noticed a piece of parchment with the telltale seal appear under the apple on her plate.
            "Oh I, uh, forgot something I have to do with. . .Malfoy. . .Head Girl stuff, just business. Sorry." She stuttered. "I'll, um, catch you boys later." Thankful for the excuse to leave, she picked up the apple and paper, leaving as quickly as she came.
            "I see how it is!! Malfoy, huh? Gonna dump him, too?!?!" Harry shouted, but Hermione was already rushing from sight.
            "Harry, you're lucky she didn't hear that. That was pretty weak," Ron said as he took his seat next to Harry, who promptly punched him in the arm.
            "Ow! Someone's in a great mood." He said with heavy sarcasm.

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            Hermione walked briskly outside, enjoying the beautiful afternoon. Taking a bite of the apple, she read the letter as she walked.

Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy,

You will please join me in my office after you have found each other and completed your lunches. You have been excused from your afternoon classes.

Professor Dumbledore

She sat down beneath an enchanted willow tree which was charmed to blossom all year round and looked out at the beautiful lake before her, sparkling in the afternoon breeze. She knew she wouldn't have to go to Dumbledore until she found Malfoy, which she didn't plan on doing so for a while. She stretched her legs out, lifting her arms above her head and smiled up at the sun as it peaked between the branches.
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world…" she sang to herself, smiling all the while. She continued to sing the lyrics of this muggle song just loud enough for them to cascade right to the ears of a tall, handsome Slytherin with platinum blonde hair and not a care in the world.
Draco hopped down the steps, hands in his trouser pockets whistling cheerfully. It seems he had also realized he had the rest of the day off until he found Hermione, and he had no intention of doing that anytime soon. Near the same willow tree as the night before, he heard a girl's voice. Singing? He smirked to himself. But he couldn't help but stand by and listen. It wasn't the lyrics that caught him, but the voice behind it. Its rise and fall held the same passion as he had felt that night…
He peered around the tree cautiously, ready either to smirk or smile. But he looked down to see, not his "mystery girl," but Hermione sprawled out on the earth with her eyes closed, singing towards the sky.
             "Granger?" he said questioningly, the disappointment and surprise sounding in every syllable of her name. Too bad, he complained to himself. But he did admit, if he hadn't been Draco Malfoy, then he would have thought she was some stunning goddess.
            She immediately stopped singing and said resignedly: "What the hell are you doing here?" without even looking up.
            He stepped back sarcastically, throwing his hands up, "Sorry, your highness!"
            "Malfoy, why do you have to be so –"
            "Charming?" He smirked.
            "Maddening." She corrected.
            "It's all the same to me." He sat down next to her, close enough to notice the bandages were gone, but not close enough see her happiness at his arrival.
            "I guess we should go then, I mean…we've found each other." She referred to the letter.
            "Found each other?" he slurred, rushing "But not on purpose." He didn't want to lead her on or anything. I mean he didn't like her. At all. I mean they were friends. I guess. He was Malfoy and she was Granger, right? Hermione turned to him, staring deeply into his eyes with her unfathomable brown orbs.
            "Does anyone ever find someone on purpose?" Hermione said, smiling slowly with amusement and mystery.
            "I…uh…you, we are…uh." Draco shifted uncomfortably. Hermione laughed, throwing her head backwards so it was illuminated by the dancing patches of light of the willow tree. It was the first time he'd heard her laugh when it was just them talking. Normally they're just fighting so much she even barely smiles.
            "I'm just playing with you. Come on, Dumbledore knows we've 'found each other.' We should just go." She stood up and reached out for him with her hand, completely forgetting who they were.
            Draco paused, but only for a moment, taking her hand carefully in two of his and pulling himself up. As he stood next to her, he could feel her emotions as they swiftly fleeted from her head to her heart. They dropped hands quickly.
            "Uh, we…we." Now Hermione rocked from foot to foot.
            "Come on, Sutter-ina." Draco guided her with a gentle shove and they made their way to the castle, both hiding the smile that crept to their lips.

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            Dumbledore smiled at them as they entered his office. Hermione was glowing in utter bliss and Draco had a small grin plastered to his face.
"I'm please to see you could make it," Dumbledore smiled knowingly, "Well I suppose you want to know why I asked you to come. I'll be brief. Draco, you have mastered the arts of Occlumency and Legillimens, have you not?" Draco nodded. "I need you to teach Hermione."
"Professor," Hermione insisted, becoming the brainiac she was often stereotyped to be, "I'm perfectly capable of teaching myself these skills. After all, I have read–"
            "Miss Granger, I do not doubt your aptitude. But one could study these skills in books for your entire life and never understand them. The only way to truly learn them is to practice over and over again. Isn't that right, Draco?" He inquired.
            "It is, Herm -" he cut himself off. "Granger. Trust me."
            "Well I have cut out a free period from each of your schedules each day to compensate for this new lesson. You should begin now, so that she can at least understand them. Of course you are excused from all classes today for this very reason. You are free to go and begin." He once again became engrossed in his work and they left the room unnoticed.
            "So, my place or yours?" Hermione joked as they walked down the hall. He laughed.
            A genuine laugh? She thought to herself amazed.

            They stepped into their commons room, and, with a flick of his wrist, Draco lit a fire in the hearth.

            "Home, sweet, home." He grinned and threw himself down on the couch comfortably. "Shall we begin?"

            "Um, no?" Hermione said. "I'm thirsty. You want something?" she asked as she head for the small kitchen area.

            "Some of that muggle scotch mixed with Butterbeer perhaps?" he said knowingly. She nodded and walked out of the room.

            "Malfoy! you've been through my drinks!" She came out with a martini in one hand and the mix in the other. "What do you say, snake?"

            "Give it, lion." He reached out his hand but she held it just above her head.

            "Ahem?" She took a sip of hers and said haughtily. "Only nice boys get to drink my liquor."

            Draco rolled his eyes. "Fine, Queen. You are by far the most wonderful person in the world and drinking your liquor would be and immense honor." He dropped to his knees and touched his nose to the floor mockingly.

            "Oh, take it." She set it down harshly on the table in front of her, making little droplets pop out of the glass.

            "Temper, temper." He chugged half the glass and said without a blink of his eye: "Right, then." He pulled Hermione down into the spot near him lightly. "I want you to try and empty your mind completely of all memories. Try to block me from entering your mind. The most important thing is to concentrate. Let's see what we have to work with." He paused and said softer. "Close your eyes."

            She stared at him blankly for a moment before shutting her eyes. She could hear him breathing quietly, only inches away from her. She could sense his warmth as he shifted in her seat. His presence was so intense, she could hardly empty her mind, and, before she knew it, he said, "Legillmens." She could feel his fingers pushing into her mind. Startled, she gasped and suddenly everything was swirling out of focus into a calm, familiar scene.

            The sun shone down on her face. Ron and Harry were by her side in the backyard of the Weasley's house. Ron pointed and laughed at something unimportant off in another direction and jogged off. She made to follow, but Harry grabbed her hand and looked at her, smiling. "I've been meaning to do this for a while now," he stepped towards her. He put his hand under her chin and. . .

            "STOP!" Hermione yelled. She squeezed her eyes shut and with all her strength she forced his strong, icy fingertips from her head. She looked up to find herself pinning a shocked Draco on top of the couch.

            "Granger, I didn't know you felt that way." He smirked as she jerked herself off of him.

            "You didn't see. . .that memory. . .did you?" she asked slowly.

            "Of course I did," he smirked. "I wouldn't be any kind of evil genius if I couldn't perform that simple trick, now would I?"

            "So you. . ."

            ". . .saw all of it." He finished, still grinning. "Now I knew that there was a 'H and H' going on, but I thought that he had given you a love potion or something."

            "Eat dirt, Malfoy," She blushing, crossing her arms and leaning back into the cushions. She didn't even know why she was embarrassed for it.

            "Oh come on now, let's try again, ok?" he said, as if talking to a three year old. "Why don't you try the opposing end instead?" He suggested, his grayish eyes dancing.

            "Fine, what do I do?" She said stubbornly.

            "Alright. Just try to enter through your fingers. Translate all your energy into pulling my thoughts out and say Legillimens." He leaned towards her and put her fingers on the sides of his head "As you get better, you won't need your fingers here. Just give it a try."

            She looked at him doubtfully and sighed. She closed her eyes and pushed her hands up to his face lightly. His skin was cool and she felt him tremble slightly as she touched him.

            Draco shook under her gentle touch. "Legillimens." Her hands were warm and soft, he could feel her unsure mind start to travel through her fingers like the warm sun from behind a cloud. Something snapped in Draco, he had no will to stop her warmth from spreading into him. He smiled in spite of himself, even at his moment of weakness, as everything swirled away from reality far out of his control. Coldness took the air around them.

            A younger Draco was gazing into the fire of the elaborate drawing room of the Malfoy Manor. Tapestries hung from the stone walls and the moonlight reflected off of the marble floors. His head jerked suddenly towards the door as if he heard someone scream. The door swung open seconds later and Lucius Malfoy stepped through, a look to kill on his long, cold face. Draco stood slowly, with no expression but fatigue echoing in his blank face. "Father," he said simply as his father stepped closer to him. Lucius lifted his hand and slapped him across the face with all his strength, knocking Draco to the floor. Without pausing, Draco lifted himself to his feet, with no acknowledgement of the hit but the mark on his cheek. Lucius routinely took his wand out and muttered "Crucio," pacing with his arms behind his back as his son buckled over and dropped to the ground.

            He made no call or attempt to save himself from this torture. His body snapped back and forth on the floor, shaking and trembling in obvious pain. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut and his jaw was locked open in a silent scream. The spell's affect slowed and Draco shakily raised himself once again, a glazed hatred taking his icy eyes. Lucius lifted him with his wand without saying a word and threw him against a window, a huge crack down ran the middle as he slid to the floor limpl, his staring vacantly ahead of him.

            Lucius walked over to where Draco remained on the floor and proceeded to kick roughly in his ribs while shouting in disgust and anger "Who do you serve?" again and again.

            Barely audible, Draco pleaded painfully, "Her Darkness." Pleased, Lucius fixed the large window with a tap of his wand and left the room smugly, shutting the door quietly behind him.

            Draco curled his knees to his chest and crumpled his face into his hands, shaking uncontrollably. And only alone in this placid darkness did Draco cry.