Authors Notes: Sorry once again for the late update. Hopefully some of the questions you were thinking will be answered and as for Pansy, more about her will be seen in the future chapters. Don't worry in the end everything will tie in nicely. As for now enjoy and review!

Chapter 20: Questions And Answers

The Head Master sat down in his large chair watching everyone carefully through his half moon glasses. The room was full of sixth and seventh year students that were all involved in yesterdays delimma. Hermione sat between Ron and Harry, who seemed to be lost in some other place. That's when she began to wonder about him and the mark. Did it fade away? Did they get Draco's blood? Was he also a death eater? That thought made her shudder. She prayed that it wasn't so. How stupid was she to forget about it? She was so busy caught up with her self that she didn't pay attention to what mattered most. Hermione slipped her hand in Harry to comfort him but Harry pulled away looking at her as though she lost her mind.

"I believe we should get this over with so you can all enjoy your Hogsmeade trip" Professor Dumbledore began. Hermione began fidgeting in her seat because of her newly found worry. "There are certain things that happened yesterday that I myself do not understand." He was looking right at Hermione and Harry. "We all know that Hermione here, was taken away to the Malfoy Manor for a sacrifice. But because of our lovely Ann Helfar, we were able to stop that from happening." Ann began to give a small smile directing it at Hermione who returned it. "But when Harry, Ron, Ginny and Luna came to search for Hermione a little incident occurred. Voldemort disappeared but leaving a few of his minions behind."

Professor Dumbledore stopped for a second to glance at Harry who had his head hung low. Something obviously was going on between them that she nor Ron knew. "Thanks to the bravery of the four, they were able to hold down or shall I say attack the death eaters. In place Harry and Ron used their cloaks to pretend to be a death eater in search of Ms.Granger."

Hermione looked over at Ron and gave him a thankful smile as well as Luna and Ginny for going through that length of trouble. "I already know that we were too late for Draco Malfoy's initiation but because of his courageous act to save Hermione, all charges on him will be lessened to suspension. As long as he is a productive student in Hogwarts, there is no reason to fear him. I only pray that he doesn't give himself up to Voldemort." Ron winced slightly trying to get use to the name being said so easily. Hermione wondered how he knew about being saved by him and if he knew anything about what Blaise did.

Harry muttered something under his breath and Ginny who was sitting the closest to him heard clearly. Her eyes widened and Hermione wondered what was going on.

"What's bugging him?" Ron whispered. Hermione shrugged.

"Sir, with all due respect, I think Malfoy should be expelled." Harry said loudly. The anger his eyes gave was so intense, Hermione feared the worst.

"Harry, do you have the dark mark?" Hermione asked quietly. Everyone fell silent in hearing her ask that question. Harry who had never looked her straight in the eyes, glared at her. He stood up quickly kicking his chair and left the office. There was a minute of silence, when Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Ms.Granger, even though we were able to take the snake mark from his arm. Something else happened. Voldemort expected us to try and take the mark off and in return Harry has a dragon on his left chest. This is not the dark mark but rather something I have to look into." Everyone gasped shocked and appalled. When had this happened, Hermione wondered and why hadn't he told her or Ron.

"Sir, when did this happen?" Ron asked reading her thoughts. He was just as worried, confused and stunned as her.

"The moment Mr.Malfoy became a death eater. It is obvious Voldemort has plans for our Harry but what it is, we do not know." Dumbledore said sadly. "But I have to take care of him, sadly I can only watch over him so often. In his dreams, that is another dimension in which even I cannot control Voldemort from entering."

Ginny, Luna and Ann had their eyes popping out so bad that Professor Dumbledore noticed. "Please keep this to yourselves and not to get over worked by it. I will speak to Harry. You may all go and eat breakfast. Good Day." He said quickly. All four of them stood up and began to exit the office through the spiral stairs then out of the small hall way and into the corridors. They were all quiet and decided that non of this will be discussed. It was far to creepy to even think about. Harry wasn't himself and she knew for a fact he was beyond angry with Malfoy.

Ann left back to her home, once she exited the office. There was a horseless carriage awaiting her and everyone waved goodbye.

Once the rest of them reached the Gryfindor table a few people looked at them oddly and some even whispered. Hermione obviously figured that she was the talk of the school because of her absence. Ron sat down between Ginny and Luna while she sat opposite of them. Her back was facing the Slytherin table purposely to avoid any eye contact with Draco. She was so angry at herself for not just leaving when she had to, who was she kidding that she could stop Voldemort from making him a death eater and in return she ruined her best friends life. Or dreams. Or whatever. He was probably just as mad at her as he was with Draco.

"You're not hungry?" Ron asked watching her play with her spoon. Hermione sighed as an answer and he placed his fork down. "Me either. I'm really worried about Harry. Where do you think he went?"

"I don't know." Hermione said quietly. Her eyes were glued to her goblet. When had life been so twisted, she thought. "Listen, I'm just going to go. See you later." Hermione said quickly. Ron grabbed her arm before she left.

"Meet me at the three Broomsticks later, Okay?" He asked pleadingly. Hermione nodded and he immediately released his hold on her.

As she walked through the corridors, thinking to herself. She bumped into someone's hard chest. Hermione looked up and met blue shocked eyes.

"Hermione?" Blaise said surprised.

"Yes, live and in the flesh. Great to see me alive aren't we?" Hermione replied sarcastically. He looked at her sadly and brushed the side of her cheek with his hand. Hermione swiftly slapped his hand away.

"Don't you dare touch me, Zabini." Hermione spat.

"I'm really sorry for what happened, I didn't mean it."

"I will never accept your apology, I could have died thanks to you."

"I told you, I didn't mean it. I had no choice."

"As long as you're a death eater, I don't care what choices you make. Just stay the hell away from me!" Hermione screamed. Blaise nodded his head and turned around to leave when he gave her one last look. "I'm not a death eater by the way." He said calmly and walked off. Hermione stood there furiously and slammed her fist to the wall. Then screamed out in pain for doing something so stupid. Hermione wanted to report him to Dumbledore but something about the way he apologized meant he was really sorry.

"Stupid bastard, do one little stupid thing and I'll make sure you go to Azkaban." Hermione whispered to herself.

"Why would you report me? I thought you liked me?" A familiar voice crept up from behind her. Hermione jumped holding her hand to her chest and turned around to meet grey eyes.

"I...I didn't mean you." Hermione stuttered.

"Uh huh. You still mad at me?" He asked. Hermione shook her head, she was never mad at him. But then again she knew who was.

"Just for the record. Harry is really pissed off at you." Hermione said. "I think." She added. Draco didn't seem to be affected by that and shrugged.

"Screw him. I don't give a shit."

"Whatever." Hermione replied and began to walk off when he firmly held her lower arm near her wrist.

"You're just going to walk away like that?"

"As a matter of fact yes. This is a public place, are you not afraid to be caught seen with me." She asked.

"Never." He said with a smirk. "Malfoy's are never scared." He leaned in and kissed her gently. Hermione who was a little upset from the last encounter she had with him pushed him back by the chest. "What's wrong?"

"Us." Hermione replied affirmatively.

"Fine, I'll take you on a date. Isn't that what you girls love?" He asked with a smirk.

"W-what?" Hermione asked confused. Did she just hear him say what she thought she heard him say?

"Are you dunce? I said I'll take you on a date. Right now. You and me, Hogsmeade."

"I..ah..okay." Hermione said blushing. Draco took his hand in hers and lead her through the school to the front entrance. A few people stared at them like there was something wrong with the picture and all he did was swear. Hermione kept quiet until they reached the grounds of Hogsmeade.

"Let me see, how about we go to a small cafe they built a few weeks ago." He asked. Hermione didn't really consider this a date but being with him in public had a certain affect on her that she nodded her head. They both found a small booth and Draco ordered them cappacino.

"So talk." He commanded watching her looking around nervously.

"Aren't you..worried about what people will think?" She asked.

"If they didn't mind Blaise being with you then why should they care that I'm with you." He answered. Hermione shrugged and began to take small sips of her drink.

"Do..Do you and Blaise talk?" Hermione asked. Draco arched his eye brow at her as though she asked the most absurd thing.

"Of course. Why wouldn't we?"

"Well, I don't know. I was just wondering."

"Because he lead you to a death eater? And you're really pissed at him. I know how you feel." Draco stated. Hermione wondered how he can know what she was thinking so easily.

"Okay. I guess you read minds."

"I can read your body language. But if I could read minds, I would have had you a long time ago." He said with a smirk.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Hermione asked. Draco just gave her a wink which caused her to blush. Draco began to drink when his eyes caught something.

"Granger, don't look now but your boyfriend is coming in." He said watching the door. Hermione didn't turn around embarrassed at who it was. Obviously it could only mean Ron or Harry. And being seen with Draco will make them go crazy. "Doesn't matter if you try to hide your face. Your hair is quite obvious." He said with a evil smirk. Hermione rolled her eyes and suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. Hermione turned around to come face to face with Harry.

"Harry! Oh, I..uh...hi?" Hermione stuttered stupidly. Harry had his hands in fists shooting glares at Draco and her.

"What are you doing with him?" He asked between gritted teeth.

"None of your business Potter." Draco defended.

"Fuck off." Harry spat and turned to face Hermione again. "Hermione, what are you doing with him?"

"It's not what you think, Harry."

"Oh, enlighten me? He saved you making you soften up to him? Did you ever consider what he is?" Hermione grew red, she couldn't believe this.

"Harry, I told you. It's not what you think. Me and Dr-Malfoy have an assignment to do and the only chance we have is now to discuss it." Hermione lied. Harry narrowed his eyes at her and walked out of the shop without a word to her or Draco.

"Liar. So pathetic."

"I am not pathetic! I can't believe you!" Hermione said angrily. She stood up to leave when he stood as well.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"None of your business, Malfoy." Hermione spat and left him in the shop. She had no idea, he was running after her and once she reached the trail to Hogwarts he caught up with her.

"Listen, I don't want you always mad at me. So I need you to chill."

"You never change! You continue to call me Granger and also rude when its un called for."

"Look at me, I'm a Malfoy. That's how I am. I can't change over night. You're lucky that I even like you or your life would have been a living hell." Draco said furiously and left her there standing. She watched as his cloak ruffled behind him, she watched as his face had a look of fury. He was right, she couldn't expect him to change over night. But why did he like her and yet treat her like he treated her before. Hermione walked slowly back into the school and found Ron standing by the entrance talking animately with Pansy. Since when did they become such good friends?

"Hi Ron." Hermione interrupted the two. Pansy looked down red with embarrassment and Ron who also looked a bit surprised.

"Hi Herms." He squeaked. She rolled her eyes at him.

"It's okay, I don't care if you talk to her, unlike some people." Hermione said and walked inside the school. Ron caught up with her though and she unexpectedly felt his hand hold her back by the shoulder.

"Sorry, I never meant..I mean..I.." He stuttered.

"I said its okay. I don't care."

"You do. I can tell, you're face doesn't look too pleased."

"Do you really want to know Ronald?" She asked hands on her hips. "I think she's wrong for you. She's a Slytherin and guess what? You and Harry were right about Slytherins, they're nothing but trouble."

"She's not like that!"

"That's what I thought about Blaise too. And he turned out to be a creep."

"What did he do to you, Hermione?" Ron asked worriedly.

"Nothing that you're thinking. I liked him and he liked me but then.." Hermione remembered how sorry he looked at her when he gave her to that death eater. Just remembering that man punch her made her close her eyes to wash away the memory. Ron noticed this and held her by the arms.

"Then what?" He asked much more aggressively then before.

"Hewastheonewholeadmetothedeatheater." She said quickly and barely audible.

"What?" Ron asked confused.

"He was the one who lead me to the death eater." She replied. Ron dropped his arms and stared at her shocked.

"I had no idea, I thought it was Malfoy or something. Oh, Hermione do you want me to kill him?" He asked angrily.

"No, the last thing I want is you being sent to Azkaban. I can handle him. Dumbledore doesn't know it was him but if he tries any funny business I personally will give him a plane ticket to Azkaban." She said assuringly.

"Plane ticket?" Ron asked not use to muggle transportation. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Forget it. Just don't go near him." She ordered.

"Okay. Just give me the signal when to." He said with a smile. Hermione laughed and nodded her head.

"Go join your girlfriend before she's worried. And be careful."

"She's not my girlfriend." He said with a blush and walked off. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Hermione prayed that Ron was making the right choice. But then again he just might want what everyone else wants from her, sex. She gave a sigh and walked off to her dorms.