Authors Notes: Woohoo, finally next chappie for you guys and its longer! So enjoy. To those who have to wait so long I'm sorry once again. I promise to update twice a week from now on. Mostly Mondays and Wednesdays because I got looooong breaks from school. So peace and love.

Chapter 23: A Heartbreaking Visit

The bed looked untouched because of the distinct position Ron was in for the whole week. She sat nervously by his bed side waiting for the potion to take its affect and revive him. She wasn't the only one in the room, watching him. Ginny and Luna sat on a near by chair with lowered heads. They had taken it harder then Hermione. Neville also stood on the other side of Ron's bed. He came up with no evidence in the locker room and Hermione figured Ron was the only one who could tell the story anyway. Harry on the other hand, had not joined them. He was virtually nowhere to be found unless in class or during the night when he slept. Hermione noted to herself to figure out what was wrong with him when Ron got back.

Her hand was holding his luke warm hand, he was gaining his rightful color. His pulse could be felt by the wrist and his fingers sort of twitched ever so often. She was getting excited, it had been a dreadful week without her best friends. Draco, who never wrote her as of yet, was the only one keeping her sane as long as she thought about him. She never realized how lonely she could get with out people she cared about. Ginny and Luna haven't been much help either. Both were into their own worlds, one sulking about Harry while the other digging their nose into Quibbles magazine.

Another half an hour passed by when Ron began to move his arm and legs slightly. His breathing became natural, not hoarse and his lips closed. Hermione inched closer with Neville and Ron's eyes fluttered open. He stared at them blankly, he began to blink vigorously. It must have been painful from the way his eyes stayed open the whole week.

Ginny and Luna jumped out of their seats and each of them on Ron's side watching him. He gave a small grunt as he lifted his head and stared at his clothes then moved his right hand to his head.

"Did I fall off my broom?" Ron asked a bit confused. His left arm let go of the broom that was held firmly to his side and it clattered to the floor. He looked over at Neville, who wore his school uniform then over to the wall to see the time on the clock. "Eight in the morning? Was I out all yesterday?"

"Ron, maybe you should drink this." Luna said giving him a glass of water. Ron took it cautiously and drank it in large gulps. He placed the glass on the night table and sat up on the bed.

"I know, you might not remember everything right now but you...well didn't fall off your broom." Hermione said softly. Ron arched his eye brow and stared at his sister then back at Hermione.

"What?" He asked half amused.

"Ron, you were petrified." Hermione replied. Ron's face lost color, he stared at her half waiting for her to laugh and the other realizing she was telling the truth. His eyes shot open and he slapped his hand to his head.

"Shit, I was in the change room...I think..." He said then scratched his head. "But there was no one around. I...I can't remember."

"You will, it takes an hour or so to regain full conscious." Hermione said.

"You had us quite a scare." Ginny added. Ron stared at her and half smiled then looked over at Neville.

"How long was I out? A month?" He asked. Neville shook his head.

"It wasn't as long as mines, it only took you a week." Hermione answered. Ron nodded and swung his feet over to the side of the bed.

"Hey, where's Harry?" Ron asked. "Was he...petrified too?" Ron looked around at the other beds in the room but his shoulders sunk when he noticed they were all empty.

"No. I'll tell you later." Hermione said quickly. Ron shrugged and brushed the sides of his wrinkled Quidditch uniform. "Maybe you should go and get changed." Hermione suggested. Ginny and Luna gave a half giggle and Neville smiled.

"Maybe I should." Ron added half dazed. Neville moved away giving him space to leave his bed side.

"I'll tell Madame Pomfrey that you're okay." Neville said and walked off towards her office. Hermione, Ginny and Luna followed Ron out the door and left him once he entered the Prefect House. The three girls headed to the Great Hall to eat breakfast and once they reached the large wooden doors, people were busily talking. It seemed like nothing strange had ever occurred.

Hermione sat down and filled her plate full of muffins and waffles. She had missed dinner the night before, thinking of a letter to write to Draco but realized that his letters probably went through his father first. She had no idea why she missed him so much when they weren't even dating. Maybe when he returned she would ask him the question that was burning in her head. But would Draco change his beliefs for her?

The Great Hall doors swung open and Ron presented himself, running towards Hermione. He was in his school uniform but he didn't finish buttoning his shirt and his tie was dangling.

"HERMIONE!" Ron yelled. Hermione stood up immediately and the whole student body stopped and listened.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked.

"Come, its...it's Harry." Ron said shaking. Hermione quickly followed Ron as well as a crowd of Gryfindors and students from other houses began to follow. Hermione turned around and glared at them.

"Will everyone please be seated and finish your meals!" Professor McGonagal spoke. All the students turned back and sat down reluctantly. Professor McGonagal came over to where Ron and Hermione stood and frowned upon them. She took them outside in the empty corridors and spoke.

"I am glad that you are feeling better but please must you cause havoc on your first day back?" She asked.

"Sorry professor. But it's Harry, he's not himself." Ron replied.

"Is that so? What is wrong with him?" She asked.

"I went to get changed, and then I decided to see if Harry was in the Gryfindor room but I found him lying on the floor of the boys dormitory mumbling and cursing. I tried to talk to him but he kept mumbling something about death and destruction."

"Is he still in the room?" The professor asked possitively horrified at what Ron had said.

"Yes, he is." Ron said. Quickly all three walked to the Gryfindor Tower and into the common room where Harry was sitting by the fire place. "That's weird." Ron commented but no one payed attention to that. Hermione sat right next to Harry. His eyes were fixed on the fire even with the Professor standing in his way.

"Harry?" Hermione said as she watched him. He seemed like he was in a trance, his body still and his eyes barely blinking. "Harry? Are you all right?" Hermione attempted again. Suddenly his head snapped at her, his eyes looked dangerous.

"Stay away from me! Go! Leave me alone!" Harry screamed pushing her away from him. Hermione automatically jumped off the couch and stood next to Ron.

"Harry dear, perhaps you should take the day off." The professor suggested with concern in her tone.

"No! I'm bloody fine! It's those two who should leave me alone! Its for their own good. I'm warning you!" Harry said angrily getting up.

"Harry Potter! What is wrong with you?! Why are you warning us? From what?" Hermione asked.

"There's some things I can't control. Some things I wish I could and I tried." Harry's voice soften as he spoke then faced Ron. "You're my best friend ever since first year, I wish I could have stopped it. I really wish but I can't control myself. I...I...don't know." Harry fell to the floor on his knees and placed his face in his hands. Harry's voice changed and he screamed angrily "I'm warning you, stay away from me!". Hermione could see Harry was battling with himself, if not more.

"You mean...you don't mean..." Ron said confused. Maybe what Hagrid had said had some truth to it, not that it was entirely possible.

"Was it a demon?" Hermione asked out of no where.

"A demon?" Professor McGonagal said startled. Harry looked over at Hermione and opened his mouth to say some thing but was cut off.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley can I have a word with young Harry alone?" Hermione turned around to see who had spoken. It was the Head Master, he was standing by the portrait hole. Ron took Hermione's arm and walked out the room with her solemnly, leaving Harry with the two professors. The two of them came into the Prefect common room and sat down on the couches.

"Can you believe it! Harry has gone mental." Ron said sadly remembering how Harry changed his expressions instantaneously.

"No, he hasn't." Hermione said irritated. "Its that damn dragon mark. I wish I understood. Remember what Dumbledore said? There are some places he can't protect Harry in. I think that's Harry's dreams."

"Are you telling me Harry is being tortured in his dreams?" Ron asked with wide eyes sitting up straight on the couch.

"It could mean a lot more." Hermione's eyes drifted off to the fire. So many strange things, it was time she headed to the library and researched about Harry's marks, his behavior and Ron's-

"And what about that demon rubbish you said earlier." Ron interrupted her thoughts.

"It's nothing." Hermione said quickly. "What I'm interested in is your attack." Hermione sat closer to the edge of the couch facing Ron completely.

"I can't remember." Ron said sadly shaking his head.

"Why not?" Hermione asked annoyed.

"I don't know! All I remember is me putting on my boots in the change room then closing my locker. Anything after that is...a blank." Ron said fixing his eyes on the coffee table.

"Great, bloody great. Whatever or whoever attacked you is out there."

"Why me?" Ron said after a moment of silence. "It just doesn't make sense." Hermione shrugged and at that moment Pansy walked into the common room. The moment Ron's eyes met hers she turned her heal and walked back out. Ron's face grew red with confusion.

"Umm..Ron?" Hermione asked. She had forgotten to tell him about Pansy. "Ron?" She asked again.

"What?" Ron was in a half daze, probably wondering why Pansy was ignoring him.

"You see...umm...well...Pansy..."

"What of her?" Ron asked slightly more interested.

"She doesn't like you." Hermione blurted.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Ron said defensively getting off his seat.

"I know what I'm saying. Pansy hates you." Hermione said getting up as well, facing him.

"Bullshit." Ron hissed.

"No! I'm your best friend, believe me." Hermione lied, but it was all she could do to make him stay away from her. If Hermione was right about her suspicions of Pansy's father, attacking Ron might be just the tip of the ice berg.

"Just cause Blaise turned out crummy doesn't mean she will."

"This has nothing to do with Zabini. It has to do with you and Pansy. Whatever little dreams you have of her has to stop. It won't happen." Hermione said bitterly. She sounded more rude then she wanted to, but it was for Ron's own good.

"For once, I believe you've lost it. No...actually I believe you're jealous. Just cause I'm interested in someone other then a smart mouth Gryfindor."

"Smart mouth Gryfindor?" Hermione restated. "Is that what you think of me?" Her eyes narrowed down. Ron thought of her what every one else has, sure he made it clear on their first year but they've became great friends afterwards. Why would he say this to her?

"You know damn well thats what I think! Hermione just because you have a tone of books and you know every nook and cranny about merlin knows what doesn't mean you can tell me how to run my life. Let me handle my relationships!"

"Relationships? So you believe thats how far you'll end up with Pansy Parkinson?" Hermione said sarcastically. "Good luck Ronald. Don't come to me later crying about how your 'smart mouth' friend was right and you weren't." Hermione's eyes were getting watery and she turned around towards her dormitory. Not caring any longer to persuade Ron about Pansy.

She threw herself on her bed and closed her eyes letting small trails of tears fall down her eyes. She held her breath trying to see how long she can go without air and then released it. Ron had no idea what she truly knew and how she was saving his neck and Pansy's. Or was she? What bothered her more was Ron couldn't remember anything. Did the attacker put a memory spell on him before he got petrified? It can explain a lot, especially if the attacker was a death eater, like she suspected. If Lucius was friends with Pansy's father then that would mean he was a death eater. The more Hermione thought about it the more sense it made.

After a while pondering about Ron the school bell rang and Hermione knew she had to get to class, she grabbed her book bag and ran down the staircase. The common room was empty and she figured Ron ran off to class. As she walked over to the portrait hole, Hermione heard a loud thump. She jumped back letting her bag fall to the floor as she swirled around to scan the room. There stood a platinum blonde hair boy, in green robes. The one person she wished she could see was here in front of her.

"Draco?!" Hermione said a bit taken back. "But how?" Draco dusted his shoulders and fixed his collar and robes. He gave her a wide smirk and spread his arms.

"Ta da." He said in a joking tone. Hermione's face lightened up and she walked over to him.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked. Draco closed the distance between them. He raised his hand and softly touched her brown curls.

"Missed your hair." Draco replied then touched her cheek. "Missed your face." His voice became low as his finger crawled to her chin. "Missed you." He said in a whisper. Hermione's stomach fluttered and her knees became weak.

"I missed you too." Hermione said quietly.

"Who wouldn't?" Draco said with a smirk and made eye level with her. "To all honesty, your eyes look a bit red. Have you been crying?" He said scanning her eyes. Hermione didn't want to tell him about the revelations of the day, not yet at least.

"It's nothing."

"Why do you always say that?" Draco asked releasing his hold on her chin. "Never mind that, I got only an hour to be here before I got to go back."

"How did you get here? You're not allowed on school grounds until you served your suspension." Hermione stated.

"Granger, please save me the drama and lets cut to the chase." Draco said softly. Hermione stared at him confused.

"Cut to the chase? What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. Draco shook his head in strain and grabbed her hand leading her to his dorm. Once they entered his empty room Draco closed the door.

"Now, we won't get distracted." Draco said with a smirk. Hermione became a bit worried and stepped back from Draco.

"Distracted from what?" She asked.

"Granger! I'm not going to hurt you or something! Relax." Draco said annoyed. Hermione put her hands to her hips and stared at him defensively.

"I didn't say you were. What is going on? Why are you here?"

"Stop asking so many questions!" Draco said irritated. He sat down on his bed and gestured her over. Hermione walked right next to him and began to sit down but he grabbed her wrist causing her weight to shift over to his lap. She felt a bit funny sitting on top of him with her legs between his. Without breaking any eye contact he raised her wrist up and examined it.

"Is this the one I bruised?" He asked. Hermione shook her head and showed him her other wrist. Although the bruise wasn't there any longer he still examined it as though something was wrong with her. She wondered why he would remember such an incident at a time like this.

"I'm sorry you know about that day." He said honestly. "I just hate it when you act so damn smart."

"I don't act, I am." Hermione replied affirmatively. Draco raised his eye brow and kissed her wrist.

"Is that so?" He breathed against her skin. Her hand was beginning to shake with excitement. It felt nice when his lips touched her, everything about him felt nice. Like his leg, the thought made her blush. Draco placed her hand down on her lap and took his arm holding her firmly grabbing her waist and pulling it towards his hip. He brought her head down with his free hand and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Is that all you got?" Hermione asked devilishly. She waited too long, even if it was only a week, to kiss him again. Draco smirked against her lips and trailed his tongue along her lips. She wanted to make him beg for her so she held her lips shut. He continued trying to part them but wasn't getting anywhere. The next thing she knew she felt his hand crawling up her thigh. A small gasp escaped her lips, giving Draco the chance to plunge his tongue into her mouth. The heat of his hand against her skin made her feel jittery that she swung her arms over his shoulders to keep from falling in excitement.

Their tongues danced mercilessly against one another while her hands made it around his neck and up the back of his head. Her fingers tangled with his silky blonde hair as his hand massaged her thigh. She felt like she could go on forever like this but a nagging part of her brain stopped everything. Draco opened his eyes and stared at her.

"Why'd you stop?"

"We have to stop." Hermione said trying to get off of him but his arm held her firmly down.

"Why?" He insisted.

"Draco! You know why." Hermione answered trying to get up once more. But Draco wasn't having it, he held her down on his lap. She hated the fact he was stronger then her. "Please." She pleaded.

"Tell me why." He asked.

"Because! It's us, every time I kiss you I want it to go on forever but the fact remains we are too different to become intimate." Hermione blurted and mentally cursed herself for speaking her mind.

"Intimate?" Draco said confused. "There's nothing wrong with it. I'm a guy you're a girl. It's what we do."

"I'm a muggle born Gryfindor and you're a pure blooded Slytherin. It's not what we should do." She replied hotly.

"You still on about that? I don't give bloody shit about what you are or what I am."

"You're a death eater! You're not suppose to be kissing some one you should be killing." Hermione replied bitterly. Draco took her chin leveling his eyes with hers.

"Never ever consider that. I wouldn't kill you. Doesn't matter if I'm a death eater or the dark lord himself."

"But-"

"No buts. Let's have our fun while we can. Don't think about the past or the future." Draco said. "All that matters is the present, us. Right here and right now." His voice came down to a whisper. Hermione felt hypnotized and she ended up leaning in to kiss him but he moved his head back. "This time you won't stop?" He asked darting his eyes from hers to her lips.

"No I won't." Hermione said. Draco gave an approving smirk and kissed her while his hand came back down and began to move into her inner thigh. Their tongues once again began to battle dangerously while he motioned small circles on her thighs. It felt like nothing she had ever experienced before and her body was reacting in ways she couldn't control. Her hands came around her cloak and slipped it off letting it fall to the floor. She then began to play with his cloak letting it also slip down on the bed. Her fingers were moving at a faster pace, as though in anticipation for what was to come next. Her mind no longer seemed to control anything and she was inwardly smiling about it. Once again her hands came to Draco's dress shirt as she began to unbutton them one by one. All the while their kissing and massages never stopped. Finally his dress shirt fell back on the bed as well and Hermione traced her hands across his chest, over his shoulder blades and to his back. That's when she felt something, his skin was no longer smooth. It had bumps and a roughness to it.

She stopped kissing Draco and stared at him. He looked back at her confused as to why she stopped.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?" He replied. Hermione got off of him because he no longer had his hold on her. She took his arm and dragged him off the bed as well.

"Turn around." She asked. Draco arched his eye brow and did as he was told. Hermione gave a small gasp. His lower back had lash marks, bruises and unhealed cuts. When he heard the sound she made he turned back around to face her. He looked behind himself and touched his back with his hand. His eyes widen in what seemed like disappointment.

"Oh shit. I must have forgotten to put my concealment charm on." Draco said angrily putting his dress shirt back on. Hermione stopped him and pulled it off once more this time reaching out to touch it.

"How did this happen to you?" She asked as she traced the lash marks with her index finger. He slightly winced as he moved back from her.

"Thats none of your business, Granger." He said irritated pulling his shirt back on. Hermione frowned at him, he was obviously hiding something from her and she knew better then to push him about it. Hermione picked up her robe that was lying on the ground and placed it back on as well.

"I've got to get to class." Hermione said sternly. But Draco stood in her way of the door, so she was forced to look up at him. He wasn't smirking, or glaring but he was definitely upset.

"Hermione. I think you and I should have a talk." He said calmly.

"You called me Hermione?" Hermione stated. Inside she couldn't help but smile, the way he said her name sounded good.

"That is your name isn't it?" He asked as though she lost her mind. Hermione rolled her eyes and waited for him to continue. "Sit down." He ordered. Hermione stepped back on the bed and sat down. She watched him button his dress shirt as he talked.

"Before I went on my suspension, me and Dumbledore had a little chat." He began while fixing his tie. Hermione arched her eye brow in interest. "He told me that being a death eater, I still have a choice." Now he was fixing his robe on and tying it firmly around his chest. "My first choice was to remain a death eater, serve the dark lord and live a life of hatred and misery. That doesn't sound really good but hey I made the choice to be one first right?" He said as he sat down next to Hermione, it made her heart sink for just thinking about the measures he went to 'save' her.

"My second choice was to become a spy for the Order of The Phenoix. Which gives me the chance to live a second life until the dark lord is dead." Draco finished. He had said all of this eerily calm and it made her wonder what he was really thinking. His grey eyes never gave away his emotions and neither did his stern face.

"So does that mean you'll be on the light side?" Hermione asked. Draco frowned and shook his head.

"No, I haven't decided yet."

"Draco! Dumbledore trusts you, please come on our side."

"It's not that easy! That would mean I have to betray my family and friends. You try and leave Potter and Weasley, see how you'll like it."

"It's not the same!"

"Yes it is. Don't try to convince me, I had enough of Dumbledore as it is." He said angrily. Hermione couldn't believe how he was acting, why did he have to keep her hopes up.

"Why? Why do you have to do this? Why did you have to tell me about the proposition Dumbledore gave you if you'll only end up staying the way you are?"

"Do you think it's fun being what I am?! I didn't get these scars for the fun of it!" He said furiously reminding her of the cuts and bruises on his back.

"Then why are you staying? Can't you leave it all behind?"

"No! It's who I am, I can't leave that behind."

"You're bloody impossible you know that?!" Hermione screamed. "I can't believe I'm talking to you."

"It's pretty damn obvious why you're talking to me." Draco yelled. Hermione turned away from him and closed her eyes.

"It's been a hard week you know, and you just made it worse." Hermione said bitterly.

"How the hell did I make it worse?!" Draco asked.

"First Ron gets petrified by one of your fellow death eaters, then Harry goes mental now...now the one guy I really like is going to stay as a death eater." She said all of this without turning to look at him. Draco took her shoulders and made her face him.

"Weasley got petrified?" Hermione just stared blankly at him. Why did she have to blab again? "I don't think any of the death eaters did that or I would have known. As for me, I told you I haven't decided yet." Hermione just stared at him, she wanted to believe him but she was only going to end up hoping again.

"Don't give me false hopes. Please. Just don't." Hermione whispered. Her heart was sinking, why did she think that she had a chance with him? It was impossible. Her friends would despise her, girls would hate her, people would talk ill of her. And the only way to make sure her heart didn't get broken was to leave this all behind.

"Potty gone mental?" Draco said in an amused murmur. Hermione's cheeks became slightly pink with resent, guilt and anger. "Draco?"

"What?" Catching himself from his happy daze.

"I think it's time that you and I should go our own ways. It won't work out between us anyways."

"What?!"

"Don't make it any harder for me. I really like you but it just doesn't make sense for us. It never would." Hermione got off the bed and Draco followed her.

"Why? Haven't I told you not to think of the past or future?"

"Well maybe the present isn't good. You and me are too different. You know it and I know it. We had our fun, but I think you should stick to your kind and I'll do the same." Hermione said sternly and walked out of the room. Draco followed right behind her and stopped her once they reached the common room.

"What is it you want?" Draco asked.

"To let this drop."

"No! You want something else. You want me to betray everyone so that I will be with you. Is that it?"

"No, that will only satisfy me but it will never make you feel happy. So let it go."

"I'm not going to let this go!"

"For bloody sakes, stop acting like a guy and act like a Malfoy. Hate me, call me a mudblood, torment me but don't ever EVER make me fall head over heals for you." Her eyes were getting watery for the second time that day so she said her last sentence in a rush to escape. "Don't make me have dreams of us being together when I know it will shatter." And with that Hermione ran out of the portrait hole and through the corridors. She needed to be somewhere quiet for a few hours, even though she missed all of her classes. She needed time to break down and cry. She found the empty girls bathroom that was haunted by Moaning Myrtle.

Hermione sat down on the toilets of one of the stalls and cried. How was it possible she ended up liking someone like him? And after all of the times she tried to tell her self she was attracted to his bravery and heroic plunges, the truth remained there was more. She was even beginning to love him, if that was even possible. What she did was the only way to forget about him, to not even consider a slight chance. To her it was stupid to even trust a death eater to begin with. Isn't that how she got herself almost killed the first time?