Disclaimer: Hary Potter does not belong to me!

A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers! I love hearing from you all : ) Here are some notes to those who reviewed last chapter:

MiLoV – to answer your question, yes.
Llywelyn Willoughby, Chamei, roundrockrules, Hermione-weasley192, and Alcapacien – thanks for the support I'm glad you're liking it so far, and I hope you continue liking it!
D/HR SHiPPER – lol yeah, he kinda does have to break her heart . . . .
zuvalupa – yeah Draco's definitely in a tough position, I wonder if you will feel the same way after this chapter . . . .
Wildmage's Daughter – sorry to hear the teachers are piling the homework on you! L Thank you for your suggestion, however I pretty much have the story already planned out, so I hope you like what I chose to do!
shadow-n-the-dark – I would tell you what's gonna happen between them, but that would ruin the story just a bit. And thanks for pointing out my mistake about Slytherin common room entrance; I forgot that they have a wall instead of a portrait . . . oops

So to all who are worried about what will happen between Draco and Hermione I have two things to say:

1) Keep reading (and reviewing so I'll update faster)

2) It's not over till the potions finished

and with that, on with the story!

Chapter 16: Unexpected Incidents

Over the next week, Draco and Hermione could commonly be seen holding hands in the corridors between classes, and occasionally Draco would even kiss her on the cheek or forehead. The Slytherins had all, most likely because of threats from Draco, stopped bothering Hermione. Though Hermione loved not feeling like she had to hide anything anymore, she couldn't help but notice some minor changes in Draco, they still did all the same things, and he was not bashful about admitting their relationship to the other students, but he seemed to be growing distant when they were alone together.

One night they were again together in their private room, Hermione was cuddling up against Draco, getting lost in the sensation of feeling his skin against her face (she had already managed to get his shirt off.) Draco lovingly stroked her hair and down her back, wishing with all his might that the night would never end. He was perfectly content lying on the couch with her curled up against him. Hermione on the other hand, for once, wanted more; she turned and positioned herself on top of him. He gave her a quizzical look, but before he could speak, she pressed her lips to his.

Draco welcomed her efforts by returning the kiss full force and wrapping his arms around her. Hermione massaged Draco's chest, as he moved his hands down her waist. When he reached the end of her shirt, he carefully and slowly slid his hands underneath so that they were against her skin. Then Draco did something that Hermione hadn't expected, rather than remove her shirt as she thought he would, he pulled her head closer to his and carefully parted her lips with his tongue. She let out a small laugh at the new sensation, but willingly allowed his tongue to explore her mouth.

Nervously, she attempted to reciprocate the action. Draco could tell that she was unsure of what to do, and the innocence made him want her more. Slowly his tongue retreated, urging hers to follow until her tongue was in his mouth. The experience was entirely new and exiting for Hermione, she only stopped when the need for air took over all other needs and desires.

Wildly she gasped for air, realizing that somehow she had now ended up underneath Draco rather than on top, not that she minded at all. Hermione paused, wondering if she should say what she was dying to say. She was completely positive that they both felt the same way about each other, and looking into his eyes gave her courage, "Draco, I love you." Unlike last time, this time she spoke confidently and romantically, and he knew she was expecting him to tell her he loved her.

"I know," Draco said. His voice was as soft and sweet at ever, but his eyes suddenly seemed to turn cold as if they refused to reflect whatever emotion he was feeling. He leaned in to continue kissing her, but she backed away not quite meeting his eye as she stood and straightened her clothes and hair.

She tried not to look hurt by the fact that he hadn't said it. She had been so sure he would return her feelings, 'what could possibly be stopping him?' she wondered. "Well," she said awkwardly, "I guess I'll go back to the common room; I need to get some homework done." She looked towards the ground as she spoke, trying her best not to shed a tear.

Draco heard the disappointment in her voice, but he maintained his vacant visage, he couldn't betray things now. "I'll get your bag for you."

Hermione looked anywhere except at Draco as he turned and fumbled with her bag behind the couch, she heard him zip it up, and then he lifted it and handed it out to her, smiling in that way that always left Hermione breathless. He leaned over and kissed her lips gingerly. In that moment her anger drained from her and she only felt desire for him, but before she could make her tongue return to his mouth, her feet were already carrying her out the door.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hermione had gone all the way back to the common room and begun her Transfiguration homework when she realized she was missing her Advanced Transfiguration book, "damn!"

"What's up?" asked Harry concernedly.

"Oh it's nothing; my book must have fallen out of my bag back in the library. I can't do this essay without it, I'll be right back," Hermione, sped out of the room, and raced down the halls, wondering how it could have fallen out when she was almost positive she hadn't even opened her bag at the library.

When she reached the library, she was surprised to see that the door to the private room was unlocked, 'hmm,' she thought, 'Draco must still be here.' "Draco, what are you still doing here?" Hermione entered the room, and the sight she faced made her feel as though she had been hit in the chest by a stray bludger. Draco and Pansy were snogging on the couch! Pansy was on top of Draco (who was stripped down to his black silk boxers), and she was looking very pleased with herself as she turned to see the horror on Hermione's face.

Hermione felt as though the entire world had come crashing down around her. Pansy glared at Hermione, but Hermione was looking into Draco's eyes, they showed neither guilt nor sadness, nor any emotion at all. "How could you?" whispered Hermione in disbelief.

The entire moment took only a few seconds, but Hermione felt as if she had been looking into Draco's stony expressionless gaze for an eternity. She turned without getting her book and ran, tears now flooding down her face. She slowed as she got close to the common room, half hoping to hear hurrying footsteps behind her, half dreading them. But she heard nothing, 'he's not coming. How could I have been so stupid to think he could change? And I just told him I loved him.' At this thought the tears came faster. She didn't know where to go, she didn't want to face her friends; she just wanted to be alone, or to wake up in her bed and find that this was all just a bad dream.

But as she wandered the hallways, she knew it was inevitable. She didn't know how she was going to explain not having her book, but that wasn't important anyway. She took a deep breath as she approached the portrait hole, she was fast losing the ability to bite back her tears, and she knew that she had to get to her room before she exploded. She choked out the password as she felt the floodgates began to open. She rushed past her friends are hurriedly mumbled, "I'm really tired guys I'm gonna go to bed."

Her friends just stared at her in shock, "but Hermione, you forgot your bag," called Harry after her. But Hermione didn't seem to hear him.

The tears began to leak out as she charged up the stairs, and by the time she reached her room there were steady streams pouring from both eyes. She closed the door behind her and sank to the floor sobbing uncontrollably. She cried until she heard a tapping above her head, someone was knocking on her door. Hermione tried to ignore the knocking, but it quickly became more incessant, "Hermione! I know you're in there! I'm not leaving until you talk to me!" ordered Ginny.

Hermione didn't bother to wipe her eyes, she slowly got up, opened the door, and without even looking at Ginny, she moved to her bed and pulled the hangings closed. Ginny, perplexed, entered the room dropped Hermione's bag next to the bed, and pulled the hangings open. The sight that met her eyes shocked her. Hermione was curled up with her head resting on her knees, and she was crying uncontrollably. "Hermione!" Ginny cried, "what's wrong? What happened?" Ginny sat on the edge of her bed and rubbed Hermione's back comfortingly. Hermione looked up, her face was pale, but her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks were red and tearstained.

When she spoke, her voice was muffled and choked, "I w-w-went to g-get my book, and," but she couldn't continue, she broke down crying hysterically.

At first Ginny was completely lost, but slowly realization hit, "it was Malfoy, wasn't it? What did he do? Did he hurt you?" Gunny asked hurriedly trying to scan Hermione's face for a bruise or any sign of injury.

Hermione looked up at Ginny, and for the first time Ginny could see the full extent of the pain in her eyes, "h-h-he was, he was . . . . and she was on top of him, in our private room!"

Ginny didn't need any more explanation to understand what must have happened; Hermione had caught Malfoy cheating on her! "Who was it?"

"Pansy," Hermione answered simply.

'That skanky Slytherin slut!' thought Ginny angrily. She gave Hermione a comforting hug, "I'm really sorry Hermione, is there anything you want me to do?"

"No," Hermione replied, she finally seemed to have calmed down a little, "I feel so stupid, I actually thought he had changed. And to think, just today, I told him I loved him." Hermione glanced at Ginny's stunned face, "I should have known right? Should have known when he didn't say it back, I'm such a moron."

"No you're not!" argued Ginny, "Hermione don't even think like that. It's not your fault that Malfoy did anything, and you're not the only one to be conned by a handsome face, or a Malfoy. Please don't blame yourself."

"I should have listened to you Harry and Ron, you all warned me, but I was too stubborn to listen."

"It was a mistake anyone would have made Hermione, Malfoy must have worked awfully hard to fool someone as smart as you, but that doesn't make you responsible for what he did."

"Yeah, right" Hermione said disbelievingly, "I think I just want to be left alone."

"I understand do you want me to tell Harry and Ron?"

Hermione paused before answering; in all honesty, she really didn't want them to know. However, she knew that it wouldn't be long before the entire school knew she and Draco were no longer together and she didn't want Harry and Ron to find out from someone else, "sure, why not. They'll find out soon enough anyway, and I can't bear to tell them to their faces."

Ginny nodded, and with one last comforting pat to Hermione she exited the room.

- - - - - - - - - -

The door slammed shut as Hermione ran out of the library. "Geroff Pansy," ordered Draco sourly.

"Aww come on Draco, you don't have to think about that filthy mudblood anymore, you can have me. I'm sure I can make you happier than she ever did," As she spoke, her hand began to work it's way down Draco's boxers, but before she got anywhere, Draco grabbed her arm in a bone crushing grip. "Get out now," he said in a menacing tone pushing her off the couch.

Pansy looked daggers into Draco's eyes, she was not used to being told no by anyone, but the tone of his voice was too demanding for even her to ignore. She silently got up, donned her robes, and exited the room without another word or a backward glance.

Draco stared at the floor for nearly a half hour after Hermione left. Life was gonna be Hell now, and he knew it. But still, the damage had been done, and at least now, she'd be safe. He didn't want to go to the common room and risk seeing Pansy again. He settled on taking out his journal and writing everything. He wrote about the plan, how he'd taken her book out of her bag to be sure she'd come back to the room and catch him, how it killed him to see Hermione's heartbroken face and the pain in her eyes. He wrote for hours every emotion he had ever held back, every moment of anger, hatred, and resentment poured from his quill. As he finished writing, he stared longingly into the flames of the fireplace wishing he could just end everything.

I know this chapter was sad, but it had to happen! Please semd me a review to let me know what you think!