I think this chapter is stronger than the last one... I HOPE this chapter is stronger... Well, I'm sure the last part is much better than the whole last chapter... But listen! It's... fluffy-stuff, really... But I think it was really necessary just before... Oh, you will see...

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A complete black owl tapped at the window and eyed Draco with an evil glare…

Dracos eyes grew wide with panic.

"She's arrived. He knows…"

"What?" Hermione and Ginny looked at each other in confusion, then it came to them "She's arrived at your place? How do you know?"

He pointed over to the window and took a few steps in its direction, looking back, then going over and opening it. The owl came in, let a letter fall to the ground and exited through the window again.

Draco opened the letter, trembling

Meet me at midnight by the whomping willow

Draco stared at the words. This meant nothing good…

Hermione snatched the letter and read it, as did Ginny.

"Draco, just don't go down there…"

"That would just make everything worse"

"Go to Dumbledore"

"Dumbledore can't help me a bit"

"Go to the ministry"

"There are too many connections between my father and the ministry"

"But don't go there alone"

Draco turned to face Hermione "And who do you think should go with me?"

"Me"

"To let him kill the both of us? I sure will not take you with me"

"I will come anyway"

"You won't. I promise I'll come back, okay?"

"O… okay…"

Soon after that, Ginny left, waving good-bye and wishing good luck. You could tell she was nervous and wanted everything but leave.

There was an odd silence between Hermione and Draco, until it was ten pm. It was the first time one of them spoke as Hermione said "Don't you forget your promise when you're down there"

"Hermione, I promise I'll be back. I lo…"

"Don't you say that if you don't mean it!"

Draco stared to the ground "Well, uhm… I…" He was sure he hurt her feelings if he didn't say 'I love you' this instant, but she told him not to say it if he didn't mean itand… yes of course, he was in love with Hermione, but… Did he love her?

"Draco, it's too early for us to say it, because we can't feel it. We hated each other just… Oh, is it really only a few days ago? It seems to be an eternity…"

Draco looked at her, smiling, gently touching her cheek… "You're beautiful when your nervous"

"You don't seem much like Draco Malfoy…"

"Yeah… maybe that's because my father scares the fuck outta me…"

"Maybe…"

They smiled at each other, tears forming in Hermiones eyes. She had the feeling something would go another way as they expected… and she was sure that would be nothing good…

They sat down on a couch, holding and comforting each other until it was quarter to twelve.

Draco stood up, took his cloak and smiled at Hermione.

To her, it looked like a good-bye instead of a see-you-later and once again, tears formed in her eyes, but Draco had already left. Hermione swallowed. Something was going wrong and she could do nothing about it. The tears ran down her cheeks. What if she would never see him again? They hadn't even really started a relationship yet…

When the portrait hole closed behind Draco, he sighed. He had to face his father now and he didn't know if he would survive this. He was sure Lucius Malfoy would not hesitate and kill his son if he was a danger for the family pride…

Draco turned, climbed into the living room again, went over to Hermione, gave her a long kiss on the lips and turned without looking back again, wiping the wetness hertearshad brought tohis cheeks away and made his way to the willow.

Hermione saw Draco come back and wanted to wipe the ears away, she didn't want him to see her crying and hopeless… But before she could reach up to her face, she felt his lips on hers and for a split second, she was sure everything would be okay… But when he drew his lips away, he took all her hope with him. And again tears formed in Hermiones eyes… Something was going to go terribly wrong...

When Draco reached the willow, his eyes grew wide with shock…