Another Chance?

By Cedar1

A/N ok first of all would like to say sorry for my shameful descent in2 fluffiness in the last chap * give myself a slap on the wrist * and although a fluffy bunny will once again shed all his hair on my computer * nother slap on wrist * I promise there will be a few attempts at original twists and turns to come, and not all will continue being happy-clappy! Yay!! ( so if ure xpectin a fluff filled story sorry!) But on with chap 8 hope u like it……

Disclaimer: Course I own nothing but attempts at a plot you crazy nutters!!

Chapter 8: Surprises, Accusations and Changes

Previously~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

A small smile was gracing her lips she knew like he did, she did mean something to him and maybe he wasn't prepared to come out into the public for the moment, or maybe forever. But she meant something to him and for now that would do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

            Ginny Weasley scraped her hair back in a haphazard ponytail, wild red hair sticking up in the oddest of places. But in comparison to her face her hair looked somewhat normal. She hadn't slept in weeks, all of them hadn't. Her blue eyes had dulled, underlined with heavy black bags and surrounded with pale, flaky skin. When had she last put cream or for that matter combed her hair? She couldn't remember and frankly she didn't care. She had lost one of her closest friends, her best friend. Ginny checked herself. She hadn't lost Hermione, merely misplaced her. She found that she was regularly doing that; talking about Hermione in past tense as if she had already descended up into heaven. And the pessimist in her believed that was the case. There was no way death eaters would keep her alive after they got what they wanted. But then the eternal optimist in her would argue there was always hope, always a chance. What would life be if it weren't made up of chances?

            Pulling a wrinkled robe over her head she headed downstairs. They were still there; in the exact places she had left them last night. Their slumped figures looked even smaller when compared to the larger than normal Weasley dining table they were sitting at. In time-honoured fashion she took her place opposite them. Harry's dark head raised up, giving her a weak smile and a nod of ' good morning.' On the other hand Ron remained in his stoic state, his vacant eyes trained on the door. As if he were expecting Hermione to burst through it at any moment. Ginny found herself looking at the same spot. And so they sat, waiting. But as usual nothing happened, the door remained shut, unmoved.

" Have you heard anything yet?" A trace of hopefulness in her voice.

Ron didn't answer, so Harry did. " No."

Once more a heavy silence smothered them, filling their mouths and lungs. Words seemed impossible.

            Ginny couldn't stand it any longer, it was choking her; the silence, the fear.

"We can't just keep sitting here, waiting for a body to turn up. Hermione wouldn't do that if it were one of us that had gone missing. She would be searching for us, getting answers not hanging around, waiting!" She was screaming now, leaning over them, her palms flat on the table. "Stop looking so defeated, Voldemort never managed to, why should a couple of death eaters be able to?" She glared at the two boys in front of her, their heads bent down with shame that her accusations had instilled.

" But……" muttered Ron, but Ginny cut him off before he could give some statement regarding the hopelessness of the situation.

" But nothing Ronald Weasley!" shouted Ginny, reminiscent of her mother. "Do you want to get Hermione back or not? Do you want her dead?"

Ron's head snapped upwards, his face glowing red with anger. " Don't you dare say that! You know how I feel about Hermione!" he roared in her face. Ginny did know, so did Harry and everyone else, apart it would seem Hermione but that didn't mean she was going to back down. Ginny Weasley never gave up in an argument.

" It doesn't look like that where I'm standing!" Her blue eyes burning into those of her brother's.

Fury coursing through him, Ron couldn't control the hand that went flying through the air straight towards his sister's cheek. Inches away from striking a hand grabbed hold of his wrist. Turning around Ron saw Harry's horrified face. The arm instantly dropped dead by his side; the fingers trembling with the shock of his intentions. He sat back down, as did she.

"Ginny's right we need to be doing something," said Harry, " I'm going to go to the ministry, you both do what you want to do." He got up, grabbing his robes by the side of him, Ginny made her actions clear by following him to the door; only Ron remained at the table.

"Ron?" questioned Harry, his face filled with expectancy, looking at the back of his best friend.

" What's the point? We know where she is?" Ron was met with silence.

" Where else, Malfoy's."

" Ron you don't know that for sure. We don't even know if he is a death eater. We have nothing secure on him, only accusations, no proof."

" Whatever.."

Harry couldn't stand this attitude's of Ron's, as if he didn't care; and although his next sentence just slipped out there was a part of him that was satisfied in the knowledge that it would hurt him.

" Just because he had something you could never have." There was no reaction from Ron. Harry gave up, slamming the door on his way out with Ginny following in his wake.

" A man like that can never change," whispered Ron to no one but himself.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*Start Flashback

            Ron pounded his way up the staircase, the slap of his shoes echoing in the hallway. With his long limbs he was able to take two steps at a time, leaving Harry and Ginny further and further behind.

"Slow down young fellow!!" yelled a portly lady in one of the grand portraits that hung above the banister. Ron turned round, his big grin was infectious and the lady found herself unconsciously returning the smile, forgetting about her previous warning. He was just so happy! Dumbledore had just announced that all 7th years would have the day off. Hogsmeade here I come! Work had slowly been piling up, potions was getting worse and worse, charms was something that was no longer mentioned in his presence. All in all it had been a pretty shite month. But a day of buttterbeers and Honeydukes sweets would no doubt lead to an instant lift in his spirits. Of course not everyone was happy. Ron looked round to see his sister's mouth in constant motion with Harry nodding patiently by her. Frankly Ron didn't know why he put up with it. He would have just called her a spoilt brat. Actually he did. That's why she was in a huff with him and had gone to Harry for his support on the unfairness of the situation. But that didn't matter. Why? Cos he was going to Hogsmede. So what if he was acting like a little kid! He bloody deserved it!!

            All they needed to do now was to find Hermione and tell her the good news. It was easy enough to guess that she was still in her room; like she had been for the past couple of weeks. Her presence at breakfast was rare, and if she did come down it was a mad dash in and then out, the excuse of work trailing behind her retreating figure. Reaching her portrait Ron was about to holler her name – being a stickler for the rules she has refused to give him the password- but then he noticed the curled up corner. With a bit of force he was able to lift it up, without even waking the nymph that occupied it. She was going to get the surprise of her life. His head filling with images of a shocked Hermione he did not see the black robe emblazoned with the Slytherin emblem folded neatly on the chair, as he tip-toed across her study. She must be working in her bedroom he deduced. Slowly he pushed open the already slightly a jarred door. As the insides gradually became known to him, he was surprised to see a pair of feet sticking out of crumpled bed sheets. A small smile fell on his lips, ' so even a headgirl over slept.' Slowly closing the door, his plan to leave her be was halted when he noticed a head of light blonde peaking from under the covers. He stared at it, hatred flowing freely from his eyes to the fine hairs, down to the figure that seemed to be entwined with Hermione's own hidden form. His heart was thumping, his mouth dry, his stomach cramping within him. This wasn't right. This wasn't Hermione.

This wasn't what it was meant to be like. He was meant to be there, not someone else. Not someone else. Fixed on the scene in front of him, he found his feet planted to the floor despite the feeling of sickness and bile that was slowly creeping up his throat. It was only when he heard the approaching footsteps of Ginny and Harry did he flee. Rushing to the portrait, before they started yelling, alerting the lovers to his presence. Pulling the portrait back he quickly slammed it behind him. His sister and friend looked with surprise at his ashen face.

" What's wrong?" asked Harry.

" Nothing. Hermione's sleeping," the words streamed out of him in a rapid flow. " I think I'm staying in the castle today. You guys go." He was blind to their puzzled looks as he hurriedly made his way down the corridor, the sight he saw before leaving Hermione's study emblazed in his head, on his heart; tearing them apart.

The robe branded with the snake.

*****************

            The hours turned to days, and bit-by-bit the knowledge of her betrayal was killing him from the inside out. Each time she spoke to him, he forced friendly conversation out ; while the picture of her and him imprinted on his soul. He told no one. He wanted to believe she was innocent and so he had kept quiet. Watching her in classrooms and corridors, needing further evidence of her treachery; as if what he had seen before was merely fiction, a figment of his imagination. But it was not to be. He caught their looks, the silent conversations with their eyes, even a couple of cautious touches. And every time he noticed such things, there was another pair of eyes with him. One day his gaze flicked away from the lovers to his own counter part, her green eyes reflecting the hurt that his own held. They never spoke of their findings or feelings to each other, a Parkinson would never talk willingly to a Weasley. But instead they formed an unspoken partnership, seeking solace with the fact that another was suffering. And so those moments of catching Hermione and Malfoy in their lie, were made less lonely.

******************

            The days turned into weeks, and still Ron had said nothing.             Saying it aloud meant it was true and Ron was still in his state of denial. His behaviour had become more withdrawn, especially with Hermione. He avoided her, compelling himself to look away from her direction. He eyes couldn't take any more confirmations of his accusations. She had noticed his odd actions, and had approached him. Backing him into an empty classroom, closing the door, trapping him.

" What's wrong with you? Why are you behaving so strangely?" Her features twisted in a mix of concern and anger.

It surprised him how easily it tumbled out. How he was able to form the words without difficulty. Surprised that it didn't choke him on its journey up his throat.

"You slept with Malfoy."

No more lies.

Her mouth opened and closed, no words just gasps. He didn't help her, making no attempt to fill the heavy atmosphere with words.

" How?" she whispered finally.

" I saw you in bed with him," he stated matter-a-factly. Her face had paled, her gasps turning into heavier pants as the truth hampered her breathing.

" I.."

" Don't deny it. We see your touches and looks." 'We', this was for Pansy as well.

" I…"

" Don't say you have feelings for him. Say that you love him. He'll hurt you. He'll destroy you. He's never going to be good. He's a bastard, and men like him don't change Hermione ."

Tears were rolling down her cheeks, falling with a splash on the floor. She backed away, hitting Malfoy who had entered silently after watching Hermione disappear into the classroom, curiosity driving him. She looked up at him, her eyes looking accusingly up at his, before running out.

Draco turned to look at Weasley, whose face had remained neutral, and Draco wanted nothing more then to wound him.

" It kills you doesn't it? Knowing that Hermione loves me and not you." The red-haired boy's posture began to falter, his body quivering with the anger building up within him.

"You're probably right. I can't change. I am what I am and probably won't be able to change that. Hell I'll probably become a death eater, killing mudbloods just like her in ten years time."

He turned to leave but not before one parting shot, " Now how does it feel knowing she'd rather have someone like me then you?"

**********

            And so time passed. Malfoy and Hermione continued what they started, while the seams holding the trio together began to break – Ron had told Harry and Ginny, but no one else. Life dragged, with Ron having to put up with Malfoy's smug smirks behind Hermione's back until the final day, graduation, where Ron was finally proven right. He didn't close the door on Hermione when she had come running, crying to his dorm. He had comforted her, forgiven her for her blindness and even for her remaining love for the man he truly hated.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o End Flashback

            10 years later an older Draco was carrying a dishevelled Hermione up the steps in Malfoy manor. His mother was away, and he could no longer be witness to Hermione's spiralling descent into madness. He would get nothing out of her like that. He had already fed her, and she now sleeping in his arms. That was his reason for his actions, not the feelings that had consumed him in the dungeons or the emotions that had led him to plant a kiss on her forehead. As he laid her on his bed, he asked himself a question. " Could she really change who he was."

*************

            She had bullied her way into the house, despite the pathetic house elves attempts to keep her out. She needed to apologize, to beg for his forgiveness for her outburst. She had kept quiet for so long…… but now from her view downstairs Pansy made up her mind, the moment he saw her kiss her. He would bring him down even if it meant she went with him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

            Ron downed the glass of fire whiskey held in his hand. He grimaced as the burning liquid trickled down his throat, setting his insides on fire. He couldn't stand the drink but it was one that made him temporarily forget his worries, a fact that kept him reaching for the bottle again and again through out the night. He sat back down on the armchair, the comforting glass and bottle being nursed by his hands. He was alone. Harry was still at the office, determined to unravel the mystery of Hermione's sudden disappearance act. Ginny had gone as well. But added to Harry's reason was an extra one, a bonus; she didn't want to see her older brother's plunge into drunkenness and idiocy again. Pouring himself another shot, he unsteadily raised a toast , " to all the fucking death eaters, especially Malfoy, for successfully ruining my life." He mumbled before putting the warm glass once more to his lips. In his mind it was a title well deserved, through the years they had effectively stripped him from those he loved; his parents, Bill, George, Hermione. He raised a toast for each of them. Oh god! How could he forget Percy?! A girly giggle fell from his mouth as he brought his arm up once more. To the now annoying dead git.

Just about to feel the taste of the foul liquid for the tenth time that night, a sharp knock on the door disturbed his celebrations. Startled he dropped the glass from his clumsy hands, it landed with a smash onto the floorboards. The whiskey slowly began to burn a hole through the floor as well as punching holes in the parts of his trousers it had splashed on to. But Ron didn't notice as he inelegantly scrambled for the door. Tripping over the side table, skidding onto the floor. But he finally made it, he could see the solid lock even with his blurry vision. Shaking he began to undo it, his body swaying on unsteady feet, his eyes wide with joy and his lips pulled back into a drunk, happy smile. She was home. His love was home. With a burst of energy he flung the door open..

" Hello Herm…."

But the words died on his lips when he realised it wasn't the comfortable face of Hermione before him, but the beautiful face of Pansy Parkinson.

" What… are… you… doing here?" he stuttered angrily. He desperately searched for his wand in his robes. A death eater in his home, well he would send her where she belongs. Straight to hell! If he ever found his damn wand.

"Where the fuck did I leave it?"

**********

            Pansy watched the incompetent fool tear at his robes, chanting, "Wand, I need my wand," over and over again. The stench of drink wafted from his breath to her nose, which immediately wrinkled in disgust. Why couldn't Potter be here? Why did it have to be the fucking Weasley? Harshly she shoved her way past him, all she needed was to be spotted outside this godforsaken place. He spun with her brush aside, and collapsed in a disgraceful heap on the floor. He leaned heavily on the door, which shut with his weight. Giving up on his search he looked up to her with his pale, gaunt face in defeat.

" What the fuck do you want?" he slurred.

" Just wanted to say that your girlfriend is in Malfoy's bed."

His eyes widened for a second; emotions of joy and hurt running through them simultaneously before they closed, as he passed out at her feet, his head hitting the floor with a dull thump.

                        *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N Had a request ( Spaced out space cadet) to include more Harry and Ron bits, which was a very gud idea!! So there you go- althou admittedly is more Ron. If u've read this please review!! U can call it a xmas present from u to me!!

Don't mind if its mean or nice, a review would be lovely all the same!!!

Have already said Happy xmas and new year but what the heck they're worth another mention so…

HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY XMAS AND NEW YEAR!!!!

Luv cedar1

Big bear hugs to Thalion1, Mesmer, Spaced out space cadet, Elle, Serpent du Feu, Mina-Chan 2 for ure lovely reviews!! Hope u guys have a brill hol!!