Author's Note:

'This is a contest entry for the Dracolov challenge! If you would like to enter you must e-mail Dracolov, her e-mail is in her profile. The last day to enter is 12/1/04. Please R & R (read and review) and thank you for reading my story.

Disclaimer:

I don't own any of the original Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish I was... I only own the plot and my characters.

Chapter 7: Who Made Who

"Did you miss me?" asked the unceremonious voice.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione questioned in disbelief.

"Checking up on you, and I must say that I am surprised by you, Hermione. How could you do something like this?" he shot back at her.

"I was deceived and lied to, and I need to know why," she asserted.

"You don't understand what or who you're dealing with, and I fear that you have compromised your position and assignment. And for what? Or is it who?" he wondered.

"For what is right, Harry. Don't you remember what it felt like when no one believed you about Voldemort but us? Do you really want to do that to someone else?"

"You will never convince me that he's not involved in this. Not that it matters, because after I tell Arthur about this, you will be off this case immediately," Harry acquiesced.

"Don't do this. I never betrayed your friendship and I trusted your judgement for all these years. Can't you do the same for me now?" she implored.

"We're not kids anymore, Hermione, and I think you're wrong. I have to do what I believe is right. I'm sorry, I really am," he stood there, unwavering in his position.

"Have it your way, then. I will resign and do this without you or the Ministry if I have to," she said defiantly.

"Why are you willing to jeopardize everything for him?" He just couldn't understand why she was acting this way. Could she really have fallen for him?

"I believe that I helped to falsely condemn him in the first place and now it's time to find the truth and make amends. Are you so blinded by hate for him that you can't allow the prospect of his innocence even grace your consideration?" she nipped at him. This was one of her oldest and dearest friends, standing before her and threatening her without batting an eyelash. Unbelievable.

"I can't turn my back on the Ministry or Arthur. As I said, I'm sorry."

"So am I. Consider this our final words. Goodbye, hypocrite." She scathed him with her words while turning on her heel and walking away. She was now all alone on this. How far can one fall before hitting the ground, she wondered. She hoped that in the end she would be found right and all would correct itself, but right now all she knew was how Draco must have felt all those years ago. Now, in a strange twist of fate, he would be her only salvation from the isolation.

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The altercation with Harry had left Hermione feeling battered and bruised emotionally. To make matters worse, she still had to go by Draco's and update him on her meeting with Sapphire. How could things have gotten so out of control so quickly? She examined what she knew of the events leading up to this point, only to find the anger raging inside her once more. All she really understood at this moment was that she knew exactly where Draco was coming from and found herself ashamed to have been associated with an organization that treated people so unfairly for so long.

She now stood outside his room and was about ready to knock on the door when she was hit by the impulse to run back to Harry so she could get back her less complicated life. The easy life with all her friends and the job she loved, but in a matter of minutes, she'd just given it all up for the principle of doing what was right. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her courage and sense of right and wrong back to its core and knocked on his door.

Draco opened the door and motioned for her to come in without pretense until he noticed the defeated look on her face. Suddenly, he was scared that her meeting hadn't gone well, leaving them to investigate totally on their own.

"Did everything go ok? You don't look so good." He looked worried.

"Oh yes, she's going to look into it for me, but something else happened after she left, and it shook me up a bit."

"What could possibly have happened to unnerve the rock that is Hermione Granger?" he asked sarcastically, then a terrible thought crossed his mind. "Please tell me that it wasn't Flint or one of his crew."

"No, it was Harry."

"Why would that upset you?"

"He said some very awful things to me and I sort of started to stick up for you when it all took a really nasty turn. I think that I pretty much just quit my job and lost one of my best friends." Saying the words out loud made it all sink into her, causing her to completely break down from the weight of it all.

What? She took my side against him? This is all working out better than I could have imagined, he thought at first, but as he watched her cry, it wasn't as satisfying as he had hoped it would be. I have just become everything that I hated about my father and more, he realized and hung his head in shame.

"I'm truly sorry, Hermione. Is there anything I can do?" he asked sincerely – and meant it for the first time in his young life.

"I just want you to know that I finally understand exactly what we all put you through and I am truly sorry for it all. I have never felt so betrayed or alone in my entire life, and I'm ashamed at the thought that I did this to another human being. Can you accept my apology?" she looked up at him with saddest eyes he'd ever seen. Her eyes displayed every emotion with such clarity and honesty that Draco wanted nothing more than to make her smile.

"Of course you're not alone. You have me and I won't let you down," he cooed. Did I really just coo? He chastised himself for sounding so lame.

"Really?" She turned to face him and caught sight of what he really looked like. He was handsome and vulnerable without that stupid smirk on his face. Without warning, she stood up and walked over to him until she was just inches from his supple lips. Oh Merlin, what I wouldn't give for just one taste of those lips, she thought before she could catch herself. Closer and closer she leaned in until she could feel his breath on her own lips. Just an inch more...

----------------------

Draco was frozen to the spot that he now stood on. She was drawing closer to him, but he couldn't imagine why she would... oh no, she wouldn't – or would she? Sure, I'm gorgeous, sexy and plumb irresistible, but he couldn't have traumatized her that much, could he? But there she was, inching nearer and nearer, but he was of two minds about how to handle this. Yes, he thought she was attractive, but she was supposed to be a pawn, not a love interest. Then again, this would strengthen her bond to him and his cause, yet he was having second thoughts… or was it something more?

With her lips just a centimeter from his own, Draco found his voice and spoke softly to her.

"Hermione, would you like to do something to take your mind off of what happened earlier?" he offered, hoping to buy himself some time to work out these new feelings that he was having before things went too far.

"I was under the impression that's what I was doing," she replied moving even closer still.

"I was thinking something more like dinner, movie or maybe going to a club..." he started to suggest, but was cut off as her lips made contact with his.

The room began to spin under the weight of her body pressed against his in the middle of the suite. A mere man himself, Draco's resolve gave way to the desire that was pulsing through his body. He placed his hands firmly on her waist as he slowly began to deepen the kiss. Pure heaven is what this was for the both of them, and it was undeniable with the electricity running through the air. Neither of them had ever experienced a touch or kiss with this much intensity to it, and when Hermione finally pulled away, they both just stood there, stunned.

"I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have attacked you like that, but something just came over me and I had to know," she apologized. Draco was utterly speechless and not just from the kiss. Every impression or preconceived notion that he'd ever had about her had just been blown out of the water and now he felt like a Chinese thumb trap, pulled in two directions but stuck in the middle.

"I... ah... well..." He couldn't organize his thoughts or feelings well enough to string together a single coherent statement to save his life.

"I think that I should go. I'm sorry again," she yelped then turned to leave when he grabbed her wrist and spun her back around to meet his lips again. Maybe he couldn't speak, but he could still move and, in spite of his confusion of what to say, he knew he didn't want her to leave.

Hermione would have sworn that she heard alarms going off from the heat between the two and fire kindling in her belly but that was perfectly ok with her. All she could do was follow his lead as he pulled her to the bedroom and all rhyme and reason was thrown to the wayside. On her way to the hotel, she knew that she understood how she'd hurt him in the past, but now she had a rare opportunity to find out what it would feel like to make up for it.

Once they hit the bed, Draco was no longer concerned with revenge or any other childhood indescretions on either of their parts. His only thought was a gigantic "Thank you, Potter, for being such a wanker!!". This may not have been what he intended, but it was one hell of a turn of events, and he wasn't inclined to disrupt it.

Oddly, Hermione was also secretly thanking Harry for opening her eyes to opportunity that lay at her feet. She never would have believed this possible, but with the feel of his body so close to hers, she no longer cared about the sanity of it. Merlin's beard, Dumbledore was right again. How does that man do it? Then again, who cares, she thought as Draco made his move to remove her shirt...

----------------------

His mind was racing while his hands roamed up to the buttons on her shirt. Would she go through with it, or would he be denied of the prize? One button, two buttons, but on the third button she put her hands up to impede his progress.

"I don't know if we should do this. We should be working on finding out who is behind all this stuff with the Priory, not pleasuring ourselves. Besides, I know why I want to do this, but why are you?" She looked straight at him and he turned away before she could see the answer.

"You came on to me and I'm a man. What more can I say?" he mumbled nervously.

"But I was going to leave and you stopped me. That's how we ended up here, remember?" She sat up and looked back at him with the same disdain as had at school. Good one, Draco, he thought to himself, while trying to think of the way out of this.

"It's complicated," was all he could come up with.

"Everything is, but I've put my entire career and life on the line for you and this. Do you think you could actually be honest with me?" she insisted.

"If I tell you, you won't like it, even though it's all very understandable."

"Just spill it. I'm not leaving until you do," she threatened.

"Promise?" He teased her only to see that she was now tapping her foot in frustration.

"Fine. I planned to use you in a revenge plot that I foolishly held on to since school, but after our dinner together it started to change. I can't really explain it, but I began to think of something more and I fought it mercilessly until tonight. When you came in and told me what you'd done and said to one of your closest friends, I began to think that maybe what I felt in the club was more than just an opportunity presenting itself. Are you angry?" he asked.

"What kind of revenge plot?" She pushed the issue farther.

"One that would break up the Golden Trio."

"Oh, I see. Are you sure the feeling that you were having, when I told the story about Harry, wasn't elation?"

"Yes. You're the only one who's stood up for me and that means something."

"That is does, it means that you won." she spat at him before turning to leave the room. He called out for her to stop but she only quickened her pace and was gone with a pop into the darkness.

Now what do I do? I can't let go of the one person who was actually on my side, but I don't think that she would agree to see me right now. That was when a movie that he'd seen on a date came into his mind. It was rather over the top in the romantic department but it just may work. But first he would have to a little shopping in London to get just the right things...

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Hermione apparated home to a pitch black, silent home that screamed of the loneliness that was filling her soul at the moment. This had been her first attempt at intimacy since Ron and look how it had ended. She must have looked so desperate, like easy pickings to him. How could I have been so stupid after all these years?

She ran herself a nice hot bath with bubbles and scented oils to try and soothe her wounded ego. After running to the kitchen for a drink, she lit some candles and turned on her radio to the light station since she was a glutton for punishment when it came to the pity department right now. Soaking in the water and the drink, she hummed along to the songs and let her mind drift with the memories of the night's sights, sounds, and touches.

I wanted to be like you
I wanted everything
So I tried to be like you
And I got swept away

Wearily she sang along with the song paying little attention to the words at first...

I didn't know that it was so cold
And you needed someone
to show you the way
So I took your hand and we figured out
That when the tide comes
I'd take you away

Yes, he needed someone to show him how to act, love and care for someone other than himself.

If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares

If he just would have let her help him then she could have saved all this... Wait, is that what he did?

I'm sinking slowly
So hurry hold me
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone

Oh my, was that my chance to break through to the real Draco? Beyond all the smoke and mirrors that he put up to deter people from getting too close?

If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares

Did I just mess everything up? Would he still let me help if I went back? She was almost in a full panic now from the revelation...

All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me you know I'll be there
Oh, yeah

"Yes, I will be there!" she shouted as she jumped out of the tub and began to dress frantically.

If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
was somebody who cares

Once she was finally dressed, she popped into the hotel just outside the door to his room and knocked furiously on it. There was no answer. "Alohamora," she said and opened the door, but he wasn't there. The last verse of the song resonating in her ears...

Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone

Heartbroken, she Apparated back to her house to sulk in her misery, but was surprised when she walked out of her kitchen and into the living room...

(A/N: The song was All You Wanted by Michelle Branch)

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Having watched the old Muggle movie several years back while dating this neurotic girl who had a fascination with what she called "chick flicks", he was introduced to the movie "Say Anything". In this movie, the lead male character wanted to seduce the lead female character with a lot of sentimental garbage, but none of that had worked because the woman was far too intelligent for it. That is, until the guy, I believe his name was John Cusack, came up with his most brilliant plan of all and Draco was about to do his own take of it.

He had apparated to her home, only to find that she was not there, so he began to set up everything as a surprise and hoped that she may forgive him for his misguided intentions. Hoping that she would arrive through the front door or the kitchen, he disengaged the light fixtures and set a trail of candles and rose petals leading to her living room, which was at the end of a long hallway running the length of the house. The living room was encased in candles and roses, and tiger lilies overflowed from the room. Draco hadn't wanted to follow the movie exactly since she had probably seen it at some point.

Standing in front of the television with a CD player at his side, he waited for the moment that she would return home for his idea of sweeping her off her feet. He had painstakingly listened to all sorts of Muggle music in order to pick out just the right song to woo her into submission. Knowing that just about every man, Muggle or wizard, in the world would choose some sappy love song, he decided on a slightly different approach and was going out of his mind with anticipation to see her reaction.

Finally, after almost two hours, she returned and as he heard the all too familiar pop that denoted she had Apparated to the house. He hit play on the CD player, then waited for her to find him standing there, looking properly apologetic. In the distance, she heard the music and saw the candles and trail of roses showing her the way to the mastermind of this illusion.

It's alright / to tell me / what you think / about me
I won't try / to argue / or hold it / against you
I know that / you're leaving / you must have / your reasons
the season / is calling / and your pictures / are falling down

Odd choice for a romantic rendezvous, she thought to herself, but then considered whom the creator of this scenario was and determined that it was actually quite appropriate. She concentrated her efforts on the words of the all too recognizable song, along with finding her way to object of her obsession. Oops, she corrected herself, affection...

The steps that / I retrace / the sad look / on your face
the timing / and structure / did you hear / he fucked her?
a day late / a buck short / I'm writing / the report
on losing / and failing / when I move / I'm flailing now

She reached the living room with tears in her eyes and a broad smile on her lips. He thought that he lost me. Oh, how wrong he was, but an evil thought crossed her mind. This may be her only chance to make him sweat and she wasn't going to pass it up...

And it's happened once again
I'll turn to a friend
someone that understands
sees through the master plan

But of course, how could anyone forget that lovely and humiliating master plan, she fumed at the mere thought of it....

But everybody's gone
and I've been here for too long
to face this on my own
well I guess this is growing up
well I guess this is growing up

Everyone was gone...for both of them, but that was how he wanted it, wasn't it? Could he really have changed his mind only to have it backfire in the end?

And maybe / I'll see you / at a movie / sneak preview
you'll show up / and walk by / on the arm / of that guy
and I'll smile / and you'll wave / we'll pretend / it's okay
the charade / it won't last / when he's gone / I won't come back

Now, what is that supposed to mean? Is he saying that it's over before it even really began? She looked at him quizzically, and he just smiled, knowing that the wheels in her head were turning in desperation to find the meaning. The funny part was that it really didn't mean anything, unless of course she turned him away, and then it would the prophecy of her mistake.

And it'll happen once again
you'll turn to a friend
someone that understands
and sees through the master plan

There's that damn master plan again. Is he toying with me, she wondered, just wanting to string me along a little further before dropping the final bomb?

Nope, you're overthinking that one, Granger...

Did she just hear that? She knew that he hadn't said it as she hadn't taken her eyes off him since arriving at the doorway to the room.

So...

Yep...

But...

Right again...

No...

But everybody's gone
and you've been there for too long
to face this on your own
well I guess this is growing up

Well, I guess this is growing up
well, I guess this is growing up
well, I guess this is growing up
well, I guess this is growing up
well, I guess this is growing up

(A/N: The song is Dammit by Blink 182)

Merlin, this man is full of surprises...

You can say or shall we say think that again...

Stop that, it's creepy... and get out of my head...

To late, I already saw it...

Was nothing sacred anymore?

With the music stopped and the desire to get him out of her head, Hermione spoke to him directly. "How long have you been doing that?"

"Just now was the first time," he smiled.

"But why now?" she questioned.

"I had to have a connection to you. When you said that you finally understood what it had been like for me all those years ago, it established the necessary connection. But that's not why I'm here. I didn't want to hurt you anymore. What you said tonight changed everything. You were no longer the enemy, and I wanted a chance to make you understand that," he explained warmly.

"All this time, all you really wanted was someone who cared. Am I right?"

"Well, not that I was aware of until you said what you did. Once the words were said, I felt as though some of the weight had been lifted just from that small revelation, and that's what I was trying to tell you, but you left." Giving in, he strolled over to her and took her hands in his before going on. "You were right, with all that has happened with the Priory, not to mention what you are willing to risk for me. I accepted the fact that I am too old to hold on to those grudges. Help me to be the man I was meant to be before all of this, please."

"I will if you can answer one question for me," she compromised.

"Anything."

"Who made who?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did Voldemort make you who you were or did the Ministry?" she attempted to clarify.

"Truthfully? My father showed me the way, but I was the one who ultimately choose poorly," he confessed.

"Thank you for the truth and yes, I will help you find the way out of this and back to where you belong." Leaning down in slow motion, or so it seemed, he kissed her gently on the lips, feeling the barriers begin to fall away. This could very well be the beginning of the end, but what end was the true question...

Author's Notes:

Thanks to the new readers Harrena Potter, darktwistedpoet and heartbreaker4life...

darktwisted... Tara's character is very complicated and may be more than she appears... we will learn more in the next chappie about her...

heartbreaker... This fanfic is first attempt at perceived puzzle to lead you all on a journey where you have to ride the roller coaster with Hermione and Draco to determine who is the real bad guy or guys and why...

Also a special thanks to dracolov for devising this contest so that I may entertain myself in new and twisted ways... please remember to read and review as this is necessary for the contest...