Chapter 12

A/N: Im sooooo sorry bout the last chap…. Until I posted it I had no idea it was so short… anyways so to make up for it this chap is going to be longer than the usual… Oh and I was wondering if anyone had any good names for me to use as a sn on aol. I'm running out of ideas.

Hermione looked in the same direction as he stepped into the darkness behind her. She didn't know what to say or whether it would be a good idea for Draco to hear bout this. What was she supposed to say to him? Could she really tell him without thinking it was his father instead…? Everything didn't make sense and she didn't have a clue what was going on anymore. And for once she didn't feel like sleeping anymore the only to do was to go and curl up with a good book and hope for the best.

She walked down to the common room seeing that Harry and Ron had already retreated to their dorms. She grabbed a blanket and draped it around her legs, finding a good book, she settled down next to the fire. After reading only a few pages Hermione figured out that what she was doing was not helping her at all. She glanced at the clock seeing it was only about eight o'clock, she decided to go and see if she could find Draco in the library or just something else to read.

She approached the library doors, walking through to find the librarian not at her usual place. Didn't surprise Hermione. She was probably putting books up or something of the sort. She saw Draco stationed at one of the large tables, his feet propped up, a look of confusion on his face.

"Hermione what are you doing here? Thought you would be in bed already. You are the perfect one after all." Draco asked her as she came towards her. He wondered what was really wrong with her. She didn't look all right and from a faint glimpse of her neck he knew why. "What happened? Why do you have fingerprints on your neck? If it was Weasel or Potter they'll be dead before morning comes."

She couldn't look him in the eye. He looked too much like his father and what he had said had started to trouble her more than ever. She would never come to such a bastard! Why couldn't she just say that to Lucius? Why did it have to be so hard? She could just tell Draco what he did. He would protect her…. Right? Of course, he would! She would just have to remember that.

"Your father… came in my dorm… attacked me, told me I wasn't allowed to touch a Malfoy… told me he would kill me if I caused problems for you to become a Death Eater." Hermione breathed out, unable to think of what else to say. Too many things had happened in only a short amount of time.

"Hermione don't listen to him. Don't you ever listen to him! You got that? He will never touch you again and it hurts to know that he did that to you. I should have been there, but I wasn't. I'm so sorry." He brought her to him, wrapping his arms tight around her. It really did hurt him to know that his own father came to her dorm and attacked her completely unnoticed. But his father will always have his ways and that was all there all to it.

The next day finished off slowly. It consisted of the usual breakfast, lunch, classes, and more classes. Draco had stood near her somewhat during the day. Making sure no one laid a finger on her. Things changed for Draco somehow. He seemed a LOT more protective of Hermione. He really was starting to get jealous of how Ron and Harry were always around her, but they were her best friends. So he would have to live with it. She would occasionally look at Draco, but only for a moment. She didn't want to get caught by Ron again. That would be the end of the whole secret.

Draco longed to spend more time with her that day. He was sad that he couldn't even get the chance to even say hi. Even if it was a little thing to him just saying that meant so much more. Well he actually had no idea what else to say to her. He couldn't talk to her anymore without seeing the pain in her eyes from what he did and what his father did to her. Why did it have to be so hard to just live? Everyone had their reasons to hate someone, but why couldn't anyone just forget about those reasons. Only if it was for a little while, it would make everything so much better for the both of them. He longed to tell her what he really thought. He was starting to feel things toward her he never felt before. Even a quick glance from her made him smile with joy. And why shouldn't he? Just telling her the truth might kill him.

The trio walked down the hallway to go to dinner like everything was normal. Course to them it was normal. To her it was just a chance to see Draco again and this time she might even glance a little longer than usual just to savor the moment. When do you really get the chance to enjoy life without so much screaming, and crying? Hermione had the chance to be happy even if it was for a little bit. Draco told her not to listen to his father and she wouldn't. They might have only a little bit of time to enjoy everything the world holds, but it was enough for her now. If nothing happened over the next couple of days it would surely be a miracle to her.

She carried some books in with her just to have something to do while the boys finished their food, if they ever finish. She only nibbled on a piece of bread, while trying to figure out what to put on her potion's essay.

"Hey Hermione why don't you take a break from all that work and actually eat something for once." Ron looked at her oddly like she had lost her mind. It was natural for Hermione to do homework instead of eating, but she hadn't really eaten in a long time and he was starting to worry.

"Too busy… I'll eat later don't worry." She told him calmly shoving a croissant in her mouth to reassure Ron. Harry hadn't said a word, but she didn't think it was abnormal for him to be quiet. She a look over at Draco, nodding her head to the side towards the door to say she was leaving. Harry thought she lost her mind seeing Hermione do this with a croissant hanging out of her mouth.

She then got up to leave, looking back to see Ron and Harry still stuffing their mouths. Draco had also got up seeing her nod toward the door. She stood outside the doors waiting for Draco to finally arrive. She was munching on what was left of the croissant when he came out.

"Well aren't you a little happy today?" He asked waiting her finish the last bit.

"You should be too! Nothing bad has happened and I don't intend to see anything bad happen in the next few days. Do you? I hope not." She asked looking at him like he was just asking for something bad to happen.

"No I don't think anything bad is going to happen. Hermione lets got back to the library I have something to tell you." Before she could say anything he grabbed her hands running off towards the library.

When they reached it they both sat down a table off to the far right corner. She placed her hands in her in her lap, leaning back into the chair. She was about to close her eyes to fall asleep when Draco first spoke before she could.

"I love you."