I'm back! Sorry it's been taking so long for the updates… I know what I want to happen in the story, but sometimes it's hard to put down on paper…

Thank you to everyone who reviewed… They are a big help and it tells me if it's a good read and if I should continue writing. Thank you again!

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing. J.K. owns all HP related names and characters. The line from Phantom of the Opera doesn't belong to me either. I'm a poor college freshman trying to make it in the real world…Ok… enough of my rambling… here's the next chapter!

The Past Returns

Tears ran down her cheeks as she whispered the song back to the grave. That night she knew she loved him. That night she knew that no matter who stood in their way, she would try and keep them together. She would have never believed it to be possible to have fallen in love with her enemy. But here she stood today, with the weather as horrible as it was, rain falling only slightly, the wind burning her skin, still loving him and willing to relive the memories again and again. All she had left were the memories, until that day when she would be with him again. All she had was the ability to remember.

The carriage ride home was boring and uncomfortable. It would be for a pregnant woman in her ninth month. But she couldn't wait to get home. At home, she would go back in time and visit the Ball, the kisses, the arguments, and the nights that changed their lives forever. Finally, after 45 minutes of bouncing back and forth, the carriage came to a halt in front of Malfoy Manor. Its grand scale put all other wizards and witches mansions to shame. The only other building that could even compare was Harry Potter's own home, which sat but a few miles away from her present location.

"Madame Malfoy, how was your visit today?" The head maid, Cheryl, was prompt in her welcome. She knew of the fragile state her mistress was in and took great care in giving her everything she needed.

"Same as it always is Cheryl. Must you always ask? Now I shall be in my quarters for a few hours and I must not be disturbed. If anyone rings for me, tell them I am unavailable at the moment and will get back to them as soon as I can." With a small smile, Hermione made her way up the grand staircase towards her room.

Closing the door, she leaned up against it for support, her wall crumbling down around her. A flicker of light caught her attention. She looked to her glass cabinet, the silvery liquid of her Pensieve calling to her again. Opening the cabinet quietly, she began to feel the familiar sensation of being lifted off her feet and finally, opening them to a sight that she smiled warmly at. Before her was her room, filled with roses, enchanted to be only temporary, but beautiful just the same. Her young heart was filled with love and adoration for the man who left her the gift, it was only a year ago when this event occurred, yet she felt so many years older.

-

"Oh my," she whispered as the scent of roses filled her senses when she entered. No one had ever done anything to this magnitude for her and she hoped it would never end. There was one that stuck out from the rest, a dark green rose, tied in a black ribbon; the signature sign of the Phantom telling his Christine he was pleased with her performance. Someone was obviously pleased with her.

"Little Lotte, let your mind wonder. What is it that fills your thoughts?" Hermione turned towards the door, finding Draco with his arms crossed, already in his black pajama pants, his white shirt clinging to his form nicely.

"Just wondering what I have done to please you." He smirked as she held up the emerald green rose.

"The list is endless. And can't I do anything out of character? Come, let's go to bed. I'm tired and we've got a long day tomorrow." It was true, final exams were tomorrow but they both knew only a few would take up their time. She cuddled up next to him under her satin comforter as he began to kiss his way down her neck, she shivered slightly as he continued his journey to her breasts, enjoying every moment of his attention.

-

Draco gasped his release, his seed filling her womanhood as she too climaxed. He fell on top of her, his sweaty body stuck to hers as he tried to regulate his breathing. She smiled, kissing his cheek as he rolled off her and pulled her next to him. Her fingers trailed from his neck, down his chest, past his navel and played with the slight trail of hair that led down below his waist. He waited until she was asleep to finally speak to her.

"Tomorrow I will love you, as I do now Hermione. It is not by choice that I have chosen this path." A tear ran down his cheek, he ignored it. "He knew of you, he knew of my feelings. He threatened to take you away from me, from this life and make sure you could never walk this earth again. I told him… I told him I would sacrifice my life, my path to save you. I love you. You are the first who had ever made me feel this way. I wouldn't give you up for the world." He paused to try and control his breathing. "And you must believe me when I say I didn't choose this…" Muttering a slight incantation under his breath, he used wand less magic to reveal a hidden scar on his right arm that bound him to another for eternity.

Suddenly, the brand began to glow and burn with a pain beyond belief. He threw his head back in agony, closing his eyes. Sweat began to appear on his face and he opened his eyes once again, but they weren't their true blue… they were of crimson red.

"Really Hermione. You're finished with all your exams and you're still reading?" Ron, who had still one exam left with Harry, sat down next to her on the bench outside in the sun.

"I enjoy reading Ronald. Maybe you should try it sometime. You could learn a thing or two about many things in life by just reading a book." She continually crossed and uncrossed her legs, a nervous habit she picked up while at school. Both Ron and Harry recognized the new feature and only thought it because of worrying about her grades.

Laughter erupted from an exiting group coming from the castle. Among them were Draco and his group of Slytherins as well. Blaise Zabini had his armed around Parkinson as Crabbe and Goyle followed behind. Draco saw Hermione and immediately smiled. He stopped as he his friends kept going down towards the lake. Harry and Ron, who were talking about their last exam, finally stood, bidding Hermione farewell and leaving.

Ron, who bumped into Malfoy as he went, didn't stop to throw back an insult as Malfoy walked towards the bench.

A shadow crept over the pages of her book as she smirked knowingly at the shoes the man wore. Knowing even his shoes had to look good she looked up to greet him. They had to hide their feelings from everyone for the past few months. It had went by rather quickly and it was now a week before the end of term feast and the graduation ceremony where they would leave the Great Hall for the final time.

"And how was your Divination exam?" Without looking around, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. Startled by his public display, Hermione pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"Excellent. I think you may have some competition for the top spot." He kissed her lightly on the lips, his arms encircling her around her waist under her robes. Many people stopped to stare at the couple, neither one knowing what to say or do. They knew of their friendship, but a love affair? This was entirely new.

"We may both leave the top students. There is always a first time for everything." She put her arm around his hip as they walked together into the castle, all worries forgotten for the meantime...

Just a quick update. Thank you for all your patience guys and I hope to have the next chapter up soon! Until then, keep the reviews coming! Thanks again for all your support!