"I don't really know what happened. I just, felt like I had to do it. I've never felt that way before. I'm sorry." Draco spoke, his eyes on her the entire time.

"So, what you're saying is, it was just lust, hormones, nothing more? I was just to satisfy your sick desires of the moment? IT MENT NOTHING?" Hermione screamed at him, near hysterics. Fire burned in her eyes. 'So she had been used?' She felt anger burn through her veins. 'How could he?'

"I, well, no. I don't think so." he said, lowering his vision to the table top.

"You don't think so?" she questioned, anger still dripping from her mouth.

"No, well, I don't know. I don't hate you anymore, that's for sure. As a matter of fact, I think I may kinda, Oh I don't know, like" A deep crimson started to flood over his features. Never had she seen so much color on him. She felt all the anger be replaced by confusion and, possibly, relief. So he didn't hate her. She waited eagerly for him to finish. But he never did. As he opened his mouth to continue a large majestic black eagle came sweeping through the window. It circled Draco once before dropping its letter. She watched as the great bird left through the window, gliding on the air currents. Draco looked down at his lap, where the letter had come to rest. A look of fear erupted onto his face. He jumped up, letter in hand, and fled from the room. Hermione still sat where he left her, looking after him, looking very confused and dazed, and slightly….happy.

Draco's POV

Draco paused outside the library, leaning against the wall. He caught his breath. He didn't know what he was thinking, running like that. He knew it would draw questions that he just plain didn't want to and couldn't answer. He pushed himself off the wall and started to casually walk back to his dorm. He forced himself to keep his slow, at ease pace even though inside all he wanted to do was run as far away as he could and never look back. He sat down on the couch when he finally made it. With the flick of his wand a roaring fire enveloped the fireplace. He sighed and then shakily opened the letter.

Son,

I've been talking to a reliable source at your pathetic school. That filth

is still ahead of you?! You disappoint me, Draco. I better not hear

anymore of this nonsense about you being bested by a Mudblood. I will

expect a much more satisfying report next time.

Now, I know that you have declared that you will not follow the Dark

One. I am confident that you have matured in your opinion. I will

arrive at Hogwarts at precisely 9 p.m. on the night of Halloween. I

expect you to be waiting for me outside. If for some reason you are not

I will come find you and you will obey me. It is time you put your

loyalties where they belong. The Dark Lord will wait for no one, Draco.

L.M.

Draco stayed, looking at the letter. It was as he feared. He felt the fear be pushed aside by the anger. His father had ruled his life for far to long. He crumpled the letter up in his hand and drew it back. As he started to hurl his hand forward to toss the note into the burning depths of the fire he felt a strong grip on his wrist.

Hermione's POV

Hermione tightened her grip as Draco started to fight, desperate to free himself.

"Draco, stop! Give me the letter!" Surprisingly, at the sound of her voice his hold on the letter weakened, giving her just the chance to pull it from him. As she took it, he dropped his hand into his lap, staring intensely into the dancing flames. She stood behind him, reading over what his father had written.

"Draco, we have to take this to Dumbledore."

He shook his head, "I'm not turning to that lunatic." he growled.

"You have to! He'll know what to do, trust me." she begged him. He shook his head once again, not willing to give up just yet. She grabbed his wrist and tried to pulled him up. Reluctantly he allowed himself to be dragged off the couch and be pulled behind her. She dragged him through the school, not caring that people saw them. They stopped only long enough for Hermione to utter the password so the gargoyle would jump aside. They turned to Dumbledore's office door. Hermione raised her hand to knock, Draco loudly protesting beside her. Just before her hand came crashing down upon the wood the door flew open.

"Hermione, Draco, I've been expecting you." Hermione looked on in awe at the fact that he had known they were there, before she even knocked. Dumbledore ushered them into his office.

"Please, have a seat. Lemon drop?" he held out his tin to the both of them.

"No, thank you, Headmaster." Hermione answered as Draco scoffed. She sent him a warning glance. Dumbledore caught sight of it and his smile increased as the two young teenagers turned back to him.

"So, what, may I ask, are the headboy and girl doing in my office?" he asked, trying to look as clueless as possible. Hermione turned to Draco.

"Draco has something he needs to tell you." Draco turned his head so fast that Dumbledore couldn't help but to laugh. Draco sent Hermione the most hate filled glare he could manage.

"I have nothing to say." he spat.

Hermione sighed, "Why do you have to be so difficult?" Dumbledore gave a knowing smile as the fight broke out before him.

"I am not difficult! I told you I didn't want to come but, no! You had to drag me through the whole bloody school!"

"But, he'll help!"

"Sorry to interrupt, but, I'll help with what?" Hermione turned back to the professor, embarrassed.

"Oh, I'm sorry professor." she cast one last mad glance Draco's way before pulling out a piece of parchment. Draco looked on in horror as he realized that she still had the letter. She handed it to Dumbledore who took it. He studied it for several moments, then looked up at the two, a confused expression covering the twinkle in his eyes.

"So, your father has called on you, Draco. I figured it to happen soon. But why have you brought this to me? Most death eaters would not announce their initiation."

"I am not a death eater and I will not follow him!" Draco yelled out in rage. An unspoken understanding went between the headmaster and Draco.

"I see. Why can you not simply deny him? You can stay protected here at Hogwarts. You'd never have to step foot in his path again. He can not harm you here."

Draco grew solemn before replying. A deep pain visible in his eyes. "He will go after my mother when he can't reach me."

Dumbledore nodded. "I will write to her and send someone after her if she so wishes. Now, don't worry. Remember, he can't hurt you here." Draco looked to the floor, doubt clearly written on his face.

"Thank you, sir." Hermione and Draco stood and left. They walked in silence to their dorm.

The next morning Hermione woke to find Draco already gone. She walked to the kitchen, not wanting to see Harry and Ron just yet. She got her breakfast from the hesitant house elves, all fearing that she had come to set them free with another attempt of S.P.E.W. After she finished eating alone she headed out for the Gryffindor common room for the Saturday. She walked through the portrait hole to meet the eyes of non other than Harry and Ron. Ron was, unsurprisingly glaring at her. Harry, however, looked indifferent to her appearance. It was almost as if he didn't even see her. She sent him a worried look which immediately angered Ron. They both stood and marched off into the boys' dorm room. She sighed, clearly distressed. It was then that she saw Ginny, sitting on the couch with her nose in the latest Quidditch magazine. She hesitantly walked over, fearing that she too would not talk to her. Her fear vanished as Ginny looked up, a warm smile greeting her.

"Hey! I haven't heard from you in a while. What's up?" Ginny called from her seat.

"Oh, nothing much, Ginny. How are things with you?"

"Great! I just can't wait for the first game of the year to begin!"

Hermione gave a weak laugh. "You're just like your brother when it comes to Quidditch." Ginny looked up at Hermione again, a thoughtful look on her face.

"What's going on with you and him? I never see you three together anymore, it's always just Harry and Ron." Hermione's face clouded over.

"Oh, um, well you see… do you think we can go somewhere more, private?" A worried look crossed Ginny's face.

"Of course, let's go to my room." She stood up and guided Hermione over to the girl's dormitory. She lead them over to her bed and they both took a seat. She pulled the curtain closed and spelled them so that no one could hear them or pull back the curtain and disturb them. Ginny met Hermione's eyes, worry still clear. "What's going on, Hermione?"

"I'm afraid I made Ron and Harry mad and I don't know how to fix it."

"I noticed he seemed out of sorts lately. What did you do to him?"

"I, well, he walked in on me kissing someone." Hermione took on a light pink color as Ginny watched her, clearly more interested now.

"Oh, who was it?!" she excitedly asked.

"Oh, um, Dr..er…Malfoy" Hermione said, barely audible. Ginny gasped.

"What, what did he do to you? That sick bastard. I bet he used a potion. Why I,"

"NO! I mean, no, he didn't do anything like that."

"Then, why? Tell me you didn't just let him." Ginny said, disgust dripping from her words.

"I, Ginny, he's really different when you get to know him. He's not always calling me names anymore and he's really, well, nice." Ginny looked at Hermione like she had gone mad.

"How can you just forget about everything he's ever done to you?"

"He was just confused and misunderstood. Really, Ginny. I like him." Hermione was now bright red as Ginny's mouth hung open.

"You, you like, Malfoy? That insufferable git! Have you lost your mind, Hermione?!" Ginny near screamed. Hermione had never been so thankful for the silencing charms as she was right then. "Ok, let me get this straight. You, Hermione Granger, muggleborn, kissed and like Draco Malfoy, future death eater if he's not one already, who's father would give anything to see you and every other person like you dead. That makes perfect sense." Ginny sighed sarcastically.

"He, he's not like his father. He's on our side. Trust me, if you got to know the real Draco, you'd understand." Hermione pleaded. Ginny just shook her head and sighed.

"You're right I don't understand why but as long as you don't get yourself hurt, I guess I can try."

"Oh, thank you, Ginny! You're the best. Now if I can just get your brother to see." Her vision clouded over as she thought about her two best friends again. As she felt her eyes start to water Ginny moved closer to her side and put a reassuring arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sure he'll come around, Mione. Don't worry. I'll talk to him." Hermione nodded, not sure if she could say anything. They sat together like that long enough for Hermione to recompose herself. Ginny waved the charms away with her wand now that they were no longer needed. A young third year came rushing through the door. She paused at the end of Ginny's bed, panting to get her breath.

"There's a boy waiting outside the Fat Lady. He says he needs to talk to Hermione." She nodded and then stood up to follow the young girl. She turned one last time to Ginny.

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'm always here for you, Mione." she turned and walked out after the third year. She hurried out to the Gryffindor common room. The little third year quickly shuffled away to meet back up with a group of her friends, eager to join in on the laughing and games. Hermione felt the rush of emotion come back. She longed for those times to come again between her and Ron and Harry. She hoped Ginny was right, she didn't know what she would do if they never forgave her. She made her way over to the portrait. Her mind played over who could be waiting for her on the other side. Only one name came to mind, but why would he be there? Her brow creased in confusion as she went to open the entrance. She half hoped that it was whom she suspected. As the portrait swung open it revealed whom she had assumed it to be. He was pacing the floor, looking very impatient. He looked up as she called his name.

"Draco?"

AN there ya go... my latest chappie! yay... i think. sry it took so long to post, my computer keeps trying to crash :S its a lil longer, not much but i thought that was a good place to stop :D sry! i should hav the next chap up soon as long as my com doesn't freak out. thx for all the reviews! they really really mean alot to me! its nice to know that not everyone thinks i suck as bad i think i do. please review! THX!