A/N: Okay, I got a lot of reviews saying how short the last chap was, and don't worry it probably won't happen again! And also to Ice Butterfly I don't really know all that much about eating disorders if that's what I was talking about but anyway thanks for the input! Oh yeah and someone questioned why Hermione hugged Draco and it was supposed to be right after he said "I wouldn't be able to forget." Sorry I didn't make that clearer! Oh yes, also, a lot of people said they cried at parts of my story! Geez that was so cool to hear!! Thanks to all of you that said that!!!

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11.

"Hey dad

I'm writing to you

Not to tell you that I still hate you

Just to ask you how you feel?

And how this fell apart?

How we fell apart?"

-Good Charlotte, "Emotionless"

Hermione sat alone on her bed later that day, writing to her father, whom she had not spoken to since the end of July, and it was nearing November. She didn't tell him about Draco. Instead, she told him Dumbledore was helping her instead.

Dear Father,

I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you in so long. I needed some time to get some things straight, and I believe Dumbledore helped me do that. I'm willing to talk to you now, correction, I need to talk to you. I need help with everything that has happened. I think talking to you would be best.
Please owl me back and tell me whether or not you want me to come home for Christmas Break. I would love to come and see you.

Your loving daughter,
Hermione

"Tell the truth, but tell it slant."
That was from one of Emily Dickinson's. She was one of Hermione's favorite Muggle poets. Hermione folded up the letter, and was about to walk up to the Owlery when Harry, Ron, and Neville burst in.
"Haven't I told you once before not to barge into the Girls' Dormitory?" said Hermione. "I could be naked."
"What is going on, Hermione?" asked Ron.
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione, surprised.
"You and Malfoy," said Harry. "What's going on there?"
"What about me and Malfoy?"
"We saw you down by the Lake," said Neville.
"You were holding hands," said Ron.
"It looks like you two are together," said Harry.
Hermione laughed. "I guarantee all three of you that Malfoy and I are not together. He's just helping me sort some things out, okay?"
"You've got us to help you do that!" exclaimed Harry.
"Why do you have to go running to Draco Malfoy?" asked Ron.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know... it just seems like... he understands me."
"We understand you too, Hermione," said Neville.
"Yeah, you can talk to us," said Harry.
"Thanks you guys, really," said Hermione. "But don't worry about me and Malfoy. He's just helping me and that's all there is to it. You know, he's not as bad as you three think."
Harry sighed. "All right, Hermione."
Then, Harry, Ron, and Neville turned and left. Hermione then started to go to the Owlery.

At lunch, Draco didn't like sitting by any of his brainless friends, but somehow, they all flow to where he is. Pansy sat next to him, trying to rub her leg against the inside of his. Millicent sat across from him, smirking at Pansy. Crabbe sat on the other side of Draco, and Goyle sat on one side of Millicent. Marcus Flint sat on the other side of Millicent. Draco glared at him as he sat down. Draco had to keep himself from leaping across the table and strangling the bastard.
"Man have I got a story for you five," said Marcus.
"What did you do this time?" asked Millicent with a sigh.
"Guess who popped the Mudblood Golden Girl's cherry?" Marcus asked with a grin.
Everyone dropped their silverware and gaped at him. Draco just continued to stare.
"Potter?" asked Crabbe.
"Weasley?" asked Millicent.
Marcus shook his head. "No you imbeciles, try our house."
After a couple seconds, Marcus said with a huge grin, "Me."
The other four gasped. Draco continued to stare, and the anger was welling up inside of him.
"Like she'd have sex with you!" said Millicent, rolling her eyes.
"Like it was consensual!" exclaimed Marcus.
"Oh Merlin, you raped her?!" whispered Goyle.
Marcus just smirked and looked down at his food. In anger, Draco slammed his silverware on the table and stood up. That got the attention of the other five, and others. He pointed a finger at Marcus.
"Don't you dare touch her again, you slimy piece of shit!" he exclaimed.
"What the hell's the matter with you?" asked Pansy. "Sit down."
Pansy tugged on his shirt, but he slapped her hand away.
"If you ever touch her again," Draco said, "you better keep one eye open while you sleep because I guarantee I'll kill you."
With that, Draco left his brainless "friends" and went down to his Common Room.