Synposis: Last chapter, Hermione and Narcissa had a little heart to heart, turns out she was buddies with good ol Lily Potter! Draco is still out cold (sadness). Where we left off, Narcissa had just left the room

Disclaimer: JKR/WB/a bunch of other lucky schmucks own this stuff

A/N: lol, no Draco's not secretely awake and eavesdropping... More A/N at the end, of course!

Hermione sat on the bed next to Draco's, still and quiet for a half hour, her mind blank. She suddenly had the overwhelming urge to just talk at him.

"You know, Malfoy, you really piss me off, you know that? Now I don't even know what to think.. Your sister's quite cute, makes me wonder what you were like when you were a kid," she laughed, "probably terrorizing your butlers or whatever you rich wizards have along those lines. And your mum is just lovely, too, she really depends on you, you know that?" Hermione sat and thought for another few moments. "And how can I do this project if you're going to be in whatever state this is, for the next three weeks! Not that I can't handle it myself, of course, I haven't gotten this far academically by teamwork.. why am I even bothering, you're not awake to hear me pat myself on the back. But, really, now I've only got Ron. Harry's, well, you know, my boyfriend now, and I can't really depend on him for friendly encouragement, and you, well, I never told you this, but a big part of the reason I've worked so hard is to prove that I could beat you. Even up until a few hours ago, I just wanted to beat you. God, even being with Harry, I mean, of course I like Harry, of course, there's no doubt about that, none at all, but even that was partially directed at you. Really, everything the three of us, Ron, Harry, and I, have done well, or gotten away with, it's always 'Ha! That'll show Malfoy' and here you are now. And here I am, spilling my guts to a practically comatose person who I hate. That's right, I bloody well hate you Malfoy. You know what I hate more? That you're not awake to fight back, and it's my fault." Hermione broke down, and began weeping unabashedly into her hands. "Fuck you, Malfoy, it's all my damn fault. I just had to go with Harry." Hermione rubbed her eyes, clearing her throat, "NOT, mind you, that I didn't want to go with Harry."

"You sure about that?" Another voice came form behind her.

"Ron!" she gasped, "How did you know I was in here?"

"I was using the Marauder's Map to look for Ginny, and I saw you up here with Malfoy." Ron cleared his throat, and gazed at the floor. "I, uh, also saw Mrs. Malfoy, a dot that said 'Lily Malfoy,' and my mum. So I know something really wrong. They don't call her unless it's bad, Mione, really bad.

"No, he's going to be ok, Ron, he just needs some blood from Lily, that's his sister."

"Mione, my mum's field is mortal hexes..and, from what she tells me, there's never a lot she can do..ever." Ron couldn't lift his eyes to meet Hermione's.

"But, no, you don't understand, Ron. It's only because he's lost a lot of blood. Muggles do this stuff all the time!" Hermione was staring at him desperately.

"Mione, whatever his problem is, it's not just like some Muggle illness. Will you, um, tell me what it is?"

Hermione sighed, "He gouged what was to become the Dark Mark out of his arm. It's been bleeding on and off since school began. But you must'nt tell anyone, Ron."

"I know, Hermione. But, I thought you couldn't do anything to take it away?"

"I don't know. He just says the wound keeps opening back up, I always thought it was just because it wasn't healing properly, but now.."

"You think it might be from Dark Magic." Ron finished.

"I mean, I never even stopped to think. How could I be SO stupid? Of COURSE Voldemort is still after Draco." Hermione looked at Ron with the saddest eyes he'd ever seen. "Ron," she whispered, "I feel so helpless, I can't do anything to help him! Nothing at all! I've never felt so out of control in my life!" Hermione suddenly jumped up and began pacing hysterically around the room.

"Mione, please, come sit down."

"No, Ron! I can't! I can not do anything, I'm worthless! I can always do something to help, always! I know hundreds upon hundreds of spells and charms and potions! I can read ancient wizarding symbols and speak French! I can do long division in my head, I can name almost every national capital in the world! I was the spelling bee champion in grammar school for Merlin's sake! But I can't do ONE bloody thing to help out the person in this world I loathe, despise, detest, and hate the most, and I feel worthless!" She plopped down against the wall, with her head in her hands, "I am worthless, Ron."

Ron looked sadly at Hermione, not quite sure what to say. He walked over, and sat next to her. Pausing for a moment, he put his arm around her shoulder.

"Mione, you know that's not true. The only thing you can do is what you SHOULD do.. just stay with him. I mean, first year, when Harry was unconscious in the Hospital Wing after the incident with Quirrel, what did we do? Sit with him, we couldn't do anything else, but it was important that we were there. Second year, when you were petrified, Harry and I did the same thing. It's not about what you can't do for Malfoy, Mione, it's about what you can do."

Hermione sniffled, "I suppose you're right."

"And," Ron said, "it's a good thing he's not up, because I know he'd take too much joy seeing you flip out over him, and me telling you to stay with him. I don't think he's 'evil' anymore, but really, I have a reputation to keep intact!"

Hermione looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks Ron."

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Ron?"

"Hmm?"

"What am I going to do about Harry?"

"I was wondering when that would come.. Well, do you want to stay with him?"

"Of course I do!" Hermione responded quickly.

"Oooook. Well, you're going to have to tell him."

"But, I can't do that! You know what he'd say!"

"Mione, he has the map, he'd see you in here with Malfoy anyway," he reasoned. "Tell him that he needs to understand. I think he'll be all right."

Hermione nodded her head, and lookd back up at Ron. "You know, Ronald Weasley, I think this is the wisest day of your life." She smirked at him.

"Yeah, really! Don't tell anyone, though," he laughed. "And, Granger, wipe that smirk off your face, you've been hanging around with Malfoy too much!"

Hermione laughed, and stood up. "I'll talk to him tonight, I need to as soon as possible."

"Yes, well, I think I'll be off now. I'll see you later Mione."

"Ok, bye Ron."

He turned and walked towards the door.

"Wait, Ron?" He turned and raised his eyebrows at her. "How long were you standing behind me before I noticed you?"

"Oh..well, I, er.." he trailed off, and took a deep breath. "Long enough, Mione."

Hermione nodded, Ron gave her a sympathetic smile, and left.

No sooner had Hermione sat back down on the bed adjacent to Draco, did she hear the voices of the returning adults.

She looked at Draco, "You're not making my life very easy, you know." If she didn't know better, she could've sworn that she saw a very slight smirk on his stoic face.

"Hello Miss Granger, how is Draco?" Snape inquired.

"No change, Professor. I don't really know if that's good or bad, though."

Mrs. Weasley walked over to the bed, "Well, dear, in this case, no news is good news, I suppose."

Hermione stood up, and turned to Dumbledore, "Excuse me, sir, but I have to go back to the Gryffindor Tower for a bit. I'll be back in about an hour."

"Of course, Miss Granger. There will still be people here when you return."

Hermione nodded, and left. She walked towards the tower with out even thinking about where she was going. Before she knew it, she was standing in from of the Fat Lady.

"Redheads rule."

The portrait swung open, she took a deep breath and walked in.

A/N: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CHRISSY!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, Squin, I forgive you for being a R/Hr shipper, lol. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE OVER 100 REVIEWS!!! OK,OK a/n first then talk to reviewers. So, how will Harry react? Tune in next chapter to find out! 15 reviews? Please? Next chapter has a cute little fluffy ending, I had to put some schmaltzy stuff in b/c H and Dr seem to be taking quite a while to get together in LoPotter land. Ummm ok, on to reviews.

~I was planning on breaking up H and Hr soon (no, this shouldn't be spoiling it for anyone, since this IS a D/Hr fic. or it will be, I SWEAR!!) sooo, I dunno how I'm gonna fit in more H/Hr snog sessions, but I'm gonna make Harry happy, and there WILL be LOTS of snogging as the fic progresses, just not h/hr

~Chrissy~ I totally know what you mean about the raping stuff. YIKES! Can't say I'm too much of a fan of that.. esp when D rapes Hr and then they get together? That's kinda sick

~Draco's arm will be explained when we get closer to his, um.. revival, for lack of a better word

~I hope you guys liked Narcissa last chapter, I really think she's a good character to experiment with. I'm thinking of getting her some play, too, lol. we'll see!

~Thanks to Annie for beta-ing and having a little brainstorming session with me about the progression of our fine cast!

R/R PPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE