Ok, I'm rewriting this fic, but currently, I'm sick, so if it doesn't make sense, leave me a review and let me know. Ok, here goes nothing.

Chapter 29

Understanding

Draco's POV

After she flinched when I wiped the flour off her cheek, I got angry for a minute, and pain that she didn't trust me. We headed for the door when it opened. Her eyes went wide and she stepped back and behind me. My hand went for my wand on reflex. Then, the redheaded Ron Weasley stepped through the portrait. His eyes narrowed at me, and a pained look crossed his face when he saw Hermione.

"Mione! Where have you been?" she stepped out, a small smile on her face. She gave the taller boy a hug, making me oddly jealous.

"Hello Ron."

"Mione, what happened? You're never in Gryffindor tower anymore and Harry blows a fuse every time someone mentions you." He noticed her look when he mentioned Potters name. "Mione? Is everything ok?" she shook her head.

"No, Ron. Nothings ok, but I can't talk about it right now. Can I-can I talk to you in a few days?" He glared at me.

"Is the ferret hurting you? If he is, I swear to Merlin-" his hands clenched into fists and he took a step towards me, but Hermione put her hands over his.

"No, Ron. Draco's fine."

"Mione, you called the ferret by his first name."

"I know, Ron. He's- I don't know how to explain it, but he's helping."

"Mione are you-"

"Yes, I'm sure. Draco won't hurt me, he promised." I was surprised. I figured she had been so distraught then that she wouldn't remember. "And I promise you I'll talk to you soon, ok? I just need some time." Weasley nodded and pulled her into another hug.

"Alright, Mione. Take all the time you need." He whispered something in her ear, making her smile then released her. "Malfoy, I swear to Merlin, if anything happens to her, consider yourself a eunuch." His face was solemn and I knew he wasn't kidding.

"Don't worry, Weasley. Anyone who wants to hurt her has to go through me first." He nodded.

"Just come see me whenever you can, Mione."

"I will, thanks for understanding." She gave him a smile and headed out the door. Weasley grabbed my arm.

"I promise, that if you break her heart, I'll break you."  I nodded and walked out. I knew Weasley was capable of carrying out his promise; I wasn't scared, just well informed. I caught up with Hermione and we made it to our rooms without incident.

*~*~*

Hermione's POV

When the door opened, my heart had leapt into my throat. Then Ron walked in and I breathed again. He understood, something I wasn't used to from him and accepted that I would talk to him later. He had also accepted Draco as my protector. That surprised me. When we went to leave, he whispered into my ear. "Mione, I'll always love you and will protect you forever, but if you think Malfoy's ok, then I trust you. If you need anything, you know where to find me." And I knew he meant it. He had also thoroughly threatened Draco, who took it without complaint. Talk about shockers. Reaching our room, Draco gave the password and we slipped inside.

"Draco, maybe we should start planning for the next ball. It's not that far away."

"Yeah, we probably should, but I would much rather watch another mobie." I laughed. "What?"

"It's movie, Draco, not mobie."

"Whatever."

"Maybe we should start in the morning." I yawned. "It is kind of late." He nodded and gave me a quick hug.

"I'm going to read for a bit. Night Hermione."

"Night Draco." I headed for bed and went to pull my curtains. Draco went to stand in front of the fire, face blank. I pulled them shut and climbed into bed, hoping for a dreamless sleep.

**~**~**

I was in a dark, cold stone room. Water was dripping somewhere near me. Footsteps sounded down the hall, getting louder. I tried to sit up, and realized I was strapped onto a table. I tried to pull away, but the chains only rattled. I looked back up to see Lucius Malfoy standing over me, an evil smirk on his face.

"Welcome, Mudblood Granger. I hope your accommodations have been *ahem* fitting." He smiled evilly. "The dark lord has plans for you, and of course, my son. He has done a wonderful job leading you here. You know he never loved you. You were just part of the plan.

"Nonononononono! It's not true! Stay away from me!" I tried to hit him, but was unable to. He laughed evilly, sending shivers up my spine. I couldn't keep the tears out of my eyes.

"Come on, Mudblood." He placed a cold kiss on my lips and I turned away. "You should feel honored to even be touched by a pure blood of my stature." He moved toward me again.

"I said get back! Don't! I tried to hit him, but was stopped by the chains. "Let me go!!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You are vital to our plans. Harry Potter will be arriving shortly, along with my son. Potter will then be taken care of, and you will be the sacrifice for my son's initiation into the ranks of the Death Eaters. That's quite an honor."

"You're lying. It's not true."

"If it's not true, then why are you crying? You know deep down he never loved you, will never love you. Malfoys are incapable of love, you should have realized that." He voice was low and even. He tried to place another kiss on my lips, but I turned away. He slapped me. "Be grateful you're alive, mudblood bitch. I wouldn't want to have an accident." A knife appeared from his robes, and he slit the front of my shirt. "I will have to make sure I 'taste the goods' before tomorrow evening." He gave me an evil smile. "Goodnight mudblood. Enjoy your last night, it will be your last."

**~**~**

Draco's POV

I stood in front of the fire for a long while, mind whirling. I had fallen in love, something that didn't happen to Malfoys. It wasn't acceptable. Love was weakness. Emotions were weakness. But for some reason, that didn't bother me. I loved Hermione; the realization hit me like a sack of bludgers. I loved her with all my heart and if anything happened to her, I would die. That thought was mind-boggling. I had never felt love for anything before, except perhaps flying. She cried out in her sleep and moved over to her bed.

"Hermione, wake up." Tears were running unchecked down her face. I wiped a few away and she pulled backwards. "Hermione, wake up."

"Nonononononono! It's not true! Stay away from me!" she lashed out, hitting me in the nose.

"Hermione! You have to wake up!" she shook her head violently.

"I said get back! Don't!" she lashed out again, narrowly missing me. I pinned her wrists to the bed and swung my leg over hers so she couldn't kick me. "Let me go!!"

"Hermione, you have to wake up! Pull yourself out of it!" she shook her head.

"You're lying. It's not true." She tried to pull away, but I kept her pinned. She fell silent for a minute, then turned her face away, then recoiled as if slapped. The look that crossed her face next was one of terror, anger, and pain. She shivered and started crying harder.

"Hermione, you have to wake up. Come back to me." She shook and cried, tried to pull away. "Hermione." Her eyes fluttered open, and I saw pain and sadness reflected in them. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Draco? Is that really you?" I nodded and let go of her wrists. "Oh, Merlin." She threw her arms around me, crying softly. "It was terrible…. Your father…. Initiation….kiss…" the words were so mangled I only understood half of them, but I grew angry.

"Hermione, what are you talking about? It was a dream and nothing more."

"It was more than a dream. Draco.." she looked up at me, eyes full of unshed tears. "Draco, do you love me?" my eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" she pulled away and curled into the blanket.

"It's alright, I-I understand." Her shoulders shook softly. I took her into my arms again.

"Hermione, I do love you." She looked up at me sharply. She opened her mouth, but I placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "No, let me talk. I love you, no matter what anyone or any dream says. I've loved you since I set eyes on you, I just didn't realize it. Didn't believe it, didn't want to. But I know now. I'll love you forever. If anything happens to you, I'll die. I swear by the stars in the sky that I'll love you forever and always." A tear escaped her eye, and I wiped it away, then placed a gentle kiss on her lips. It was soft and sweet. I tilted her eyes to mine. "I know what heaven tastes like, and its not a mangeloberry." She smiled and blushed, then pressed her lips to mine again.

~*~*~*~*~*~

*sigh* La Amor. (Espanol para {for} Love). Good chapter, though not quite my favorite. Still really good, and I hope it passes. Now, here are some LONG overdue thank yous.

Krissy, Ashley, *Guitar Gurl*, dragoneye, raine1234, Chee x2, TriGemini, Lightbulb, Kaitlyn, Innocence, MyOwnAntagonist x2, Imogen262, Yori-chan x2, gazin sanity, CASSANDRA, Pyrefly, Zurgiea, singer14, freyliskat, Lyse, Cosmic Angel x5 (Thank you!), Voldemort Sucks 18, Prinicipessa Squish Avina, Evie Du-Grey, AllieE, JT, elfette-gurl, Tillia KaWaii, lonelygirl54, Haleigh, Spikes-little-Dragon, Hali, Tickled Purple Monkey x3, Ash (no, its mine), xx thunder xx, Calm Serene, suicidal tendancies (I don't wanna die! If you kill me, no more story! Aha!) BeNjI's gUrL 13, Andina of Rivendell, Draco is the man, and last, but not least, Phylicial13.

Thank you all soo much for your patience. Next update might take awhile, my computer is malfunctioning. Not very enjoyable. Thankz!

~K~