*Ducks the flying tomatoes.* I know I know. I'm horrible. But school started and I've been really busy. Lame excuse, huh? Anyway, before I get to far ahead, I'm going to type some more. Thanks at end (if I can find the paper I wrote them on….)

Chapter 30

Draco's POV

When I woke the next morning, I squinted against the bright sunlight. Then I felt the warmth next to me. Confused for a second, I glanced down. Hermione was sleeping peacefully in my arms. The night before flashed into my head and I smiled to myself. I knew she was mine now, forever and always. Then I remembered her crying out and I grew angry again. Something about my father, initiation and a kiss. I hated him and if he ever got near the beautiful creature in my arms I would kill him. Just then, she whimpered a little and moved closer to me, causing me to smile again. I kissed her cheek gently, then untangled myself and stood up, stretching. Merlin, she was beautiful. I headed for the shower, ignoring my own thoughts; quite murderous ones.

Hermione's POV

I woke slowly, pulling myself out of a dark mist, but it pulled at my mind, unwilling to let me go. When it finally relinquished me, my eyes flew open, then snapped back shut at the brightness of the room. I rolled a bit and caught Draco's scent off my pillow. It was delicious. I smiled into it as I remembered the previous night. He loved me. ME! I slowly opened my eyes again and looked around, but the room was empty. Figuring he had gone for breakfast, I got up and pulled on jeans and a warm sweater. Pocketing my wand, I slipped out the door and down the hall.

The halls were fairly empty, and I received a few curious glances, but it didn't worry me. There weren't any Gryffindors around, only younger Hufflepuffs. At the door to the kitchens, I only hesitated a moment, not sure if I should go in, but I heard a voice from the other side that sounded vaguely like Draco's. I slipped in and out into the airy room without thinking.

The two figures in the room turned around, surprised. I stepped back, suddenly terrified. Harry's eyes narrowed, but Ron smiled.

"Hey Mione!" he gave me a quick hug and artfully inserted himself between Harry and I. I remained silent, praying Draco would show up. Harry plastered a fake smile on his face and opened his arms toward me.

"What? No hug for your best friend?" I looked away from him. He grew angry. "What is your problem, Hermione? Too good for your friends anymore?" I felt a hot blush rise in my cheeks. "You should be ashamed, betraying us, your friends, to the Death-eating ferret."

"He's not a Death Eater." I stepped back, cursing myself for speaking. Harry's eyes narrowed menacingly.

"And how would you know that?" he stepped toward Ron and I. I moved away again. His eyes grew wide, then narrowed again. "You're sleeping with him, aren't you? You little whore. It sure didn't take you long to get over me, now did it? Little mudblood bitch." I recoiled at his words. Even Ron flinched.

"Harry, mate, that's enough." The other boy glared at him.

"Stay out of this, Ron, it has nothing to do with you."

"I won't stay out of it."

"I'm warning you, Weasley." Ron tensed and his face turned red. Harry turned back to me. "So, is he a good f*ck?" I wouldn't look at him, but stepped back again. "Well, Hermione? Can't talk to me anymore? I guess sleeping with a Death Eater makes you better than us now, huh?" I shook my head. "Then why won't you talk to me? I thought you loved me. Hell, I thought I loved you. Guess I was wrong." A small sob escaped my throat. Ron gently put an arm around my shoulder.

"Harry…."

"Shut up, Weasley! This is none of your f*cking business!" Ron's fist swung out and caught Harry in the face, sending his glasses flying with a crack. Then his eyes flew wide.

"Harry, mate, I'm sorry." Harry glared over at him, holding a hand under his heavily bleeding nose.

"F*ck you, Weasley." He stormed past us and out the door. Ron turned, watching him go, then looked down to me.

"Mione, are you alright?" I nodded, still unable to speak. He scooped me up and we left the kitchen in silence.

Draco's POV

Stepping out of the shower, I dressed in my customary black pants and black shirt. I ran a comb through my wet hair and left the warm room. And found the one on the other side empty.

I hurried across the room and over to the door and threw it open. She wasn't in the hall. I stepped out, moving quickly. I almost ran over a few second years on my way over to the library. She had to be there. The back corner was empty and Madame Pince told me she hadn't been in. I was getting worried now. Leaving, I headed for a back stairwell down to the kitchens. It was empty and so was the kitchen. Then I panicked. I ran for the Gargoyle to Dumbledore's quarters.

"Gummy bears!" it stepped aside and I ran up the stairs. Throwing open the door at the top, I breathed again.

"Draco!" Hermione jumped out of her chair and over to me, throwing her arms around me. I kissed her on the head and held her close.

"Mione, you scared me. Where have you been?" She didn't respond, just held me tighter.

"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy." I looked up quickly to meet the headmaster's twinkling gaze.

"Good morning, Professor."

"Come have a seat, I think we have a lot to discuss this morning." I nodded and led Hermione over to a small loveseat before I noticed Weasley. He gave me an apprehensive smile that I half returned. Dumbledore coughed to catch our attention. "I don't think I quite understand what happened this morning. I know Mr. Potter is in the Infirmary with a broken nose," Weasley winced and rubbed his slightly swollen knuckles, "but I'm not sure why. Mr. Weasley, would you care to explain?"

"Well, Harry and I decided to go get a snack before heading out to Hogsmeade, but we didn't feel like going to the Great Hall. So we headed down to the kitchens. We were about to leave when Hermione walked in. Harry got angry and started insulting Mione and Malfoy. I told him to stop, but he wouldn't. He yelled at me to shut up and I, well, I punched him. Hard." His face was bright red and he kept shifting uncomfortably. Dumbledore nodded gravely and turned to where Hermione and I were sitting.

"Miss Granger, do you care to elaborate on anything?"

"No, sir."

"Are you certain, Miss Granger? We can impose restrictions on Mr. Potter if you like."

"He didn't hunt me out, Professor, we just ran into each other." But as she said that she inched a little closer to me and clung a little tighter.

"Alright, Miss Granger. But if you feel you need something, don't hesitate to come see me. Same with you two." He gave Weasley and I each a long look. "Well, Mr. Weasley, if you like you can still make the carriage to Hogsmeade. Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, you may accompany him if you like, but you might want to be discrete with your closeness if you attend the village. You never know who may be watching." His look was centered on me. I stood up, followed by Hermione.

"Thank you, Professor." Hermione gave him a small smile and headed for the door. Weasley followed. Outside the door, Weasley turned to Mione.

"Do you want to come down to the village with me?"

"I- I'm not sure, Ron. Do you want to, Draco?" she turned her big brown eyes up to me.

"It's up to you. We can if you like, but I would recommend some sort of concealing spell. If we went together."

"Please, Mione. You haven't been out of the castle in weeks. You need some butterbeer."

"Alright, but I need to change."

"You don't have time, come on." Ron grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall, pulling me along.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There! Another chapter! I know I'm horrible and don't update enough, but school is busy. I've been fund-raising for chorus because the stupid board cut our funding. *Grumble* Anyway, I can't find my thank you list, mom must have tossed it. But thank you to everyone who reviewed. It means sooo much to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

~K~