Chapter 4

Hermione got home late that night; she'd gone to the three broomsticks with Ron for a drink in celebration. She'd told him everything, right down to the exact curse she'd put on malfoy and the way he'd screamed when he fell.

She stumbled into the kitchen almost drunkenly, but she wasn't drunk, nope, just excited. She so wanted to tell Harry what had happened with malfoy, how he'd kissed her, really kissed her, not just kissed that she had to grimace after.

Ron had laughed and called him a git and a prat and they talked about things until two in the morning, which was where Hermione was now.

She was dizzy with relief. She hadn't realized how much the whole thing was getting to her until she was out of it… she smiled and went upstairs to bed, to sleep, next to her husband, Harry Potter.

"Master, I'm sorry." Draco said humbly.

"SORRY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH IN THIS INSTANCE!" His master screamed in his face.

"I can't go on 'dating' someone for an assignment, if I truly," He sighed deeply, trying to calm himself, "Love them."

Voldemort scoffed.

"What the hell is that, love, yeah, right, how can a pureblood love a mudblood, I WANT YOU TO GET THAT SILLY LITTLE THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD!"

"IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!"

"What did you just say to me?"

"JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TRULY LOVED, OR TRULY LOVED SOMEONE, DON'T GET ALL BITTER ABOUT IT!"

He ran from the chamber and to the small cottage he knew Hermione lived in. He banged on the door and was surprised when it wasn't Hermione that answered the door but Harry.

"What the hell are you doing here malfoy?" He said warningly.

"I wanted to speak to Hermione. Just give this to her ok?" Draco said and handed the envelope to Harry. He walked back down the garden path, and out of sight. He didn't want to admit it but he was crying, hot tears were spilling down his pale cheeks, and he decided it was easier just to apparate to his house, save anyone looking at him

"Malfoy just called by, he told me to give you this." Harry said, handing the envelope to Hermione.

She opened it and read:

Dearest Hermione

I'm sorry about what happened, and I know you are too, I thought it was just a mission, you know, for… him, but, I think I really do love you. I need a while to sort out my thoughts, and to stop myself from thinking about you so damn much. I think you should feel flattered Hermione, the dark lord, He knows you personally. Even though he has nothing but bad to say of you. I actually stood up to him today, I told him that just because he'd never loved, or been loved, it was no reason for him to be bitter, he just would have screamed in my face, if I'd have stayed around long enough.

Look, I know I've been a right bastard to you for the… well, forever really… and I didn't have a crush on you in school, but I do now. So, deal with it. I'm a malfoy, and I only date purebloods, so, there's nothing in it for you or I.

Malfoy.

"Ooh the nerve of that prat!" Hermione raged.

She shoved the letter under Harry's nose. He read it and his whole body tensed up.

"That bastard!" He almost yelled.

Harry had just gotten home from work, and went into the house, it was dark, and it was oddly silent.

"Hermione?" He called, his voice echoed and he went upstairs.

As he went up the stairs, he called her name, "Hermione? I'm Home!"

No answer, into the bedroom.

"Hermione? HERMIONE!" Again, his voice echoed and reverberated off the walls, coming back for him to hear.

There was a white piece of paper on the bed; He only noticed it because it clashed with the black quilt.

It was a note:

I have hermione. If you ever want to see her again, leak information to the dark side, we need leads. If you do not give us the information we need within ten days, We will execute her. This is not a joke.

Harrys pulse quickened and his body tensed. He ran to the fireplace and grabbed a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the fire, He stepped in and said clearly: "Ministry of Magic, Missing persons, Auror Division."

Once there, he stood at the desk, panicking, until Alastor Moody appeared at the door behind the desk.

"It's Hermione!" Harry said hysterically, "She's missing!"