Part Two

Enemy, Friend or Lover

..Square One..

…………………………

Hermione's eyes flicked open and she groggily peered around. Her chest was heavy that she found it hard to breath. Cujo's fuzzy face came into her view.

"How are you, puppy?"

Hermione's "puppy", Cujo, gave her an eager lick on the cheek.

Hermione giggled, her chest starting to feel like it was bruised.

"You have to get off though, buddy. Mama's gonna break in two. What time is it, Cujo?" she asked the dog not expecting an answer.

"It's two-thirty-one."

Hermione gasped and bolted from the bed. "Oh my god! It wasn't a dream!" Hermione faced the man

"I'm afraid not, Hermione."

"The man- he's dead?" Hermione asked referring to the man in her den.

The man nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"You killed him! You killed someone in my house!"

The man shook his head grimly. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want you dead."

"You killed someone in my freakin' house! Who the hell do you think you are?"

A silence filled the room and Cujo came up to his owner and nudged her hip. He let out a small whimper and licked her hand as if to say, "I'm here for you."

"Oh my god."

The man reached out his hand and Hermione noticed the slight tremble. "Hermione," he whispered. "Please, I need-"

Hermione calmly pointed to the bedroom door. "You need to get out of my house." The man opened his mouth but Hermione cut him off. "Now."

Bowing his head, he nodded and headed for the door.

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

"Go to hell," Hermione shot back.

The man shook his head. "To late." The words were spoken so softly Hermione wasn't sure if she had just imagined them.

Hermione felt a tinge of pain but turned her back and climbed into her king sized bed. Cujo climbed in with her and Hermione felt the tears come. She angrily refused them to come. "Stop crying, dammit!"

Hermione lay down and let Cujo try to comfort her. She thought back to Hogwarts. With Harry, Ron, Draco even Cole.

Cole had no right into her life. He tried and he got burned. That's what he got trying to play with fire.

Not able to forget scary memories, Hermione climbed back out of the bed and to the kitchen. She dug through the medicine until she came out with a tiny tablet. She swallowed the small pill and made her way back to the bedroom. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Hermione fell into a deep sleep.

……………………….

The next morning Hermione woke up to the smell of bacon. It smelled so good, Hermione automatically went to the kitchen, her only cloths were her panties and her t- shirt that didn't even reach mid thigh.

Opening the two small swinging doors Hermione went straight to the coffee maker for a cup of the sweet strong smell. It was after she had drunk four long sips she then actually realized that she didn't make the coffee. Or the heavenly smell of bacon.

Slowly and cautiously, Hermione turned around.

The man stood there, cleanly shaven and in cleaner clothes.

"Good morning."

Hermione almost dropped her cup as she realized she was staring at Draco. His face was older, more serious than when she had last seen him.

"Draco?"

He nodded and reached for the cup that was about to fall out of her hands. She jumped back and cringed.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Hermione."

"W-why are you here?" Hermione stammered.

"I've come to save you."

Hermione almost gagged. It was starting again. "Oh, and I suppose you came her to be my hero?" Hermione said sarcastically.

"Yes."

"Draco, come on-"

"No, Hermione. With is not something to complain about. I'm here and we will be leaving this evening. Get a bag packed so you're ready."

"No!" Hermione announced. "You can't do this to me! I'm not leaving my house!"

"Then you're going to die, Hermione. In your den is Fredrick Miles. He was sent to kill you, Hermione. More men will come to kill you. You either come with me or you die."

That gave Hermione no choice but before she agreed she wanted answers.

"Who wants me dead and why?"

"Voldemort, Hermione. You remember him, don't you? He took your good friend Dominic."

The mention of his name, Hermione's heart made a leap and a faint ach still clenched around her chest.

"How do you know that?"

"Where do you think I've been, Hermione?"

"You were with him?" Hermione gasped.

He gave a nod and started to talk, but Hermione only heard words here and there. "Killed there . . . Blah blah . . . Run . . . Die . . . Talked about you . . Bah blah blah. . . Out . . . Blah blah . . . Escaped. Hermione, are you listening to me?"

Hermione shook her head franticly as if to push the thoughts away. "What did you say?"

"Voldemort wants your powers and he's sending people to come and get you. I couldn't let that happen so I came to get you."

"How do you know that?"

"I was with him, Hermione. I was more or less his ally to get information for Dumbledore.

"What?" Hermione asked astonished.

"You wont understand so I'm not even going to bother trying to explain it to you. He used me as well, Hermione. I'm not-"

"No! You will tell me now! I'm not some child, Draco! I want to know what is going on and I want to know now!"

Calmly, Draco put his cup of coffee down. "No. I'll explain later." Draco turned back round and set a plate down in front of Hermione. "Eat and then get packing."

Hermione opened her mouth to argue but Draco shot her a look.

Hermione shut her mouth and stared down at her bacon, eggs and potatoes. Her mouth started to drool and it wasn't too much later that Hermione's mouth was once again open with food going in instead of words coming out.

When she was done she put her dished in the sink and used her wand to have them washed.

She found Draco on the couch, his back slouched and his eyes glazed over, deep in thought.

"Draco," she called out. "Are you okay?"

Draco jerked and turned to face Hermione only giving her a blunt, "yes."

"Good. Now," Hermione started and sat before him on the coffee table, "I'm not packing a thing until you tell me what went on and what had happened."

Draco didn't move a muscle. He just stared her in the eye, daring her to back down. Finally, a faint light came into his eyes and he started to speak.

"When I left Hogwarts, I went into hiding. Dumbledore then trained me for everything I needed and I went to find Voldemort."

"You what?" Hermione gasped and started to stand up.

Draco clamped his hand on Hermione's thigh and pushed her back onto the table. "If you want to hear this, you need to keep your mouth closed."

Hermione nodded, not liking the idea but she needed to know what taken place back then.

"Voldemort took me in and over a year, I told Dumbledore everything I had found out. Slowly, Voldemort started to become suspicious and so I broke off with Dumbledore. I've been working with Voldemort to get answers so I can stop what he is doing." He stopped and took in a breath. "Hermione, he needs more powers and you were, you are," he corrected himself, "the greatest and the smartest witch known to the world, young and old in centuries. He wants you, Hermione."

"But-"

"Hermione," he snapped, cutting her off. "He's coming for you."

Hermione's mouth snapped shut and her back went straight. Her gorgeous brown eyes widened and filled with worry, fright and dread.

"Hermione, I don't care what you say. I'm getting you out of here whether you like it or not. Go pack a bag and get ready to leave by six tonight."

Hermione made no move to get up. She sat up and stared straight at Draco, her thoughts swarming her brain, her heart thundering inside her chest. She wanted to weep, to shout, and to hurt something but no emotion came out.

"Hermione, get going," Draco snapped, his patience running low. Still no sign of movement came from her and Draco leaned closer to see of she was even breathing. She wasn't.

"Breath, Hermione." Finally, a long shuddering breath came out. Draco grabbed her chin and pulled her face closer to his own. "Hermione, we need to be out of here by six o clock. Get your belongings together and then we have to get out."

Hermione got up and made her way to the bedroom.

She had packed a week worth of things within two hours and decided to go for a sleep. She got to the bed and instantly collapsed from exhaustion into an intense sleep.

……………………….

Someone hollered and Hermione instantly shot straight up in her bed. Not just screaming but grunting and gasping as well. Hermione scrambled from the bed and raced to the living room.

Mark raised his fist and smashed it into Draco's face.

"Mark!" Hermione shouted.

Draco charged at Mark and they tumbled to the floor. Draco punched Mark repeatedly and flung out a knife.

"You move and I'll kill you," Draco growled.

"No, stop it!" Hermione shrieked.

Draco moved the blade an inch away from Marks throat but kept his gaze steadily on him.

"Who the hell are you?" Draco snapped, venom almost coming form his mouth.

"Bordeaux. Mark Bordeaux."

"Ohmygod, Draco! Get off of him!"

He just ignored her. "What do you want?"

"That is non of your business." The blade was once again pressed into his throat.

"I repeat, what do you want?"

Mark closed his eyes and swallowed, his Adam's apple sliding across the sharp blade. A trickle of bloods slipped down his neck.

"Draco, please," Hermione begged.

"I've come to check up on Hermione. She hadn't talk to me for a while and I needed to see her."

"For what reason?"

"Please, Draco. Put the knife away!" Hermione begged.

"I don't need a reason to see my fiancée."

The blade moved faster than a bullet. "Your what?"

"Stop it!" Hermione yelped.

Both boys peered over to her.

"Get up off of my floor and Draco, for Gods sake, put the knife away!" The men both got up and glared at each other. "Draco sit on the couch and Mark go to my room." Neither man moved.

Hermione was fuming by then and had to grind her teeth together. "Now!" she barked. The men got going.

Hermione stomped off to the kitchen for the first aid kit and ice. She grabbed a rag and headed to her bedroom not giving Draco a single glance. The door slammed shut behind her.

"What in hell's name are you doing here!"

"I've come to see you, Hermione! Is that not allowed anymore? And who is that god-awful man? Have you got a new lover, Hermione?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Mark. He's an old friend."

"Does he not own a razor?" Mark snapped. "He looks like a cave man."

"Mark, stop it or I'll kick you out and make you clean yourself up."

Mark shut up.

"He got you bad," Hermione muttered as she whipped the blood at his lip. "You might not see out of this eye tomorrow."

"He attacked me first, Hermione."

"Mark, will you drop it already?"

"No, I won't!" Mark grunted as she touched the cut on his cheek. "He held a knife to my throat."

"I know, Mark. After all, he was trying to protect me. Doesn't that make you feel better if he's staying here?"

Mark shot up off the bed. "He's what?" Hermione swallowed and Mark kept on going. "You love him don't you? You don't want me anymore."

"Mark," Hermione moaned, irritated. "He left me a long time ago. I don't know him anymore. I'm with you, Mark, not him."

Mark nodded and reached for Hermione's hand. He placed a kiss on her palm and then tugged her close. Hermione freely went into his embrace and swung her arms around his neck. She breathed in deep and let out a profound sigh.

"It's you I care about, Mark. Draco is here to protect me against something you can't help with."

"Of course I can! I'm a lawyer and I know people if I can't help. Plus, I have money, too."

"No, Mark. This has to do with my other side. I have to go to keep away from the evil, Mark. This isn't from your world."

"Is it that bad?" Mark whispered, pulling her body tighter to his own. Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent.

"Yes, it is." Hermione laid still and quite for a while then thought she should tell him not to worry. "I'll always keep in touch with you while I'm gone. Draco says I could be killed here the fastest. Mark, I don't want to die."

"I don't want you to die, either."

"Then I have to go with Draco. I will come back and I hope it will be soon."

They sat in silence for ten minutes when Hermione finally got off of Mark's lap and kissed his cheek. Mark noticed hers were slightly damp and so he pulled her back down to his lap and cradled her head with his large hands into the cradle of his neck.

"Shhh, Hermione. I love you. From what you told me and what I've heard you're a great witch and I believe in you."

Hermione nodded and kissed the side of his throat. "Thanks, Mark. You have no clue how much I needed to hear that." Painfully, Hermione leaned away from him. She craved his embrace but kept her tears at bay and cleaned him up completely. The room stayed quite and calm even though Mark wanted to know more about Draco.

"Okay. All done," Hermione whispered.

"Thanks, baby," Mark answered back and stood up from the bed. He kissed Hermione's forehead then her mouth softly. "When will you return?" Mark asked, his voice solemn and his eyes gloomy.

"I have no clue," Hermione replied honestly. "I will keep in contact with you though. I promise you that."

Mark nodded. He was satisfied with that. "I'll leave then."

Hermione walked him to the door, pointingly ignoring Draco on her way. She walked him down to his flashy red sports car and turned to kiss his lips.

She then kissed his cheek and whispered a goodbye.

"Not enough."

Mark swept Hermione back to him and held her fitted to his body. His lips found hers and kissed her hard and throughout leaving his body trembling. He leaned Hermione against his car and hugged her body closer.

Minds wrapped up in each other, the kiss went into something so deep and so much need was shown, Hermione felt shaken and wanted to stay there forever. She was safe in his arms because she was in his world not her own. She wanted the security of him so back she ached.

Hermione knew Draco could always protect her better that anyone but she knew Mark was there for her. She didn't need the faint echo of worry in her own head about the insecurity of him leaving.

"I love you, Hermione. Keep safe and I'll be waiting for you."

Unable to maintain her calm composure, Hermione let out a sob. "Good bye, Mark." After that, she sprinted for the house and slammed it shut behind her. She took in five deep breaths and wiped her face dry with the back of her hands.

With her lips closed tightly, she walked into the living room and started to head for the bathroom to clean herself up. She didn't want Draco to know that she had been crying. He'd poke and prod until he knew everything about her life with Mark. Which he had no right to.

"You're getting married soon then?" Draco snapped as Hermione came back from the bathroom and into the room. He still sat on the couch sulking.

"What's it to you?" Hermione growled, frustrated and hurt.

Draco shot to his feet. "It matters a lot! Considering that you're my wife! Have you ever heard of cheating, Hermione?"

"Oh, puh-lease! I'm sick of you already! You left me, remember, Draco? I didn't go and join the fucking Dark Lord!"

"For your information, Hermione, you left me! You sent me right to him."

"Oh, and I choose for you to join him! I don't think so!"

Draco shook his head and turned on his heels and right out of the door. Hermione was right behind him, screaming and yelling. "You would have left anyways, Draco! You didn't care about me more that you cared for my feelings!"

"Like you cared for me?" Draco shot back, his anger sky high and his hands in tight fists beside him.

"I did care for you, Draco. I loved you!"

"If you loved me then you would have tried to make it work! Not just throw me away like some garbage!"

Hermione was fuming. How dare he accuse her of such things!

"You didn't understand," she muttered her teeth clenched tightly. Hermione give up and heading back for the house.

"Understand what, Hermione? Explain your troubled life to me and tell me exactly why I should take pity on you and forgive you?"

Hermione shook her head. "Never mind, Draco."

Draco grasped her wrist and flung her back around to face him. "Tell me, damn it!"

"I had you leave so I could keep you, Draco."

"You did not! You sent me into my own death! Like I was a waste of your time."

"Then why are you here?" Hermione sneered. "If you hate me so much then why are you here?"

"This isn't about me Hermione, this is about you. What would I not understand?"

"You weren't the only things that was sentenced to death."

Draco started at her, bagging her with his eyes to keep going.

"My heart died as well," Hermione chocked out. Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione forced herself not to get angry with him. She was going to tell him the truth and then he would leave.

"I laid in my bed for two weeks straight. I didn't sleep, eat or move. I cried the whole two weeks, Draco. But by the time I knew, it was too late."

"To late for what!"

Hermione took in a deep breath. "I was pregnant, Draco." Hermione was on the verge of tears. "I sent you away to keep you safe and the next thing I knew, you were imprisoned by Voldemort. I was heartbroken and so depressed to think you could be dead that all I could do was weep. The baby died in me before I even knew he was there. I was two months pregnant, Draco." Hermione freely let her tears fall. She was not ashamed of them now; she had a right to bawl until she wanted to stop. "He was two months old. He had fingers and toes-" Hermione then broke down. She crumpled to the ground and lied down in the fatal position, her hand covering her face as she wept.

"Oh, Hermione," Draco whispered. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms. "Lord Almighty."

Draco marched straight to her bedroom and sat down on the bed, Hermione in his lap. Hermione clutched to Draco so tight that he was going to have bruises from her fingers.

"Hermione, baby, please," Draco begged and held her close. He rocked her back and forth in his arms and kissed the top of her head, trying to hold her as tight as he could without actually hurting her.

"I k-killed m-my baby," Hermione sobbed.

"Oh, Hermione. Baby, you didn't know. It wasn't your fault, it wasn't!"

"B-but I didn't d-do anything fo-"

"No," Draco snapped. "It was not your fault, dammit! It should have never happened but it did! I know that if you knew about the child, you would have taken care of it, Hermione. Things happen for a reason and maybe, just maybe, this was supposed to happen-"

"No, I don't b-believe that!"

"You don't have to, Hermione. But I believe in fate and believe with all that I have that this was meant to be. I know that you didn't mean for that to happen."

Hermione nodded and curled tighter into Draco. "I'm so sorry."

"Believe me, Hermione, the baby doesn't need tears anymore. Because, Hermione, I know things happen for a reason. Forgive yourself and trust in what you believe in. Do you really think if that child lived, you'd want it to be with you right now? Running from the worst evil on earth?"

Hermione shook her head.

"So forgive yourself from this grief and worry about now. This sounds harsh but you can always have another child. Another child will not cover the hurt and sorrow from the first, but it will prove to you that you can raise that child in a world save and without unneeded pain." Hermione agreed with a nod and she sniffed.

"Go to sleep for a while and then we need to leave."

Draco set her down on the bed covered her with a blanket. With one backwards glance, he left and closed the door tightly behind him.

Hermione didn't know what to do but cry. She was back on square one. Falling in love, not wanting to and totally dependant to Draco. To Hermione, square one sucked.

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Hey there. I hope that you liked the chapter. Please review and tell me what you thought. I really am trying to make this story the best you've read.

Chebetta