A/N:

OH gosh! I am OFFICIALLY done with my senior paper, remember? The controversies of Harry Potter? The official title is: Defending Harry Potter. I am quite proud of it. If any of you want to check out the 21 pages, I'll email it to you. Email me, requesting the paper. Please don't leave it in a review, I don't want to have to go and search for your email address, if you email me I can just reply to you and send you my paper as an attachment- if you promise not to use it plagiarism-wise. Thanks.

STAR WARS COMES OUT NEXT WEEK! I'VE HAD TICKETS RESERVED FOR THREE WEEKS FOR 7 O'CLOCK ON FRIDAY! SO EXCITED!

I am also officially done watching American Idol this season. I watched it religiously, praying, hoping, and voting that Anthony Federov would win…he received the lowest votes this last Weds and was kicked off. I'm not watching the rest of the Tues episodes for this year. I loved Anthony his voice was beautiful! I am buying his CD as soon as he releases one (assuming he does).

Also, The O.C. is getting so crazy! I don't even know how I am going to be able to cope with only one more episode until next season! There's so much drama going on!

ON WITH THE STORY!

Chap. 13 Box of Hidden Secrets and the Reply

Draco reached the end of the stairs with the box of hidden secrets. He continued to stomp down the hall, and then down the second flight of stairs. He marched toward the family room where he could hear his mother chatting happily on the phone still, while leaving Hermione sitting back on the attic stairs.

Narcissa smiled at Draco when he stormed in, but then frowned when she saw his angry expression and the dusty box in his arms.

'Umm, Jack, I'm going to have to talk to you later—' She began hesitantly.

'No, mother. Keep dear Uncle Jack on the phone.' Draco spat, throwing down the box at Narcissa's feet.

'Draco, darling, where did you find this box?' Narcissa asked.

'What's going on?' Jack asked from the other phone line.

'Draco has a box of Lucius' old scrapbooks and diaries.' Narcissa explained.

'Those can't be good.' Jack sighed.

'Why didn't you tell me?' Draco asked his mother.

'Tell you what exactly?' Narcissa asked, almost in a frightened manner.

'Tell me that my father pushed you down a staircase and killed a sister I should have had? Tell me that UNCLE JACK WAS A DEATH EATER.' Draco said loud enough for Jack to hear on the phone.

'Draco, you had a rough childhood growing up. I didn't want to hurt you even more.' Narcissa said sincerely.

'Give me the phone please.' Draco requested.

Narcissa handed the new phone to her son.

'Jack?' Draco asked angrily.

'Yes, Draco?' Jack responded.

'You were there for me when my father wasn't. I looked to you as a mentor for many years. I trusted you and I thought you told me everything. How could you lie to me all these years about something so serious!' Draco cried into the phone.

'Draco, you need to calm down, for your mother's sake. She loves you, and you know it frightens her when you bring your anger management problems up openly.'

'I don't care. She shouldn't have lied to me.' Draco snapped.

'When you are angry like this, it reminds your mother of your father, please Draco, calm down.' Jack requested.

Draco took a deep breath.

'Answer the question, Uncle Jack. Why did you lie to me all these years?'

'Your mother and I were friends when we were younger. We didn't lie to you, Draco. We held certain truths from you, yes. We did this mainly because your father would have nothing to do with me and to save you from more depressing thoughts.' Jack said calmly, 'After a few years your mother and I got in touch, and talked about telling you everything because your father was doing well. He was very committed to raising you and was not his "dark-mysterious" usual self. He was being an actual father and continued this refreshing new side for about six years, then he went nuts about Voldemort again, so your mother and I thought it best to keep it all from you.'

'Even after I was matured, you still kept it from me.' Draco stated.

'Draco, you didn't mature until this year.' Jack sighed, 'You know that.'

'Then why didn't you tell me this year?'

'I am not a death eater anymore. I haven't been for seventeen years. It doesn't matter anymore.'

'You should have told me. I trusted you.'

'Draco, it's not a happy subject. I was afraid you would not take the news well, like you are now.'

'I'm not fucking taking it well because you kept it from me. Hermione found the scrapbooks and told me.'

'First, stop swearing in front of your mother and Hermione.'

'Hermione isn't here.'

'Where is she?'

'I don't know, somewhere in the manor.'

'Shouldn't you know? She just found out these things that she knew would hurt you, she showed you even though she probably second guessed herself when she did. She most likely saw you get angry. Don't you think you should go find and talk to her?' Jack wisely suggested.

'No, I want to know if you are hiding anything else from me.' Draco said insinuatingly.

'I love your mother.'

Draco paused, he didn't know how to respond.

'Here mother, phone's for you.' Draco said quickly handing the phone to Narcissa.

She took it questionably. Then she watched her son leave the room quickly.

Draco walked slowly once he left the family room.

What did Uncle Jack mean when he said he loved my mother? He meant the same love he has for me, right? He didn't mean in love did he? He shook his head, brushing that idea from his head. He then stopped in the middle of his hall and looked around. Is Hermione still in the attic? He quickly ran up the first floor stairs and down the hall. He turned to go up the attic, but he stopped when he saw he sitting on the bottom of the wooden attic staircase.

'Why are you still here, 'Mione?' Draco asked softly. He knew she was either upset or sad.

She looked up at him with her big, brown eyes. They looked dispirited. Draco's heart immediately dropped. He knew he hurt her somehow.

'I'm sorry for getting angry.' He said, 'But you have to understand how this makes me feel. The man I've looked to as a true father all my life, and my own mother, have been lying to me for eighteen years.'

'I understand.' She sighed.

He nodded, but he knew inside she just accepting his apology, not really accepting the understanding.

He walked over to her and sat down next to her.

'I talked to Jack. I think he is in love with my mother.'

Hermione's eyes brightened a bit.

'Really?'

'I asked him if there was anything else he had been hiding from me and he said "I love you mother". Does that mean a platonic love or a more passionate love?'

'I'm not sure, Draco. I would have had to hear it.' She sighed.

'Oh. Well it's making me think. What if he is in love with my mother?'

'I don't know. How do you feel about that? You've been calling him Uncle for years.'

'I probably still would, even if he did tell my mother he loved her and they…god forbid…began to "go out".' He said with a dry chuckle.

Hermione tried to laugh, but nothing really came out.

'Hermione, something is bothering you still. I am sorry you had to see my get angry like that. I should not have, but I was lied to for my whole life about my own family.'

'I know, Draco. I'm sorry if I sound angry, I'm just tired. It's late.'

Draco nodded, not believing she was "just tired".

'All right. I'll buy it.' He said.

Draco grabbed her hands.

'You know I love you, right?' He asked with a cheesy smile.

She laughed softly.

'Yes.'

'Good.' He replied, kissing her cheek.

'Would you mind if I went to bed, Draco?' Hermione asked.

'I don't care, love. If you are tired, go to bed. Just because I want to make sweet, love to you right now doesn't mean I am going to deny you your sleep.' He said with a smirk. He then stood up and stretched quickly. 'I'll walk you to your room. I'm going to talk to my mother for a little longer, then I'll be up too. You don't have to wait up.'

'You don't have to walk me up if you don't want to, Draco.' She told him as she also stood.

'It's no problem. It's not "upstairs", it's just down the hall.'

'Oh yes.' She said with a sheepish grin, 'I forget where we are.'

'It's okay. I got lost a lot when I was just learning how to walk.'

Hermione giggled.

Draco laughed, too, and took Hermione's hand and led her down the hall.

They entered Draco's large room hand-in-hand.

'Oh, Draco, I forgot to owl my parents.'

'Okay, well, you owl your parents, I'll talk to mine, then I'll meet you back up here soon.'

'All right.' She responded.

'Demon is probably in the room next door, you can use him.'

'Thanks.'

He nodded, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Hermione went to Draco's drawers and took out a baggy, pajama shirt to sleep in. It was very worn in. It was green and had words imprinted on it. She threw the shirt on a chair, while she undressed. She was now in her white bra and boyshorts. She took the shirt and unfolded it. She rolled her eyes when she read the words on the shirt. "Weasley Is Our King" was printed boldly and underlined. She turned it over and was about to slip if over her head when she saw more words on the back. The lyrics were displayed there boldly also.

Weasley cannot save a thing.
He cannot block a single ring.
That's why Slytherins all sing:
Weasley is our King.

Weasley was born in a bin.
He always lets the quaffle in.
Weasley will make sure we win.
Weasley is our King.

Weasley is our King.
Weasley is our King.
He always lets the quaffle in.
Weasley is our King.

'I cannot believe Draco made shirts.' Hermione sighed. 'He was so immature.'

Then she thought about what she said. She said "was".

'No,' She added, 'He still would have made that shirt about Ronald, even to this day.'

She slipped the shirt over her head and moved to Draco's writing desk. She took out a quill and some parchment.

Dear Mum and Dad, I'm staying at the Manor tonight. Draco had his quidditch try-outs today, he did very well, but he is still nervous about his status letter that comes in the morning. He asked me to stay here tonight so I would be with him when he received the letter from the manager of the team. I hope all is well. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you both. Hermione

She went into the next room over, not the room she stayed in at her last visit, but the other. It was a smaller room full of Quidditch posters, books, old brooms, a few cages, and another moderately sized cage with a small tree inside it. Draco's owl was sitting in the large tree.

'Wow…the owl even has his own room.' Hermione sighed, as she shook her head.

She walked to the cage and opened the small door.

'Come here, Demon.'

The owl took a few seconds to think, then flew to her.

'Good owl.' She cooed, brushing its feathers. 'Take this to Richard and Anne Granger.'

She handed the owl some oats sitting in a pail outside the cage, then handed him her letter, Demon took it in his talons and flew out of an open window.

Hermione walked back into the room, just as Draco entered it.

Draco left Hermione in his room, and walked downstairs to talk to his mother.

He entered the room just as she put the phone down on the receiver.

'I'm sorry for blowing up.' Draco said.

'It's fine, darling. All is forgotten. I'm sorry for not being truthful, but you understand why we didn't tell you right?'

'Yes. What did you and Uncle Jack talk about after I handed the phone to you?' He asked.

'I asked him what you said that made you nearly throw the phone back to me.'

'What did he say?'

'He said that he told you to go check on Hermione.'

'That's it?' Draco asked.

'We also talked about going to the theatre next weekend. What did you think he told me?'

'Oh, nothing. I was just curious.' Draco said, hiding a smirk. 'What play are you seeing?'

'Les Miserables.'

'Sad.' Draco said uninterested.

'Yes, I've heard it is.' Narcissa sighed. 'Are you going to be okay with what you found out today?'

'Yes, I'll be fine. I'll go put the box back into the attic.'

'Thank you. I don't want it down here.'

'Do you want me to toss the boxes out?' Draco asked.

'No.' Narcissa said quickly. 'Part of your father is in those journals, keep them.'

Draco nodded. He walked over to her, kissed her cheek, then grabbed the big box.

'I'm going to bed now. Hermione's already asleep probably. Tomorrow my letter from Deverill comes.'

'I'm sure they chose you, darling. No one did better than you. You were brilliant.'

'Thank you, mother, but with all do respect you have no idea what is brilliant when it comes to Quidditch.'

'Oh yes, I know, but the Weasleys' and Hermione were all going crazy when your scores were announced so I am assuming you did well. Those weird looking twins said you probably broke a record.'

Draco laughed at his mother.

'Well, thanks and good night.'

'Good night dear.'

Draco left the room with the box and carried it upstairs, walked down the hall, then walked up to the attic. He set the box down, looked around at all the filled boxes, then ran down the stairs and closed the attic door.

He walked into his bedroom just as Hermione was walking in from Demon's room. He immediately noticed she was wearing his favorite bedtime shirt.

'Hello beautiful. I see you found my favorite T-shirt.'

She nodded.

'I did. I cannot believe you made yourself a shirt.'

'Actually, Blaise made them. Every Slytherin owns one.' He said with a smirk. 'I made the buttons.'

'God you are so immature.' She said with a soft laugh.

'Was.'

'What?'

'I was immature.' He corrected.

'Draco, we both know that you would make these shirts again today if you had a reason. You say it's your favorite shirt.'

Draco shrugged.

'I admit defeat. You're right.'

She smiled victoriously and walked over to the bed. She crawled under the covers and looked at him.

'I'm going to go wash up and change. I'll be in, in a second.'

She nodded as he walked into his bathroom.

After about five minutes, Draco walked out in his boxers.

'Hermione, Jack didn't tell my mother his feelings. He only told me. He trusted me with his feelings.'

Draco waited for a response that never came. He looked over at the bed and saw Hermione fast asleep. He smiled and crawled in next to her. He slid up against her body and wrapped his arm around her.

'I love you.' He said softly in her ear, 'Good night.'

The next morning Draco was awake by seven A.M. Two hours later, Hermione woke up to see the nervous appearing Draco sitting at his desk, staring out the open window, awaiting the letter from Philbert Deverill. She saw him drumming his fingers on the table, and tapping his foot on the floor rapidly. He was humming and mumbling words in a sort of made-up tune. She swore he was singing "Come on letter, come on letter, c'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon come on letter."

Hermione decided it was time to try to calm him. She silently rolled off the bed and tiptoed over to him. With his back to her, she draped her arms down his chest, she felt him jump, but then relax when he realized who it was. His right hand reached over and grabbed her left arm, slid down to her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it.

'Everything is going to be fine.' She whispered in his ear.

Her long, curly locks of mahogany cascaded down onto his bare chest as she kissed him. He wasn't nervous enough to not kiss her back, that was for sure. He pulled her around his chair, by way of the arm he already took hold of, and tugged her down onto his lap. His lips attacked her own, then she allowed his tongue to molest hers. She moaned quietly, reaching both arms up around his neck, his arms were around her waist holding the small of her back.

He then moved his lips to her ear where he bit playfully. She giggled as he tickled her earlobes and neck.

'Ahh, stop it, Draco. I'm getting goosebumps!' She cried girlishly.

He laughed, then sweetly kissed her cheek.

'How long have you been awake?' She asked.

'I'm not sure, since seven…ish?' He replied.

'Seven! Wow, well I'm sorry I didn't arise earlier to keep you company.'

'Oh, don't apologize for that. I was fine just watching you sleep.' He said with a grin.

She shrugged and then stood up.

'Where are you going?' He asked.

'Brush my teeth. Will you be okay by your lonesome for two minutes?' She said satirically.

'No, I am afraid the bogeyman will come and eat me.' He said childishly.

'No worry 'ittle Drakie, there's no such thing as the bogeyman.' She said, as she strolled into the bathroom.

Hermione brushed and flossed, and began to wash her face when she heard Draco yell.

'Hermione! It's here.'

Hermione ran to the bedroom in a flash.

'Hurry, Draco! Open it!' She cried excitedly, still holding a soaking wet washcloth.

'Okay, okay, woman, don't rush me.'

Draco broke the wax seal and pulled open the letter.

Dear Mr. Malfoy, Thank you for coming and trying out yesterday. I am always glad to see so many young people still interested in Quidditch. Draco then began to read slower. However, I am sorry to say you did not make the position. Please continue to train, you have potential. Sincerely, Philbert Deverill, Manager of Puddlemere United

A/N: Okay, I have 9 days left of school and I decided not to wait that long for updating this story, hope that's okay with all of you! However, I probably REALLY won't be updating until after graduation this time, unless I happen to find myself with extra time (I didn't have a lot of homework this weekend, miraculously). Please review! Thanks!