A/N: So its chapter seven now… wow… that's a lot in such a short period of time. I must really like writing this story. Thanks for the reviews! I love you all! Oh and I think I will add a side note. My bestie, Amy – you know I portrayed her as a character in my trilogy stories: Nothing Is How It Seems, Because You Live and A New Day Has Come – anyway she has two awesome stories up called, "Only One" and "The Aftermath". Check them out if ya want!

DISCLAIMER: I only own those I create and the plot line.

Chapter Seven: Connection

Hermione sighed and folded the folder close as her clients walked out chatting happily about there wedding which was two weeks away. Already Hermione was stressing about it, seeing as they were spending well over 200,000 galleons on it. Luna knocked on her office door with a letter and her next clients' folder.

"Hermione are you okay? You look pale," commented Luna, "I have a letter from the Australian Ministry of Magic… the businesses section and Draco Malfoy wishes to see you briefly. He says it concerns his wedding."

Hermione took the letter and folder in exchange for the folder she already had, "Ron asked me to marry him and I said yes."

Luna's eyes widened in happiness, but suddenly changed to concern as Hermione broke down in tears,

"Hermione you are getting married. You should be happy!"

"I know Luna, I know I should be… do you think there is any chance you could owl Harry to come here at midday? I have a hour break then don't I?"

"You do," nodded Luna, "I'll owl him straight away… ah what about Draco Malfoy?"

"Send him in I guess," mumbled Hermione pulling a tissue out of the box she had mainly for stressed out clients.

She blew her nose and wiped her face over glancing out the window to see heavy rain clouds heading in… good, it suited her mood just fine.

Luna left and moments later Draco walked in, glaring at her as he shut the door shut and sat down. Hermione looked at him, taking in his heavenly eyes and facial features.

"Argh I must be sick," muttered Hermione as she discarded the tissue into a bin under her desk.

"Morning Granger," greeted Draco civilly.

Hermione looked up at him and sighed, "I don't have your folder with me at the moment."

"Throw it away. You don't need it anymore."

Hermione frowned, "Have you changed wedding planning companies? Is this about your obsession?"

"Not at all… don't flatter yourself Granger. I wouldn't change companies to get over you."

Immediately Draco cursed himself – that came out wrong, while Hermione simply nodded – he didn't know she was getting an obsession with him, which suited her just fine.

"What I came here to say is, Pansy and I aren't getting married… she ah... loves someone else you see an-"

"Malfoy I don't need to know the story. You told me all I needed to know," replied Hermione quietly, "Your lucky."

"Lucky? Are you kidding me? I have to tell my parents yet… they are likely to blame you… well my mother will and you will cop the back lash and my father will think I love you – which I don't."

"You are lucky because you don't have to marry someone you don't love!" screamed Hermione standing up.

Draco frowned and looked at her finger too see the shiny silver ring, "So it's true then. You are getting married."

"Argh, I don't want to talk about it," muttered Hermione turning to the window folding her arms across the chest, "I don't get it."

"Get what?"

"Here I am literally telling you everything, you nearly told me your story with Pansy, yet we still argue and call each other by our surnames."

"It's called a connection Granger. We both connect, meaning we understand each other in ways others don't," replied Draco walking around to her, his eyes roaming her body he dreamt of every night.

Hermione turned to look at him in the eyes, "It's a physical thing, Malfoy. You know it, I know it."

"So little Miss Granger is obsessed too?"

Hermione looked away but tensed when his hand touched her shoulder and slid down her back. His breath tingled her neck as she involuntary closed her eyes at his touch.

"How long till your next client?" whispered Draco before softly kissing her neck.

"I can't!" cried Hermione pulling away and spinning around, "It's just a physical thing Dra- Malfoy! We'll get over it… plus… I'm engaged to Ron."

Draco sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "For nearly two weeks… maybe more, I don't know, I have been obsessed with you Granger… the only way I can stop is too… well you know!"

Hermione looked away, "I think you should go before we both do something we will regret."

"It will happen Granger… you'll see."

With that, he was gone.

O

"Great well, everything is organized and I can't see any problems, so from three weeks today you will proudly become Mr and Mrs Boone," grinned Hermione opening the door for her clients.

"Thankyou Hermione," said Kylie before leaving with her soon to be husband.

Hermione sighed and handed Luna the folder as Harry walked over, dressed in his Aurour uniform. She smiled at him a little before he hugged her tightly and stepped into her office.

"Luna told me you accepted his proposal," said Harry taking a seat beside Hermione on the floor, leaning against the window, "Why Hermione, why did you when you don't want to marry him?"

"He's happy Harry. Ron… Ron has never had a lot of happiness. You know how he hated being poor while at school… how he was always just Harry's friend. I can't ruin his happiness… I just can't."

"Hermione in the long run you are going to hurt him more… you can't marry someone you don't love… just because Malfoy is!"

"This has nothing to do with bloody Draco Malfoy Harry… how did you find that out?"

"I… I over heard his mother talking at Flourish and Blotts the other day to some woman. She said you got it into his head that he didn't love Pansy… but then she is saying he really doesn't lover her but is still going to marry her."

"Well she will be in for a treat. Malfoy turned up here saying him and Pansy aren't getting married… and I am not marrying Ron because of him."

"Look you wanted me here for some reason. Why?"

"I needed someone to talk to Harry. You're my bestfriend… I know I don't love him Harry. But I said yes so I can't turn around and say no."

"You know Hermione… everyone knows you don't love him except for Ron himself. You are the one who is going to be hated because you have stopped Ron from finding someone who loves him back. Is that what you want? To be hated by everyone?"

"NO!" screamed Hermione, "But I can't tell him I don't love him! I can't! It will break his heart!"

"And it's something he will get over! What about you Hermione? Surely there is someone you like."

Hermione paled but said nothing.

"So there is."

"Its more physical attraction Harry."

Harry nodded, "Have you done anything? While you have been with Ron?"

Hermione looked at the floor and heard Harry sigh.

"What have you done?" he demanded.

"Kissed… that's all."

At this Harry stood up and began pacing, "You are my bestfriend. So is Ron. Hermione before you go any further with both guys… I don't care if it is just physical… you need to sort yourself out."

Without another word a fuming Harry left his bestfriend, sitting on the floor in tears.

O

Draco sighed as he heard his parents laughing in the library. He took a long deep breath and entered the room. Both his parents greeted him politely, which he replied with the same politeness. Then he sat down in front of his parents, the coffee table in between them. With curious looks from his parents Draco fished into his robe pockets and pulled out the engagement ring and placed it on the table.

"This is the engagement ring," said Narcissa slowly, "Why isn't Pansy wearing it?"

"We aren't getting married," Draco simply stated, "She loves someone else and I am not going to force her to marry me if she loves another."

"But the bloodline… inheritance!" yelled Lucius standing up in anger.

Draco stood up, glaring at his father, "Who cares about all of that! The one she loves is pureblood… I do not love Pansy, but she is my bestfriend. I want to see her happy, not marrying someone she does not love."

"Did that bloody wedding planner tell you two to call this off?" snapped Narcissa.

"NO! I saw her talking to Blaise and I overheard something. We went and talked and came to this conclusion."

"This is appalling," muttered Lucius.

"You both can't control EVERY aspect of my life! I will love who ever I fall in love with. Not who you two say I should love."

Draco turned and stormed out of the library, using his wand to blast the doors shut behind him, causing the walls to rumble from the vibration.

O

Hermione fell onto the lounge and stared at the ceiling. What should she do? Before she could contemplate the answer a midnight black flew in the window and landed in front of her. Hermione sat upright and took the carefully rolled letter tied to its leg. She unrolled it and her eyes filled with tears as soon as she saw the handwriting…

Dearest Loving Hermione,

This owl is a gift from me to you. You make my heart miss a beat every time I see you. Your smell makes my senses soar; you touch sends shivers down my spine.

I'm so glad you said yes and I swear I will cherish you and love you till the day I die.

Love Ron.

Hermione looked at the owl and held back a breath before stating, "This ends tonight."

O

He jumped in surprise as a letter fell onto his lap as a black owl flew out of the window, obviously meaning no reply would be needed. He unfolded the paper and read the words knowing whom it was from.

I need to see you now. Please come.

Throwing the letter on the desk he was gone with a crack.

O

Hermione jumped as a loud crack echoed behind her. She jumped off the lounge and spun around, letting out a relieved breath before saying, "You said the only way to end this was by one way."

He nodded.

"Then lets do it."

Draco's eyes widened as she stepped towards him nervously, "Wait… why do you want to?"

"I am engaged… I can't... I don't know."

"Granger if you don't love him then why are you?"

"If I sleep with you maybe I will be free to love Ron," cried out Hermione in desperation.

Draco grabbed Hermione by the arm and led her to the lounge. He sat her down and sat across from her and looked her in the eyes.

"Listen Granger… If you loved Weasley you wouldn't be in this drama. Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Don't you listen to those around you?"

"Everyone hates me," whispered Hermione hugging knees to her body.

"Why do you say that?" frowned Draco moving beside her.

"Harry told me everyone but Ron knows I don't love him. And that everyone will hate me because of me holding him back from finding someone better."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spilled her soul out to the person she least suspected… "Everyone has someone who they connect with, whether it is in different ways, sometimes it is someone who you never saw yourself loving, but you just do"

Hermione jumped up from the lounge and looked at Draco, her eyes wide in shock, "Oh Merlin… oh Merlin."

"What? Do I smell or something?"

"I…connect with you."

"Yeah… so? Can't enemies connect?"

"I don't know! But… it's just something I was told…"

Draco just nodded and brought back the topic at hand, "So what are you going to do about Weasley?"

Hermione sighed and slumped down beside Draco again, "I feel like I am in school dealing with a seventh year romance."

"Well that is what you two had."

"I didn't love him then either. I thought I do but I misjudged my feelings."

"Granger you love to mess with this boy."

"SHUT UP!" cried Hermione standing up and glaring at him, "I can't change the past… I can predict the future! All I can do is make a choice and hope to Merlin it is the right one."

Draco stood up, "Then make it Granger… what are you going to do? Stop beating around the bush for once in your life and make your mind up."

Hermione glared at him, her eyes locked with his. But before either knew it they were lost in a fast passionate kiss, his hands roamed her back while hers wrapped around his neck. Draco lifted her up and carried her down the hall before dropping her onto her bed. He straddled over his and leant down, kissing her lips, jaw and neckline. Both were lost in a world of passion neither knowing what their decision would lead too, but focusing on what was happening between them.

Hermione pulled his robes off and pushed him down onto the bed before her undid her pants…

O

"That son of ours has never had his head attached to his body properly," muttered Lucius to his quiet wife, "Who in their right mind would pass up this marriage? What are the Parkinson's going to say? Surely they will set Pansy right."

"The Zabini's are a highly classed family Lucius."

"So you're supporting this now?"

"No! I am saying they will most likely have no objections. They only agreed to the engagement with Draco because we got there first."

"That may be so… then we have no suitable wife for Draco- I won't even consider the bloody Weasley's. Beside's their daughter is pregnant and engaged to Harry Bloody Potter."

Narcissa sighed, "Then we must search overseas. French woman are always suitable. Very intelligent and pretty."

"Hmm… then we shall start searching tomorrow. Inform the boy now."

Narcissa nodded and headed out of the room. She walked up the stairs and down a hall to Draco's bedroom door and pushed it open to find it empty. She walked in frowning but came to a halt at a note folded on the table. Glancing around to make sure Draco wasn't hiding in any shadowy corner she unfolded it and read it.

I need to see you now. Please come.

Narcissa reached into her robe pocket and pulled out the business card she carried with her and looked at the signature on the back and sighed, "Oh my boy… what are you doing?"

O

Hermione screamed out in sensation as Draco fell on top of her, panting hard. She wrapped her arms around his sweaty back and breathed hard into his shoulder, her eyes closed. Slowly he rolled off her and lay besides her, starring at the ceiling. Hermione placed a hand on her forehead and looked at Draco.

"What have we done?" she said softly.

"I don't know… I really don't know. But I do know that, that was… amazing."

Hermione nodded and allowed Draco to pull her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked out her front window watching dusk set in.

"One day," said Hermione softly not knowing why she was, "I want to have a chain of businesses all over the world."

"That's a big dream."

"Well what's yours?"

"To have my own medical hospital for severe cases. Father reckons I shouldn't of chosen to be a medi doctor… but I enjoy my job."

"I didn't know you were a medi doctor. Do you work at St Mungo's?"

"Yep. Today was my day off."

Hermione sighed and looked at her clock. 5:50PM. She sprang up startling Draco and slid out of bed, pulling on her dressing gown, "Oh Merlin… what am I going to do?"

While she bustled about in her wardrobe dressing in nice dress pants and a white silk singlet top with lacing going across the bust, Draco dressed and sat on the bed in deep thought. He knew they connected. He knew it was more then physical obsession. He knew this was leading to something more, yet he wasn't afraid… not at all.

She stepped out and half smiled at him. He stood up and beckoned her over to him. Slowly she stepped towards him and looked up at him. He ran a hand down her cheek and placed a single kiss on her cheek.

"The choice is yours. Not mine. I can't tell you what to do."

Hermione nodded and than he was gone, leaving her to make the biggest decision on her life.

O

He paced nervously in the living room waiting for her to arrive. His parents watched him, both wondering whether Hermione would show up, which she did at that exact moment. She smiled at them and pulled her jacket around her tightly.

Ron stepped towards her to kiss her on the lips, but at the last moment Hermione turned her head to the side making him kiss her cheek.

Molly looked at Arthur who nodded knowingly. Both stood and headed to the kitchen, with Molly giving Hermione a supportive look.

Once his parents left the room Ron looked at Hermione worriedly, "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Ron I need to talk to you," replied Hermione walking towards the two-seater lounge.

She sat down with Ron beside her and turned to face him. He looked at her in confusion not knowing why she needed to talk to him so seriously.

"Ron, you are my bestfriend. My first boyfriend, my first time. But… I don't love you. I'm sorry for leading you on like this. But you were so happy when I took you back that I couldn't break your heart… but doing this was turning mine to stone. I can't marry you I can't be with you. You deserve so much better then me. Yo0u deserve someone who can love you back with all of their heart, and that I cannot give you. I am really sorry Ron."

She handed him back to ring and waited for him to respond. He starred at the ring sitting in the palm on his hand and looked up at her.

"I understand… I guess."

"I'll um… return your owl."

Ron nodded and stood up, "You should go."

Hermione nodded and left with a crack.

A/N: So there you go… she left Ron… but it doesn't mean she will automatically go to Draco… who knows what twists I have up my sleeve…

Bye for now!

Love yas!

Love Coz!