Disclaimer: not mine.

A/N: Sorry this is short, but it just felt right to end the chapter there. I have started outlining my next Lucius/Hermione fic and hope you all will read that one too! I will finish this one first though! Please review! Please? Please?

Chapter 24

Truth

No one said a word. McGonagall stepped forward, rushing to Hermione and guiding her up off the floor. She looked around at Harry and Ron and said, "My office." She nodded at Severus and he nodded back. Harry couldn't help but to think possibly there was an unspoken meaning in those nods.

Hermione couldn't remember walking to the Headmistress' office. She was just there it seemed. Ron seemed utterly shocked himself. He sat on one side of Hermione shaking his head and looking at her.

"Why would you say you killed her, Hermione?"

Hermione looked at him with a worried crinkled forehead.

"Because I did it Ron." She paused looking down at her hands in her lap. "She had tortured me and when Luc…Professor Malfoy arrived she turned to him. She was going to kill us."

Ron looked down at his feet unsure as to what to say. Some of the painting appeared to be listening as they leaned out a bit to hear better. Behind McGonagall, the portrait of Dumbledore winked at Hermione. A slight watery smile spread across her face at the old Headmaster's painting.

Severus walked briskly into the office.

"Lupin will be here shortly with Kingsley." Everyone looked at Severus waiting for further explanation. "Kingsley is going to question Miss Granger, but he has to do it with veritaserum in order for Scrimgeour to even consider his report."

Hermione nodded her head in acceptance hoping nothing more than was necessary was asked. The room was silent while they all waited. Hermione continued to fidget with her hands in her lap. Each minute seemed to last a lifetime. She wanted Lucius back in the castle…now.

After what seemed like forever, Remus and Kingsley knocked on the door before entering.

"I am sorry about this, Hermione," Remus said as he handed her a small phial of liquid. "It's the only way to satisfy the Minister."

Nodding her head, Hermione reached out with shaking hands and picked up the phial. Licking her lips nervously she brought it to her lips and quickly poured it down her throat. Everyone watched and waited. After a couple of moments, Kingsley stepped forward and smiled warmly. For the next thirty minutes Hermione was questioned about everyone moment from the time she was taken by Bellatrix to her killing Bellatrix with Lucius' wand. Everyone, including the portraits sat rapt in her words. Even when she wanted to lie, she couldn't. The veritaserum would not allow it. When the questioning was complete, Kingsley nodded and thanked her.

"I'll write my report up and give it to the Minister tonight. If anything, maybe we can get Lucius a trial for this."

Kingsley left after a quick goodbye to everyone.

"Severus, please escort Miss Granger back to her rooms. The veritaserum will remain in effect for another thirty minutes."

Snape nodded politely to McGonagall and motioned for Hermione to follow him out the Headmistress' office. Ron couldn't take it anymore though. He had seen her with Lucius, but he wanted the truth. Ron jumped up suddenly before Hermione could walk out the door.

"Do you love Malfoy?"

Harry's mouth fell open slightly and looked at Hermione. He already knew what she was going to say, but obviously, Ron needed to hear it.

"Mister Weasley!"

McGonagall was not happy with Ron taking advantage of Hermione's overly truthful state. She turned around to look at Ron.

"Yes, I do."

Ron stood, completely dumbfounded as Hermione exited the office. Severus could not help the smirk that crossed his face when he saw Ron's face. They walked the corridors in silence. Hermione stopped walking abruptly. Severus noticed Hermione was no longer walking, he stopped, and slowly turned around.

"What is it Miss Granger?"

"I…I don't want to go back to my rooms."

He began walking toward her.

"And just where do you think you are going to go?"

Hermione looked up at Severus and he could see the desperation in her eyes.

"To Lucius' quarters…I need to be there."

Severus' eyes narrowed at her in a scrutinizing fashion. Without responding, he turned down a corridor to his right and led her to Lucius' quarters.

Severus left Hermione in Lucius' quarters. She just stood in the middle of the room looking around her as Severus left. She was thankful he was not pestering her with what could be or with false hopes. Lucius' presence still lingered in the room. She slowly walked to the sofa and slumped down onto it. Hermione curled up on the sofa and fell asleep wishing Lucius would sweep into the room and reprimand her for being there. But she knew he wouldn't. He was in Azkaban.

As Hermione slept, the whispers traveled through the castle. Students, teachers, and paintings were all telling and retelling what they witnessed in the corridor and what the paintings witnessed in the Headmistress' office. It sent a wave of shock through the school—Lucius Malfoy was in love with Hermione Granger.

Early the next morning before the major rush of breakfast goers were in the corridors, Hermione left for the Heads rooms. Draco was sitting on the sofa when she entered as if he had been waiting for her. Hermione saw him stand and expecting him to be angry with her. After all, Draco was angry last time Lucius was sent to Azkaban because of Harry. Draco walked up to Hermione and just stopped in front of her and looked at her. His brow furrowed as if warring with something deep with in. Then, he reached out and hugged her.

"He'll get out of this Hermione."

She pulled back and looked at him.

"But it's my fault he is even there."

Draco shook his head no.

"No, he chose to take the blame." Draco smiled and reached out and touched the snowflake necklace around her neck. "There is something you don't understand about Malfoys, Hermione."

"Oh? And what is that?"

He dropped the snowflake necklace back down.

"Malfoys look out for their own and will sacrifice themselves for one of their own. I knew how father felt for you when he gave you that necklace."

Hermione stared at him, silent, wondering how Draco really felt about that. Part of her was in shock that way back then Draco noticed his father's feeling toward her when she didn't even know. Draco smiled slightly.

"Don't worry, Granger. I'm not angry about it or anything. Obviously, father sees you as family." He held out his arm for her to take. She looked at him warily. "We look out for our own Granger, remember?"

With a small, thankful smile, Hermione took his arm. Together, they left through the portrait hole and Draco led her to the Great Hall for breakfast. Most of the student body was already inside eating. Draco stopped outside the doors. Hermione turned to look at him wondering why he stopped. He looked at her and smirked.

"Are you ready for this?"

"Yes," she stated, but he could hear the quaver of her voice. They both knew that when they walked through those doors all eyes would be on Hermione.

"Okay, lesson one: entering a public domain after a potentially scandalous event as a 'Malfoy.' Keep your head held high, something you are quite good at I might add. Do not falter. Remember you are better than any of them."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest that last statement, but Draco held up his hand.

"I know you would never view yourself better than anyone or look down on them, but you need to walk through those doors with your defenses up…defenses that let them know nothing they say matter because they do not matter in comparison."

Hermione nodded her head understanding and smiled at Draco's playful "lesson." He held his arm out for her again and she took it. He watched her chin jut out as he had seen it do many times in the past when he was belittling her. He smirked again.

"Time to be the Malfoy," Draco said and opened the doors to the Great Hall.