Disclaimer: No one signed up for the coup. I'm disappointed. :) So I guess we'll leave Harry Potter and Co. to JKR.

Confrontation

Ginny and Harry remained in the kitchen well after breakfast, discussing the events of that night. Harry explained Draco's reaction and Ginny seemed rather pleased that Harry punched him. "He might be on our side, but he's acting like a git. How can he be so insensitive to Hermione's feelings? It's not like she wants to share his memories!"

Harry nodded in agreement. "I tried to explain that to him, but he didn't want to hear it. I think he may still be in shock, and even a little embarrassed. Originally, he didn't want to tell me about it. Dumbledore practically forced both of us to talk that day. So I bet he's angry at us."

"Yeah, and Hermione's a bit angry with me for telling you, but she understands why I did it. She's in the library now. I think she might be avoiding a certain Slytherin," Ginny confided.

"I would imagine so," Harry replied.

For the rest of the holiday, Hermione spent very little time in the company of others. She mainly kept to the library, which was the least used room in the house. The east wall was entirely covered in bookshelves, and the shelves were full of ancient books on unusual types of magic that Hermione could get lost in. She knew that the Black family library had some very rare books that she would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

At least three times a day, Harry poked his head in the library to check on Hermione. They went through the same routine conversation every time. Hermione would be curled up in an oversized armchair in the corner, engrossed in a book, twisting her hair about her finger. Harry would step just inside the door.

"Hey, Hermione. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." Hermione would reply.

"Are you hungry? I could bring you some food?"

"No, thanks Harry. I'm fine."

"Okay. You let me know if I can do anything for you?"

"Yeah, Harry, I will."

This went on for about a week, the only person Hermione confided in was Ginny. And Ginny wasn't talking. Every once and awhile, Draco would slowly walk past the open door, and observe Hermione. She was always so engrossed in whatever book she was reading; she failed to notice the blonde lingering a little longer than normal in the hall. Draco wasn't sure what kept drawing him to her doorway, but for some reason, he found himself there at least once a day. He reasoned it was because he didn't have that much to do, as he still wasn't talking to Harry more than necessary.

A few days before their return to Hogwarts, Harry stepped into the library to find Hermione staring up at the large tapestry hanging on the north wall. Harry walked slowly behind Hermione, and looked up as well. The tapestry showed the Black family crest, the family motto 'Toujours Pur', and the family tree. It reminded Harry of Sirius, and he avoided looking at it. The tapestry still bore the holes and burned sections caused by Sirius' mother when she cursed off those in her family that didn't meet her pure-blood requirements, of which Sirius was one.

"He was related to the Malfoys, did you know that?" Harry asked, expecting an answer. He got a question instead.

"He was related to Phineus Nigellus. Did you know that?" Hermione turned to look at Harry. "Yeah, Hermione, I think I did. The great-great grandfather was headmaster of Hogwarts, or some such. Why?"

Hermione looked a bit triumphant as she sat back in the armchair, "Hazel Nigellus. She's the great-great-great grand niece of Phineus Nigellus. And that means, she's related to Sirius."

Harry blinked at Hermione; surprised that this never occurred to him before. Of course, that's why her name sounded so familiar. She's related to Sirius.

"Why was she sorted into Gryffindor, then? All the other Blacks were Slytherins, except Sirius," Harry wondered.

"Why was Sirius sorted into Gryffindor? Why were you, for that matter, Harry? Who knows why? But you know the Sorting Hat is never wrong," Hermione answered, thoughtful. "Do you think she knows she's related to Sirius? Or that you're his godson?"

"I don't see why she would," Harry replied, still staring at the Nigellus family line. Hermione took a deep breath.

"Harry, would you mind if I borrowed a few of your books to take back to school? I found a few that are pretty interesting, and I'm not finished yet."

"Sure, anything I have is yours," Harry smiled at his friend. "Which books did you find?"

"Well…" Hermione paused, unsure of Harry's reaction. "Mostly I wanted to read this one." She handed the large book to Harry. It was leather-bound, and the corners were worn with age. The cover proclaimed its title proudly: Ancient Magic and Powerby Roma Menelaus. Harry glanced at Hermione, eyebrows lifted.

"Light reading, right?" Harry asked, jokingly. "What exactly interests you about this book?"

"I want to know why I'm witnessing Malfoy's memories," Hermione fibbed, "Or at least this one in particular."

"And you think the answer is in here?"

"Could be. I haven't exactly had a chance to read it," Hermione said, fibbing again, and taking the book back from Harry. "So, can I take it?"

"I already told you: Anything I have is yours," Harry said, placing his hand on hers and giving her a meaningful look.

Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. What does that mean, and why did he say it like that?

"If you need any help, let me know," Harry said, moving toward the door.

Hermione nodded.

"I hope you're able to find the answers you're looking for," Harry commented as he left the room.

I will, Harry. And I'm going to learn more than you're expecting, she thought as she turned to the chapter on Love.

Hermione was completely immersed in Ancient Magic and didn't notice Draco come into the library, carrying a book. He stopped at the doorway, thoughtfully gazing at her, but decided against interrupting her reading. He wandered past her, on the opposite side of the room. He glanced up at the bookshelves, reading titles of books, and looking at all the knickknacks resting on the shelves. Nothing seemed to interest him, so he sat on the couch opposite Hermione, and opened his own book, Secrets of the Darkness. 'Chapter One: Death and Defiance'

After a while, Hermione began to get restless, having sat in the same position for too long. She shifted in her chair, drawing Draco's attention. Hermione looked up, meeting Draco's gaze. He could tell she was startled to see him, but she gave no inclination of starting a civilized conversation, and she held his eyes with a boldness that rivaled Draco's. Draco smiled at the thought of Hermione's ability to stand her ground.

Is he smiling at me? Hermione thought, confused. She put down her book, and stood. Draco followed suit, unsure of what she was up to.

"What is it that you are doing here, Malfoy?" Hermione asked coldly. Her unfriendly tone was harsh to Draco's ears. She'd spoken to him like this before; last year it hadn't bothered him, but it bothered him now. And he was also irritated at her use of his last name. What happened to 'Draco'?

"Anger doesn't suit you, Granger." Draco intentionally used her surname to see if it bothered her as much as it did him. He was disappointed when Hermione didn't react.

"I'm not angry," was her simple reply. I'm not angry; I'm hurt. But I doubt you would understand that. She wished she had the courage to speak her feelings, but she didn't want to get hurt again.

"Of course you're not. Just like you haven't been lying to me the whole year!" He snapped. "And after all that talk of trust and loyalty. I see where your loyalties lie. How is it that Ginny and Harry know about my dreams?" Draco said bitterly, turning away from her.

"I never once lied to you. Not once. And Ginny knew about my – your – nightmares because she was there when I would wake screaming, in pain. And if my guess is correct, you, Draco Malfoy, were the one to tell Harry! Don't go blaming this all on me, because I don't deserve it. It's not my fault that I'm witnessing your awful dreams. It's yours!" Hermione let her disappointment get the better of her, and tears began burning behind her eyes.

"My fault? My fault! How, in Merlin's name, is this my fault!" Draco was incensed. There is no way it could be his fault that she invaded his dreams.

Hermione picked up the enormous book she had been reading and shook it at him, frustration radiating from her every nerve. "It's all in here! Ancient Magic covers all sorts of old magic. You were looking for someone to share your burden. Somewhere along the way you decided I would do. You let me in. You made me part of it! You could have blocked me, but you didn't. You made me feel the pain!"

Draco cringed at her accusatory tone. Once again, he was the cause of pain. He kicked the couch in agitation, causing Hermione to jump. "How did this happen?" His didn't yell, but he still wasn't calm, and he wasn't looking at her.

Hermione sank into her chair, trying to regain composure after her little outburst. "The book says that the bearer would have to be desperate for understanding. But the rest is pretty vague: Somehow, there is transference of emotion, or in our case memories, through physical contact. I'm guessing that happened when you knocked me over in the courtyard, because the nightmares started soon after that. But the book doesn't say anything about occurrences or how to stop it." Hermione sighed.

"So, you've researched this? And you've decided I'm, what was it, 'desperate'? And didn't think it right to tell me? Especially since now I know you share the dreams?" Draco turned back, eyes again flashing in anger.

"I just found it this morning! What do you want from me?" Hermione's frustration was evident in her voice and she was near tears again.

"Are you going to apologize for invading my memories?" Draco took a step toward Hermione, his voice still harsh.

"Are you going to apologize for calling me a mudblood?" Hermione stood to face Draco, her tone matching his.

Neither spoke for what seemed like hours. Draco was surprised at the formidable opponent opposite him, but still he held his ground. He was hurt. Hermione, who had taken into his confidence, had been keeping this secret from him.

Hermione held his gaze until she couldn't take it anymore. She sighed, glanced down, and collected her things, all under the watchful stare of Draco. With books in her arms, she made her way toward the door. Draco's glare followed her as she turned at the doorway, and spoke so softly, Draco almost didn't hear her.

"I am sorry. But not for invading your memories. I'm sorry you had to endure it in the first place."

Hermione left Draco in the library; stunned into silence.

AN: Hello to my friendly readers! Thanks for stopping by and reading my stuff. Please review! My reviewers are wonderful, or as my friend Lady Lily said, Magnifico!

Thanks to

Lady Lily 3 - Hehe! "Stupendous" reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes the cartoon. He has a character called Stupendous Man, and he's always getting into trouble acting like this super hero.

Karone Sakura -Crazied reviews are the coolest! Totally! And I totally happen to think sanity is overrated. :) I'm having writers block on chapter 28 now. ugh.

Razorblade Romance - Hope you don't still feel bad for Hermione. She's holding her own in this chapter.

Dreema Azaleia Wingblade - Draco is in for a tough couple of months if I have my way, and he isn't going to take it so well then either:)

Elemental Dragon- Why thank you:)