Chapter 7: 'You said.'

Hermione looked down the list. She gasped at the last question. Draco had scrawled out 'Do you love me?'

"Draco, I don't know about this." But he had already taken the dose.

Hermione's hands were shaking. She took the pencil from Draco's hand. There were six questions on the paper.

What is your father's name? ((Just to test.))

Who is the Dark Lord?

Did Ronald Weasly really beat you up?

What did said person say while beating you up?

Do you believe what said person said?

Do you love me?

Hermione read them all out loud and recorded the answers. Here they are;

Lucius Malfoy.

Tom Marvolo Riddle. Or Voldemort.

Yes.

He said he had made a plan with The Dark Lord about me to get Hermione Granger.

Yes.

Yes.

That last answer. That last damming answer. Hermione just sat there and cried until Draco finally came around. When he did, she just handed him the paper. He read his answers.

"Hermione, I'm sorry."

"You really love me?"

Draco had thought she was crying about what Ron had said. "Well, yes."

Hermione looked at him. "I thought so."

"If you want, this could have never happened. We could pretend it just never happened. Whatever you want."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

Hermione lunged in and kissed him.

"Hermione! I love you."

"I know."

They sat up. They looked at each other for a few more minutes. "Um, what are we gonna do, Draco?"

"About what?"

"About this."

"What's this?"

"Well, you know. Us."

"Define us."

"Well, us being together. We are together, aren't we?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely!"

"So…."

"Um, question? Are you going out with Ron?"

"What? NO! No, no, no, no, noooo!"

"Okay, good."

"Yea. Um, so…"

"Let's go somewhere away from here."

"Yeah."

Draco stood up. He leaned down his hand and offered it to Hermione. She took it and stood up. They walked down the stairs to the Great Hall. It was time for dinner.

"Herm, could I tell you something in complete confidence?"

"Of course."

"The Dark Lord. He killed Goyle trying to find me. I think that's was what the deal was that Weasel was talking about."

Hermione stopped walking. Finally, she said, "I don't believe it. Not Ron. He couldn't have. Are you sure?"

"Yes, babe, I'm sorry."

"That boy'll do anything to get me. Even if it means killing Harry. We have to get him help." With that she ran off to Dumbledore's office, Draco trailing behind.

When they got there, she mumbled the password and the staircase started up. Draco jumped on. When they got to the top, Herm lightly rapped on the door. "Come in." It was Dumbledore. They walked in and Albus was sitting at his desk. "How may I help you?"

"Professor Dumbledore, I have to tell you something. Ronald needs help. He will do anything to get me. Even if it means killing the-boy-who-lived and he already got Goyle killed and I'm just…. I'm not sure….. he needs counseling or some potion or spell or something."

"So…… You mean to tell me…….thaaaaat……Mr. Ronald Weasly…….needs help? Because…….you suspect him of……….. aiding and abiding?"

"Yes, sir."

"And Mr. Malfoy, what do you think of all of this?"

"I don't trust myself. I'll take this." He pulled out the vile.

"No need, no need."

"Well, I guess, I think it's true."

"You do?"

"Yes, sir."

Suddenly, a voice came from under the desk. "We all know he does, Albus. Hurry up!" Ron stood up from under the desk, his wand pointed at Albus.

"Now, Miss Granger, disarm him!"

Hermione flipped out her wand. "Expelliarmus!"

R&R!