Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter

A/N Here is the next chapter kiddies. WARNING! This chapter has adult content! If you don't like that sort of thing skip it. Happy reading and don't forget to review.

The Truth

The next month flew by for Hermione; her wedding plans were coming off without a hitch. She had her dress and Ginny had hers. She picked out the dress robes for the men. The hall was booked and she had picked out the food. She had hired the band and found the perfect flowers. By the end of August she had nothing left to do but wait.

The first week of September Draco's bad mood had overlapped into his work. He had missed several days in a row after the incident in Diagon Alley preferring to sit at home and sulk. His weary mind became consumed with thoughts of stopping this travesty of a wedding somehow. The Daily Prophet was calling it the wedding of the year. Draco read on in disgust.

Famous international quidditch player Ron Weasley's September wedding to his fiancée Hermione Granger is set to be the event of the year according to inside sources. The happy couple was spotted in Diagon Alley picking out the men's wear early last week. None other than Harry Potter is set to be the best man and several of Ron's brothers the groomsmen. The ceremony will take place in lovely Hogsmeade chapel with the reception to follow at the grand Hogsmeade hall. Rumors of millions of roses being shipped in from all over the world only add to the hype of this already anticipated wedding. Only a chosen few media will be allowed in the closed ceremony including this reporter and my personal photographer. I will have continuing coverage right up until the wedding.

There was a picture of her smiling with the weasel next to the article. She waved happily from the frame of the picture. Draco tossed the newspaper into the fire before pouring himself another drink.

"Fucking weasel." he stuttered. "He doesn't deserve her." he said aloud before sitting in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace.

'Only I can make her truly happy.' he thought. 'She needs me. Fucking weasel is so stupid he would give her up to be with that slut Lavender. She deserves better.' he downed another shot. Several shots later he closed his eyes and tried to block the pain.

Miles away Hermione sat tapping her fingers on the kitchen counter waiting for Ron to come home. She had prepared a large dinner that was sitting cold on the table. She had already drank half a bottle of the wine she had opened for the dinner. Every minute or so she looked at the clock on her kitchen wall. 7:00, 7:11, 7:22, 7:35. By 7:45 she was fuming. Quidditch practice had been over for hours. She took another drink of her wine and slammed the delicate glass down on the counter causing it to shatter.

"I have had it!" she shouted. She walked into her sitting room and grabbed her bag and with a pop disappeared.

She arrived on the small country lane that lead to an aging manor. She had seen its picture in the paper many times along with a story about the family that used to live there. She didn't know why she chose to come there. Chances that he was home were slim to none. But she needed reassurance of her suspicions. He had after all told her weeks ago he had seen the two of them together in the Leaky Cauldron. Was he telling the truth? She needed to know. In her pocket she clutched a small bottle of veritaserum. She had brought it home from St. Mungo's weeks ago and had planned to put it in Ron's drink and ask him about Lavender. But as of yet he had not provided her with the opportunity. She planned to use it tonight. She slowly walked up the lane and saw twinkling lights in the many windows. He was home. She got closer and closer to the door and the butterflies in her stomach would not calm down. The huge brass knocker was heavy for her to lift. She managed to heave it upwards and let it hit the wooden door. It connected and the sound echoed through the large house. Minutes passed with no answer. She was just about to knock again when the door opened slightly.

"Who is it?" his trembling voice asked.

"It's Hermione, can I talk to you?" she replied.

"Hermione?" the door swung open and he stood there looking at her through his bloodshot eyes.

"Yes, can I talk to you? It is urgent." she asked shakily.

"Of course, come in." he said motioning for her to come inside the door. "What is the matter?" Draco had noticed her red rimmed eyes as soon as he had opened the door.

"I need to ask you something." she brought the tiny bottle out of her pocket. He looked at the bottle and back at her.

"Uh…sure." he said nervously. "Come and sit in the parlor. We can talk in there. I will get us some drinks."

She walked into the lush parlor and sat on the leather sofa. Her sweaty hands clutched the bottle tightly. This was the moment of truth. She either would find Draco was lying, or worse he was telling the truth. Either way she was going to be heartbroken. He came back in the room moments later carrying a tray with a fresh bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses.

"So, what made you change your mind?" he asked.

"Ronald has been acting strangely. Showing up late for our appointments, or not at all. He says he is at quidditch, but when he shows up he is always clean, showered and smelling good. It just doesn't add up. You told me you were telling the truth. Still willing to prove it?" she held up the small bottle again. He swallowed nervously. He wanted to prove he wasn't lying. But taking veritaserum left you totally vulnerable. She could ask him anything and he would tell her. He was willing to take any risk if it meant she would come back to him.

"Sure. Pour away." he said smiling faintly. She poured both of them drinks and put three tiny drops of the potion into his drink. She handed it to him and he downed it quickly. Five minutes later she began to speak.

"I need to know the truth." she said plainly. "Did you really see Ron with Lavender Brown in the Leaky Cauldron that day?" her eyes were full of sadness.

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry." he said reaching out to touch her shoulder. He could see the hurting in her soul. She put her hands over her face and began to cry.

"Oh gods…" she cried. She took a large drink of firewhiskey. "Why?"

He reached over and put his arm around her; thankful to be able to comfort her.

"Shhhh…don't cry Hermione. He is not worth it. He is as blind as I was five years ago." he said soothingly.

"The wedding? What about that? It's just a few weeks away. What should I do?" she sobbed.

"I can't tell you that. All I know is that he is the biggest fool on the face of the earth." Draco said.

"Oh stop…" she cried. "Stop being so nice, it makes it harder to hate you still." she said smiling weakly. He smiled back.

"Did he seem happy with her?" she asked through tears.

"Uh…yes. You know I can't lie right now, but I wish I could make it easier for you."

Hermione sobbed even more.

"I thought he loved me. But all along it was Lavender he loved?" her large brown eyes pleaded with him. He poured her another drink and handed it to her. She downed it in one large gulp.

"No, I think he loves you. He is just stupid. He was never that bright." he joked. Hermione just looked at him and sobbed.

"Back then, when we were together…well…right before we were, I had the biggest crush on him. I never told him though. Then, after us….uh, he asked me out and I thought I was so happy. I needed someone then. You know, to fill the hurt you left. I knew he had a thing for Lavender back then but I thought he got over it by the time he asked me out. Looks like he never did." she sobbed into her empty glass and he poured her another drink. She drank that in one gulp as well. Her teary eyes looked into his silvery blue ones. He leaned in and brushed the loose curls off of her forehead.

"Hey, everyone makes mistakes. If you truly love him, talk to him." he listened to the voice that was coming out of his mouth and wondered if it was his own. 'Must be the veritaserum' he thought.

"I can't. I just can't face him." she sobbed and laid her head on his waiting shoulder. He ran his hand over her hair and inhaled her soft scent.

"It's okay. You don't have to tonight. I love you Hermione." he said softly through teary eyes. Hermione heard him and it startled her.

'He is telling the truth.' she thought 'he can't lie, not now, not tonight.' she looked up at him. Looked into his eyes. Looked into his soul. His hands cupped her face and wiped her tears away with his thumb.

"You hurt me so much." she told him. He nodded.

"I know. And I am sorry."

She leaned in and pressed her lips against his. His heart leapt inside of his chest. She kissed him soft and deep, running her tongue across his bottom lip. He closed his eyes.

'I must be dreaming this' he thought. He opened his mouth and pressed his tongue against her lips. She opened them willingly letting his tongue explore her mouth. She lifted her hands and grabbed his baby fine hair pulling him even closer to her. She leaned back and her head hit the side of the sofa. He moved his body so that it was on top of hers.

"Oh Hermione…I missed you so much. I have thought of you every minute for the past five years." he moaned.

"I missed you too. I loved you so much Draco, but you hurt me so badly I didn't think I could ever forgive you." she said in between kisses and caresses.

He let his hands roam up her skirt, feeling her silky panties. She moaned softly into his ear sending shivers up his spine.

"I never wanted to hurt you, I swear. I was scared for your safety. I was foolish and didn't think you could handle hearing what I needed to say to keep you out of harm's way." he kissed her neck and ear.

"I know, I know all that now." she said kissing his forehead.

He couldn't wait another minute. He stood up and picked her up off of the couch. She gasped in surprise as he carried her up the grand stairs to the master suite. When they got inside he laid her softly on the bed kissing her gently. Hermione looked around for a brief moment. The room was beautiful. Large with dark wood trim everywhere. She half expected the room to be decorated in green and silver, but it wasn't. The bed linens and curtains were an azure shade with silver specks, just like his eyes. The moonlight streamed in the windows from the tall windows on the left side of the bed. He stood there looking at her, as if taking in her every feature. She knelt on the bed and slowly unbuttoned her white blouse. He watched as if entranced by her every move. She tossed the shirt on the floor. She had a red satin bra underneath. He took off his shirt was well bathing his pale skin in the moonlight. He seemed to glow from within. He walked over and kissed her pushing her back onto the bed. His bare chest pressed against her body. She kissed his neck and earlobe gently.

"I don't want to be hurt again Draco." she moaned.

"I won't. I promise." he said in her ear. She nodded and pulled him to her lips again.

He reached his hands around her back and unhooked her bra throwing it onto the floor. Her breasts heaved under her heavy breathing and he couldn't help but kiss and touch them.

"You look so beautiful Hermione…" he whispered. He tugged at her skirt leaving only skimpy panties. They were red to match the bra. He kissed his way down her stomach leaving small wet marks along her body.

"I love you so much. Don't ever leave me again." he whispered. She nodded as he pulled off her last remaining bit of clothing. He kissed every square inch of her body. Not wanting to rush, not wanting this to be over too quickly in case he woke up and found it all to be a dream. He pulled of his pants and shorts and tossed them aside. He laid his body across hers fitting together perfectly. She kissed him back passionately, finding herself becoming more and more aroused. She felt his hardness on her leg and she bent her knees to allow him in. Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest as he entered her and a million stars went off in her head. When they were first together she was inexperienced, not knowing what all of the feelings she had in her body were. Now, after being with Ron she knew the difference between sex and making love. And right that moment she was making love to Draco. His slow steady movements sent chills up her body as he kissed and touched her everywhere. She reacted to his every movement with soft noises in his ear or a slight arching of her back. She was in heaven and Ron was farthest from her mind. She would worry about the wedding, Lavender and the consequences of her actions later. Right now she just needed him. His touch, his smell, his taste. And he needed her. He needed her so much it hurt him. But now he was being healed.

"Oh Hermione… I love you. Tell me you love me." he whispered.

"I love you Draco. I always have." she said softly. His stormy eyes filled with tears. He had waited so long to hear her say that.

He made love to her for hours, not wanting her to leave. Finally he was exhausted. He closed his eyes and laid his head in her hair, falling asleep quickly. Hermione lay awake for a few moments listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling his hot breath on her neck. She fell asleep a few minutes later contemplating what she had just done.