Ok, thank you for your reviews. This chapter isn't really all that exciting, I'm sorry to say, it's mostly here to provide you with information that does become relevant in later chapters, so don't lose it among the other clues.

bluefiredragon4131: well, you'll have to figure it out along with Draco. Unless I decided to have her answer one of the questions...

Jtangel: well, Pansy's and Hermione's pasts are relevant in this, and Pansy plays a surprisingly important roll. As for longer, I'll try.

RelientKroxmysox721: Its good to know you made an exception for mine. Its not really an au fic though. Just a different scene.

Bobby: don't worry, I will.

Kigomae: I try to keep them exciting, but I'm sorry to say I failed here.

piedermort: you didn't kill it. Don't worry.

yanely1167: glad to know you liked it.

KeWlGaL9tH: yes, well, I intend to throw out plenty more suspense, just not in this chapter.

kole17: there are more surprises around the corner. Thanks for reading!

paprika90: here are a few more answers and some more questions for ya. Enjoy!

usagigreenleaf657: sure I can its no biggy. Glad you like it so much. Just give me your e-mail.

Lady Paine: glad to hear it. But things are going to get more confusing in the future.

Anyway, thanks to those who reviewed. Here's the next chapter, enjoy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9

"My we be excused?" Draco asked Alexander, who was helping his wife to her feet, while gesturing to Hermione with his head.

Alexander nodded, and frowned.

"Yes," he said calmly "I'm sorry for my eldest daughter's actions, I honestly don't know what came over her. Is miss...?"

"Granger," supplied Draco.

"Yes, thank you, is Miss Granger well?"

Hermione chose this moment to speak, bowing her head so her eyes were invisible. "Yes, I'm well. It is nothing more then a bruise. It will most likely be gone by morning."

Draco then observed a look cross Alexander's face. It was a look of recognition and hope. He nodded his head in thanks and turned in an attempt to get Hermione from the room quickly, before anything else could go wrong.

"Excuse me, Miss Granger, could you please look at me for a second?" Alexander's voice was firm, insisting. Hermione's back went ridge and she slowly turned to Alexander, lifting her head slowly. Her yellow eyes looked towards the ground, so she would not be able to see the looks of anger and disappointment which she thought would be present. But all Draco saw were looks of happiness and love cross both adults faces as they came forward to embrace their youngest daughter.

"Harmony," exclaimed Magiere as she hugged her. "Where have you been?" She looked happy, but curious. Hermione looked at the ground, pulling away from both her parents towards Draco, whose hand she gripped. He noticed she seemed ready to cry.

"Why did you leave Harmony?" asked Alexander, desperate to hear his daughters voice, to insure this wasn't a dream.

Tears slid down her face, and Draco moved closer so that she knew he was there.

"I will not stay where I am not welcome," whispered Hermione, turning towards the exit. However, just before she left, she uttered one more comment to her family. "Besides, why should I stay with those who do not trust me?"

Everyone froze again as her last words reached their ears. Draco simply stared for a few seconds at the spot where Hermione had stood before looking back at her parents. They were shocked, and Magiere looked ready to cry. He looked at Harry and Ron, who looked like they were angry at Hermione. He looked at Pansy, who was still kneeling on the floor. She looked at him and nodded."What are you waiting for you idiot, go help her!" Pansy mentally shouted at Draco.

"What about you? What are you going to do?" asked Draco in return.

"I'm going to contact Vince and Gregory and follow shortly. But right now she needs someone with her. Who knows what she could do!"

Draco nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation and went to find Hermione.

Draco hurried up the stairs towards the room where the prefects were staying. He doubted she would go there, but it was a chance.

What was she talking about? Who doesn't trust her? Who didn't want her here? Gah!

Draco's head began to pound again and dizziness swept through his body.

Why is this happening to me...

The dizziness increased and he watched at the floor rushed to meet him...only he didn't hit. Instead he felt strong arms around his body hoist him back into a standing position. He leaned gratefully into a window sill and stood there, trying to ease his head ach.

When his vision cleared finally, Draco looked down, for the person was shorter then him, and found a pair of shocking emerald green eyes looking back at him, black hair falling gracefully in her face.

"Hey, you alright?" asked the new girl.

Draco nodded dumbly. "Yeah, thanks, um..."

"Tami," provided the girl, "you must be here with the Hogwarts group. It's nice to meet you..."

"Draco," he said, now regaining his posture "Draco Malfoy."

The girl paled greatly at his name.

Why is she suddenly so pale?

"Are you alright?" he asked uncertainly.

Was it something I said? How could it be, I only gave her my name...

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine," she seemed nervous suddenly.

"Have I frightened you?" asked Draco quietly, not sure how he could have.

"No, no, it's nothing like that," she assured him and paused "I need to get going. Perhaps 'll see you later Dragon, I mean Draco."

Tami turned and ran down the hall, not waiting for a response.

Well that was odd. I wonder why she suddenly seemed so nervous. Didn't she seem familiar... god not again.

This time, Draco's head ach returned with a vengeance and he lost his balance, falling through the open window behind him. His mind went black just before he hit the ground...