Hello everyone! I normally go right into the chapter, but I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you for reading my story! I was very discouraged at first to even publish this but seeing that I even have people reading it and liking and following the story brings me a lot of hope! So, I really hope that you guys like this chapter. Also, I should probably mention, I have a slight plan for this story. The chapters themselves I just write out and re-read and edit how I feel necessary, but I do have a plan for how this story will play out. Anyhow, back to what everyone wants to see!

Her breath hitched in her throat. Every ounce of courage she had left her body, rendering her speechless. Her head was tilted to look at the ground avoiding his gaze. Draco's eyes darted over to Harry, pulling out his wand and charging at him.

"You have some explaining to do Potter! You told me all three of us would be going to America, and that if you found her you would tell me!" Draco was seething with rage, his normal alabaster skin was now flushed with rage, his eyes darkened dangerously as Harry raised his hand in defense.

"Look Malfoy, Ginny suggested that it would be best if you didn't tag along. Hermione would've never gone with you and you know that."

"Bullshit she wouldn't. I would have dragged her back here by her bushy hair if it killed me!"

"That! That right there is why we didn't bring you! You are too unpredictable, and she doesn't trust you! She barely trusts me and Ginny!" By this time, the pair hand their wands in hand ready to go at one another. Hermione couldn't help to be brought back to when Ron got hurt, her eyes welled up and before she knew what she was doing, her wand was out and with a fierce flick of her wrists, the pair of them had been separated, the fire back in her eyes.

"The both of you can shut the hell up! I will not have you two butting heads like it's some macho pissing contest!" Harry tried to speak but one sideways look from Hermione rendered him speechless until further notice. Her eyes dragged over to Malfoy; she kept her gaze to the side of his head, so she didn't have to look him in the eyes.

"Malfoy, I don't want to talk to you. Not right now. I have been back less than a full day and already, you are storming into my life and threatening my friends! The only ones I have left! Merlin, what is wrong with you!?" His face was unreadable, but her words stung.

"Granger, you don't have to talk to me right now, but I am owed an explanation." The words hissed out between his teeth as he walked towards her. She didn't move from her spot as he now stood within arm's reach of his fiery witch. He held back a smirk as he examined her face.

"Fine," she almost spat at him, "but on my terms. When I am ready to talk to you." He chuckled darkly at her request as walked closer. She backed up, hitting the small table behind her causing Draco to close the gap, his chest millimeters away from hers as her breath hitched and her heart was in her ears.

"You see, I cannot allow that because you will never talk about it." His hand went up and he traced his fingers up and down her bicep, slowly moving up to her shoulder, and eventually cupping her cheek in his hand as his eyes softened, and she was sucked into the swirling grey storm once more. His touch was cooling and left her skin ablaze all at once. His blonde hair falling into his face as he leaned down, his hand moving under her chin to tilt her head towards his. She could feel his breath on her skin, the scent of spearmint rushed into her nose as she almost allowed herself to fall into him. To give in. Almost.

It took all her strength to push him away, giving herself distance. Taking a few deep breaths as he stood in front of her, now less than an arm's length away as she gathered her senses.

"Wednesday. If you want, we can have lunch and talk." She offered him. This would give her a few days to fall back into the rhythm of being back home. His head looked back up at her, and a slight smile graced his lips. A chance. She was giving him a chance, and he was going to take it.

"Of course. We can have lunch at ou- my place if you like." Her heart lurched when he almost said 'our'.

"Uhm, I am not so sure that is a good idea. Just owl me with where you want to meet for lunch. If I don't have a flat by then I am sure Harry wouldn't mind you coming for lunch." An idea formed in Draco's head and he nodded quickly.

"Okay. That is fair." Sighing, he turned around seeing Harry examining his wand awkwardly. The pair had forgotten he was in the room, but he knew they both needed to get this out.

"Potter, I will be seeing you." With one last look at Hermione, a pleading look that begged her to come with him begged her to fall back in his arms and let him whisper that everything would be okay. She didn't though. Shaking her head and looking away from him. She heard his footsteps, and the door open and close, before she let the breath she was holding out.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even think about him showing up here. He said he would be busy for the next few days, chasing leads. He said he had meetings to attend to, I really didn't think he would show up." Harry quickly rushed out. Rolling her eyes as she looked at the boy.

"Honestly Harry, you have never been able to lie to me before, why start now?" His cheeks tinge pink as she spoke.

"I just wish you would've let me do it on my own." Sighing as she grabbed some Floo powder. Harry was about to speak but she shushed him with one look, throwing the green powder and calling her destination.

This time when she landed it was a lot more graceful than before. Stepping out she cleaned off the soot around her face and dusted her clothes off. She could hear Crookshanks hissing in the kitchen. Going upstairs she pulled off her shirt as she entered the door, soot flying around as the item was discarded and exchanged for a new shirt.

Going back to the kitchen she stopped in the doorway seeing Crookshanks curled up and purring at his touch. She glared at him and he hadn't seemed to notice her yet as his long fingers ran through the cat's wild orange mane.

"I thought I told you I would see you Wednesday?" Her tone was laced with venom. Draco shrugged as if he couldn't care less.

"You did but, did you really think I wouldn't try to talk to you again? Considering you owe me an explanation over everyone?" His words were hard and icy as he finally looked up at her. She darted her eyes away from his, so she didn't have to look.

"Well congratulations, we talked. Now leave. How can you even get in here?" She questioned thinking she would have to have Harry set up some barriers. He did look rather at home currently. A cup of tea in front of him, his tie slightly undone and his shoes having been discarded by the front door.

"Potter had been inviting me over since you left. Helping look for you." His excuse was simple enough.

"Well, I will have to remedy that. Considering I live here too." The quick laugh left his lips making her temper flare.

"I'm sorry, what is so fucking funny?" She demanded. Crookshanks, sensing things were about to get ugly, hopped off his lap and trotted into the next room. He sighed and turned to face her leaning back in the chair.

"I just find it amusing that you think you can run away from me so easily." She wanted to smack the smirk off his face.

"I'm sorry, who said I ran away from you? I ran away for me."

"You still ran. Not very Gryffindor of you." Her wand was pointed at him before she knew what was happening. He didn't seem fazed, instead, he stood up and moved closer, closer until the tip of her wand was against his chest.

"If you are going to curse me then do it. Hit me too if you like, but I refuse to not try to work this out between us. I am aware I was a major prat. I should never have done or said or did those things to you." His words cut at her heart as she felt her eyes watering quickly. His hand came up to her wand, and he gently pushed it back down to her side.

"Look at me." It wasn't a request. Her eyes darted around for a minute until she felt his hand lightly grip her chin and make her eyes connect with his. His eyes bore into hers, the storm within them was churning and growing. The blue flecks hidden in them more prominent now. She hadn't realized she was crying until his thumb wiped away a stray tear that fell to her cheek.

"Did you really try to Obliviate yourself?" He asked softly and she sucked in a quick breath. This was the one thing she did not want to talk about, but the look on his face made it very clear she was not going to be able to avoid this question. Her silence was all the answer he needed. Before she knew what happened, Draco had pulled her against his chest. Resting her head on his upper chest, one of his hands in her hair and the other pulling her close on the curve of her lower back. He held her gently as if Hermione would break with too much force. She could hear his shaky breathing, her own arms slowly wrapped around his torso.

Draco reminisced the feel of her soft curls through his fingers, the feeling of her warm body against his. Too long he waited for her to return, and now he was never letting her go.

"Merlin Granger. Why would you try such a thing? It is so hard to Obliviate yourself without damage." She hadn't seen this side of Draco before. Sure yes, he worried about her before, but never this desperate. Needy almost.

His hand moved from her hair to her hip, lowering his own head to look in her eyes again.

"What happened? What did you want to forget?" He asked softly. Her shoulders sagged and she looked down, pulling away from his arms, leaving his heart to shatter.

"Please can we not discuss this tonight? I am exhausted, I haven't even done my meditating for the day." Draco shot her a questioning look.

"Part of my recovery. I try to piece my memories together as well as I can. The not-so-pleasant ones have started coming back." She looked down at her hands, fiddling with her fingers. Draco gave her another look and then his eyes flickered to her forearm, realization dawning on his face.

"Aunt Bella. Her torturing you." Again, it wasn't a question. She offered him a simple nod and he couldn't help but embrace her again. His hands resuming the same position as before. He could feel her shaking slightly as he held her.

"I can't talk about it. It's like it happened yesterday. I used to wake up and my arm burned like it was being freshly cut. I don't know how many Dreamless Sleep potions I have taken, or Muggle medicine." Her words stung in his heart. Draco wanted more than anything to take this away. Whatever had caused his Gryffindor to become a kitten, he wanted to take it and bottle it up and shatter it. Hermione used to roar, now she barely mewled.

With new resolve, he pulled back from his witch and held her shoulders looking down at her.

"I know you don't want to talk to me but let me help. I owe you that much. I will do whatever I need to do. Don't shut me out." Her eyes wouldn't meet his at first, but slowly she looked back in his eyes and gave the smallest of nods. The rest of the Wizarding World sees Draco's hard exterior. Very few people saw this side of him and Hermione. At one point, she felt privileged to be a part of this with him. She could remember him coming to her flat after a long day, his hard exterior dropping once he crossed her front door revealing his soft heart. She at one point had been grateful for the access to this side of him. Now, it served as a painful reminder.

"Okay." She gave him a half-smile before dropping it, and the familiar fire Draco was used to returned to her eyes for the briefest of moments.

"This does not mean we are in any kind of relationship. Romantic relationship I mean. We are just friends." He chuckled at her as she stepped away from his arms.

"I am not sure if we can be just friends after seeing what you hide under those clothes Granger." His eyes raked over her and she glared at him before throwing the nearest object at him, which happened to be a very large book. She heard the book collide with his head and he swore under his breath.

"Merlin woman! Dammit, you should've been a Beater! Some fucking arm on you Granger." He teased her watching her cheeks redden. She went to throw another one and he held his hand up in defense.

"Hey now! Enough of that!" She smirked as he backed away and she set the book down.

"Okay, we have talked, I have things to do and you should probably go because Harry and Ginny are dead when they get home." Walking past him to make herself some coffee.

"I have some things to do anyway. I know we said Wednesday but how about tomorrow? I will come to get you here and we can go get lunch?" He could see the indecision on her face.

"Look sleep on it. I will stop by around say ten thirty for your answer." He offered. Nodding in agreement she watched him gather his things and slip his shoes back on. The dragon leather squeaked slightly as he walked around in them. Her brain drifting slowly.

She could hear the familiar squeak of his shoes as he walked into the room. Looking up from the ebook she was reading, she saw how tired he looked. Getting up and walking over to him, she helped him shrug off his jacket, pushed him onto the couch behind her and started taking off his shoes. He huffed in slight annoyance as she did.

"Granger, what the hell are you doing? You aren't a maid or a servant." A dangerous glare from her shut him up quickly.

"Draco, I am not sure if you remember last week when I had the worst day at my job. I was upset, sore, and so tired. I came home and you saw how dragged through the mud I looked. You ran me a bath, washed my hair and we lay in bed for the rest of the day. You took care of me, let me take care of you without your arrogant bitching for once?" She smirked at him as he rolled his eyes.

Placing his shoes next to him on the couch, she moved and sat next to him on the couch. Before she knew it, Draco had moved so his head was in her lap. Smiling, she ran her fingers through his blonde hair, twisting the strands through her fingers. His eyes closed in contempt, her eyes raked over his face tracing every feature.

"You are the best witch in the world. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to be with me." He smiled and she giggled slightly.

"You better believe I am the best." Was all she said, his eyes snapping open and looking up at her.

"This is where you reciprocate the feelings, Granger." He glowered at her playfully. Her fingers act like they were zipping her mouth closed and locking it with a key as Draco shot up, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close as a squeal of delight left her lips. He pulled her into his lap, her arms going around his neck and his hands pulling her by her hips. Her amber eyes met a light storm, and Draco couldn't wipe the smile from his face.

"I love you, Granger."

Hermione was snapped from her daydream by Draco's fingers snapping in front of her eyes. Refocusing she saw the worried look across his face.

"Merlin Granger! Thought I lost you for a moment. You just went all silent." He muttered. She could see the gears turning in his head as he looked over her face.

"What were you thinking about?" He moved towards her but she backed up from him. Hurt flashed across his eyes and she cast her gaze away from his own.

"Please Malfoy, not today. Either way, I will see you tomorrow." Taking this as his cue, he nodded and with a turn on his heel, he was gone, and the loneliness came to reclaim her.

This chapter is up sooner than I thought it would be! I unfortunately will not be able to update for a few days as my computer is being difficult. Please have patience!
Again thank you all for the lovely comments and following and liking the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!

Thank you

Falan