Chapter 31

"Father." Draco said stiffly. "How did you-"

"This house is a Malfoys house. No matter how much I wish it weren't." Lucius grimaced at the small sized cottage. Then his attention turned to Draco, still sitting on the bed holding Hermione's hand. He looked ready to be sick.

"But how's this Malfoy property?" Draco asked his voice showing no sign of emotion.

"You see," Titus took over. "My dear brother fell for a filthy blood traitor. Her name was Helena, his was Drukron. It appears history is repeating itself." Tutus sneered. He said his brother's name with so much hate it made even Draco's stomach churn.

"I had so much hope Draco. You were to be my heir." Lucius tutted. "I will be informing the Dark Lord that you have failed. Unless, you can trick the Mudblood into forgiving you and once you are out of this...house," Lucius seemed to have trouble calling the cottage a house. "You can complete the task."

Draco glared at his father. Anyone could see the hate in his eyes. It burnt hotter than fire.

'If looks could kill.' Draco wished silently.

"That's all you ever wanted of me, isn't it?" Draco stated.

"That's all you're worth to me." Lucius spat. "Feel lucky you aren't being disowned, but I must warn you that if you follow through with this...relationship I will be forced to do so."

Hermione stirred in her sleep. Draco wasn't proud to admit that he'd forgotten all about her. He looked over at her and saw the huge cut along her face.

"What did you do to her?" Draco growled.

"Tut, tut, tut Draco. So much emotion in your voice and over a mudblood nonetheless." Lucius scowled down at his son.

"What. Did. You. Do?" Draco repeated.

"Just allowed history to repeat itself a little more than required. Helena got attacked, a slash across the face. She almost died, but sadly Drukron saved her. Let's hope you don't me the same mistake."

With that Titus grabbed Lucius' arm and they were gone.

Leaving Draco with the thought:

'Why didn't they kill me?' He needed Hermione. Oh Right! That's why he came up.

"Granger, I-I hated you when we first came here."

'Great start Draco.' Draco sneered to himself.

"But now...uh well...I don't. I've never been good at apologising or saying what I'm feeling, just one of my flaws-of course if never admit that in front of anyone who was consus. Anyway I've began to...I was horrible to you before, yet you still took care of me and saved my life, so thank you." Draco sighed. "Hermione...What I'm trying to say is that...that I...well I think I have-have feelings for you."

Draco slapped his forehead in exasperation.

"I'm making a royal mess out of this. Sorry. Merlin you can't even hear me. It's just this whole thing is...ironic and overwhelming. We hated each other then out of nowhere I've got feeling. Feelings I've never had before." Draco saw the cut on her face heal over. It was now a red cut, still very bad, but now nothing to worry about.

Draco leant over and kissed the top of the cut, the part on her forehead. He heard her sigh in content.

"Please get better Granger." He whispered in her ear.

He knew it was wrong. He wasn't meant to fall for her, but how could he not. He realised that 'Granger' was no longer just another way to distance himself even more from here. Now it was his name for her. HIS name for her. His.

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