a.n. OMIGOD WE ACCTUALLY MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO 40 CHAPTERS! Some of the best FanFictions I've read have been good but would have been more effective if they were longer and now as a writer of fanfictions, I can see how much harder it is to do a long story and stick at it. I'm often loosing interest in them halfway or have other ideas or things to do and never get around to finishing them. I am just very happy about this fic and luckily neither of us have gotten bored of it yet.

Disclaimer: If either of us were JK Rowling then this wouldn't even exist. Oh, but Tallulah, Titus and the plot belong to us so yeah.

Chapter 40

"So what you're saying is that: YOU, Hermione Granger, a Muggleborn, fell in love with HIM, Draco Friking Malfoy, a known blood purist!" Ginny pointed at Hermione then flung her arm in the general direction of the door.

"Yes" Hermione said quietly. "But he doesn't believe that-not anymore." Hermione added quickly.

"DRACO BLOODY MALFOY!" Ginny yelled.

"Please Gin. I don't know how to explain to you, but please Ginny. Please don't be mad." Hermione begged. If this was how Ginny reacted she couldn't imagine how the boys would.

"I'm trying not to, but: Draco Malfoy!" Ginny argued.

"I know. I know." Hermione sighed. "But he has changed-he really has. I promise you Ginny. He has changed."

"It's just-one day we think he's a Death Eater-a prejudice Death Eater. Then the next day you're in love…" Hermione sighs once again.

"It wasn't sudden or anything. Well to you it is, but we must have been in there for at least a month. And I never said LOVE." Ginny smirked.

"Yeah, but you implied." She shrugged innocently.

"Do you think you could at least learn to accept it?" Hermione asked after a beat of silence.

"I trust you Hermione-you're my best friend so all I want is for you to be happy. Malfoy apparently does so...fine. But I don't like it." Ginny finished sternly.

Ginny didn't hate her! She didn't like it, but she accepted it! Hermione was filled with so much joy. She really did love Ginny.

Ginny almost fell off Hermione's bed when she was hit by Hermione's hug.

"You're my best friend too Gin."

"Apart from Harry, oh and Ron of course." Ginny scoffed.

"Yeah, But you're still my best friend." Hermione hugged Ginny tighter who returned the bone crushing hug.

"So we're besties."

"I refuse to use that word." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I had to try." Ginny shrugged.

—

"Ha! I was right! Aha!" Blaise yelled excitedly.

"You really are too happy about that." Draco rolled his eyes.

"But I was right." Blaise repeated.

"Yes, yes. You were right. Merlin Blaise calm down." Draco glared at his best friend.

"Wait so she knows about...your…" Blaise indicated to Draco's dark mark. Draco was slightly taken about when Blaise became suddenly serious.

"Yeah, But she knows I was forced-she's not insane."

"Well yeah it would be insane if she still likes you after that." It was Blaise's turn to roll his eyes this time.

"Well she knows I was forced. So she isn't, so...shut up." Draco replies weekly.

"Awww, you're a defensive boyfriend." Blaise cooed.

"I'm not even a boyfriend, Blaise. And I don't plan to be." Blaise's mouth dropped to the floor at this statement.

"But I thought you liked her."

"I do, Merlin I do, but she wouldn't be safe with me. I'm a Death Eater, who is being hunted by other Death Eaters." Draco's voice was rising by each word. "And if I carry on with the mission I might die, Hermione might die-the while Wizarding world might. But if I don't Hermione and Mother will be killed-possibly tortured."

"So what are you going to do?" Blaise frowned.

"I don't know. We went to Dumbledore and he promised to help. I just...I just don't know what I'm going to do until he decides to help. I think I should just keep my distance. I think the further away from me she is the safer." Draco sighed sadly.

No, more than sadly. He was distraught. Devastated. Heart broken by his own actions. Merlin he couldn't do this. This was how Hermione would feel, but ten times worse. At least she'd feel and not be DEAD.

"Do what you gotta do mate. Just don't...do what you gotta do." Blaise finished. "Go easy on her though." Draco nodded.

He should tell Hermione what he's doing. She'd understand wouldn't she? Surely. Right?

"Hey mate?" Draco looked up as his reply. "I was right." Blaise smirked as Draco threw a ornament from Blaise's bedside table at his head. They both laughed though. Just enough to forget how much Draco was hurting.

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