A/N: Thank you SO MUCH for your patience reviewers! I am terribly sorry it took me so long, I am currently juggling my own little two foot terror who is finally 18 months old! Thank you all for your well wishes and I hope you enjoy the next chapter

Chapter Seven,

According to Plan.

I couldn't deal with this. The truth? Tell the fabulous ferret of all people? I stood knocking him on his backside and rushed for the door to my room, slamming it shut and sealing it behind me. I was barely coming to terms with my own grief making the choice I knew would be the hardest of my life.

"Getting rid" of the child was no longer an option I was well into my pregnancy now over 5 months and not only did my catholic upbringing deny me this option I was also raised to believe in the sanctity of life. But there was still adoption and I found myself considering it as heavily as this growing child. No one need to know my little secret and I could still go on to become one of the greatest witches of all time.

I grabbed my cloak and wrapped myself tightly planning to make a quick getaway I also took in my hand a small lamp and a flyer I had been eying off for some time. Sure it was for Wizards who had come of age but being a year older than my class and also being the brightest witch to currently study at Hogwarts I figured this small hiccup to be irrelevant.

"Hermione please," his voiced begged in a small manner that made me stop in my tracks as I paced quickly towards the door to the outside world. I did not have the time or patience to deal with his pathetic attempts to manipulate me into confession and I continued on my way without a word.

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I could not understand her. So badly I wanted to break down the walls preventing communication but she was just as stubborn as I had once been. I was concerned also about the affections I was beginning to feel. Bewitched by her strength and seduced by her courage, yet infuriated by her pride.

I needed to let off steam and so I headed to my room and dressed for the occasion before heading in the direction the frizzy haired muggle had previously gone.

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The Bewitched Bar- a watering hole for the younger newly graduated wizards; reeked of stale beer and smoke of the legal and illegal kind. Bodies melted into each other as shadows raised small glasses to their lips and down the burning fire whiskey that loosened their mind and loosened their tongues. I sat on a small sofa watching the live band "Harry and the Potters" massacre yet another of their originals that those, too drunk to understand music properly lapped up like milk to the mammal young. I was bored with the drink of juice in my hand and looked longingly at the bar; using all my will power not to order the most potent drink on the menu.

It was then I saw them, walking towards the bar obviously intoxicated, a pretty little thing holding his hand as he led the way. How could I mistake his hair, his broad shoulders, his smile. The smile he was giving to her, some random that no-one had ever met, just another notch in his belt. Perhaps it was the uneasiness in my belly or maybe it was the movement of the baby that made my stomach feel like it belonged on the floor with my heart. It shattered my will power and I marched towards the bar.

"Barkeep! Beer here!" I hollered over the terrible din of the band dying with hope that they would give it a rest. The Bartender looked at me with steely eyes reminding me of a certain Slytherin who had previously tried to reach out to me- without much in the means of success might I add: but made his way to me. I could also feel another set of eyes: brownish green, upon me as I awaited my poison.

Once I had been served; before my secret crush mind you, I meandered my way back through the crowd sipping my cold beverage with great relish. Finally the band had given it a rest and another came on to take their place, a favourite of mine MUSE. Quite a hit in the muggle world but unknown to the masses that followed them, they were only just breaking into the magical world and were yet to hit the same fame as their muggle counterparts had done.

"You shouldn't be drinking that," a familiar annoying voice cooed carefully over my shoulder.

"What business is it of your Malfoy," I replied sharply downing the last of my glass and heading to the bar for another. His strong grip embraced my wrist holding me back with maximum effect and minimum pain.

"Hermione, Please," that same tone that had stopped me in my tracks before worked its magic once again. Perhaps it was my hazy head, as it had been quite some time between drinks, or something else, but I felt hypnotized by this small pleading statement. In an instant the moment passed as he released his grip and I saw the face of the man who had caused me so much anguish.

His pretty little friend was no longer in tow and the sly drunken grin on his face told me he had done to her the same thing he had done to me and once again he was on the prowl. Another side to the man I had idolised for so very long when we had stolen our first kiss, my first kiss in the privacy of nightfall by the lake not long after the end of third year. The feeling of disgust filled my belly as his eyes met mine. I could never be with him again and I felt the emotions I had bottled for so long slip away like dirt in a warm and soapy bath.

"Hermione!" His voice boomed as he moved closer and I felt myself pinned to my spot, praying that my face did not give away the displeasure I felt at being once again in his company.

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*Flashback*

The party meant nothing to Hermione Granger, her newfound freedom had left her feeling so very alone and she rubbed her wrist where her previous ties had been. Beverages, snuck in by older students, some who had previously graduated and others with the aid of Maurderer's map and willing adults. Usually she was so sprightly on these occasions but tonight she felt hollow. She slipped from the room unnoticed she hoped unaware of the brownish green eyes watching her intently.

She slipped into a fast pace quickly brushing past meandering students on their way to some weekend function or another. School rules were strict during the week but the weekends were another matter and occasionally the other cheek was turned to senior shenanigans. She didn't care about gossip she just wanted to be alone. The stairs she ascended to reach her destination were steep and dangerous but she handled them with a swiftness that only comes from complete knowledge and comfort. Stairs she had climbed often in her hour of need to console the deep dark abscesses of her mind. She didn't mind her shortness of breath in fact it comforted her to know her human limitations still existed. She perched herself on the ledge and surveyed the scene of soft glow of lamps waved around merrily like little fireflies in the wind.

She heard a soft cough behind her obviously trying to get her attention. She hadn't even realized she was crying but the dark thoughts in her head made it ache so that she wished to end it all simply by falling. Falling and finally being free. His work worn hands cupped her face gently as the coarse flesh of his thumb wiped her tears away. He stepped closer to her so her head rested softly against his chest.

"I have wanted this for a long time," he whispered he broken voice deep and sensual to her tender emotions. She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes as he pulled her lips towards his without objection, they kissed.

"As have I," she whispered hoarsely.

"Can I get you a drink?" He asked politely, and so drunk on the moment she accepted taking his hand as he led her down the steps and back to the Gryffindor tower.

*End flashback*

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I felt a vast array of emotions wash over me in a mere moment that felt like hours. Watching the facial expressions of Hermione, I mean Granger, and following her gaze I quickly put two and two together. I now knew who the father was but seeing as she had not confirmed it (though it honestly did not need confirmation on her part) I decided it was not my place to comment. I watched as he approached her, she was mesmerised and mesmerising as every little movement would give away her true emotions in minute has her suitor not been duly intoxicated.

He wrapped his arms around her and gingerly she returned the favour. He inquired about her studies and well being before whispering something into her ear that made her turn bright red. The next thing I knew he had taken her hand and was leading her towards the bar and I just stood there, useless and unable to help her.

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"Shall I get you a drink my minx?" He whispered seductively causing me to go as red as his flaming hair. I nodded my consent somehow hypnotised by him. I could hear the chatter around me but in and my body followed him against my brain's consent.

"Oh he's a heart breaker that one."

"Yes those boys, they sure know how to woo the ladies."

"She looks a bit young for him."

"You know age is no matter for a man like him."

"She looks familiar, I wonder who she is."

"Just another pawn in his game. We always assumed those boys would be players."

I looked behind me in desperation, meeting steely eyes, the only kind that could break this spell but he was now too far out of reach and another cold beer was in my hand.

"Who was that other girl I saw you with before?" I inquired trying desperately not to sound jealous.

"What girl?" He replied a "mischievous grin that I had come to know so well and love so dearly on his face. "The only girl I have eyes for in this very room Hermione is you."

"Don't lie to me," I said softly looking at my feet. "The next morning, why did you leave without saying goodbye? I thought the night we shared was special." He looked at me in horror and disbelief. It near broke my heart if there was anything left of it to break.

"I'm sorry Hermione, I couldn't risk getting caught in your bed, the consequences for both of us would have been sever, and I felt guilty for taking advantage of you in such a state. Perhaps it was just a drunken mistake."

He may as well have slapped me then and there. I nodded my head tears filling my eyes I pushed my empty glass to the edge of the bar and stood up leaving the love I had known and held onto for so long behind. Nights I had dreamt of him and woke crying to find him not in my arms where I felt he belonged. So often I had wished for a chance, for the courage to face him after what we had done. But I was to ashamed of myself.

"Hermione, Please," the same words but a different voice and I knew then what I needed to do. He was still watching from afar. Protecting me at a distance, if only he knew that he could not have spared me from the pain and humiliation I was feeling. Our eyes met and I nodded in his direction making a bee line towards him.

Once outside and clearly away from prying eyes turned to him.

"It's true," I spoke clearly looking into his eyes. He simply nodded our eyes connected and it was like having a conversation without words.

"I'm here," was all he said. It was all he needed to say. He kissed me there in the snow and I did not object.

We walked back to the castle in silence.

"Wonderful!" said Dumbledore to himself. "Everything is going according to plan."

A/N: Omg did you figure it out yet? There were a lot of clues in there and I am pretty sure its painfully obvious! More twists and turns to come, hopefully I will be able to write more soon, i've also noticed how slack my style of writing has been in the past as i jumped from one way of writing to another so i will when i am finished try and go back and fix that up a bit so that its not all over the place. You can thank Truman Capote for the overhaul in writing :)

PLEASE REVIEW!

I DON'T GET MUCH TIME TO WRITE SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK AND ANY SUGGESTIONS (As its been ages between chapters and I have kinda forgotten some of the plot!)

Much Love:

Perfect Butterfly Blades