Disclaimer: I own nothing J.K. Rowling created with her brilliant mind. I only own the plot and characters I have created.

A Hope for Renewed Love

Chapter Five

Draco kept his eyes on Hermione, waiting for her to answer. She looked back at him with tears threatening to spill off her lashes. The secret Hermione had been kept locked inside was starting to unravel, and by none other than the one person who could care the least.

"Darian is nobody, and he did nothing to me. I don't want to talk about it. Never bring it up again," Hermione said with as much control as she could muster. At this point the bell dinged again, signaling the end of class. Draco and Hermione made their way to the door expecting the class to be mostly gone, students filing through the doorway. However, every student was in their seats, eagerly awaiting the pair.

Draco stepped out of the room first, followed by a tearful Hermione who was now softly biting her lower lip, looking very nervous. The room erupted into questions and comments. The Slytherins bombarded Draco while the Gryffindors surrounded Hermione. Most students simply asked how it went, and what it looked like on the room. Hermione was thankful that no one seemed to notice her glassy eyes. However, as soon as Ron and Harry spotted Hermione, they took in her whole appearance.

"Hermione, what's wrong? What happened in there?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Did her hurt you? Did he even lay a hand on you? Because if he did, I'll murder him." Ron was glaring daggers at Draco, who was busy describing how the procedure went.

"I'm fine, boys. Nothing happened. I probably just got something in my eyes, and they're watering to get it out. Stop worrying about me so much."

Students slowly started trickling out of the classroom. Seeing as the seventh years now had a free period, no one was in a hurry or rushing to get somewhere. Upon entering the hallway, Hermione, Harry, and Ron took a left and made their way to the Gryffindor tower. The boys were already talking about playing Quidditch when Hermione subtly reminded them of the homework they all received in the morning.

"Hermione, let's make a deal. We'll do homework for one class, and then Quidditch. Okay?" Ron spoke with a pleading look on his face.

"Yeah, that's fine. You guys just can't slack off this year. It's very important."

When the trio reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry supplied the password and let Hermione and Ron enter before he went in the common room. Ron and Harry made for a table whereas Hermione started walking right up the stairs.

"Uh, Hermione, we're going to do homework. Remember?" Harry had a confused look on his face. It was then that Hermione understood what Malfoy had said the first morning at Hogwarts. 'Let's not forget that now you'll have complete privacy too. Unless you like The Boy Who Won't Die and The Flaming Fag Weasley following you around everywhere, asking you to do their homework.'

"Actually, I just came here to grab a few books, and then I'm going to do my homework in the Head Dorms. The rest of my books are already there anyways." Both boys' faces fell a little, but they didn't respond.

So Hermione did as she said and grabbed her Potions and Transfiguration books, waved to her friends, and made her way to her private dorm. She had a polite conversation with Trina and Jillian before supplying the password.

She walked into the common room, and found that Draco was not there. Hermione then went to her room, and decided she would be more comfortable in a tank top rather than a t-shirt. She brought down a hooded sweatshirt in case she were to get cold, and then sat on the couch, fully prepared to spend hours doing homework.

Hermione had just finished her Potions assignment, and brought out her Ancient Runes book when she started feeling sleepy. She contemplated taking a short nap before dinner, and slowly curled up on the couch, using her sweatshirt as a pillow. She was asleep in minutes.

The incident in DADA caused Hermione's usually pleasant dreams to take another turn. Instead of dreams, Hermione was plagued with memories and nightmares.

Hermione had been on her way to the movies when she got a phone call from her best muggle friend Kelly. She picked up the expensive cell her parents had insisted on buying, and flipped it open.

'Hey Kel. I'm on my way. What's up?'

'Hey girl. Just a quick head up, you'll finally get to meet my boy Jason, and he's bringing a friend. So it'll be a double date.' Kelly's voice was crackling slightly through the phone, but Hermione understood every word.

'Ok, cool. I'll be there in a few minutes.'

'See you soon, Hermione.'

Hermione shut the phone, and picked up the speed of her mother's SUV.

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The movie had been funny, and Jason and Darian were making jokes the whole time. Darian was a complete gentleman. He opened the doors for Hermione, paid for her ticket, and bought them both ice creams afterwards.

The two got along great, and Hermione gave Darian her cell number. The four teens had just finished their desserts, and both Jason and Hermione started getting out their keys.

'Hermione, I hate to ask you this on the first date, but would you mind giving me a ride home? I didn't think it would be this late, and I'm not too excited about the idea of walking home.' He looked for a response with a sheepish grin on his face.

'Of course I'll give you a ride home. I'm not mean enough to make you walk.'

The couples split in the parking lot, but not before Kelly flashed Hermione a huge smile and a thumbs up.

Hermione and Darian talked and laughed during the ride home. When they reached Darian's house, he thanked Hermione, took her right hand in his, and planted a small kiss. She blushed as he got out of the car and walked up to his house, waving at her the whole time.

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Hermione was surprised to here from Darian so soon, or at all. Most guys said they would call, but never did. He asked her on a date, and naturally, Hermione accepted.

They went to dinner at a very fancy restaurant, and then Darian took her to a club where they danced the night away.

They whole night, Hermione felt as if she were in heaven. Darian was her Prince Charming, and she didn't know if she would ever find another man as good as him.

Darian had driven that night, and he pulled in front of Hermione's house and parked the car. He quickly ran to the other side of the car to open the door, and walked Hermione up to the door.

'Tonight was marvelous, Darian. Thank you.' Hermione could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks. 'Did you have a good time?'

'It's hard to not have a good time with you, Hermione. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.' Darian, too, had a blush spreading across his cheeks.

Between the two of them, the space keeping them apart slowly disappeared. Darian leaned down, and Hermione went on her tiptoes a little. Their lips met in a sweet, slow kiss. Hermione brought her arms around Darian's neck, and Darian pulled Hermione closer, enveloping her in his arms. Thought neither wanted to, they both pulled away.

'Hermione, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?' Darian asked resting his forehead against Hermione's. It was all Hermione could do to nod her head yes. He gave her a dazzling smile, and whispered goodnight.

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It was Hermione and Darian's one-month anniversary. They went to their favorite place to eat, the restaurant from their first date. During the meal, they exchanged little gifts.

Hermione had gotten Darian the dagger he had been dying for, and Darian had gotten Hermione an exquisite ruby bracelet.

After dessert and a walk in the park, Hermione found herself in Darian's room watching a movie. Hermione cuddled against Darian, and they started softly kissing. The soft kissing was soon turned into passionate kissing, which was in turn thrown into the category of making out.

Darian slowly moved his hand across Hermione's stomach, and played with the lining of her shirt. His fingertips graced along the skin of Hermione's abs, and he made to move his hand up, but Hermione stopped him. The kiss wasn't broken, but he pulled his hand away.

Darian made several more attempts to push Hermione farther than she wanted, but the girl just wouldn't give in. It annoyed him to no end, but he didn't want to hurt her.

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The next time Hermione and Darian were alone in Darian's room, he attempted to just take off Hermione's tank top, and have her in her bra. However, even that was too much for the girl.

'God damn it, Hermione. Are we ever going to do anything besides make out? I'm complaining about the making out, but after a while, I want more. Don't you?'

'Darian, I may want more, but I know I'm not ready for it. My body may be saying yes, but my heart tells me I'm not ready. I always follow my heart.'

'Look, I'm really tired. Maybe you should go now.'

'Darian-' Hermione started to speak, but seeing the look on his face, knew the night would not get better.

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While changing, she thought she heard the front door open, and figured it was just her parents. She stood in her room in shorts and a sports bra and was about to put her tank top on when strong arms surrounded her.

She knew who it was when he whispered 'got you' into her ear. He started kissing the back of her neck, but Hermione slowly pushed him away.

"Not now. I'm about to work out. I'm going to see you tonight anyways." But he wouldn't listen to her. He held onto her tighter, and slowly forced her to lie on her back on the bed. She squirmed underneath him, and kept trying to push him off of her.

He made a move to reach into her shorts, and she got tears in her eyes.

"Please don't do this. Please just stop it."

"What's wrong with you, Hermione? Most girls love this. Don't worry. You'll get used to it." He made another move, and she brought her knee up to hit him in the groin. His rage overtook him and he slapped her in the face twice. "Don't you ever try to hurt me again. Do you understand me?"

The now crying Hermione nodded her head slowly and watched him leave her room. She openly sobbed on her bed. That was when it had all begun.

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Hermione was excited for the weekend. Her family always went to a country resort for a weekend with another family. In this family was her best muggle guy friend, Mike. She and Mike had known each other since they were five years old.

As soon as her family arrived at the resort, she spotted Mike walking out of the lobby.

'MIKE!' Hermione squealed, jumping into his arms for a big hug. He spun her around a few times before he set her down.

'God, I've missed you Hermione. Do you really have to go to that boarding school?'

'Aw Mike, you know I love it there. It's my second home.' He just smiled, and then offered to help carry her luggage to her room. He had gotten their rooms right next to each other so that sneaking into each other's room late at night would be easier.

'So, what shall we do first, my precious Hermione?' Mike asked with a huge grin on his face. Hermione thought for a moment before noticing a huge outdoors pool from her window.

'Swimming?'

'You know I'm up for whatever you want to do.'

Both teens changed into swimming suits, and emerged from their rooms at the same time. They got to the pool, and Mike took off his t-shirt and cannonballed into the pool. The splash was big, and aggravated those around him. Hermione just laughed. She pulled off her tank top and shorts, and then did an excellent dive into the pool.

She came up from the pool, expecting to see a smile on Mike's face, but all she saw was concern, and possibly anger. He swam over to her, and glanced down to her left side.

'Where'd you get that, Hermione?' Hermione looked down. She had completely forgotten about her newest bruise. It was the size of a fist, and already very blue and purple.

'Oh. I was playing tennis with Kelly, and she got a good hit it. The ball came so fast and hard, I didn't really have time to move.' She looked at Mike, praying he would believe her, but his face showed that he knew better.

'Hermione, please don't lie to me. It hurts when you lie.' There were a few moments of silence before Mike asked, 'was it Darian, Hermione? Has he been hitting you?'

Hermione couldn't lie to Mike. She knew how much he cared about her. She simply nodded her head as slowly as she could, and immediately broke into tears. Mike gathered Hermione into his arms and she sobbed against him. He was the only other one who knew.

'You want to go back to the rooms? We could just watch a movie.' He could feel Hermione nod her head against him, and thought he heard a muffled reply.

Mike never left Hermione's side that weekend. She ended up telling him everything about Darian. Mike held her as much as he could. She needed the comfort. She needed his friendship. She needed his love.

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Hermione woke up, her vision unclear, and her body in pain. She saw her mom move to her and asked what happened.

'You fell asleep at Darian's house, honey. He carried you all the way home; he didn't want to wake you. Such a sweet boy.'

Hermione tried to smile at her mother's words. She looked at the clock on her beside table and it read 7:30 p.m. Had she really slept the whole day?

She remembered going to Darian's house the night before. He had been so angry with her. He kept accusing her about cheating on him with Mike. He said he knew about the weekend, and how much Mike had been touching her. He said he had faithful sources.

He had gotten her good this time. Hermione could feel several bruised ribs, and could already see her ankle swelling. She had thought many times about breaking up with Darian, but fear kept her from doing it. She was afraid that he would kill her. So she put up with him. Not for much longer though. Soon, she would return to school. Soon, she would be free.

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Finally, the day had come. Tomorrow morning she would leave for school, and she would be free from Darian. He had ordered that she come say goodbye to him that night. He had never specified a time, but Hermione always showed up around 8.

Not tonight though. Tonight she would surprise him. Maybe is she showed up earlier, he would be in a good mood. Maybe he would be the gentleman she met and liked. She wasn't sure if she loved him, even before he started hurting her.

She drove to his house and saw a car that she didn't recognize. Not giving it a second thought, she quickly walked into Darian's front door, and made her way to his room. She stepped softly, to have a better surprise, but stopped walking when she heard noises.

'Oh…harder Darian…right there…yes…' Hermione felt her world crumble as she recognized that voice of the woman. She couldn't believe it though. She had to see for herself.

Hermione went as quietly as she could, and pushed the door open with one swift movement. The tears started to fall before Hermione could stop them.

There, in bed with her boyfriend, was Kelly. Hermione didn't stay to listen to any pathetic excuses. She just turned and ran to her car. Hermione was speeding down the street before she knew where she was headed.

She pulled into her driveway, rushed through her front door, climbed the stairs to her bedroom, and locked herself in her room, crying her heart out on the floor.

Draco was walking back from dinner. He had noticed that Hermione wasn't there, and briefly wondered whether or not he cared. His steps lead him to his private dorm, and he picked up his pace, seeking the solitude of the common room.

Upon entering, he saw Hermione in a fitful sleep. He body was trembling on the couch and she was whimpering in her sleep. Draco briefly wondered whether she was having a seizure. He walked over to the couch and sat down by Hermione. He gently started trying to shake her awake.

"Hermione. Wake up, Hermione."

Hermione sat straight up, her eyes wide with fear, tears slipping down her flushed face.

"Where is he, Draco? Is he here?" Draco did the only thing that made sense to him, and pulled Hermione into a hug. He felt Hermione's body stiffen against his. She tried to push away, but he only pulled her in tighter. Hermione finally gave up, and started weeping against him. She grabbed on to him like she was holding on for dear life, and cried her heart out once more.

"Sh. It's ok Hermione. You're safe here. Darian isn't here. You're safe." He held her for a long time before he realized she was asleep against him. As lightly as he could, he picked up Hermione in his arms, carried her to her room, and set her down on the bed.

He didn't know what made him do it, but before walking away, he placed a small kiss on Hermione's forehead.

Draco lay in his bed later that night, befuddled by his behavior. Why had he hugged her? Why had he held her? Why in bloody hell had he kissed her forehead, like a protector would?

He concluded it was all part of his sacrifices. He had to do what it took to learn about Darian, and whatever this guy did to Granger. With the day's new information swimming in his head, Draco fell into a deep sleep.

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