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

Author's Note: I'm so very sorry this has taken a while to get out. I was sick one week, and then working like crazy, and I just got back from a nice vacation.

I also wanted to add that I will not be changing my story whatsoever to incorporate HBP. I will continue my story as planned, using any characters from the novels.

A Hope for Renewed Love

Chapter Six

Harry had not gotten a good night's sleep. Something about Hermione was really starting to worry him. He looked over at Ron's bed, and was surprised to see Ron looking back. Ron noticed the weary look on Harry's face, and opened his mouth to speak.

"You worried about Hermione too, mate?" Harry simply nodded his head. Before he could say anything though, Ginny walked through the door.

"Ok, boys. We've got to talk to Hermione. She's been acting weird since the train ride."

"Don't you think she would have told us if something had happened though? I mean, at least I'd like to think she'd tell us," Harry said, using his voice.

"Well, maybe she's scared to tell us. We've just got to try and talk to her. We won't try to force it out of her, whatever it is. And we can't threaten her either. So we'll talk to her at breakfast, alright?" Ginny asked in one breathe.

"Deal," Harry and Ron said together. They dressed for the day, and headed down to the Great Hall, Ginny right behind them.

Hermione had been staring at the ceiling for the past seven hours. She had woken up around midnight, and found that she could not fall back asleep. Her thoughts were roaming from place to place, including Draco and Darian.

The memories she had dreamt yesterday stayed fresh in her mind. She had worked the last half of summer blocking memories and pushing away frightful ideas. They had all been re-opened yesterday, like a fresh wound.

And what of Draco? He had woken her up. He had held her. He had told her she was safe, and it was ok. Safe? Since when is safety found in the arms of a Malfoy? When he had hugged her, she had tried to push away. She had thought he was going to harm her. He had only pulled her in tighter though. And she had trusted him. Why? After what happened with Darian, why in the name of Merlin had she trusted Draco, if only for that brief moment?

Another thought popped into Hermione's head. What in the world would Harry and Ron say if they knew she had let Draco comfort her? Hell, she had grabbed onto him. She had needed what he was giving her though. She had needed the comfort. The only people who knew the truth about Darian were her and Mike. Did she dare tell Draco?

Hermione almost laughed out loud at the thought. Yeah right. He wouldn't care. He would probably just laugh, or tell her she deserved it. But then, why had he comforted her in the first place? Did he really care about her? Was his animosity all just pretend, part of a reputation? Again, Hermione thought herself going crazy. Draco Malfoy care about her. She really needed to stop thinking, or she would drive herself insane with questions.

Pushing everything out of her mind, Hermione walked into her bathroom, and took a long, hot shower. She looked into the mirror, and saw the bags under her eyes. She looked exhausted and worn out. With some difficulty, Hermione managed to put her hair in one big braid at the back of her head. She didn't want her hair in her face all day.

Hermione made her way to the common room, and just as she shut the door to her room, Draco was walking out of his. They both just looked at each other, and no one said a word.

Draco noticed how tired Hermione looked, and knew well enough that he might look like he was doing better, but he had questions of his own racing through his brain.

How would Hermione react after what happened last night? Did she think he cared, that he wanted to be her friend? Would she expect it now? Would he forever be her shoulder to cry on because of one nice gesture?

And why had he done it? Why had he hugged her, and held her, and assured that everything would be ok? Would it be ok because he was holding her? What if she got the wrong impression? And why in Merlin's name had he kissed her on the forehead? What was wrong with him? He was taking these sacrifices too far.

Draco had said he would gain her trust, not befriend her. But do people usually trust others who aren't friends, let alone enemies? They weren't really enemies anymore though were they? They weren't friends, but not enemies. Where did that leave them?

He snapped out of his thoughts and once again looked at Hermione. She was staring at him, probably asking some of the same questions burning in his head.

Neither one knew the words to say, so there was a quiet walk down to the Great Hall. Sometimes Draco would sneak little looks at Hermione, and she seemed to be on the verge of saying something every time. Her mouth would open slightly as she picked up her head, but would close just as fast. He almost wished she would just say whatever it was she wanted to. At least that way he would know what she was thinking. When the two students arrived at the Great Hall, they went to their separate tables without a second glance at each other. It all seemed awkward now.

Hermione had hoped for a silent breakfast so she could keep thinking and analyzing the situation. However, she could tell by the way Harry, Ron, and Ginny kept looking at her that something was going on. Ginny was the first to break the silence.

"Hermione, you look awfully tired. Something happen last night?" Hermione had been prepared for this question.

"No, nothing happened. I was just overworking myself, I guess. I went to bed, but had a restless night. I just couldn't seem to fall asleep." Ginny just nodded her head.

"Hermione, what really happened in DADA? You came out of that room looking scared, like you were ready to cry. I really don't think something just got in your eyes. Did Draco do something? Just say the word, and he's a dead man," Ron said. He had even stopped eating to look at Hermione and patiently wait for her answer.

Hermione contemplated on how to answer this. She had to make it sound real, or they would know she was lying. Or could she possibly tell the truth, without mentioning Darian?

"I just had a little flashback of a bad memory. No big deal, Ron. Seriously, don't worry about it."

"Well, what caused this little memory flashback?"

"I don't know Ron," Hermione lied. "It just happened. Malfoy was perfectly nice when it happened though. So no, you don't have to kill him."

"What was the flashback of? I mean, it must have been pretty terrible to make you want to cry like that," Ron asked. He just wouldn't give up.

"Oh, I don't want to talk about it. It'll just get me upset again."

The meal went on for a few minutes with no one saying a word. Hermione had only had a few bites of her toast and jam. She had been hungry, but the conversations were getting her nerves going, and she couldn't manage to keep eating. Ginny noticed this, and took it as another cue.

"You haven't been eating much lately, Hermione. You feeling all right? Maybe you should skip morning classes, or just take it easy on homework tonight." Hermione looked like it was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard.

"I'm perfectly fine. I'm just not hungry lately. We've got tons of pressure on us this year. We have to start thinking about our careers, life out of Hogwarts, and we should always be setting good examples for the younger students. There's tons of homework to do, and sometime I just don't feel well. It's nothing serious though. And I would never skip classes Ginny. You know me better than that."

The meal was once again silent. Hermione used this time to look at Harry. He was the only one who hadn't said anything yet. This petrified Hermione. After all, Harry knew Hermione best. She knew that when Harry did say something, it would have an impact her other two friends had not achieved. So far, all Harry had done was listen, and slowly eat, but more like pushing food around on his plate.

"So Hermione," Harry started. Hermione got very nervous. "We never heard anything about your summer. Did anything interesting happen? Anything we should know about?"

Hermione froze. How could she lie to Harry? It killed her to do so, but she wasn't ready to talk. Not even to him.

"Not really. I just hung out with my friends a lot. I had a nice weekend vacation with my friend Mike and his family. Nothing too interesting though." Hermione looked at her friends' faces. Both Ginny and Ron looked like they might believe her. She dared to turn her eyes to Harry, and when she did, she hated herself. She could see that he clearly did not believe. She could see the disappointment in his eyes. He knew that she had lied.

The rest of the meal was silent. So were the morning classes, and lunch. It stayed quiet until DADA.

The students were excited to see the outcome of the project between Potter and Zabini. Livvi walked into the room with the blindfold in her hand.

"Before I start these two on what should be an interesting experience, I would like to give you all the assignment I have decided upon. You will be writing me a report, not an essay, but a report that shall have three parts to it. The first part will explain to me what you think you did well during our simulation. The second part will be what you believe you could improve on in the process. The final part of the report will be one thing that you think you could gain or learn from your partner, and that does not have anything to do with the process. I want you to look deep inside yourselves, and try to see where the other person is coming from. Maybe talk to each other, interview each other, and then decide on something you could learn or gain."

Livvi stopped her speech, nodded to the two waiting boys, and disappeared into the simulation room. She returned a few moments later with an amusing smile on her face.

"Alright, class. I was serious about those reports. Now I realize only two people in here may begin the first two parts of the report, but you can all work on the third part. So get into your pairs, and start up those interviews."

Students gave a small groan, but moved to sit by partners without much complaining. Hermione glanced at Draco, and seeing that he was staring at her, knew he was not going to move. So she gathered her stuff and timidly took the seat next to Draco. Some pairs were already saying quiet harsh words to each other in an attempt to interview each other. Neither Draco nor Hermione wanted to be the first to break the silence to the other, so for a few minutes they did nothing but look at each other.

Hermione slowly started pulling out parchment, ink, and her favorite eagle feather quill. She saw Draco doing the same out of the corner of her eye. Finally, Draco turned to her and spoke up.

"Look, we can do the interview anytime in our common room. Why don't we use the rest of class to write the first two parts?" Hermione just nodded her head in agreement and got to work.

At the end of class, the bell rang and Hermione immediately started packing up her stuff while trying to keep an eye out for Harry. Draco was mimicking her movements, but he was waiting for Blaise to come out of the room.

Slowly, the door opened, and the two boys walked out. Livvi was the first to make a comment.

"You boys had quite an adventure, didn't you?" The boys just kind of smiled towards one another, which shocked the already speechless class. After all, everyone was still taking in the appearance of the two young men.

Both boys had obviously been working hard, for they were glistening with sweat. However, it looked as if they hadn't been too keen on the idea of just grabbing one another. Harry had a cut lip, a bruised jaw, and he was limping on his left foot. Blaise had a black right eye, was holding bruised ribs, and had a sprained right ankle. Blaise had come out of the room with Harry's support.

"What the bloody hell happened in there?" Ron finally blurted out. Harry and Blaise just gave each other a smirk. Draco went up to Blaise to take him off Harry's hands. Livvi soon spoke up again.

"While I'm sure these two gentlemen had fun during our experiment, they might have bent the rules a bit. If I see another pair come out like this, it'll be a week's detention for both partners, no matter who started what." She gave each student a look before adding, "Now get out of here. What are you all still sitting here for?"

Draco had already started making his way to the hospital wing with Blaise so Pompfrey could help him. It seemed Ron and Hermione had the same idea about Harry, although he could clearly hear Harry repeat over and over that he was fine.

"So," Draco started, "You and Potter must have had some experience." Blaise just laughed before responding.

"Yeah. I started it, but he damn well finished it. He should've been in Slytherin. Sneaky as hell man. Let me tell you too, that boy has a lot of pent up rage inside." The boys continued walking in silence, Blaise leaning on Draco for support. Blaise looked uncertain about something, and Draco noticed.

"Just say it Blaise. Whatever you're thinking, just say it."

"Look Drake, maybe…maybe Potter isn't as bad as we thought he always was. I mean, I certainly don't want to go get all buddy-buddy with him, but well, he kind of earned some respect from me today. For all the shit he has going on in life, he holds it together pretty well."

Draco didn't really know how to respond, so they walked in silence once more. Little did they know, a similar conversation was going on among the Golden Trio.

"I'm serious guys," Harry said frustratingly, "Zabini isn't that bad. Not as bad as Malfoy anyway. He just…well he got my respect. That's all."

Ron just looked at him as if he were crazy. However, Hermione was having thoughts of her own. Maybe, just maybe, she would be able to tell them about Malfoy comforting her. Surely if Harry could have Blaise as, well not really a friend, but an acquaintance, then Hermione could have Draco to depend on for something.

She shook her head again. No, that would never go over well. As Zabini may have scored points with Harry, Ron and Harry would never accept Malfoy. Besides, whatever happened with Malfoy would probably never happen again.

Upon arriving at the Hospital Wing, the three students could see Madame Pompfrey already attending to Blaise. When she saw Harry walk in, she just shook her head. Blaise must have told her, Hermione thought. She put Harry on a bed a few spots down from Blaise. Ron started to say something, but was abruptly cut off by Ginny.

"Hey Ron! I finally found you! Come on into the hall, I need to ask you a question." Ron apologized to Harry saying he'd be back in a jiffy. Harry thought he would use this time to talk to Hermione. Though he tried to speak quietly, he knew Malfoy and Zabini might overhear, but he had to take the chance.

"Look Hermione," at this Hermione looked up at him, "I know something happened over the summer. Every time one of us brings it up, you freeze. See, you just did it again. I wish you would just tell me so I can help you. I hate knowing you're possibly in trouble or scared and I can't do anything about it."

"Harry, please just forget about it for right now." She sounded close to tears. She glanced over at Draco, and knew he could hear. He was watching her, his eyes seeming to see straight to her soul. He was waiting to see if she would tell him or not. Harry grabbed Hermione's hands, pulling her attention back to him.

"I just care about you too much. I want to help you, Bookie." Hermione smiled softly at the secret nickname.

"All in good time Harry. Someday, I'll tell you everything." Harry smiled before opening his arms to her, as if asking for a hug. She smiled back and leaned in to wrap her arms around Harry's neck in a friendly hug. As she did, Ron walked in.

"Um…did I miss something?"

"No, Ron. I was just talking to Hermione," Harry replied.

At dinner that evening, the mail was delivered. Strange, Hermione thought, mail is usually delivered in the mornings.

She looked over to see that Harry had gotten a letter from Lupin, and Ron had gotten one from the twins. She was surprised that she herself already had letters. Actually, she had four letters. The first was from her parents.

Our Dearest Daughter,

How are you Sweetheart? Having fun with Harry and Ron? How are your classes going? Just remember to have fun this year, seeing as it's your last. Your father and I are going to go visit your Aunt Liz and Uncle Brian for the next week. So if you decide to write back, that's where we'll be. Hope to hear from you soon!

With all our love,

Mum and Dad

P.S. Your friends back home have given us letters to send to you. Don't you fret though. We didn't read them. We won't invade your privacy.

Hermione briefly wondered who else would have written to her.

To my favorite girl,

Hey Hermione! I miss you! Ever since vacation I've been wondering about how you're doing and if you're ok. I even got in trouble at work for "wasting time" as my manager put it. Oh well. I'm having mixed feelings about you being back at boarding school. I hate it because I miss you like crazy, and I don't ever get to see you. However, I know that this year it's good for you to be back. Darian can't bother you now. He can't hurt the greatest girl in the world. Anyways, I've got some homework to do, so I'll let you go. Please write back if you find the time. I'd love to hear from you!

Love always,

Mike

Hermione's heart was overjoyed. She loved hearing from Mike. He just made her night. Little did she know, the feeling would not last for long.

Dear Hermione,

I know you may not read this, and I know you may never talk to me again. I completely understand that, and I would probably tear this letter up if I were you. I hope you take the time to read this though, as I've been miserable for a while now.

I don't know why I slept with Darian. I never meant to hurt you. I had gotten into a fight with Jason, and I went to Darian to vent it off. He had seemed angry lately too. I figured we could talk to each other. I realize now that it was a stupid idea. I should have gone to you. You've always been there for me no matter what, and I screwed it all up.

I really hope you can forgive me someday. You're like a sister to me, and I'm dying of misery not having you here and knowing you hate me. Just thinking of what I did to you makes me hate myself. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, however, I hope maybe you'll find it in your heart to one day forgive my foolishness.

The Worst Friend in the World,

Kelly

Hermione didn't know how to respond to Kelly. She didn't even know what to think. She was so angry with her, yet missed her. Kelly had been her best muggle friend for so long. She noticed that Kelly's letter had tearstains on it. She opened the last letter, and her eyes went wide with horror.

You can't escape me Hermione. I am everywhere.

-Darian

P.S. Hogwarts isn't that far away.

Hermione's face went white and she couldn't breathe. She looked up to see Harry and Ron asking her questions, but she couldn't hear them. Hermione could feel her body start to fall from her seat. She gave the boys one last look.

"Don't read my letters," she whispered.

With that, Hermione fell to the ground and saw nothing but black.

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