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Chapter 22

"Do you want a strawberry?" Blaise asked.

Ginny nodded, a smile gracing her lips.

She took a bite of the strawberry Blaise had chosen.

"Thank you," she said and kissed his lightly. He pulled her back and kissed her more. When done, she couldn't help but smile.

Ginny moved the food that rested between herself and Blaise. He took the hint and came closer to her, immediately taking her face in his hand and kissing her again. She smiled into the kiss.

"You're really happy today," he pointed out before kissing her again.

"I'm with you, aren't I?"

"Yes, but you are always with me."

"Your point being," she kissed him.

"What's with such sunshine?"

"I'm in love." She kissed him, pulling him down to the ground with her. "You love me, don't you?"

"Yes, of course."

"And is it not a reason to smile goofily?"

"It is."

"Okay." Her lips met his. Their snog session last mere minutes before Ginny sensed some type of disturbance. She stopped kissing Blaise and laid her head back, closing her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay…."

"Then, what's wrong?"

"Hermione. I think something is wrong with Hermione."

"Maybe you should go check on her."

"But our plans-"

"Can occur later tonight. It's not like we had reservations for anything… just a picnic."

"Well, okay."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, let's go."

She smiled weakly, and Blaise realized that it must be something serious.

"Hermione, please calm down. You've got to calm down, and you've got to talk to me."

"He… I… summer… job… distraction… d-dark… the…" she let words fall out of her mouth, not caring if they made sentences or just led to more questions. Her tears had calmed even more compared to earlier. She vaguely heard the door to their common room open and close. Ginny's gasp was sharp in her ears, though. It rung through her brain, making her feel worse. Why hadn't she told anyone? Taken action? When had she become the vulnerable little girl who couldn't take care of herself? Always, even in the deadliest of situations, she had been okay. She had been the calm, rational one with Harry and Ron. Where did that girl go?

"Hermione?" When had Ginny gotten to her side? "Hermione, please listen. Will you tell us what happened?"

"Gin, she won't tell you. She won't tell me. She won't tell anyone."

"Draco, we have a bit of a closer connection. Just let me try."

"Fine."

"Hermione," she rubbed Hermione's arm, "please talk to me. We can help. I can help. I'm begging you Hermione."

"Jake… since summer… not dead… just… distraction," she sobbed.

Ginny sighed, standing. "One minute." She went into her room and came out with a small bottle. "Are you thirsty? Here, drink this." She handed the bottle to Hermione.

Hermione downed the liquid, ignoring the horrid taste.

In a few seconds, a state of calm took over her. Tears spilled from her eyes but she did not sob. She gathered herself into the corner of the couch where she wouldn't be sitting on Draco.

"Now, can you tell us what happened… the whole story?"

Hermione nodded.

"Okay, anytime you're ready."

She nodded again, took a deep breath and sighed. "So, I had this next door neighbor… where I used to live. His name is Jake. The first time I noticed him watching me was when I went to get Crookshanks. He said that he couldn't wait to 'have me.' He watched me while at school, visited occasionally. Each time, he came on to me. He would kiss me, pull off my clothes, whisper in my ear. He'd do all these things until satisfied and then leave. A month ago, he told me to break up with Draco. If I didn't, he would've hurt Andy, maybe Draco."

"Hermione, I could've-" Draco began.

"Could've what? Could've protected yourself? Protected me? I don't know if anyone could have or is able to now. I hope so, though."

"So, what was that about 'not dead' and 'just a distraction'?" Blaise moved the subject on.

"Well, the Grangers- I guess I mean- Warrens never really died. They faked it to throw me off my rocker. Jake told me that he was a distraction. He said that Ginny would be too caught up with boys or something else to think about things such as the plan our parents had, but I would. So, he was set up to keep my mind reeling around something else so I wouldn't figure it out because if I do, I think we might be led closer to killing Voldemort."

Ginny smacked herself on her forehead. "Errr, I knew we should've watched her closer Blaise. You just insisted and insisted that she was fine. I should have known, should have suspected. I'm your gosh damn twin. How did I miss this?"

"You can't blame yourself Ginny. It's easy to see how you missed it. I didn't want you to see it. I didn't want anyone to see it. Jake knew I'd be embarrassed about it, that I'd go to know one for help. He played that to his advantage. Ginny, this is far from your fault. Please, don't blame yourself. It's my fault."

"No, no, no," Draco said, wagging his finger as he spoke. "You were just vulnerable after all that you went through. Don't go blaming yourself. Jake is responsible."

Hermione smiled slightly, "I can deal with that."

"Us too," Blaise answered for Ginny and himself.

"I guess we should go find Harry and Ron or Pansy and inform them. I'll need everyone watching me now."

They went to search the ground. Both Harry and Ron were lounging around under some trees with girls in their arms. The smoothly let go of the girls and jogged to their friends upon seeing the distressed look all four wore.

"What's wrong?" They looked at Hermione expectantly.

"Jeez, I didn't realize I was such a hassle to be assumed to be the one with the problem."

"Umm, okay," Harry sighed, "what's the gathering for? Anyone?"

"Gin, would you tell them. I'm not up to it."

"Yeah, of course."

"Okay, I'll be over there," she pointed to the lake. "Would you come, Draco?"

"I'd follow you anywhere."

"Only so you could stare at my arse!" Hermione laughed.

Draco shrugged. "It has some truth."

Hermione giggled and skipped away, Draco chasing after her.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Blaise watched Draco and Hermione for a moment. He had picked her up from behind and spinning around and around with her. She couldn't stop laughing. It was as if nothing bad had ever happened.

"So, what happened?" Harry questioned.

"Well…"

As Ginny explained the story, Hermione laughed and laughed as Draco, who now had her laying on the ground, tickled her senseless.

"Draco, please. I'm a…" she couldn't finish because her laughter wouldn't stop.

"You're a what?" he paused his tickling a moment.

She gasped for air. "I'm a fan of breathing."

"Oh, what fun is there in breathing?" he laughed.

She looked up at him, a serious face replacing her playful one. Suddenly, she realized how close they were and how much she wanted to kiss him. She hadn't felt his lips on hers or his lips on her skin in what felt like and eternity.

"What?" Draco asked, breathing heavily as he too had run out of breath from all the activity.

"I want to kiss you." She smiled at how simple the sentence was. Her eyes watched him as he leaned down towards her, appearing to move in slow motion until she shut her eyes. His lips touched hers lightly at first, brushing against them just before he kissed her sweetly.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Draco," she whisper without opening her eyes.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Hermione," he smiled at her, though her eyes were still closed.

Author's note: AHA! The reuniting of Hermione and Draco. How wonderful.

IMPORTANT: Okay, who should I pair Harry and Ron with (you know, their girlfriends.)?

And I guess I've decided for Andy to be nine in the story. :) And FYI, Ginny gave Hermione a calming draught incase you didn't catch. It'll be explained in the next chapter. :)

Oh, and please review. 56 people have got alerts sent to them about this story, 112 visited the last chapter, and it only received 2 reviews. So, please, I love to hear your thoughts.

ML,

Heather