I'm happy that you all love/like my story. It really gets me going when I read all of your Reviews. It's like ok, I've got to write one right now. lol. But, really you all are too nice.

And I know that I have grammatical errors and I do use WordPerfect, but sometimes I acidentally skip over some of them and to that i'm very sorry. I hope this new Chapter doesn't have too many GE's, I've been over it about four or more times, so I'm really hoping it doesn't have any.

I'm also, glad that you all are enjoying the characters. Everytime I think of Draco I see him as ferret, but then a nice guy once you get to know him. And Ron...well, i'm not sure if I should go their...oh, oh well...I think Ron is a big pain in the $$. lol.

Ok, now I'm gonna stop babbling and just say I love Reviews so please...R&R... :)

Chapter 10: Yelling, Talking, a Letter, and a Kiss

Draco gently closed the door to Hermione's room. She had asked for him to stay until she had fallen asleep and he had. Hermione Jane Granger now lay asleep in her bed. Draco had thought that she would be off in dreamland after she had asked him to stay, but she sobbed for over an hour before sleep finally hit her.

Walking down the stairs into the common room area, Draco was surprised at how the portrait hole burst opened and in walked Potter and Weasley.

Upon seeing Draco, Ron's angered expression turned into one of fear.

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked, but it was more of a demand.

"She's up in her room asleep." Draco answered without his trademark smirk or sneer.

Harry and Ron started to make their way up the stairs when Draco stopped them, "It's not a good time to go up there mate." Draco informed.

"Malfoy, get out of our way!" Harry demanded.

"No." Draco said firmly, "Did you not hear me at all? I said she was asleep. Do you even know what she's been through?"

"I don't care, I have to talk to her about becoming you precious Head of House's Apprentice." Harry said and started up the steps, Ron following closely behind.

Draco thought that after he turned Weasley into a Weasel that him and Harry were on some sort of common ground. Harry did laugh and all. And what of Weasel-by? Hadn't he learned his lesson? 'Oh, well.' Draco thought and just watched as Harry and Ron reached the middle of the staircase. 'One...Two...Three...' Draco thought and as soon as 'three' came along; Harry and Ron were flying through the air, yelling in the process.

Draco just smiled down at them as they hit the ground on the other side of the room, "Oh, sorry. I guess I forgot to tell you. Only the Head Boy and Girl can make their way up the stairs, unless invited."

Harry just glared at Draco and he stood up, Ron well he stayed behind Harry, looking at the ground not really wanting to make eye contact with the Slytherin prince.

"Malfoy, we need to talk to her." Harry said firmly hands clenched around his wand, ready to hex the living day lights out of the ferret, if he didn't let them up to see Hermione.

"If all your going to do is yell at her about becoming Professor Snape's Apprentice, I'm not going to let you up their." Draco said and sat on the green chair, conjuring an apple and taking a bite. With a hmpf, Draco started to speak again, "You know, I really used to envy the both of you. Potter, you because you never got the chance to meet your parents and you Weasley, because you have a loving family." Draco shook his head at their stunned expressions, "I envied the Golden Trio, because you all had such a tight friendship. You would protect each other. Whereas, my family and friends would rather hex me into oblivion, then love me or protect me. Potter, you grieve over you parents, but I don't see why. They loved you and because of that love they gave they're lives for you. My father would have handed me over to the Dark Lord just to save his own skin, my mother actually did once. And she paid when afterwards I went to Dumbledore." Harry and Ron were still stunned, silence seeming like the only thing that could come from them, "You know you should be happy to have Hermione as a friend. She's helped you both, time and time again and just because she was resorted into a new house and that house being Slytherin, doesn't mean that you both can shun her. Is she not the same girl you both have known for almost seven years?"

Harry and Ron didn't get how Draco was talking about Hermione and friends and family, was he trying to make a point? And if so what point may that be?

"You're her best friends. Now, I don't really want to tell you this. With you just ignoring her over the last two weeks or so, but I will." Harry and Ron just looked to Draco now with confused expressions. "Hermione got a letter a few hours ago from the Ministry. Her parents...well, her parents were murdered. By deatheaters." Now that Harry and Ron were hit with this knowledge they felt awful for just being mad at her for over something stupid, like being Snape's Apprentice. Silence now bestowed them all.

"Is she alright?" Ron finally asked.

"Well, I came in and found her in here crying." Draco wondered if telling them he comforted her was the best thing, "I guess you could say I comforted her. She cried a lot. I took her up stairs..." With that Draco could see the angered expressions on both Potter and the Weasel, "...and left." He said leaving the part out about her asking him to stay.

Draco saw that Harry and Ron, both looked relieved. 'What did they think, I slept with her?' Draco thought and then it hit him, they did think that. They thought he took advantage of her, but he could never. 'I lo...I...I love her. I could never take advantage of her.' Draco thought.

"Are you sure you left?" Ron asked seeing the look on Draco's face.

Draco glared at him, "Yes, I left. Why would you ask such a question?"

"You are a Slytherin." Ron said slightly forgetting that Draco had turned him into a Weasel. "I mean you could have very well taken advanta..." Ron never got to say the rest, for someone interrupted him.

"He did not take advantage of me, Ronald Weasley!" Came Hermione's voice which was full of anger. "How dare you say such a thing!"

Harry, Ron and even Malfoy all jumped at her voice. Draco stood up and Harry and Ron turned around. A loud slap echoing out threw the room. Ron held his hand to his cheek, "What the bloody hell was that for?" Ron bellowed.

"That was for jumping to conclusions, Ron! That was for ignoring me when I did nothing! That was for all those glares I got from you over the past two weeks." Draco looked at Ron when she said this. Ron glanced quickly over at Malfoy, knowing that he was now in the lions den and he didn't know how he would get out. "At least Harry would give me a quick smile every now and then! But, you! Just because I'm a Slytherin!" Hermione yelled and then did something everyone was shocked at; Hermione Jane Granger punched one Ronald Weasley in the nose, making him fall to the ground. Draco went wide-eyed. 'I guess she's getting all her frustration about her parent dying out.' He thought.

Hermione now turned to Harry, "And you!" She yelled pointing a finger at him, "You get bloody livid just because I was made Professor Snape's Apprentice!? You think he's such a bad guy, just because he gives us homework up the ying-yang. When in fact, I think he's one of the best Professors we have! And you both think that Draco's such a bad guy!" Draco looked at her when she said his name, he liked to hear it come from her lips, even though she was yelling, "When in fact he too is a nice guy! He was the one who comforted me when I got the letter of my parents deaths" Hermione yelled on the verge of tears, "He was the one that held me and let me cry on his should! Where were you two!? Huh!?" A single tear rolled down her face, as Harry said nothing. "I want you out." she said simply.

"Hermione?" Harry said taking a step closer to her.

Hermione lifted her wand, "I said out! The both you!"

Harry looked at Hermione and her wand, he nodded and then bent over to help up Ron who was clutching his nose. Once they were through the portrait hole and it closed behind them, Hermione dropped to the floor for the second time.

Draco watched her as she broke out into a fit of sobs. He silently walked over to her and sat next to her on the floor, again taking her into his arms and letting her cry on his shoulder.

-

A couple hours later, Draco and Hermione were sitting on the green couch. Each on one side, "I don't get them anymore." she simply stated.

Draco slightly chuckled, "I've never gotten them."

Hermione let a smile spread across her features, but as she saw the letter from the Ministry on the coffee table; her smile faded.

"You know even though they've passed, It doesn't mean you can't smile." Draco told her.

Hermione looked over at him and saw he was looking at her as well, "I feel that if I smile, I'm mocking their memory or something." She stated looking away, "I shouldn't smile, I shouldn't even laugh. My parents are dead, what is there to smile or laugh about anymore?"

"Hermione..." Draco said her name and she looked back up at him, "There's a lot to smile and laugh about. Just because your parents are dead, doesn't mean that you are. You're here. Your alive and well. Do you think your parents would want you to never smile or laugh, again? No, they wouldn't. Do you think they'd want you to grieve over their deaths? No, they wouldn't. They'd want you to celebrate the lives they had not grieve them. When you think of a good memory, don't let it get you down just because their gone, let it make you smile, because they were there."

Hermione felt a tear roll down her cheek and Draco saw it. He moved closer to her and softly wiped it away.

"Your parents were never their for you when you were a child, were they?" Hermione asked, but it was more of a statement. Draco nodded slowly, "What do you do when you remember a happy memory."

Draco looked away from her and into the lit fire, "My parents left me everything, except happy memories." He told her. "And like you just stated, my parents were never there for me when I was a child."

Hermione placed her hand on his, making him look to her, their eyes meeting, "I'm sorry." She told him and looked down at their hands.

Draco lightly lifted her head up with his other hand, "For what?" He asked softly.

Hermione bit her lip and then said, "For you parents being so cruel."

Draco gave her a small smile, "You shouldn't be sorry for that." He said taking his hand away from her chin

"But, I am." She told him, "Ginny told me about when Tonks brought you to the Burrow."

Draco nodded slightly and looked to the fire for a moment before looking back at her and asking, "Tonks?"

"Yeah, Tonks. Your cousin." Hermione said.

"Oh, she must be on my mothers side." Draco said, "I never met them. Well, except...You know..." Draco trailed off, "So, the girl with the pink hair is my cousin?"

Hermione nodded, "Yeah."

"I should've known, at Order meetings she always looked at me with concerned expressions." Draco said, unaware that he just basically told her he was part of the Order.

"Order meetings?" Hermione asked confused.

"Oh, bloody hell." Draco whispered.

"What do you mean Order meetings?" Hermione asked looking at him with a stern look.

"Well..." Draco said hesitantly, then he just blurted out, "I'm in the Order."

Hermione went wide-eyed, her mouth dropped and her mind yelled at her to close her mouth before she started to drool. "Your...Your in the Order?" Draco nodded, "But, Harry and Ron aren't even in the Order, why are you?"

Draco looked around trying to come up with some kind of excuse, 'Excuses by damned.' He thought, 'I'll just tell her the truth.' Draco raised up his sleeve and showed Hermione the Dark Mark. He looked away as she gasped, "After my mother forced me into getting the Dark Mark and after seeing what the deatheaters are capable of, I went to Dumbledore and I was immediately questioned by all the staff, or at least those that are part of the Order, I told them everything I new and then they all agreed I was to become part of the Order. My duty in the Order is as one of Hogwarts guards."

"What about Voldemort and all the deatheaters, do they know?" Hermione asked.

"Yes." Draco told the truth, "They all do. I'm now known among them as a Blood-Traitor. Dumbledore has cast many spells and such upon Malfoy Manor for my safety, but the Order members are wavering whether or not I should just stay here and make Hogwarts my permanent home."

"Are you?" Hermione asked, "Going to make Hogwarts you permanent home?"

Draco shrugged, "I've been thinking about it. Since I'm one of Hogwarts guards I think I will."

"How many other guards are there?" Hermione asked.

"Well, there's Hagrid, Professor Snape; he moved to Hogwarts permanently last year, Remus, Dumbledore, and all the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest."

"The Centaurs? I thought they..."

"Didn't interact with humans? Yeah, well they've had a change of law since Dumbledore told them that Voldemort would most likely destroy the forest." Draco told her.

There was silence between them for a moment, Hermione's hand still on his. "So you in the Order?" Hermione broke the silence.

"Yeah."

"Yeah. It's good you know, you know." Hermione said looking in his eyes.

"Yeah, I guess." Draco said looking back into her eyes.

Suddenly a tray with two cups of pumpkin juice appeared on the coffee table making them both jump.

Hermione went over and picked up the letter that was among the cups.

Dear,

Hermione

I have just heard the horrific news about your parents. I'd like to send my condolences, but know that they are of no use, for losing your parents is one of the worst thing in the world that can happen. I should know as well as Mr. Malfoy, whose with you I suppose. That's why I sent two cups of Pumpkin Juice, instead of one.

Now, I know that you have no other living family. So, the Hogwarts staff, the Ministry of Magic, and the Order of the Phoenix, (all separately) have decided that since you are of age, you can have the choice of either taking the estate that you have inherited from your parents or live in Hogwarts Castle. I know what you are thinking, 'If I'm of age, shouldn't I be able to pick wherever I want to live'. But, the most of the Order members think that you are better off with the choice above.

Whatever you decision is, all will respect it, whether it be you families estate or Hogwarts. Me, in particular am hoping you choose Hogwarts. Don't tell Minerva, Please.

Sincerely,

Your Friend and Headmaster

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione smiled, 'That man knows everything.' She thought and then noticed that he did not put the usual Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry quota. But, she still smiled at the thought that he thought of her not only as a student, but a friend.

"Whose it from." She heard Draco ask.

"Dumbledore, he knows about my parents." She said her smile vanishing at the mention of her parents.

"Keep smiling. Your beautiful when you smile." Draco said aware that his thoughts were spoken aloud.

Hermione blushed and smiled back, "So, I'm not beautiful when I don't smile." She asked.

"Oh, no you are." Draco confirmed, "I mean...well, I mean..."

Hermione put a finger to his lips, "Shhh. I know what you mean. I think your quite handsome, myself." She whispered and then moved her finger away from his lips only for him to capture her lips into a kiss.

Hermione hesitated for a minute, but then kissed him back. Letting him really kiss her, by giving his tongue access into her mouth and vise versa.

The kiss was passionate and filled lust and something that seemed like love. Draco laid Hermione down on the couch. Him laying over her. Then they both pulled away to breath. Looking into each others eyes and feeling sparks. Hermione went to pull up his shirt, but Draco stood up and walked over to the fire standing infront of it. Hermione just sat up and felt as if she'd done something wrong.

"We shouldn't, with your parents just...and I don't want to take advantage... I couldn't live with myself if you ever felt that I..."

"Draco..." Hermione said standing up and walking over to him, "You wouldn't be taking advantage, but I'm happy you stopped me. Because I really don't know if I'm ready and we just really kind of got to know each other..."

Draco smiled down at her, "Yes, we did." He said and lightly kissed her on the lips. "And I believe we both aren't really ready for that."

"You mean, you mean you're a..." Hermione started.

"Yes, I'm a virgin." Draco said blushed a little at admitting it.

"But, girls...they talk about how..." Hermione started again.

"There are other thing." He said with a smirk.

Hermione blushed, "And you've, done them?" She asked.

"Actually, no. I just wanted to see how would react. Whatever other girls say they're lying" He told her with a playful smile.

Hermione's heart gave a relieved jump.

"Why, don't you go to bed, you've had a long day." He told her and she nodded slightly. She started to walk away, but Draco grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, giving her a passionate goodnight kiss, "Goodnight." He told her once he pulled away.

"Goodnight." She replied and made her way to her room.

Once the door was closed and she was sitting on her bed, she laid back, smiling. She thought of what happened today, her smile soon faded, 'My parents are gone.' She thought and a tear rolled down her cheek. But, then she thought of what Draco had said, 'Celebrate the lives they had, not grieve them.' He was right. A memory then popped into her mind and she smiled, it was of her and her mom walking in London, they were shopping for summer clothes, her mom pointed out a boy that had bleached hair and she had said, 'Hermione, I can see you with a boy like that.'

Hermione looked up at the ceiling, "Mom" She prayed the gods she could hear her, "I bet you'd like Draco if you met him and Dad I'm sure you'd give him the talk about responsibility for dating your daughter and the whole twenty questions. You know I'm not even sure if we're dating. But, I really like him and I know you two would too." Hermione smiled at the thought of Draco meeting her parents, "I love you and I always will." With that she turned over and fell straight to sleep.

Draco who just happened to be listening smiled to himself and walked into his own room. Stripping into his boxers and getting into bed, hoping that his dreams were filled of nothing, but Hermione.