Parrots to Pillows and Back Again

Classes began in earnest and for the next month Harry and Hermione juggled time together with homework and his occlemency (a/n I probably spelt this wrong) lessons. They found themselves spending less and less time with Ron and Faye and more time in the room their illegal club had once been held. By the third Friday of October, Hermione was looking forward to a weekend off. She never gave up hope that one weekend they would fix the bonds that had fallen into shambles in a year of work and growth.
"Transfiguration next," Harry said, his hand resting lightly on Hermione's hip.
"Yea…McGonagall was muttering something about needing more pillows last class. Wonder what we'll be changing them into," Faye said softly. Her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Transfiguration was a challenge to her, the one class she didn't automatically excel in. But McGonagall had earned her respect and she looked forward to the classes that she took with the Professor.
They walked along in silence, up the grounds from Hagrid's hut. They were so often silent that Hermione wondered how much of the bond truly remained and how much of it was in torn tatters.
"There's a trip to Hogsmeade tomorrow," Hermione said as they passed the doors to the Great Hall, "maybe we can all get a butter beer together"
"I can't go," Harry replied softly. The three turned to look at him. "Dumbledore wants me to work on Occlemency and this is one of the only times we'll have. With Qudditch and all
"We can still have fun Mione," Faye replied. Trying to sound happy, she knew her friends heart was broken over the swiftly failing relationship.
Hermione merely shrugged her mind whirling with the latest let-down. She had truly depended on Hogsmeade to fix their relationship with the other couple. She remained silent as they entered the classroom and made their ways to the adjoining desks they sat at.
"Take you seats everyone, take your seats." Hermione took her now regular seat next to Harry.
"Today we will begin changing inanimate objects into living breathing animals. We'll start today with pillows. I'd you all to turn a parrot into the cages at the side by the end of class. You all have mastered the spell. Now it's just a matter of giving the power. When you receive a pillow you may begin."
Hermione looked at her pillow for a while. Thoughts raging in her mind. She couldn't believe Harry would be back in the castle. She knew she wouldn't spend time with Ron and Faye. She wouldn't be in the mood to see them so happy, when she felt as if her own relationship was built on promises and half-hearted lies. She and Harry hadn't even kissed yet. The most her did was lay a hand on her hip or shoulder. Her barely even held her hand.
Finally frustrated with thinking she waved her wand idly at the pillow. In an instant a parrot perched squawking at her. She smiled softly and pet it's head. It tilted it's eyes towards her and squawked again.
"Good job Miss Granger. Well done." McGonagall said pausing on her way to help Crabbe with his half parrot has fabric creature. From across the room a pillow exploded and feathers rained down.
"Oh for gods sake. Hermione will you help Neville?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione smiled softly to Harry and made her way across the room. Neville was looking at his exploded pillow with a look of desperation. Hermione waved her wand at the mess and a pillow reappeared.
"Like this Neville." She took his want from his and placed it on the table, placing his hand on hers she went through the motion with her own wand and spoke the incantation. A parrot appeared. Waved her wand again idly, it disappeared. The pillow safely back in its place.
"How does it come so easily to you?" Neville asked softly. His eyes shining with both jealously and sadness.
"I'm not afraid to use my power. What are you afraid of Neville? It can't be failing or you would use your powers to succeed." Hermione said accusingly as she tucked her wand into her robes and handed Neville his own. She sighed softly as he stared at the pillow, perplexed.
"Clear your mind. Think of a bubble of power, floating right where you palm meets the wand. When you cast the spell I want you to see that energy released into the wand. I want you to see it travel out the tip into the pillow." Neville nodded and took several minutes concentrating before he waved his wand, with a murmured incantation the pillow began shifting. Then a bird appeared, a parrot in shape but a brilliant white instead of the multi-colored bird it was supposed to be.
"I did it. I change the pillow," Neville said happily. Hermione nodded a soft smile dancing upon her lips. She waved her wand and the pillow appeared again.
"Now visualize a parrot's brilliant colors," Hermione said as she waved her wand. The pillow reappeared. Neville took until the end of class concentrating. Hermione saw his struggle in her mind, fighting between being a wizard and ending as his parents did. As McGonagall began cleaning he finally waved his wand.
"SQWAK!" a parrot cried from it's perch.
"Good job Neville!" Hermione said happily, hugging him compulsively. Neville blushed five shades of red as McGonagall looked over.
"My, my Mr. Longbottom. Just put that beauty in the cage and you're dismissed. Off to lunch." Hermione packed her back and was about to follow Neville when McGonagall spoke again.
"Miss Granger."
"Yes Professor?" Hermione asked, turning from the doorway.
"This is truly Mr. Longbottom's work?" Hermione looked at McGonagall who was staring suspiciously at the parrot in front of her.

"Yes Professor," Hermione said softly.
"How Miss Granger? How did you get through to him?"
"I…I don't know exactly Professor. I asked him what he was afraid of. But he wouldn't answer. So I told him what to visualize and let him do it on his own." McGonagall just shook her head.
"Consider teaching Miss Granger. Hogwarts will always have a place for you." McGonagall smiled then. A true smile. Hermione smiled back and picker her book bag up.
"I'll think about it. Goodbye Professor." She made her way out of the room, leaving a chuckling McGonagall behind.

"Mione," someone whispered as Hermione exited the classroom. She spun on her heel to see Draco. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the shadows.
"Yes Draco?" she asked her eyes glinting. She hadn't forgotten the night he'd rejected her and it still stung.
Draco looked at her for a moment and opened his mouth to say something. Then shut it again.
"I really…I really don't have time," Hermione turned to leave and she felt his hand grab hers again. It frightened her how strong he was as he turned her towards him. This time when she was turned his lips found hers.
His slid his hands to her back and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Hermione pulled back abruptly.
"That night…" she started then let her voice trail off.
"I lied. Mione I need you." Draco said softly, kissing her forehead.
"Draco. I can't- Harry…I could never hurt him. I'm sorry Draco." Hermione kissed him on the cheek and spun abruptly to walk away. She felt his eyes on her back but never turned, tears poured down her face unchecked.

"Hermione…Mione, are you even listening to me?" Harry asked looking annoyed and frustrated. Anger dancing in the back of his eyes.
"I'm sorry Harry. What did you say?" Hermione asked, trying to focus her attention on him instead of reliving the encounter she had experienced with Draco.
"You're always so preoccupied. Are you okay?" Harry finally asked, looking somewhat concerned behind the annoyance.

"I guess I'm just tired," Hermione lied softly.

Hermione and Harry had frequented the abandoned Defense Club room, enjoying it's privacy. On rare occasions Faye and Ron would join them and they would spend the night playing chess or cards and talking. Those days however, were few and far between. Currently they lounged on a fur rug situated in front of a large stone fireplace. The fire was warm and the only light in the room. If Hermione had been in her right mind, she would have found it quite romantic. Harry leaned back on his elbows smiling at her.
"You're beautiful Mione," Hermione felt herself blushing in response.
"Thank-you," she said softly, glancing towards the fire. Harry sat up and tipped her chin towards him. He leaned in and kissed her softly. In the month they had been dating, this was their first true kiss.
"Why didn't I see this before? I wasted so much time…" Harry said wistfully as he kissed her again.
Because you were to busy fawning over Cho Hermione felt like snapping. She knew in her heart he still liked Cho, perhaps even loved the fair-skinned, raven-haired girl. Hermione saw all the subtle glances, the hidden desire buried deep in his eyes. Something she picked up on after years of experience. She was still attempting to puzzle out why he hadn't dumped her and run to Cho again.
She kissed him this time, leaning forward and pushing him back until she was lying on top of him. She smiled slightly at him, beginning to pull away when he caught her with his hand.
"Where do you think you're going?" His lips met hers and she felt something click in her mind. The familiarity of their souls, a long ago love between friends. A forbidden love so ordained by the gods, and punished with the rise of Voldermort. When Harry's hands found the buttons on her shirt she let them explore, kissing him to avoid talking.
Maybe, just maybe, if she kissed him enough she could forget that he loved Cho and not her. They fell asleep in the room that night. Next to the slowly dying fire. Hermione fell into dreams that told her of her past lives.

-Dream-
"Rose! Rose! Stop…It's not what it looks like. ROSE!" A man's deep voice called.
"No Dillon. Not anymore. I'm sick of this. I'm sick of the lies. Of being second. I'm sick of being the pregnant wife you have no use for. FIND A NEW ONE!" A soft woman's voice cried, muddled with tears and embarrassment.
"Rose. What are you doing! ROSE! NO ROSE!"

Hermione awoke with a start as she heard a gun shot, quite clearly. Harry's arms were wrapped protectively around her, and she could hear his heart beating from where her head was resting on his chest.
With a yawn Hermione untangled herself and stood stretching. Her thoughts wandered as she picked up a brush and began to run it through her hair. She knew eventually she would have to choose between Harry and Draco, and she knew it was a test. A test of fate. She could choose to stay with Harry…Even though it was a forbidden love, or she could choose to fix an old wrong and go with Draco. Either way one of them would get hurt.
"What a shitty situation," was all she could come up with.
Eventually she turned her thoughts to the time and found a clock sitting on a nightstand nearby. It was an old fashioned one, and for once Hermione wondered why everything here was old fashioned. She sort of missed the digital clocks that worked so well in the Muggle world. The electric lights that you didn't have to worry about having them blown out by a small breeze.
Hermione finally turned her attention to her clothes, re-buttoning her blouse and pulling her robes on. After she was sure she was ready she kneeled down next to Harry and shook him.
"Harry…Harry wake up," She said, quite loudly. Her emotional pain from realizing he was still in love with Cho was still fresh in her mind.
Harry finally woke up, rubbing his eyes with one hand while reaching for his glasses with another. When his hand hit them he put them on, and looked up at her.
"What time is it?" He questioned groggily.
"Nine o'clock. We have to get to the Great Hall…I'll meet you there okay?" Hermione asked. She was hungry and breakfast ended at nine thirty.
"Sure…Sure," Harry replied, rolling over. Hermione had the vaguest feeling that he was going back to sleep but left him. Stepping out of the portrait and closing it carefully behind her.
The walk to the great Hall was a quick one, only half of the Griffindors were there. Hermione thought it would be safe to presume that some had already left for Hogsmeade and the others were sleeping, planning on getting something to eat at Hogsmeade.
"Morning Hermione, have you seen Harry?" Ron asked looking up as she sat down at the table and loaded her plate with food.
"Wasn't he in the dormitory with you?" Hermione asked lightly. She looked as unconcerned as she spoke, she winked softly at Ginny who smiled in return. Ginny was the only one who ever noticed Hermione's disappearances. Well, Ginny was the only one who questioned them. As a prefect Hermione often spent time patrolling at night, and as Harry was the other prefect he often joined her. No one thought to question, except Ginny.
"No…Old bloke seems to have disappeared…We'll have to leave without him if he doesn't show up." Ron said, looking around again.
"Bloody Hell Ron. Do you ever pay attention anymore?" Hermione demanded. More than a bit upset visibly, she felt as though their friendship was falling apart. She also knew she was losing Harry which terrified her even more.
"Calm down Hermione…I just forgot is all. I've a lot of my mind you know," Ron said, making a point of looking at Ginny. Ginny looked innocently back at him. Hermione knew what Ginny was up too, and while she disapproved she didn't say anything.
"Forget it Ron," Hermione snapped. She looked up to see Harry making his way to their table, smiling.
Harry always looked so happy nowadays. Hermione was pleased that she had made the old Harry shine through the depression, but unhappy at how much of herself she had sacrificed to give him that happiness.
"Are you going to be in a pissy mood all day now Hermione?" Ron snapped in return. Harry had paused to talk to Angelina about something towards the end of the table.
"Why?" Hermione demanded. Suddenly angry at how all of this was turning out. She knew she was only driving Ron away with her attitude, but all she wanted was to hurt someone.
"I'd rather not be with you if you are."
"Fine, I'll find my own way," Hermione said, without realizing it she was about halfway out of her seat. Forcing her temper down she sat back down to finish her food.
"Good," Ron finished the argument by removing himself from the table. With Faye he retreated from the Hall, no doubt headed to Hogsmeade. Without an explanation Hermione felt the sudden urge to stick her tongue out at his retreating back.

Almost a half hour later Hermione stood at the doors of the castle with Harry, watching the steam of students making their way across the grounds to the village.
"Maybe I'll stay," she said softly. Pulling her cloak closer she shivered in the cool autumn air. A short skirt and tight blouse was hardly attire for this weather, but she refused to wear pants.
"You should go. Ron'll have forgotten by now," Harry said, giving her a slight nudge towards the village.
"But as soon as you finish-" Hermione started.
"I'll be tired and worn out. Go Mione, have some fun," Harry interrupted. Giving her another nudge.
"Fine, but only because I love you," she kissed him quickly and hurried down the path.

When Hermione finally reached the village she didn't bother to go into any of the shops. She figured she might buy some candy later, but for now…For now she needed some time to think. She had so many thoughts milling in her head she couldn't quite figure out what she wanted.
Hermione's destination was the Shrieking Shack, a place few would frequent save a few third years with curiosity to spare. The upperclassmen barely went there, satisfied that it was haunted by some ghost or another and no more interesting that the Peeves the Poltergeist of Hogwarts. Just a ghost attempting to spook a few students and keep it's house that much longer.
Once she finally reached the Shack she turned to the right, following a short path to a large willow tree. The ground below it was covered in soft moss and some fall colored leaves. She pulled her cloak around her and sat on the ground. Adjusting her cloak to keep her legs off the ground. She then reached into an inner pocket and pulled two things out. The first was her wand, the second a small book. With her wand she cast a small fire, one that would actually burn anything but would bring her enough heat to keep her satisfied.
The book fell open on it's own accord, opening to the first clean page. Words scrawled on their own, in Hermione's neat cursive. She bit on the edge of her pen, looking at it for a moment. Then closed her eyes in thought.
Dear Diary,
It seems that my relationship with Ron had truly died. We barely ever talk and when we do, we fight. And Harry….Harry loves Cho. I know he does. I see it every time he looks at her. I see the lust and desire. I want him to want me…not her. What do I have to do…to make him want me?
Hermione paused then, as she felt something block the sweet sun from her face. And opened her eyes. She opened them to see Draco.
"I figured I would find you here" Draco said with a smile.
"Why?" Hermione asked, attempting to conceal her joy at seeing him again.
"Because I followed you," Draco said. Hermione's laughed softly as Draco sat on the ground next to her. Hermione tucked her pen into the notebook and closed it. But not before Draco caught the last few lines.
"I have a stalker now?" He rmione giggled as she asked him. She was happy, truly happy.
"Potter treating you alright?" Draco asked softly.
Hermione could not help herself, tears welled over her eyes and spilt down in rivers down her cheeks. In an attempt to control them she made them worse, and soon she was sobbing. As soon as she had herself in control she managed to speak, though Draco had to listen very closely to understand exactly what she was trying to get across.
"Draco…I'm sure he loves Cho. I'm so sure. I know I was his second choice…And at first I could live with that, but now…Now it's tearing me apart."
Draco didn't reply, but instead wrapped his arms around her and she calmed quickly in the familiar embrace. How many time since her parents had died had he held her in the same way to comfort her? How many kisses and hugs had they shared…How much more did he love her than Harry, when he cared enough to ask and Harry did no

Eventually one of them would have to break the peace and quiet, but for the moment they just sat there. Wrapped in their own thoughts and enjoying the other's presence. It was easy to see that Draco made Hermione shine, it wasn't that she was incomplete without him, but that he added an overcoat. A shine, a beauty that nothing else could complete. Whilst Hermione was very unwilling to break the peace, ever, fore she enjoyed the comfort Draco's warm embrace gave her. Draco had something on his mind. Something that had pulled at his mind for a long time. Something that he had to ask, and when Draco had something to ask, it was asked.
"Hermione…do you love Harry?"
"I care deeply for him," Hermione said. It was automatic, a thought that came without thinking. She said 'I love you' to Harry, but that was because that was what she brought up to. With him, it was automatic. It slipped out before she thought about him, did she really love him?
"But do you love him?" Draco demanded again. Hermione was again amazed at how persistent he was. But persistent, in a good way. He pushed as far as he could, but didn't push to the edge. If that made sense.
They sat there together for a while longer, Draco looking at the sky, patiently waiting. Hermione looking at her legs, puzzling out her thoughts. She didn't know if she loved Harry, it was odd. How one second you know you love someone, just because that was what everyone expected, and another you needed to think about it. She supposed she had never loved Harry, if the question presented this much of a problem.
"Yes and no. I love him, but as a friend, not a lover. I suppose that could one day develop but it would never bring with it the power of the relationship I had with you over the summer. I love you in a way I could never love anyone else Draco," Hermione said. Draco nodded, not replying. He knew what her reply would be, somehow he had known. He could feel her feelings…Or at least that was how he felt.
They lapsed into silence again, enjoying each others company. For the moment neither wanted nor needed to break the peace and calm that settled around them. The sounds of animals echoed through the woods, the sounds of nature…The sounds that sounded no matter what, whether or not someone was there to listen to them.

Draco's mind drifted, his eyes found their way to Hermione's face. The always did, it was an urge he could not deny satisfaction to. Her face was so beautiful. Though it was easy for him to see the scars Harry had left. How that bloke could not see what beauty this woman held in her hands was impossible for Draco to understand. The sounds of a bird echoed in his ears, and he wished he could etch this day forever in his mind. But he knew eventually all that would be left was a memory.
"Draco I have a question for you?" Hermione's voice brought him swiftly to the present, a slow smile came to his face.
"And what is that?" He asked softly. Her face lifted to look him in the eye. He resisted the urge to kiss her…It was hard, but he would not taint her. She had a boyfriend, and he wouldn't put a black mark on her. He wouldn't allow her to cheat, even if it was only Potter.
"Does your father keep a Mistress?" She asked. Draco was surprised, very few knew his father kept a mistress. It was implied of course, for every rich family. Arranged marriages never ended in true love. True love wasn't even a factor.
"Yes…He and my mother had an arranged marriage. With my mother indisposed its very reasonable he has found someone…" Draco said carefully. Unsure where this conversation was heading.
"Found someone…So he switches frequently?"
"No. Lucius picks his Mistresses carefully. There are many…qualities, that I don't understand which one must measure up to. The time they stay is up to their choosing."
"And Narcissa isn't…bothered?" Hermione asked, she looked truly interested now. Draco became more relaxed, it seemed as if this conversation wasn't going to be turned on him in some way.
"My mother had no choice…Lucius…calls it business. She does not know when he visits them or who they are most of the time. But she does know they are there. It's…almost conditional with the type of marriage she has."
"Oh…And would he be upset if the Mistress bore him a bastard?" Hermione asked. Then closed her mouth her hands covering it.
"It depends…What's wrong?" Draco looked at her, unsure whether or not he had heard her correctly.
"Nothing." Hermione said looking away. She considered her choice of words as Draco spoke again.
"Why are you so interested in this?" He asked softly running his finger along her cheek. "If you were my girlfriend I would never have a Mistress"
"I…I was just curious," Hermione replied uneasily. Draco smiled, such a Griffindor. He would have to teach her how to lie someday. But then…She wouldn't look so sweet and innocent when she did.
"You must have a reason," He said. He knew his voice demanded a reason, and he wasn't sorry. His suspicion was back that this would somehow bite him in the ass.
"GinnyWeasleyIsLuciusMistress" The words tumbled out of Hermione's mouth so far Draco barely had time to catch that she was speaking.
"Woah…Try that a bit slower please?" He asked. Something was definitely up. The words Ginny and Mistress were all he caught, and he doubted that they were good in the same sentence.
"Ginny…Is Lucius Mistress," Hermione said more slowly this time. Draco's mind flip-flopped.
That was impossible. His father hated Weasleys. How this girl could possibly measure up the standards he set for his Mistresses was impossible…But then, Virginia, as Ginny was more often called, had come into her own. She was a fifth-year this year. And a force to be reckoned with. She could have applied for accelerated courses, but for the fact that her parents didn't want her to skip a year. Above everything, she was one of Snape's favorite students. Which was hard to believe. No one was a favorite of Snape's, not Griffindor.
"You're kidding," Draco stated.
"No…I'm not," Hermione replied softly.
"You must be. There is no way…No…She's younger than me."
"And beautiful. And innocent, and she has a lot of expensive jewelry and a new wardrobe that could be explained in no other way," Hermione said softly.
"Father always did keep his Mistresses provided for," He replied, he couldn't keep the edge out of his voice. How often had he listened to them argue with each other over money disappearing. Narcissa wasn't supposed to know, supposed to be able to tell, but she was smart. Undeniably smart, she deserved all the niceties his Mistresses were provided with. And she was given them, but not with the lavish attention he had seen his father once present a gift to his Mistress with.
The silence was unbearable this time. Draco's mind fumed, he was angry with his father for choosing someone so young this time. If Narcissa found out there would be hell to pay, for anyone around her. His mind raced and Hermione merely sat there, leaning half on the tree and half on his shoulder looking at the sky. He wondered how she could be so calm…Ginny was Ron's younger sister, and Ron was Hermione's best friend.
"Why aren't you worried?" He finally snapped, he couldn't help it. Hermione looked at him unfazed. As if she had expected it.
"Ginny is sixteen…What she does with her life is her business," Hermione said simply. Draco had the vaguest feeling that she would not say the same thing to Ron should he confront her. But who was he to talk.
"That's all…You're just going to let her do this?" Draco demanded.
"Yes Draco…I am. Now please…Stop you sound just as Ron does when he fights with her over her boyfriends." Hermione said softly. She stood, pulling him up after her. "You should go find your friends Draco. Have some fun. I'm sorry I spoiled your day."
Draco's heart melted. How did this girl have this effect on him. It was beyond his control…He shook his head to clear it and smiled softly at her. With a kiss on the cheek Hermione nudged him towards the village. He started on his way and then paused.
"Hey Mione?" He called back over his shoulder.
"Yes Draco?"
"Deal with Potter or I will. I want my girl back." With that he turned on his heel and fled down the path.
No…Not fled. Malfoys don't flee. But he walked quickly, attempting to forget that Hermione had just told him who his father's new mistress was. It hurt all the more that he couldn't do anything about it. At all…

Hermione watched Draco walk down the path, listening to his thoughts as he rounded the corner. Her heart ached for him, but she had to know that Ginny was doing this on her own free will. She couldn't help it if his father was an asshole…She was sure that Narcissa would be alright. The woman had held her own so far.
She made the walk to the castle quickly, mulling over thoughts on love and why it was so complicated. Deciding how she could dump Harry without permanently wounding him…She wasn't worried about his ego, but she was worried about his heart. He had lost so much so soon. Gods, she hadn't meant to end it this way.
She distinctly heard Harry's voice as she rounded the corner headed from the Great Hall to Griffindor common room, and she was happy she didn't have to go looking for him. Happy until she heard what he was saying. At first it was heard to discern, he was talking to someone in low tones, that someone being shielded from her view. Hidden behind his body, it seemed innocent enough. Until her elven ears kicked in and she heard what he was saying.
"I still love you too…" Harry said to that someone in front of him. As she watched he leaned in to kiss that someone on the lips.
That bloody no good cheating bastard, were the first things that popped into Hermione's head. Followed by, I can't believe I fell for this shit. She had always known she was second…She could imagine how Narcissa felt now, only a wife's pain must be ten times worse than a girlfriends. Especially a pregnant wife's.
"You lying, cheating, bloody bastard," Hermione seethed. Without thinking she slapped him across the face then turned, fleeing down the hall and back towards the village.
Her feet pounded down the walkway, as she forgot about the skirt she was wearing. She was running fast….She now knew why Mona had galloped Mad Hatter home that day, anger ran into adrenaline, and adrenaline added to your power. She felt as if she could fly.
And then she was flying, through the air. Her foot caught on a root of some sort, blocking the path and she was on the ground before she realized what was happening. It took what seemed like forever before the air rushed back into her lungs.
Unwillingly she began to cry. All she could think of was how everything was going wrong. Her boyfriend had never truly loved her, her best friend was gone…Her greatest friend of the world might have been on the moon for all that she could reach her. Her parents were dead, and now she was here…On the ground. And she felt a tingling in her ankle. From between sobs she heard a guys footsteps approaching up the path.
"Are you alright?" The person asked as the stopped next to her. Their shadow fell over Hermione's body and she looked up to meet the eyes of a seventh year Ravenclaw.
"I'm fine," She snapped. How dare this…This Ravenclaw interrupt her depressed state of thinking called to her mind.
"Your legs are all cut up and you're crying…That's not fine," He said.
"The girl said she was fine Tom, now get lost." Draco's tones interrupted. He appeared from the shadows under the gates. It was then that Hermione realized she had almost made it to the village.
"You're sure?" He asked again, looking at Hermione. Hermione nodded softly and gestured for him to go.

Draco's eyes swept over Hermione's tearstained cheeks, her eyes reddened and swollen from crying. He hated to see her cry, she didn't deserve to cry. She deserved so much better. She was truly his world.
"Did you hurt anything?" He asked softly, bending down next to her sometime after the Ravenclaw had left.
"I think my ankles broken…" She replied, tears were still pouring from her eyes and it was practically impossible to understand her.
"Come on then," he scooped her up in his arms and made his way to the castle, careful to stay on the path.

"Harry was cheating on me," Hermione said simply.
Draco didn't respond. It was obvious that Harry had hurt her, but he doubted the wound ran to deep. It was probably just shock…He knew she didn't truly love him. He didn't think that Harry had had it in him though, to actually cheat on someone. Griffindors certainly weren't all they were said to be…Loyalty his ass.
When they reached the Madame Pomfrey's room she eyed Draco suspiciously but gave Hermione a bone healing potion after a quick check over the ankle.
"Now just don't do to much okay dear? It'll still hurt a bit." Hermione nodded and Draco led her from the room.
"I know where we can go…To talk," Hermione said softly. She smiled at him, and led the way to a corridor he had never been in before. She opened a portrait a room she had obviously been in before.
When he turned to close it, the portrait was gone. And there was no exit. He looked around, in the corner there was a bed, with Slytherin bed sheets. There were very few candles, giving the room a dim romantic feel. He smiled and immediately flopped onto the bed.
"What happened?" He asked, looking up at Hermione who was laying her cloak and robes on a chair. The fire made the room more than cozy and her skirt and blouse served as much clothing as she needed.
"I caught Harry with Cho..It's over. You're mine Draco, I'm claiming your heart, body and soul," She smiled, devilishly. It was hard to believe this was the same Hermione. He enjoyed this side, yes he did, no more timid little girl. It was about time to. She deserved some fun, and if that fun headed his way too…Hey he wouldn't turn it away.
"What makes you think I'm willing," Okay, okay. He was trying to provoke her. Who cares, it could be fun. It was going to be fun, if that devilish glint in her eyes meant anything.
"I'll convince you," She said simply.
"Alright, convince me," Finally. Some fun, and he didn't even have to ask. This would be interesting. It was a bonus that he loved her…
Hermione smiled at him again, moving closer to the bed and straddling him. He felt her every shift through…Well practically nothing considering she was wearing a skirt. When she leaned forward to kiss him he felt her shift up, rubbing. She was still smiling devilishly. She knew exactly what she was rubbing…He was hard now, very hard. It almost hurt. Then she started kissing down…If she was going to start that she better well…

Later Hermione sat leaning up against the headboard her eyes on the ceiling her thoughts wandering. Draco's head was resting in her lap. She finally turned her attention to him, smiling down athim. The pure look of innocence on her face. She was far from innocent, she could barely believe what she'd done herself.
"Did I convince you?" She questioned, that glint returning to her eyes.
"Your mouth is a blessing…Who knew…" His voice ran off as he moved to lay his head on the pillow next to her. She slid down looking directly in his eyes.

"Who knew a bookworm could do that well on her first try…" She finished for him with a smile. Draco merely nodded, slipping his arm under her.
"It's getting late…" She said finally.
Her only reply was Draco's soft steady breathing. She sighed and moved slightly. When she was comfortable she felt herself slowly drift off to sleep.

A/N: Okay. Finally up. Sorry it took so long. And I'll start posting replies to my reviewers here…

to Marcus 1212:
No I haven't lost interest, I just get lazy and don't want to type it up. I do have two more chapters done...I'll try to get them up in the next week.

To Mesmer:
Thanks for sticking with me. I'm glad you enjoy the story. I do have a question though, should I up the story to "R" or keep it at the same rating.

To ginne-fletcher:
Well I'm sorry its "too much romance" but as it's classified as a romance/tradgedy I have no sympathy. This is a romance story, and if you don't enjoy the love part than don't read it. The entire story is about a HP/HG HG/DM love triangle and I already have the plot all formed. I'm not going to change it because one reader thinks it's too much romance.