♥Okay the idea of the beginning of this chappie was given to me by a friend and I would love to thank her for it so thanks Rach! Hopefully it's good!! I used the word "sodding" in a sentence! I just HAD to, it's so cool! A big thanks to AriesFireGirlGurleen C, TheSlytherinSerpent1122 (thanks random girl JoWoW.ItSaGiRlYoUiDiOt.mE-bEc, Ze potatoe (stupid critic) Jacee—(her review was so nice)!

Anyway, thanks for your reviews everyone, they're so…so…(runs way crying…)…lol, anyway, they make me happy.

Disclaimer: …Ooh…shiny coin!!…Hey ppl, looky, I found a coin! …If I owned Hp, I wouldn't be so excited about a coin…and anyway, if I was JKR, I would be very very happy with the success of DH. So did you like it? (Deathly Hallows…obviously).

…And NOW, the story!

Chapter 6: A Sharp Feeling

The doorbell echoed throughout the house and a house-elf somewhere in the mansion rushed to answer it. Hermione apparated to the lounge to see who it was because it was 8 and Draco, going by what she thought was his routine would not be back home until 9. Maybe he decided to come early but she would check anyway.

She sat down on a sofa and browsed through a book lying on the side table. There were various books lying all throughout the house, neatly of course. In the dining room, you might find muggle books like Gone With The Wind or Pride & Prejudice and in the kitchen you might find Cooking for The Modern Witch. The lounge had an assortment of Witch Weekly's, Masquerade, and Galleons for whoever happened to find themselves in the Malfoy household. Obviously, this was because both Hermione and Malfoy were die-hard readers. Hermione, at this point, was looking through The Warlock's Pride; it was a book that absolutely yelled "MALFOY" to her, for some reason.

The house-elf rushed in hurriedly and ran out of the room without saying anything. Hermione, curious, went to see what or rather who cause such a reaction. As soon as she went out, she was sorry she had come.

There was Ron standing in the doorway, looking rather drunk and unstable. Hermione would have normally taken pity and offered him a place to stay for the night but one, the reason he was this way was his own fault for picking a fight with her, and two, this was the house of the man who had caused Ron to pick a fight and so it would be a really bad idea to let him stay at Malfoy's place for the night. And there was also the fact that Hermione was still mad at the man.

Ron looked half asleep which told Hermione that he must have had more than his usual amount because Ron was a person who could definitely keep in his liquor. She was surprised but she was more interested in knowing what he wanted with her…or worse, with Malfoy. Hopefully, not the latter.

They stared at each other for about what seemed like forever but was, in fact, just 30 seconds. Hermione broke the uncomfortable silence by asking coldly,

"Hello, Ronald, what are you doing here?"

"H-hello Mrs.Malfoy, I came to have little chat. Am I allowed to come in and do that?" Ron said, equally cold.

Hermione glared, "I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean, why? If you have something good to say, you can say it here."

"What if I don't?"

"Then leave."

"Why? So you can go have a nice time snogging Malfoy or something?"

"I'm just amazed at how more mature you are! Rubbish. First, get over it. I didn't want this, no one wanted this, it happened and second, he's not even home."

Ron laughed mockingly, "How nice, his wife knows everything about him! I KNOW you wanted it, no matter what you say. He's Draco sodding (A/N: hehe) Malfoy!"

"Exactly! He's Draco Malfoy, you know I don't want to have to do anything with him."

"And that's why you married him?", he scoffed.

"RON!! How many times must I tell you to get it into that stupid thick head of yours? I. Did. Not. Want. To. Marry. Him." Hermione yelled at the slightly affronted man.

"THEN WHY DID YOU??"

Hermione was frustrated. Why didn't Ron understand? How hard was it to understand that someone would not willingly marry their archenemy? Actually, now that you think about it, it WASN'T! Had Ron forgotten everything about Hogwarts, about 6th year? About how much she had hated Malfoy for what he had done to Dumbledore? About what happened between them and how two-faced he'd been? He was being desperate, didn't he realize there was nothing they could do? And even if they could, Hermione would never go back to Ron and she told him so:

Hermione crossed her arms and said, "You realize that whatever you're saying makes no sense because I'm most definitely not "in love" with my mortal enemy and second, even if I wasn't married, I wouldn't go back to you, Ron!"

He stood there, stunned for a minute until, "…Oh really? And why not?"

"Look at you! You're drunk, impulsive, accusing, and jealous! Not exactly the ideal personality traits I'm looking for."

"Obviously, because you're looking for lying, cheating, underhanded, bastards…I wonder if we know someone like that? Oh we do! And guess what, you're married to him so wonderful for you!!", he said waving his hands about sarcastically.

"Mm hmm…whatever. Just leave me ALONE until you're ready to act like and adult and stop being mad at me for something I didn't do. I'm going to close the door now and hope that you take your sorry ass home and remember that I didn't do anything."

She turned to leave and as she did, Ron caught her hand forcefully.

♥

Draco apparated "home". The day had been unbelievably frustrating: first, he couldn't concentrate and everyone just seemed to be trying to get him angry and two, he just dreaded coming home.

He apparated a bit away from the mansion…somewhere in the expansive courtyard and relaxed visibly. He loved this place, he really did. It was so beautiful, especially at night when you could hear crickets and the lamps were lighted up and some fireflies floated about too. He'd always wanted a place like this…warm and beautiful. The house looked like a bright signal fire in the distance.

He was taking in the view when something disturbed him. There was light coming from the front door! Who was here right now? He could faintly make out Granger's silhouette; she was crossing her arms. But who was with her? He could actually hear voices. It looked like the two people were holding hands. The frown deepened, what the hell was Granger doing? Draco fell into the shadows and silently walked up the gravel path and when he realized whom the visitor was, the frown turned into a full on glare.

"Weasley", he spat.

Of course it was him. Who else would be on HIS property holding HIS wife's hand (however fake that was)?

He caught pieces of their conversation but muttered a quick spell to make his hearing sharper--volubilis sursum--.

"Stop Ron, let go."

Weasley shook his head, "No. Hermione I know you don't want to stay here with that pasty faced prick," (Draco almost stupefied him), "and I'm sure we can find a curse breaker that might be able to break that bloody marriage contract."

It was obvious from the way "contract" came out "contrath" that Weasel was wasted. Draco continued listening while thinking 'Granger eloping with Weasley and dying, …perfect ending to the perfect marriage.'

Granger seemed to visibly recoil as Draco noticed the prat tightening his grip around her. Draco raised his eyes in surprise, was it possible that the beaver and the weasel weren't "hopelessly in love" as everyone thought even if the beaver was married?

She turned properly around and said, "No Ronald. I do not want to die while knocking on various curse-breakers doors asking if they could break this age old curse that nobody had ever been able to break and was virtually unbreakable especially when they told me so themselves after I owled them around a million times."

Ron seemed at a loss for a proper retort so Hermione continued, "And anyway, get it into your thick skull that there will be no more 'us', even if I wasn't married to the devil incarnate. I don't love you and I frankly don't think I ever did. I would love to stay friends if I knew that you were okay with that but I don't think you are. I don't love Malfoy and I won't love you and I would just really like for you to let go of me and leave me alone and go home because I'm tired of bickering about a completely useless issue."

Draco sensed a sharp feeling in his body and realized that for SOME reason, his heart had just become a little faster. That was unusual, very unusual. The last time he'd felt a little extra happy was years ago. Getting the Dark Mark.

Ron still held his grip on her and Hermione felt a little anxious as to why. She tried to take it off but instead of saying anything, he held her even more forcefully and grabbed her other arm too and brought her close (Draco scowled heavily and then changed his look into indifference even though no one was watching. He hadn't yet realized the demoralizing situation he was in—spying on his mudblood wife in the bushed of his property) and she moved her head back as he brought his face closer.

"You know that's not true Hermione and even if he hasn't brainwashed you into being his slave or something, I know that every word coming from your mouth was a lie. —"

Before Granger could say something about how 'patronizing' Weasley was being or some rubbish like that, Draco decided was enough and he couldn't just let this go on, however entertaining it was. He returned his hearing to normal and stepped out.

Ron and Hermione turned so abruptly, they cracked their necks. Hermione looked horrified but Ron, no, he was smirking and looking something Draco could make out to be…smug.

Not many people had given Draco THAT look so he couldn't be sure.

"What're you doing here?" Ron asked, still holding Hermione with a hand.

Draco raised an eyebrow, "And this is being asked to me by someone I very much hate and could easily be trespassing on my property?"

"I'm sure Hermione here wouldn't all it trespassing since she let me in."

Draco looked at her sharply, "Did you?"

Hermione didn't know. Did she, did SHE?? Why? Her brain was too muddled by Ron's horrible odor of liquor and surprise at Draco's appearance and apprehensiveness at the way Draco and Ron were looking at each other.

"I- I don't know."

Both Ron and Draco looked rather put off by this and Draco said, "I'm afraid that this property belongs to me and that my wife asked you to let go of her. I know you must want to be me Weasley but unfortunately, you're not."

Ron managed to pull off looking like he didn't care, "Nobody in their right minds would want to be you. —"

"Well then you just admitted you do want to be me."

Ron looked caught off-guard by this statement and said, finally letting go of Hermione, said, "Bastard."

"And proud to be one."

And Ron apparated.

Hermione was rubbing her stinging arm and looking at Draco in an undecipherable way. He graced her with a look of contempt before walking of into Adair.

Hermione was flushed with embarrassment and anger as she followed en suite.

♥

Sitting down to dinner, the silence was extremely uncomfortable, for Hermione anyway.

They ate their dinner I peace as usual and finally in bed as she was reading, Hermione sighed.

She would have to admit defeat to her conscience.

"Uh…Malfoy?"

No answer.

"Uhm, th-thanks, thanks for what you did, you know telling him off and all? I…ahem…appreciated it."

He looked mildly interested and bemused, "Yea, okay, this doesn't make me like you any better mudblood. And you should appreciate it."

Hermione felt a strong knot of anger rise up in her throat and clenched her teeth. Who did that arse think he was? The king or something? What gave him the right to be so conscending on her?

Forcedly, she said something that was bound to annoy him, "Thank you, Draco."

Draco was surprised when she said that and stared at her. What stunned him even more was the fact when he had insulted her, the sharp feeing had come back and it had increased when she had actually said his name.

Hermione laid down, somewhat satisfied with her comeback. She brushed off the sharp feeling that had set her heart racing when she'd said his name…

♥

Ginny arrived at the intimidating mansion and Hermione allowed her in. Ginny loved the mansion, even if it did seem a little…scary to some people. It was beautiful and though Malfoy owned it, she still loved visiting Hermione here where they lounged in luxury.

Hermione stopped the house elves from opening the door and went to open and smiled, giving Ginny a hug.

"Hi Gin! How're you? How's the Burrow?"

Ginny laughed and ventured into the house, "Everything's quite the same since two days ago. Bland and all. Ron cam home last night looking yet again drunk and I'm seriously counting the hours until he leaves. His attitude is pissing everyone off. Anyway, what's new in the house of Malfoy?"

Hermione shook her head and said, "Speaking of Ron…we talked yesterday…"

"He owled you?"

"No we spoke."

Ginny, who had been looking at a statue they kept in the main room, whipped around so fast, there was hair still on her face when she did.

"You WHAT? You let him talk to you?"

" Hum hum…yeah and he was drunk and aggressive and he yelled at me then we bickered then he was being very odd an then Malfoy came and rescued me from the big bad wolf."

"What?"

"Nothing nothing, something muggle, anyway, --"

"Wait, Malfoy helped you?? …? Oooooooh!"

"And we're back in 4th year aren't we?"

"Whatever. So tell me the story!"

And Hermione narrated the whole fiasco.

Ginny raised her eyebrows, somewhat impressed, "Just when you think he's not a complete arse, he turns out to be worse. But my brother!!! He seemed like one of those freaky possessive people that we don't think we'll ever meet. But we have. And I'm related to him!!!!"

"But he IS your brother and I'm no reason to get mad at him. Besides, he probably wasn't thinking clearly…", said Hermione, sounding hollow even to herself.

Ginny scowled and said, "Uh-huh. That was so convincing. I don't care if he's a sibling, he shouldn't have been so hostile with you. I have a right mind to go and yell at him right now."

"Uh, no NO. Chill, Gin. We all know Ron's hot headed but he's not a bad person so yeah. Malfoy, on the other hand can't even accept a gracious 'thank you'."

"Sometimes, Hermione, you are too nice."

"Yeah, I know."

"And modest."

"Of course."

They talked their way into the kitchen and had some lunch.

"You know what? That time-turner idea wasn't half bad…I mean, Harry and all would be more than willing and I'm sure The Boy-Who-Lived could pull some strings and get you a time turner…"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "You really think they might lend out one of the five they have left?"

Ginny put her hands up defensively, "They MIGHT!"

And so the chatting went on until around seven when Ginny was late to get home.

…"Okay, okay Ginny, I hall keep you thoroughly updated! And give my love to Harry and Molly and Andre and Chloe!"

They were reaching the main fireplace, since Ginny decided it would be easier to floo back, when Hermione heard a certain someone come home. Draco strode into the hallway they were standing in briskly and passed as if he didn't notice them. Hermione wondered why he was home early and Ginny just laughed because she was used to it. The whole "not being noticed" thing.

"Anyway, bye Mione! Have oodles of fun with Malfoy!", She said, and yelled, "The Burrow!"

Hermione waved even though Ginny most likely didn't see and all of her cheeriness left her. Back to the hopeless existence that was life.

She went to the bedroom to get a book to read and noticed Malfoy reclining.

"Had a nice day?"

Hermione started…'Who said that?? Was that MALFOY? He spoke?!'

She swiveled and said, "What's it to you?"

"Just asking, Granger. No need to get your knickers in a twist."

Hermione just shook her head and said, "Ok…well, you obviously have something to say to me or you wouldn't be talking."

"No nothing. I actually want to propose something."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"I think we should stop with the Granger and Malfoy now…"

"And you are suggesting this…why?"

Draco shrugged, if such a thing was possible, and said, "I don't know. But I think after almost 6 months, we should just go with H…Hermione and Draco from now on."

Now it was Hermione's turn to shrug, "Uh-huh Mal—Draco." What she didn't see as she left was that just a shadow of a smile had formed on his face.

It was the sharp feeling that made him do it. It was the sharp feeling that made her agree.

Yay me!! This is the most I've evr written in a chapter!!! WOO-hoo!! SO REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK and I'll keep my fingers crossed for nice reviews!!! Anyway, I'm happy I finally finished this. I did 4 pages over a month and then around 6 more in a day. Guess what motivated me. The fact that I had no Internet but wanted to do something on the comp! Maybe I should NOT have Internet more often!

R&R PLEEEEASE! Just write like "Good." if you want, I don't care! I need a least 15 reviews before I even start brainstorming the next chappie. The reason I demand this is because I saw a lot of people read Traces of Love (the most hits any one of my stories got) and only around 10 of those reviewed!! Not fair! And anyway, I'm stupid, unlike some writers and I write comparatively long chapters so I update slowly. When I update slowly, I get less hits but I want to write as much as possible so REVIEW ppl!