A/N: - Sings away to I've Had The Time Of My Life- Ah that is my all time fave song and from my all time fave movie. Dirty Dancing… I think I will watch it when I go to bed or tomorrow at my friend's place. See my friend is trying to set me up with one of her friends tomorrow night when we go clubbing. I'll let you all know how that turns out either in the bottom author note or the next chapters. But enough dribble. Thanks for the reviews and onto chapter nine.

DISCLAIMER: Refer to previous chapter.

Chapter Nine: Ron's Confession

"You did what you thought was right," said Pansy handing Hermione a glass of water with a nod from Millicent who was sitting across from Hermione in the heads common room.

"I guess," mumbled Hermione, "But they have been my friends for years."

"Friends don't treat each other like crap," spoke up Draco from where he stood by the balcony doors as he went through another craving. Since the lust drug the cravings had come back twice as bad.

"Maybe what I did was uncalled for."

"I have seen the looks they give you. I don't know who shoved the fishing rod up their arses but you yanked it out hard and fast," said Millicent with an approving nod, "You finally cut them down from their high stool and showed them they aren't better then anyone else despite what they seem to think."

"Millie is right, Hermione," said Pansy, "Now you stay here with Draco. Millie and I will go get some anti-depressants."

"I don't need drugs."

Pansy smiled, "Chocolate is a good drug. Everyone can have a healthy addiction to it."

Pansy and Millicent left with the door sliding shut behind them with a snap. Draco walked over to the lounges and sat beside Hermione who gave him a small smile.

"You know, no one should be depressed on a Sunday," said Draco, "You should enjoy the last day before classes begin for another week."

Hermione leant back on the armrest as she shifted to face Draco with a shrug, "Maybe they will see I am right. Maybe they will try to mend things with me. I mean that wouldn't be a bad thing, would it?"

"I guess not. But what if they return to their old ways? I'm not trying to prevent you from building back the friendship… but-"

"The fear of that would always be there," finished Hermione with a nod, "And it would. But I would rather risk that chance then regret never taking it."

Draco nodded in understanding as a knock came at the door. Draco stood up and went down to see who it was and came back up moments later with a silent Harry and Ginny. Hermione knew instantly Harry had enlisted the aide of his map as she stood up knowing her eyes were red from crying. Draco walked over to her and pecked her on the cheek as he whispered in her ear.

"I'll be in my room if you need me."

Hermione nodded and Draco walked to his room closing the door behind him.

"Umm," said Hermione, "Sit down."

The two sat across from her in an awkward silence as Hermione took her seat again ignoring the tissues on the coffee table.

"So… so we came to say we are sorry and that you are right," said Harry, "We treated you badly and you didn't deserve that type of treatment at all."

Hermione nodded saying nothing in reply.

"We want to be friends with you Hermione. We don't want to lose your friendship. It means the world to us," said Ginny.

"Obviously not to Ron."

"Ron is being Ron," sighed Harry.

"And I am supposed to excuse him for being a stubborn jerk?"

"No, we aren't saying that at all. Look, Ron might refuse to save the friendship but we don't want too. We want rebuild what was lost."

"So do I."

"So can we start tomorrow at lunch? We can take a bite down to the lake and talk like the old times?"

A knock came at the door and Hermione excused her self as she went down to let whom she knew was Pansy and Millicent in.

"We brought four boxes of chocolate," said Pansy holding two up as Millicent held the other two.

"Great. Can you wait in Draco's room with him? I'm kind of trying to talk things out with Ginny and Harry."

Pansy and Millicent nodded and followed Hermione up before ducking into Draco's room. Hermione returned to her seat and took a deep breath before giving her answer.

"I think that would be a good idea and a good start."

Harry and Ginny smiled both looking pleased.

"We won't let you down, Hermione," said Harry standing with Ginny, "I promise."

"So do I," nodded Ginny.

Hermione just nodded, neither smiling nor looking displeased. She showed them out and headed back up stairs announcing Draco, Pansy, and Millicent could exit from Draco's room. The three walked out looking at Hermione unsure of what to say.

"I'm having lunch by the lake with them to try and work things out tomorrow," said Hermione picking up the used tissues and throwing them into a near by bin, "I guess it is a start."

"So do we still need the chocolate?" asked Pansy holding up a box to look at, "I mean it is good chocolate after all. Smooth chocolate with a gooey caramel centre and this one is cookie and cream chocolate."

Hermione snatched the caramel centre box from Pansy and opened it up with a grin, "There is always a time for chocolate."

The four laughed and indulged into the chocolate goodness, laughing and joking as if they had been friends for years.

HD

He looked at his reflection and took a deep breath not knowing what to do. It was worse then ever. He had tried a cold shower, sitting it out, trying to focus on something else but nothing was working. He was close to losing control and the thought of going back to his old ways terrified the hell out of him.

He stumbled out of the bathroom as a wave of nausea washed over him. With a groan he fell forwards crashing into the lounge before hitting the wooden floor hard. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling breathing heavily as Hermione's bedroom door opened up.

"Draco!" she cried running out and kneeling down beside him, "Oh my gosh, what's happened?"

"I feel sick. The cravings won't go away," he said looking at her with actual fear in his eyes, "I can't stop them."

"Come on, sit up. Perhaps we should see Madam Pomfrey and just tell her you were drugged the other night. Maybe she can keep it confidential for us… I mean you."

Draco sat up with Hermione placing her hand on his back as she gave him a worried look.

"I-I think that is a good idea," he said nodding before standing up slowly with Hermione placing an arm around his back for support as they headed down the staircase.

The pair walked in silence not game to make a noise in the quiet castle. They stopped only twice as Draco was hit with another wave of nausea, almost vomiting the second time.

"This is serious," whispered Hermione as they stopped at the Entrance Hall steps, "Maybe you should sit here and I will go to Madam Pomfrey and bring her here."

"No… no I can make it."

Hermione sighed but decided against arguing and helped Draco down the steps. At the bottom he gave her a grateful smile.

"No one has cared for me as much as you… other then my parents."

Hermione smiled and shrugged, "What are friend's for?"

"But you are more then an ordinary friend. You are a best friend Hermione… maybe even more then that."

Hermione didn't know what to say. She smiled as he looked at her tenderly.

"Let's keep moving, shall we?" asked Hermione brightly.

"You don't feel the same?"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply but cried out in shock as Draco's eyes rolled and his knees gave way before he fell to the ground out cold. Hermione dropped down beside him and shook him by the shoulder's crying out his name.

"Draco! Draco! Can you hear me?"

Hermione yanked out her wand and let out three loud bangs that echoed around the Entrance Hall. She checked his pulse and rolled him to the side like she had been trained to do over a summer course she took one year as Madam Pomfrey, Professor Slughorn, Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall came hurrying towards them.

"He passed out. He has been feeling sick since Saturday and it got worse. I was taking him to the hospital wing when he passed out," explained Hermione, as Madam Pompfrey looked him over hastily.

"Was he at the Slytherin party?" asked Madam Pomfrey checking his vitals.

Hermione nodded, "I was with him… as a friend."

"Did he get drugged at all?"

Hermione nodded looking at Draco worriedly, "A Lust Drug… I thought they wore off after… after sex."

"Normally they do. But Mr Malfoy wasn't the only victim. Three others have come with the same symptoms. Whoever made them put in too much honeyed water. It causes strong withdrawals if the person has tampered with other drugs less then three months ago and can lead to a strong fever."

"Will Draco be okay?"

"He should be. He will need to rest for at least a week."

"Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall, "Do you know who administered the Lust Drug to the affected gentlemen?"

Hermione stood up as Professor Slughorn and Professor Flitwick moved Draco to the Hospital Wing, "I most certainly do."

Without waiting Hermione ran up the Entrance Hall staircase with Professor McGonagall calling out to her. Hermione took the shortcuts and made sure to skip the disappearing step as she reached the Fat Lady.

"Hippogriffs," said Hermione breathlessly earning a dark look from the sleepy painting.

She walked in as the door swung open and walked across the dark common room with only the last embers of the fire glowing. Silently she walked up the girl's dormitory staircase and entered the first room quietly before waving her wand to light up the room. Thankfully they all had their curtains closed allowing Hermione to find Romilda Vanes bed by checking names on belongings.

She pulled the curtain back and shook the girl roughly before stepping back. Romilda woke with a start and looked at Hermione in surprise.

"Get up," ordered Hermione coolly.

"Why? It's not even morning."

"It is. It's 4am. You need to come see something and face punishment for your actions."

"Get over your self Hermione," snapped Romilda reaching for her curtains only to stop as Hermione pointed her wand at the hand moving towards them.

"Romilda, you have caused four guys to wind up in the hospital wing for trying to get a quick lay. Get up now."

"Okay… fine."

Romilda climbed out of her bed and slipped on some shoes before walking to the hospital wing with Hermione in an annoyed silence. Hermione made Romilda enter the Hospital Wing first before following her in with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick looking at the two in surprise.

"Romilda did the drugging," said Hermione, "I found her in the bushes with Draco at the party just as the drug was wearing off."

McGonagall looked at Romilda sternly, "Very well. Miss Vane you will come with me. Professor Flitwick, could you please get Professor Hagrid for me? He will need to be informed. Well done Miss Granger. Thirty points to Gryffindor."

Hermione smiled and McGonagall left with Romilda as Flitwick headed off to get Hagrid. Hermione slowly headed over to Draco's bed as Pomfrey finished medicating him with assistance from Slughorn.

"Is he okay?" asked Hermione looking at Pompfrey and Slughorn.

"He will be fine," smiled Madam Pomfrey, "Perhaps you should get some rest and come see him in the morning."

Hermione nodded looking at Draco who was faintly sweating. Pomfrey and Slughorn left without a word and Hermione walked over to the bed looking at Draco remembering his last comment before he passed out: "You don't feel the same?"

Hermione didn't have an exact answer to the question. But maybe she would soon, at least she hoped so.

HD

"Is he okay?" asked Pansy later that morning as Hermione told Pansy and Millicent about Draco.

"He will be. He just needs to rest up and get past the fever," said Hermione as they walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, "I might grab a quick bite to eat and go check on him."

"Alright, well tell him we will come see him at lunch," said Millicent with a nod from Pansy before they went separate ways.

Hermione walked over to where Harry, Ginny and Ron were sitting and grabbed two slices of toast and smeared some butter and honey onto them.

"Where are you rushing off too?" asked Harry curiously.

"Hospital Wing. Draco's there," replied Hermione.

"Overdose," commented Ron.

Hermione shot him a look and snapped, "No. Romilda Vane drugged him and three other guys with a Lust Drug for your information, Ronald. Haven't you noticed her absence?"

Hermione turned on her heel and left glancing over her shoulder to see Ginny slap Ron hard on the arm. She finished her toast as she reached the Hospital Wing doors and walked in seeing Pomfrey helping Draco sit up.

"Good morning," said Hermione as she reached him with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

"Drowsy," replied Draco, "Sorry for piking out on you earlier."

"It was fine. You gave me quite a scare though. I think I aged ten years in those few minutes."

"You still look beautiful despite the aging."

Hermione smiled, "You must be on the mend. Your charming skills are still intact."

Draco grinned and shrugged, "Where would I be without them?"

"True. Pansy and Millie will be here to see you at lunch. I would but I have a prior engagement."

"Ah, the luncheon."

Hermione nodded, "But I promise to see you at dinner. You know there is a bright point to this. You got our detention put off for another week at least."

"I did, didn't I? Well next week you can be sick and then we will work something out after that."

Hermione laughed, "Yeah, sure. That sounds like a plan. Well I better go. You know, classes and all."

"Just wait a second."

Hermione looked at Draco oddly as she shifted her bag strap, "What?"

"Last night I asked you a question."

"I know the one."

"Well… I was wondering the answer."

Hermione gave a nod, "I figured as much. I honestly don't know what I am feeling. I wish I did… at the moment it is all mixed up."

Draco nodded understanding where she was coming from, "That's fine."

Hermione smiled and reached out taking hold of his hand, "Thanks for understanding."

"Well, what are friend's for?"

"Best friends."

Draco nodded and let her hand go. Hermione gave him a smile and left for her classes in more confusion then ever.

HD

"… Ginny thinks we stand a good chance when it comes to the final. We know it will be against Slytherin for sure," rattled on Harry before stopping when he saw Hermione was in thought as she picked at the grass and looked out at the lake, "And the elephant jumped off the top of the castle and squashed the Whomping Willow with ease."

"And the elephant replanted a new Whomping Willow for the damage it caused," replied Hermione looking at Harry in amusement, "I'm female Harry. I can listen and go over my own thoughts at the same time."

Ginny chuckled as Harry shook his head in amusement.

"You just look like you were here in physical presence but your mind was at Mars."

"I'm just trying to work something out."

"Well… we are friend's you can tell us."

Hermione looked at them uncertainly but nodded. If they were true friends they would completely understand, "The thing is… I'm confused over my feelings for Draco. He likes me an-"

"Hermione!"

The three all turned to see Ron jogging towards them. He dropped down onto his knees beside Hermione causing her to look at him with wide eyes as he grabbed her hand and held onto it with a tight grip.

"I'm an idiot. I know it and you probably think I am worse then that. I shouldn't have been acting like such a prat over this Malfoy nonsense but I know why," he said looking at her with wide blue eyes.

"Ron-" said Hermione only to be cut off as he kissed her tenderly.

Hermione pushed him away suddenly and slid away before standing up, "Ron I can't."

"Hermione, hear me out. I love you. You need to know I have for years."

"Ron-" tried Ginny seeing Hermione becoming more and more frustrated by the second.

"She needs to know the truth Ginny!"

"Ron mate," said Harry, "Now isn't the time."

"Hermione, I can deal with you being buddies with Malfoy and the other Slytherins. People in love have to give and take."

"I don't love you," cried Hermione in confusion over top of his rambling, "You are a friend Ron… but I don't… love you."

Ron looked at Hermione in silence before she walked off quickly towards the castle in a bid to keep her emotions under control.

HD

Pansy stepped away from the window as Draco told her and Millicent about Hermione not knowing what her feelings are towards him.

"Well she has a lot more going on then you may think," said Pansy, "I just saw her running into the castle looking upset… and only minutes before that Weasley headed in that direction."

"Which Weasley?" asked Millicent.

"The male one."

Draco's features darkened at the mention of Ron and he sat up a little straighter, "Someone should go see what happened."

"Maybe we should just give her space," suggested Millicent, "Maybe she needs to work her thoughts out on her own for once."

"Millie is right Draco," nodded Pansy, "Give her some space. If you hound her it will only push her away in the long run and I am certain that is the last thing you want to do."

Draco gave a nod but sighed, "What if he told her he has feelings for her? Maybe she ran off because she loves him and doesn't want to hurt me."

"Oh come on Draco. After all that Weasel put her through do you seriously think she will start dating him? Give Hermione some credit. You know she is a smart woman."

"Exactly. She will make the right choice. And I know what that choice will be."

Draco gave his friends a small smile before he was hit with a craving. Pomfrey had told him that the craving's would ease up in a week or so allowing him to properly beat his addiction.

"We'll let you rest. Don't bombard Hermione when she comes to see you tonight. Let her open up to you on her own terms," said Pansy firmly.

"Yeah. Don't push the feelings factor," added Millicent, "And rest. You look like a zombie."

Draco gave a mock shocked look, "Oh the insult!"

Millicent rolled her eyes as Pansy chuckled. The two left and Draco grabbed the book they'd bought him to read from the library. He turned to the first chapter and groaned when he realised it was a chick novel by the name of The Notebook. With nothing better to do he began reading soon becoming more indulged with each page.

HD

Hermione looked out at the view and read the time on her watch. Classes had begun but Hermione had a free period. She normally would be studying or chatting with Draco about some random topic but at that moment she was utterly consumed by her thoughts. Ron loved her. Draco liked her. She was stuck. True she didn't love Ron but she had held some sort of feelings for him over the years. But then there was Draco. So mysterious with a new puzzle about him presented when the other was complete. He consumed her thoughts daily and unlike most guys his personality seemed genuine despite what the world saw.

Hermione gave in annoyed groan and walked into the common room and sat at the table with her head in her hands as she stared frustratingly at the mahogany table.

Ron had treated her like utter crap till today. Draco had treated her like crap until this year. Ron didn't completely understand her whereas Draco did. He knew more about her then she did at times. She had known Ron longer on a personal basis and she was just getting to know Draco.

"Hermione, I can deal with you being buddies with Malfoy and the other Slytherins. People in love have to give and take."

"No one has cared for me as much as you… other then my parents."

Hermione leant back on her seat and wiped away tears of frustration. She needed more time and both needed to know that before she unknowingly led either of them on. Standing she left the common room heading to the library where Ron would be with Harry pretending to study.

When she spotted them she gave Harry a look telling him she needed a private word with Ron. Harry quickly excused him self, saying he needed to find a certain book.

"Ron… at the moment I am really confused," said Hermione calmly, "I am literally torn between two people. With your behaviour of late I don't know if I will ever trust you completely again so I need sometime to work that out."

"Who is the other person?" asked Ron quietly.

"Draco."

Ron nodded, "I understand I guess."

Hermione nodded with a small smile, "Okay. I'll umm see you later."

"Do you want to go out to Hogsmeade together next time?"

Hermione halted and looked at him for a few moments before shaking her head no, "I don't plan on dating anyone until I know what is happening in my own head."

Hermione left and headed to the Hospital Wing hoping Draco would take it as well as Ron did. Now doubt he would try and point on the negatives in Ron and Hermione also knew that at dinner Ron would do the same about Draco.

"I wasn't expecting you till later," said Draco as Hermione walked in.

"I came to speak with you. So I have done some thinking. I am torn between you and Ron. I know it seems stupid with how Ron's acted but I've kind of always felt something for him over the years."

"You said you've never looked at him that way."

"I didn't exactly trust you when I told you that."

"Oh."

Hermione nodded feeling extremely guilty. She blinked a few times to hold back her tears but Draco saw. Pushing him self-upright he reached out and took hold of her hand drawing her in to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Why so sad?"

"I feel horrible. I have you and Ron begging me to be with either of you and here I am going to hurt someone and possibly ruin a friendship. I feel like a… a bitch."

"You are human Hermione. You can't help what you feel."

Hermione looked at Draco with tears running down her face, "Why does it have to be so hard?"

"Love is never meant to be easy. Love is an adventure."

Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione, hugging her while she cried her frustration out, wrapping her own arms around him. After calming down she pulled away wiping her face clean of tears. She took a deep breath and gave Draco a smile as he looked at her with a gentle look. Before either of them knew it their lips connected in a long gentle kiss with Draco's hands tangling in Hermione's hair as her hands rested on his shoulders.

When they broke apart Hermione looked at Draco stunned unsure of what to do. Did she just make her choice?

"What is it?" asked Draco.

"I…I… I have to go and, and," whispered Hermione standing up, "I have to go find Ginny or… or Pansy."

A/N: Well I think I will leave it there until the next chapter. Please R-E-V-I-E-W!

Until next time…

Love yas!

Love Coz!