A/N: Hello everyone. Oh. My. God. It has been AGES since I uploaded. Almost six months. What is the matter with me? I completely understand if you have given up on this story, but I hope you didn't. This chapter is good (I think). Anyway, I won't say anything about the next time I'll update because we all know how slow I've been about doing it. Okay, well, here's the new chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: JKR Owns All. *nods* Lucky woman!

Previously: She turned on the spot and left him standing there, thinking she would love nothing more than to kiss his lips all night long.

That thought alone unnerved her.

**Chapter 5- The Letter and the Essay**

Hermione started the trek back to Hogwarts castle trying to get the feel of Draco's lips off of her mind. She sighed. She just needed to get back to the quiet peace of her dormitory and sink into a nice, hot bath.

"Hey," she heard Harry's voice say from behind.

She turned around and smiled, "Hi."

Harry caught up to her and said, "McGonagall asked me to wait in the Three Broomsticks until you came back. How was the dinner with Malfoy?"

She inhaled and said, "It went well. I think we may have dodged that bullet with my parents for a while."

Harry didn't miss her odd tone of voice.

He asked, "Herms, what happened?"

Hermione shook her head, "Nothing. It's nothing."

"Don't lie to me, Hermione. You're a terrible liar. Now, what's wrong?"

She put her hands in her pockets and shrugged, "I don't know. He was nice."

Harry looked thoughtful, then he said, "He was acting, Hermione. Just look at his behavior from the day you met him. He's a jerk. You look at his behavior the day he meets your parents and he's nice. You do the math."

She sighed, "You're right. It freaked me out. It's normal for him to be terrible but when he's nice, it's just scary."

He patted her shoulder, "Is that all?"

She smiled, "Yeah."

She really didn't want to tell Harry about that kiss, especially because she knew he would get upset. More than that, she also knew that it really didn't mean anything to her. When she and Harry reached the Great Hall, Hermione said goodnight and headed up to her dormitory.

When she arrived, she stated the password and the portrait swung open. Draco was sitting on the couch, reading, as was his habit. Maybe he wouldn't say anything to her and she could have that bath. Of course, she was wrong.

He looked up and said, "So, you bolted off."

She cleared her throat and said, "Yeah, sorry about that."

Draco put his book on the table and said, "So, I need to get back at you for that… 'climax' issue on my robe." He smirked and continued in a mock scary voice, "Beware!"

She crossed her arms and asked, "So, we're back there again?"

He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.

"Where else would we be, Hermione? Get over it. It was just a kiss and I was being stupid… again."

Hermione sighed, relieved and said, "Good. I didn't need that kind of complication in my life right now."

"Neither did I."

Hermione smiled a radiant smile. "Good night, then."

Without opening his eyes, he replied, "Night, Granger."

Hermione had her bath and went to bed that night thinking everything would be fine, but she didn't know what was going on at her childhood home that very moment.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger sat on the sofa, sipping tea.

Jean put her cup down on the glistening coffee table and smiled.

"That Draco seems like a lovely boy. It's a shame we shan't get to spend more time with him until the Christmas Holiday."

Ted looked up from his book and said, "Yes, but there's something about their relationship. I haven't quite gotten my finger on it, but it seems a little odd."

"Really? I didn't notice. Well, hopefully they're still together by Christmas. I wouldn't mind getting to know him a bit better."

"Me neither. Maybe if we wrote a letter to that Headmaster of Hermione's, we could have something arranged. Perhaps a weekly meal or something."

Jean looked thoughtful as she asked, "Would Hermione like it if we forced something like that on her?"

Ted shrugged, "She doesn't have to do it if she doesn't want to."

"Yes, but you know our daughter. She won't say no if we ask."

"Then it comes down to us. Do you really want to get to know Draco better?"

"It couldn't hurt, right?"

He smiled, "Right. Then let's do it."

Jean smiled back. She said, "We should probably let Hermione and Draco know, as well as Dumbledore."

They both headed over to the study and wrote three copies of a letter, each personalized to whomever it was being sent to. They then used the owl Hermione had gotten them for Christmas last year to send the letters on their way.

From deep in her sleep, Hermione heard a faint tapping on her bedroom window. She rolled over and opened her eyes. As she awakened, the tapping became louder. She sat up and groggily looked at her clock. Red numbers read 12:13. She had only been asleep for a couple of hours. The tapping became more frantic.

"Alright," she grunted, "I'm coming!"

She heaved herself out of the warmth of her bed and stomped over to the window. She was so grouchy that she snatched the letter off the owl's claw and slammed the window in its face before it could so much as hoot. It gave her an affronted look and took off flying.

She opened the letter and her chin dropped as she read:

Dear Hermione,

Sorry to be owling you (is that the phrase you use?) so late, but your father and I wanted to run something by you. First, we wanted you to know that we thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Mr. Malfoy. He's a splendid boy and we very much approve.

On that note, we wondered, would it be alright if we spent some time getting to know him better? The thought occurred to your dad that perhaps if we asked your Headmaster's permission, you and Draco could join us for supper on Friday evenings.

If it's too soon or you don't want to, you don't have to say yes, but it wouldn't hurt having you around more often. (You know how we miss you so.) We sent a letter to Dumbledore to see if it could be arranged and also to Draco. We didn't want to leave him in the dark. Let us know, darling.

With Our Love,

Mum and Dad

Oh no! She loved her mum and dad but sometimes they could be so nosy. She had always had a hard time saying no to them and if she didn't she just knew Draco would kill her! BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Hermione heard the pounding on her door.

"Hermione! Wake up and get your blooming arse out here right now!"

Hermione sighed and ran to open her door. She turned the handle and Draco stormed in, waving a letter in her face.

"What the fuck is this, Hermione?"

"This wasn't my idea!"

He threw his hands in the air and sarcastically said, "Oh, it wasn't your idea? Well, I'm all calmed down now! I DON'T CARE WHO'S IDEA IT WAS! Fix it!"

Hermione gritted her teeth and said, "First of all, I don't care too much for your tone of voice and second of all, why should I fix it."

He exhaled in an affronted sort of way, "Because, I'm not doing it, Hermione. That's why."

"Why not?"

"Because, I don't want to and since we don't have to, why would I?"

"But, my parents," she pouted.

"Two things, Granger. First, don't start sentences with the word 'but' and second; don't give me that load of crap about your parents again. You got yourself into this mess and you can get yourself out."

"This," she waved the letter in his face, "Is not my fault!"

"Yeah, sure. Then whose fault was it?"

Hermione crossed her arms and smirked. "Yours," she answered.

"Mine?" he asked in disbelief, "How is this my fault?"

"You had to be nice and perfect and act like we were very much in love."

"So?"

"So, if you had just remained the ass-face you are then my parents would have hated you and insisted I break it off."

Furious, he yelled, "Then why didn't you tell me to do that?"

"Because they would have found out the truth. My parents know me well enough to know I'd never date a muggle-hating, smug-faced, pointy-nosed, blonde-haired, cocky-assed fuck-muffin like you."

He quirked an eyebrow at her and asked, "What the hell's a fuck-muffin?"

She cracked a smile at her newly invented insult and said, "That's not the point. I'm going back to bed."

"Oh no you don't. You're not going to bed until you write your parents back and tell them you're not doing it."

"No," she whined, "I've never been able to tell them no."

"Really? You've never told them no before?"

"No, I haven't, and I'm not going to start now."

"Wow, no wonder they love you so much and yes you are going to start now."

Hermione sighed irritably and groaned. They were both so stubborn. She said, "Why do we have to tell them no? Can't we just go? It's only dinner with me and my parents once a week. Is it really so bad?"

He grabbed his hair and he looked ready to pull it out. "You don't think, Hermione! What would I do if my father found out?"

"Oh." She breathed.

Hermione had almost forgotten how terrible Draco's father was. Based on the last interaction she saw between them, Draco might end up dead if his dad found out about this.

"Does he have to find out?" Hermione asked, stupidly.

"Well, obviously I'm not thick enough to tell him but I wasn't going to tell him about me and you and he still found out. What if he finds out about this?"

Hermione exhaled. "I understand why you want me to say no so badly, but I just can't. Please, Draco! There has to be a way around this."

He snapped, "No, Hermione. We can't let my dad find out about this. I'm not going to go through that for you. I'm not going to go through that for anyone."

"You know, you should really talk to someone about that."

He flashed her an evil glare and said, "Now's not the time, Granger!"

She watched him walk down the stairs to his desk and grab a quill, some ink and parchment. He placed it on the coffee table, pointed and said, "Write. I'm tired and I want to go to bed."

Hermione sighed in defeat, walked over to where he was and sat. She slowly started to scribble a letter to her parents apologizing profusely for her refusal and swearing that she and Draco would spend Christmas dinner with them. Halfway through the letter she paused and looked up.

She said, "I may have just thought of something that could allow both of us to have our way."

Draco cautiously asked, "And what might that be?"

Her face took on a look of brilliance she always adorned when she thought of something clever.

"In my letter, my mum told me that she was going to ask Dumbledore's permission to do this. Obviously, we can't just go apparating places whenever we please." When she saw the look of defiance on Draco's face, she corrected, "At least, people who follow the rules can't."

"Okay. What are you suggesting?"

She smiled. "I'm suggesting that we both go to Dumbledore in the morning and ask him not to allow it. If he asks why, I'm sure we can come up with a good enough reason. That way, I won't have to say no to my parents because I can blame it on Dumbledore and you won't have to worry about your father finding out because there won't be anything for your father to find out about."

She beamed at him, waiting for an answer.

He looked thoughtful, then he said, "Fine, Hermione, but so help me, if we can't get out of this there's going to be hell to pay."

She smiled and jokingly said, "Alright, you big drama queen. Just go back to bed."

He nodded and climbed the stairs to his room, shutting the door behind him. She did the same, climbing back into bed and drifting into a deep sleep.

Hermione awoke the next morning to Draco pounding on her door, yet again. She rolled over and looked out her window. It was barely light out.

"Hermione!" she heard Malfoy shout, "Get up, get up, get up!"

Now she was mad. What the hell was his problem? Hair askew and furious, she stormed over to the door, swung it open and screamed, "WHAT?"

Draco took a step back and Hermione got a clear view of him. His eyes were bloodshot and he had dark circles forming underneath them. His hair was frazzled and his breathing was staggered.

She rubbed her eyes and asked, "Malfoy, did you sleep at all last night?"

He shook his head. "No. Go get dressed. We have to go talk to Dumbledore right now."

Hermione turned around and looked at the clock. 6:08.

She sighed and grabbed Draco's shoulders. "Malfoy, look at me. It's six a.m. I doubt the Headmaster's even awake. I'm going back to bed. I'll let you know when I'm ready."

"No, Granger! You can't go back to bed. We have to sort this out now because I can't go through with it. Dumbledore has to say no!"

"Wait, I'm confused. I thought we sorted this out earlier. Why are you so stressed out?"

"I spent all night having the images of what my father might to do to me run through my head over and over again and I couldn't sleep. That's why we have to make sure Dumbledore doesn't allow this to happen. That's why we have to sort this out, now!"

Hermione was still tired and in a quite bitchier mood than normal. She whipped around and forcefully said, "Yeah, that's not my problem. We'll go when I wake up!"

She shut her door in his face.

"You are such a bitch!" He yelled from outside.

She shouted back, "No, I'm a tired bitch. When I wake up, then you can call me a bitch."

She crawled back into bed and fell into a restless sleep.

A few hours later, they were on their way to Dumbledore's office both still extremely furious with the other.

"Look, Malfoy, if we want a chance of talking Dumbledore into saying no, then we're going to have to seem united. We can't be in a fight when we get there."

"I'm a good actor. I'll pretend." He sneered at her evilly.

That was enough for Hermione. "You know what, Draco?" she said quite calmly, "I think I've had quite enough of being treated like this. Argue with Dumbledore yourself."

She turned around and stalked off. Before she had gotten far, she felt Draco's hand grab her wrist.

"Wait, Hermione."

She looked at his hand, then directly at him. She waited for him to speak.

"I'm a prideful person, Granger. I'm not going to apologize, if that's what you're waiting for, but please come with me."

Hermione snapped, "Give me one good reason why I should."

He sneered, "Don't play those kind of games with me. People don't talk to me that way and I don't know why you seem to feel like you have me wrapped around your finger. You don't."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "What do you mean by that?"

He answered, "I know you have Potter and Weasley eating out of the palm of your hand, but you're never going to get me to that point, okay. Stop trying."

She scoffed and said, "That's rich, coming from you! You don't do anything yourself. You bully everyone into doing things for you and then you take credit for their work and blame them for your mistakes. You're just mad because you can't do that to me and if anyone here has people eating out of the palms of their hands, it's you!"

From behind them, they heard a very loud throat clear.

They whipped around and met a long beard that led up to a kind face with half-moon spectacles that were perched on a crooked nose.

"Ah!" said Dumbledore, nonchalantly, "I believe I've run into the very people who were searching for me."

They both nodded. He said, "Well, shall we go to my office then?"

They nodded again as they followed him the remaining distance to his office.

"Pumpkin Pasty." The stone gargoyle jumped aside and all three alighted the moving stairs. No one had said anything since the hallway.

They entered the circular office and Dumbledore took a seat, gesturing for the two seventeen year olds to do the same. Hermione watched curiously as Dumbledore picked up a whirring silver instrument and blew into it. It made no noise (except the whirring) and stopped after he had blown into it.

He chuckled and said, "I'm not sure what that's for. Every now and then, it starts whirring again. It's quite a difficult task trying to concentrate with that sound next to you. I'd move it off my desk but when I do, it whistles louder than the Hogwarts Express. I've only just discovered yesterday that blowing into it stops the whirring, but apparently only for twenty-four hours. I should probably look into that."

Hermione was sure Dumbledore could read the expression on her face and she was sure it was revealing how insane she thought Dumbledore was. She looked over at Draco and saw that his expression was appropriate to having just come from a Cirque du Soleil show. Dumbledore really was quite mad.

Before they could speak, Dumbledore continued, "So, what can I help you two with?"

Hermione glanced once more at Draco and began, "Sir, I'm sure you've already received the letter from my parents asking for permission to have Malfoy and I over for dinner on Friday nights and we were wondering if you could say no?"

He placed his fingertips together and asked, "May I ask, why?"

Draco spoke, "Well, I know you already know that we aren't really dating and you saw how we were just acting in the hall. You can't seriously think this is a good idea, right?"

He chuckled, "It doesn't really matter what I think. As I understand it, Miss Granger can refuse, if she so wishes."

Hermione answered, "Well, Headmaster, that's just it. I've never said no to my parents before and I'd hate to disappoint them. I was just hoping, I mean we were just hoping you could tell them no for us and then the situation would be dealt with."

"Yeah," chimed Draco, "On top of that, I don't want to deal with some of the repercussions that might come my way if my father were to find out about this."

"Repercussions? Meaning?"

"With all due respect, Headmaster, my home life is none of your business."

Dumbledore tilted his head then said, "Well, I'm quite sorry, but I didn't foresee this problem this morning and I already sent Mr. and Mrs. Granger my owl letting them know it was fine."

"What time this morning?" Draco asked.

"Oh, around 6:15."

Hermione glanced at Draco and he looked murderous.

"Before you yell at Miss Granger, Draco, it might interest you to know that if you had come earlier, I still would have said yes to the Granger's request. Based on your behaviors here at school, I think it would be good for you to spend some time together in an environment where you can't freely hate one another." He stood and continued, "Still, the choice remains with Hermione. She can still answer yes or no to her parents. I merely allowed permission to go if she chooses to say yes."

Hermione stood and started out the door with Draco at her heels.

"One more thing, Draco. I shouldn't worry about your father finding out. I've asked Severus to have his luncheons with him at your house, not here. He shouldn't have a reason to come around again."

He smiled a knowing smile at them as they left his curious office.

Draco and Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs and they heard the stone gargoyle jump back into place.

Hermione turned to Draco, her expression saying everything.

His jaw was clenched in rage as he shouted, "No, Hermione! Just say no! One time isn't going to kill you!"

"I'm just as stubborn as you are, Malfoy, and I'm not caving. I'm just going to write them right now and say yes."

He threw his hands up in the air and said, "Fine. Say yes. Just keep in mind that whatever you do, I'm not going and nobody can make me. So when you say yes and I'm not there, you're going to have to tell your parents the truth!"

"Yeah, and do you know what the truth is, Draco? The truth is that all of this is your fault! If you hadn't slept with me that night and then kicked me out of your room, I would never have written that thing on the wall, your dad would never have found out, my parents would never have found out, you would never have had to meet them and whether you like to admit it or not, you know that we would NOT be in this mess right now!"

When Draco didn't say anything, she continued in a much calmer tone, "You know, I don't see what your problem is anymore. There's no way your dad can find out, so I don't' get it. Isn't this the least you could do?"

Draco shrugged in a very 'I don't care anymore' kind of way. Dejected, he said, "Do whatever you want, Granger. I can't argue anymore. It's just weird, though. For someone who goes to such great lengths to please their parents, I can't believe you keep lying to them about us."

Hermione knew he was right, but that didn't stop her from going to the owlery and sending her response to her parents. It said:

Mum and Dad,

Draco and I would love that. I've spoken to Dumbledore and he said it was fine as I'm sure he told you in his letter. We'll see you next Friday at six.

Much love,

Hermione.

Hermione watched the school's owl fly off with her letter. Her parent's owl, Penny (named after her grandmother), was nowhere to be found. Hermione wasn't surprised after the way she had treated her last night. She stood there hoping that she and Draco could put on a good enough show that in a few weeks they'd be able to 'break it off' and all this lying with her parents could stop. Or maybe that was too much to hope for.

She headed down to the Great Hall, hoping to find a friendly face there just to get her mind off things. Only a few Ravenclaws remained, slowly munching on the remnants of their breakfast. Hermione grabbed a few pieces of dry toast and headed up to Gryffindor Tower. She spoke the password 'pygmy puff' and stepped back as the portrait of the fat lady swung open.

She climbed inside and spotted her two best friends sitting in their usual chairs by the fireplace. They were discussing how disgustingly long an essay by Snape was supposed to be. She joined in the conversation.

"You know, I'm not usually one to complain, but three feet of parchment is ridiculous. How much have you two gotten done?"

Ron groaned, "Six inches. I've got loads more to write and I've used all my knowledge on the subject already."

"Harry, you?"

"A foot. Every time I have to sit through his class, I seriously contemplate becoming something other than an Auror, just so I can drop the damned class."

Hermione chuckled, glad to be in a familiar and comfortable situation again. She, Ron and Harry spent the a good portion of their Saturday completing their Potions essay. Hermione had probably written a good foot and a half for both Harry and Ron's essays, but she didn't mind.

When they finally finished they all stretched their stiff arms and legs.

"Holy mother of a bugger," said Ron through a yawn, "Snape really is trying to do us in, isn't he?"

Hermione smiled and said, "Yeah, imagine what you'd feel like if you had to write the whole thing."

Harry clapped her on the back, "Thanks, Herms. That helped loads."

She tilted her head and said, "Alright, I need to tell you guys something."

She delved into the whole long story about how her evening had gone with her parents, she filled Ron in on the conversation with Harry, told them about the letter from her parents, the conversation with Dumbledore and every little detail she could remember. By the time she had finished, the common room had emptied out and everyone had retired for the night.

Ron was the first to speak, "You know, Mione, I never thought I'd say this, literally never, but I think Malfoy is right. You really should tell your parents the truth."

Hermione sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that. You know, I was sort of hoping that maybe I could just pretend for a couple more weeks and then I could 'break up' with him and my parents would never have to find out I lied at all."

Harry smiled, "You know what they say, 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' Things never happen the way we want them to, Hermione."

Hermione nodded. "I already told them yes, though."

"Then you either come clean, or deal with whatever happens."

Ron smiled, "At least you got to yell at Malfoy."

"Yes," said Hermione sarcastically, "That's an extremely encouraging silver lining."

Hermione stood and said, "Well, it's late. I'd better head back my dormitory and get to bed."

She gather up her books, along with her potions essay and headed towards the door.

"Hey," Harry called, "Maybe this will force you guys to stop hating each other. Dumbledore's got some pretty accurate insights. I wouldn't doubt him."

Hermione did a sort of half grin and said, "Yeah. Night, guys."

"Night." They chimed.

Hermione stumbled up to her dormitory, said the password, dropped her things in the living room, climbed the stairs and collapsed into bed. She fell into a deep slumber that she didn't awake from until the next afternoon.

Monday morning arrived and she hadn't seen Malfoy since Saturday. She got ready and went downstairs. Her stuff was exactly where she had left it Saturday night and she hadn't touched it on Sunday. She gathered it all up and neatly placed it in her book bag, heading for class.

Malfoy was missing from D.A.D.A. and the Ancient Runes class they shared, but he turned up that afternoon in Potions, probably to turn in the massive essay they had been assigned.

They sat through the whole lesson and listened to Snape drone on and on about extremely complex potions that Snape knew only a handful of students could come close to brewing accurately. Finally, at the end of the two hours, Snape collected their essays and dismissed them.

Hermione, Ron and Harry grabbed their things and headed for the door. Before they had left, Draco walked up to them with an ever-growing smirk stuck to his smug face.

Hermione looked up and slowly asked, "Yes?"

Draco's eyes were dancing with laughter as he asked Hermione, "Did you happen to look at your essay before you turned it in?"

Hermione thought that was a ridiculously stupid question. She said, "Of course I looked at it, you half-wit. I wrote it."

Draco nodded with insincere solemnity and responded, "Yes, but you should always check to see that your things haven't been tampered with."

Hermione's eyes widened and she whipped around to look at the pile of essays sitting on Snape's desk.

"What did you do?" Hermione asked in horror.

She could see Ron and Harry's equal expressions of shock.

Draco had an utterly mirthful expression on his face as he said, "Just think of this as the price you have to pay for me to join you for dinner every Friday."

He walked out of the classroom, his shoulders shaking with unchecked laughter.

Hermione walked straight up to Snape's desk and said, "Professor, could I just see my essay, right quick? I just need to check something."

Snape drawled, "You know my rules Miss Granger. Once they hit my desk, they're final. Go."

Hermione turned around in defeat dreading the moment he were to read whatever Draco had done to her essay.

Harry and Ron morosely accompanied her to dinner that evening. Neither of them said anything, not wanting to make matters worse. Halfway through dinner, an extremely stern and partially disgusted looking Professor Lupin walked up to them.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione. How are you all?"

They all indicated they were fine, even though none of them were.

Lupin looked down at Hermione and said, "Miss Granger, I'd like for you to accompany me to Professor McGonagall's office. Myself, Minerva and Professor Snape need to discuss something with you."

Harry and Ron looked at her with wide eyes.

She rubbed her face hard and asked, "Is this about my essay, Professor?"

Lupin turned red as could be and nodded.

Hermione stood on weak knees, glanced at Harry and Ron and slowly followed Professor Lupin.

When they arrived in McGonagall's office, instead of seeing a furious Snape, she only saw his back. He had his head in his hands and he was facing the wall.

McGonagall said, "Thank you, Remus."

Professor Lupin nodded and shut the door to the office.

Hermione was extremely nervous. Professor McGonagall's lips disappeared into a thin line as she said, "Have a seat, Miss Granger."

Hermione sat. McGonagall pulled out what Hermione recognized to be her essay and placed it on the desk in front of Hermione.

She said, "Would you care to explain this?"

Hermione leaned forward and began to read. Words could not describe the embarrassment she felt as she read further and further down the page. In fact, she felt as though she were about to have a visceral reaction.

What she found on the three-foot long parchment was not a thoroughly detailed essay about the 'living-death' potion, but was a three-foot long parchment detailing an extremely sexual fantasy between herself and Professor Snape.

Hermione had never read anything so filthy in her life. It was like reading pornography or maybe worse. The reason Snape was facing the wall, head in his hands, slowly rocking back and forth was quickly becoming clear to her. She felt she'd like nothing more but to rapidly do the same thing.

Hermione looked up at McGonagall, vomit threatening to come out of her mouth and tears threatening to come out of her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Instead, she passed out.

A/N 2: Ha ha ha. That's good right? We'll see what happens next. I know I have no right to ask this, but Review Please? XOXO