(DISCLAIMER: All the characters in this story belong to J.K Rowling. Sorry for taking so long, again, to update but here is Chapter 6 I hope you like it.)

Hermione wanted the earth beneath her to open and swallow her up. She had put all of her trust in Draco and he had turned around and killed one of her best friends. Her arm was still wrapped around Ginny's shaking shoulders but no words of comfort came to her. They sat in silence for hours, both wrapped up in their own thoughts. There had to be some motive as to why Draco had killed Harry. Although she knew she ought to hate Draco's guts, Hermione was aching to see him again. Ginny lifted her head and looked at Hermione through red, puffy eyes.

'What are you gonna do, Hermione?' She said, wiping a tear away.

'What do you mean?' Hermione replied.

'About Malfoy, you told me you loved him.'

'I d-don't k-know. I just can't believe he would do anything s-so horrible.' She couldn't stop herself; all she knew was that it was Ginny who had her arms around her while she sobbed uncontrollably. 'I'm so s-sorry, Ginny. None of us wanted Harry d-dead. I loved him l-like a brother and I k-know how much he loved y-you.'

'It's not your fault, Hermione.' Ginny patted her gently on the back. 'Don't go fretting, everything will s-smooth itself out, I promise.' Hermione looked into Ginny's eyes and gave her a weak smile.

'I just hope it will,' Hermione said, after a moment.

*

Later that evening Hermione sat alone in her dormitory. Lavender and Parvati where down in the Great Hall with the other survivors. In front of her lay a blank piece of parchment. She wanted to write to Draco and demand her questions answered. Why had he killed Harry? Where was he now? What was he going to do? Did he know how much he had hurt her? Did he know how much mess he had left her in? The problem was, where did she start?

Dear Draco,

I don't know where you are but I hope you are alright. I know what you have done and I'm confused, upset and worried. Why did you kill Harry? What had he done to you? I know there must be some explanation and I want to know. I have nobody to turn to. Ginny knew about our relationship and I know she thinks I'm stupid for wanting to see you. Couldn't you come back and sort this whole mess out. I thought you loved me, I thought you had changed, I thought you were different. Please write back.

Her hand hovered above the paper as she contemplated the words she wanted to write next. With a sigh and a shake of her head she finished.

Love Hermione

*

After sending the letter Hermione stood alone in the Owlery looking out across the Forbidden Forest. She stood there for what felt like hours, going over Harry's death like a broken record. She still couldn't believe, Harry who had been so strong and courageous. As she thought of his death anger raged in her chest. How could she have been so stupid as to believe that Malfoy had really changed? He had probably used her to get to him. Her stomach seared with pain as raw guilt was added to her overflowing emotions. However, something just didn't quite fit, why would he kill Harry? Her eyes filled up and tears began running fast down her cheeks. She didn't even attempt to wipe them away but stood there shivering, watching the sun set over the forest and distant mountains. She heard a noise behind her and spun on the spot, wand at the ready.

'Hi,' Ron said, nervously, his hands above his head in surrender.

'Sorry, Ron,' Hermione replied, lowering her wand and wiping her tears away. 'Just being careful, you know?'

'I'm guessing you, erm, know about H-harry?' Ron asked, quietly. Hermione nodded and fresh tears began to fall. Ron advanced and took her in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably. Ron stroked her hair as tears dripped off the end of his own long nose. After a while, she pulled away and turned back to the window. Ron joined her and looked across the grounds sadly.

'I just can't believe he's g-gone.' Ron said, 'after all he's done. I mean, he killed one of the darkest wizards ever to walk this earth.'

'It just doesn't seem real, does it?' Ron nodded in agreement and they lapsed into a comfortable silence.

'I just saw Ginny. She's really cut up, I told her she should go to bed, get some sleep.' Ron said, leaning against the wall and sighing.

'She needs it, we all do.' Hermione turned and surveyed Ron's drawn profile. It seemed that Harry's death had taken a toll on him like it had on her and Ginny. He looked serious as well, his eyebrows were knotted and Hermione knew he was thinking. Suddenly he jumped up and punched his hand with his fist.

'That little coward,' he yelled, 'that stupid, pure-blooded brat! How could he have killed him and then just ran!'

'Ron!' Hermione said, frantically, watching as Ron paced up and down in anger. 'Are you alright?'

'Am I alright? What do you think, Hermione? My best friend has just been killed and you're asking me if I'm alright?'

'Sorry, I didn't mean that, just calm down before you do something rash.'

'Rash?! I'm gonna bloody kill him, Hermione! If you want me to calm down and not do something rash you'll have to stop me!' Ron shouted, running his hands through his hair, looking quite deranged.

'Don't shout at me, Ron!' She was close to tears again and Ron had noticed. He stopped pacing and embraced her.

'I'm sorry, 'Mione.' He whispered into her hair as she sobbed uncontrollably into his shoulder. 'It's just s-so hard. Don't you feel angry?'

'Of course I do.' Hermione pulled away and looked at him with puffy, red eyes. 'We just need to keep a level head, you know?'

'You're right, as usual.' Ron gave a sad chuckle and hugged her again. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Ron spoke once again. 'You know the other day, when we went to Hogsmeade?'

'Y-yeah?' Hermione replied, somewhat uncertainly.

'Well, I was going to ask you something,' Hermione pulled away again and watched as Ron's ears went red. 'We've been friends for years, but recently I've been feeling like we, like we should be something more, if you, erm, get me?'

'I-I do get you, Ron.' Hermione said and Ron grinned at her. He took her chin gently in his hand and leaned forward. 'But I don't feel the same way.' Ron stopped, his lips millimetres away from hers. His eyes snapped open and with a jerk he drew away from her.

'Oh!' He said, his face a brighter scarlet than ever before. 'Sorry, I thought you, erm, well never mind.' Guilt wrenched through Hermione's stomach and she reached a hand towards him. He turned on his heel and walked to the other side of the Owlery, looking fixedly at a notice about Owl Post Prices.

'I'm sorry, Ron!' Hermione said, tears welling in her eyes once more, why did life have to be so difficult. Why did Malfoy have to save her from the Dementors? Right now she wished she couldn't feel, she couldn't feel this much emotion, it would soon break her.

'No, its okay, Hermione.' Ron replied, his voice hoarse. 'I must have, erm, m-misread the signs. I'll see you later.' Without a backward glance he left Hermione alone in the cold room. She shivered and turned to look out of the window. The sun had set now and the moon was shining brightly above the trees. Would things ever straighten out? She wondered where Malfoy was now. Half of her was hoping he was in hell, but the strongest part wanted to see him, to hear his version of Harry's death. She wanted to know why he had done it, why he had killed her best friend.

*

Hermione awoke to the sound of something tapping smartly at the window. Throwing her bedclothes off her she ran to the window and opened it. An owl flew in and landed on her bed a crumpled letter in its beak. Without hesitation, she pulled the letter from its mouth and opened it.

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry. If I could take what I have done back I would. But, before you throw this letter in the fire and forget all about me, please hear me out. I did it in anger. I couldn't stop myself. The war was finished, the Dark Lord had died, but he killed my father. Potter killed my father! He and my father were duelling and I tried to stop them and then he killed my father. I didn't even know what I was doing; the words just left my mouth before I could stop them.

Please find it in your heart to forgive me, I know I've done a terrible thing but he was my father, you have to understand that! Please write back.

Yours truly and forever,

Draco

X X X

Hermione sat on her bed for hours, re-reading his letter, trying to take it all in. Finally, after shedding many tears she replied.

Draco,

I'm so sorry, I didn't know, it must have been terrible. But I know Harry, he must have done it for a reason. He didn't just kill for the sake of it. I know how anger can really take control, I'm not sure I can forgive you just right now. However, I know one thing, you have to come back. I need to see you. How about we meet, tomorrow night, at midnight at the top of the Astronomy Tower?

Write Back.

Love Hermione

X X X

The owl left and as Hermione watched it fly back through the window a horrible sense of dread filled her. She wanted to see Draco again but she felt as though something bad was going to happen. Mentally shaking herself, she pulled her bedclothes around her and fell into a dreamless sleep.

With a creak, two blue eyes retreated from her dormitory door and with a snap it closed.

(So, there it is, Chapter six, I hope you liked it. Please review, good or bad, I welcome constructive criticism. There is only one chapter left and hopefully I will have it up much quicker than it has taken this one to be updated. Review please Beebbop!