AN;

Here's Chapter Three. So sorry for the errors on the previous chapters! This is where the drama thins to a tiny degree. I did it so it doesn't seem a bit all too redundant.

Chapter 3

A figure, curled up in a ball in room 768- was groaning. The light that seeped through the closed curtains had made her head dizzy due to her eyes that were accustomed to the dark. Hermione slipped the quilt out and wore her cozy slippers in the figure of an otter. And trotted to the bathroom, and tied her hair into a bun. Just in time, the door opened as Hermione sat down to her seat. Her usual visitors of early morning stepped inside, the face of the witch grinning almost wildly and two brooding wizards who-evident in their faces- were not morning people.

"Looking good, Mione," Pansy chuckled and gave Hermione her usual breakfast. Blaise followed her lead, with Draco behind him. Hermione pushed back the memories of last night and gave them their usual knuckle-touching; a little stiff on Draco's part.

"Tomorrow is the big day," Blaise reminded them. "Remember, we only have four days to attend the classes-not that we even need to pass them but whatever. After those four days we will have Hogwarts all to ourselves, since most of the student body will be returning for their Christmas holiday," Blaise added and sipped his coffee, dark with no sugar or cream.

"But we can't stay here long," Pansy said, as if reminding herself sourly. "We've got to get our things up. Lucky you Hermione to have Narcissa at bay," Pansy laughed lightly as she stood up. "She's got all your and Draco's things at the ready. So Draco, just stay here for the morning and keep Hermione company while we get ready for the busy day," Pansy casted Draco a look which he merely acknowledged by nodding in her direction.

Pansy stood up and kissed Hermione, "Catch the two of you this afternoon," Pansy mentioned and closed the door lightly but opened it again to give Ron and Harry a quick kiss in the cheek. Blaise mumbled his recognition to them. Click

Hermione sipped her coffee, suddenly seeing the floor ever-so interesting. She noticed the gloss-and pretty much ignored everything. Draco cleared his throat.

"Wha-What's wrong with you and your…er…eyes?" mumbling and stumbling. The only witch in the room merely waved it away. But then a minute later glanced at the man to her left and sighed. Her conscience was unbelievably annoying. Fine.

"It's my mother's eyes," she said simply and tried to make it sound small-but it was like disrespecting everything that her parents were. So she changed her tone. She was just trying to wave the pain away but it didn't, and she cursed inside of her. Was she going to live her life trying to make things look small? It was tiring.

"I don't understand," Draco simply said. His brows lightly scrunched together.

Hermione couldn't blame him. Who would? After everything she went through. She knew that this was not something to be taken lightly (no matter how she tried to make it sound light); this was not something everybody understood easily after she explained things. This needed time and patience. Did she have any of those left? She could try.

"I should start in the beginning," Hermione mumbled and she faced Draco for the first time that morning. She could see the unfaltering determination inside of him to know the truth. Because he deserved it, he should have known this a long time ago but she had kept on running away. Trying to ignore the look of pain in his face that sent her chills it was hard not to spill the beans when his grey eyes were storming at her. Hermione cleared her throat and began. She wouldn't run away from the facts now, not when they were in front of her.

"When I arrived in Australia, I was immediately on my knees looking for them but I didn't expect it to be so easy to locate such common people. All you had to do was find the biggest dentistry clinic there and they'll be there. I found them two days later and returned their memories of everything. I was surprised at their lack of anger and disappointment-I expected more of them-but when your daughter was out fighting evil wizards-they were just happy that she came back to their world," Hermione paused and then continued her eyes shifting outside and stared at the morning sky.

"I stayed there in Australia for a week. Things were going fine. Actually, it would be lack of respect to their memory to say good since it was great. But-okay-things were going great. But something's had to end and my family as one of them," she started to sound bitter. She gripped the Styrofoam cup of coffee even tighter but then she must have realized it was stupid to be squashing something so hot and propped it on the nearest table. She grazed her knuckles instead, turning them white.

"They were out late but I wasn't surprised-they always came home late so I waited like I usually did. I received a letter after an hour past 10 o' clock. There it was-the picture of my parents lying dead in the alleyway of Australia. I was scared and I was at the verge of insanity-I won't deny that. You could never have imagined the pain I was feeling. Things in the wizarding world were still in chaos and some Death Eaters were on the run and they knew who I was. What put me back there was realization that it was true. It was true and if I didn't get there quick, there would be no body to bury. I ripped the letter open and the only thing there was where my parents' body was lying. I Apparated and I heard someone scream and only realized it was me," Hermione choked. Her eyes repressed the tears of frustration.

"It turned out to be a Death Eater-my theory was right. I can't remember who it was and I don't have any intention of doing so. He or she must have known I was one of the people who had defeated Voldemort. It was blinding, the magic had the color of violet and it was gaining on me. I could do nothing. I was blind the next second. And I woke up in Saint Magus. It was the day Pansy and Harry were hexing their way in my door and Ron looking as pale as a dead plant," Hermione chuckled lightly but then faltered. She had to remember not to make a joke of things like these.

"I learned that the Death Eater did not intend to kill me but to blind me. I don't know what his or her motives were. He spared the eyes of my mother to replace mine. That's what happened," Hermione finished. Suddenly everything felt cold to her and she tugged the quilt and let it warm her. It did nothing to ease the wintry feel she felt creeping in on her. She tugged it even more.

Draco looked at her in disbelief. His mouth turned into a deep frown. His eyes frustrated and angry and confused all at the same time, he massaged his temples. He stammered at words to say to Hermione but it all died out. He was just speechless.

Hermione embraced the silence that came after her story. She continued to talk though.

"That's when I also met Narcissa. When I was hospitalized-she looked at me with compassion and told me to stay at your Manor. I can never forget the horrified look in your eyes. Narcissa was someone sent to heaven," Hermione chuckled and tasted the sweet nostalgia of remembering the past with happiness.

"But when I was starting to be happy. When it was all going so well, Harry and Ron were starting to settle down," Hermione mumbled. Draco tensed and stole a look at the two bodies in front of him. All pale and sickly.

"Just when things were going right; something comes up. A disease-whatever the hell it is. Gob smacks Ron and Harry like rag dolls," Hermione resentfully said and stood up to face Draco. Her eyes were searching his. What she was searching for? No one knew. Not even Hermione. But she continued to look at him, to stare at his grey eyes. Hermione paused to stay her ground and realized that she wanted to know how much dignity she still had and by looking at her reflection from Draco's eyes-there was little.

"I hope you'll understand Draco. I just hope that you'll understand that I'm not at my right mind right now," she looked at him with empathy. Draco dumbly nodded. Hermione pursed her lips and Apparated.

Draco cleared his throat. What just bloody happened?

xxx

Hermione strode confidently in the Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was out for today which meant she had the house all for herself- except for the creeping elves that were hidden away from her view by Narcissa herself; it would have alerted Hermione's SPEW instinct.

She climbed the stairs and stepped inside the room where she slept for a month under Narcissa's care. It brought her pleasant memories of yesterday's dream. The room didn't have cobwebs which was surprising since she hadn't slept in it for two weeks or so. It was clean and it was almost shiny and she discovered that there were some changes, she clicked her tongue.

Hermione whistled, impressed at what Narcissa had done. The book cases were now filled with all kinds of books that she never read which was saying something; she fingered their hard bound covers. The closet was stock full of the newest and hippest Wizarding and Muggle clothes, all shapes and colors and textures. And her bed was still as soft as ever, she leaned to smell it. Parchment, Sweets and something else. Narcissa knew her too well.

She inwardly smiled at what Mrs. Malfoy had done-she was great mother-Hermione was sure of that. The Gryffindor hummed her usual tune from her locket and stepped inside the bathroom and inwardly smiled to herself. Sorry Drake but both of us need some time out.

She lost herself in deep thoughts as the shower blazed through her body.

xxx

Draco groaned aloud. She slipped out faster than he had expected her to. But still-she had shared something about herself which is a great leap of faith for him. But he still couldn't get over the fact that he let her off the hook so easily. Where were his moves? It was like he couldn't dance at all-because in real life he could. That did not make any sense. Things didn't make any sense when it concerned his dearest Granger. For the past two days, things were getting out of hand by just thinking about her.

He gathered himself and sighed. She was most likely in the Manor doing Merlin knows what and she just needed time for herself.

Draco breathed easy for a second and tensed again. He felt exasperated at his actions and smirked. Is this what it feels like to fall in love?

xxx

Pansy Parkinson was eating the pie with great reverence. She hadn't eaten breakfast and the coffee had not helped her in any way that it should have.

"Are you sure things are going well?" Blaise asked. He looked fleetingly at his girl and all her glory-if glory was scraping down the pie to the last bit. He repressed his smirk.

Princess Parkinson audibly mumbled a 'yes'. Blaise looked at her expectantly. He casted a look to say: 'You may enlighten me,'

She rolled her eyes and him and cleaned her mouth with the tissue. "I'm not just sure, Blaise. I know and I am dead certain. I'll bet on you for fight with a troll that Hermione's at the Manor right this very minute-how should I know what she's doing there? -But whatever. I know her too well for her own good," Pansy paused and took a bite of her pudding with all the pie lost in her stomach.

"Hermione being the sensible one is just giving him time to think. Draco will be all about 'what bloody happened?'" Blaise snickered as Pansy imitated the farfetched Draco tone.

"I doubt Draco has such an unflattering voice," Blaise chirped and drank his iced tea.

She laughed lightly. "Just chill Blaise. The two of them are fairly predictable. Anyway, Draco's stuck in the hospital with Harry and Ron-probably having one of his daily brain concussions due to over thinking that his neurons have exploded,"

"I just kind of feel sorry for Draco. Being zoned is pretty hard," The Zabini shrugged hard. Pansy squinted at him. Zoned? Was this one of the guy words? Pansy continued to bite her second cupcake.

"Is that what you call it, boys? Zoned-was it?" Pansy asked. She let out a giggle and rolled her eyes. The brains of her feeble minded guy friends had never ceased to amaze her no matter how feeble their brains were. It was a good thing she met Hermione, hanging out with a pair of monkeys was bad for her health.

"Zoned is us being put in the category of friends. I know the feeling, it's pretty crappy," Blaise looked around for the waitress to take the bill. Pansy cringed. She hadn't missed the pointed look he casted at her. Blaise grinned lightly at her-that comforting look was what she missed.

"That bad?" Pansy timidly said.

"But Pans, you're totally worth it," he kissed her lovingly on the forehead and forgot about the waitress standing just a foot away.

Pansy rolled her eyes and cast a look at the ruffled looking young-teen in her fourteen. 'Wandy' the name on her nametag handed them the bill looking slightly away from Pansy's gaze. Who the hell has the name Wandy?

"Anyway, we should get going. Draco probably needs company," Blaise said and grabbed Pansy's tiny hand into his. The two stood up and left the restaurant.

Draco was not moping. But he certainly was numb or for better word did not know what happened. That wasn't something new. He was yearning for company and was about to think of ditching hospital duty when Pansy and Blaise stepped inside.

"What took you so long? I haven't even got lunch," Draco grumbled and stared at the take out in their hands.

"Here you go," he handed the first package. "The other ones for Hermione," Blaise added and sat down.

"Yeah. Whatever. Let's just eat. Right." Draco wanted to downright punch himself as Blaise gave him a look that said he was talking to a deranged hobo. Just great.

Time passed slowly in the hospital ass they basked in comfortable silence. Hermione arrived an hour later. She clearly was happy, and smelled like she came out of a flower field.

"What's got you in a good mood, Hermione?" Pansy asked as she lifted the pages of the magazines.

"Well, it's been such a long time since I've taken a bubble bath. It was awesome," Hermione grinned cheekily. Draco rolled his eyes. This sadistic-

Draco looked at the conversations in front of him. It looked like any other day and it sounded like any other day, too. Hermione obviously knew about what he felt about her. Should I make the moves on her?

Draco shifted his body and watched at her dainty hand. He was about to tenderly touch it while Blaise and Pansy weren't looking when the Gryffindor witch suddenly yawned and took her hand lifted it to scratch her back. What the fuck? Did she do that on purpose? She knows how much I hate touching things that were scratched. SHE KNOWS!

He swiftly took his hand back and opted to get the cup as an excuse.

Draco thought some more. What did ladies like again?

Right. Whisper some words that will twist her knickers. Draco moved slightly bit closer to her and was about to lean on her when she coughed slightly. Draco paused but ignored it.

"AAAACHOO!" Blasted skrewts! She was bloody doing this on purpose! Draco wiped the saliva and glared at Hermione.

"Are you okay, Mione?" Pansy asked bewildered at the very sound of her cough. Hermione shook her head.

"This is nothing,"

Draco groaned inwardly and slumped to his seat. This wasn't getting him anywhere.

AN;

Few reminders here so that we're still in the same page:

1.) Hermione obviously knows what Draco is feeling and in the next chapter I'll give you HER perspective.

2.) Pansy gave Hermione and Draco time to get things straight.