Hey everyone…Sorry for the long wait…ill explain at the end…for now, here is the next chapter. Hope you like…Happy Reading:)

Chapter 9 - Quarrels, Hogsmeade, Confrontations

The room was still warm from the night before. All the candles had gone out and there was melted candle wax left all over the surfaces. Through the window came some sunlight, which lit up the room.

Draco slowly opened his eyes to the light shining in his face. He looked over to his side, where Hermione slept peacefully. He looked over at the clock on his table. It was 9:00am on a Saturday morning, after the ball. Draco slowly removed the blanket off him and put on a robe. He grabbed his wand and cleaned up the mess of candle wax all over the room. He then got into the shower and took a nice long shower.

Hermione was lying on the bed when she heard Draco coming out of the shower. She slowly got up, while keeping herself covered with the blanket on the bed. Draco came out of the washroom, dripping water, with just a towel around his waist.

Draco walked over to Hermione and gave her a kiss. "Morning gorgeous".

Draco walked to Hermione's room and grabbed her robe. Hermione took the robe from Draco's hands and put it on.

"Your up early", asked Hermione as she tided the robe on herself.

"Yeah, I have to get going soon. I have Quidditch practice at 11", Draco said as he dressed into his Quidditch uniform.

Hermione walked over to Draco, put her arms around him from the back, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks", said Hermione.

Draco turned around and looked at her puzzled. "For what?"

Hermione put her arms around Draco's neck. "For everything you did last night. I really wasn't expecting that you would do all that for me".

Draco looked at Hermione and kissed her on the forehead. "No prob….", but before Draco was finished he was cut off.

"Drakie", came the voice of Pansy running up the common room stairs.

"Shit…now what", said Draco as he locked the door to buy some time.

There came knocking at the door. "Drakie open up, its me", said a very anxious Pansy.

Hermione quickly ran into the washroom and tried to open the door to her room.

"Draco it won't open. It must be locked from the other side", said Hermione in worry.

Draco quickly ran to his room and got his wand.

"No it won't work. Dumbledore put powerful charms on these doors remember?" said Hermione.

"DRAKIE COME ON OPEN UP", yelled Pansy.

Draco looked over at Hermione and gave her a kiss.

"Stay here until I can get her out", said Draco as he ran out of the washroom.

Hermione got to her knees and kept the door up just enough to make sure Pansy would not see her.

"Finally Drakie", said Pansy as she jumped into Draco's arm and began to kiss him.

Draco knew Hermione was watching so he quickly tired to get out of it.

"Pansy, I don't have time for this. I have to get to Quidditch pra…", but once again, Draco was cut off by Pansy.

Before he knew it, he was flat on his back, on the bed.

"Look Drakie, you have practice at 11 and right now its 10:15. So we have some time ok and don't try to get out of this. You have been acting wired lately", said Pansy.

Draco tired his hardest to reason with Pansy, but there was no way she was going to let him out of this one. He had been making excuses since he and Hermione had started seeing each other, and now there was none left.

Hermione sat, in the washroom, with her back against the door for 20 minutes, being forced to listen to Draco, whom she now loved, be with Pansy. There was nothing she could do…but wait…wait until this was over.

Hermione heard Pansy kiss Draco and leave. Draco grabbed his robe and put it on. He slowly came over to the door and opened it, just to find a crying Hermione. He slowly bent down and lifted her face. Eyes red, filled with tears and hurt.

Hermione jumped up and into Draco's arms. They just sat there, for 10 minutes, Hermione in Draco's arms just crying her eyes out.

"Hermione…I'm so sor….", began Draco.

Hermione wiped her eyes and looked at Draco. "It's not your fault. This was going to happen one day. When we run out of excuses to tell everyone."

Draco looked over at Hermione. He took her into his arms and gave her a gentle yet passionate kiss. "I love you".

He really does love me, and I love him too…"I love you too. You better get going its 10:45", said Hermione.

Draco looked up at the clock in the washroom. "Oh yeah".

Draco got up then helped Hermione. They walked to the bottom of the stairs and to the common room door. Draco gave Hermione a hug and kisses and left for practice.

After Draco had left, Hermione went to her room, got some clothes and took a shower. She went back to the common room and got started on her homework. About one hour into doing her work, there came a knock at the door.

Hermione got up and answered the door. "….Ron?".

"Hi M'ione", said Ron as he gave Hermione a kiss.

Back at the Quidditch pitch, the Slytherin team had just finished there practice and were on there way out off the field. Draco went with Blaise to the common room before going back to his dorms.

"So, what did you need to talk to me about?", asked Blaise as he and Draco sat across from each other.

Draco took a piece of parchment out from his pocket and handed it to Blaise.

Blaise took it and his eyes widened when he saw the "L.M" logo on the parchment. He quickly opened the piece of paper and began to read it aloud.

Draco,

I have been informed that you are up to something's that you know I would never approve of. Do not make me do something that will hurt you in the end. You know you are not to associate with Mudbloods, especially Hermione Granger. Now I know she is head girl, but Draco, keep it at that. Nothing more. I will be coming to visit you soon to see what you are up to, and do not think I do not know what you have been up to. I am watching you…

Your Father,

Lucius Malfoy

Blaise folded up the piece of parchment and handed it back to Draco.

"How?" was the first thing that Blaise said.

Draco took back the letter and put it in his pocket.

"I don't know. I saw it last night on my table before I was about to go to sleep", said Draco.

"Did you tell Hermione?" asked Blaise.

"No I couldn't. Things are already kind of weird right now", said Draco.

"Why what happened?" asked Blaise.

"Pansy came to the dorm this morning, while Hermione was there", said Draco.

"What…wait Hermione in your room?" Blaise asked with a smirk.

"Shut up. That's not the point. Hermione hid in the washroom….and well you know Pansy", said Draco.

Blaise's mouth fell open. "SHIT! That fucking sucks. Is Hermione ok though?"

"Yeah she's ok. That's why I didn't say anything about the letter. I cannot tell her yet. Man, how did my dad find out?" asked Draco.

"Man I don't know. Don't think it was me. You know I wouldn't do that shit", said Blaise.

"Yeah man I know", said Draco. "We'll sort this out later. I had better get back to the common room. Me and Hermione have some things to plan for tomorrow".

Draco bid farewell to Blaise. He picked up his equipment from practice and left. He got to his common room door, said the password and went in.

"Hermione…I'm bac…", but before Draco could see anything he was speechless.

There was Hermione, lying on the sofa…with Ron. Hermione slowly awoke to the sound of Draco's voice. She looked up to see him standing there, with anger.

"Draco…it's not what your thinking", Hermione said quietly, trying not to wake Ron, but he was already up.

"Malfoy…When did you get here?" asked Ron with a dirty glare.

"Just now, and you?" said Draco still glaring at Hermione.

"At noon. M'ione I better get going. I have Quidditch practice now, since someone else booked the field for this morning", said Ron.

Ron packed up his books, and gave Hermione a kiss, whilst Draco was watching Hermione, and left.

Draco walked over to there kitchen and grabbed some water. "Well…didn't you two look cozy there".

"We fell asleep while studying. Its not like anything happened", said Hermione, with some indication towards this morning.

"Sure. At least I wasn't having fun this morning, if truth be told, you looked really cozyed up with Ron...sorry…Weasel there", said Draco while walking back over to Hermione.

"Excuse me; you have no right to get mad at me. Nothing happened," said Hermione.

"Um…I think I do. I walk in and I see you LAYING there with Weasel", said Draco.

"WELL AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH LISTENING TO THE PERSON YOU LOVE HAVING SEX WITH SOMEONE ELSE!", said Hermione, as she ran up the stairs with tears flowing down her eyes, and slammed her room door shut.

Draco spent the rest of the afternoon in the common room by the fire doing his homework, while Hermione stayed up in her room. Neither of them said another word to each other for the rest of the afternoon, matter of fact, and the rest of the day.

Around 10pm, Hermione came out of her room. She walked down the stairs and into the common room. There lay Draco on sofa all curled up. She walked over to the other sofa, took the blanket there, and placed it on him. She then turned back, went to her room, and went straight to bed. It had been one long day.

The next morning, Hermione woke to the sound of knocking on her door. She knew it was Draco so she did not answer.

"Look Hermione, I know you don't want to talk to me…but Professor Dumbledore is here… remember Hogsmeade today?" said Draco and headed back down the stairs.

"Shit", said Hermione. She quickly jumped out of bed and into the shower. She got out and put on something to keep her warm today, since she would be outside all day long. She zapped her hair straight, just like Draco likes it, and ran down to the common room where Dumbledore and Draco sat, having tea.

"Professor Dumbledore, I'm so sorry. I forgot had a long day yesterday", said Hermione glaring at Draco.

"Ah, that is quite alright Ms. Granger. Shall we proceed", said Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore, Draco and Hermione headed out to the front courtyard where they met up with the 3rd years and some other Professors. Dumbledore left them and went back to his office.

Not short after, Draco, Hermione and the rest of the Professors headed off to Hogsmeade. When they reached there, Draco gave instructions to the students to meet back at Zonko's joke shop in 1 hour. He informed the students that Hermione and himself will be at Hogs Head. Hermione would do anything right now rather then spend time with Draco, but they are required to say together on Hogsmeade trips.

Draco and Hermione headed to the Hogs Head. They sat across from each other, while Draco ordered them some Butterbeers. They sat there for about 45 minutes not saying anything to each other. Hermione had her head down, buried in a book. She wanted to avoid any sort of interaction with Draco all together. Finally, Draco could not take it and he spoke.

"…I'm…I'm…I'm sorry Hermione", said Draco, now looking up at Hermione.

Hermione lifted her head from her book and looked at Draco. "Me too. I know you were just as hurt as I was".

Draco looked around to see if anyone was watching. He bent over and gave Hermione a kiss.

"Hey hey…careful there. Wait till we get back", said Hermione.

Hermione and Draco sat there for 30 minutes talking to each other, whist-holding hands.

"M'IONE", came the voice of Ron.

Hermione looked over to see Ron and Harry approaching them. Draco and Hermione quickly let go of each other's hands.

"Harry…Ron…what are you guys doing here?" asked Hermione.

"I came to get something for Ginny", said Harry.

"Oh ok", said Hermione.

"What about you Hermione? What are you doing here with…Him?" said Ron with disgust.

"Oh we came here with the 3rd years", said Draco.

"Um…well they left 15 minutes ago with the Professors", said Ron.

"Well we…." said Hermione, before she was cut off.

"Drakie!", came the voice of Pansy.

Hermione turned around to see that Pansy, along with Blaise and his girlfriend, Raven, were heading there way. Hermione and Draco quickly looked at each. Both with fear, wondering what they were going to say to get out of this situation.

"What's going on? Why is everyone here?", asked Pansy as she went and sat in Draco's lap.

"Um.. Well…Me and Hermione came here with the 3rd years. They left a little while ago, and um…we…um…" said Draco, while running out of what to say next.

"When we decided to stay back and plan some more trips for the 3rd years before the Christmas break. We were…um…just about to go when you all came", said Hermione.

Ron looked over at Hermione, but still looking somewhat unconvinced. Draco noticed and stepped in.

"Here take a look at this", said Draco pulling out Hogsmeade trip plans.

Ron and Pansy both looked at the plans then back at Draco and Hermione.

"Alright", said Ron.

"We will meet you all in a few minutes. We just got to finish up some things here", Hermione told everyone.

Blaise took Pansy and Raven out, while Harry grabbed Ron. They all headed out and waited outside the door.

"That was too close", said Hermione putting her hands to her head.

"Yeah it was. Come on lets get going before they all come back", said Draco.

The rest of the day, Draco and Hermione spent with there friends, just to make sure there was no more covering up and lying that they would have to deal with.

November came and went fast. Everyone was busy with work and Quidditch. Hermione and Draco were stuck going to Hogsmeade every weekend with the 3rd years since they had told everyone, they were planning a bunch of trips. Quidditch matches were brutal for the month. So far, Slytherin and Gryffindor were tied with two matches a piece, Hufflepuff with 1 and Ravenclaw with none.

December opened with a match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. The match was brutal as ever, as Ravenclaw tired there hardest to get stop points for there house. Ravenclaw won just by a bit, as the final score was 250 to 240.

The holidays were slowly approaching. Ron, Harry and Ginny had already decided to go back to the burrow for the break. Hermione's parents were going away for the break so she decided she would stay back at school. But there was still 3 weeks before the holidays, so plans can change before that.

It was 10pm on Sunday night. Hermione was just closing up her books, when an owl flew in. It landed on the coffee table in the common room. Hermione walked over and took the letter from the owl.

"L.M…hmm must be from Draco's father", Hermione said to herself.

She set the letter on the table and went back to cleaning up her books. A few minutes later Draco came in all dirty and muddy, from practice.

Hermione ran over to him and gave him a kiss. "I love how you look when you come back from practice".

Draco kissed her on the forehead. "And I love how you come greet me when I come back".

Hermione smirked and looked at Draco. She suddenly felt dizzy and lost her balance.

Draco quickly grabbed Hermione before she fell.

"Hermione, are you ok? You have been like this for a few weeks now. Maybe you should go to the hospital wing?" said Draco, as Hermione slowly regained her strength.

"I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm heading up to bed. Would you care to join me?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, I'll be there soon", said Draco.

"Alright", said Hermione as she headed for the stairs. "Oh, Draco…there's a letter for you. It's on the coffee table". Hermione walked up and into Draco's room.

Draco set his things aside and picked up the letter on the table.

"L.M…who else", said Draco, as he opened the letter and began to read.

Draco,

3 weeks before the holidays, and you still have not written to tell your mother and me if you will be coming home son. Well…that is quite alright…you must be busy with Granger…you know…head boy and girl duties. Well son do not go to any trouble to write to us to tell us if you will be coming home. I well be coming to visit you before you break. I still have to come check up on you. I know your still up to something.

Your Father,
Lucius Malfoy

Draco looked at letter with rage. He crumpled it up and threw it into the fire.

"Don't worry father, you won't find out what I'm up to", said Draco as he looked into the fire. Do not worry Hermione…no one can separate us…even if it is my father.

Hermione pulled her head back into Draco's room and slowly shut the door behind her, being careful not to let Draco know she heard him. She slowly got up and got into bed. A few minutes later Draco came in a joined her. He placed his arm around her.

"I love you Hermione", said Draco and kissed her head.

Hermione slowly turned over and snuggled into his chest.

"I love you too".

Hey Everyone!!!

How are you all doing? Sorry for the 2 week wait. I had so much work, like its unbelievable! I had already planned out what I was going to write for this chapter and the next one, but I couldn't find time to type it up. BUT I made time today, even though I have TONNES of work to get done this weekend. Well there is a lot of info in this chapter. I know its not that exciting but I have that good stuff coming up in the next chapters so please, bear with me. I needed to do this chapter because you guys needed all this information. Now if you guys need me to clear anything up about this chapter, please post it and I will get back to you ASAP. Right now its 1:10 am, and I just finished typing this chapter up. So please everyone REVIEW PLEASEE…I am looking forward to read your comments. AND guys tell me, what do you want to see happen next? I could always change things around. I will post more ASAP so please one again stay with me. Love you all :)
xoxox

Deepy