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Chapter 13 – Key to my Heart

The sun slowly began to rise around 6:00am through the window. The weather was getting colder day by day. It had never been this cold before. By now, there was not one leaf on a tree or a flower in sight. All was dead in the grounds of Hogwarts. Students were gone for winter break and the school was quiet as there was very few students who choose to stay behind. Teachers were rarely in sight as they were getting lessons plans ready for the new semester. Even Dumbledore, who was usually seen in the halls, kept to himself very much and spent most of time in his office. There was some sense of a growing danger but no one could really pin point what that was. For now at least.

Draco lay in his bed starting at the ceiling. He looked over to the side of his bed where he would see Hermione peacefully asleep. He missed those times where things just perfect, where they would spend the day together talking and just being together, those beautiful nights of love, all of which weren't there anymore. All Draco could think of was the night before. The letter he had found for Ron.

Dear Ronald,

Did you get back home safe? You had better write to me so I know how your break is going. I miss you dearly. Things are so quiet at the castle. There is barely anyone here. Some students came up to me today about going to Hogsmeade. I hope that Dumbledore will let us go. It is getting to quiet and kind of creepy at the castle alone. There are some students here but everyone is really keeping to themselves. It is really getting cold around here too. It is never this bad but this year it is starting to get worse and worse day by day. Since you probably just got back, I will keep this short. Have a fun break and keep writing!

Yours,

Hermione xoxox

Draco lay there for about half an hour thinking about the letter. Thinking maybe, just maybe, he was too harsh on Hermione. Right now, he should really be there for her. She is going through such a hard time and he is just adding useless stress to the situation. Nevertheless, he did need his space, just a little for a small amount of time.

Around 7:00am, after tossing and turning trying to get back to sleep, Draco finally got up. He grabbed his robe, made his bed and closed his door behind him. He quietly walked over to Hermione's door and opened it, being careful not to wake her. We walked over to her side and bent down on his knees. He moved her hair from her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. He pulled up her blanket and tucked her in. He turned around, headed towards the door, and closed it behind him.

Draco went downstairs, got some coffee and began to read the Daily Prophet. As soon as he unfolded the paper, there was a picture of his father Lucius Malfoy on the front page, with the title, "Another Donation by The Malfoy's". Go figures. After being caught as being a death eater, Lucius has constantly been trying to get on the good side with the wizarding community. However, Draco knew his father better than anyone, once a death eater, always a death eater.

Draco placed the Daily Prophet aside and went upstairs to take a shower. After a nice long shower, Draco got out of the shower, placed a towel around his waist and went into his room. He pulled out an outfit Hermione had gotten him and put it on. He pulled a comb through his locks of platinum blonde hair and grabbed all his Quidditch equipment. He left his room and took one last look and Hermione before heading downstairs. Around 9:00am, Draco left the common room. He headed for the great hall where he found some fellow 7th year Slytherin's.

"Hey Nick, hey Jessica, I didn't know you guys were still here", said Draco as he began to put some toast and eggs on his plate.

"Change of plans at the last minute. My parents decided to go visit my grandparents for the winter", said Nick.

"What about you Jessica?" asked Draco.

"My parents went to visit my sister", said Jessica.

The three of them sat there for a while just chatting but in the back of Draco's mind was one thing and one thing only, Hermione.

"Malfoy?...Malfoy?" said Nick.

"Oh sorry. Um… I was going to head out to the Quidditch pitch to work on some game plans. Why don't you two come? We've got to get some practice in anyways", said Draco as he gathered his things.

"Sure", said Jessica.

The three of them left the Great Hall around 10:30am and headed to the Quidditch field to spend the day working on game plans.

"How could you do this? After everything, how could you?"

"It just happened, I couldn't help myself"

"It just happened?...That's all you have to say???"

"Everything happens for a reason"

"So what is the logic behind this? If there is any?"

"I don't know"

Hermione opened her eyes and slowly sat up. What was that about now? Oh, my head hurts so much… Hermione looked over at her clock, 11:00am. She slowly got out of bed and put her robe on. She went out her room door and walked quietly towards Draco's room. She slowly opened the door to find that Draco was gone. As tears began to roll down her eyes, she closed the door behind her and headed back to her room. She sat by her window ledge and began to write.

I admit I made a mistake. I should not have written that letter, or at least I should have written it in a different way. I made a mistake but I am only human and I hope Draco will see that.

Hermione set her diary aside and went to take a shower. After a long warm shower, Hermione spent the rest of the day reading up on next semester's classes.

Aside from dinner and working on plans for Hogsmeade, Draco and Hermione did not spend much time together during the week. Although Hermione was sorry, Draco still needed his space to think about things.

As the week slowly went by, Saturday Draco and Hermione decided to go to Dumbledore to discuss there Hogsmeade plans.

"Well, everything seems good here. You may proceed with taking the students. Since there are only 17, you will not have a teacher accompany you. Just make sure to check in and out each day you go", said Dumbledore and he closed the file.

"Yes Professor", said Hermione.

Dumbledore looked over at Draco to see him staring out the window and Hermione looking down at the ground.

'Ms Granger, Mr Malfoy, is there anything you two wish to discuss?" asked Dumbledore as he stared at the pair.

Draco looked over at Hermione then towards Dumbledore, "Why do you ask Professor?"

"I know you two are going through a hard time at the moment, but you need to realize that in order to get through it you must stay by each others side, be there to comfort one another. Draco, Hermione needs you, so please both of you, please talk things through", said Dumbledore.

Draco and Hermione both nodded and quietly left Dumbledore's office. Once back at the common room, they placed there things aside.

"Do you need anything Hermione?" asked Draco.

"No, I'm fine", said Hermione, "We'll talk in the morning?"

"Um sure", said Draco.

Hermione took her things and went upstairs. Draco went over to grab his things when and idea came to his mind. He looked over at Hermione's door, which was now closed. He quickly ran into his room, grabbed his wand, sealed Hermione's door and began to work his magic.

The next morning, Hermione's alarm clock rang at 8:00am. She turned over and turned it off.

"I never set my alarm", Hermione said.

She turned over to the other side and found a bouquet or red roses on her dresser. She got up out of bed, put her robe on and picked up the note from in the roses.

Once you read this, come downstairs,

I will be waiting for you…

Love Draco

Hermione set the note aside and walked towards the room door with a look of curiosity on her face. She slowly opened the door and stepped outside with amazement.

The ground was covered in white and red rose petals; the room smelt of vanilla, it was dark with just a few lite candles, and there was Draco standing in the middle of the room.

Hermione walked to the bottom of the stairs and stood there, "What's all this?".

Draco walked over to Hermione and gave her a kiss, "An apology".

"Apology accepted", said Hermione as she placed her arms around Draco's neck and locked him into a kiss.

Draco lifted Hermione up into his arms and took her upstairs into his room, where the two spent there whole day.

Later in the evening Hermione got out of bed and went downstairs. She walked over to the table to get the Hogsmeade information when she saw a letter in the corner of the fireplace. Some of it was burnt but she managed to make out the words.

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

Hermione dropped back onto the couch and sat there staring at the letter. After 10 minutes passed, a worried Draco came downstairs and found a scared Hermione on the sofa with the letter in her hands. He walked over to his side and bent down beside her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this bef…" Draco began but was silenced by a kiss.

"Its ok, I understand you were only trying to look out for me. But, from now on, nothing is kept secret ok", said Hermione.

"Of course", said Draco as he sat beside Hermione and placed a blanket on them. Not knowing when, the couple slowly fell asleep.

The next morning there came a knock at the door around 9:00am.

Hermione slowly sat up, as did Draco.

"Who could that… Oh no! Draco the Hogsmeade trip!", said Hermione as she hurried towards the door.

She opened the door to find some of the students waiting for them, ready to go on the trip.

"We are so sorry. Just give us 30 minutes and we will be there ok?" said Hermione.

The students nodded and headed back to the courtyard. Draco and Hermione quickly took showers and got dressed. They cleaned up the blankets and headed out to the courtyard.

"Alright so here are some places we found that you guys can visit. They are all interesting places that you might like to see. There is a few for each day. If at any point you need me or Hermione, you know the signal", said Draco as he handed out the sheets.

The group headed out on a cold Monday morning. The week really helped Draco and Hermione get closed to each other from spending time apart. Although the time was difficult, it allowed them to think about what has to happen in the near future.

Although the Hogsmeade trips were only till Saturday, on Sunday morning Draco and Hermione went for one more trip before everyone was about to get back. They quietly sat in a private corner at there now favorite place, Atlantis.

"Hermione, I have something for you", said Draco as he reached into his pocket and handed a silver box to Hermione.

"You didn't have too", said Hermione as she opened the box. Her eyes widened greatly as she pulled out a silver necklace with a small key pendent.

"You hold the key to my heart now", said Draco who was turning red.

Hermione leaped over the table and gave Draco a kiss, "It's gorgeous".

Hermione handed the necklace to Draco, who then put it on her.

Hermione turned around and gave Draco another kiss, "I love you".

"I love you too", said Draco.

Hermione looked over to see someone quickly hide behind the corner, "What the?"

"What", said Draco as he turned around, "What happened?"

"I saw someone over there looking at us. But they hid as soon as I saw them", said Hermione as she began to get a bit shaky.

Draco got up and walk towards the wall, "There is no one here. I think it is better if we just head back. Everyone is probably going to be back soon".

Hermione nodded as the left the restaurant and headed to the Great Hall where everyone was heading.

"I'll see you tonight?" said Draco as he let go of Hermione's hand.

"Yep", said Hermione.

The two went there separate ways into the Great Hall as Draco went to greet all his friends.

"HERMIONE", came the voice of Ginny as she came running towards her.

Hermione stepped aside to keep Ginny from running into her, as she did not know about anything yet, "Hey, how was the break?"

"It was great!" said Ginny as the two sat down.

"M'ione", came the voice of Ron along with Harry, as he came over and gave Hermione a kiss.

"Hey, How are you guys?" asked Hermione.

"Good. How are you doing?" asked Harry.

"I'm good", said Hermione.

"Well what are we doing standing here. Lets go out", said Ron.

The four of them headed out and spent the day roaming in Hogsmeade. They had so many stories but Hermione was getting tired, as she needed to keep herself in good health. Around 7:00pm, Hermione suggested going to dinner. They headed back into the Great Hall for a grand feast since all the students were back and since the new semester was to start. Around 9:00pm, students began to leave the hall.

"Hey M'ione, what's that around your neck?" asked Ron as he pointed to the key pendent.

Hermione quickly looked down and noticed the necklace was out from underneath her shirt, "Oh, its nothing, just a gift from Mom and Dad".

"Oh ok", said Ron.

Ron walked Hermione to her room and kissed her goodnight. Hermione walked in to find Draco waiting for her on the couch while reading a book.

"You waited", said Hermione as she locked the door behind her.

"Of course", said Draco.

"Well can we go up to bed, I'm tired", said Hermione as she walked over to Draco.

Draco picked up Hermione in his arms, "Of course we can".

Once upstairs he placed her on the bed and lay down beside her. They slowly became locked in a passionate kiss. Draco slowly trailed his hands up Hermione's legs, and up to her top, which he began to remove. Once the top was completely removed, he placed a kiss on Hermione's stomach. He looked up to find a smile on Hermione's face. As one thing lead to another, the two spent the night making love, allowing each other to become reacquainted with each other.

Sorry sorry sorry, I know it has been a month since I updated. I finished school on Thursday but my weekend was so busy and tiring that I only got a chance to work on this a little bit each day…Also I know this chapter is a filler, but it is important to the story because it allows for everyone to really see into Draco and Hermione's relationship, But don't worry, its going to start getting interesting now:) so just bare with me. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review I really really would love to hear what each and everyone of you have to say about the story so far:), so don't forget to review please:(

Deepy

xoxox