Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 18

Hermione felt numb. Her mind couldn't work right and she couldn't even think properly. W-what did she just say? I must have heard wrong. She couldn't possibly have his child. I-It's not possible! No! I'm hearing this all wrong! Draco, please tell me she lying!

"Pansy," Draco started but soon stopped when he heard some unusual rustling in the shrubs and saw something red sitting behind it. "Who's there!" He demanded to know in a stern voice.

Hermione at first was so deep in thought she barely heard him say anything until he repeated himself. Holding back an eyeful of tears Hermione revealed herself from her hiding spot. It was now Draco's turn to feel numb in the body. "H-Hermione?" he said, barely higher than a whisper.

"Mudblood, you're here!" Pansy said in a cheerful voice and Draco almost growled. "I'm so glad. I thought you would never find out about me and Draco's little affair." She reached out for Draco arm, but he quickly snatched away.

"Don't touch me!" he snarled and stared at Hermione. "Hermione please let me explain-"

"What's there to explain, Draco? Isn't it obvious that we're lovers?" Pansy interrupted and Draco felt like hitting her right across the face.

"Just shut up Parkinson! I need to be alone with Hermione!"

"Draco-"

"Go now or I'll make your life a living hell!" he growled. Pansy gave a little pout, but left anyway. Neither Draco nor Hermione spoke after Pansy left. It was finally Draco who broke the uneasy silence. "Hermione I-"

"How long?" Hermione's voice had some shakiness to it due to the fact she was on the verge of tears.

"How long what?"

"How long have you've been seeing Pansy behind my back?"

"I haven't! I promise you, I would never do anything to hurt you Hermione."

"So you didn't sleep with her?"

Draco stood silently. "It was only once." He finally said. "But she tricked me!"

Hermione began to shake violently. "I can't believe you, Draco. How could you do this to me…" she whisper, unable to make her voice any louder.

"I never did it on purpose, Hermione. When we was on the train, she put a spell on me and my mind got cloudy and I thought, I though-" He couldn't finish his sentence when he realized how stupid he was. He had actually thought that Pansy was Hermione when the incident happened that's why he didn't resist, if he'd know otherwise…

"I have to go somewhere. Anywhere. Fast." Hermione said in a panicked voice more to herself than to Draco. She walked past Draco but he gently grabbed her arm.

"Hermione wait-"

He flinched in pain as Hermione twisted his arm before letting go. "Do not touch me, Draco!" she snarled and gave him a murderous glare, which caused him to step back some.

"Herm-" before he could finish his sentence, she was already leaving.

Hermione didn't return back to the party. Instead, she made her way to the lake. Although it was very cold outside and the grounds were covered with a very thin layer of frost, Hermione still sat down by the large lake and hugged her knees.

I will not cry. I will not cry because of him. Because of that stupid Slytherin. He means nothing to me! She continued to think these thoughts without paying any mind to the outside world, including the person standing behind her.

"It's a bit cold to be out here this long, don't you think?"

Hermione turned around to see Harry giving her a sad smile, which she returned. "Sorry, I wasn't feeling too good so I thought maybe some fresh air would do me good."

Harry raised his eyebrows slightly. "So that's why you're sitting on the cold ground in fifty degree weather by a lake?"

Hermione turned back to the lake and frowned, never answering back. Harry sighed and put his cloak around her shoulders and sat beside her. In one swift motion, he pulled her head down until it rested on his shoulder. "I saw what happened, Hermione."

Hermione tensed up but didn't reply.

"I knew something was up between you two, but I didn't want to admit it. I guess you could say I was a bit jealous. But honestly, I wish you had told me. I would've understood." Well, not really…

"Harry, I really loved him, I really did…" Hermione said her voice muffled by Harry's shirt. "I wished none of these ever happened. I wish I never met him!" Before Hermione could even finish the sentence, she began to cry. Harry only held her closer and rock back and forth, trying to sooth her by whispering soft words in her ear.

I wish it were Draco holding me right now. I need to love him so bad right now, but how can I when he did something like this? How can I even face him again?


Hermione was able to avoid Draco by sleeping over in the Gryffindor common room and since they had patrol in two different areas of the school, she was able to dodge him Sunday night as well. But Hermione knew that she couldn't hide from him forever. They had to meet soon, but Hermione wasn't ready for that, not yet.

"Hermione?"

Hermione froze and slowly turned around to meet the piercing grayish-blue eyes of Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione said in a low voice.

Malfoy?" Draco raised his eyebrow some. "Since when did you start calling me Malfoy again?"

"Since when did you start sleeping with other girls behind my back?" she counted.

Draco frowned. "It was an accident. I told you, I thought she was you."

"How could you mistake a thing like that to be me!" she began to raise her voice some.

"She used an illusion spell on me. I didn't know what I was doing."

Hermione tried to keep his face stern, but it soon quivered and tears started to fall. Draco quickly raced over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I-I can go through this anymore." Hermione muttered. "I've been through so much in the past couple of months. My parents dying, my kidnapping, my ancestors, my studies, you."

Draco shushed her and held her tighter. "I promise you, everything will be alright, Hermione. You and me will make it together." Draco whispered.

"You're right about one thing. Everything is going to be alright, but I don't think us is going to work at all."

Draco pulled her away from the embrace to look at her. "What are you talking about, Hermione?"

"From now on, Malfoy, I want you out of my life for good!"


Draco laid his head down in Potions class. Not even being in his favorite class could perk the blonde's mood. Hermione's words kept ringing in his head and it felt like his was going crazy! Hermione, I'm so sorry. Why can't you realize this? We've only been apart for almost two hours and already I feel like I'm about to die. I want you back.

Draco noticed that Pansy was looking at him with approval and Draco returned the glance with a nasty scowl. This was all her fault! If she hadn't tricked him that day on the train, none of this would have happened. If Pansy wouldn't be carrying around his child, if it really is even his, he and Hermione would still be together and he wouldn't be suffering from a broken heart. Thanks to that demented girl, he was all alone once again. Now there was no one to understand him.


When the bell rung, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked to their next class. Harry and Ron were but of course talking about Quidditch, as Hermione remained unusually quiet. The grin on Harry's face soon disappeared when he saw the look on his friend's face. "Mione, you okay?"

Hermione looked up at him and gave a sad smile. "Yeah. Just a little tired is all." She lied.

"Is it about-well, you know who?" Harry asked.

"What about 'You-know-who'?" Ron whispered in alarm.

The two ignored him. "No," Hermione lied again. Harry gave her a firm look. "Maybe a little, okay?"

"Hermione…"

"You guys, I really wish you would include me in your secretive conversations. I feel so left out…" Ron said, interrupting the awkward silence. Harry and Hermione stared at him but said nothing. Ron gave a little pout. "Fine, be that way."

Hermione shook her head and continued walking but quickly stopped when he noticed the familiar blonde Slytherin walking towards them. By nature, Ron and Harry stepped in front protectively.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry nearly growled. A jolt of anger suddenly past through him. He's always hated Malfoy, but now that Malfoy broke his best friend's heart, he had a reason to hate him more.

Ron glanced at Harry, surprised at his attitude. Sure Harry had a bitter liking to Draco, but now, it was almost scary.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Move out of my way you two. I need to talk to Hermione."

Ron took a step back with a confused look on his face. Why did Malfoy just call Hermione by her first name?

"You're not getting anywhere near her!" Harry said through gritted teeth.

"Listen here, Potter. I am trying to be really nice to right now. So get the hell out of my way but I have to make you!"

Blue eyes met green and two teenagers didn't seem like they were backing down anytime soon. "You guys…" Hermione said in a low voice which neither Draco or Harry heard.

"Hermione, what going on?" Ron asked. Hermione looked at him but could only shake her head. Please stop it you two…

"I'll ask you one more time to get out of my way!" Draco said taking one closer.

"And I'll tell you one more time, no." He turned to face Hermione. "C'mon lets go before we're late for class."

Hermione, figuring she had no other choice, was about to take a step when she saw the desperate and pleading look on Draco's face.

"Hermione?" Harry questioned his friend's action.

"You guys, I think we should break it up. We're causing a scene." Ron said looking around at the crowd of student staring at them, wondering what the problem was.

"Hermione, please-" Draco started but was cut off by Harry.

"Don't you dare talk to her! You have no right to after what you did!" Harry snarled.

Draco frowned. "So you know."

"You're damn right I know. And if you know what's good for you, you'd get out of our way."

"I don't have time for you! Move!" Draco roared and pushed Harry out of the way.

Of course Harry was not going to give up that easily and punched Draco in the face. To Hermione's horror, the two were soon in a fistfight. Hermione couldn't even move a muscle from where she was standing until she saw Harry was held down by Tori and McGonagall immobilized Draco. Harry had two cuts on his cheek and Draco was suffering from a bloody lip. Both were panting heavily but were too angry to realize their condition.

"What is the meaning of this!" McGonagall asked, a vein nearly popping out of her neck.

Harry and Draco didn't reply; they just stared at each other with hate in their eyes.

"Well!"

Still no answer.

"So be it then! Potter, I want you and Draco into my office as soon as class is over. I will go over your punishments!"

Tori let go of Harry and McGonagall undid the spell, setting Draco free. "Now I want you to get to class now!" She turned to the crowd that joined together. "That goes for all of you! Everyone go!" The student stared to scramble around trying to get to their next class to avoid the wrath of the transfiguration teacher.

Ron and Hermione ran up to Harry. "Are you alright, mate?" Ron asked. "What was that all about?"

Instead of answering Harry fixing his clothes and started walking. "C'mon before we're late." He said to his friends behind him.


"You're an asshole!"

"Why are you talking to me?"

"Because I hate you and this is all your fault why we're in this mess."

"Screw you! You're the one who touched me first!"

"Because you were acting so damn stupid!"

McGonagall gave the three weeks detention because of their behavior. Not only did they have to write essays every other night, but they also had to do physical labor as well. Now the two boys were writing their essays for the first night and of course arguing with each other.

Harry glared at the blonde. "You're the reason why Hermione is so upset. You're lucky I didn't try to murder you for what you did."

Draco throw his quill down a splatter of ink flying on his parchment but went unnoticed by him. "Dammit! Don't you think I know that! Don't you think that I know what I did to Hermione is killing her right now and also killing me! I know I was an asshole, alright! I know that I screwed up and that I'll be lucky if she ever talks to me ever again. But I need her, Potter! Ever since I really got to know her, she's turned my world upside down and I'd never regret falling in love with her!" Harry watched in surprise as he saw a tear come from Draco's eyes but was quickly wiped away. "Why am I even telling you this? There wouldn't be any point considering you're so thick headed."

"I'm so thick headed when you're the one who attacked me to get to Hermione!" Harry countered.

"Potter," he sighed. "This is why we always get in trouble. We can never have a civilized conversation without having an fight."

"Well Malfoy, we're not exactly all buddy buddy, if you know what I mean."

Draco nodded. "But still, you're Hermione's friend and even though it irks me to an extent, I'm willing to call a draw on our rivalry."

Harry starred at him and shook his head. "I don't think so. You can't be trusted at all. You're father is a death eater after all. How do I know you're not one."

"Don't you ever compare me to my father again!" Draco growled. "I will never be like him. I will never turn my back on the people I love on purpose because of some lord! So if you can't get your facts straight, I suggest you keep your mouth shut!"

The two stared at each other. "You really have change, haven't you?" Harry finally said.

"It's funny what a summer can do to you." He replied.

"What do you mean?" Harry questioned. Draco glanced at him.

"You mean she didn't tell you what happened this summer?"

"Well she did, but I don't see how that has anything to do with you."

Draco sighed and told Harry exactly everything that happened that summer including all the things Hermione left out.

"But why would she lie to me and Ron?" Harry asked more to himself than to his classmate sitting across from him.

"Maybe because you would've gone ballistic on me like you did today." Draco suggested. Harry threw him a 'screw you' look.

"This isn't good. It's bad enough Voldemort wants me dead, but now I have to worry about Hermione too…" Harry groaned.

"You don't have to worry about protecting her because I will."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "How in the world do you expect to do that when she doesn't even want to glance at you?" Harry asked.

Draco frowned. "I know Pansy is lying, I just don't have any evidence on it. We both went to the hospital wing to check if she really was pregnant and we found out she was, but it's too easy to know who the father really is."

"So you think Pansy is just to get to you?"

"I don't think, I know." Draco said sternly.

Harry rolled his eyes and continued writing the long essay on why you shouldn't fight that McGonagall gave him. "Same cocky ass attitude as always."

"Not cocky, just confident." Draco shot back and continued writing his essay as well. "Y'know, this may be the closest we got to having a civilized conversation, Potter."

"Yeah, you're right. It's almost scared at the thought." Harry mumbled. But for being such a stuck-up snobbish asshole he loves to be, he's not too bad… Harry secretly thought to himself.


That night Hermione was in her dorm when she realized she was late for her nightly patrol walks. She got into her robes and dashed out of the portal. Hermione was feeling only a little bit better after the incident. She felt a little guilty that both Draco and Harry had gotten detention together (Which was never good) but that also meant that she didn't have to see Draco's face the entire night which was okay with her.

As Hermione walked through the empty Hallways, she started to remember about the fight that happened earlier that day. The way Draco looked at her before it happened still gave chills up her spine. That icy glare just starring at you made you want to melt, but it was so much different. Such hurt was pooled into those blue orbs, it made Hermione want to forget about this whole thing and run into his arms.

Who was she fooling! She still wanted Draco. She wanted him so bad, so would explode! But she was never the selfish type. If Pansy wasn't having his baby, she would take him back instantly, but she couldn't interfere with his new life. He had a baby to take care of and would be a cold-hearted bastard if he left Pansy to take care of it herself. He now had a family to take care of and Hermione had to accept that even though it killed her inside.

Too busy in her thoughts, she didn't hear a person walk up behind her. "Hello, Hermione." The voice said, causing Hermione to jump in alarm.

(End)

A/N: YAY! I finally got to part I wanted to get to. I wanted to write about Harry and Draco fighting so badly. Too bad I didn't go into much detail (Sigh). Also. I would like to thank everyone who has been reading my story since the beginning. I know it's been extremely difficult to keep you patience with me when it came to my Fanfic, but I just want to let you all know that I am almost done. In probably three of four more chapters I will be done. So hang in there with me okay! And also I know my spelling and grammar are horrible so please just don't get mad at me kay? Until next time!