AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am so sorry for lack of updates! I've been at my cottage and then didn't have internet for a few days. I've also been working on a new story (Daphne Greengrass x Harry/Malfoy/Blaise with Blaise/Luna) and I've been really excited and therefore putting my recent efforts into that. Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: A BROKEN VOW

Malfoy drummed his finger tips on Professor McGonagall's desk. He tried to look bored but a surge of panic was rising within him. He wondered what she wanted. Flashes of possible scenarios ran through his mind – Blaise blaming his injuries on him; or McGonagall giving Blaise Veritaserum and finding out about the Unbreakable Vow. Malfoy ran a hand through his hair. McGonagall looked at him beadily.

"Something austere had come to my attention," she said tightly. Malfoy tried to wipe any expression off his face.

"A friend of yours, Blaise Zabini, kidnapped Miss Granger for a night, and although he did not hurt her, he placed the Imperius curse on her."

Malfoy's face remained blank.

"As he is not old enough to be charged and Miss Granger has graciously accepted a mere school punishment, Mr Zabini is to be expelled," McGonagall continued. Malfoy nodded.

"Miss Granger told me you were aware of this situation."

Malfoy's throat went dry but he nodded again.

"Am I to assume the injuries caused to Mr Zabini were caused by you?"

Malfoy said nothing but nodded for the third time. His heart thumped clumsily as he wondered, again, if she knew about the vow. McGonagall sighed. "Detention, Mr Malfoy," she said. "You may go."

Malfoy got up to leave, but once he turned away from McGonagall he heard her speak again. "Take care of her, Mr Malfoy."

IIIII

Hermione found herself in the library. She came here more often than usual lately, pretending to read in an armchair while thinking of Malfoy and Luna. Hermione took her usual spot and opened a heavy, leather covered book. After a few moments, Hermione felt she was being watched. She looked up to see a pair of light eyes.

"I was wondering when you'd see me," Luna said, her voice sounding as usual, as if from a faraway place. Hermione held her breath. She had come around to liking Luna, but now she felt uncomfortable. It was almost impossible to believe Luna had been with Malfoy the way she had been with Malfoy. Hermione was slightly annoyed to find she wasn't angry at Luna.

"You're angry at him, aren't you?" Luna said, sitting down near Hermione. Hermione sighed and nodded.

"You found out about us," Luna said simply. Hermione looked at her.

Luna smiled. "It was fun, but I prefer not speaking to him, truth be told."

Hermione opened her mouth in surprise and then giggled nervously. Luna smiled encouragingly.

"I think you two would be quite nice together, though," Luna said thoughtfully. "Give him a chance." Hermione closed her eyes. When she opened them, Luna was gone.

Hermione picked up her things hesitantly, and then made her way to the common room. Malfoy entered after half an hour. He looked at her but said nothing.

"I talked to Luna," Hermione started timidly. Malfoy seemed to be radiating waves of ice. He lifted an eyebrow and sat on the armrest of the couch.

"Did you," he said.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said in a small voice. Malfoy's eyebrows shot up, startled. "Everyone has history with -"

Malfoy silenced her with a grin. "Come here," he said.

Hermione walked towards him. When she reached him he took her hand and she closed her eyes to kiss him. She felt a hand brush up against her inner thigh and she shivered. Malfoy's voice tickled her ear.

"I forgive you," he said, and then got up, and smugly walked past her to his dormitory. Hermione stood still, anger and embarrassment rushing through her as well as a stinging stab of desire. It was a bit rich of Malfoy to be preaching of forgiveness considering what he had put her through. But she knew what he was doing.

A surge of heat and excitement ran through Hermione. She took off her clothes in the middle of the common room and rubbed circles around her breasts before walking to the washroom. She did not lock the door, and Malfoy heard the sound of running water. After a few minutes Hermione emerged, a throbbing in between her legs.

Hermione knocked on Malfoy's dormitory door, dripping wet. "I need a towel," Hermione said. Malfoy swung open the door and looked down at Hermione. Her hair was drenched, and her body was covered in water droplets, her nipples hard.

"I need a towel," Hermione repeated innocently.

"I know exactly what you need," Malfoy smirked under his breath. Hermione ignored him and walked past him to get a towel from the neat pile near his bed. It seemed almost foolish to be flirting and playing games when they had already done so many things together, but Hermione did not care. She walked past Malfoy again on her way to the door, but he grabbed her by the waist and rubbed himself on her from behind. Hermione felt a flash of desire in her cunt and tried to level her breathing.

"Tell me you want me," Malfoy breathed.

Hermione turned to face him and tugged on his lower lip. "I want you," she said, and then left his room.

IIIII

Hermione wedged herself in between Harry and Ron at breakfast. Malfoy entered the Great Hall and sat down at the Slytherin table so that he was right across from Hermione. He flashed her a grin and she raised her eyebrows non-committedly. Hermione saw him pucker his lips at her. Hermione hid her smile behind her newspaper.

Blaise showed up at the Great Hall doors as if he was thinking of having breakfast, but then thought better of it and left. Hermione's smile faded. She knew she had done the right thing in telling Professor McGonagall about Blaise putting her under the Imperius curse, but she wondered if she should have told someone about the Unbreakable Vow. Hermione had thought of it often, but she knew no serious issue would come from the vow; for months now, she had been in love with Malfoy.

"Hermione, are you going to finish that?" Ron asked eagerly, bringing Hermione back to reality. He gestured at her bacon. Hermione shook her head and smiled, offering her plate to Ron.

Hermione looked back up at Malfoy, and saw his face darken. Hermione sighed and wandered how she was ever supposed to explain her relationship with Malfoy to Harry and Ron.

Just then, Malfoy walked over to the Gryffindor table. Ron lifted up his fork as if he was ready for a battle, but Malfoy paid no attention to him.

"Care to meet me in our common room, sweetums?" Malfoy asked innocently. Hermione lifted an eyebrow but got up from the table, and followed him.

"Sweetums?" she asked as they reached the Entrance hall and made their way up the stairs.

"Yes?" Malfoy asked. Hermione rolled her eyes.

They reached the common room and Hermione slumped down in her golden arm chair. "Well?" she asked.

Malfoy turned serious and sighed. "I wanted to talk to you…about the vow."

Hermione flushed scarlet and Malfoy was a bit startled at her reaction. He expected her to turn cold.

"What're you-"

"Oh, isn't it obvious," Hermione burst, slightly angry. Malfoy looked at her in bewilderment.

"I was going to ask if you had told McGonagall – and if you knew of some kind of loophole-"

"Malfoy, you can't make an Unbreakable Vow against an innocent person who wasn't connected to the bond! I wasn't there with you and Blaise and Theo, it's impossible for me to be involved-"

"But," Malfoy said, his mind spinning, "the fiery cords bound us-"

"Bound you and Blaise, not me," Hermione interrupted.

"Granger, listen. Snape and my mother made a vow and I was involved even though I wasn't there when it took place-"

"But it was to protect you, not kill you!" Hermione said testily.

"But then - Blaise -"

"He knew," Hermione said quietly. "He just wanted to scare you…and I guess kill you."

Malfoy was quiet but then sighed in relief. "So, you're safe," he said. "Is this why you haven't been as angry as you should've been?"

Hermione hesitated. "Partly," she answered.

"What else then?" Malfoy looked at her curiously.

"Oh, isn't it obvious," Hermione repeated, now the colour of a ripe tomato. "Obviously I love you back!"

There was a violent silence.

"What?" Malfoy said.

Hermione buried her face in her hands out of humiliation, but Malfoy saw her magenta shaded forehead peek out from her hands. He grinned and knelt in front of her.

"This is so embarrassing," Hermione cried.

"Come on Granger, it isn't that bad."

"How can I love you?"

"You can't be serious," he said, laughing. Hermione made a muffled sound and Malfoy pried her hands off her face.

Hermione looked at him, and Malfoy sighed and shook his head, holding her hands.

"What are we going to do now?" he said, smirking.