Chapter 24: At the Burrow

Hermione's POV

I saw Professor Lupin whisper something in Draco's ear, which made Draco smile, before apparating somewhere to gather the other Order members.

"So…what did I say about them believing you?" I teased, raising my eyebrows at Draco.

"Well…actually he didn't really believe me if he had to resort to using Veritaserum on me just to see if I was telling the truth." He muttered with a scowl.

Something clicked in me.

I had read the effects of Veritaserum didn't wear off for a few hours.

Hmmm…

"Hey Draco…can I ask you something?" I murmured with a small grin.

Draco noticed the sinister look on my face and groaned.

"Don't do this to me Hermione."

I chuckled and shook my head.

Oh this will be fun…

"Hmmm. So Mr Malfoy... what is your favourite hobby?" I asked.

"Reading." He immediately spoke, before squeezing his eyes with a groan.

"Oh! And you call me the bookworm! Ha! Anyway...um...what is your biggest phobia? Beside the Dark stuff..."

"Hippogriffs."

I burst out in laughter as he simply glared at me with his signature scowl.

"You know we have to go to your stupid Burrow now." He snarled as my giggles died down.

"Yes yes. Just one more question. Um…let's see. Oh I know. Draco, who was your first ever crush?" I asked with a smirk.

I had heard rumors that way before Pansy came into the picture; Draco had a crush on Millicent Bullstrode in First Year.

Of course…that would be outrageous…

But still…it would be funny to know.

"You."

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

Me?

"Me? You had a crush on me? I thought you hated me?" I gasped.

"Don't get me wrong. I did. But…I don't know. In First Year…I found you really attractive. In Third Year, when you punched me, I strangely got turned on by that. In Fourth Year, when I saw you at the Yule Ball, oh god Hermione you looked breathtaking and…god shut up shut up shut up!" Draco started slapping himself halfway through his little rant.

I started laughing so hard I was clutching my sides and gasping for air.

The words flowed out of Draco's mouth like a waterfall and stunned me to no end.

All these years…

He saw me like that?

"Ya ya ya. Laugh away." He scowled, rolling his eyes.

"Oh Draco." I murmured, calming down from my fit of laughs and walking up to him.

"You were so cute just now. Going on about how much you loved me all these years." I cooed, patting his cheek.

"Cute? I am not cute! Babies are cute, Hermione. I am not cute. And I was not in love with you…I just had a physical attraction to you."

My smile turned into a glare as his eyes closed when he realized his big mistake.

"I meant I just thought you were really beautiful. That's all. Nothing more. I swear." He gripped my shoulders.

"Were?" I quirked an eyebrow with a dead-on glare.

I knew he didn't mean anything bad…but it was just fun toying with him.

"Are. You are. You have been, are and will always be. You're alwa…wait a minute…you're toying with me, aren't you?" He scolded.

I shrugged and grabbed his hand, immediately apparating us to the Burrow.

"Whoa. Woman, at least warn me first." He snapped as he blinked his eyes.

"Who's…Oh!" I heard Mrs Weaseley gasp and I saw her running out of the living room.

"Hermione! Good to see you dear!" She exclaimed as she hugged me tightly.

"Nice to see you too Mrs Weaseley." I mumbled with a smile, struggling to breath with her death grip.

"Oh. Draco…Malfoy?" She murmured, staring at him with a puzzled look.

Just then, Ron, Harry and Ginny came running into the hallway.

"Hermione! You're…what are you doing here?" Harry snarled at Draco.

Draco was about to retort something when I gripped his arm.

"Don't." I muttered to him under my breath.

When I turned back to the rest, they were all staring flabbergasted at my hand which rested on Draco's arm.

"I…I'll go call your father." Mrs Weaseley muttered to Ron and Ginny before heading upstairs.

"Hermione…you're…you're touching him!" Ron exclaimed, pointing at my hand.

"Yes Ron. That would seem so." I rolled my eyes.

"B-But…you…you're…TOUCHING MALFOY! In a non-violent way!" He shouted.

"Trust me, Weasel, we've gone further than just touching." Draco mumbled with a smirk.

As I hit his arm, Ginny had to hold back Ron and Harry who were about to leap onto Draco.

"He must have her under some spell!"

"What have you done to her!"

"Did you hurt her?"

"I swear Malfoy, if you laid a single finger…"

"STOP IT!"

Everyone went silent at my sudden outburst.

I seethed at Harry and Ron who looked rather surprised and sheepish at me.

"There is a problem. A big one. Unless you want DeathEaters to take over the Wizarding World and put us all to doom forever, I suggest you sit your butts down and listen up, or I swear to Godric I will make you. And it won't be pleasant."

Their mouths hung open for some time at me as everybody stared at me bug-eyed.

I rarely blew up, but when I did, I could send you running for the hills.

"NOW!"

Immediately, they scurried into the living room and sat on one of the couches with me and Draco behind them.

"So turned on right now." Draco whispered in my ear as he walked behind me.

I rolled my eyes at him but couldn't help a small smirk tug at my lips.

Draco and I explained everything to my three friends just like how we had explained to Professor Lupin. Before Harry and Ron could accuse Draco of anything, I informed them that he was still under the effects of Veritaserum and was telling the truth.

After the entire story, there was a heavy silence as the three let everything sink in. Mr and Mrs Weaseley at some point joined in and also listened to everything.

"So…you and Malfoy are together?"

"Like…together together?"

"Seriously Ron? Harry?"

After all that we told them…that was what they caught onto?

"Just checking." Harry muttered as he raised his hands in defense and Ron glared at Draco, who simply rolled his eyes with a scowl.

There were a few loud pops and soon Professor Lupin, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Dodge, Fred, George, Charlie, Bill, Fleur, and a few other Order members streamed into the small living room.

"Right. Now, we need to discuss what the next action of the DeathEaters could be." Professor Lupin murmured as he sat on one of the couches.

"Do you think they would be looking for Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall said in a worried tone.

"No. They might be seeking other ways to carry out the Renatusis Spell." Kingsley spoke up.

"But they can only do it with Mr Malfoy. They need him, so most likely they will be looking for him." Hagrid said.

"Do you think we should go after them and launch a surprise attack on them?" Harry murmured.

"How many DeathEaters did you say there were Mr Malfoy?" Professor Lupin asked Draco.

"20, excluding me. 20 DeathEaters need to give up their lives and powers while one needs to perform the spell. Now that I'm not there, no one can perform the spell." He answered.

Everyone seemed a bit relaxed for a second before…

POP!

POP!

POP!

Loud apparition sounds could be heard from outside the Burrow.

Everyone ran to the windows to see a sight which made all of us pale greatly.

One by one, black-cloaked figures with masks were apparating to the front of the Burrow and standing in a line, wands at the ready.

Draco and I turned to each other and gulped simultaneously before turning back to find 20 cloaked figures standing around the Burrow in a duel position.

The DeathEaters were here.