Chapter 16

Hermione was hugged by everyone in turn, Ron last. He didn't look pleased, very angry rather.

"Hermione, as good as it is to see you, please excuse myself and Harry. We need to have a word with Malfoy," seethed Ron.

"But," she began to protest.

"Hermione," Harry warned.

Hermione shot a worried glance over at Draco.

"I'll be fine Hermione. Go – it's okay," said Draco trying to calm her.

"Please hear him out," she pleaded directly at Harry. He nodded stiffly. She sent one last worried glance in Draco's direction before leaving the room followed by Mr Weasley and Lupin. Mr Weasley shut the door softly behind them. Both he and Lupin went off leaving in peace.

"What the HELL have you done to her, you filthy pureblood scum," screamed Ron.

Hermione moved closer to the door to hear the conversation.

"I didn't do anything to her." He began.

"Didn't do anything?! She's covered in fucking bruises. Are you insane?!" Ron shouted again.

"They're not real, it's a spell."

"That's a fucking likely story."

"ENOUGH!" bellowed Harry. "Ron listen to what he has to say. Malfoy, explain."

"It's a spell. I had to trick Voldermort into believing she was injured by my hands. He'd of killed us both if not. I wouldn't ever have hurt her," said Draco, whispering the last part.

"What do you want from us," asked Harry.

"Protection. A place to stay. I'll give you whatever you want in return," pleaded Draco.

"Give you protection?" scoffed Ron, incredulous.

"Ron without his help, Hermione wouldn't be with us now. She'd probably be dead," Harry reasoned.

"But he's one of them Harry. He's a Death Eater," protested Ron.

"Please," Draco begged "I don't want that. I never asked for it."

"What do you want then?" asked Ron.

"I want a chance. A chance to fight on the side of good, not evil. Most of all though I want to protect Hermione. To keep her safe."

"Why?" asked Ron, seething.

"I love her."

Hermione gasped. She knew he had feeling for her, but she'd never imagined…

"What. The. Hell. Did. You. Just. Say?" raged Ron.

"I love Hermione Granger," whispered Draco.

Ron made a strangled carnal sound.

"How dare you!"

Hermione heard a cracking sound as Ron's fist connected with Draco's nose. "HOW DARE YOU!"

"Ron, STOP," shouted Harry.

She heard Harry struggle to pull Ron off of Draco before she ran in to try and help. She saw Lupin and Mr Weasley enter from the opposite side of the room to help too.

Once they'd managed to fight Ron off of Draco, Hermione spoke.

"Please Harry, help Draco," she begged. He nodded.

"I need to have a word with Ron, NOW."

"Hermione, are you su…"

"Now," repeated Hermione.

Lupin and Mr Weasley released Ron before helping Draco out of the room. Harry followed them after shooting Hermione a worried glance. She waited until Harry had closed the door before she spoke.

"who the hell do you think you are Ronald Weasley?!" seethe Hermione.

"Did you har what he said about you?"

"Yes," she replied curtly.

"You don't believe that rubbish do you?"

"Yes, I do as a matter of fact. I feel the same way about him too."

"Do you even know what you're saying?" scoffed Ron.

"Yes. I love him Ron."

"He's pathetic. He's not a real man."

"And you're a real man?"

"Yes,"

Before Hermione knew what was happening, Ron had pulled her to him and was kissing her hard. She struggled against him, but he was too strong. What the hell was he doing? Eventually he released her.

She slapped him hard across the cheek.

"A real man would never force themselves upon a woman," she screamed. She stormed out of the room, hot angry tears streaming down her face leaving Ron utterly dumbfounded.