Chapter 19

She woke up to find that Draco had laid down behind her on the big comfy couch, his arms pulling her tight against him. Her body was molded to his, and she could hear his light snoring behind her.

She felt happy and content, a big change from yesterday. All thanks to Draco. He had handled her meltdown well, she had to admit.

His arm was laid heavily under her own, around her torso. His fingers were lightly touching her breast, now that she thought about it. She blushed.

He was definitely still asleep, so it was innocent. Right?

She looked up at the clock. It was still early; the sun had only just risen. She should make food.

She started to get up slowly, trying not to wake Draco, and his arm tightened around her. He let out a sleepy groan.

Burying his head in her hair, he asked, "What time is it?"

"Early." She answered. "You can sleep."

He moved his hand up to her neck and moved her hair out of the way, leaning over to kiss along the soft skin. Her breath caught as she felt his lips move down her neck.

His hand moved back down to her stomach, moving mischievously up.

She turned onto her back so she could look at him. "Just what do you think you're up to?" She asked in a half-joking accusatory tone.

He grinned. That's when they heard a loud "pop" from the kitchen. They both jumped up guiltily.

Hermione pulled her wand, which she had fallen asleep with. Draco tried to grab his, but couldn't find it. He reached down to the couch, searching in between the cushions frantically.

Just then a familiar figure rounded the corner.

"Hermione?" He said, standing in the doorway.

"Harry! Oh, it's just you!"

Draco had just managed to find his wand in the couch. He sighed, rolled his eyes, and pocketed it at the same time as Hermione put away her own.

Harry looked from her to Draco. "So I take it this is the emergency? Or…is he here because of…something else?"

"What…what do you mean? Er, I mean, yes this is the reason I wanted to talk with you today. Draco is, that is." She stumbled. Did Harry suspect what was going on between them? He knew she kissed him before, obviously, but did both him and Ron know there was more to it? They had thought Draco had forced the kiss on her before, or so she had thought. If Harry knew, then maybe it was stupid of her to be acting like it was a big secret. Ah! So confusing!

"But," Hermione added, "I was going to meet you later. What's with the early morning visit out of nowhere?"

Harry sighed. "I'm booked solid the rest of the day. I've been roped into doing some interviews and things. I only agreed because I figure it's a good thing for people to know that Voldemort is really and truly gone this time. I need to give some official statements, too."

"Official statements" is actually why I needed to talk with you. Draco's going to be on trial." Hermione cautiously said as they all sat down.

Harry nodded. "Of course he is."

Hermione frowned. "So, will you help back him up? Your visions…"

"Don't really matter."

Hermione froze. What was Harry playing at? He seemed suddenly cold, angry.

"What do you mean by that?"

"What visions?" Draco asked, and was promptly ignored.

"I mean that we asked Draco to come with us, we offered him protection." He looked to Draco. "I told you that you didn't get to choose the neutral route, since you had already chosen to be a death eater. You could have come with us, but you didn't. You chose to stay a death eater. End of story."

"Harry, you know there's a difference…"

"Yes, I know he's a slight step up from the other, crueler death eaters. But I can't testify that he wasn't a death eater, now can I? That's what he's charged with, right?"

Hermione started to make another protest, feeling anger well up inside, when Draco piped up. "No, I don't suppose you could say that."

Harry nodded.

Draco continued. "I don't deserve help from either of you. But I don't want to go to Azkaban, either. I didn't want to do…what I did." He said, quietly. He stared at the floor.

"Sorry, I can't buy it. I wouldn't mind explaining what I know, but if it sounds like I'm on your side in all this they'll let you go without any punishment. I don't think you deserve life in Azkaban, or anything drastic. But your decisions warrant some kind of punishment."

Hermione was silent. She felt completely conflicted. Her better judgment knew that Harry was right; Draco had made some bad decisions and he had to pay for them. But…

"Hasn't he paid enough for his decision to become a death eater? He went through some terrible things…"

"I know. But when we offered him a second chance he turned us down. He thought we would lose, and he'd get killed. So, for his sense of self-preservation, he stayed with the death eaters. He didn't just chose once; he had a second chance to make that choice."

No one said anything for a minute or two.

Hermione turned and stared straight at Harry. "Fine." She said.

"Fine?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Yes, fine."

He stared back at her, waiting for more. Draco was staring at her too, at this point. There was something terrifying in her voice; clipped and final.

But Hermione was too angry to say much more. She didn't want to lose her temper with Harry, but she was furious that he wouldn't help her the one time she was asking for it. She was furious that he had acted so cold, and had answered without a moment's hesitation. This may have been a favor asked for Draco's benefit, but it had still been a favored asked by Hermione. She hadn't asked anything like this of him before.

She continued to stare pointedly at him.

"So…" he asked

"So?" She snapped, looking expectant. "If you don't have any other business on this pleasant visit, then leave." She growled.

Harry stared at her a minute, blinking, then stood. He looked over at Draco, his eyebrows scrunched as he thought. "Look, I didn't bring Ron here because I figured it was something like this. When both you and Draco were missing…look, whatever's going on with you two, just promise me you won't let Ron know." He glared at Hermione. "It's bad enough that I can tell what's going on, let's just let Ron continue to be clueless."

Hermione glared back. "You need to leave, before I say something I'll regret."

"I guess the feeling's mutual. I'm out of here." And with a "pop" he disapperated.