I am so so sooooooooo terribly sorry about updating, like, 2 weeks late. I've been up to my neck in a thousand different things, not the least of which are an 8 page research project due Monday that I really don't have enough information to write (not for lack of trying, just for lack of information on the subject) and my senior project proposal due next Friday, which I'm finally pulling together in my head. But you really don't care to hear my whining. I'll get to the chapter, just as soon as I respond to my lovely reviewers. You know I love you all. You make my life (and my story) worthwhile:

RG: Ginny I'd say is a pretty ambivalent character. She can be fun-loving and cute one minute, bite your head off the next. I never saw her in the books as the kind of girl who would want, or even should be left in the RoR during the BoH (yay anachronisms!) and I really resented how everyone coddled and protected her. So basically you'll just have to watch out for Ginny here, because she's a formidable ally and enemy. That's cool, I have ringlet curly hair too! Except that it's slightly frizzy and chaotic, so it's a real bitch to take care of. Enjoy!

HPFGF: I know exactly what you mean. I probably have 2 dozen alerted fics, and none of them EVER update! It gets pretty annoying, so I'm sorry this took so long, but I hope you life it anyway. Oh, and my random fact is that I wake up at 6 in the morning on school days so I can fall back asleep and be forced awake by my mom an hour later ;-)

Jessirose85: hahaha, that's hilarious…that being I'm laughing with you, not at you, right? As for my random fact: I have a green thumb. I am able to keep most any plant alive after it's been cut for weeks if not longer. My parents just don't get it, but logic has nothing to do with it. It's magic!! Lol

MysteryShadow101: Well, he sure as hell tries to push her away, but Hermione is not one easily swayed, and that's why we love her. But it continues to be an issue with Draco. And yes, Ginny and Harry are dating. Reminder: that whole thing with Harry telling her he loved her, and Gin freaking out? Yes? Remember? It's ok if you don't, I read so many ffs I can barely remember the titles let alone the whole plotline. I said "Thanks, now read this. I hope you like it." And that is so crazy! My sister is 5 years older than me, but I too am a few inches taller that her! Yay tall people!

Olioli80: A gold star! I'm honored! I never knew that about left handed people, but I do know that I always underestimate the amount of left handed people on the planet. And don't freak about the shadow thing right now. It will become clear very soon. But of course there are some things I need to sort out first. I have a lot of ideas and plans and I need to arrange them so they make sense, but don't take 100 years to occur, you know? Thank you so much for reviewing! I don't even have to ask you to leave another, you always do.

Alec: I honestly don't think I could have been more descriptive if I'd tried. I mean, look at olioli80's review. She said, and I quote 'you're by far the best descriptive writer I have ever read on ff'. So I know you are only here for the sex, but you have to realize that I'm writing for those who are literary-intelligent, not for sex-crazed Europeans.

DreamStreet4ever-ever: I absolutely understand the whole mom-yelling-at-me thing. What a kiutz! No, jk, sry. I always end up with random bruises on my body, but I have absolutely no idea where they come from. Lol Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

HPGW4eva: Yeah, poor Drake, but at least he has a hot bookworm to depend on, right? Lol, yeah Gin is a bit of a firecracker, but she's real important to the plot. I hope you enoy this chapter! PS- can't wait til your new fic comes out!

Akilah55: You're quite welcome. I don't mind interrupting the fic if it makes one of my readers happier, especially because it's not that hard to do. That's kind of a funny random fact. I mean, is that the only reason you want to be an attorney? Because that seems a bit silly. But if you want to study law, that's just really cool.

ROMANHOLIDAY: that's so sweet, thank you! Hearts to you! I'm glad your enjoying the way the story is unfolding. And thanks, it was pretty hot, wasn;t it? Hehehe. I can't really think of what else to say (which is odd for me) except thank you a thousand times for those awesome compliments. It's reviews like that that keep me writing. Anyway, here's another chapter for your enjoyment.

Kristina: np, as you can see, I'm the one who should be apologizing for being late, not you. You've heard of regina? One in a thousand, but that's absolutely awesome. That's so funny, I was listening to The Call literally 5 minutes ago. Personally my favorites are a tie between On the Radio and Consequence of Sounds. I'm into her more indie, random music than the slightly more generic stuff, but I do love The Call, so it's really nice to meet another fan. I've actually seen her live! She was my first concert. So you're an actress and a dancer? YThat's really cool. I'm basically a singer, who enjoys acting a bunch too, but music is what really does it for me. Anyway, sorry for updating so late, and I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 20: Sunday Night, Monday Morning (I know, not a very inspired title, but I tried)

"What the fuck was that?"

Hermione sighed. There was nothing for it, she would have to explain.

"Come on, Gin, I'm tired. Let's go to my room and I promise, I'll explain everything."

Slowly but surely, the two girls climbed the steps and turned down the hallway to Hermione's room.

This was going to be a long night.

Hermione sat down on her bed with a heavy sigh.

"Hermione, what the bloody hell is going on here?"

Hermione was irritated and almost rolled her eyes at her friend. "What did it look like, Gin? I was having quite a good time with Dr-Malfoy. Then you came in and ruined my fun." She pouted.

"Don't give me that, Hermione Granger. You know exactly what I mean. What's this about you sleeping with the enemy?"

Hermione scoffed. "I'm not sleeping with him, and he's the not the enemy, alright? He's a guy, who I happen to like very much, who happens to like me back, and who happens to be gorgeous."

"Yes, I can see there are a lot of 'happenings' going on between the two of you. But..." Ginny ran her hands through her red hair and paused, stepping from the closed door and turning her body away from Hermione, refusing to look at the Head Girl. "But he's still a Malfoy, he's still a Death Eater, he's still..."

"He's not! Look, Ginny, if I told you that I thought you were the same little air-headed boy-crazed girl as you were in 6th year, what would you tell me?"

"That you're nuts! You know as well as anyone else that I am no such thing. How could—"

Hermione cut her off again. "Exactly! I know, you told me about what it was like last year, with you and Neville and Luna to take up the DA on your own, with the Carrows doling out punishments left and right, with..." Hermione sighed, remembering vividly the horrible stories Ginny had told her about what Hogwarts had been like this past year. "I know about all that. And that changed you, didn't it? You couldn't be that girl anymore, you had to be strong. And now that the war is over, you're not the girl from last year either. Can't the same thing have happened to Draco?"

"Oh, so it's Draco now, is it? Dear, sweet Draco, you're so good and not evil, I think I'll just swoon into your arms. What are you thinking, Hermione? You know what he's like."

"Yes, I do, and a hell of a lot more so than you, so don't even..." Hermione paused and considered the situation. Fighting with Ginny wasn't going do any good. "Just...would you at least listen to the story?"

"Story?"

"Yes, Ginny, the story—you know, with chronological events occurring in sequence?"

Ginny considered Hermione for a minute before walking to the bed and sitting stiffly at the edge of it, a few feet away from Hermione. "Go right ahead," she said with some bitterness.

And so Hermione began. It was strange, telling the tale of how her and Draco's friendship had begun, and then progressed. She had never really thought about it before, but it was such an odd match, such a strange turn of events, that had she seen it in a dream over summer break, she would have gotten a medical examination of her head. And yet, here she was, explaining to Ginny at least the bare facts of her relationship with the Head Boy these past few months.

Ginny, of course, being the talkative girl she was, interrupted as many times as she could. As her anger eased somewhat, though, it was taken place by something entirely different. Hermione was surprised to find that, as she continued, Ginny looked like she was worried about Hermione.

When finally, after what seemed like days, she was done, Ginny shifted to lean back against the top bed post, to the left of Hermione's pillows. She gazed off into space for a few minutes, then stared directly at Hermione, eyebrows furrowed.

"What are you thinking?" Hermione muttered when the silence stretched on too long.

"I'm trying to figure out what kind of spell or potion he used on you."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's done nothing of the sort, Gin. I'm fit as a fiddle."

"That's what they all say." Hermione sighed, rubbing her face and slouching where she sat. "Anyway, why'd you tell Harry before you told me?"

"Because he doesn't have red hair," Hermione retorted with a gleam in her eye. Ginny couldn't help but turn her lips up a bit at the jibe to the well-known Weasley Temper.

Getting back to the situation at hand, Ginny stated, "I can't believe you ended up falling for that Slytherin charm and whatnot. You know as well as I it's all crap. They really just want to get you into bed, which he's obviously succeeded in doing."

"You, my dear friend are under some very severe misapprehensions. I did not fall for his Slytherin charm, he's not just into me for the sex, and most importantly we haven't even done it." Ginny's eyebrows rose skeptically at her answers. "Honestly, Gin, I swear on my copy of Hogwarts: A History that I have not put out for him once!"

"You two looked pretty cozy when I walked in."

Hermione failed at hiding her blush. "That's actually the farthest we've gone so far."

"Sure, and let's say I believe you. So if it's not the charm, then why on earth would you go near him with a 10 foot pole?"

"Because I actually like him. Is that so hard to believe? It has nothing to do with his background or his past or his history or his family or his friends or his allegiances, or any of mine either. Why can't I just like a guy for who he is?"

Ginny was struck dumb somewhat by the declaration. But she recovered quickly. However, Hermione could sense the ice was slowly beginning to melt. "I'm just worried for you, 'Mione. What if it's all a lie? How do you know he's not the same guy? How do you know he's not out to hurt you, or worse?"

"How do I know? I dunno, I guess I can't truly, absolutely know. But...I trust him. I trust that he's not going to hurt me, that he honestly cares for me, that I'm not another notch on his belt. I trust him," she repeated. And as she said it, Hermione was almost surprised with the revelation, and a voice in the back of her head called: So what reason do you have to resist him now? But she pushed the thought away to contemplate another time.

Ginny eyed Hermione warily, as if the brunette might grow fangs and horns any minute. Then she leaned her head back against the bed post and stared at the ceiling. Assuming that this was the last recess before the final verdict, Hermione got more comfortable, leaning on her side, head in hand, to watch Ginny as she waited for the outcome.

Annoyingly, Ginny completely schooled her outer emotions, and Hermione couldn't read anything off of her. For a while she thought Ginny wouldn't answer, just sit like that all night. This idea had just turned into conviction when the redhead moved, looked Hermione straight in the eye with a grin, and asked,

"So, is he a good kisser?"

And Hermione knew the battle had been won.

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The rest of the night had been spent with Hermione finally getting the chance to tell Ginny about all the details that she could entrust to no one else. They had giggled when they heard the tap running, assuming Draco was in for a sobering cold shower. They had exchanged encounters and relived experiences. They had spent hours simply chatting. Hermione told Ginny all about her worries and feelings and plans concerning Draco. Ginny gave her advice and support. For the first time in a long time, Hermione felt like her life was finally back to normal.

Eventually the conversation had come to a stand-still, and Ginny realized the time, wondering if she could sneak back into her dorm without being noticed. Hermione scoffed and just told her she could stay here. After a bit of arguing, Ginny relented and the two had gone to sleep, fairly early in the morning rather than late at night, in Hermione's giant bed together.

Sadly, it was a Monday, and staying up until past 2 gossiping did not give either of them the right to miss class. It was going to be difficult to get Ginny up in a little while, but right now Hermione was fine with letting the girl sleep a little longer.

Hermione let her mind wander to her revelation from the night before. I trust him. It was the absolute truth, she couldn't deny it. But what would she do with this knowledge? Well I'm not just going to go up to him and tell him I'm ready to sleep with him. That would only be slightly awkward, besides really strange. I guess I'll just let our next... 'encounter' play itself out. The only thing is, does he still want to? I mean, I'm kind of worried about him, after that show of blasting porcelain breakables just for the hell of it, and then almost blasting me on that tower. And he just keeps getting defensive whenever I try to come near him! Why can't he just understand I don't want to meddle?! Then again, after that little episode last night, maybe he's feeling a little better. That would be nice. Hermione closed her eyes and smiled, remembering the delicious experience. That snogging instead of yelling thing works pretty well. Anyway, I should really talk to him and just try to sort things out and let him know where I stand.

Luckily, after only a short while of being lost in thought, Hermione heard the sink of the bathroom being turned on. Here was her chance

Moving as slowly and carefully as possible, Hermione extracted herself from the bed, successfully not waking the younger girl up. Warily, Hermione approached the bathroom door. She expected it to be locked, but was shocked to find it turned at her touch. Not wanting to intrude, however, she knocked quietly. She heard a muffled grumble that sounded something like 'come in.'

Slowly clicking the door open, Hermione found Draco in a pair of pajama bottoms (only) brushing his teeth. When she didn't say anything, he jerked his head, motioning for her to enter.

Hermione closed the door behind her and before long was bombarded with the scent of mango. Looking around, Hermione's gaze finally fell on the bottle of toothpaste that Draco was using. How could she not have noticed it before? So that's why he tastes like mango. Hermione grinned.

When he was finished brushing his teeth, Draco righted himself and gave Hermione a once over. It was only then that she realized she was wearing a big shlumpy T-shirt that reached her knees and nothing else. Hermione made a mental note to be careful about her stance.

"Morning," she said quietly.

"Morning."

"How are you?"

He furrowed his eyebrows before answering, as if trying to gauge her meaning. "Fine."

"Are you sure? The last time I spoke to you, you were ranting and raving like a madman, trying to stave off all human contact for the rest of your life."

"Actually the last time you spoke to me I believe you were moaning my name, and very loudly might I add."

Hermione, subduing the blood that rushed to her face, crossed her arms over her chest. "That doesn't count."

When she stared at him pointedly, without any room for a flirty comeback, he finally sighed and looked frustrated into the sink, tousling his hair. "I don't get it. I ask you to back off and all you do is get up in my face, both literally and figuratively. I don't have anything else to say to you."

Hermione groaned in frustration. "Weren't you paying attention last night? I told you I'm not trying to pry, that I realize you'll figure out whatever you need to on your own. And right now I'm not asking about any of that. I'm asking if you have gotten over your anti-Hermione spree and will at least agree to be normal with me, whether or not I understand what's going on in that blonde head of yours." Hermione's voice quieted. "I'm just asking if things can go back to normal."

As she looked at him, though, Hermione had the feeling that normal wasn't quite within reach right now. Draco still looked shaken. There were bags under his eyes, indicating a lack of sleep; his fingers kept twitching occasionally, for no apparent reason; and Draco's eyes themselves were clouded and haunted. They seemed like eyes much older than those of an 18 year old boy. And yet, Hermione still was unsure how it added up.

Just at that moment, Draco sighed and said, "I can try."

"Thank you."

There was a pause. "So, how did the Weaslette take it?"

"I've gotta give her credit for being pretty damn stubborn. But she came around eventually."

"So she's not going to hex me?"

"Not as far as I know."

"I think I'll keep an eye out anyway. I don't forget a bat-bogey like hers easily."

Hermione chuckled at the memory of 5th year and Ginny's, Neville's, and Luna's daring escape from the clutches of certain Slytherin members of the Inquisitorial Squad.

"You look a bit disheveled. Any particular reason why?" she spoke softly.

He looked somewhat uncomfortable for a moment, and then grinned mischievously. "How could I possibly sleep well after such an…unsatisfying ending to last night's endeavors?"

Blood rushed to her face, but Hermione just leaned against the door and put her hands on her hips. "Well that's not my fault."

"No, it's your stupid redheaded friend. Talk about the worst timing."

Hermione's lips quirked into a slight grin. "Oh, it definitely could have been worse."

He raised one eyebrow and took an intimidating step toward her. "Oh really? And how is that?"

"Well…um…" Hermione gulped. He was advancing more rapidly than her brain could process. Would it always be like this? Could a mood really be set with a couple of syllables? Hmmm, funny how a few words turn into sex. (A/N: that's from a song by Justin Timberlake called...I don't remember. But the line stuck with me...because it's true ;-) Oh, and btw, there's a tiny tiny bit of insinuated graphic stuff here, jsyk)

"Just what do you think she would have seen had the Weaslette walked in a few minutes later? What if she hadn't walked in at all?"

Before she realized what was happening he was mere inches from her body. His mango-flavored breath was clouding her senses, but through the haze Hermione was aware of his fingers just above her knee, at the hem of her long shirt.

"Wh—what are you doing?"

Draco's head bent to close in on her ear. "You asked me to act normal. This is normal, isn't it?" He was carefully tracing patterns on the skin of her thigh. All she could do was stupidly nod as her arms lay limp at her sides. "And you didn't answer my question."

She shivered as his fingernails lightly scraped the tender skin of her inner thigh, but was able to mutter, "I don't know."

"That's too bad," he murmured. His fingers stilled and Draco's lips softly met her cheek and stayed there for a few moments. Just as Hermione resolved to jerk her head and capture his mouth with hers, Draco was gone, across the bathroom to his own door. Somewhat annoyed, Hermione crossed her ankles and arms and pouted. "Hmph, you're such a tease."

He smirked, grey eyes sparkling, and winked at her. "You just bring it out in me, I guess. You're so dreadfully teasable. Sorry, love." And he left

There was still something going on behind the flirting and chatter, and everything else, but Hermione refused to let her curiosity take hold of her. She would simply keep an eye on Draco for now, and two when she could spare it.

At the moment, though, she just chuckled and rolled her eyes, tracing her fingertips over her now cold cheek, before walking to the sink to brush her own teeth.

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Draco sat on his bed, emotions still warring within him, and put his forehead in his hands. It was so confusing, wanting to be with her, but knowing all he would end up doing was hurting her, wanting to be a regular boy again, but knowing that regular was never a word that he could relate to again. Draco had known these things for a while, but he had been so damn happy, he thought he could put it off, or just forget about it. He should have known; life is never simple. Never.

Slowly, trying to get back some of those good feelings from only minutes before, Draco regained enough strength to rise once again and get dressed. He grabbed a regular white uniform shirt, then fished around in a pile of wrinkled clothes on his floor before finding his pants and robes.

A short while later, surprisingly, Draco heard a knock on his door. Granger, how many times can you bother me in one morning? But he smirked nonetheless and opened his door to the hallway.

Instead of Hermione though, Draco came face to face with a fiery redhead. She glared at him, before giving Draco a calculating look.

"What are you doing here?" He asked before he could help himself.

At this, Weasley looked slightly surprised. "I stayed over last night, didn't you know? 'Mione told me she talked to you this morning."

"No, she conveniently failed to mention that. And what do you mean you stayed over? You didn't..." a devilish grin crossed Draco's face. "You didn't sleep with her, did you?"

Weasley rolled her eyes. "Guys are so predictable. Did we sleep in the same bed? Yes. Did we have hot lesbian sex? Sorry, Malfoy, but that's a negative, not that it's really any of your business."

Draco was shocked by her blunt statement, but he simply laughed and shook his head. "So to what do I owe this pleasant visit? Would you like to come in?" he asked, almost too cordially.

She eyed him again, and finally shook her head. "No, I only came to say one thing, and I can do that from here."

Draco, still smirking, leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, nodding respectfully for her to continue.

Her demeanor darkened as she spoke. "I want you to know, Malfoy, that you may have Hermione convinced, but not me. I trust my friend, but I absolutely do not trust you, and I swear on everything that's magic, if you ever, ever hurt her in any way, physically, emotionally, psychologically, whatever, they won't be able to find all the pieces of your body. Is that clear?"

Draco had never quite realized until now how intimidating a short 16 years old girl could be. Even in Umbridge's office 5th year, it was just a trick, a scheme. Now here she was staring him down like a particularly venomous scorpion. It was rather frightening.

"Abundantly."

His fear must have shown through a bit on his face, because the Weaslette grinned evilly and spoke with triumph in her voice. "Good. And don't forget it. It would be terribly harmful to your health. Well, Hermione's waiting for me. I'll see you around, Malfoy."

And the redhead literally skipped away down the hall, leaving Draco to ponder the strange encounter. He closed the door and quickly finished preparing for the day ahead.

Here was just another reason to stay away from Hermione entirely.

And yet…

Draco sighed quietly.

And yet…

So I know, that was shorter than usual, and I apologize, I just really wanted to get something up for you guys ASAP. Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll sort things out in my head for the plotline (I'm open to any suggestions!) and write up a storm. Sadly, that's a bit unlikely, because not only do I have those 2 big projecty things due next week, but I'm really busy this weekend, what with my block's stoop sale Saturday and mother's day Sunday. I'll do my best, though.

Hugs!

-Ginger