Chapter 9

As their lips grazed slightly, Hermione's eyes fluttered shut. She could feel his breath on her lips. Malfoy wanted to kiss her so much, but he pulled back. "I'm sorry" he whispered.

Without saying a word, Hermione stood up, and just left the room. "Why does she have such an affect on me?" He groaned. He needed a drink. He looked over at the nightstand and saw the vile refilled. He grabbed it, and drank it in one swig. It was still disgusting. He put his head back down on the pillow are the drowsy feeling filled him again. He'll just deal with this later...maybe.

Hermione slammed her door shut and leaned against it. She frustratedly ruffled her hair, angry at herself for the disappointment she was feeling. 'You don't want to kiss him! You told him to stop!' she thought. Walking into their bathroom, she grabbed a pair of jeans and robes, changing into them. She went to knock on Malfoy's door to tell him she was going to to be gone for awhile, but decided against it. 'I can't be here right now' She walked through their common room, and out the portrait, heading for the library.

Hermione sat on the floor of their common room, playing with Aria. She covered her eyes with her hands. Uncovering them, she squealed "Peek-a-boo" causing a fit of giggles to emit from Aria.

"Granger, what are you doing?"

Hermione jumped at his voice. She's been out of their dorm for a good amount of the afternoon, and night. She just came back after picking up Aria. She turned around and looked to her right, where Malfoy stood watching at his door. "What are you doing out of bed? You should be lying down."

"I had to use the loo. I was about to go back to bed when I heard you two."

"Sorry. Well you look better."

"I feel better. The potion's working well, despite that vile taste."

"Madame Pomfrey did say you should be better by tonight." She explained

"Woman actually did something right." Malfoy said walking over. She just rolled her eyes. Aria made a gurgling noise as she reached for him. Malfoy easily picked her up, and held her above his head. She giggled nonstop. He brought their faces close to each other, noses touching. "Daddy missed you Arbear." Malfoy said kissing her on the forehead. Using her hands, she played with his lips, and he blew on them as she squealed in delight.

Hermione watched in awe at their father/daughter interaction. They were getting along real well. He was a natural at this ... the whole fathering thing.

Malfoy looked at Hermione, grinning. "What?" He asked, noticing her stare.

"Nothing." She whispered. She saw the light in his eyes, making her heart flutter. "Um...I should put her to bed." She said standing up. She noticed the disappointment in his face. She thought for a minute. 'Should I? I don't know! Maybe it's alright to let them to let them spend a little time together. Besides, he's only putting her to bed. I need to patrol anyways, and he can't do it while he's still getting better. But should she? He has been taking care of her for the past couple days. He needs to rest and relax though, but Aria seems to make him happy.' "Actually...Malfoy, I need to patrol, and you shouldn't right now, so...why don't you put her to bed?" She saw him brighten up.

"Really? Thanks, Hermione!" Malfoy kissed her on the cheek. They both looked at each other in shock. "Sorry" He mumbled.

"Um..." Hermione quickly bent and kissed Aria on the cheek. "Goodnight, baby girl." She said before rushing out.

Hermione walked worriedly in the hallways. For the hundredth time, she's thought about going back to Malfoy and Aria to check on them. She then tried to convince herself that it was okay, they were fine. She pictured the happy look on his face when she allowed him to put Arai to bed. 'Yeah, they'll be fine...she'll be fine'

'Thanks Hermione' Malfoy had said. That was the second time he's said her name today...or ever. She sighed as her hand went to her cheek, where his lips had touched. It had thrown her off guard. It was still throwing her off guard. She could tell it threw him off guard too, like he didn't expect himself to do it. His lips were soft ... 'Stop it! He only did it because he was overjoyed' She thought 'Don't think any more about it' She rubbed the bridge of her nose as the turned the corner.

"Harry, Hermione hasn't been around for you in the past few days. That's not being a good a friend." Hermione heard. Her eyes shot open and looked at the scene in front of her. Harry was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and Ginny stood in front of him, holding onto to his arms. Hermione shot back around the corner, before they noticed her. She leaned hard against the wall as she continued to listen to their conversation.

"She can't be spending time with me right now. She has a bummed ankle." Harry replied.

Ginny snorted. "Bummed ankle my arse. She seemed to be walking fine when I saw her."

"Walking? When?"

"Just this morning. She was on her way to the kitchens. In a rush too."

"She didn't tell me she was better. She didn't even come to classes."

"That's what I mean Harry. She's not a good girlfriend. How do you know if she even cares for you like you care for her?"

"Ginny..." He said exasperatedly

"All I know is that if I were your girlfriend, as soon as I'm healed, you'd be the first person I'd be running to. I would even want you by my side at all times, broken or not. I wouldn't keep you away like she does."

"What do you mean?"

"I like you, Harry." Ginny purred, and Hermione felt her stomach clench. "I can be a so much better girlfriend to you than she can ever be. I can take care of you ... I can make you feel so good."

Hermione didn't hear anything else. She peeked around the corner, and her eyes widened letting the tears she was holding back fall. Ginny and Harry were locked onto a kiss. Harry moaned, causing Ginny to smirk. He didn't pull away, instead he pulled her closer, his hands snaking up her shirt. Ginny made her way to his neck, nibbling at the right spot. Harry groaned in ecstasy. "Ginny we shouldn't be doing this." He mumbled. "This isn't fair to her."

Ginny pulled away angrily. "Fair? What's not fair is that while you're worrying about her, she's probably getting cozy with Malfoy."

"What do you mean?"

"Harry! Hermione's all better. She should have come to class, but she didn't. You said Malfoy didn't come to class either. DOn't you find that a bit suspicious?"

"Maybe they had a heads thing to do. I trust her."

"Don't make up excuses for her! Tell me, who's been taking care of her and Aria in past few days?"

"...Malfoy..."

"It's not just a mere coincidence he's suddenly taken an interest in taking care of them. When does a Slytherin want to help out a Gryffindor? You know there's more between them than being roommates."

"More?"

"She hasn't told you? Godric Gryffindor! She's protecting him!"

"What are you talking about, Ginny?"

"Malfoy is Aria's father!"

"What?" Harry growled

Hermione could not listen anymore. She just ran. As fast as she could, she ran towards the heads tower. 'Traitor... traitor...traitor bitch!' was all that went through her head.

She said the password to their portrait, going in. Malfoy was sitting on the couch, waiting for her. "Hey." He said when she came in. he saw the tears flowing down her cheeks, and he bolted towards her. "What's wrong?" He asked grabbing her shoulders. Hermione didn't say anything. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his torso, and cried hard onto his chest. He his hand down her hair, wrapping the other, around her shoulder. "Sshh, tell me what's wrong." He whispered gently

"Traitor, they're traitors." She sobbed

"Who?"

"They kissed. She told him. She wasn't supposed to tell him, but she did."

"Who, Hermione? Tell me."

"They kissed...kissed... Harry and Ginny." She cried

"Hermione!" They heard an angry voice yell through the portrait.

Hermione looked at Malfoy, and saw his eyes darken as he glared angrily toward the voice. He knew perfectly well who was on the other side of the portrait, and he was ready for a good fight.

PLEASE REVIEW! and I'll try to upload the next chapter as soon as I can. It's already written. I just have to type it up when I find time.

Thanks for the past reviews! Ideas are accepted!