Chapter 10

Next thing Hermione knew, Malfoy was shoving past her. She turned around to stop him, knowing full well his intentions, but he was already stepping out portrait. Before she and Harry got a chance to react, Malfoy lifted his fist, connecting hard with Harry's jaw. Harry unexpectedly fell backwards. After the pain, his face felt numb with a metallic taste. Harry was back in feet in a second, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. Hermione held onto Malfoy's arm, trying to prevent him from taking another swing. "You need to leave now, Potter." he growled "You're going to stay away from Hermione."

"You can't keep me away from my girlfriend!"

"You two are done!"

"You have no say in that. This is strictly between me and Hermione."

"There is no way in hell you're going to come any where near her anymore. She saw you and that Weaselwhore together. No way are you going to make her cry like this again"

"You should be the one staying away from her, after what you did to her last year!" Harry yelled.

Malfoy growled. "That was not all me. It was not my fault! I was under the Imperius Curse!" Hermione gripped loosened as she stared at him in shock, trying to comprehend what he just said. Her mind turned...'A curse...the Imperius Curse...'

"And who the hell would put you under a curse? You're Death Eater of a father?" Harry roared

"Who else, Potter? It was Voldemort! He did it to hurt you!"

"Well, he's dead, gone! I took care of him. He's got what he deserves and you're going to get yours!" Harry launched himself towards the blond boy. Malfoy pushed Hermione to the side to keep her from harm's way. He felt Harry's weight push him back, as his fist make a connection with his ribs. Malfoy gasped at the impact, and as a reflex, his arm swung back at Harry. Malfoy kicked his legs, causing both to fall. He straddled Harry hitting him again in the jaw. Harry pushed him off, standing up, and grabbing Malfoy by the collar. They shoved, and pushed, kicked and punched.

"Stop! Stop it, both of you!" Hermione screamed.

Malfoy pushed Harry against the wall, his arm under his chin. "Aria doesn't deserve to have a death eater for a father like you!" Harry spat, causing Malfoy to send him flying to the side with a blow of the fist.

"And you don't have the right to make Aria cry, and you could never replace me in their life." Malfoy said in a low dangerous tone.

Harry whipped out his wand, and Malfoy pulled his out, not a second later. They stood glaring at each other, wands at ready to fire the first spell. Hermione quickly stepped in between. "Please stop this!" She pleaded. "Put your wands away now!"

"Get out of the way Hermione!" Harry growled

"No!" She yelled, glaring at him. "Leave, Harry!"

"Hermi-"

"We're done!"

"If it's about the kiss-"

"You didn't seem it hate it that much, did you?" She snarled "I said leave, Harry!"

"You're not actually protecting this ferret?" Harry accused. Malfoy angrily stepped towards him, but she held an arm out to hold him back. "You're actually letting him near Aria? Even after what he did?"

"He's Aria's father."

"So it's true! Well I can be Aria's father!" Harry exclaimed, causing Malfoy to growl and tighten his grip on his wand.

"No" Hermione whispered. "Not when I know you could easily run into Ginny's arms."

"It was one kiss, and she kissed me!"

"One kiss you easily gave into. You didn't push away...you kissed her back."

"I-"

"Stop! Just please, leave!" she pleaded

"I can't do that!"

"Leave!" she screamed

"Mr Potter, it'd be best if you leave." McGonagall said sternly, coming out from the shadows. She had caught the last minute of the scene. She had rushed over as soon as the portraits alarmed her of the fight. By the time she had arrived, Harry and Hermione were already arguing the matter.

"But Professor-"

"You should let Miss Granger cool off before discussing your problems. Tomorrow we will discuss this to figure out proper punishments..for both you and ."

Harry put his wand down. "Yes Professor." Harry looked at Hermione one more time, before walking away.

"Now both of you, off to bed. It's late." McGonagall said

Hermione shoved past Malfoy, running inside their dorm. "Hermione!" He called out, running after her. She ran into her room, magically locking her door. "Granger, open this door!" Malfoy yelled, banging on the door. She looked over at Aria, seeing her sleep peacefully. She sighed in relief that she put a charm on the crib that keeps out all noise when Aria's asleep.

She sat on the bed, leaning her head against the headboard as Malfoy kept banging on the door, calling out her name. She covered her face with her hands, holding back the tears. It became eerily quiet when the banging stopped. Recalling the night's events, she was no longer able to control it anymore. The tears just came flowing out. She put her head on top of her knees, and cried.

"You know, if you wanted to keep someone out, the least you could do is to lock both doors." Malfoy said, standing at the bathroom door. He walked towards, and sat at the edge of the bed.

"I want to be alone." Hermione whispered

"I can't leave you alone right now." He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

She tried to push him away, knowing full well what he was apologizing for. "Go away." She didn't want to hear it. She's been blaming him this whole time, and now that she knew about the curse, she felt so confused. "Go away" she kept trying to push him. "Go away"

Malfoy held on whispering "I'm sorry" over and over again. he's been wanting to say that to her ever since that night. "I am so sorry."

Hermione gave up, knowing that he had no intent of budging. Instead, she held onto him, crying. It was hard seeing her like this. The strong Hermione Granger at her weak moment. He comforted her, wanting all her pain to go away. He felt helpless, responsible, guilty. He felt her pain.

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