Disclaimer: Still not mine!

A/N: Yay! Another chapter of Only a Pretense! It's un-Beta-ed. My awesome Beta Reader is currently busy and so, if you spotted any grammatical errors and all, ignore them *wink* *wink*

Anyway, without further ado, Chapter Thirty-Three!

Chapter Thirty-Three: A Motherly Advice

"You're late," Harry said, annoyed, as a flustered Hermione Granger entered the Room of Requirement.

"Well, for your information, I had a meeting with the Weasel," she grumbled out, plopping down on the couch. She stretched out her arms over her head and groaned. "Merlin, he's becoming more and more insufferable."

The-Boy-Who-Lived raised an eyebrow. "The 'Weasel' now, eh?" he asked, smirking. Hermione merely smiled and dropped her book bag on the carpeted floor. "I'm sorry for Ron's attitude. You know him…"

"Yeah, yeah," she said, waving a dismissing hand. She leaned her head against the backrest and sighed. "No wonder a lot of Slytherins hate his guts, too. The nerve of that bloody git. He's still mad at me for hexing him after ruining Blaise's potion, which was eons ago, and for being the reason why Gryffindor lost almost approximately fifty points! How mature, really."

Harry laughed and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. Her head ended up comfortably on top of his shoulder and sighed. "At least he isn't moping around anymore," he pointed out. Hermione made a disgruntled sound under her breath. "What will you feel if I say that they are finally moving on? Gradually, of course."

Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes at the ridiculous concern in the tone of his voice. "What kind of a question is that?" she asked, lifting her head to look at his eyes. "Of course, I'll be thrilled, Harry Potter! Do you expect me to be so fussy over the fact that they are somehow starting to forget the pain?"

The Gryffindor smiled sheepishly and fondly patted her hand. "How can you blame me?" he asked. "You're starting to act like a Slytherin more and more every time we have these secret meetings. Calling Ron the 'Weasel' is one proof."

She laughed and pinched Harry's cheek. "That's ridiculous," she said. "I might be slowly gallivanting to the 'Dark Side' but I won't forget my principles, Harry Potter. You know me better than that."

"Tsk, big words… OW! I was kidding!" he laughed and playfully enveloped her into his arms. "Oh, I missed you so! We haven't met for ages!"

She rolled her eyes. "Harry, we've met a week ago, what's there to miss?" she asked.

Harry pulled away and frowned. "We were supposed to meet yesterday, remember?" he said. "But no, you sent me a bloody owl stating that you have to spend the rest of your day with those Slytherins. Hermione, how could you? We're best friends! How could you choose their company over mine?"

"Stop being so melodramatic, Potter, it's annoying," she teased, a large grin stretched on her face. Harry's mock frown turned into a full smile. "How many times do I have to tell you that they are much better than we've thought? Well, okay because I'm one of them now but still… And besides, I didn't have a choice."

She comically looked from left to right before looking back at Harry, slightly leaning closer. Harry raised an eyebrow at her strange actions but before he could ask, she started to speak, "We had a secret mission."

"A secret mission?" he asked, astonished. "Yesterday?"

She smiled and leaned back, proudly crossing her arms against her chest. "Yes, and it was, simply put, very successful," she said.

He looked affronted. "Why didn't Dumbledore tell me?" he asked. "I've always begged him to give me some secret missions, even the simplest ones, but he downright refused because he kept on telling me it's dangerous. How come you and those spoiled brats were sent to one?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "We're four, Harry," she said. "I think it's more logical to send four people to a mission instead of merely one." She pointedly looked at him. "And if you were to tag along, I have this feeling you and the other three would have bickered incessantly, jeopardizing our mission. You said it yourself, Harry. It was dangerous."

Harry harrumphed. "Yeah, I don't even know how Dumbledore were able to convince the Order to trust those three… OW! Hermione, stop it!"

Merlin, she was suddenly seething. "If you further insult my friends, Harry Potter, then I'm leaving." She stood up and almost stormed out of the room when Harry's hand shot up and wrapped his fingers around her elbow.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down," he said, chuckling nervously. "I meant it as a joke."

She scoffed. "Jokes are half-meant," she stated matter-of-factly

Harry sighed, suddenly looking humbled. "I'm sorry," he said with utmost sincerity. "I honestly did not mean it."

Hermione stared at him stonily, until her resolve crumbled and she sighed, cracking a small smile. "I'm sorry," she also said. "I was being overdramatic. I did not know what possessed me to do that."

"I do."

Her eyebrows knitted together. "You do?"

He smiled. "Yeah. I mean, good Godric, those three blokes managed to squeeze their arses inside that heart of yours and forever implant themselves inside," he continued. "How they managed that? I have no idea." He playfully glared. "Being too compassionate isn't healthy, Hermione."

She raised an eyebrow. "And you are trying to imply…?"

"Nothing, nothing," he quickly said, smiling sheepishly.

A small chuckle escaped from her mouth. "Now, the real reason why I called you for this meeting is because I want to narrate to you what had happened in our secret mission." A mysterious smile appeared on her face.

"Go on, you've got me intrigued," Harry said, giving her his full attention.

"Okay, first and foremost" – she shifted on her seat to fully face Harry – "it happened in Muggle London."

'One,' she ticked inside her head, watching as Harry Potter's jaw dropped in unadulterated astonishment. 'Two… Three!'

"MUGGLE LONDON?" he roared, his eyes widening. "M-Merlin, Muggle London?"

She snorted unbecomingly. "Yes, The-Boy-Who-Lived, Muggle London," she said." He grew speechless. "Oh, snap out of it, Harry. Don't be so surprised. Just because those three were once bigoted Purebloods doesn't mean they are now."

He pointedly looked at her.

"Ok-ay… maybe a little," she offered, still smiling. "But they're not that narrow-minded anymore. Although, it's hilarious watching Draco fidget on the street, darting curious and careful looks at the passersby. Oh lord, Teddy was… was… untamable." Merry laughter bubbled out of her mouth. "I honestly thought of buying him a leash so that he wouldn't leap off to Merlin-knows-where. Only Blaise seemed the calm one."

"Sounds fun." And he meant it. Judging from how her eyes twinkled and the huge smile on her face, she had fun yesterday.

"Ooh, that's not the end of it," she said. "Our mission, by the way, was to go at the heart of Muggle London and confirm if this was really used as a passage way by the Death Eaters who planned to attack Muggles."

Harry's face considerably darkened.

"I know," she said, making a face. "It was horrible especially after we made an estimation on how many Muggles had been the receiving end of the Unforgivables." She shivered in fear. "But don't worry, Blaise had set up an alarm. If triggered, Order members will instantly swarm inside and capture the Death Eaters."

She paused and took a deep breath, calming her nerves. A smile stretched on her face once again. "Anyway, Dumbledore had given us the rest of the time to roam around if we finished earlier than expected, which we did. But, we agreed to return as soon as we're done. We were, after all, dead tired."

Her eyes practically lit up in joy. "But that wasn't the end of it," she gushed out.

"Uh huh, go on," he said.

"Well…" she said, carefully choosing her words. "Two college students just materialized from nowhere. Clara and Gino, those were their names, were apparently looking for prospect models to pose for their major project."

"Models?"

"Yeah," she continued, her smile never disappearing. "Clara's majoring in fashion designing and Gino's photography. They, let's just say, practically begged us to be their models to spare them from failing. I couldn't help but allow them" –

- "What did I tell you about being too compassionate?"

"Shut up," she said, still grinning. "They were going to fail. You know how much I hated to fail myself. So, we helped them. Clara's delightful. Feisty, even. She's the older sister I've always wanted. And Gino… goodness, he can do wonders with his camera. Clara's a wicked fashion designer, too. Her clothes were classic: simple, yet beautiful."

Harry chuckled. "I can't believe they agreed to model for them. And Merlin, Muggles, no less! Oh, especially Ferret-Boy," he said. "I wish I had been there."

Hermione fondly patted his cheek as soon as a frown grew on his face. "You'll have your chance, too," she said. "Once you're under the ultimate limelight."

The Gryffindor scowled. "Yeah, as if I've always coveted to face off with the vilest, most powerful dark wizard of all time," he said. He smiled when Hermione chuckled. His scowl came back once again, full force, when the distinctive ring of the school bell was heard from their place.

"Well, there goes the signal," Hermione said, standing up from her seat. She shouldered her bag and ushered Harry to come out with her. "I guess I'll be seeing you… probably three days from now?"

"I'll owl you when I want to see you," he said, grinning. "Or owl me if you want to see me."

She grinned. "I'll keep that in mind," she said. "Later, Harry."

"Mister Malfoy, have a seat."

Draco did not bother to greet the old headmaster and instead trudged towards the empty seat across from the aged man, annoyed. Once again, Dumbledore had interrupted him from his break time. He was having a magnificent lunch, care of Zabini's previous house-elf, before a damnable school owl swooped down on his plate of steak.

"I apologize for how sudden my letter is but this is urgent," Headmaster Dumbledore said, smiling in amusement upon noticing how he scowled in frustration.

He plopped down on the stiff seat ('Fucking piece of –') and only silently stared back at the professor expectantly.

"Now, you might be wondering why I called you here, Mister Malfoy," he continued.

'Bingo, you nutcase,' he bitterly thought as his stomach silently grumbled in protest for being underfed.

"But I assure you that what I am about to tell you is delightfully good."

Draco looked up at him, intrigued.

Dumbledore smiled and shifted on his seat, bringing his fingers together to look cheerfully at one of his best students. He would know how the boy would react to his sudden great news and just thinking about it made his heart swell. Oh, the Malfoy heir had gone through a lot of things now it would be a great relief to see him at least… happy over something he had wished for.

"I received a fire call from Healer Watson," he elaborated. He had noticed how the blond suddenly jerked up, his back ramrod straight with tension. "Oh, Mister Malfoy, you need not be worried. Like what I've previously said, I have delightful news for you."

"About my mother, I assume?" he said, his shoulders gradually easing. A look of slight worry appeared on his face, softening his features. "What about… her?"

The Headmaster had never beamed so brightly before. "Narcissa is doing fantastically," he said. "And Merlin knows I am not exaggerating. Apparently, the potion that they had been making her drink was absolutely effective and she had been recuperating quite fast, I must say."

The relief that washed over his features was tremendous even Dumbledore had felt it. "That's good to know," he managed to say, although the old wizard knew he was feeling more than that.

"I am allowing you to visit your mother, Mister Malfoy," he said, eyes twinkling when Draco's face visibly brightened with glee. "After all, she had been asking about you constantly and the Healers couldn't help but grant her wish. You are to leave as soon as possible, my dear student. Now is a wonderful time. You can stay with her as long as you want. I am informing your teachers that you might not be attending your classes. Although, you must be back on or before curfew. We are living in a very dark time and it is best if you stay here inside the safety confines of Hogwarts."

He nodded in understanding, gradually standing up from his seat. "I understand, Headmaster," he said. "I… want to see my mother now, if you may. I just have to run back to my room to retrieve something. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I'll be waiting," he said.

Draco bolted out from his seat and had to restrain himself from racing out of the room and going down to the Slytherin Dungeons.

"And Mister Malfoy?"

He halted in his steps and turned around, confusion on his face. "Yes, sir?"

A warm smile settled on the aged man's face. Draco was almost taken aback by his odd expression. But then again, he was Albus Dumbledore. He had discovered ages ago that the man was somehow eccentric than normal.

"I am thankful for Narcissa's speedy recovery," he genuinely said.

Draco froze from shock. And soon, he did something that had greatly surprised him. He had no idea what possessed him to act so out of his character. He probably blamed it on the good news he learned about his mother. Or maybe it was because of how Dumbledore was looking at him now, just like these grandfatherly figures he had seen in parks before, looking fondly over their grandchildren.

He smiled.

Oh no, not his usual sneer that he seemed to be sporting on his face for an awful time. He swore he was even born flashing that bloody expression on his face.

Merlin, he had smiled. The one he had tried so much to keep to himself in fear of embarrassing himself for making people discover that he had this ridiculous dimple on his face. The one he had no idea made Hermione Granger's heart stopped beating for a while. Twice.

"Thank you, Professor," he heard himself say before turning around and completely walking out from the Headmaster's Office.

"Mister Malfoy! What a pleasant surprise!" Mrs. Stone greeted, her lips stretched up in to a wide grin.

Draco, after scowling at the remnants of his journey through Flooing, looked up at the Welcome Witch and allowed himself to gently smile. "Mrs. Stone," he greeted. He absentmindedly brushed off the green ash from his expensive jumper as he approached the aged woman. "I'm here to visit my mother again."

If it was possible, Ellen's smile grew bigger. "Oh, I know, lad," she said. "I am just happy to know that the potions given to her are working." She looked over his shoulder expectantly but then frowned upon seeing that he was alone. "Where's that lovely lady you were with the last time you visited?"

He bit the inside of his cheeks, hard, just so he would not furiously blush in front of the woman. "She's a nuisance," he snarled, scowling. "I didn't bother to tell her about my mother." That was a huge, fat lie, of course. The excuse of running off to his room before going to St. Mungo's was purely because he wanted to tell… her. It had scared him to pieces to discover that he wanted to tell her first instead of Blaise and Theo. They were, after all, the first ones who knew about their current predicament.

But no, he wanted to run off to her and announce to her this seemingly splendid news. He had already imagined her reaction. Her eyes would light up in joy and her lips would stretch into a heart warming smile. "Oh, I am so glad, Draco," she would say. And him, being a sick, sick, bastard, expected her to throw her arms around his neck and hold him tight.

He had caught himself before he arrived at the Slytherin dormitories. He had mentally bashed his head, ridding off such ridiculous thoughts in his mind. He firmly believed that being in love with the most annoying girl in the whole wide world was very unhealthy for him. But then again, he had been in love with her for ages and he had this feeling that if he were to have a brief check-up in St. Mungo's, he'd be diagnosed as clinically insane.

Thankfully, she was not in their room as soon as he entered. He looked at his magical watch and noticed that it was time for their next classes and she, together with Zabini and Nott, were already probably in their classrooms, wondering where he was.

And so, he turned around and dashed back to Dumbledore's office, anticipating his meeting with his mother.

"Oh, what a shame," the Welcome Witch sighed, putting Draco back into reality. "I wanted to see her once again."

He sneered, which was reflex, really, after hearing such compliments from the aged woman. "Oh, trust me, Mrs. Stone, you'll grow crazy after talking to her," he said. "Talking about the history of magic and a hundred reasons why house-elves should be freed, or at least paid for their hard labor, would bore you to tears." He secretly thought of how beautiful she looked while passionately debating about the rights of measly house-elves.

He smiled.

And Merlin, Mrs. Stone knew that look. She was an aged witch; she had seen a lot of things all her life.

Even that.

"It's best if I go now," Draco sighed, distractedly running a hand through his hair. "My mother's waiting for me."

"Of course, my dear boy, go on," Mrs. Stone. "Don't let this meddling witch stop you."

The Malfoy heir nodded his head. "It's good to see you today, Mrs. Stone," he said. "I'll see you around." And with that, he jogged off towards the room of his mother and getting some reprimands from the Head Healer for running in the corridors, which was an absolutely no-no in the hospital.

Mrs. Stone fondly smiled at the boy, nay young man. She thought he'd do great things in life only if he stoppedchoosing to be alone in his life.

The Welcome Witch sighed and went back to work.

"Where's Draco?" Teddy asked, sitting down beside Hermione. Blaise was nowhere to be found since he had a meeting with Professor Flitwick and he'd be late for their next class, Potions.

Hermione sighed and looked up at Teddy, a frown marring her face. "He went to St. Mungo's," she said. Her frown deepened once she heard the huge concern in her voice. "To visit his mother."

"Oh," Teddy said, also growing worried himself. "Did something happen?"

"I have no idea," she said, watching as Snape briskly walked inside the room, not even bothering to greet his students.

"You are to start brewing your end of the school-year potions," he harshly barked, making poor Neville Longbottom flinch in fear. "And I am telling you that this will be one-third of your final school-grade. Hence, if you messed up with this potion of yours, bid a tearful farewell to your future." His eyes dangerously flashed whilst an almost sinister smile grew on his face. "Unless, you want to spend another year under me."

"That would be a bloody nightmare," Ron murmured as he lowered himself on the other side of Hermione. Teddy had run off to sit beside his partner, Dean Thomas, leaving her all alone with the Gryffindor bastard.

"Now start," Snape snarled and sat down on his chair, looking at each and every student in the room with hawk-like eyes.

Hermione sighed and stood up, not even bothering to wait for Ron. She had no time to put up with his jerk-ness (if there was such a word), seeing that she was busy worrying over Draco Malfoy.

'Merlin, he went to St. Mungo's?' she thought, gathering all the ingredients for Draught of Living Death. 'He could have asked me to accompany him again. After all, he perfectly told me he hated going to St. Mungo's alone. Well… not exactly hated but still…!' She scowled, glaring at an irritated Ron. 'He could have personally informed me.'

Her eyes gazed on Lavender Brown who was unfortunately partnered with Draco, bent over her Potions textbook and almost looked like she was in a state of panic. She couldn't be blamed, really. From what she had heard, the blond had chosen one of the most difficult potions to be brewed without consulting the Gryffindor. For her to work on it alone would be an absolute torture.

"Be quick, Austen!" Ron snapped, which she promptly answered with a glare of her own.

"I have no time for your tetchiness, Weasley," she dangerously snarled as she carefully placed the ingredients on top of their table. She pointedly noticed that their cauldron was already properly prepared. "And I have this inkling feeling that you want to be anywhere beside me - ."

" – you have no idea - "

" – so, let's strike a temporary deal, shall we?" she said, glaring at him through her eyelashes. "I work silently. You work silently. I won't insult you. You won't insult me. I want our potions to be as accurate as possible and not jeopardize my grade and so… we'll shut up and quietly work on our potions. Is that okay?"

Ron's eyes were narrowed dangerously at Hermione, scrutinizing her face for a long while. Hermione grew uncomfortable under his gaze and discreetly looked away in fear of being recognized. Which was farfetched, of course. Ronald Bilius Weasley is known all over the castle as the daftest person in the whole school.

'Or is it Teddy?' she absentmindedly asked herself. 'Nah, Ron's still the daftest. Hands down.'

"Fine, Austen, as long as you stick with your part," he spat, clutching a knife and started to acquire the juice of the sopophorous beans.

"Fine," she huffed, clutching another silver knife and worked on cutting the valerian roots as precisely as possible.

He nervously paced back and forth in front of the door. His eyes kept on flickering on the doorknob, taunting him to open it. He had to constantly gulp to swallow the lump forming in his throat.

Draco softly cursed, thinking if it really was a good idea to venture in St. Mungo's alone. He had to stop himself from running back to the Hogwarts castle, finding Hermione Granger, and dragging her with him back to the hospital.

He couldn't be blamed. Her calming effect on him was tremendous. One proof was when she accompanied him to St. Mungo's weeks ago. Her mere presence had put his mind into ease.

Fed up with his silliness, he halted in front of the door and finally grasped the gleaming doorknob. He turned it open and slowly pushed it to enter.

"Mother?" Draco feebly asked.

To his immense relief, Narcissa was wide awake. She was once again seated on a chair just beside the large window of her room, gazing unfocusedly outside. She looked up when Draco entered and called for her.

The blond backpedaled, surprise clearly etched on his handsome face. His mother, he reckoned, never looked so better ever since he and Dumbledore brought her to St. Mungo's the day she was cursed mercilessly by his bastard father. Her cheeks were lovely with red and her blue eyes were twinkling brightly with irrepressible happiness. Her lips quirked up as soon as her eyes landed on him.

Merlin, he had never seen his mother so beautiful before.

"Draco," she said, managing to stand up from her seat.

He quickly joined her side and gently clutched her right arm. His eyes widened in surprise when his mother suddenly wrapped her arms around his torso and started to sob.

"What is it?" he asked, alarmed. He pulled away from her hug and stared intently at her moist eyes. "What is it, Mother? Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?"

She released a melodious chuckle and daintily wiped her cheeks. "Oh, I am being silly, my dearest son," she said. "Tears of joy, I believe."

A smile of relief stretched on his face as he steered her back on her bed. "Mother, really," he said, also chuckling softly under his breath. "You're acting like you haven't seen me for ages. I've visited you weeks ago."

"I just missed you, love, that's all," his mother said as she allowed him to sit her down on her bed. "Oh, your mother is being plain silly today. I believe that the potions they are forcing me to take have side-effects and being emotional is one of them."

Upon hearing the word 'potions', a smile brightly lit his whole face. "I've heard the potions were working, Mother," he said, comfortably sitting down beside her. "I'm… glad."

Narcissa smiled and fondly patted his cheek. "Even though you don't tell me, Draco, you're more than that," she said, chuckling under her breath when Draco sheepishly smiled back. She knew her son was not really a fan of spilling out his emotions. He had to struggle in saying that he was 'glad' she was getting well due to the potions given to her. But to see him at least trying was enough to warm her motherly heart.

"How are you, my darling?" she asked after moments of silence. "I assume that you are doing quite well, though a little… stressed out than the last time I saw you."

Draco sighed and absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair. "Well, this week had been hectic," he said. "NEWTs are looming and I swear, the teachers are becoming more and more merciless." He gave her a sideways glance, one that held unadulterated worry, and continued, "The… Dark Lord's been demanding us to work harder. The new Death Eaters are now using humans for their trainings."

"That's horrible," Narcissa said with a gasp, placing a hand against her chest.

He sighed once again, this time because of frustration. "He's a monster, Mother, what do you expect?" he snarled, unable to contain his fury towards the Dark Bastard.

"And how are your friends coping?" she asked, watching as his eyes darkened.

"Fine… I guess," he slowly answered back, unsure with himself. He was watching both Theo and Blaise ever since they started to use humans. They were, simply put, magnificent. They did know how to use the Dark Arts after years and years of being taught by their families. But underneath all those cool pretenses they have, he could see the restraint and anger in their eyes every time they were faced with another punished Death Eater. Teddy had awakened him countless times before because of his constant screaming – he was having nightmares. And Blaise… he had to turn a blind eye every time he would excuse himself and rush to the kitchen to drink a huge dose of tea to calm his frayed nerves.

And Hermione… good god, he had to restrain himself from binding her in her bed and refusing for her to accompany them back to the Malfoy Manor. She was the most wretched of all. Oh how her face paled every time they returned back to Hogwarts after grueling hours in the dungeons, torturing innocent (or not-so-innocent, really, seeing that they were still Death Eaters) despite the fact of wanting to save them. Badly. Her Gryffindor side, the righteous one, would always be the dominant trait in her every time they were to have their weekly trainings. He could see how she struggled to utter a soft 'Crucio' from her pale lips just so she would not be suspected as a person that defied the Dark Lord's orders.

That was why he made it a point to be constantly beside her, or at least have her in the line of his vision. Merlin forbid but he would be unhesitant in killing all those Senior Death Eaters if she were to be busted and brought to the Dark Lord to be rightfully punished.

The girl was very strong, he observed. Her resolve in doing good, in hiding wonderfully, just so she could save her parents made him love her all the more. Both of them were doing something they absolutely hated just for the people they loved. But still, she was the stronger one. Draco had grown up from a very hateful family, raised up by a bastardly father. It would not be hard for him to act bastardly, too, just to hide his secret of being a spy for the Order. But Hermione… she was different. She was innocent.

She was pure.

Her heart was never corrupted by such dark experiences he was forced to undergo. But she had not broken; not even once, even though there were numerous times when she closely did.

Because she loved her parents. And that thought alone had fueled her steadfastness and did something she absolutely loathed just to see them safe from Voldemort's clutches once again.

"Son?" Narcissa's soft voice rang all throughout the room. "Is everything all right?"

He forced himself to momentarily forget about her, pushing his great worry for her at the back of his muddled mind, and looked at his mother with a tired smile on his face. "Yeah," he wistfully said, running a hand through his hair.

His mother looked at her son with such empathy; it was almost heartbreaking, in Draco's opinion. "I'm sorry," she said after moments of contemplation. "I am terribly sorry, my dearest son."

Draco looked fairly surprised. "Why?" he asked. "You don't have to apologize, Mother."

"Oh, if I have been brave enough to defy Lucius' orders, you would be happy now," Narcissa said.

His eyes darkened, his limbs stiffened, when he heard the most loathsome man in the whole world (Voldemort was never a man; he was the most loathsome being in the whole world). "Don't blame yourself, Mother. It's that bastard's fault. Not yours."

"Draco…"

"STOP!" he found himself yelling angrily, startling his poor mother. He realized his sudden outburst and he brokenly sighed, ashamedly staring at his hands. "Just… stop, Mother. Please. Don't even bother covering up for that… that poor excuse of a father because nothing can ever convince me that he's still my father."

There, he had finally said it. As much as he loved his mother with his whole heart, he sometimes could not help himself for getting angry with her all because she defended her husband's evil acts. He couldn't blame her at times, really. Goodness, she loved him unconditionally, although he had no idea what was so loveable with Lucius.

"I-I'm sorry," he stuttered out, his cheeks coloring as he looked up at his mother beseechingly. "Can we talk about anything besides him?"

Narcissa, eyes shining with worry, nodded her head in agreement. "I am sorry, Draco," she said. "I shouldn't have…" Her voice trailed off and she sighed.

Just then, her head perked up and her eyes traveled at the door, an expectant look on her face. Draco, confused, looked at the line of vision of his mother and frowned upon seeing nothing.

"What is it?" Draco asked.

The Malfoy matriarch looked slowly at his son, a knowing look on her face. The expression she was sporting threw him off guard, seeing that she was being emotional one moment and devilish the next. Draco seriously did not like the look on his mother's face.

"Where's that lovely girlfriend of yours?" Narcissa asked, pointedly noticing how his cheeks colored quickly. "Minnie?"

Something flashed in her eyes, which he could not fathom. "I left her behind," he said, scowling at his ridiculousness. "She's a nuisance."

To his surprise, merry laughter bubbled out from his mother's lips. "Oh, drop the act, honey," she said. "Although I cannot understand why you introduced me to her as 'Minnie'. Probably your term of endearment?"

He grew confused. "What are you on about, Mother?" he asked.

Narcissa rolled her eyes (and managing to still look beautiful) and sighed. "My son," she said. "I am your mother. I know you more than anyone else here in this world. And I do know if you are being accompanied by the girl you love the most."

His cheeks inflamed. "Mother!" he exclaimed.

"She was Hermione Granger, wasn't she?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "The Hermione Granger? The one you've been whining about as being the most insufferable, know-it-all girl you've ever met in your whole life."

His blood ran cold but he stubbornly stayed silent.

"Draco, you are talking to your mother," she said. "You cannot fool me, of all people. The glasses she was sporting weeks before was a bewitched one, wasn't it? Clever girl… I did not recognize her until you looked at her. I distinctively heard from Albus that she was the brightest girl of her generation, even topping my intelligent son."

"Mother!" he cried this time, mortified.

Narcissa chuckled and patted his hand. "Draco, the moment you looked at her, I knew," she said. "I knew. You've met a fair amount of girls in our Malfoy Balls but the looks they received from you were all the same. Except her. Hermione Granger… My, oh my, how she grew up so beautifully! And here I thought she was exceptionally charming on this photograph of her you've been secretly hiding in your dresser. The photo was taken on your fourth year, right? The Yule Ball?"

He blushed so furiously now he was even driven to stand up. "MOTHER!" he bellowed, embarrassed beyond comprehension. "How did you… MOTHER!"

"Do not shout at me, young man," Narcissa lightly scolded, seeing how he blubbered out like a silly fish out of water. "I am merely stating a fact about my future daughter-in-law."

Draco could not believe the nerve of this cheeky woman right here in front of him. "MOTHER!" he cried once again. Maybe the potions they were forcing her to drink had made her feistier, too. Oh, how he missed his mother. But really, she was being insufferable now.

"She wasn't your girlfriend, was she?" Narcissa continued, reveling this embarrassing moment of her son. After all, that was what mothers are for – to embarrass their children. "I've figured it out when she herself was surprised when you introduced her to me as one. Although, I cannot blame you, my dearest son. She is, I repeat, the woman you love after all."

He groaned so loudly and hid his burning face behind his hands. "Mother, please," he cried, his voice sounding strangled. "Stop. This is… this is… embarrassing."

Narcissa melodiously chuckled and stood up. She tried to pry off his hands from his eyes until he finally relented. She forced his mercurial orbs to stare directly into her eyes and she smiled. "I am glad to see that you are both in good terms now," she sincerely said. "I have never seen you so happy before, Draco."

Despite his embarrassment and despite how he wanted to strangle his mother (really), he smiled. Because it was absolutely true. She was Hermione Granger.

And she made him happy.

"So…" Narcissa said, a sly smile on her face. "How were you able to manage to get that lovely photograph of hers?"

His face screwed up with unadulterated horror. "MOTHER!" he cried yet again and Narcissa released a few, happy chuckles.

"Your mother is merely playing around, Draco," she said. "Although I do wonder. You're not really good at hiding. It's a surprise your father hadn't seen it yet."

He chose to ignore that comment of hers. "Mother," he sternly said, "you have to promise me you'll keep that discovery of yours, of 'Minnie' being Hermione Granger, to yourself and only yourself. Do you understand me?"

She looked highly surprised and curious at the same time. "And why, may I ask?" she asked.

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "It's a long story, Mother," he said. "You should not actually know about her being Hermione Granger, you know. Here, in this Wizarding World, everybody knows that Hermione Granger's… dead."

"Dead?" she gasped, placing a hand on her heart.

The younger Malfoy remembered his mother was too sickly to hear valuable news in the magical world. "Yes; thus, the disguise she wore the last time she visited with me," he said. "It's startling, Mother, I know. Trust me, I was shocked beyond anything when I discovered that my roommate was merely disguising as a guy and is actually Hermione Granger."

"Oh my," Narcissa said, now thinking of the lovely girl that visited her. "I am sincerely sorry for that poor, poor girl. How is she coping, my son? Tell me."

"Err… fine?" he said, uncertain. "I'm not really sure, Mother. She's Granger. She's unreadable and definitely unpredictable. But she's okay, I guess. Although she had her moments."

He fondly remembered that times when she would be in an accident and he and his other best friends, most especially him, had to save her from danger.

Narcissa had seen the new expression on her son's face and smiled. Seeing Draco so, so happy, she guessed, made her all the more thankful for the lovely brunette.

"Please," she said, "if you are to visit me the next time, please bring her with you. I promise to be as cordial as possible."

He scowled. "After what you showed, Mother, after how easily you've embarrassed me, I think not."

"Oh, don't act so immaturely now, Draco," Narcissa scolded, clucking her tongue. "I just want to know her more." She looked at the magical watch on her wall and sighed. "Now, I think it's best for you to run off now. You know Albus and how he worries. I will not be surprised if a bunch of Aurors burst here in my room to see if you're still alive and healthy."

Draco smirked. "He's a worrywart, Mother. That nutcase," he said.

Narcissa lightly glared. "You know he is anything but, Draco," she said. "He's the greatest wizard."

The blond chuckled. Narcissa sounded eerily like Hermione. Or was it the other way around? He did sometimes think that the brunette acted so frighteningly like his mother he had to restrain himself from muttering 'Finite Incantatem' to see if his mother was merely disguising herself as Granger.

"I'll be seeing you as soon as I can, Mother," he said, giving her a kiss on her forehead. "I am sincerely glad to see that you are recuperating wonderfully."

Narcissa hummed for her reply and gently gave him a butterfly kiss on his cheek. "Remember that your mother loves you the most, Draco," she fondly said, patting his cheek.

Draco grinned. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, turning around. But then, his mother had stopped him.

"Keep her, Draco," she advised. "Please, please, give your poor mother a favor and keep her."

"Mother…" he said, turning around, showing his inflamed cheeks.

She raised a hand, halting him. "Oh, I am your mother, Draco. It is undoubtedly cliché but I know what's best for you," she said. "And Hermione Granger makes you happy. I want you to be happy. So, do not let her go. I have never seen you this happy before."

Now, Draco would normally snap at his mother, saying she was being silly and he and Hermione Granger were not together and would never be together (although, his damnable heart longed to; that fucking traitor). But there was something in Narcissa's eyes that made him bite his bottom lip.

Sweet Salazar, the woman was serious. And Draco had this inkling feeling that if he were to contradict her request, he would be limping back to Hogwarts. Narcissa Malfoy looked frail and weak and all that bloody nonsense because in truth, Draco had seen her hold a wand, and Merlin, he started to slightly fear his mother (Although, he had no idea why she did not defend herself when Lucius cursed her).

With a sigh, Draco ran a hand through his hair and answered a meek, "Fine." And with that, he turned around and walked out of her room back to Hogwarts.

Hermione looked from left to right and then released a sigh of relief upon seeing that she was alone.

Moaning Myrtle was nowhere to be found, which was surprising, seeing that this was her loo. A smirk appeared on her face upon eavesdropping on a conversation between two portraits about how the annoying ghost flirted with another ghost at the other end of her loo. And to further surprise her more, the male ghost flirted back. Hermione amusedly thought that death be damned, Moaning Myrtle might actually be getting her happily ever after.

The brunette settled herself on the floor underneath one of the sinks and retrieved out her Muggle notebook and pen. These things were actually handy; she had no idea when Dumbledore would think of promoting the usage of bounded notebooks and pens whose inks were actually inside. It would be less time consuming and less messy if the students were to use the two supplies for their note-taking.

Now, it must be suspicious as to why she had chosen the loo, of all places in the whole castle, as her current 'abode'. Spending time in the library would be dangerous. Spending time in their room would be extra dangerous. Her roommates, she long discovered, were too nosy for her own liking. Especially Draco Malfoy.

Oh, especially him.

Satisfied, she uncapped her pen and opened her notebook, leafing through until she reached an empty page. She pressed the tip of the writing material, thoughtful, before devising another plan.

A/N: And done! How did you like it? I personally liked the part when Narcissa was saying embarrassing things about Draco's love for Herms and all the blond could say were indignant "Mother!"s XD

Haha, anyway, this would be brief! I still have a homework in Trigonometry. So, thank you for all those who reviewed the last chapter! I mean, wow, OaP has finally reached 660 + reviews and reaching a thousand is so near… but I won't hope too much =))

Oh, and now that the next chapter is the thirty-fourth, Merlin Almighty, my dear readers, things would get… interesting, for lack of a better word. As for the meaning of my "interesting", it's all up to you how you interpret it XD Haha, I know, cruel, cruel me *blows raspberries*

That's it for now! Again, reviews :D

With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe