hi:) i wanted to update yesterday because it was harry's birthday but i was so so tired, but here's a new chapter and i hope you like it :)

Chapter Ten: Tainted Love

'Draco? You- I thought-'

'Pansy, I-' Draco started. But he was at a loss for words, what could excuse this? 'I'm sorry.' He couldn't help but look at her, she looked so broken. Her eyes flashed fiercely.

'Who is she?' Pansy said angrily. She turned to Hermione. 'Who are you?'

Draco turned to Hermione quickly. She looked bewildered, her eyes flitting from Draco to Pansy, her hand rising to her mouth. He breathed an internal sigh of relief that Pansy couldn't recognise her. He'd thought it obvious, but then again... her hair was the most prominent feature, (excluding her face, which was concealed) and even that looked different, it was sleek and shiny. She looked terrified in the face of Pansy, he didn't blame her- Pansy could become scary if she wanted to. There was a very long moment of silence. Hastily, she removed her shoes and ran, bare-footed and wordlessly away down the corridors and up the stairs.

'Who is she?' Pansy demanded after she was no longer in sight. 'Who did you kiss?'

'She's no one-' he said quickly. 'Pansy, I can explain-'

'I can't believe I got dressed up for you,' Pansy said ruefully. 'I can't believe I spent half an hour waiting for you, while you were dancing with another girl. Yes,' she added exasperatedly, 'of course I recognised you. I've known you for years.'

'I really didn't mean to. I can't explain it to you, but she-'

'I followed you, Draco! I followed you and that slag after you left!' She shrieked suddenly. 'I can't believe you!'

'I'm sorry.' He said lamely. There was nothing else to be said.

'Then tell me who it was!' Her voice rose slightly, a hysterical tone introduced. 'If it was that mudblood, I-'

'-Don't call her that,' he said quickly. 'And no, it wasn't.'

'Draco.' She said, a steely edge now in her voice. 'You need to tell me.'

'Why?' Draco said with a touch of panic. 'It doesn't matter, you'll break up with me anyway, I-'

'Damn right I'll break up with you,' She said through gritted teeth. 'But I need to know why first. I just need to ask why.'

Quickly, Draco considered in his head the options: he could tell her what happened with him and Blaise, and maybe she would understand- but she would know that it was Hermione. Or he could tell her that he didn't like her anymore, which was both unkind and untrue- he'd always found Pansy attractive, and he couldn't hurt her anymore than he just did- but it would hurt her enough to keep her from interfering further.

He sighed. 'Ask Blaise. He'll- he'll tell you.'

She frowned. 'I thought you two were arguing?'

He raised an eyebrow. 'Yes, because of this situation.'

She looked him in the eyes. Her expression was neither sad, nor angry anymore, she looked determined, and slightly fierce. 'Then I want to hear it from you.'

Draco looked at his feet. 'Okay, well. I guess I owe you that, at the very least.'

'Yes, you do.' Pansy replied firmly.

Reluctantly, Draco explained. Pansy was a good audience, she did not interrupt him, and didn't speak until he had finished. He half expected her to think of it as a load of rubbish, but thankfully, she believed him.

'So, you're telling me that after I went to bed- you made the Unbreakable Vow-'

He nodded. 'Whilst being completely wasted, but yeah. I did.'

'So- that's why- that's why you've been ignoring me recently?'

'Yeah.'

There was a hesitant silence. Draco watched Pansy carefully. She was looking at her feet, blinking profusely. She had abandoned her up-do completely, her hair falling in tangled waves down her front. The purple mask that she once wore was held loosely in her hand. Her mouth had formed a small o-shape in surprise.

'How do you feel about her?' Pansy asked quietly.

He decided it was best not to lie in this situation. 'I don't know,' he said carefully. 'I'm not sure. I like her, a lot- and I don't want to hurt her at all. Pansy, she said she loved me. The thing is, she thinks she does, but I still have the mark on my arm, so- she- she can't-'

'I think she probably does, to some extent,' Pansy said slowly. 'But Blaise never specified how much, though, did he? I suspect that she does a little bit, but she's confused. And,' she added, to Draco's horror, 'I think it may have to be reciprocated.'

'I have to fall in love with her?' Draco said, horrified.

'No, no- I mean, I don't think so.' She said hastily. 'Just attraction. Heavy infatuation, I'd hazard a guess.'

Draco nodded slowly. It was a lot to take in. 'Pansy, look- I didn't want any of this to happen- I'm so sorry. I wouldn't ever want to hurt you-'

She looked at him sadly. He felt an immense respect for her, as he had handled it with such grace. Yeah, Draco, I know. But I'm still dumping you, though.'