A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. I hope I get more readers in the future, but I'm happy about the few that I have right now. I appreciate you for taking time out to read my story. Enough talk, happy reading.

Forget Me Not

Chapter 2: Coping and Confessions

A few days passed and I was still with Draco in his amnesiac state. No one knew I was spending most of my time with him, and no one questioned why I didn't spend as much time with Harry and Ron because Ron was always too busy with Lavender and Harry was trying to get in good with Slughorn, as per request of Dumbledore. I guess people assumed I was busy doing something related to the upcoming war, or maybe they really didn't care and I was paranoid about getting caught with him.

Anyway, a few days into the break, I was in the library with him, when Harry came in. I panicked and couldn't cast an effective spell on Draco fast enough so I told him to get up, knock all my books on the floor, and head to another part of the library until I came to get him. He looked confused and reluctant, but did so despite his reservations.

Harry rushed over and helped me pick up my books. "Fucking Ferret," he said to me but glanced to the retreating blonde. I remained silent and tried to look annoyed or frustrated. "I didn't even know he was still here," Harry said as he picked up the last few books and took a seat beside me. "It seems like we haven't spent a lot of time together over this holiday. I've been busy trying to help Dumbledore get the memory from Slughorn. I'm sorry, I should have at least checked on you."

I smiled at my concerned best friend. "You don't have to apologize, Harry. I know what you're doing is important." I love Harry like a brother and I know he feels the same way about me. But he, and Ron, often forgets that I am actually the eldest of all of us. They always want to protect me. I hugged my friend after appreciating his concern for me.

"Are you still upset about Ron and Lavender?" he asked carefully. I honestly hadn't given any thought to the two.

"I haven't been thinking about it…" I admitted to him.

"So you're better then?" he looked absolutely empathetic. I nodded and smiled. "That's great," he kissed my forehead and then hugged me again. "You want to go get something to eat?"

"Umm… not right now, Harry. I'm working on something important…"

He nodded, "All right, but make sure you do eat something. I don't want you to get sick. If you're still here when I come back to check on you later, then I'm dragging you to the kitchens and making you eat something." I smiled at the now stern faced Harry.

"Ok, Harry." He hugged me one more time before leaving the library.

I waited a few minutes before getting up to find Draco who was in the aisle behind us. I realized he'd heard everything. He looked like he wanted to ask me so many questions, but he must have chosen the most important one. "Why did you send me away like that?"

I felt bad for having to break this to him; I wanted to avoid it at all cost. Guess I couldn't. I sighed, feeling defeated. "You're… you and I… well, we aren't exactly friends…"

He had a hard look on his face, "Explain."

"Umm… you don't like me or my two best friends. You always- used to always… taunt and bully us…"

"I did?" I nodded. "… So, why are you helping me? Why are you treating me so kindly?"

I shrugged. I'd been asking myself the same question since that night and still haven't come up with a logical response. "I guess the simplest answer is because you asked for my help… and I knew you really needed me…"

He suddenly pulled me against him; we both hid in the aisle from prying eyes. Draco held me tightly to him and rested his head on my own. "I'm sorry for whatever I did to you, Hermione. Even though I don't remember anything… I'm still sorry for mistreating someone as smart and caring as you." I wrapped my arms around him.

"It's… it's all right," I whispered into his chest. He squeezed me tighter.

"We don't have to keep searching for a solution," I looked up at him, questioning him with my gaze. "If I have to go back to treating you so cruelly, then I don't want my memories back. I'd rather stay like this."

"Do you mean that?" He nodded. "But, Draco, you have a family and obligations… a life to live."

"I can start over."

"People would know something's wrong. They'll-"

"I don't care," looking into his eyes, I knew he meant what he said; but this wouldn't work and I knew it wouldn't be right. I had to get his memories back. And I needed help.

Later that night, I lied to Draco about having to go help Harry with something. Harry and Ron were going to be at Grimmauld Place for the next few days, so I knew my deception would hold since we'd all be away at the same time. Draco expressed his concern about my adventures with the two late at night. I assured him as best I could that everything was fine before leaving the tower to seek help.

I went to see Dumbledore first, but he wasn't there. I considered going to the hospital ward, but I didn't think it wise anymore to get Madam Pomfrey involved. That only left Snape. So I began making my way down to the dungeons. I searched for about forty minutes without finding him anywhere. I wished I had the map, but I didn't know where Harry left it. I guess I could have summoned it with accio.

Too late to turn back now.

Finally, I went to his storage closest, hoping to just find something there, if not the man himself. I sighed when I saw him in there organizing shelves. "Professor," I called and he turned to look at me.

"Miss Granger. What can I do for you?"

"I need your help."

"And you've come to me because…?"

"Professor Dumbledore isn't here and I don't think Professor McGonagall can help…"

"What's the problem?"

"It's Draco Malfoy…"

"Miss Granger, if you've come to complain about-"

"No, no, no. It's not about me and… Draco," he raised an eyebrow at my use of his first name. "H-he can't… remember… anything."

"Explain," he ordered.

"I don't know how, but…" I told him everything that had happened so far and he listened attentively. "… and now he wants to stay like he is. He doesn't want to remember."

I'd left out why he chose not to regain his memories, but I thought I should include the fact that it was his decision.

"You should have sought help sooner."

"I know, but…"

Snape rubbed his temples. "And you're sure no one knows about this… situation?"

I nodded. "I haven't told anyone, and only a few people have seen him, but not while he was with me."

"Good, you should continue to watch over him while I figure something out," he looked like he was hiding something and I wasn't sure if I should be worried.

"What about classes?"

"Does he remember any magic?"

"A little… he's been reading some of my text books and he says some of the stuff he remembers. It seems it has to be reintroduced somehow and it… clicks?"

"This is good. He may be able to attend classes then."

"He'll need his books and uniforms. He hasn't been able to go into his room and I don't know anything about Slytherin dorms so I didn't even try-"

"I'll go gather what he needs. Wait here." Snape had left and returned with the promised materials within the half hour. "Continue looking after him. And make sure no one knows about his condition. I'll figure something out." I nodded and took the stuff from him. It was too much to carry all of the way to the Gryffindor tower from the dungeon, so I shrunk everything and put it into a bag that I conjured. Snape seemed somewhat impressed by my abilities. "He should be safe with you for now, since you're the last person anyone would expect him to be with…" I tried not to take that the wrong way, but the way he had said it made it difficult. I wiped all emotion from my face as I looked up at him once last time then headed back to my dorm.

I placed the bag inside my end table drawer then walked over to the bed where he lay sleeping. I smiled and magically tucked him in. I went to change into a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. I quietly got into my bed next to him and wrapped an arm around him. He surprised me when his hand held mine. He moaned and turned onto his back still gently holding my hand. His grey eyes slowly opened and then focused on me. He smiled sweetly; I felt my heart speed.

Part of me was panicked that I was falling for Draco Malfoy, but another part of me didn't care and wanted to stay with him… like this… like he was now. I pulled my hand from his and lifted it to cup his left cheek; I slid up and kissed him lightly on the lips. We stayed like that for a few moments until he pulled me onto him and deepened the kiss. I moaned when I felt his tongue run over mine. I realized then that I just had my first kiss with Draco Malfoy, and he probably wouldn't even remember this if and/or when he did get his memory back.

I parted my lips from his and looked down at the Slytherin; he was smiling up at me. "You're back sooner than expected. But I'm glad." He kissed me again. I smiled at him this time. He held me to him, and I rested my head on his chest. I fell asleep listening to the steady beat of his heart. I was beginning to get used to the sound.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know your thoughts on the story so far.