A/N: It was terribly difficult for me to name this chapter. I had plenty of ideas, but none of them fit in with my pattern. Sorry, I'm rambling, I just felt like sharing.

Anyway, sorry about the delay. This should have been up hours ago. So I'll thank my readers and let you get on with the story. Happy reading, everyone. ^_^

Forget Me Not

Chapter 17: Harry, He Hasn't!

I anxiously went through my week and tried to come up with ways to stop Harry from going through with his insane plan. Of course, he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. So on Friday at dinner, I tried one last time to convince him to stay and forget his plan. He shut me down once more, and we both stopped talking about it.

Later, after we finished our meal (I noticed that Harry hardly touched his), we returned to our common room. Dumbledore reminded the students of the strict curfew this night and that the teachers would be replacing the prefects. To ensure his words were heeded, he informed the student body that if a student was caught out after curfew, then his house would lose a significant amount of points and that he, himself, would have detention with Filch for the remainder of the year. I remembered how the students murmured throughout the hall; it seemed they all were agreeing to listen to his commands. I wondered how many would be daring enough to risk going out and getting caught. If I wasn't one of the few who were not under the ban, I sure as hell know I wouldn't be out.

But like I said, I was one of the few who would be out and about after the curfew. Dumbledore knew how well we functioned as a team, so he must have thought it was a good idea to keep us close to Harry. We'd be separated for a short time, yet that was necessary for our safety, so our headmaster claims. I thought he wanted us there for different reasons. I figured it had something to do with Harry and Voldemort's connection. We were probably a backup insurance plan in case Voldemort tried to mess with Harry's mind again. We'd be there to help our friend and to remind him why he was fighting the fiend.

I could have just been putting more value on myself, but I didn't mind being involved. I hated sitting by being useless; this gave me something to do to help and keep myself from worrying.

As the sun was beginning to set, we left our common room with McGonagall. First, she came to check that all of her students were in the Tower. Next, she pulled us all aside and placed disillusionment charms on all of us. She didn't want other students seeing us leave and feel they were entitled to do the same. After she finished her spells, we left the Gryffindor Tower and headed to the Astronomy Tower.

We saw Dumbledore there waiting. Our Head of House removed her spells and we became visible once again. Dumbledore explained the details one last time before he and Harry ascended the steps. McGonagall locked the tower door behind them and promptly stood in front to guard the entry point. Meanwhile, Ron and I glanced at each other.

I quickly averted my gaze before turning to head down the other side of the hall. Ron followed behind me. "Wait for me, 'Mione." He called after me. I stopped in my tracks, turned on my heels, and looked directly at him. He, too, stopped in his tracks and gave me a surprised look.

"We have a responsibility, Ron. You have to go to your spot." I don't know why I didn't yell at him. I should've said, "Leave me the hell alone. If you're not going to do your job, then go back to the tower."

I must have been transmitting my thoughts through my facial expressions, because he nodded and turned to leave. I guess he was smarter than I thought. No, maybe he isn't; I still can't believe what he did last week, and he had the nerve to try to confront me again this week. He couldn't take my hint? I avoided him as much as possible last week, so why would he think I changed my mind seven days later? I hope he didn't think he was giving me a decision period.

While I thought about Ron's stupidity, something caught my attention. I glanced over when I noticed a distinct shade of hair farther down the hall. Why was he out of his dorm?

As I tried to quickly and quietly hurry down the hall, I had a mini-celebration about my suspicions. I knew he was up to something. He was waiting for his chance.

I was slightly breathless when I was closer to him. Only a few meters away, I called to him. He turned and looked surprised for the briefest second.

"What are you doing up here?" I asked as I charged closer towards him. I'm not sure why I didn't draw my wand, but I should've considered it. Before I had a chance to react, a bright blue light came hurling towards me. That was the last thing I remembered before I felt my consciousness leave me.

Where am I? Those are my first thoughts when I woke up on a cold stone floor in a dark place. I searched for my wand. Thankfully, it's still where I left it. "Lumnos maxima," I said into the darkness and watched the tip of my wand light up. I looked around the brightened room. My eyes stopped on a spot on the opposite side of the room. I felt myself glare at the sleeping form across from me.

How dare he hex me, abduct me, and then decide to take a nap? Kidnapping me must have been an exhausting task. I resisted the urge to kick him in his side after I crossed the room. Instead, I kneeled beside him before I began shaking him. "Wake up, you bastard." I kept shaking him, but he didn't stir from sleep. I stopped and felt confused. I closely examined him. I tried a couple more times during my examination to see if he'd wake up, but he didn't stir at all. "Rennervate," I cast the spell over him and slowly his eyes opened.

It's possible that he did this to himself; he did admit it was part of his plan to get me out of the way. But he was cold to the touch. He felt like he had been giving a sleeping draught before I ended up in this room. If that's the case, then who the hell was that in the hall? And why were they impersonating him?

"H-Hermione?" he groggily called while he wiped his eyes. I looked at him and considered my previous thoughts. "What are you doing here…?" Draco glanced around the room. "Where are we?" he asked after he sat up and turned to lean against the wall.

"You tell me," I said with a bit of an attitude. Part of me didn't believe whatever this was.

"I just told you. I don't know."

"So you didn't hex me and bring me here?"

"What? Why would I do that?"

"That's what I want to know." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"As much as I'd love to take you away from here, I didn't hex you and bring you here."

"So you didn't take a sleeping draught…?" I muttered quietly.

"Sleeping draught? What are you talking about?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"Sitting in my room, doing my work while I waited for Blaise to get back from Quidditch practice."

"That was hours ago." I said it out loud to let him know, but I mostly said it to myself. I was thinking his words over and trying to detect if he was telling more lies or the truth.

What happened to the optimistic Hermione? Why was I now so skeptical of everything that he said or did? I glanced back up at him before looking around the room, "I think we can get out of here."

He looked over where my gaze lingered, "Did you not check that before?" I shook my head and felt foolish for not fully taking in my surroundings; instead, I thought it more important to confront him.

I stood up and walked over to the door. Behind me, I heard him stand as well; he came to stand beside me. I played with the door for a little while; finally, I drew my wand and uttered the proper spell. I half-expected it to fail, and I was entirely surprised when the door slowly opened. I happily glanced over to Draco; he smiled at me after a few seconds of staring at me. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and I turned to look back at the door.

Carefully, I pushed it all the way open. Every so often, after I pushed a few more centimeters, I stopped to check if someone had detected the small noises coming from the door.

Eventually the door was fully opened and we glanced around. Draco stepped over the threshold; I felt no need to stop him. He told me to stay put; I didn't argue with him. I watched as he did a cursory look at the new space. He returned a few moments later, "We're still in the castle. This is the Slytherin dungeon."

"Really?" I glanced around and tried to think why we'd been left down here.

I didn't dwell on those thoughts for too long. Instead, I decided to head back up and see what was going on. If I was quick enough, I may be able to spot the imposter.

Draco followed behind me as I ascended the stairs. He asked where I was headed. "The Astronomy tower," I answered while my breath hitched as I ran.

In the upper halls, there was commotion. I heard a lot of movement and racing footsteps all around us. I wondered what had happened in the short time (was it short?) that I'd been away.

"Stupefy," I heard from behind us. I narrowly blocked the attack.

"Harry, wait," I pleaded and stood in front of Draco.

"Move, Hermione. He killed Dumbledore. I saw him do it."

"He didn't do it. Believe me, Harry. I was with him, he couldn't have done it."

"One of the aurors said he saw him hex you with a sleeping charm. Don't believe his lies."

"No, Harry. Someone used Polyjuice potion. Draco was under a sleeping draft when I found him."

"He's a liar, Hermione. Now move!" We were all distracted by a loud yell and looked towards the source. Someone was now cackling as the Dark Mark lit up the night sky over the castle.

"Hermione," Draco pulled me by my waist against him, "We have to leave now. The Death Eaters are coming. I don't know if the Aurors can hold them off."

"You're not going anywhere!" Harry growled. I cast an impediment charm; he was unable to block. I took that moment to Disapparate.

I decided to go to Grimmauld Place since it was the only place I felt was safe because of the fidelius charm.

"Filthy Mudblood," I heard from the familiar voice of Mrs. Black's portrait. We both glanced over at the angry woman. She glanced over and examined Draco. Her face showed her confusion. "Aren't you Narcissa's son?" He nodded. "My niece gave birth to a blood traitor," she said with disgust before she shrieked again. I cast a silencing spell on the vile witch. She may have been permanently stuck to the wall, but that didn't mean I couldn't shut her up. She continued ranting, but at least we didn't have to hear it.

"That's my great-aunt Walburga. Are we at the house of Black?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Sirius left it to Harry. We'll be safe here." He glanced back at the picture and looked like he was mentally debating that.

Draco withdrew his attention from his aunt's portrait and looked down at me. I recognized that look.

I held my breath while I thought about my next move. I already knew what he intended, but I didn't know how to respond.

I gasped when he gripped my upper arms and pushed me back to the paneled wall. His hands quickly released my arms to find other locations to hold. His right hand cupped my face and held it still while he kissed me. His other hand traveled down to the side and held my right set of ribs. My mind turned off as he deepened the kiss and moved his left hand up slightly to run his thumb over my nipple. I felt it tighten from his attention. My back relaxed into the wall, and I moaned into his mouth.

I was in a daze when he parted his lips from mine. "We have to set some things right," he whispered breathlessly while he pressed his forehead to mine. I looked up slowly and saw the lust in his gaze. As I tried to regain my normal breathing pattern, I nodded. He smiled brightly down at me before capturing my lips again.

My body wanted to be somewhere comfortable, so my mind focused involuntarily on the three "Ds." Next thing I knew, I was clinging to Draco in another part of the house. He looked around with a question on his face. I did a quick survey and realized that I must have apparated us to the room where I normally slept. "Glad we're in agreement then," he said with a smirk while he led me over to the neatly made bed.

While he removed our clothes, my mind reeled. I knew very well this wasn't the time to be doing this, but I wanted to. Yes, I should have been back at Hogwarts helping them and not here with him. I couldn't stop myself though. I was overwhelmed with the need to be with him.

Draco hovered over me after he finished undressing us; I gasped when his slender fingers began playing over my aroused center. His grey orbs locked onto mine and captivated me. I tried to stifle my moans as the pad of his thumb gingerly rubbed my clit. My hips moved against his hand to increase the sensation his actions were causing. I desperately felt the urge to be penetrated, but he saw fit to tease me with gentle touches.

I tangled my fingers in his fine, ivory hair and pulled his head down to meet his lips. He indulged me briefly before pulling back to stare at me once again. "I've missed you so much…" his voice was just above a whisper. I didn't know what to say or how to act; my need was inhibiting my thoughts. Whatever the reason for his calm, torturous actions, I had enough of it. I used all of my strength to push him off of me. Draco was surprised as he fell beside me. I quickly maneuvered to straddle him.

Hungrily, I kissed him as I rocked my hips against his. He returned my kiss with the same fervor and gripped my lower waist. He guided my movements and improved the friction between us. I parted my lips from his and moaned breathlessly as I enjoyed the intimate movements. "I knew you missed me, too." Ever the cocky bastard, but I was enjoying myself too much to care about his words.

A moment later, I grew impatient with our actions and stopped. He continued to watch me as I positioned his tip at my entrance. Slowly, I mounted him. He let out a throaty moan and closed his eyes; I smiled at his reaction.

At a steady pace, I rocked my hips against his, loving every second and every movement of our union. For too long I've gone without this passionate dance. I hadn't realized how much I craved this intimacy with him. I stared down at his contented face and smiled. I realized the feeling was mutual.

Draco opened his eyes and glanced over my torso. The lust in his gaze became more apparent as he did so. Again, he startled me when he gripped my hips and bucked against me. I gripped his shoulders and dug my nails into his pale flesh. Little, red crescent marks appeared as my nails continued to assault him, but he didn't seem to mind. His attention was focused on other things. I followed his gaze and expected his next action.

He changed the position of his right hand so that his thumb was again circling my most sensitive area. I was moaning and whimpering from his ministrations while I tried to maintain the rhythm of my hips. He smirked up at me as he noticed my struggle for control. "Are you all right, lover?" he teased as he changed his strokes over my clit. Why did he have so much to say? I couldn't think clearly enough to retort; I was just so close to my peak. Just a little further.

Soon enough, I felt my internal muscles contracting against him, drawing him in deeper. Suddenly, he sat up and bit one of my nipples; that sent me over the edge. I was seeing white as I came undone. I nearly collapsed on the side of him, but he supported me.

Draco kissed me softly before whispered into my ear, "Turn around…" I acquiesced and dropped onto my side. He helped me onto my stomach before moving to kneel behind me. Draco was between my parted legs and he pulled me up by my hips. I gripped the pillows as he slid into me. I felt drained and incredibly sated while he continued thrusting against me. I had no idea how long it'd been until he too reached his limit, but once he reached that point, he pulled out of me and lay on the bed beside me.

Sluggishly, I moved to lie on his bare chest and never wanted to leave this bed. "Don't ever leave me again. I won't let you," he said with ragged breath.

I looked up at him and saw the seriousness written over his face. I nodded before closing my eyes. Sleep could have me.

It must have been around two o'clock in the morning when I reawakened. I quickly dressed in my panties and a t-shirt before leaving Draco to get something to eat. I had built up quite the appetite in the past few hours, and I was now unable to remain asleep since my stomach was now making demands. I knew Kreacher was somewhere in the house, probably with Mrs. Black, but he'd never procure anything for me. With that knowledge, I trekked down to the kitchen to see what was around for me to eat.

As I was laying various types of food out on the table, Draco came downstairs dressed only in his trousers. We smiled at each other briefly before he took a seat at the table while I fetched a couple of plates and some cutlery.

For a little while, we peacefully ate and chatted about unimportant things. Neither of us worried about the concerns going on around us. From time to time, my mind drifted to what was happening back at Hogwarts, but it didn't linger on those concerns for very long. Instead, I'd shift my attention back to Draco.

After sitting there a little longer, I decided it would best to clean up. I stood up and began returning the untouched food before I cleaned the dishes. The entire time I worked, I felt his gaze upon me; I smiled at the realization and lost myself in pleasant thoughts of a normal life with him.

A loud noise withdrew me from my thoughts. I dropped the plate I was washing and immediately turned around. I saw Ron struggling to restrain Draco. The blonde was struggling against him and had managed to slam Ron into the closest wall, but Ron didn't let go. I attempted to help him. As I was rushing forward, someone else grabbed me and pulled me further from him. "Let her go, Potter," Draco yelled and fought with more vigor to free himself.

"Harry?" I tried to turn and see him. "Harry, let me go."

"No, Hermione, this is for your own good," I thrashed about a bit more; his grip tightened. "He killed Dumbledore. He has to be apprehended. And we won't let you be taken with him as an accomplice."

We both continued our struggle while Harry and Ron held us. "Let me go, Harry." Of course, he didn't. "Let us explain then."

"There's nothing to explain. The bastard killed Dumbledore. I saw him. I was right there."

"It wasn't him," I urged as I struggled; my resistance was wearing me out, but I still fought on.

I stopped struggling when I heard another loud sound. Draco had slammed Ron into the wall again; Ron's unconscious form slid to the floor. He retrieved Ron's wand and held it up. "Let her go," he threatened in a low voice. Harry slowly released me. As soon as I was out of his grip I ran over to Draco's side. After I did, I wished I'd taken Harry's wand. Now he had it aimed towards us. Actually, it was focused on Draco, but I decided to move in front of him.

Harry was clearly vengeful in this moment. I had no doubt that he'd kill Voldemort if he'd been present. Too bad his attention was presently focused on Draco. "Harry, put your wand away," I said slowly as I reached out my hand as if to stop him.

"Move, Hermione," he growled and remained with his wand fixed on us. I slowly shook my head.

"Harry…" I wish I hadn't left my wand upstairs.

Draco must have grown impatient with the situation. He shoved me to the side an attempted to disarm Harry. Harry blocked and countered, "Sectumsempra." He yelled furiously and we all watched the green light head towards Draco. I rushed towards him, hoping to push him out of the way. I saw his eyes widen as I gripped his upper half. I was almost hit by the spell, but Draco quickly turned and took the curse. His painful cry pierced my ears before he went down, taking me with him. Blood gushed everywhere. I panicked and felt my breath speed. My hands were shaking as I turned him to see the extent to his wounds. Tears burned my eyes as they flowed down my face.

I glanced up at Harry who looked slightly remorseful and slightly frightened. "What did you do to him?" I asked as I sobbed. I turned from him and looked back at Draco. He was barely moving and his breath seemed to be slowing as more blood flowed from him. I tried to let my rational self take over. My mind began yelling for me to find some Dittany. I pushed myself off of the floor and quickly headed to the cabinets where the potions were stored. I rummaged through the contents until I found a small bottle containing my desired potion.

There wasn't much, but it would help enough for now. I used the dropper and poured the potion directly on the wounds; I was careful not to waste the limited contents. For the most part, the cuts on his side, back, and shoulder had stopped bleeding and weren't as deep. I needed more to fully heal him.

As I remained at Draco's side inspecting his wounds, Harry came over to stand over us. "I'm taking him to the Ministry. Stay out of my way, Hermione." I quickly grabbed Ron's discarded wand and disarmed Harry.

"That's not going to happen," I said to him. He took a step back while I stood. "Now you'll listen to me, Harry Potter. Draco didn't kill Dumbledore," he scowled at me. "I don't know who it was, but someone was impersonating him after they got him out of the way. When I found him, someone had given him a sleeping draught. And he'd been there for awhile."

Harry immediately rebutted my defense, "Who'd want to do that? Who else knew about his mission?"

He'd asked a very important question, and the answer immediately came to me. "Snape…" I hadn't meant to say it out loud, but Harry's composure slightly changed. I had discussed my suspicions about Snape with Harry; we'd decided to keep an eye on him, but lately we haven't paid him much attention.

Harry exhaled and backed further away. His legs hit the bench in front of the table; he dropped onto the wooden seat. "He trusted him… and he—he killed him…" Harry lowered his head and quietly sobbed. Normally, I'd go to comfort my best friend, but I was too busy worrying about Draco, who was now unconscious.

"Harry, I need you to go get some more Dittany."

He looked up; I was slightly saddened by his empty gaze. "From where?" he asked, his voice monotone. That was a good question. I realized after he'd asked how early in the morning it was. I exhaled deeply before warily leaving Draco with Harry and an unconscious Ron. I popped into the nearest potion shop in Diagon Alley. Thankfully, it wasn't warded. I used Ron's wand to summon a phial of Dittany. As soon as it reached my hands, I popped back to Grimmauld Place. Ron was just beginning to stir while Harry stood over by the window, absently staring. I ignored the two and resumed healing Draco's wounds.

Since I'd stopped the healing process before, there were faded scars marring his once unblemished skin. I glared at Harry's back for a second before picking up Ron's wand. I levitated Draco and guided him back upstairs to the room we had been in. I carefully lowered him onto the bed and tucked him in. Next, I dressed and grabbed my own wand. Then I walked over to Draco's resting form; I leaned down and gently kissed his lips. I finally returned to the kitchen after I'd finished everything upstairs.

Once I returned to the kitchen, I noticed that Ron was finally awake and now sitting at the table rubbing the back of his head and neck. I probably should've checked him before to see whether or not he had a concussion, but I didn't feel like it. Maybe, I'd do really quick check just to be safe. I had to admit that I'd feel terrible if one of my best friends died from head trauma.

I slowly crossed the kitchen and handed him back his wand. He looked up me; I gave him a small smile before I gave him a quick check. I finished then sat opposite him. "What are we going to do now?" I asked.

I glanced over to Harry and watched him fiddle with something. I heard him take a deep breath before he came over to stand at the head of the table. He placed the item he'd been holding onto the table. "Is that what you got from the cave?" I asked as I looked at the golden locket.

He nodded, "It's a fake." My eyes widened as I glanced up at him. Momentarily, I doubted Draco again. "Open it and read the note." I did as he said so.

"Who's 'R.A.B'?" He shrugged. "So whoever he is… he either has the Horcrux or has destroyed it."

"Do you think he retrieved it after Voldemort met Bellatrix?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head and nodded. I thought it over as well.

"Voldemort might have found out that it was a fake and left it there anyway. The trap he laid nearly killed us as we tried to get out," Harry said after a long while of silence; I noticed how he tried to avoid speaking Dumbledore's name.

"Are we going back to the castle?" Ron asked, changing the subject.

"Should we?" By "we," I was referring to Draco and me. I was sure Harry had everyone there on alert and prepared to apprehend Draco. I wasn't willing to let him return while everyone thought of him as Dumbledore's murderer.

"Why wouldn't we? We have things to do," Harry began, "With him gone, we definitely need to get some things in order."

"I'll stay here with Draco," I informed them, they gave me disbelieving glances, "He's badly injured thanks to you, Harry." Ron looked over to our other friend and grinned. I glared at the ginger male. I continued speaking, "I'll stay here and take care of him." Ron was displeased to hear that, but he wisely remained silent.

"Come on then, Ron. We have to get things cleared up. The Aurors should have held off the attacking Death Eaters." Ron nodded before standing. A moment later, he left with Harry. I stayed seated in the kitchen and looked at the note and locket. I thought about it some more before taking the two items back up to my room. I had a lot to think over while I watched over Draco.

A/N: That was long. Hope you all enjoyed it, and thanks for reading.

Oh, I'm curious about your opinion on a certain matter. I had initially planned to limit this to twenty chapters and finish with our lovely couple ending up together, but I had no intention of concluding the war. Lately, I've been reconsidering my first idea and planning to include the resolution of the war along with some Horcrux hunting. What do you think?