A/N: FINALLY! I know. I know. I had been on a roll there for a moment, and then I stopped. But, in my defense I was FORCED to go on vacation and was nowhere near a computer. Forgive me? Please? I love you all? Anyway, just a little tid bit of my life that I can't keep in. I FELL IN LOVE. Sadly, I don't even know his name. *sigh* All I know is that he was a Norwegian swimmer and that he said 'bye' to me when he left the diner. I usually don't believe in love at first sight, but wow.. Yeah. Thought, I would share my little bit of tragedy. AND I hope you all like this chapter. I tried getting it up sooner, but I had a bit of a block, until I reread my reviews and got inspired! Thank you all!

Chapter 16

December 13th, 1996

December came around quickly, although more slowly in Hermione's eyes. After arriving in the Great Hall with Draco that November morning, many things had changed. Everything had been so quiet for what had seemed like hours but were merely minutes ticking by. Then all hell broke loose. The words and accusations were still fresh in her memory. Shutting her eyes tightly as she remembered all of the hurtful things that had come from the Gryffindor table. The Hufflepuffs didn't dare say a word, but a fair few Ravenclaws made their opinions known. And the Slytherin sneers she received were full of venom.

"Traitor!"

"Seems Granger isn't so perfect after all!"

"Slytherin Slut!"

"Can't believe it! She's cohorting with the enemy!"

"The Mudblood's a Death Eater's whore!"

"ENOUGH!"

Dumbledore had come through for her, while she remembered taking Draco's had to keep him from getting up and doing something dreadful... It seemed the Headmaster wasn't going to take such bullying and profanity in his school. He more or less had everyone on their toes after the shocking bellow of his usually mild mannered voice. It wasn't often that anyone saw such a look upon Albus Dumbledore's face, but that glittering sparkle of fury in his eyes that morning had scared everyone into silence.

It had taken a few minutes before anyone even thought about continuing with their meals and when they did, the Hall was as quiet as the grave.

Everyone seemed to get the deeper message, as well. While she still got looks down the corridors, not one student said a nasty thing to her. Of course, she had Draco on her arm everywhere she went now too, except for the classes they didn't share.

She had thought playing nice with Malfoy and acting like a cute, young, expecting couple would have been hard. Instead it came rather easily. It was little things at first, holding hands when ever they were in the same room, and if they weren't close enough, sharing looks of feigned longing to appease their audience. There were times he'd wrap his arm around her shoulders or he'd go that bit further and hold her around the waist. They never kissed, only touched. She remembered one point after a Quidditch game waiting for Theo and Blaise to get out of the boys changing room, with Draco, Pansy, and Ginny.

They had all stood off to the side, watching as other students walked back to the castle. Luna and Neville had taken off during the middle of the game, because Neville forgot about some plants that needing tending. Of course, Draco had made a rather crude joke about that. With Pansy and Ginny talking about an assignment they'd been given by Professor Firenze. Hermione relaxed back against Draco, feeling rather comfortable even if it was all just for show, while his chin rested on her shoulder and his hands held her hips for some time before wrapping around her stomach gently.

That moment would have been so nice, if she hadn't closed her eyes and saw Dolohov's face. She had given Draco a weak smile when he pulled back and started messaging her tense shoulders. His face only showing that he understood.

With Draco in class now, Hermione sat out on her favorite patch of earth, facing the Black Lake and watching the squid trying to catch a meal. Her friends usually didn't like it when she went off alone, while things had been calm they still feared someone would come up to her and hurt her. But, she felt perfectly fine with having a moment to herself, even if it was out in the snow. She had placed a warming charm over herself and was quite content on the blanket she brought with her and her Potion's textbook in her lap.

She didn't know how long she had been out there, glad that her classes were done for the day and she didn't have to worry about rushing to her next lesson. She wasn't surprised when a form plopped down beside her and an arm was thrown over her shoulder, she looked up at the sandy haired boy and returned his smile. They hadn't been alone with each other in so long, she just realized how much she missed him.

"It's been too long," he said, waggling his eyebrows and she laughed at him.

"Well, you've been busy with your new girlfriend," she returned and raised an eyebrow at him. "How are you and Ginny, by the way?"

Theo gave a shrug, but she saw his lips reveal a secret smile, a smile that made her envious of the redheaded girl. Would anyone ever look like that when they thought about her? Could someone look passed her problems, her flaws? At that thought, she looked down at her stomach and sighed.

"We're good," said Theo, wistfully, as he looked across the lake. "She doesn't push me, she's understanding, as hell. I told her what happened," he added, nervously. "You know...what happened."

Hermione's eyes widened just a little and she reached and took Theo's cold hand into her own. Having to tell that story once more had to have opened old wounds all over again, she knew. "And?" she asked. "Other than understanding, how did she take it?"

"She cried," he said with a small sigh. "No one's ever cried over me, Hermione. I mean, not like she did. It's as if she felt the pain I went through."

Hermione smiled at her friend. "That's because she loves you." He looked at her as if she'd grown a second head and she laughed at the expression. "Oh, come on, Theo. Who wouldn't fall in love with you? You're handsome, intelligent, you can make a girl laugh without overdoing it. You're easy to be around, and you make people feel special by the things you say and do. It's very easy to fall for you, Theo."

His cheeks colored, the flush more vibrant in the cold even with the warming charm. Her smile faltered a little when he continued to stare at her, his face an unreadable mask, aside from his blushing cheeks. He lifted his hand and cupped the side of her face when she looked away from him, making her look at him once more. When he leaned in she worried he was going to kiss her, but let out a breath of relief when he only touched his forehead to her own. "Thank you, 'Mione," he said quietly, his breath rushing across her face and smelling of mint. There was a long moment and neither of them moved. "I love you, you know?" he told her. "You're like a sister to me, I would do anything for you."

"Oh, Theo," she said and pulled away, unable to tame the tears that came to her eyes, placing a hand on one of Theo's now warm cheeks, the other ruffling his hair. Just realizing that this boy, since the very beginning, had been like family to her, protecting her when she most needed it. "I love you too."

Both of their smiles were of the watery variety and Hermione settled her head against his shoulder as she looked back out to the lake, wiping away the few tears that fell with the back of her hand. While her parents had gone, she wasn't left without family. No, no. She had Theo and Pansy and Blaise. Hell, she had Ginny, Luna, and Neville, as well. A certain blonde Slytherin even managed to slither into it and capture her heart. And boy did he capture it. He had her heart in his hands, unknowingly, and could easily break it at any time.

The silence was long, but comfortable as they lounged together. Easily slipping into the rolls they had previously had. Back when the only drama was dealing with Harry and Ron's anger of her 'cohorting' with Slytherins.

"You've seemed more cozy with Draco," Theo said after a while, tightening his one arm around her as he glanced down at her and she met his gaze with a brief eye roll.

"We're trying," she told him, her voice drifting to a quiet tone. "It needs to be believable."

"Oh, it's believable," he nodded, exaggeratedly. "Although, the fact that you haven't been caught snogging in the corridors is circulating," while Hermione looked at him in terror, he quickly added. "Not that you have to, you know. Some people just don't like PDA and Pansy and I have been throwing that out there. We know you two really don't get along well. It's a surprise Draco even did what he did."

Trying to wrap her mind around that and trying not to be too scared of the fact that they could be found out, due to a lack of lip locking, Hermione sighed. "It was bloody courageous, it was," she said, with her chin held high. "I'll never know how to thank him. How to repay him..."

"A little kiss might work- OW!" Hermione glared at Theo as she watched him rub his newly bruised arm. "Bloody hell, woman! No need to get violent, sheesh!"

"Oh, poor baby, want me to kiss it?" she asked, jokingly, but still she poked him out of irritation.

"Oh, how bleeding sweet. This will be nice news for tomorrow. 'Hermione Granger leaves baby-daddy to shack up with Theodore Nott'. Poor, Red. Does she know, yet?"

Both of them jumped when they first heard his voice. Hermione smirked, while Theo frowned. Hermione patted the free spot on her other side, looking around to see a couple other students out to get some fresh air before dinner. "Come along, love," she said to him, encase anyone could hear them. "Theo and I were just talking about public affection and how we don't show enough."

Draco sat down, and she watched him stretch his legs out along the blanket. "Not enough, hm? What would satisfy him, a shag in the Great Hall?" Hermione slapped his arm, the same way she had Theo's, only Draco smirked devilishly at her.

"More along the lines of snogging," Hermione chided with a light blush on her cheeks.

"Ah."

"Yes, apparently some are wondering," she shrugged her shoulders. "But, I don't see why. We touch each other all the time."

"But, your humble viewers would like to see a kiss once and a while," Theo piped in. "Kinky sods," he said with a frown, only to smile when Hermione nudged him lightly.

She looked at Draco with a raised eyebrow and found him already staring at her intently. "Would you be all right with it?" he asked her, while Theo was in the proximity range of hearing, Draco's voice was devoid of any sarcasm or his usual prissy tone. If she were to place it into any one category she would say his voice was full of concern.

Raising one hand to his cheek, she swiped her thumb along his pale skin gently and looked into his beautiful eyes. "I'll be fine, Draco," as he opened his mouth so say something, she cut him off. "I swear, I will be all right with it. Whenever it has to happen."

Stuck in their own little bubble as they stared at each other, they were both unaware of the discomfort of their mutual friend, or that they had gathered a audience from afar. She found herself swimming in the depths of his silvery-blue irises. They were calling her in and trying to make her drown in their beauty. Quickly her eyes found somewhere else to look. His lips. Was it just her or were they coming closer?

"Ahem. You know it would be nice if you could do that when I'm not around," Theo said, breaking the lure. "Since we've just made it clear that Hermione is in fact like a sister to me. I really don't fancy seeing her snog."

Draco continued to look at her with a spark in his eyes she couldn't quite figure out, even as she glanced away and her hand dropped back into her lap. "I suggest you leave, then, Nott."

"Draco," Hermione said, her tone soft, but again chastising, and a little embarrassed that she'd been so caught up in the moment she completely forgot about Theo. Not to mention, the moment hadn't at all felt like they were putting on a show.

"Fine," Draco said with a sigh. "I'm sorry my little, ratty friend."

Hermione's hand came out and slapped his arm, completely appalled at what he just said to poor Theo. Just when she'd told him he was handsome. And by her book, Theo didn't look ratty at all. "Great, Draco," she said with a sigh, as Theo stood up and stomped away from them seething in self-conscious anger. "Just great."

"What the bloody hell did I do, now?"

/-/-/-/

December 17th, 1996

Hermione sat at lunch with her food spread all out before her. Porridge, bacon and eggs, and of course fruit. Since Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall had both expressed that she needed as much fruit and vegetables as possible during her pregnancy. While the fruit hadn't been there before, when Draco took his seat next to her he'd made sure she had it.

It had annoyed her as hell, but she soon forgave him when she took a bite from a strawberry. It wasn't long before she had dumped everything into the porridge bowl and stirred it around. Taking a testing bite, before she dug in with a small smile.

"Oh, that looks fowl," Theo said as he sat on her other side and Hermione looked to see Ginny wrinkling her nose in agreement.

"Well, you don't have to eat it, now do you?" she asked, rhetorically, and continued to eat her concoction.

Theo huffed childishly and laid his head on his folded arms while Ginny stroked his tawny hair. "He's just upset because he's not invited to Slughorn's Christmas party."

"Am not!" came Theo defensively, though he didn't sit up. And the pout on his face told her of his folly.

"You're not alone, mate," Draco said, setting his pumpkin juice down with a loathing sneer that was aimed at the head table and precisely at Slughorn. "I didn't get an invite either."

Hermione turned to him in surprise. "You didn't?" she asked, shocked because while Draco wasn't as excited about studying as her, he was right up there with her in the smarts. "I really can't believe that, both you and Theo are wonderful in your studies, aside from a few misunderstandings."

"Well, I invited him to come as my date," Ginny said, sighing, still petting her boyfriends hair as he sulked. "But, it appears he likes to whine. I guess I could just take someone else. Maybe Dean..."

"What?" Theo's head popped up and he looked at his girlfriend with a frown. "You are not going to take that fucking Gryffindick, not after he joined in on the 'Hate Hermione Parade'."

The snort couldn't be helped and Hermione coughed as she sucked down some pumpkin juice. Trying to smile at Draco when she felt his hand on her back, gently patting, but she could only manage a grimace.

"Gryffindick?" Draco asked while he continued to sooth her. "That's a new one. I like it."

"I-It's obscene," Hermione managed, her voice hoarse now after the pumpkin juice went down the wrong pipe and she was still clearing her throat in a means to help. When she finally felt her throat relax back to normal she looked over to tell Theo just what she thought about this new insult, only to shy away at the image of Theo and Ginny kissing.

"Oh," she squeaked and looked back to her nearly empty bowl of food. Glaring when she heard the rumble of Draco's laughter next to her.

/-/-/-/

When her first free period came around Hermione asked Draco if he would like to join her up in her rooms to study. After the events of Draco claiming the child, she had been given a strict talking to by McGonagall. She could have boys in her room, but no funny business. If there was any shenanigans occurring the portraits would notify her at once.

They had been sitting on the couch for a couple minutes, the clock ticking away and the paintings quiet to give them the peace they needed in order to work.

"I was thinking," Hermione started looking at Draco as she chewed on the end of her quill.

"When are your not?" he returned not looking up from his Potion's essay.

"Don't be a jerk."

With a sigh he finally looked at her. "I'm sorry," he said, sounding surprisingly sincere.

"I was just thinking, since Ginny is taking Theo to Slughorn's party and Blaise is taking Pansy... Well, I was wondering-" she looked down at her textbook and sighed. Why couldn't this be easier? It was so easy to lean into his embrace in public or hold his hand. Why was it so hard to ask him something in private? "Well, it's just-"

"Are you asking me out, Granger?"

"Hermione."

"Fine, Hermione."

"If you're going to be an ass about it, no. But if you are cordial, I would like to take you to Slughorn's party," she said, her annoyance with him urging her to get it out with a huff as she looked up at him.

"Are you taking pity on me because I wasn't invited," he asked, his frown and tense shoulders throwing her off.

"What? No!" she said and reached out to take his hand, almost afraid he'd get up and leave. Because she had seen him throw fits even over the smallest of things. "No, no." She shook her head, still annoyed, but not wanting him to think she asked out of pity. "I just thought- Well, to hold up appearances... And I would like to take you, you know, if you like..."

She stared into his eyes, getting lost in the maddening depths, watching as his frown decreased and softened. He didn't say anything, but he did nod slowly.

"Is that a yes, you'll go with me?"

"Yes, I'll go with you."

With a bright smile, Hermione instinctively leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. It was the feel of his smooth lips that shocked her, that made her truly think about what she had just done. She jumped back, eye wide, but too mortified that she actually kissed him to look away. The thought of kissing, even when Theo had brought it up, had made her shiver in fear because when she thought about the intimacy of the act, of how innocent a kiss could be, she thought about how all of that had been robbed from her. How sometimes even a simple touch still made her think about that night.

It seemed not only had she shocked herself, but Draco as well. His eyes were just as wide as hers, if not wider. And his mouth was parted in his disbelief.

What surprised her more was that she didn't feel dirty, she didn't feel like she needed to run to the shower and scrub herself clean. And while that was all good and fine, she couldn't help thinking of Dolohov, anyway. And that made her want to run. How dare she think of that man's chapped, harsh lips, while she had just felt the most perfectly smooth mouth against hers just moments ago.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, throat thick with emotion, and stood up to leave.

Cool, long fingers quickly wrapped around her wrist and pulled her back down on the couch, the surprise leaving her with an 'oomph'. She looked at Draco, confused and ashamed, before his lips were pressed back against hers and his hand delved into her hair. Her eyes were wide for some time, before she allowed herself to enjoy the kiss. To enjoy the smoothness of Draco's lips. Dolohov forgotten for the moment, as she moved her lips in return. Eyes fluttering shut just as Draco's mouth parted as she felt the soft, wetness of his tongue slide along her lips.

TBC

A/N: I'm evil. I know.