A/N: Okay, I got busy! I'm sorry! But, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it and thank you ALL for the reviews! I love you! And I need to rant... A while ago there was this author on here and she (I think it was a she) had this amazing Ginny/Lucius Marriage Law fic and now I can't find it anywhere! The thing is, I can't even remember the name of the fic or her Author's penname... And now I'm stuck really wanting to read it and can't. *sighs* And I know, Ginny/Lucius? GROSS.. Not really. Don't knock it 'til you try it, people. And does anyone have a huge crush on Scabior? Mmm. He's lovely... NOW! ONTO THE STORY!

Chapter 17

Draco didn't know what to think when so suddenly Hermione's lips were pressed to his, and then they were gone. The look on her face was a bit disturbing, as she stared at him in utter shock. She looked completely baffled at what she had just done, almost horrified. And yes, there was shame on her face, too. He couldn't quite help his own reaction to what she did. The kiss had been so unexpected.

It felt good though, he had to admit.

He barely heard her apology, didn't even come to realize she was standing to flee, before his hand shot out and he wrapped his fingers around her wrist as gently as he could. Pulling her back to the couch to him. The shame was still on her face, but he didn't think about it much before he leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers. He couldn't help his hand tangling in her curls, or that he was losing himself in her. Only to get sucked in deeper when she finally returned the attention and her lip pressed to his most deliciously.

He was almost amazed when her mouth part for his tongue. Listening to her gasp when the tip of his touched hers and they tangled in the most amazing dance. He'd only kissed a few others before. He wasn't some sex god, although he wasn't a virgin either, who knew the art of kissing like the back of his hand, but he could tell Hermione hadn't had the pleasures of a good snog before this moment. Especially when her body was fighting with itself, feeling her press close to him, before she moved away. The gesture repeated a couple times, while he was busy filing away the softness of her lips.

He suckled on her bottom lip, his hands playing over her lower abdomen, easing under her shirt and caressing the small bump of her stomach. Instantly he felt her tense. Felt her lips retreat along with her body this time.

They were both breathing heavily, now. And he watched as she ducked her head to hide the blush on her cheeks. It was her words that stilled him, the small, innocent voice that made her sound so fragile. "I'm sorry..."

Her hands were twitching, a tall tell sign that she was wanting to run as fast as she could, but she didn't know just where to run too.

Slowly he reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze, hoping it reassured her as much as he wanted it to. "Do not be sorry," he told her firmly, bringing his other hand beneath her chin, urging her to look at him. "Never be sorry if you are uncomfortable. You let me know if I go to far..."

She nodded and he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. Sighing quietly when she easily wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"What are we doing here, Draco?" her voice was so soft, but inquisitive. He knew she really wanted to know what was the meaning behind the kiss, where was it going to lead them to in the future. But, he didn't know any of that. Not yet. Nothing was ever set in stone, and he wouldn't make her any promises. Not when he didn't know if he could keep them or not.

"We're surviving, Granger," he said, gruffly.

"It's Hermione," she chastised lightly.

He snorted, but it was a half hearted attempt, as he pressed his face into her unruly hair. "Fine, Hermione."

/-/-/-/

December 19th, 1996

It had been two days since they had kissed, and they hadn't since, aside from a peck here and there on the cheek. Hermione watched Draco out of the corner of her eye as he chatted with Blaise during lunch. Again she had made some sort of concoction with her food that made everyone turn their nose in disgust, all but Draco. He had grabbed his forked and took a bite, claiming the watermelon and fish wasn't too bad.

She had noticed him spit it into his napkin when he thought no one was looking. Taking it as a rather sweet gesture, and letting him think it had gone unnoticed. He after all, was seeming to understand her more than anyone now.

That night during the kiss, she had never felt so heated. Like her whole body was going to burst, but then the tickling touch of his hand was on her stomach... She had tried so hard not to think about Dolohov, but that night came back to her, haunting her, and Draco understood. Demanding her not to be sorry and to let him know if he ever took it too far.

The thought that he might kiss her again had been on her mind ever since. But she was unsure whether she wanted him to or not. The small kisses on the cheek didn't bother her, they rather made her feel good. Although, allowing his tongue into her mouth once more, and letting him touch her so intimately was a whole other story.

It had felt good at the time, there was no denying it. No need to lie to herself. But, how could she allow whatever it was they shared to evolve? How could she when the man who impregnated her still stalked her dreams and woke her up every night, only to cry herself back to sleep?

She looked up when she heard the flapping of wings and she smiled when an owl swooped down before her and gave her the days addition of the Daily Prophet. She gave the bird a piece of her fish, before she unrolled the paper, and went to take a drink of her pumpkin juice, only to drop the cup when she read the headline.

'MUGGLE FAMILY KILLED.'

A picture of her childhood home stared back at her and she barely even heard the sound of her name being called as she scanned the article. Oh, god...

'It is unknown why such a massacre was held secret, but finally word has reached the wizarding public that Hermione Granger, best friend and ex amore to Harry Potter, had been attacked a month prior to her return to Hogwarts. Her parents, a pair of Muggles, were horribly murdered. The details are to remain out of the public eye, sadly, but it has been stated by Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, that this incident was the product of Death Eaters...'

Hermione couldn't read any more. She glared at the picture of Rita Skeeter, her vision blurring with tears. She hadn't wanted anyone to know. She had been content to allow herself the freedom to tell whom she wanted, but now... Her hands gripped the sides of the paper, the sound of it crinkling and tearing not reaching her ears as she got lost in her anger.

So infuriated and upset, her quick, uneven breathes had her seeing spots before she promptly passed out into a pair of strong arms.

/-/-/-/

When Hermione woke up it was with a grown. She felt the plush of a mattress beneath her and the soft, firm touch of someone holding her hand. She turned her head and very slowly her eyes fluttered open to find Draco sitting there on the chair beside her.

"Hermione?" he asked, leaning closer, his face devoid of emotion but he couldn't mask the concern in his voice.

Looking around, it didn't take much for her to figure out she was in the hospital wing. The 'why' of the situation slowly coming to her as well. Popping up in individual scenes: the owl, the Daily Prophet, the front page article with her home displayed in ruins, her rage at the very sight of a smug looking Rita Skeeter. That- that... witch!

"Hermione," Draco's voice was soft to her ears and she closed her eyes and shook her head as she pushed herself up to sit.

How in the world had the Ministry found out? She had thought the Order kept the knowledge under lock and key. That when she wanted the world to know, she would tell them. Of course, she wouldn't shout it from the rooftops, nor willingly go into an interview with anyone from the Prophet... She would have taken her story to Mr. Lovegood and his Quibbler.

Very slowly she felt the muscles in Draco's hand move and his fingers squeezed her own gently, reassuringly. She finally managed to look at him, unable to hide her tears. "I didn't want it to get out like that," she managed, raising her free hand to her face to hide her sob behind her fingers.

There was a beat of a moment, before she heard Draco stand and murmur for her to scoot over a little. She did so without hesitation. Allowing him to wrap her up in his arms as he lay next to her and she cried into his chest.

"Shh... It was only part of the story, Hermione. It's all right. Shh," his voice was soothing. "I got you, you'll be okay. I got you," his voice went on like a mantra, calming her so, that she fell back asleep in his arms but not before she heard him speak the softest words that made her heart soar. "I'm here for you, love."

/-/-/-/

December 20th, 1996

When the day of Slughorn's party came around, Hermione had more or less changed her mind on attending. She didn't see the point. She'd just be stared at the whole time anyway and she didn't want to be the main attraction, like some sort of animal at the zoo. She wanted to be Hermione. Just Hermione. Not the pregnant girl of Hogwarts who lost her parents to Death Eaters.

But of course she wasn't given a choice. She had settled down with a book, already telling Draco earlier at lunch that she didn't want to go, when the girls burst through the portrait hole. She'd never felt like such a doll in all her life. Pansy went through her clothes, Luna began flicking her wand about to do her hair, and Ginny charmed on some make-up, even as she protested.

When she looked in the mirror, she rolled her eyes at her belly. The dress was pretty, pink, and simple, and she was grateful Pansy didn't pick out something ridiculous but her stomach still stuck out. Even though it wasn't huge, it was evident she was pregnant.

With a sigh she looked at her friends. Ginny, of course, was looking beautiful in green, hair down but swept out of her eyes with a pin. Pansy, in a wonderfully suited black dress and green heels, her hair oddly curly. And Luna, well, she wasn't quite sure what Luna was wearing. It almost had the shape of a tree and was the color of peach and gold... It sparkled, but nonetheless, she looked dazzling as well.

"I already told Draco I didn't feel up to going," she told them for the umpteenth time, subconsciously pulling at her dress as if she could hide the bump.

Pansy laughed. "Hermione, love, the guys are getting him ready."

With another sigh, her shoulders sunk in defeat. When the time came around for the party she was ushered out of her room to meet the guys down near the dungeons. She was surprised to see Neville there with them, usually he only hung around when Luna or Ginny was near. But what was even more surprising was his robes. He looked rather dapper, when she had thought he was going to be a waiter for the party.

She smiled when Draco came to her side and took her hand, glad the dungeons were dimly lit as her cheeks heated up when he brushed his lips across the sensitive skin, just in case they had some onlookers.

"I thought Neville wasn't invited.." Hermione said, looking up at him, while their other friends conversed and laughed over nonsense.

Her eyebrow raised a fraction at his smirk, but he didn't look away from the other Gryffindor. "Blaise asked on his behalf..." he started, finally meeting her eye. "Of course, that was after the nitwit planted his fist in my face."

Hermione's gasp was lost on her lips when she saw the bruise forming under Draco's eye and the small, slither of a cut on his cheekbone. She could only stare and when their friends started walking, she only came to when his hand slipped to her back and he led her along after the others.

"Neville did that? Neville Longbottom?" she finally got out, looking ahead of them at her fellow Gryffindor. During their first few years at Hogwarts Neville had always been a bit heavy set, but as he got older he lengthened up, getting taller and rather lanky. He hadn't looked like he could throw a punch then, and he sure didn't look it now. He was still baby-faced, utterly adorable, and sweet. She just couldn't imagine him hitting anybody... "What did you say to him?" she asked turning of Draco with a frown. Even as she thought that Neville hitting anyone was thoroughly impossible, Draco had the most irate talent of making anyone want to beat him to a bloody pulp with only a few words.

He had the audacity to look sheepish and her frown easily turned into a glare.

"I might have asked him how his plants were doing..." Draco shrugged dismissively.

"Draco Malfoy..."

"I know! What I said was crude and I would not like to repeat it, it would make your ears bleed," he said, trying to joke, but Hermione wasn't laughing. "If it's any consolation, I now have a black eye and they have both been apologized to," he then grimaced. "To which Luna said it was extraordinarily nice of me to ask and that Neville waters her just fine."

Hermione's face went slack with shock and she looked ahead once again to see a soft kiss shared between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. She then snorted as she glanced to Draco, placing a hand over her mouth to stop any more laughter from spilling out.

"What?" the word almost came out as a sneer.

Hermione shook her head. "While I'm surprised they've gone that far, I think that was better punishment then Neville's punch," and she couldn't stop the giggle.

"Oh, shut up," but the harsh words came out on a laugh he tried to hide and Hermione could only grin up at him before they entered the party.

Her smile no sooner fell, because the whole party went silent when they walked in. Draco immediately wrapped his arm more securely around her and she nearly burrowed into his side. If it weren't for Professor Slughorn coming over, being his usually jovial self. Giving Draco a gently slap on the back and shaking Hermione's hand, thanking them for coming, before he did the same for the others.

The party commenced, albeit a bit less boisterous then it had been before they arrived. She drank some pumpkin juice and nipped a couple finger foods off the passing tray the waiters carried around. Hermione calmed some more with Draco constantly at her side. But then Theo and Blaise pulled him away to talk with some other boys and Hermione was left alone in the corner of a couple hanging drapes.

"Hey, Hermione..."

She jumped, spinning around to face the voice, holding her hand to her heart. The sight of Harry standing their made her heart jump and she stepped back on instinct. After the way they had treated her and then Draco when he stepped up to both him and Ron, she was hesitant and rightly so.

"Harry..."

There was a long moment of silence and Hermione looked over the room to find someone... anyone... Pansy was having a discussion with Neville. Luna was talking to a very pale man, and though she knew better he looked like a vampire. Ginny and Theo were currently making goo-goo eyes at each other and Draco 's back was to her as he spoke to Professor Snape.

"You look nice," Hermione turned back to him as he blurted out the words. A tall tell sign he was struggling to keep up a conversation with her.

"Look- what is it you want, Harry?" she asked him with a sigh. "You haven't spoken to me for over a month... Why start again, now?"

She watched his mouth open and close a few times, before his head hung and he shook it in defeat. "I just wanted to see how you were doing... I - we - saw the Daily Prophet. Why didn't you tell us?"

Hermione nearly bristled with anger but she took a deep breath and instead of laying it on him, she spoke calmly, much to the dislike of her raging hormones. "I told you I had a rough summer. I told you and I would have told you all of it... But you decided I wasn't good enough for you anymore," she shook her head when he opened his mouth to speak. "No, Harry- because I affiliated myself with a couple of innocent Slytherins you ostracized me. Me. And I have been here for you through everything, since the moment I met you. I never once backed down. Not once did I ever run away crying because things were too scary and things with you Harry James Potter is a roller coaster ride at the scariest amusement park."

She looked around the room and saw Draco was now staring at her intensely. She smiled sadly at him in return. Almost surprised when she turned back around and found Harry silent and looking at his shoes in dismay. Calmly, and without shedding one tear, she spoke, "I loved you like a brother and you threw me away like a damaged broom."

Hermione walked away before he could reply and she walked up to Draco, leaning against him when he wrapped one of his arms around her waist. She closed her eyes and let his cologne do it's thing as she took a couple deep breathes. Looking up, she caught his concerned expression. "Walk me back to my room, will you?"

"Of course, love."

TBC