AN: Ahoy! :) I am terribly sorry for all who have waited so long for this posting, and after a pinky promise...shame on me. I've been pretty preoccupied with important stuff that unfortunately comes before this story, and to top it off my laptop broke awhile ago, erasing all of my chapters I had finished but never posted. It took me forever to find the words I had used, and some ideas were lost. Please be kind and review review review! If you like my story, tell me! :D If you have any ideas or things you would like to see happen, share! :D I'm open to suggestions as long as they are reasonable...I won't go back and change things that have already been written. Anyways, enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They belong to the amazing JK Rowling.

Draco turned at the slight squeaking of the hinges and blanched as Hermione's bouncy curls came into view. Pansy grinned and grabbed a hold of his face, pressing herself against him. "Oh love, that was amazing," she cried, throwing a devilish smirk towards Hermione. Hermione just stood there in shock, her eyes darting from Pansy to Draco.

"Hermione," Draco called out, pushing Pansy to the ground. "It's not what you think. I would never cheat on you."

"Ha," she shook her head. "That's not very convincing," her fingers were turning white as they coiled around her wand.

"I can explain," he reached out to grab her hand, but she brought her wand to his throat.

"Don't touch me, Malfoy," she hissed, tears spilling down her face. Rising from her position on the floor Pansy made her way across the room.

"If you hurt my Draco, mudblood, I-"

"Langlock!" Hermione shouted with a force that shook her while body. Pansy's eyes were watering and her face afire with rage as the spell took affect. Hermione's attention then turned back to Draco who was still standing in front of her. He hadn't budged an inch, his pleading eyes still glued to hers. "Try kissing her now, Malfoy," she spat.

"I didn't k-"

"Save it," she whispered, heartbroken and ashamed by the whole situation. Without another word said between them, she ran as fast as her feet could carry her down the winding corridors. She didn't care where she ended up, she just had to get out of there. How could I possibly have been so naive to think that idiot, Malfoy, actually cared for me? I'm such a fool. Wiping the tears from her face, Hermione didn't notice the person approaching and collided into them. "S-sorry," She sobbed, eyes on the ground.

"Shh shh." A pair of strong but surprisingly gentle hands grasped her shoulders. One weathered finger tilted her chin up, and Hermione's face turned a vicious red as she came face to face with the lord of the manor. His features were twisted into a look of concern, and her father's face flashed through her thoughts, making a new wave of sorrow rush through her body. "Why don't we have a little talk," he spoke softly, and with a flick of his wand they apparated into his study.

She was back in the study that she had come across on her first day, the day she arrived at hell's doors. A fire roared to life in the fireplace as they entered, and Lucius helped her settle into a leather chair in front of it before sitting down himself. She couldn't bring herself to look up at him, and instead focused on the wizarding pictures littering the mantle. There was one of Lucius and Snape looking quite serious, a recent family portrait, a few pictures of Narcissa laughing with party guests...But the one that caught her attention the most was of a small child. He had to be no more than eight years old, proudly showcasing two gaps where his front teeth should have been. It was obvious to Hermione who it was, those captivating silvery eyes, the white-blonde hair, it was Draco alright. Her eyes blurred as new tears formed, and she had to look away to keep from falling apart. Unfortunately, her eyes looked right into Lucius's direction. He seemed as though he were studying a painting the way he was staring. His hands were clasped together, pointer fingers resting on his lips, and his eyes were scouring her features, contemplating on what his next move should be. Clearing his throat he spoke.

"Now Miss Granger, I'm sure you feel uncomfortable with the circumstances that be," he said gesturing with one hand towards the room. "But I can assure you that I would never speak of any of this to a soul, if that is what you so wish." His words were kind, and Hermione felt the unusual urge to spill her heart out to him. Ginny was far away in Blaise-land, and Harry had his arms full with an outraged and depressed Ron. She basically had no one to turn to, so that is what aided her decision in confiding in a surprisingly sympathetic Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius listened intently to every word Hermione had to say, remaining silent as she poured out her heart, vulnerability and honesty emanating from every inch of her. When at last she finished, he waited a few minutes, choosing his words wisely. "I'm not sure as though the words of an old wizard like myself," he began, rising from his chair. "Would instill a sense of peace or comfort to you, as I am new to such things." He put his hands behind his back and stared into the fire. "As you well know, I have never been kind in anything I have done in the past. Hopefully, you have realized though Miss Granger, my family and I have changed completely. I have witnessed and partaken in shameful acts of cruelty, but that is all behind me now. My sole duty in this new life is to protect and ensure the happiness of my family." He smiled and to Hermione's surprise, knelt down beside her chair, his gray eyes staring directly into hers. "Do not be alarmed Miss Granger," He chuckled. "But over the past couple of months you have been here, I have taken quite the liking to you, even considered the idea you may one day become family."

Hermione couldn't help but let a few tears fall at the comment and whispered, "Don't bet on it." She jumped at the booming laughter of an apparently amused Lucius. Anger bubbled in her chest until it found it's way out through her mouth. "I don't find my pain very funny, Mr. Malfoy." Lucius softened at the girl's remark, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I do not laugh at you or your pain, Miss Granger. I'm sorry, but I found your commentary to be quite amusing. You see, I know my son." He got up and walked towards the fireplace again. "He has changed a great deal...And more thanks to you." He flashed a dazzling smile her way and continued. "I also know Miss Parkinson. Draco has grown tired of her...ways. I can assure you that what you witnessed was in fact a show she wrote and starred in herself." Hermione mulled this last statement over in her head.

"Maybe I let my raw emotions get the best of me. They just took over before I really surveyed what was going on." She got up and stood across from Lucius, who was now holding a picture frame. "If your son is truly innocent in all of this, Mr. Malfoy, than why was Pansy Parkinson in Draco's room to begin with?" Lucius opened Hermione's hands and placed the elegant silver and green encrusted frame inside. Hermione gasped as she watched the couple dancing gracefully, entranced by the other.

"That my dear child, is the right question to be asking." Determination flooded her system as she watched her and Draco move in perfect harmony, dancing the night away. She was going to figure this out. Pansy Parkinson will not take away the best thing she ever had.

Draco called after Hermione, but she was too far to hear, and he figured she didn't want to. "What have I done?" he questioned aloud. He swung around violently, pounding his already bruised fist hard into the wall. Pansy was sitting at the edge of his bed again, holding the parchment that started it all. A calm look plastered her face as she pointed a finger to her lips. Glancing at the parchment one more time, Draco angrily lifted his wand and rid the girl of the spell. Pansy smiled.

"Thank you, love. Now to get down to business." She jumped off the bed and started walking around the room as she talked. Draco stuffed his hands in his pockets and threw a dirty look at the girl who he hated with all his being. "As you know, this silly little parchment declares a silly little agreement we both made." Her gleeful expressions shook him to the core, only furthering his anger.

"That's not fair!" He shouted with a force that could break a window, but Pansy only giggled.

"It seemed to be fair at the time," she stopped in front of Draco, putting her hand on his chest. He swatted it away, and stepped back.

"I'm a different person from the scared little boy who agreed to sign that. Anyways, it is no longer valid."

"So one may think," she smirked. Draco moved closer, grabbing her face in his iron like grip.

"What are you talking about?" He spat. Pansy's face broke into a full on smile.

"Don't you remember, love?" His grip tightened, almost choking her.

"Inform me," he breathed, pure anger restricting his voice.

"This paper is binding. It was charmed with old magic of the likes that cannot be broken. I'm afraid you and your mudblood are through," she laughed, reminiscent of the late Bellatrix Lestrange. Draco's features darkened as he grabbed the parchment from her hands. His eyes scanned the document for any clear loopholes, any way out.

"No," he gritted his teeth.

"Oh, Draco, love!" Pansy spun around the room, black curls bouncing, skirt fluttering with every movement. "This will be the best day of our lives! No!" She stopped for a moment and turned to face him, running and grabbing for his hands. "Our wedding is going to be the event of the century! The whole wizarding world will fawn over it like it were the joining of a prince and princess!" She continued to dance around like a child. Draco couldn't take it anymore. His anger was really getting the best of him today. He grabbed his wand and physically made Pansy leave with the help of an imperious curse. With the dreaded witch gone he flopped on his bed, and did something he would never admit to, he cried. The sobs shook his body as his heart fell to pieces. What was he going to do? This would only further break Hermione's heart.

"Hermione," he whispered, pain drenching his voice. "Please forgive me."