A/n: Thanks to my beta Hunter's Heir! **Not yet edited.

More lies about a world that

Never was and never will be

Have you no shame? Don't you see me?

You know you've got everybody fooled

~Taken from Evanescence's "Everybody's Fool"

"So the Weaselette doesn't even have an excuse to be out of school?"

I shake my head. "Harry and Ron didn't even know she left. She stayed in from classes for two days, appearing only at dinnertime. It sounds like she's been sneaking off during the day."

"And no one at school caught onto this?"

"Well they apparently went to confront her after the fact, and she tried to play dumb. Draco, I marked her own as suspect number three. She wouldn't offer up a clear explanation to anything and I think she meant to steal my jacket."

"You seriously think that?"

"Something's not right about this situation," I continue, tapping my fingers together. "She was carrying around potions ingredients when we ran into each other, and she snatched those back up rather quickly."

"I noticed. She didn't want to leave those behind."

"Yeah." I bite my nail briefly. "But I don't think Ginny's our biggest threat. I feel like there's another person out there."

"You think there are three people after you? That really doesn't make me feel any better Hermione."

"I'm not too wild about the idea either. But it would make sense. The eyes we saw in the bushes the day we left Hogwarts we're probably an outsiders since we both saw Ginny and Nott beforehand, and there's no way they beat us outside. And the person we chased near my parents' house? I feel like that was a guy, not a female. But I just have a feeling it wasn't Nott."

"You have a lot of feelings," he says, staring at me. "Look, they all sound like sound suspicions, but without evidence we can't prove any of that. Did you tell your two friends to look through her bag? She might be plotting something sinister with potions ingredients. For traditional ingredients she wouldn't have to step outside of Hogsmeade. She must be planning something rather large."

"I know, it worries me. I told them to check it out… and alert Dumbledore if something seems too fishy. But they aren't just going to turn their backs on Ginny, Draco. She's Harry's girlfriend and Ron's sister. Of course they're going to try and look at things positively."

"Yeah, but being positive about the situation won't help. Your life is on the line here, and if she's in any way a part of this she's a threat. They know that."

I sigh, brushing my hair behind my ears. "Yeah. I feel like we need to go back to Hogwarts tonight Draco."

"Why? If you're theory is correct then there isn't just one person on the inside but two and there's someone on the outside too."

"But the person on the outside can't get inside because of the wards," I remind. "He or she would have to get permission from Dumbledore, and then that would depend on whether or not he felt that person was safe to let into the school. We have the teachers and Dumbledore on the inside to help watch me, along with my friends- and even yours if that wanted to. I think right now it's just much safer to be inside the school than outside where anyone off the streets could grab me."

He scoffs. "Like I would let that happen. But you have a point Hermione. The only other place would be the Manor, and I think we should avoid that until we have to. At least when we go around Christmas it will be safe."

I don't bother pointing out the fact that his mother plans to have a Christmas Ball during the holidays and there will be plenty of guests there. That's something we can argue about later. "Right," I say, grabbing my bag. "Well, let's get out of here Draco. I think the sooner we're behind the walls of Hogwarts again, the better."

He nodded. "Yes." Together, we start collecting our things, my eyes constantly checking the window to see if Harry and Ron responded to my message.

We might be going back somewhere I declared safer, but it doesn't mean I'm completely at ease. It's almost like I can't trust anyone right now.

Getting back into Hogwarts really isn't that hard. As students the wards let us through, and although the walk is bitter cold we make it back inside without incident. After making a quick report to Dumbledore that we are back safe and unharmed we head up to my room, avoiding being hounded by our friends since class is in session. It'll give us time to settle in before facing people- Ginny and Nott especially.

Surprisingly, Draco comes upstairs to my room instead of heading down to his. I don't really question it at first, aimlessly putting things back in their place as he sits on the sofa watching me. I've gotten used to his powerful gaze over the past few days, those gorgeous haunting eyes watching me when I move. He stares at me so often for the same reason that I sneak glances at him, for the same reason that heat pools between my legs whenever we get stuck kissing too long- lust.

And frankly, I'm not sure how much longer I can push Draco off me. Sure, I pounced on him one night at the Leaky Cauldron too, but with tension building every bloody night it's hard to keep your mind from wandering. It's looking more and more appealing to just fall into bed with him.

But I'm still cautious. I still have a bad feeling that something happens after sex, but I still can't put my finger on what it is. But it keeps me on my toes.

"Should we go down to your room now?" I ask, coming to sit beside him when I've finished taking everything out of my bags. He doesn't respond, instead brushing my long locks from my face. I frown at him, tilting my head to the side.

"Draco?"

He sighs, pulling his hand back from me. "Sure, whatever."

I'm surprised by his attitude, having thought that we were on relatively good terms. "Is something wrong?" I ask, crossing my arms. He groans, rubbing his temples.

"No, everything's fine Hermione. Please drop it."

"No. Like an hour ago you were fairly happy. Now you're throwing me an attitude?"

"Really, it's nothing. I guess I'm just not elated to be back here were more problems might arise."

"I thought we discussed this. It's probably safer-"

"It might be safer," he corrects, staring at me. His hand comes back again, resting on top of mine. "It might be better here, or it might be just as dangerous. We don't honestly know, do we?"

"No, not really I suppose."

"Exactly. And that puts me on edge Hermione, you know that. It's just… stressful."

I bite my lip, staring at him. I know what's passing through his mind… as we spoke of it earlier this morning. "You still think that we need to finish the deal, don't you?"

"What?"

"Fuck. You still think we need to sleep together so that I'm safer and you can stop worrying so much." I shake my head. "It's the same fears you had this morning before we ever started talking about coming back to school. But Draco, I told you before. I think something bad happens after we finish the deal."

"And I've already asked you before what exactly you think that is. What, do you think you're going to get pregnant or something? Maybe in the future Hermione, but not right now. We'll be safe whenever we get to that point. I've told you before that I'm not pushing you into anything."

"No, you might not push me into things," I agree, "But that doesn't mean that you don't wish that we would sleep together. It's a pain to you to constantly get aroused and have no release."

"Oh. And it's not a pain to you? Come off it Hermione, it might be simpler to just finish the deal right now, but that doesn't mean we will. We have mutual respect for one another now. I'm not forcing anything on you and you're not guilting me into anything."

"I'm not trying to guilt you into anything," I agree. He sighs, and I continue. "We have to be willing to accept what comes at the end of this deal Draco. It might be nothing, or it might be something life changing."

"Because this isn't life changing?"

I shoot him a glare. "I just think we have to be ready to accept a life together at that point. By then, there's no backing out. But right now… if you really chose to, you could back out. But once we've slept together it's not an option anymore."

He nods, grabbing my hands gently. "Hermione I'm not backing out. I wouldn't even still be here if I planned to leave you high and dry."

"That's reassuring," I reply, but smile. "I know you're not going to. You wouldn't be so committed and caring otherwise."

"Exactly, so forget that bit entirely. Look, when you're ready to go all the way, you come find me before curfew. But I don't think we should sleep together until then. It'll be far too tempting."

Nodding, I squeeze his hands. I know what he means. "Why don't you go on down to your room by yourself then? Class will get out in a few minutes, and I know what Harry and Ron have this hour. I'll go and find them so I can explain what happened. That, and I really should speak to them in person about Ginny."

He looks uncomfortable at the mention of my redhead friend, but says nothing on the matter. "Okay. Dinner should be soon. We can meet up after, agreed? It'll give us a bit more time together before we should part ways."

I agree, and together we leave my room. Parting ways not five minutes later I head off to see Harry and Ron, eager to speak to my friends.

I bump into someone, smacking my head into theirs while lost in thought. This is becoming way too much of a habit. I take a step back and shake my head, trying to remove the dots from my vision.

You've got to be kidding me. Bumping into her once outside of school was weird, but a second time right after I've gotten back? It's too coincidental.

"Ginny!" I say, feigning excitement. Instead of jumping to hug my friend I hang back, a smile placed perfectly on my face. I mask my emotions, hoping to come across as cheery. But on the inside, I'm questioning whether or not to be excited or apprehensive. I feel like bumping into her was a set up. "How are you?"

"Great! I'm glad to see your back to Hogwarts Hermione," she says, smiling cheerily. We hug, but both of us keep a light grip. Nothing's too compassionate about our meeting, and she even seems a bit fake to me. Her overexcitement is very overdone.

"As am I. How's your father?" I ask, hands on my hips now. Her smile drops a degree, and I keep my mask perfectly intact.

"Oh, he's better," she says lamely, waving a hand. "It wasn't as bad as we suspected. Mum didn't really need to pull me out."

"I see." I'm not buying her fake cover-up, but I'm not about to tell her that. I'd rather talk to Harry and Ron first and get an idea of what's been going on at Hogwarts before confronting Ginny. That, and I would really like to talk to Ron. I feel like if something's up with his sister, he might know. It might not even be something big, but anything to hint towards her reasoning for lying would be good. After all, Dumbledore's been alerted about her strange behavior and appearance in Diagon Alley. She might not know it, but she's being watched by the staff and Harry and Ron now.

I need to speak to Harry too. I would really like to know what the both of them are thinking about this situation. While Ginny seems like an unlikely candidate, her actions point towards unsavory ideas. She's never broken the rules like this before, and its coincidental that she's doing so now. I'm on pins and needles with her.

"Yeah. Oh Harry and Ron will be so excited that you're back! Have you gone to see them yet? I'm sure they'll want to see you immediately."

"I'm sure- is that my hair tie?" I cut myself off, ripping my hair tie out of her hair. Usually I wouldn't bother over something so miniscule if it wasn't something my father gave me in Gryffindor colors- and it's a scrunchy. I've never in my life seen a wizard with a scrunchy, just hair ties and ribbons. I stare at her now, arms crossed over my chest.

"Oh- that silly thing? I was walking with Seamus one day and my band broke right before Quidditch. I went up and got one from your room to use… I hope that's alright."

"You were going through my things while I was away?"

"Not really Hermione, you're overreacting. It's just a hairband. You can have it back if you please."

"And my jumper?"

"Excuse me?"

"When we bumped into each other in Diagon Alley Ginny I had a rather nice jumper with me. After our encounter it was gone and Draco turned around to search for it. We couldn't find it. I'm sure it's another thing you just borrowed, but I would very much appreciate if you gave it back."

"I didn't take your jumper Hermione, I have no reason to. I wasn't cold then."

"That doesn't mean you still didn't take it," I snap, tired of talking in circles. "Look Ginny, I'll forgive you if you just give it back. I'm not really mad, but it is one of my favorites. I would appreciate if you returned it."

She hesitates briefly, and if I didn't already know that she was lying I now would. "I don't have it Hermione."

"Very well," I say, shrugging as I begin to pass her. "That's fine Ginny, no worries. I'm sure it will turn up sooner or later."

I don't know if she catches my drift, but this isn't merely an exchange of goodbyes. I'm hinting at the fact that it will be found, and if she does indeed have it I will be mad. She shouldn't be stealing from me.

She says nothing more, and a minute later the bell rings. I glance back to say something more, but Ginny's already gone. It's just a little creepy.

There really aren't any classes on this floor, and I don't meet many people until I go down a level. I'm searching the crowded hallway for my friends when someone shoulders past me.

"Looking well Granger."

I freeze at the voice, spinning around a moment later to see his head disappearing through the crowd. Nott is just as creepy as Ginny.

They have to be working together. They have the same strange way of getting my attention. But Ginny would never really cut me open to cure herself of some evil, would she?

No. Ginny might be lost at the moment, but she's not evil. I know that much.

"What are you looking at?" someone says from behind me, and I glance back to see Zabini, Draco's friend. He's looking down the hallway too.

"Nothing," I say with a shrug. If I remember right, Zabini knows about my little situation. "Actually, I have a question for you."

He shoots me an odd look. I've never really spoken to him before. "Me? What about?"

I smile, looping an arm through his as I begin pulling him down the hallway in the same direction that Nott went. He seems a bit alarmed.

"Tell me, what has Theo been up to while I was away?"

By the time I'm ready to sleep that night I'm exhausted. After a long talk with Blaise and an even longer talk with Harry and Ron I'm satisfied with everything I've discovered.

Apparently Nott's been up to quite a few things while we were away. He's been seen talking to Ginny. That's not very inconspicuous now is it? It makes me wonder why they're so willing to speak to one another out in the open if they are planning something. They've never really spoken before, and even Blaise says that it draws a lot of attention.

Problem is he doesn't know what they are planning. It would really help if he did. But no matter. I'm good at guessing, and I'm still pretty sure I know what they're after. When I told Harry and Ron that though, they got just a bit defensive.

Insulting Ginny is a bit hard to do around them, but they need to know my thoughts. She's playing a dangerous game, one that I don't fully understand. But my DNA is still missing, and now she has my jumper and at least one of my hairbands? I've gone through my clothes since discovering that, looking to see if anything else is missing. So far, I haven't noticed anything.

It's creepy that both my DNA and clothes have been hijacked. It's like someone is trying to become me.

My mind flashes back to Ginny, the one who stole my hairband and my jumper. Maybe she wants to be me. But what good would that do on a temporary potion? Besides, I see no reason why she would be unhappy with her own life. She has no real attraction to Draco and doesn't like to focus in class all the time. I think being me might just kill her.

But I can't erase the thought from my mind. What else could she get away with if she had my DNA, if she's the one who even has it. But if Nott had an accomplice who sliced my hair, who's also teamed up with Ginny, then there could be problems. I'm certain now that there has to be three people in this equation, unless Nott left school one day and was the guy who stole my hair. But for some reason, I just can't believe that.

I spoke with Draco after dinner like we planned. He's having a hard time believing that this is a three-person deal. He says that it wouldn't be beneficial for three, and can't quite see my reasoning. But I think it makes sense, even if everyone else doubts me. Even Harry and Ron seem to think it's only a two person deal.

Then again, they're still trying to find reasons why Ginny can't be involved. Don't get me wrong, Ginny is seriously one of my dearest friends, but I have to tiptoe around her. I can't quite tell what she's thinking these days, and hey, if my life's on the line I'm definitely willing to start doubting her. If evidence appears proving that she has no involvement then I will be more than willing to cross her off my list, but right now I can't do that. She's a possibility, and a dangerous one at that. She's close to my friends, and she knew how to get into my room. I've since changed the password and have no intention of telling it to her. Better safe than sorry.

Sighing I roll over in bed, unable to get comfortable. For many days a slept beside a warm body, one that made my insides turn to butter and my sex come alive. Now he's absent and I notice it all too much. I have no broad chest to rest my head against, no strong arms weaving around me or a hard ridged length poking against my bum.

Damn it all, I miss having Malfoy beside me. And I can't get comfortable here without him. But I'm unsure if going downstairs to his room is a good idea. He told me to come find him before curfew if I ever wanted to go the last mile in this relationship, and it's not only well past curfew now, but that's not my intention. Sleeping beside Draco and actually sleeping with him are two totally different things, and I don't want to get his hopes up.

He's patient, but he's also a young man, and he definitely has needs. I've felt that all too often poking me in the morning.

It doesn't help that I have needs either, it just makes me question if worrying about the aftermath of sex is really worth it. Some nights all I want to do is strip him and figure out what makes him moan, and how loud he can make me moan.

I sound a little insane. Hours ago I was saying that I can't sleep with him yet, and here I am thinking devilish thoughts. I blame it on the late night atmosphere and my loneliness.

But if I go down there, where will things go? Would we exchange a few words and then fall into a restful sleep, both trying to keep our hormones in check or would it result in some rough kissing against the wall? If that happens, I'm not sure I could control myself. You can't expect a person to wait forever for something they want, which is what I've been doing to Draco.

Yeah, it's definitely the late night atmosphere getting to me. I sound like one of the Slytherin sluts now, and that's just not okay.

But damn it all, I don't quite care. Throwing off the covers I check the time, noting that it's just after midnight. Curfew ended hours ago, and the prefects patrolling tonight will be in bed already. I grab a few things, creating an overnight bag along with my uniform and all of my books before heading out. With the bag shrunken down in my pocket, I look slightly less suspicious.

Don't ask me how, but I manage to get all the way to Draco's corridor without running into a soul. I half expected Nott to jump out from behind a corner somewhere and grab me. It would be very fitting for my current life situation, but it would really put a damper on things.

Actually, I'm a bit surprised that Draco didn't have me sleep down here to begin with, considering that the last time I slept upstairs alone a demented doll was thrown through my window. But I suppose he's trying to control himself, and having me beside him in bed really can't help him much.

The closer I get to his room the less certain I am about how things will go. If he kisses me I'll probably kiss back, and then where will things lead? I've considered this way too much tonight, but I can't help myself. I'm just so stuck on the idea of making a mistake. I don't want to push things either. Then he's just going to drawl on about how I'm not ready.

How does he know if I'm ready or not? He doesn't know what I'm feeling. Creeping to the door I whisper the password that he gave me in case of emergencies. Slipping inside, I spot him.

He's sitting in bed, a book dropped against his lap and his wand pointed at the door. He obviously wasn't expecting visitors, but sets the weapon aside when he realizes it's me. He makes his way over as I slip off my slippers.

"What are you doing here?" he asks curiously, coming to my side. He's naked from the waist up, a toned chest coming to meet me. I'm very tempted to just drop into his arms, telling him I'm tired and let him drag me off to sleep, but I know it won't happen that way. His body might not scream arousal at the moment, but his eyes are dark and clouded with lust. I don't know if that happened just because I came in or because he was thinking about something else.

I shrug, wrapping my arms around myself. The one thing I forgot to bring was something to keep me warm. My tight pajamas really aren't the warmest, and I think the biggest mistake I made was not wearing a bra. Kill me, but those things are terribly uncomfortable to sleep in. I just didn't think about what the cold might do to my nipples. Now they've caught his attention.

So much for not waking up those hormones of his.

"I couldn't sleep," I say as he places a hand on my waist. "I… I missed you beside me."

A smile tugs at his lips, and he moved to place both hands on my hips now, my arms unconsciously moving around his neck. I barely realize that they move.

"Did you now?"

"Yeah. It was just… lonesome. I thought maybe you wouldn't mind some company."

"Not at all Hermione," he says, eyes drifting over my body once. My cheeks turn pink as his eyes take me in, but my senses come alive. Suddenly I'm very aware of where his hands are.

These certainly aren't the pajamas I wore while we were at the Leaky Cauldron. I didn't even have them when I was away from Hogwarts.

I bite my lip, unsure what to do now. Part of me wants to lean up and kiss him, but that's treading on dangerous water. I'm not entirely sure if he really plans to restrain himself tonight or have a bit of fun with me. I'm really hoping it's the latter. I don't think I can stand anymore of his teasing touches and kisses without getting something else out of the experience.

He doesn't give me long to puzzle about things. Dipping his head his lips meet mine, and I feel my whole body come alive. Kicking the door shut I'm pressed against the wood, his body pressed firmly against mine.

It's an intense kiss, the kind that reaches all the way down to your toes. My hands are knotted in his hair long before it's finished, and he eventually pulls back to rest his head against mine. We're still pressed tightly together, and I can feel heat beginning to pool down there again.

"We don't have to Hermione," he whispers, eyes closed. I know he's not really saying what he wants to though. "We-"

I cut him off with a second kiss, rolling my hips lightly against his. It's enough of a suggestion to cause him to grown and pull back, curiously searching my eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't be suggesting something I wasn't sure about Draco," I mutter, tilting my head back as he bends to attack my neck. I gasp when he bites me. It just feels so good.

Screw whatever might happen after sex. We're safe, and I can hear him muttering a contraceptive spell as he releases my neck. I put a locking charm on the room, just in case some of his friends appear in the next six hours. I don't know when quite we'll be finished here.

We're safe, and we're fine. I'm sure nothing too horrible happens. It doesn't matter what's at the end of my mother's book, because I can read it tomorrow.

My brain turns to mush as he picks me up, dragging me over to his bed. He's not too gentle as he tosses me down, climbing on top to continue kissing me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.

I have a feeling this is going to be a very fun night. Who said anything about sleeping anyway?

A/n: And here's chapter 16! It was supposed to be up yesterday but… it didn't quite make it. My computer router died so we had to go get a new one like two hours before I usually post, which means I had no internet access. I had to use my friends wifi to be on the site earlier. But here it is now!

I didn't write an explicit sex scène here but I might consider writing one in the next chapter. I haven't quite decided yet.

So I've posted a poll on my profile. If you have a minute please check it out! It's concerning this story. I have the entire thing plotted out and I know the ending, problem is I have two different endings. Please let me know if it should be a standalone story or if it should have a sequel. It'll help me decide which ending to go with, but I'm really leaning towards the sequel right now…

I can't explain why it needs a sequel though, it would ruin the whole story and the surprises coming up! Just let me know your thoughts please :)

And don't forget… reviews are appreciated.