Chapter 12-

Ron was lying on the hotel bed when several owls prodded him awake. He tore open almost every letter and he still couldn't understand why he was getting hate mail. Finally only one owl was left. The owl was clutching the Daily Prophet. Ron snatched the newspaper and shooed the owls away. He had now presumed that there must be a dreadful article about him in the paper.

'What the fuck, Sally? How could you do this to me?' muttered Ron furiously after noticing the headlines.

His eyes scanned the paper with disbelief. That bitch had revealed everything. All that stuff about the party and the brunette back in London, everything!

This was the last time he was confiding in anyone. This was also a nice way of repayment from a girl who he had been so nice and caring to. Something else occurred to him. She was a witch! She was not the innocent unsuspicious muggle he had thought her to be. He had felt immensely guilty when he hadn't been able to tell her that he was a wizard because of the Statue of Secrecy, now all he could do was curse her in his mind. He suddenly realized that Hermione must have read this article too. He felt horrible now. He had caused her enough pain as it is.

'She doesn't deserve this,' said Ron vehemently. He got up abruptly and started gathering his things swiftly. Once he was sure everything was packed, he left the hotel room and checked out. He was going to go back to London and face his problems.

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'Harry, I need to find out where Draco is. He is not at work or his mother's house, I checked,' said Hermione urgently.

'Well, hello to you too,' said Harry removing his coat. After he had left earlier, Hermione had got to work trying to find Draco. When she had had no luck, she had called upon Harry for help.

'Harry, this is serious. I need to find him please,' said Hermione tearfully. 'I have to apologize and tell him that he is the only man I love,'

'Okay, okay,' said Harry relenting. 'Now tell me, where is the most likely place he would go if he was upset?'

Hermione thought for a moment. She looked back at the many conversations they had had when they were not having sex. Finally, she got it! She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before.

'He would go to his best friend- Zabini,' said Hermione triumphantly.

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Hermione waited outside the door nervously. She glanced at Harry and could tell that he wasn't enjoying this at all. Facing two of his greatest enemies in one day? She didn't think it was his idea of fun.

'I'm really sorry, Harry,' said Hermione quietly.

'Don't be. You can repay me later,' said Harry kindly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and knocked again. Finally, the door was opened by- who else-an elf.

'Hello, I am looking for Mr. Zabini,' said Hermione politely.

The elf nodded and asked her to follow him. Harry and Hermione gazed at the house with awe. It was massive and filled with antiques and paintings. They followed the elf up the marble staircase and then finally to a room which looked like the…bar room. The door was open and Zabini noticed them straightaway. He had been filling two glasses with firewhisky.

'What are you doing here, Granger?' he asked snidely.

'I am looking for Draco,' said Hermione desperately. 'I knew he would be with you. I really need to talk to him,'

'You are right, he is here. But I won't let you go anywhere near him. You've already hurt him enough,' he said severely.

'I have not come to hurt him. I made an honest mistake and I want to apologize. I love him, Zabini,' said Hermione miserably.

Zabini stared at her for a second. Hermione looked at Harry helplessly. He was just about to step in when Zabini nodded and gestured for them to follow him. The walked almost the whole length of the floor before they stopped in front of an enormous room. Hermione could see Draco sitting on the bed morosely. She didn't think for a second and flung herself at him.

'Oh Draco, I am so sorry! I didn't mean what I said. I had simply meant that I had loved Ron before and not anymore. I am not lying. Really,' said Hermione pleadingly.

Draco looked at her stunned.

'How did you know I was here?' he asked flabbergasted.

'You had told me once,' said Hermione meekly.

Draco nodded and said, 'Look Hermione, I am not mad at you. If you love him just be honest about it,'

'I don't! I love you. Believe me,' said Hermione with widened eyes.

He searched her face for any traces of pretense and couldn't find any.

'I love you, too,' he said softly and pulled her close.

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Ron apparated outside Hermione's building. He walked inside cautiously and took the elevator. He was in no hurry to get there. Finally, when he reached the third floor, he stepped out shaking with dread. He was afraid of what Hermione would do to him. He had never really forgotten the birds she had set on him in their sixth year. He knocked the door and waited.

Two months. Beyond forgivable, I know. I won't make any excuses, all I'm gonna say is I didn't feel like writing. I am really very sorry. To all those who are still reading this, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I honestly don't know when the next chapter will be up. I have my exams coming up this Thursday. But still. This time I will make a real effort to update soon. Thank you for reviewing, putting this story to alert and/ favorites.

-EpitomeOfImperfection