Immoral In Devotion Skies

CHAPTER SEVEN: Telling of an Old Story

It isn't a crime to want
A little space to breathe
But you will be fine
The sun again will shine on you
Whatever you do

Take your sweet, sweet time
I will be here when you change your mind
Take your sweet, sweet time
I will be here for you baby
Anytime

Jesse McCartney "Take Your Sweet Time"

Hermione stared blankly at the wooden-panelled walls in front her. Her breathing was steady and her clothes were rumpled and stained with droplets of tears. Hermione had been sitting on that bed for over half an hour, shaking as sobs racked her body. But now Hermione was done with crying - she had experienced enough. Crying got her nowhere. After pulling her clothes straight as she got off the bed, Hermione trudged towards the bathroom attached to the luxuriously decorated bedroom. The past few days had taken a toll on her appearance, Hermione realized as she stared at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. Her eyes were red, swollen and puffy. Her cheeks had sunk into her face, and her whole face was pasty and washed out. She flicked out her wand and waved it above her head. Instantly the change was incredible, Hermione's clothes were crease-free and clean. Her hair was whipped up into a messy bun, and her face was no longer pallid but had a faint hint of a healthy glow. Pleased with her cleanup, she went downstairs, pausing every so often in apprehension. Hermione walked into the vast Malfoy Mansion kitchen, and her stomach lurched as she was greeted with the sight of Draco Malfoy sitting at the breakfast table.

Draco looked up as Hermione came in. "I phoned the Ministry this morning to tell them that you were sick. They told you to take today, tomorrow and the rest of the weekend off. They understood that you had been overexerting yourself the last few days at work."

Hermione nodded weakly, though inside she was panicking with the thought of missing so many days of work.

Draco seemed to read her mind. "Don't worry. They understand. You need this time off anyway. A few spells does not cover up the truth that you haven't been very well lately."

Hermione did not speak in reply. She walked over towards the kitchen counter, and started making herself a cup of Wow! Wizarding Coffee Coffee. She was aware of the tense silence that surrounded the kitchen but she made no move to speak.

However, Draco did. "What happened to us, Hermione? All those years ago?"

Hermione stared at her cup of her coffee as she watched the coffee beans at the bottom of her cup transform itself into a black liquid and then into a brown colour. That's what she loved about Wizarding coffee - the beans would always turn themselves into a cup of coffee without you having to lift a finger. She took a deep breath before she spoke. "We broke up."

"Why?"

Hermione chewed the bottom of her lip. "We had our differences. We always have."

Draco leaned back on his chair and stared up at the ceiling. "Then how on earth did we begin?"

At that moment, they both looked at the other and in their eyes was a recognised understanding. Strange circumstances had brought their differences together, and it seemed those circumstances had still not let them go.

"The hotel," Draco muttered under his breath.

"The hotel," Hermione agreed. "If we both hadn't been Head Boy and Head Girl, if we both hadn't attended the Tenth Anniversary Ball at the Crystallites Hotel and if we both had never gone out for that walk in the garden - do you believe we would be here right now?"

"No," Draco stated. "I don't believe we would be."

*

Walking in the Crystallites Hotel garden, Hermione inhaled the scent of the fresh, exotic flowers. There were bright fuchsia pink flowers speckled with dots, tiny white lilies dotted among the bushes, tall, narrow purple flowers encrusted with petals and massive glowing turquoise blue roses as well as a bright, shining moon hanging in the sky casting its radiance upon the garden. The air was warm and perfumed with the scent of foreign flowers; Hermione took her shawl off and hung it on her arm.

The only thing spoiling this beauty was the company she was keeping. Why indeed she had agreed to come out here with Malfoy, she didn't know. However, she was glad he had brought her here. The place was touched with wonder, beauty and peace.

Breaking the silence, Hermione asked, "Malfoy? Why did you ask me to come out here?"

"I wanted to be here," he said turning to face her from his position a few steps ahead.

"With me?"

"You're the only person I know here."

"Though, I wouldn't be your first choice..." Hermione stated.

"I wouldn't be yours either," he retorted.

A silence filled the atmosphere and Hermione puzzled over the thoughts in her head.

Draco's voice broke into her thoughts, "What are you thinking?"

"Do you really want to know?" Hermione asked, perplexed by his interest. When had he ever been interested in her?

"No, not really. I'm just puzzled over what a thing like you could possibly think about...Potter?"

"No! A thing like me is thinking, why a thing like you is so horrid to people? Why are you so horrible to me, Harry and Ron?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Weasley is a disgrace to all purebloods. Potter is a bigheaded and arrogant git. You...do I need to even ask? You with your filthy blood disgrace all who are witches and wizards!" Draco said maliciously.

Hermione shouted, "Who the hell do you think you are? You're jealous because Harry turned your friendship down in the first year! Because you were humiliated! Ron is worth ten thousand of you, no matter how little money he has and I'm...who cares if I'm a mudblood and I disgrace everybody's blood? You are a filthy, arrogant ferret who has no life except to make the lives of others hell!" Hermione fumed.

Draco laughed, his laughter cackling in the perfumed air. Hermione glowered at him and his laughter increased. Eventually, his laughter subsided and he spoke, "I happen to have a very hectic social lifestyle but why should I tell you anything I do?"

"That's because the only thing you occupy yourself with is the services as a Death Eater!"

Draco's face darkened and grabbed Hermione's arm, hissing into her face, "I am not a Death Eater!"

Surprised, Hermione simply stared at him however she regained her composure and laughed in Draco's face, "Prove it!"

Draco let go of her arm and smirked at her, "Believe what you want," and with those words, he started walking.

Yet again caught of guard, Hermione was mystified by his words; she had a strange feeling that what he had said might possibly be true.

Intrigued, Hermione ran after him. She stopped when she caught up with him and salvaged her breath. Draco turned towards her and eyed her inquisitively, "What do you want, Granger?"

Hermione stared at the flush of anger upon his pale face and the way his hair fell in front of his eyes now that it wasn't slicked back. He really was quite handsome if only he had a personality to match. But perhaps he wasn't bad as she first thought him to be. "Why aren't you a Death Eater?"

Taken back at her question." Draco was silent for a moment. "I thought you believed me to be a Death Eater."

"Your tone of your voice convinced me that you were being truthful."

"Never speak of this to anyone!" Draco threatened.

"Doesn't your father know?" Hermione enquired.

"My father would kill me if he knew. As you can see, I am still perfectly alive. Does that give you an answer?"

"Why?" Hermione asked with astonishment.

"My father is a harsh man, Granger. You don't know what he is like - he has spies everywhere." Draco paused. "Forget I told you anything."

Hermione, however, still had not finished the conversation. "Your father might be cold-hearted but surely your mother must have some compassion?"

Draco laughed coldly, "My mother is a weak shadow of my father."

"But - but - how can that be?"

"My family does not love, Granger. If you must judge on whom is better, my mother would out-rule my father because she defended me once and she offers tenderness from time to time whereas tenderness does not exist in a single bone of my father's body."

"How do you cope? I miss my parents incredibly when I am away from them even now, when I am in a most beautiful place or when I'm at Hogwarts with my peers. When I'm at school, I wish for the summer holidays and when I'm at home I wish to see Harry and Ron. Though my parents have to work whilst I'm home, they always make sure they come home at a certain time and we have our family dinners... I'm being selfish here, aren't I? Talking about the wonders of my family whilst you barely even recall that you have one," Hermione said apologetically.

Draco looked into Hermione's eyes and said softly, "It makes it much easier to deal with when I do not see either of my parents during the summer holidays. They are never home most of the time unless they are having one of their Malfoy parties. I spend more time with the house-elves. Summer holidays can by pass without seeing both of them, it's happened on several occasions. Now, do you understand why I like being at Hogwarts? I'm not alone because I'm the leader and I have my followers. The only time I see my father is when he needs me to do something or for a report to see how my grades are. It's one of the few things he does care about me, is some idiotic report grade. Some family," he said the last words embittered.

Hermione looked at him sadly. She had an enormous amount of sympathy for him to live a life without love and support from a family. No wonder he was such a cruel and bitter character. He'd been alone all his life. Hermione had judged him incorrectly - for everyone has a reason for his or her actions including Draco Malfoy, and his reason was not because he was a self-centred, malicious and callous person.

*

Hermione gasped at she stepped into the ballroom. The whole room was covered in sparkling ice, diamonds were charmed to stay in the air, shooting stars flew past every so often and gentle snow was falling which did not stick to your hair or clothes. A large fire blazed on one side of the room and on the other, mirrors panelled the walls enlarging the room.

"I have to say I'm impressed. Malfoy's go out of their way every year for their annual Christmas party, and I must say Crystallites has done well. They could possibly rival us," Draco said smugly.

"Stop bragging, Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed. "Don't you think its odd though? It's like a Christmas Ball when it's the end of August. Bit ironic, don't you think?"

"You think too much. Anyway, I thought we were on a first-name basis now, Hermione?" Draco asked.

"Since when?"

"Since this morning when we made that agreement, remember?" Draco said. "Or did you lose your head down the bathroom sink when you were getting ready?"

"I do remember, Draco!" Hermione smiled at him. It was strange how things had changed so fast in the past few days. "As you can see, my head is still perfectly attached. Thank you very much."

"Pity," Draco muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"Nothing," replied Draco. "Do you want to dance?"

"No. Not yet. I'm going to get a drink."

Draco sighed and stomped after Hermione towards the drinks table. Stupid girl!

"Here you go, Draco," Hermione said, handing Draco a glass of red wine. It wasn't so bad being in his company; he was quite amusing when he was frustrated as he sulked like a young child. It amused Hermione to no end.

She happily sipped her wine basking and revelling in the glory of the room and the privilege of becoming Head Girl and the perks that came with it. Dumbledore was obviously trying to improve inter-house relationships what with the War brewing and Hermione hoped he was proud; Draco and her were getting on fairly well considering on the circumstances. But, deep down, Hermione was regretting returning back to Hogwarts not only because she would be leaving this wonderful place but also because she would now have to hide her newfound friendship with Draco. Harry and Ron would not be best pleased with her if they ever found out. They hated him to the core. Strangely, she used to hate Draco with as much venom. However, now that she was thinking about it, maybe she never did hate him as much as she thought - or at least not as much as Harry and Ron.

Draco's voice broke into her thoughts, "Would you like to dance now?"

Hermione smiled, set her glass down and placed her hand in Draco's. He drew her to the dance floor and easily as if she was a missing piece, she melded into his body, her arms around his neck and his arms encircling her waist. Hermione inhaled his male scent, mixed in with a strong scent of fabric conditioner, and sighed blissfully. When have I every enjoyed Malfoy's company? They swayed gently to the music both lost in their own world whilst tomorrow hung in air the air, unspoken of.

However, soon enough, Hermione could not stand that daunting silence that surrounded them. "What are you thinking?" Hermione mumbled into Draco's chest.

"It's our last day here you know. We should enjoy it," he mumbled into her hair.

"I know," Hermione whispered. But inside, she was already starting to miss Draco because things just wouldn't be the same once they were back to school. "Hey, Draco. I'm having a lovely time here but since time is short. Do you think we should we spend the last few hours together?"

"Sure. What did you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure, we could go for a walk around the hotel and garden or go up to our rooms."

"I like the room idea," Draco lifted his head and grinned at her.

"I think we should stick with the garden idea then!" Hermione laughed. Taking his hand, she dragged him out towards the garden.

She stopped once they reached the garden. Tonight, it was filled with rosebushes and faeries. The dark sky was illuminated by a bright, silver moon and scattered stars.

"I'll miss you, Draco." Hermione blurted out, instantly regretting her words. Am I asking to be laughed at?

Draco caressed her cheek and kissed away a gentle tear that had fallen on Hermione's pale, lily face. When did everything change? What happened to us hating each other? It was going to be a long and difficult road ahead as he had to deal with his father and she had to deal with her friends.

"What should we do?" Hermione whispered as if she was reading his thoughts.

"We could keep it a secret."

"I couldn't do that. Could you? A life we couldn't keep even if we wanted to. Someone would soon find out. I couldn't do that. Could you? Could you live like that?"

"I guess not..."

Shaking, Hermione asked again, "What should we do?"

"Pretend this never happened."

"Is that what you want?" Hermione asked, afraid of his answer.

"No."

"I'm glad to hear that. But, what choice do we have? The truth would destroy the people we care about." Hermione swallowed. "Let's pretend this never happened."

Draco gazed at her, as she looked up at him with tears hanging from her lashes. Her innocence and trust was truly amazing. How did she ever manage to pull faith in me? Filled with sadness and regret of what was to come, Draco bent down to kiss Hermione, for the last time, sealing their promise.

*

Shoving her belongings into her suitcase hastily, Hermione barely had any time to think of what was to lie before her. She had just spent the whole night including a few hours into the early morning with Draco. Who would have ever thought she would ever be sharing a special and romantic moment such as the rise of the sun with him? He was her nemesis and she was his enemy. Their friendship was only a short-term thing that had formed in a place when they were isolated from everybody else. Everything would be back to normal once they were both back at school. A few kisses did not mean anything. No, of course not, it was only a few kisses.

"Hermione!" A voice rang out.

Stumbling over her clothes that had got tangled underneath her table, she made her way past to the balcony. I've always been such a tidy person! What has happened to me? It was as if I've suddenly had a personality change since coming to this hotel. Maybe it's enchanted. It certainly feels so.

Leaning on the balcony, stood Draco Malfoy in his Hogwarts uniform with his pinned Head Boy badge and all, as well as his infamous smirk splattered on his face. Wiping off his smirk, he opened his mouth, "Are you ready yet? You look awfully flush! Are you alright?" Draco stated whilst staring at her.

His gaze and concern made Hermione blush even further but ignoring her flustering feelings, she spoke, "Oh yes. I'll be down in about five minutes or so. Could you please tell the coachman that? I'm having a little trouble packing."

Draco's eyes narrowed, "Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just having a problem gathering everything together and packing in such a short time. I'll be fine. Just go downstairs and tell the coachman."

Tearing his eyes away from Hermione's, Draco straightened himself and went to proceed into his room shouting, "Fine!" as he did so.

Now that Draco had left, Hermione regained her composure and hurriedly finished packing, grabbing all the freebies in the bathroom and stuffing them inside her bag. She smiled when she saw an object wrapped inside some old newspaper laying on the stop of her clothing. She took the object out of the paper and admired the reflecting diamond colours the glass figurine threw on the wall. It was odd how a figurine of a delicate ballet dancer could cast back such pleasant memories; it was only a figurine Draco had given her as a present in the early hours of the morning. She was dreadfully tired, but it was her own fault to bear, and right now, the only thing that mattered was to get everything packed as quickly as possible.

"Hermione?" Draco's head appeared in the door. "Are you still not ready yet? What have you been doing in here? The coachman won't wait any longer!" After those words, Draco disappeared again.

Speedily, she wrapped the figurine back in its newspaper and placed it into her bag whilst chucking the rest of the clothes that lay on the floor on top of the figurine. Zipping up her bag, she slung it over her shoulders and strolled to the doorway. She turned round and took one last look at the room that had become a paradise in the last few days - the afternoon sun casting golden shadows into the room, the gentle whip of the wind on the curtains and the air of calm that came with it. Sighing, Hermione turned her back and closed the door behind her.

Once downstairs, she was greeted with the face of a very sulky, grumpy and impatient Malfoy. Hermione beamed at him and stuffed her suitcase into the back of the carriage. She hastily got in, hoping that she wasn't going to miss the Welcome Feast that was to start in an hour.

The journey to Hogwarts was a long one and the two passengers sat in silence. There was nothing to be said; they had both decided that once they were back to their surroundings, things would go back to how they were. The change that had happened during this trip was not spoken of - what could possibly be said? They were both two very different people who would soon fight on opposite sides in a raging battle. They had made a promise to never speak of the truth of this trip, and it was a promise they were both willing to keep.

*

Dumbledore cleared his throat and tapped his fingers gently on the table, "I have something to say to all students. During the holidays, I went to a Muggle classical music concert recommended by a friend and I have to say it was a most joyous occasion. Well, picking my favourite and most popular Muggle instrument it would have to be the piano. I have brought a Muggle piano for the school which is open to all students who already play the piano or would simply like to learn - which I have already arranged a teacher for, Professor Cleanor," Dumbledore raised a hand in the direction of a young and pretty female witch who had stood up. "The piano room is within the library to the far-left and Lady Eli's portrait will be guarding the room. All those who wish to attend these lessons please remain behind after students are dismissed and you may speak to Professor Cleanor. Those who purely wish to play on the piano for leisure, please also wait behind and Professor Cleanor will arrange a suitable time for you."

*

Draco muttered the password "Levina" under his breath. He'd been looking all over for Hermione. He'd practically spent half the day looking for that stupid Head Girl and she was nowhere to be found. He virtually had to corner about three or four Gryffindor's to actually discover that she'd been in that damn piano room all along. The portrait swung open and a melodic sound came floating out of a fairly large, brown, wooden box that had black and white rectangles jutting out in the middle. Hermione sat on a stool in front of the box with her fingers rapidly pressing and flying up and down the rectangles.

"Where the hell have you been all day, Hermione? I've been looking all over for you," Draco shouted over the music.

At that point, Hermione had realised that someone had entered the room and the melodic sound stopped. Agitated for being interrupted, she said, "Draco Malfoy, what business do you have for being here? Have you never heard of something called privacy?"

"I've been spending the whole damn day looking for you!" Draco said, his voice rising dangerously. Honestly, he'd spent half the day but half the day had gone to waste when he could have been doing something else more worthwhile such as practising on the Quidditch grounds, after all it was fairly good weather today.

"What do you expect me to do? Tell you where I am every single minute of the day? You don't own me! I have to do all my duties with you - do I have not have any time by myself?" Hermione's voice rose shakily with anger.

"I never said you could not have any privacy. I am frustrated because I've wasted half my -" Draco paused as a pile of papers caught his eyes. He picked them up and stared at the words; they gave him a strange sense of foreboding. He read the title aloud, "'Blood Is My Inferior'. Words by Hermione Granger. Music from 'Colours of the Wind' from 'Pocahontas'".

Hermione snatched the papers off him. "Now you really are crossing the line! Reading my personal things without asking!"

"They were just lying there! They were asking to be read! What are they?" Draco asked curiously.

"Piano music."

"What?"

"This," Hermione said pointing to the wooden box, "is a piano and you play music on it. I wrote my own lyrics to a piece of music. These," she said, pointing to the black and white rectangles, "are called keys and these are what you press to emit the sound that creates the music," she finished, demonstrating how the keys of a piano made a sound.

"Well, play that piece of music on the piece of paper," Draco said demandingly.

"No! I do not have to play my personal things to you!" Hermione protested.

"I believe you have no choice, as I figure I am correct those lyrics are about me and because they are about me I have a right to listen to them."

"They're not about you, you pompous bighead! They're about...Harry!"

"Of course, and Harry happens to call you an inferior and calls you a Mudblood, the same things I've called you that are included in your lyrics? I never knew Potter Boy was so cruel! Perhaps we could have been great friends."

Hermione blushed and Draco grinned smugly to himself knowing that he had been correct all along.

"So? It doesn't mean I have to play it to you."

Draco grinned as he grabbed the papers out of Hermione's hands. "You have to do as I say or I'll show these to the world. Then everyone will know you have feelings for the so-called 'pompous bighead'."

"Fine! I'll play them to you but you promise not to laugh and to never tell anyone about this!" Hermione said. "By the way, I do not have feelings for you."

"Your heart cannot deny what I see through my eyes. Plus, I can't promise you anything, Hermione."

Hermione scowled as Draco gave back her music.

"What's that look for?" Draco proclaimed. "Stop looking at me like I'm Lord Veggiemort, Dark Lord of the Cabbage People," he said sarcastically.

Hermione sneered at him. "It's not a very nice topic to joke about, Draco. But then again, some people are just insensitive and have no manners whatsoever, do they?" she said, emphasising the last two words. She then put her hands on the keys and started to play, letting the music carry her away as her voice drifted harmoniously:

"You think I'm a bossy know-it-all

And you've been brought up as a proud boy

I guess it must be so

But still I cannot see

If the disgraceful is me

How can it be that I'm so inferior?

It's only blood...

Throw away your perceptions that life has taught you

Things you've been taught to look, act, say and do

People who surround you and the things you say

Can be hurt; can really push them away

You think the only people who are people

Are the people who share same blood as you

We're at the point of no return; you abuse me

How do I know you don't just only use me?

Things have changed so much since we've gone past the whole blue moon

Past by the wicked taunts cos of birth

Can you take my hand the bloods of all the people?

I can't be someone else but who I am now

I can't be someone else but who I am now

Come throw away your outer exteriors

Come let the real you shine out to me

Come roll in all the goodness all around you

And for once do as you please for the good

The rainstorms and the thunder are my blessings

The Potter and the Weasel are my friends

And we are related to each other

In a distance, in a far off other land

How far do I have to reach in?

To reach inside, that good heart of yours

And you'll finally see the wonder in me and in you

For whether we are pure or Muggleborn

Will you take my hand the bloods of all the people?

You can still choose the right path to go on along

You can help the dark and fail

You can help the light and will

Finally be home with family you've never had"

*

"I see your standards have dropped incredibly," Draco said staring at the entwined fingers of Ron and Hermione.

Hermione glared up at him, pushing away the thought of how handsome Draco stood right then with his white blonde hair falling gently across his eyes. She had a boyfriend now and it was her duty to be faithful to him, she shook her head to rid herself of the unthinkable and pulled Ron away.

*

Harry approached Hermione cautiously; it was a dangerous topic he was treading on for he had to make it not sound as if he was accusing Hermione of being unfaithful. He knew she would never do anything to hurt Ron and she hated Malfoy. "Hermione? What did Malfoy mean by your standards have dropped incredibly when he saw you and Ron together?"

Confused, Hermione turned around, "What? What do you mean? Oh! Back in the Great Hall? How should I know? Ask him."

"Yes but...he made it sound as if your standards were high before but Ron is just a charity case. What's going on, Hermione?"

"Look, Harry. I don't know what Malfoy meant by it but I am not cheating on Ron or whatever else that seems to be going through your head. I thought we were friends. Don't you trust me? Do you really think I can do such a thing to Ron? I'm surprised the thought ever occurred to you," Hermione said, agitated.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I never meant to accuse you, but you and Malfoy seem to spend a lot of time together so I wasn't sure if you and him talked about something..."

"Since when have me and Malfoy ever talked? The only time I do talk to him is when I have to use all my self-control to be civil to him to talk about our duties together," Hermione said tiredly.

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

"Its perfectly alright, Harry. However, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

As much as Hermione sounded tired, Harry felt that Hermione had wanted to get away from him as soon as possible.

*

Ron and Hermione walked up to the crowd that had gathered in the corridor and peered over the numerous heads. Hermione's eyes widened with shock at the display in front of her; Draco Malfoy was kissing Pansy Parkinson with all the passion he could muster and Pansy seemed to be in a delirious state of enjoyment.

Wrenching her eyes away from the hideous sight, Hermione ran off down the corridor, oblivious to Ron's shouts. She skidded round the corner and stopped in front of an empty space in the wall. Slotting herself in, Hermione found herself shaking uncontrollably. She knew Draco was going out with Pansy - after all Harry had told her - but the scene before her was disgusting, it was utterly, undeniably repulsive. What was Draco doing? However, the most disturbing thing of all was Hermione had been affected by what she had seen, not only because it was a horrid sight but also because of the sight of Draco kissing someone else had tangled her stomach up in knots. This further thought disgusted Hermione even more. She had no feelings for Draco Malfoy whatsoever - what had happened to them before was when they were both different people from who they were here at Hogwarts. Yet, the thought of Draco and Pansy together made her eyes glow green with jealousy because Draco was kissing someone else and the fact that their relationship was so open. Not that she was intending to get involved in a relationship with Draco.

Hermione shook her head and wringed her hands...what was she thinking? She had a boyfriend. Someone who cared about her and valued her instead of viewing her as a pile of nothingness, how could she betray Ron like that?

Speaking of Ron, he suddenly rounded up the corner shouting her name until he spotted her concealed in the hole in the wall. "Hermione, are you alright?" What happened?"

"Nothing, Ron. I'm fine."

"Are you sure...? Why did you run off like that? It was only Malfoy, he's always doing things like that."

Hermione's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. Draco always did these repulsive and hurtful things?

Ron eyed her suspiciously, "You know...Malfoy had that same expression you had just a second ago, he saw you in the crowd just before you ran off. Why did you run off?"

Trying to keep herself from shaking, Hermione said, "Oh - oh - erm...I couldn't stand to see such a disgusting display in front of my eyes. Especially since it was Malfoy."

Ron smiled and Hermione relaxed. He rolled his eyes and said, "I can understand! Anyway, Harry is probably waiting for us. I'm glad you're all right. Let's go," and he proceeded to take Hermione's hand in his, entwined their fingers then dragged her out of the hole and back down the corridor.

*

It seems the happiest she'd ever been with a person - and she hadn't been with many - was Draco. Now, how did that happen? The last time she'd checked she hated him, he hated her and he hated her friends. What basis would that be to form a relationship, noting that Draco Malfoy would never have any feelings for her.

Absentmindedly, Hermione looked up and - speaking of the devil - the real flesh and blood Draco Malfoy was standing in front of her. She blinked, astonished. What was he doing here?

"What happened to you, Granger?" Draco said.

"Nothing that concerns your matters. They never have. Why should you start caring now?"

"I never said I did."

"Leave me alone...please," she whispered.

"As you wish."

Hermione watched Draco's retreating back as he made his way back to the looming castle. Why does it hurt so much to see him leave? Why do you care? You hate him. Remember? Remember.

With that, Hermione burst into tears. She was just over-emotional over her break-up with Ron. She didn't have a care for Draco 'Pompous' Malfoy. She was just desperate. She wanted and needed someone to drop her failures on and Malfoy happened to be the one she came across. That was it. She was just over-emotional and desperate. Then, why did her stomach flutter slightly when she saw him?

*

Draco stood behind the large bush, which concealed him from Hermione. Why he was still standing there, he didn't know. His heart was filled with a strange sensation - pity. Malfoy's felt no such thing. Yet, it reached out to Hermione, nevertheless, it couldn't grab her. It never could and never would. Sighing, he turned his back and walked into the castle, in the desperate need of a shower.

*

Choking in her ocean of emotions, Hermione took a deep breath. What on earth was going on? She clenched her fists and unclenched them repeatedly. There, she took the step and stepped out into the moonlight, into the vision of Draco.

"How long have you been standing there?" he asked. His voice showed no emotion or any other emotion, for that matter

"If I asked, would you tell me what just happened?"

"I don't know. Nothing happened. There's nothing to be told."

"There is, Draco. You know it. I know you do. You don't have to tell me but don't lie."

"What?"

"Did you happen to toss your memory down the sewage? We made a pact to be honest with each other, remember?"

"Sarcasm does not match your personality well, Hermione."

"Perhaps - that is to change. After all, I've been spending so much time in your company, I'm even starting to sound like you."

"Perhaps..." Draco said solemnly.

Hermione turned her back, wringing her hands together. Somebody came up behind her and placed a hand on her own, their arm encircling her waist.

"You'll end up tearing my hands from your body any second."

Hermione smiled wistfully. "This is wrong. You know it. We both do."

"I know but I've never been one to care for rules."

"You should."

"I know."

Hermione laughed, "You say I'm the know-it-all!"

"It's nice to hear you laugh again. You haven't laughed for a while."

"When did you start noticing?"

"The day you split up with Ron."

"Don't spoil the moment by mentioning his name... I have to go." Hermione twisted herself away from Draco. How can I have fallen for him? I hate him. We hate each other. Yet I don't...

Reluctantly, Draco watched Hermione go as his stomach flipped at the sight of her. Pursing his lips, he turned away. He wasn't going to fall for somebody like her. Somehow, a voice in his head whispered to him that it didn't bother him. It said, you stopped caring about blood purity ever since that fateful day.

*

Hermione closed the door behind her and leant against it, her breath came out ragged as she had ran back into the castle, scared of what would be lurking around at night, scared of her own emotions. What had just happened? I saw what he saw. I saw his girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend and my heart reached out to him when a look of hurt flashed across his face for the brief second before it turned cold again. Especially his eyes, they were even colder than they were before. I was scared and still intrigued by it. What is happening?

*

Hermione groaned as Draco kissed her hard on the lips. She smiled in pleasure as he started nibbling at her neck. "Don't stop," she moaned.

Draco grinned, "Feels good, doesn't it?"

Hermione let out a happy sigh in response. "I don't know what I am going to do if Ron or Harry ever find out. Then again, to be honest, why should I care about what Ron thinks? Harry will kill me though."

Draco pressed his lips onto Hermione to silence her. "We'll deal with it when the time comes. For now, don't spoil the moment," he added, boring his eyes into her.

*

"MALFOY?" Harry exploded. "You've been fooling around with Malfoy for God how long?

"Harry," Hermione protested, "it's not like that. He's a different person when we're alone. He's not the bastard you think he is."

"It's Malfoy, Hermione. He is a bastard, you can't change that," Harry stated.

"Don't say that about him. Not to me," Hermione said meekly.

"I'm not angry at you, Hermione," Harry soothed. "I'm angry at how he has somehow managed to convince you to be in love with him. Oh god, have you been sleeping with him?"

Hermione scowled. "No, Harry, I have not been sleeping with Draco. I'm not stupid. Anyway, I'm not in love with him. I have a lot of feelings that I can't explain but I'm not in love with him - not yet."

*

"What are you smiling about?" Draco enquired from the breakfast table.

Hermione smiled at him. "Oh nothing. Just thinking back to the day when Harry found out that I'd been seeing you. He asked me whether I was in love with you and whether I'd been sleeping with you."

Draco smirked. "What did you say?"

"I told him that I wasn't in love with you so I wouldn't be that stupid to go and sleep with you."

"But you did - eventually," Draco blurted out without thinking.

"That was a mistake," Hermione said quietly.

"Who have you slept with? Or, were you a virgin? Oh god, don't tell me you were," Draco groaned.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm not a virgin. Even before you. I got into a little mess after the War; I had a few one-night stands, which I'm not too proud of. I've had two relationships since, and I've slept with Ron."

"The Weasel?" Draco said incredulously. "I don't want to know."

"I think it's in the main reason why he moved away - to Romania. It was just after Harry, and we were both consumed with our grief. It was never meant to happen, and it never meant anything. However, it created a big obstacle in our friendship. We were very awkward round each other because that night always haunted us." Hermione paused. "Why am I telling you this? I shouldn't be telling you this. I should get going anyway."

As Hermione was heading out of the kitchen door, Draco spoke. "You said that what happened between you and Weasley was not meant to have happened and that it didn't mean anything. Does that mean what happened to us...meant nothing?"

Hermione stared at the floor as she clutched the doorframe. "Yes, it does."

Draco watched Hermione exit the kitchen and listened to her footsteps as she went up the stairs. "You're lying, Hermione. You know you are," he said to himself more than anything.