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Love and Forgiveness	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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CHAPTER
10

By the end of the week, Hermione found herself
unable to reach Ron, as he wouldn�t talk to her, or stay in the same room when
she appeared. She also felt the enormous strain on her friendship with Snoop.
The two had met for lunch on Monday and Wednesday, but neither had been able to
relax or open up to each other fully. Neither wanted to betray Ron by broaching
the subject, but neither could get it off their mind.

Hermione�s work even suffered. She had snapped at the children repeatedly, and
been taken to task by her boss for it. She couldn�t even come up with a good
excuse, as �I�m having a fight with my best friend� just didn�t seem like an
acceptable adult explanation. By Friday night, she was more than ready for the
party at Draco and Blaise�s apartment.

She and Draco had not seen each other again since the previous weekend, but
they had talked a lot. She appreciated his desire to give her space, but
thrilled at his inability to have no contact. Their time on the phone gave them
each a chance to really get to know the other and put to rest issues of the
past, without the attraction they each felt getting in the way. It was almost
as if the phone gave them carte blanche to be more open and honest with each
other. The pain he had caused, the person he had been, and some of the
self-righteousness she had thrown and anger she had held, had finally come out.
Without being physically together, their newfound friendship and budding
relationship, was better cemented.

As the class in front of her scribbled their way through their end of the week
tests, she recalled her talk with Draco the night before.

�I understand that, but why can�t you just tell me?�

�Mi, I don�t��

�Listen, if we�re going to keep this up, we need to get that behind us, too.
After everything else we�ve talked about you know I won�t hold it against you.
I got over that Parkinson thing, didn�t I?�

He laughed nervously into the phone, �Yeah, and you
do believe me about her, right?�

Hermione nodded, �Yes, for the thousandth time. Now, back to what we were
talking about.�

He closed his eyes and said, �Yeah, I know, it�s just�look, I just�it�s not
something I�m proud of, you know.�

Hermione sighed, �Draco��

�Okay, okay. But, you have to promise to let me finish. Let me get it all
out before you say anything, okay?�

Her stomach knotted at what she might hear, but she knew this last step had to
be taken before they could honestly move forward any more.

�I promise. Tell me,� she said softly.

He was quiet for a moment, but then he let it pour out.

�I didn�t hate it,� he confessed. �I mean, not at first. A
childhood of suffering, beatings, and�well worse. And, then, with just
one action, albeit a horrendous, unforgivable one, I could earn their approval,
respect, and maybe even a little love, finally. Honestly, I never thought of
Dumbledore as a person until that year. I mean, he was the headmaster, but in
my house he was a nutcase, muggle lover, who hated the fact that he even had to
have us Slytherins in his school.�

He heard her draw in a breath, but smiled a little when she kept her promise
and remained silent. He wondered where she was in her apartment and got up to
go look out the window, so he that could see her place. It made him feel less
disconnected when he saw her lights.

�At first, it wasn�t real to me, so planning was easy. I mean, it was all
kind of theoretical, you know? I had the power; I was in control. But, when it
started actually happening, it was like I couldn�t control it anymore. I didn�t
know how to continue and I didn�t know how to stop. My family was on the line
and that was, I don�t know the right words, but�huge. But, at the same time, so
were my pride and self worth, I guess. Then I was faced with the final moments.
And, all of a sudden he was a person. He was real. And, this man I was supposed
to hate, to�to k�kill, looked at me like I could be more. Even with my wand in
his face, he just didn�t react like I expected. He didn�t hate me. He didn�t
believe I could do it, but it wasn�t because I was weak or evil. He believed I
could be better. He believed I could change. And, for a brief minute, I thought
he could be right. I wouldn�t be the evil being you guys thought I was. I
wouldn�t be the puppet anymore. I would be�and there�s the rub. What would I be
if I failed? Nothing. I would lose everything I had
and everything I knew. But, I looked him in the eye and knew�I couldn�t do it.
I was what my father had always claimed me to be, a failure.�

He heard her sniffle and thought he should stop. He didn�t want her to hurt for
him. He had come to grips with his actions, his life, his choices, long ago.
But, he didn�t know if he could handle her pity or worse, her renewed fear,
mistrust and even hatred of him.

He nodded when she blew out a breath and whispered, �Go on.�

�Well, then Professor Snape showed up and before I could think more on it,
it was over and we were running. Did you know I saw you that night? I did and I
could feel your pain and horror, and it spurred me to keep running. You,
Potter, Weasley, all those others, were fighting, possibly to the death,
because�because of me. I tripped over bodies as I ran and all I could think was
that I had caused it all.�

He took a minute to pull himself together before he continued with a little
laugh, �And, I know you�re biting your lip right now to keep from correcting
me, so I will say it for you, I know now, it wasn�t my fault; it was The Dar�Voldemort�s.�

He heard her shaky laugh of agreement and kept going, �But, much of what
happened that night, hell, that whole year, was my fault. By then I was so
lost, Mi. And, I didn�t know how to change it all. I knew The Order would have
taken me in, but that, too, was failure. Cowardice. I
just couldn�t do it. Because as much as I hated what I was involved in and how
far I had gotten with it all, I was that cowardly failure. I was too afraid to
take a chance on change. I hated everything my life had become, but I was a lot
more scared of trying something else. There were so many what ifs. What if my
family was tortured and killed for my disloyalty? What if The
Order wouldn�t take me? What if I got others killed�again? I just couldn�t find
it in me to make a decision, so I didn�t. I did nothing. I acted and pretended
and let it all happen around me.

�Then, it was over. Potter had won. My family was alive. And, I was still
the same coward, but now on the losing side. That day you all flocked around him
and hugged and consoled each other. It was then, while I sat between my parents
and saw the devastation all around us, that I realized, maybe for the first
time, that I was alone. We had lost people, too, people I had known all my
life. But, in that moment, I couldn�t think of one of them. And, I knew none of
those that lived cared that we had made it. It was so hard to believe. I had
spent my entire life being, well me, and that person had lost everything and I
didn�t know who he was. I just knew I didn�t want to be him. That�s why I
arranged a meeting with Potter and the Ministry a few weeks later.�

He heard her sharp intake of breath. �You didn�t know?� he asked.

�No, Harry never said,� she answered.

�Well, yeah. I couldn�t live with all of that pent up any more. My parents
still wanted to act as if we were better, smarter. They wanted revenge for
their loss of belief and change of lifestyle. They started calling old friends
and checking to see where people stood. It was ridiculous! I couldn�t believe
it. And, I knew I didn�t want any part of it. The day the aurors
showed up to arrest them was the happiest day I had had in longer than I
remembered. I could finally get it. My forgiveness. My change. Maybe the hurt, the self-pity, the feeling of
loss could finally start to go away. I just wanted to stop feeling so damn
sorry for myself all the time.�

He paused again to reign in his anger and hurt, �So, I asked for him. He
didn�t have to see me. But, he came. He gave me a chance to talk. And, he
wasn�t nice, he wasn�t forgiving. He was pissed off, hurt, angry, and ruthless.
But, he was real, there was no more acting for either of us. Everything he
threw at me was real, and I deserved it. I told him, and the rest of them,
everything I could remember, any detail that came to mind. And, I was saving my
ass that day. I wasn�t being noble. I hadn�t actually switched sides. I didn�t
have a side. I just needed to get free of it. Of everything.
Over the next few months, I sat in my cell and all I could do was think and
remember. Blaise was my only visitor. My only real friend as
always. He believed in me still; that I could and had changed from the
boy of only a year prior. He said it so much that I actually started believing
it. Then, they let me out. I had no where to go, no one left. My parents had
been freed, but I knew I would never go back there. So, I went to Blaise.

�He saved me.� Then he laughed ruefully, �You know, I owe two people for my
sanity and my life: one, my best friend, and the other, a man who until last
week, I honestly believed lived to see me suffer. He listened and heard me
through his anger. And, he kept his word about never telling anyone. I honestly
never believed he would. I mean, you three were inseparable. It was like you
shared a brain sometimes.�

Hermione�s soft laugh relaxed him, �I don�t know that Potter and I will ever
be friends, but I know he is no longer my enemy.�

He stopped and heard her sigh. He waited for her to speak. Silence. He laughed, �You can talk now. I�m done.�

�Of course Dumbledore believed in you! He wouldn�t have had Slytherins in
the school if he didn�t believe they were of worth. And, you are not coward! At least not any more. And,
you surely are no failure. You changed your life. You made it better. That took
bravery and risk, Draco. And, yes, it was Voldemort�s
fault, not yours. All of it! The Order�� he laughed as she ran out of breath,
but he didn�t miss the rest of her pent up speech. �� would
have taken you in, protected you. It would have been hard, but they would have
done it. If only�.well, never mind that. I�m glad
Blaise and Harry were there for you, each in their own way. And, I hope you and
Harry can be real friends someday, and maybe even Ron, too. Maybe.�

She took a longer breath and finished, �Draco, you were an ass back then, no
question. You hurt people�you hurt me. And, there are some things you can�t
change or take back, no matter how much you might want to. But, you could move
forward and make different, better choices, become a better person. And, you
did and you did it for you. That�s amazing. I don�t know if you understand how
much. And, as hard as it maybe for you to believe, as much as it still shocks
me sometimes, I do forgive you. And, I like the you,
you�ve become. I now know you better and, I think, understand you better. Thank
you, Draco. Thank you for letting me in.�

�Boy, were you holding a lot in,� he laughed. Then more quietly
he said, �Thank you.�

Neither spoke for a moment as both felt a bit drained. He had spent the week
trying to make her understand his life, who he used to
be, and why he was who he was now. And, she had shared more of herself with
him, some of what she had been through, her fears, her pains. They had
listened, accepted, and forgiven. They were tired, but felt closer than before;
like they could now move on to wherever their mutual attraction led. And,
although neither knew what to say, they also were unwilling to let the
conversation end there.

Hermione went to her window and looked over at his building. She almost
believed she could see him standing there looking back at her. It hurt her to
think he would dwell on things and beat himself up with recriminations, so she
tried to change the subject, �Okay, so new topic��

�New topic?� he laughed lightly. �Trying to help me feel better?�

�No idea what you are talking about!� she answered with a light laugh. �But,
since you do have a birthday party to think about, I thought it would be more
fun to talk about the future than the past. So, what do I have to look forward
to at a Zabini/Malfoy celebration?�

The school bell sounded and interrupted her thoughts signaling the end of a
very stressful week for everyone in the room. The children�s cheers and laughs
as they ran from class to begin their weekend, worked its magic on Hermione,
and she found herself smiling and humming as she straightened the room. As an
assistant teacher, she was always the last one out, so with one last look at
the now clean classroom, she grabbed her bag and flooed
home to get ready for the party and put the finishing touches on his gift.

�Janet, Becky, Kim, Bridgette, Lisa, Lissa, Lee, Tala, Amanda��

Draco checked the levels of the liquor bottles and raised an eyebrow at Blaise
as he laughed, �Wait, wait, wait. Whose birthday is
this? Is there anyone coming that I know?�

�Well, you�ve got Mione, Beth, and the guys from your Quidditch team,� Blaise
smiled as he flicked his wand to clean the floors. �I needed some people for
me.�

Draco laughed, �Right.� Then he stopped and looked over at his friend, �B?�

�Yeah?�

�Did you say Janet, Kim and Tala are all coming?�

Blaise grinned a devilishly, �Yeah, should be interesting, huh?�

�Okay, buddy. But, um, what about Beth?�

�What about her?�

�Well, you two have been talking a lot.�

Blaise stopped pulling food from the fridge and looked at Draco, �So? She�s
easy to talk to.�

�Look, B, I�m not trying to piss you off or anything, but you do realize that
Beth isn�t like the others, right?�

Blaise cocked his head to the side, not fully understanding what Draco was
going on about, �I know that D. She�s just a friend, like Mione. It�s kind of
nice having more than just you to talk to, you know!�

�Yeah. Sure. Okay, just be careful.�

Blaise was completely confused, �Huh?�

Draco decided to let it go. He wasn�t Blaise�s father or conscious. This was
something Blaise was going to have to figure out for himself.

Draco laughed, �Just be careful with all those girls fighting over you in one
place. I don�t want my party ending in hexing and bloodshed.�

�Oh!� Blaise laughed with him. �Gotcha.�

Right before the first guests arrived, Blaise lowered the lights and Draco
flicked his wand at the stereo to turn on some dance music. An hour later the
loft was filled to capacity and the liquor flowed freely. Blaise had lowered
the lights a bit more and people were crowded into three areas.

Draco sat with his arm on the back of the sofa and played with the ends of
Hermione�s hair as he and his Quidditch buddies, along with some of their
girlfriends, told stories of their university days. Their tales ranged from
hysterical to a bit raunchy to outright lies as they tried to one-up each
other. The more drinks they had the more farfetched the stories became.
Hermione laughed at their stories and enjoyed their attempts at embarrassing
Draco. It amused her greatly to see him blush and stammer when they started in
on a Quidditch groupie from their junior year that had stalked Draco around
campus.

But, Hermione also noticed that Beth, who sat on the end of the sofa with them,
was not fully engaged. She laughed with everyone else, but she had barely
touched her second drink and her eyes rarely stayed within their circle. She
wasn�t looking at the group that had gathered around the bar doing shots, but
rather at the dance area, where Blaise was working his way through the women at
the party. When Hermione followed her friend�s gaze it was to see Blaise doing
a bit of dirty dancing with Tala. They seemed
oblivious to the eyes that followed their every movement.

Blaise was having a great time. He had caught up with some of the guys he and
Draco had hung with in school and had just enough alcohol to make the room a
bit fuzzy. He tried to keep Draco�s words of warning in his head and made sure
to dance with each girl there, and not anyone more than twice in a row. But, as
the previous song had ended and Tala had blown in his
ear, he hadn�t been able to resist one more with her. Then she had spun around
and pushed her backside against him, while placing his hands on her hips. The
swiveling gyrations that followed blocked out everything else for a while.
Eventually, he did feel like someone was watching him, and he assumed correctly
that it was another girl, but he wouldn�t have been able to guess who if you
had paid him a million galleons.

When the dance ended, Tala blew a kiss over her
shoulder and moved off to dance with someone else. Blaise laughed happily and
moved on to the delicious little red head he had gone out with for about a
minute their sophomore year.

Tala finished her dance with a really cute Quidditch
player friend of Draco�s and got herself another drink. With a quick glance
through the crowd she saw Hermione and Beth and made her way over to them.

�Hey ladies! Having fun?� she yelled above the noise
as she leaned across the back of the sofa.

�Hey you,� Hermione answered. Then she leaned in and told Draco she would be
right back and took her friends� hands to lead them to a slightly quieter area.

Hermione then turned to her friends, �Look, I have let you two meddle in my
life for forever. And, I am about to return the favor. You two need to talk.�

Beth looked away, which let Hermione know her assumptions about Beth�s feelings
for Blaise were right. But, Tala simply looked
confused.

�Why? About what?� she asked.

Hermione leaned in and gave them both a quick hug before she said between their
heads, �Blaise.�

She then left them to go back to Draco.

�Everything okay?� he asked when she plopped back down next to him.

�Yep, fine,� she smiled up at him.

He took a minute to inhale her scent and nuzzle her ear before he asked, �So,
when do I get to open my presents?�

Hermione almost groaned as his warm breath tickled her ear and neck, �Whenever
you want to. It�s your birthday.

�Now!� he laughed and got up to pull her off the couch.

Only a few minutes later they sat across from each other on his bed surrounded
by the shredded trash that had been his wrapping paper. He had all four items,
a book, a bottle of his favorite firewhiskey, a new
set of Quidditch gloves and pads, and a new tie, spread out in front of him and
kept thanking her. Hermione laughed when he picked up and put down the
self-updating book of famous Quidditch players for the third time.

�So, you like that better than the Quidditch stuff?� she giggled and tossed a
pad at him.

�I like them all. This is better than Christmas!� he laughed and leaned back
against his headboard. �I should have more birthdays.�

�I don�t think so,� she smiled. �On a teacher�s salary, you�d be getting
nothing but homemade pumpkin pasties by the third one.�

�Like you don�t have millions of galleons stored up somewhere,� he teased.
Hermione had been rewarded quite nicely by the Ministry, as had Harry and Ron,
after The Fall for their part in taking down Voldemort.

She shrugged and blushed a little, �That�s for the future. And, it�s not the
point. I�m living within my own planned budget.�

�Nutty,� he laughed. Then he sat up and reached across the bed for her, �But,
as long as you�re here, I really don�t care.�

With that he leaned in to kiss her. The party raged outside the closed door,
but neither thought of it as they fell slowly across the bed. Draco swept his
hand out to move the gifts from under her and pushed her further into the
mattress as he deepened the kiss. He loved the little sound she made in the
back of her throat when their tongues met, and the way her hands fluttered on
his back as she grabbed and released his shirt. It was if she wasn�t quite sure
where to put them, but couldn�t stop touching him. When he moved his lips down
to her neck and traced a line slowly back up to her ear with his tongue, her
moan became a groan, her hands slid up to move through his hair, and a gasp
escaped her lips. The blood left his head and rushed down his body when she
innocently rubbed her chest against his.

Hermione felt like a live wire. Every sense seemed heightened and she wanted to
let herself drown in his scent, taste, and touch. When his hand skimmed down
her side and slowly inched upwards, it was all she could do to not hold her
breath. It wasn�t as if it was her first time kissing a man, but she had never
been kissed so thoroughly. Draco kissed with his whole body, as if every part
of their bodies needed to touch and he couldn�t get close enough. Her
inexperience, slight fear, and curiosity all mingled as they fought for
supremacy over the blood pounding in her ears and the intense feelings pooling
in her body.

When his hand closed over her breast, she groaned and pushed herself closer to
him. Their lips never ceased their exploration of each other, but she smiled a
little to herself when she heard the sound of his deep throated groan of
satisfaction. He had finally found out that she hadn�t worn a bra that night.

Draco, upon realizing his good fortune, almost gave up his plan to take things
slow.

One, we�re at a party. Two, anyone could come in. Oh man that feels good.
Where�d she learn to do that with her tongue? Who cares, it feels�mmm�I should lock the door and we can just�.NO! Where was
I? One party, two people coming in. Oh, honey, do that
again. Was my neck always sensitive there? Damn, her boobs feel perfect. And,
what is that perfume? Like apples. My new favorite fruit.
Screw it, I�m locking the door and�no, Draco, she�s a virgin, remember? Is this
how her first time should be? Oh shit! Virgin. Virgin. Virgin.

�Virgin,� he sighed out loud.

�WHAT!� Hermione yelped and pulled back. �Oh god!�

He dropped his head to her shoulder and begged, �Damn, please tell me I didn�t
say that out loud.�

Since he was on top of her, she couldn�t get up even though she tried to push
him off, �Yes, you did!�

He knew she would bolt from the room if he let her up, so he didn�t move, but
he did lift his head to look at her red face, �I�m so sorry, Mi.�

�Get off of me,� she said forcefully. When he rolled to the side she hopped up
and started to leave the room.

�Wait, please,� he asked as he grabbed her hand. She stopped but wouldn�t look
at him, �I didn�t mean to say anything or embarrass you. Please look at me.�

She shook her head and allowed her hair to hide her face. She didn�t leave,
because he still held her hand, but she couldn�t talk for fear of crying in
front of him.

�Mi, please? I really am sorry.�

A tear escaped anyway as she took a breath to steady her voice and whispered,
�Was I really that bad?�

�What!�

�Nothing,� she mumbled and tried to pull away again.

�Bad!� he asked. �What the hell are you talking about?�

She risked a glance up at him and saw his look of incredulity, �Well, we
were�and I thought it was�but then you�� She took a breath, glanced at him and
then looked back down, �I thought things were going well, but was I so bad you
could tell I�m a�vir��

Draco started to laugh, but quickly realized she wasn�t joking. �Are you
kidding me?� he asked instead.

Her head shot up to look him in the eye, �Do I look like I am joking, Draco?�

He decided to go for shock value. He stood up, smiled softly at her, and put
her hand to his crotch, �No, but does that feel like you were bad in any way?�

She pulled her hand away and her face reddened again as she turned her back to
him, �Um, no, I um�okay. So why�d you say it? And, how did you figure it out?�

He slid his hands down her arms, pulled her back against him and leaned down to
let his breath tickle her ear, �I said it to stop myself from enjoying you for
the first time at a party with our hundred closest friends only a door away.�

When he felt her shiver against him he smiled, �And, actually, Snoop and Beth
kind of told me last week.�

She whipped around, her eyes wide with disbelief, �WHAT!�

�Calm down,� he laughed. �Remember the fight with Ron in your living room?�

She nodded and he continued, �Well, it was kind of mentioned in the midst of
all the yelling.�

He watched her face as she remembered the fight and he knew just when she
figured it out�

Ron � YOU�RE SCREWING HIM!

Hermione � Ronald, I am not SCREWING ANYBODY!

Ginny � Hermione. Ron. The boys!

Snoop � Wait, you lost it to Draco Malfoy! I was only gone a week, HG! How�d
this happen?

Beth � No, Snoop she hasn�t�

Her head hit his chest in mortification, �I don�t believe this!�

�Look, it�s okay, you know?�

She pushed away from him, �I know. I am not ashamed of it. It�s just never been
right before and I wanted it to be special the first time. But, it�s not like I
wanted to talk about it with you tonight, either.�

�Well, then let�s not,� he suggested. �Let�s consider it discussed, forget
about it for now and go back to the party.�

When she hesitated and still wouldn�t completely meet his eye, he hauled her against
him and smirked, �But first, it IS my birthday.�

It was another ten minutes before they emerged from the room. Draco looked
extremely pleased with himself, even though his pants felt three sizes too
small. And, Hermione couldn�t stop smiling and blushing.

She was most definitely convinced he wanted her.

CHAPTER 11

Hermione reached up and gave him one more soft
kiss before she moved off to find her friends. They were no longer in the
corner where she had left them and she didn�t see them near the bar. Her jaw
dropped when she saw them dancing and laughing together in the middle of a
group of people. Another quick glance and Hermione saw Blaise sitting in a
chair with a girl on his lap. But, she noticed he ignored the girl completely
and was instead staring intently at the duo on the dance floor. The look on his
face was less than pleased. Picking her way through the crowd, Hermione reached
them just as the song ended and a few people moved away.

As the next song picked up she joined them and asked, �Care to explain what
happened while I was gone?�

Tala looked her up and down and joked, �Well, I would
say someone got good and ravished, that�s what.�

Hermione laughed a little as she blushed, but continued, �Ha ha ha. Back to you two?�

Beth laughed, �We talked, Miss Butt-in-ski. And, thanks.�

�So, everything�s okay?� Hermione asked. �Just like that?�

Tala smiled at her, �Well, it took a little while,
but I finally got her to admit she likes him.�

�But, it�s not like he feels the same,� Beth stated.

�And, I told her she just has to shake him up a little and he�d be putty in her
hands.�

�But, I don�t want to be just another notch to him,� she said and then looked
to Tala, �Sorry.�

Hermione was surprised to see Tala shrug it off, �Let it go, Beth. I knew what I was doing when I hooked
up with him. We�ve both moved on. You just have to get over it.�

�I know,� Beth said. �So, anyway, she suggested I show him my wilder side and
dance with her. She seems to think he�s going to join us any minute.�

Hermione spun in a circle and found the object of their discussion. Then she
shimmied back around and laughed, �Well, you do have him staring.�

Tala reached out with a smile and took Beth�s hips in
her hands. �Okay, time for the final kill. Hermione get in front!� she
demanded.

As the three girls formed a line and proceeded to dip and grind to the music.
They allowed the beat to drive them and let their hands slide up and down their
own bodies in time to the driving rhythm.

Suddenly Hermione felt an intense stare and opened eyes she hadn�t realized had
slipped shut. When her eyes met Draco�s she felt seared by the raw desire she
saw there. The feeling of sexual power flowed through her as she slowly ran her
hands over her hips and up her ribcage. Then, without breaking eye contact, she
moved her hands up to her hair and lifted it slightly off her neck and back,
before allowing it to fall around her once again. She smiled to herself as his
eyes left hers and followed the slow path of her hands back down her body. Just
when she thought he would step forward to her, the music was suddenly shut off
and the lights blinked.

Everyone froze and looked around as they tried to find the reason for the
interruption. She almost laughed when she saw Blaise, wand in hand, staring at
the three of them. Then, as if he had just realized what he had done, he
relaxed his face and smiled at the rest of the room�s occupants.

�Sorry for the interruption, everyone, but it�s cake
time!� he announced.

Hermione and Beth giggled when Tala said softly for
only the three of them to hear, �Yeah right, cake, that�s why he cut off the
music.�

With a flourishing flick of his wrist, Blaise lowered the lights completely and
produced a large hovering cake in the center of the room near Draco. Another
flick lit the many candles and then he slid a table under the cake to set it
down. He moved across the room to stand near his friend and said loudly, �Happy
birthday, D!�

Everyone broke out singing and cheering as Draco blew out his candles, and Hermione
made her way through the crowd to him. She put her arms around him and hugged
him from behind as he used his wand to slice and serve cake.

�Happy birthday, Draco,� she said and kissed his shoulder.

He looked back at her smiling face and turned to whisper seductively in her
ear, �You�ve been very naughty little girl, Ms. Granger. And, you will have to
be punished.�

She smiled sweetly up at him, �I have no idea what you mean.�

�I�ll be sure to remind you later,� he said with a laugh.

For the next few minutes everyone ate and drank. Finally, the cake was moved
off to the kitchen and the music was turned back on, but the lights weren�t
turned back up. People began to dance again and Draco took her out to the dance
floor.

�So, you wanna try that again with me right here?� he
asked with a smirk.

Hermione smiled innocently up at him and said, �Try what? I was just dancing.�

Draco barely heard her answer though for the blood that started pounding in his
head. Hermione once again moved and gyrated to the music. But, this time she
held eye contact as she repeated her earlier actions. The
difference? She used his hands instead of her own.

She grinned wickedly as she led his hands down to skim past her breasts and saw
his eyes darken. But, when they reached her hips he took control and she let
out a gasp as he spun her around and pulled her, almost roughly, back against
him.

�You�re killing me,� he growled into her ear.

Her whole body quivered against him as his hot breath caressed her ear, but
also from the feminine power surge she received when she felt the evidence of
his desire against her. No one interrupted the dancing pair, but many noticed
how lost they were in each other. And, several women in the crowd sighed out
loud in envy at the looks that passed between the two.

Tala and Beth had moved to stand near the bar. They
watched Hermione and Draco dance and while Tala�s
face was lit with a knowing smile, Beth�s was more filled with longing. She
forced herself to turn away from them and reached for a bottled drink. When her
hand met another in the tub, she looked up into Blaise�s eyes. They stared for
a few seconds before Tala interrupted them.

�Hey Blaise,� she smiled. �Nice party!�

He glanced over at her and returned her smile, �Yeah, thanks. I see you two are
having fun.�

Beth nodded, �Oh yeah. You?�

He nodded and winked at them, �You know me.�

Tala chose that moment to back away, �Oooh, there�s Jeremy, he promised me a dance or two. See ya.�

Before either could say anything she was gone.

Blaise popped the cap on his drink and moved around the bar to lean back
against it next to Beth.

�So, why aren�t you dancing?� he asked.

Beth shrugged, �No reason. You?�

He looked down at her and answered honestly, �Actually, I�ve already danced
with everyone twice and I�m tired.� Then he laughed, �D warned me against
starting any girlfights at his party, so I have to
either stop or work my way through them all again.�

Beth nodded and refrained from reminding him that he hadn�t asked her to dance
at all. She simply sipped her drink and watched the party in front of her.

�I didn�t know you could move like that,� he laughed down at her. �Nice moves
by the way, babe!�

Beth felt the blush creep up her neck and laughed nervously, �I guess.�

�Yeah,� he continued, oblivious to the undercurrents around them, �you two were
hot out there.� Then he turned and leaned down close to whisper
conspiratorially, �So, who�s the unsuspecting bloke?�

She looked up at him with startled eyes and stuttered, �What?�

�Oh come on,� he laughed and slung an arm around her shoulders. �I know you.
That wasn�t normal. Don�t get me wrong, you looked great out there, but you
haven�t danced all night. Then you two run off for a while and when you come
back you�re like a little sexy, spitfire out there. So, who is he? The guy
you�re trying to catch?�

Beth almost laughed at how wrong he had gotten things, but couldn�t over the
lump of failure lodged in her throat. She reminded herself that he saw her as
just a friend and changed the subject painfully, �So, you and Tala, huh? Why didn�t you tell me?�

�She�s fun, but nah, too tiring,� he shrugged against her. Then he took another
pull from his bottle and winked, �Nice little butt on that friend of yours
though.�

Beth smiled and looked away. She glanced around the room looking for an escape
and found one as she saw Hermione and Draco heading in their direction. When
Hermione raised a brow at his arm around her shoulders, Beth shook her head
quickly and stepped out of Blaise�s embrace.

�Thanks again B, this is a great party.�

�Anything for you, D. Glad you�re having fun. Need another drink?�

Draco nodded and they walked around to the other side of the bar. Hermione
moved to lean back against the bar and nudged her friend with her hip.

�You okay?�

Beth nodded and sighed quietly, �Yeah. But, Tala was
wrong.�

�How do you mean?�

�Well, it worked enough that he thinks I�m out to catch someone, but he
missed the fact that it�s him,� she said with frustration.

Before Hermione could reply they were interrupted by the same good looking guy Tala had danced with earlier. With the
words, �Hey there, you little hottie. Name�s
Dave. Let�s dance,� he pulled Beth with him to the dance floor.

Beth�s nervous laugh trailed behind her as she was dragged across the room.
Hermione watched her fend off his roaming hands for a few minutes before she
felt someone brush by her. She looked up in time to see Blaise head in their
direction and felt Draco lean down to nuzzle her neck.

�What are you thinking so hard about?� he asked.

�Them,� she sighed.

Draco followed her line of vision and answered, �So, you see it, too?�

Neither spoke as Blaise approached the dancing couple. But, then he seemed to
think better of it, shrugged, and turned to join some guys playing a drinking
game nearby.

�See what? That Blaise is a great, big, oblivious, oaf?� she laughed.

�Hey, that�s my oaf your insulting,� he laughed with her.

The next morning Hermione woke to a searing headache. She squinted
her eyes open and found herself in an unfamiliar bed and bedroom. Her hands
flew to her body and she tried to recall the end of the evening. With a sigh
she remembered stumbling in with Draco and falling across his bed. Then she
smiled and closed her eyes once again as she relived the feeling of him slowly
stripping her and then redressing her in one of his shirts. But, she giggled a
little when she remembered that he had then stripped down to his boxers, pulled
her down with him on the bed, kissed her quite thoroughly and then promptly passed
out across her chest.

The light laugh reminded her of her headache and she reached out blindly for
her wand. When her hand hit air, she opened her eyes again to see where he
would have put it. It was only then that she realized she was alone. Swinging her
legs off the bed with a groan she sat up and saw the note and her wand on his
pillow.

Morning Beautiful,

Blaise and I are out there cleaning up the mess. No need to rush out. Relax.
But, there�s coffee, tea and breakfast sandwiches when you�re ready. Take your
time.

Yours,

D

PS: I liked waking up next to you. J

Hermione smiled and used her wand to cast a pain-relieving charm on herself.
After a short shower she felt more like herself and put on the tee shirt and
shorts he had left out for her. With her hair up in a loose ponytail she opened
the door and the noise made her jump back a bit. She hadn�t realized they had
placed a silencing charm on the room for her, so that they could blast music as
they cleaned. She heard them on the other side of the loft yelling back and
forth to each other.

�So, did she leave with him?� Blaise called out.

�I have no idea. What the hell is that under the sofa?�

�Looks like pizza,� Blaise laughed. �Dave�s kind of a player, you know.�

�Takes one to know one,� Draco called back as he aimed a cleaning spell at the
floor under the couch. �Beth�s a big girl, B, she can handle herself?�

�I know,� Blaise called back from the kitchen. �It�s just, I don�t know, I just
don�t see him as her type, I guess.�

Hermione chose that moment to make her presence known and walked over to slap
Draco�s upturned butt, �Morning boys!�

He straightened quickly in surprise, but then turned, grabbed her and tossed
her down on the sofa. She giggled as he tickled her lightly and nuzzled her neck.

�Stop, stop, stop,� she gasped.

He did and then lowered his head to kiss her slowly and more thoroughly,
�Morning.�

�Mmmm, good morning,� she sighed against his lips.

They broke apart when Blaise said, �You two wanna get
a room?�

They pulled apart after one more kiss and she joined them in putting the
apartment back together. They talked about the party, the people she had met,
the friends they had caught up with, and the gifts Draco had received. Both
noticed that Blaise wouldn�t talk about Beth or Dave anymore though. And, she
and Draco shared a silent smile at that fact.

Hermione dropped her grocery bags on the counter and adjusted her cell phone to
her other ear, �You took him home with you!�

Beth laughed, �Good gracious, no! I let him apparate me to the corner of my
street, that�s all. I didn�t want him to know exactly where I lived.�

Hermione began emptying her bags, �So, uh, you like him? Dave, that is?�

�Sure. I guess. He seems nice enough. And, you have to admit, his body is
pretty damn near perfect. I don�t get this whole Quidditch thing, but it sure
does a body good,� she giggled.

�Okay, so what about Blaise?� Hermione asked.

�What about him,� Beth huffed. �He�s Blaise. Playboy. Sex fiend. Ladies� man. Eternal friend to muggle me.�

�Ah Beth, I..�

�What, Mione? I know what I am and I know that he doesn�t see me like that. I
think I just had too much to drink last night, that�s all. I let my emotions
get away with me.�

Hermione shook her head, �If you�re sure? I mean, you seemed pretty upset. And,
this morning Blaise said��

�What?�

�Well, he kind of implied that he and Dave were a lot alike. You know, playboys.�

Beth laughed, �Takes one to know one.�

Hermione smiled to hear Draco�s words echoed, but then Beth continued, �Well,
he might be a little like Blaise, but at least he doesn�t see me as just a
powerless �friend�.�

The hurt in her voice seeped through and caused Hermione to frown for her
friend, �Did he say that?�

Beth sighed heavily, �No. Not in so many words. But, come on. He�s a wizard.
All his friends are witches and wizards. I�m just this normal girl who comes
along with the package that is you.�

�Beth, I seriously don�t think that is how he sees you,� Hermione tried to
soothe her.

�Whatever. It doesn�t matter any more. I�m over it.�

When Hermione didn�t answer she said more forcefully, �I am! And, I have a
dinner date to get ready for, so I need to get going.�

�With Dave?� Hermione asked.

�Yep. He said he couldn�t wait too long to see me
again.�

Hermione shook her head and said, �Well, have fun. And, be careful, okay? Don�t
let him apparate you back to his place or anything.�

Beth laughed, �Yes, Mom. I�ll call when I get back, okay?�

�Okay. Talk to you later.�

When Hermione hung up and had finished putting her things away, she decided
that it was time for a nap. She had stayed longer than she�d planned at the
guys� loft and the lack of sleep was starting to catch with her.

It was dark in her apartment when she woke up, and she realized she had slept a
lot longer than she had originally planned. She still had papers to grade and
two lesson plans to write before she returned to work on Monday. Plus, there
was her dinner date with Draco Sunday night. There first time really being
alone together. She smiled in the darkness and thought about what the next
night might bring. With a happy sigh she flicked her wrist to bring the lights
up and her gaze fell on the picture on her dresser.

The smile slowly slid away as she realized she hadn�t thought about Ron and
their need to talk for almost a full day.

�Ron, that�s it. I gave you a week. It�s time you talked to me.�

CHAPTER 12

Hermione took a little time to refresh herself
as she bolstered her own resolve, before she flooed
to Snoop and Ron�s apartment. She dropped out of the fireplace with a little
surprise, as they didn�t have any protection charms up to stop her arrival.

She called out her arrival as she stepped further into the room, �Snoop? Ron? Anyone home?�

Ron stepped out of their kitchen and sniffed contemptuously, �Georgie, honey, you
have a guest.�

�No, Ron, I�� Hermione started, but he had already disappeared back into the
room.

Snoop came out a moment later to greet her. She looked a bit nervous, but still
smiled warmly at her friend, �Hey, HG. What brings you here?�

Hermione met her in a hug, �Missed you.� Then she pulled back and said, �And, I
want to talk to him. We haven�t had a disagreement this bad since school,
fourth or fifth year. I can�t keep going like this.�

Snoop looked at her sadly, �I�m sorry. He won�t talk to me about it either.�

�Great! Now, I�m messing up your relationship,� Hermione said as she fell back
on the couch. �I�m so sorry.�

�No, no, we�re fine,� Snoop rushed to tell her. When Hermione just looked at
her unbelieving, she took her friend�s hands and said with a tiny smile,
�Really, HG. He�s intent as ever on starting that big family he has planned and
has worked very diligently at it.�

Hermione laughed a little at her friend�s eye wiggle, �Okay, got it.�

Then she pulled back and stood up, �But, I have to try again, Snoop. I want my
friend back.� She had to breathe deeply to stop the tears from falling, �I miss
him.�

Snoop pulled her into a brief hug, �I know. He misses you, too. He�s so
stubborn, he won�t admit it, but he does. He and Harry had a shouting match
about it a couple of days ago, too. And, I know Ginny has been giving him
grief. Hell, at dinner Thursday, his mother was even shooting him �I�m so
disappointed looks� all night long. I think I�m the only one not going at him
about it all the time. You need to find a way to make him
understand this whole forgive and forget Malfoy thing, HG. He just
doesn�t get it. He won�t let himself. And, he can�t understand how you could
choose Draco over him.�

�But, I didn�t!� Hermione exclaimed. �I would never do that!�

�But, you did,� Snoop said gently. �At least in his eyes, you did.�

Hermione felt her shoulders droop once again and nodded in agreement, �I
suppose he could see it that way. But, I never intended to do it. I mean, I did
tell him I wasn�t going to stop seeing Draco, but that didn�t mean I wanted to
walk away from Ron.�

�You need to make him understand that, HG.�

Hermione nodded and looked to the kitchen door. She hadn�t heard a pop, so she
knew he hadn�t left.

�Okay, here goes nothing,� she whispered more to herself than to Snoop.

She felt the squeeze on her hand and heard, �Good luck, hon,�
as she began the walk toward the door.

Hermione squared her shoulders before she pushed the door open. He stood at the
counter across from her and looked out the window. Not quite knowing what to
say, she silently crossed the room and placed her arms around his middle.

He stiffened in her arms, but didn�t pull away. It gave her a little hope.

�I�m so sorry,� she whispered. �Please talk to me, Ron. I need you.�

He didn�t turn to her, but asked quietly, �Are you still seeing him?�

She knew it wasn�t what he wanted to hear, but she nodded against his back and
answered, �Yes, Ron, I am.�

Then he did pull away. He walked across the room, sat heavily on a kitchen
chair and just stared at her.

Since he hadn�t left entirely, she took it as a sign that he would at least
listen and slowly approached the table. At his silent nod, she took a seat
across from him.

�I know I hurt you. And, I am so terribly sorry for that. You know I love you
and I wouldn�t want to hurt you for anything in this world. I didn�t mean to
make it seem like I had chosen him over you. I�m sorry if it seemed that way.�

He sat back in his chair and stared at her for a moment before he said softly,
�So, if I asked you to stop seeing him, would you?�

The pained look on her face was his answer and he got up to pace the room as he
spoke, �See! You would do it again. Choose him! I don�t get it. Why? What is so
great about that damned condescending git that you
would throw away our friendship over him!�

�No, Ron, I don�t want to throw away anything,� she said as she got up and went
to him. �I want us to go back to being the way we were. I miss my best friend.
I want us to be able to talk and share our lives with each other.�

When he raised a brow at her, she knew what he was about to ask and turned
away, �Please don�t say it. Don�t make me choose. It�s not fair, Ron. And, you
know it! You and Snoop get to be happy and in love. Harry and Ginny get to.
Neville, Luna, Charlie, Bill, George, everybody we love gets to be happy with
someone they love, why not me? Why don�t I deserve to be happy, Ron? Why?�

Ron found it hard to breathe as he watched her pace back and forth. He didn�t
want to believe what he had heard, but he couldn�t ignore the fact that she had
practically admitted to being in love with Malfoy. A part of him, the part that
wasn�t angry, betrayed and hurt, almost laughed at having figured it out before
she did. But, the rest of him only felt more of the three as it hit him once
again that it was Malfoy that made her feel that way.

He did a quick check of his own feelings to see if his judgment was born from
jealousy. He immediately rejected the idea, he loved
his wife more each day. He settled on the one thing he could understand and
cling to, his unending hatred of, �Malfoy!�

Hermione stopped her pacing and looked at him in surprise. The vehemence with
which he said the name made her realize her battle was going to be harder than
she�d planned.

She tried to keep her voice neutral as she answered, �Yes, Draco, Ron.� She
kept talking when she saw him about to interrupt, �Why can�t I be happy with
him? Why don�t I deserve at least a little of what everyone
else has, finally?�

He refused to answer that question as he didn�t know what to say to it. She did
deserve her happiness. More than any of them, as she had spent so much of her
life fighting with and for them, that she had put her life, her needs, on hold.
She deserved to be loved and worshipped. But, he couldn�t accept a former Death
Eater, especially Malfoy who had made their lives so miserable, as the person
to be that for her.

�Stop trying to make me out to be the bad guy here,� he answered instead. �You
know my reasons. I�m sure if I pulled his files and showed you the things he�d
done, you wouldn�t be so keen to defend him to me! He�s hated you, belittled
you. Treated everyone like dirt underneath his spit shined boots! He�s evil
incarnate and so far beneath you, dammit! If we are
truly friends, you can�t ask me to accept something so wrong.�

Hermione sat heavily in the chair she had recently vacated and looked down at
her shaking hands, �I know what he�s done, Ron. I know what he did and he�s
told me more about it than I think even you and Harry know. And, I�ve made my
peace with it. He�s worked hard for the past few years to earn back some
respect, from others and from himself. I don�t know
what to say to convince you he�s not the same person. When did
you stop trusting me?�

�It�s not you,� he said as he turned away from her tortured face. �I
trust you with my life. I think you know that. But, on this Mione, you�re
wrong. You are going to get hurt. He�s going to show his real self sooner or
later, and by then it will be too late for you. I don�t want you to get hurt
any more. And, he�s going to, believe me.�

He moved across the room to kneel in front of her and take her hands in his,
�When did you stop trusting me?�

�Ron��

�No, Mione, listen to me. You�re letting your emotions get in the way of
reality on this one. I know it probably feels oh so perfect right now. But,
that�s the way he wants it. He knows you haven�t had a lot of experience in
this area and he�s using that. He�s setting you up, hon. Get out of this now.
You�ll find your real �someone,� I know you will. Hell, I�ll help. I know a
bunch of guys that would love to have you on their arm.�

She shook her head at him and pulled her hands away, �I�m not an idiot child,
Ronald! I know when I�m being used. I fought beside you for eight friggin� years. I know what it�s like to be set up. And, I
may not have your many years of experience in the dating world, but I�m not
stupid!�

�Oh Mione, I�m not saying you�re stupid,� he said and took her hands again.
�I�m not. But, this isn�t the same thing as fighting in a battle. This is your
heart. Your beautiful, fragile, innocent, loving, giving,
forgiving heart, Mione. I can�t bear to see that bastard twist it for
his purposes, whatever they are. I won�t stand by and watch you get ripped to
shreds when he shows himself for the ass he is. I love you too much. Please
trust me and end this. We�ll find you someone more suitable, I swear. And,
you�ll forget this little, whatever, ever happened. I know it.�

Hermione smiled sadly at him. She heard the hope and honesty behind his words.
And, she longed to hug him in reassurance, but she held herself in check.
Reassuring him meant letting go of Draco and she was not ready to do that, not
yet.

�So, I�m only allowed to be happy with someone you approve of?� she asked,
careful to keep her voice soft. �What if you�re wrong, Ron?
What if he is the one for me and I let him go before I get to find out? Would
you be happier if I was miserable and alone? I know you don�t like nor trust
him. But, Ron, I do. I don�t know how to explain it to you, but I do. And, no,
it�s not just lust or whatever speaking. It�s not like he�s my first crush,
babe.�

He smiled a little at the reminder of their long past relationship. Then, she continued,
�We�re not children any more. And, if I get hurt in the process of getting to
where you and Snoop are, then I get hurt. That�s life, right? And, hey, I could
be the one to hurt him, you know?�

He didn�t smile, she saw the hope flicker in his eyes and quickly squelched it,
�No, Ron. I�m not pulling away from him. Not now. Not yet. I need to see where
this goes.�

�But he�s��

She maintained the soothing voice she had begun with, �I know, I know, alright!
He WAS a Death Eater, he WAS an ass, and he WAS an insufferable git in school. But, Ron, just like us, he grew up. I accept
that you don�t see that yet, but trust me and know that I am a big girl and can
take care of myself, okay?�

He looked at her for a moment and an image of her from their ball fourth year
flashed in his mind. She had been na�ve, and brave,
and so sweet in her giddy joy over having been finally noticed as a girl. He
saw that same look of hope, happiness, and awe in her now. He hated to be the
one to take that light out of her eyes, but he couldn�t bring himself to let go
of the past and see Draco Malfoy as anything but what he used to be.

He leaned forward and placed his hand on the soft skin of her cheek, �You know
I love you, right?� he said softly. He waited for her hesitant nod before he
continued, �And, I always will. And, I will always be there for you when you
need me; that will never change. But, on this, Mione, I can�t support you. It
kills me to see that look right there in your eyes, disappointment and hurt,
and know that I caused it, but there is nothing else I can say or do. I love
you too much to lie to you. I can not accept Malfoy as a part of your life. I
can barely accept that he walks the streets freely every day. But, know this,
when he shows his true form, I will be here for you. I promise not to say I
told you so, but to only be there and help you get through it. Our friendship
is too important to me to do anything else. But, until you get past
this�thing�you have with him, I can�t be�I just can�t be�us. I�m sorry.�

Hermione looked into his eyes and saw the resolve and the pain. It would have
been so much better if he had ranted at her; that she knew how to handle. But,
this raw pain and honesty leveled her.

With a brief nod of understanding she stepped closer and hugged him tightly
with her eyes closed against the tears that threatened to fall.

�I love you, too. We will get past this, I know it, somehow. But, for now, I
understand how you feel and you know where I stand. I�m sorry it has to be this
way.� She stepped away and looked up into his sad eyes, �We�ll talk again soon,
I hope. Please tell Snoop I�ll call her later.�

With that, she apparated away.

Ron watched her disappear and closed his eyes in loss, grief, and disbelief. He
quickly thought back over their conversation and shook his head. He just
couldn�t figure out how they�d ended up where they were.

How did this happen? How could she possibly think that jerk could change? It
doesn�t make sense! She knows me. She knows I only want what�s best for her.
Why can�t she trust me on this? Hell, why isn�t anyone listening to me? Not,
Ginny. Not even Harry. I don�t get it. What the hell? My best mate in the world
defending that�arse! What is going on here! I need to
talk to Harry again and this time, I want answers dammit!

�Georgie?� he called to his wife.

�Yes, Ronnie?� she asked as she slowly entered the room with a sorrowful smile.
He knew she had heard the pop of Hermione�s departure and would be there for
him, no matter what. But, he also knew he was ripping her friendship with
Hermione apart.

He shook his head at her unanswered question and saw her shoulder sag a little.
�Listen, honey, I hate this as much as you do. More.
But, I�m sorry, I just can�t let the past be forgotten
like they all seem to be doing. There was too much pain and hatred involved for
it to all just go away.�

She walked over to sit on his lap and softly kissed him, �I�m so sorry you guys
are going through this. I just wish��

�What?� he prompted.

�Nothing,� she mumbled and made to get up.

He pulled her back against him and said with a grin, �Just say it. I won�t get
mad. Promise.�

When she just shook her head, he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes,
�Georgie, I love you and I know you want what�s best for everyone. Thank you
for trying so hard to stay neutral about this, for me, but talk to me. Tell me
what you�re thinking, please?�

�Well, I just wish you and she could work around it, you know. I mean, she
obviously sees something in him that you don�t, or won�t. You keep seeing the
kid you grew up with. And, I just think maybe you should, I don�t know, trust
her more.�

She felt him tense beneath her and quickly added, �I don�t mean to get to know Dra� Malfoy any better, or try to
spend time with him. Not at all, nothing like that.
But, maybe you could try talking to HG more. Maybe let her tell you what she
sees in him. And, then, if he does hurt her in the end, you two won�t have to
work around your disagreement for you to be there for her when she needs you.
Does that make sense?�

Ron hugged her to him and nodded against her shoulder, �You know, that�s not a
bad idea, I guess. I mean, I have to hold down my bile while she spouts about
what a great guy the ass is, but at least I would have my friend back, mostly.�

�Exactly,� she smiled. Then she leaned down to kiss him, �But for now, how
about I take your mind off all this for a while?�

He smiled roguishly at her as his hands slid up from her hips slowly, �Well, if
you insist.�

�Are you sure you�re okay?� Draco asked for the third time.

�Yes, dammit. Stop asking me
that!� she snapped. Then she blew out a breath and sighed heavily as she
switched the phone to the other ear. �Shit! I�m sorry, Draco. This isn�t your
fault and I shouldn�t be taking it out on you. Forgive me.�

�Well, it is, kind of,� he answered. �I�m sorry.�

�And, would you please stop apologizing? You aren�t responsible for Ron being a
stubborn, unforgiving pain.�

�Well, Mi, you have to admit he has a lot to be pissed about. And, no real
reason to forgive me,� he sighed. When she didn�t respond he asked, �Okay, so
is there anything I can do to help tonight? To make you feel any better?�

She smiled at the phone, �No. I just need to get in the tub with some candles
and a book and let this afternoon go away for a while. I�ll be fine.�

�You still want me to come over tomorrow night?� he asked.

She heard the hesitancy in his voice and shook her head. With a light laugh she
answered, �You trying to get out of our first real date, Malfoy?�

�What? No!� he answered quickly before he realized she was teasing him. �I, uh,
okay, so six, then?�

�Yep,� she answered.

�What can I bring?� he asked.

�Well (beep beep)�hold on, my call waiting is going
off. Hold on. Don�t hang up,� she ordered.

�Hello?�

�He�s an ASSHOLE!� Beth screamed into the phone.

Hermione�s feet hit the floor and she was standing ready to run to her friend
as she spoke, �What? Who? Beth, are you okay? Where are you?�

Beth laughed bitterly, �I�m downstairs. Can you ring me up? The damned door�s
locked.�

�Of course,� Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. �Hold on.�

She pressed the numbers on her phone to release the building�s front doors and
then flashed back to Draco.

�Draco?�

�I�m here. Everything okay?�

�I think so, but that was Beth and she�s on her way up. She didn�t sound
all that happy with her date.�

�Well, then I am going to let you go. I�ll call you in the morning, okay, lov�okay?�

Hermione�s breath hitched at his slip, but she stopped herself from asking him
about it. �Oh, okay. Um, okay. Talk to you in the morning.�

He smiled at her obviously flustered answer, even as he blushed like a teenage
boy, �Sleep well.�

�Night, Draco.�

She hung up the phone and smiled to herself. He almost called me �love!�
Does that mean he�

Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud pounding on the door.
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Love and Forgiveness