by D/H Shipper
 
 

Chapter 13
Truth Discovered
 

"Hermione," someone was hunched over her. A bright light filled the room, and she looked around as the room suddenly came into focus. "Good you're up. You've been out for nearly three weeks. What happened out there?" Madame Pomfrey questioned as she dabbed the side of her forehead. A searing pain ripped through her head as the sponge came in contact with her wound. Yelping with pain, she touched the spot lightly. Tracing a small lightning scar, Hermione gasped as Madame Pomfrey nodded her head. "Yes, it appears you were attacked by the tree. It was a good thing that the Slytherins had Quidditch Practice, or you may not have been so fortunate. Draco Malfoy, of all people, was the one who brought you into the Hospital Wing for immediate car. In my best judgement, I would have thought Draco jynxed you - but I saw the level of Dark Magic and changed my mind immediately."

Hermione's mind spun as she saw Draco Malfoy hanging out in the corner of the room. He gave her a faint smile and walked away silently ; his cologne drifting its way towards her. She smelled his faint smell of grass and was distracted from Madame Pomfrey for a moment. "Times have changed, Hermione. The Wizarding World is at war. Apparently, you-know-who was not banquished. So now times are tense. All known Dark Arts families have withdrawn their children from Hogwarts, except for Draco. I've spoken too much, try your best to sleep now."

**

Hermione was back in classes within the next day - appalled at all she had missed. Nearly all the Slytherins had withdrawn from
Hogwarts, and the Christmas snow had already begun to fall. Days turned to weeks and soon the hogwarts children were going home to their parents ; shaking with the bitter cold, Hermione cuddled up in the library when she saw Draco Malfoy enter.

"Well it looks like we're stuck together - the mudblood and the outcast," Draco muttered looking at her faintly. "No wait. I really shouldn't pick a fight now . Wouldn't want you to jynx me with bad luck. I've got enough as it is."

"I ought to thank you for saving my life. Why must you be so cruel? Here I am minding my business and you barge in on me. Please for Gods' sake Draco, don't be a pain in the arse. What's up with you? You seem so .. dejected."

"If you've got a father who's obsessed with getting back at the White Side for the destruction of his master, then you would understand. You're a target, Granger. The scar," Draco reached out and stroked it, "was a mark of death until whoever did it fell out of the tree. We heard a splash; by the time we got over, he was gone. So I'm guessing it was a Death Eater." His mere touch sent shivers up Hermione's spine.

"Why'd you save me?"

"There's need for heroic deeds in these times. Some of the other boys went out and enlisted in the Magical Military, the Aurors."

"What about you? I mean, isn't your father a Death Eater?"

"He is. That's why he left me here. I'm guessing they plan to kill off Dumbledore since he's the only one that you-know-who is afraid of. He'll take care of Potter and come to murder, torture, and slay mudbloods and those who oppose him. It's the beginning of a bloody battle," Draco said.

"You're right. Actually, I haven't seen anyone in ages. Where is everyone?"

"How should I know?" Draco asked, he leaned in - as if expecting something. Closer and closer. Til their lips briefly touched. Hermione, who was stunned, pulled away and cocked her head. "I don't know where that came from," Draco spluttered embarrassedly.

"Well since we're already so embarrased. Did you ever have a dream that we were evil and took over the world? I mean.. not to seem so paranoid but maybe you had the dream too." Hermione shook her head.

"Yeah. I did. Not too long ago."

"Was that a long time ago? It's quite odd, but when I look at you, I feel like I did in the dream," Hermione confided. 'Why are you telling him this? He's probably looking at you that way because he thinks you're a lunatic!'

"May I ask what you felt, or are we too meek to share?" Draco grinned and pushed his blond hair behind his ear.

"Love," Hermione whispered - slightly nervous. After all, it was Draco Malfoy, Harry's mortal enemy and known Dark Arts follower. He leaned in again for another soft kiss. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck. Their kisses growing stronger with every gasp for air. Like something out of a dream, something that was terribly wrong , but yet so right.

**

Lucius Malfoy glared into the glass mirror in mixed feelings. His remembrance of true love when he had loved Yuri Chang, Cho Chang's mother - the beautiful Ravenclaw. Though his father had declined his thoughts and chose Narcissa for his wife. They'd grown to love each other ; even though it was not true love. His anger burned deeply. The sight of his son passionately kissing a mudblood. "Granger," he growled , gritting his teeth in agony.

**

"Is this real?" Hermione whispered. Her voice was barely audible, but she liked it better that way. No one would know. No one would care. "Just yesterday, you were ridiculing me for my heritage. I'm in love, Draco."

"It's all the counts. Screw my father, I'm following my path. I don't know how it came to this. I loathed you one minute. Maybe our dream does make sense, like it did happen at some point in time." Hermione felt him feel her neck, where he found a golden locket with her initials engraved on it. HLG. "It's all that matters. Our love."

As they kissed their good-byes, Hermione and Draco went their seperate ways - careful not to run into Filch . Little did they know, the hardest task of their relationship was just around the corner.
 
 
 

I've changed. This isn't going to be a lovely dovey ending like I planned it to be. Expect a more dark ending to this story , perhaps a little romantic angst. Time will tell. Please review for the next chapter, which will be coming regardless. At this point , I will probably try to end it at chapter seventeen, possibly writing an epilogue or something. See ya!
 

Back to Chapter 12
Chapter 14