Chapter 18

It had been several days since Hermione's recovery, but Madame Pompfry insisted that she took the rest of the week off, just in case she wasn't entirely recovered.

Since recovering, Hermione had told everyone that she didn't need to be taken care of and had insisted that they spend some time to themselves.

Draco was sat in the Slytherin Common Room writing a letter to his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, as she was the only person, besides Hermione, that Draco thought he could trust.

Dear Mother,

I'm writing to confess to something that I never thought possible, especially after everything father had said! I can't imagine how you'll react when you read this, but I'm sure you won't be particularly impressed with me.

It's Granger. Mother, I am slowly falling for Granger! I suppose it's a good thing, because it means that I'll be able to start my own life with her, hopefully. But, you see Mother, when I'm around her, I feel like myself again - you know, before all the Death Eater stuff.

I know that you're probably not impressed with my choice, but I beg of you - please do not write to father. His reaction is the one that scares me the most, as I can imagine it quite clearly.

Yours Draco.

He folded the letter in half and slid it inside the envelope, before heading up to the Owlery, praying that his mother would be understanding towards his feelings.

***

Hermione made her way from the Library to the Great Hall, keeping an eye out for Ginny as they had arranged to walk to dinner together. But by the time Hermione got the Common Room, her red haired friend was nowhere to be seen. So the brunette made her way back downstairs to the Great Hall alone, knowing Ginny had most likely forgotten.

"What's got your wand in a knot, 'Mione?" Harry asked as his curly haired friend sat down opposite him.

Hermione turned to face Ginny, who was sitting beside Harry, and raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Well?"

"Well what?" Ginny shrugged, filling her cup with pumpkin juice and taking a sip.

"You were supposed to meet me at the Common Room."

The red haired girl almost choked on her drink as the realisation hit her. "Today?"

"Today, Gin."

"I'm sorry, 'Mione. I completely forgot."

"It's fine." Was all the brunette said, she was growing slightly annoyed at the fact that this was the third time Ginny had conveniently forgotten to meet her.

"Hermione, I really am sorry."

"I said it was fine, Gin." Hermione growled, causing Harry to frown.

"Hermione? Are you sure you're alright?" Harry persisted, knowing that his curly haired friend was lying.

"I'm fine, Harry, really." The brunette sighed relentlessly. "I'm sorry, Gin, I didn't mean to snap at you it's just..."

"Just what?" Ginny frowned, taking Hermione's hand into her own. "What's wrong, 'Mione?"

"I just have something else on my mind right now and..."

"And?" Harry questioned.

"And I'm not sure the way I dealt with it was..."

"Was?" The two of the asked as they tried to hear the end of the sentence.

"I'm not sure it was the right way to go about it." Hermione sighed, resting her head in her hands. "Look, the last thing I need right now is..."

"Hey guys!" The familiar voice belonging to Ronald Weasley sounded from behind them, causing Harry and Ginny to glance in his direction.

"That." The brunette muttered to herself, knowing her friends hadn't heard her.

"Ron where've you been recently?" Harry asked with as smile as his best friend took a seat beside him. "We've barely seen you!"

"Yeah, well, I've been busy." Was all the red haired boy said as he began stuffing his face.

"Busy?" Ginny scoffed, clearly not believing her brother. "Doing what?"

"I think the bigger question is; doing whom?"

The four of them turned to see Draco and Theodore standing there with disgusted expressions on their faces.

"What are you talking about?" Ginny frowned, as she glanced from the two Slytherins to her brother.

Harry looked over at Ron. "What's he talking about?"

"It's nothing." Ron scoffed, gesturing at Draco. "This is all coming from Malfoy. Surely, you don't believe him, Harry?"

"I do."

Everyone turned their attention to Hermione, who sat there with tears in her eyes. "I believe him."

"What in Merlin's name are you talking about, 'Mione?" Ginny persisted, anger starting to become evident in her voice. "Someone please explain!"

"That's why you chose me, isn't it?" Draco asked, turning his attention to Hermione. "Because you knew what he was doing."

The brunette knew the truth would come out soon enough and she'd been so close to telling Harry and Ginny five minutes ago, but she just couldn't find the words. Instead of speaking, Hermione nodded in response to Draco's accusation which was far more than enough information.

"Ron." Harry said, his voice becoming dangerously calm. "What did you do?"

"I'll tell you what he did, Harry." Hermione suggested with anger slowly rising. "He's be sleeping with Lavender Brown behind my back! That's why, when I was given the choice - I chose Draco!"

The whole Hall fell silent as Hermione stopped screaming. All eyes were on the Gryfindor Table. Ron sat there in silence, glaring up at the curly haired girl, while Harry and Ginny stood in shock as they took in what had just been revealed. After a moment or two, Harry spoke up.

"That's what you meant earlier, isn't it?" The dark haired boy turned to Hermione. "That's what's been bothering you this whole time? Not the truce. Not us finding out about your new friendship." Harry pointed at Ron, who sat there unmoved, watching as his friends turned against him. "Him?"

"Yes." The brunet choked out, her voice small and shaky, as she moved to stand with the Slytherin boys.

Harry moved away from Ron and went round to the other side of the table, joining Hermione, Draco and Theo. Ginny walked up to her brother and leant forward so she was level with him. Her face was hardened with anger.

"You git, Ronald!" She yelled as she slapped him across the face. "You absolute git!"

Ginny crossed to the other side of the table, leaving Ron sitting there in bewilderment. "Of course you'd take her side! You always do!"

"Listen, pal." Theodore interjected. "Before now, I had no idea you even existed. Why, you ask? Well, that's pretty simple." He points to Hermione and Draco. "Because when she's with him, you become a tiny sector in the chart. And who fills the rest of this chart, pal?"

"Let me guess." Ron glowers at the blonde boy, before pointing at him. "Malfoy."

Theo lets out a laugh. "You really don't know her at all! The rest of the chart is taken up by her friends and the people she cares for. Not necessarily Draco. But her true friends! People unlike your petty little self!"

Ron stares in disbelief at Theo as he steps forward and leans down to his level. "I've known Hermione for less time than yourself. And face it pal, I already understand her better than you ever will!"

"We all do."

Hermione looked up to see Astoria and Blaise standing there with hardened expressions as they glared at Ron. She felt Draco take hold of her hand and squeeze it reassuringly.

Ron sat for a moment as murmurs broke out around the room, but the longer he sat there the calmer he seemed to get. The red haired boy stood up and walked over to Hermione, causing the noise to stop, and reached out in attempt to grab her hand. However, before his hand got anywhere near her own, the brunette pulled her hand out of his reach and with her other hand tightened her grip on Draco. As soon as she did this Draco released her hand and pulled her into a side-wards hug, tipping Ron over the edge. He clenched his fists and threw himself at Draco, knocking him onto the floor.

Every punch Ron threw at the blonde boy, missed Draco's face by millimetres. The fight didn't last very long as Theodore, Blaise and Harry were on the scene in seconds, pulling Ron away from Draco, who had, at some point, managed to punch the red haired boy and cause his nose to bleed. The three of them shoved him don onto a bench, forcing him to sit down, and left him there to fend for himself.

The Hall fell silent for a while as Hermione and Astoria attempted to heal the bruise that was beginning to form of Draco's back. However, the silence didn't last very long as a familiar face burst through the doors to the Great Hall.

"Won won!" The familiar voice of Lavender Brown filled the room as the fair haired girl ran down the Hall towards the red haired boy, who sat there with blood dripping from his nose. "Oh Won won! Look at what they did to you!"

"Leave it, Lav." Ron grumbled as he glance at Hermione, who wasn't paying attention to him. "Let's just go."

"Won won?" Lavender called after him, confusion evident in her voice.

The two of them made their way out of the Hall, only to be stopped when Draco called out for them to stop. "Oi, Weasley!"

Ron didn't respond, he simply turned slightly so he could see the Slytherin boy, who had small smirk on his face.

"You never deserved her."

Ron didn't respond, he simply turned on his heels and stormed out of the Hall, literally dragging Lavender with him.

"Oh! And Ronald!" Ginny called after her brother. Although she couldn't see him, she knew he'd stopped to listen to her. "Mum will hear about this!"

Draco took hold of Hermione's hand and pulled her closer to him. The brunette rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled as he grinned at her.

"Thank you." She smiled, causing Draco to chuckle. "No, seriously, Dra..."

Draco placed his index finger on Hermione's lips, silencing her, and smirked. "Hermione, I love you, I really do. But just do me one favour - shut up."

Without getting a chance to let her respond, Draco smashed his lips into Hermione's, wrapping his arms around her waist. He felt her hesitate for a moment, before she relaxed and began kissing him back.

Gasps of shock erupted around the room, but they were quickly silenced by Blaise, Astoria and Ginny, who had clambered on to a bench in attempt to make themselves heard.

"Will you shut it!" Ginny exclaimed, taking the couple off guard and causing everyone to stare at the three of them.

"You shut it!" Someone from on the Slytherin Table replied. "We just watched Draco Malfoy, the Death Eater, snog the face off of a Mudblood!"

"Listen here, you!" Blaise warned, his response startling everyone. "Dramione is happening whether you like it or not! I will not have you putting a hole in my ship! Dramione will not become the next Titanic, do you understand?!"

"Sorry, Mr. Zabini." The boy answered. "It won't happen again."

"It had better not!" Blaise nodded in satisfaction. "Because if it does I will personally..."

"Blaise, buddy, I think he understands." Draco chuckled, cutting his friend short.

"In fact, I'm pretty sure everyone understands." Hermione laughed, causing Blaise to blush.

"Just making sure you don't get anymore hate, 'Mione." Blaise shrugged.

"Thanks, Blaise." Hermione smiled. "It's much appreciated."

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And there you have it! The story about two enemies that became friends and then something even more than friends. Did you enjoy it? I know I enjoyed writing it! Please don't forget to leave your thoughts about the story in the comments. Thanks for all your support guys!

Wait! You didn't think that was the end did you? Trust me, this story has only just begun.