Blood, Love and Betrayal

Disclaimer: I don't own the Potterverse.

Chapter 5.

Hermione woke early the next morning, very tired , yet very happy with last nights events still fresh in her mind. It was going to be extremely hard to take Malfoy's insults in public, seeing their relationship was begining to get serious. She grudgingly got out of bed and went on to get ready for the day ahead.

About a half our later, Hermione walked down the stairs to see everyone but Ginny at the table eating. Ginny was always up early, it wasn't like her to be the last one down early.

Hermione took her usual seat next to Ron. She began loading small amounts of of breakfeast food on her plate. She was 5 minutes into eating when Ginny came rushing down the stairs, tripping on the last one.

"Sorry I'm late, overslept" she said embarassedly.

"You and Mione' both got up late." anounnced Ron. Hermione's face blushed a little, which only Ginny noticed.

"They were probably up gossiping all night, again" said Harry smirking, as Ginny squeezed in between Harry and Hermione.

"What more could they talk about. They've been going at it half the summer" said Ron, biting into a muffin.

"Oh well, you know girl stuff, make up, boys, and I have new development I like to call " Sneaky Snake", which of course we will speak about later. " she said smirking at Hermione who just coughed up and spit out the food she was eating.

"You ok Mione' ?" said Harry rubbing her back. Hermione wiped her mouth clean with a napkin.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just went down the wrong way is all" she said giving Ginny a nervous look.

"Alright Kids" said Mrs. Weasley entering the kitchen. "We need to get going if we want to beat the crowd" she said summoning her hat and bag.

The four of them went upstairs and gathered their belongings, meeting by the fireplace 5 minutes later. They flooed their way to the Leaky Cauldron and went to the outskirts of Diagon Alley, where they met various groups of people.

"Harry!" a familiar voice called to them.

"Hello, Neville" said Harry shaking his hand.

"Blimey, Hermione, you've changed. You look great" He said hugging her.

"Thank You, Neville." Hermione replied.

"Alrigh' I need your luggage hea and then gather around the portkey for when I tell ya to hold on to it" called a booming voice.

"Hagrid!" said the students in unison.

"Hey there you lot." he said waving to them. "Oh Hermione, you look just like ya did when you was a baby, only all grown up" he said happily

Hermione smiled. Neville gave a confused look.

"Dumbledore will explain it at the Feast tonight" she said patting him on the arm.

"Everybody get ready, the firs' round of port keys will be leavin in about a minute, so hold on tigh'" he said as about 6 students gathered around one of the three portkeys.

"Move out of the way!" said a voice and then a large body squeezing in next to Hermione and Harry.

"Goyle, Crabbe, find somewhere else, this one is full of freaks cept for me of course" Malfoy snickered. He turned from them to Hermione and gave a small wink and smile, a blink and you'll miss one, which made her slightly blush. And within a few seconds the group went spinning off to their destination, Hogwarts.

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Seconds later, the three groups of six all landed at the front gates of Hogwarts. The students who didn't know how to let go properley, were all on the ground. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were running in air, like Mr Weasley had in their fourth year at the Quidditch Wold Cup. As the four reached the ground, they began laughing.

"Here Neville, let me help you up" said Harry extending his hand.

"Come on Draco, you don't want to stay here with this filth" said Pansy snaking her arm around his. Hermione saw this and grew extremely jealous, which Pansy percived as anger. Draco tried to shake her off, but she held on even tighter.

"After all, we are to be married the day after graduation, and to produce an heir, remember, your father promised you to me" she said dreamily to him.

Hermione's heart dropped, and it took all of her strength no to cry. Her heart was breaking. All the times they spent together, all the sweet things he said, were now meaningless in her eyes. Ginny quickly noticed the look on Hermione's face as well as Harry, Ron and Malfoy.

"Come on Mione', lets go see your new Head Dorm" said Ginny linking arms with Harry and Hermione.

"Granger? Oh, Goodness, you made yourself over, such a waste of time" said Pansy giggling.

The four headed off toward the castle, and weren't seen until the opening feast.

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The Great hall was flooded with noise of old classmates catching up and new anxious first years. The food was magnificent as usual and the students were just finishing their deserts when Dumbledore stood up to deliver the Opening Feast Announcements.

"Welcome to another glorious year at Hogwarts. To the first years, the forest is off limits, and a reminder to a select few older students" he smirks as his eyes glanced toward the Gryffindor table. "If you would like to try out for you House, please give your name to your Head of House who will pass it along to the captians, who are as follows: Hufflepuff, Ernie MacMillan, Ravenclaw, Terry Boot, Slytherin, Blaise Zabini and Gryffindor, Harry Potter"
All four of the 7th year boys stood up and waved to their houses.

"In our next order of buisness, I would like to welcome back, Professor Slughorn, who has agreed to continue his post as Potions Master and I would like to welcome your new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Tonks." the purple haired witch gave a slight nervous nod, when Harry Ron Hermione and Ginny cheered the loudest.

"And last, but certainly not least, I would like to annouce this years Head Girl and Head Boy, Mr. Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, and Miss Hermione Potter from Gryffindor." The hall clapped for the two Heads, sme with confused looks on their faces, until they realized that Hermione Potter was indeed the former Hermione Granger.

"A long school year awaits, students up to bed with you, and sweet deams" he said as he sat back down. The students began to get up and clear.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss. Potter... " he said as he motioned them to come towrd the Professors table. The two made their way up to the table and glanced at eachother. He could tell she was pretty irate, and she could tell he was very nervous.

Prof. Dumbledoer led them to the 5th floor where their head dorm resided. A Picture of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were hiding the door. They were arguing and giving eachother death glares.

"Remind you of someone" he said glancing at the two heads. Hermione blushed slightly and Draco turned his head way from the headmaster. He knew that there was conflict between the two in the past, and he also knew of the relationship that was brewing between the two of them and had a feeling if it grew strong enough, it might be the key to desrtoying the Dark Lord.

"Now the dorm has an anti Hex spell placed on it so you can't kill eachother, well given the current situation I don't think either of you would want to hurt the other." he said with a twinkle in his eye.

They both looked wide eyed at Dumbledore. He always knew everything.

"The password this year is Love" he saias he walked away and disappeared aroud the corner.


The two of them walked through the portrait and into the common room. It was huge. Gold silver green and red drapes hung from the catheral style ceiling. The kidikorner style fire place was blazing with a warm toasty fire. a large couch and love seat occupied the space in the living room, along with bookshelves full of books and a small kitchen off to the side.

Malfoy attempted to put his arm around her shoulders, but she walked away and stood by the fireplace.

"Hermione, please talk to me" he said desperately.

"Promised to Pansy, what am I?" she said through tear.

"You are so much more, you know that" he said walking over to her and holding her in his arms.

"Oh, yeah, then prove it" she said stepping back an looking feircely into his eyes.

He leaned in and brought his lips close to her ear, while wrapping his arms around her waist. He spoke the words she never in a million years thought he'd say to her,

" I love you"

He brought his head up level with hers, and looked into those tear stained emerald green eyes.

"I love you, Hermione"

And with that said, gently let his lips fall on hers.

A/N~ Its been a while, but work has been busy and I've been sick... more eventful stuff in the next chapter.... thanks for reading and reviews are appriciated.