16. Chapter 16

Hello lovelies. Here's the next chapter. I hit 150 reviews last chapter. I'm shocked. That's amazing. And it's all thanks to you guys. Seriously. You guys are the best readers any writer could ever ask for. Thank you. I don't know if I'll update before Christmas. It depends. Also, the world is apparently ending on Friday. What a fun day that'll be on fb, eh?

Anyone, on to the chapter.

Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own Harry Potter.

Hermione's eyes were wide open now. She sat up slowly, and glanced around at all the people in the room. Not a tad of recognition flashed across her face as she met everyone's eyes. She looked at Draco last, and recognition finally appeared on her face. She seemed to give a sigh of relief.

"Draco," she said, the happiness in her voice was obvious. Everyone else in the room looked at him strangely. Draco felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

"Hey Hermione," he responded, as casually as he could.

"Hey Draco," she said slowly. "What's….ummm… what's going on?"

Draco started to respond, but was cut across by the Weasel.

"Hermione," he said stepping towards where she sat, his arms outstretched. Hermione took one look at him and flinched back involuntarily.

"Don't touch me, ginger," she snarled.

Draco couldn't restrain himself; he snorted. All eyes snapped to him.

"Draco," Hermione said, sliding off of the table, and walking up to the Slytherin. "What's going on?"

"What do you remember?" Draco said, completely lost on how to proceed. Answering questions with a question is wonderful way to cop-out.

"Ummm," Hermione said, running her hand through her hair, her curls parting easily. "We were at Tim Hortons, you were saying goodbye, we were talking, then we left, and…nothing."

"Hermione, do you trust me?" Draco blurted out randomly. Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"Yes," she replied slowly. "You know I do." Draco felt a rush of happiness as her words reached him.

"Then you're going to have to trust me on this."

"Draco, what is going on?" she demanded, sounding scared now, and staring at him with wide eyes. For the first time in the last two weeks, she looked worried. She looked unsure. She didn't know where she stood.

Draco's heart hurt just looking at her. There was a feeling of uncertainty painted across her face. It made him certain of one thing: he needed to tell her everything, now.

How could he do this? It was so much more complicated than telling Potter, Weasel and Weaslette. They remembered Hermione, they had missed her. They were surprised of her situation, but they had understood. Hermione was about to have her world blown to pieces. Draco wasn't sure she would be able to pick herself up from the rubble. If Draco was in her situation, he didn't think he had the capacity to pick himself up.

But this was Hermione. There was nothing she couldn't do. This was the girl who had fought in the Wizarding War. This was the girl who had let her be tortured for her friends. This was the girl who had changed his entire world view. This was Hermione fucking Granger. She could do anything.

How could Draco have forgotten?

He started the explanation. Hermione could survive this. He knew she could. "Hermione, remember how earlier, at the Tim Hortons, you said you thought there was a connection between the two of us?" Hermione nodded casually, though still looking confused. In the background, Potter, Weasel, Weaslette and Blaise all looked stricken.

"Well, there is a connection, in a way." Hermione looked confused. She ran a shaky hand through her caramel locks. Draco continued. "The truth is, we didn't meet two weeks ago when I knocked you over."

"Alright…" Hermione said slowly, shaking slightly.

"We met fourteen years ago, on our first day of school."

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked cautiously. She seemed to be concerned for Draco's mental health.

"No, Hermione, I'm not alright. But I'm not crazy either. Hermione, you need to trust me. Do you trust me?"

Hermione met his eyes. Draco saw hundreds of emotions race across her face. Eventually, she nodded, quite timidly, but kept their eye contact. Draco took a deep breath.

"We met because we went to school together for six years. And the school we went to," deep breath, "was a school for magic."

Hermione stared at him blankly for a few moments. Now, fear was the dominant emotion in her expression.

"You're crazy," she said, her voice trembling. She started backing up from him a bit, and in the process bumped into the table.

"Listen Hermione," Draco said quickly, with a tad of desperation. "I'll prove it."

"You try that," she said, trying to back up more. The table prevented that. She began to look around frantically, trying to find a way out. Draco was vaguely reminded of a caged animal from the wild. But he still needed to do this.

"Alright, I will," Draco declared loudly. He whipped out his wand from his pocket. Hermione saw the wand, and seem to think it was some kind of weapon. She froze and turned white. Draco hated himself for scaring her like this, but he needed to do what was best in the long run.

He waved his wand and pointed it at the table. The table burst into flames.

Hermione jumped nearly two meters into the air, and fell into Draco's arms, hiding her face in his chest. Draco felt his heart stutter as she clutched at him. In her surprise and fright, she had forgotten he had caused the fire. He didn't particularly mind her momentary memory lapse. The irony in that statement, oh merlin.

His arms rose of their own accord and wrapped around her. She only curled deeper into his chest.

She lifted her face from his chest and looked up at him. "You set the desk on fire," she stated fearfully, yet amazement was evident in her voice. Draco nodded and led her over to the still burning desk. The second Hermione saw where he was leading her, she started to frantically fight against him. He did not release his grip. Hermione kept fighting to get away.

"Do you trust me?" he leant down and whispered in her ear, trying to restrain her struggling form. After a few seconds, she stopped struggling. Draco released her. She looked at him, and tentatively nodded her head. Draco smiled. She still trusted him

He held out his hand, which she eyed warily. Draco waited. Hermione's own hand slowly creeped up and clasped his. He smiled once more.

Draco took her trembling hand, and slowly placed it on the burning desk.

Hermione flinched, but didn't take her hand off. Her entire demeanor seemed to change in less than a second. From being stiff and fearful, she became amazed.

She stared at her hand on the desk wondrously. She turned and looked up at Draco, her eyes filled with childish wonder.

"It's cold," she smiled, her voice filled with the same wonder as her eyes.

Draco returned the smile and nodded.

Hermione removed her hand from the still flaming desk, looked it over, and placed it back at her side. She met his eyes, face elated. "Magic exists." She whispered joyfully.

"Want more proof?" he asked. She nodded quickly, smiling more than he had ever seen her smile. He chuckled at her excitement, it was rather entertaining. But, who could blame her for being excited?

He lifted his wand once more, this time pointing it at his head. He muttered a few well-chosen words, knowing he was going to regret this, and turned his hair bright pink.

Hermione burst out laughing. Draco smiled at her amusement, even though it was at his expense. He tried not to blush. She reached up and ran her fingers through his bright pink hair. His skin tingled as Hermione's fingers grazed across it. The blush he'd been avoiding began to creep up his cheek.

"Pink really isn't your colour," she chuckled softly.

"Don't I know it," Draco chortled. He met her eyes, and the two of them seemed to exchange something. Draco felt a strange tingling across his body. Hermione just continued to smile at him. Her face was radiant.

Draco heard discreet coughing, and glanced at the other people in the room. He had nearly forgotten they were there. Potter was staring at him blankly, with his face white and slightly angry. Blaise looked astounded. The Weasel looked murderous. Weaslette had gone blank. Well, this was uncomfortable.

"So Draco," Hermione asked, drawing his attention back to her. He only just noticed how close the two of them were standing. He didn't particularly mind, though. "Magic exists, eh?"

Draco laughed. "That's correct madam."

Hermione smiled. "That's amazing. But, back to what you said before, how do I know you? Something to do with school?"

Draco sighed. "Just bear with me, here." She nodded eagerly. "So, we went to school together for six years, at a magic school called Hogwarts. But the wizarding world isn't all cold fire and pink hair." Hermione chuckled at that.

"There was this wizard who went bad. Voldemort. Anyway, he managed to take over the wizarding world. You, along with the black haired man and ginger behind you," with this Hermione glanced over her shoulder at the golden duo, who both smiled reassuringly. …."were integral parts of defeating him, which you managed to do, seven years ago. Then, a week after the black haired man over there killed the darkest wizard of all time, you disappeared from the face of the planet. No one could find you, until two weeks ago when I ran into you after the hockey game."

Hermione looked pensive for a moment. Draco could practically hear the gears in her mind turning. "That's why you recognized me on sight," she realized. "That's why you knew me. I am the girl you knew." Draco nodded. "Why don't I remember you?" she questioned.

"This isn't certain, but I believe a dark wizard captured you, erased your memory and dumped you in the non-magic world." Hermione shivered, and looked down to the ground.

"The car crash," she murmured. She looked him in the eye. "There never was a car crash was there?"

Draco shook his head. She shivered again, and looked at him, tears forming in her eyes. "All the bruises and cuts? The broken ribs? The months in recovery? The ruined life?"

"They did it, the dark ones," Draco said softly. Hermione let out a sob. Draco brought her into a hug, and let Hermione cry into his chest for a few moments. She quickly got a grip on herself, and pulled back a little, though not letting go of Draco. His heart smiled at that.

"So that's my life, eh?" she sniffled. "Magic, magic, torture, memory wipe, new life." Hermione sniffled, but managed to calm down. Draco was impressed. She was handling this amazingly well. She was a little emotional sure, but who wouldn't be?

"Could you tell me about my real life?" Hermione asked softly, avoiding his eyes, as if ashamed of her wish to know who she actually was.

"Well, Hermione, you and I kind of hated each other, so I can't, but those two," he said, pointing at the golden duo, "were your best friends. They can fill you in."

Hermione nodded, and walked, somewhat reluctantly, towards Potter and Weasel. As she did, she grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him along with her. She stopped in front of the two Gryffindors, who were eyeing her and Draco's intertwined hands.

"So, hi," Hermione said warily. The Weasel and Potter pulled their eyes back to Hermione.

"Hi, Hermione," Potter smiled. That man's smile was blinding.

"We've missed you," the Weasel said.

"Who are you?" asked Hermione shyly. Draco had to bite down on his lip to stop from laughing.

Potter chuckled and introduced the two of them. They then launched into the story of Hermione's life. Hermione listened intently, though a flash of recognition never crossed her features. Draco was watching.

Draco listened to the story as well. He found this all fascinating. He had never gotten a first-hand account of the majority of these tales. He listened as Potter and Weasel, with occasional help from Weaslette, told thrilling tales of beating trolls, of three headed dogs, killer chess pieces, giants snakes, time turners, werewolves, dragons, balls, tournaments, secret organizations, rebelling, fighting bad guys, parties, potions, camping, horcruxes, fighting, relationships and everything magical. They spent several hours going over everything they had ever experienced with Hermione. Though, Draco noticed, they didn't tell her about when they had been captured at Malfoy Manor. They told the big stories, the little ones, the memorable conversations and even Hermione's epic one liners. Draco burst out laughing while Potter told them all that once, while Hermione was explaining to Weasel and Potter how emotions worked, she had said that even though the Weasel had the emotional range of a teaspoon didn't mean they all had. Hermione was witty, he'd give her that. They were just going over the finer details of the Hermione's life when Blaise cut them off.

"I think that's enough for tonight," Blaise said.

"I didn't know your life was so interesting," Draco said, smiling at Hermione.

"You don't know me that well then, Mr. Malfoy," she smirking slightly.

"So," Blaise said, interrupting them. "Where do we go from here?"

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione, her confusion evident.

"Well Hermione," Blaise explained. "You are one of the most well-known people in the entire wizarding world. You are the best friend of our saviour, you are a war heroine and your funeral was today. How the hell do we tell the world you're back?"

Hermione stayed silent for a moment. "My funeral was today?"

Draco nodded. "Hence I brought you back today." Hermione nodded. "Thanks for everything Draco," she murmured, not meeting his eye. Draco smiled. She squeezed his hand. He hadn't even realized she was still holding it.

Hermione turned to Blaise. "Do you have a washroom?" He nodded. "I'll take you there. I'll make sure no one notices you before we have a plan." She smiled at him. Hermione released Draco's hand. It seemed to go cold the second Hermione's hand untangled from it.

Hermione stood up and left the office with Blaise trailing behind her. The second they left the Weasel and Potter advanced on him. Bloody hell.

"Alright, Malfoy," the Weasel hissed venomously. "I'll give you one chance. I know you didn't tell us everything. What the hell happened with you and Hermione in Canada?"

Draco stood there stunned for a second at Weasel's outburst. But he knew that he'd have to tell them. He didn't fancy being beaten up.

"Well, we hung out every day for a couple of weeks, and became pretty good friends…" he muttered, trying to keep everyone calm. Potter glared. The boy wonder's face was very angry.

"That's not all, Malfoy, and you know it. Tell us the bloody truth now," Potter threatened. Too bad he wasn't in the least bit threatening.

"Well, yesterday," Draco took a deep breath. Here we go. Better to just get it over with. "She kissed me," Draco stated clearly, holding his ground, looking them directly in the eye. Everything was out now. The chips will fall where they may. The golden duo and Weaslette seemed to be getting hit by those falling chips. That answer was definitely not what they were expecting.

The Weasel's face went red, bright scarlet. He seemed to be steaming from the ears, as if his entire head was on fire. Draco could feel the waves of rage radiating off of him, suffocating everyone in the room. Potter was the opposite. Instead of going on fire, he turned to ice. He froze completely, still as ice, staring blankly forward, as his jaw fell to the floor, his eyes widening to the size of saucers. It was rather comical, except rage was radiating off of Potter as well. The Weaslette's jaw dropped as well, but she recovered quickly. Instead of yelling, she turned to her husband, to monitor his reaction to the news. Once she saw his obvious anger, her eyes narrowed.

"You and Hermione….kissed?" Potter asked, disbelievingly. His voice was angry, but he was obviously trying to keep it under control.

"Pretty much," Draco shrugged, enjoying the various reactions. He felt like a teenager again, rubbing an accomplishment in the Golden Trio's face, or getting them in detention. He felt so superior right now.

Merlin, he was mature.

"HOW DARE YOU!" The Weasel exploded. Well, that reaction was to be expected.

The Weasel ran forward, face blazing and fist in the air. Draco could spot a punch from about a mile away. Draco dodged easily, given that the Weasel had no sense to be conspicuous in his violent streak. Ginger king went barreling past him and ran into the wall, falling to the ground. Draco burst out laughing at Weasel's feeble attempts to get revenge. Really, this guy had nothing going for him, like at all.

As he laughed, he heard the office door open.

Hermione and Blaise had returned. They both stood in the open doorway, taking in the situation, Potter frozen, Weasel on the ground, Weaslette glaring and Draco laughing. Hermione met his eyes and smiled, giggling slightly. Blaise raised his eyebrows, looking around and taking in the damages.

"What'd we miss?"

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