On the train back to Hogwarts Draco was sitting with Blaise and Pansy. "Draco stop thinking about your girlfriend." Blaise finally snapped him back to reality. He was thinking of Hermione, but it was on how he was going to tell her. "Wait, Draco has a girlfriend!? Who is it?" Pansy didn't know about him and Hermione like Blaise did. Draco didn't want to tell her but he knew she wouldn't give up. That's when a cloud of smoke appeared where they were sitting. A few minutes later it had disappeared completely. "I'll give you a hint. She's very smart, kind, funny, and she's a Gryffindor princess." Pansy's eyes widened enough that they almost looked as if they're were going to pop from their sockets. "Your girlfriend is Granger. Really?" Draco nodded slowly. "I'm assuming your father doesn't know. Does she no about, you know what?" Draco shook his head, "I'm going to tell her though, she has to know." "Mate she'll understand if you explain why." That's when Draco noticed his bag move and he knew who caused it.

They arrived at Hogwarts, Draco stayed behind. He made sure that the blinds were closed before petrifying Harry and hitting him. "Enjoy your ride back to London, Potter" Draco threw the invisibility cloak on top of Harry and left. Little did he know that Luna found Harry.

During the feast, Hermione felt relieved that Harry was alright. "Hermione we need to talk." He whispered to her. Hermione nodded in confusion.

The next day they went to the black lake to talk. "Hermione I'm going to ask you something. I want the truth Hermione, I promise I won't get mad or anything. Are you and Malfoy, you know, boyfriend and girlfriend?" Hermione nodded. "I guess that if he makes you happy then it's alright but I still have my suspicions. If he hurts you tell me and I'll kill him and don't worry I won't tell Ron" She smiled at her friend knowing her so well.

That night she went to meet up with Draco in the ROR. Once Hermione walked through the door Draco attacked her with a big hug. "Draco what are you doing?" She giggled as he kissed her everywhere but her lips. He'd never kissed her, he wanted to wait until he knew she accepted him no matter what. He took her to the sofa where he place Hermione on his legs. He engulfed her in a hug and sobbed while whispering, "I'm sorry Hermione, I'm sorry."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and asked, "why are you sorry Draco? You've done nothing wrong." That made him sob more, "Hermione, you don't know that. Please promise me that you'll understand. Please." He pleaded.

Hermione touched his check with her warm hand, forcing him to look at her. "Tell me what's bothering you Draco. I'm here for you, I promise." He put her down to his side and stop up. He played with the sleeve of his, "I had no choice Mione." He pulled up his sleeve to reveal the dark mark. "If I didn't take it he was going to kill me and my family. I had no choice but to do it. Please understand." He fell down on the floor and hugged his knees while crying.

Hermione slowly stood up with a million thoughts going through her head. Harry was actually right with his suspicions. She wanted to run away from him in fear but she saw how vulnerable her boyfriend looked. She knew who he was, she knew that he didn't want this for himself. She also wanted to stay with him and that's what she did.

"Shh ahh it's ok Draco." She hugged him tightly trying to comfort him. "Hermione I'm sorry." His voice was weak and his eyes were red. "Draco don't apologize. I...I believe you." Her tender voice soothed him.

"I don't want to be this. The mark will stay there forever. I'm scared that when the time comes for the big decisions that I won't be able to see you." His voice was now calm. Hermione put her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, "I know you don't want to become this Draco. If you want I could teach you the patronus charm. As for the dark mark, when all this ends" she grabbed his hand tracing the mark with her finger, "we can go to the muggle world and put a tattoo over it. I don't like tattoos but if it covers it up and makes you happy then let's do it. There's some really good tattoo artists in the muggle world." He looked at her and gave her a small smile, "I'd like that, but why the patronus charm?"

"So you can send me your patronus and I'll send you mine when you need it." He chuckled at her thoughts, not because it was funny, but because she was very kind. "Let's start my lessons professor Granger." He made her giggle, "write down happy memories for homework." She instructed in a very weird voice, "That'll help you conjure one because all you need is a happy memory. For now, let's do something fun." He looked at her and raised his eyebrow, "Hermione it's curfew time. There's teachers roaming the halls. It's impossible to get around at this time. I can't take you anywhere at this time. Plus I don't want you to get in trouble." Hermione did something surprising to Draco, she curled up on him. He smiled against his will at how vulnerable she looked. He put his arms around her knees and neck and carried her to a bed that had appeared at his command. He gently placed her down and covered her with a blanket. He sat next to her and played with her hair. He began laying down still playing with her hair. He stopped and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly, he felt Hermione snuggling close to him. Her steady breathing and warmth made him sleepier and sleepier. He slowly closed his eyelids until he was finally asleep with her wrapped around him.