Sebastian Nott sneered at Draco openly, his gaze flickering between Hermione and the three young wizards standing before him.

"Ah, if it isn't Lord Malfoy. I should have known." He drawled. "You always were a disappointment."

"I have no time for your mockery. You know my father still holds that title." Draco replied evenly. "Why are you here?"

"Forgive me, I was not aware he remained as the Head of your House whilst locked away. Tell me, when does he return? I understand he is to be released soon, and I so long to speak with him. I'm sure he and I would agree on much these days."

"Cut the crap, Nott." Blaise bit out, moving closer to Draco who appeared somewhat paler.

Nott jabbed his finger at Hermione, who took a step backwards. "You have dirtied your House, boy." his nostrils flared as he added. "You dare to stain all that your ancestors have built?"

"Your presence alone is the only filth I see." Draco seemed to have regained his confidence upon hearing Nott's insult towards Hermione. "Come near my family again, and I will make sure you rue the day you so much as dared to breathe near me."

"And what can you do?"

"We both know that I can ruin you." At length, he added. "More so than I already have."

Hermione noted that Draco's calm demeanour remained unchanged. To any onlookers, the argument would appear as no more than a tense discussion. Though, she could feel his unease through the bond.

Something was wrong.

"Malfoy." Said Theo, his tone wary. "If you're speaking of Nott Industries…"

"I'm not."

Sebastian Nott let out a deep, guttural laugh. "No, you wouldn't dare to, would you? You're too soft. Didn't like that your friend was overlooked, and now you set your little mockery of a witch against me. Your threats mean nothing to me."

"Threats?" Draco shot him a vicious smirk. "My father taught me better than that. You are mistaken to think that he would side against his only heir. Although, you are correct in assuming that you would have much to talk about. My father does take a personal interest in any slights made towards his House."

"We shall see." Sebastian Nott seemed hesitant in his approach for the first time that evening. "As I told your little... wife. You should have considered the consequences when you chose to ridicule me before the Ministry."

"And what makes you think that I didn't?"

Hermione's eyes widened as Nott's attention turned to her, though, before she could react, Draco stepped in front of her again.

"She has nothing to do with this." Draco said. "Your quarrel is with the three of us alone."

Blaise and Theo stepped forward too, preventing her from peering around Draco as she had done previously. She could hear Nott's guttural laughter and so wanted to say something, though, she knew that this was not her fight. Not for now, at least, she thought.

"Ah, on the contrary. You're the one who brought her into this, and I am very much aware of what she plans to do henceforward."

"An oversight, I'll admit." Draco replied coldly. "But know that by targeting her, you force my involvement further."

"Be careful, young Malfoy. It may be true that your noble House is well regarded within the Ministry. However, many would agree that there are those amongst your family who are… expendable."

She startled as Theo, Blaise and Draco withdrew their wands at his statement. Though, they kept their wands at their sides in an effort to maintain appearances.

"Leave." Draco seethed, glowering at Nott who refused to waver. "I said, Leave. Now!"

Sebastian Nott sneered at the three wizards in front him once more, then, with a sound of disgust, he turned away from them, brushing past the other guests roughly before disappearing amidst the crowd.

Hermione caught sight of Draco's subtle nod to both Theo and Blaise who immediately turned to follow the offending wizard. She could only presume that they were making sure Mr. Nott actually left the Manor.

"You need to come with me." Draco grabbed her arm as he led her towards the gardens, though, he was considerably more forceful than he had been earlier. She could feel the anger teeming within him, and for the first time since the ritual, Hermione felt reluctant to be near him.

The cool, night air was a pleasant welcome to her anxious state. There were many guests walking amongst the gardens this time, and a few of them stopped to share amused looks at the sight of Draco hastily leading Hermione away from the ballroom.

She could only blush and look away, as they passed by them. However, she soon realised that Draco was taking her not to the gardens, but around the side of the Manor. Stopping before a wall which appeared to be made up of large panels of glass, he opened a concealed door and ushered her inside.

Looking around the dimly lit structure, illuminated only by the waxing moonlight filtering through the glass ceiling, she realised that it was a small greenhouse attached to the side of the Manor. Trailing her hand along one of the many rows of plants, the leaves tickled her fingers as she looked around in wonder. Though, before she could utter any of her thoughts aloud, the sound of long-closed door hinges creaking in protest, demanded her attention.

"Come on, Granger." Draco chastised, standing before an old and very clearly unused door on the far side of the greenhouse.

Hermione furrowed her brow but acquiesced, nonetheless. She figured that it was obviously something important if he was being this insistent.

They were back within the Manor now, moving through a passageway she had never been down before. The sounds of the ball were growing fainter as they continued, though, she couldn't see much as the many torches lining the walls hadn't been lit. No longer being pulled by her arm, she easily fell into step behind him, their footsteps sounding lightly against the floor, muffled by the gentle swishing of her ballgown.

"What is going on?" She was more confused than angry.

"I had to get you out of there." Draco's voice was still cold as he spoke. "We don't know who Nott is working with, or if he had anything further planned for tonight."

"That's ridiculous, there's so many people. What could he do to me?"

Draco ignored her as they came to a stop in front of yet another door. With an irritated glare in her direction when she began to protest, he pushed against the wooden panel, stepping through into the brightly lit hallway that opened up before them on the other side. Following silently, Hermione blinked at the sudden transition of light. With a sharp click, the door closed behind her, though, it wasn't a door, she realised; a large painting of a tree with continuously falling leaves, concealed the entrance to the passage they had just emerged from.

"What is—"

"It's not safe to talk here, not at this moment." He cut her off, glancing down the hallway before continuing.

Focused only only keeping up with his every step, Hermione was so lost in her confused thoughts, that she failed to notice where they were headed. Passing a familiar portrait, she looked up just in time as Draco barged directly through the entrance to her own quarters.

"Malfoy!" She shrieked, but Draco merely grabbed her arm and pulled her inside the room, covering her mouth with his hand as he kicked the door closed behind them.

"Someone followed us from the ballroom. They're walking around the Manor." He whispered sharply, his hand dropping from her mouth as he stepped away from her. "I can sense them through the familial magic..."

"It could be one of my friends?"

Draco shook his head. "It's not a magical signature I recognise."

Hermione's gaze turned warily towards the entrance to her room. Raising her wand, she cast a warding charm just to be certain.

"Has Nott ever approached you before this evening?" Draco asked as soon as she completed the wand movement.

"No."

"And no one has said anything to you about the conference—about Nott Industries?"

"Nothing that stands out as being unusual."

She watched as he paced irritably in front of her, muttering to himself.

"What have you not told me?" Hermione did not like this. "You and Sebastian Nott… At the conference, and now tonight… There's something you're not telling me. Theo stood against his own uncle tonight. I don't understand..."

"You don't need to understand."

"I was the one threatened by him!" Hermione had to bite back her annoyance.

Draco gave her a long look. "Nothing is going to happen to you."

"Well, your reaction tonight makes me believe otherwise!"

"Sebastian Nott won't come near you."

"Why?" She pried. "Because you challenged him? Threatened him with your family name? You're so confident and yet, there wouldn't even be a Malfoy name in a few years, if it weren't for me."

"Nott doesn't know that, and neither must the rest!" He continued to pace in front of her. "They still respect my name; they still fear the wizard my father was. But the wizard I am…" Draco steeled himself. "The less you know, the better."

"Oh, so is this how it's going to be? You're going to exclude me from everything you deem too much for me?" She bristled. "What? Am I just some lowly muggleborn incapable of handling such knowledge?"

He stopped and turned to fix her with an incredulous stare. "Are you serious, Granger?"

"First, you excluded me from speaking to that pureblood couple, and now, you won't say a word about this whole business with Nott!"

"I can't believe what I'm hearing." Draco's anger gave way to laughter as he realised what she was upset about. "I wasn't excluding you. But by all means, next time I will be sure to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. I'm sure they would be delighted to meet the muggleborn witch I chose to bind myself to over their pureblood daughter."

"Wait, you're saying that you were betrothed to their daughter?"

He shrugged. "It was more of a spoken agreement…"

"Should I be worried?"

Draco tried to hide his amusement but failed. "No, I danced with Astoria. She'll be fine. No one will assume she was unworthy of such a match."

Nodding robotically, Hermione sank down on the edge of her bed, the many layers of her dress billowing around her as she sat staring at Draco with a worried look.

"Why is Mr. Nott such a threat?"

"You could say that he has many… acquaintances… within the Ministry." He replied, drawing the curtains closed as he moved past each window. "Our union has made them… nervous."

"I know that already." She grumbled. "Stop skirting around my questions!"

"What you're wanting to know, I cannot tell you."

"It's to do with Theo, Isn't it?"

"It is." He returned his gaze to her.

"So, many of the Ministry officials." She repeated, deciding to try another route. "They're 'nervous.' They think I'm going to destroy the magical world as they know it?"

"Aren't you?"

"No. I respect wizarding culture. I don't plan on enforcing my own ideals upon others; I would be no better than those I condemn for doing the same. It's only the unnatural and unfounded hatred towards muggles, and all those considered as lesser beings, that I have a true issue with."

"You are aware that muggles have persecuted witches and wizards for a lot longer than we have given any thought to our own retaliation."

"It's not that simple." She protested. "The Ministry holds a prejudice against those who have magic but are from the muggle world. They oppress magical creatures and sentient beings, restricting and enforcing laws that are created and maintained in the interest of wizarding kind alone…"

"I get it, Granger. You don't have to lecture me about being subjected to another's control." He sighed. "Look, don't bother with Nott. He's not going to be an issue. He's facing a Wizangamot trial soon, and you can even sit front and centre in the 'Malfoy family seat' if you want to."

She looked at him uncertainly. "You can't bribe me."

"What if I told you that you would get to vote?" He moved to sit next to her, ignoring her flustered reaction towards them sitting so close to one another on her bed.

"If Nott isn't sentenced." She relented to his offer. "You will owe me a full disclosure."

Draco nodded as if he were considering her terms. "It won't come to that." He lowered his head. "None of this would have happened if I had intervened sooner. I'm sorry for getting you involved with Nott." He let out an angry huff of air. "This shouldn't have happened."

Hermione was stumped. His words made her breath catch and she wasn't sure why... He would have intervened, she thought, her mind reeling. He would have prevented Nott's harsh words if he could have… why was she feeling so troubled by this?

"I'm sorry." The apology fell from her softly.

His voice was listless in reply. "It's not your fault. As I said, the blame is my own... I would have warned you when he arrived, but I didn't think Nott would dare to approach you."

"No, I'm… I'm sorry for not saying anything earlier… when my friends." She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "What Harry and Ron said to you, when you were only trying to help..." Hermione took a deep breath. "I should have stopped them. It wasn't fair."

Draco didn't so much as blink. "Your life was just threatened, and you're worried about what your friends did?"

"I'm trying to amend what Harry and Ron did tonight, they should never have—"

"I don't care."

"I care." She rebutted sternly. "And I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter. I never expected you to stand between your friends and myself." He smiled weakly. "Old habits die hard, right?"

Hermione regarded Draco solemnly. He truly did seem unconcerned with what Harry and Ron had said. He didn't think that she would be able to stand up for him against her friends either.

And she hadn't, she thought, feeling ashamed.

"You were great tonight," she offered, trying to assuage her previous apathy. "I've never seen so many elderly witches blushing before."

"I told you, I'm naturally irresistible."

Hermione scoffed, but gave a small smile in return. "And yet, I'm the one you haven't been able to stay away from since the ritual."

Draco appeared taken aback by her statement, but recovered quickly, only to glare at her disapprovingly. "Very tactful, Granger."

"I thought so."

"You also thought I wouldn't notice you ogling me all night."

"I was not ogling you!" She winced at his knowing look. "Maybe I was... but I couldn't help it!"

"We underestimated the bond, didn't we? It's no wonder people don't bother with them anymore."

"Some would say it's romantic." She laughed at his perplexed expression; he didn't seem amused in the slightest. "I guess you didn't focus much on what would happen after the ritual, did you?"

"It's not funny!" His voice turned low with embarrassment as he continued. "I almost… we almost… in front of everyone."

"It was your idea to dance."

"Well, if you hadn't been hanging all over your two blithering friends beforehand, I wouldn't have had to ask you."

Hermione felt saddened by his words; she had noticed the odd edge to his voice as he spoke. Maybe, he had been offended after all? Even she had felt pangs of jealousy at the sight of him with other witches tonight… She couldn't help but think that Draco hadn't been entirely truthful when he had said that he didn't care.

She needed to say something…

"It's a not a choice, you know, between you and my friends." She admitted, covering his hand with her own and smiling at the warm feeling that emerged from the contact. "We're friends now too, aren't we?"

"Friends?" Draco narrowed his eyes at the sight of her hand covering his own. Shifting slightly, he met her expectant gaze. "We aren't."

"You looked out for me tonight; You defended me even. You helped me against Sebastian Nott… again."

"And again, it was for my own reasons."

"Maybe." She sighed. "But it still counts."

"How does it count? Why are you even keeping count of my actions?" He pulled his hand away, flexing his fingers as if her were trying to rid himself of the lingering effects of her touch. "I've been spending too much time around you. Your ridiculous Gryffindor notions are starting to influence me if the way I act has given you reason to think that I'm your friend."

"You have changed though. Especially since the ritual."

"I've only been trying to help you adjust. I know it hasn't been easy for you. I wanted you to be happy here, despite my…" Draco's cheeks reddened as he looked away with a grimace. "Look, I don't hate you. If that's what you're trying to say."

Hermione laughed again, amused by his adamant dismissal. He had been strangely helpful and pleasant enough since the ritual, and tonight had cemented just how much he had changed towards her already.

"Admit it, after everything..." She paused thoughtfully. "We are friends."

"No. That's not what I meant."

"You always carry my books from the library to my room for me." Draco balked at her words, but she continued. "I helped you charm the practice snitches to increase in speed every time you caught one of them. You showed me which knife to use at dinner the other night. You—"

"Fine! I'll admit it." He snapped, running his hand through his hair in his usual show of frustration. "Just stop listing everything like that. Merlin's balls, you're annoying."

"Mmhm." She grinned triumphantly. "I'm glad to be your friend, Malfoy."

He rolled his eyes at her excitement. "Whatever you say, Granger."

"I say I'm done with tonight."

"I couldn't agree more."

"Is it safe?" She asked sombrely. Her nerves were growing again at the thought of someone lurking in the hallways; the Manor was unsettling enough as is. "I don't need to sleep with my wand under my pillow?"

Draco frowned as he noticed her nervous state. "I know you didn't believe me, but you're safe here." He looked towards her door. "Whoever it was, is gone now. Regardless, I will be awake, and I will know if anyone comes near your quarters..."

"But the guests are already leaving, aren't they?" She was confused. "Surely, you don't have to keep watch?"

"I'm not keeping watch." He gave a resigned sigh. "We lowered the boundary wards for the ball. Mother isn't technically a Malfoy so, reinforcing the wards again and making sure no unwelcome stragglers remain, well…"

"You're not going to sleep much tonight, are you?"

He chuckled under his breath in leu of an answer. "You fared well this evening… mostly." Standing up, Draco made to leave, his hand clasping around the doorknob as she bid him goodnight in return. "Get some sleep, Granger." He said, hovering in the entryway. "You'll want to get an early start on finally escaping this place tomorrow."

"I'm sorry!" She called out before he could leave. "For earlier, I really meant it."

A prolonged moment went by as they both stared at one another across the room, then, with a curt nod, Draco turned away from Hermione once more. As the door closed slowly behind him, she watched the faint stretch of his shadow disappearing down the hallway in the opposite direction of the ballroom.

.

.

.
Before you throw something at me... this chapter was a lot shorter because the next one is almost as long as chapter 12, so this is more of an 'interlude.' (Puts hands up in surrender.)

Thank you for reading though, I know many of you were rather annoyed with Hermione, Ron and Harry in the last chapter. But I'm not a monster (For this story, at least). I promise that everything is happening for a reason. That being said, I like to play with extended imagery in each chapter that gives a clue as to where their relationship is... (new light, sparkly things put on show, opening doors...) it's sneaky, but its there.

As always, I am so thankful for all your interest and encouragement with this story. I try and improve upon my writing every week, and your support keeps me going. Truly, it means the world to me that you're sharing this journey with me.

All the love to you,

Marshmallow x

Update News: (01/01)

Sorry for the delay!

I thought I would write a quick message here in case anyone is wondering...

Chapter 14 will be up soon. I'm still waiting for my friend to read over everything. I've spent the past two weeks writing and finishing chapters 14-18 because they web together... a lot. Thus, I was hesitant to post 14 until I was sure I hadn't left any plot holes.

Not long now!

These 5 chapters alone are just under 40k words, so i can't rush the poor soul that I managed to convince to check through it.

Thank you for your patience. I promise I will be posting at least 6 chapters this month (minimum). Very excited to share this next part of the story now that it's all done...

Marshmallow x