Blood Trap,
Chapter Ten.

Disclaimer: I can barely keep up with this story never mind a full book series! I don't own Harry Potter. My own characters are my own creation and any similarity's to any persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

"Granger?"

Hermione's heart began to race, thumping inside her chest and her eyes were wide as she stared at her childhood bully. Draco tentatively removed his hands from Caroline's waist, his own grey eyes wide but never leaving Hermione's brown pools. He slowly stood up from the bench, ignoring as Caroline tugged harshly on his sleeve.

"Draco!" She hissed, trying to pull him back down to her level. "How do you know her?"

Ignoring Caroline, Draco cocked his head slightly to the side, looking more innocent than he should do. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you joking?" Hermione scoffed, snapping at the blonde without thinking. She glanced in Caroline's direction quickly, watching as her eyes grew dark. She scowled at her before turning her attention to Draco once again who looked shocked at her outburst. "I shouldn't be surprised you're here. Of corse you would be the kind of person to associate with her."

Draco remained strangely silent, simply staring at her with soft eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She heard Caroline shriek from beside her. Hermione ignored her high pitched voice, eyes still glued to Draco.

"You can't tell me you have no clue why I'm here!?" Hermione snapped with fire in her eyes. She had just about lost all of her fight, but something about Draco Malfoy made every nerve in her body twitch. She felt like someone had just lit a fire in her belly.

"Don't talk to him like that!" shrieked Caroline, springing up from the bench and launching herself towards Hermione, who stood solid as a rock, staring back at her, unafraid for the first time since she had arrived at the Tilsby's. "My father will be very interested to hear about your attitude!"

"Well doesn't that sound familiar?" Hermione sneered at Draco, crossing her arms over her chest. "You lot are all the same."

Draco seemed to snap back to reality at that. "Us lot? Oh sod off, Granger-"

"I can't do that, Malfoy because I'm stuck here dealing with the likes of you every day! Your little girlfriend is just like you!" interrupted Hermione.

"You best watch your mouth, Mudblood-" snarled Caroline, taking another step closer to the brunette.

"Caroline, enough." Draco snapped stopping her mid-sentence, his eyes never leaving Hermione. He placed a gentle hand in the small of Caroline's back, starting to steer her away from the other girl. "She's not even worth your time."

"Do you think that hurts me?" Hermione laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling with anger, the heat within her growing as she stared at him, remembered everything that had happened. He looked broken but not as broken as she was. Everything she had been through stemmed from Voldemort and by extension, him and his family as they had sided with him. "You really have no clue about the real world, do you? She is child's play compared to what I have been through, Malfoy."

"Come on," He gave Caroline a small tug on her wrist and she trotted behind him eagerly, moving her hands to cling to his arm.

"Run off Malfoy," Hermione shouted after him. "That's what you were always good at doing!"

Draco turned to look at her one last time, his grey eyes boring into hers. Her anger melted slightly as he looked at her and she let out a sigh as he disappeared inside of the house.

Hermione wandered forwards and took a seat on the bench which they had been sitting on. She was no longer hungry. Seeing him in Diagon Alley from afar was one thing, but him being here, right in front of her. Well, that was another. She really didn't think she could cope with that. She sat for around fifteen minutes, her mind drifting off to Hogwarts and her life before the war. Draco Malfoy was an arse, he always had been but he was not a killer. She had to remember that. Harry had told her about the night on the astronomy tower. As much as she hated the position she was in, she had to think about his position. Hermione would do anything she could to protect the people she loved and she knew deep down, that was what Malfoy was doing. His parents were involved with Voldemort and he would not want to abandon them. Their safety was at stake, even if his father was within Voldemort's inner circle. Not to mention that Bellatrix was his aunt, but he was not like them, He was different. He may have been a school bully but he was not ruthless.

She let out a sigh and shook her head, scolding herself for sympathising.

"Hey." She heard a voice say from in front of her and she looked up to see Connor smiling down at her. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just- thinking about things." She muttered with a small smile.

Connor held out his hand and she took it gently. He pulled her to her feet so that she was directly in front of him and he let out a sigh.

"Care to divulge the inner thoughts of Hermione Granger's brilliant mind?"

"Maybe next time." She forced a grin and shook her head.

"Shame." Connor smirked. "It could have been interesting."

"Not when you've been through what I have. My mind isn't what it used to be."

"Oh come on," said Connor, scoffing. "I bet you're still ridiculously smart."

"Possibly." agreed Hermione. "But there is more to life than books."

Hermione's eyes dropped to the floor as she felt herself getting sucked into old memories.

Connor noticed this immediately and pulled her closer.

"I know things are hard for you, Hermione." he said. "But I won't let anything happen to you. I'll look after you."

"Thank you." she replied, her smile growing slightly. Connor was sweet and she was grateful for his kindness, but she did not want to lead him on. "I appreciate that."

"So you're okay?" he asked.

"I'm okay." she nodded.

"Well then, come inside. Mum has a sandwich ready for you." Connor grinned at her, his mouth crinkling up at the side.

"I'm really not hungry." Hermione replied. "I think I might just go for a walk around the grounds. It helps me think."

"Oh, well I could come with you and-"

"I'm sorry Connor, I just want to be alone right now."

Connor's smile faltered slightly before he reached out and took her hand, stoking his thumb across her hand. "Of corse, Hermione. Anything you want."

Hermione removed her hand from his and gave him a polite smile.

"I'll see you later, Connor."

With her last word, she turned and took off at a brisk walk. She couldn't go inside, not with Draco Malfoy sitting right there at the table. Looking at him brought back so many memories and she wasn't sure she was ready to relive everything just yet. Memories of Hogwarts, days spent with Harry and Ron circled around in her head as she continued to walk, heading through the grounds as quick as her legs could carry her.

Several hours later, Hermione stumbled through the back door and was surprised to see Veronica sitting at the kitchen table. When she entered the room, Veronica looked up and plastered a smile on her face, wiping her eyes.

"Oh, hi love."

"Hi."

"I was wondering where you had got to-"

"Are you alright, Veronica?" Hermione asked with concern, knowing the brave face that Veronica was putting on was just that, a brave face.

The older woman nodded quickly, her obviously fake smile widening. "Of corse I am."

Hermione wasn't convinced at all. "Okay."

"Do you want to help me with dinner?"

"Sure. What are we making?"

"I was thinking Bangers and Mash." Veronica sniffed and Hermione cocked her head to one side.

"Veronica," she said. "If something is wrong, you know you can tell me."

Veronica sighed and shook her head. "It's nothing, love. I'm just having a rough day."

"If you're sure-"

"Everything is fine Hermione." said Veronica with a small smile. "Now come on, you start peeling the potatoes."

"Ah Draco, my boy!" George Tilsby's booming voice sounded throughout the kitchen, making Hermione roll her eyes as she stood at the kitchen counter, stabbing a knife into one of the potatoes in the pan as a test."Sit down, sit down!"

"How are you Mister Tilsby?" asked Draco, the squeaking of a chair told her that he was now sitting down at the table beside the older gentleman.

"I'm good, my boy. How is your father doing? I haven't seen him at the recent progress meetings held at the ministry?"

"He's doing well. I'm afraid he is rather busy with other tasks these days and can't always make the ministry meetings. "

"Understandable." replied George. "I suppose the Dark Lord keeps him rather busy, what with him living in your house."

"Quite," replied Draco with a nod.

"Draco?" A voice made Draco look up from the chair and he grinned once he spotted Connor entering the room. "I thought I heard your voice!"

"How are you, Connor?"

"I'm well, mate. How about yourself?"

"Managing," was Draco's reply and Hermione couldn't help but wonder what he meant by that. Surely everything had turned out exactly how his family had planned now that Voldemort was in power. Surely they couldn't have expected things to be any different.

"Draco." Veronica's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "We're just about to serve dinner. Would you like to stay for some food?"

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to intrude." said Draco with a shake of his head and Hermione huffed, still facing away.

"Nonsense," replied Veronica. "There is more than enough food. I'll make you a plate."

With a chuckle, Draco complied and remained in his seat. "Thank you, Mrs Tilsby."

"Hermione?" Veronica turned back to look at the brunette who was draining the potatoes into a strainer in the sink. "Are you mashing those potatoes, love?"

She nodded silently and moved to grab the correct utensil from the drawer, avoiding the gaze of the blonde at the table, knowing he was looking at her. She sighed and continued with the food.

"How was work, Daddy?" she heard Caroline ask her father and she tuned out instantly, not wanting to hear any more.

"That was delicious, Mrs Tilsby. Thank you." Hermione heard Draco say and she scowled. She was already washing up the leftover dishes used from cooking the meal and she had no interest in staying to hear him sucking up to Veronica any longer. She was a lovely woman and she really didn't understand how she could be fooled by someone so awful.

"Hermione cooked most of it. I just helped today." replied Veronica, motioning to Hermione who remained silent by the sink.

"As it should," grunted George, pushing his plate away from him. "You shouldn't be lifting a finger, Veronica. That is why we have the mudblood."

"George, I will not have this kind of talk at my dinner table!" snapped Veronica.

George's eyes narrowed and Veronica instantly shrunk back slightly, knowing she had said the wrong thing. The chair screeched against the tile floor as he stood up, his face going red. "We'll discuss this later, Veronica."

"Where are you going, Daddy?" asked Caroline, her voice sickly sweet. "Wouldn't you like to discuss business with Draco?"

Draco shot her a harsh look which Hermione caught out of the corner of her eye. George shook his head.

"I have much to do in my office, darling. Apologies, Draco-"

"Not necessary sir. I'm sure Connor is up for a game of Chess."

Connor grinned and nodded. "Of corse, mate."

"Another time then? I'd be very interested to hear of your business strategies. I'm sure you have picked up many things with your father owning his own estate and business.."

"The estate will be Draco's soon, Daddy." Caroline grinned proudly and Draco glared at her once more. George did not seem to notice the exchange and reached out to shake Draco's hand.

"Next time." said George as he shook the blonde's hand vigorously.

"I look forward to it sir."

George stood up and walked out of the kitchen, heading straight for his study.

"So," began Connor, sensing the tension in the room. "Chess?"

Draco nodded. "Sounds great."

"Draco, wouldn't you rather stay with me?" asked Caroline, pouting slightly. Hermione coughed to cover a laugh.

"No thank you, Caroline" replied Draco, clearly not too happy with the girl. "I think a game of chess is exactly what I need."

"Dan, you coming to watch?" Connor asked him brother and he nodded his head. He paused for a moment before turning to the girl by the sink.

"Hermione, do you need a hand with the dishes?" Daniel asked her and Hermione turned her head to look at him.

"No but thank you." Hermione answered him with a smile, grateful for his offer.

"You three go," said Veronica. "If Hermione needs a hand, I'm sure I can help her."

Caroline glared at Connor as Draco stood up from the table and her brother simply smirked. She stomped from the kitchen, a scowl set on her face.

Connor chuckled. "I really don't know what you see in her. She's a right pain in the arse."

Draco remained silent as the three boys headed out of the kitchen.

Hermione scrubbed at a pan in the sink, her fingers beginning to wrinkle in the water. She couldn't help but think about the exchange between Caroline and Draco. He hadn't seemed overly impressed with her while at dinner which she found rather odd. He was clearly happy enough to be snogging her face off earlier in the day. She couldn't understand what had changed between them in the space of a few hours. Hermione shook her head, her mind focusing on the task in front of her. Draco Malfoy was not her business after all.

"Hermione, I can do that." she heard Veronica say behind her.

"No, It's okay." she responded with a sigh, concentrating. "I can do it."

"Hermione, please."

A warm hand came to rest on her shoulder and she turned to face the older woman, noticing that the kitchen was now empty. Mollie had also left, most likely to her bedroom.

"You look exhausted. You were outside for a long time. Maybe you ought to go upstairs and rest."

"I'm okay, honestly."

"Hermione," Veronica's tone turned sharp. "I can take it from here."

"But George-"

"Leave George to me." replied Veronica. "Go upstairs and rest."

Hermione nodded, pulling her hands from the cooling water. She gave her hands a quick dry using a cloth and offered a small smile to the other woman.

"Thank you, Veronica." She yawned, not realizing how tired she was until now. With one last weary smile, she wandered from the kitchen and towards the staircase. Climbing the steps one by one, she wandered along the hallway, pausing outside of Connor's bedroom door. She could hear chatter and laughter and the sound of chess pieces being smashed. With a final sigh, she continued on to her room, pushing the door closed behind her with her foot. She kicked off her shoes and collapsing on the bed, falling asleep as her head hit the pillow.

Well, It's been a hot minute since this had an update! This story has now been labeled as HIATUS but I got a little bit of a burst to write this and well, this happened. It's rubbish and I'm sorry. Hopefully I can get my writing bug back and finish this story. I'm not holding my breath though.
This isn't BETA'd as I'm looking for a beta for this story.
If anyone is still reading this, thanks for sticking with me. I appreciate it so much. Leave a review and let me know your thoughts.

-Dreamer