I Am A Gaunt *Completed!!!!!*

Chapter 3

Dedicated to angelatyra0402 for writing an amazing Dramione and Im-as-sane-as-you for being a fellow Potterhead!

*EDITED*

- Hermione's POV -

I don't know how long I have been crying. Seconds, minutes, hours even. Who knows? All I know is that I feel betrayed. I feel hurt.

Am I overreacting? Possibly, but imagine finding out your parents are dead then going through a pain staking transformation. All in the time of your birthday and a few days after. When you go to talk it over with a friend, they only make it worse, by involuntarily insulting you. No, I am most certainly not over reacting!

Another, sob racks through me and I hug my knees. The steps come to a stop a bit ago and I hear the person behind me. On instinct, I whip out my wand and cast a stunning spell on the person. They land with a grunt and I walk over to them. I wipe my tear stained face and act cautious.

When, I reach the person, I lock eyes with them and everything freezes. Taking, a deep breath, I whisper, "Malfoy.", he stares at me as if confused and studying me. "What are you doing here, Malfoy? Are you following me?", I start freaking out. What if he is seeking revenge? I mean, I did help get his father in Azkaban.

He stands up and grabs his wand, but I disarm him taking the wand. Glaring at me and sneers, "Why would I follow you?", I flinch when he says this and he walks closer to me. "Don't think of yourself so highly, sweet heart!". Standing in front of me with this smell radiating off of him, he leans in and I fear he is about to kiss me when instead he whispers in my ear. "Never mess with a villain, darling. Bad things happen.", I shiver and become frozen. Where is my Gryffindor spirit? Why am I so afraid? Why am I enjoying this? Why did I think he would kiss me?

While, I am lost in confusion and frozen from fear, he takes the time to grab our wands from behind my back. "Hey!", I yell surprised. "Give it back, Malfoy!", I stand there clenching my fists angry. He just laughs.

"Oh, and miss the chance to see for beautiful face again? No, I don't think so.", I go up to him and try to grab the wand but he held it out of my reach. Darn height.

I give up and take a step back, actually noticing where I am at for the first time.

Hogwarts. I am at Hogwarts.

I look at him astonished. "We're at Hogwarts!", he snorts like it was obvious. It kind of was but I was preoccupied until now. Wait...why is he here? "Why are you here, Malfoy?", he raises his eyebrows at me.

"I happen to be helping fix up the castle. Why are you here?", he says, the last part in a mocking way and I scowl. Of course he is. I remember reading it in the Quibbler. Old Enemies Make Amends, was the title.

"That is none of your business, Malfoy."

He smirks and walks to me, holding out my wand. "And why not? I told you why I was here!" Just as I am about to grab it he holds it just barely out of my reach. Leaning closer to reach for it  his intoxicating smell floods through me. Gosh, doesn't he know when to stop putting cologne on? "I like the new look, Granger. It suits you.", I stare at him in shock while he laughs at my expression.

He recognized me? How did Malfoy recognize me but not the Weasley's and Harry? Something is off here.

"Fine, don't tell me. I better go, take your wand.", Sensing the disappointment in his voice I snap out of my thoughts and watch as he hands me my wand. I take it and watch as he begins to walk away. Merlin, Hermione! Why are you such a jerk?

"I needed to get away," I say suddenly. He stops with his back to me but I know he's listening. "I just found out that my parents are dead. It basically killed me. Then....this!...happened," I gesture to my new looks and then continue. "I went to the Weasley's and they....weren't the nicest about it. So, I went to the first place that came to mind. Home. Wasn't sure where it would take me but I guess it makes sense....", I pause for a second choking on tears that are beginning to fall. "Look, I know I was never nice to you. Granted you weren't nice back but that doesn't excuse it. I'm sorry for the way I have treated you, I am sorry for over reacting today. I know you may not want to forgive me - if you do then thanks. I understand either way....bloody Merlin's.....pants...I'm sorry for everything! I really-", I am about to finish but before I could he had turned and hurried to me covering my mouth. He did it with such a force that it pushed me against the wall behind us. Again that bloody smell floods my burning nostrils.

"Your bloody voice is annoying me", he says. Taking his hand off my mouth and I'm about to respond, but think twice and let him continue. "I accept your apology. On one condition, though!", I raise my eye as if to challenge him with my steely gaze. "Don't miss me too much!", he winks and backs up aparating away.

"Okay", I whisper as he disappears. Entranced by the moment and the hypnotic scent. Only to realize what just happened and to shiver. Get your head out of the clouds, Hermione. This is Draco we are talking about!

With one last look at Hogwarts, I apparate to my house. No need to hold on to it. This is Malfoy after all. Laying, my purse and wand on my night stand, I got to sit on the bed. When I look at where I want to sit though, an envelope that I recognize from before all to well sits there, as if daring me to open it. The worst part is that I want to. Usually, I would be terrified and have someone like, Harry or Ginny there to read it as well but seeing as......well, I have to read it alone.

Once it's out of the envelope, I unfold it reveal the first words of the letter. Just looking at them makes me have to catch my breath. I don't even finish reading, those first words make me drop it. Why would they say that? Surely, they just gave it to the wrong person, right? No, it isn't.....yet it feels like it makes sense.

Confused and nervous, I slide off the bed and on to the floor. Sitting, there in a dazed state I freeze staring at those first words. Each time they catch my breath. I know it could just be a mistake, but deep down I know it is not. Deep down, I know it is meant for me. In some odd, twisted way it makes sense. Almost, as if everything that has happened to me the past few days is because of this.

Because of these two simple words.
--

Dear Miss. Gaunt.

--
Miss Gaunt.
Maybe that package of letters and photo's was telling the truth.
Maybe, I am adopted after all.