A/N: Basically this started as a rewrite for Eureka, but I just couldn't get into the groove for that (seeing as Eureka, even with all of its flaws, still has a special place in this authoress's heart). This morphed into its own story line and plot, so I decided to run with it. Hope you guys enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I just get sick enjoyment out of borrowing them on weekends and placing them in situations that aren't real, but hey, that's what Fanfiction is for ;)

Love Potion

Chapter 1: Draco Needs…

It was a typical sunny afternoon in late August. Normally Draco wouldn't care that it was sunny, or that it was August. Lately Draco rarely cared about anything. The war had left him with the harsh realities of adulthood, that not everything was care free, that he couldn't run to his parents when he messed up and needed saving. This world wasn't safe. It didn't matter what time of the year it was. It didn't matter if it was rainy, sunny, if lava was falling out of the sky, or if he died or not. There was more going on in this world than just his shallow taste of it. Several months ago he couldn't say he cared about his actions affecting other people, or that he cared about anyone other than himself. It was like he had been on the tip of an iceberg, and now he was completely submerged with the rest of it. He could see now. He could see that the world didn't revolve around him or his petty problems. He could see that just because Voldemort was gone that the world wasn't magically healed. That there was still a lot to be done to fix up the damage that had been left behind. He saw that he had to help, that he had to grow up even more than he already had and as terrified as that aspect made him, he understood.

All of this had left him numb. Losing his house, his parents being locked up, forced to work with the Ministry to find other people that he had fought alongside with to help defeat the Order, the humiliation he suffered on a daily basis, it was all adding up and taking its toll. He felt like the last dregs of tea swirling around chaotically at the bottom of the mug. No one wanted to take the last sip, no one felt sorry for him, if they didn't want the last few sips they might just pour him down the drain. He wasn't important.

It had come as a harsh blow at first, but then so had a lot of things after the war.

So things always seemed bleak to the young wizard. His youthful optimism vanished and ripped away violently from the war (although come to think of it, he had never been much of an optimist), and in its place harsh cynicism occurred. It was special when a day would stand out to him, when it wasn't blurred or distorted like the rest of the week or when he actually cared to make note of it. He tried to remember why this sunny, August day seemed so important, but his thoughts didn't seem to be at their usual wit. One moment he had been eating toast, sipping his juice, politely conversing with a few students that had decided to come back and finish their seventh year, and then the next moment he only noticed one thing.

Her.

The bright happy August day paled in comparison. Why had he never noticed her before? At least, why had he never noticed her like this? She seemed radiant, even from across the room. He had to be closer, like something about her just might warm him if he was near her. Being warm was so much nicer than being hallow, than being dull, than being unable to grieve.

He heard the snickers, he knew he was staring, he might have even said something completely out of character, yet the next thing he knew he was on his feet and making his way towards her. He felt someone pull on his sleeve but that didn't stop him, he just shook off the offending person with a snarl as he stalked across the hall towards her table. The red and gold really seemed to reflect the summer day, it was so… bright.

"Hi," he stammered. Eternally he cursed himself for the sudden nerves, but she seemed too perfect. So bright. Angelic. How was he supposed to speak to her?

"Um hi?" she looked confused. He blushed. How was he going to ask her out on a date when she was looking at him like an idiot?

"You look gorgeous today. You're really bright and shiny," he told her afraid that he would sound wrong he had rushed it out in one breath. It should have cheered her up but her brows furrowed and the students around her started to snicker.

"Are you feeling—"

"Draco, come on man," Theo growled coming up to his side and wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Granger's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What are you up to?" she asked, her voice cracked like a whip as she glared at him. He felt like he was melting, he couldn't stand her looking at him like that.

"Granger, for once just shut up. I'll take care of this," Theo smoothly cut in.

"Don't talk to her like that," Draco spat.

"What the hell is going on? What is this?" she growled.

She stood up from her chair to glare at the two boys. Draco withered; Theo straightened but gritted his teeth. Zabini happened to stroll over and throw his arm protectively around Draco as he glared at Granger, while Goyle came over and stood menacingly behind them. His knuckles cracked against each other loudly as some of the people around Granger started to grumble. Why were all his friends here following him? He hadn't invited them.

"Look it was just a harmless prank to try and loosen this prick up. It's none of your concern Mu-" Zabini cut himself off with a hasty cough. "It's none of your concern, Granger," he corrected.

Her name, it sounded wrong coming off another boy's lips. He squinted at the person to his right, who was pulling insistently on his sleeve. Goyle and Nott were talking loudly, their hands waving about frantically as they talked to the group of other non-important people in front of him. Goyle was the culprit who had his hand firmly wrapped around his sleeve and gave him a sharp tug to keep him in place. Draco sighed and twisting slightly, managed to escape his friends hold. He turned quickly to face her just as her musical voice spoke out. It felt wonderful. It felt like he was alive.

"He's under a love potion," she said smoothly. Her brown eyes sparked with knowledge that seemed to silence his friends. Oh how her voice sounded like music. "Slughorn probably has an antidote," she added.

His minions might have said something back but he didn't really care. He sat down next to Granger. At least he slid himself into the spot that was next to her, rudely shoving someone with bright red hair further away to make room. Her hair was so shiny; it looked like it would be soft to touch. Her hand slapped his away midair, as if she knew his intentions. Her lips were puckered in a scowl, it was a look he was used to seeing on her, but he wasn't sure why he liked it so much. He loved catching glances of her bright smile with her friends from afar.

"Why can't you smile more?" he heard himself asking, she looked like she was about to yell when he added, "you have a lovely smile, I really like it."

He grinned like a loon, and then let his hand fall into his hand on the table so that he could peer up at her in the flattering angle. No sooner had he said that and moved to catch a better angle his arm was pushed causally and his face smacked roughly against the wood.

"Ronald!" Hermione growled.

Oh yes, Weasley, he thought, his stomach dropped for some reason as he glanced back at Granger. He heard a male voice protest that he was a git anyways, and some angry shouts, but it all died away quickly as Granger stood and grabbed his hand. He blushed. Her hand was so warm; he squeezed her hand enthusiastically while he tried to entangle her fingers with his. She shook off his attempts but kept her grip on him firm as she led him out of the Great Hall.

"Come on Malfoy, let's go see Slughorn," she soothingly called to him when he looked like he was about to protest.

"I'll go anywhere with you," he breathed.

His head felt light as she started to tug him towards the door, her bushy hair revealing her shoulders and neck as she had it pushed to one side. He fumbled dumbly behind her, losing himself in the sway of her hips. He didn't want this moment to end; he didn't want to feel any differently than he did right at this moment. He was happy. Something in his brain clicked, that this wasn't him, that he wasn't like this. He couldn't find why he felt differently about Granger but he was sure he had always liked her, yet that didn't seem right. For the first time in probably 20 minutes he asked her a question, one that tore up his stomach with nerves, because really he couldn't stand the thought of being tricked away from her side. He had to be sure… and by no means was he possibly having an alternative motive that might possibly involve capturing those voluminous lips of hers between his… He needed to be sure that she was taking him somewhere where they could be alone. And being alone did not include Slughorn. He balked just as they started to cross through the giant doors and out into the main hallway.

"But why are we going there?" he asked gently. She had said earlier that he would have an antidote but if Draco was going to be cured from this feeling he was sure that he wouldn't like that. He didn't want to be cured.

She chewed her lip nervously for a moment looking at him in a way that made him feel like she could see right through him before she laughed lightly and told him, "He says he has some homework he wants to give me. I figured you would want to come with me to pick it up."

"Always a bookworm, Granger," he teased as he bent slightly to kiss her cheek. She squeaked in an adorable way but managed to duck just in time so that his lips grazed her silky hair.

Draco hadn't really been aware that they had a group of people following him until he felt the sharp rap against his skull that knocked him to the ground and a slur of curses being yelled at him. Weasley towered above him, his red hair matching his ugly red face while he blinked to clear his head and stood up. Something about this was off. Everything was happening so quickly… Draco shook his head again to clear it. Why would Weasley want Granger? Granger was his.

"Don't you touch Hermione, you – you creep!" Weasley yelled.

"Oh what a coherent insult," Draco growled rolling his eyes as he stood up, he somehow managed to take a protective step in front of Hermione but in doing so he was closer to Ron.

He gritted his teeth and bit back a growl as Hermione grabbed his shirt and pulled him back. It brought her back to the forefront of his mind, not that she was never not there. She was wonderful, how could anyone not want her? But that was bad… he wanted to be the only one to want her. His face pinched into a scowl as his chaotic thoughts swirled. His looked matched Hermione's with a similar scowl as she quickly asserted herself between the two men. One hand flew to his chest to keep him in place, as if she had known that he wouldn't be happy with her between him and this dolt. His fingers automatically went in to weave with hers, but this time she didn't seem to notice. Her attention was on the brooding redhead.

"Ron," she breathed out easily with her hands up defensively in the air, as if that would magically calm everyone down, "he doesn't know what he is doing. Maybe I should just handle this; I do have a wand you know."

Ron cursed loudly before giving him an evil glare, "You'll be paying for this later. That is, if you don't want to kill yourself for holding her hand once your head is clear."

He emphasized that with a rude gesture into the air as he stormed back into the Great Hall.

"I think this goes for the rest of you as well. I can handle this," Hermione said easily with a small smile towards the remainder of his friends.

Slytherins and Gryffindors don't get along. Something in him was ringing a bell. He grinned goofily at her. She was so smart, how had he never noticed that before? What had kept him from her side all of these years? It seemed painful to think about. To think about anything to do without her seemed bleak, empty; wrong.

"Killing them with kindness?" he asked with a joking poke to her side.

Hermione chuckled nervously before answering, "Something like that."

There was a moment of silence before she looked down away from him, her eyes held a far off look as she started to lead him down towards the dungeons and Slughorn's office.

"Who were you sitting next to earlier?" she asked lightly.

"Why does that matter?" Draco snapped, his jealousy instantly flaring. Granger stifled a chuckle behind her hand and turned slightly so he couldn't see the remainder of her smirk, he could still hear it in her voice though.

"I was just wondering who could have had access to your drink," she said easily, "You'll know what I'm talking about later," she added wisely as he attempted to slip his hand into hers. She sighed but allowed it as they dashed down the last few steps. The knot in his stomach grew as she slowed her pace towards their professor's door.

"You could always make out with me while you think things through," he offered, wiggling his brows. Her face scrunched up in distaste.

"No thanks. I'm not particularly fond of the weasel family," she said smoothly.

He mockingly placed his hand over his heart and stumbled, their fingers still enterlocked her tugged her with him so that she collided into his chest. Her joke was actually kind of funny, but it gave him room to make a jab at Weasley which he gratefully took. Anything to shove that memory of being a bouncing white ferret out of his mind... and focus on the girl in front of him.

"Then stay away from that redheaded weasel," he growled.

"You are really going to be hating yourself in a couple of hours," she laughed, "I can't wait until you can't look at me in the eye tomorrow."

"Why would I not be able to?" he growled.

She was so close, close enough that he could feel her rapid heartbeat against him. The fresh scent of vanilla wafted up from her hair and he found himself inhaling her scent. Vanilla, ink, freshly mowed grass; it was all a familiar scent to him. It smelled like home, smelled like …

"I do realize that I am not currently acting like myself," he started slowly, "that what I'm feeling happens to be extremely close to a certain potion that is banned from being used at this school, but I'm inclined to not really care at the moment."

"You can't drop the superior act even while intoxicated?" Granger asked rolling her eyes, but she still had yet to move away. He felt something prodding him to close the distance, but at the same time he was scared. What if she didn't want him to kiss her?

"It can't be an act if I am superior," he replied.

Granger pulled herself free. He tried not to let his disappointment show, but it was to no avail.

The young witch turned away from him and closed the distance to the door, knocking a few times before the faint voice of their professor could be heard on the other side.

"Oh, Ms. Granger, what a pleasant surprise—oh and Mr. Malfoy?" Professor Slughorn did a double take to see the infamous rivals outside his door, seemingly calm and not ready to rip each other's' throats out.

"Hi professor, I know it is kind of early, but Mr. Malfoy here is in quite a pickle," Hermione said evenly giving Draco a gentle push so that he stumbled inside.

"Oh my, what's wrong?"

"That would be a lot of things," Granger snorted, but she moved so that she could whisper lowly with the professor and moved across the room to a cabinet with him, leaving Draco within their eyesight but out of hearing range. A few minutes later she stood in front of him with a firm scowl in place.

"Drink this," she said as she roughly shoved a vial into his chest, her cheeks were slightly flushed as Slughorn came over to peer over her shoulder.

"Why?" he asked, "If I drink this will you go on a date with me?" he quipped, he had to get something out of this, he couldn't just let her go. He needed this brightness she seemed to protrude.

"Just drink it," she growled.

"Only if you go on a date with me… or kiss me?" he added as an afterthought. Granger's cheeks darkened a shade of red.

"Fine, we can go on a date. Drink up already," she snapped uncorking the bottle and thrusting it back at him.

"Promise you'll go on a date with me?" he asked her as he timidly sniffed the contents.

"Yes, yes, now drink up. Lessons start soon," Hermione's foot started to tap with impatience.

He let out a deep breath and downed the liquid in one gulp, sputtering as he did so.

The effect was instantaneous, his thoughts cleared and his sharpness returned. He knew exactly what had just happened, and who had spiked his juice earlier this morning. Only there wasn't the horror, there wasn't the shock that he had felt that way for Granger, in fact… he was kind of annoyed that he still noticed her. It wasn't the same kind of notice as earlier; it wasn't dummying him down and affecting his judgment. He wasn't blinded by her brightness, but in the low light of the dungeon she seemed the same as before. She was normal, a plain bookworm with a lot of smarts that had fought her way through a terrible war but still held her head high. She still found good in people, still fought to change the world. He still saw that part of her and it seemed important that he hadn't noticed that while he had been under the potion. And for a second he wanted to go back to that moment in the hall where he had nearly leaned in and done the unspeakable… he wanted to feel his heart race. He wanted to be more than this aching numbness that was already climbing its way back into his chest. He growled.

"I'm going to kill them," he snarled lurching to his feet. Granger held up her hands defensively but didn't touch him. It was enough to stop him from racing out the door.

"Maybe you should skip class today?" she suggested.

"Why so you can let everyone think that I'm a love sick idiot for a mudblood?" he spat. Her facial expression didn't change, she didn't even flinch, and she merely shrugged her shoulders slightly and let out a gentle sigh.

"I was trying to give you enough time to not deal with Ron, he isn't staying to finish this semester out. Today was supposed to be his last day…" she trailed off and looked thoughtfully back to their professor. Slughorn had made his way back to his office and looked like he was brewing tea, all the while carefully peering at the two students with a lot of interest.

"I think it is rather stupid that he is actually going through with this whole drop out thing," Draco offered.

He wasn't sure why he was sitting her and making small talk with her, but he didn't want to leave yet. He could have just nodded, offered a dumb excuse and left. Yet he didn't want to. He had never truly been alone with Granger, never held a conversation with her besides sputtering hate at her like he had just had. Part of him wanted to apologize immediately, but he couldn't find the words. Part of him wanted her to explain it in her little know it all way that he was under a love potion, that his stupid friends had ordered it and for some reason had picked her to be the target as well. He wanted to know why, wanted to know how, and he more importantly he wanted to know why he wasn't at all bothered by this and why he wanted to say sorry for something that he had always done to her. He didn't want to say more things that could hurt her, even if she didn't show it anymore, even if he didn't believe it anymore. He had to keep the wall up. He had to show her that he still hated her, that there was still a world between them. It was important. It was utter bullshit and he knew it.

Hermione sighed and dropped her face into one of her hands, her other starting to rub her temple, "Trust me, I know."

"So why are you letting him? Aren't you two like… together?"

"He has made his choices," she said suddenly turning cold, "not that it is any of your business."

He smirked.

"Suddenly remember that you were fraternizing with the enemy?" he jeered.

"You crossed the line first," she said smoothly.

"I was—"

"Totally coherent. You knew you were under the effects, you went along with it."

If there was ever a silence that would have the old cliché cricket chirping now would be that time. The silence stretched out for several long moments, neither breaking eye contact as both kept their faces straight. They were hiding from each other, hiding things that the other could use against each other. This was a dangerous game; Draco's heart started beating faster as he nervously licked his lips.

"You don't know that," he snapped.

"Seemed like it when you practically said it earlier or how sarcastic you were being with Ron…"

"Maybe I was then, but if you were aware that I was aware you still agreed to a rather interesting situation earlier," he hinted, arching one brow perfectly to scoff at her.

"I am capable of lying," she said darkly, she lifted the sleeve off her left arm ever so slightly to reveal a flash of an ugly scar underneath.

His eyes fell to the floor and his mouth went dry as the picture of her lying on the floor in a weeping mess pinned under his aunt returned to him with a force that had him fighting tears. In less than a second any humor that had been associated with this situation was now dampened and the mood became serious. Her reminder brought back their past, reminding him that he had to fix years of damage with this girl before him before he could do something like lightly joke about going on a date. It reminded him that they weren't friends and that they hardly knew each other outside of the prejudice they had thrust at each other.

"Classes start soon. I'll see you later then," she said crisply as she stalked out the door.

The dungeon seemed a lot darker once she had left.