Hermione glided about the floor in the Great Hall, the starry sky above her head the only source of light. It cast eerie shadows about the place, making her afraid of its secrets.
She had borrowed Harry's Cloak for a small stroll, using a levitation charm to send it floating across to his window. She closed her eyes, allowing the peace and quiet of the room to envelop her in the quiet blanket of thought.
When she opened them, quite reluctantly, he had materialized in front of her as silently as an eagle's wing, tall and intimidating yet beautiful as heck. Draco Malfoy.
Her gasp murdered the tranquility, despite her effort. Draco's chiseled features stood out in the darkness.
"Well, well, well." He took a small step toward her, causing her to slip back the same amount. "If it isn't Hermione Granger, little miss perfect."
"What are you doing here?" she whispered, her voice betraying the fear she felt.
"Nothing. I merely was out to see Professor Snape to talk with him about something when I saw a... shadow flitting about. Almost butterfly-like, this shadow. You really need to stop... slipping here after hours. This is the third time I've seen someone in here, Granger." Draco whispered, his voice dipping low.
"Draco, have you been... crying?" Hermione breathed, noticing the tear tracks on his face.
Draco nodded, dropping the tone he'd been using. "I'm scared, Hermione. He's going to kill me if I can't do this." His words had a frightened sound to them.
"Who will kill you? What can't you do?" Hermione asked, her voice echoing in the open space.
Draco spoke three words that she had been hoping not to hear. "The Dark Lord." His face looked terrified as he spoke the name. "He... he wants me to kill Professor Dumbledore, and I can't! He's too kind to me! He seems to... to understand!" On impulse, she reached forward and pulled his shivering form up close to hers, holding him in her arms. She honestly didn't care that his tears, cold against her skin, were wetting her shoulder. All she wanted to do was make him happy.
"It's okay. It's okay. It's fine. Don't worry. You'll be okay." She was able to turn her head to where her lips were right next to his ear. Softly she whispered to him "Everything's going to be fine. And you know what else? I love you. I love you a lot." Draco tried to step back, but she kept him close to her. "And I don't care what he makes you do, because I know that isn't you."
"Hermione, no!" he breathed, lifting her arms away from his chest. "I can't be with anyone. Not like that. Look!" He reached for his sleeve, but she grabbed his hand. "No!" she started to cry. "I can't see it!"
"You have to." He shook her hand away and tore the sleeve back again, showing her the Dark Mark engraved on his skin.
Hermione started to shake, little gasps emitting from her. He walked up to her and pressed his mouth to hers. She trembled harder, finally going still. When he lifted her away from him, she said softly "I don't care. I am blind to that part of you, you hear? Blind." Draco nodded breathlessly. "And I don't care how broken you are, I am here for you. I am blind."