Hello everyone, this is my submission for Season 7 Round 2 of the QLFC and is also a gift fic as part of GGE 2018 for Dramione Forever. Thank you to the amazing TheOnlyCeeCeeJ for betaing this and for helping me decide to turn this into a multichapter. As this is a submission for QLFC, the next chapters won't be posted until this has been marked, so it'll be a few weeks before an update, but you can check my profile for more info in regards to posting dates. I do not own any rights to Harry Potter; the rights belong to J.K. Rowling.

QLFC Season 7 Round 2: Gimme A Sign

Team: Kenmare Kestrels

Position: Chaser 1

Task: Write about a character(s) being perceived as two-faced but in actuality are just misunderstood.

Optional Prompts used:

· 5. (song) November Rain by Guns n Roses – this is the title

· 13. (phrase) holding your head high

· 15. (word) passion

GGE Prompts used:

· Scent

· Vanilla

Rating – T

Word Count: 1126

October 26th 1996

Hermione had been on prefect patrol with Theo Nott; due to a switch up to try and get the four houses to get along. This was the second month they'd been on patrol together and so far they'd had no trouble until they had caught two fourth year students - who happened to be Slytherins - loitering around in an alcove by the library.

"I'll handle this, Gra… Hermione. I'll meet you on the ground floor once I've escorted these two to the dungeons," Theo said, meeting her chocolate brown eyes.

"Alright, Theo," Hermione replied before turning to face the students. "Next time, house points will be deducted, understood?"

The two fourth years looked to Theo for support but the sandy haired boy just folded his arms and nodded sternly in agreement with Hermione. Knowing they had no support, they nodded in understanding and followed Theo around the corner to descend the stairs.

Hermione took the stairs up until she reached the sixth floor, she made her way along the corridor only stopping when she came face to face with Draco Malfoy who had just come out of the boys' bathroom. His skin was so pale that he may as well have been a ghost, his hair unkempt like he'd been running his hands through it over and over. She'd had six years to deal with this arrogant two-faced boy to the point that she now followed the phrase 'holding your head high' to the point it may as well have been her mantra. She would never give him any way to get to her. But tonight was different. His grey eyes were almost pleading, he looked vulnerable which was something she'd never expect from the Malfoy heir.

"It's after 10 o'clock, Malfoy; shouldn't you be in your dormitory?"

"I was just heading there, Granger," he said, his voice devoid of the usual malice, sounding hollow.

"Are you sure you're, well… okay? You don't look good."

"I'm perfectly fine, Granger," he retorted, the ice returning to his grey eyes as he held onto the wall for support. He felt like his legs would give out beneath him at any moment, he was aching all over and so tired.

Casting a quick Patronus, Hermione informed Theo that the other floors were clear and that he could turn in for the night. Making a decision that she hoped she wouldn't regret, she covered the short distance to Draco and helped support him, putting one of his arms around her shoulders.

"What on earth are you doing, Granger?! I'm fine!"

"No, you're not. So stop lying and follow me."

Draco grumbled under his breath but held onto her and followed her to the seventh floor. Once he was leaning against the wall, Hermione set to work opening the Room of Requirement before leading him inside. It had all they would require: sofas opposite a crackling fire, medical supplies set out on a coffee table along with some food and drink.

Once he was sat on the sofa, she poured him a glass of ginger ale. He groaned, feeling like retching at the sight of the crackers and butter on the plate, but took the glass and sipped it slowly. As he inhaled, he took in her scent – vanilla, it flooded his senses and made the wolf inside him perk up.

'Ours'. The word entered his mind, unwanted. The wolf laying claim to the bushy haired witch was one thing he didn't need right now, not so soon after his fourth shift.

'No, she isn't and never will be ours, she hates me. If you think she'll suddenly have passion alight in her eyes, think again.'

'You're afraid, Draco.'

Draco ignored the wolf's comment even if it did hold weight, though he'd never admit it. He settled his gaze on the fire in front of him, until her voice broke the almost peaceful silence that he'd gotten used to.

"Does anyone know?"

"Know what, Granger?"

"Oh, cut the crap, Draco, I know the signs of lycanthropy, besides Remus is a werewolf remember?"

"Ah, of course, I forgot with you being a clever Mudblood you'd put two and two together. Go on then, rub it in now that I'm a dirty half breed, I'm below you. So, go on, laugh."

She glared at him, she wanted to slap him but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of losing her temper. "Do you think that low of me, that I'd stoop to your level?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it past you given the fact that I've made your life hell for the last six years."

"I brought you here to help you, you ungrateful prat, but if you don't want me to, there's the door, go!"

"I need…" he groaned and leaned forward, beginning to retch even though his stomach was empty.

A bucket appeared in front of him and Hermione stroked his back in soothing circles until he brought some bile up before he collapsed back against the cushions.

"This is what I get for not taking the fucking Dark Mark, like my father wanted. And to answer your earlier question, apart from you, Snape, McGonagall, the Headmaster, Blaise, Theo and Pansy know and that's how it's going to stay."

Hermione's eyes widened as what he'd said sank in. Had she got him all wrong after all these years?

"Speechless now, Granger?"

"What… what happened?"

"During the summer, they wanted me to follow in my father's footsteps and take that mark, and be one of them. They had plans but I said no. My own fucking father, the man I'd idolised for years, and for what, Crucio'd me but I still said no even through the pain. I told him I'd never become like him. So, Voldemort had Greyback turn me."

"Draco, I'm… I'm so sorry…"

"I don't want pity, Granger, not from you, I don't deserve it. Look, just don't say anything and we can go back to hating each other," he said, getting up and slowly making his way to the door, needing to put distance between them.

"You need rest."

"I'll rest when I'm in my own bed, goodnight Hermione."

"Draco, I don't hate you but goodnight. Should you need someone to talk to or somewhere to go, come here on the nights Theo and I are patrolling."

"I'll take that into consideration," Draco replied, meeting her chocolate brown eyed gaze before leaving her alone in the room.

Hermione stared at the door for quite a while, not believing what had transpired with Draco Malfoy. The one thing she did know for certain was that she wanted to help the misunderstood boy she'd been so wrong about. But the question was – would he let her?

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I'll see you all soon,

Sunset Whispers x