So…this is my first Harry Potter fic. I've only just gotten into Dramione, which is curious, because it's honestly the exact type of pairing that I love. It's also odd that I haven't written for Harry Potter before, since I know the books practically by heart.

Of course, this starts out half way through THBP. I'll take off from there. I'm quite certain that this has been done before, many thousands of times over…but I figured, why the hell not.

No idea how long this will be.

Doubtful it'll be more than a "T" rating.

Reviews and such are most welcome.

Thank you for reading!

She ran out of the room and down the corridor to the right. She was certain that he didn't notice her escape…

Hermione ducked into a classroom and her hand flew to her throat as she gasped. What a mess. Cormac McClaggen was such a prat.

What had she been thinking?

Annoy Ron. That's what.

She didn't need to remind herself that he likely didn't care one whit that she went to Slughorn's party with McClaggen.

And she felt stupid, something she felt much more often than she cared to admit.

It was then that she heard it…

Voices…Professor Snape…and…

"Malfoy," she breathed, peering around the corner.

Harry had been right. Malfoy looked odd indeed…thinner, and if possible, even more pale. They were speaking in hushed voices. She strained to hear.

"What if I don't need your help?" Draco hissed.

"You're being careless. Honestly, Crabbe? Goyle? They're not exactly the brightest lookouts, as you put it."

"I've got this under control," his voice was cold.

"If you'll tell me what your plans are, I can help. Be of some service…."

"You think I don't know what you're doing," he paused.

Hermione's breath hitched. She swallowed. Had they heard something?

"What is it?" Snape sounded as though he had turned his face toward the inside of the room Hermione was hiding in.

"Nothing. Thought I …nothing. It's fine. I'm fine."

"Draco…"

"Don't," he spat. "This is my problem. And keep your nose out of it."

"I made a promise, Draco. I made the Unbreakable Vow," Snape's voice was a sibilant whisper.

"Really," he responded impassively.

And there was another whisper, and then Malfoy said, "Stay out of it," and Hermione heard him leave.

She stayed there a moment longer, then heard Snape leave. She got unsteadily from her crouching position and thought about what she had just heard.

Then Hermione darted out of the room and, taking her shoes off, hurried down the corridor. She would try to be as quiet and as quick as possible…he couldn't have gotten far. She ran, looking both left and right as she did. Where did Malfoy get to?

And as she slowed, she saw him. He was ascending stairs on her left.

She watched as his shoed feet disappeared…he was on the seventh floor. She tiptoed up, careful to remain quiet. The stone was cold on her stockinged feet.

Hermione trod carefully along, keeping well away from him as she followed, but hearing him walk along all the same. She followed a bend, and as she turned again, she saw Malfoy, in the middle of the passage, facing her.

"I thought so."

She froze.

"Well? What are you doing, Granger?"

"I'm…" what was she doing? She paused. Why not come clean? "I was following you."

"Really?" he shoved his hands in his pockets, and kicked his head back to get the hair out of his eyes. "Why would you do that, hm?"

"I …I heard you speaking with Professor Snape."

He didn't move.

"What are you doing, Malfoy?"

"RIght. Like I'd tell you. You're Potter's friend. Nothing but a…" but he stopped.

"A what," she took a step toward him.

His face fell and he looked at his shoes. "Nothing."

"You were about to call me a Mudblood, because that's what you've always called me. Best come up with something else, Malfoy. Your insults are old and ineffective."

"How about prying, intrusive, and nosy?" he looked at her with a steady eye.

She crossed her arms. "Better. What are you doing…?" she looked around. "You're…this is the Room of Requirement."

"Well spotted," he muttered.

She looked at him. "What's going on?"

"Taking a walk. Is that a crime?"

Her mind started to work very fast. "Where were you off to? What's Snape making the Unbreakable Vow for?"

"You know, it's odd hearing you ask so many questions instead of listening to you answer so many, but no less annoying."

She let her arms fall and took a few steps toward him.

He backed up, but didn't leave. "Look Granger. Why don't we just forget this whole scene? You turn around and go back to your tower, I'll go back to my dungeon where I belong."

He looked bad. Peaked and weary.

He swallowed. "Potter and Weasley are no doubt wondering about you."

"McClaggen," she corrected.

"Sorry?"

"I …went with Cormac McClaggen," Hermione was only a couple of feet away from him now, and she felt something she hadn't ever felt about Malfoy before. Concern. "You don't look well at all."

"Thanks, Granger," he mumbled. "Are we quite finished here? I was going someplace."

"How about the hospital wing?"

"What for?" his face contorted into a grimace.

"For…help…?" she reached him. He was somewhat taller than her. Definitely taller than Harry, but shorter than Ron. She had to look up a bit to see him.

"Help," he chuckled. "Who'd help me…" he said this almost to himself.

"Madam Pomfrey. It's her job, you know."

"I don't need help, Granger," he sneered.

"What do you need, then?"

"Solitude," and he turned, leaving her there.

Hermione watched him leave, then turned around and walked back down the corridor. Tomorrow she'd decide if she'd tell Harry and Ron everything that just transpired, or bits of it. Because right now, she was simultaneously intrigued, baffled, and scared.

It was going to be a long night.