Chapter 1: Unexpected invitations
Hermione lurched awake cold sweat covering her body, she shivered before assuring herself with "it was only a dream, only a dream" she had lost count to how many mornings she had awoken to use that phrase. Still a few good hours until dawn might as well have a shower.then she saw it that glint that reassuring shine from the blade that sat glinting as if almost smiling at her on her dresser. She carefully picked up the blade gleefully looking at its sharpened blade. "Just once then off to the shower.." She returned to sit on her bed swiping the blade across her pale skin the pain like the blood just made all the hurt flow away. "Preverto ocullationus" she mumbled the spell to ensure that the wound could not be seen.
The steaming hot stream of water hit her like a thousand bullets of acid to her skin. Her cut stung but it was nothing compared to the hurt she felt inside. The dream although she liked to believe it was one was in fact a reality of the events that had daunted her during her holidays. Her father had beaten her and raped her endlessly. Her blade her only companion could help stem the pain that rushed and raged inside her. As she showered she didn't even notice the large amount of red water flowing down the drain.
She shivered at the very thought but continued with the lie that it was all in her head all a dream. She would be returning to Hogwarts that very day thankful for the cold weather and the uniform that allowed her to cover the wounds and scars that marred her body. Changing into a sleek blue halter-top, flare jeans and black padded long sleeved Eskimo coat she was ready. She put on her knee high boots and taking her trunk she magicked it wheels and proceeded out the door to hitch hike a way to the train station. Shutting the door for the last time she vowed never to return and that she would never see that man again. But as usual she was wrong. Jeremy Granger had seen her shower using his private peeping hole in the vent just above the shower he had watched her before shuffling his way out to give her a goodbye present. The door rattled open and in an instant Jeremy had Hermione in a tight wristlock. "You stupid whore, think you could leave without saying goodbye did you? I'll teach you, you stupid slut" and with that he punched her in the face and then repeatedly in the stomach and chest. "You're not worth my spit on the ground" he said and left her clutching her stomach on the sidewalk.
"It's good you gave me a present."she strained, "because I returned the favour". An owl flew overhead to drop an improper use of magic fine down the chimney. Jeremy had his wizarding license removed from him many years before hand, therefore was forthwith stripped of his title as a wizard and considered as a muggle by the wizarding world and as Hermione had now left the building the Ministry was led to believe that the user of magic had been him. "Stupid bastard" she spat on the ground and limping slightly left to catch a lift with an approaching car.
Hermione boarded the train with haste to avoid meeting with anyone she knew as they would have her explain the expanding bruise on her left cheekbone which she feared might be shattered. The heat became too intense and Hermione lay down in one of the back carriages and unzipped her thickly lined jacket.
Looking through the small window of the carriage Draco saw nothing and so entered to find a sleeping figure on the left hand chair. Her luggage was hastily stored in the overhead compartment Draco noted as it seemed to be falling out. The hair, the body he had seen it before but where? He had no time to ponder before the figure turned and screamed startled by the intruder.
"Draco what the fuck are you doing here?"
"Granger?"
"Well who the fuck do you think.now get out!" She strained quickly covering her stomach.
"What are all those bruises from.And anyway you don't own this train I can stay here if I want, now the bruises and explanation please." He said smirking probably realized she was a mudblood and tried to beat herself pure.he thought evilly. Hermione sat up and turned to him her cheek showing in clear view it throbbed but she stared him in the eyes, his eyes were they always so pained?
"I fell over." she muttered and turned away again. What the fuck was this? Not even Hermione deserved this treatment he thought regretting his earlier judgment. He reached to her chin and lifted it to him her body following assessing the damage she had attained. " Well Hermione did you just happen to fall onto a baseball bat or did someone do this to you?"
"Did you just call me Hermione? Anyone would think that you actually cared Malfoy." she said sarcastically.
"Enough Hermione, and yes I did, and yes I do care is that a problem?"
"No, I just." she looked into his eyes and instead of finding sarcasm and hatred she found pure trust and fear.fear for her?
Suddenly she felt light headed and everything became black the last she remembered was a strong pair of arms catching her before she had a chance to hit the ground.
When she awoke her head ached lightly but she opened her eyes to find a distressed Draco staring at her. "Hermione please stay with me, you have lost so much blood, the cut it has appeared. You can't hide this forever. I saw your stomach and I dare say your cheekbone is broken.
"But I was so careful in hiding it," she pulled up her arm to find it thickly bandaged, then she remembered that she had promised herself just one cut. She had cut deep and long, she thought it had stopped.
"I know but as you can see the whole arm of your jacket is soaked right through with blood, covering it doesn't make it go away.I've tried" Draco stood to leave feeling his job was done when Hermione reached out to him.
"Draco please stay, I need someone here right now."
"Are you sure you don't want me to get Potty or Weasel they seem more equipped for this." he started to babble before he was cut off with a soft brush on the lips.
"No I would prefer for you to stay at least you know what it feels like." She replied limply and sat back down patting the space next to her.
He sat and with a certain stiffness placed an arm around the small figure that was Hermione. She snuggled into his warmth and he placed a second arm just across her chest meeting with the other on her shoulder. Since he was still in his muggle clothes..muggle clothes? "Umm Draco since when did you wear muggle clothing?" she turned to look at him.
"I love you too.what?! Oh I started wearing them during the holidays just after my father sent me away." He looked shocked at his original statement but quickly composed himself with a painful hint to his voice. He's changed, and he loves me! Hermione was dazed just falling into the depths of his sad eyes when she spoke again.
"Can I see them.?" she asked politely turning away.
"What Herm.?" he asked in utter confusion.
"Your cuts.I just want to make sure you aren't lying to me because you haven't been the first person that has been nice to me before and proceeded to try to get in my pants, so if you would please pull up your sleeve"
He obeyed immediately showing his arm it was bare before he muttered and incantation, "UNPREVERTO!" scars flourished like flowers before Hermione's very eyes and to her dismay some still remained open dried blood covering them. The wounds were alike to hers, long gashes running across and down his arms.
"You use the same spell.Draco I never knew why didn't you tell me? I can tell that these have been obtained in more than a couple of weeks they look months, even years old!" He winced as she touched the latest dotted with dried blood.
"Well as you have already said you aren't the first person that I would have turned to .If only I had of known I would have tried to help you earlier. Hermione I think I love you." He looked away shamefully.
"I think I love you too.I had always been afraid to come too close you showed that you didn't need me a stupid mudblood but I marveled at your composure I could see the hurt in your eyes and the way you strived to fit in to impress your father, and I can tell that he did this to you."
"Silence, Hermione he didn't do this, I did to try and rid myself of the Dark Mark that my father forced upon me. I just wanted to be pure and rid of that evil, don't you worry about me though I think you are the one that needs the care at the moment." He pushed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.
"Oh but that is not true" she said as they grasped for breath, it would seem that I am not the only one bleeding" she said as his arm lifted and revealed a pool of red on her blue shirt.
"If one arm bleeds so the other usually follows Draco show me or I shall be forced to do it for you, I don't want the only person who helped me in this difficult situation not have the same treatment." He pulled back both sleeves and once again mumbling the spell a bleeding arm was revealed to her. She gasped at the sight. She magicked a set of clean bandages and strips of gauze. Lastly she magicked the healing balm which stung the skin and keeping Draco in a firm kiss she spread it onto his arms, pain shot through both his arms and he felt like that were on fire, the pain causing him to accidentally bite Hermione's tongue as he winced in pain.
"I'm sorry but I had to I don't want it to get infected." she whispered.
"You could have at least put a no-pain spell on me!" he retorted hotly.
"Well I wanted to make the experience both pain yet pleasure. Well don't you worry you got me back.if you don't remember you bit my tongue!" She said as she wrapped the bandages tightly around his arms and clasped the ends firmly, he had done such a great job so she matched his shinning example.
"You know for someone who was as cold as you used to be what is with the sudden change? You hated me and now your kissing me?"
"Well lets just say I have had a lot of time to think about this with being stuck in a dark cell being fed only bread and water after my first attempt to get rid of the dark mark. It has given me the wisdom and sentiment that I have regretfully lacked." He replied taking her hand in his, he brushed the other against her cheek but she winced and moved from his gentle touch.
"Hermione I think that it may be broken with the blue black bruising I would pretty much bet my money on it, with all the money I do have that's a pretty big bet. Once we get to school you must see Madame Pomfrey and see if she can fix it.
"You know Draco you can be so evil even when you're nice.I like this new Draco..he's sorta.sexy." A sore cheek doesn't stop me from kissing that sexy body not one little bit she thought as she reached up and to her delight received the kiss she had wished for.
"Hey, hey, hey I have to clean up and get changed into my robes the same with you, then Mr. Malfoy I think I had better find my friends before they think that I have been stolen and raped lying dead in a heap." suddenly a memories of her very painful summer swept through her mind and she sat with a blank expression and began to cry.
"Hermione, shh please don't cry I hate it when girls cry" He placed a protective arm around her and gently stroking her hair lulling her to sleep.
In the cabin of "potty and weasel".
"Where could Hermione be?" Harry said aloud his brow knitted in frustration.
"Maybe she fell asleep waiting for us in another cabin" Ron said through a mouthful of his mothers home made sandwiches.
"That's it! I'll go look it seems that you're a tad bit busy Ron." He motioned to his shirt now covered with peanut butter and honey.
"What? I can't help myself, having your Mum make your lunch isn't too bad sometimes."
"Yeh I bet" Harry said as he exited the cabin and began to wonder the train searching each cabin for a trace of Hermione. It wasn't until he cam to the last cabin, which he swore could have been empty expect for the quiet and muffled sounds coming from within.
"Hermi..Draco get the fuck off her now!" He screamed at the sight of him leaning back on the seat a sleeping Hermione wrapped in his strong arms covered in a small jacket.
"Harry please I would never hurt Hermione she was hurt and alone I never laid a hand on her I swear!"
"Whatever Malfoy just get off her!"
"Shh she'll wake up and any way Potty if I had wanted to molest her do you think I would have my robes on? Just look at her arm if you don't believe me" He pulled back the jacket he had placed on them to reveal a thickly bandaged arm with small dots of red showing through already.
"How do I know that you didn't do that to her?"
"Oh Harry" Hermione said waking from her slumber, "Draco would never hurt me just look beneath his robes." Draco dutifully pulled back his sleeves and his arms were both bandaged as well.
"Now do you believe me?" asked Draco still afraid of what Harry might do to him to Hermione.
"Anyway thanks for the wake up call Harry I feel I am just in time to change into my robes" and with that Hermione exited to the lavatory.
"Draco you have two minutes to explain just what has been going on here and how Hermione's face turned into a puffy blue mass..Two minutes" He said dangerously reflecting his piercing eyes.
Hermione lurched awake cold sweat covering her body, she shivered before assuring herself with "it was only a dream, only a dream" she had lost count to how many mornings she had awoken to use that phrase. Still a few good hours until dawn might as well have a shower.then she saw it that glint that reassuring shine from the blade that sat glinting as if almost smiling at her on her dresser. She carefully picked up the blade gleefully looking at its sharpened blade. "Just once then off to the shower.." She returned to sit on her bed swiping the blade across her pale skin the pain like the blood just made all the hurt flow away. "Preverto ocullationus" she mumbled the spell to ensure that the wound could not be seen.
The steaming hot stream of water hit her like a thousand bullets of acid to her skin. Her cut stung but it was nothing compared to the hurt she felt inside. The dream although she liked to believe it was one was in fact a reality of the events that had daunted her during her holidays. Her father had beaten her and raped her endlessly. Her blade her only companion could help stem the pain that rushed and raged inside her. As she showered she didn't even notice the large amount of red water flowing down the drain.
She shivered at the very thought but continued with the lie that it was all in her head all a dream. She would be returning to Hogwarts that very day thankful for the cold weather and the uniform that allowed her to cover the wounds and scars that marred her body. Changing into a sleek blue halter-top, flare jeans and black padded long sleeved Eskimo coat she was ready. She put on her knee high boots and taking her trunk she magicked it wheels and proceeded out the door to hitch hike a way to the train station. Shutting the door for the last time she vowed never to return and that she would never see that man again. But as usual she was wrong. Jeremy Granger had seen her shower using his private peeping hole in the vent just above the shower he had watched her before shuffling his way out to give her a goodbye present. The door rattled open and in an instant Jeremy had Hermione in a tight wristlock. "You stupid whore, think you could leave without saying goodbye did you? I'll teach you, you stupid slut" and with that he punched her in the face and then repeatedly in the stomach and chest. "You're not worth my spit on the ground" he said and left her clutching her stomach on the sidewalk.
"It's good you gave me a present."she strained, "because I returned the favour". An owl flew overhead to drop an improper use of magic fine down the chimney. Jeremy had his wizarding license removed from him many years before hand, therefore was forthwith stripped of his title as a wizard and considered as a muggle by the wizarding world and as Hermione had now left the building the Ministry was led to believe that the user of magic had been him. "Stupid bastard" she spat on the ground and limping slightly left to catch a lift with an approaching car.
Hermione boarded the train with haste to avoid meeting with anyone she knew as they would have her explain the expanding bruise on her left cheekbone which she feared might be shattered. The heat became too intense and Hermione lay down in one of the back carriages and unzipped her thickly lined jacket.
Looking through the small window of the carriage Draco saw nothing and so entered to find a sleeping figure on the left hand chair. Her luggage was hastily stored in the overhead compartment Draco noted as it seemed to be falling out. The hair, the body he had seen it before but where? He had no time to ponder before the figure turned and screamed startled by the intruder.
"Draco what the fuck are you doing here?"
"Granger?"
"Well who the fuck do you think.now get out!" She strained quickly covering her stomach.
"What are all those bruises from.And anyway you don't own this train I can stay here if I want, now the bruises and explanation please." He said smirking probably realized she was a mudblood and tried to beat herself pure.he thought evilly. Hermione sat up and turned to him her cheek showing in clear view it throbbed but she stared him in the eyes, his eyes were they always so pained?
"I fell over." she muttered and turned away again. What the fuck was this? Not even Hermione deserved this treatment he thought regretting his earlier judgment. He reached to her chin and lifted it to him her body following assessing the damage she had attained. " Well Hermione did you just happen to fall onto a baseball bat or did someone do this to you?"
"Did you just call me Hermione? Anyone would think that you actually cared Malfoy." she said sarcastically.
"Enough Hermione, and yes I did, and yes I do care is that a problem?"
"No, I just." she looked into his eyes and instead of finding sarcasm and hatred she found pure trust and fear.fear for her?
Suddenly she felt light headed and everything became black the last she remembered was a strong pair of arms catching her before she had a chance to hit the ground.
When she awoke her head ached lightly but she opened her eyes to find a distressed Draco staring at her. "Hermione please stay with me, you have lost so much blood, the cut it has appeared. You can't hide this forever. I saw your stomach and I dare say your cheekbone is broken.
"But I was so careful in hiding it," she pulled up her arm to find it thickly bandaged, then she remembered that she had promised herself just one cut. She had cut deep and long, she thought it had stopped.
"I know but as you can see the whole arm of your jacket is soaked right through with blood, covering it doesn't make it go away.I've tried" Draco stood to leave feeling his job was done when Hermione reached out to him.
"Draco please stay, I need someone here right now."
"Are you sure you don't want me to get Potty or Weasel they seem more equipped for this." he started to babble before he was cut off with a soft brush on the lips.
"No I would prefer for you to stay at least you know what it feels like." She replied limply and sat back down patting the space next to her.
He sat and with a certain stiffness placed an arm around the small figure that was Hermione. She snuggled into his warmth and he placed a second arm just across her chest meeting with the other on her shoulder. Since he was still in his muggle clothes..muggle clothes? "Umm Draco since when did you wear muggle clothing?" she turned to look at him.
"I love you too.what?! Oh I started wearing them during the holidays just after my father sent me away." He looked shocked at his original statement but quickly composed himself with a painful hint to his voice. He's changed, and he loves me! Hermione was dazed just falling into the depths of his sad eyes when she spoke again.
"Can I see them.?" she asked politely turning away.
"What Herm.?" he asked in utter confusion.
"Your cuts.I just want to make sure you aren't lying to me because you haven't been the first person that has been nice to me before and proceeded to try to get in my pants, so if you would please pull up your sleeve"
He obeyed immediately showing his arm it was bare before he muttered and incantation, "UNPREVERTO!" scars flourished like flowers before Hermione's very eyes and to her dismay some still remained open dried blood covering them. The wounds were alike to hers, long gashes running across and down his arms.
"You use the same spell.Draco I never knew why didn't you tell me? I can tell that these have been obtained in more than a couple of weeks they look months, even years old!" He winced as she touched the latest dotted with dried blood.
"Well as you have already said you aren't the first person that I would have turned to .If only I had of known I would have tried to help you earlier. Hermione I think I love you." He looked away shamefully.
"I think I love you too.I had always been afraid to come too close you showed that you didn't need me a stupid mudblood but I marveled at your composure I could see the hurt in your eyes and the way you strived to fit in to impress your father, and I can tell that he did this to you."
"Silence, Hermione he didn't do this, I did to try and rid myself of the Dark Mark that my father forced upon me. I just wanted to be pure and rid of that evil, don't you worry about me though I think you are the one that needs the care at the moment." He pushed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.
"Oh but that is not true" she said as they grasped for breath, it would seem that I am not the only one bleeding" she said as his arm lifted and revealed a pool of red on her blue shirt.
"If one arm bleeds so the other usually follows Draco show me or I shall be forced to do it for you, I don't want the only person who helped me in this difficult situation not have the same treatment." He pulled back both sleeves and once again mumbling the spell a bleeding arm was revealed to her. She gasped at the sight. She magicked a set of clean bandages and strips of gauze. Lastly she magicked the healing balm which stung the skin and keeping Draco in a firm kiss she spread it onto his arms, pain shot through both his arms and he felt like that were on fire, the pain causing him to accidentally bite Hermione's tongue as he winced in pain.
"I'm sorry but I had to I don't want it to get infected." she whispered.
"You could have at least put a no-pain spell on me!" he retorted hotly.
"Well I wanted to make the experience both pain yet pleasure. Well don't you worry you got me back.if you don't remember you bit my tongue!" She said as she wrapped the bandages tightly around his arms and clasped the ends firmly, he had done such a great job so she matched his shinning example.
"You know for someone who was as cold as you used to be what is with the sudden change? You hated me and now your kissing me?"
"Well lets just say I have had a lot of time to think about this with being stuck in a dark cell being fed only bread and water after my first attempt to get rid of the dark mark. It has given me the wisdom and sentiment that I have regretfully lacked." He replied taking her hand in his, he brushed the other against her cheek but she winced and moved from his gentle touch.
"Hermione I think that it may be broken with the blue black bruising I would pretty much bet my money on it, with all the money I do have that's a pretty big bet. Once we get to school you must see Madame Pomfrey and see if she can fix it.
"You know Draco you can be so evil even when you're nice.I like this new Draco..he's sorta.sexy." A sore cheek doesn't stop me from kissing that sexy body not one little bit she thought as she reached up and to her delight received the kiss she had wished for.
"Hey, hey, hey I have to clean up and get changed into my robes the same with you, then Mr. Malfoy I think I had better find my friends before they think that I have been stolen and raped lying dead in a heap." suddenly a memories of her very painful summer swept through her mind and she sat with a blank expression and began to cry.
"Hermione, shh please don't cry I hate it when girls cry" He placed a protective arm around her and gently stroking her hair lulling her to sleep.
In the cabin of "potty and weasel".
"Where could Hermione be?" Harry said aloud his brow knitted in frustration.
"Maybe she fell asleep waiting for us in another cabin" Ron said through a mouthful of his mothers home made sandwiches.
"That's it! I'll go look it seems that you're a tad bit busy Ron." He motioned to his shirt now covered with peanut butter and honey.
"What? I can't help myself, having your Mum make your lunch isn't too bad sometimes."
"Yeh I bet" Harry said as he exited the cabin and began to wonder the train searching each cabin for a trace of Hermione. It wasn't until he cam to the last cabin, which he swore could have been empty expect for the quiet and muffled sounds coming from within.
"Hermi..Draco get the fuck off her now!" He screamed at the sight of him leaning back on the seat a sleeping Hermione wrapped in his strong arms covered in a small jacket.
"Harry please I would never hurt Hermione she was hurt and alone I never laid a hand on her I swear!"
"Whatever Malfoy just get off her!"
"Shh she'll wake up and any way Potty if I had wanted to molest her do you think I would have my robes on? Just look at her arm if you don't believe me" He pulled back the jacket he had placed on them to reveal a thickly bandaged arm with small dots of red showing through already.
"How do I know that you didn't do that to her?"
"Oh Harry" Hermione said waking from her slumber, "Draco would never hurt me just look beneath his robes." Draco dutifully pulled back his sleeves and his arms were both bandaged as well.
"Now do you believe me?" asked Draco still afraid of what Harry might do to him to Hermione.
"Anyway thanks for the wake up call Harry I feel I am just in time to change into my robes" and with that Hermione exited to the lavatory.
"Draco you have two minutes to explain just what has been going on here and how Hermione's face turned into a puffy blue mass..Two minutes" He said dangerously reflecting his piercing eyes.