Wounded

Note: Alright everyone, this is my very first FanFic writing! I'm nervous, but really excited. This will definitely be a longer story. I am all about the development of the story/plots and the relationship between Hermione and Draco (Dramione all the way!)

This starts pretty much at the end of HBP. I want to say this now, I do not own any of these characters or anything that has to do with the wonderful world of Harry Potter. I am just a huge fan and I love being in this world, I hate when I have to leave it.

Hope everyone enjoys it! Read and review please :)

Chapter One: Traitor

How much time had passed, he had no idea... he didn't honestly care. He was probably going to be dead soon anyways. His grey, icy eyes were staring back at him as he looked into the mirror. Draco could hardly recognize himself anymore. His once porcelain, smooth skin was starting to gray and his platinum blonde hair looked unkempt and disheveled. That signature Malfoy family pristine shine had been dulled and cracked, leaving him bruised and broken.

"What the hell am I going to do?" he hissed through his clenched teeth. For a moment he thought he might be sick again, not that anything would come up this time. He had nothing left in him

It had only been ten months since he'd taken the Dark Mark, but in those ten months life had become a living hell he couldn't escape from. As he stood in Borgin And Burkes that night, waiting for the ceremony to begin, he already had the notion to run... but it was too late.

That night, he had been given the "prestigious" duty to carry out what most Death Eaters could only dream of being offered. He was given the task... of killing Albus Dumbledore.

Everything he had done since then, had been geared toward this moment. Those endless nights of wandering the castle, unable to sleep or eat, attempting to plan the impossible. Not only did he need a plan... but he needed the nerve to go through with it.

He was also given the arduous task of letting the Death Eaters into the school. The Dark Lord wanted everyone to know that Hogwarts would be in his control, and he intended to rain holly hell upon it.

He thought himself a genius, when he finally figured out how to let them in to the castle. An idea that Salazar himself would have been proud of.

Snape had offered countless times to help him with his remaining task, but his damn pride always got in his way. Looking back now, he wished he would have shoved that inherited Malfoy pride aside and taken it.

That family pride had been burned into him since the day he was born, along with the idea that blood-status meant everything. Being a pure-blood made him above all those who weren't. This ideal had shaped his whole life, never once having a moment to freely determine the man he truly was. He had always held himself in high standards, knowing his family's name gave him even more of an edge. Most of his life he had been more than willing to join the cause, to rid the world of muggles and Mudbloods... but now... shit...

His knuckles smashed the mirror, shattering glass everywhere and he could feel the warm trickle of blood running down his hand.

"Fuck" he growled, thinking now about how his actions would affect not only him, but his family too. Draco lowered his eyes from the broken mirror, unable to look at himself anymore.

He could admit to himself that he was arrogant, cold and even stubborn... but the one thing he certainly knew he wasn't, was a killer. He had hoped to carry out the plan, smuggle the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, manage to kill Dumbledore and gain his family back in the good graces of the Dark Lord... but he knew that those hopes had gone.

With that in mind, he could add another trait to that list of his. He was also now, a failure.

He glanced down at his watch, smearing away some of his blood on its face to check the time.

"Less than thirty minutes..." he muttered, trying to determine what his next steps would be. The Death Eaters would be waiting to be let in, but if he didn't go through with it, didn't carry out the plan, what then? Surely he would be seen as a traitor, disgracing his family and he knew the Dark Lord would keep his promise on killing him if he failed.

He was paralyzed with fear, his hands gripped the ivory sink like a life raft. His blood left a trail of rust colored tracks, and the sickly smell of iron danced in his nose. He had been walking a fine line between darkness and death for months now. While death would be painful and tortuous, at least it would have a quicker end. Darkness on the other hand, would allow him to live, but live a life that felt far more painful then death ever could. Every moment that ticked by was a moment closer to one of those cliffs, he just had to make a choice which he'd jump from.

But deep down, he knew which way he would fall. He had known for awhile now, he was just too afraid to admit it to himself. There was no way he could ever go through with killing someone. Death was going to be his fate, and while it would be better than a hollow existence, it was still terrifying.

Although death seemed inevitable, Draco had been trying to come up with a plan for over an hour now, possibly to try and run from this double-edged sword. If death was coming, might as well give it his all before it took him. Just what the bloody hell was he suppose to do though?

He thought he could let the Death Eaters in, then somehow manage to escape during all the commotion they were intending to rain down upon the school. Maybe he could do at least part of his job, giving his mother some leniency in the eyes of the Dark Lord for her son's failure... he could only hope.

His actions would affect her as well. He could give two shits about his father's well being, but his mother's life was a different story. He had a feeling she wanted out just as much as he did, but like Draco, had no way of leaving this life his father had so "graciously" bestowed upon them.

It was his father who'd introduced this life to their family, the one who taught him "right from wrong", who told him that blood status was important enough to kill for. Damn him for bringing his life to this point he was at now. Draco knew now he should have figured out life for himself years ago, but at the time, pleasing his parents seemed much more important.

Now here his father was, offering his son to the Dark Lord like a bargaining chip. Knowing full well, if Draco failed, he would kill him. He would risk his own son's life to help make up for the mistakes he had made. Damn him

With another glance in the shattered mirror, Draco felt the watery burn behind his blood shot eyes. Not wanting to succumb to the terror building inside, he quickly decided that this was his only option and his chance to try and escape. Draco knew that simply letting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts would haunt him for months to come, perhaps even years, knowing full well what they intended to do once inside. But if he wanted a chance of escaping death's cold grasp, to try and survive, this would be the time to run.

With a sigh of defeat, muttering "Let's get this over with", he willed himself to put one foot in front of the other and started making his way up to the seventh floor.

You failure.

"Ron, you better hurry up or I swear I will hex you when you get back here." Hermione was mumbling to herself, slightly trembling as she scanned the Marauder's Map for sings of suspicious behavior.

Harry had left hours ago with Dumbledore, and he still wasn't back. Harry had told Ron and her to keep an eye on Malfoy and Snape while he was away, but like she told Harry, it was probably a waste of time.

Ron had decided this was the appropriate time to go sneak some food from the kitchen and left Hermione to keep watch. She didn't think there was any real need to worry, but having someone around always made these types of situations a little more... relaxed. She was definitely tense though, knowing that Harry was on a mission that seemed far too dangerous, even if he was with Dumbledore.

They had both been doing the same thing for almost an hour now. Snape was making his usual rounds around the castle, starting down in the dungeons, going past the kitchen (Ron of course knowing when it was safe to quickly sweet talk some pumpkin pasties from the House-elves), making his way to the astronomy tower, and was probably about to head down to the Great Hall. Malfoy had been in the Slytherin common room and was now in the Prefect's bathroom.

"Bugger."

She shifted slightly in the plush couch in the Gryffindor common room. She heard a slight "clink" in her pocket as the vial of Felix Felicis hit her D.A. Galleon. "Let's hope I don't have to use either of you two tonight", giving a small sigh.

Most of her fellow Gryffindor's had already went to bed. It was nearing midnight, and for that she was thankful. The ones that remained up were either too busy snogging off in a dark corner or were too engrossed studying for their O.W.L.s to bother with other people's activities. She didn't need anyone to question her nervous behavior tonight and trying to conceal the map was always tricky.

She set the map next to her and was about to pick up her Ancient Runes book to skim over, when her stomach took a slight tumble. Picking the map back up, she watched Malfoy's dot leave the bathroom. She assumed he was heading back to his room, but her heart still decided to accelerate. Her wide, caramel eyes, were fixed on that little dot. Not wanting to blink in case she missed something. Just as his dot seemed like it was heading back to the dungeons, he turned a corner heading towards the staircase and he began to move a bit faster.

Hermione's heart sank like a rock. "It's ok," she told herself nervously, "he's probably just... going on one of his midnight strolls." They had been watching the map for weeks now, and Malfoy had taken a long midnight walk around the castle almost every night. Never anywhere in particular, just walking around for hours. She watched him closely, trying to convince herself this was the case.

Then, movement down at the opposite corner of the map made her catch a breath, leaving a lump in her throat.

"What the-", she could hear the panic in her own voice. Snape's dot was moving very quickly as well. He had his normal route every night, making sure everyone was in their respective areas and not roaming the halls like "skulking little weasels" as he put it. Not tonight though, tonight he was walking quickly to the sixth floor staircase and not down to the Great Hall. He was making his way up to the seventh floor. Malfoy's dot was nearing the staircase as well now, also speeding up to the seventh floor.

"What in Merlin's name.. Ron where are you?" she looked up at the portrait hole door, then back down at the map. She knew she couldn't wait for Ron to return, not when they both were acting suspicious now.

"That's it Ron, I am definitely hexing you the first chance I get."

She could feel her blood tint her checks red with frustration, her breathing was becoming shallow. She grabbed her wand off the coffee table and started heading for the door. She could start to feel the panic building inside of her, but knew she had to stay focused, preparing for anything that might happen.

She quickly started to run down the dark corridors, making as little sound as possible as she hurried her way to the seventh floor. What on earth could they both be going there for?

"The only thing on the seventh floor" she breathed "is... no."

Was Harry right? Had Malfoy been the voice he had heard in the Room of Requirement?

She gripped her wand a little tighter as she neared the seventh floor.

Hermione could hear voices now, and they sounded angry. She muttered a soft "Mischief Managed" and tucked the map into her robes. She was walking slowly up the hall so she could hear them better, wand ready and out in front. She ducked behind a suit of armor and tried to steady her breathing, listening to the older Slytherin's harsh voice.

"What are you waiting for Draco, why haven't you let them in yet?" Snape snapped, getting even closer to his face. "Are you going to answer me? I have already put the Dark Mark above the tower, they will be back any minute now-"

"Well bloody good for them isn't it" Draco hissed, giving him a glare even Snape would be proud of. "Just give me another minute and I can do this, I just... need some more time." He could feel the tips of his fingers becoming numb as he gripped his wand tighter.

Snape's face was getting much too close for Draco's comfort. If he didn't pull back soon, Draco would move it for him.

"There is no more time Mr. Malfoy, time has been up minutes ago and we have to hurry to the tower if you want to carry out this plan of yours."

He could feel Snape's eyes studying Draco, and when he mentioned the plan, his body betrayed him ever so slightly with a flinch. Please not have seen that, Draco thought.

No such luck, Snape was giving him a slightly inquisitive look now."You do want to carry out this plan.. don't you?"

Draco hated that look. All year Snape had been giving him that same meddlesome look as he tried to pry into his plans. Nosey git. Draco just stood there, his eyes now glued to the floor. He couldn't look at Snape. His hesitation was starting to betray him and Snape was picking up on it.

"Of course I do and I will. I just needed a moment to go over the plan again in my head before I let them in." He was hoping his voice wasn't starting to betray him too. He could sense his body was shaking, he didn't need his voice to waver as well.

Snape was still looking at him with that presumptuous air and he wanted it to stop. Draco could feel his blood starting to boil under his skin. He was nervous enough about the thought of running, he didn't need Snape questioning his intensions. He knew he had to get this done with, time was up and those vultures were already waiting to be let in to pick apart the school.

Hermione was listening as hard as she could. The Dark Mark? Was someone dead? and who was Malfoy trying to let in? There were too many questions filling her head, she needed answers. She needed to keep her mind sharp and her actions sharper.

She had read Hogwarts: A History enough times to know that there aren't very many ways into the school, and the few ways someone could are pretty tricky, even for a skilled wizard. Dumbledore surely would have all exits protected and she hadn't seen anyone on the map in the hidden passage ways.

She took a step closer, moving up a few suits of armor for a better listen, wand still ready and a few shield charms at the tip of her tongue if needed. The corridor was eerily chilly and the wind outside seemed to have picked up causing the windows to shutter. Luckily the moon wasn't very bright tonight, giving her a little more cover in the shadows.

The silence between the two wizards was starting to strangle Draco. He didn't want Snape's eyes questioning his motives anymore. He took a step forward to start the three pass ritual to open the door, when Snape's voice made him faultier.

"Draco, this is my last offer. Please... let me help you." Snape had almost whispered it, causing Hermione to stretch a little closer to hear.

Draco stood still for a moment before slowly turning to face Snape. His eyes were cold, but for the first time since he started asking this question months ago his face wasn't. Usually that look of frustration and intrusiveness was etched into his skin, but not this time. His face almost seemed to have a look of... concern for Draco.

He stared at Snape, trying to figure this look out. It wasn't sitting well on him and it looked very much out of place for him. He didn't really know how to respond.

"You're still trying to steal my credit, trying to take all the glory for yourself?" Draco could tell his voice was definitely shaking now. Hopefully Snape would mistake it for excitement instead of nerves. "Only moments before and you're still trying to find a way to make yourself look good in the Dark Lords eyes." He gave Snape a little smirk, forcing some of his normal charisma to try and seem in character .

"Mr. Malfoy," Snape growled furrowing his brow, " I can assure you that I have no interest in stealing this mission from you and I can assure you that my place with the Dark Lord is far, far better than you and your family's. There would be no point to try and take your so called glory you want so much. I am only offering a chance to help get you through this task and I can safely assume that despite your stubborn and childish tantrums you have had all year, deep down you do want-"

"How the HELL do you know what I want?" Draco had nearly screamed, causing Snape to pull back a little.

That was the push over the edge for him and there was no going back. Death was inevitable, why not jump into it. He was now hoping that when he hit bottom, it would be hard enough that the darkness would engulf him. That darkness had to be better than this...

His voice rang off the stone walls, cutting through Hermione's ear drums like knives. Malfoy's screams made her almost drop her wand, grasping it before it hit the floor. Her breathing was erratic and she was having a hard time steadying it.

"When has it ever been about what I want? My whole life has been decided for me. When have I ever been allowed to have my own thoughts, my own ideas? My sodding father has made my life, and my mother's life for that matter, a living hell!" Draco could feel his anger and frustration flowing out of his every pore, that damn burning sensation building behind his eyes again. His whole body felt like it was going to explode. He had been a ticking time bomb for months now and he had finally reached his detonation.

"I'd give up everything, my entire inheritance just to leave this hell hole of a life if I could. Some Death Eater I am huh, most would jump at the chance I was given, loving every minute of it, watching him die by their hands.."

Hermione could feel her heart drop, her breath caught somewhere between a whimper and a gasp. Harry had been right, he had taken the mark, he was involved with them. How could she have not believed him? Tears started to spill down her checks, bracing her back against the stone wall. How could he have seen it and she didn't? She had always thought Draco was a bully, a prick, even a prejudice bastard. Never did she think he would become a Death Eater, or for that matter a killer.

Draco's screams snapped her back to reality.

"If I have learned one thing from this life so far, it is that there is a big difference between wanting to do something, and having to do something." Draco range was pushing him toward the edge of a breakdown.

He looked at Snape, staring into his cold, black eyes, "He'll kill me if I fail you know." Draco pushed back that burning sensation even harder. Like hell he was going to cry in front of Snape.

"He will probably kill my mother too, or at least punish her for having a shit Death Eater son. He wants to make my father pay for his mistakes, but jokes on him because my father doesn't give a shit about whether I live or die. All he ever wanted in life was to please that bastard even at the expense of his own son." Draco was waiting for Snape to cut him off, to tell him to shut up and get on with the plan and to stop being such a child about this. But he didn't. He just stared right back at Draco, watching him, letting him express what he had clearly been wanting to do for months now.

"So to answer your question, no. No I don't want to carry out this sodding plan, but it doesn't matter what I want. I have to do this, I have to let the Death Eaters into the school, I have to be the one to kill Dumbledore." Draco could barely get those last words out of his mouth. It pricked his lips and tasted like venom on his tongue. His nails had dug deep slits into his palms and he could feel his skin tearing open. He stood there as his screams were still echoing down the halls.

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had to cover her mouth to choke down a scream. Kill Dumbledore? No, it couldn't be, there was just no way. And Voldemort had threatened to kill Draco if he didn't? The room was starting to spin, having to sit herself down on the floor trying to collect herself. She was numb, her head was telling her to move, to go find help, but her feet were rooted to the ground. And then there was Snape. He was offering to help him? The man who Dumbledore was so sure was on their side. Harry was right all along, she should know by now to listen to him.

She reached into her pocket, her fingers searching for her Galleon. She had to mobilize help, to warn people, anyone and everyone of what she had just heard. She felt the coin between her trembling fingers and was about to activate it when a small, but cold laugh made her fumble the coin further into her pocket. She was shaking, blinking away a few tears to see what appeared to be a smile on Snape's face.

Snape's voice broke the suffocating silence between them. "It's about time Mr. Malfoy, I was worried you would never get here." An out of place smile appeared on Snape's lips.

Hermione was wondering if the shadows were playing tricks on Snape's face, but she could see the same confused expression she was wearing on Draco's as well. It appeared she wasn't the only one lost on his words, or that unpleasant smile.

"What are you.." whispered Draco.

"Listen, time is definitely not on our side anymore and I don't have any to waste on explaining this." Snape grabbed Draco's arm and whispered close to his ears.

"If you want a chance of having a life, a real life outside of what your father has condemned you with, you must do exactly what I say." He was staring Draco in the eyes, his quickening breaths brushing against his checks.

"You need to run, run to Professor McGonagall's office. Tell her I sent you, she will understand and help you."

Draco was having a hard time standing, let alone soaking up the words that were trying to seep into his brain. The hold Snape had on him was starting to hurt, but for some reason this pain made the emptiness inside a little bearable.

"I don't understand" the blonde wizard stammered, "you're going to what, take over for me? What does McGonagall had to do with this.."

"No, Mr. Malfoy." Snape gave him that out of place smile again. "I am going to help you escape."

Snape's words filled Draco's lungs like fresh, autumn air he had been gasping for all year. He tried to take a step away from him, but Snape still had a hold on him. This was too good to be true. Why would he help him escape?

Maybe this was a trap, straight to the Dark Lord, Snape's offering to gain him even more praise. For the Dark Lord, being handed a traitor was better than Christmas morning to a child. Just far more menacing, and the colors of red usually splashed on the wall by lights and ribbon, would come mealy from the waving of his wand over the poor sinner's throat.

"Draco," Snape shook him a bit hard, "you have to listen to me. Run straight to Professor McGonagall's office and nowhere else, do you understand me?" Snape had gained back that cold, stern face and was now pushing Draco down the hall. With one last shove, he stopped and watched Draco stumble over his feet.

"I wish you would have told me this sooner or picked a better time than now to have this revelation... but I am glad you finally realized that this life, is no life at all. I promise I will try and help your mother as much as I can." His stony, black eyes were piecing into Draco's.

Draco still didn't understand what was going on. His stomach was in his throat and his heart felt like at any moment it would burst. A thin layer of sweat had started to form on his forehead and his throat was burning like he had just taken a shot of Fire Whiskey. The taste of bile was in his mouth now and it took everything he had to keep it from coming out. A whirlwind of emotions were running through his head an there was just not enough space in there for each one.

"Now, quickly" and with one final shove, Draco was unknowingly running down as fast as he could to what he believed was the most unlikely person to help him escape.

Snape stood there for a moment, listening to Draco's footsteps become increasingly harder to hear.

"And I suggest," he calmly stated, "that you would be wise to also run, Miss Granger."

Hermione gasped, unable to silence it. She was shaking something terrible and she still couldn't feel her legs. She tried to steady her wand arm, but there was just no use. Her tears were making it hard to focus, but she could hear something in his tone that assured her he wasn't about to attack.

She straighten herself up and had started to take a step forward when his voice make her freeze again.

"This is about to be a very unsafe hallway, and it would be wise to alert the Order to head to the Astronomy Tower." Snape turned his head over his shoulder, just enough to catch a glimpse of auburn hair whip around the corner, hearing her footsteps quickening with each step.

Draco was having a hard time keeping his feet from tripping over each other. The light from the moon was minimal and the shadows it was casting on the walls didn't help calm his nerves. He braced his hands on the stone walls, letting the cold it was emitting consume him. His breaths were uncertain and his still bleeding hands were leaving small, cherry kissed smudges along the wall. He took a few steps forward, using the walls to help balance himself.

"Go see McGonagall, is he serious?" he was gasping for air, coughing up bile in between each breath.

"The sorting hat would sooner put me in Gryffindor before that bitch helps me in any way." He was nearing her office now, still unsure if he was even going to enter.

He grabbed his wand and whispered a soft Lumos, just enough to help him see the rest of the way. The now ex-Death Eater and traitor was trying to steady his breathing as best he could, not wanting to reveal to anyone his position just yet.

He was standing in front of her office door now, deciding if he should go in or take off on his own, but where would he go? Nowhere. He had nowhere to hide and not a clue where to start looking. This was his only option, a very doubtful one that.

His fingers reached out, clutching the icy, brass door knob and was just about to turn it when he heard shuffling coming from the other side. He tried to listen more closely, when the door was pulled open so quickly, the person on the other side almost ran into him.

"Oh!" the witch screamed, "What on earth.. Mr. Malfoy, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?" She gave Draco a demanding and untrusting stare.

He wanted to hex that look right off her face.

Draco hesitated for a moment, still unsure of himself on why he was there.

Casting his eyes down, he whispered "Snape... sent me."

He said it so quietly, he wasn't even sure she heard him. His jaw was clenched so hard, he was afraid it might snap. He glanced up to take a quick look at the old bat when her face told him she had definitely heard.

"Mr. Malfoy," she breathed, "quickly, come inside." She walked back into her office and stood to the side, waiting for him to follow suit.

The still confused wizard took a hard look at the witch, not understanding her sudden change of face. She seemed to looked relived now, but still very worried.

Draco took a step forward into her office, hating himself more and more with every stride.

How did his life end up here, relying on the people he had hated the most for help?

Note: Well here we go! Hope it was good. I already can't wait to start chapter 2. It should be up in the next week or so :)

Toujours.