Stylistic Harmony

by hells1belle

Draco and Hermione have been dreaming. Their dreams are telling them everything. Hermione is enticed by the two Slytherin Princes, together they hold the power to save everything they know. DMHGBZ, BZGW

1. Chapter 1to11

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, everything belongs to the fantastic J.K.R. and congrats to her for creating such a wonderful bunch of characters. Especially the extreme lushness that is Mr. Draco Malfoy.

My 1st fan fic, so enjoy.

Chapter One

It had been a long, tedious and emotional summer. Since the end of school, she had had to do everything in her power to stop everyone from slipping away, especially Harry. After witnessing Dumbledore's death at the hands of Snape atop the Astronomy Tower, he had been withdrawn, appearing only for meals and Order meetings. He didn't speak to anyone about what he saw, what was said, he only broke his silence for private meetings with her and Ron to discuss potential Horcruxes. Ron on the other hand was trying to be the leader, helping everyone, filling the place which Harry normally took, only revealing himself as the scared boy he always was in front of her. She just hadn't stopped all summer, whether it be comforting Harry, discussing tactics with Lupin & Tonks, girlie chats with Ginny or attempting to be the perfect girlfriend for Ron. Yes, she and Ron were together finally, although she still felt that there was something missing. Sure, she loved him, and he most definitely loved her but there was that nagging feeling that the passion and intensity of first love was nowhere to be found. But this was the least of her worries, for the night before school started they received news that would certainly spark of the new year with a bang.

Firstly, she had been made Head Girl, she had wanted it for so long and everyone was so proud of her, even Harry managed a weak smile. Secondly the Order had received news via contacts at the Ministry that Draco Malfoy had turned himself in, been interrogated and found completely innocent of any charge against him. She was actually quietly pleased about this as it had actually elicited a reaction in Harry, on hearing the news , he had put his fist through the nearest wall and shouted,

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY THINKING? HE'S A DEATH EATER! HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK ON THE SCHOOL. HOW CAN THEY HAVE IGNORED MY EVIDENCE?"

"Harry, please calm down." She had said. It frightened her to see him like that. In their eyes Malfoy was and always would the evil little shit he always had been. Lupin had stepped in to stop Harry destroying the place,

"Harry, please. I know you're angry and upset but you can't bottle it up, that just leads to pain and despair that you don't want."

"You think I don't know that? You think I like feeling like this? I hate it, I hate that this falls on my shoulders, I hate that everyone close to me, everyone I ever look up to is killed because of Voldemort and his bullshit. And yeah, I am angry that Malfoy walked from this. So leave me be ok?" With that he had stalked off back upstairs, leaving them all gaping in his wake. It was Ron who broke the silence,

"Well, at least he's talking now, eh?"

They had decided, with the advice of McGonagall, Mr. Weasley, Lupin and Moody, to return to school, feeling it best that they were aided in whatever it was they were trying to do. Harry had sworn her and Ron not to break his or Dumbledore's trust by telling anyone else about the Horcruxes and they had held to that. In the end, they had submitted to the relentless advice and decided that returning to Hogwarts was the best plan of action. Ginny, of course, was ecstatic at the prospect of them returning. Although Harry had broken up with her, she was still hopeful that he would eventually realize the mistake and trust that she could take care of herself.

Hermione stretched out on her bed and thought of the summer past, and of the revelations of the past few days. The summer had been so hectic she hadn't had time to spare a thought for Malfoy and what may or may not have transpired on his return to Voldemort. She yawned and turned over, she had always found the blonde boy a mystery, yes, he had bullied her and her friends relentlessly for six years, and yes, he was undoubtedly evil but for one moment last year she saw something else in him, something so unexpected she hadn't had the guts to mention it to anyone else.

It was late one afternoon, she was studying under the tree by the lake. She was alone, Harry & Ron were at Quidditch practice. She had been so engrossed in her Advanced Transfiguration book she had hardly noticed that there was someone standing across to her left. She looked up, it was Draco Malfoy, he made no indication that he had seen her. Hermione couldn't help but stare at him, her views about him were conflicted, he was the bane of her life, always calling her Mudblood and taunting her, he was the worst kind of bully and yet there was something that she just couldn't place, he had changed and she wasn't sure what he had changed into. Harry was convinced that he had taken his Father's place in the Dark Lord's ranks. She was skeptical, she just couldn't see him as having the, well, balls to face Voldemort, let alone join him.

"You know Granger, that vacant expression really doesn't go with your Mudblood know it all persona." Apparently lost in her thoughts she had not seen him turn to face her. It took her by surprise,

"And the gaping mouth just sets it off."

"Why thanks Malfoy, coming from a ferret that really means a lot to me. Now get lost." She looked back down at her book, fully aware that he hadn't moved and was staring down at her. He wasn't angry or smirking as usual, in fact he looked almost sad,

"How do you do that Granger?"

"Wow you're still here. Do what Malfoy?" She looked up at him, his eyes were unusually dark, instead of the normal silver grey they were,

"Be like you are."

"Christ Malfoy, this crypticness really does not suit you. You have to have some form of intelligence for that. Be like how?" Now his eyes were filled with loneliness and intrigue, she really wanted to leave, this situation was beginning to make her nervous. He was staring at her again, intensely,

"You aren't frightened, nothing seems to phase you. I insult you, you ignore it, or comeback with something equally scathing. Its like you can't be touched."

"Insightful Malfoy. What happened, did you suddenly grow a pair? I HAVE never been scared of you or intimidated by your pureblood bullshit. You know why? Because I know all you are, is a frightened, insecure little Daddy's boy, who needs attention and the only way you can get it is by isolating yourself from everyone around you and pretending to be the 'Big Bad'." He moved so fast toward her she didn't have time to stop him wrapping his fingers round her throat and ramming her against the tree,

"You don't know anything about me Granger. You understand nothing. You think what you see everyday is the real me? You're wrong. You have no idea what I am capable of, Mudblood.." With that he let go of her and stalked off back to the castle. She stood gasping for breathe, he had never shown violence like that, he always seemed in control of his emotions. What had she said that had made him lose it like that? Was Draco Malfoy's carefully constructed world falling apart?

"Maybe Harry's right, maybe he is a Death Eater," she thought to herself. With that she settled back down against the tree, more troubled by Malfoy's outburst then she was scared that he had almost choked her to death, and the look in his eyes, fear? anger? frustration? She didn't know.

Whatever the hell it was she had seen in him that day, it still rocked her to her core. She actually pitied him, for like two seconds. She could still feel the warmth of his hands wrapped round her throat. She had wondered for the last few days whether she should have mentioned it to Harry, it may have held the key to stopping him from doing what he was tasked to do. After that incident he hadn't said two words to her, he didn't even sneer or smirk at her when Pansy Parkinson insulted her in potions, or Crabbe tripped her in the corridor. The thought of seeing him tomorrow unnerved her, as she settled down to a disturbed nights sleep.

She woke up in the middle of a vast open plain. She got up wearily, her white dress clinging to her legs. She looked around her, the ground was covered with dead flowers. Hogwarts castle stood in ruin on the horizon. She started towards it. In the distance she could make out the outline of four people. As she got closer she realized who they were. Ron. Harry. Ginny and Malfoy. Harry and Ginny were standing together clinging to each other. Ron was looking over her head into the distance, and Malfoy was looking directly at her.

"Ron, Harry, Gin? What's going on?" They didn't reply, just stayed in the positions they were in. She turned to look at Malfoy. He spoke,

"They can't hear you Hermione. Not since..." He motioned at the castle.

"Since what Malfoy? And when did you have the right to call me by name?" She spat back.

"I have always called you by name, Hermione." He came to stand in front of her. "The battle. It all came down to us. Me and you. They couldn't save you." He spoke with great sadness.

"Am I dead? Did I die? How did it come to this. Tell me Draco." She stared up at him, tears beginning to form.

"The Death Eaters came. The teachers and the students tried to fight back, but they were overpowered. Dementors swooped down, they killed the weaker ones. Then came Voldemort. He was relentless, with the Death Eaters behind him, the school was overrun. Those with any sense fled. Harry, Ron and Ginny, they led the students out, saved the vast majority of them. You went with them, but you left something behind." Draco began to lead her away from Harry, Ron and Ginny. She took a moment to take him in, he looked so beautiful, so tragic, dressed in a black shirt, black jeans. She felt something then other then burning hatred. What had happened to her? How had it come to this? He had led her to the tree beside the lake.

"Don't you remember, this is where we first felt it. That spark, the potential for something else. I'm what you left behind Hermione. We couldn't survive without each other."

"I don't believe you. I would never leave my friends especially for you." She turned, tried to run, but he grabbed her arm. "Get off me ferret. I would never ever lower myself to be with you." he spun her round and kissed her passionately. She subsided, thats when she felt it. The missing part of her. It was him.

Hermione woke with a start. She was dripping with sweat and her face was stained with tears. She wasn't sure whether that was a dream, or the grim reality of her future. She knew for fact that whatever it was would never happen. She would never feel anything but spite, disgust and utter hatred for Draco Malfoy.

Chapter Two

Since the abrupt end of his school year, to the hot summer night now, Draco couldn't sleep. All he could see when he closed his eyes were the faces of people that haunted his every waking moment. His Father, Voldemort, Dumbledore, Snape, his mother and finally Granger. The others he could understand, but the last, he couldn't fathom. Yes, there had been that incident last year, but since then he hadn't given her a second thought. Why would he? Filthy Mudblood that she was. He got up and walked to the window, scratching at the raw skin surrounding the mark burned into his forearm. After being on the run for the past three months he would have thought that he would have been comfortable in his own bed, that however was not true. He stared out into the night. The stars hid from his piercing glare. The lands surrounding the mansion were vast, spanning for miles in every direction. Draco felt stranded, trapped in the middle of a violent, dark world, with his only escape being to surrender to the Dark Lord, give up his life in service as a Death Eater. In a way he was thankful that the Hogwart's Governors had allowed him back for his final year, if it meant prolonging his freedom, and keeping him sane for at least another 8 months or so. He watched the sun slowly rise up over the grounds, sunlight seeping into the shadows, casting a pale glow over the grass. He sank back onto his four poster, and fell into an uneasy sleep.

He opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He found himself standing in front of the burnt out ruin of Hogwarts castle. Images flashed through his brain, a battle, blood spattering over his robes. His father's blood. A girl with beautiful eyes. He forced himself to walk towards the charred remains of his childhood education. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, someone was watching him. He turned towards the lake, standing by the tree on the edge of the water was a woman in a white dress. He felt drawn to her, walking closer he could make out her shape, she was staring out into the vast blackness of the lake, an ethereal mist hanging over it. When he was standing directly behind her, she spoke,

"I knew you'd be here, Draco."

"Who are you?" he asked, not quite wanting to hear the answer.

"You know who I am, Draco. You knew i'd be here, that's why you came." He couldn't take the suspense, he grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him. Chocolate brown eyes stared up at him, he couldn't believe his eyes, it was,

"Granger? What the fuck are you doing in my dream? What the fuck happened here?" She pulled her arm out of his grip and smiled, reaching for his hand,

"Don't ask questions to which you already know the answer, Draco. I am here because you wished it. You came back here for me. This, all of this happened for a reason." He didn't want to believe her, and yet her words made sense to him. The intensity of the situation, compelled him to act; she had some hold over him, one he couldn't control. He pulled her into his arms, reveling in the warmth and comfort she gave him.

"What are you doing to me, Hermione?" He murmured into her hair. She pulled back and released herself from his embrace, a solitary tear rolled down her cheek, she kissed him gently on the lips,

"You think you know, what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun." With that she ran. He was left, staring into the dark.

"Master Draco Sir. You must wake up Sir. You will miss train. Master Draco Sir!" The house elf yelled in his ear.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm awake now bugger off." The few hours sleep he had had, coupled with one highly disturbing dream put Draco in a foul mood. He dragged himself into a scalding shower, hoping to burn the feel of Granger in his arms away. He shook his blonde hair out his eyes and immediately wished he hadn't, the pain of a skull-splitting migraine flashed through him like fire.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed. Reaching for his wand, he used a spell to relieve the pain, a spell he had used too often when his Father had been in the house. Lucius Malfoy was currently holed up in one of Azkaban's less comfy cells, a place where Draco hoped he would remain.

"Draco! Come on! You will miss your train!" Narcissa Malfoy shouted up the stairs to her only son. Draco heard his mother hurry him along, the pain in his head had subsided somewhat but was still enough to make Draco's mood worse if that was even possible. He made his way down stairs into the mansions cavernous entrance hall. His mother waited to bid him farewell. Narcissa Malfoy was as elegant as she was beautiful, years living under Lucius's tight regime had not dulled her complexion, although her health and sanity had improved since his incarceration. She watched as her son made his way down the stairs, thanking whatever God, that the school had agreed to take him back. At least there she was confident that neither her husband nor his master could get to him. With that thought in her mind, she enveloped Draco in a brief hug and said,

"Take care this year, Draco. Don't let what happened keep you from your studies or from your own happiness." Draco smiled a weak smile and bent to kiss his mother on the cheek, and apparated out to Platform 9 and three quarters.

After the night's sleep she had, Hermione's mood was far from happy. Plagued by recurring flashbacks of the dream, she hadn't slept at all. She pulled herself out of bed and into the shower, spending longer then was necessary under the hot water. She tried to scrub the memory of Draco kissing her out, but those haunting grey eyes kept making their way through. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the yelling through the door,

"HERMIONE! HERMIONE! For God's sake, what are doing in there? Hurry up! Everyone is waiting to use the bathroom," Hermione's eyes snapped open, woken from her trance by the shouting.

"Ok, Ok, I'm coming, keep your hair on," reluctantly she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off, wrapping a towel around her she wrenched the door open, Ron stood in front of her, she felt a burning need to hex him.

"Finally Hermione, what were you doing? Drowning yourself?" he laughed.

"Christ I'm sorry Ron, just because I actually wash myself, does not mean you have to berate me about being in the shower to long." She marched past him and slammed the door to her room, fuming with anger. Suddenly she stopped, shook her head and said aloud,

"What am I doing? Why am I so angry? Ron hasn't done anything to me," she then realized that she wasn't angry at Ron, she wasn't even angry at Malfoy, she was angry at herself, for allowing herself to think of Malfoy as anything more then a foul, loathsome, evil little ferret. Her mood uplifted, she began to get ready. Half an hour later, she made her way down to the basement kitchen of Grimmauld Place. Throughout their sixth year, the Order had moved headquarters, to another location, but during summer most meetings had taken place in the meeting room of Grimmauld Place. Seeing as the house belonged to Harry, he had been staying there along with Lupin and Tonks, who had offered to look after the upkeep whilst Harry was at school. Hermione joined Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Tonks in the kitchen, Mrs Weasley had cooked a veritable feast of a breakfast to send them on their way. After what seemed like an age, the boys finally joined them in the kitchen, Hermione couldn't help but be slightly irate, Ron had after all yelled at her for taking a long time in the bathroom. He bent and kissed her on the head,

"Morning Love," he said. Hermione smiled sweetly, although for some reason unknown to her she cringed inside at the gesture. They all sat around the table and ate breakfast, the mood was slightly subdued, to them Hogwarts wasn't much without Dumbledore, and with the added stress of Malfoy and half of Slytherin being Death Eaters, no-one was really looking forward to going back to school. Still, it was N.E.W.T. year and whether or not they wanted to be there, it was still a vitally important year for their futures, Harry of course didn't seem to agree with this, he said that as long as Voldemort was around, their future was looking pretty bleak. But, as the new Head Girl, Hermione was determined to lead by example and work as hard she could, to pass her exams and help Harry to secure a future for them all. Mr. Weasley, Lupin and Mad Eye Moody entered the kitchen, through his job at the Ministry, Mr. Weasley had managed to secure safe transportation to the station,

"Time to go. Harry, Ron hurry up and finish getting ready otherwise you'll miss your train," Lupin said, Harry and Ron hurried upstairs and 10 minutes later were in the entrance hall ready to leave. Mrs Weasley gave them all teary goodbyes, and in a stern voice told them all to be careful and look after each other. At the last moment Harry turned around and said,

"Erm, I know I have been a nightmare to live with this summer, I just wanted to say thank-you for putting up with me. All of you are like family to me and I promise you that I will do everything in my power to end this once and for all. For Dumbledore, for Sirius, my parents and everyone else who died fighting." Mrs Weasley by now was a blubbering mess, Ron had enveloped his sister in a hug, even Moody had a tear in his eye. Only Hermione stood apart, quietly pondering his words and wondering whether it would be enough, whether they would win, whether they would survive and still in the back of her mind those grey eyes lingered, she wondered what part he would play and if it would be for the ruin of them all.

Chapter Three

The usually buzzing Platform Nine and Three Quarters was oddly quiet this year, Hermione didn't pretend not to know why, people were nervous and parents were reluctant to let their kids go. She stood as always with Harry and Ron, Ron's hand intertwined with hers, everything would be different this year, Hermione was dreading boarding the gleaming red Hogwarts Express. But not as much as she was dreading what happened next. What little noise there was on the platform suddenly ceased into absolute silence, she looked around, confused as to what had happened, she peered up at Harry, his eyes had glazed over and his knuckles were white from the grip he had on his wand, she followed his gaze. It seemed that the other students had scurried out the way, standing not 50 metres in front of them stood Draco Malfoy, flanked by Zabini, Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson. Fellow Gryffindors surrounded the Golden Trio, protecting them. Harry was seething, she tugged on his sleeve,

"Harry, walk away, he isn't worth it, please," she begged him, but her pleas fell on deaf ears, Harry's normally emerald eyes had darkened, all of his rage bubbling to the surface, raising his wand he shouted,

"Malfoy! You shouldn't have come back. Azkaban will seem like nothing compared with what I'm going to do to you. You won't get away with this. Draw your wand, this ends now." Strangely, Draco did not seem to react to this, something had changed in the blonde boy. Whilst his cronies were all growling menacingly at the Gryffindors, Draco walked calmly towards Harry, his wand remaining in his cloak, when he reached him he said, in a low dangerous tone,

"Walk away from this Potter. I won't fight you,"

"You don't have a choice Malfoy. You deserve to pay for what you did," Harry threatened. Malfoy continued to stare at Harry, his cold grey eyes flashing with anger,

"You're right I didn't have a choice. Imagine this Potter, imagine you were blackmailed into doing something you didn't want to, imagine you failed, and the prize for failure was the lives of everyone you loved, what would you do? I did what I had to to save the people I loved. Like I said, walk away, this war isn't between you and me." He glanced sideways at her, he could see the fire in her eyes and the utter disbelief at what he had just said. Turning on his heel and walked the length of the platform to the end of the train. His entourage followed him, before he boarded the train he rounded on them,

"Go get your own cabins and leave me the fuck alone," with that he climbed aboard and found an empty compartment, sitting on the seat he closed his eyes. He fell asleep, with the memory of her eyes forefront in his mind.

Meanwhile, Harry Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna had found themselves a compartment, none of them had spoken since Malfoy's little speech. Hermione couldn't believe what had just transpired, Harry and Ron were livid, she could see Harry's anger seething below the surface and Ron, his anger was less controlled, he slammed the compartment door so hard the glass shattered. Hermione repaired it with a flick of her wand, and then sat down next to Harry, she tapped on his arm,

"Harry, Harry please say something," everyone in the carriage looked at her with gaping mouths, Harry turned his gaze to her, stood up and put his fist through the just repaired glass, the noise reverberated round the corridor, Harry's rage boiled right over,

"WHAT THE FUCK MAKES HIM THINK THAT HE CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS! HE CAN'T JUST MAKE SOME SPEECH AND THINK HE CAN WALK AWAY! WHAT THE FUCK DOES HE KNOW ABOUT LOVE ANYWAY, MALFOY'S DON'T KNOW HOW TO. HE IS NOT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH THIS, I AM GOING TO MAKE HIM PAY FOR WHAT HE DID. HIM AND HIS MASTER." Having now attracted the attention of most of the people down the train, Harry shouted at them, "What are you looking at? Mind your own fucking business," all the younger students hurried back into their cabins, the older ones gave him a look of disdain and annoyance, Seamus and Dean made their way into the compartment to try and reason with Harry. For that Hermione was grateful. Ron and Dean managed to make Harry sit down, Ginny sat by him rubbing his back, calming him, it was she who spoke first,

"Harry, please. You have to calm down. If you let your anger consume you then Malfoy wins, he wants you to react to this, then he seems like the rational one. I know you want to hurt him for what he did, but we need you, if you kill him, if you let him win then we'll have lost you, i'll have lost you, I can't lose you twice." She kissed him on the cheek and hugged herself to him. He looked down at her, then up at the others,

"She's right Harry, you can't let him win. He's a prat but I think its best we stay away from him and his cronies this year," said Ron, he looked over at Hermione, she had been oddly quiet throughout, usually she had something to say. She realized that everyone seemed to be looking at her,

'What? Why are all looking at me?"

"You've just been quiet is all Hermione, what do you think about Malfoy?" She pondered Ron's question for a moment, then stared out the window,

"He's right. You know he's right Harry. What wouldn't you do to save the people you love? And this fight, it was never between you and him, its between you and Voldemort and what he represents. Malfoy, he's was just used because he was to weak to say no." They couldn't believe what they were hearing, she had just stood up for the slimy git. Ron turned slightly red and yelled at her,

"Excuse me? You're sticking up for him, agreeing with him? What is this Hermione? Adopt a ferret day?" She looked at him and shook her head,

"God, don't you understand? He knows that when it comes to it, Harry will destroy Voldemort and those people he loves will be safe, he won't try and stop Harry from doing it. He did what he did to protect his world. I don't agree with what he did, and I will never ever feel sorry for him, but I understand his motive. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go to the Heads compartment," she pushed past them and walked out of the compartment, leaving them totally confused in her wake. She leaned against the corridor wall, what the hell was she thinking? Now they would all think she had gone crazy, she smacked her head against the wall. She couldn't have seriously thought good of Malfoy? One fucked up dream about him and she was suddenly his grand defender. She had to forget about this, she had to support her friends. Still, she couldn't shake off the feeling his look at her had evoked. Pulling herself together, she made her way to the Heads compartment, she was almost there when she bumped right into something tall and solid...

"Wake up Draco," someone whispered in his ear. "Wake up, Love," whoever it was was now planting butterfly kisses down his neck, to his collarbone. He stirred and opened one eye lazily,

"I am awake," he turned over to face the person lying next to him. Her chocolate brown eyes were darkened with lust and love, she smiled a truly Slytherin smile and kissed him on the lips before he could react. He kissed her back passionately, caressing her tongue with his own. She drew back and looked intently at him, he then realized who it was,

"Granger, you're in my fucking dream again. Why are you here?"

"We already covered that Draco, I'm here because you want me here. You need me here, you have always needed me, whether you admit it to yourself or not." He shoved her away from him and got out of the bed. They were in his private rooms in the Slytherin dungeon. He walked to his desk and leant on it.

"This can't be real Hermione, we both know in the real world, this, us, it could never ever be anything," he sat in the chair and put his head in his hands. She rose gracefully from the bed and walked over to him, clad only in his school shirt. When she got to him, she pulled him up and wrapped her arms around him. His instant reaction was to envelop her tiny frame in his arms. He was so tall he could rest his head on the top of hers, she leaned back and looked up at him with wide -eyed innocence,

"You're right," she said simply, tears welling up, "We can't feel this in the real world, there's to much in the way, but know this I will always be waiting for you. Wherever you are, i'll be there, waiting."

"For what? This to become real? It can never, won't ever happen, my father, your friends, our history. I won't ask you to stay for me," he replied.

"You don't have to. I will always wait for you, Love. Now are you ready?" She kissed him, "Wake up. Draco, wake up."

"DRACO, MAN! WAKE UP!" Blaise practically had to yell right in his ear. Draco woke with a start. His eyes flashed anger,

"For fuck's sake Blaise! You don't have to shout in my fucking ear! Whaddya want?" He glared at Blaise, furious at him for waking him up. Blaise only smirked and said,

"Sorry mate, this carriage is reserved for the Head's only, and seeing as I not you am Head Boy you are gonna have to leave," Draco shook himself awake and got up to leave, Blaise grabbed him by the arm,

"Word of advice mate, you'd do best to stay on the right side of the others, they still see you as a traitor to the cause." Draco whirled around and shoved Blaise against the nearest wall,

"The cause? What fucking cause? That bloody half-bloods dimwitted notion that he is better then the rest of us? I'm no traitor, not to his cause anyway. Like I said, they'd do best to leave me alone, they don't know who they are messing with," he released Blaise and left the compartment, in the process knocking right into someone...

Hermione, stumbled backwards, she looked up, the one person she did not want to see was now standing in front of her, looking intensely angry,

"Watch where you're going Mudblood!" He spat at her. She glared at him and smirked,

"Such a pleasure having you back Malfoy," she said with venom, he raised an eyebrow at her reaction, the fire he had seen in her eyes had returned, it consumed him,

"Surprised to see me back, Mudblood?" She looked him straight in the eye and said,

"I knew you'd be here, Malfoy." Draco's eyes snapped up, she had repeated the phrase from his dream, he got right in her face,

"What did you just say?" She was shocked by the expression on his face, as if he had heard her say those words before, but he can't have done, she replied cattily,

"You know exactly what I said. Now do you mind, you're in my way," she tried to shove past him but he refused to budge, she leaned back and slapped him round the face, the look in his eye was unfathomable, he moved from her path. She gave him one last look of utter disdain and entered the Heads compartment. He stood for a moment before shaking his head and saying to himself,

"It can't be real. She just a stupid Mudblood, she's nothing. Nothing."

Shaken by her encounter with Malfoy, Hermione hardly registered the other person in the carriage, she sat opposite him, and attempted to calm herself down. Unknown to her and Malfoy, Blaise had witnessed the whole scene, and the situation intrigued him, he watched as Granger tried hard to control her breathing,

"How strange," he thought "Who'd have thought Draco would have such an affect on the little Mudblood," he chuckled to himself, this alerted her to his presence. She recognized the boy who sat across from her, she had seen him conversing with Malfoy at the Slytherin table, his presence here must mean that he was the new Head Boy.

"Who are you?" She asked rather rudely, he smiled, his indigo eyes were rather unnerving,

"There's no need to be so rude you know. I'm the new Head Boy."

"I realize that, but what's your name?"

"Blaise." He could see that she was uncomfortable with being in such close quarters with him, it was amusing to watch. "Do you not remember me from that farce that was Slug Club?" He snickered. She knew he looked familiar, up close he really was quite attractive, she remembered that he was quiet, never really saying much, now though it seemed he wouldn't shut up, "I caught your little drama with Draco just now. Interesting how he would have that effect on you, I didn't realize he bothered you so much." He was cut off by the entrance of McGonagall, come to give them their instructions, Hermione was glad of the intrusion,

"Aaah, Granger, Zabini, Congratulations on your appointment as Head Girl and Boy. I trust that you will get along, despite the rivalry between your houses, and that you will encourage Inter-House Relations, as two of the highest scoring students I am relying on you to keep order this year. In light of the events of last year," here she paused, and looked at both of them in turn, "I feel that the students will be particularly edgy especially around certain people, so I am trusting you to keep the peace. You will be required to organize prefect meetings, and nightly patrols, I shall give you the prefect lists for the year. You will be shown to your quarters after the welcome feast. Now, Miss Granger, if you'll excuse us, I wish to speak to Mr. Zabini alone." Hermione nodded, shot Blaise an inquiring look and left the compartment to return to Harry and Ron. Blaise readied himself for the lecture that McGongall was predictably going to give him, he jumped in first,

"I assume, Headmistress, that this 'talk' concerns Draco?" She looked surprised at his quick grasp of the situation, then nodded,

"Yes Mr. Zabini, it does concern Mr. Malfoy. As, I'm sure you know, he was deeply involved in the 'incident' last year and as a result faced charges at the Ministry. He was subsequently cleared of those charges and readmitted to Hogwarts by the school board. However, even though cleared of any charges against him, I fear that some may look at him with a certain amount of animosity. I am trusting you, as Draco's friend, to keep an eye on him and keep any trouble to a minimum. We both know how quick tempered Draco, and others can be." She left without another word on the subject. Blaise sat back and stared out at the passing countryside. Yes, Draco was quick tempered but he had agreed to keep his head down, he didn't think that Draco's presence in Slytherin house would cause much of a problem, their housemates looked at him and Draco as leaders. Being the sons of the Dark Lords most trusted servant does that, people are easier to control when they are afraid. The door to the compartment opened, Blaise turned to see who had disturbed him, it was Crabbe, Goyle and Nott. He sighed, he really didn't feel like dealing with them right now.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" He inquired. They sat themselves opposite him, it was Nott who spoke,

"We need to talk Zabini, about Malfoy. We don't trust him." Blaise laughed out loud, they looked at him oddly, "We don't trust him because he begged for mercy at the hands of the Ministry and he didn't fight Potter on the platform." Blaise stopped sniggering and said in mock surprise,

"I didn't realize you lot had enough brain cells to form independent thoughts. Do you think because you took the Dark Mark you are prithee to all the Dark Lords plans? Malfoy is still who he always was and you'd do best to remember it. Respect him or you will have me to answer to, now get gone." They scurried out, like he said before people are easier to control when they have something to fear, and despite their sudden coherence Crabbe, Goyle and Nott would always be afraid of the two Slytherin Princes. The train began to pull to a stop, Blaise pulled on his robe and went to organize the prefects into some semblance of order.

The Great Hall was buzzing with noise, Harry, Ron and Hermione were seated at the head of Gryffindor table, as usual some of the students were whispering and pointing at Harry. He was growing more pissed off by the second, Hermione was beginning to tire of his constant mood swings. She was about to reprimand him for it when McGongall stepped up to begin the sorting ceremony. After this was over, the new Headmistress addressed the students,

"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. I understand that this year may be somewhat different, but I know that if we stand united we can face the trials and tribulations that are presented to us," at this statement the grey ceiling of the Great Hall gave a crack of thunder and the doors were flung open, most of the students gasped at the sight of Draco Malfoy, disbelief that he was back etched on their faces, those younger students who knew him only by reputation quivered in their seats. He scowled at the onlookers and stalked to his seat at the head of the Slytherin table, giving no excuse or apology for his late arrival. McGonagall looked at him disapprovingly, then continued with her speech,

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy for the interruption please report to my office after the feast. As I was saying, this year may prove trying, but work hard and stay true to yourselves and we will prevail over anything that is thrown at us. Now can we welcome back Alastor Moody to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts." The Hall broke out in scattered applause, Moodys appearance startling the newest students. "And also congratulate our new Head Boy and Girl, Blaise Zabini and Hermione Granger." Blaise and Hermione stood up and were applauded by their fellow classmates, she could feel Malfoy's piercing gaze on her as she smiled at the students around her. McGonagall continued, "If you should have any problems please feel free to approach them and they shall do their upmost to help. Now all that remains is to enjoy the feast!"

When the feast was over, Draco rose from his seat and sauntered out of the Great Hall, Pansy caught up with him, she nuzzled his neck and purred in his ear,

"Sorry about earlier, Draco, pet. I was just doing what the others told me. I got scared when you told me to leave you alone. I can make it up to you, do you want me to wait in your room? Or will you come to mine?" He shuddered at the motion she was now making in his ear, he shoved her off of him, she stumbled backward, he said to her in a low and dangerous tone,

"I meant what I said earlier Parkinson, leave me the fuck alone, if I find you even anywhere near my room, I will make sure that you'll regret it, you understand me?" She nodded, tears cascading down her face. He stalked off to the Headmistresses office. He arrived to find McGonagall waiting outside for him. He smiled a falsely sweet smile, she looked at him with slight contempt,

"Mr. Malfoy, welcome back. Lemon Drop." The stone griffin moved aside and they made their way up to the Heads Office. Once inside, she motioned for him to sit, he looked around, the office was the same as it was the last time he was in here, except for the addition of Dumbledore's portrait, Draco found himself unable to look at this one for too long, his dead Headmasters blue eyes scrutinized him. McGonagall cleared her throat, he turned to her,

"Now Mr. Malfoy, regarding your re-admittance to the school, there are certain conditions which you will need to follow. Do you understand?" He nodded, a look of contempt and annoyance on his face, she ignored his scowl and continued,

"I understand that it may seem an inconvenience to you, but the Ministry insisted. Firstly, all your outgoing and incoming correspondence will be screened, secondly you will at all times, expect sleeping, be accompanied by another Seventh Year student. If you do not like these arrangements then you can get on the train and go home. I, however believe that it would be best for you to comply, as archaic as these conditions are, you may not like it but it would be best," she said this with a sad look in her eye, as if she truly felt sorry for him. He gave a sneer and said,

"Great, just like living at home with the old man. Can I go?" She frowned, and said,

"Yes, tomorrow your escort will meet you outside the Great Hall." He got up and swept out of the room. He made his way to his private room in the Slytherin Dungeon. The noise in the common room ceased as he entered, all eyes were on him, he glared at the other students, walked across the room and up the stairs, he refused to be intimidated by the fact that the entire population of Slytherin house were gossiping about him. He poured himself a drink, took a sip then threw the glass into the fireplace. They were treating him like a child, making him have an escort, knowing his luck it would probably be Neville Longbottom the wonder idiot or worse, Potty or the Weasel. He flopped onto his bed and fell into uneasy sleep.

Blaise and Hermione loitered in the hall waiting for McGonagall to return from her meeting with Malfoy, whilst they were waiting, Hermione took time to fully take in Blaise's persona, he was tall, not as tall as Ron but taller then Harry, he had a mess of jet black hair, olive skin and dark brown eyes. He was something of an enigma to the students of Hogwarts, never really being noticed, quietly blending in, until now. He looked up, Hermione blushed and turned away, he chuckled,

"Something bothering you Granger?" She scowled and shook her head. He laughed out loud and went back to cleaning his fingernails. She mentally berated herself for having been caught staring at him, he really was, well, gorgeous, she suspected he had Italian blood in him, which to her knowledge would make him hot tempered and unbelievably arrogant. She spied McGonagall coming round the corner, the Headmistress reached them,

"Aah, thank you for waiting for me. If you would please follow me, I will show you to your quarters," Blaise allowed Hermione in front of him, he gave her a sweetly false smile and followed behind. At first he thought that they were going to the Slytherin dungeon but then they took a left at the first corridor and down a staircase, finally they arrived at what looked like a portrait of the two of them. As he got closer, he could see that it was him and Hermione, the Hermione of the portrait was sneaking glances at his likeness, who was flexing his muscles. The whole scene made him laugh. Hermione looked mortified. McGonagall told them the password and the painting swung forward. The common room was huge, it had a seating area besides a magnificent fireplace, two desks, presumably for the two of them, and a small area that looked like a kitchen. The staircase in the centre, led to two massive rooms for the each of them, with an adjoining bathroom. Hermione's eyes widened in awe at the spectacle before her. McGonagall smiled and said,

"I hope you like the space, your things will be in your rooms, if you need to contact me, there is a portrait by the entrance which has a replica in my office. This room will be used for prefect meetings, which you must organize. Now, goodnight to the both you and once again, congratulations." She left the room.

Hermione was exhausted and wanted nothing more then to collapse onto the double bed in her new quarters. In a way she was glad to be away from Gryffindor tower, not that she wouldn't miss the others but here she felt safe and at least now she wouldn't be disturbed in her studies. She realized Blaise was now staring at her,

"That vacant expression suits you Granger, what can you be thinking of? I know, its me naked isn't it? I'm sorry Granger but you are just going to have to keep your hands off, after all the Weasel would not be too happy that his new Princess is thinking such things about the bad ass Slytherin Head Boy," he winked at her and then sauntered over to stand directly in front of her. She could feel his breath on her neck, smell the scent of his cologne, she froze on the spot, his nearness was making her blood boil, "Admit it Granger, you just want me." He chucked her under the chin, he could see the fire in her gaze, her expression otherwise unreadable, standing this close to her, he realized she was actually quite beautiful, if he wasn't careful he would end up in a very sticky situation. She fluttered her eyelashes at him, leaned up and whispered in his ear,

"Oh my god, you're right. I want you. I want you to get the fuck away from me." She socked him one round the face and yelled, "Don't ever come near me again you disgusting excuse for human being. Ron is ten times the man you are." She whirled around and stomped up to her room, she slammed the door and paced the length of the bedroom breathing heavily, muttering under her breath,

"That sleazy, slimy, disgusting Death Eater bastard, how dare he think he can just intimidate me like that, what does he think I am the virgin queen of Hogwarts? As if! He doesn't know a thing about me. Why'd I have to get stuck with him, with that sexy, smoldering...OH MY GOD! What am I saying, I mean how'd I get stuck with that, Slytherin, Death Eater, Draco Malfoy's best friend, idiot," she stopped in the middle of the room, she was being stupid, she could handle him, he was just a person, even if he was unnervingly good looking and will probably invite his Death Eater pals to the common room everyday, including Malfoy. She collapsed onto the bed, exhausted, she fell asleep straight away.

Meanwhile, in the common room, Blaise was still stood where she had left him. He wasn't shocked at her actions, he probably would have slapped him as well because if what he had said. He chuckled lightly, with what he had just found out about the new Head Girl, coupled with what he had witnessed on the train between her and Draco, this was going to be a very interesting couple of weeks, messing with the Gryffindor Princess. Already the cogs in his head were whirling, if he and Draco could get her on side, it would be priceless. He couldn't deny that she was powerful, he had seen the fire in her eyes when she had hit him. They could use power like that, plus he would have no objection to using her in other ways to; although he could already see the connection between her and Draco, all the sniping at each other masking what they truly felt. Hopefully Draco would be up for sharing. She would belong to them, body and soul. He would be hailed a hero, breaking up the so called Golden Trio and stealing their Princess, muggleborn or not, she was a prize worth every ounce of effort. Once they were through with her, she wouldn't care what side she was on in this war, or her allegiance to Potter and the Weasel. He needed a smoke, so he walked to the doors in the seating area that opened onto a balcony that looked over the Black Lake and Forbidden Forest. He lit up and took a drag, smiling to himself, he decided he would relay his plan to Draco in the morning, his expertise would be vital to execute his plan with perfect precision.

Chapter Four

She stirred and woke, the night air biting at her skin. She raised herself from the moist ground and looked all around. The stars were veiled, hiding behind dark clouds. The oncoming storm. In what little light there was she saw him, standing by the lake, the small amount of moonlight bounced off his sleek white blond hair. The tragic hero, blending into the night. She glided up to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. He sighed and relaxed into her embrace. After a moment he turned and enveloped her in a hug, resting his chin on the top of her head. She started to cry, burying her head in his shoulder. He bent down to her and lifted her head, he wiped the tears away with his thumbs,

"No tears baby. Don't cry. Please don't cry." He implored her, if she didn't hold it together he wouldn't be able to do what he had to. She fought back the tears that had yet to fall,

"I don't want you to go. I can't do this Draco. I can't do this without you, I can't go on knowing what we had, what we could have been. How am I going to go on, living my life as it is, not knowing where you are, what you're doing, I can't wake up everyday next to him when I want you." She turned away from him, collapsing to the ground, the tears cascading down. He looked out across the night, then dropped to the ground and pulled her to him.

"You have to, you know you do. We can't be together like this, there's to much at stake, to many people would be after us. Your side would make you an outcast, discard you like nothing, and mine would kill us both. You know it has to be like this. I don't want to leave you, especially to him, but we don't have any other choices. Please don't cry, please don't make this harder," he hugged her closer, and breathed in everything about her, the way her hair smelt, the warmth of her skin under his fingers, the sniffs she was making as she sobbed her heart out. He turned her face to him, leaned down and kissed her lips,

"Hermione, I..." She looked up, wide eyed,

"What, Draco, what is it?"

"I love you. I know its not exactly the best time, and it makes everything all the worse, but I wouldn't have been able to leave you if you I didn't. I swear to you Hermione, I will find a way for us to be together. I swear i'll find you, i'll always find you," she kissed him deeply and said through tears and pain,

"I love you too, and I always will. I'll wait for you, I promise." They kissed, with the passion and intensity of two people who would never again meet like this, never again feel like they did. Draco moved her to a laying position, she kissed all the way down his neck, this was their farewell, the last time. Two lovers, against the world...

Draco bolted awake, where the hell had that come from! How could he have acted so sappy and disgusting, he ran to the bathroom and vomited. He stripped down and got in the shower, turning the water to scalding hot, he hoped to burn away the memory of Granger, all over him and those hateful words spoken from his lips. Yet the beauty of her smile, and the fire blazing behind her eyes haunted him; she was getting to him, and he was powerless to overcome it.

She bolted upright in bed, pulling half the covers with her, her face still stung with tears. She had to leg it to the adjoining bathroom to throw up. What was that about? She can't really feel that, not for him. She had to do something about this, she couldn't keep this up, sleepless, nightmare filled nights. He was plaguing her every moment. She jumped in the shower and turned it up to boiling, the shower was scalding but it felt good, like she was burning him away. Then and there she made a decision, from now on she would dedicate herself solely to the cause, and to Ron. No more dreaming or thinking in any fashion, about Draco Malfoy. Satisfied with herself she dressed and made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She entered and sat herself down between Ron and Harry, turning to her boyfriend she planted a kiss on his lips and said,

"Good morning, love, how are you?" He looked at her like she was a bit strange, then smiled, kissed her back and said,

"I'm fine babe. How was your first night with that Slytherin prick? He didn't bug you too much? Cause if he did then i'll kick his arse." She laughed somewhat nervously, she had decided not to relate to Ron or Harry, the actions of Blaise Zabini last night for fear it may spark something bigger then it really was. She could handle it herself.

"He was fine, in fact he didn't say two words to me. Lets not talk about that anymore, do you know what our first class is?" Hermione was eager to throw herself into her studies, feeling it would aid her in focusing her thoughts. She however found that this would prove harder then she first perceived, for with the arrival of their timetables came a note that sent her right over the edge, it read like this,

Dear Miss. Granger,

As Hogwarts new Head Girl, the Governors and I have placed in you a certain amount of responsibility, we feel that you possess the level headed-ness and maturity to perform a vitally important role on behalf of the Ministry of Magic. In addition to your role as Head Girl, the Governors and I wish for you to be escort for Draco Malfoy throughout his final year at Hogwarts. As you know he was deeply involved in the situation that occurred last year at Hogwarts, the conditions of his re-admittance require that he be escorted to all classes and at all times during the term. As you share all classes with him it is convenient for you to be the one to carry out this job. The duty will be shared with Blaise Zabini (Head Boy) as he is member of the same house and can escort Mr. Malfoy during times in the Slytherin common room and at Quidditch practice. This is a mandatory task, if you have a problem, please come and see me direct.

Yours Sincerely

Professor M. McGonagall, Headmistress.

Hermione's jaw dropped, they expected her to babysit the prat, carry out her Head Girl duties, and pass her N.E.W.T.S? It was ridiculous, unfair. Harry and Ron poked her,

"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked. She waved the letter at him, he took it from her and read it, then passed it to Ron. "I can't believe it. She knows how dangerous he is, how could she put you anywhere near that bastard. I am gonna waste him, I swear." Ron looked livid, his ears the burning red colour of his hair.

"We'll go to McGonagall, she will see that you aren't happy with it and assign someone else." She nodded mutely, her logical, rational side was feeling ill at the prospect of having to escort Malfoy, however the side of her that took over in her dreams was thrilled. That rocked her to the core.

Meanwhile, over on the other side of the Great Hall, Blaise was trying to calm a very irate Draco, having just received a letter from the Headmistress he was ready to physically kill someone, the letter read,

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

As per the conditions of your readmission, Miss. Hermione Granger (Head Girl) had been assigned as your escort throughout your final year, aided by Mr. Blaise Zabini. Please cooperate with this as you're future in the school is stringent on your willingness to comply with the conditions.

Thank You

Professor M. McGonagall, Headmistress.

On reading this, Draco had exploded into a string of expletive protest,

"Granger? Fucking Granger? They have stuck me with that jumped up Mudblood bitch? Fucking hell. How the fuck am I gonna deal with that little whore breathing down my neck the whole time. FUCK MAN!" This outburst got him a look from most of his housemates, as well as half the staff. He watched as Granger was dragged in front of McGonagall by the wonder twits, by this time Draco had drenched Pansy in pumpkin juice for only for looking at him so he acted. Blaise had to force him out of the Great Hall to calm down, this arrangement could vastly improve the chance of his plan working, he only had to get Draco to cooperate. He shoved Draco out the main entrance doors and out into the morning air, Draco pulled his arm out Blaise's grip and turned to give the dark wizard an earful,

"What's up your arse, Zabini? I have every fucking right to be pissed at this. Granger! Fucking..." Blaise lifted his hand to cut Draco off,

"Shut up Malfoy, for fuck's sake! Don't you get it? You have to cooperate with this! Otherwise they'll throw you out, and probably into Azkaban, you are still the villain in this situation. Just think you can share a cell with Lucius." Draco scowled and shook his head,

"There is no fucking way I am having that know it all Mudblood follow me around every waking moment. Its bad enough i've been dream..." He cut himself off, then continued in a calmer tone, "That I have to be in the same room as her, now I am supposed to put up with her all day, every day? No way." Blaise smiled, getting Draco on side was going to be easier then he thought, the mere fact that his normally controlled friend had almost let slip that he had been dreaming about the new Head Girl, was a promising step.

"Listen to me, have you ever thought that this could work to our advantage?" Draco looked skeptical, he raised an eyebrow, "Granger, right? She's the epitome of the Virgin Queen right? One third of Potter's pathetic Golden Trio, girlfriend to Potter's dimwitted sidekick? What if that changed? Huh? What if we convinced her that she's better then that? She may be a Mudblood but she's a fucking good witch. I've seen that fire in her eyes." Now Draco was convinced that Blaise was crazy, convincing Granger that the dark side was better then fighting for Potter? The Mudblood wouldn't ever betray her friends. Not for anyone. Yet his head began to swim with images from his dreams, maybe they meant more then he first thought, but still it was Granger. He felt Blaise prod him on the arm, he replied,

"You are kidding right? You know she would never go for that. Especially coming from us, two 'Death Eater' Slytherins, one of which has teased her for the past six years and was also partially responsible for the death of the Headmaster, the other his best friend. Anyway what good would it bring to our side or to us?" He could see the cogs in Blaise's mind working over time, he couldn't seriously be thinking that?

"Just think about it Draco, the Gryffindor Princess, Potter and Weasley's one weakness would belong to us, me and you. You know that this war has nothing to do with blood, you saw that last year on top the astronomy tower. It has to do with one man's lust for power, domination. Turn the Mudblood, we show we have the power. Then the three of us would be unstoppable. You know it makes sense." Draco still had his eyebrow raised, this scheme of Zabini's freaked him out, if he went along with it then the thing of his nightmare may actually transpire. He couldn't deny that part of him lusted after Granger, amidst all the teasing was an actual want for her, but she was still a Mudblood, Lucius had raised him to hate her kind and all they stood for, but then he thought,

"Yeah, but look where that ended him. Granger helped put his arse behind bars. Maybe Blaise is right." After this trail of thought, he looked at Blaise, then said, "Say we do this right? How would we go about it? How do spilt Granger from Potter and Weasley?" Blaise laughed then said in a low voice,

"I saw you last night, on the train. Saw your little tete a tete with her. She came into my carriage almost hyperventilating. Then in our common room, I may have made some advances on her, she smacked me around the face but you could see a part of her was loving it. The key is appealing to the side of her that rebels, the side that made her hit you in third year, the side of her that doesn't give a damn about anything. We convince her that we can give her more then she has ever imagined." Draco went wide-eyed at his suggestion. Seriously he couldn't be suggesting seducing the Virgin Queen of Hogwarts?

"You can't be serious? You are not saying what I think you're saying? She would never fall for you. Or me for that matter." Blaise seemed to think differently,

"You didn't see her last night mate, she was gagging for it, and I wasn't suggesting either one of us for the job, I was saying that we share the job. We've done it before." Draco thought about this statement. yes it was true they had shared before but this was different, this was Granger, she probably didn't even contemplate one bloke let alone two. But then, he had after all dreamed of her in his bed, maybe it was time to admit that these dreams may be portents of the future.

"It won't work but I am willing to try it. It could after all be beneficial to us even if it turns out just to ruin Little Miss Perfects stellar reputation," and maybe he could fuck her out of his head, he added to himself as an afterthought. Blaise smiled and said,

"Thats the spirit! Now get going you have your 'escort' to meet. Remember try and be civil." Blaise wandered off in the direction of the forest. Draco was left to contemplate the utter shit this plan could get them into, it would most likely be the death of them, but a part of him couldn't wait to get under Granger's skin, the thrill of the chase. He relished it.

Harry and Ron, pulled Hermione up by her arms and dragged her in front of McGonagall, throwing the letter on the table in front of her, Harry then proceeded to protest the proposal, completely losing his temper causing everyone in the Great Hall to stare at them,

"What's going on? How can you let Hermione be lumbered with that murdering psycho? She could be in serious danger. Wasn't it enough putting her in a dorm with his best friend, now she has to actively spend her entire day with him? I won't have it, we won't have it, pick someone else because she isn't doing it." Ron then jumped in and said his piece,

"I am not having her watching that ferrets every move, having to trail after him. Like Harry said, he's a murderer, he's dangerous, she is not being alone with him." McGonagall looked extremely angry at this interruption of her breakfast and said in hushed tones,

"How dare you accost me like this at breakfast, I shall speak to all before classes begin, go and wait outside the transfiguration classroom. Now!" They trailed out of the Great Hall, just in time to see Malfoy dragged out the front doors by Blaise Zabini, clearly he was just as annoyed as them at this arrangement. They made their way to the transfiguration classroom, Hermione had never been so embarrassed in her life, how dare Harry and Ron treat her like a child? And in front of the entire school? They were always doing this, smothering her, it made her so angry. McGonagall rounded the corner and ushered them into the classroom, her lips pursed in a tight line,

"Now, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, please tell me the problem in a calm manner. I will not tolerate you losing your tempers." Ron and Harry both started to talk at once, words like "Malfoy" and "Death Eater" thrown in every five seconds, along with "No way, she is going to," Hermione eventually lost it,

"SHUT UP!" McGonagall looked shocked at her sudden outburst.

"Miss. Granger, I would ask you to calm down." Hermione looked sheepish,

"I'm sorry, Professor. Harry and Ron are angry at the fact that I have to be escort to Malfoy for the rest of the year. They have taken it upon themselves to argue against it on my behalf." Hermione gave Harry and Ron a withering look, McGonagall looked from them to her,

"And you Miss. Granger, how do you feel about this position you have been put in?"

"I, I feel that it is extremely unfair that I have been chosen for this. As you know Malfoy and I have never ever got on, he has teased me, humiliated me and I don't trust him. However, I agree that he should be watched and if the Ministry and yourself feel that I would be most competent in this task then, I will do it. If it helps in defeating Voldemort I will do it." Ron and Harry began to protest heavily and berate her for her decision, Hermione cut them off, "Look you two, I know you aren't at all happy with this but you two will be with me most of the time and I am not afraid of him. He is nothing but a pathetic lost little child." McGonagall huffed at this,

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, I believe you have a class to attend. Miss. Granger, a word if you please?" Harry and Ron left looking extremely unhappy. Hermione turned to her Headmistress, "Miss. Granger, I am pleased that you show the maturity to deal with this situation. I have to say that I was somewhat concerned when the Ministry relayed their plan to me, having witnessed your shaky history with Mr. Malfoy, I believed that you would reject this plan. But you have shown the quality that made the Ministry choose you. You will meet Mr. Malfoy in the Entrance Hall, I believe you have a Arithmancy class to attend?" Hermione nodded and made to leave the room, "However Miss. Granger, a word of caution, the Ministry still has no idea of Mr. Malfoy's true allegiance, there may be some danger involved in this task, be aware. Mr. Zabini will aid you, as I believe he is one of few who can exercise some control over Draco. I do also trust your abilities as a witch and your strength of character. Good Luck." Hermione smiled wearily, troubled and oddly excited she left the room. Minerva McGonagall sat behind her desk, watching the girl leave, a worrisome cloud hung over her,

"Whatever you were planning Albus, I pray to whatever God your with, it works. Otherwise I have just sent that girl to her demise," she whispered under her breath.

Hermione rushed to the entrance hall, feelings of exhilaration coursing through her, now Ron and Harry had to listen to her, had to know that she could look after herself. She hurtled round the corner into the hall, stopping short at the sight. Draco Malfoy. He was leaned up against the staircase, what little sun there was creating a false halo around his head, she had admit that he looked to die for. Wait a second, what had she just agreed to? She would have to spend every waking moment with him. Her dreams suddenly seemed like they could become all too real. She couldn't deny that there was the temptation of the forbidden, but she knew better then to dwell on it, Pure-bloods and Muggleborns, Gryffindors and Slytherins, they weren't meant to mix, the consequences could create a rift in the fabric of reality, and she would never betray Ron or Harry. Malfoy was just an unfortunate job that she had been forced to take.

He had seen her, standing there watching him, then there was that vacant expression he had seen that day at the lake. He cringed at the memory of that day,

"GRANGER!" He barked across the entrance hall, causing any loitering students to turn and see who was making the ruckus. Hermione was woken from her reverie by his deep voice, "Get a move on, Granger we'll be late for class!" Hermione tutted and walked as slowly as she could over him, as much as she loathed being late for class the thought of pissing him off was much more appealing. He turned away from her and started to walk in the direction of their first class, she fell into step beside him.

"I'm surprised. I would have thought you would have made much more protest about this. A Mudblood invading your personal Pureblood space," he turned to her and smirked, she almost fell over, that smirk, it was the one from her dreams,

"Well, contrary to popular belief Granger, I do give a fuck about school, so ergo my not complaining about the fact that I get stuck with you for the rest of the year. So I will make a deal with you, don't talk to me and I won't bother you. I don't like this anymore then you but at least I didn't need a couple of idiots to fight my battles for me."

"Excuse me, what exact purpose do Crabbe & Goyle serve for you? Oh wait, they fight YOUR battles for you." He didn't reply, she looked at him, he had that same dangerous glimmer in his eyes, she half expected to slam her into a wall. Instead he merely said,

"Fair point Mudblood. Now shut up I can't be bothered to argue with you anymore."

So that was how it was, for the next three weeks, Hermione escorted Draco to class, ate lunch with him and studied with him in the library, he never said a anything, only a few scant words regarding schoolwork. Harry and Ron took it upon themselves to escort her everywhere, thus Harry's initial plan of avoiding Malfoy at all costs was shot to pieces. On the other hand, Blaise was taking every opportunity to talk to Hermione and be her 'friend'. Hermione treated him much the same as she treated Malfoy, she ignored him, he was all for giving up on his plan but Draco seemed to persuade him otherwise. They had been having drinks in Draco's room, Blaise was frustrated at the lack of process in the plan and was ready to abandon it all together, Draco however felt that it was progressing just fine,

"You can see her getting more and more annoyed about the wonder idiots trailing after her the whole time. She is about to snap, and that is when we strike. She won't be able to resist it. " Blaise still looked skeptical, "Look, man, this was your idea, you can't back down on me now. I can't explain it but there is something about her. I mean she's different then your average mudblood, she's, I don't know how to describe it. There is more power in her then half the school combined. Look give me a few more weeks and she'll be begging for us to take her away." Blaise just couldn't help but disagree, risky as it was,

"But Draco, she hasn't said more then two words to either of us in at least three weeks. You spend most of your day with her and I fucking live with her, she hates us both. I can't see her going for this one bit," Blaise could see the anger rising, Draco was starting to lose his patience,

"Listen to me, it doesn't matter that she hasn't said anything to us, the fact is that she watches. Haven't you noticed it, she stares incessantly, all the time, wearing that dorky vacant expression of hers. That I have learnt is her mind processing what she sees. I've seen the fire in her eyes, and it burns into you. Never has she looked at Potty or the Weasel with as much intensity. That is the sole reason that this plan is going to work, she needs more from her world, and we are going to give her just that." Blaise nodded slowly, he was right, she wanted more, and they were going to be her release, release from the Golden Trio, release from being the perfect Princess of Gryffindor. She would belong to them, and them to her, more powerful then the Golden Trio, and more obsessively passionate then Voldemort himself. They downed the last drop of Firewhiskey and made their way back to the Head's common room. They were just relaxing on the sofas when the portrait door slammed open and in walked Hermione, her face stained with tears...

Chapter Five

Three weeks had passed since Hermione had agreed to be Malfoy's escort, he had kept his word, she didn't talk to him, so he didn't bother her. Only when they studied in the library did he break his silence, but strictly for questions relating to schoolwork, nothing more. Hermione answered his queries with icy coolness, but surprisingly she found in him the perfect study partner. He was shockingly intelligent, far surpassing her in Potions and Arithmancy, she had never realized. After two days of playing babysitter, Harry and Ron begun to escort her everywhere, so it was an odd sight seeing them in the corridors, the Golden Trio with a Death Eater on the side. Most of the lower years were petrified of Malfoy, his notoriety spreading like wildfire down the years, so they generally kept away from Hermione which became a problem because of her role as Head Girl. Blaise helped when he felt like it, recently she had gotten the weirdest feeling that he was coming on to her, so as a rule she ignored him at all times. All in all the two Slytherins were not really bothering her too much, it was Ron and Harry that were getting to her. Her epiphany that they had finally got the message that she could look after herself was short-lived, Ron was with her at all times bar the classes they didn't share, and Harry joined him when he had the time, Ginny tagged along sometimes to. Hermione felt as thought she was surrounded, watched 24/7, the only times she felt free were in her classes with Malfoy and in her common room with Blaise, this she found strange seeing as she never spoke to either of them, but the fact that they didn't smother her was rather appealing. Everyday her anger rose and then one day it happened, she snapped and Ron, Harry and Ginny were on the receiving end, unluckily Blaise and Draco were also witness to her outburst. It all started the night before, Ron had found her bawling her eyes out from the sheer stress of life, he had put his arm around her and comforted her, telling her it was alright and that he loved her. For once in his life he had been compassionate and caring, but then he had ruined it by trying it on with her. Hermione had shrugged him off of her and said,

"For Christ's sake Ron! You almost had me thinking you were anything but a horny hormonal rat! Thanks a lot." She had run back to her common room, to her dismay, Blaise and Draco were lounging on the couch, she slammed the portrait door shut. This had broken them from there silent relaxation, they took one look at her and surprisingly looked concerned. This frightened Hermione more then Ron's 'advances', she ran past them up to her room and collapsed on her bed in hysterical sobs. She cried herself to sleep.

Draco looked at Blaise and smiled. It had started, she would be theirs by the end of the week. The two Princes of Slytherin were that much closer to ensnaring their Princess, with that thought in mind they both slipped into a somewhat drunken slumber.

She felt her blood boil, she was so angry and so wanted to have her revenge. How dare they treat her like she was a China Doll? Where would they be without her? She felt herself growing more and more resentful towards them, this erupted into feelings of sudden hatred. She needed something more, so she ran, heading for the one place she knew would relieve the tension and hatred boiling within her. She reached her destination within seconds, raising her hand to knock, she jumped slightly when the door opened before she had even made a noise. Peeking round, she found the room empty and dark. The dark colours were contrasted by the silver of the moon shining through the open window. She shivered, someone was watching her. She began to regret ever coming here, they had said that she was welcome at any time, but never before had she taken them up on the offer. Now she was here she was scared. Scared of what she was becoming, scared of what she felt, scared that they knew what she wanted before she did. A noise resonated through the darkness, a match flared up in the corner, illuminating the dark eyes of the one that struck it. The smell of expensive Italian cigarettes seeped into her nostrils, she inhaled deeply, knowing the smell all to well. She stood transfixed at the figure in the corner, he chuckled lightly,

"We knew you'd come eventually." The other presence in the room came up behind her, she could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck, the whole situation made her flush with exhilaration. A strong pair of hands snaked around her waist, brushing her hair to one side, he planted feather light kisses down her neck, had he not been holding her around the waist, she would have fallen to the ground with the sensations he was awakening in her. The anger she had been felt began seeping out of her, dissipating with his touch. The first person stubbed out his cigarette and moved to stand directly in front of her, chucking her under the chin he said,

"I knew you wanted this, us. Tell me, why tonight? You could have had this when we first offered, but you chose now, why?" She struggled to answer, the other man's hands had moved under her blouse and were currently stroking her sides gently, she breathed in sharply, composing herself enough to answer him,

"I was angry, so angry. They were smothering me, treating me like I was a weak pathetic little girl. After everything I've done for them? They just keep me around so they can feel like they have some use in the world. Not anymore, I need people who want me for me, they can't give me that. I know that you two can. I don't care what you are, what you've done," she turned her head to stare into the dark grey eyes of the man behind her, "Show me your world, show me what its like to be on the winning side. Make me feel something other then weakness." She turned herself fully around to face the man with the grey eyes, he spoke in a low husky voice in her ear,

"I always knew you'd end up like this Hermione. Falling apart in front of me. Don't fear this, love, we have the power to put you together again. You are stronger then they have let you believe, with us you will be a Queen, the most powerful woman on this earth. I'll show you my world, my love, you'll be its Queen, and we'll rule it, like we were born to." She succumbed to him, to them. First was Draco, ravaging her mouth with his, then Blaise wrenched her out of his grasp and kissed her slowly. She was burning from the heat of it, she heard him whisper in her ear,

"Hermione, Hermione..."

"HERMIONE! WAKE UP!" She awoke to find Ginny Weasley standing over her, Hermione sat upright in her bed, "Hermione, you missed breakfast, Ron sent me here to find you. Are you ok? You looked slightly, erm, frazzled." Hermione got up and looked in her floor length mirror, her hair was sticking out in all directions and her face was red, She looked a wreck. She stormed into the bathroom and got into the shower, she turned the water to freezing, for the first time in her life needing a cold shower. She began to mutter and curse under her breath, her teeth chattering,

"God damn Slytherins, stupid dreams. Fuck him and him. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. How can I be thinking that, of all things, and with them. Utterly uncalled for, ridiculous. DAMN DAMN DAMN." In her anger she began to hit the tiles of the shower room, hit after hit after hit. The tiles began to crack, her hand bleed, turning the water crimson, she collapsed in the corner of the shower, shaking uncontrollably, she cried and cried until she had no tears left. Then she picked herself up, dried off, wrapped her hand with a bandage and went to get ready for the day.

"Arghhhhhh!" Draco shouted as he woke, he moved to get off the sofa, but the pain in his head was so extreme that he only managed a few centimetres before he collapsed again. "Oh god, oh god," he had a mammoth hangover, as well as another small, well not exactly small, problem rising. He needed a shower, a cold one right now. He got up, his anger surging, as he passed him he pushed Blaise off the sofa, he fell to the floor with a thud,

"Ergghherhghh," he mumbled incoherently, "oh god, I'm dying. Eurgh! I am never drinking again," he then realized something, he had just had the most puzzling dream, maybe it had been the alcohol or maybe it was because of the plan, either way he had a problem to go take care of in the bathroom, he stumbled up the stairs. Someone was in the bathroom, Hermione's door was closed, so it wasn't her, it had to be...

"MALFOY! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY SHOWER RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!" The door to Hermione's room opened with a bang, she stood there, her hair loose around her shoulders, that fire blazing behind her eyes,

"Zabini, if you are going to be shouting course and horrible language, please do it elsewhere, and why the fuck is Malfoy in OUR bathroom? Oh wait, I forgot he must have stayed over yeah? Aww, are we having the lover's bathroom fight?" She immediately wished she hadn't said that, considering the nature of her dream last night. She felt herself blushing, Blaise raised his eyebrows,

"Well, well Miss. Granger, what on earth are you blushing about? Is the thought of me and Draco that appealing to you? Hmmm? I knew you wanted me," he braced himself for her to whack him round the face again, but it didn't come. Instead she said in a controlled voice,

"Are you sure it isn't the other way around Zabini?" A truly Slytherin smirk split across her face, she looked down to his crotch then back up again to his face, laughing she slammed the door in his face.

"Hahahahaha. She sure got one over on you there mate," Draco stood in the door of the bathroom, a miniscule towel barely doing its job, cold water dripped off of his hair, "Don't worry Blaise, there's still some hot water left." He sauntered past, Blaise almost hit him, but controlled the urge and entered the bathroom.

Draco waited for her in the Heads common room, luckily their class was second period so they hadn't missed anything as a result of oversleeping. He felt somewhat tense about seeing her, especially after all the dreams, and last night. If she was feeling anything like what he was right now, she would be aggressive and irate towards him, mingled with the undeniable feelings of lust. This was going to be fun. She stamped down the stairs, not looking, she would have ploughed straight past him had he not stepped right in front of her, she bounced of his chest, her head snapped up. On seeing him, her steely determination faltered, he had literally stopped her in her tracks,

"Not trying to get out of your duties as escort today are we Granger?" He smirked the trademark Malfoy smirk, she looked about ready to fly of the handle at him, but managed to compose herself,

"How could I? Seeing as you're standing right in front of me and apparently spent the night passed out on the sofas in my room, then used my shower this morning. There's no getting rid of you, if I didn't know any better, i'd say that you like spending all your time with me," she peered under her eyelashes at him, a fake coy look of innocence on her face, she pouted, "Is the big bad Slytherin Prince losing his cool?" That was when he surprised her, he moved with lightening fast speed, his Seeker reflexes moving into overdrive, grabbing her arms and slamming her back into the wall,

"Maybe I do like your company, Granger. Our conversations are all so so scintillating," he was whispering right in her ear, his deep voice sent shivers down her spine, "I watched you talk 'down' Zabini this earlier, quite entertaining, makes you wonder though doesn't it, what could he have possibly been thinking?" He raised an eyebrow. His proximity to her was startling, she could see right into his eyes, deep grey pools; his eyes had always been so cold, but now she could see something in them, unmistakable lust. She placed her hand on his chest and shoved, he stumbled backward,

"We're going to be late for class, ferret. Let's go." Snatching up her school bag, she marched out of the portrait hole, if she had stayed longer she would have seen Blaise emerge from the shadow of the stairs, a mischievous glint in his eye, he looked at Draco who was smiling back at him, the blond walked over to him, and patted him on the shoulder,

"See, nothing to worry about mate." Blaise nodded and watched as Draco walked out of the door. Blaise went back to his room, they were closer to achieving their goal. Every time he thought of the brunette girl now he got chills down his spine, the power in her was unimaginable, together they would make an unstoppable team, the world would cower at their feet. He had to admit, after the dream last night, his need for her had become greater, it had taken all his willpower not to take her then and there when she had stood on the threshold of her door, and again when Draco had had her pinned against the wall. He sighed, entering the bathroom for yet another cold shower.

Hermione hadn't said another word to Draco all morning, he hadn't spoken at all. Everything was getting to her, Harry's unpredictable temper, Ron's incessant attention, Ginny's moping that all Harry did was yell at her. She was aching for a fight, to just lose control and shout, she willed Malfoy to say something, anything giving her the outlet she needed to hex everything in sight. The opportunity came at lunch, it was not Malfoy however who caused her to snap. As predicted by Blaise and Draco it was of course the wonder idiots who finally tipped her over the edge. They had all been seated together, the atmosphere was tense, as it always was when Harry and Draco were forced into company with each other, Hermione was seated opposite Ron and Harry, Ginny was on her right, Blaise and Draco to her left, though slightly further down the table. Harry was in a foul mood, Ron was trying to be funny and Ginny was whining at Harry, she reached for her goblet of pumpkin juice, at the same time Ron reached for it in order to hand it to her, all in all it resulted in the juice being tipped into her lap. She stood up, knocking the table, her hair wild and her anger overspilling,

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE RON I CAN PICK UP A GLASS OF SODDING JUICE MYSELF! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" She gestured to her robes which were soaked through, the two Slytherins watched with amused, smug expressions on their faces, Ron started to garble an apology, "What thats I can't understand you? GOD! I've had it with this! I never have a moment to myself, if its not you trailing after me, its you sending Ginny to find me. Its bad enough I have to be in Malfoy's company all the time, who knew that you two could actually annoy me more then he is right now!" They sat there in shocked silence, Hermione had never acted like this before, her normally brown eyes had darkened to almost black in her rage. All the students in the Great Hall had turned to watch the drama unfold, Blaise was lounging back in his seat his hands behind his head, Draco had picked up his goblet and was treating it like light entertainment, she did not let the fact that she had an audience deter her, however Harry had now stood up, he shouted back at her,

"SO SORRY HERMIONE, SORRY THAT WE ACTUALLY CARED ENOUGH TO LOOK OUT FOR YOU! You know what HE is," he gestured at Draco, who mouthed 'me' with mock concern, "You know what he did, we just wanted to protect you from him, we weren't sure how well you'd handle it." This made her more angry, if that was possible,

"EXCUSE ME? How well i'd handle it? How many times have I saved your ARSE POTTER? More then I can count, I am perfectly capable of handling myself. I don't need you or Ron to protect me, and for God's sake get over yourself for one minute! Yeah you've had it rough but blaming yourself for everything its stupid and self righteous." Ron jumped up,

"Hey Hermione that was below the belt, you can't say that! His parents died, so did his Godfather. Then he lost the one person who could help him finish this! He has every right to be angry with the world."

"Thats just typical isn't it, jumping to his defense. I'm meant to be your girlfriend, surely you can understand what I'm saying?"

"You know what I can't be bothered to argue with you on this Hermione, you want to act like a spoilt little brat thats fine, just go off and get killed, leave us to it." Hermione's jaw dropped, so this what they thought of her,

"Ron's right, just shut up and go stick your head in a book or something, we'll do better without you." Harry, Ron and Ginny got up and left the hall, she sat down and calmly finished her lunch. When she had finished, she got up and wandered from the Hall, neglecting her escorting duty. Blaise got up to follow, but Draco made him sit down,

"Not yet, leave it 10 minutes. Then we go find her. I know where she's gonna go." Blaise could not fathom what Draco was planning, the argument had gone well, for them that is. Potty and Weasel had acted as they had predicted, they hadn't expected Ron to wish her dead (Draco had had to prevent himself from decking the red haired moron) but this left her isolated from them, vulnerable, exactly how they wanted her. Ten minutes passed, still Draco did not move, Blaise was getting itchy feet, if they didn't go now she would be lost to them, to bitter and lonely to accept anyone else.

"Malfoy, come on let's go!" The reigning Prince of Slytherin got up, downed his remaining juice, with the extra shot of Firewhiskey that he had added to it, Dutch courage and all that, and sauntered out of the Great Hall, Blaise followed behind. The students could not help but watch, especially the girls, the presence that they both commanded was astounding, the way they moved, with purpose, the girls practically fell out of their seats. Draco threw open the main doors and stepped out into the sunlight, his gaze piercing the landscape before finally settling on the large tree on the shores of the Black Lake; sure enough a solitary figure sat under the tree, they had found their prey.

She watched the sun bounce of the lake, the rays bouncing off in all directions. Disordered, like her life. As much as she had wanted to let Harry and Ron know that she had issues with how they were treating her, she hadn't expected them to retaliate in quite the way that they had. She didn't want to absolutely fall out with them, they were her best friends. Two shadows fell across her, she sighed,

"If you've come out here for Round two, forget about it, I don't want to argue anymore," whoever it was didn't answer, she looked up. She didn't expect this, "Come to gloat? Save it, I don't want to listen to two Slytherin prats laughing at me." The blond smiled, so did the dark one, Draco spoke first,

"On the contrary Granger, quite the opposite. We've come to stop this." She was confused by his statement, the feelings that were surfacing were scaring her, it was like her dream,

"Stop what Malfoy?" This time Blaise stepped towards her and said,

"Stop this feeling that your feeling, the feeling that they've caused in you."

"We've been watching Granger, watching them suffocate you, starve you of all the oxygen in a room. I also watched you when we were alone, you were different, more alive. Blaise noticed it to." Blaise took two steps towards, her, he was standing so close, he ran one long finger down her cheek,

"They don't appreciate you, they don't treat you how you should be treated, like a Queen." The words reverberated round, echoes from the dream, Draco's head snapped towards him, Hermione's eyes widened,

"What? I mean, i mean.. you expect me to believe that two Slytherins, who may or may not be DEATH EATERS, think that they can treat me better then my best friends who I have known for six years! You have got to be kidding," she laughed nervously, Draco stepped towards her, whispering in her ear again,

"It's true, I know you feel it to, I know what you want, I dreamt it to..." Draco had put two and two together, twice now echoes of his dreams had spilt into reality, she had been dreaming about him, he could tell by the way she avoided his gaze, how certain phrases rattled her, how she knew exactly how to rattle him; now it seemed that they were sharing the same dream, with Blaise there to. "The three of us, its inevitable, you know it and we know it, we're more alike then you think Hermione. Don't let the past get in the way." She turned from them both, they smiled, it was working,

"Don't let the past get in the way Malfoy? You have hated me forever, you are evil, manipulative and cruel, I am nothing like you. Don't call me by real name, you don't have the right!" She ran from them, back to the castle, she couldn't go back to the Head's common room, or the Gryffindor common room, or the library, they were all places she would be found. She went to the seventh floor, walked three times back and forth, then entered the Room of Requirement, funnily enough, it became for her an exact replica of the room from her dream the other night. The bed, the balcony, the moon, it was the same. The only thing missing was the two people in the room for that she was kind of grateful. She collapsed on the enormous bed and was out like a light. She awoke several hours later, feeling more exhausted then she was before, having had missed all of her afternoon classes, she wanted to go back to her common room to make up for her truancy, but the common room meant Blaise, and Blaise meant Draco. She didn't understand why they had said all that shit to her, she was a Mudblood, the lowest of the low to two Pure-bloods like them, what on earth did they want with her? Were her dreams of him becoming reality? Harry and Ron had abandoned her, were Malfoy and Zabini offering themselves in place of them? No, that wasn't it, she had never had dreams of Harry and Ron like that; they weren't offering to be her friends, they were offering her something more, something forbidden, something she longed for. How long would she be able to fight this feeling that was brewing in her head? The feeling like the world that she was living in was a smoke screen, and if she let them Draco and Blaise could clear it, show her more, much more.

"Well that went swimmingly." They were back in Blaise's Heads dorm room, Blaise was pacing back and forth taking long swigs from a bottle of Firewhiskey, he was pissed, "What were you thinking Draco? You came on too strong, she's right, you've hated her for years, now you're turning round and saying you want her? You totally freaked her out!" Draco said nothing, he didn't even look at him, Blaise came up right next to him, "Draco! Are you listening to me!" He hit him on the arm, Draco moved fast, curling his fingers around Blaise's throat, the Italian barely had time to react before he was slammed into the stone wall,

"Do that again and I will make sure you won't ever shag anyone again. Clear?" Blaise nodded, fear was evident in his eye, Blaise was slightly bigger then Draco, not in height but in muscle, but Draco's strength was amazing, a mixture of Quidditch and weight training, Blaise knew better then anyone to underestimate the Malfoy heir, "I can't believe you are questioning this. Didn't you see it, we got under her skin. That dream we had last night and don't say you didn't dream it to, she had it to. I could tell. I think that some of the dreams I've been having recently she's had as well. I don't know what this means, but I know that its telling me that she's the one. All my life I have been someone else's puppet, my Father, Voldemort, hell even Dumbledore tried to use me, I learnt this summer to be my own person and I realize now that I can't do that without her. All the teasing, the fighting has led to this, me and her, we belong together and with you, we will be the strongest alliance this world has seen. Are you in or are you out? After all this was your idea."

"I'm in. It's just taking longer then expected." He handed the bottle over to Draco who drank the remains of it. Blaise walked to the window and lit up, dragging the smoke into his lungs. It was a filthy muggle habit, but Blaise couldn't give it up, neither could Draco. They heard the portrait door open and close. Hermione. He left Blaise and went to go talk to his Queen.

He found her curled up on the couch, a look of deep thought etched on her beautiful face, he sat down next to her, she looked at him in alarm, and said in a small, weary voice,

"Please, Malfoy just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you." She made to get up but he pulled her down again. He looked at her, sincerity in his eyes, his beautiful eyes,

"Hermione, I swear to you, I don't want to hurt you. Let me explain everything, I need you to understand this. Will you give me that?" The seriousness in his voice made her really take him in, close up he was almost angelic, but the sadness in his eyes, and the faint scar bisecting his lip, told her that this was a very different person from the one that tormented her for six years. She gulped, not really trusting herself to talk, she managed to say,

"Ok, talk."

"Last year, I did something incredibly weak and stupid, I realize that now. But, you have to believe I did it to save my Mother. Voldemort was going to kill her if I didn't follow through with the plan, I had to save her. It was during the summer, when I was hiding out, that I kept thinking about you. I couldn't understand it, why would I spare a thought for you? When I got back to the Manor I dreamt of you, we were together in the dream, I didn't want to believe it. But then we got back to school and there you were, the same as always, defiant and unafraid. I realized something, the dreams I was having, they all meant the same thing. All my life I have been told what to do, by my parents, teachers, Voldemort, I didn't want to do that anymore, I wanted to be my own person, I can't do that without you." He paused allowing her to take it in. She had to know this, "Hermione, I am so sorry for all the crap I have laid on you, it was never the way I truly felt. All that Pure-blood shit, my Father beat it into me, I couldn't care less. You are the most powerful, amazing person I know. I want us to be together, let me show you what its like to be someone other then who you are expected to be. Blaise, he is a part of this to, he has had almost the same kind of life, he wants you. We're here for you, anytime you need us, we'll be waiting." She didn't reply immediately but after a while she spoke,

"I dreamt of you to. I didn't know what to make of my dreams, I was a horrible person. I betrayed my friends just to be with you. But then, in one dream you were leaving me, the unbelievable pain I felt that I might never see you again, it felt like it killed me. I don't know what to make of what you've said. I don't know if I can trust you, right now I feel I can't trust anyone. I'll see you tomorrow." And that was that she went to her room leaving him staring into the fire.

Chapter Six

A week has passed since her last conversation with Malfoy, since she had argued with Harry and Ron. She kept out of the way of all of them, sticking to the library, McGonagall had found her on the second day,

"Miss. Granger, it appears that you have been neglecting your duty, has there been some sort of altercation between yourself and Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione shook her head,

"No, Professor, erm, I fell behind slightly in a couple of my subjects and Blaise offered to watch Malfoy this week to let me catch up. Did he not tell you?" Luckily McGonagall accepted her lie and left her to it, now here she was five days later, alone. Fortunately the time alone had given her ample opportunity to ponder the meaning of Draco's declaration. He had changed, she knew that for sure, he had grown up and the boy who contributed to the horror of last term was gone. However, her dreams of him told her that the darkness in him was not quelled by this change, it frightened her and excited her. In her mind she knew it was absurd, all these years fighting alongside Harry and Ron and all of a sudden it was changing, she felt herself becoming something else, something unreal. Was Malfoy right? Were they the same, always searching for more from the world? She was distracted from this trail of thought by Ginny sitting down next to her.

"What do you want?" Ginny looked taken aback, as if she was surprised by Hermione's reaction,

"I came to talk to you. Harry and Ron have been nightmares all week, they can't seem to hold it together without you. I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have let them treat you like that. Please, please let them talk to you, they really want to make amends." Although Hermione was still hurt by the argument, she did miss them and wanted to make up.

"Ok, i'll talk to them," Ginny nodded and got up to leave, Hermione felt she should say something else, "Gin? I'm sorry to, I've been a bit of a nightmare recently. I don't know what's come over me. I haven't been sleeping well, I am barely keeping up with my work. I've been...anyway tell Harry and Ron I will come to Gryffindor common room for seven tonight. See you later yeah?" Hermione looked back down at her book, Ginny made to say something else but bit back her words, whatever was bothering Hermione had really got to her, she was different and Ginny wasn't sure if it was a good thing.

He had overheard the whole conversation, and it troubled him, if she went back to them now they would lose her forever. She had almost told Ginny about him, he could feel his name about to roll off her tongue, but she had hesitated, that was at least a glimmer of hope. She hadn't been near him since last week in the common room. He had tried to explain to her where he was coming from, it wasn't an easy thing especially given their history, He wasn't sure he could explain it himself, but it had happened, he had fallen hard and deep for the Gryffindor Princess and he wasn't going to give up. He suspected that the feelings had always been there, but because of his Father and his Master, Draco never had the chance to be who he was; true he was as ambitious as Lucius but he wasn't a neo-facist psychopath, he didn't hold to all this Pureblood shite, not anymore. Last summer destroyed any trace of the boy his Father had brought up. Draco was his own man, and had his own views on the world. He had come to realize that Hermione was as much a part of his world as his best friends, without her he would never have had anyone to spar with as he had her; she had always treated him differently to everyone else, most people were afraid of him, or wanted to fight him but she treated him like he was just another face in the crowd. At first it had pissed him off, now he knew that he admired it in her, it made him crave her more. Most people wouldn't believe the 180 his view of her had taken, but it had happened and she wanted it to. Draco sat and watched her for a long time, the way her hair fell around her shoulders in perfect ringlets, the curve of her lips as she sucked the end of her quill, the intensity in her eyes as she fathomed out what to write next. She was enthralling. He had to act, to make her see that she could be more without Potter and Weasley. He stepped out of the shadows, she looked up, and gasped,

"You've been avoiding me," he said. She was taken aback by his appearance, he looked incredible, his blond hair slightly messed, falling into his stormy grey eyes, she took a huge breath to stop herself from fainting. He spoke again, "My God Granger, are you ok? You look kind of flushed?" He walked towards her chair, she got up quickly and scooted back,

"I'm fine Malfoy, why, why would I be not fine? I'm not flushed. I am perfectly unflushed. How long have you been there? Were you listening in on my conversations? You were! Great way to earn my trust!" He laughed, he was laughing at her, she burnt with anger, "Now you're laughing at me, thanks ferret, now I know where I stand with you!" He stopped laughing, grabbing her arm as she went to leave, trapping her between him and the desk,

"Sorry Granger, I didn't mean to make fun. For your information I was listening to your conversation, but only because I happened to be in the aisle next to here. You going to forgive those two idiots, aren't you?"

"They're my best friends Malfoy, I can't live without them. What, did you think that you make one heartfelt confession to me and everything changes? You're still evil and so is your little friend. The thought of us, me, you and him together makes me want to vomit," her voice wavered, "You can't change the past Malfoy, and you can't change. Now let me go, I have to meet Harry and Ron." She wanted to get away from him, but found herself reluctant to move from her position, Draco noticed this,

"I am not stopping you from leaving Hermione, I don't want to stop you from doing anything. But know this, what I said to you the other night is the truth. I am not the person you knew. I know every bone in your body is telling you to run and never look back but I implore you to stay. I don't care if you make up with the wonder idiots," she made a scoffing sound at the nickname, "As I was saying I don't care about that, but I care about you and they will just use you the same as always. You know they will. They will make you feel small and pathetic until you start believing it. We can give you the world, make you feel strong and powerful and loved. Just give us, me the chance to prove it to you." She looked at him with big brown eyes, she knew he was right, he was always right. He knew her mind better then she did, she could see that he needed her, wanted her, but she couldn't betray her friends, she just couldn't,

"I can't. I can't betray them. No matter what I feel. Please let me go. Draco. Please." The use of him first name shocked him, the plea in her voice shooting straight through his heart. He released her, she leant up and kissed him on the cheek, she whispered in his ear, "Thank-you. For caring. But I can't be with you." He simply nodded, as she left he said in a stern voice,

"You may think that this is it, but we'll always be here, waiting. I will never give up." He brushed past her almost knocking her to the ground, he made his way to the Head's rooms, he needed to talk to Blaise. He found the Head Boy leaning on the windowsill smoking. He smiled wearily at his friend, Draco was buzzing,

"She's giving in to it." The two Slytherins, smiled, it had begun.

Hermione curled up in front of the fire in her old common room, the confrontation with Draco in the library had knocked the energy out of her. She knew now that her feelings towards him had completely changed, the dreams and his proposition had made her realize that what she had been searching for had been in front of her all the time. The spark, the missing thing in her life was him, but she could never allow him to fill that void in her life; it would have to remain empty for the rest of her life. The situation with Blaise was somewhat different, she didn't see him as she saw Draco. Blaise was an enigma, she couldn't work him out, but she wanted to, she wanted that so much. It all felt new to her, these feelings of lust for not one but two people. They had awakened in her a new not entirely unwelcome feeling. The temptation of the forbidden, let Harry and Ron protect her from that. She stopped, thinking of Harry and Ron in the same train as Draco and Blaise made her feel like a disloyal tramp, she couldn't have the two Slytherins not without the consequences. She had Ron, he was her priority, and Harry, helping Harry destroy Voldemort. Speaking of the two of them, it was already a quarter past seven and they hadn't shown up, she clicked her knuckles impatiently. This was typical, they had probably gotten sidetracked talking about bloody Quidditch. Half past came and went, at seven forty five the portrait opened and in they walked, laughing and joking. They stopped dead when they saw her. Harry swore under his breath, Ron garbled an apology,

"Hermione, we're so sorry, we got sidetracked, but we're here now, we want to talk. The other day we acted stupid and ignorant, we should have realized that we were smothering you, but its just we don't trust the ferret, he's evil and cruel and we didn't want you to get hurt. We know that it was bad of us to talk to you how we did, but just want to protect you."

"Yeah, Ron's right Hermione. I'm sorry to. These past few months have been really tough, but I am trying to be positive about this. I have to be. I was being overprotective because I don't want to lose anyone else to this stupid selfish war. You can understand that right?" She took a while to reply,

"I'm sorry, I did say some horrible things. You know I appreciate you helping me, and looking out for me but you have to understand that I am capable of looking after myself." Harry looked at Ron, they both looked entirely unconvinced, Harry came and put his arm around her,

"Hermione, you are an amazing witch, but we are not about to leave you to be alone with Malfoy twenty four seven. He is more dangerous then we ever imagined. Last year proved that. He can't be trusted and I am not losing you to Death Eaters." Ron came to the other side of her,

"You're my girlfriend Hermione and I, I love you. You can't handle Malfoy alone, he's to powerful now. Tell her what the Order discovered Harry." She was beginning to get a bit peeved with them, they still weren't listening to her, Harry continued,

"During the summer, he was initiated. He's a Death Eater Hermione, the Order confirmed it last week. Zabini is to, as well as a bunch of others. We've been to McGonagall, we don't want you in a dorm with him, who knows what he'll try. We can't expose them though, so we're stuck with them. Now do you see why you need our protection?" She shrugged them off of her, she knew this already, Malfoy had told her as much himself, now she had made up her mind, they couldn't give her what she wanted most of all, independence, freedom, respect. Damn them both, the lines had been blurred for her. Good and evil, it meant nothing to her, not anymore.

"Neither of you have any idea do you! You haven't learnt! I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! I understand that its your instinct to protect me, but you are treating me like a child! Like a weak, pathetic child who can't do anything for herself! Its nauseating!" They couldn't believe her,

"For fuck's sake Hermione! If you stop acting like such a child, we'll stop treating you like one! We don't want to lose you, can't you see that! Stupid woman!" Ron knew that he had overstepped the mark, she shook her head and walked out, what they didn't realize was that now they had truly lost her, to the enemy they were so keen on protecting her from and there wasn't a damn thing they could do. Draco and Blaise had promised her the world, and she was bursting with the need for it. Her anger surged through her, seeping into her veins like a parasite. They only cure lay in the room that her legs had carried her to. She raised her hand to knock...

Ginny knew it had gone badly the moment she entered the Gryffindor common room, she stood in front of the two of them, hands on her hips,

"What happened? Where's Hermione?" Harry looked up at her, the light from the fire coupled with her flaming red hair made her look as though she had set the room ablaze, he got up and gathered her in his arms,

"I don't know what happened Ginny. She's different, I feel like I don't know her anymore. She doesn't understand that all we are doing is trying to keep her out of harms way." Ron hadn't moved, his jaw was set and his gaze was cold,

"Somethings wrong with her, I've never seen her like that before. Its like she didn't want to be here with us. I don't recognize her anymore." Ginny heaved a huge sigh, boys would never learn,

"You two idiots! Of course she's changed, she's grown up! She's just as frightened by all this, like you. She's afraid that she'll lose the two of you, so she's trying to keep you out of trouble! You need to let up on her, let her be her own person. She'll come around eventually." Harry and Ron hoped to Merlin that Ginny was right, Hermione was one of them and they didn't want to lose her.

She knocked twice, there was no answer, she began to turn away, this was a bad idea. At the last moment the door opened, she spun back, there wasn't anyone behind the it, before she could change her mind she tentatively entered Blaises dorm. It was dark, the only light was from the sliver of moon, illuminating the area by the window. On first look it appeared to be empty, she peered around, she was having a case of major deja vu, was this a dream? It felt like it was, she had been here before. She heard a movement behind her, spinning on her heel, she came face to face with Blaise, he smelt of cigarettes and cologne, she squeaked,

"Blaise! I..I, the door it just opened, I'm sorry I shouldn't be here!" She started towards the door, but he was too fast, blocking her path the moment she moved, she panicked; why had she come here? He sensed her discomfort, and moved, to stand right next to her, leaning to whisper in her ear,

"The door is there, Cara, you're free to walk out of it, but ask yourself this-something bought you here tonight, and my prediction is that it won't go away anytime soon." She became aware of another person in the room, tall and sexy, Draco Malfoy stood in front of her, stroking her cheek he said,

"Come back when you really mean it. Till then think seriously about this Hermione, are you willing to give up anything for us? Willing to give yourself to us completely? Are you ready to let us teach you the ways of our world? Can you honestly say this is what you want?" She looked up at time, he was heart breakingly beautiful, the intensity in his grey eyes drove deep into her soul, she so desperately wanted what they were offering but right now she was too confused to think straight. So she left the two gorgeous, sexy Slytherins, standing there aching for her. Retreating for the comfort of her room she couldn't believe what she had almost done. However, they had been there for her, when she had needed them most. Harry and Ron had demeaned her, insulted her, and she had been angry, in spite of all that she still couldn't imagine them not being there for her. Would she have ruined all of that, a six year long friendship for one night giving into her lust? Would it have been fair on Draco and Blaise? No, feeling awful and hateful she tossed and turned all night, her sleep punctured with nightmares of fire and blood, the walls of the castle closing in on her, waking only to dwell on the memory of Blaise standing there wanting her and Draco's eyes driving right through her.

Saturday dawned clean and crisp. A faint red glow punctured the skyline, the sun rose bleeding light over the vast grounds of the castle. She awoke almost as soon as she had fallen asleep, the dawn chorus waking rousing her. She yawned and stretched out, padding over to the window she took in the view. From her vantage point she could see over the lake, and the forest, the early sunlight piercing everything; the scene was so breathtaking that she almost forgot her troubles. Her gaze travelled to the tree by the lake, where it had all started, a figure stood under the tree. Draco. He was leaning against the trunk, dressed in dark jeans, a black t-shirt and a pair of dark sunglasses, the morning air was chilly but it seemed as if he didn't feel it. He was smoking a cigarette, she could see the smoke curling around him partially obscuring him from sight. How could someone that perfect looking be so unbelievably tainted? She sighed. Today was a Hogsmeade visit, she wasn't' sure if she was going to go, no doubt Harry and Ron wouldn't let her go on her own, maybe it was a good thing, maybe they could work it out. With this illuminating thought in her head she tore herself away from the tantalizing view of Draco leant up against a tree, and went to get ready, it was early but it would give her time to prepare herself.

An hour later she made her way down to breakfast, dressed in jeans, a band tee and her jacket, she spied Harry, Ron and Ginny, avoiding looking at the Slytherin table, she sat herself next to Ron. They looked somewhat surprised that she had sat with them,

"Hey. Look I was wondering if you wanted to come to Hogsmeade with me? I wouldn't feel safe on my own." Ron put his arm around her,

"Of course you can Hermione. Don't worry we won't smother you. We had a chat with Ginny and she put us in our place." Harry put his hand on top of hers,

"I've been selfish, thinking that I was the only one affected by last year. I realize now that its had an effect on us all. We will try to take a step back, let you breathe. It doesn't mean that I won't worry about you, or that Ron won't want to protect you to within an inch of his life, but we will let you take care of yourself." She couldn't quite believe that they had grown-up by about ten years in the space of ten hours but they had. She hugged Ron and squeezed Harry's hand,

"Thank-you guys, that really means a lot. I appreciate you finally letting me look after me. Its been shit without you guys around. And thank-you Ginny, for making these idiots see sense! Let's get going we'll be late." She looped her arm around Ron's and kissed him on the lips, as she withdrew her eyes locked with Draco's, anger and jealousy flashed behind them. She felt a pang in her heart, and quickly uncoupled from Ron, following behind him out of the Great Hall and on to the village.

He watched her follow the Weasel out of the Great Hall, he had seen the sorrow in her eyes as she had kissed him, the disappointment. Blaise was scowling into his breakfast, he had hated seeing that blood traitor touch his girl. Not that she was, yet. However angry and jealous Draco was, his faith in her had not crumbled. She had tasted the smallest tang of what they could give her and no matter what happened with those cretins she would eventually chose him, and Blaise. Sudden a stabbing pain shot through his arm, he looked at his best friend, Blaise was clutching his forearm. They had to get out of there before one of the teacher's twigged what was going on. He motioned for Blaise to follow him outside, lifting up his sleeve, the ugly mark burned in his skin was writhing, turning darker and darker with each second.

"Shit!" He exclaimed, they got to the front gates of the castle and passed through, the wards now lifted, they apparated out to Voldemort's hiding place.

Chapter Seven

The Riddle house was a scar on the landscape, dilapidated, shabby, the area around it was permanently dark, the sky filled with thick mist. Evil grew here and thrived. The fact that the Ministry hadn't figured that Voldemort a.k.a. Tom Riddle had taken up residence in his Father's old house was ridiculous, though Draco suspected that it was due to the large percentage of high ranking Ministry officials loyal to the Dark Lord. He and Blaise had apparated into the first floor meeting room, as son's of the incarcerated their positions within the Dark Lord's ranks were high. However the two men were in for a surprise, standing at the head of the meeting room table was Lucius Malfoy. Draco's jaw dropped and he started to shake,

"Draco, my boy! Surprised? My release was secured by the Dark Lord last night. Blaise your Father is receiving treatment upstairs, your Mother is with him. Please feel free to go." Blaise shot Draco a warning look, then left the room. "Now son, where were we? Aah yes, my release. Those fools at the Ministry still believed Azkaban to be impenetrable but our Lord found a way, now his most loyal servants are once again free. They are preparing themselves for a celebratory attack. Congratulations on last year, I hear you did well. Although you failed in the final part of your task, however the outcome was still exemplary. I am pleased that you have joined the Death Eaters, it shows courage and strength." Draco stood stunned, the bastard was praising him,

"What's this Lucius? Suddenly you're the perfect Father? Well congratulations Dad! I'm following in your footsteps. Where are they attacking?" Lucius didn't say anything, Draco re-iterated his point, "Where are they attacking?" Lucius looked taken aback, he had never seen this side to his son, for once in his life the table had turned,

"Hogsmeade, it happens in ten minutes. You should get back to avoid being accused." Lucius did not look at Draco as he left the room, Blaise was waiting in the hall. Draco rushed past him,

"We need to go. NOW!" Blaise hurried after him, anxious as to what was going on. They apparated back to the outskirts of Hogsmeade. Students were milling around all over the place, it was like a chicken farm and all the chickens were about to be fried. Blaise grabbed Draco's arm,

"What the fuck is going on! What did Lucius say?" The blonde wrenched his arm away, and said in a low, dangerous voice,

"We need to get her out of here, now."

"Why?"

"Death Eaters are going to be here in less then ten minutes, and it is going to be a fucking slaughter. She is out there with only those two cretins to protect her. She is going to die unless we get her out of here." Blaise's mind processed the information, his blood turning to ice in his veins. Hermione. They couldn't lose her. His brain worked over time, formulating a plan, then it hit him. He pulled Draco back,

"I've got an idea. We create the attack before it happens." Draco looked pissed,

"How the fucking hell do we do that in six minutes? I'm going to find her." Blaise yanked him back again,

"Wait! The Ministry has a sensor, it senses the Dark Mark as soon as its cast in the sky, we cast it now, Aurors are on this place like that. Its the only way." Draco nodded, not caring how Blaise knew that particular piece of information, he drew his wand and pointed it skyward,

"Morsmordre!" A huge black cloud erupted from the end of his wand, forming into the Mark of Voldemort in the clear skies above them, staining the day. From their vantage point they could see the entire main square, in an instance everyone was panicking, students were running screaming, others were drawing their wands, figures began to appear. Draco recognized their ex-professors, Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody, then there was some pink haired woman he vaguely knew, his cousin, Nymphadora Tonks, and there were others. A minute passed, the Aurors looked confused. He scanned the square for her, Death Eaters had now arrived and there were curses flying everywhere. He could see Potter and Weasley joining in the fray, he couldn't see her anywhere. The fight with the Death Eaters would seem like nothing, compared with what Draco would do if she was hurt. He whacked Blaise on the shoulder,

"Blaise! Follow the crowds up to the castle, see if you can see her. If you do get her into your room and keep her safe." He steadied himself to join the fight,

"WAIT! What are you doing? You are going to get yourself killed! Then what good are you to her?"

"I'm gonna help the fucking Aurors! The Death Eaters are outnumbered, and most of them are the half-wits that have just escaped! They' re no match. I am doing this so there are less of them to harm her when the Final Battle hits" He pulled his cloak hood up over his head, it would hide his tell-tale hair colour at least. Running forward he hexed any masked person he could see, being a Seeker on the Quidditch team had its advantage in this situation, he was fast, disappearing in the opposite direction before anyone had a chance to hit him; plus his Father had taught him well, he was more advanced then most adult wizards put together. Throwing a curse over his shoulder, he stopped abruptly. His breath caught in his throat, directly in front of him was Hermione, hair swirling around her head as she threw curse after curse, she looked like a Goddess. His moments pause however, allowed a Death Eater to sneak up behind him and grab him around the neck, his hood fell down revealing his identity, "Shit!" he thought. Then he began to see stars...

She had been having lunch with Harry and Ron when the first scream penetrated the air, they had bolted outside expecting carnage, but all they could see were panicked students and baffled Aurors. Harry spied Remus Lupin amongst them, then it all happened at once, Death Eaters appearing out of thin air. Harry and Ron had rushed forward to meet them, leaving her on her own. She suddenly felt vulnerable, then extremely stupid, after all this is what she had asked for, the chance to protect herself; drawing her wand she ran to join the fray. Minutes passed, it seemed like hours, the Death Eaters were vastly outnumbered but somehow she had been cornered by five of them, she panicked, there wasn't anyone in the vicinity to help her. The wind caught her hair blowing about her face, suddenly she felt an unbelievable surge of magical energy through her, she found the strength to throw a couple of choice curses directly at the centre of the group. Miraculously it worked and they scattered. She allowed herself a small amount of congratulations before she got the feeling something wasn't right. A feeling, directly behind her. Hermione turned and what she saw made her heart jump out of her chest, a Death Eater with his arm wrapped round Draco's throat. The hatred for these wretched people swelled within her, the magical energy she felt before was now coursing through her veins, she had just raised her wand when...WHAM!...Draco had sunk his elbow into the man's crotch, he doubled over giving Draco the chance to punch him in the face, knocking him out cold. She ran to the blond boy, who was doubled over coughing, she hovered near him, anxious, he managed to rasp,

"Hermione, are you alright?" She nodded, the power she felt had diminished and she looked like an innocent child, eyes wide with concern, "Listen to me Cara, head back to the castle, find Blaise, he'll look after you, this isn't your fight, not yet. I am not trying to stop you from fighting, I saw the power in you just then, I know you can handle yourself; its just right now I need to know your safe."

"Draco...why are you fighting them? I thought..."

"I am not going to let them kill you. Now go." That was the only answer he gave her. She nodded and started towards the castle, at the last moment before he could leave to join the battle once again, she turned back towards him,

"DRACO! Please. Please be careful." She called, before he could blink she had run back to him and kissed him hard on the lips, breaking away almost as soon as contact had been made, he looked at her bewildered, she whispered in his ear "Come back to me." Then fled to the castle. He had to stand for a few minutes to regain his bearings, shaking his head he rejoined the battle and found that most of the Death Eaters had been rounded up, the remaining were engaged in battles with members of the Ministry, and Potter, the rest were dead. He saw Potter falter, as much as he hated the boy, he knew Hermione would never recover if something happened to him, gathering up all the strength he could muster he charged the Death Eater down and beat him to a bloody pulp. Standing up, he surveyed the battleground, it was over with minor casualties for the Light Side. Satisfied he managed to slip away unnoticed, he had a few minor cuts and bruises including a purple ring around his neck but was otherwise uninjured. He took the back way into the castle he had discovered it in his second year, it led behind the Forbidden Forest and down past the Lake. He made his way unnoticed through the halls, as he turned a corner he saw something that caused his heart to skip several beats, Blaise stood in front of him, blood on his robes and a grave look on his face. Draco grabbed him by the shoulders and hauled him against the wall.

"WHAT HAPPENED! WHERE IS SHE?" Blaise shoved him off,

"I did what you said I followed the crowds. I found...found..Weaselette, she was crouched over Hermione, Hermione had been hit, her arm was cut and she was unconscious. There was a Death Eater, I don't know who, he was about to kill Ginny. I hexed him, then threw him in the lake. I took Hermione straight to the hospital wing, she's up there still. She's ok, just a bit shaken." Draco breathed a sigh of relief, his anger and worry subsided, then he fell to the ground, black out.

The world around her burned. The smoke stung her eyes making her weep, but the blackness did not stain her, she remained pure. The ground was strewn with the dead. Blood flowed. She retched. Entirely alone she fell to her knees, to wracked with grief to hold herself up. It was in that moment of utmost despair that she saw him. Though dirt and blood ran through his blonde hair and his grey eyes looked empty and lost, it was still him. Her only hope was that there was enough left of his soul to salvage. He reached for her and she threw herself into his arms.

"What have we done Draco?" She wept into his chest, the weight of her betrayal bearing down on her,

"You haven't done anything my love. I did what I had to, to keep from losing you all together. Everything happens for a reason. You have to go now, they're here for you." He smiled down upon her, "Go, be happy and safe."

"Wait, will I ever see you again? Don't go, I can't...please." She couldn't watch him walk away from her forever, she didn't want her last memory of him here, in this Godforsaken place. The fires raged behind them, edging ever closer, she turned to watch. He stood next to her,

"You have to know what to see," he forced her to look behind, there stood Harry, Ron and Ginny, along with the rest of the Order, her parents, Sirius, James and Lily, Dumbledore. "You won't see me, but I'll see you. I'll be there when the Weasel finally drags you down the aisle, I'll be there when you sleep, when you work. I'll watch you grow old and die, even-though it will kill me." She sensed another person stand on her other side, Blaise, face streaked with soot, one long cut down one side, he looked beautiful but defeated.

"I'll be there to. You have to go on living Cara. Are you ready?" She breathed in, closed her eyes. "Are you ready Cara?" Blaise.

"I'll always be there. I'll always love you." Draco. She opened her eyes, the smoke had cleared and she was in a church, making her way down the aisle, dressed in white. Innocence. She stopped,

"NO! Take me back! PLEASE!" She looked around frantically, a shock of blonde hair caught her eye, he smirked and raised an eyebrow,

"Are you really ready?"

"Is she going to be okay? I need to know? Can I see her?" Red hair came into focus, she felt groggy. The world was fuzzing round the edges. What had happened? Her arm felt like ice, her head throbbed. "HERMIONE! You're awake!"

"Really, boys! Do not overcrowd her, she has a severe concussion. It would be best if you came back later." The Hogwarts Matron tried to usher Harry and Ron out, but she said weakly,

"Its alright, Madame Pomfrey, I don't want them to leave," Hermione sat up slowly in the bed, around her she could see that the rest of the Hospital Wing, Aurors and some students were being treated for cuts and bruises, luckily no-one was seriously hurt. "Is everyone okay? What happened?" She was now more alert, Mme. Pomfrey had provided her with a potion that had cleared her head and dulled the pain, Harry looked at her, his eyes distant, it was Ron who answered,

"Everyone is okay, Tonks was out for ten minutes but she'll be alright. In short, it was an attack. Death Eaters were broken out of Azkaban last night, Lucius Malfoy included. We've figured that it was a celebratory attack, but it was unplanned and sloppy. They were outnumbered, all of them bar one were rounded up. The one that got away though, seemed to be attacking them, not us. He saved Harry's life. But he disappeared before we could catch him." She took all this in, at least no-one was killed. Her thoughts turned to Draco, he had fought against his brethren, he had saved her, he had saved Harry. She had kissed him. A huge pang of guilt hit her like a wave and tears fell. Ron looked alarmed, he gathered her in his arms, "Mione, what is it? Silly girl, everyone is alright. There's nothing to fear anymore, we're here to protect you. I love you, you know that yeah?" She smiled weakly, she knew Ron loved her, but she didn't feel that way about him, but she was a coward, she would never tell him that she was harboring feelings for their enemies.

"I love you too, Ron. Harry? Harry, are you ok?" The boy who lived hadn't spoken, he looked more lost then ever, "Harry, I don't know what your feeling, but there was nothing you could do about what happened today. I don't know if this helps, but I had a dream. I saw Dumbledore, your parents, Sirius. Then I saw us, all of us, we were standing strong and alive. It means that you have to keep fighting, stay strong, Voldemort thrives on spreading misery and weakness. Fight for them Harry, otherwise they died for nothing." Slowly her friend nodded,

"Thank-you." She smiled, okay, that wasn't exactly the whole of the dream but the rest of it they wouldn't exactly respond very well to; she had also left out the fact that she had wanted to leave them for the two worst people in the world. She needed to see them, Blaise and Draco, she just hoped beyond hope that Draco was okay. Madame Pomfrey came over to kick Harry and Ron out of the wing, the sky had darkened and it was getting on for evening, they left and once they were out of earshot she begged Mme. Pomfrey to let her leave,

"Please Mme., I would feel much better in my own room, please? I will go straight to bed, and rest." Mme. Pomfrey grumbled, but eventually let up and allowed her to leave. She hurriedly dressed and made her way back to her dorm room, desperate to find them. Arriving at her Common Room, she entered and heard something that made her hot under the collar,

"...she's everything we thought she was, and more. She kissed me man, it was like tasting heaven. It took all my self control not to have her right there."

Blaise half dragged, half carried Draco back to the Heads Common Room, he put him on the sofa, and went to get a cold cloth, and some bandages. It appeared that Draco had been hit in the head during the fight. Blaise cleaned the blood from his friends face and dabbed at the cut in his head. Once he was satisfied, he left his friend and went to clean up. It made him feel sick, watching Hermione's blood wash off him, it made him angry, it mixed with Draco's blood and he sighed. Stepping out of the shower, he dried off and threw on a pair of jeans. Hearing a knock at the door, he went to answer it. It was little Weaselette. He smiled pleasantly,

"What can I do for you Red?" He asked politely. She blushed, clearly the sight of a shirtless Italian had a momentous effect on her, what would Potter say to that? The thought made him smirk, she giggled and said,

"I just came to say thank you, you saved my life. Also for taking care of Hermione. She's awake by the way. She's okay. Just a bit sore, but she knows what you did. Anyway, Harry's waiting, thanks again." She left. He breathed a sigh of relief. He heard a spluttering cough behind him, Draco had begun to come to,

"What? Ah fuck my head!" He clutched his head, then looked to Blaise, "Have you heard? Is she alright?"

"I just saw the little Weasley. Hermione's okay, she's awake and alive and mostly unhurt. What the hell happened to you, you look fucking awful," he gestured to the purple bruise marring the skin around Draco's neck.

"Thanks man," he drawled sarcastically, "I fought them, they fought back. One caught me around the neck, I beat him to the ground before he could reach her. I saw her Blaise, she's everything we thought she was, and more. She kissed me man, it was like tasting heaven. It took all my self control not to have her right there." A noise behind them, made them turn, stood watching them, was their Goddess herself. Draco jumped up from the sofa, automatically wishing he hadn't, the pain in his head made him almost puke. Hermione looked at them, really looked, Draco looked a little worse for wear, the result of the battle, Blaise was shirtless and every inch the Italian adonis, he noticed her looking and smiled, Draco felt the pain in his head subside at the sight of her. She looked worried, but the power was now shining off of her in waves, making her glow, her eyes were brighter and her lips fuller. She was relieved that he was alright, he had after all risked his life for her. Seeing them together stirred within her feelings that she had never had before, it felt new and different, she was ready, stepping closer she looked from Draco to Blaise and back to Draco,

"I mean it," she said sincerely, want gleaming in her eyes, "I need you, both of you. Show me your world, take care of me, forever? Please..." That was enough for Draco, he pulled her to him and covered her lips with his own, she kissed him back with equal amounts of force. His hands had moved down to grab her bum, she had tangled hers in his hair. He pulled away, gasping for air, she was panting,

"Love, I don't want to be a spoilsport or anything but right now I couldn't do two rounds with a fruit fly, and you can barely stand," it was true she was hanging on to him for dear life, she nodded. In a way she was relieved, she didn't know how ready she was for this to go further. Yet.

"Hem, Hem." Blaise had had to remind them that he was still standing there, not that he minded, just watching them had been interesting enough. He knew that this would have happened as soon as he had planned this, Draco and Hermione were fated to each other, the arguing and sniping masking their true feelings, even to them. As long as they didn't always forget about him; Hermione let go of Draco and walked to the other Slytherin, peering into his dark eyes, she saw pride and happiness, standing on tiptoes she kissed him, he held her waist and gave in,

"Mind if I use your shower mate?" Draco, asked, not particularly fazed, he knew that whatever happened Blaise would never presume to think that Hermione would ever be his alone. Throughout this whole situation, the blond had always known that in the end Hermione would come to them, she was too passionate not to. Potter and Weasley were to stupid to realize what they had, he smirked, what would they say if they saw her now, shining with lust for the Slytherin Princes? That thought in mind he went into the bathroom and took a somewhat cool shower.

Meanwhile, Blaise had released Hermione's' lips and they were curled up together on the sofa, he was stroking her hair,

"Why today Cara? Was it because of the battle?" She stared into the fire, something had definitely changed in her today, he saw Draco appear at the door of the bathroom, wearing his trousers, the jerk, he joined them on the sofa, dropping a kiss on Hermione's lips, he sat by and listened,

"The other night when I came into your room, I was upset and angry. I came to you for all the wrong reasons. In a way I guess I had wanted to punish Harry and Ron for not treating me how I wanted. I realized today that they never would. Not that I was entirely convinced then that you two could treat me any better, history being what it was. But then, today when I was fighting I thought of you, Draco, and the strength it must have taken to stand up to Voldemort," absentmindedly she stroked the Dark Mark that marred his perfect skin, "and you Blaise, how you always seem so together and strong. I want to know what its like, I want to feel like I'm worth something. Then I felt this spark run through me, it was wonderful, I felt like I could destroy anything. But then I was cornered, I was so scared, but then I felt it again but more powerful, it was like a drug. Then I saw Draco and he was being strangled, it angered me, but I calmed once I knew that he could handle himself. Then he told me to find you, and I felt so scared leaving him, but I kissed him and that was the moment I started believing. The rest, you know, you saved my life, both of you. Thank-you." She hugged them both, Draco shone with pride and arrogance, his Princess was finally realizing that this was where she belonged, at his side. Blaise yawned, it was getting on for midnight.

"As much as I'd like to stay up all night just like this, I am exhausted, and you my dear look knackered. I don't want you to be getting sick, you've had a tough day," she nodded, and moved so he could get up, "Goodnight Cara, Draco." She kissed him full on the lips,

"Goodnight Blaise, see you in the morning." He made his way up the stairs, he had a feeling he'd be seeing them both first thing and that Draco wouldn't be leaving the Heads rooms tonight. He was right, Draco got up and put his ruined shirt on, about to make his way back to Slytherin house, but she stopped him,

"Will you stay with me tonight? Just to sleep, I don't want to be alone." He swept her in his arms, proceeding to carry her up the stairs,

"Draco, we left all the lights on and the fire going!" She squeaked, the Head Girl within working overtime,

"Never fear, love," placing her down, he swept an arm at the lights and the fire, they all went out immediately. She gasped, he gave her the arrogant smirk, "What? Oh that, magic is magic, you don't need a piece of wood as a conduit. It helps but its not necessary. Magic is in your blood, you either have it or you don't. Otherwise you could just hand wands to anyone. It would be carnage." The smugness in his voice at knowing something she didn't was obvious, she swatted him on the arm, he lifted her up and carried her up the stairs, plonking her on the double bed when he got to her room. She gave him a reproving look and grabbed her nightdress and headed into the bathroom. He stripped to his boxers and dived under the covers, he inhaled her scent off her pillows, succumbing to sleep almost immediately. In the bathroom, Hermione tried to make herself look somewhat presentable, wishing that she slept in something a bit more substantial then a t-shirt. It would have to do, she came out of the bathroom, Draco was already sprawled out on one side on the bed, he looked irresistible. She climbed in next him, pushing his blonde hair aside, she leant down and kissed him on the forehead, he stirred, but didn't wake, she smiled fondly,

"Goodnight Draco," she shut the lights off with her wand and laid her head down to sleep.

Chapter Eight

Breakfast in the Great Hall that morning was a subdued affair, many more students had been taken out the school by their parents, the news of the attack having graced the front page of the Daily Prophet. Hermione was sat with Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville, she had the paper propped open in front of her. The stories main focus was the mysterious hooded figure who saved the life of Harry Potter, she thought it would be a shock to the entire wizarding world should they find out it was none other then Draco Malfoy who saved the life of their hero, plus Voldemort would kill him, so it was best that no-one knew, well besides her and Blaise. She snuck a glance over at the Slytherin table, Blaise was sipping coffee, surveying those around him with judgmental eyes, Draco too had the newspaper open, and was smirking at the story. She thought back to that morning, waking up next to Draco was something she would be glad to make a habit of. She had slipped out to breakfast before he had woken so she hadn't had a chance to speak to him, Blaise had been up when she left. Being a Slytherin as he was, he had figured that Draco had stayed the night, she had reassured him that it was just sleeping; he had accepted it quietly and kissed her, which had left her gasping for air. Ron tugged on her arm, drawing her gaze back

to her boyfriend, the post had come, a letter had been dropped in front of her, her name written in neat black italics. She looked up immediately, grey eyes met hers, she smiled, it would be best to open this away from prying eyes.

"Ron, honey, I'm just going to go back to my common room for something, I'll see you in class. Bye, guys!" She hurried out of the Hall before he had a chance to protest. She ran all the way to her common room, when she got there she pulled the letter from her bag and tore it open, out of breathe she sat on the sofa and began to read,

Hermione,

Good morning love, I hope you are well. Meet Blaise and I for lunch in the Heads Common Room, there's some things we need to discuss. You look beautiful this morning. See you in class, I'll be thinking of you.

Yours

D.M.

Even though it wasn't exactly what she was hoping for her heart still fluttered, finally everything was falling into place, her life was fulfilled, strangely the fact that she was betraying her friends did not seem to bother her anymore. Stuffing the letter into her bag, she hurried to class. She was slightly late, so had to slip in the back of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the only seat left was next to Draco who grinned wickedly at her. Moody's magical eye swung in her direction,

"Your late Miss Granger!"

"I know, I'm sorry Sir. I had some Head's duties that couldn't wait." He frowned but then motioned for her to sit down,

"Well, you are excused then. Now sit down." She took her seat next to Draco. Ron smiled in her direction and glared at Draco, Hermione made a 'it can't be helped' face and settled down to work. Unfortunately this was made harder by three things, firstly the fact that his presence next to her was driving her crazy, how one person could smell that good was beyond her, secondly his foot had managed to wrap around hers and was currently stroking the back of her leg. Finally, Blaise was sat in front of her, he kept stretching out to scratch the back of his neck, which pulled his shirt tight across his back, showing off taut muscles, she had a sneaking suspicion that he knew this and was just teasing her.

"Damn Slytherins!" She said under her breath, not quietly enough though, for soon after she felt breath on the side of her neck, then a voice whispered huskily,

"Are you okay Granger? You seem a little, out of control." Oh she was going to kill him later, turning to him she smiled sweetly and said,

"Just you wait, Malfoy. I'll show you how out of control I can be." She winked and went back to her work. Draco smirked, she had spark, he was loving it, pleased with himself he went back to the task at hand, making her squirm in her seat.

Draco and Blaise continued to tease her all morning, even in Potions, where she sat with Harry and Ron. They kept sneaking suggestive glances her way, and every-time she moved near, one of them would get up and follow her, leaning up over her as she collected ingredients from the stores. By the time she arrived at the common room that lunch, she was fuming with them; entering the room she was fully prepared to yell at them for their behaviour. Lo and behold, the two sexy troublemakers were reclining on the sofa drinking what looked like a bottle of firewhiskey, this made Hermione more angry, they were taking advantage of her, drinking during the day, distracting her in class.

"I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU TWO! A FIRST IT WAS A LAUGH, DISTRACTING ME IN CLASS, IT WAS FUN. BUT YOU BOTH HAD TO JUST GO THAT EXTRA MILE! AND NOW DRINKING DURING THE DAY RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE! IT JUST TAKES THE PISS! Maybe I've made the wrong choice, you two are just pathetic school boys, who need to grow up!" This outburst hadn't affected them at all, in fact they were expecting it, the firewhiskey was a ruse to make her lose it. Draco got a kick out of seeing the usually controlled Gryffindor Princess lose it, it allowed him to see the real power behind his girl. He got up from the sofa and walked to her,

"Come on Hermione, let it out, your angry, let it rip love." She could not believe his arrogance, so she hit him, "Thats its baby, come on! Your angry with me, but your not giving it any! Hit me, come on! HIT ME!" She smacked him once, twice round the face, her brown eyes turning dark. The lights inside the common room began to flicker and the sky outside darkened, her anger was manifesting itself. He knew that she was angry at herself rather then them. Blaise lifted himself from the couch, Hermione was out of control, if she didn't stop soon, she would cause Draco some serious damage; she was about to strike again when Blaise caught her wrist,

"That's enough," he said calmly, the Italian had the power to silence a room if he could, he knew what Draco was doing, trying to get her to break down, "You're not angry at us Cara. You're angry at yourself, for allowing yourself to dream. Dream about a life other then the one that Harry and Ron have dictated for you. Let me tell you this love, if you think for one second that Draco and I entered into this lightly, you're wrong. Do you think this is any easier for us then it is for you? The mere fact that we're talking to you like this can get us killed. As for Draco's actions yesterday, they wouldn't be satisfied just allowing him to die, death is the easy option. Voldemort would tear him apart for his betrayal. As for you my sweet, if they found out what you were, what you meant to us, they would destroy you over and over until there was nothing left. So excuse us if we want to try and have fun, before it all comes tumbling down in fire and blood." The lights settled and the sky cleared, her eyes turned back to their normal chocolate colour. Hermione was silent, tears ran down her face. He was right, she was angry at herself, she had betrayed everything she believed in for them and there was no way she could take it back. Draco gathered her in his arms and kissed her deep, she slid her hands up and tangled them in his hair. Blaise had come up behind her and was kissing her neck. She had never felt so much for two people, the fact that they were these two particular people was equally as daunting, and right now they were driving her crazy. Draco had moved his hands from her sides to her bum, Blaise's fingers were working at the buttons on her blouse. Draco halted his assault on her backside to peel off his own shirt, allowing Blaise to pull hers off in the process. Draco got back to his task of kissing the life out of her, his skilled fingers expertly unhooking her bra, he pulled her against him until there was no space between them.

"You're so beautiful, love. I want you so bad right now," his voice in her ear sent shivers of longing down her spine, exciting her more then she thought possible. Blaise spun her away from Draco into his waiting arms, he was stripped to the waist, his trousers riding dangerously low on his hips, this barely had time to register with her before Blaise's lips crashed into her own, the anger still not dissipated, evident in the ferocity with which he kissed her. She was aware of Draco behind her, "Relax, baby," he whispered, his hand dropped to her thigh, then snaked under her skirt. She took a sharp intake of breath, as one finger after the other entered her. She closed her eyes, allowing the sensations to overcome her, Blaise had re-directed his attention to her breast. The double sensation of that and Draco's fingers threatened to drive her over the edge, she almost didn't register the two distinct bulges in front and behind her. However this thought was obliterated by the force of her orgasm, it spread from her centre right down to the tips of her toes, her knees buckled with the force of it. Draco withdrew his hand, and looped an arm round her waist to stop her from falling, using the other to tip her head back, kissing her deeply. Blaise looked at her, it amazed him that she could look more beautiful, but she did.

"We should get back to class, its late, people are going to get suspicious," they didn't seem to hear him, "I'll be back in a minute," still no answer, "Its fine, see you in a minute, I'll just go, take a cold shower, then go to class." He shook his head, chuckling to himself, then went into the bathroom to 'hem hem' relieve himself.

Draco was drowning in her, he had turned her to him, relishing the feel of her skin against his. She was still shaking from before, he stroked her back lightly, kissing her softly. He was painfully aroused, but he didn't want to force her into doing anything, so was surprised when he felt a pair of hands unzip his trousers and slip into his boxer shorts. She grinned at him mischievously, she was stroking him slowly, driving him up the wall,

"Where'd you learn that?" He asked half serious, half joking, she increased her speed,

"I'm not as innocent as you think, lover." Withdrawing her hand, she leant down and picked up her clothes, sashaying away from him into her bedroom. He stood there open mouthed, his flies still open, hoping to God that Blaise hurried the fuck up in the shower before class, also cursing everything that he had Quidditch practice until late that night.

That afternoon passed in a blur for her, she barely spoke to Harry or Ron, and only said a scant few words to Ginny, when dinnertime ended she was desperate to see them again, but she knew that Draco had Quidditch practice and Blaise had to escort him. After dinner she went to the library with Harry, Ron and Ginny to study. Harry and Ginny gave up after an hour and left for the Gryffindor common room, she was left with Ron.

"Mione?" She looked up from her work,

"Mmm, yes Ron?"

"Will you let me stay with you tonight? I-I just want to fall asleep with you. Since the battle the other day, I have just been worried that I don't look after you properly and I want to look after you all the time. Would you mind? We can sleep, I am not trying to get anything from you." She fought the urge to laugh, Ron was being so sincere but she could not, would not have him in her bed tonight, seeing as she was planning on not being in it herself. Composing herself, she looked him in the eyes and said in a caring voice,

"Not tonight Ron, I'm sorry. I just didn't really sleep very well last night, and I'm really tired. Its nothing against your offer, its a lovely thought, just not tonight yeah?" She kissed him for good measure, he nodded and hugged her to him.

"Okay Mione babe," eurgh that name made her cringe, "I have to go back to Gryffindor, curfew and all that, see you tomorrow." He pecked her on the cheek and left. The sky outside had turned an inky black, it had gotten late, she had lost track of time, gathering her stuff she ran out of the library towards her common room. She practically shouted the password at the portrait, eager to see if they were in there; in her haste she stumbled over the transom, but instead of falling to the floor, she stumbled into the strong arms of a half-naked, slightly sweaty blonde. She dropped all her books on the floor and kissed him eagerly, he attacked her lips with equal amounts of passion. She inhaled his scent, it was sweet, but seductive, he chuckled lightly, pulling away he whispered to her,

"Did you miss me lover?" His breath tickled her neck, tremors were wracking her body, such was his effect on her,

"Like hell baby, can't you tell?" She moved his hand down her thigh, then kissed him, his tongue explored every inch of her mouth, panting she moved away, "Where's Blaise?" She asked.

"He's upstairs. He told me to meet you down here. I gladly accepted seeing as I get to touch you first," his hand inched up her skirt. She began to undo her shirt, pulling it off; he eyed her hungrily, lifting his hand to the clasp of her bra, she stopped him,

"Uh uh, not yet," she stepped away from him, removed her shoes and socks, then slid her skirt down her legs. Soon she stood in front of him in her underwear, she ran her glance over his form, noticing the growing bulge in his trousers, "Hmmm, suddenly I feel like the odd one out," she moved towards him and undid the zip of his trousers, pulling them gently off his body, typically he was wearing green boxers, "Much better," she said naughtily.

"You're a tease you know that Cara." The look in her eye was pure Slytherin, she giggled then skipped off up the stairs towards Blaise's room, leaving him practically naked in the living area. With a smirk he followed her up the stairs.

Hermione pushed open the door, smiled seductively at the figure on the bed. Blaise was reclining on the black silk sheets, reading a book. He was stripped to his boxers, he did not seem to notice her enter, or if he did he took no notice of her lack of clothes.

"Blaise love? Blaise?" She teased, without looking up he said,

"Yes Cara?" She walked to the bed and knelt down at the foot of the bed, behind her the door closed, Draco was leaning against it watching her. She knelt on all fours and began crawling up Blaise's body,

"Not that I like dragging people away from a good book, but here I am, on your bed and you're ignoring me," he lifted his gaze to her, raised an eyebrow at her, she was pouting at him. Throwing his book on the floor, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to his lips, she devoured them hungrily, after a while she drew away, "Mmmm much better." Blaise's fingers moved to unhook her bra, she shrugged it off. He looked at her, lust gleaming in his dark eyes. She giggled, then turned to her other man, beckoning him to her with one finger. He made his way over the the bed, standing at the foot, he waited for her to come to him. She extracted herself from Blaise's grasp, stood up on the bed and walked to him. He covered her lips, then took her breast in his hand. She moaned into his mouth, increasing the strain in his shorts. Blaise knelt behind her, dragging her pants down her body. She felt his fingers, probe at her, she wrenched forward into Draco. She was in bliss, the two of them, they made her feel, anything, everything, all at once. It was like her eyes had finally opened. Leaning into him, she whispered huskily into Draco's ear,

"I want you inside me." That did it for him, he growled at Blaise to move, pulling her down to the bed, positioning himself on top of her. Shucking off his boxers he looked her in the eye,

"This may hurt,"

"I don't care," he nodded, then entered her. The pain was intense, but more intense was the power she felt at being one with him. The pain she felt desisted, soon all she felt was bliss; Blaise stood a close watch nearby, his hand moving within his shorts. The fact that he was watching them turned her on even more, Draco increased his pace, she clawed his back leaving deep scratches. Soon she was left gasping for air, a wave of pleasure hit her and she was screaming his name, he grunted, the muscles in his neck strung out with effort. He shouted her name as he reached his peak. Exhausted he collapsed beside her, she snuggled against him, he wrapped his arm around her. They both succumbed to sleep at once. Unbeknownst to them, Blaise had slipped out of the room, letting them have this moment together, they needed it.

Chapter Nine

The sun streamed in through the window, casting a morning glow over the sleeping figures. Blaise had been up for hours, he had showered and dressed and was sitting in the corner of his room, sipping strong black coffee, watching over the couple in his bed. Last night had been a revelation, Hermione had truly pledged herself to them body and soul, and now she belonged to them. He stayed there until his coffee had gone, with one last look he left the room. Draco bolted awake, the sound of the door shutting waking him. He feared that last night had been another of his dreams, vivid but not real. It was then that he looked down, Hermione was stretched out on the other side of the bed, the sheet barely covering her. It hadn't been a dream. He smiled, then lightly traced the line of her collarbone, all the way down to the spot in between her legs. She opened one eye sleepily, then smirked and gasped as Draco's tongue joined his fingers.

"Morning lover." She managed to say, running her hands through his hair. He didn't reply, seeing as his mouth was otherwise occupied. The double sensations of his fingers and tongue drove her over the edge, she came to an earth shattering climax, his name on her lips. He crawled up her body and thrust into to her with a grunt. He finished quickly, still tired from last night. He pulled her close to him and kissed her longingly.

"Good Morning my love. How'd you sleep?" She shook her head laughing, he looked so beautiful at this time of the morning. His perfect hair was messed up totally and his eyes were glittering with complete admiration for her. She breathed him in,

"I've never slept better, and waking up next to you, with you is the best feeling in the world." He kissed her again.

"Well then, we'll have to arrange that every morning," he grinned wickedly, " Though I have a feeling that Blaise may want his bed back at some point. Speaking of, I wonder where he is." Hermione pushed Draco off her and got up, pulling the sheet off the bed to wrap herself in, leaving Draco in all his glory pouting in protest.

"Sorry lover," she said chuckling, then her face turned serious, "I feel kind of bad. We left Blaise out last night, then hogged his bed. Maybe he's mad?" Draco shook his head,

"No. He left us together because it was the first time. We didn't want to scare you. He's probably waiting in the common room, and if I am not mistaken he is making very strong coffee, which I could do with." Dragging his tired limbs of the bed, he bent to pick up his boxers and pulled them on. Then motioning to her, they went down the stairs hand in hand.

Harry, Ron and Ginny were worried. Hermione had missed her first two classes, as had Zabini and Malfoy. Ron was livid, calling the Sytherin Princes every name under the sun and threatening to rip them limb from limb. Harry was less angry but still concerned, he swore to himself if anything had happened to her he would not live until Malfoy was strung up by his neck and Zabini was nothing more then bloody pulp, okay maybe he was as angry as Ron. Ginny on the other hand was not worried, Hermione probably had a perfectly good reason for being late that had nothing to do with Draco or Blaise,

"You know guys, maybe she's sick?" Ginny said, if only to break the silence. They were standing outside the entrance to the Heads Dorms, wondering what to do.

"Hermione doesn't get sick. She's never been sick. I knew this would happen, she's been kidnapped. Fucking Death Eater scum, I am going to fucking castrate them," Ron growled, then hammered on the door. The portrait swung open, Blaise Zabini stood in front of them, a passive look on his face, a cup of coffee in one hand. He smiled falsely, then winked at Ginny,

"Gentlemen, and lovely lady. What can I do for you?" Harry shoved Blaise into the wall, the coffee went flying,

"Cut the crap Zabini, where is she?" Harry roared. Blaise being much stronger grabbed Harry's arm and twisted it behind his back,

"If I pull your arm anymore, it will snap. Don't ever try anything like that again. She's sick, so she's sleeping. Okay?" Harry gritted his teeth and nodded, Blaise let go of his arm. Ginny looked at Blaise, smiled,

"Thank you Blaise. Harry is sorry he overreacted. Will you tell Hermione that we stopped by to see her and hope she is feeling better." Blaise nodded,

"Yes Ginny I will," he turned to Harry, "You see if you talk to me reasonably, I really am a nice guy. Goodbye Ginny," he inclined his head to her, then turned to Harry and Ron and said in the same tone, "And you two can fuck off." He slammed the portrait door in their faces. Ginny smiled to herself, the Italian Slytherin made her insides squirm.

The 'invalid' and her lover had come downstairs to just in time to hear the portrait door slam and Blaise come in seething. Though he controlled his anger in front of the Wonder Idiots, the fact that they still had the audacity to treat her like a child who couldn't take care of herself, made him mad. Seeing the look on his face she ran towards him,

"Blaise, what is it baby? Who was at the door?" He shot Draco a warning look, who raised his eyebrows, then frowned. He went up to Hermione and took her by the hand,

"Angel, why don't you go for a shower and get ready, Blaise and I have something to discuss." She look disapprovingly at him,

"What's going on? Why are you shutting me out? After last night we shouldn't have any secrets from each other. I can't believe you two. I trust you both, can't you give me that liberty?" Blaise enveloped her in a hug, then kissed her deep,

"Of course we trust you Cara. This is just something that we can't discuss with you yet. Cross my heart and hope to die we will talk to you about it later, yeah?" He kissed her again, she frowned at him, then made her way to the bathroom, kissing Draco on the way past. When she had gone, Draco faced him,

"Ok spill, what did they want?" Being as perceptive as he was, Draco had figured that the Wonder Idiots had been the ones knocking the door down this morning.

"They wanted to know where she was." Draco was angry, his eyes had darkened and his mouth was set, he turned from Blaise and swore heavily under his breath,

"Fucking wankers. What did you tell them?" He asked eerily calm,

"That she was sick, but if they keep this up then they'll find out about you and her and me." The blonde found his trousers and pulled a cigarette out of the pocket, lit it up and took a long drag. He pulled his trousers on and said,

"She needs to know, she is the only one who can throw them off the scent. If they find out about this, it will be over before its started and we'll lose her forever. We can't afford that, we need her." Blaise nodded in agreement, and settled himself on the sofa to wait for her. Draco in the meantime had thrown the remainder of his clothes on and was pouring himself a cup of black coffee, Blaise's Italian influence had given him the taste for it. He settled down at Blaise's desk, eyes fixed on the stairs. Twenty minutes later their Princess descended looking ravishing in her school uniform, if indeed one could, but then Draco found her ravishing in anything. She walked across the room to the kitchen and was busying herself making coffee when she realised that both Blaise and Draco were watching her with intensity. The faint smell of expensive cigarettes hung in the air, she hated when they smoked in the common room, putting her hands on her hips she said,

"So, are you ready to tell me what was going on earlier?" Draco smiled slyly, she wasn't going to let them get away with this,

"Yes Angel, we are. Blaise got a visit from your 'wonderful' boyfriends this morning. They had a hissy fit when you missed class, so they came accusing Blaise of 'doing' something to you. He, of course acted in a way anyone would when assaulted and put them in their place. The little Weaselette was also in attendance, and seeing as she asked Blaise nicely, he informed the Wonder Idiots that you were sick." Hermione's lips pursed into a tight line, why could they not just leave her alone,

"I cannot believe this! Why can't they just leave me be! I thought that they'd got past this over protectiveness. Did they hurt you Blaise?" Blaise shook his dark head,

"No, Potter tried but I stopped him before he could. Look, me and Draco think that its best if you talk to them. We don't think its the best idea for them to find out about this," he motioned to him and Draco and her, "yet."

"What would I say, they don't ever seem to listen to me. I don't want them to find out either," thinking back to her disturbing dreams, she knew that the risk of them finding out would be enough to drive Draco away, she couldn't let that happen, even if it meant betraying them. "I don't want to lose you, either of you." Draco smiled wryly, then walked over and took her in his arms,

"You'll never lose us Angel. You belong to us now, we won't let you go." Hermione nodded, then said,

"So what do I do? How do I make them leave me alone, or at least back off somewhat?" This time it was Blaise who answered,

"I think that your best chance is to talk it over with Ginny, Potter at least seems to listen to her. Then maybe she can convince your 'boyfriend' to back off as well."

"Your right, I'll talk to her later, hopefully by tonight they'll have backed off enough to at least let me spend time with you two without them freaking out and coming to find me every time I'm late." She looked at her watch, then shrieked, "We are soooo late for class, we should get going." She found though that the two boys were shaking their heads, Blaise laughed,

"Sorry Cara, but your supposed to be sick. No class for you today, have to keep up appearances." Hermione opened her mouth to protest but was silenced by Draco's lips on hers,

"Okay, okay, no class. I'll see you two later then." She managed to say. Draco stopped kissing her and gasped in mock shock, "Don't make that face at me Draco Malfoy, just because I'm not going to class, does not mean that you can skive to. Both of you get gone, but make sure that you bring me back the work that I've missed." Ever the bookworm, they both chuckled and made their way out the door, pecking her on the cheek as they left. She smiled affectionately, at least they treated her like someone who can look after herself. She settled on the sofa, her book open in her lap, wondering what the hell would happen if Ron and Harry found out about her new affiliation with two Slytherin sex gods.

Ginny Weasley sat in her sixth year Transfiguration lesson not listening to a word McGonagall was saying. All she could think about was Blaise Zabini, standing in front of her shirtless. She knew it was betraying Harry even thinking of him but she couldn't help herself. The rest of the lesson passed, and Ginny didn't learn a thing, she made her way to the Great Hall to meet Harry for lunch. Entering the hall she scanned the Gryffindor table for Harry, he wasn't there yet, neither was her brother. This compelled her to peer towards the Slytherin table, sure enough there was Blaise and Draco, surveying their empire, Blaise shot her a look and gave her a slight nod of his head. She almost died on her feet. Luckily Harry embraced her from behind, preventing her from falling over.

"Hey sweetness, how was your morning?" Ginny rounded on him, and kissed him full on the lips, her eyes fluttering towards the other side of the room,

"Erm, er, fine thanks Harry, yours?"

"Ok I guess, had to actually pay attention in History of Magic because Hermione wasn't there but otherwise. Are you set for Quidditch practice tonight?" She nodded, and motioned for them to sit down, however, before they could do so, someone tapped her on the shoulder, the smell of cologne and cigarettes hit her nostrils, she turned her head, Blaise stood before her, Draco hovering in the background,

"Sorry to disturb your lunch Red, but I was wondering whether I could have a word?" He shot Harry a warning look, Harry returned it with a look of pure loathing. Ginny swallowed hard, she had been thinking about him for the whole morning and now he wanted to talk to her, he was more beautiful then ever, she squeaked out,

"Yeah sure Blaise, what now?" He smiled smugly, looked like Hermione wasn't the only one with an affinity for Slytherins, he nodded and led her out of the Great Hall by the arm, leaving Harry gaping in the background. Draco sneered one last time at Harry and spun on his heel following Blaise and Ginny out of the Hall, all the way to the Heads Dorms. On entering they found Hermione reclining on the sofa, reading a book. She jumped up out of the seat, surprised to see Ginny being led by the hand by Blaise,

"Ginny! Blaise? Malfoy! What are you doing here?" Draco stalked into the room, glowering at the situation, putting on the Big Bad act, Ginny shrugged her shoulders,

"Blaise said he wanted a word, but he hasn't said a thing, what's going on?" Hermione glared daggers at Blaise, also putting on a false act that she was mad at her Italian, she began to shout at him,

"BLAISE, I can't believe you are interfering like this, didn't I tell you earlier that I'll handle this myself! I talked to you in confidence after this morning and you've gone and done this! I thought we were getting somewhere, but obviously I was wrong, even Slytherins can't leave people to sort their own problems out!" He put on a frown and yelled back,

"Fine then Granger! If you don't want me interfering don't fucking tell me all your shit, because for your information I don't actually give a fuck. C'mon Draco, I've had enough of Gryffindors for the rest of my lifetime," Blaise stormed out of the portrait hole, Draco grinned at them both nastily, and said in a voice dripping with malice,

"Thats what you get for befriending Slytherins, Mudblood. Catch ya later Weaselette." He sauntered out the room, and met Blaise in the corridor, raised his eyebrows and let out a short bark of laughter, "Nice show man, what's the motive?" Blaise smirked,

"I figured it would be better if our 'relationship' with her still appeared to be hostile. If they think that I am on good terms with her, they may start to get suspicious. Especially the little Redhead, she seems to have far more intelligence then the two of them put together. But if it appears that the atmosphere is still hostile then the Wonder Idiots will think all is well." Draco agreed, however,

"There's still the problem of them turning up every time she skips a meal, or runs late for anything."

"We'll just have to be careful. Hermione will have to make sure she is where she is supposed to be. Let's just hope that Red can convince the Idiots to leave her the fuck alone for a while." Draco shrugged, the littlest Weasley did seem to exert some form of control over Potter and the Weasel, more so then Hermione,

"I'm sure she's quite persuasive when she wants to be. She's smitten with you." Draco threw it in so casually that Blaise hardly had time to register it, "It will be fine, if its not, we will just have to deal with the consequences." The door to the Heads room flew open, Draco and Blaise had to bolt for the next corridor lest they be accused of listening in. Ginny called goodbye to Hermione and left to find Harry. Hermione waited until she was a safe distance then called,

"You can come out now boys, she's gone."

Hermione waited arms crossed at the door, the two Slytherins appeared from around the corner looking guilty as sin. They followed her into the common room, then stopped in the centre,

"So, what happened?" Draco asked, she sashayed up to him, and placed her hands on his chest,

"Don't worry Lover, she's going to convince them to give me space and stop harassing me every five seconds. Even she thinks they are being unreasonable." He smiled, then kissed her, parting her lips with his tongue. She pulled away from him and stood in front of Blaise, leaning up she whispered in his ear, "She's crushing on you, you know. Thinks you're, hmmm what were the words she used? Oh yeah, gorgeously fuck-able. What do you think about that Love? Hmmm, does it get you hot under the collar?" She kissed him, dropping her hands to his zipper, pulling it down she snaked her hand into his boxers, feeling the hardness there. She quirked her eyebrow, "Seems like it does Love. Do you want her baby?" Blaise couldn't deny that the little Red head did interest him somewhat, she seemed to be more in awe of him then Hermione. Besides Hermione had Draco, why shouldn't he have someone else on the side?

"Stop teasing me Cara, you will regret it." She laughed and increased the pace at which she was stroking him. Draco, was sat at Hermione's desk watching the scene unfold. Blaise's head was thrown back in pleasure as Hermione continued to tease,

"Regret it how?" she asked coyly, looking back over her shoulder at Draco, who was looking at her seductively, Blaise grabbed her arm, and withdrew it, then kissed her on the cheek,

"I'm sure I'll think of all sorts of interesting ways, but for now, we've got class," reluctantly he released her. They got up and made their way out the room, at the last moment Blaise turned to her and said,

"Would you let me have her if I did?" winking at her, he left. She smiled, a wickedly Slytherin look. She would do anything to please her boys, and if that meant indulging Blaise's want, then she would be willing to allow him have Ginny. Seemingly not giving a fuck at what it would do to Harry. Maybe she and Draco could even watch, what fun, she thought to herself.

The rest of the day rolled on, Harry and Ron felt better about Hermione, when Ginny told them she'd been to see her. Ginny on the other hand was on edge all day, Blaise seemed to be following her, popping up in the corridor in between all her classes. He never spoke to her, just stared at her. Draco watched with amusement as Blaise continued to torment the poor girl, just itching to be back with Hermione. That little show she put on earlier had given him such a craving for her he had to skip dinner to be with her. Leaving Blaise at the Slytherin table, further riling the little Red head, he made his way to the Heads Dorms. Whispering the password, the portrait swung open. Hermione was no where to be found, her books lay discarded on the floor. He took the stairs two at a time up to her room. Her clothes lay strewn on the ground, the door to the adjoining bathroom open slightly, steam pouring out. He grinned wickedly, and led by example, throwing his clothes off, he entered the bathroom. He could see her outline through the shower screen, pushing it aside, he crept up behind her and snaked his hand in between her thighs. She screamed,

"What the fuck!" She turned her head, seeing it was him, "DRACO! You scared the living daylights out of me!" Her anger turned to delight as Draco increased the pressure, slipping his index finger in and out of her.

"Sorry Lover. I've been craving you all day." She smiled, then extracted his hand. Turning round she used all her strength to shove him against the shower wall. Running her hands down his body, she took his cock in her hand and sensually rubbed him up and down. He kissed her deep, palming her breast, dragging his thumb across her nipple. She moaned, increasing the speed of her hand,

"Thats it, sorry Angel. I've had enough of your teasing." Switching their positions he lifted her up against the wall, her legs instinctively wrapping her legs around him. She pouted at him, he smirked,

"Damn Slytherins," she said, he sniggered then thrust upwards into her. Slowly, torturously he moved within her, she shot him a reproving look, "Stop screwing around Malfoy, fuck me faster." He was only to happy to oblige, increasing his pace and grinding her into the wall. She came with a scream, he followed not long after, both collapsing to the floor of the shower, the water cascading around them. Once they had regained the use of their limbs, they extracted themselves from each other, dried off and headed to Blaises room for round two. This was how Blaise found them when he returned from dinner, Hermione riding Draco, her head thrown back in ecstasy. She didn't notice he had come in the room, but Draco looked over at him, the blond nudged Hermione and she turned to look at him, smiling she beckoned him over with one perfectly manicured finger. He didn't need telling twice, he removed his clothes and made his way over to the bed. Draco and Hermione came simultaneously, gasping each others names. She looked over to Blaise, he was reclining next to them on the double bed, she moved off Draco towards him. Blaise pulled her on top of him, then rolled them both over so he was positioned on top of her, with a wicked glint at her he said,

"Are you ready for payback Cara?" He nipped at her neck, then proceeded to kiss all the way down her neck, to her breasts. Spending time, he thumbed each nipple, making them stand on end, she giggled. He licked down her chest, over her stomach; his fingers already probing at her core. He slowly kissed each thigh, purposefully avoiding her centre. Draco in the meantime was sat in the chair in the corner smoking, one hand wrapped round his cock. Blaise was still torturing Hermione, his fingers not sliding deep enough to satisfy her, his kisses avoiding the place she wanted them, she was starting to become frustrated,

"BLAISE!" she cried, he smirked,

"I want to hear you beg Cara. I told you, you'd regret teasing me. I am fully prepared to just leave you like this." She shot him a pleading look, then changed it to devious, if he played games with her, why couldn't she with him? She pushed him off of her,

"I'm not going to beg. If you're not prepared to finish what you started, I'll just have to do it myself." smiling smugly, she trailed her own hand downwards. Blaise growled, he wanted to give her what she wanted, before she could react, he was on top of her again, he pinned both her hands above her head, "Beg Cara. I can tie you here all night." She gave a look that could kill, with a sigh of resignation she said in her most sarcastic tone,

"Please Blaise. Screw me now." He chuckled, the sarcasm was not lost on him, but he was so turned on he just had to fuck her then. Hermione squealed when he finally thrust into her, he was different to Draco, but it still felt wonderful. With all the teasing that had gone on beforehand, it didn't take her long to be screaming his name; Draco watching on, proud to own such an exquisite girl. Blaise tensed and finally found his release; exhausted he collapsed beside her. He turned his head to face her,

"See Cara, thats me hot under the collar."

Chapter Ten

She had never slept so contentedly in her life, waking the next morning she found herself wedged in between two very naked, very sexy men. Draco had his arm draped round her waist, Blaise's leg was hooked over her own, pinning her down. Smiling she turned her head towards the blonde, she couldn't believe that someone could look more handsome asleep then awake, but he did. She pushed on blonde lock of hair out of his face, the hand around her tightened and pulled her closer, until she was almost nose to nose with him, one eye opened lazily then closed again, he said to her,

"Something wrong Love?" She snuggled against him, and replied,

"No, just thinking. You know maybe you should dye your hair, this colour, its so bleurgh!" She giggled, he began to tickle her in all the right places,

"Aw c'mon Granger, you know you love my hair really. It makes me, hmm, what's the word..." She tugged at said hair,

"Arrogant?" More tickling, in her struggle to stop him, she accidently elbowed Blaise in the stomach, he awoke with a start,

"What the fuck? OW! That hurt Cara." She pushed Draco off her, and caressed her lovers stomach,

"Sorry Baby, Draco was tickling me. Don't you think he'd look better with different colour hair?" Draco glared daggers at her, and began to pout. She giggled, "Oh poor boy, you know I'm only kidding! Trust a Malfoy not to take a joke." She checked the time, they had forty five minutes to make it down for breakfast. She extracted herself from the tangle of sheets and bodies, and got out the bed. The two men made noises of protest,

"Cara, come on, we have ages. Come back to bed." She shook her head,

"Sorry boys, I missed breakfast yesterday, besides you wouldn't want to miss my having a go at those two twits now would you?" With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she skipped off to the bathroom. Draco and Blaise looked at each other and smirked, getting up from the bed, they both headed to the bathroom.

When she had finally got out of the shower, she dressed hurriedly and hurtled to the Great Hall. When she entered, she sauntered over to the Gryffindor table, dropping a kiss on Ron's lips she settled down for breakfast. Ron and Harry looked at her puzzled, she seemed different, Ron looked her,

"Are you feeling better Hermione?" She gave him a patronizing smile,

"Why of course not Ron, thats why I'm sitting here eating toast and jam." Ron drew his hands up in mock surrender,

"Sorry I asked." He said. She laughed, actually it was more of a snigger. Harry scrutinized her appearance, her hair was straighter and styled, she had make-up on for the first time ever, her brown eyes surrounded by smoky kohl rings. Her lips shone with gloss; even her school uniform looked different on her. She looked, well, to put it bluntly, sexy. She realised that Harry was gaping at her,

"What are you staring at?" She asked aggressively, he looked shocked,

'What's with you Hermione? You seem different." She smiled sarcastically,

"Well you see Harry, I was a little pissed off that I don't even seem to be allowed to be sick without you two questioning what's going on, and threatening the Head Boy? Are you trying to cause trouble for yourselves!" Speaking of the Head Boy; the female population of Hogwarts began to talk excitedly, for Blaise and Draco had just entered looking hotter then usual. They both seemed to be smiling rather then glowering at the room. They realised that all the girls were staring at them, smirked at each other and sauntered in as if they hadn't noticed. Blaise swept his gaze over to the Gryffindor table, caught her eye, then looked directly at Ginny, who blushed under his piercing brown eyes. Fortunately Harry was too busy sparing with Hermione to notice this,

"Idiot." She thought. Harry was now just babbling crap at her, she was snapped out of her train of thought by Harry clicking his fingers in front of her face,

"Are you even listening to me Hermione?" She snapped her head back round to him,

"Of course I am. I just got bored with what you were saying. Look Harry, I don't really feel like arguing with you right now." She got up from her place and waltzed out of the hall, most male eyes followed her, such was her astounding change. Harry didn't accept that and followed her into the entrance hall.

"HERMIONE!" he yelled at her, she turned on him, eyes ablaze,

"What Harry! What do you want me to say!" Half the school was now loitering in the hallway, watching the argument with rapt attention. Draco and Blasie forefront, observing as she glowed with power, her eyes and hair had visibly darkened, Draco chuckled, this was going to be good. Harry was well aware that the whole school had turned out to watch this, but that didn't stop him,

"I want to fucking know why you are suddenly acting like a right selfish little cow! Do you even care what's going on around you? Do you even give a damn that people are dying?"

"I'm selfish! What about you? This war doesn't just affect you, you know! It affects the whole fucking world, but all you seem to care about is revenge!" Harry visibly shook with rage,

"You think I don't know that? I spend every day worrying about the fact that this war could kill every last fucking one of us. I spend every day worrying that some one else will die because I can't do what it is I'm meant to." She threw her arms up, then came a step closer to him, her face contorted into a twisted mask of anger and pity, before she spoke, she rounded on the crowd,

"This isn't the fucking West End. All of you bugger off! NOW!" The look in her eyes and the power raging around her made the crowd scatter, only Ron and Ginny remained. She saw Draco and Blaise position themselves so that they would not be seen, but could still observe the scene. Finally after everyone had disappeared she spoke, in a calm manner,

"For God's sake Harry, you have to get over this complex you have. Yes its your job to kill Voldemort but you gotta stop worrying about everyone else, they can take care of themselves. Me, Ron, Ginny we got it covered, and the Aurors aren't there for nothing. I will do everything in my power to help, but you have to appreciate that I'm my own person. Ron, this includes you as well." He stepped next to Harry and nodded, finally they were actually listening to her for a change, shame that it took a public argument and a display of her seemingly unlimited power, "I've changed, we all have. I'm sorry for yelling but it seemed that that was the only way you'd actually listen." Her anger had almost all gone, the thunder had stopped, and her appearance had gone back to normal. Her best friends enveloped her in a hug, Ginny joining in, she smiled. Harry apologized for his behaviour,

"I'm sorry too Hermione. Everything has just been really tense recently, school, the fight, Malfoy. Every time I see him, I'm just reminded of that night. I felt so useless. I didn't want to ever feel that again. So I guess thats why I kept over-reacting to everything. When you weren't in class the other day, I thought the worst, it was just so unlike you. Especially since you're sharing a room with that evil prat." Hermione chuckled, Blaise would love that nickname, Ron beamed at her and kissed her gently,

"We promise Mione, that we will definitely not over-react anymore. Ginny did actually talk to us this morning about things." Ginny grinned,

"Well," she said, "You two were being somewhat ridiculous. She had after all, got you both through your entire time here. She's got more sense then the both of you put together!" This had them all laughing, soon the Golden Trio plus one were walking down the hall arm in arm, all being back to normal or so it seemed. As she passed Draco and Blaise's hiding place, she turned her head, her mouth spilt into a smirk, she winked at them. Oh, she had changed, the Golden Idiots just couldn't see that her change had been bought about by the two of the people they despised the most, and that the display of power they had witnessed would one day in the distance future be used against them. Once the four had disappeared around the corner, the two Slytherins revealed themselves. Rejoicing in their triumph, they followed her to class.

Draco watched her all day, observed how she acted with her friends, with her boyfriend. It appeared to all around that she was back to the prissy Gryffindor Princess, playfully scolding Harry and Ron for not concentrating, or assuming that she'd help them with their studies; laughing with Ginny about God knows what. To all around it seemed everything was back to normal. If only they knew. Lunchtime came, and Blaise had disappeared to study or something, he was left on his own. Unfortunately McGonagall spied him walking to the Great Hall alone and called him over for a supreme ear-bashing,

"Mr. Malfoy! Was I not clear when I said that you were to be escorted everywhere in the school? Where is Mr. Zabini, I believe he was taking over for Miss. Granger for a while." Draco shrugged,

"He had to study and before you ask I have no idea where Granger is either." She frowned at him,

"I believe that Miss. Granger is in the Great Hall having lunch with her friends, please go and join her now." He grimaced,

"Thats where I was just headed," he said under his breath before turning on his heel and walking into the Great Hall. Sure enough there was his Goddess sat talking animatedly to Potty and the Weasel. He strode over to where they were seated and took the empty place next to her. Potter looked at him with contempt,

"Are you lost Malfoy? Slytherin table is over there. Fuck off." Draco only smirked,

"Manners Potter. If you remember I have to sit with our esteemed Head Girl because she's meant to be my escort." Hermione scowled at him,

"Where's Zabini? He's meant to be baby sitting you this week." She said scathingly, he retaliated by shrugging his shoulders and scowling back,

"No fucking idea. McGonagall told me to come sit here, so here I am."

"Well seeing as you are inconveniencing me and my friends, you can keep your mouth shut. We don't want your opinion or anything, clear?" He raised an eyebrow, he liked this side of her, it made him want to screw her there and then. He nodded and kept his mouth shut, ignoring them for the rest of lunch. However, under the table Draco's hand was halfway under Hermione's skirt, his fingers circling on her inner thigh. He took the opportunity when her friends got up to leave to yank her down and whisper seductively in her ear,

"I like when you're dominating, Angel. Catch ya later." He grinned wickedly, unluckily for them, Ron turned at the last minute to see Hermione leaning away from him, he was livid.

"Malfoy! What the fuck are you doing?" Hermione thought it best to play up to her, 'I really do hate Malfoy attitude.' Hermione flew into Ron's arm,

"Leave it, he's not worth it. If he still thinks that calling me a Mudblood bothers me, he is really mistaken." Ron hugged her to him, glaring daggers at Draco. Draco fumed, he was itching for a good enough reason to smack the Weasel one. Especially seeing as he had his hands all over Hermione. He began towards her in a faux menacing fashion, Ron shoved her out of the way, advancing towards Draco. He balled his fist and threw a punch at Draco, Seeker reflexes kicking in, the blond ducked, then upper cut into Ron's stomach, and hitting him round the face seconds later, sent him hurtling backwards. Raising his chin, defiantly, the Slytherin stalked past the Golden foursome, being careful to tread on an unconcious Ron as he went. Hermione knew she should have been more mad at her lover, but there was something incredibly sexy about him punching her so-called boyfriend. Harry and Ginny broke her from her reverie, saying that Ron needed the hospital wing. She had to see Draco right that instance, muttering excuses about finishing a piece of Homework for class that afternoon, she ran from the Great Hall. She headed for her Common Room, however before she got there, someone grabbed her into an empty classroom. Recognizing the intoxicating scent of her blond lover, she threw herself into his embrace. Pulling back to look his eyes, which right now were clouded over with anger, she smiled,

"Nice right hook Lover." His face cracked his trademark smirk, his eyes returning to their normal grey,

"You're not angry?" She shook her head and kissed him deeply. "Guess not." He said, laughing. He met her lips again, backing her towards the wall. She slammed into it, his hand above her head. She moaned as his other hand wandered around her body, snaking up her skirt; dropping to his knees, he dragged her underwear down her legs, lifting up each foot, he pulled them completely from her body. Standing up again he pecked her on the cheek, pocketed her underwear and said, "See you later, Love." Gritting her teeth, she shouted after him,

"I HATE YOU MALFOY!"

Chapter Eleven

Ron ended up being in the hospital wing for the next two days, his nose was broken, and he had a couple of cracked ribs. She had been to see him, not really reacting at the sight of her beaten boyfriend, or joining him and Harry in the tirade against Malfoy. They didn't seem to worry about this too much, the upcoming Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw being foremost in their minds. She just sat and listened quietly, too tired to really involve herself in pointless chatter. What with her Head Girl duties, studying, and helping Harry research, nighttime was really the only time she got to spend with Draco and Blaise without interference. Treating Draco with hateful indifference in public was also becoming hard for her, it was easier with Blaise because he was her colleague, but with Draco she couldn't show any sign of anything other then burning distaste. Frustrating as it was, she knew that she had to grin and bear it; Draco and Blaise were adamant that no one could know, and she agreed. If they were found out, the consequences were unimaginable. just thinking about it made her head hurt. Lying in Draco's arms one night that week, she had talked with him about their future. She confessed her fears that when the war came, he would leave her. She hadn't forgotten the dreams, they were forefront in her mind, especially now, now she had found him, she didn't want to lose him. He had reassured her the best he could, as had Blaise when he joined them. But she couldn't get the image of them, stood on that blood drenched battlefield, saying goodbye, telling her they'd always be watching. She wept in their arms.

She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Standing in the ruins of the castle, she waited. Waited for the world to stop spinning, so she could stand still long enough to catch her breath. He had promised that he would watch her, wait for her but she could no longer feel him. He had abandoned her to a life she did not want. Her cries echoed through the dark, cutting like a knife through his heart. He could no longer stand it, he had to reach out and touch her. She stood like a tragic heroine, the only pure thing on a cursed landscape. He belonged in this world, and however much he tried to convince himself she did, he couldn't. She was to good. To good to be tainted by him. One tear rolled down his cheek. He left her to her despair. He could not save her, not this time.

They woke to find her gone. The common room stood empty, so did her room. They checked the bathroom. She was nowhere to be found. Draco was deeply troubled, he had dreamt of her again, and he had felt that she had shared that dream. He did not relay this trouble to Blaise. They had enought to worry about. Along with Hermione being awol, they had both received a summons from Lucius. They were to go to the Riddle house at Midnight that evening; plans had been made and the Dark Lord wished to announce the beginning of the first wave. This was it, the war had begun. Draco needed to find her. He stormed out of the Head's Rooms to the Great Hall, looking around, he couldn't see her anywhere. Her friends were sat chatting happily, he was about to go and yell at them, when he felt his collar being yanked back. Blaise pulled him roughly into the Entrance Hall,

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Draco threw Blaise at the wall, his fingers wrapped around the Italians throat,

"I've warned you before Zabini, don't make me angry." His grey eyes were cold, black. All he could think about was finding her, and he would destroy anyone in the way, and right now that meant throttling Blaise where he stood. Blaise was gasping for air, his face slowly turning blue, then out the corner of his eye, he saw Theo Nott raise his wand. Draco sensed Nott behind him and ducked to the ground. The stunning charm hit the wall, dangerously close to Blaise's head. Led out by the noise of the spells impact, Harry, Ron and Ginny stood watching the altercation between the three Slytherins. Ginny's heart was pounding, Blaise was collapsed on the floor, striving for oxygen, an ugly purple bruise ringing his neck. Draco was still crouched, he looked like a cat, ready to pounce. No-one in the hall that day had ever seen Draco Malfoy move so fast, he leapt for Theodore Nott, and laid into him, reducing him to bloody pulp in mere seconds. As satisfying as it was to watch for him, Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for the other Slytherin, frankly he hadn't ever seen Malfoy so dangerous. It was becoming painful to watch, luckily Crabbe and Goyle appeared out of no where and dragged Draco off. He shrugged them off, then growled menacingly at Nott,

"You ever interfere with my fucking business again, what I do to you will make this seem like a pinprick. Got that?" Nott was coughing up blood, but he managed to lift his head and nod, then to Crabbe and Goyle he said, "Get him to the fucking hospital wing before he bleeds to death." Turning his back on them all, he offered his hand to Blaise and pulled him up. Blaise knew that he had right royally pissed his friend off, and for that he had been served a very severe warning. Draco strode out of the front doors, into the harsh morning sunlight. He made his way to the shores of the Black Lake, staring across it, he lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. His hand was coated in blood, his knuckles red raw. The morning air was chill, but he didn't feel it, it had been a long time since he had felt the cold. The only time he had felt warmth was with her, that was when he realized. He wasn't alone.

The dawn sun streamed through the windows, Hermione had been awake for hours. The harsh reality of her dream infecting her sleep. She extracted herself from Draco's grasp, and slowly rose out of the bed. Looking back down on his sleeping form, she memorized every piece of him, wanting the image of him to sleeping to stay with her forever. She tore her eyes away, and walked to her room. She dressed in her uniform, picked up her wand, then exited the common room. The homely, comforting atmosphere of Hogwarts was dead at this time of the morning. The long, winding passages held no solace. She wandered, alone all the way to the front doors of the castle. Opening the doors, she breathed in the crisp, dawn air. It was cold, she wished she had worn her winter cloak. Hermione made her way to the tree by the lake, remembering the day she saw the change in Draco Malfoy, how lonely he had looked, what he must have been facing. She pitied him then, now she had no idea how she felt about him. Neither had spoken of love, granted she had only been sleeping with him for a grand total of six days. Not even a week, yet she was certain that what they had went beyond sex. She felt it every time he kissed her, with every word he whispered in her ear, with every touch. Sinking to the ground against the tree, she peered into the distance; watching as the autumn sun crept over the lake, through the trees, creating a false sense of beauty. Her dreams troubled her, she knew now that they were sketchy portents of their future; a future that was bleak, happiness eluding them at every step. She stayed there, unaware of her lovers anger, his concern for her. Unaware that somewhere the Dark Lord was plotting the first wave of attack against the forces of Light. She stayed there until he came for her. Smoke curling around his head, his platinum blond hair gleaming, his eyes darkened with untold anger and worry. He looked down at her, a cracked smile gracing his lips.

They sat against the tree, her leaning into his embrace, caressing his swollen hands, cleaning the blood off with her robe. He kissed the top of her head, she didn't ask for an explanation, she knew that he had been angry. His eyes told her that; and he had been worried for her, especially after the dream. She turned to face him, stroking the side of his face,

"I'm sorry," she whispered. His eyes flashed with anger again,

"Don't apologise." he snapped. Tears glistened in her brown eyes, his expression softened, revealing his fear, and his great concern for her, "Oh God, I'm sorry, Angel. I shouldn't shout at you. I was just, just, so worried when you weren't in my arms this morning. I thought the worst, I tried to find you, but I couldn't. I was about to ask your friends but Blaise pulled me back. I was so angry, I..." She embraced him, the hurt and pain in his voice was heart breaking, at that moment she forgot the world and everything in it. At that moment there was only him.

"Its okay Draco. Did you..hurt him?" Draco couldn't look at her, how would she trust him now? He nodded, she looked down at his hand, worry for Blaise now filling her, "What happened?"

"I was so blind with anger, worry. Blaise, he got in my way. All I could think about was finding you. Then Theo Nott got involved, he almost blew my head off. I snapped. He...I...he's in the hospital wing." She shook with concern for him,

"Is Blaise okay?" He nodded. She really had no idea what to say to him. On the one hand, concern for Blaise and actual fear were clouding her mind; on the other, her connection to Draco was overwhelming her to the point that she didn't care what he had done. All she cared about was that he was here with her, at this moment. Not that she didn't care for Blaise, she did, but there was something more to her relationship with Draco, they were fated to one another and no one was getting in the way of that. She shuddered, a chill scraping its way down her spine, he tightened his grip on her. The dream that they had shared had put their whole existence into perspective; Draco had thought that it would be simple, she would switch her allegiance because of him and they would be together forever. She had thought that she could stay loyal to the Light side and be with Draco, but that was becoming a fabrication. In reality he knew that he had to leave her to save her, and she knew that they would forever be on different sides, and that fact would forever strive to separate them. But she swore then and there that she would do everything in her power to fight it, she was not about to just let him give up. She forced him to look her the eyes, "It doesn't matter. I don't care what you did, what you are. I know that what I feel when I'm with you is unlike anything I've ever felt, and when I'm not with you, I feel empty, like there's something missing. It kills me." He looked away from her again, but she snapped his head back, "Look at me Draco," he trained his gaze back to her, the intensity in her eyes was enthralling, he pulled her into a deep kiss. She responded, curling into his body, reveling in him, "We need to get to class." They got up, and made their way back to the castle separately, so no-one saw them together. He walked behind her, then stopped, realizing what she had been saying to him. no matter what, she would find a way for them to be together. No matter what.