Woman, Woman

Chapter 1

November 18th

I used to consider myself a skeptic of love. The thought of it was a hoax that was never welcomed into my home. I was under the impression that "love" was just another word for obedience and submission. Can you blame me? That's how mother and father behave. No, early on I learned that there was no place for love in this decaying world. There was no time to sit around and dream of happily ever after. Even now, with my world in pieces, the only happily ever after I can afford to imagine is one that stems from a peaceful death.

Draco set his quill down and sighed heavily. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to fight his inner demons; picking up his quill when he found the nerve.

Death would be easier than this. The way I feel now is a mixture of resentment, misery, and chaos. I want my body back. I want to feel the welcomed numbness throughout my body. Even when I bury myself in a bottle, the feelings magnify and it's even harder to control the thoughts. I shouldn't have to deal with this or feel this way. I shouldn't have to experience this curse. I'm tired of being a victim. I'm tired of the woman who does this to me. If she only knew that she was the reason behind all the sleepless nights and daily heartaches. She gets to sit on her high horse while I crouch in her shadow, with an arrow sheared through my heart.

"Malfoy, I'm leaving without you!" Hermione yelled from the other side of his bedroom door.

"Bloody hell! I said I'd be right there. Damn, woman. Get your knickers in a twist, why don't you?" Draco heard her footsteps leaving the door.

I know I'm about to lose it. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm going to kiiss her. Either way, there will be blood.

Draco set aside his journal and got up to meet Hermione for the nightly patrol. He really should just blow her off, but part of him didn't want her to do it alone. He rubbed a hand through his hair, sighed deeply and exited his room.

"It's about time," Hermione stated rudely when she caught sight of him. With a book in hand, she waited for him.

"You should be a bit more congenial with me gracing your presence," he replied.

"Oh, I apologize, your highness. What an honor it is to be in the company of a bigot," she replied coolly, getting up from the sofa. "Let's just do this."

Draco watched her as she exited the common room. He trailed behind her taking in her elegant form. Her shiny waved hair fell halfway down her back now. Her body was petite but strong. She filled every room she entered with the welcoming scent of springtime lilies. Her milky brown eyes could pierce anyone's soul for they captured and consumed all, like Medusa's.

Hermione turned to look at him as he admired her body. His gaze traced her form, appreciating her well-defined jawline, before continuing down her feminine chest and downward toward her tiny waist and long legs. She was an exquisite woman and by candlelight, she was even more exquisite.

"Do you think we should split up?" she asked.

"Definitely not," he whispered inaudibly taking her in.

"Sorry?" she asked.

"I think…we should patrol together as Head Boy and Girl; sends the message that we're resilient."

"Fine, but keep up," she replied sternly.

"Granger no offense, but I'm Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team, I'm in exceptional shape and I'm a Malfoy. You don't need to lecture me on the importance of stamina and speed."

"Sure," she replied with a cute eye roll.

"Oy, what's that about?" he asked pointing at her smirk.

"Oh, nothing." Hermione turned away.

"That's not nothing. That is clearly something."

"Well according to Madeline Albright, you have neither." Hermione laughed.

Draco went white and then turned red, angered by her insult.

"She said that?" he asked out of disbelief.

"Girls talk, especially Slytherin girls," Hermione replied. "It's not her fault that you were unable to show her how truly "exceptional" you claim to be."

"I showed her an amazing time. Perhaps she has me confused with Potter or Weasel. We both know they aren't man enough to finish the job."

"Yeah, sure. That must be it."

Her condescension made him crazy. His body was on fire, his fists clenched.

"Do you actually believe her?" he asked angrily.

"Well, I have no reason not to. Honestly, I don't even necessarily care, so it's a moot point."

Madeline Albright, 6th year Slytherin. She was a gorgeous girl from an old family. Draco had been eyeing her for weeks since they'd all returned to school. He had made note of how gracious summer had been to her. Her B cups had turned to Ds and she had finally grown into the famous Albright nose.

Hermione started walking away from him and he ran to catch up with her. He felt this masculine desire to defend himself. Hermione thought that he was an amateur lover. Her opinion of him mattered more than he wished, and he wanted to convince her that Madeline Albright was a twit.

"Now, it's not my fault that Albright has been with more men than days of the year. Evidently, her overactive love-life has proven to be a burden on her because she confuses me up with another."

Hermione stopped walking and turned to look Malfoy dead in the eye. Her fire burned bright and blinded him.

"Now, that doesn't help you either because now you're telling me that you're forgettable." Shit.

"In what world would Madison Albright talk to you anyway?"

"Not all Slytherin are as evil as you." Hermione turned down a dark hallway looking for anything to distract both of them from their current conversation.

"You taking an interest in my love life is an unexpected surprise, Granger. Perhaps you're jealous because I've never laid a finger on you."

"And if you want to keep your fingers, let's keep it that way."

Hermione picked up her speed, trying her best to get away from him. Draco was amazed at how quickly this woman could walk.

"Humor me, then. What exactly did she say?"

Hermione turned beet red. She refused to go there with him. Hell would have to freeze over first.

"No, no, no. We are not talking about this." She turned on her heel and pointed an authoritarian finger at him. "I'm disgusted to have heard what I did anyway. I'm not going to repeat it."

"I'll make you a little deal then." Draco came face to face with her. "If you tell me, I'll finish the rest of the patrol by myself. You can run back to the common room and stick your little nose in a book and stay there for the rest of time."

It was a tempting offer. Hermione mulled it over for a few seconds. She did want to get in a bit of light reading before bed.

"Well…" she started.

"Well?" he leaned in.

"Alright," Hermione huffed. "I accept."

Draco waited impatiently.

"She said that…you were very "lovey-dovey". She just wanted...physical fulfillment, why she picked you I'll never know." Draco, who was unamused, glared. "She implied you were only interested in...kissing her...a lot...," Hermione admitted. "She heard rumors that you could "break headboards", but she assumed that was a rumor that you started yourself." Hermione felt extremely awkward repeating what she had heard, but the devil in her was delighted that she finally had the upper hand on Malfoy. "She just…expected more from the pathetically rumored "Sex God of Hogwarts." Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head at the last part.

Draco was dumbfounded and absolutely mortified. Hermione saw the indignity in his eyes and felt a pang of guilt. She didn't expect to ever leave him speechless, so she turned from him, looking at the ground.

"Honestly, I pity anyone who gets stuck with a nickname like that. Always trying to live up to that standard…it's ridiculous." she replied. "It's inhuman to never flounder." Her words were sincere. "I wouldn't give it a second thought, Malfoy," Hermione stated.

Draco started to nod slowly.

"Flounder. Right. You're free to go." he stated nobly and walked passed her. He had to get out of there.

"Malfoy?" Hermione called after him.

He ignored her and continued down the hall, taking a sharp right into the next corridor. There on the left was an old classroom door. He immediately opened it and went inside slamming it behind him. The room was full of old and dusty desks, along with ancient quills and used books. Draco was hit with an adrenaline rush brought on by his anger. He picked up the nearest desk and threw it across the room in a fit of rage. He turned over another desk before reaching for a couple of old potion bottles that rested peacefully on a shelf on one of the bookcases. Bits of glass went flying all over the room when he threw them full force against the wall and they shattered.

After a few moments of release, he stopped and covered his eyes with his hand and proceeded to run it through his hair, sighing heavily in the process.

"I'm a bloody fool." Draco admitted bitterly to himself.

XOXO

Hermione looked at the time. It was late and Draco still wasn't back yet. She sat on the sofa, her legs under a blanket, enjoying the cozy fire and a good book. That's when she heard footsteps.

"You're back," she exclaimed, surprised by her eagerness. "And...you're bleeding!"

Hermione rushed up from her chair and ran over to Draco. His knuckles were bruising and bloody.

"What did you do?" she demanded.

"Nothing, I'm fine." he ripped his hand away from her when she tried to grab it.

"Malfoy, stop! What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing! I said I was fine."

He continued to his bedroom, but stopped right outside his door and turned back to Hermione. She had a concerned look on her face and she just wanted answers.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Granger." Draco offered. "The truth is I'm neither the Sex God of Hogwarts nor Albright's adaption of me."

"Malfoy, did you ever consider that I didn't believe either one?" Hermione walked towards him and he took a step back. She took his injured hand in hers. "You need to stop caring so much what other people think."

"I care only what one thinks of me." he defended, looking down at her, but she didn't notice.

"Well if they really care about you then they won't believe everything they hear either. They'll just believe you or not make a fuss." she looked up into his eyes and for once saw a softness in his gaze. She recognized that look of one of vulnerability, but she had never seen it in the eyes of a Malfoy, so it scared her. "Let me…grab some…bandages."

Hermione ran off to the bathroom and came back shortly after with supplies. She ran a wet cloth over his bloodied hand.

"It'll heal soon," she promised smiling up at him.

"Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?" he asked and she chuckled lightly.

"Because no one's being nice to you right now," she replied.

He towered over her in the cramped hall; that gorgeous smile and those lighthearted eyes were gazing at him and...he faltered. In the swiftest of movements, he brought his large hand up to the side of her delicate neck and brought his head down and pressed his lips to hers in the softest, most stimulating fashion that she had ever experienced. The kiss lasted three seconds at most before he pulled away, turned and entered his bedroom, shutting out the world with the lock on his door.

A/N-I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. I missed writing and decided to hop back into it. The title of this fic came from a great Awolnation song called Woman Woman. If you listen to the lyrics, I think it fits this fic well. I will be updating asap. I'd really enjoy if you could write a review and let me know what you think and what you might want to see in the fic. Thanks!