Life Debt

Chapter 1

Hermione didn't care where she was going or how she was getting there. The tears in her eyes blurred her vision as she ran down the road, her hair whipping around her face. In fact, she didn't even hear the horn blasting nearby as she ran out into the road.

Suddenly, she was grabbed forcefully by the wrist and practically flung back to the sidewalk. She landed hard on her rear with an audible oomph coming out of her mouth. Trembling slightly, she pulled her hair away from her face and rubbed her eyes. As she looked up to see who saved her, she saw a familiar platinum blond staring down at her.

"What is wrong with you, Granger?" Draco Malfoy asked, annoyed that he had to pull the crazy witch from traffic. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the crowd forming around them and straightened up. "Nothing to see here! She's fine." He yelled as the crowd started to move again. He leaned back down towards the mess of a witch below, a scowl on his face. "If your idea of a fun past time involves trying to throw yourself in front of cars, you may want to reconsider."

Finally, the shock started to wear off and she got to her feet. Her eyes hardened as she saw his scowl deepen. "Sod off, Malfoy. I don't need your help." She spat back at him as she turned around and walked towards an alleyway, hoping to apparate as soon as possible.

Draco followed, leaving the crowded sidewalk. "I'd beg to differ, Granger. I'm fairly certain if it wasn't for me, you'd be a pancake on the road right about now." He snarled.

Hermione threw her arms in the air, already emotionally exhausted from the day. The last thing she wanted to do was deal with the blond prat. "Fine, whatever, Malfoy. You saved me from a car. I owe you my life. How shall I ever repay you?" She said sarcastically when she felt a sharp pain tear through her abdomen.

She doubled over, surprised at the pain and saw from the corner of her eye that Draco was doing the same. When the pain subsided, she managed to straighten up but realized her stomach was still tender. She lifted up her shirt slightly and spotted a small tattoo-like mark on her stomach, in the shape of a cross. Her confused eyes lifted to lock with a very angry set of gray eyes.

"Bloody brilliant, Granger!" Draco barked at her. "Are you mad or are have you gone daft in the years since Hogwarts?"

"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" She yelled back, crossing her arms in front of her. "What the hell was that?"

Draco shook his head. "You've initiated a life debt!" He all but screamed.

Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what he was talking about. As soon as she told him that she owed him her life and wished to repay him, she put herself in debt to him. It was old magic, but the basic premise was that once a life debt was initiated, the one in debt would not be able to leave the person whom they were indebted to for long periods of time until the debt was repaid. "Oh for the love of Merlin." She whispered.

Draco was livid. His hands were balled into fists as he attempted to control his temper. "I can't have you following me around like a lovesick puppy!" He ground out, trying to restrain from punching a wall.

"Oh get a grip, Malfoy. I am no one's lovesick puppy!" She yelled, offended by his comment. "It only requires us to be together for a few hours every day. It's not like I'm glued to your hip."

"Only a few hours a day, she says." Draco mocked, waving his hands in the air. "Quite frankly Granger, a few hours a year is a bit too much for me!"

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. "Maybe you can go run in front of a car or something and I'll save you and we can get out of this." She said, trying to be somewhat reasonable.

Draco looked at her incredulously. "Just because you fancy playing in traffic, doesn't mean I do! I am not risking my life on the chance that you'll save me!" He shook his head. "You'd probably let me die!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Malfoy." She said, glaring at the blond.

"I'm not the one being ridiculous, Granger." He huffed. "I am not intentionally putting my life in danger."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" She asked angrily, holding back the desire to punch the boy in the face.

Draco let out a big sigh. "I suppose we have to come up with a suitable schedule, don't we?" He said finally accepting the situation. He looked around and saw the people still walking past the alleyway they were in. "But an alley in muggle London is not the appropriate place."

Before Hermione could question where he had in mind, she felt him roughly grab her upperarm and the sensation of a side along apparition took over her senses.


A/N: Hey guys, no I haven't given up on Head to Head but this idea came to me suddenly and wanted to try it out. Let me know what you think and if I should continue with it. I think it could be fun. Life has been crazy busy but I think I'm ready to start writing again. Anyway, let me know if this seems like an interesting premise. Thanks! ~Chrissy