1.57 PM

Draco and Hermione sat, and they waited, and waited, and waited. But no-one came to rescue them. They sat in uncomfortable silence, both thinking about how boring and quiet it was, and how long it would be before someone realised that they were missing.

'Surely, someone must be wondering where I am.' Draco thought to himself. A small frown settled itself on his forehead as he pondered this.

'Wouldn't Harry and Ron have noticed that I'm gone? Surely they can't be that involved in a violent game of chess.' she frowned and paused, 'On second thoughts, maybe they can.'

With a huff, she sighed, stretching her legs out from under her, and crossing her arms.

Draco was jolted out of thought by Hermione's actions, and looked at her.

"No worries, just take up the already limited space, thanks for asking." he rolled his eyes.

"I'm-" she started, but was cut off by a short, sharp whistle.

"What was that?" Draco asked, looking a bit confused.

"And there I was thinking you were smart, Malfoy." Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Draco scoffed at her before she continued.

"It was the Hogwarts Express parting whistle." She stated. He glared at her for a moment before it both dawned on them.

"No." She whispered. The two jumped up off the floor, both racing to the broom closet door and trying to open it, to no avail. The door stayed firmly shut, and nothing they did would move it. Minutes later, another sharp whistle could be heard, echoing softly through the castle as the train pulled away from the station.

2.10 PM

Down on the train at the station, Ginny watched the last of the teachers and students boarding the Hogwarts Express through her window in their compartment. Harry and Ron were talking about Quidditch, and Luna and Neville were cuddled up discussing fresh water plimpies. Everything seemed fine, but she couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right.

"Hey." She said softly, causing everyone to look at her. She blushed at the sudden attention.

"Does anyone know where Hermione is?" she asked. Ron shrugged and Harry looked thoughtful. Luna looked worried.

"Hermione's missing?" she asked. Neville shook his head.

"No, It's just she wasn't with us in the hall before we left." He said absently, before turning back to Luna and resuming their talk.

"Maybe she's in another carriage? She seemed pretty quiet today. Maybe she wants to read without all of us bothering her?" Harry replied. Ron nodded.

"Yeah, I mean, we'll probably see her during the holidays. Remember she's supposed to be coming over to the Burrow for lunch." He said. Ginny frowned.

"It doesn't feel right." She murmured. Harry took her hand with a smile.

"Don't worry, Gin." He said.

"But I do."

"We'll hear from her."

"I suppose." Ginny sighed, combing a hand through her hair as she looked out the window.

2.13 PM

Meanwhile, down in the Slytherin compartment, Pansy sat with Blaise, Goyle and Theodore Nott who were setting up a game of exploding snap for the trip home. She suddenly realised that something was missing and looked around, worried.

"Has anyone seen Draco?" She asked. Goyle and Theo shrugged, returning to setting up the game as Goyle chewed on some lollies that they had all brought from the Trolley for the trip home.

Blaise smirked, looking at Pansy.

"He's probably getting naked with Astoria; I heard she had the hots for him." He said, waggling his eyebrows.

"Don't be so vile, Blaise," Pansy scolded, "Draco's probably just getting changed out of his robes." She said. Blaise snorted.

"What, with Astoria helping him undo his clothes with her teeth?" he quipped. Pansy frowned and slapped him as he started laughing.

"Stop it! She is a nice girl and you have no right to be an asshole about what she does, or does not want to do to Draco." He softened, taking her hands in his.

"I'm sorry. It was a stupid joke. Please don't be angry with me, or I might have to kiss you." Pansy raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"You need an excuse?" She leaned into him. Theo and Goyle rolled their eyes and started the game of snap as the train pulled away from the platform.

2.30 PM

Hogwarts was empty, the ghosts had all gone off to haunt houses for the holidays, the portraits had left their frames to stay with relatives and friends, all the teachers were gone, and all, except two of the students were with them, on the Hogwarts express, heading home.

Only Hagrid remained, Filch having gone off on holidays to see Egypt with Mrs. Norris.

Currently Hagrid was sitting in his hut with Fang, sipping a cup of tea and eating rock cakes. He had just locked all the gates around Hogwarts, and he knew the grounds were secure. No-one would be getting in, or out of Hogwarts grounds during the holidays. He would put his word on it. With a contented sigh, he threw another log on the fire and leaned back in his comfy recliner, patting Fang's head absentmindedly as he wondered which creatures he could ask McGonagall to buy for next year's lessons.

-
2.45 PM

"Help! Someone! Anyone! Please!" Hermione cried, pounding on the door with all her might.

"Will you please stop, Granger? No one is coming!" Draco yelled. With a shout, she kicked the door.

"This isn't possible!" she yelled in anger while hopping on her other foot.

"Oh, it is. Do you see that door opening? Because I don't."

"We can't be stuck in here for the ENTIRE holidays!" Hermione cried.

"Well, unless you can think of some brilliant way to escape, I think we are." Draco snarled. Hermione glared at him.

"This is all your fault!" she hissed at him between clenched teeth, jabbing a finger in his direction.

"Mine? It's your entire fault, Granger!" Draco retorted angrily.

"If you had watched where you were bloody going!" she shouted. His eyes narrowed.

"Tsk Tsk! Language, Granger! You should have watched where you were going!" he ground out. She glared at him before she continued smacking the door with her hands again.

"Help! Please, anyone! I'm stuck in a broom closet with an arrogant, stuck up, snobby rich boy! Won't anyone help me!" she cried. Draco sneered.

"If anyone needs the help, it's me! I'm stuck in here with a stupid, know-it-all!" he yelled. Hermione stopped pounding on the door to turn to Draco and look at him in shock.

With one quick move, she pulled her hand back and slapped his arm.

"Fuck, Granger! What the hell was that for?" he yelled, taking a step towards her, leaning over her with his height advantage as he trapped her between himself and the door.

"How dare you insult me with petty names!" she seethed. His eyes narrowed in anger as he stepped closer.

"And how dare you insult me, and then hit me." He hissed. Her breath caught in fright as she realised she was trapped between him and the door. His body was pinning her, rather forcefully and it was scary. She felt tears fill her eyes as he shook her, his arms on her shoulders.

"Malfoy if you want to keep all your body parts, I suggest you stop bullying me. I could hex your balls off before you can say sorry." she glared at him through her tears, turning her head to the ceiling and glaring helplessly at that.

"I'd like to see you try." he hissed at her, his fingers clenching.

"Let go, you're hurting me." She whispered. He immediately stepped back, dropping his arms and taking a further step away from her. As he turned away, she noticed a gleam in his eyes. Had he been crying? Draco stalked off down the steps and to the other side of the room, sending a glare her way as he sank to the floor.

"How am I supposed to survive the entire holidays here?" she sobbed, almost depressed as she threw her hands up in the air.

"Being with you isn't exactly a bloody picnic Granger," he told her.

"I said shut up!" She glared at him again.

Draco looked at her without understanding or empathy. What the hell was she crying for? Big deal, she was trapped in a broom closet with him! If anyone should be complaining, it was him. He was stuck in here with her, the most boring person on the planet. Her stupid nose was always stuffed in books that were too advanced for regular people, hair so big it could form its own ministry section, and friends who were even weirder than she was. And now she was crying! Only Granger would cry instead of using her brain to try and find them a way out.

"Will you stop crying already?" He finally cried, getting irritated by the sound, "It's not the end of the world."

"Oh Merlin," she sighed in frustration, "Another one with the emotional range of a teaspoon."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Slytherin, Gryffindor, all you boys are the same!" she yelled at him, "Not a sliver of empathy in your entire body!"

"You don't know anything about me." He spat.

"If you had any empathy at all, you would be comforting me instead of ridiculing me. But wait! What am I thinking." she spat, throwing her hands up. "Stupid Ferrets don't care about anyone but themselves, let alone prejudiced Slytherin Ferrets!"

"I care about others," Draco spat, "Just not insignificant, filthy little muggleborns."

That was all it took. Hermione immediately forgot about her sobbing and lunged at him. Draco easily dodged to the side and watched with satisfaction as she missed, landing on the floor beside where he had been. She rolled over, ready to spring at him as he sneered down at her. However, he was too quick and pressed his foot against her belly, keeping her on the ground.

"You look like you could use a bath." he grinned, twirling his wand in his fingers.

"Malfoy, don't you dare." She threatened. He raised an eyebrow.

"What are you going to do about it?" he asked, almost smiling with glee.

"You're impossible." She spat. "I'd like to see what you could do. All talk and no show.. Now let me up before I kick you in the knees!"

"Now, now, Granger. What have I told you about fantasies of me?" he asked, shaking his head. Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Draco placed his free hand over it.

"There's no use protesting. Curiosity is a natural thing, it's only reasonable that you'd have fantasies towards the first attractive male that looks your way—OW!" Draco cried as he snatched his hand away from her mouth. He stared at the red mark on his palm where she had bitten him. Hermione grinned at him evilly.

"That's what you get for being an arrogant, slimy git! Now get off me!" Hermione said, thrusting one of her feet up and hitting him in the back of his knees, causing him to lose his balance and stumble forward, landing on the floor heavily.

"Ha!" Hermione cried, jumping up. She looked at Draco on the ground, lying very still.

"Serves you right." She spat, putting one hand on her hip triumphantly. Draco didn't move though, and Hermione became slightly...concerned? She shook her heard. No, she couldn't be concerned for Malfoy's wellbeing. It was only because she didn't want to go to jail for killing Malfoy. It wasn't her fault if he'd smacked his head on the floor when he fell forward. But then, who could blame her if she had? He was still snobby and arrogant.

"Malfoy?" she asked, taking a step closer. She poked him with the toe of her shoe.

"Malfoy?" she said again, poking him harder. With a swift movement, she felt her ankle being grabbed, and before she could stop it, she was pulled sharply. She gasped as her legs came out from under her. Draco groaned as she landed on top of him.

"Jeez, Granger," he wheezed, "If you wanted to be on top you should have just asked." He sniggered. She brought her hand up to jab a finger in his chest, but he grabbed it with his seeker reflexes.

"I warned you, Granger, I will use unfair means to stop you from being a brat.." He threatened. She raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him.

"Bring it on, Ferret boy."

"You really shouldn't have said that." He stated, before he shoved her off him and stood. Hermione landed on the floor on her stomach with an 'oomph.' She was about to roll over when she felt Draco grab her ankle again. And then the other. She screamed as he pulled, feeling her legs being lifted into the air. She scrabbled for something to hold onto, but there was nothing and she felt herself being lifted clear off the ground. With a scream, she tried to grab onto a nearby wall, but she couldn't reach. She vaguely could make out her wand across the room, but it was out of reach and she wasn't sure she could summon it this distracted. This was not good.

3.50 PM

"MALFOY!" she screamed as he held her by her knees. She was a clear few feet off the ground now, and he didn't even look like he was trying to hold her up. How strong was he?

He chuckled, watching her trying to grab something to hold onto, stuck without her wand.

"Yes, Granger?" he asked innocently, looking at her as she glared up him-upside down, no less.

"PUT ME DOWN! RIGHT NOW!" she shrieked. He laughed, lifting her knees over his shoulder, moving her further from the ground.

"And why would I do that?" he asked.

"Because otherwise I'll hex you into oblivion!" she cried. He chuckled again.

"You wouldn't want to keep threatening me, Granger. I can start swinging you, you know. Besides, you don't have a wand." He pointed out. She closed her eyes, trying not to think of how sick swinging would make her feel. Her head was swimming.

"Malfoy." She started, in her most pleading voice, looking up at him.

"Let me down, and I promise I won't curse you bald." She said, putting her hands over her eyes and groaning.

Draco eyed her cautiously. "How do I know that you're not lying?" he asked.

"Do I look like I'm in any position to lie?" she yelled at him. He smirked.

"I guess not. But if you try to poke or slap my poor, bruised arm again I will swing you around this room until you vomit." He said.

"That sounds delightful." she groaned again.

"I will relent. Bend your knees over my shoulder." He told her, waiting until she had done so. He then swung her forward and caught her behind her back, lifting her up into the air, then setting her down on the floor in one swift movement. She blinked as she was returned upright suddenly, and then all the blood rushed back. She groaned, swaying as she clutched her head. His hand shot out, gripping her arm and steadying her.

"Granger, are you alright?" Draco asked, looking at the girl in front of him, who currently looked very sick. She glared at him.

"Since when do you care?" she spat, looking through her hands. He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't."

"Could have fooled me." She said, looking pointedly at his hand. He snatched it away suddenly.

"So much for being nice. Now I have to get your germs off my hand." She glared at him again.

"You're so childish! You're just like Ronald!"

"I am not!" he cried, offended. She raised her eyebrows at him.

"How so?"

"I can do my own homework, I'm not a snivelling idiot, and I value the company of a clever girl! Hell, Weasel doesn't even notice anything but food!" He looked disgusted, turning slightly green.

"He does love food." Hermione agreed.

"At meal times, it looks like he's making out with it, not eating it." He grumbled as an after thought. Hermione laughed suddenly and loudly, nodding.

"That is so on point, it's scary." she giggled, wiping her eyes.

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day that you laughed at one of the witty things that constantly come from my mouth." He quipped.

"I appreciate humour, and that was vaguely amusing."

Draco smiled, a rare thing, and it made Hermione lighten up the tiniest bit towards Malfoy.

"Of course it was amusing, I am amazing at observation."

"Making out with his food." She gasped between giggles, before she burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter as Draco chuckled softly as well.