Disclaimer: I simply play in this world for fun.

The Snake Charmer

Chapter 2: "What the hell was that?"

The Burrow

Hermione took out a quill and some parchment and sat at her desk. After ten minutes she looked over what she'd penned and was satisfied.

Dear Headmaster,

Thank you so much for the offer. It is an honor to even be considered for such a position. Hogwarts has been my home for the last seven years and I will be glad to return to her once more. I accept the position and will await further instructions.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

She rolled the envelope up and sealed it with wax. She left the room in search of Harry. He was found in the library, hunched over a chessboard with Ron.

"Harry?"

"Yes?" He didn't look up but was studying the board intensely.

"May I borrow Hedwig to send a letter?"

"Sure. She's in my room." Harry answered.

"Who you writing to Mione?" Ron asked.

"None of your business."

"It's not Vicky is it?" He made a face.

"No, it's not Viktor. Honestly I haven't spoken to him in ages."

Ron grinned, and then looked suspicious. "It isn't another bloke now is it?"

"Do you consider Dumbledore a bloke?" Hermione clapped a hand over her traitorous mouth.

"Dumbledore? What are you writing him for?" Ron stared at her and Harry looked up with an amused expression.

"It's just…" She didn't want to tell them but couldn't think of a lie quickly enough. Her face gave her away.

"You're not accepting the Potion's position!" Ron practically yelled.

"Hermione, are you serious?" Harry stared at her incredulously.

"Well, so what if I am. It's a good job and I'll get credentials in three years. The pay is excellent and room and board are provided…"

"I give it a month, how about you Harry?" Harry looked at Ron and grinned.

"I'll give it two. Hermione's pretty stubborn when she sets her mind to something."

"Yeah, well I bet three years." Hermione leveled a look at each of them. "I've made my decision and I am going to stick to it."

"So what are you willing to bet?" Ron smirked.

"Anything." She swore vehemently. "What about you two?"

Both boys looked delighted. There was no way that she would last for three years with Snape!

"If I win, you have to promise not to nag me about anything for a whole year." Harry said.

"And if I win?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"I will read Hogwarts A History."

Hermione smiled broadly. "Really? You will?"

Harry smiled back. "Really I won't because there is no way you will last with Snape!"

"Ok Harry." Hermione rolled her eyes. "What about you Ron?"

"If I win, you have to go on a date with me." Ron studied Hermione closely.

She gave nothing away. "And if you lose?"

"I will dust every single one of your books."

"Deal. That goes for both of you!" Hermione looked at each of them.

"Deal." Harry agreed.

"Deal." Ron chimed in.

Hermione shook her head and left the library but stood outside the doors, listening. It was a nasty habit but one that she found trouble keeping away from.

"You want a date with her?" Harry whispered.

"Yeah. Every time I've asked her out lately she's said no. I just want a chance." Ron defended himself.

"You had a chance Ron. You were a couple and you blew it last year." Harry pointed out to his thick headed friend.

"Maybe so, but she can't stay mad forever, right? I've changed. I just need another shot."

Hermione shook her head exasperated and walked away quietly. She'd given him no indication that she was truly interested in the last two years, despite his dogged pursuit. Eventually, she'd relented and agreed to be his girlfriend, if only to show him that the two of them didn't work, but that plan had backfired pretty spectacularly. Ron was now more in love with her than ever and she just couldn't force herself to keep pretending, not when he wanted much more than she was willing to give.

There had been a time when she'd liked Ron, but that had been a long time ago. Viktor had been a breath of fresh air and with her attraction to him, she'd forgotten about Ron. After a bit she realized Viktor really wasn't to her liking either, he lacked depth and they didn't have much to talk about. There had been a few dates with Justin Flinch-Fletchy but nothing had come of it. After all of that she wondered if she was meant to be with anyone at all. It just never felt right. Doubts swirled around her and she was shocked that so many men were beginning to notice her, even ones that used to tell her that she was nothing but a filthy mudblood.

She had been absolutely shocked to find a certain note accompanied by a red rose waiting for her in Gryffindor tower one Wednesday evening.

Hermione,

I know that my behavior has been less than savory towards you over the years.

Suffice to say that I've had a change of heart and wish to apologize. I would be

most honored if you would accompany me to dinner in Hogsmeade on Friday

night at 10 o'clock. I'll understand if you decline, but I fervently hope to see you there.

Yours,

Draco Malfoy

Why in the world would Malfoy want to go on a date with her? She'd struggled to understand, but figured that it was probably a trap of some sort. He'd been appalling to her from the moment they'd met. He'd called her "mudblood" without remorse and suddenly he was interested? She hadn't bought into it, though she couldn't help but wonder what might have been. There was something forbidden about Draco, something that made her skin crawl but heated her blood at the same time. She'd had a fair number of fantasies about him, but knew that they couldn't come to fruition. The reality of who and what he was would always serve to separate them. For that she was grateful.

Hermione snapped out of her daze when she reached Harry's room and saw Hedwig. With resolution she tied the note to the snowy owl's leg.

"Will you please take this to Albus Dumbledore?" Hermione stroked the owl's feathers. She hooted in response and took off.

Hermione sighed. What had she gotten herself into?

Slytherin Dungeon's

Severus diced the lacewing flies with perfect precision. They had to be quartered exactly with a knife made of silver. Then they had to be added to the blood red mixture bubbling merrily and stirred counterclockwise with a wooden spoon forty seven times. He repeated the mantra, always thinking ten steps ahead, keeping his mind busy. Then the mixture had to be put on a low burner and allowed to simmer for eighteen minutes before being funneled into a copper cauldron, only to be brought to a boil once more. Then he would add the armadillo bile and salamander blood, stirring with a pewter dowel clockwise nine swift strokes, being careful not to touch the sides of the cauldron.

Severus gasped in alarm as he felt a fiery pain shoot up his left arm. Damn it. This potion could not be put under stasis. A week's careful brewing gone to seed.

He turned the burner off and with one last regretful look turned and left the lab, warding the door behind him. He grabbed his Death Eater robes and mask and slipped them on over his black trousers and white shirt. He threw a bit of Floo powder into the fireplace and poked his head into Dumbledore's office.

Albus noticed him immediately and with a shake of his head understood that he was being summoned. Severus pulled his head from the fire and dusted a few bits of ash that clung to his hair off of his shoulders. He hurried down to the gates of Hogwarts and Apparated.

When the whirlwind stopped he crouched low to the ground. This place was unfamiliar. It was black as pitch and he knew that he had to be somewhere on the other side of the world. The wind was biting cold and he was thankful for the thick robes he wore. He looked about him trying to figure out where the Dark Lord was when he saw the little rat scurry towards his feet. It paused and turned slowly and began scurrying away. Severus sighed in exasperation and followed it on foot.

Fifteen minutes later, through dense forests dusted with snow, they reached a clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a pile of sticks, remnants of a house that had stood in its stead many years ago. But the place was filled with dark magic. The air around it had a greenish tinge and he felt his hair stand up at the back of his neck. The Dark Lord was near. The rat dove into a hole in the middle of the pile of sticks and suddenly there was a small house in front of him. He stepped through a shield and strode forward, his robes billowing behind him. Peter Pettigrew stood holding the door open for him and gave him a glare which was so beneath Severus that it was pitiful. He strode inside and the door closed behind him, shutting out the winter cold. It was much warmer inside.

"This way." Pettigrew pointed with his silver hand. Severus followed and stepped into a room that held only one chair, which was facing a giant fireplace and roaring fire.

"So glad you could finally make it Severussss." Voldemort hissed. Severus knew that the Dark Lord was in one of his moods again. He immediately fell to his knees and crawled forward.

"Wormtail, my chair." Voldemort demanded. Wormtail hurried forward and turned the chair around. Severus dared not look up. He carefully crawled forward and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robes. Voldemort said nothing and so Severus stayed in the awkward and somewhat painful position. He was getting too old for this.

"Have you any news to report? Anything useful?" His tone was full of the promise of pain.

"Yes my Lord. The old fool has ordered me to teach Potter and his two idiot friends Occlumency."

"Why?" He hissed.

"He hopes that with training they can block their minds from you and your followers my Lord."

"What are you going to do about that?"

"I have no choice but to train them, but I will be sure that they are left with no skills. I will fill their heads with doubt and fear and make them angry so that they cannot even learn the basics. Though if you were to use your extraordinary power they would crumble before you, even if they had been taught properly."

"So right you are. Even now, even you after all this time, you cannot block me. Look at me."

Severus steeled himself for the invasion and looked up, meeting the eyes of the snake.

"Legillimens!"

Voldemort rushed through his mind, probing through masses of harmless memories. He watched as Severus spoke to Dumbledore, as Severus sneered at Potter. He probed deeper and watched Severus having sex with a prostitute a few weeks ago. He stopped at this memory, reveling in it, delighting in it. Severus had planned this memory specifically for Voldemort, to keep him from more important matters. He loved watching the sexual humiliation of others and Severus made sure to give him plenty of fodder. Severus struck the woman across the face, made her beg for the privilege of sucking his cock. He watched as the woman was forced to gag on his cock over and over until she was nearly sick. He watched as Severus pounded into the girl from behind as she cried helplessly, digging his nails into the soft skin of her back. He watched the killing curse with satisfaction and with a cruel laugh pulled out of his mind.

Severus fell to the floor panting. Sweat rolled off his forehead and a few trickles of blood oozed from his nose. He didn't dare move. Voldemort was deciding if he would be allowed to leave in good condition or not.

"Severus? What have I told you about getting blood on my robes?" Voldemort hissed. "Crucio!"

White hot bolts of pain speared through him, acid flooded his veins. He screamed in agony as wave after wave burned him through, cooking him from the inside out. It was the purest hottest fire, lava like, oozing and coursing through the body with each beat of the heart. Limbs flung themselves wildly, all control was lost. No coherent thought was possible, only screaming pain. The Dark Lord kept up the curse for far longer than customary and black dots danced in front of his eyes. He couldn't breathe. A few more seconds and it was all going to be over…

Blackness.

Severus looked up and found that his limbs were barely functional. He had managed to survive after all. Damn.

Recovery would not be quick and certainly not easy. The after effects of Crucio would stay with him for weeks, causing his muscles to seize and cramp and pain to course through his system once more. He'd gone through it countless times, enough to know how to deal with it when it came. But first things first. He looked around him and noticed that the place was cold and empty. He crawled slowly, moving inch by inch until he made it outside. The sun pierced his eyes and he cried out as the light burned his sensitive retinas. With determination now, he crawled forward and pushed himself to his knees. With deep steadying breaths and using natural leverage around him, he made it to a standing position. Dizziness swarmed over him and he had to fight for consciousness. Unfortunately he knew that if he managed to Apparate, that wherever he ended up he would be out cold, he knew that he needed someplace safe. The Shrieking Shack was perfect.

"Shrieking Shack." He muttered and with a loud pop, he was gone.

Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts

"Please have a seat Ms. Granger." Albus pointed to a comfy chintz chair in front of his desk.

"Thank you headmaster."

He studied her over his half moon spectacles, gazing into her eager face intently. "I'm most pleased that you've decided to accept the position."

"How could I not? It is a great opportunity."

"Yes it is. I do hope you will be up to the task."

"I enjoy a challenge sir."

"Indeed." He smiled and his eyes suddenly seemed far away. Hermione sat in silence politely until he returned.

"Well, there is something beside the position that I need to speak to you about."

Hermione tilted her head.

"As you know, you will need to be here at Hogwarts a month or so prior to the beginning of term. The labs need to be cleaned, reorganized and stocked, and Professor Snape doesn't have the time to do all of it himself, as much as he'd like to think that he does. Therefore that responsibility will lie with you. Do you have any questions my dear?"

"When you say labs…do you mean another lab other than the one that students use?"

"Perceptive Ms. Granger. Yes. There are three labs in total in this school. One is my personal lab, one is the Potions classroom and the third is Professor Snapes private lab. All of the brewing for the infirmary is to be done there, so I suggest you acquaint yourself with it. A word of caution, if I may? Severus is a private man, and there have only been two other people allowed to see his laboratory. I suggest that you take the utmost care with whatever he allows you to do. The Potions classroom will be the lab that needs to be totally refitted and will be your primary concern over the summer. Many of the burners are not working properly and more than one student has wrecked their station accidentally. Things can only be fixed magically so many times before they need to be replaced. The properties of certain metals and ingredients, as you well know, can have their molecular structure changed which will only lead to more accidents. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Yes sir, absolutely." Hermione agreed eagerly.

"There is one other matter."

"Yes, sir?"

"I have arranged for Harry, Ron, and yourself to take Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape. I've arranged the first one to take place in a few days time."

Hermione watched him, her eyes round as saucers. "Is there any particular reason why sir?" Her apt curiosity was apparent and Dumbledore smiled thoughtfully.

"I think it would be prudent for the three of you to have at least basic skills where the mind is concerned. It would be easy, if I left you all untrained, to become victims of mind assaults while out in the field. You see, Riddle and a few of his followers have the ability to break into people's minds, during battle, causing them to lose their focus. This loss of focus, even for a moment, can prove deadly and they can cast any number of Unforgiveables in the meantime. While under these types of curses, it is easy to search someone's mind and clean them out so to speak. It would be dangerous if any one of you three were placed in a position such as this. I will not allow it. Not again." He sighed resolutely, his eyes far away.

Hermione sat rigidly, hardly daring to move or breathe. She'd never had a conversation of this sort with Dumbledore before. She didn't know how to respond or what to say. The only thing that seemed proper was a quiet "Thank you Headmaster. I will learn as best I can."

It snapped him out of his reverie and he looked into her eyes again, twinkling. "I have no doubt that you will do your best. I only hope that you may help the others. I have a feeling neither of them will take too kindly to this, especially Harry."

Realization dawned harshly on the girl. She remembered all too well how Harry felt about his lessons. He was more than upset and had refused to talk about it with anyone. It had worried her greatly, but as time went on and other things happened, she'd forgotten all about it. It would not be a pretty picture.

"I'll do what I can sir." She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders and a determined glint reached her eyes. Dumbledore chuckled lightly and waved his hand. "You may leave as you wish. I will see you in two days time."

"Thank you sir." Hermione rose and left the office, passing the gargoyle and tripped down the empty hallway lightly. Her spirits were higher than they'd been in a long while.

Shrieking Shack

He woke in darkness. His body was pulsing in agony. He could do nothing but lie there alone.

What a pathetic life.

Not for the first time, degrading comments swirled through his mind and he allowed the horrible memories to come back to him.

Snivellus!

Hook nose!

Greasy git!

Overgrown bat!

Know-It-All!

It was a chant, a mantra of all the past insults he'd suffered. He could fill a volume or two with single phrases alone.

It angered him and motivated him. The anger and self loathing kept him sane. His hatred kept him alive…barely.

With a grunt and sheer will he managed to lift the upper half of his body. He looked around the dilapitaded shack with disgust. Lupin had made sure it would never be habitable again. The walls were nearly crumbling down. A thick coat of dust enveloped everything. It was cold and drafts of wind blew threw the unsealed cracks in the walls and around the windowsills. The windows themselves were grimy and often broken. Those little shits loved to visit the shack on their weekends to Hogsmeade and throw rocks at the barely standing structure.

As much as he hated this wretched place, he felt drawn to it. He had an affinity for the place, he understood it. It was like him, dark, crumbling, but still standing.

The most terrifying experience of his young life had occurred here, when James and the Mauraders had sent him here, to die at Lupin's hand. Werewolves to this day frightened him more than he cared to admit. Then there had been the incident with James Jr. and Sirius. Snape had itched to end the life of Black, and if they had been alone, would probably have done it then and there. But he had hesitated, knowing there were children present. What a moment of stupidity that was!

Taken down by Potter.

Humiliated.

Then he had to endure another transformation of Lupin…only this time, there were children to protect. He was proud of himself for facing his fear and placing himself between Lupin and the children…but that momentary pride was thoroughly erased when he thought of the momentary stupidity that had left him vulnerable in the first place.

"Fuck!" He yelled and picked up god knows what, hurling it at the nearest wall.

The anger coursed through his body. It was good. It propelled him forward. He managed to stand. Putting all of his anger into it, one word escaped his lips: "Hogwarts!"

With a Pop, he was gone and the house once again, stood alone.

Hogwart's

He hit the ground standing and smirked triumphantly. Then the ground decided it had other plans.

It rushed up to meet his face.

A few meters away, Hermione saw the snarky Potions Professor Apparate outside the gates that she was heading toward. A look of surprise flitted across her features, followed by a frown when she saw him collapse. She rushed forward and gasped as she took in his gruesome appearance.

Though it was dark outside, she could quite clearly see the bruises and dark circles under his eyes. Half his face was covered in thick dried blood, the other half was sallow and covered with a sheen of sweat. She allowed herself a moment to panic before her instincts kicked in. She cast a simple diagnostic spell and watched the colors as they swirled around his body. He had been under the Cruciatis, this much was apparent. His red blood cells were enlarged and his heartbeat was erratic.

She pointed her wand at him.

"Mobilicorpus!"

She walked quickly but steadily up to the castle and ascended the steps, Snape floating along beside her.

The large doors opened and she strode in quickly, heading to the infirmary. She walked as fast as her short legs would carry her and her heart beat painfully in her chest. At long last she entered the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey bustled toward her as she saw who was floating in tow.

"Place him on this bed here Ms. Granger."

Hermione complied and lowered him gently onto the bed. Madam Pomfrey rushed about, running several quick diagnostic spells and clucking to herself. She rushed to and from her stores and forced a few different potions down his throat. From what Hermione could tell it looked like a strengthening potion and a fairly potent pain draught. She stood back with something akin to mild shock and wrung her hands. It was unlike her to be indecisive, but she wanted to help, and didn't know what to do. Suddenly the doors behind them burst open and Dumbledore strode quickly forward assessing the situation.

"How bad?" He asked the resident Mediwitch.

"Not worse than usual, though his body has had about enough of this." She replied briskly and honestly. A tired sag befell the Headmaster and his eyes lost their characteristic twinkle.

Madam Pomfrey looked up and noticed his dejected stare. "Oh Albus. Stop beating yourself up. He volunteered for this you know."

Albus shook his head and then noticed Hermione who looked more than a little distressed. He composed himself and addressed her.

"I take it you found him as you were leaving?"

"Yes sir. I saw him Apparate and then I saw him fall over. I rushed toward him and he looked terrible. There was no one around and I levitated him back to the castle. Is he going to be all right?"

"Yes, he's had much worse, believe me." He said as matter of fact.

Hermione looked stricken at his words but covered her reaction as best she could. She forced her hands to her side and prayed that her voice was steady. "Is there anything I can do?"

Madam Pomfrey looked up. "No dear. Thank you for bringing him here."

"I concur. I think it would be best if you went about your business. I will escort you to the gates."

Hermione nodded, biting her lip. She followed him silently and wondered if he would say anything more. He did not.

Only thirty minutes before she had been walking down the same path, feeling on top of the world. She was going to be working at Hogwart's! This time, it was different. The dark shadows of the trees beckoned with crooked limbs and the night air was frigid with cold. Her teeth chattered.

She never imagined that she'd witness what she had.

Snapping out of her daydream she noticed that they were beyond the wards. "Take care dear." The Headmaster looked down his nose at her through his half moon spectacles.

"I will." She promised. He turned to leave and she muttered "Diagon Ally".

With a Pop she was gone.

Diagon Ally, London

Hermione didn't want to go home. Diagon Ally offered a different alternative, one that she was glad for. She knew that Flourish and Blott's would be open until Eleven and she hurried up the street, hoping to get there in time. She sighed in exasperation when she saw that the door was locked. She looked down at her muggle watch with irritation. It was only 10:50. She had so badly need a reprieve, something to take her mind off the recent unpleasantness. As hard as she tried she couldn't keep her mind from returning to him again.

Professor Severus Snape.

She wasn't an innocent child. She knew enough about the way things worked, and when one worked as a spy, one got hurt. But knowing something theoretically, and confronting it in reality were two separate things. Perhaps if it was a one time incident it wouldn't bother her so much. But what Dumbledore had said…

"Yes, he's had much worse, believe me."

She couldn't shake the feelings of revulsion that swept through her petite frame. She knew that this had happened more than once and was more than likely a normal occurrence. She wondered what it would be like, facing pain such as that and going back for more…for years on end. Living a duplicitous life and receiving nothing in return. People in the Order didn't trust him and she'd never heard him thanked for anything that he did. Even in his teaching career, no one acknowledged his efforts. He was the greasy git of the dungeons, the least popular teacher Hogwarts had ever seen. She'd never even seen him smile, in all the years that she'd known him.

Not that she ever thought about that.

"Why should I care?" She voiced out loud and stopped, taking in her surroundings. She realized with alarm that she was outside the beaten path and had wandered down a dark ally.

"Well…well." A voice drawled out and she swung around taking in the smirking face of none other than her personal nemesis Draco Malfoy.

"Malfoy." She said with disgust.

"Granger. What are you doing out on a night like this, all alone?" His eyes swept over her slightly unkempt hair and wrinkled robes.

"Just taking a stroll. I was just leaving actually." She made to walk by him but he reached out an arm and stopped her. She looked up at him with what she hoped was an exasperated expression.

"Why so soon? What's the rush?" He practically whispered.

She shivered in the night air.

"Why don't you and I get a drink? Get out of this cold? Hm?" His eyes danced as he watched the indecision on her face. "Just one drink."

Hermione weighed her options. This was not a good situation. She was in a dark ally, near midnight and with Malfoy Jr. She had her fingers wrapped tightly around her wand and was ready to use it at a moments notice. Perhaps it would be best if she went with him to a pub. At least it would get her into a public area.

"One drink." She agreed and his face lit up. He turned and held out his arm which she unhappily accepted. They strolled down the ally and turned left and then right. They were then back on familiar and public territory.

"Leaky Cauldron all right?" He asked in a gentlemanly tone.

"Fine." She said tonelessly.

He steered her toward the pub and they entered, taking a seat in a slightly dark corner. A waitress walked up. "What'll it be?"

"Ogden' finest please, on the rocks." Draco answered smoothly.

"Butterbeer." Hermione added and the waitress nodded and walked toward the bar to get their drinks.

Hermione eyed him warily and he rapped his knuckles against the worn wood absently, staring back at her without expression. She wondered why the hell she was still here with the ferret now that she was in a fairly safe place.

As if to answer her…

"I'm surprised you haven't bolted for the exit."

A blush lit her cheeks. "As am I." She admitted.

"I wonder why that is?" He questioned. She shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Here ya are. Anything else for ya?" The waitress sat their drinks down with long practiced skill and eyed the two of them.

"No, thank you." Draco replied smoothly, placing a galleon in her hand. "Keep the change."

"Much obliged." The waitress smiled happily and left them alone to their awkward silence.

Hermione lifted her butterbeer and took a long draught. Draco sipped his drink and eyed her over the glass. They sat in silence and gradually, Hermione felt herself relax. A little.

"Can I ask you something?" Draco looked at her intently.

"You can ask whatever you like. It doesn't mean I will answer." She said honestly.

"Fair enough. Why didn't you come that night?"

She sighed. She really didn't want to talk about this. "I thought you would understand." She whispered.

"I can understand you not being interested…but what else?" He encouraged.

She looked down at the table and absently traced the wood grain. She contemplated her answer with seriousness. This could go very badly if she wasn't careful.

"We've always been enemies Draco. We never got along. I don't remember you saying a kind word to me in seven years. Then I get that rose and that note…what am I supposed to think?" She looked up at him then, eyes flashing. "I mean, what would change your mind? I thought it was a trap of some sort…how could I not?" She waited with baited breath.

"I know." Draco said quietly. "I was awful to you. You weren't much better to me though." He looked at her and she nodded in agreement.

"It wasn't like I started it." She reminded him.

He nodded. Silence enveloped them and they each sipped their drinks.

"Can I ask you something?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Anything." Draco answered.

"Was it a trap?"

He looked into her eyes intently and smiled sadly. "Not in the way you think."

She furrowed her brows, not understanding. He decided to elaborate. "I wanted to talk to you…without anyone around. Just you."

"Why?"

"I began to have feelings for you and against my better judgment I left the note. I guess I knew that you wouldn't come."

"Do you blame me?"

"No. I told you I would understand if you didn't. I just wanted to be sure I knew why. Now I know. I've done irreparable damage. It's typical really." He took a large swallow and suddenly looked ten years older.

Hermione didn't know how to respond to that. He had treated her horribly. He had been the bane of her existence for seven years, constantly tormenting her and her friends.

"Why were you so terrible?" She asked unthinkingly.

He looked up and smirked. "I'm a Malfoy. A pureblood. I have an image to uphold, you know." He smiled sardonically. "I was bred to be what I was, what I am."

"So you haven't changed then." It was a statement, not really a question.

"Define changed."

He had her at a loss and he knew it. "What, no answer from the Gryffindor know-it-all?" He teased gently.

"I just don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything."

Hermione sat in silence and drained the last drops of her drink. She licked her lips and Draco stared at her.

"I best get going. It's late." She offered.

"Yes I know." He scooted closer to her.

She stayed rooted to her spot eyeing him carefully.

"So I'll see you around?" She asked nervously.

"Yes." Malfoy answered, inching closer.

"Ok." She responded breathlessly.

"Ok." He murmured, his mouth inches away from hers. His eyes captured hers and she felt as though she was drowning in a sea of icy blue.

Then his lips caught hers and she was stunned. He moved his mouth against her soft lips gently and then pulled away with a small smile.

"Goodnight Hermione." He said and stood up, walking away from the table.

She sat there and watched him exit the pub. Only then did she realize she'd been holding her breath.

"What the hell was that?" She whispered, angry with herself. With a shake of her mane she stood up and left through the other exit. Her heart was pounding, the blood pumping through her veins hot and thick. She concentrated on the burrow and Apparated away, to safety.

Hopefully to sanity as well.