A/N: I had an epiphany two nights ago, and this next chapter is its result! And before people go all getting angry with me, this is not going to be completely in character (but I will do my best) because Draco and Hermione would never end up together no matter what. It is sad I know, so bare with me.

The feeling that I had in my stomach now was the complete opposite to that in my dream. The security was ripped away and replaced with unease. I scanned the room again, certain that there was another presence. I did not want to move or get up (what if something was under my bed?) and I couldn't move to my wand fast enough.

Tears began to well up in my eyes. The dread I felt was rapidly growing. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore; I burst.

"DRACO!" I let out a bloodcurdling yell. I needed someone, and he was the only person close enough to come to my aid, even if that was all he could do. My tears began to pour out; I was positively terrified. I curled the blanket up, over my head, in anticipation of any strike I would receive. I felt none. I did, however, hear a door bang open.

Slowly, I lifted my head out from under my covers as the tears continued to pour. I looked towards the door and was just in time to see a boxer clad Draco run into my room. His eyes were droopy from lack of sleep, but he held his wand at the ready.

I let down my blanket a bit more, knowing that he was there and my intruder would not strike. I watched as he turned the light on. Seeing that there was no danger, and no monster attacking me, his expression became that of rage.

"Bloody Hell, Granger. You made it sound like you were dying." He growled in my general direction. "What the fuck's the matter, then?"

I couldn't talk. My throat closed up and I tried to control the tears that escaped my eyes. I was violently shaking with the effort it took to stop this ridiculous antic. I knew it was getting me nowhere, and Malfoy must think me such a wimp to be scared at nothing. I slowed down a bit, and took a few deep breaths.

He stood there, still waiting for an answer. But, as soon as I looked him in the eyes, I knew I couldn't speak to him, and I began to cry harder.

"Grr!" he roared as he turned to leave, realizing that he wasn't going to get an answer anytime soon.

"Wait!" I croaked, reaching my arm out toward him. I couldn't be left alone, yet. My fear was still creeping in the back of my head and I didn't want it to come back. I retracted my arm as he spun around, full circle.

"What?" he spat. But when he saw my face, his softened a little.

"I-I-I don't want to be alone." I tried to explain in a voice that was barely audible.

His eyebrows drew together. "Look, Granger, I can't see anything you could possibly be scared of…unless you looked in a mirror. I need to sleep, and I cannot do that if I'm babysitting you, alright?"

The tears, which had ceased seconds before, returned to my cheeks as I nodded.

He said nothing else, just cleared his throat and left the room, slamming my door behind him. I jumped at the loud noise, and was left in absolute silence except for my heavy breathing. He hadn't turned the light off, and I certainly didn't! It stayed on all night while I sat in the corner of my room, from which I could see everything. I had my wand in one hand and my other was wrapped around my curled up legs. I could not sleep, nor did I want to.

Finally, clouded sunlight shone through my window and I knew it was safe…

The day was murky and disgusting. It was still quite early. I felt horrible and I couldn't think due to lack of sleep the night before. I doubted I would ever be able to sleep again, without being too melodramatic. I felt dirty and weak; I could barely handle walking down the stairs.

I was in a kind of stupor, but had yet to realize it. When I finally zoned back in to reality, I found myself in the common room, on the couch in front of the fire. To my great surprise, Draco was sitting at the opposite end of the couch, looking as sleep deprived, if not more, than myself.

I didn't realize I was staring at him until he turned abruptly to glare at me.

"Sorry." I murmured, not wanting to arouse the anger I had witnessed the night before.

As soon as I said this, I looked away, toward the fire. When I looked back at him out of the corner of my eye a second later, he had a look of mild surprise on his face. But, when he realized I was again looking at him, he guarded his expression with the usual detached look.

We both sat there in mutual silence, glowering at the fire.

Finally, Draco broke the not-so-very-uncomfortable silence. "What the hell are you wearing?" he accused staring with distress at my attire.

I blushed slightly. At least he had the decency to get dressed before he came down.

I began to get up to put on a robe at least, but his strong hand gripped my upper arm and I fell back down to a sitting position. I didn't care; I was disconnected from rationality. I just looked at him, with no expression on my face.

I sighed and he looked disgusted. Oh no! I hope he didn't take that in the wrong way. At least he didn't get angry. Instead, he took the blanket from the back of the couch and folded it around me.

I watched him with open astonishment. I don't think he noticed, though, because he went right back to staring at the fire. So did I.

It was not that the quiet was disturbing, it was actually quite nice, just sitting there, but I had way too many questions to just sit in silence. However, I had no idea where to start.

"Ummm…" I tried to begin. He turned his head a fraction to stare at me. His eyebrows raised in anticipation of a question.

"Uh…are you okay?" I tried to start.

The look he gave me was somewhere between horror and confusion.

"What kind of a question is that?" he replied, his tone filled with malice.

"I just…wanted to know. Sorry…It's just that-you look horrible!" Great, now he looked hurt. "No, well, you look fine…it's just that- Well, you are back quite early and it looks as though you haven't slept in days, and you were wearing really weird clothes when you arrived…and I was just wondering?"

He sighed and opened his mouth to reply.

A/N: Ha!