Summary - On New Year's Eve a secret is revealed about Hermione's past that causes her to make some pretty rash decisions that will change her life forever. Consequently, Hermione will grow up up in every sense of the word with the Slytherin Sex God and potential Death Eater, Draco Malfoy. Lies will be told, plans will be hatched, sides will be chosen, friends will be betrayed and all for the love of a boy on the wrong side of a War. Please R & R!
Disclaimer - I don't own any of it! Poor me =[
Author's Note: Hey, so here it is! First off, sorry for not getting it up on time especially considering I made promised you twice! This chapter has been hell to write, everything that could have gone wrong with it has. I don't think it's perfect now but I thought I better get something up for you all! I know how annoying it is when it's ages between chapter updates and I have tried to knock it out asap, its just asap turned out to be longer than expected. Anway here it is, hope you enjoy it!
I also just wanted to clear up something that apparently wasn't clear in the last chaper, when Draco asks Hermione "why didn't you tell me?" he was referring to her not telling him she was a virgin pre chapter one. It's not really of huge importance in the story but I thought I'd clear it up anyway. If there's anything else you don't get just leave a comment and I'll try to clear it up!
Please read & review! =] & Sorry about the slow update!!!!!
This fanfic is based in Hermione and Draco's sixth year in Hogwarts, therefore both the sixth and seventh books are irrelevant. Draco has not yet become a Death Eater or a member of Voldermort's 'inner circle' and is still debating between which side he will join although nobody knows that he is not 100% loyal to the dark side.
Chapter 3 - January 4th/4th JanuaryThe Hogwarts Express was never the same in January as it was in September, least not to Hermione. The journey was never a jovial affair without her two best friends, but even Hermione doubted whether Harry and Ron could have improved her mood today. The anger and bitterness towards her parents that had been so absolute on New Year's Eve had calmed down a lot. But it most definitely had not died. Will it ever go away? Will I ever forgive them for the lies they told me? She wondered casually, as though she was debating nothing more important than the colour of her favourite jelly baby. Ever since New Year's Eve when she had . . . and Malfoy had . . . a numbness had settled over her and nothing seemed to be able to shift it. She wasn't even sure that she wanted to regain the emotions that had caused her so much pain.
She wearily murmured "goodbye" to her parents, completely unsure of what else to say as a tangible tension continued to divide her from the Grangers.
"Have a good time at school sweetheart!" Her mother chirped merrily, almost as though nothing had changed. She threw her arms around Hermione, who returned the hug feebly.
"Take care of yourself darling." Her father whispered, kissing her forehead. She desperately wanted to pull away from their ritual good wishes, but guiltily she forced herself to bare it. I don't know why I should, I don't owe them anything. They lied to me for my entire life! She exclaimed wordlessly, but not a single syllable of it passed her lips because deep, deep down there was a part of her that still loved the Grangers and however much she was hurting she wouldn't take it out on them.
"Bye," she repeated restlessly. Hermione was eager to return to Hogwarts, where she hoped she would be able to forget the revelations that had plagued her night and day for the last five days. Well, thats not completely true is it? There was that one night when you didn't lay awake unable to sleep, a rebellious inner voice whispered. She promptly scolded herself for daring to thinking of it and dragged herself away from such dangerous thought. Hermione briefly waved to her parents before running full force into the seemingly solid brick wall that separated Platforms 9 and 10.
She passed through the barrier without difficultly but she landed on Platform 9 and ¾ with a humungous crash as she collided into another student. The two students and their belongings were thrown to the floor by the sheer force of the impact. Landing unceremoniously on her arse, Hermione felt the air forced out of her lungs. For a moment the only thought that filled her mind was 'oww!' but as soon as she heard that condescending chuckle all her pain was forgotten as her temper flared. Quickly spinning her head around she saw Malfoy hunched over with the exertion of his laughter.
"Nice one Granger! Always knew you had grace."
"Fuck off Malfoy." She murmured, not intending anyone to hear her crude language.
"Love to Mudblood, but I've got to check up on my minion that you just had the kindness to ram into." He countered quietly as he made his way closer to the scene. Hermione starred in shock as she saw him kneel down beside none other than an obviously seriously injured Vincent Crabbe.
Clenching her teeth through her own pain, Hermione raggedly asked "is he okay?"
"Course he's not, you fucking idiot. Look at him!" Malfoy snapped as he experimentally touched Crabbe's tree-trunk sized leg, which was bent at a very strange angle. Hermione watched his gentle hands hypnotically but was forced out of her riviera when despite the lightness of Malfoy's touch, Crabbe screamed in agony. Hermione bit down her hard on her lip, feeling guilty for causing him such pain. "I'm pretty sure it's broken mate," said Malfoy.
Hermione vaguely heard Crabbe mumble, "shit" between sobs. His wailing tore at Hermione's sympathetic heart as she cautiously glanced around the platform to see who had noticed the commotion, detecting that a small crowd was beginning to form nearby she cringed. She couldn't believe that the entire school had witnessed her clumsiness! The Gryffindor's thoughts were this time interrupted by Neville Longbottom who ran up to her yelling, clear across the platform, "Hermione!" Thanks Neville, for informing everyone who didn't know it was me who injured Malfoy's henchman, Hermione grouched ungratefully before plastering a fake smile to her face and greeting her friend cheerfully.
Stumbling to a holt just infront of her, he asked concernedly, "what happened? Are you okay?" He glanced nervously at Malfoy and Crabbe as though they beat him up just for being in their vicinity. Luckily, the two Slytherin's continued to blatantly ignoring both Neville and herself. Hermione thought she heard her fellow Gryffindor breathe a sigh of relief when he realised he wasn't going to pummelled.
"I'm fine. I collided with Crabbe when I came through the barrier, he was just stood there!" She exclaimed. For the first time, she turned her attention to as to why Crabbe would have been standing in that exact sport aimlessly. It not even right outside the sweet shop or broomstick supplies! She shrugged her petite, shapely shoulders in bewilderment and focused her attention on a problem she could solve; her present position on the station platform. "Anyway help me up, I look like a right lemon sat here." Hermione trustingly held her hands out to Neville who helped pull her to her feet. However his hands stilled when she screamed with pain as her weight landed on her left ankle. The ankle buckled and she tumbled into Neville's arms.
"Oh my god Hermione, are you alright?" His eyes were wide with worry as he heard her whimper in agony. Annoyance at her own weakness filled Hermione's being and she forced herself to fight through the throbbing agony in her left ankle.
"Yes," she snapped through clenched teeth. "I'll be fine. Just give me a minute." She was determined not to show such weakness when Crabbe was so badly injured. He may not be her friend or even someone she liked all that much but it seemed unfair to moan so pathetically about a little pain when his leg was bent in completely the wrong direction! She breathed in deeply and held out her arms, determined to Neville to try once again to get to her feet. Hesitantly he took hold of her delicate hands.
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea, 'Mione." He murmured weakly.
"Of course it is. I'm fine!" She snapped fiercely. "Now help me up." Come on Hermione, you can do this, she urged herself mentally as she prepared to climb to her feet once again. Stop being such a drama queen!
"Oh for Christ sakes Granger, sit your arse down! Longbottom don't let her put her weight on that foot again, if she hasn't broken anything yet she soon will, the way she's going." Malfoy barked irately from his position next to Crabbe. Hermione glanced towards him and two pairs of furious eyes locked and battled for supremacy. How dare he dictate what I do? She silently demanded.
Neville looked at Hermione with a panic stricken face, worried if his actions had injured her further. As carefully as he could, admittedly this was not that careful at all, he deposited her back on the cold, hard cement platform. Her chocolate brown eyes snapped instinctively closed, breaking eye contact with Malfoy as she tried to cope with even more pain spreading through her body because of her hard landing on the platform.
"Go and get some help Longbottom." Malfoy muttered distractedly as walked towards Hermione determinedly. Nerves spread through her body as she hypnotically watched him crouch down beside her. Her mind screamed to her to shy away from him and his searing touch but compulsively she continued to watch him. His pale hands slowly and gently picked up her left leg just below the knee and although she felt the pain of the movement, it was surprisingly bareable. He slowly lifted the leg of her jeans up, but instinctively she stilled his hand, forcing the trouser leg down to cover her bare flesh.
"Come on Granger! I've seen more of you than this . . ." He muttered barely audibly. It was so quiet only she was close enough to hear his words. "Come on Granger, get a grip!" He accused venomously. His sudden change in emotion left her reeling and mutely she removed her hand. As he lifted up the leg of her trousers his touch was no longer lingering or vaguely sensual like it had been moments before, although his touch was still light and did not hurt her too much, it was completely focused on the task. Hermione clenched her fists, resolutely refusing to show the pain he caused as his fingers probed the bones in her ankle, feeling for a fracture. "It doesn't look like anything's broken least not in your ankle. Of course it could be the foot you've damaged, but I won't remove your shoe just in case you've broken a bone because it could make it worse." He said clinically, removing his hands from her naked flesh.
"How do you know?" She asked quietly.
"I have a bit of experience with broken bones, Granger. Trust me I'm better than Madame Pomfrey at this!" Curiously she glanced at him, wondering exactly what he meant by his claim but before she could infer anything he turned away from her and returned to Crabbe's side. Anger rose within her, although she didn't know why she should be so incensed by him ignoring her. After all, Crabbe was his friend so he should be by his side and not hers and despite the little glitch at New Years, he was still her enemy. She forced herself to think sensibly and regain the sanity she felt sure she was losing.
Hermione was very thankful when moments later, Neville returned with what looked like the conductor of the train. "All right, all right what's going on 'ere?" He asked in his heavy accented voice, which got on Hermione's nerves immediately.
"umm . . " she paused, unsure of exactly what to say to this man.
"Granger like the oaf she is crashed into one of her betters with her trolley as she was coming through the platform and now they're both injured." Malfoy said smoothly, immediately taking control of the situation and annoying Hermione immensely in the process.
"She don't look like no oaf to me." The train conductor leered at her. Bile rose in the back of her throat as she watched his disgusting, foul eyes rove over her body in a completely non-medical related way.
"She isn't." Neville replied resolutely defending his friend but naively unaware of the way the man was looking at her. Neville boldly continued to say, "it's just that Malfoy-"
"Malfoy?" The train conductor spun around and fixed the blonde haired boy with an inquiring stare. "You Lucius' son?" Hermione's urge to heave continued as she recognised the awe and respect that was instantly evident in that one look. Typical, he looks at me like I'm a piece of meat yet he sees Malfoy as Wizarding royalty!
"Yes that would be me." Malfoy stood up and walked towards the man, standing in between him and Hermione effectively blocking her view of the tubby, balding pervert. "Now, we need to get Crabbe and the Mudblood onto the train before it leaves." Since when did anyone put him in charge? Hermione thought morosely.
"What about their parents? Couldn't they-"
"Mine have left." Hermione interrupted before he got a chance to finish his sentence, "but honestly it's fine I'm sure I can get myself onto the train."
"Sit down Granger before I hex you," Malfoy ordered, not even bothering to turn to face her as he uttered the treat. Huffing over the injustice of her situation, Hermione reluctantly remained seated. She still couldn't understand why all this fuss was being made when Malfoy himself admitted that nothing was broken. "Now if you could levitate them both to one of the carriages then we can all get on with our journey and be out of each other's company."
"Sorry sir, I can't." The conductor replied meekly. "You see we are all squibs." His lanky arms gestured to the other train workers on the platform. Hermione sighed with exasperation, this was not going well. Glancing around the platform she searched for salvation and found that strangely there was nobody about. The barrier back to Charing Cross must have closed already because there was not a single parent and therefore a single legal witch or wizard who could perform magic, within sight. Great!
"Fine. We'll have to move them ourselves." Malfoy concluded, grimacing slightly as he looked at the sheer bulk of Crabbe. Hermione couldn't help but grin at this. "Longbottom! Err – you?"
"Larry, sir."
"Help me with Crabbe."
Hermione silently wondered what wierdo world she had woken up in as she realised that everyone was simply obeying Malfoy without a second's hesitation. This must be what it's like to be in Slytherin, she thought sourly. However this dark mood was quickly lifted as she watched the three men heave Crabbe onto the Hogwarts Express with much amusement. She callously admitted that the pain in her ankle and Crabbe's broken leg was definitely worth seeing this! Finally, when they returned all three were drenched with sweat and turning the air blue with the words they were using. They stood in a semi-circle around her, puffing and panting to different extents from the exertion of lifting Crabbe onto the train. She sat waiting for them to speak to her with a small, innocent smile on her pretty, heart shaped face.
However, the smile vanished when Malfoy said, "I'll get Granger, you two get her crap."
As Malfoy reached down to pick her up, she attempted to scurry away from him and bellowed, "no!" before dignifying her response with "I'm sure Neville-"
"Longbottom's beat. That boy sure is unfit, lucky for you I'm not." He maliciously added, "unless you want Larry to carry you?" Her body shivered with disgust at the thought of that slimy, leering pervert touching her. She glanced pleadingly over to Neville, who was hunched over gasping for breath and completely oblivious to her plight.
Before she realised what was happening Malfoy had swiftly and gently picked her up and was marching towards the train. He accommodated her weight easily and didn't even break stride as he climbed onto the front of the train and into the first carriage. It felt strange to be so comfortable and protected in his arms. Hermione was disgusted as arousal swept through her body as she was pressed tightly to his chest and the faint smell of his sweat reached her nostrils. Her nipples became hard and she ached for him as her treacherous body remembered the pleasure he was able to give her. Through clenched teach she silently berated herself for her arousal and prayed that Malfoy would not notice the increasingly obvious signs of her need. Hermione held her breath waiting for the moment when some snide comment would leave his lips, but it never came. He quickly walked towards an open compartment door, only slowing his pace when he had to angle them both through the doorway. Not once did he glance down at her or show any indication that he even realised that it was the Mudblood, Hermione Granger that he held in his arms.
Hermione was relieved when he finally almost threw her down on the seat opposite Crabbe and she speedily folded her arms over her breasts in the hope of outwitting him. She glanced up at him nervously, expecting to see those ice blue eyes boring into her soul, shinning malevolently with that acid sharp wit, but he must have been out of sorts because his gaze had once again returned to Crabbe's prone form. Relief flooded through her veins and she slumped back in her seat, closing her eyes, letting the pain take control for the first time since the accident.
"Granger," a deep, baritone whispered quietly in her ear moments later. Instinctively she moved towards the soothing voice, her arms reached out for its owner as though by right claiming what was hers. "Granger," the voice repeated wearily. Who is that? Why is he calling my name? She asked wordlessly. "Granger! I know you can't get enough of me but god Mudblood get a grip!"
Her hazel brown eyes snapped open; realisation dawning the instant those words reached her ears. No. No it can't be? Please say it's all a dream . . . She pleaded before hesitantly raising her gaze to meet the piercing, cold, cynical eyes of Draco Malfoy. Crap! She couldn't believe that she had tried to nuzzle up to this heartless bastard. A small part of Hermione insisted that he couldn't be as heartless as he had seemed for the last five and a half years because he had been so gentle when looking at her ankle, hadn't let Leering Larry carry her and most importantly, he had not divulged their New Year's Eve activities, but she determinedly pushed those thoughts away. He was a bastard and he always would be. He was a Malfoy, he was just like Lucius and that was the way he wanted it to be. He was a Death Eater. He doesn't have a Dark Mark, that tiny annoying voice whispered. Yet! She insisted wordlessly.
"Move your lazy arse Granger! The carriage has arrived at Hogwarts and as much as I'd just love to carry you through the great doors unconscious . . . . " That was more than enough to get her moving and she shot up in her seat instantly. The last thing she wanted was the shame of being carried into Hogwarts, let alone by Malfoy! She could almost feel her face burning with embarrassment at the very thought of such as humiliation. Besides, what would Harry and Ron do if that happened . . .
"Okay! I'm moving! Who crawled out of bed on the wrong side today?" She said grumpily.
"I wouldn't know Granger as unlike you I can keep one night stands as just that. I don't dwell on the past." He murmured harshly. Every word stung Hermione as if it were a knife piercing her heart and in that moment she had never hated Malfoy more, not even when he had called first called her a Mudblood.
"Oh and Voldermort isn't the past?" She screeched vindictively, taking pleasure in the fact that his eyes blazed angrily at her retort. Since when have I turned into such a bitch? she thought worriedly. She was never normally so hateful!
"'Mione!" A familiar voice interrupted them as two cloaked figures ran up to the carriage excitedly. Hermione just starred at them uncomprehendingly the seriousness of the situation. Both her and Malfoy were so wrapped up in their fight that they simply did not recognise the people who were rushing towards their carriage, at first at least. "Mione! Oh it's so good to see you! Did you have a good Chris-"
"Malfoy?!" Ron screamed, interrupting his friend as he realised who else was in the carriage with Hermione. Instinctively he drew his wand and pointed it directly at his most hated enemy, before yelling "what the hell is HE doing here?"
Hermione sprang into action, gently trying to placate her best friend. "Ron! Calm down." She urged placidly, her foul mood of moments ago seemingly forgotten. "I had an accident -"
"You'll pay for what you did to her Malfoy!" Harry bellowed also drawing his wand and pointing it at the Slytherin's heart. Malfoy simply stood there lazily leaning against the side of the carriage twirling his wand in his hand, but fear ran through Hermione's veins at the prospect of the damage Harry and Ron were about to cause. They were acting completely irrationally!
"Harry! Malfoy didn't actually do anything to me." She admitted, a little reluctantly; she so wanted to see him get hurt just not to the level she was sure Harry and Ron would take it too. Malfoy smiled smugly as Harry and Ron looked at her in stunned silence. Cuttingly, she added, "For once. I crashed into Crabbe when I ran through the barrier and anyway he broke his leg and my ankle's a bit sore." She quickly summed up the days' events before either of her best friends could question her further.
Harry and Ron starred at her in shocked amazement. Finally Harry spoke, concernedly asking her the one question she really did not want to answer, "why are there bruises and cuts all over your face 'Mione?"
She flushed tomato red and glanced nervously about the carriage looking at anything other than Harry, Ron and Malfoy. Her acting when she turned to face them was so bad that she was for once glad Harry and Ron were so bad at reading her emotions. "I – I was mu-gged," she stammered guiltily. Somehow lying to her parents had been so much easier than this! Probably because your best friends have not deceived you your entire life!
Behind her she heard Malfoy chuckle quietly and she felt her face get even warmer, if it was possible. "Shut if Malfoy! She's had a very traumatic experience!" Harry defended her gallantly, making her guilt increase tenfold as did Malfoy's laughter.
"Of course, I apologise Granger, it is wrong of me to laugh about your m-mm-mugging!" He completely broke down into his bitter sinister cackling. Hermione wanted to slap him so much that she actually had trouble restraining herself. It was alright for him! He could heal himself with magic!
"Shut it Malfoy! Come on Harry, Ron -" Instinctively, she went to stand up, but before she could get to her feet Malfoy forcefully pushed her back on the seat.
"Ankle Granger! You dim wit!" He snapped, before returning to the Crabbe's side of the carriage.
Annoyance swept through Hermione's body at the cheek of him, but as soon as she saw Ron open his mouth to defend her, she angrily snapped "leave it Ron! What do expect from a Death Eater's son? Just help me down so I can get out of this damn carriage!"
"Do you want me to carry you 'Mione?" Ron asked kindly.
"Why the hell does everyone keep fucking offering to carry me?" She rounded on him furiously and he shrank back away from her. She knew her reaction was completely out of proportion to his generous offer, but she simply couldn't control the anger that simmered within her.
Harry however didn't, asking "who else has been offering to carry you?"
Crap!
A/N: So there is was! What did you think? Sorry for the typos in advance, like I said this chapter isn't as perfect as I'd like it to be. Just to clarrify one thing in case any of you are worried (it's often one thing that annoy's me in fics) Draco isn't suddenly going to turn into Mr Good Guy, he's still going to be Draco for quite a long while! In the next chapter, Snape puts Hermione and Draco in a situation they really don't want to be in and sparks fly!