*UPDATED July 2015*

AN: revised flow and minor grammar issues.

This chpater it gets a bit fluffier XD

OWTF... (on with the fic)

Her Nightmare (chap 3)

"No. This is stupid. I am not dressing up for Halloween." Hermione said stubbornly, as she glared daggers at Alex and Lavender, who had snuck into her dorm room.

The three girls were sitting in Hermione's Head Girl room, while trying to persuade her to dress up for the dance.

"Come on 'Mione! Let me and Lav' make you drop-dead-gorgeous!" Alex pleaded with bright blue puppy eyes.

"No! Remember, I'm going with Malfoy! And I'm certainly not gunna look 'drop-dead-gorgeous' for him!" Hermione muttered dryly; completely angry with the fact that Malfoy was her date.

"At least, let us do your make up!" Lavender huffed.

"Yeah. Wear some muggle clothes! Dumbledore didn't say you two had to get dressed up did he?" Alex grinned, as she picked up the wand and makeup kit.

"And let us do something with your hair!" Lavender pleaded reaching for Hermione's unruly bedheaded curls. Hermione subconsciously stroked her bushy curls, smacking Lavender's hands away- glaring at her two friends.

"Fine." Hermione rolled her eyes, her hands dropping to her sides in defeat. "But I'm not dressing up!"

Alex and Lavender exchanged grins, as they pushed Hermione into the big shared washroom, and got to work.

"GRANGER! Get your ass down here now! We have to get there early-" Draco stopped in mid sentence, as Alex and Lavender came running down the stairs with grins plastered on their faces, "What are you two doing here?" he frowned, watching them run past him.

They just laughed, before rushing out of the common room, to go get ready themselves.

"ALEX! LAVENDER! GET BACK HERE!"

Draco rolled his eyes as he heard the Mudblood squeal from upstairs; and from the sounds of things, she wasn't too happy. "Granger! Let's go!" he yelled again.

"Stop yelling!" Hermione yelled back at him from the top of the stairs.

Draco blinked; 'Is that really the Mudblood?' his eyes flickered over her body, looking her up and down. 'It can't be...'

Hermione sighed dejectedly, running her hands through her now soft and straight brown hair, which glistened with natural caramel highlights. She wasn't wearing too much makeup; shimmering lip gloss, and black eyeliner and mascara that brought out her striking deep chocolate brown eyes, and made them look bigger.

She was wearing a pair of Alex's tight blue jeans that clung to her hips and showed off the curves in her legs and hips that she developed over the summer. She also wore just a normal, plain white spaghetti strap shirt. It wasn't tight or anything, but it did show off her breasts a tad bit more than what Hermione would have liked.

Draco could tell that she didn't like it much, because whenever she wore muggle clothes she made sure they were baggy. None of Hermione's clothes showed off her body this well.

To say the least, if he had just saw her on the street, he would have never guessed it was Granger.

"Not one word Malfoy!" She threatened, obviously thinking Draco was about to tease her. She stormed down the stairs angrily, "If we didn't have to be there early, I would be fixing this mess. So don't fucking even make a smart ass comment about it, 'cause I don't like it either!"

"Who said I didn't like it?" Draco frowned as Hermione glared at him, "Not very nice, jumping to conclusions, Granger." He mocked, flashing her his trademark smirk.

Hermione rolled her eyes, and stormed out of the common room down to the Great Hall, with Draco following silently behind her, smirking at her misfortune. What she would give to wipe that smirk off his face with her fist.

'He's such a smart ass.' She gritted her teeth as she entered the Great Hall with Draco.

Now a bit calmer, and less bitchy, Hermione sat alone at a table, the dull emptiness returning to her eyes. The more time she spent alone, the more she thought of her parents.

She sighed heavily; as she watched Alex (dressed as Xena Warrior Princess) and Harry (dressed as Hercules) share a slow dance, as well as Ron (dressed as a knight) and Lavender (dressed as a princess)... and to her slight amazement, Ginny and Blaise. (dressed as a witch and a vampire)

Ginny was blushing like crazy when Blaise hesitantly asked her to dance. They didn't go together, as much as Alex tried to push Blaise to ask the Weasley girl. But apparently, Alex had convinced him to ask her to dance, because she was grinning like a madwoman.

Hermione laughed lightly as Alex winked at her, before she returned to her dance with Harry. 'At least they're enjoying themselves.' She thought sadly as the song started slowing down.

"Granger." A cool, seductive voice whispered in her ear, startling her. Hermione spun around to stare dully up at Draco.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" She huffed exhaustively, resting her chin in her left palm.

"There is only one more slow song left after this one, so Dumbledore suggested that I come find you." He rolled his eyes at Hermione's annoyed expression.

"What's your point Malfoy?" She asked dully, before glancing out aimlessly onto the dance floor, just as a new song started.

I didn't hear you leave
I wonder how am I still here
And I don't want to move a thing
It might change my memory.

"You stupid bookworm! We are supposed to share a dance before the night is over, remember?" He frowned down at her, but followed her gaze out onto the floor.

"Granger, have you even gotten up off your ass once and shared a dance with anyone tonight?" He asked accusingly, glaring at her.

"No..." Hermione hadn't meant to reply to him, she wanted to stay quiet, but she found herself answering him anyway.

Oh I am what I am
I'll do what I want
But I can't hide

Draco rolled his eyes, "Well then, I guess we are going to have to change that, aren't we?" He grunted as he snatched her hand, and literally pulled her to her feet.

"Malfoy, stop it! I really don't want to dance right now!" She huffed, slightly irritated; as she tried to pull her hand away so she could sit back down.

"Don't really have a choice, Mudblood." He growled, as he dragged her away from the table. "Unless you want to deal with Dumbledore, Snape or McGonagall; I suggest you dance."

I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me.

'Think; making the bonds between houses stronger, Hermione. Strong bonds.' Hermione finally gave up struggling, and let Draco lead her onto the dance floor, earning a glare from Ron, which she ignored.

"Fine." She muttered quietly, although she now already standing in front of him. She sighed heavily, and let her arms snake around his neck hesitantly, as she felt him stiffly put his hands on her waist. "I don't bite, Malfoy." She grinned.

Draco glared at her, "Will you just shut up and dance, Mudblood?" He growled.

I won't leave
I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

Hermione rolled her eyes at the usual comment about her blood, before she leaned into him tiredly. She was so exhausted. She couldn't blame herself though; she hadn't gotten much sleep since her parents passed on...

She stiffened at the thought, and tried to calm herself. However, Draco noticed.

"What's wrong, now?" He whispered in her ear, clearly annoyed with the fact that he had to dance with her. Malfoy's hated being forced to do stuff.

"Nothing," Hermione whispered back, annoyance clear in her voice as well; allowing herself to relax in his hold, her head resting on his right shoulder.

I don't want to call my friends
They might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed
Risk forgetting all that's been.

Draco seemed to relax to, as he allowed his stiff hands to loosen and wrap around the small of her back. While Hermione, found herself pressed against him. She didn't mind too much, the smell of winter that surrounded her was intoxicating.

She glanced over Draco's shoulder to see Alex watching them intently, as she snuggled closer into Harry's embrace. Hermione grinned at this. Alex let out a small laugh and winked at Hermione, before snuggling her nose into Harry's neck- causing the chosen one to blush brightly. Hermione shook her head, grinning at the couple.

Oh I am what I am
I'll do what I want
But I can't hide

She glanced at Ron to see him glaring at her and Malfoy over Lavender's shoulder. Hermione scowled. It wasn't like she chose to go with Malfoy. He didn't have to be so uptight over it. She rolled her eyes, before glancing to the large clock.

11:49pm

Meaning this would be the last dance of the night. 'Only 10 more minutes and I can go up and get some sleep...' she exhaled, leaning on Draco more, exhaustion getting the better of her body.

I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me.

As the song got slower and slower, she noticed that nearly everyone in the hall, even if they were still dancing, was staring at Draco and Hermione. She growled at this.

"Oh, so you finally noticed that they are watching us, did you?" Draco smirked as he whispered into her ear.

"What do you mean, finally?" She frowned, as she whispered back, glaring at a few people whom were staring at them.

"They've been watching since I dragged you from your seat." He said nonchalantly and a low whisper.

Hermione rolled her eyes; at the moment she couldn't care less; she was too tired, exhausted, and comfortable to care... 'Comfortable?' Hermione blinked, 'Yeah okay... comfortable.'

I won't leave
I can't hide
I cannot be
Until you're resting here with me

They pulled apart as the song ended, and glanced over at the table where Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape sat. The Headmaster was grinning proudly, McGonagall nodded in approval, while Snape sat in silence glaring at them both, clearly not impressed.

Hermione huffed, before glancing back at Draco, "Thanks for the dance Malfoy." She muttered quietly, before returning to her table, to sit for the remaining minutes of the Halloween Dance.

Draco, lay on his bed, wide awake. It was now some hours after the dance, yet he could not bring himself to find sleep. He turned over on his side, but found nothing but insomnia to taunt him.

He growled, but suddenly stopped when he heard distant whimpers and cries from Hermione's room. Thinking he could go yell at her for his own restlessness, he stormed through the washroom, and opened Hermione's door. Yet the room was dark, but now the moans and whimpers were louder.

He could hear Hermione toss in her sleep, and as he got closer, he noticed her face was scrunched up in pain. "No! Please stop!" she wailed suddenly, causing Draco to stumble back a bit.

'She's having a nightmare...' He blinked as he inched closer to her bed, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Mom! Dad!" She yelled frantically. Her voice trembled in fear, "No... Stay back... No!" She screamed angrily, as if yelling at someone. "You bastard! Stay away!" She yelled tears streaming from her eyes.

Suddenly Hermione let out a piercing scream, as she bolted up right in pain, and fear. Instinctively, Draco wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to calm her and quiet her yells. But as his left hand wrapped around her right shoulder, he felt like his palm was burned. The pain lingered as he withdrew his hand, suddenly realizing she was in a bra and boxers, but the tingling in his hand forced him to examined her shoulder anyway.

He couldn't contain his gasp, as he stared at her shoulder, while Hermione sobbed against his chest. There on her right shoulder blade was the image of a familiar large skull, with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue was burned into her skin.

"The Dark Mark!" Draco said out loud as she stared down at her trembling body.

Hermione pulled herself from Draco's hold with a jolt, "Don't look at it!" She screamed angrily in realization; she pushed him hard as he toppled off the bed, onto the floor.

Draco glared up at the hysterical girl, "Dammit Granger!" He hissed, getting to his feet, "Why the hell do you have that?!" He snarled, moving back towards her bed.

"Get away from me, Malfoy!" She demanded helplessly, as she backed herself against the wall side of the bed. "Stay away!" she cried.

Draco would have none of that; he snatched her flailing ankles and pulled her flat on her back; she could only cry out weakly. Draco straddled her waist, pinning her wrists above her head so she couldn't move. "What happened to you over the summer, Mudblood?!" he demanded

"Nothing!" Hermione screamed back, tears of agony streaming down her cheeks.

"Bullshit!" His grip on her wrists tightened, causing her to hiss in pain.

"Malfoy... Please... Let go..." She pleaded uselessly.

"I'm not letting you go until you tell me where the hell you got that mark, Granger!" He said forcefully, tightening his grip again.

Tears burst from her eyes, as she found herself giving in to the Slytherin Prince's demands.

Hermione pressed her back against the wall as she listened to fearful shouts from down stairs.

"Get out!" She heard her father yell at another man, "Before I call the cops."

"Foolish muggle. Your pathetic authority figures are no match for me." The voice was cold and harsh, and it sent shivers up and down her spine. "Where is the Mudblood child?" the voice demanded.

'No... it can't be.' Hermione gasped, peering around the corner.

A man in a cloak stood, towering over her scared parents... And Death Eaters stood behind him... "Voldemort..." She whispered, her eyes widened in fear.

And her parents had no idea what strength of evil magic he possessed. 'Mom... Dad... Run!' She screamed mentally, although her voice refused to cooperate; it was if the Silence Charm was cast upon her.

"You will not touch my daughter!" She heard her mother yell angrily.

"Don't make me laugh, muggle. You can not stop me." Voldemort laughed icily in a mocking tone.

And then she heard her father say something she wished he had never said, "Over my dead body, will you ever harm my 'Mione!"

It was in this moment, she forced her feet to move, as she ran around the corner to the top of the stairs. "Dad, no!" Her parents had a split second to raise their gazes to meet their daughters. The fleeting smile of her mother and the fear slipping across her fathers features...

"As you wish." His voice was shrill, and a smirk is plastered upon his face, "Avada Kedavra!" The thin man raised his wand, and within seconds... they were gone.

"NO!" Hermione screamed angrily, pointing her wand at Voldemort.

Voldemort's cat like scarlet eyes flickered over to her, as he too points his wand at her "Expelliarmus." He hissed causing her wand to go flying out of her hand. "Foolish child; do you really think you can kill me?" he smirked, as he motioned for the Death Eaters to fall back.

He slowly started to make his way up the stairs, his wand never leaving her figure.

"No..." She hissed, "Stay back!" She screamed fearfully, before turning and running to her room, slamming her door shut, and backing herself up against the far wall.

Voldemort was suddenly in her room, "Silencio!" He pointed his wand at her, placing the Silencing Charm over her.

Tears seeped from her eyes, as she found her self cowering in fear, her arms flew around her head in an attempt to protect herself.

"You know if I wanted to kill you, doing that would never help." His voice as cold as death itself.

Of course she knew that, she wasn't stupid! If she could have she would have yelled that at him.

"Oh, and Miss Granger."

Hermione glanced up at him, fear clouding over in her eyes, 'Why hasn't he killed me yet?'

His smile grew even more wicked, "Tell Potter, that this is a mere taste of what is to come, when I finally get my hands on him." His eyes traveled down her body, "The irony of it all... Now you and Potter will match; orphans bearing the marks of Voldemort." He laughed before he pointed his wand at her.

Tears welled in her eyes as her body quivered in fear.

"Morsmordre!" He hissed as a glittering green spell was seared onto her right shoulder.

Hermione opened her mouth to scream, with the searing pain that scorched her trembling body; nothing but silence. Suddenly, Voldemort was gone...and her house was silent.

He had left Hermione alone in her room, trembling in a corner, twitching and squirming in pain... It felt like hours, until Snape found her battered and broken body in the fetal position in the darkness of her room.

Hermione was now trembling in fear, pain and sorrow for reliving that night, and slowly Draco released his hold on her wrists; completely stunned at what had happened to her.

She had faced the Dark Lord and lived... Just like Potter.

Slowly Draco got up, un-straddling the girl beneath him, moving to get off the bed, but Hermione clung to his right arm. "No..." She murmured, tears spilling from her deep brown eyes, "Don't leave me alone, Malfoy." She begged.

For the first time, Draco actually felt empathy for the Mudblood; it was, after all, his fault she was in this state. He couldn't really deny her of company now. Draco nodded numbly, trying to ignore the fact that she was still a Mudblood, and crawled beside her.

He didn't push her away when she clung to him either. How could he? She feared the Dark Lord, and she bared the Dark Mark- and it was his fault for making her relive that night.

'Curse my curiosity.' Draco growled, but tensed suddenly as he found Hermione laying her head on his chest, still sniffling; slowly crying herself to sleep

But now he knew... it all made sense now... why she was acting the way she was...

She was too exhausted to even care about his crude remarks towards her. And all that time, he had no idea that she was emotionally suffering... he didn't know... he was so stupid... he was so selfish... he didn't know.

'Granger... I'm sorry... I didn't know...'

AN: angst/hurt/comfort seems to be the reoccurring theme this story. draco's turn to be OOCish too, I guess that's to be expected in AU/canon-divergent.

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