A/N: So, in this chapter I tweaked a few things. :) Like Hermione erases the memory of her parents this summer instead of next and Draco's father.. well read and find out. :) Thanks to all of you who are my wonderful readers. :) Now if I could only get some wonderful reviewers. *tear* Anyways, ON WITH THE STORY!

I do not own Harry Potter, but one day. . .who am I kidding. :( Damn. Haa.

Chapter Four:

I bit my lip at his comment and looked to the ground. "Don't call me that."

"Granger, I've called you a mudblood for years and continuously you tell me not to. What makes you think that will change?" He spat at me as he turned to face me. I saw his eyes turn from venomous to concerned. I shook with anger as I tried to keep myself under control.

"Not that." I said through gritted teeth.

"What? Whore?" I nodded before I heard him chuckle. "Well, you are the gryffindork choice fuck."

I snapped my head up fully to glare at him. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Well, after Krum shagged you senseless, everyone wanted a piece of that arse. It's no wonder you've got Potter and Weasel tagging along everywhere." I stood speechless. "I mean everyone at school knows you stay at their house over the summer. No doubt not wanting to stay in a filthy muggle town. No surprises there. But, the real mystery is if you are shagging with all the Weasel boys."

I stood my ground as he stepped towards me. My eyes full of hate, I felt his hand stroke my cheek. "And with those looks if you were making them pay. I mean it's all over the school that the reason you are so off this year is because you've started a business in the common room. Even your own housemates say so. Tell me Granger."

He pressed me roughly against the corridor wall and I felt his body against mine. The heat rose to my cheeks and blood rushed down. I pushed lightly on his shoulders and he smirked. "Tell me, do you even know how it feels to shag?"

His hand stroked over my lips and his voice softened. "To snog?"

He then slowly moved his hands to my waist and held me close as he leaned down towards me. I felt his breath on my lips as his voice softened more. "To be kissed?"

I felt him lightly press his lips to mine and closed my eyes. But as quick as it had occurred, it stopped. Malfoy jumped away from me and walked briskly down the corridor. I looked up to realize the Fat Lady portrait sleeping next to me. We were at the common room all ready? I thought as I stepped up to say the password. As I did, the door swung open showing no one.

"Hermione?" I heard Harry and Ron say together.

"Take off the cloak and let me in guys. I'm exhausted." I was suddenly yanked through the portrait hole by an invisible hand which I took to be Ron's. Harry was never physical with me.

"Where the bloody hell have you been all this time 'Mione?" Ron said as he and Harry got rid of the cloak. "We thought you'd been in the library but it's been closed for a half an hour. What the hell-"

I quickly covered his mouth so his voice didn't raise too high. Harry looked at me with concern.

"Hermione, you've been acting really odd this year. What's going on?" I removed my hand and looked at the ground.

"It's just been hard this year. I mean, after the whole ministry thing last year." Harry cringed as I mentioned the dealings to his god father's death. "Sorry Harry. I just haven't felt the same since then."

Ron embraced me roughly and I felt myself thinking of how it felt to be this close to Dra-Malfoy. Damn him. I thought as I closed my eyes.

"You could have told us 'Mione." He said softly. I gently pushed him away and sighed.

"There's more than that guys..." I said regretting it the instant I did. "You might wanna sit down for this though."

They nodded and went to the couch in front of the fire. I sat on the floor in front of them and cleared my throat. "Well, Harry already knows the first part, which is what happened the first day back. Malfoy..well he groped me and in a way complimented me."

"WHAT?" Ron yelled as he stood up. Harry jerked him back down as Ron's face turned bright red. We both shushed him before I cast a silencing charm on the common room. He mumbled, "Sorry."

"Well, that's not all. He's been real nice off and on all year. I mean one second he is telling me I'm beautiful and the next he is calling me a 'mudblood whore.' It's all quite confusing. I mean, the reason I was late today was that I got caught up in a book and Malfoy had to escort me to the common room. He insulted me, told me all these sick rumors, and then kissed me-" I stopped myself and covered my motuh quickly. I meant to leave that part out. Ron and Harry stared at me in shock and Ron's fists were clenched tightly at his side.

"Well," Harry began. "Maybe...maybe he's going through a change? Like maybe he wants to be good but can't because it's against his family. Or-"

"Malfoy's are never good." Ron said angrily. "They are sneaky conniving slimy gits and I don't want him talking or touching you like that 'Mione."

"Ron-" Harry began.

"No! He's probably using her to get to you. Or using her for one of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's sick and twisted plans. He's-"

"RON!" Harry said angrily as he looked to me. I felt a tear slide down my cheek and I wasn't sure why. "Ron, listen to me for a second. Both of you."

We nodded and looked at him. "Hermione don't get me wrong. Ron has a point. I mean, on the train, the reason I was late and bloody was because I was spying on Malfoy. He said that he was moving on to bigger and better things now. That the 'Dark Lord' showed favor. I think he's marked."

My blood ran cold as I tried to keep myself in control. "But why would he mark a 16 year old, Harry? It just doesn't seem like-"

"You never know. He may have marked him just for this one task, whatever it may be." Harry said. I saw Ron grinding his teeth in anger and felt a shudder up my spine. I should have just kept my mouth closed. "Guys, I'll be right back I'm gonna go get the map and we'll see what Malfoy is up to."

Harry ran up the stairs and I felt Ron's gaze shift to me. I warily stood up and sat on the couch where Harry had been. I felt bile in my throat. "Do you really think he is just using me?"

"Yes." His voice came out harshly and I glanced at the floor. Ron was known to have violent streaks, and though I had never been hit he likes to throw things a lot. I saw his knuckles turning white and stood to leave.

"I'm just gonna go to bed and-" He grabbed my arm and jerked me back down. I looked at him and realized how close his face was to mine.

"I want you to stay away from him Hermione." He said scathingly. "No matter what he says to you or how he may compliment you. You deserve better than that filth."

"Ron-" I practically whimpered. His grip on my arm was tight and I could feel it starting to bruise.

"No, listen to me. I don't care how he makes you feel Hermione. Any guy can make you feel beautiful because you are. MALFOY IS PLAYING WITH YOU!" I jerked my arm away from his grip and stood up. He towered over me and I felt instantly weak. "You have to promise me Hermione."

I couldn't will myself to speak and felt him grip me at the shoulders. There was a lust for blood in his eyes and I looked to the ground. "I can't promise that Ronald."

"WHY NOT?" He shook me roughly. "Hermione, I couldn't stand to let that bastard hurt you!"

"I don't need you to protect me Ronald! I can take care of myself!" I felt his hand connect with my face and tasted blood. I turned as ran. I left the common room, left Ron standing there and left tears trailing my run to the astronomy tower.

Harry had run upstairs quickly and searched through his trunk to find the Marauder's Map. He set it on his bed before tapping his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The parchment came alive and Harry scanned the floor plan of Hogwarts. He quickly found Malfoy pacing in the Astronomy tower and smiled. He snatched up the map and wand headed down the stairs. As he entered the common room, he saw Ron slap Hermione across the face and Hermione run out of the portrait hole.

"Ron!" Harry said as his best friend stared down at his hand. He looked up at him with pleading eyes. "What the hell was that for?"

"I..I don't know." Ron said softly. "We got in a fight and she screamed at me. I..I didn't even kn-know what I was doing..."

Ron sat on the couch with his head in his hands. "She's gonna hate me now."

"No, just let her cool down and apologize tomorrow." Harry said calmly.

"I just...I can't let her get hurt by Malfoy. She can't be with-"

"Him because you love her.. yada yada. Look Ron, Ginny and I have heard this a million times." Harry patted his best friend on the back lightly. "Just tell her that when you apologize okay? Tell her how you feel for once."

Ron nodded slowly. "I think I'm gonna stay down her for a while before going up to bed."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow than. Night." Harry grabbed his cloak and headed up to bed.

"Night mate." Ron muttered before staring into the flames. He caught sight of something on the floor and realized that Hermione had left her wand. he picked it up and slide it in his pocket slowly.

I sat in the darkest corner of the Astronomy tower and felt hot tears stream continuously down my face. Ron had split my lip and I had left my wand lying on the floor in the common room. I sighed as I suddenly heard footsteps. Probably Ron coming to apologize, I thought as I hide deeper in the dark. He'd never find me and maybe he'll jsut leave. But it wasn't Ron. It was Malfoy.

Shit, how come he always finds me at the worst times. I stood up slowly and quietly as he approached the edge of the tower. He looked over and the moonlight hit his face. I saw a slow tear slide down his cheek and he kicked the metal railing. I bit back a yelp of surprise.

"DAMN IT!" He yelled to the sky. "Why did you have to do something so stupid?"

I shivered as I watched him. He sat with his back on a wall and I could tell he wanted to break down in sobs. Suddenly, a mist appeared in the room and I pressed against the wall. There stood an apparition of Voldemort. I felt frozen in fear as Malfoy quickly jumped up and wiped his face clean.

"My Lord," His voice quivered as he bowed low.

"Draco," The man's voice came in a hiss and I felt my throat go dry and my blood run cold. "I assume you have already heard of your father's misfortune."

"Yes my Lord." Draco said. I noticed that he was kneeling now and kept his head down. "He deserved his fate for trying to betray you to the ministry and seeking refuge from Dumbledore."

"Do not speak that name! CRUICO!" Malfoy screamed an ear splitting scream and I felt my knees give out. It was quickly over and Malfoy mumbled an apology. "You will do well to obey me boy. Or your mother shall suffer the same fate."

"Yes my Lord." The apparition stuck a finger under Malfoy's chin and forced him to stand.

"You do remember your task, Draco?" He stroked Malfoy's face softly and smiled evilly.

"Yes my Lord. Though I am afraid it will take more than I thought." Voldemort scoffed and turned away.

"Do not disappoint me Draco." He said as he vanished. Malfoy dropped to his knees again and pounded a fist into the ground. I saw tears fall from his eyes as he pulled something out of his pocket. It was a moving picture of his father. He laid it on the ground and sighed.

"Look at what you have done to me! Look!" He pulled up his left sleeve and revealed the Dark Mark. I shivered at the sight but remained silent. "I never wanted this Father. Why..Why would you do this to me? WHY?"

"It was to protect you Draco." I heard Snape say from somewhere near me. "Now, I suggest you put that away before someone else sees that."

"What does is matter Severus?" Draco sounded small and defeated. Unlike anything I've seen in him before. "I won't win no matter what I chose to do."

"Draco, if you would just tell me your task-"

"No."

"Why not?" Snape spat angrily.

"Because I have been forbidden by the Dark Lord to speak of it." Draco sneered as he said this and stood up to cross his arms over his chest. "I hate myself for what I have become."

"Draco," Snape touched his shoulder gently. "You are not alone in this Dumbledore will-"

"Dumbledore couldn't save my father what makes you THINK he will save me?" Draco shoved his hand away and I felt silent tears slide down my cheeks.

"Because, your Father never wanted out. Your mother pushed him to it. He never wanted his life with the Dark Lord to end. But you Draco," Snape turned him to face him. "You have a pure soul, and a bright future. You never wanted to become one of his petty slaves. You have hope of rescue."

"I...I can't." Draco bit back sobs again. "If I betray him he will kill mother. He will take the last of my family from me!"

"Draco, you will always have family whether you know it or not. I am here, and Dumbledore cares deeply for you. Even Molly Weasley has professed that she would take care of you if it meant saving you from the Dark Lord. Everyone is able to see the good in you except yourself." He kissed the top of Draco's head gently and walked to the stairs. "Tomorrow, come and find me. We will talk and you can decide if you would like to got o the Headmaster."

Malfoy nodded and sat on the edge of the tower. I silently slipped from my corner and headed for the stairs but not silently enough. I tripped on a shoelace I didn't realize was untied and fell flat on my face.

"Granger?" Malfoy jumped up and ran over to me. I smiled slightly and flinched at my lip. He sat me against the wall. "What the hell happened to your lip? How long have you been here?"

His wand was suddenly at my throat. "WHAT DID YOU HEAR?"

"Malfoy please...I didn't mean...I mean...I was here first..I." Suddenly I broke down in tears and buried my face in the crook of his neck. "P..please.. I'm sorry..."

He dropped his wand and wrapped his arms around me slowly. I was shaking with sobs.

"Granger... Hermione.." Draco pulled back and started to wipe the tears from my cheeks. "Calm down."

I nodded and sniffled a little trying to stay in control. His finger ran over my split lip and I flinched away. "What happened?"

"Ron.." I said quietly. "We got into a fight and he...he hit me."

"What was the fight about." Malfoy sat and pulled me into a hug again. It felt oddly...comforting and calm.

"You..I told Harry and Ron that you kissed me." He nodded and looked at me as if to say keep going. "We fought, he hit me, I ran here. I was crying for a while then you came and I was going to leave but then HE showed up and I couldn't move and then Snape walked in and I...I..I'm sorry. I won't tell anyone I promise!"

I felt hysterical and began to cry again as Malfoy stroked my hair. "Hermione, I trust you not to tell. I'm not going to hurt you."

"You.. aren't." He shook his head and I layed my cheek in the crook of his neck. We stayed that way for a while before I decided to speak up. "Am I...am I your 'task' Draco?"

I had never used his first name that way and I felt him tense up, either the question of his name. "Why would you think that?"

"Harry and Ron think you are using me to get to Harry so you can please HIM." I stammered quickly. I felt Draco chuckle and looked up at him before he burst out into loud laughter.

"Of..of course P..pp..Potter would believe its all... all about him! HAHA!" Draco clutched at his stomach and I felt a small smile on my lips. I had never seen this side of him. He stopped and wiped his eyes. "Honestly the task has nothing to do with you all. I cannot speak of it though so please don't ask me what it is."

I nodded and leaned against the wall. "I'm sorry about your father."

"I'm not." He said softly. "I mean, I'm only sorry because of what he did to me before he left me all alone with it."

"He was still your father."

"Not in the sense you think. He was a trainer. Training me to handle pain and curses and trying to mold me into the perfect Death Eater." He scoffed and looked at his covered arm. "He failed miserably and now I must pay for his mistakes."

Tears sprang to my eyes and I looked at the floor. "At least you still have your mother."

"Only if I can keep it that way." I felt his eyes on me and looked away. "What about your parents? They are muggles right? So they should be fine and dandy at home."

"They are in Australia." I said quietly. "They are celebrating their 17th anniversary without kids."

There was a silent pause. "Surely you mean alone, like they didn't want to bring you along so they could spend some time together?"

"No..." He looked at me confused. "I obliviated them..I was late for the train because I erased their memory of me so they would be safe. I couldn't risk it since...since..."

"I understand." He placed an arm around my shoulders and sighed. "Guess you aren't as happy go lucky goody two shoes as I thought Granger."

I chuckled lightly. "And you aren't the heartless slimy git that I thought."

We both sat there. It seemed like only minutes in silence and it was gone all too quickly. The sun began to rise and though it was Saturday. We both wanted to get some breakfast. Malfoy stood and then offered me his hand which I willingly took and smiled.

"Wait." He healed my cut gently and smiled. "There."

"Thanks. "I said with a smile. "Well, I better get going before Harry and Ro-"

Draco firmly pressed his lips to mine and wound his arms around my waist. He pulled me close and I felt our bodies mold to one. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my toes to help him not bend so much. I was in bliss as our mouths molded together. I wanted this moment to last forever.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL? GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER MALFOY OR I SWEAR!"

We broke apart to face a very angry Ronald Weasley.

A/N: Please please please review! :( I have been feeling like this hasn't even been read yet! Plus I would love some input. :D Review or face the wrath of Ronald Weasley! Haa. What is he going to do to DRACO? D: Review and find out. ;)