Disclaimer: I don't own a thing.

Hermione groaned as she heard Odette crying in the next room, it felt as if she had just fallen asleep a minute ago. She slid out of bed, chicken skin sliding up her toes up to her arms as she hit the cool dark floor. As she opened the door, the cries grew louder, and she rubbed her eyes as she bent over the crib.

"I know sweetie, I know. I'm here." She murmured, picking her up gently. Odette's cries softened slightly, and Hermione could tell by the way she was crying that she needed a change, and her formula.

After changing her, Hermione lifted her back up, and walked downstairs. The full moon lit the room up, and she only had to illuminate the lights dimly in order to see without squinting.

Odette squirmed, her cries continuing as they walked towards the kitchen. Hermione opened the baby formula, and expertly made the formula with one hand while rocking Odette with the other.

"It's almost ready, I promise." She told her as she started to cry louder.

Whispering a warming charm, she turned the bottle over.

This is always the hardest part, she thought miserably as she tested the temperature with the hand holding up Odette. Perfect! Thank god, thankful that she got it on the first try, she shushed Odette patiently.

"It's here…" She adjusted her carefully, cradling her in her arm as she supported the bottle in her hand.

She felt an instant wave of relief as Odette's cries were silenced.

She sat down on one of the large gray couches and felt her eyelids grow heavy.

Awake, Hermione, stay awake. She shook her head, trying to shake out the tired from her body. It didn't help. Odette squirmed at her movement, unhappy.

"It's going to be one of those nights…" She groaned.

She heard a door open upstairs and looked up. Draco came out of his room, shirtless once more, his flannel pajama pants hung loosely over his hips. He had circles under his eyes and it looked as if he hadn't slept at all.

Starring at him, Hermione felt self-conscious. She wore only a skinny tank top with short pajama shorts. She felt overly exposed, not used to anyone other than Ginny seeing her like this.

He came down the steps, ignoring her. The only sound he made was a spell to ignite the fireplace, as he went into the kitchen.

She put her attention back to Odette, willing herself not to turn around and look for where he went.

Odette was almost finished drinking, her eyes becoming heavy and she pushed the bottle away from her mouth. She placed a cloth over her shoulder and stood up, resting Odette against her, tapping her back lightly to burp her.

Rocking back and forth she didn't notice as Draco sat with a mug of tea, stirring the bag quietly, watching her.

You'd think she'd been doing it all her life, he silently complimented, noting how easily she handled the little girl.

He smirked as the small baby gripped onto Hermione's curls, yanking it hard towards her face.

Or not…he thought, amused.

"Odette, c'mon." She pleaded, wanting to return to her bed as soon as possible. The baby continued to fuss in her arms.

He watched her. She's changed, he thought. His eyes took in how fragile she looked in the moonlight; her once bushy mane was replaced with soft brown waves that his just above the center of her back. Her eyes seemed so much darker, far away. He saw how changed her body was, her waist notably thinner, her hips surprisingly curvy, and breasts just enough to make a person take a second look over.

She started humming, and he was surprised at how nice it sounded. Odette had begun to calm down, still awake but no longer crying. The baby starred at Draco, and he rose and eyebrow.

Hermione craned her neck to see if she was sleeping, and saw him sitting there in the corner of her eye. Odette had her small hand reaching out, cooing and looking at him. She turned around and faced him, her humming stopping abruptly.

He'd been watching me the whole time! Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, feeling as if he watched something personal.

"What are you doing?" She asked him, her voice evident with disapproval.

He lifted his mug in response.

"I live here." He added smugly.

Hermione rolled her eyes, her irritation fading, and she felt the odd need to smile.

"Never thought I'd hear you say that to me." She said, more to herself than to him. Odette fussed, her cries getting softer, showing that she was beginning to go back to sleep.

He snorted, a smirk showing up on his face.

The silence came again and she felt herself looking down at the carpet for something interesting.

Geez Malfoy, you were easier to talk to when you hated me. She thought spitefully.

He stood up and she looked up to see him walking towards her. She watched him as he got closer to her than he had ever been before (not counting the slap in third year). She grit her teeth, nervous, but not moving.

He paused for barely a second as the stood next to one another, then reached behind her and tapped the book shelf with his wand. She looked up as a book floated down from the shelf, and then back at him. He was so close, and she felt the heat of his arm as he grabbed the book in mid-air.

She never realized how small she was compared to him. She stood just under his chin, and when he looked down at her for a split second, she felt vulnerable.

It lasted all of five seconds, and Hermione let out a breath silently, not realizing she had been holding her breath in the first place.

Draco sat on the couch lazily, opening the book, and starring at the first page.

What the hell are you playing at?! He scolded himself, scowling at the book "Great Potion Feats in the 1700's." I hate potions.

He looked up to see Hermione walking up the steps, Odette on her shoulder, quickly fading back into sleep. She didn't look back at him, and soon she disappeared into the top hallway.

"What a ponce you are Malfoy." He grumbled to himself, looking back down.

He closed the book cover, and rest his head on the arm of the couch, closing his eyes. His mind reeled.

Why'd I walk over to her?

Hermione closed the door to Odette's room carefully. Carefully she walked to the stairs, and looked out into the living room. He was laying on the couch, sleeping, and the book next to him, closed.

She whispered a spell and levitated a scarlet blanket atop his sleeping figure, quickly turning to her room. She climbed under the covers, instantly feeling relief. She turned to her side, her eyes looking out to the lake. It looked beautiful with the full moon out.

Why did I hold my breath like that? Why'd I just stand there? The thoughts plagued her mind before she fell asleep.

Draco nearly jumped out of his skin as the blanket covered him. His eyes shot open and he pointed his wand out at the air. He looked down and he felt himself relax.

"It just a freaking blanket." He said with relief.

"But how the hell-" He looked at the blanket carefully, then back up stairs.

Granger?

They didn't talk about the night before. Hermione woke up and he had already left; the blanket had been folded and placed outside her door. She took Odette for a tour around the school, knowing she wouldn't be able to enjoy it after today.

The day passed quickly, and soon enough, she was getting ready to meet everyone in the Great Hall.

Odette, who was wide awake, giggled loudly as Tonks stepped out of the fireplace. Hermione stood up, bouncing the little girl on her hip, and greeted her.

"Tonks, I wasn't expecting you. Looks like you're in for a treat Ode." She kissed her sisters cheek before carefully passing her to Tonks.

"I know, but Molly was making dinner and Remus said he'd attack me if I didn't let her finish. The moon being out and all, makes him hungry when he's home." She said smiling, her hair turning bright pink.

"And you!" She put her finger on Odette's nose. "You and I are going to have a blast. Say bye to sis." The older witch lifted Odette's hand and waved it for her, making Hermione smile as she gave Tonks the diaper bag.

"No partying too late." Hermione said as she waved back.

"I'll be 'round about 10." Tonks told her, her focus on the small bundle below. She walked into the fireplace and they were gone.

Hermione starred at the fire place for a second, a wash of relief over her.

"Do I really have time just for me?" She said a hint of excitement in her voice. A part of her felt bad that she felt so relieved for alone time.

She walked over to the book shelf, the titles changed as she touched and her mouth dropped. All of the books that she could possibly want at that moment appeared in place of the previous ones. She smiled widely, and touching the bookshelf again, her mind on raising a baby in the magical world. The books changed, and she was beside herself in excitement.

"Granger, Dumbledore asked-" He watched as her face lit up in front of the shelves, a hand over her mouth, unable to cover the grin on her face. She turned around, the smile still illuminating her face.

"What was that?"

He stepped back. She's never smiled AT me before.

He narrowed his eyes, shaking the thought away.

The second she realized who she turned to her smile went down, but the dancing in her eyes stayed the same.

"He wants us to meet him at the Great Hall." He told her, his voice hoarse again. She nodded and grabbed her cloak, following him out the door.

She anticipated the silence correctly.

I don't think I can take much more of this…

"Are you sick?" She suddenly blurted out, stopping.

He stopped as well, turning towards her with an eyebrow raised.

"What?" His voice sounded practically raw.

"I said, are you sick?" She asked him slowly.

He looked at her for a long time, then turned and walked away.

She opened her mouth to protest, when he whipped around.

"This is neither the time nor place." It sounded as if it was almost painful for him to talk. His gray eyes bore into hers, and she stepped back, taken aback at his authoritative tone.

They stared at one another. Draco looked at her strangely while Hermione glared at him defiantly. In the corner of her eye she could see the carriages below almost at the school. Draco followed her gaze and cursed under his breath, turning quickly he left for the Great Hall, Hermione quick on his heels.

As they opened the hall door and a drawl greeted them.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, five points from Gryffindor for being late." Snape smirked, looking positively smug.

Hermione groaned, the year hadn't even begun and she was already scolded. Draco looked at her, and a small smirk came to his lips. To her surprise, she wasn't mad, at least not at him.

This isn't over, she thought determined.

Draco looked at her and shook his head. She'll never drop it, he grumbled inwardly.

Hermione smiled at Harry and Ron from their table. Ron glared at Draco the entire dinner, and Harry looked at her funny as Dumbledore announced their Inter-House Relations program. She had to laugh as Ginny waved excitedly at her upon their arrival.

She turned back to Draco who sat across from her.

"No." He answered, not looking up. He seemed to avoid every stare sent their way, and it had not gone by unnoticed by Hermione.

She had watched all throughout dinner as the Slythern's itched to curse him across the hall, their glares practically trying to burn holes in his head.

Hermione's face dropped and she felt a bit put out.

"I was just going to ask why we need to eat here when our dining table gets the same exact food that the Great Hall does during every meal." She pushed her food around on her plate.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You'd rather be alone with me?" He asked sarcastically. He held his throat afterward, cringing slightly.

"It's better than everyone staring at us, or glaring at you." She said, instantly becoming aware of just how many people were pointing and whispering.

I wonder if this is what Harry feels like.

He looked at her, and once again they starred at each other intently.

"I want to go." He grumbled, breaking their stare.

"Okay…" She trailed off.

No ones stopping you, Malfoy.

He glared at her.

"Don't play dumb, Granger."

She dropped her fork on her plate.

"What are you talking about Malfoy, if you want to go, go." She said shaking her head annoyed.

He grit his teeth.

Why is she acting so stupid?

What the hell is his problem!

"Granger, now." He growled, his hoarse voice sounding painful once more.

"Malfoy, I don't need an escort. JUST. GO!" She hissed.

"Well, I do." He looked positively livid as the three words came out.

What? She looked at him, then at Snape and Dumbledore who were watching them as they sat, ready to intervene.

"Malfoy…why?" She looked around, back at the Slythern's. They weren't just glaring, they were plotting.

He needs me for protection, that's why we're living, eating, studying…together. Quietly, she stood up, and he led the way out of the hall.

The second they got out of the hall, he took long angry strides to their tower.

"Malfoy…" She was practically in a jog trying to keep up with him.

"Fire whiskey Lollipop." He hissed, almost slamming the portrait back in her face.

She ran after him, growing upset.

"Malfoy!" She pulled his arm and he pulled it back. Turning around, his fists balled, towering over her. He walked her towards the wall. Punching the wall next to her face, and then putting both arms on either side of her, locking her eyes with his.

"Don't play dumb with me Granger. I know they told you why we're like this…" He seethed, his breath ragged. Hermione stiffened her shoulders, fighting off the urge to crumble beneath his glare.

"I don't, Malfoy." She answered back, as strongly as she could, hoping her voice wouldn't betray her.

"All I know is that you're in the Order now, and that you're voice sounds like it's been ripped from your throat. I know that you've been acting strange since I got here and I know that for some reason the Slythern's look like they're ready to kill you. I know that I have nothing to do with that so I don't know why you're under the impression that I'm your body guard!"

She felt him press against her, and her eyes widened. "MALFOY!" She yelled, pushing him.

His body went limp, and she felt herself crumble under his weight, falling to the ground with him.

"Malfoy? MALFOY!?" She croaked. His body was completely on top of her, and with all of the strength in her arms she pushed him off. Getting to her knees, she kneeled over him, her hands trembling as she checked for a pulse on his neck.

She shook him carefully. "Malfoy?! Malfoy, wake up, I- I don't know what to do!" She panicked, unable to stop the cracking in her voice.

The fireplace lit green and Tonk's walked out to see if Hermione had arrived yet. "Mione, you're here- what happened!?"

"Tonks, get Dumbledore, hurry!"

Not needing to be told twice, Tonks ran out of the room.

Hermione looked down at the Slythern beneath her. He looked in so much pain.

"Malfoy, don't…don't go away."

Devine- A little cliff to get the ball rolling, Sorry if there is any grammar/spelling mistakes, it's about 12 midnight, and i'm too tired to check...i'll fix it tomorrow..I'll be updating tomorrow! PLEASE REVIEW!!!! I love your reviews!  Thank you!