I KNOW! I haven't updated in a century. I put it on hold because of school and then I just lost interest. BUT, while I was away on holiday, I found some inspiration and I've written a few chapters. Here's a super long one to say I'm sorry! xo


With her inked quill poised above her parchment, Pansy delicately and carefully began to write in Draco's similar handwriting. If there was going to be any way of detecting Hermione's motives towards him, this was the way to go.

A few erases and scrunched up parchments later, and it was ready. Pansy felt a sadistic smile dancing on her vicious lips as she folded the parchment delicately into a triangle, scrawling the name Hermione on the front.

"This will teach you to stay away from my Draco."


Hermione couldn't decide what to wear. She'd been standing in front of the mirror for the past hour, grabbing every formal outfit she had. Which were only a few dresses.

The words Draco had said to her the other day floated in her mind. She had been walking into the Great Hall when he whispered, "Wear something black," into her ear as he past her. She had tried to compress her smile, only lightly succeeding.

Now she pondered over the two black dresses she owned, only an hour until Slughorn's party. Hermione regretted leaving the decision so late, but Pansy's words had kept her distracted since she confronted her last week. From what Hermione had read about Veelas, it wasn't wise to mess with their mates.

With a sigh, Hermione decided on her black lace dress with tulle trimming. The only reason she owned the horrendous piece of clothing was for occasions like Slughorn's party.

She pressed her curls into a bunch and let them fall naturally before coating her lashes in black mascara. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she met up with Harry and Ron in the common room.

"—what the hell does Slughorn expect me to do when I show up with my sister? Hold her hand?" Hermione heard Ron saying as she emerged into the room. Harry shrugged but concealed a grin. When Ron's eyes caught Hermione's attire, they widened and he breathed out.

"Blimey, Hermione, if you're trying to show up Malfoy, you're doing a good job," he said. Harry eyed her, but she ignored him.

"This is the only thing black that I own," she said, but immediately shut her blabbering mouth.

Ron looked at her suspiciously. "Why black?"

She bit her lip and improvised her answer. "You've never been to a Slug Club gathering, but it's good to wear black."

Harry shot her a dark look, but Ron just exasperated, looking down at his dark green suit. "Great, this'll get me in for sure."

The trio walked out of the common room, but Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her back.

"Malfoy wanted you to wear black, am I right?" he said pathetically.

"Shh, Harry!" she snarled under her breath. "Ron will hear you."

"Good, he needs to know. You can't hide this from him forever." Harry caught up with Ron, leaving Hermione to walk by herself.

"Mr Wensly! I see you have your date, yes?" Slughorn's chirped to Ron, who had a sulking Ginny by his side.

"I hope you understand that she is my sister," he said.

"Good on you," Slughorn said, obviously oblivious to Ron's words. "Have fun, you two!"

After Slughorn shifted to the next couple, Ginny muttered, "yeah, right."

Hermione and Harry couldn't help but laugh at Ron's distress. They knew he was only enduring it to get his way into the Slug Club.

Draco hadn't shown up yet, much to Hermione's annoyance. He was actually going to stand her up.

"Let's dance," Harry said, noticing her irritation. She took his hand and was led to the dance floor.

"You know, Hermione, this is the perfect place to tell Ron."

"How?" Hermione scoffed, keeping in pace with Harry's feet.

"If he sees you and Malfoy here, he's bound to put two and two together."

"No, he won't, because everyone knows that our names were pulled out and we're forced to be each other's date."

"Still, Hermione, you've got the chance to do something now while it isn't too late."

"You have no idea how he'd react—"

"I know exactly how I'd react," a familiar drawling voice came from behind her. "I'd tell Potter to shove off and go grab his own date's hand."

With one last look at Hermione, he walked off, Draco filling his place.

Hermione sucked in a breath. He was wearing a completely black suit, right down to the buttons and laces. It was a raw contrast to his pale skin and fair hair, and it made him look as handsome as ever. She caught him, too, admiring her attire.

"I see you took my advice and wore black, and might I say, you look extremely sexy."

Hermione just rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "This dress is horrible and you know it."

"No, Granger. You look beautiful," he whispered into her ear. She tried to control her shiver, but it rushed over her body. Draco noticed, and gave a cocky smile. Deep down, she knew, was the burning sensation in his throat. Hermione hated how he suffered, and all she wanted was to take it from him.

"What took you so long?" Hermione asked.

"Were you counting the seconds until I showed up?" he said teasingly.

"No, but I was beginning to think you ditched the party."

"I did think about it, but I only came to see you in this dress," Draco said, allowing his eyes to dance on her again. She felt suddenly exposed, like she wasn't appealing enough. The look on his face told her that he didn't dislike one bit of it.

"Bloody git," Ron muttered to Harry, staring frustratingly at the dancing couple.

"Just go ask her for a dance," said Harry. Ron nodded, placed his drink down and sauntered over to Hermione and Malfoy.

"I think you've had enough dancing, let her have a chance to dance with someone else," Ron interrupted them. Malfoy lifted one eyebrow and acknowledged him.

"She is my date, as I recall. And where is yours? I know how excited you were to be partnered with your kind."

"What are you implying, 'my kind'—"

"Let's dance!" Hermione intervened, grabbing Ron's hand and leading him further into the dance floor.

"What do you think he meant?" he asked Hermione.

"Don't worry about it," she said. He just rolled his eyes and glared at Malfoy from across the room.

"I feel sorry for you, being partnered with him."

"He really isn't that bad once you get to know him," Hermione defended.

"I don't know what planet you live on, but here he's a total prat."

"There's a heart in there," she said, but her words were lost in the twirl she did. She didn't spin fully around and landed in the arms of Harry. He took her waist and strode her away from Ron.

"Did you tell him?" Harry whispered.

"I almost did, before you hijacked me!"

"Right, sorry. It looked like the right moment to let him cool off."

"He can cool off when I actually tell him," she muttered.

"Go back to him now," Harry said, twirling her into Ron's direction. She didn't get very far before she spun into Draco.

"Settle down," he said, straightening her upright. "I had to get away from Pansy; she's been hanging off me since we stopped dancing."

She glanced over at Pansy, who was leaning against the far wall, eyes intent on her. Hermione quickly averted her eyes and focused on Draco's. They were glistening grey, flecks of chalk blue swirling in the irises. Though his mouth was always pulled in that irritating grin, she wanted to feel those lips against hers.

He let go of one of her hands for only a second, but it gave the opportunity for another hand to pull her from Draco's grasp. Hermione was in Ron's arms again, still keeping in rhythm with the music.

"I understand why Harry would want to dance with you again, but Malfoy too? Tell me he isn't teasing you or anything," Ron said.

"No, it's the complete opposite, actually. There's something going on with him and I—"

Ron's face turned hard as stone, and Hermione's stomach dropped. But it wasn't her words that startled him; it was the two arms suddenly wrapped around Hermione's waist.

"I do believe I was dancing with her," Draco said, taking her away. Hermione cursed to herself. So close.

"Why is everyone interrupting my dances?" Hermione huffed.

"Probably because you look so stunning. Everyone wants a piece of Granger."

"Shh!" she said, placing a finger on his bottom lip. He recoiled, placing a hand to his mouth.

"Draco! Oh, God, I'm so sorry!"

But Draco was already lost in the crowd. Hermione felt the overpowering guilt eating her away. She should have been more careful around him.

Another pair of hands grabbed hers and she snapped her head towards the culprit. It was Harry, eyes dark behind his spectacles.

"What's wrong with him?" he muttered.

"Never mind that!" Hermione snapped. "I need some fresh air."

She escaped Harry and made for the balcony doors. Once outside, the cool night air hit her face, calming her thoughts immediately.

There was only ever a second that Hermione had alone. The doors creaked open and something fell through the crack, closing again. Curious, Hermione picked up the piece of parchment that was dropped, noticing it being addressed to her.

Fold by fold, she opened it up see to scrawled handwriting. It wrote:

Hermione,

Meet me at the Astronomy tower at 11 o'clock after Slughorn's party.

-Draco

She felt both fear and excitement as to what he had to say. She pocketed the note in her shoe and left the party.


Draco splashed his singed lip frantically with the basin water. The moment Hermione's finger contacted his skin, it burned under the touch. He had no choice but to flee to the boy's lavatory, not that cool water gave much relief.

Draco examined his lip gingerly. No blister showed on the surface, but beneath the skin it still boiled.

He'd been holding in his pain for the whole party, and his strength allowed him to actually enjoy Granger's company. She looked so beautiful in that dress and he knew she didn't realise. If only she could see her through Draco's eyes. Granger was so bad for him, but that's what he liked about her. Apart from the Veela situation, she was still considered a Mudblood, and if his father were to find out about them...

Draco abandoned that thought and walked back to the party. He still felt bad for leaving Hermione there, stunned. It was never her fault, but the way Draco just ran for it made it seem like it was.

On his way down the hall, he ran into a determined Pansy. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss. Shocked by her sudden forwardness, Draco tried to pull away, but her fierce lips wouldn't budge. His bottom lip felt instant relief, like a cool wave of liquid coating the burn.

"Pansy," he muffled.

She let go, staring deep into his eyes. "I love you," she said, her voice high pitched.

"Pansy," he sighed, "I know."

"Do you—love me?" she whispered. Draco bit his lip hard and shook his head.

"No."

Tears started falling from her eyes, but she wiped them away and scowled.

"Then you give me no choice," she hiccupped. Pansy was already gone, and Draco had an awful feeling about Hermione.

He pursued Pansy, but she was already lost in the shadows.


Hermione stood atop of the Astronomy Tower, the wind blowing her tangled locks into a wild frenzy. The air was filled with pureness and clarity. If there were any moment to meet Draco, here was the perfect place.

There was a thump by the door, and it creaked open. Hermione waited for him to slip into the room, his fair skin and hair glowing in the moon's reflection. But she stiffened when Pansy Parkinson emerged instead; her face set as hard as stone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you expecting company?"

Before Hermione could even make up an excuse, let alone move a muscle, Pansy was in front of her with her wand jabbed harshly at Hermione's throat.

"Were you expecting Draco?" she whispered into her ear, her breath tainted with a mixture of jealousy and rage. Her eyes were bloodshot and her nose a sickly pink, like she'd been crying.

"What? Pansy, what are you doing?" Hermione gasped.

"That's why you're here, right? Draco sent you that letter and I bet you were dying to meet him—"

"How do you know about the letter?" she asked. "Unless you sent it..."

Realisation smacked her right in the forehead. Pansy smiled rows of crooked teeth. She really was foul to look at.

"You're pretty smart for a Mudblood," Pansy spat.

It was Hermione's turn to snap. "I am smarter then you'll ever be, and though your blood is pure, you will always be the stupid jealous bitch who thought I was after her boyfriend."

Enraged by Hermione's sudden lash of words, Pansy shoved her hard until her back was pressed up against the railing. Hermione glanced to the side and her stomach churned at the height.

"What are you doing?" she asked Pansy, who had her hands pressed firmly on either side of Hermione's shoulders.

"Being the stupid jealous bitch who is dealing with the girl she thinks is trying to steal her boyfriend."

And with one sudden jolt, Hermione overbalanced and flipped over the side. The rushing wind blew her hair madly, but her mind froze. It never occurred to Hermione of how falling would feel. She'd fallen from short drops, but never off a tower. Her stomach was in her throat as she fell further and further. Any second now and her body would impact the ground.

Hermione snapped out of her trance, ripped her wand from her pocket and screamed the spell that would save her life.

"Aresto Momentum!"

Facing down, Hermione stared at the pavement only inches from her face. A second later, she smacked to the ground, groaning. Hermione rolled over, eyes closed, appreciating the air in her lungs. The thankfulness of life ended when she opened her eyes to meet two black pits. They reminded her of Draco's eyes when he strangled her. The senseless and uncontrolled darkness.

Pansy was standing over her, a wicked snarl twisting her features.

"I thought you'd be clever enough to save yourself, but no one's here to save you from me!"

She grabbed onto Hermione's curls and ripped until she was on her knees, screaming in agony.

With her hand still clasped around her wand, Hermione whipped it in the air and a force tripped Pansy over. She landed with a crack and rolled. Hermione found her feet and stumbled backwards. Pansy was up again, wand at the ready as Hermione's was.

"Avada Kedavra!" Pansy shrieked, and Hermione's dived to the side. The green light coiled passed her cheek, the smell of poison in its wake.

Cursing to herself, Pansy pursued Hermione, who was fleeing.

"You are a coward, Mudblood! Not even trying to fight for him. And here I thought you actually wanted him!"

Hermione stopped and swivelled around.

"You thought right," she said. "I do want him."

Hermione cast spell after spell but Pansy kept deflecting. She was cackling the most awful sound, like every second of this was entertainment.

Hermione was full aware of what would happen if Pansy lost concentration for just a second, but didn't back down. There was a chance that one of her spells would get her, and that would be the end. But Hermione wasn't a killer. As much as she wanted to hit Pansy to release all her anger and desire, she didn't want to accomplish it with murder.

Pansy saw the opportunity to strike Hermione when she was lost for a split second in her thoughts.

"Expelliarmus!" Pansy shouted, and both Hermione and her wand went flying. She hit the ground with immense force that knocked the air out of her lungs. Hermione just lay there, panting and heaving. Her wand had landed close to her, and she reached for it. A foot came clamping down on her hand, crushing under the pressure. Hermione let out a deafening cry as the bones in her hand snapped one by one.

"You can't win!" Pansy squealed, deranged. "Draco and I are meant to be together! He's mine, and the only reason he can't love me is because you're getting in the way!"

She grabbed Hermione's neck and squeezed, trapping her breathing.

"He's my precious," Pansy whispered in her ear. Before the blackness began to creep over Hermione's eyes, she brought her left fist to Pansy's face, impacting her cheekbone. She stumbled back, and it gave Hermione enough time to grab her wand with her unbroken hand. Hermione screamed her spell, but at the same time another voice cast one too. Both spells hit Pansy with one giant blow, knocking her off her feet and she lay unmoving.

Hermione fell back, aching but relieved. The darkness was creeping over again, and she wasn't sure if she was imagining the figure lifting her off the ground before she passed out.