And I'm back with a brand new chapter !
Wow I just noticed that this story has already reached 1,000 hits that's just ...Wow
:)
As usual I want to thank all my reviewers fot taking to the time to leave a comment and of course thank you to all the readers !
Hugs & kisses to my beta WisteriaBlossom1992

Oh and a little spoiler ... you can mark this chapter as the beginning of many steamy chapters ;)

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˜ Chapter Seven ˜

It was already well past midnight when Hermione made her way to her chambers.
She had been in the library all evening; helping Harry and Ron with Flitwick's assignment and doing some research herself for Ancient Runes.

It had been a long evening. Ron had followed her through the entire library, trying to let her read his work. By the time she had finally agreed, her brown eyes had become large with confusion. Ron's entire paper had consisted out of three words, his own name and the name of the spell.

Hermione had rolled her eyes before she gave him a lecture about the importance of taking your studies seriously.

Ron had nodded a few times while looking a bit sheepishly at his parchment. Eventually Hermione couldn't take it any longer, she had grabbed a piece of paper and had started scribbling a few notes before she handed it to Ron.

From that moment he had remained silent for the rest of the evening. And by the time Madam Pince announced that the library would close, Hermione had finished her own assignment and had corrected those of Ron and Harry.

It was safe to say that she was exhausted.

At this moment she craved for the warm and comfortable feeling her bed would offer her.

With a sigh of relief she pulled the red sheets aside and slipped into her bed.

" Finally." Hermione murmured softly before closing her eyes and entering the world of sleep.


Quiet, dark and cold.

That were the three words she would use to describe this night. Maybe she could throw mysterious into the mix as well.

Hermione wrapped her cloak closer around her body, wanting to feel some sort of protection. She didn't even want to be here. She already had pictured herself curled up in her chair by the fireplace reading: ' Tales of the unexpected.' A book by one of her favourite authors; Roald Dahl.

But after the prefects of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor had complained about students still wandering through the corridors of Hogwarts after midnight and disobeying orders, professor McGonagall thought it would be a good idea to let the Head boy and Head girl patrol the corridors after midnight. McGonagall figured that with their authority they could restore the peace.

The only problem was that the professor hadn't given further instructions. She had only mentioned that Draco and Hermione had to come up with a schedule. And of course it didn't take long before that condition had caused a new problem.

After they had come back from McGonagall's office, they had spent the entire evening arguing about who would patrol first.

Hermione let out a heavy sigh as she turned left, walking past the suits of armour. She could recall the conversation between her and Draco perfectly well.

" No Malfoy."

" It wasn't a question Granger." Draco said matter-of -factly.

" Well, I don't care. I'm not going first."

" Can't you see that I'm being a gentleman?"

" And how is that ?" Hermione huffed, getting frustrated by this argument.

"Draco smirked a little before he gave his answer, " you surely know the saying: ' ladies first'."

She rolled her eyes at him but kept quiet, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction by answering.

" Besides what would you possible do all night ? Weaselbee and Potterhead are busy with their girlfriends so you will be alone anyway." He stated.

"I'm perfectly capable to take care of myself." Hermione grumbled, placing her hands on her hips.

" Oh, so what would Granger do ?" Draco wondered aloud, " let me guess, you will be here reading a book, all by yourself. Quite pathetic don't you think?"

" It's not pathetic. It is instructive, a word you may not know."

Draco ignored her last comment and continued, " I was right...predictable. Well other than you, I have plans this evening and I'm not willing to reschedule them. You are going first end of discussion."

He turned around and started walking to the door before Hermione stopped him.

" Where do you think you're going !"

" I told you I have plans. Have fun tonight." He grinned.

A baffled Hermione watched him leave, realising she just lost an argument to Draco Malfoy.

And now she was walking through the corridors of Hogwarts, trying to succeed where the prefects had failed.

She was growing more tired with every step she took, at this moment she longed for her soft pillow and the quietness of her bedroom.

But she had still two hours to go before she could call it a night.

Hermione took another turn and started walking up the stairs, with still no student to be seen.

This was becoming ridiculous. The only living soul Hermione had bumped into so far was Mrs. Norris , Filches loyal cat. And she had heard Nearly Headless Nick and Fat Friar discussing the lack of festivities at Hogwarts this year.

But other than that, there had been no one.

Darkness was slowly covering the corridors of the castle. A few candles were burning but the dim light didn't provide enough sight anymore.

" Lumos." Hermione whispered, watching how the tip of her want emitted a warm glow.

She decided she would inspect one more hall, and then she would write her report. Satisfied with her decision, she made her way to the last flight of stairs.
Her right foot touched the first step when she heard a rustling, coming from behind her.

Hermione quickly spun around pointing her illuminated wand at the darkness before her. Her eyes scanned the area trying to unravel some sort of movement.

Nothing.

She shrugged a little, her imagination was getting the best of her. Hermione turned around again, wanting to continue her last round.

And there it was again the same noise, this time much louder than before.

" Hello ?" Hermione called out.

No answer.

She moved further into the corridor: " is someone out there?"

The footsteps halted for a moment, Hermione narrowed her eyes a little bit; trying to figure out who was standing before her. But it was still too dark to see and her wand didn't seem to do the trick either.

" I don't know who you are but I do know that you are breaking the rules. So I suggest that you stop playing games and reveal yourself."

It went completely silent, making Hermione shiver a little. She knew that something wasn't right and she knew that she had to do something, fast.

" Nox." She whispered quietly, taking a few steps back and still holding her wand firmly in her right hand.

And there it was again ... footsteps.

" I don't care who you are, I will hex you if you come any closer."

A laugh.

' Enough.' Hermione thought. " Avis !" She yelled, watching how a flock of birds appeared.

And without wasting any more time she pointed her wand once again: "oppugno!"

The flock of birds disappeared into the shadows, attacking, clawing and pecking the still mysterious stranger, giving Hermione the chance to run.

How could she have missed this ? How could she not have heard someone approaching her ?

Many questions were swirling through her mind as she made a left turn. Questions she couldn't answer except for one ... she needed to be as far away as possible.

It felt like she had run for hours when Hermione finally decided to glance over her shoulder.
Darkness was all she saw.

With a sigh of relief she leaned against the brick wall, trying to catch her breathing.

He was gone. She had managed to get rid of him.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, she was acting like an idiot. Why on earth did she run away ? She was a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake. She had proved many times before that she had courage and daring.

Then why did she run ?

Hermione grimaced, she knew exactly why she did it. This person...who was consumed by the shadows.
This person...she couldn't see, couldn't touch.

He scared her, he made her feel powerless, out of control.
And it made her nervous...she didn't even know who he was and still he had so much influence on her emotions.

She shook her head and opened her eyes, ' she wouldn't allow that to happen again.'

A feeling of determination washed over her. She was going to patrol all the corridors once more , she was going to find this mysterious person and drag his ass back to professor McGonagall so he could receive the proper punishment.

" Hermione." A soft whisper called.

Hermione swiftly turned around, she knew he was nearby but she still couldn't see him.

" I'm not afraid of you."

Without making much noise, she grabbed her wand again as she moved towards his voice.

" I wouldn't do that if I were you."

A rustle, footsteps ... and he was gone.

" Come back."

No sound.

" I know you are still here ... come back !"

Nothing.

Hermione let out a frustrated groan, " I will take you down myself if I have to."

" No you will not."

She felt her entire body shiver when she heard the intensity in his velvet voice. But she quickly composed herself, she wasn't going to show any sign of weakness.

" And how can you be so certain ?"

She didn't even have the time to react as he pulled her in his arms, dragging her to a narrow corner and away from the public eye.
She could hear her wand falling on the stone floor.

Hermione could feel him coming closer, placing his hands on each side of her head, pressing his body against hers, his lips merely inches apart from her lips, and she knew she was trapped.

" Because you like the thrill of this." He whispered, slowly opening the buttons of her grey cardigan.

" What are you doing ?" Hermione breathed desperately, trying to push his hands away but he didn't even flinch.

Once he opened the last button, he pushed the piece of clothing from her shoulders. When he was finished with that, he moved to work on her shirt.

" Stop it !" She called out, wriggling in his grip trying to release herself. " Stop it !"

" You can scream as loud as you want no one will hear you."

She knew that he was right. It was past midnight; everyone was sleeping peacefully in their warm beds not even aware from what was happening down in the corridors.

But that didn't mean that she was just going to give it up, she may have lost her wand but she still had enough weapons by her side.
So she did the first thing she could think of. She kicked him with her legs, repeating that action over and over again.

" You are a feisty little witch." He smirked. His lips moved to her now naked shoulders, kissing every inch of it.

Hermione blushed as she let out an involuntary moan, and she could feel him laugh against her skin.

" I told you that you like the thrill." His hands were gently caressing her body, following the contours of her bra, making her shiver.

He reached behind her , unclasping her bra. Without wasting any more time he moved his lips to her breasts, his tongue giving them the attention they needed.

And Hermione had to bite her lips as she was trying to suppress a second moan. Every time his tongue graced her skin, she could feel her resentment breaking down.

He continued his trail of kisses, his tongue running along the waistline of her skirt, making her gasp.

" Who are you ?" She managed to breathe.

" Don't you know ?" He asked, caressing her skin with his nose.

Hermione could only shake her head.

" You know me. You see me every day."

" Tell me your name."

He shook his head and smiled, " No, you will figure that out yourself. Trust me, it won't be that hard. You just have to pay attention."

Hermione frowned a little, her eyes still closed " I can't do this ... I don't even know you."

He knelt before her, his skilled hands disappearing under her skirt, teasing the inside of her thighs. Hermione could feel her knees buckle from underneath her. Her hands tangled in his hair as she tried to compose herself.

She heard him talking, he was saying something but it sounded so far away. Focus, she needed to focus.

" This is your dream ... you can say stop whenever you want to." He murmured as he let go of her.

" What ?" Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact.

" Don't worry; I will see you next time." He kissed her, devouring her soft lips.

" But I don't even know you."

He smiled, " Just listen to my voice."

And then he was gone, leaving nothing behind as a reminder that he had been there.

Hermione didn't move, she was still standing at the same spot, stripped from her upper wear; trying to understand what had just happened.

She tried to calm down, closing her eyes for the umpteenth time.

' A dream ... it was a dream.' She kept chanting in her mind.

' Just a dream.'


Her eyes snapped open as she sat up straight in her bed.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to concentrate and taking in her surroundings.

Hermione looked at her window, noticing that it was still dark outside and she sighed.
It was just a dream.

She pulled her knees up to her chin so she could let her head rest on the covers and that's when she noticed that her pyjama top was unbuttoned.

She tilted her head a little, rubbing her eyes. She must have done it in her sleep, there was no other explanation.

Without fixing her pyjama top, she let herself fall back onto her pillows. It had felt so real, his hands, his lips ... it was like he had been here in her room, but of course that was just ridiculous.

It was just a dream.

And Hermione smiled as she closed her eyes again ready to go back to sleep.

It was a nice dream, and if she had to be honest with herself she really wanted to know who her mysterious stranger was .