Chapter 7: A Choice in the Dark

Hermione hadn't been alone with Draco since the incident in potions two days ago. He had, had rounds with Harry and Slytherin quidditch practice. Hermione didn't have the opportunity to be closer than a classroom away from him, when in class together. Hermione's Veela was less than pleased; Veela also was not happy that Hermione hadn't spent any time with Harry. Hermione wasn't really happy about that either. She resolved that this weekend she would talk to Harry, calmly and try to try to make him understand who she is now.

Hermione went through her Friday content in her intention to work everything with Harry this weekend. Veela was sated temporarily with the knowledge that she would patrol with Draco tonight. Hermione had been practicing ignoring the increased attention, so she did not sense the weight of an extra pair of eyes fixed balefully upon her.

Pansy glared at Hermione from the Slytherin table where she sat with Millicent Bulstroad, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, and Vivien Crabbe. "I cannot believe that slag, she must have done something to him," Pansy fumed. "Pans I don't think she had to do anything to him. I mean look at her," Millicent pointed out casting an admiring look over the Gryffindor, who was the subject of their conversation. "Looks aren't every thing Milly and I know Draco. If he was letting that filthy mudblood touch him, she must have done something to him," Pansy insisted vehemently. "Pans let the blood superiority go. It has cost us all too much," Vivien said pain written across her face at the memory of the loss of her brother Vincent. "Viv we all lost a lot in the war, but some things do not change and something is off about her," Pansy replied, this last came out with such venom that it was practically a hiss. "Pans people change," Daphne began gently, "I know you're upset about how you're relationship ended, but…" Pansy cut Daphne off standing abruptly, "That's not what this is about, something's going on and am going to find out what." Pansy stormed out of the great hall, leaving her friends to stare at her rapidly retreating back.

Draco, Blaise, and Theodore Knott sat further down the Slytherin table oblivious to the scene Pansy was causing among their fellow housemates. Theo watched amused as him friends were gazing fixedly at a pair of girls chatting at the Gryffindor table. Theo grinned to himself thinking at the horrified reaction his friends would have had just a few years earlier if he had suggested they would one day both be infatuated with Gryffindors. "Blaise, you've been obsessed with Red ever since you helped her smuggle food for the students they were hiding in the room of requirement during the death eater occupation. Just ask her out. And Draco take my advice, when the sexual tension between you and Granger finally explodes take it to her room. As attractive as you both are I have zero desire to hear you getting it on in the Slytherin dorms," Theo drawled nonchalantly. Blaise and Draco, both rarely lost for words, stared at their normally quiet friend speechless. This only made Theo laugh.

By the time Hermione met Draco for their evening patrol she was barely able to keep her inner Veela in check. Once they were together patrolling the empty halls together she released her control, knowing Draco could handle it. Her muscles relaxed as let go of the tight hold she had been keeping on her Veela. Veela prompted her to reach out and grab Draco's hand so they were in constant physical contact. When their patrol took them to the now deserted classroom Veela prodded her toward the empty classrooms suggesting that maybe she and Draco should slip inside one of them for just a few minutes. She pulled him into the charms classroom closing the door behind them. As soon as the door closed she reached for him pulling his mouth down to meet hers in a passionate kiss, but when she reached for the buttons on his shirt, he stopped her. "Hermione lets take this some where more private," he said his eyes smoldering darkly. Hermione blinked at him for a moment and then her lust was penetrated by the reasonableness of his suggestion. She lead him back the way they had come and towards the heads dormitory.

A/N: Sorry to cut off here dears but real life beckons and I wanted to put this up for you all to have an update. I will post the next chapter before the end of the weekend. 3 Scarlett