Chapter 7

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter no matter how much I wish.

Draco was sitting in the kitchen of the Heads Dormitory with his friend Blaise on Monday morning. Blaise came over because apparently Red had broken up with Potter. But she didn't know if she should jump so quickly into another one with Blaise. He said he would give her time but he didn't know how much time they all had…

Although it's not like they could be accepted. A pureblood and a blood traitor? No way in hell was that going to be accepted. That's right up there with a muggle-born and pureblood. Either way Draco had his own relationship problems to be sympathetic.

From what he could decipher from Friday night's fight Hermione dumped him because he is incapable of opening up. The thing is he wants to be open with her but how do you tell your girlfriend you are her assassin? It doesn't make for pleasant conversation.

He tossed and turned every night because he didn't have her next him. Also because he tormented by nightmares of her…dying. He would get to her too late. They ranged from ones of her drowning in the lake to her hanging from the rafters in the Great hall. Most of them were gruesome. The most recent one was one is his most terrifying one.

Flashback

He was running through the halls of the school because he heard Hermione screaming. Just running until he got to the Astronomy tower he threw open the door and saw a scene he wished to erase. Hermione was fighting to get out from under someone. Draco couldn't see because they were wearing a large black cloak and had the hood up. She was crying and trying to push this person off her. What she was saying was unclear to him. Whoever that was on top of her was raping her viciously. Holding her by the neck he thrusted upon her like he was trying to break her down. As he watched this he tried to go and save her but he couldn't. It was like there was an invisible force shield keeping him from interfering. No matter how much he banged and kicked it, the shield did not give. He tried spells to break it and still he could not get through. So he had to watch his girl violated in such a way that it made him vomit repeatedly. It reminded him of when he was a kid and the first time he saw his Dad rape his mother. He couldn't do anything then. Whoever the bastard was right now lifted Hermione out the window. She looked like she was pleading with her assailant. Draco watched on as she dangled from the tower and he couldn't save her. He saw her loosing breath, her fight lessened. She was losing because he couldn't get through. Then she was dropped. His girl was gone and he had no idea who killed her.

End of flashback.

Draco was hoping they were just that nightmares…and not visions or premonitions. Because then it was enough trouble to worry about him having to kill her, but also someone else?

Just then Hermione walked into the kitchen. She seemed like she didn't notice they were there. She was fixing herself some tea the muggle way it seemed. That made Draco smile because she still liked to things the slow way even though she could just magically do it.

She obviously didn't know they were there because she was humming an unfamiliar tune and kind of swinging her hips with it while waiting for the water to boil.

Blaise winked at Draco and he glared back. This caused Blaise to bust out laughing. Draco glared some more, this was the most he has seen Hermione since Friday and Blaise ruined it.

Hermione turned around horrified that she was caught and looking at the two of them. Draco didn't look directly at her but in her general direction. Blaise was just watching the two of them. Draco saw that while Hermione's uniform looked pressed, clean and neat like it always does her face was a mess. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. Her lips were raw and chewed. Draco couldn't believe she would let herself out such a mess but he knew wasn't looking his best either. He hasn't shaved. His eyes were sunken with lack of sleep and torn with worry. They both looked scraggily and not up to their usual standards but when you loose someone you care about all routine goes out the door.

They stared at each other for a bit. Hermione's lip began to quiver and eyes were moistening. But she took a deep breath and turned her attention to Blaise and the tea.

"Good Morning Blaise" She said as cheerily as she could, doing her best to smile.

Blaise looking at Draco unsure then returned her greeting. "Good Morning to you too, Granger."

"Call me Hermione"

"Okay. Good Morning Hermione" Blaise was very confused.

"Well have a good day Blaise" Hermione finished fixing her tea and left through the portrait.

"Ok what in the bloody hell was that?" Blaise gave Draco an incredulous look. "I mean I thought she hated me, I am part of the reason her two of her best friends broke up. Plus I thought you guys fixed stuff. Draco what's up with you? Both of you look like crap, no offense and she totally almost bawled just by seeing you. Then she doesn't even talk to you? Talk. Now."

"Ok what is it with people and talking? Nothing's wrong" Draco responded

"I'm not an idiot Draco. It's me remember? I keep all your secrets always have, always will"

"We did fix things after that month of just being stupid and stubborn on both sides. We actually let out our feelings and we decided we were going to date. She wanted to build a foundation and so do I. The thing is we started talking and she told me some things about her. When it came to my turn it was a disaster. I gave her one sentence telling her I'm a death eater and that I hate my father and Voldemort. But you know how hard it is for me to talk about myself. I mean I've had this discussion with my conscience about how I don't know who I am because I don't follow Voldemort but I'm not exactly a saint like Hermione or Potty. So me and Hermione get into a little tiff about how closed I am but I promised her that I would try and talk to her and open up more. She said she won't press me and but we could work on it together. I promised too soon because Lucius my lovely father broke out and summons me. That's why I had to leave potions. We met the manor and basically he told me he spoke with Voldemort. He gave me a job."

"A job doing what exactly?"

"My job is to use Hermione for information on the Order and Potter. When she has served his purpose then I have to be the one to kill her. I'm supposedly to use that "Malfoy charm" were his exact words.

"Are you serious? I mean I know your father is sadistic but man he really is sick."

"Well it's not like he knew I was dating her. That's the other thing, only you, Potter and the two Weasleys can know about me and her. They can't know about the job obviously"

"So I am going to guess you haven't told her and now she's mad at you because you won't open up. And you can't share? How long had you guys actually dated?"

"Like two days"

"Man, you know how to kill a relationship quick"

"Please don't mention kill and relationship in the same sentence."

"Fine, So how did she know you were keeping something?"

"When I got back so late from seeing my father, she questioned me. She could tell from my face that it was serious. Plus the whole school knows about his escape. I basically shut her out. I can't tell her that. I felt sick when I found out what the job was. I mean if it was to steal something or go hunt someone other than her then I would have dealt with it. I wouldn't have been proud of it but I would have done it. But this affecting someone I care so much about. How do you go about killing the person you love?"

"The weird thing is that you sound like you are contemplating it. Why don't you tell her? I mean she could help you fool Voldemort."

"You sound like my conscience"

"You have a conscience? And you hear it?" Blaise laughed

"Oh very hilarious. Focus. Anyway Saturday she dumped me while on patrols. She said she couldn't deal with me being so cut off from her. So she's going to wait for me to grow up"

"She could be waiting a long time."

"Shut up"

"Well try and see it from her point of view. How would you feel if you knew she was keeping something from you? This is her life Draco. You say you care for her but remember what just happened this morning. She misses you and she would do anything for you. I think by you not telling her, you are going to loose her in more ways than just death. I know you don't want to kill her."

"Of course I don't"

"Then you should tell her. You guys can win if you stand together instead of apart."

"Come on we will be late for Transfiguration" Draco got up and grabbed his books. Blaise shook his head and followed his friend out the portrait.

DM/HG

Hermione was sitting in between her two best guy friends in Transfiguration. Ron had his arm around her and Harry had her hand. She told them about her and Draco's fight and eventual break up. They offered to hex him, beat him up into confession or just outright killing him. She declined them all. As much as it was hurting her to be separate from him, it would kill her to see him hurt in any way.

But he needed to learn that he can't just shut her out like that. Not if it was suppose to be a relationship with a foundation. Grant it, he can't tell her everything and there should be some things they keep to themselves. But anything that is major and where their lives could be at stake then they need to talk. Plus how can she continue loving him if she knows very little about him?

When he came into the room she had to fight the urge to run to him. It hurt not to look at him even though he was so close, practically within reach. You would think they had been dating for years and they just now broke up with the way she is reacting.

Even though they dated briefly, really brief she already had strong feelings for him. It was because of those dreams she saw him not as normal Malfoy. Plus the things he's told her and his complete turnaround is just amazing to her.

He is the only guy she's ever actually fell this hard for. She wished she didn't have break up with him. That he could have just opened up and just tell her what in the world happened. But if she was true to herself she couldn't be with someone not knowing their problems. Not knowing who they are.

Hermione chanced a glance over at him and she was just sitting there like her. Not particularly interested in the lesson and not taking notes. She remembered how he looked this morning to her. He looked less than Malfoy perfect. Draco's hair looked a little dulled. He obviously is lacking sleep like her. In a way she was some what happy he was a mess like her. It meant he was suffering just like her, but he had the power to end it. All he had to do was talk to her about Friday. Whatever it is they could work it out. It wasn't worth them separating.

Ron tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hey 'Mione time to go" Ron stood up as well as Harry. Hermione picked up her stuff slowly hoping to catch Draco. But he just grabbed his books and left with Blaise.

"Come on 'Mione, its ok" Harry said. He saw her staring and he knew that she was miserable. Which he and Ron held their 'I told you so' and she was grateful for that.

"Yeah sure" Hermione mumbled. Her world was dragging and it was because she didn't have Draco in it.

DM/HG

Draco was sitting in potions ten minutes early. He left lunch because he couldn't take all the questions he was getting from Slytherins about his father. Asking him if he got a job to do for Voldemort or does he know if their parents escaped. It was sickening how warped these kids are. They don't what hell he was put through for his training as a Death Eater. They don't realize the amount sick, twisted and hateful things his father has done. They think he's great, they think Voldemort is great. 'Yeah well when Voldemort tells them they have to kill someone they care about to solidify allegiance to him, they won't think he's so great.'

I should hope not

You know I really don't feel like hearing you right now or your 'I told you so'

I wasn't going to say that

Liar

Ok maybe I was. But you kind of said it for me so thanks. Honestly though Blaise is right and so am I. Look how miserable you've made her. This has to be the worse you have ever done. It's worse than when you called her mudblood all those years.

Well maybe its better that we are broken up because then I can't use her and I won't have to kill her. She's safer away from me.

That's what you'd think but whose to say she won't die in the war? Who is to say someone else won't get to her like in your nightmares. Who's to say Voldemort won't get her some other way after learning about your "betrayal"

Don't say that. She has Potter, Weasley and all of the Order.

But she wants you. Can't you accept that? Where is that Malfoy arrogance where you think everyone wants you and wants to be you?

That arrogance has gotten me into trouble.

True. Either way she would be better off with you. Because you know that no one can protect her like you can. You love her already, I know you do. Potter and Weasley, and all her friends and family love her but not the way you do. She would die for you and you most certainly would die for her. All she wants is for you to tell her what went on. She will take you back after that. She needs you to confide in her, she needs you trust her. Because for her trust and love go in the same hand.

Piss off

Oh you are just stubborn!! Fine I'll be quiet for a little while but don't deny that I am right or that you are miserable with out her too!

Draco hated that his conscience is always right. He saw from the corner of his eyes that Hermione arrived with her two bodyguards. They shot him looks when she wasn't looking. It's not like he didn't deserve them so he took them without complaint. He knew she would be safe with those two for right now. During the war well he was worried because Potter most certainly gets to battle Voldemort and Weasley will probably be with him trying to do in Death Eaters. His conscience's words rang in his head.

The class was filling up and Slughorn was waiting for them all to settle down. Once they did, Slughorn spoke.

"Good Afternoon class, Now will you please pull out your essays on Memory potions and I will collect them. Then we will start the base for the Amnesia Reversal potion."

Slughorn moved about the room to collect the essays. Draco watched him as he got to Hermione and watched in amazement as she told him she didn't have her essay.

"What do you mean Ms. Granger you don't have your essay?" Slughorn looked at her like she grew three heads.

"I didn't do it, Professor Slughorn. I was….preoccupied" Hermione's voice rang clear through the room. It was shocked silence. The whole class could not believe that the Hermione Granger didn't do an assignment.

"Well if you were preoccupied, I'll give you an extension, it was probably because of Head Duties." Slughorn still looked bewildered but a little concerned.

"No. It was non-school related matter. I'll take detention sir." Hermione looked resolute and determined.

The whole class took a sharp intake of breath. It was like the world was going to end.

Draco saw Ron and Harry glare even harder in his direction; they were really ready to kill him.

"I….I…well er…well detention tonight, my office after dinner." Slughorn sputtered.

"Ok" Hermione then just sat there, like that ended the conversation and it explained her weird behavior.

Draco looked at his finished essay, all neat and fully defined. He crumpled it up and stuffed it in his books. He would take detention if it meant he could be alone with Hermione.

Slughorn waddled up to Draco's table and asked for his essay.

"I don't have it, sir" Draco said as sure as he could.

"Both Heads? Come now , is it a trick Mr.Malfoy?" Slughorn squinted his piggy little eyes at Draco, which grossed him out.

"No trick sir…I was busy with other things." Draco could feel every eye on him but the only ones who mattered, wouldn't even look his way.

"Well then you will join Ms. Granger, tonight my office"

"Yes sir"

Slughorn just shook his head and collected the rest of the essays from the bewildered class.

"Well those who completed the homework, get the ingredients for the base listed on the board. Those of you, who did not do the homework copy the notes and then sit there until class ends." Slughorn said this was a sad look at Hermione and then turned on Draco with speculating eyes.

Draco watched Hermione the whole period. She sat there straight back and read a book. Every now then Weasley and Potter threw a look at him of pure loathing. Not that he didn't deserve the looks but he didn't need two constant reminders of how much of a jerk he is.

The double Advanced Potions class ended after two hours. Draco was going to see if he could get near Hermione even though he should stay away. But there was no way of getting passed her guards.

Blaise just gave him a knowing look as Draco looked longingly at his girl. Well at least he had detention with her.

DM/HG

Hermione was sitting with Harry Ron and Ginny at dinner. They were all talking about strategies on how to decimate Slytherin in the upcoming match. Normally she would have loved listening to their theories but today she just felt so blasé.

Right now the only thing that was worth caring about was across the room laughing up a storm with Blaise. He looked happy or at least he was pretending to be. She didn't know how he could even have the energy to pretend to be alright. Her heart was in shreds.

"Hermione is something wrong with your food?" Ginny asked her. She looked concerned. Hermione knew she knew about the fight and maybe she did understand why she cheated but right now she was just annoyed at her.

"No"

"Why aren't you eating it?"

"Don't feel like it." Hermione then pulled out her book and started to read ending the conversation.

Ginny just looked sadly at her friend and caught eyes with her brother, who made eyes with Harry. They knew what would make her happy but they really didn't want to have to admit it. But they couldn't let her slip; they were going to keep a close eye on her.

Just then one lone black owl flew into the Great Hall. It was carrying a large brown envelope. Hermione had looked up at that point. It was way too late for mail but she saw the recipient. It was for Draco. She just kept her eyes so it looked like she was still reading but she was really observing Draco.

He opened the enveloped, looking at it strangely. Then his face became serious then angry. Hermione what could he have possibly received that would make him that serious. He pulled out large pieces of paper it looked like to her. Hermione was dying to know but again he wouldn't tell her. It was the reason they broke up he has issues with opening up. Whatever it was caused him leave abruptly. She wanted to run and see if he was alright but it defeats her purpose, he needs to come to her.

She left dinner early to change. So she could go have detention with her ex..

DM/HG

Draco was waiting outside for Hermione and Slughorn to arrive. He was early. What caused him to leave so early was he received something that could harm Hermione's safety if the rest of the school knew about it. If his father and Voldemort knew she would be dead. So would he but he cares more for her.

Apparently someone took pictures of him and Hermione's fight last Friday. There are ones of him pushed against the wall by her with the caption "Dammit Draco!" Other's with her head in her hands and him reaching out to touch her. There were a couple of ones from today of him staring at her and her staring at him. Whoever took these was no friend to them and he needed to be careful. There was only a note saying instructions will come later.

As if he really needed something else to worry about. He has to worry about being blackmailed, which he is sure that is coming next. This falls under one of the things to tell Hermione but he wants to keep her safe. The less she knew the better off…right?

Hermione was walk towards him with Professor Slughorn. Who was plowing on through something and Hermione afforded him the proper responses of 'yes' and 'mhmm'

She caught eye of him and just made her face impassive. He noticed she changed her clothes. She was wearing that white sweater when she told him off about what a coward he was… It reminded him of the light and purity. That was what she was and she didn't need to be tainted by him.

"Now I am highly disappointed in the both of you since you are both Heads. You are to set an example for the school. But I will overlook this and not put it on your records. McGonagall need not know." Slughorn said while he let them in.

"Thank you" Both Hermione and Draco answered.

"Now, you are to clean out that pile of cauldrons over there. Straighten up those files behind my desk and clean out that potions cupboard, make note of what I am out of. I am going to let you use magic only because this is a minor infraction right? And you won't do it again?"

Both shook there heads no.

"Good. Leave when done." Slughorn then sidled past them and left them alone.

Hermione immediately went to deal with the files. She started doing them by hand. There were piles and piles.

Draco made his way over to the cauldrons and set them to cleaned them with his wand. Out of the corner of his eye he checked out Hermione. An hour later and she was only on the third pile. Draco only had two cauldrons left. He would to the cupboard for her or maybe they could do that together but that's too much to ask for.

"Hermione he said we could use magic." Draco said to her making some conversation.

"I don't take the easy way out, unlike others…" She responded

"Excuse me? He did say that. Why be here any longer that necessary. You can't possibly like detention"

"No. I don't. But that's not what I had meant; I meant the easy way out of a relationship"

"Come on Hermione, I was not trying to get out of it. I really can't tell you."

"Yes you could, just didn't want to. Anything that's serious and concerns both of us we should have talked about. I know it concerns me and you are probably trying to protect me from something but you can't protect me all the time. I have the right to help make decisions concerning us, when there was an us. Plus you promised to open up"

"And you promised not to get offended. I guess we both broke our promises"

"But Draco how am I suppose to trust you, love you if you block me out. I want to be in your life. How did you think we were going to build a foundation without trust? It doesn't work that way. Plus you caved the first freaking day! I need someone stronger than that. I need you to grow up."

"Well its not like you gave me much time. You kept hounding me, instead of letting me come to you. You know I don't like being all open. I might have done it if you let me. But as it so happens this is the one thing I can't tell you. You are much better off not knowing. You are better off with out me."

"Who are you to decide what's good for me? You can suggest but you can't assume what is good and bad for me. I am capable of making my own choices. Plus you are wrong, you are my everything. I am worse off without you. "

"Listen Hermione I don't doubt that. I don't want to spend detention fighting. Just know you are better, despite what you think."

"Draco you have the power to end this. We could be together, just tell me"

"No."

"Can't you tell me what you receive that made you angry?"

"No"

"Don't you care about me?"

Draco wanted to scream yes but he was silent. 'She is better off'

"I see then. Maybe it is better this way. I'm glad I didn't waste my time with you" Hermione then pulled out her wand and fixed all the piles in a neat order. Then she moved toward the cupboard and cleaned in there. Coming out of there with her sweater covered in dust, she left the list of ingredient Slughorn needed and left.

Draco punched the wall, kicked it and threw a cauldron at it. Then staring at the door where Hermione just left from he said "Of course I care, I love you"

DM/HG

Draco got back to the dormitory and saw Hermione near the hearth doing homework. She looked up and saw him. He saw she had been crying again. He really needed lessons on how to be a better person. Hermione just picked up her stuff and went into her room without saying a word.

Draco went into the bathroom and took a hot shower. Trying to burn off the pain he was feeling right now. After getting out and just putting on some bottoms he went to his room. As soon as he laid down he heard sobbing and it was only getting louder with each heave of breath. He wanted to block it, silence it but he deserved to listen to this for the rest of his life. The sobbing of the girl he loved. He tried to punish himself and listen to it but he fell asleep to receive another punishment.

Draco was sitting in the Great Hall on the right hand side of Voldemort. His father was sitting on the other side of him. The room was filled with Death Eaters. Apparently they were waiting for something or someone. Tension had filled they air.

Voldemort turned to him and unleashed his red eyes on Draco. "Your time had arrived, Malfoy." Draco wondered what that could mean.

Standing up Voldemort to address the whole group. "The time has come. Bring her in".

'Her' Draco wondered to himself

The huge doors opened and two Death Eaters dragged a petite girl with brown hair in. Her clothes were ratty and dirty. Her once luminous hair was not matted and dulled. Voldemort walked to the girl and stood a good ten feet from her.

"You are Hermione Granger the Mudblood friend to the Great and Dead Harry Potter. Do you deny this?" He hissed

She didn't answer

"Answer me" he bellowed

Still silence

"Crucio!" Her body twitched and writhe on the floor. Draco watched in agony as his girl was in pain. Again he couldn't save her.

"Crucio!" Voldemort lifted the spell.

"Draco come here" Voldemort hissed.

Draco got up numbly and walked to Voldemort.

"Your Mudblood has been caught Draco. I always know everything. So you thought you could hide your little disgusting and impure thing? Well I will forgive you of this indiscretion if you reaffirm me of your allegiance."

"How, My Lord?" Draco said in a surprisingly calm voice.

"Simple. Kill her."Voldemort handed Draco his wand then pushed Draco closer to Hermione.

She looked up at him with her brown eyes moistened. Hermione looked afraid and small. Every Death Eater was watching them. Examining her face, she had two black eyes and a busted lip. Otherwise she was his Hermione.

"Don't do it Draco" She pleaded with him

"What are you waiting for Draco?" Voldemort yelled from behind him. Draco looked around and saw all the Death Eaters. They looked hungry for the kill. They would gladly do it in his place. His eyes fell on his father. He looked at him saw it clear in his eyes. "Do it or your dead too. She's just a mudblood"

Draco turned his attention to her again. How could he do this?

"Don't do it Draco. You're not like them. Don't you love me?" She said.

"No. Avada Kedavra"

A/N: Please review. Oh just as time reference its like October in the story. I hope you enjoyed it. Check out my other stories if you haven't already. Thanks.