Hermione realized that her hands were firmly clasped in her lap by the time she was finished telling Draco about that night. She took a deep breath to steady herself and looked up to meet his eyes.

He was staring at the ground, as if in deep contemplation. His head was shaking back and forth.

"Draco?"

Abruptly, he stopped. "I'm so sorry." It felt so little, but it was the only thing he could think to say at the moment. "So… Ron?"

Hermione closed her eyes. "When I woke up at St. Mungo's I expected him to be at my bedside. Instead, I found two of his brothers and Harry." A tear of blood ran down her cheek. "Harry said that Ron had left soon after the Mediwitches told him there was nothing that could be done for me. I- I looked down and saw my engagement ring was gone. I knew it was over then."

Rage filled Draco. How could someone be so cruel to the one they love? "You didn't deserve that."

Hermione sniffed. "I know, that's what Harry said. And Fred and George – they're Ron's brothers the ones that were there. He poisoned the rest of his family against me – so they were the only two I had left. The three of them really helped me through the first few weeks. The twins – Fred and George, I didn't tell you they were twins – well, they got in contact with Snape and got me those potions. I wouldn't have been able to come here without them."

"The twins? As in the ones who run that joke shop?" He let out a dark laugh. "If it weren't for them, this afternoon wouldn't have happened!"

Hermione hissed at him. Fred and George had helped her more than anyone else in her most desperate hour and no one would speak ill of them to her. "Their business has nothing to do with this afternoon! They are two of my very good friends and you will not speak of them that way."

Draco could see that she was mad. Her lack of blood was affecting her emotions and he would have a fight on his hands if she didn't get blood soon. Vampire blood was fine to drink, but it didn't have enough sustenance to sustain another vampire for very long. He knew that his blood was quickly leaving her system.

"Hermione," he began in a soothing voice. "Please, calm down. We both need to feed."

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. And we've been out so long already… Let's just split up and meet back here before morning."

She changed into her eagle form and flew off.

Feeling Colias' life energy inside her was heaven. The centaur blood was so much more magical than normal, human blood. Hermione cawed as she circled above the island, slowly descending. Draco was already back on the boulder, waiting for her. When he saw her, he changed into a crow and rose to meet her. "Do you feel better now?"

-Yes, I do. How are you? Did you get enough blood?

"Yes, I'm fine. My Power is fully restored now."

As the banks of the lake came into view, Draco shifted back. "Let's walk from here," he called out to her.

She changed back right beside him, smiling the whole time.

"I have a feeling I've created a monster by showing you how to do that…" he chuckled.

"Oh shut it you prat," she shoved him, giggling.

They walked side-by-side towards the castle. The sun was just peaking over the tops of the trees when Draco took off at a full sprint.

Hermione stopped, confused by his behavior, until she saw what was at the bottom of one of the turrets.

It was a body.

She took off after Draco, determined to reach it. Draco was kneeling over Liam by the time Hermione arrived.

"Draco…"

"Shush!" He leaned over the broken boy, searching for any signs of life. Suddenly, he stiffened. "We need to get him inside." Draco looked over his shoulder at the sun. "Now!"

"What…?" Hermione began, but Draco was already throwing open the doors to the Entrance Hall, with Liam's body in his free arm.

She followed as he tore through the castle, heading for the Hospital Wing. Why is he taking him there? He's dead; I heard the silence in his chest…

The room was pitch dark by the time she arrived. Draco was ushering Madam Pomfrey into the room and sending a Patronus at the same time. The silvery wolf bounded off in what Hermione knew to be the direction of Minerva's room. "Draco, what the hell is going on?" Poppy took Liam's wrist and felt for a pulse. Suddenly, a surge of Power shot through the room, knocking Hermione back. "What was that?"

Draco began to rush from the room. "I need to get my potions. I'll be back before Minerva arrives."

Hermione was left alone with Poppy. Her mind was racing. What was that Power I felt? It wasn't Draco's Power and I don't know who else it could have come from… Is there someone else here who is a vampire? Well, that's just silly. I would know if someone else was like me… Wouldn't I? Yes, yes I would. But then where did that Power come from? It couldn't… She looked at Liam. "Madam Pomfrey, is he really dead…?"

Draco raced back into the room, nearly knocking Hermione over. "Pomfrey, I need those restraints. And it is imperative that he does not bite anyone."

"Draco…" Hermione began. It can't be what I'm thinking, can it?

Minerva, still in her nightclothes threw open the doors to the Hospital Wing. "Professor Malfoy, I received your Patronus. What has happened?" She noticed Poppy in the process of strapping Liam's arms to the bed. "Oh my…"

Hermione recognized the restraints. "Draco… Has he been turned?"

She steadied herself for the response she knew he would give. "Yes."

Bloodied tears ran freely down her face as Liam gave off a low, painful moan.