A/N: The title of this chapter 'Tristeza' is the Galician word for 'sorrow'. Galician is an Indo-European language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch. It is spoken by some 2.4 million people, mainly in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is official along with Spanish.

I get bored of writing titles in English alone. I liked the sound of this word the ambiguity of it.

Do you think it works for this chapter? Let me know in your reviews and comments. As always I look forward to them. It's encouraging, endearing, and certainly validates that all the hard work is noticed. I appreciate all genuine feedback, whether positive or negative.

This chapter took awhile because there was major reworking on my part which resulted in me rewriting the entire chapter. I'm quite satisfied with it but I may just edit bits and pieces later. As always love to my dear beta without whom you would have thought I'd gone half mad with an idea starting in one direction and going completely wayward thereafter eg: Voldemort wasn't as industrial in Draco as his father expected. If you happen to notice any absurd statements please bring them to my notice via comments or PM. Please share the entire line so that I know where to look for it.

Many thanks...Esa.

Enjoy!Chapter 10!

Tristeza

Hermione took her place next to Harry, muttering an apology under her breath as she quickly unpacked her potions supplies. Harry gave her a stern glare before breaking into a smile. He knew that Hermione hadn't been mad at him and was glad that she realized that he had just been concerned about her. He was about to ask her about the letter when Professor Slughorn entered the class and announced that they were to pair up with their love antidote partner. Harry picked up his supplies as he hadn't unpacked them and with a sigh headed towards Parkinson's table, he turned and gave Hermione a small sympathetic smile. Hermione didn't understand the significance of the smile until Malfoy strode across to join her, his smirk firmly in place and a haughty look in his eyes. Hermione sighed inwardly as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye; so much for her plan to avoid Malfoy. He caught her eye as he glanced at her and his expression softened for a fraction of a second before turning cold and indifferent. Hermione turned to stare at him but it had vanished as quickly as it had appeared and she wasn't certain whether she'd imagined it.

Draco was glad that Professor Slughorn had once again paired him with Hermione. After the way she'd fled from the bathroom, he was certain that she'd avoid him at all costs and he was hoping to get a look at that letter. He smiled at her evident discomfort caused by his presence, however, he felt quite apprehensive about the class, considering the last time they were paired together he'd said a lot of things that ought never to have been said at all. Hermione was staring at him but he focused his gaze on the Professor, who began talking once the students had settled down.

Professor Slughorn beamed at the class "Today's potion is rather useful in certain emergency situations. Almost all spells have counter-spells, similarly, most potions have antidotes or counter-potions that will undo the effects of a potion. However, there are certain types of poisonous potions and spells that have no direct countermeasure. In the medieval times, certain dark wizards and witches used these spells and potions to eliminate those who opposed them. Muggle fairy tales such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are examples of such magic. The countermeasure is unconventional, a kiss. But not any kiss will break the dark magic, that's why it has to be a true love's kiss. However, finding true love is easier said than done. It is for precisely this reason that Edward Stirring concocted the True Love potion in the 17th century. Begin preparing your potion, you'll find the ingredient list and method on the board. Once all the potions are successfully prepared we'll begin administering them."

Hermione and Draco exchanged worried looks before they began preparing their potions. Hermione knew from the look on Draco's face that he was as aware as she was of how the potion needed to be administered. Hermione regretted not skipping class, if she wasn't present then Malfoy would be kissing someone else by the end of the class. There was no escaping her fate which appeared to be inexorably linked to Malfoy. She sighed, staring at her potion as it changed to a bright glowing pink before it went to a periwinkle blue. Malfoy was done with his potion and was watching her intently. She felt self-conscious under his unwavering gaze but turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"So, who's the new admirer?" Draco asked casually. Hermione wondered if she should explain her plan but ultimately decided against it. "What are you talking about?" Hermione asked innocently.

Draco's eyes narrowed to slits as he leaned in close and whispered: "That innocent act won't work on me, my love." Hermione felt her body flush as his warm breath fanned her face and neck. She was so preoccupied with Draco's nearness that she failed to notice Ron watching them over his shoulder. Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and reached into the left pocket of her robe where he'd seen her place the letter. Hermione stood frozen as Draco pulled out the note and began reading it. It was a mediocre piece of poetry written in a hand he didn't recognize. He folded it and returned it to her pocket looking unimpressed. "What?" Hermione asked in annoyance, he looked so bored by the letter, it irked her. "Why you seem to love mediocrity, I'll never understand" Draco answered coolly. "Could you be any vaguer with your flippant comments?" Hermione asked with mock sweetness.

Draco sighed, rolling his eyes skyward before he turned to face her. He couldn't possibly explain his comment without giving away his feelings for her. But he couldn't exactly back away from it now that he had voiced his thoughts. He also noticed how Ron was watching them, so he went in a different direction. "Actually, I think I understand your love for mediocrity. After all, you're a mudblood, mediocrity is so high above your standards, isn't it?" Draco drawled, his smirk deepening as her eyes widened in shock. Hermione couldn't believe that he'd just called her a mudblood, but she was glad that he had, it made her realize that he was no different than what he'd always been. This was the real Malfoy, everything else was just an illusion. She bit back the retort that was on her tongue and opted to shrug noncommittally. Draco looked annoyed with her lack of response. Hermione smiled as that was precisely what she wanted.

Professor Slughorn had been observing the students as they finished their potions. He began handing out apples to each pair. He explained that the apples were poisoned and a single bite would render them unconscious. Hence a single apple would suffice between each pair, besides poisoned apples were extremely tedious to prepare. The victim was to take a bite and after they collapse, the rescuer would take a sip of the True Love potion and bestow a kiss on the victim before the victim's lips turn blue.

Each pair proceeded to conduct their experiment with much apprehension. Most of them were mistrusting of each other but knowing that it was a class, one of each pair cautiously took a bite hoping it wasn't their last. Hermione stared at the apple, it was beautiful and perfect on the outside and poisonous on the inside. She took a bite and her eyes watched Draco as she lost consciousness.

Draco was the same wasn't he, her mind mused, beautiful and perfect yet he would destroy her if she took a bite. Just like the apple, he appeared delightfully tempting, assuring her nothing but sweetness but that sweetness was the betrayal. She was wandering through a heavy mist and couldn't recall what she was searching for, the further she ventured the thicker the fog grew. Someone whispered her name somewhere far above or behind her, she couldn't be certain. She ran ahead, she could see someone or something in the distance. She frowned as she turned a corner and could clearly see two figures in the corridor kissing. As she approached them she realized that one was Draco but the girl was unknown. He turned and looked at her with loathing before he smirked and said, "Did you think I felt something other than disgust for you? You are really pathetic. Weasel is right you know, there's nothing in you that any man would find appealing. You're a filthy mudblood, I'd never soil myself with the likes of you."

Hermione stared as they ignored her and began kissing each other again. She couldn't understand where she was but it was a nightmare. She turned on her heel and ran away, she kept running until she reached the Quidditch pitch, she tried to call out for her friends but no-one appeared to be around. She walked around until she found a shirtless Malfoy with another girl who was topless as well. Malfoy scowled at Hermione with disgust, "Don't you have anything better to do? I'm busy and I don't have time for a muddy know-it-all... but I'm sure someone will do you if you offer yourself as shamelessly as you did for me." He said before his cruel laughter cut through her and rang in her ears.

Hermione ran until she could run no more, why did Draco's words stab at her heart? She knew that she meant nothing to him, hadn't he made it clear as day over the years that she was a worthless piece of scum to him. Just because he took pity on her didn't mean he thought any differently, at best she was equal to an injured animal for him. He had some sympathy but nothing more than that and that thought hurt her. She had hoped that they'd become closer to being friends, that maybe she'd wanted more than just friendship, her thoughts on the new Malfoy were still undecided. She knew that the nice Draco was certainly appealing, with his mischievous grin and knowing glances, perhaps she had found him more appealing than she cared to admit. She looked up into a mirror, tears running down her face. Malfoy stood behind her, just as he had the first time he'd found her in the prefect's bath. But instead of a perplexed look, he stared at her coldly " You're a nuisance." He smiled, cocking his head to one side as he pointed his wand at her and Hermione knew what was coming, she wanted it to come. She didn't know when she'd begun to care but his rejection was more than she could handle. Perhaps Malfoy was right, she was undeserving of anyone's love and affection, nothing more than a nuisance. No one would miss her; her death would be no great loss. She closed her eyes as a bright light flashed.

In the Potions class, all hell had broken loose. Draco was trying to keep his distance from Ron's punches while trying to get near Hermione who lay collapsed on the floor. After Hermione had taken her bite from the apple and before Draco could take the potion, Weasley had turned around declaring that Malfoy couldn't administer the potion as he hated Granger and that would immediately kill her. Where he had procured this information from was anyone's guess. Draco tried to explain that the purpose of the potion was to temporarily delude the rescuer into a sense of true love that was potent enough to break the spell. However, Ron had refused to listen to the explanation and knocked over Draco's cauldron with his furious arm waving, drenching Draco in the potion. Ron and the rest of the Gryffindors were busy laughing at Draco who stood drenched in his potion, ignoring the fact that Hermione's soft pink lips were gradually turning pale. Draco had been struck by panic and he'd rushed over to her cauldron to take some of that potion while carefully sidestepping around an unconscious Hermione. However, Lavender was quick to tip over that cauldron as well and started to dance gleefully as Hermione's lips turned blue.

Panic and bile rose in Draco's throat as his love grew paler with every passing second. He wanted to scream at the people who called themselves her friends. Instead, he simply called out to the Professor stating that he accidentally knocked over the cauldrons and that Hermione was fading. Professor Slughorn looked on disbelievingly before saying "Oh dear! That was extremely careless of you Mr. Malfoy. I'm afraid Ms. Granger is in mortal peril now. The potion will no longer be effective. She'll be in a death-like slumber until she is kissed by her true love. Does she have a boyfriend?" Everyone listened on in horror. Harry had seen the chaos that had been taking place at Hermione and Draco's table but he had been busy administrating the potion to Pansy, who didn't quite let go once she'd regained consciousness. Harry was glad Ginny wasn't in the same class considering he had to pry himself free of Pansy's embrace.

Harry rushed over and glared at Ron who now looked extremely guilty when he realized the true extent of the situation, Lavender, however, looked on unapologetically. She entwined her hands with Ron's before saying snidely "Professor Slughorn, I'm not sure if Hermione really has a boyfriend, but someone sends her letters and flowers at breakfast. Along with nasty curses if anyone else touches them. Some people think she sends them to herself but there's no evidence."

Harry threw Lavender a silencing glare but added worriedly "We don't know who it is Professor. Is there no other alternative?". "I'm afraid not Mr. Potter. I'd never thought that a sixth-year class would fail to administer a perfectly prepared potion. Certainly, wouldn't have thought it of Mr. Malfoy or Ms. Granger, they are extremely competent students." Professor Slughorn added disappointedly.

Hermione was taken to the hospital wing and Professor Dumbledore was informed of The Potions Incident, as it came to be known. Letters of the incident were sent out to the Grangers and the Malfoys. Lucius requested to collect Draco the same evening, asking that he be allowed to stay home for a few days to recover from the traumatic events. Draco wasn't keen on leaving, not with Hermione in her comatose condition and her unreliable friends left to care for her but his father had been granted permission and he knew better than to openly defy his father. He decided to do something that was completely out of character and he knew that it might strike Potter as suspicious, but he had to warn him, for Hermione's sake.

Draco stared at the piece of blank parchment as if it held the answers to the universe. He wondered how he should address his letter without making it too suspicious or too revealing. He didn't have time to ponder, his father would be arriving any moment. He decided to go with the blunt, in your face approach.

Potter,

I have something to tell you about this morning's potions class. I didn't knock over the cauldrons, I'm certain that none of the other Gryffindors would have supported me had I spoken the truth at that time. If Weasley has any shred of decency perhaps he'll tell you the truth. However, it's not him that I'm concerned about. I'm writing because Hermione Granger might be in great danger. While Weasley accidentally knocked over my cauldron or so it seemed, Brown did knock Grangers' on purpose. She was rather unconcerned as well when Professor Slughorn explained that Hermione was beyond the help of the potion.

I would have told you this in person but I'm going away for a few days. Please watch out for Granger. I know that you must find this extremely odd but please just ask the others what happened in the class, I hope someone will tell you the truth. This matter must stay between us, speak nothing of this letter to anyone.

DM.

Draco couldn't believe that he was writing to Potter but he knew that Potter was definitely a better bet than Weasley. Draco saw the owl take flight before he left his dorm room and went to meet his father in the Headmaster's office. He didn't know what exactly was in-store for him once he went home but he was certain that some form of punishment was due for the incompetency he had displayed. Hopefully, his injuries wouldn't be too severe but knowing Lucius, Draco was prepared to endure whatever was thrown at him; he had packed vials of healing potion and blood replenishers.

-o0o-

Harry was flummoxed, to say the least. Malfoy writing to him was about as likely as Snape giving Harry a birthday gift. Yet it appeared that the world was indeed on its head, especially considering the contents of the letter. Harry had read it about five times, despite his initial reaction to throw it into the fire. There was no deception that he could detect, Malfoy denied knocking over the cauldron, not that changed anything. But he'd asked Harry to watch out for Hermione with regard to Lavender. Harry didn't want to believe that a Gryffindor would do something like that but as he tried to remember that morning's events he had to admit that Malfoy was right, Lavender was extremely indifferent to the situation and Ron certainly looked guilty. Ron hadn't blamed Malfoy once which was definitely not like him.

After dinner, Harry asked Ron to help him sort out his trunk. Ron wasn't always the brightest candle in the room but he knew it was more than just a trunk of stuff that Harry wanted to sort out. Lavender didn't like to be left out of anything but she'd have to understand that some things were just between friends. Ron found Harry sitting on his bed looking out the window, his trunk lay open yet untouched.

"So, let's get things sorted," Ron stated as Harry turned to face him. "What happened in the Potions class, Ron? And please tell me the truth." Harry looked tired and stressed, much like he had after Sirius's death. Ron looked at his feet and took a deep breath before facing Harry. He swallowed the lump of fear in his throat "I had been watching Hermione and Malfoy all through class. I couldn't hear everything they said but he called her a mudblood again. When the potion was done, I told Malfoy that he shouldn't give it to her as it was a true love's kiss and he hates her, so it would probably kill her. I don't know when Hermione bit into the apple but I noticed that she was unconscious on the floor when I accidentally knocked over Malfoy's cauldron. Malfoy went to take some potion from Hermione's cauldron but...but he managed to spill that one too. I'd never hurt Hermione on purpose no matter how mad I am, you know that right?" Ron finished looking at a point over Harry's head.

Ron knew that he, along with Lavender was responsible for Hermione's current condition. In his opinion, he believed that after all they had suffered at Malfoy's hand over the years, he didn't give a damn if Malfoy took the fall for his girlfriend's indiscretion. Harry had known Ron for long enough and well enough to know that Ron's ears went pink when he was lying about something or embarrassed. He had seen the colour gradually take over his ears and while he was certain that some of it was from embarrassment but there was a hint of a lie in that story. However, Harry decided that he didn't want to fight with Ron, not while Hermione was stuck between the living and the dead. After a long while, Harry sighed "I wish there was something we could do to help her, other than wait for her true love to show up that is"

"Hermione will be fine. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will figure it out." Ron tried to reassure Harry. "Unless he's her true love, I'm not sure how he's going to do anything." Harry countered Ron with a wry smile. Ron gave an involuntary shudder. Professor Dumbledore was like a grandfather, imagining Hermione with him was very disturbing, about as disturbing as imagining her with Malfoy. It was simply unnatural. Ron looked at Harry in disgust "Don't ever say that again, I'm going to have nightmares now. Hermione would be horrified that you spoke of Professor Dumbledore like... well like that, I suppose." The boys sat in silence for a while before mumbling goodnight and going to bed.

-o0o-

Harry and Ginny went to the hospital wing after breakfast the following morning. Hermione looked peacefully asleep but was unnaturally still. Her skin looked like porcelain, with only a delicate blush along with the steady rise and fall of her chest indicating that she was alive. "We have to find Hermione's secret admirer..." Ginny declared to Harry. He opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off continuing,"... I know that he could be dangerous... with the cursed flowers and all... yet doesn't it seem like he'd be willing to take the risk for her. I mean it makes sense why you'd have to truly love someone to want to risk your life for them. Besides her condition will rapidly deteriorate after 72 hours, we simply have to find him."

"But how are we going to know who this person is? We can't subject an unconscious Hermione to be kissed by every boy in the school. Only the person who really loves her will be able to absorb the poison from her and he'll have to suffer the effects of the poison himself, which as Professor Slughorn mentioned wasn't exactly pleasant." Harry was concerned how long Hermione would be stuck in limbo. If only they could find a clue as to who the secret admirer was, it would simplify things.

They had tried to unlock Hermione's trunk; however, she didn't seem to trust her dorm mates and had put an extremely complex locking charm, not forgetting to add several hexes. It made Harry all the more suspicious about what was hidden in there. Hermione had been behaving oddly for a while now, she had become more moody, snappy, sarcastic, and now apparently secretive. Harry had voiced these concerns to Ron and Ginny. Ron was certain that Hermione was jealous because both he and Harry had girlfriends and she was the third wheel. Ginny didn't say anything to Ron, but she knew that Hermione was disturbed by Ron and Lavender's relationship, Harry knew that was a possibility too but couldn't figure out where the admirer fitted in the scheme of things. He wondered if what Lavender had said held any truth, that there was no secret admirer and Hermione had fabricated the whole thing. He dismissed the idea immediately, he knew how spiteful Lavender could be and how threatened she was by Hermione's mere presence. It had been 24 hours since the incident, they were running out of time and there was no solution in sight.

-o0o-

Draco had been allowed a night's rest but the following morning he was summoned early to the garden. In the midst of the lovely manicured lawns and flowers was a congregation of Death Eaters having an early tea. The image was as sinister as it was ridiculous. Draco had a nasty suspicion that he was about to be part of this morning's entertainment segment. As he approached the table his face turned into an impenetrable mask, hiding his doubt and fear. Lucius greeted Draco so warmly that it sent shivers down Draco's spine but his expression remained stoic. Lucius proudly declared to the table that Draco had put Potter's mudblood into a coma by making a complete idiot of himself. Lucius then turned to Draco "While I'm pleased that you managed to get away with this act with no more than a detention, you must remember to never bring shame to the Malfoy name my son. This should ensure that you remember it in the future."

Draco set his tea down and stood before his father mentally prepared for the torture that followed. The pain coursed through his veins, it felt like he had fire instead of blood. His body screamed as every inch of him was set ablaze with the cruciatus curse, but Draco stood as still as he could, his eyes openly challenging his father. The other Death Eaters grew bored as Draco didn't react after 10 minutes of repeated attacks. The cruciatus curse had been used on him so often he'd lost count of it over the years. Lucius probably used it as often on Draco over a single summer as any other wizard probably would in their entire life, some Death Eaters included. Lucius wasn't happy with Draco's lack of response, his eyes narrowed as without warning he changed his attack to the slashing spell. Unlike the cruciatus curse, it left a wake of scars on the victim's body which is exactly why he was careful not to hit Draco's face. "Secare" he bellowed with a triumphant smile as Draco's eyes widened in shock before he gasped in pain and doubled over, he had been taught enough Latin to know the phrase meant to cut and he felt his skin rip from within as though someone had placed a dagger on the underside of his skin as the curse sliced him open. Lucius never really needed a reason to punish Draco but it was always good to have one. Narcissa looked on in horror as her beloved son was tortured by his own father. She couldn't show any signs of weakness, no tears, no pleas to stop, experience had taught her that it would only prolong her son's ordeal, so she stood aside watching the scene with a look of utter boredom while her heart twisted in pain.

Draco didn't know how long it was since he had passed out from the pain. He had awoken to find his clothes soaked in his own blood, some of it had dried up and hurt when he moved. He slowly returned to the room to find his mother waiting for him. He mutely allowed her to fix as much of him as she could as he consumed some of the potions he'd bought back with him before going to bed. That night dinner was an elaborate affair, the Dark Lord was to dine with them and progress was to be discussed. Draco sincerely wished that he could skip the entire thing but knew that there was no escaping his fate. If his father was unforgiving, it was nothing compared to the Dark Lord, who seemed to take genuine delight in the plight and suffering of others. Draco kept his face devoid of expression as the Death Eaters seated on either side of him were punished for not accomplishing their respective tasks, knowing that he was most likely to be next. Somehow, the Dark Lord seemed rather disinterested that Draco had yet to sort out the task he'd been entrusted. Draco breathed a sigh of relief but Lucius appeared extremely concerned by the turn of events.

The next day, Draco spent his time isolated from everyone in the manor stating that he had homework to catch up on. The following morning during breakfast he was informed that his initiation would take place that evening and that he was to return to Hogwarts after it. Draco had no idea what to expect but was certain that he would find it unpleasant, judging by the level of excitement amongst the Death Eaters. He heard bits and pieces of conversations, whatever it was the rest would get to participate in it. He'd already taken the oath when he'd accepted the Dark Mark, so clearly, this was part of the festivities rather than the formalities.

Narcissa looked at Draco with sympathy when he descended the stairs to the ballroom. The darkness that shrouded the room made it nearly impossible for Draco to understand what was happening and it took him a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the insufficient of lighting. A high pitched tormented scream tore through the silence followed by raucous laughter. Draco looked in the direction of the sounds and could notice some movement. As he drew closer he saw a small group of people cowering from the surrounding Death Eaters, but there wasn't anywhere for them to run. They appeared to be a family, mother, father and a small boy. The mother was holding the little boy who was probably unconscious, given the odd angle of his limbs. The father was pleading to release his family in exchange for himself, Draco found himself respecting the unknown man. Just then Lucius entered dragging a young girl behind him, she was probably Draco's age or younger. The girl was trying to pull herself away from Lucius without any success, but not for a lack of trying. She bit Lucius on the hand before running to the man who was probably her father. The woman was trying to revive the little boy but he looked dead now that Draco was able to take a closer look.

"Draco, step forward son." Lucius summoned him. Draco stood before the family looking from one to the other, he figured that they must be Muggles considering they didn't realize that their son had been killed by the killing curse. "We'll be practicing the spells we worked on over the summer. Of course, we'll be here to help you, but this is your party so we expect you to take part completely." Draco didn't quite understand the meaning of his father's cryptic words until the so-called party was underway. The smell of alcohol lay heavy in the air as the Death Eaters played their own drinking game. Draco had been ordered to use the cruciatus curse on the mother and father, while the girl looked on and had taken a shot of Ogden's every time any of them had screamed. Draco tried to minimize the intensity of his curses but the others overcompensated with their enthusiasm. Finally growing bored of the repeated cries, they moved over to the girl. Lucius whispered his instructions to Draco who stared at his father in utter disbelief, how could his father think of doing something like that when his mother was present in the same room. The air was thick with anticipation, he knew that his refusal wouldn't spare the girl any pain but at least his participation ensured that it would be as little as possible.

"Imperio" Draco muttered, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he felt his heart grow sick with the thought of what he was about to do to that poor girl. She stopped crying quite suddenly before she stood up and began undressing. Her parents were stunned for a few seconds before they began protesting. Once she was completely naked, Draco broke the curse. The girl looked around confused and tried to cover herself again. But the nearest Death Eater caught her and threw her to his friends, each one groped her before passing her on to the next like she was an inanimate object, before finally tossing her to Draco. He picked her up in his arms declaring that he wanted to savour the moment without intrusion, the others voiced their disappointment but cheered him on nonetheless. He took her to his room and dressed her in a shirt and a pair of trousers that lay at the back of his wardrobe, he'd outgrown it a few summers ago. She'd been a mess crying continuously until she found herself dressed in his clothes. Draco gave her some money and told her to get as far away from her home as possible and live with a distant relative or someone far away from here. She was reluctant to leave her family but Draco explained that he had a better chance at saving them if she were safe. She thanked him, rather confused by his behaviour.

He waited for a respectable amount of time before returning to the ballroom, a look of smug satisfaction on his face as he dragged a lifeless form into the dark room. He had utilized his time to transform a dress mannequin to resemble the girl with the necessary anatomical attributes, it was crude and barely passed for human with one of his mom's old wigs but Draco knew that the Death Eaters would have consumed a fair amount of Ogden's Firewhiskey by this time to not realise his deception. The very drunk Death Eaters took turns to violate the mannequin while the parents who were surprisingly still alive wept as their supposed daughter was repeatedly raped by a group of masked strangers. They threw the body aside once they were done with her, deciding on continuing the party in London. Draco declined from joining in the festivities using the excuse that he was due to return to school and hadn't quite finished his packing.

Once he was certain that all the Death Eaters had left, he returned to the family, who were mourning the loss of their children. The mother rushed to him, slapping him hard on the cheek before she broke down asking him why he'd done it to her baby. Draco consoled himself with the thought that he'd spared the real girl from the traumatic event. The father was holding the mannequin without really looking at it, as Draco transformed it back to a mannequin, the father looked up at Draco horrified. Draco began speaking really fast, quickly explaining what had happened once he'd taken the girl out of sight. He checked the boy and regrettably informed them that the boy was beyond help and their only consolation was that it had been painless and quick. He asked his mother to arrange for them to be sent to a safe location as he had to make his way back to school. Narcissa looked at her boy with pride; despite his initial upbringing he'd matured into the kind of person that had character. She saw to the immediate disposal of the dress mannequin who had been tortured in place of the girl.

-o0o-

Draco stepped out of the horse carriage and gazed at the Entrance Hall with a feeling of relief, he was home. He wanted to go and see Hermione but he knew he couldn't just yet. First, he supervised the unloading of his bag and miscellaneous luggage, he had arrived around midnight and he knew that getting caught by one of the other prefects or Filch wouldn't do any favours for his record. Instead, he grabbed his broom and headed to the largest window in the Slytherin common room, it was a bit of a squeeze considering Draco had gotten much taller since the first time he'd snuck out for a late-night ride. He flew carefully in the dark enjoying the cool breeze that held a hint of rain. The glossy surface of the Black Lake rippled while unseen creatures cracked twigs underfoot in the Forbidden Forest and its trees whispered to each other.

He counted carefully as he attempted to determine the exact location of the hospital wing. The wrong window would get him into more trouble. He unlocked the window and hopped in silently, Hermione was a bed away from the window. Draco laid his broom on the floor and walked towards Hermione's bed. He gazed down at her eternal sleeping form and felt doubt take him over, he'd decided on his way back to try something but the probability of it working was slim to nothing. "I'm sorry for doing this without your permission but I'll accept any punishment you wish to bestow upon me, my love" he whispered.

Ever since Harry had read Malfoy's letter he'd been paranoid that someone would try to attack Hermione in the hospital wing. He'd been too suspicious to share his thoughts with anyone, even Ginny as he didn't want her to say anything to Ron who might say something to Lavender. Despite Ron's acceptance of his mistake, he'd covered up for Lavender's behaviour yet again. It was the third night since the incident, and Harry was keeping watch, hidden partially by the darkness but mostly by his invisibility cloak. When he heard a window unlock, he'd been prepared to stun, jinx or curse whoever it was, as he was quite convinced that Hermione was about to be attacked. However, the tall silhouette, graceful gait and shock of blonde hair glinting in the moonlight meant it could be only one person, Malfoy. Harry hadn't spotted him at dinner, which meant that he must have arrived much later. He was quite tempted to hex Malfoy and ask questions later after all Malfoy's attention was focused on Hermione, but he stepped cautiously closer to see what he was going to do. Harry heard Malfoy say the words 'my love' and before he could react to the phrase, Malfoy had leaned over, softly caressing Hermione's face before he claiming her lips for a long moment while Harry stared, frozen where he stood.

Draco could feel that Hermione's lips were cold and he instinctively pressed himself more into the kiss. This kiss was like none of the others, however, as Hermione was completely unresponsive. Draco felt his heart about to break and was beginning to pull away when with a sudden gasp Hermione began to kiss him back. Draco sat on the edge of the bed and drew Hermione to himself without letting go of her lips for a second while Hermione, in turn, wrapped her arms around Draco and pressed herself against him. If Harry had been surprised by Malfoy's advances, he was stupefied by Hermione's reaction. When they finally broke the embrace, Draco had an odd expression of nausea and something else while Hermione looked like she'd promptly fallen back to sleep with a smile on her face. Draco seemed ill, he stumbled as he made his way back to the window, collapsing on the nearest bed after just a few steps.

Harry had a lot of questions, nonetheless, the two unconscious inmates were not about to give him any answers tonight. Now that Hermione had appeared to be revived, Harry decided to return to his dorm for a well-needed sleep. He wondered if he should do something about Malfoy's broom but he decided to leave things as they were and let the events reveal themselves. He wondered if perhaps sleep deprivation had caused him to hallucinate; he was quite certain that no one would believe him if he told anyone what had happened. It was too far-fetched for even him to believe even though he'd seen it with his own two eyes.

-o0o-

Note: At first I thought that I'd put this at the start of the chapter. But perhaps you shall be more forgiving now that you've read the chapter. Then again maybe not, after all, you want to know what happens next as much as I wish to tell you. I'm doing my best to try and get the next chapter but after that, I do believe that I won't be able to update until I've submitted all my assignments. I'd love to see lots of comments and reviews about the story and any other requests you might have. I can't make any promises yet but I'm trying to do something special, which I hope will be well received.

Lots of Love...Esa