Apparently updating in the middle of the night ( or early morning...?) is my new thing. Don't get used to it. I just want to say that I love this chapter hahaha!

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

She took another step back as he walked towards her.

"Come on. Aren't you going to slice me? Sock me in the nose again," he questioned with a laugh.

She never took her eyes off of him as she raised the letter opener.

"Come on, I'm giving you a free shot," he said as he unbuttoned his jacket, teeth barred and face suddenly twisted in anger.

He yanked his arms out of the sleeves before throwing it onto the ground with a loud thud, dirt flying around his feet.

"…and you better make it count, baby."

Hermione took deep, shaky breaths as she stepped back, Draco's height emphasized as he towered over her. Her eyes darted around, considering her options. She needed to do something that would cause the most damage and Hermione immediately grimaced when her mind went down a certain train of thought. It was low, but she was desperate. She gulped, staring at his angered face, his eyes holding threatening promises.

With a huff, she swiped at his pretty face and as soon as he leaned away, she raised her foot, aiming right in between his legs. She winced as he caught her leg in an iron grip, pulling her close and yanking it up so that it rested against his hip. He playfully pressed his pelvis against hers. The letter opener was pressed against his throat as he brushed his lips against her own, his grip tightening. He let out a low, husky chuckle, before whispering:

"I said free shot, Hermione, not cheap shot."

Before she had time to even respond to that statement her world was spinning and she was flying sideways, her back connecting with the tree he had been previously leaning against. She painfully bounced off of the tree before landing on her stomach, the impact knocking the wind out of her. She hurriedly pushed herself onto her knees, but she wasn't fast enough.

She yelped in pain as his fingers twisted into her hair, forcing her into a standing position. She brought her foot down, digging it onto his own before throwing her head back. She was satisfied when he grunted in pain and his hold on her loosened. She spun around, hand outstretched and caught his shirt with the letter opener. The sound of ripping fabric reached her ears and she briskly backed up as he looked down.

Draco fingered the material before lifting his head to glare at her. Hermione felt her heart freeze at his hard stare.

"Consider that your free shot," he sneered, striding towards her.

Hermione swerved and her eyes widened at the sound of his fist hitting the tree. She glanced at the dent in the wood in fear before bringing her arm up just as he brought his down. She stumbled back from the force and it became very clear to her that he was determined to drag her unconscious body back if he had to. She shoved her fist into his face before bringing her knee up, taking satisfaction in his immediate stumble.

She tightened both of her hands around the letter opener and brought it down, aiming right for his shoulder when he grabbed her arms and slammed her back into the tree. Her heart sank and she winced as the rough bark dug into her back. She pushed against him, but he simply pushed back, pressing her back even harder against the tree. He began to bend her wrists back and she had a brief flashback to a year ago, that night in the corridor, the night when she should have run for the hills.

He emotionlessly stared into her eyes as he began to bend her wrists back in retaliation, causing her to yelp in extreme discomfort before being forced to her knees.

"If I am not your superior…then why are you on your knees before me, my sweet lioness?"

If only she knew then what she was getting herself into. She glared at that cruel and haughty smirk that graced his lips before bringing her head forward, slamming her forehead into his. He stumbled back and blinked, but his hold didn't loosen for a second. Without warning, he did the same and she saw stars as the back of her head collided with the tree. He let her go and she fell onto her knees, vision swaying. Her hand held onto the letter opener with an iron grip as Draco came behind her and knelt down.

She shrieked, kicking out as his arm constricted around her neck. He leaned back, pulling her with him as his hold tightened, cutting off her airway. She gasped for breath as he began to back up, her flailing feet dragging along the ground, kicking up leaves and dirt. She used her free hand to repeatedly hit his head, resorting to digging her nails into his face when that didn't work. He jerked his arm, forcing tears to her eyes as his grip got tighter and tighter. She was not going down this easily.

Suddenly an idea struck her and she closed her eyes and became dead weight in his arms. She felt him slowly loosen his hold before letting her fall into his arm, bringing the other one up under her legs. She forced herself to keep her breathing light and even, almost failing when she heard him heave a long, tired sigh. It became even more difficult when he pressed his lips to her forehead, lingering there and breathing in her scent.

I know my son. Even though he may not realize it, he may even deny it, but he loves you.

For once, Hermione felt bad, she felt really bad for what she was about to do and she meant that. Not a second later, she had raised the letter opener and sank it into his hand. With a loud, painful hiss, he dropped her and she landed on her back as he gripped his hand. With a grunt, she forced it into his thigh, letting go and hurriedly scooting back as he fell to his knees. She shakily stood and watched as he snatched it out with a groan before raising his eyes to meet hers.

If looks could kill, Hermione imagined that she would be nothing but dust at the moment. Blood pooled in his injured hand and more began to trickle from the wound in his thigh. He flung the weapon behind him with a sneer and Hermione knew that she was done for. She glanced to her left at the direction in which she had been originally heading. He was injured and she wasn't. This was the perfect time to make a run for it and that was exactly what she did.

Limbs burning and hair flying behind her, she took off like a shot in the dark. Branches smacked her in the face and drew blood on her arms as twigs and vines clung to her feet and hindered her movement, but she forced herself to push on. Her breathing was hard and her heart hammered within her chest, begging for a respite, but Hermione could not stop. She could hear his footsteps behind her and she briefly wondered if she had even stabbed him deep enough. Up ahead she could see a dip in the ground and guessed that there was a hill up ahead. She was soon proven right when she was rammed into from behind, a heavy weight slamming her down.

They rolled down the hill, Draco's chest pressed into her back and his arms caging her in. She bucked in his hold as they landed at the bottom of the dip in a heap, legs entangled. They rolled until he was on his back and she was staring up at the night sky. She brought her elbow back to connect with his gut, but he simply tensed and rolled them over until the side of her face was pressed against the ground.

She winced as he twisted her arms behind her back and whimpered in pain as he pressed his knee into the small of her back. She twisted, trying to force him to loosen his hold. This only served to make him tighten his grip, removing his knee and yanking her to her feet. She pulled against him, attempting to turn around when he bent her arm. She cried out as a sharp pain shot throughout her arm, but she refused to stop.

She brought her foot back to kick him and in retaliation he stepped on it, forcing her ankle to twist at an uncomfortable angle. She panted as she leaned away from him, ankle sprained and arms uncomfortably twisted behind her back. She thrashed again, but immediately halted as he pushed her forearm back. She felt his chest graze her back as he brushed his lips against her ear.

"Cut it out or I swear on Salazar's grave that I will break your arm," he hissed.

Hermione closed her eyes in defeat, she was sweaty, hurt, and tired. However, she was more than happy that she wasn't the only one. She could hear Draco's labored breathing and did nothing to hide her prideful smile. Her smile fell, however, when he nipped her ear, his teeth grazing her skin. A shudder traveled down her spine as he forced her to her knees, his own resting on the ground on either side of hers, chest pressed into her back.

Her body trembled as he brought his free hand up to trail a finger along her collarbone, bringing it down to graze the top of her shirt, dangerously close to her heaving chest. He snatched it away, instead lifting her hair away from her neck and pressing his lips to her skin.

He exhaled, his breath fanning over her heated skin, before pushing her hair to the side and slinging his arm over her shoulder. He bent his forearm across her chest, brushing his fingers against her other shoulder as he rested his chin on her head.

"Do you have any idea how bad things can get," he quietly asked, his words coming out slow.

Hermione swallowed.

"Do you? You're lucky that I actually give a rat's ass about your feelings. You're lucky that I…care. Because if I didn't…"

Hermione was suddenly free, but her freedom was short lived as she soon found herself on her back, Draco's form pressed against her own, her hands pinned beside her head. His once pristine white shirt was stained with dirt and blood, his chest visible through the large tear.

"…I would have had you in every room in that house by now. I would have taken you on every square inch of that property," he purred, his nose brushing against her own.

She heaved shaky breaths as he let go of her wrist and hooked her leg around his waist, pressing into her. He pressed his lips against her neck, nipping at the flesh, no doubt taking notice of her increasing pulse.

"In fact, I could have you right now. I could have every little nook and cranny of your body right here on this forest floor. Your legs would open for me so fast and I would hardly even have to utter a word," he hissed against her skin.

His fingers tangled into her hair as he turned her head, pressing his lips to her cheek, breathing hard as he pressed his pelvis into her own.

"I could have you begging for me, Hermione."

"What's stopping you," she demanded, challenging him.

He laughed, a dark and arousing sound that went straight through her. He sat up, pale hair glowing in the moonlight and piercing eyes shining though the shadows.

"You're right. What is stopping me," he murmured, ripping her shirt straight down the middle.

She shrieked in surprise, eyes wide as he pressed the palm of his hand against her stomach.

"You are absolutely right, Hermione. What is stopping me from having my wicked way with you on these leaves? I bet that I could make you scream so loud that Blaise and your little backstabbing friend would hear it."

He leaned down, trailing his tongue from her bra to the edge of her pants and she involuntarily arched her back.

"Mmm, I could have you purring for me. We'd both enjoy it, so why not," he huskily asked again.

He suddenly sat up again, shoving her stomach back down and gazing down at her, eyes swirling with sinful thoughts and erotic intentions.

"I'll tell you why, Hermione. When I'm inside of you, oh when I finally give you what the both of us want, it'll be because you came to me. I'll have you panting after me, squirming for me without rest, begging for what only I can give you."

He stood, pulling her up with him and yanking her against him. She looked up just in time for his lips to crash against hers, his teeth nipping and pulling, taking her breath away. He tilted his head, tongue slipping past her parted lips to stroke her own, hands digging into her hips. She gasped as his hand traveled down before gripping her butt, pressing her against him as he attempted to suck her soul out of her. Just as quickly as it began, it was over. He pulled his lips away with a smack, letting her go, causing her to stumble and she reached out to grip a tree to regain her footing.

She fought to catch her breath as she looked up. He gazed at her with a look that made her legs shake, his lips pink and swollen, and eyes penetrating through her.

"Don't you forget that, Hermione."

The both of them were met with a rather loud gasp as they stepped into the foyer, the door slamming shut behind them.

"What happened? What the hell did you do to her," Ginny shrieked.

Hermione glanced up at the frantic redhead as Blaise held her back with one arm. Her eyes were wide and eyebrows furrowed into a frown as her eyes danced between the two of them. Blaise stood behind her, one hand holding onto one of Ginny's arms much like she and Draco. Hermione suppressed a sigh as she looked down as Draco pulled her past the two of them.

"Just a lovers' quarrel. Don't get your knickers into a twist," Draco snapped as they walked towards the stairs.

"That looks like more than a lovers' quarrel. Let go of me!"

"Well, our relationship has always been a bit more epic and explosive than yours, Ginevra," he spat.

Ginny called her name as she and Draco climbed the stairs, his grip on her arm not loosening for a second. Hermione's mind was spinning as they walked down the long hallway that held her room. She was angry, so very angry, but even more conflicted than she was when she ran out of the house. He let her go as they stopped in front of her door, smirking at her glowering stare.

"You don't want to make another run for it? You might actually make it this time, I'll even give you a head start. We both know that nothing would give me more pleasure," he mocked.

"I despise you," she spat.

Draco rested his hands behind his back, raising an eyebrow as he took a step towards her.

"Despise? I thought you hated me..."

He made a humming sound, thoughtful as he slowly raked his eyes over her. Hermione swallowed, deciding to ignore his comment and turned to open her door when she felt the heat from his body. She kept her head down as he rested his hands on the door jam, caging her in.

"Don't forget what I said, Hermione. It's only a matter of time," he chuckled.

She angrily shoved the door open, slamming it shut in his face, his loud laughter piercing through the walls, suffocating her.

Hermione arched her back, mouth open in a silent moan as his hands grazed down her sides, gripping her thighs. She let out a long mewl as he slowed down his pace, forcing her to feel every bit of him, chest brushing against hers as he did so. She tightened her legs around him, bringing him closer as he sank his teeth into her neck, sucking on the sensitive skin. Her hands ran over his back, holding onto him as she came, trembling beneath him as he burst within her, running his hands all over her as if she would disappear.

She reached up, gripping his hair and pulling his head up so that her lips could meet his. He reached behind her, resting his hand on her back and pulling her up. She gasped as he flipped them over, still inside of her, her hair falling down around them like a curtain. He reached up to cup her face within his hands while she leaned over him, palms pressed into the mattress.

She pulled her lips in between her teeth, gazing into his eyes. The moonlight from the balcony window cast an eerie glow over the room. Brown and silver clashed as he stroked her cheeks with his thumb, those sinful lips pulled into a rare smile. She felt her already heated face taking on an even hotter temperature as he ran his eyes over her face, drinking her in.

"What," she quietly asked as she smiled down at him.

He didn't answer, instead continuing to stroke her face, fingers running over her lips and nose. He traced her eyes, brushing them over her eyebrows before he let out a soft, thoughtful chuckle. She watched as he swallowed blinking, running his hands down her arms, brushing her hair behind her shoulders, making them visible to the world again.

He lifted his hips, sending a shot of pleasure through her body. She gasped and her eyelashes fluttered as she rested her hands on his chest, digging her nails into his skin as she brought her hips down to meet his. He ran his hands up her back, rolling them over again. He pressed his lips against her shoulder as she thrust into her, murmuring:

"Merlin, I love you."

Hermione's eyes shot open, landing on the deep canopy that fell over the bed. She swallowed, the dream still fresh in her mind as she brought her hand up to cover her eyes. Her face twisted as she held back a sob, realizing that this morning was one of those mornings. She figured that Narcissa's words were responsible for her dream, making her subconscious believe in something that wasn't real.

Her chest tightened and she rolled over onto her side, wrapping her arms around her stomach, shoulders trembling. It wasn't fair that in her dreams they were happy, that he loved her and cherished and when she woke up… She sniffed, shaking her head. It just wasn't fair.

"It was either a really good dream or a really bad one."

Hermione shot up, eyes wide and heart hammering within her chest as her eyes landed on the figure sitting in the chair by the coffee table. One leg was casually draped over the other and his fingers were connected as he rested his elbows on the arms of the chair. His dark skin stood out against his all white suit, obsidian eyes gazing at her with a hardened stare.

Blaise Zabini was the perfect definition of suave as he slowly rose from the chair. He parted from the chair with a grace that rivaled his best friend's, stepping around the room with a wandering eye. He finally gave an appreciative nod before resting his eyes on her. He exhaled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Where's Draco?"

"He's taking care of stuff for our dark father. We need to talk."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, lips twisted into a frown as she scooted back up against the headboard. She wasn't sure if she had ever hated someone so much in her life.

"I have nothing to say to the likes of you," she spat.

"No matter to me. You listen and I'll talk then," he responded with a shrug, unfazed by her hostility.

She huffed, glancing away.

"There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to come out and say it," he began.

She reluctantly returned her eyes to him, her interest peaked. He gazed at her with an expression full of nothing but exasperation.

"I need you to stop being a hypocritical bitch."

Her eyes widened and her anger flared almost immediately.

"What did you just say to me," she demanded.

"You heard me loud and clear. Ginny is quite…unhappy," he said.

Hermione cruelly smirked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is that cutting into your sex life," she sneered.

Blaise threw her a haughty smirk of his own.

"Quite the contrary. It seems to be her favorite pastime when she's trying to forget about you," he boasted.

Hermione's smirk fell as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Look, you can believe whatever the hell you want, Hermione, but I love Ginny-"

Hermione scoffed, interrupting him.

"I do. I love her and even though I've made mistakes in the past where she is concerned…"

Hermione frowned in confusion, staring at him.

"In the past…? What are you on about," she demanded.

Blaise sighed, shaking his head.

"Doesn't matter. The point is that I'm doing my best to make up for it now. I'm doing everything that I can to make her happy and right now, that's kind of impossible when she's crying on a regular basis about her best friend," he said.

"Former best friend," she corrected.

"Damn it, Hermione! Get your head out of your ass for one minute. She loves you and no matter how you may feel, she still sees you as a sister. She's already felt bad enough about her and I. She's beaten herself up over it, believe me, and you acting like this is only confirming her worst fears about us. You're treating her exactly how she feared she would be treated," he explained.

Hermione threw the duvet away from her before sliding out of bed, walking past Blaise towards the bathroom.

"What else did she expect," she murmured.

She sharply inhaled as he gripped her arm, spinning her around.

"You are supposed to be her best friend. Start acting like it!"

She snatched her arm away, glaring at him.

"Just what did the two of you expect from me, huh? If you're looking for a blessing, you're barking up the wrong tree," she hissed.

"No, we weren't expecting a blessing, but maybe a little compassion, a little understanding, you selfish bitch," he spat.

She swung her hand and hissed in anger when he caught it in his hand, he shoved her away, forcing her to stumble into the table as he glared at her.

"Draco and I are best friends for a reason, Hermione. I don't know how your Gryffindor boys handle it, but I don't tolerate that crap either. Hit me and I'm hitting you back," he firmly stated.

Hermione felt her anger flare and her next words flew out of her mouth.

"I can't wait for the day that Ginny finally comes to her senses."

"Watch it," he warned.

"You're a lackey to a Death Eater and even though you don't have the wretched thing on your arm, you're still just as bad," she hissed.

He took a step towards her, eyes blazing.

"You shouldn't talk about things that you don't understand," he said.

"I understand that eventually she's going to see you for what you are. She's going to realize what a waste you are and run off into the sunset with Dean or someone who can give her what she needs."

No sooner had the words escaped her lips when Blaise raised his hand. She flinched as he stopped himself, balling it into a fist as he clenched his jaw, glaring at her.

"Hit a nerve? What do you know, the great Blaise Zabini does have insecurities," she whispered.

He lowered his arm with a small smirk before backing up and exiting her room without another word.

And the plot thickens! What did Blaise mean by in the past? When are Hermione and Draco going to bang? And where the heck is Theo? Don't forget to review!