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Mid-December came, bringing a freezing wind and soft, white snow.

The castle, which would normally be warm, full of christmas decorations, was instead now colder than ever.

A girl entered the hospital wing taking with her a few school books. She was covered by wool jumpers, a black coat, and a red and golden scarf and yet she still shivered under her garments. There, she was greeted by a sudden pleasant warmth. A charm, most probably.

"Ah, miss Granger." a pleasant voice met her. "I take it you're here for Mr Malfoy again."

"Yes, madame Pomfrey." she answered shyly.

"Well, follow me."

Hermione obeyed.

"How is he doing?" she asked, impatient to have an answer.

"Quite well, now. But he may need a few days rest. He is still recovering."

When they finally reached his bed, Hermione took a look at him, before sitting down in a chair right next to him.

"He looks so pale..."

"As I have already said, he is still recovering. One doesn't suddenly stand up, jump and play quidditch after being cursed. Especially from this... curse."

Cruciatus. The torture curse.

"Some people even die from it. So, I can only say we are lucky Mr Malfoy here is strong and that fowl death eater isn't enough, instead. A horrific thing to do to a boy if you ask me, but it could have been worse, you know."

"Yes, yes. I'm just very worried. That's all."

"He will be up and going in a few days. It's you, I would be worried about Miss Granger. You've spent the last 2 days here, eating, studying... as I recall, you weren't particularly close in the past years. Now you won't leave him. " her face was rather worried.

"Well, we weren't, we aren't. It's just..."

"Your business is your own, miss Granger. I do not need explanations, but I hardly think you ever slept. Am I right?"

Hermione smiled.

"You should do well to. Or else I'll have to force you to! I will be going to my office now. There are few things I have to do. Goodbye, Miss Granger. I'm sure I'll see you later here."

"Goodbye, Madame Pomfrey. And... thank you..."

"Dear girl, how many times will you thank me? This is my job!" she winked.

And with that, she walked away.

Hermione was left there alone, with her thoughts as her only companion.

She put her books on a bedside table and looked at him. For the 100th time in these 2 days.

He seemed at peace, at least right now. So rare. She hardly remembered the last time he had such a calm expression on his face.

He had gone through a lot recently. That was sure. First he became a death eater, then he failed his mission and then... he failed to torture her twice. That, she couldn't understand. He insisted on saying he hated her, but then seemed to do everything in his power to protect her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to remember.

When she heard his screams, coming from outside the class, she didn't know what to do. She was going mad. Her head was filled with them. She couldn't think, couldn't hear, nor see. Hot tears, started sliding down her cheeks.

The next thing she knew, Neville was right beside her. He muttered a few things, but she wouldn't listen. He never left...

Everyone in the classroom was speaking, shouting. The Slytherins must have been wondering what their friend had just done.

Then a deep, velvety voice broke all the chaos.

Snape.

It came from behind the thick, wooden doors.

Hermione struggled to let go from Neville's hold to follow other students outside.

There, she found Snape trying hardly to hide his fury and yet somehow calmly speaking to Carrow, about how they would talk in his office later, how he shouldn't lay a finger on Draco because he was his godson.

She never knew. Now she understood why he was so protective of him.

Hermione's eyes then flew to a body on the floor. Draco.

She covered her mouth to muffle a scream.

He looked dead.

She kept thinking about what he had done for her once more, what he risked.

Neville then covered her in a protective embrace.

Hermione trembled on her chair in the hospital wing at the thought of what had happened. It was terrible.

A few hours later after it happened, it was common knowledge that Draco had been tortured and the reason why. The people were talking... but she didn't care. Even her friends had wondered about what he had done or rather, hadn't done.

She hadn't seen Carrow around since then. She hoped he was taught a lesson and that, nothing, nothing like that would ever happen again.

But she was sure it would. After all, Snape had clearly told her he was protecting Draco, not her, not anyone else.

Yes, she had even paid him a visit. When she recovered from her shock, she had decided to speak with him. Terrible idea. Mad. But he was the only person who could provide her and others protection. The only person in the school who had authority, she would dare trust. Why? She didn't even know. But she had nothing to lose, so she took her chances.

"Miss Granger, what are you doing here at this hour?"

"Professor... I-I don't know why I'm here. I'm sorry. But... professor what happened today... it cannot, must not happen again. It should not be permitted. D-Malfoy..."

"Miss Granger if you have come here only to whine, then you can as well leave. I have work that needs to be dealt with. If not, you will listen to me. As you and your Potter-friends already know, I have spoken with Carrow. He shall be away for a few days, I can assure you. To torture another death eater, who may be one of the dark lord's future favourites, is foolish. And Draco is after all, a death eater. I warned him and I'm sure he will not touch him again. It is not your concern anyway. As for you others, as long as you protect Potter, I cannot..." his voice trembled for the shortest of seconds. "... and will not provide protection for you. That should be quite clear to a witch as bright as you. If what they say is true and you truly are... bright." he added with a slight smirk on his face. "Finally, I advise you to stay away from him. If you care about his fate and are worried for yourself and your... friends."

"Care?" she asked inquisitively.

"You may leave, Miss Granger."

What a charming conversation that one had been.

Snape had put into words months of her thoughts, confusions. He just... knew something even she could not confirm. Was she starting to feel something for him?

But it didn't matter, because she had to stay away from him. She would, she promised herself, after he woke up.

Just then she heard him mumble something in his sleep. She was sure he wasn't conscious yet, was he?

As she didn't want to be there when he woke up, she gathered her things and made to leave.

But a cold hand grasped hers. She jumped from the surprise. Her head slowly turned around. His eyes were closed as if he were sleeping but his hand was still tightly wrapped around hers.

She instictevely squeezed it and sat back down.

If he had woken up in that moment, he'd have seen the slightest flush on her cheeks and timid smile on her lips.

What's happening to me?

Seconds, minutes, maybe hours passed. She never left and his grip on her small hand never abbandoned her.

"Hermione, there you are. I've been looking for you..." Luna's voice took her back to reality.

How had she even got here, so silently?

She let go of Draco's hand.

"Luna what are you doing?"

"I was wondering where you were spending your days, but I couldn't seem to find you outside lessons. So I thought: where would I be, if I were Hermione? And I immediately came here."

"Well, I only just arrived." she lied. "I just thought I'd check on him..."

"Is that why you were holding his hand?" she asked innocently in her dreamy voice.

"Oh..."

Luna got closer. "My mum, always used to say we shouldn't be afraid of our feelings for someone, whoever that might be."

"Luna, I-"

"Because love is such a beautiful thing, so why hide it? If it were me, I'd have nargles and wrackspurts telling anyone they met."

Love? No, no. I love Ronald.

"Luna, as I said I was only checking on him." she mumbled.

"Well, from time, to time we are all wrong..." Hermione nodded. "But this time, I don't think I am..."

Luna had a way of understanding things, of seeing people like no one else could. Maybe she was right, but she wasn't ready to admit it to herself.

"Luna... I, well thanks. Just please don't tell anyone I'm here, will you?" she slowly took Draco's hand into hers, instinctevely.

She nodded and before skipping away, she glanced back to Hermione.

"Hmm, I hope there's pudding tonight!"

So... what did you think? Please review! ;)