Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own Hogwarts. Hell, I don't even own most of the characters in this...no wait, ALL of the chracters in this. But worst of all...I don't own Draco. And that makes me very, very jealous of who does.

Chapter 11: Silver moons, silver stars, silver eyes and silver bars

Draco:

January 1

Didn't get a lot of sleep last night. you know why. Why does he have to be such an arse though? It's not like I wanted this to happen...and then he just sits there, siling at me as if I'm supposed to run into his arms. I hope he knows that next time I won't save him. Save him from what, you ask? From a school slut bent on making a legend out of her from him. Yeah, he's a veela, and you know what girls do to veelas? Take 'em, use 'em, and throw 'em back. Ebony doesn't even like him that much. And doesn't he know what could happen? Getting pregnant is bad, but getting pregnant with a veela child, succombing your first born to a hard life and possible death? Much, much worse.

Got the dream again. same damn one, too. Why don't these things ever change? And of course, my 'bodily attraction' as a certain Ginerva so bluntly puts it isn't helping. Damn him, damn him and every other veela. And while I'm ranting, I want him to know what it feels like to not be on top. I want him to feel the pain I have felt for 6 long years, of being on the dead bottem of the food chain, being picked at by everyone else. But what am I writing? hate has no place here. this is for my thoughts...and now I'm at war with myself? Get a grip! Oh, shit. I think I hear his alarm. no wonder, I've been at this for an hour! And only half a page is written!!! I think -break here- I'll write later. Hunger taking over...stomach, slowly, eating, brain.

-Lioness

Draco stared at the page, not willing himself to believe that Hermione kept all that emotion bottled up, and released so much of it on half a page. Half a flipping page! And he also saw a wise truth in her words, especially about the Ebony thing. What had he gotten himself into? He wanted to learn more about this 'bodily attraction', these dreams, and maybe find an answer to her mood last night. He flipped back to an untidy scrawl on the last page in red ink, which was written so feircely it seemed to have been written in blood with a dagger. Most of the page was about Ebony, including every little thing that was a flaw in her, and many things that would improve her, including tar-and-feathering her. He certainly would not want to get on Hermione's bad side if this is what happened. She kept making references back to other entries, so he ended up starting from the beginning, Christmas Day night, and reading over the last two again. A lot of things made sense...and a lot didn't. She kept talking about 'The Bundle', but never explained it. If something went wrong, she blamed it on 'the bundle'. If something went too good, again 'the bundle' took the blame. Other than that though, her entries were very clear. He loved her dreams, how romantic they sounded. He hated how they never got to kiss in them. He loved how she had felt confused about her jealousy over Ebony, and hated how she hadn't rose to meet it. He loved her, and hated her at the same time. She loved him, and for some reason, would not be with him.

Draco's stomach growled, and, remembering how Hermione had made jokes over her stomach, decided he should go eat before he ate her notebook. He closed it carefully, set it down, and left, taking a last glance at it. It lay there, innocently, and Draco was suddenly sparked with an idea. He would get her to talk to him, to explain 'the Bundle'. And then...then he would have her.

Hermione:

Hermione sat down across from Seamus, who smiled politely at her, next to Ginny, who sat next to Harry, and next to Neville. Ron sat beside Seamus, and kept smiling over at Padma at the Ravenclaw table. For some reason, Neville kept glancing over there too, and when Hermione following his gaze, she saw him staring at Luna, who looked up, smiled, and waved. She grinned...February may be the romantic month, the January was the month for new love. New year, new love. And it had once been for Hermione too. Until...until 'The Bundle' came. A screech disrupted her from her thoughts, and Harry said,

"Great. Mail's here!"

"Expecting anything?" asked Ginny.

"You never know. Plus I like Hedwig visiting."

"You spend too much time with that bird, Harry," complained Dean, from across Harry, "I sware, someday you'll surprise us all and run off with the blamed thing." Harry's face reddened, and in two minutes both boys were hurling playful unsults at each other.

"Oh Harry!" said Hermione over Dean, who was telling the small audience about how Harry had had a 'monster in his chest' last year. "It's Hedwig!" Sure enough, the beautiful snowy white owl came drifting down. But instead of landing in front of her owner, the owl turned and landed in front of Hermione. Then Hedwig extended her leg, revealing a letter. Hermione untied it, sure the owl was mistaken, but saw the thin, spiraling letters in silver ink. 'Lioness'. The dot on the eye was a little snake eye, just like her necklace. She knew at once who had written this. Hurridly she stuffed it into her bag, mumbled something about the library, and headed off, ignoring stares from her housemates. She turned a corner, found herself in a deserted hallway, and sat on a windowsill. Hermione pulled out the now crumpled letter, opened it gently, and gasped at the neat silver handwriting that issued from it. She pulled at the page, and it unfurled in her hands.

Lioness

Come with a question and you'll get an answer.

Come with a destiny and you'll get a fate.

Come with a reason, come with a hope,

its not rainy season, there's no steep slope.

Meet me after dark, by the lake. You'll find out where,

just follow the moonlight.

Don't come if your scared, don't come if your fine.

Just come if you feel like giving some of that bundle,

to another on the line.

Snaking

She was completely entranced by it. She knew who had written it, and yet, she didn't. This was dream Draco, the one who held her and told everything was going to be alright. And hell, if that Draco had decided to show up, she'd take the offer. After all...who ever said a little risk wasn't good? She tucked the letter into her jeans pocket and set off to the library...just in case someone came looking for her. She didn't even think about how he knew of her 'bundle'.

Draco:

He'd seen her surprise at having Potter's owl come to her. He'd seen her recognize who had written it. He'd seen her run out of the hall in a hurry. He'd seen the look in her eyes that spelled out fear, confusion, and wonder. He was winning.

Hermione:

Dark came way too soon for Hermione. She was pacing in her room, diciding on whether to go or not. A black cloak was clasped at her neck, her journal was tucked safely with her wand in the messenger bag, on her shoulder. And the hood was up on the dark gray hoodie she wore. Basically, she'd already decided. The clock struck 11:30, way past curfew and dusk. but still Hermione paced. Inside, a battle raged. Go, you idiot. What if he already left? That would be bloody perfect, wouldn't it? After all, you're the one who wanted to curse him into oblivion. Uh...I still do. I just...want to do it tonight. OH face it, you liked his letter. A little sentimental crap and you fall head-over-heels. You're the one that does belly-flops every time he appears. Don't even try to accuse me of treason. Treason. Treason!?! You make me do those flops. You're the one wtih treason. I am not! Take that back. Never. Do it! Or you'll what? I'll starve myself, I'll do it. I sware I'll do it. You wouldn't dare! Take it back! Fine, fine, I take it back. We've BOTH committed treason. Thank you. Now move, please. Alright, alright.

Hermione tooka confident step towards the door, froze, and then glanced over at the dresser. Something had just talked to her.

"Good luck, Hermione. Feeling very brave, harness that energy now, there's a dear." said the dragon, his great eyes blinking slowly as his mischevious mouth upturned in the corners for a rare smile.

Hermione walked through the thin and knarled forest trees, the lake water slapping agianst the shore only a few feet away. She had wondered about how she would find the place, but the full moon made a silver bar on the water that pointed directly to a small rocky clearing, where she was headed now. As the witch neared it, she saw a black shadow standing there, watching the water. To him, it looked as if he was out of sight, but he was quite clearly standing ina pool of moonlight. Hermione pulled out her wand slowly and began advancing, not exactly knowing what she was doing. She ws almost with in good firing range when...

"Going to curse me, are you?" asked a voice from behind. She started and turned, only to come face to face with another shadow. The boy pulled back his hood to reveal himself, and Hermione did likewise.

"but, but...you...here...there..."She kept glancing back over her shoulder, and found the other Draco starting to walk towards them. The two Dracos fazed into each other.

"Slitting of atoms, advanced Transfiguration. Difficult to learn, easy to remember." She swore he gave a small shudder at the memory. "Shall we?" He led the way to the rocky clearing and sat down on a jutting rock, letting her do the same.

"What's this about, Draco?" she asked, eyes narrowed. Her bag rested on the top of her legs, and she secretively slid a hand in a grasped her notebook for comfort.

"I could ask you the same thing. For instance, why did you come here if you didn't know what this was about?" he replied slyly, his bangs in his silvery eyes. She stuttered, lost for words.

"I...I..now wait just a second here. Don't turn this conversation on me, you're the one going on about giving me an answer and being on the line and my bundle and...my bundle." she fumbled, lost for words as the realization hit her. "You...you've read my notebook, haven't you. You sneaky little ferret!"

"So. You left it on the table...almost, willingly." She flinched, and glanced away at his implication. Ha, as if, like she wanted him to read it. Like she ever wanted anyone to read it. "What is 'the bundle'?"

"Like I'd ever tell you. I don't trust you, I only came here to see what you wanted."

Draco:

He stood up and pulled her up, wrapping a hand around her wrist, he pulled her close and whispered, eyes staring boldy at hers,

"Well, I think you must trust me a lot, seeing as you definitely like me a whole lot." He brushed her lips with his gently, and she pulled away, eyes blazing hazel.

"You can't make me love you, Malfoy, no matter how hard you try. I'm unfazable. Got a bundle to sheild me." Her face was flushed from their light kiss and her wrist was burning from his grip on it.

"Why can't you just accept that maybe we have a future together? Maybe at least as friends. Why must you hide behind this 'bundle', as you call it? You're never open, even to Potter and Weasley."

"I know what you want, Malfoy, and it's not friendship. And I don't hide, not like you do. Don't play dumb with me, I've seen you lose control. I've seen you flash with anger or hate or what ever you're feeling, don't get me wrong. You hide too, and, and" she was lost for words, "I want to know why."

(A/N: Yes, yes, a very short chapter. I wanted to update, and this was just SUCH a good cliffhanger, I had to use it. Don't worry, the second half of the chapter will be coming out soon, but here's a little taster. I'm also working on a bunch of one-shots, like 'Beat' but much better, so I might put those on, who knows. Again, you prolly hate me, and I'M SORRY! But ah, enough of my babbling. Wait a while, and you'll be surprised. -grins evilly-

-Quicksilver)