Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

The story is unfolding, now you know what Draco was so scared about, but yes you still don't know the reason, be patient. I love writing the Draco/Hermione scenes, as you probably guessed. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Twelve

Hermione

So there we were. Me, Hermione Jane Granger, and Draco what ever his middle name is Malfoy. Standing in front of the large closed wooden Great Hall doors. Not knowing why, I was doing this, or how it even occurred. But for some awful twist of destiny it was. Maybe destiny thought it would be hilarious to do this to me. I felt my eyebrows pull together, a horrid feeling rested in my stomach. I felt freezing, sudden shivers rippled through my body, a mix of nerves and coldness. I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath. I felt my grip on Malfoys arm tighten and I glanced up for his eyes look down to me. I could see it in his eyes. He was just as nervous as me, he gave a slight nod encouragingly, and I watched as he also took a long breath in, yet unlike the Malfoy way I could feel himself tremble under my arm. I felt my grip loosen and at first he tightened his grip, but soon relaxed as he breathed out. I found my hand slip into his lightly, his ever so velvet skin sent my body trembling in a different sort of way, my lungs filled with the warm feeling pulsating through my body. You could hear the orchestra's music filling the hall, muffled through the doors. It seems like forever standing in front of those doors, the thought had passed my mind many times by this point that I could just run in a different direction, any direction but forward. I watched as Draco's eyes locked onto our interlocked hands, his slender fingers wrapped around mine. They were also cold, yet tender. His eyes then briefly closed and he released mine. All of a sudden a booming voice barked from behind us and fear glazed over my eyes as did his. I opened my mouth but nothing came out, my already racing heart was now at light speed. The trembling in my hands now fierce. His face turned hard, stern.

"I'll meet you in there," he nodded coldly. "It's ok." His eyes faded but full of an emotion I couldn't register. The large doors opened and I stepped swiftly backwards three or four paces. I watched as his tall filled figure strode elegantly into the large buzzing ball room. It was beautiful, a million candles laced every surface and the ceiling, the warmth stuck me with relief. Red and warm colours hung from the head table and the walls covering the overlarge windows. My heart melted slightly at the sight. Yet as I watched him stride alone my heart twinged.

"Look at these robes Harry!" A familiar booming voice once again alerted me, "Look how new these ones are! No more ancient laces and bloody frilly things!" he exclaimed, a giggle escaped my lips as I turned a corner to meet them. There they were. Ron, in his oh so new sharp black dress robes highlighting his oh so bright hair, beautiful Ginny, and a dapper looking Harry. I beamed at them all as I came into their path.

"Hey guys," I greeted them warmly as the distance closed. Ginny beamed her wonderfully warm smile at me and waved, continuing to stride towards me in excitement.

"Hermione! I'm so glad you waited for us!" she exclaimed. She loosely hugged me trying not to ruin our dresses, yet the urge to squeeze her as tight as I could to reassure me was tempting. Yet seeing these three decreased my nerve level muchly. Yet when our embrace ended I glanced to where Ron and Harry should've been by now, and a frown pulled across my face when I realised they had stopped a few paces back. Ron's face almost looked horrified, he was wide eyed, mouth gaping, the back of his right hand across Harry's chest almost holding him back. Yet Harry's face a glorious smile stretched across his face ear to ear. Did I look silly or something? A sudden feeling of doubt shook through my body and I felt my shoulders physically dropped.

"What?" I breathed disheartedly, slightly disappointed at their awful reactions to me. "What is it?" I repeated sadly.

"Nothing," Harry chuckled bemusedly. "You just look-" he didn't finish at first, he just gestured with his hands at my dress, "You just look ridiculously nice." I could see he chose his words carefully not wanting to upset Ginny as his eyes darted to and from her.

"Nice?!" Ron shouted, "Bloody nice my arse Harry!" he bellowed. "Hermione, you look incredible!" he blurted out, his cheeks soon turning blazing red following his sudden outburst. I couldn't help but grin wildly, my heart pulled realising what they meant. It felt nice to be complimented. I pulled my head down slightly embarrassed.

"You really do Hermione," Ginny added with an excited grin, "Shall we?!" she almost skipped to the doors, Harry in tow, his arm wrapped around her waist, they glided towards the large now open doors and entered together. Ron glanced back at me, unknowing whether I would go with him and he didn't wait to find out. He bounded towards the doors after Harry and Ginny to where they had started mingling with other Gryffindor's. 'My turn' I gulped and stepped from the shadowed corridors into the light of the Great Hall. The nerves returned as I stepped over the threshold. Yet I was Hermione Granger. I lifted my chin into the air, pulled my shoulders back and elegantly sauntered into the great hall, one false confidence filled step at a time. I felt the cooler breeze hit my leg as I placed my foot forward revealing my leg and the lovely shoes that glistened from the candle lights in the corner of my vision. Yet as many people's heads turned in my direction I felt my pace quicken and soon I was on the boundary of the mingling students and the Ball's dance floor. My mind buzzed with doubts and fears, not knowing what to do next. I felt my eyes close briefly and I took a hard breath. 'Snap out of it Hermione', my eyes opened slowly, clamed. And thankfully I saw him in my vision, he gracefully was striding towards me. My whole body relaxed when I knew I wasn't going to just remain standing here alone like a lemon. But when I registered how gorgeously Devine he looked my heart stopped. Not knowing how I had forgotten what he looked like these past few years, but I had never looked at him like this. His magnificent strides bought him closer and closer towards me. My heart filling with anticipation, fear, and if I was going to admit it, lust.

Draco

I stood next to Blaise and Pansy impatiently waiting, anxiously tapping my foot against the floor of the Great Hall transformed into a rather tasteful Ball room. I wasn't listening to a word they were aggravatingly chatting about. I really didn't care. All I cared about was seeing her stride through those doors looking just as beautiful as she always does. My eyes never left the space between the two open doors. Not knowing what was happening around me. My heart leaped out of my chest as there was movement- yet disappointment swelled my cells as I realised it was Weaselette and Potter. Ugh. My foot was now positively burning through the floor, 'where is she?' it had probably only been a minute or two but it felt like an eternity. Weaselettes and Potter were soon followed by the older Weasel, surely now she must be coming in soon.

And then there she was.

My eyes widened in awe. Her beauty never ceases to amaze me but tonight she was on an entirely different universe. I felt my heart struggle to contemplate and keep a rhythm writhing in my chest. My lungs also mirrored its struggle. She truly was an angel. I suddenly felt nervous. My, Draco Lucius Malfoy. Nervous. I forgot how she made me feel like that. An abrupt longing struck as I found myself pacing towards her, willing to destroy anyone who would ever step in the path of me to her. To the exquisite angel standing before me. Her presence enchanted me, all of me. She sent my body into chaos. I don't even know how I was moving, but I was, every hastily step closing the unbearable distance between us. Each step reliving me ever so slightly more. That is until I was but an arms length away from her. I froze halted before her.

Just the short distance between us was filled with more forms of emotion than even countable. I felt my heart stutter again, I felt my eyes soften at hers but I forced my face to keep it rigid. 'Self preservation.' I told myself. 'The Malfoy way' My father's words echoed in my ears. I almost wanted to laugh, if he could see me now he would truly be appalled. But frankly I didn't bloody care. She was my refuge, my safe haven, my heaven. My happiness. I held my hand out in the distance between us and slightly bowed in her direction. I never took my eyes off of her deep earnest eyes, melting my chest.

"Do you wish to dance?" I asked her politely and as courteous as I could possibly be. I watched as her high head lowered to my face properly, her hard expression relaxed and she tenderly smiled. Her lips parted but no sound was made, she closed her mouth and nodded softly. She extended her graceful arms and slid her perfect dainty hand into mine. The soft touch of her skin sending my body into frenzy. I felt a million emotions flash in my eyes all at once. I found it hard to control my body, I didn't even know what it wanted to do. I didn't know whether I wanted to run in the opposite direction or pull her as close as physically possible to me and crush her lips with mine. I felt my lips momentarily twitch into a smile and I immediately corrected it back into a hard line. A small giggle chimed in my ears as it escaped her perfect lips. My body once again felt like melting. Then I was certain I wanted to pull her to me and thrust my lips onto hers, never letting her go. Dying of oxygen starvation if needs be. That's what I wanted. But I knew better. I was already stepping over the line. But I was addicted to her, obsessed. I couldn't refuse her. I convinced myself that I could keep myself in line.

I leant over to our connected hands, her gentle touch rested in mine. And I placed a soft kiss onto the back of hers. I felt my eyes close and I knew that I had remained for too long but she was intoxicating. I pulled my lips away, taking a step towards and stood upright, showing my true height. Our hands remained together, we were barely apart now. But her face looked up to mine. She looked scared or nervous. I almost couldn't read her expression because so many covered her face, but I could always read her, like she reads her books I could read her, she was my book. My free hand twitched with a colossal urge to reach up to her Devine face but I clutched my trouser leg to prevent myself. I couldn't. I suddenly became extremely aware of everyone surrounding us, as in that movement so did she. She broke our gaze and frantically twisted her head left then right then left again. Scanning the room quickly. I observed her frantic face intently, again struck with awe at her utter beauty. My heart tightened. I sucked in a breath and parted our ever so close bodies. I felt my eyes glance towards the floor not really taking anything in and returned it to hers. She was now looking at me with a similar idea. To which I turned almost next to her side, clutching her hand and led her towards the dance floor. She too twisted in its direction. I held my head high, as she did, avoiding anyone's staring eye contact. If it wasn't for the brilliant orchestra's music filling the Ball room I fear it would be silent in shock. The Slytherin Prince with the Gryffindor Princess I almost laughed to myself as we strode to an empty space, the thought would kill my father all over again.

As I turned towards her when we both finally halted, I felt my heart race, my blood rushing through my limbs. I took a steady breath as I twisted to her front. I carefully and ever so lightly placed my free hand on her waist, to which her eyes widened. I felt thorough electricity flow through us, every cell throbbing. She gently placed her trembling hand on my shoulder and I lifted our hands higher. The next song started and I elegantly started to twirl her around the floor. I remembered how well I taught her to dance, and she almost seemed shocked that she remembered how to dance, or rather she didn't think she remembered but probably was naturally gifted. I almost laughed again at the thought of how terrible she was before. A small smile lifted the corner of my lips and she missed a step and trod square on my foot- maybe I wasn't that good of a teacher, and my face returned to its former stone. As we continued to dance it became more familiar, smoother. We were now very close, our bodies were completely covered by each others bodies, my arm wrapped firmly around her waist, our faces inched apart. Her eyes never left mine. We slowly in synced stopped, I don't know why. The room span around us, people continuing to dance and twirl. An we, the centre, paused. I felt our feet gradually halt. Her breaths more relaxed, her eyes ever so tenderly soft, so deep. The warm brown engulfing me, drowning me. We fit together perfectly, like two jigsaw pieces moulded for each other.

"CRUCIO!" and I went blind. I was deaf, I couldn't feel anything but pain. It now drowned me, I couldn't breath, my heart couldn't beat. Every inch of my body was writhing in a pure inferno of agony. All my muscles contracted throbbing with a sharp fire singing my flesh, boiling my blood. The pain was indescribable. I felt thundering waves crashing into ever part of my body repeating itself over and over again. I felt my mind shatter under the agony My screams piercing my chest. The torture invading every organ, crushing me from the inside out. It felt as if hours had passed. And it vanished. I lay paralysed on the floor, my vision failing, my consciousness falling in and out of existence. My limbs unbearably numb. I could hear muffled screams. And the lids of my eyes fell.

Hermione

His smile electrocuted my heart, paralysing my muscles and I froze for a millisecond. He truly looked Devine. He elegantly continued to dance and I snapped out of my silly daze, yet I missed a step and crushed his foot. And there I was thinking how much of a natural talent I am. Some how I just knew how to dance. Its not like at the Yule ball where Viktor Krum basically danced the few dances we danced together for me. But this time we danced together perfectly in rhythm. Somehow we just fit, we ended up closer and closer together as the music climaxed and we span quicker and quicker and then I found myself slowing as he did. My mind wasn't present, just a haze hung over it. All I could concentrate on was the perfectly grey thundering eyes in front of mine not an inch away. The molten metal swirling in my conscience. We stood still now, disconnected from the world. I was almost too numb to even contemplate what he did to me. All I could feel was pure fire surging through me. He looked deep into my eyes. I could feel him scanning my soul. And I could almost feel as if he belonged there. His body almost crushed mine. And it felt right. I felt my head lean up to his, as his head leant down to mine, our lips not centimetres away, an agonising distance too far.

"CRUCIO!" those piercing letters crushed me. He fell from my warm body onto the cold hard ground leaving only coldness in his place. A loneliness. I froze in fear as his body writhed on the ground, I was paralysed, my body collapsed next to his. Burning tears filled my vision as it streamed down my face.

"Draco!" I screamed in pain. Unknowingly I held one of his hands in mine, trying to prevent his writhing. My heart broke a thousand times into millions of pieces. Uncontrollable sobs ripped from my chest, calling out his name. It would be true to my word if I said that I had never felt a pain like this, not even when I was lying in this body manor being tortured by his aunt. His shrieks ripped my soul in half over and over again. I could hear muffled screams around me, I could see faint outlines through my blurred vision all running towards the doors. Now there only remained a dark hooded figure smirking down at me through my tears. I released Draco's hand.

Rippling rage thundered powerfully through my body. I felt my face twitch containing my anger. I felt my wrath boil under the surface of my skin imminently about to shatter the mocking figure who dare stood before me. My muscles trembled in pure fury, tremors erupting all over me. I carefully lifted my wand from my leg strap and held it briefly by my side. I felt as my eyes burn a red as scorching the fire of hell. The urge to utter the unforgivable forbidden curses was boiling at the surface.

I took a step towards the dark man. "Stupefy" I whipped my wand in his direction and utter the spell ever so quietly. The figure collapsed onto the ground. "Petrificus Totalus" I muttered through my teeth. The frozen body lay still on the floor. I stood one step closer towards him. The blood boiling under my surface, my muscles twitching. My hands trembling.

Gasps filled the room as professors filled the room led by the Head Mistress. I stepped back from the body, tears freely flowing down my face. I glanced down at my dress where the slit had ripped further up. My whole body trembled and I collapsed next to his still body, Draco's. I lay over his chest and sobs freely flowed from my chest. I sat up and held his head in my lap stroking the hair out of his perfect face, now more peaceful looking. My poor Draco.

The next few days I spent at Draco's side avoiding everyone, luckily they all went home the day after the Ball. Draco had been in a coma ever since what happened. I hadn't slept barely, and if I had it was right next to Draco's side clutching his hand in the chesterfield chair that is now a more permanent bed. I hadn't eaten, I hadn't even picked up a book.

"Darling, I think you should go get some rest" the familiar kind voice of Madam Pomfrey echoed faintly in my ears.

"No." I spoke quietly but sternly. "I'm not leaving him" I stated without further discussion.

"Well I know the Head Mistress would like to talk to you when you're ready." I now turned my permanent gaze off of the resting platinum blonde haired boy onto the witch. My expression in a deep frown torn with pain. I nodded. I really wanted to know what had happened, I had a million and one questions. Who was he? Why did he do this? Why did he do it to Draco? Ect.

Eventually after a few hours of torment, I rose from my seat and kissed him tenderly on his forehead, eventually ripping my gaze off his perfect face and marching directly to Professor McGonagall's' office. As I arrived at the golden Griffin it immediately presented the stairs to me. I literally ran up.

"WHO IS HE?!" I screamed pacing furiously up to the Professor. My face constricted with anger and pain. The Headmistress instantly rose from her seat in the horror of my behaviour.

"This situation calls no meaning to your rudeness Miss Granger!" she bellowed to which my face immediately dropped and I felt tears well in my eyes.

"Please forgive me, Professor McGonagall," I sobbed unreservedly. "Do you have any information on that man." I spat the last word through my sobs. I looked to her face which had soften and now full of pity and pain. She carefully nodded.

"He is a death eater in allegiance with Voldemort before the war, and he claims he's following out his wishes." She breathed gently the harsh words. I fell into the chair by her desk, trying to control my breathing. "However," she continued with curiosity or confusion, or both. "He mentioned his late father, and his wishes also." Her confused stricken face was staring into her thoughts.

"W-w-what do y-you mean?" I stuttered. A deep deep frown.

"We don't know, that's all he has said so far." She paused. "They're sending him to Azkaban for the time being and will shortly receive the dementors kiss." She spoke flatly. "we're not sure yet what is happening Miss Granger but believe me once we do, I will inform you."

I nodded and shuffled back to the hospital wing.

Another day passed and it was now an 5 days before Christmas day. I returned from my dorm to the bed where he lay, my eyes lit up. There he was, sitting up in bed drinking tomato soup which filled the air. I froze for a millisecond. And I didn't think of what happened next. I just ran, I ran at him, before he even registered my presence my arms were wrapped around his neck. I didn't even care that I had just spilled his soup everywhere. I felt a single warm tear cascade down my face. I felt my eyes sore from the previous days. Relief was all I felt, it filled my body and soul. I let out a long breath and felt his arms wrap around mine. My closed eyes shut tighter. I gripped him tighter. Only a warm silence hung between us. No words were needed.

"Draco," I breathed. I pulled back from my embrace but my hands remained on his neck, another tear cascading down my face. His face was constricted with pain, his hand lifted to my face and his soft thumb brushed gentle the tear away. I placed my own hand over his and lightly kissed his.

"What? What is it?" concerned, he breathed. I shook my head, the lump in my throat making me unable to breath "What's wrong?" he asked again. His face pulling further into a frown. I swear I saw water glaze over his eyes. But I wasn't sure. It suddenly occurred to me that this was Draco Malfoy. The Malfoy who tormented me from when I was 12. The first to call me a 'mudblood' and bully me, the disgusting fowl person I had actually slapped in the face. But no, this Draco, this wasn't the same person. He was completely different.

"You've changed so much" I breathed, blurting it softly before I even registered what I was about to say. I was shocked, but what he said next was unbelievable. His other trembling hand lifted and his palm placed tenderly on my cheek, now both his hands clasped my face gently.

"You, you haven't changed at all, you're exactly how I remember you, you're exactly like you are in my dreams" Draco whispered. My heart stopped. His lips met mine and I melted into him.