A/n: Thanks to my beta loveinthemadness! And as always, check me out on facebook! The link is up on my profile.
The upper rooms of the tower were nice and empty. He couldn't force himself to go back down, not when there was so much death. Granger may have saved his life, but that didn't make him any braver. He fully intended to hide up there as long as possible, and maybe no one would ever come this far before a winner was declared. But he probably wouldn't be that lucky.
He had found a nice classroom to sit and wallow in, one that he had enchanted to alert him if any problems or dangers got too close. He couldn't have any Death Eater's discovering that he was hiding, or they would kill him on spot- even his father.
His thoughts wandered to Granger as he sat in the annoying darkness, not a soul around to speak with. She had saved his life, and he did nothing in return except let her journey back into that warzone by herself. What kind of man was he? He was raised as a Pureblood to consider women weaker, but Granger had always been an exception to that rule. Maybe it was because she continued to do some very unladylike things as a member of the Golden Trio. Or maybe it was simply because he hated her. If she had been Pansy or Astoria or Daphne, he would've followed her- out of respect for the principles he grew up with; even if he couldn't keep them alive, he should try. And after Granger very selflessly saved the very person that had made her life difficult, he acted like a total arse and sent her off alone. Could he be more pathetic?
Granger. He spent far too much time with her on his mind. She was a constant thought since he saw her leaving with those blundering idiots she called friends from his very home, and even since he left his mark on her fourth year. After all, males were not supposed to mark a girl in any way unless they intended to have her. He did it back then simply to spite the stupid brunette, but they had ended up in a few suggestive and too close circumstances for him to call it an accident. Draco crossed a lot of lines by playing with her, even if it was just a childish game for dominance and the need to show superiority to the other. He knew right after fourth year that he was playing with fire, and now he might just be burned.
The worst part was, now he was worried about her. He was too cowardly to brave the war outside just to keep an eye on her, yet he was worried. It was fucked up in many senses, but he didn't care. That was how he felt.
You don't really even know what to think of her anymore. She's the enemy; she's dirty. But in the time you played the bruising game with her you touched her, and there was something there. She's filthy, yet you want her. Maybe you should've followed, because then you could've let someone kill you and none of this would be playing with your mind now. You can't like her; you can't be interested by her. She will always be untouchable territory, especially if we both survive this war. No matter who wins, you can't pursue her. Maybe death would be easier to cope with in this situation.
His thoughts were interrupted by heavy footfalls on the stone floor somewhere outside and muffled screams. Jerking from his comfortable position, he became instantly more alert. Luck wasn't with him, and now someone had come up to his floor. More would likely follow, but it appeared to just be one person by the sound of the footsteps- one person and a captive.
He doubted it was an Order member dragging along a Death Eater. The Order caught captives a lot more affectively, and didn't bother with twisted methods of interrogation before during the prisoner over. He almost pitied whoever was trying to scream for help. With a sigh, he grasped his wand tightly and made his way to the door. So much for hiding like a coward/ Now he would have to do something, else risk being caught. And it was better to reveal his presence to just one person now than fifteen later who would all gang up on him.
He didn't much like those odds.
Casting a charm to see through the door, he felt his heart drop. If the gods were playing with his sanity today, they were doing a fine job. Yaxley was wondering ahead of him, his hood down, and struggling in his grip appeared to be Granger. Maybe he would be able to repay her for saving him earlier. He quite liked that idea.
Maybe he liked the idea of saving her a little too much.
Quickly he cast another spell, and his robes replaced themselves into the Death Eater fashion. Without his hair being long like his father's, he was indistinguishable from any other follower of Voldemort. He didn't want either of them to immediately know it was him after all. Placing a silencing spell on the door to keep it from groaning, he stepped out of the room and made sure to keep his steps inhumanly quiet at first.
He made them louder when he was far from his hiding place, the other man further down the hall with the struggling girl. Yaxley turned around with her still in his grip, and it was then that he noticed the chunk of hair missing on the front of her head. He became extremely thankful that the mask hid any expressions that might've betrayed any of his feelings.
A wand was out in an instant, but he did not raise his own- at least for now. "Which are you?" he asked, his question phrased strangely. Draco could not think of a reason why he would speak so oddly, but kept his thoughts to himself.
He pulled back the mask, knowing otherwise he would be fired upon because his word wouldn't be enough. His wand came out as well, resting in a lazy grip. "Malfoy," he replied evenly, noting how the girl no longer struggled or screamed in his grip. Her face angled downward, and the remaining hair hid her expression. He attempted to not focus on her.
The man's face split into a grin. "Ah, Draco! There you are; people have been wondering where you have gone to. Someone's spreading a rumor that the Potter boy is going to win, but I thought a bit of enticement would put things into perspective for him." He gestured to the girl. "Think he will be distracted if I dangle her out a window? Might be enough to get him killed."
Draco didn't even know if Harry and Voldemort were still around the school at all, but he did know the Gryffindor girl had a massive fear of heights. She'd start screaming in seconds and if that didn't draw attention, nothing would. She would be killed by any Death Eater that saw her if the thought that they had a chance of murdering the famous Mudblood.
"Seems daring," Draco drawled, thankful that Yaxley was someone he only occasionally spoke to. If they knew each other better, his unusual demeanor might have thrown the older man off. But thankfully, he remained oblivious to the tenseness in his voice.
"It will be worth it if it kills the boy, won't it? Besides, if it doesn't work, I can always toss her off the balcony." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Or have my way with her."
The blonde fought to keep the pathetic amount of food in his stomach down. Everyone always seemed to be thinking the same, sickening thought these days. When would people start coming up with more creative forms of punishment? All he ever heard about was rape and the Crucio curse. They had a million dark spells to play with, yet everyone seemed to use the same simple tactics. Pathetic.
"I doubt that's a good idea," he replied, fighting to keep his eyes in one place. He needed to find a way to fix this situation, and fast. "You'd cause more issues, especially if things don't go in our favor."
The older man's eyes darkened. "You doubt the Dark Lord's abilities?! The Potter boy still has a mind of a child, just like you! Someone so young can't be prepared to handle such a large task. He will die, just give it some time."
"I suppose." Draco watched the man nod, then turn away. Perhaps he could simply attack from behind, but he never really got the chance.
Granger- who seemed to be unable to help herself the entire time- jutted out a leg and tripped the older man, sending him crashing into the ground, his body landing on one of her legs. For a moment Draco was completely thrown by the unusual turn of events, until Yaxley began to try and retaliate, grabbing the girl's legs.
Right about then they finally locked eyes, and the blonde snapped himself out of his surprise. He needed to act fast, and she would probably appreciate it more if he did something to help her out.
A quick stunning charm caught the elder Death Eater off guard, and he fell the short distance back onto his side. The blonde wasted no time wiping his memory of the past twenty minutes- just to be sure- before he helped Granger get up.
She jerked in his grip, moving from his grasp to lean against a wall. She placed her hand on the stone surface, looking up at him with wide eyes. "I thought you weren't going back out to fight," she gasped.
He rolled his eyes, so used to her cutthroat sentences and accusations that it didn't even faze him in this moment. "Yes, I know. This is quite a surprise indeed. Don't complain though, because without me you would be in a worse place by now."
Her expression hardened as he reached up to touch the wound on her head, but she stopped his hand. "Don't touch it, I'll heal it myself. My wand is on the next floor, and most people haven't gotten this far up. I can get back to it without trouble."
"Just like you could get out of that situation without trouble?" he snapped in return. "If I hadn't been around, Granger, I'm not entirely sure what you would've done to save yourself."
Hermione rolled her eyes, though she seemed to be getting dizzier by the minute. "I would've done something."
"I'm sure," he said, touching his wand to her head in her distraction. She didn't quite have time to shove it away, but she didn't look angry to have the gash healed either. She didn't offer a thank you when he finished, and he didn't expect it. Thank you's between them were still quite awkward.
"I should be getting back," she said quickly, moving away. "I don't want to be around when he wakes up, even if he won't remember."
Won't remember. Now the gears in Draco's mind were spinning. He knew his idea was twisted and wrong instantly, but it was very tempting. He saved her a lot, and maybe she did owe him something. But he couldn't get in trouble if she never remembered.
He brushed her cheek, and she looked up at him as he moved closer again, eyes curious now. He never touched her like this before, and she had no idea what it meant. In all regards, she should be scared.
And although he had hurt her many times in the past, she did not fear him now. Maybe it was because he had also saved her many times as well.
"Malfoy?" she asked, unsure what was happening. But he placed a finger to her lips, quieting her down. She didn't move away, she just watched him with uncertainty.
When he leaned forward to press his lips against her own she didn't have enough time to be startled and turn away. He kept one hand against the back of her head, softly holding her in place. If she really struggled against him, she could get away. But the girl did not. She practically melted against him as his soft lips worked against her own.
Draco didn't linger long in the kiss, and took a step back the moment he dropped his hand from the back of her head. They stared at each other in silence for a moment, neither sure what to say.
It was Hermione that broke the long silence. "Why?"
But Draco couldn't look at her now; he hated himself. He was playing with forbidden fruit, and liking it a little too much. His growing curiosity for the girl had gotten out of hand now, and although he didn't regret his action he couldn't let her go about with those thoughts in her head; it couldn't be done.
He didn't look into her eyes when he pulled out his wand, because he believed what he was doing was right. He might've loved the kiss, but that didn't matter. They were in a war- one which might go on for a long time- and he didn't think it was a good idea to have those memories dancing in her head. What if they ended up being her downfall?
Maybe he was overreacting in this moment about her safety, but he didn't care.
The blonde shook his head, looking at her for a moment. "I'm sorry... Hermione, Obliviate."
A/n: I know, odd ending. It does have a purpose! We will be going back to present time in the next chapter though. No worries, this will be looked into again soon.