Sleep had always been a foreign concept for Hermione. Whether it was because she had to stay up to study for an exam, complete a twenty page thesis or because she was plagued by endless worry and anxiety, she rarely got any. That night was one of those nights. No matter how hard she attempted to lull herself to sleep (she tried everything in the book: counting sheep, drinking warm milk, watching a boring movie), she was never blessed with a good night's rest. Just a few measly hours of rest that still left her feeling like a zombie in the morning.

It was times like these that she envied her boyfriend. It didn't take a lot to get him to sleep. He was always asleep, at all times of the day when he wasn't on the field practising. Just like Hermione, Ron was a student at the local college. But unlike her, he was there under a sports scholarship. Ron was very enthusiastic about football. The only time she had ever seen her boyfriend so serious was during practise or a match. He never failed to miss a match on television, commenting on how he could do a much better job than " the incompetent nincompoops" on the field. His ultimate dream was to join Manchester United, his all time favourite club.

Hermione never really concerned herself with sports. She was more of an intellectual person who preferred to curl up with a good book and a nice cup of coffee instead of engaging in sports. Ron often mocked her for this, calling her all sorts of names like 'nerd' or 'Know-it-all', and whenever she protested it was always 'quit your whining, I was only joking. Jeez, somebody can't take a fucking joke, I guess we can add "lack of sense of humour" to the list'. His insults and teasing hurt her more than she had liked to admit.

Morning came quicker than Hermione had anticipated, the first rays of the sun hitting her face. She heard Ron groan next to her. Hermione sighed, before slipping out of bed.

She shuffled to the bathroom, her body still aching from last night. She couldn't even look in the mirror as she brushed her teeth, because of the sight that awaited her. After freshening up a little, she went to the kitchen to get herself something to eat.

"Morning." Ron greeted groggily, as he shuffled into the kitchen, opening the fridge and taking out a box of orange juice. He poured himself a glass, before walking over to where Hermione was seated by the island, sipping her cup of coffee.

"What? So no coffee for me?" He asked. You can make it your damn self, Hermione thought savagely, as she took another sip of her coffee. But instead of voicing her thoughts, she said, "I'm sorry, would you like some?"

Oh God she hated herself. She hated how emotionally bound to him she was, how petrified of enraging him she was, how subservient she was.

But it couldn't be helped now could it?

"No, it's fine. I was kidding, baby, no need to make me a cuppa." He chuckled, walking over to her. She flinched as she felt his hands on her shoulder, rubbing down on her arm. She released a breath she didn't know she was holding when he removed his hand from her body.

"Here, take this." He returned a few moments later, ice pack in his hand. "Your face is a mess. Use this to reduce the swelling." He avoided eye contact with her as she took the… (gesture of kindness?) from him. She pressed the cold packet against her cheek, soothing some of the throbbing pain that had taken over that region of her cheek. "I left another one for you by the counter."

"Thank you," She muttered, although she wasn't all that grateful. He was the one who left her in this situation after all.

After breakfast, she took a shower, preparing for the day. Unlike Ron, who enjoyed being idle, Hermione liked to keep herself busy. Seeing as today was one of her free days, she would be in the library, catching up on the reads she had neglected during the week due to her demanding schedule.

She threw on one of Ron's baggy jumpers and a pair of jeans, along with her worn out trainers. She tied her hair up into a messy bun, her make-up expertly done so that her bruises were invisible (another hobby she had taken up after dating Ron was watching make-up tutorials on YouTube and attempting to perfect the art of cosmetology. At first she had just watched those hacks to find a way to hide her bruises, but then she became more and more enthralled by the practice that she developed a knack for it).

"Alright I'm out!" She announced to Ron, who was sitting on the couch with a bag of chips and a beer, his eyes fixed on the television. "Yeah, okay.." He said absent-mindedly.

When she finally reached the library, she felt the peace and serenity of the academic atmosphere engulf her, and for once a genuine smile spring onto her face. The library was her Zen. It was the place she escaped to when things were especially bad with Ron, the place where she could freely be herself while getting lost in the interesting books and the tales they told.

She went to her usual spot, near the stained glass windows, and pulled a book out of the shelf before taking a seat and beginning to read.

"Ah, I see you have fine taste." Hermione looked up, slightly irked by the person that had interrupted her peace. "And can I—"

She froze.

Grey, stormy, cryptic eyes. Platinum blonde hair. A smirk.

She coughed. "A-and can I help you?"

"Well you can help me by telling me why you picked this book in particular." He said.

Why would he want to know why she had taken out that book?

If anyone else had asked her such a question she would've had a ten page essay followed by a PowerPoint presentation to explain why. But because it was him… suddenly she was reduced to a succinct mess.

"I-I.. w-well I.. I-I just think it's interesting."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "That's it?"

Hermione nodded.

"Okay." He then took a seat next to her, despite her innards screaming in protest. "What's your name? No, wait, I'll try to guess what your name is based on the book you're reading."

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Ten quid says you can't!"

He smirked at her, crossing his arms. "Ten quid eh? Thanks for the incentive."

He stared at the cover of the book intently. Hermione stared at him, both interested and perplexed. "Hmm… you're reading The Winter's Tale…" He then stared at her with the same look of concentration. The way he stared at her, eyes squinted and plump lips bitten, she had to admit that it was… sexy.

No! How could you think that?! She felt her face heat up.

"Your name is…. Hermione!" Hermione's mouth fell agape. "W-what? H-how?"

Draco held out his hand, a smug look on his face. "My money?"

"But I don't have ten quid!"

"Then you shouldn't have made such a hefty bet." He tsked. Hermione chuckled. "Okay genius, how exactly did you figure out my name?"

"It's because I'm brilliant. Duh." He said, but his eyes followed something else. Hermione followed her gaze right to…

Her notebook. Sitting right next to the novel with her name and surname on it.

"Oh you cheater!" She said, hitting him with the book. "Hey! That means I don't have to pay you ten quid any more!" Hermione said triumphantly.

"Damn! You weren't supposed to find out my secret!"

"I was going to find out anyway. It's lying right next to my book!"

"Well if you didn't spot it then I figured there would be a higher chance of you not spotting it at all."He said, shrugging. The pair chuckled loudly, their laughter cut off after the librarian, Mrs Pince, came by to shush them.

His voice dropped. "But seriously, your parents named you after a Shakespearean character? Wow they must be big nerds!"

"Okay are you done mocking my parents so I can guess your name and possibly figure out the type of parents you had?" Hermione asked. "Oh bring it on!" He exclaimed, a little too loud, because Mrs Pince shot him the dirtiest of looks.

"Hmm… John, Steve, Charles, Harry?" She answered.

"Wrong, wrong, wrong, and my roommate's boyfriend's name is Harry. Try again."

"Aww come on can I have a clue?"

"That would be cheating Granger." He sighed, shaking his head.

"But you cheated too." Hermione pointed out.

"Fine." He huffed. "Your clue is astrology and Greek mythology." Hermione tapped her chin as she feigned thought. Greek mythology huh?

"Is it by any chance a constellation?"

"Ooooh, now you're getting warm."

"Hmm." She hummed. "Is it by any chance Orion? Bellatrix?"

"Funny enough you guessed the names of two of my family members. Try again."

Hermione cursed, earning a tsk from him. "Uhh… Lynx? Pyxis? Delphinus?"

"Nope, nope and nope." He said, popping each p. Hermione gave a frustrated huff. "Another clue please?"

"Are you even worthy of one?" He inquired. "Just give it to me!"

"Fine." He huffed. " It's a constellation, but the name means Dragon in Latin. Can you guess it now?"

Hermione thought for a moment, racking her brain for an answer before it finally hit her: "Draco! Your name is Draco!"

To her relief she heard a ding ding sound leave his mouth. "Correct! I am Draco Malfoy."

"You call my parents nerds when you and two other family members are named after stars." Hermione scoffed. "Hey! Draco said defensively. "I'll have you know that almost every member of my family was named after a star!"

With the way they were chuckling, Hermione was sure it would be a miracle if Mrs Pince allowed her access to the library the next day.

"But I can't blame your parents for naming you Hermione." Draco said, now staring intently at her. "I mean you possess the same beauty Hermione was described to have in The Winter's Tale."

Hermione felt her face flush at his compliment. No one, not even Ron, had said something like that about her.

"I-I—w-well thank you!"

"I truly hope this isn't the first time you're hearing a compliment like this! I mean with a boyfriend such as yours you should be showered by compliments on a daily basis. That does happen to you right?"

Hermione felt the laughter and happiness she previously felt drain from her body as thoughts of Ron flooded her mind. She could see him now, eyes ablaze with rage at the thought of her conversing with another man and laughing at his jokes. She could practically feel his fists and his smacks. Her chest tightened.

"I-I Uhm… I have to go." Hermione said, picking up her book and stuffing it into her bag. Draco frowned at her. "Oh? So soon?"

"Yeah, I forgot that I have something important to do." She said, her eyes aloof. Draco's frown deepened, a hint of disappointment lurking in his eyes. "Oh… I guess I'll see you next time? If you need me my dorm room is number 2 on the west wing."

"Yeah… hopefully." And with that she left. Tears welled in her eyes,and she found herself appalled by them. Why are you crying over somebody you just met? The voice taunted. You have a boyfriend; there's no need to be speaking to that guy. And she thought of Ron, and that seemed to have made the tears fall harder.

Actually when was the last time he had complimented her?