A/N- Right, so I know that this isn't the real ingredients used in the Draught of the Living Dead, but I just - I just wanted to do something different and am so imaginative that I couldn't think of a new potion.

Just a warning before you read it.

He closed his eyes and focused on the darkness behind his eyelids that slowly transformed into a relatively blurry view of the library. Focusing a bit harder, the library became clearer and a long, slightly tanned arm with an expensive bracelet dangling on the wrist was seen picking up a large tome. He couldn't make out all of the words, but he only needed to recognise the word 'floriology'. Good, he thought, she'll-

"There's no need to panic," He said, interrupting his friend's musings. He opened his eyes, the image of the library quickly disappearing, and scowled at him.

"I'm not panicking."

"Alright then," he smirked, "there's no need to be stressed, or am I mistaking your nervousness?"

"Shut up Blaise."

"Oh come on. You know it's true," Blaise nudged his friend, but he was only rewarded with a glare. He sighed. "You said that you've done it before so just do it again."

"I'd happily trade places with you so you can see how difficult it is."

"Will it honestly be that difficult? I mean, we're in Potions, there'll be fumes to – oh wait," Blaise stopped short, remembering what he knew about Veelas.

"Yeah. Oh." Draco drawled sarcastically, tapping his nose with his index finger. "Heightened senses. Remember that Blaise?"

Blaise barely had time to reply before Professor Cassidy threw open the door, the scowl still etched onto his face and ushered them all into the classroom in silence. Blaise and Draco sat next to each other as far away from the Professor as they could and as deep into the back of the room as he allowed with it being such a small class. He couldn't be bothered to notice the other six people and where they sat in the room, he was too busy taking deep and calming breaths and blocking out the rest of the world to just focus on himself. Draco, however, couldn't help but notice the beats his heart skipped and then the faster ones it made to make up for the missing ones. He looked over to where Hermione had entered the room, and subconsciously followed her with his eyes as she stood next to Weasley to the right of the Professors desk, as he sat down. He smirked seeing that she was still as obsessed with school as she had ever been. As if feeling his eyes on her, she looked over her shoulder and before she could notice, Draco quickly averted his eyes. She didn't look at him for long, just merely skipped over him completely and sat down after looking around the rest of the room.

However, all the while Professor Cassidy was explaining how to brew correctly Draught of the Living Dead and constantly reiterating his point of how dangerous it was and that he didn't want any of them to fall into a deep sleep indefinitely, Draco had his eyes on Hermione. She'd keep turning around though, then receive a glare from Cassidy, but Draco was always quick enough to shift his eyes until she was no longer looking. It was one of the best games he'd ever played, he thought.

Ten minutes later and everyone had finally arrived back to their respective desks with all their ingredients and cauldrons and had started to brew their potions with the people they were seated with. Draco found the making of the potion challenging at the least (even if he did have help with half of it), but as one of the top potioneers in the class, he was getting through it slowly, but better than some of the others were. Blaise wasn't making such a fuss, as he was as competent as Draco was, so they didn't need to communicate and he didn't doubt that they'd have this potion done by the end of the lesson; however, could hear the grumblings of some of the others around the room as they didn't have as good skills. He could hear Brown's incessant cursing as she tried to crush the sopophorous beans, Potter mumbling to himself as he tried to recall the information in the 'Half-Blood Prince's book' and Hermione as she was continually whispering instructions to Weasley out of the corner of her mouth and berating him when he accidentally did something wrong.

Cassidy was walking around the room, stopping for no more than two minutes at each pair to watch them work, causing some of the more distressed ones to end up cutting themselves by mistake or putting the wrong thing into their cauldron. Draco noticed, while staring in Hermione's direction again, that Cassidy had spent only a bit longer at Weasley's side, observing him, while he tried to figure out how to do it properly without Hermione's assistance.

"Shit," Draco cursed as he lost concentration from staring at Hermione for so long and ended up making a deep slice in his finger whilst cutting the Valerian roots. The top half of his finger was hanging limply, only being supported by a thin bit of skin and some muscle for a couple of seconds with blood pouring over it before all the sinew and skin that was missing re-grew and knitted itself back together. Even now, after a few injuries, it amazed him at how fast he repaired himself. He chuckled to himself as if he knew something that no one else did, which, I'd have to say, was very true.

Granger's friends and even Blaise when Draco told him, all thought that her new bracelet was a lovely gift, obviously from someone who liked her very much or from someone who was trying to make a good impression. Something that wasn't quite selfless but at the same time, wasn't at all selfish.

That's where they were wrong!

Of course yes, he was starting by saying sorry, albeit anonymously but the flowers and note would've worked just as well – he didn't need to send the bracelet. He was more than sure that it wasn't the accessory that brought the forgiveness of Granger; he knew that she wasn't that type of materialistic person. The only reason that Draco even sent the blasted thing was because that with also her recent injuries, he'd decided to lace the gift with powerful healing charms (that would repair her as quickly as Draco's Veela blood does) and a locating spell so that he always knows where she is. Now that was the selfish bit, because it was all for his sole benefit of course, because, if Hermione dies – he dies. He's only trying to keep himself alive just that bit longer.

Draco had just burnt himself after losing his concentration again, when Professor Cassidy yelled, looking positively murderous; it seemed that he had made his way back round to Weasley's side again. "Mr Malfoy," Professor Cassidy snapped. Draco's head darted up to see what had gotten the Professor in such an angered state, especially when he heard his own name. "Switch partners with-"

Merlin, oh Merlin! Draco thought, his heart sinking into his stomach. Neither of them! Don't make me switch with either of them! The world is ending...

"Mr Weasley before his incompetence causes us all to die. And no disagreements or I'll have you in detention for a month – that goes for the both of you!" Cassidy continued, not noticing the entire colour draining out of Draco's face and the speeding up of his heart. He was about to retort, he didn't care about a stupid detention when his secret could be at stake! However, Blaise elbowed him sharply in the side and that, with the defeated look of Weasley (who Draco was more than sure would have had something to say about this) as he made his way over looking – if it were even possible – even more sour than Draco was feeling, knew that this was a lost cause. Draco grumpily gathered his things, disregarding his nervousness and momentary panic, choosing to focus instead about what he was actually doing so as not to give the Veela a chance to control. He left the cauldron with Blaise and trudged over to where Hermione was at the front. He tried to hide his shaking hands as he dumped his bag on the floor (which echoed in the silence of the room) and just looked over to the book by Hermione to see where she was with the potion. Then, after not managing to work out where she was, he looked over to see what she was doing, all the while staying so far away from her as not to touch her by mistake.

Clearly, he'd been lost in his own thoughts (and that gorgeous scent of hers that he'd been trying so hard to ignore) and way too busy just watching her to notice that she'd been trying to subtly and quietly get his attention without drawing Cassidy's attention to themselves. Hermione had run out of options since he was not responding, so she had to resort to stabbing the knife into the desk by his hand, accidentally catching a piece of his skin, which amazingly repaired itself before her very eyes seconds later. Her eyes widened at the magic, but she didn't question it...yet. They had more important things to do – like the potion.

"Bloody hell woman, what was that for?" Draco hissed under his breath, then holding his hand close to his body as if he only just realised that he'd been cut – not that it mattered anymore – but it was a slow reaction.

"Look Malfoy, I'm not getting any less than an O on this potion, so you better just stop...staring at me and help," she snapped back at him.

Draco rolled his eyes and fought down the small blush that threatened to show his embarrassment of being caught. "Staring? Please Granger, as if I'd ever voluntarily watch you like that."

"Well then ferret, what were you doing? And none of your stupid mind games."

"Observing," Draco stated simply, as if it was obvious. "Trying to figure out what has been done and what needs doing."

"Right, well," she dumped some of the Valerian roots into the cauldron, stirred it twice clockwise and then dumped some lavender sprigs in from of Draco. "You can just cut up the lavender for now."

"I don't need to be told what to do," Draco grumbled under his breath so that Hermione couldn't hear him, "being told where we are is good enough." He rolled up his sleeves, feeling hotter where he was now than where he was with Blaise. He, of course, was well aware that by doing that, he was exposing the Dark Mark to everyone in the room but he couldn't possibly care less. It was fading anyway, it was a light grey in colour now, and it wasn't as if he wanted to get the tattoo branded on his skin in the first place - so what was there to be ashamed of? He grabbed the knife from where it was still pointing face down into the desk and began to chop the lavender.

Once he finished he was about to nudge Hermione, who was gradually adding unicorn hairs, but stopped his elbow just centimetres away from her. It wouldn't do any good to have her faint now and possibly bring the entire cauldron contents down with her. Draco could hear the crackle of magic in the air from the closeness of them and Hermione felt a small jolt of electricity go up her arm, causing her mind to become cloudy for a couple of seconds, by which time she'd accidentally dropped all the hairs in by mistake.

Draco made a growling noise in the back of his throat. "What are you doing?" He snapped, oblivious that she as well had no idea what had happened. They didn't touch – that was for sure. Maybe it was just the overload of magic; the same overload that the book said caused Mates to faint. Hermione just shook her head as if she had just come out of a daze and looked questionably and irritably at Draco who was cursing loud enough for her to hear and about how one minute she wanted a perfect potion and the next she was ruining it. He ordered her 'out of the way', then walked around her, as far as possible as not to touch her (which insulted Hermione who thought that most the Wizarding World was over blood purity) and quickly tried to fix the failed potion. Hermione just stared at him as he put in four measures of Standard Ingredient. She watched him long enough for him to notice her lack of help; he looked over his shoulder and said, "It's rude to stare Granger."

"I'm observing," Hermione sneered, folding her arms. He couldn't be bothered to fight with her, and he especially didn't want to use up another week of his life or have to go through the pain again, so he just sent her a scathing look and ordered her to go get the jar of dart frogs from the ingredients cupboard.

Once she arrived back, Draco asked for two dart frogs, but he completely lost it when she reached into the jar without gloves on. Not wanting to risk her fainting even more, Draco just settled for frantically waving his arms about and hissing, "Stop. Stop! Gloves Granger! Gloves! Honestly, are you really the Brightest Witch of Your Age? Dart frogs are poisonous! What's wrong with you?"
He very much doubted that the bracelet would protect her from poison.

Hermione got exceedingly irritated with not just Draco and his critical words and looks, but with herself for acting so daft. Really Hermione, she thought, what is wrong with you? You've never zoned out this much during class or act so carelessly – especially in Potions!

Draco sighed, putting the gloves on himself and took two out, then proceeded to squeeze the poison out of them and into the cauldron. He then put the two of them back into the jar, closed the lid and thrust it back into Hermione's hands, giving her a look saying that he hoped that she could do at least that right. He took his gloves off and continued to order Hermione around. If she wanted the potion to be perfect, then so be it, she could just follow his orders and that way she'll hopefully not muck up the potion again.

Every time Draco wanted Hermione to pass her something, he'd always say to put it on the table – never would he take it from her hand, that might mean - Merlin forbid - that he'd have to touch her. She even tried moving slightly closer to him, only small amounts each time that a normal person shouldn't have even been able to notice – but he did. Hermione had had enough! This never bothered her before, but then again, Hermione never had to work with Draco before for anything, but now, she was going to make sure that they had some contact whether he liked it or not! He desperately needed to get over this Pureblood supremacy thing – the War was over.

Hermione stared at the pile of lavender that Draco had cut up before her. He needed this and soon and he was going to get it. Contact involved.

"Granger, do you have the lavender?" Draco asked.

"Yes," she said innocently. "Do you need it?"

"Well obviously-" Draco started, before he cut himself off.

Long, nimble fingers were wrapped around his wrist, sending a sharp tingle up his arm and straight to his heart and brain, making it feel as if his heart was on a caffeine high and his brain to go completely fuzzy. He was faintly aware that there was something in his hand, but apart from that, he couldn't make sense of anything except the shocked - but also triumphant - face of Hermione seconds before she collapsed. As if on autopilot, Draco's hands automatically dropped whatever he was holding and wrapped both his hands around her waist before she hit the ground, unconscious.

I tried to fight it.

I did.

Truly.

But she was just so...perfect.

She was warm against me, her hair tickled my chin as did her small breaths and she was soft. So, so soft. I could hold her until I die; I wanted to hold her until I died. And there was no one that could ever take her away from me, especially now. I could tell that the wizard part of me was no longer in control; it felt like there was thick fog in my head – as if I was intoxicated. There was also her scent – how could I forget something as delicious as that?Merlin that scent would be on my clothes for days – not that I minded – but still, I'd never be able to think straight or get any work done again.

Lord how I love you Hermione. How I love that, you truly are her. I love that I know that now; how I'm not longer blindly lusting over that Weasley, how no one else would ever faint at my touch as you did. Could there be any more ways to love a Mate?
I nuzzled my head into the crook of her neck, breathing her in, the tips of my fingers playing with the ends of her hair. She was leaning on me and I was holding her up on her own two feet still, but I couldn't care less if I was standing and admiring her or sitting on the floor admiring her. It didn't matter where she was; Hermione was always looking beautiful in any light.

I was vaguely aware of someone calling my name, well, if 'Mr Malfoy' counts as my name or just plain old 'Malfoy'. There were some other calls for Hermione too, but I wasn't too sure if that was really happening or whether it was just my own mind calling out for her. I knew it was reality come knocking however, when I felt someone pulling my shoulders. Someone trying to separate us.

Me and Hermione.

Hermione and I.

I held on tighter, careful to keep my anger in check – I didn't want to burn my Mate and I definitely didn't want to show everyone my wings. I growled low in my throat and lifted my head up from her to see what was happening in my surroundings. There were more hands on my shoulders, I could feel them but couldn't make out how many pairs there were. I constantly shrugged them off but they always resumed their position and continued to pull me away. Why didn't they understand that I didn't want to let go?
"Bloody hell Malfoy," Weasley growled at me, "what's wrong with you! Get your hands off her you sick, cowardly, Death-" I quickly spun around knowing that one of the hands was Weasley's, I had to let go of Hermione obviously so that I could properly attack him, but I knew there were people around me that would catch her. He seemed to get a little bit intimidated by what must have been an extremely murderous expression on my face (and perhaps the intensity of my black eyes) but still, he proceeded to swing at me to try to dislodge himself from my grip on the front of his robes.

"No, Weasley, you don't touch her!" I growled. This seemed to give him a new sense of anger and strength and his began to deliver more and faster blows, but I barely needed to think as I dodged every one of his swings and landed a few of my own on his face and his stomach. At one point, I think I cracked his nose. I was just about to land another blow to his face when Weasley dropped like a stone to the floor, clearly being stupefied. The room had suddenly become eerily silent; I could feel all the eyes that were trained on me. I looked around me, the threat being temporarily dealt with, when my eyes landed the Professor, his wand held shakily out in front of him, showing much more emotion that I'd ever seen him show in the past hour, although it was mostly alarm.

"I didn't think Minerva was serious," Cassidy breathed. "Good Lord Draco Malfoy." He just stood by his desk for a while, seemingly catching his breath, or, more likely, putting his thoughts in order and deciding how best to deal with the situation at hand. Soon, the panicked expression on his face was transformed into one of full authority and concern. He ordered the others to return to their potions and continue them before they became ruined and would have to make up for it in detention. Blaise looked at Draco worryingly for a short amount of time as he made his way over to his desk, but looked away when he realised that he was too far-gone at the moment to see anything reassuring. Professor Cassidy then beckoned Draco over to him, which Draco stiffly did, not sure what would happen but he would take any excuse to go back over to where his Mate was. "Potter," he said gruffly, "get back to your potion." When Harry didn't move away from where he was crouched by Hermione's side, Draco shot him a deadly glare that should've sent him running and when that didn't work and Draco was about to start growling, Cassidy barked "Now! 20 points from Gryffindor for being defiant!" Sulkily, Harry got up, shoved past Malfoy and went to his desk, which was to the side of them, to continue the potion.

Cassidy suddenly looked tired as he examined Draco who was staring longingly at the crumpled body on the floor. He sighed. "Take her to Madam Pomfrey, Mr. Malfoy. I'll finish your potion. I understand the...nature of things but if you can't control yourself, I'll see to it that you're removed from my class." Draco nodded curtly and gently, with all the care in the world, scooped Hermione up into his arms, feeling a sense of déjà vu as he carried Hermione unconscious in a bridal style lift.

A/N- Happy Easter! Sorry this one is short. I wasn't expecting it to be, but I got the end and I didn't know what else to say (and I was also super addicted to 'Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass' and 'That Girl' by All Time Low for the whole day).

If there's any spelling mistakes or grammar problems could you please tell me, as I don't have a beta? Thank you! (I also understand, reading back through it that it's a bit all over the place again)

Okay, I don't know if floriology is the proper word (apparently it's not even a real one) but that's what google told me! So apparently floriology is the study of the meaning of flowers.

I also have noticed that one or two of you are confused about whether Hermione will keep passing out every time they touch. I've seen that I guess I haven't explained that very well. Basically, Hermione faints ONCE at their touch and then never again. I hope that solves the problem. Sorry.

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