Hi, hello. It's an update

Uh, I'm very conflicted about whether or not this is going to be a Dark!Draco story, simply because compared to M&M, he wouldn't be all that dark actually. I don't know, we'll see..

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing


Hermione's eyes widened as she caught onto what he was saying. She looked down at his wand, mind going a mile a minute.

"Your life can go back to how it was before. You won't have to be scared, you can enjoy being around your friends again. Hell, you and the weasel can get back together and live happily ever after. It's what you want, isn't it?"

Hermione opened and closed her mouth. That was what she wanted…wasn't it? She frowned, gazing into his eyes as he stared at her.

"Just say the word, Hermione, and everything can go back to normal."


"That is what I want," she murmured.

"I know it is. Everything can be exactly like it was-"

"Is that what you want?"

She suddenly looked up at him in question. Her sudden question had thrown him off and he paused, staring at her in confusion.

"What?"

"Is that what you want? Do you want us to go back to hating each other? Do you want to be free of this complication-?"

"This isn't a complication," he snapped.

"Yes it is! That's what this is about, isn't it? We're sort of friends, Draco," she said matter-of-factly.

He stood, nostrils flaring as he glared down at her.

"We are not friends. I'm just doing the right thing," he protested.

"You did the right thing. When you found me in that corridor that night and made sure that I was taken care of, that was the right thing to do. Now, you're just going above and beyond. Admit it…"

"You really are an insufferable know-it-all," he hissed.

"And you are a stubborn ass," she shot back.

They were frozen in those positions for a few seconds, he glaring down at her and her glaring up at him. Was he really so frightened by the thought of the two of them being friends? Hell, if she could accept it then so could he. There were way worse things in the world than the two of them actually getting along. She heaved a tired sigh before eventually looking away.

"I appreciate the offer, Draco, but…I'm going to have to decline," she said.

"Fine."

She reached out and grabbed his arm just as he turned to leave. She looked up at him.

"I'm declining because…I don't want to forget how kind you were."

He clenched his jaw, looking away. She shook her head.

"I don't want to go back to viewing this world in nothing but black and white. I don't want to be like my friends. There's so much grey area, everything isn't always what it seems and you've shown me that. That's not something that I want to forget," she said.

She saw him swallow, shoulders heaving.

"You're a good person, Draco," she whispered.

She gasped in shock as he snatched his arm from out of her grip. He turned to gaze at her, eyes much brighter and much more commanding than before. She looked away at the intensity in them. Their eyes are too much alike…

"I think that you're confused, so allow me to clear some things up for you," he whispered, sitting down beside her.

Hermione stood her ground as he brought his wand up to graze her cheek. She swallowed, the powerful piece of wood trailing down her skin as she stared ahead.

"I'm not a good person, Hermione. You have no idea what I'm capable of," he murmured.

"You don't scare me…"

She looked at him just as he raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I've done things that would shock you."

"That doesn't matter-"

"Well, it should. I've killed, I've tortured and I'm not going to lie, part of me…reveled in it. Now, I've made you a promise, one I will keep, but that doesn't mean that we need to be friends. We are never going to be friends. You are Hermione Granger and I am Draco Malfoy, nothing has changed."

Hermione could remember screaming those same words at him weeks ago. She had been in denial, protesting that everything was the same, but nothing would ever be the same. No, Draco, everything has changed. He roughly pushed off of the bed, it jerking at the force.

"So get this through your head right now. This isn't some fairytale, so you need to stop looking at me like someone that needs to be saved. My future is set."

Hermione closed her eyes as his footsteps echoed into the corridor, the sound of them fading as she brought her hands up to her face. Had Draco really meant all of those things he had said or was he simply trying to scare her? She couldn't tell and it was killing her! He was so hard to read now. If all of it was true, then did he basically just confess that he is a Death Eater? Were Harry and Ron right? If so, then that meant he was dangerous.

Zabini did say that Draco had already chosen his side, hinting at it being irreversible. The only irreversible thing Draco could have done was getting that damned skull tattooed onto his arm. Draco wasn't a bad person, she refused to believe otherwise. She had seen something tonight, something that gave her a determination like no other. She saw hope that this life might not be what Draco wants.

She laid back down, staring up at the ceiling with a newfound motivation. Draco had vowed to protect her from his father. He had vowed to save her and she was determined to return the favor.


"Well, Lavender and Parvati got into a huge spat at dinner last night, over some boy, I think. What else is new," Ginny said, rolling her eyes.

Hermione chuckled.

"Uh…I think that about sums it up. I mean, you've only been out for two days, so not much else has happened-oh! I almost forgot. Zabini asked about you," Ginny said, eyes bright and inquiring.

Hermione swallowed, frowning in confusion.

"He did?"

"Yeah. Hermione what is going on with you two?"

Hermione shook her head.

"I told you before, nothing. I'm not sure what all of this is about. We hardly acknowledge each other," Hermione lied.

She found that it was much easier to just let the lies flow now. Of course, she was a bit irked that Zabini wasn't discussing any of this with her. She didn't appreciate being blindsided.

"Well, he clearly wants to fix that. Blaise freaking Zabini, pureblood extraordinaire who looks down his nose at just about everyone, is completely smitten with you. How do you do it," Ginny asked, shaking her head.

"Ginny…please…"

"I mean, you've got Malfoy all twisted up into knots, not sure what to do with you and you've got Zabini trailing after you like a dog in heat or something. You must teach me your ways," Ginny said with a sigh.

Hermione shook her head, face heating up.

"What did he say, Ginny?"

"Oh? So, you are interested," Ginny sang.

"Well, of course I'm curious," Hermione huffed.

"Fine, but first, let me tell you that he's got some balls!"

"What," Hermione shrieked with a laugh.

Ginny shifted on the end of the bed, leaning closer towards Hermione.

"I promise that I am not lying when I say that he walked right up to our table yesterday morning, not a fault in step. He completely interrupted my conversation with Ron, Harry, and Dean to ask me about you. He wanted to know how you were doing and if you were feeling any better. He didn't even acknowledge the looks he was getting. Dean looked like he'd seen a ghost and Harry…well…," she trailed off, shaking her head.

"You talked to him, right?"

Ginny sighed.

"I tried. He just kept going on about Slytherins and how untrustworthy they are. I think this whole thing with Malfoy is really getting to him and it doesn't help that Daddy Death Eater is here too, watching our every move."

Hermione bit her lip, nodding in agreement.

"Anyways, enough about him. I'm much more interested in the fact that you and Zabini are going to be this school's new power couple. Now Harry and I can finally step down," Ginny joked.

"Ha ha. I'm sure that it's nothing, Ginny. You're reading way too much into this," Hermione said.

"I disagree, but fine, have it your way," Ginny responded, throwing her hands up.

"What if…what if we were together," Hermione suddenly asked.

Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"Is this your way of confessing that you are…?"

Heroine shook her head.

"No, no, just…hypothetically speaking…"

Ginny exhaled, tilting her head.

"In all seriousness?"

Hermione nodded.

"I think it'd be…sweet. Any guy that dates you has a high risk of falling in love with you, I'd say. Everyone knows that the Zabini's are still on the fence, maybe you'd be exactly what he needs to just…tip the scale," Ginny said with a shrug.

"…and Malfoy?"

Hermione looked up at Ginny from beneath her lashes, gauging her reaction. Ginny frowned in confusion.

"Malfoy? As in you and him being a serious couple?"

"…yeah."

Hermione wasn't keen on Ginny's incredulous tone.

"Why," Ginny asked with a laugh.

Honestly, Hermione didn't know why she was asking. Maybe it had something to do with their conversation the other night or maybe she really just wanted to pick Ginny's brain. Hermione was going with the former.

"Just curious, I guess," Hermione answered.

This time Ginny sighed and Hermione wasn't sure that she liked the look on her face. She didn't know why though.

"You and Malfoy…as a serious couple…," Ginny began.

Ginny shook her head.

"It'd never work."

Hermione swallowed, trying to figure out why Ginny's answer bothered her so much.

"Why do you say that," she asked, trying to conceal how offended she was.

"Look, I know that I make jokes and I'm trying to convince you to have a sordid affair with him and all that jazz, but the two of you as a serious couple? Really? Let's say, for argument's sake, that Harry and Ron are wrong. Let's say that he hasn't taken the mark yet, in turn, sealing his fate. It's only a matter of time before he does," Ginny explained.

"I think that's a very narrow minded way of thinking, Ginny," Hermione defended.

"No, it's a realistic way of thinking. Look at who he is! He isn't a part of some third rate pureblood family at the bottom of the aristocracy. He's a Malfoy. To refuse that, he would be turning his back on his entire family and everything that they stand for. Sorry, but I doubt that any girl is going to change that, even if that girl is the almighty Hermione Granger," she said with a shrug.

Hermione could tell that Ginny was half joking as she finished and she tried her best to reign in her sudden annoyance. Why did she care anyway? It was just a hypothetical question about a hypothetical situation that would never happen. She shook her head with a small forced laugh.

"Yeah…I guess you're right."

"Stick with Zabini, he's husband material," Ginny joked.


"Hermione, I need to talk to you."

Hermione spun around, books clutched to her chest as she came face to face with Harry. The small smile on her face immediately disappeared at the look on his. She had just returned to classes and, surprisingly, she'd had a relatively good day. She'd had no encounter with him and Ginny and Ron had managed to keep her mind off of other things. Like his son, she thought.

She had done her best to not think about the disturbing conversation that she'd had with Draco the other night. His words had lingered in her mind and she found herself seriously considering the possibility that Harry was right about him. She wished that it wasn't so, but she couldn't ignore the feeling that she had. She mentally shook those thoughts from her head, instead focusing on the person in front of her.

She had hardly had a glimpse of Harry all day and she had initially thought nothing of it. However, by the look on his face at the moment, Hermione guessed that their lack of interaction was no accident. It seemed that Harry had been avoiding her. He walked towards her before gently grabbing her arm to which Hermione immediately jerked away.

"Sorry," Hermione said in response to the odd look that he threw her.

He sighed, shaking his head, before gesturing towards a secluded corridor. She turned the corner, escaping the busy corridor filled with prying eyes and gossiping students. Once she felt it was safe enough, she stopped and turned around to face him.

"What's wrong," she asked.

Harry folded his arms over his chest. His eyebrows were furrowed in what appeared to be irritation and he had an odd look on his face.

"You know what this is about, Hermione."

Hermione frowned and reared back, a bit miffed at his tone of voice. She stared at him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion before she blinked with realization. Her mouth parted in shock.

"You're joking. Please, do not tell me that this is about Zabini," she said.

Harry stepped towards her.

"Do not tell me that you don't find it the least bit strange that he's all of a sudden…interested in you," Harry stated.

Hermione took a step back, uncomfortable with his close proximity, and sighed. She hated lying, she hated secrets. No good ever came out of the two, she knew that more than anyone, but it wasn't like she had much of a choice.

"Interested? Harry, he was concerned about my health. You're making it sound like he asked me out on a date or something. He was just being polite-"

"He's a Slytherin. When are they ever polite just for the sake of being polite?"

Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

"Harry, you can't honestly believe that they're all Death Eaters in training," she protested.

"No, I don't believe that they are all Death Eaters in training. A good majority, though? Yes. Besides, it's Zabini. Everyone may think that he's one of the good ones, but that's only because he usually keeps to himself. I'd bet that he's just as bad as Malfoy," Harry spat.

Hermione clenched her jaw, fighting to hold her tongue at that last comment. She suddenly shook her head.

"I don't have time for this," she said, walking past him.

She let out a gasp as his hand wrapped around her upper arm. She was roughly jerked back to come face to face with him. Her eyes were wide as she stared up at him in shock.

"Let me go," she snapped.

Harry narrowed his eyes at her.

"You're not even hearing me out, you're completely dismissing what I'm saying," he whispered, more to himself than to her.

She twisted in his grip, her skin crawling and itching like no tomorrow. She didn't like the feel of his hand on her, not one bit.

"That's because you're being unreasonable. What legitimate reasons do you have for disliking him so? He's done nothing to warrant this type of attitude from you," she protested, tugging on her arm.

"Hermione, you're smarter than this. You aren't some gullible trollop who will believe anything that comes out of a pretty face," Harry hissed.

"Just leave it alone, Harry," she said.

"No, this isn't like you. What the hell is going on," he demanded.

"Let go of me, now," she spat.

"Not until you tell me-"

"Taking after your sidekick now, I see."

Harry suddenly let her go as he turned around, causing Hermione to stumble back and clutch her arm. She threw a venomous look at the back of his head before peaking around his shoulder.

"This doesn't concern you, Malfoy," Harry firmly stated.

"That's where you're wrong, Potter. What kind of student would I be if I simply went on about my business after witnessing what I just witnessed? What if Granger wound up in the infirmary or something? How would that make me feel, to know that I could have done something to help her?"

"You're full of rubbish," Harry spat.

"I'm involved now. I don't like it…but I feel that I have a certain duty to uphold now," Draco mocked, shrugging.

Harry rolled his eyes before reaching for her.

"Let's go, Hermione."

"I'm fine, thanks," she said.

Harry looked over his shoulder at her in question, but she looked away, avoiding his eyes. She heard him huff.

"Fine."

She took a step to the side as he walked past her and didn't look up again until she could no longer hear his footsteps. Draco wasn't even looking at her, instead staring in the direction that Harry had went, jaw clenched.

"Thanks," she finally said.

He narrowed his eyes before sliding them to her.

"What was that about?"

"…Zabini," Hermione honestly answered.

Draco nodded before looking back down the corridor.

"Isn't he still with the she weasel," Draco suddenly asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, he's still with Ginny," Hermione answered, unsure as to why he asked.

Draco glanced at her before looking back down the corridor, a slow knowing smirk making its way onto his lips.

"Right," Draco said, shoving his hands into his pocket.

"Any particular reason as to why you asked?"

Draco slowly shook his head.

"None at all," he said, but his tone of voice indicated the exact opposite.

She frowned at him, but before she could question him he had turned around, deserting her in the corridor.


"Mind if I walk with you?"

Hermione had just walked out of the portrait and looked up from stuffing books into her bag to come face to face with a familiar handsome one. He sent her a strained, yet charming, smile and Hermione found herself momentarily dazzled…and confused. She blinked, shaking her head at her momentary amnesia. She had almost forgotten.

"Um…you don't think it's a bit soon," she found herself asking.

Zabini shoved his hands into his pockets with a shrug.

"I'm just walking you to breakfast. We can talk about homework if that makes you feel any better," he said.

Hermione clutched her bag to her shoulder and gestured before her with her other hand.

"That's up to you. Lead the way," she said.

"Potter's not too fond of me," Zabini said as they walked towards the Great Hall.

"Uh…"

"Am I wrong?"

Hermione tucked her hair behind her ears with a small sigh.

"No, you're not. Although, in his defense, he's not exactly fond of any Slytherin, right now. I'm sure that you can understand why," Hermione replied, looking at him.

Zabini solemnly nodded.

"Yeah…yeah, I can definitely understand. We're…we're not all like that, you know," he said.

"I know."

Zabini chuckled and Hermione blushed as she guessed where his thoughts were headed.

"Yeah, of course you know. How did that even happen, anyway?"

Hermione grimaced.

"Zabini, it's…it's not what you think. I know that people say that all the time and it really is what people think, but this is not one of those situations. Draco and I…"

"Draco…?"

Zabini smirked, raising an eyebrow before turning away.

"You sure that it isn't what I think?"

"Positive. It's an extremely complicated situation, but he and I aren't like that at all. I understand your curiosity considering the fact that I'm not exactly giving you much here, but…," she trailed off.

"It's none of my business. Noted," he said.

Hermione did her best to ignore the curious eyes as they both stepped into the hall. Suddenly uncomfortable, she turned to tell him goodbye when he beat her to it.

"See you around, Granger," he said, walking past her, towards the Slytherin table.

Hermione bit her lip, squaring her shoulders and preparing herself for breakfast with Ron and Harry. She glanced up towards the High table and immediately regretted it. Her blood ran cold as brown met silver and she glanced away, ignoring the way his eyes had narrowed. She didn't miss the quick sweep that his eyes had done between her and Zabini.

As Hermione approached her friends, she grimaced once her eyes met Harry's. Ron had his head down, picking at his food and Hermione could only imagine what Harry had said just before she walked over. Before anyone could utter a word however, Ginny had stood, grabbing her plate and Hermione's hand.

"We're going to sit at the end of the table," Ginny said.

"Ginny-."

Hermione didn't hear the rest of Harry's protest because Ginny had dragged her away. Hermione rolled her eyes with a frown as eyes and whispers followed their movements.

"Bold. I like it," Ginny said as they sat down.

"We were just talking. That's all. I wish that Harry could understand that," Hermione said.

Ginny suddenly scowled, glancing in his direction with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah, well, I wish that Harry could understand a lot of things…like girls, for one," Ginny said.

Hermione perked up, sensing trouble.

"What's going on?"

Ginny sighed.

"We've been fighting a lot, lately, you know that…," she began.

"Yeah, you mentioned it. What about?"

Ginny threw up her hands in exasperation with a humorless chuckle.

"I don't know. That's the thing, Hermione. I honestly have no idea… It seems like everything I do or say just seems to rub him the wrong way. He's not happy with me," Ginny suddenly said.

"What? No, Ginny..."

"Yes. Talking about this out loud makes this so clear to me, now. He isn't happy."

"You know that things are tense, right now. There are things going on that…," Hermione trailed off.

Ginny had pushed her plate aside and rested her arms on the table, looking Hermione dead in the eye.

"Hermione, this is not about Voldemort. This is about us. Something is eating at him and…and I've been patient. You know? I've been really trying, Hermione. I don't want to push because I'm afraid that I'll just push him away, but…I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

"Then talk to him about it. Talk to him like you're talking to me now and tell him all of this. Whatever is wrong with him, it isn't fair that he's taking it out on you," Hermione said.

Ginny solemnly nodded.

"You're right."

A sudden commotion at the Slytherin table pulled them out of their conversation. Ginny turned around and Hermione looked up just in time to see Draco shove Zabini onto the table, scattering food and dishes everywhere. Her eyes widened and she found herself standing as Draco leaned back, fist raised before he seemed to come to his senses.

He suddenly let go, dropping Zabini and backing up, troubled eyes sweeping across the packed hall. His eyes caught hers and he swallowed. She tilted her head and he looked away, taking a few more steps back before turning around and briskly walking out of the hall. Hermione stared after him, worried and confused all at once.

She hesitantly sat back down once Zabini straightened up, signaling that he was okay.

"Bloody hell. What do you think that was about," Ginny wondered.

Hermione had a feeling, but she hoped that she was wrong. She didn't tell Ginny any of this though, instead she simply said:

"I don't know."


Hermione stared at the page, but the words had blurred together a long time ago. Her eyes kept going out of focus, her mind somewhere else entirely. At this rate, she was never going to get any studying done. It was with this thought that she simply closed the book with a sigh. She couldn't focus one bit and there was only one person to blame.

Speak of the devil, she thought as she looked up. She glanced around, thankful that she had chosen a secluded area in the library to study. He stopped in front of her table, an unreadable expression on his face.

"You and Zabini…"

"We were just talking," she said.

Hermione had already accepted the fact that she was going to be saying this a lot. That didn't mean that she liked it, though.

"I think the two of you were talking the other night too," he said.

She looked away as he brought up her and Zabini's meeting from the other night.

"I told you, I caught him out, skulking around for a late night shag, no doubt."

He scowled, showing some semblance of emotion since the conversation started.

"Yeah, that's what you said. I also know that he visited you in the infirmary too."

"What's your problem, Draco?"

Draco said nothing for a while, simply staring at her before narrowing his eyes.

"Blaise and his mum are neutral…"

Hermione stared at him before suddenly looking down, grabbing her bag. He wasn't right behind her in marks for nothing.

"I didn't know that," she eventually said.

"Hmm. Didn't you…?"

"No, I didn't," she said, straightening up.

"Well, they are. His mum doesn't seem like the type to be changing her mind about that anytime soon, either."

Hermione gazed back at him.

"Of course, that could change…depending on some things," he said, not breaking eye contact, jaw clenched.

"Really…like what," she asked, standing up.

Draco stared at her before scoffing, closing his eyes and letting out a humorless chuckle.

"You idiot," he whispered, lowering his head.

Hermione bristled. Draco harshly exhaled, his eyes connecting with hers again.

"Hermione…do not let Blaise drag you into something that will get you killed," he said.

"I can make my own decisions. Besides, you're jumping to conclusions. I've just been helping him with some homework," she said, walking past him.

Draco reached out, gently grabbing her bag strap and pulling her closer. Hermione gulped a he gazed down at her, his eyes bright and intense.

"He may not be considered one of the bad ones…but Blaise is still a selfish prick. Blaise looks out for Blaise."

Hermione said nothing.

"I hope you know what you're doing," he said, letting her go.

She broke eye contact, awkwardly looking away before racing down the aisle and out of the library.


Let me know what you think!