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Last Chapter: Draco snuck up on Hermione in the Shrieking Shack. We learned her muggle friend committed suicide recently. Draco steals her photo album. 

This Chapter: Draco blackmails Hermione, who doesn't want anyone to know about her muggle friend as she thinks it's her fault she died.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Alright, so we've gotten how they're alike: They both have a secret about a muggle they were close to, both of whom committed suicide. They've also got photo albums that look very similar with red writing about what they're ashamed of on the last page. But we're going to find out more about how they're alike! We find out a little bit more behind the plot line.  

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Draco lounged around his private room, gazing at the pictures in Hermione's album. He would lick a finger before flipping a page. The same finger would trace over the gentle lines of the girl's face. He remembered the little mudblood Condannat through the girl Hermione had called Samantha. The black hair with a slight wave to it, the same cheerful smile and the same sensuous curves. Nearly everything about these girls was the same. There were subtle differences, Condannat had brown eyes, and Samantha had blue. Samantha was also paler and had longer legs. Condannat had larger breasts. Draco turned to the last page. The pictures were gruesome, blood and gore everywhere. Samantha was lying in the bathtub, wrists slit. One hand draped over the side. Her eyes had rolled back in her head. Draco thought it would be a most gruesome, yet near painless way to die.

He tore out one the pictures, leaving a fuzziness on the paper where the picture had been. The picture depicted the girl, Samantha, lying in her bathtub. Blood coated the tub in different shades of red. The white from the tub showed through the blood in many areas. Samantha's hair was pulled partly in front of her face. Her skin was the milk white of death.

Draco's eyes skimmed over the obituary.

Peterson, Samantha

Samantha, 17 years old, died August 30th 1997. She was the daughter of Trey and Pamela Peterson. Going on to be a senior at Central Public High School, Samantha had already been accepted to some of the most premier universities in England. Samantha, though, decided on traveling to Harvard University in the United States. A memorial service will take place at 11 o'clock on September 1st in the home of Mr. And Mrs. Peterson. Friends and Family are welcome.

Nowhere did it say how she died or from what. Draco noted that they usually did. He read over the things Hermione had written in white next to the pictures. He began to wonder what would make Hermione so ashamed of the death of this friend. Then the reason clicked in his brain. Gray eyes narrowed and an evil grin creased those lips. Draco's mind was setting a trap for Hermione.

Hermione flung herself onto a couch in the common room of the Gryffindor tower. Ron rose from his seat and kneeled next to her. Harry watched them with some concern. He felt that Ron was getting too close to Hermione for his comfort. But there was nothing he could do about it.

"Mione, what's wrong? No one saw you this morning, we know you haven't eaten a bite since yesterday." Ron cooed at her, trying to get her to look at him.

But her eyes were shut tight. She crossed her arms and buried her face into the folds of her robes.

Her voice came out as a whisper, "There's nothing wrong. Just go away."

Harry smiled, "Hermione, what could upset you? You have yet to fail a single test, and even if you did you'd still be ahead of everyone! Relax, it's our 7th year!"

Hermione opened her eyes and glared at him. In slow movements, she sat up and gripped the couch cushions.

"That just shows how much you know, Harry James Potter! Thinking I'm all books and brains!"

She stood up and stormed out of the room. Everyone who was in the common room at the time turned to look at Harry. Harry was very sheepish for the rest of the day.

During Potions the same day, Snape was pairing up the class. One Slytherin to every Gryffindor. Ron was paired with Pansy Parkinson. Harry was paired with Blaise Zabini. Neville was paired with Vincent Crabbe. Hermione was paired with none other than Draco Malfoy.

5 minutes into the class, Neville managed to cause Crabbe's cauldron to explode. While Snape was busy handing him detention slips and telling him what a failure he was, Malfoy set down the rules for Hermione.

"Listen you little mudblood, you don't want anyone to find out about your little friend do you? You don't want people finding out its your fault she died."

Hermione looked utterly shocked.

"I'm not stupid, Granger. I can put two and two together. You haven't told your friends because you don't want them to know what drove your friend off the deep end. You don't want them to know it was your fault."

Hermione looked away from Malfoy and began to chop the shrivelfig in front of her in very tense movement. Draco leaned in closer. His oily voice washed over her senses.

"Oh, but I won't tell Granger. See I can be very nice when I want to be. But in return for keeping your dark secret, I want you to do some certain things for me. Nothing harmful. Just consider them favors to a dear friend."

He brushed her hair with a few fingers, pulling a section behind her shoulder. His breath warmed her ear.

"Do we have a deal? Your secret is well kept this way, I give my word."

Hermione snapped at him, holding the sharp blade near his throat.

"Your word as a Death Eater, Malfoy?"

"You've mistaken me, Granger." Malfoy rolled up his sleeves. There was no mark on his arms, not even a blemish. His skin was pale, but well built. Just the same, Hermione, suddenly abashed, looked back to her shrivelfig. Her face was a bright crimson now.

Malfoy smirked. He watched her work away on the potion she would make for his good grade. Snape wouldn't care which one of them had made it. He would simply be happy that Malfoy had gotten Hermione to shut up. And no, he wasn't a Death Eater now, but he would be very soon. Voldemort was lurking in the shadows of the school, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Draco's cold gray eyes slid over to Harry. He eyed the scar that marked Harry's forehead, hidden just beneath his messy black hair. Not even precious Potter would be able to save the day.

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I know! I know! This chapter is shorter than the others! ::dies a horrible death:: I promise the next one will be longer than the others. I will force myself to write more! I also promise juicier stuff next chapter. And, big surprise, Draco will take his Death Eater vows.