Disclaimer:
dracoJAE: i own everything! Every single thing! I own Hermione and Draco and McGonagall...
draco: HEY YOU DON'T! NOBODY CAN EVER OWN ME, i'm too good for anione else anyway!
dracoJAE: FINE!!! ::shakes head at immature draco (tho still luvs him for it!):: i don't own anithing! JKR owns EVERYTHING! hMPF! i only own the plot, that is, if there is one! =)


I Could Die For You

~*~


.(2.Agreement.).



Lurking in the shadows of the Transfiguration classroom, Draco contemplated the situation whereupon he was in. That question, so roughly thrown out, had taken thirty minutes for him to make up his mind. She'd better not refuse,he thought, his eyes narrowing slightly.I'm sacrificing a lot here.

He had to admit, though, that it was a rather clever plan on his part. Halloween was only a few weeks away, and he could make use of the opportunity to show the Dark Lord his obedience. The spies would attend, of course, the Halloween Ball, first started in their fifth year when Dumbledore had seen how much the Yule Ball had been a success and how his students had loved it, was a prominent event in Hogwarts and therefore in the England wizarding world. Draco had no doubt about the Deatheaters reporting back to Voldemort regarding his 'taking care' of the mudblood, and that would be a very positive point in his favour.

Granger still hadn't made a sound, and it was starting to get on his nerves.

"Helllooo?" he called sarcastically, carelessly waving a hand. "You. Wanna. Go. To. The. Ball. With. Me.?"

He spoke slowly, purposely articulating his words carefully, as though he was talking to a three-year-old toddler. That finally roused a reaction from her.

"I know, I heard," she snapped, and Draco half-smirked. It was entertaining, the fact that he could annoy her so easily.

"Well?"

"No, Malfoy," she finally said.

Draco glanced at her-- she was leaning against one of the empty wooden cages and looking very pissed. He laughed, softly, under his breath. They let their emotions show so easily-- everyone could've known what they're thinking.

Draco did not normally live by rules, but he had an ultimate one for himself. And that was never, NEVER, never letting down that expressionless mask he had created for himself since young.

Granger was doing that, however, and it irked him somehow. Without a second thought he pointed his wand at the cage behind her and whispered "Explosio".

The simultaneous effect was dramatic; Draco liked that. The cage exploded, splinters flying everywhere, and Granger was sent sprawling to the ground.

Luck seemed to be with him -- she was laying just beside his feet.

"So, Granger," he said, looking down at her mop of brown hair. "Why the sudden begging-on-the-knees?"

*

Hermione seethed.

She could feel herself tensing, and the blood rushing to her head, even though she kept at the mantra in her head.

Stay cool, stay cool, stay cool.

She picked herself up from the floor, trying not to wince as she felt a bruise forming on her forehead. She knew why Malfoy had done that to her, of course, he was a bastard, and a sadistic one at that.

Malfoy did not like to be opposed. Whatever he wanted he got it. Even if something stood in his way, even if someone tried to stop him, he'd still get what he wanted in the end, all the same.

But, seriously, had he really expected her to agree?

Draco Malfoy, rich, powerful, pureblood wizard, with Hermione Granger, 'lowly', Mudblood, 'useless' scrum?

Hermione didn't know what was going on in that sick and twisted mind of his, and she didn't really care. All she wanted was for Professor McGonagall to come and this senseless detention to end.

"Granger," came an angry hiss, and she glared warily at the Slytherin. "I'm asking you one last time-- nicely. You wanna go to the ball with me?"

*

Seriously, Draco scoffed to himself. So much for being the top in school. He was starting to think that Granger was ill. Seriously mentally ill. He had asked such a simple question, after all, and he had even made it clear to her what the answer should be.

Moreover, please, it'd be an honour for her to be escorted by him.

What had she to lose? The mudblood should be too happy and busy kissing my feet right now.

"I said no, ferret-boy."

His head, almost, instinctively, jerked up at that sick name issuing out of the Gryffindor's snobbish mouth. Jeez, he thought, she's so stupid.

Not like he actually required her agreement-- Draco wasn't the Prince of Slytherin for nothing.

"No?" he enquired, keeping his tone soft, staying where he was. Granger stared stonily back, and he resisted the urge to shoot her down with a curse. God he couldn't stand her nerves sometimes, who was she to be opposing him?

Nobody. She's a nobody.

He walked, slowly, towards the mudblood. And was satisfied to see her eyes slightly widen in terror. "I was being polite, you know," he hissed, grabbing her by the front of her robes and putting his forehead against hers. She struggled, but he held tight and forceful enough for her to know who was in charge. "I don't need to ask. Once I've made up my mind about something... it is mine no matter there's consent or not."

With that he let go abruptly, then spun on his heels and strode away to his previously presiding chair. Crossing his legs one over the other he clasped his hands and allowed himself a small smirk.

*

God I HATE him.

Breathing deeply and trying to calm herself down Hermione stomped over to the other side of the room. According to her watch there was still an hour left-- she leant against the wall and tried to breathe calmly. Stop seething, she advised herself logically, It's of no use, that bastard wouldn't give a damn.

He'd probably asked her to the ball for his own sick entertainment she supposed, closing her eyes and inhaling through her slightly open mouth. With his overly large ego she wouldn't be surprised if he thought every girl WOULD fall for him. Well I'm sure not 'every girl', she thought, somehow still managing to smirk. He's probably pigheaded enough to fool himself into thinking I would fawn over HIM. Hermione knew guys like that-- they existed for the sole purpose of being jerky. She guessed it would have been fun for him to humiliate her right in front of the whole school... he'd made up some dumb scene and perhaps even force her to cry or some lame thing. Get the pleasure of seeing her go smittens over him then break and throw her away in front of everyone watching. I mean, seriously, the brown-haired witch scoffed. Does he really think I'd go gaga over HIM?

The torture of being in the same room as Malfoy was getting to her, and she started to pace once more. I need something to distract myself, she mused, eyeing the large cabinets that lined the wall and which she had peered into not so long ago. If only Malfoy hadn't used that spell, I'd be happily cleaning away now. I mean... scrubbing a dirty floor is much better than having nothing to do.

She avoided the general area where the git was residing, and made her way to the blackboard where there were still some scraps of chalk left. It was an old trick of hers, to busy herself with drawing whenever something got onto her nerves. She had rarely picked up any drawing materials since she came to Hogwarts, however, because it was rare that she got irritated to the point of blowing up. With Ron, sure, there were explosive quarrels, but Harry was always there to calm her down. Now, however, with nothing else to do, she chose a piece of chalk and started doodling on the board.

*

Doesn't she have anything else better to do? Draco thought irritably as he sneaked a glance at the mudblood who had now gone past her self-conscious state and was happily humming and sketching away. She's acting like a three-year-old kid for Merlin's sake!

He was starting to feel really bored... Having no real interest in Transfiguration whatsoever he couldn't be bothered to be curious about the instruments displayed in the cabinets. He'd probably have most of them at home, anyway-- though Malfoy Manor was generally considered (by fools like Weasel, Draco thought darkly) a museum for the Dark Arts, Lucius's motto had always been "We should try to make the best of everything and that includes using Light stuff for the purposes of the Dark."

Draco shot another glance at the Gryffindor girl, who had, by now, started singing some stupid muggle song with unbearably high pitches. He was about to tell her to shut up when suddenly an idea occurred to him.

I love my ideas, he laughed quietly, They must be the most perfect... most SLYTHERIN ideas EVER.

Twirling his wand for a bit of a dramatic effect-- he'd always been one to go for drama antics-- he pointed it at the mudblood and whispered, yet again, but this time with a perfectly harmless spell.

"Silencio."

*

"Jingle bell, Jingle bell, Jingle all the w--"

Startled, Hermione widened her eyes and involuntarily raised a hand to touch her throat. Her voice box was still vibrating but there was no longer any sound issuing from her mouth. Oh, DAMN him, she cursed, turning around to face a smirking Malfoy with a deep scowl etched upon her features. How childish can he get?

She was about to throw her usual insults of him being an insufferable git--- but she couldn't, she reminded herself, and by no means was she going to embarrass herself by mouthing agitated words at the ferret-boy. It'd look dumb, and it didn't solve the problem anyway. Hermione was big on having practical solutions for every problem-- this time she cooled herself down marvellously and managed to stride casually towards the Slytherin boy.

He was lounging on his chair, somehow managing to look comfortable and... rich even though the wooden furniture was definitely not luxury material. She'd liked to have him topple off, but voiceless as she was she couldn't say anything much less utter a spell. But I won't get angry, she thought calmly. He's just a three-year-old kid... and I'll treat him like one.

She was very close to him now... too close for her comfort, in fact, even though there was still a half metre between them. He was still looking at her with that intolerable smirk of his, and she resisted the urge to slap him... the urge to leave a red mark imprinted on his baby-smooth face. Instead she mustered out her sweetest smile, and, without stopping for his reaction, picked his wand gently out of his grasp.

Wand in hand Hermione straightened, then met the Slytherin's eyes. They were grey pools of suppressed rage, and he was no longer smirking. She backed away before he could snatch his wand back, and tucked the crucial magic instrument into her sweater.

"Give that back to me, mudblood."

It was an order, that she could tell, but who was he to order her?

"I'm warning you you better give that back to me!"

She made puppy eyes, grinning.

"You bitch." he muttered, advancing towards her, eyes flashing dangerously.

I'm not scared, Hermione thought, though her heart was starting to thump slightly faster. He's NOTHING to be scared of!

She risked a glance behind, checking if any objects were in her way. Damn, wrong move, she grimaced, as the Slytherin lunged towards her and forced her against the cabinet.

*

I will not get so worked up... I will not get so worked up! Try as he might to control his rage, anger still surfaced. I will not let her get under my skin, he thought coldly, She's not worth it.

The mudblood was staring up at him with barely concealed fear, and he let out a smirk.

"You should learn, you know, never to piss off a Malfoy."

It was apparent that she was struggling to say something, but the earlier charm Draco had bestowed on her was preventing her to do so. His smirk grew.

"Beg... go down on your knees and beg, then, if you want your voice back."

He kept his hold on the Gryffindor girl tight, but not too forceful so that he wouldn't leave bruises. She was still struggling, and, eyeing her, he could see the outline of his wand against her clothes.

Oh eew, He grimaced, Looks like I have to bring my wand for another polishing session.

"Come on, mudblood, say something!" He prompted, mockingly. "Wanna tell the world how cruel, how horrible, how insufferable I am? Say it then, come on, Mudblood!"

*

That was the final straw, as far as Hermione was concerned. She tore her hand out of his grasp, and slapped him across his pureblooded face.

I hate you I hate you I hate you I HATE YOU! Her mind screamed, but she was not about to let him get the satisfaction of seeing her struggle within herself. Instead she lunged at him, her hands clawing, her feet kicking-- but his hold on her was too tight, too unbudging.

"Looks like I have to get my wand myself, then, since you can't obey the simplest orders Hermione."

A shiver ran through her body as she heard him say her name-- but she never stopped struggling.

Until...

She was thrown back against the cabinet, which rattled noisily. Trying to regain her balance she froze.

He had pressed his lips to hers.

The feeling that overcame her then was indescribable. Her first thought should have been eew, but rage fuelled passion and she found herself kissing back. It was a battle... a battle of wills as their tongues fought against each other, his legs pressing against hers, his hands touching places that she never knew could throw her into such a torture. Her back arched, her eyes diluted with anger, he had no right to invade her privacy like this, she wanted to hurt him, god, how she would love it to have his hair in her hands, his eyeballs gouged out! The sheer hatred that ran through her blood was enough to drive her on as she pressed even closer against him, her hands slipping under his shirt and leaving long red scratches on his back with her sharpened nails. Only he could make her do this, only he could anger her so much she had become animalistic in her rage! The only time she had really lost control and slapped anybody was because of him, and now he was doing it to her again, angering her, annoying her, getting her so agitated and worked up and behaving like a wild beast...

*

Damn, Draco thought, though rather satisfied. I never knew she had such a wild side.

He had shuddered at the thought of touching a mudblood at first, but when their lips connected it was as though nothing else mattered. Nothing else mattered... besides their war of wills... besides their rage at each other, their hatred, their burning emotions. He wanted to win this, he had to win this, then she would disobey him no longer. He wanted to break her, make her hurt, squeeze her agony for all it's worth, break her, break her, break her! In his determination to do so he didn't realise he was probably leaving bruises all over her body-- places where his hands had wandered, grasped, pinched, squeezed. It was only when both of them surfaced for air did it occur to him... and he backed off.

Fark this, he cursed, but his anger was directed towards himself. How could I have lost control? What would the Dark Lord say? Where's all my prided self-control?

The mudblood was staring back at him, and as brown eyes met gray-blue he sucked in air with a hiss. They were still in very close vicinity within each other, and Draco took a further step back.

"Look here, bitch," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "You have not won. You will never win against ME. I will ask you one. Last. Time. Will you go to the ball with me?"

He hated it, how he was almost degrading himself. But the worst of it...He hadn't even a single clue why he had kissed her. It was on-the-spur, unplanned, and so wholely impulsive Draco was ashamed to admit to have done so. I just wanted to shut her up, he thought, self-assuringly-- now that the kiss was over he shuddered, again, at the thought of having touched her. The Dark Lord better appreciate my efforts, he mused darkly, I'm really sacrificing a lot here. The thought of Voldemort rewarding him was enough to spur him on, however, and he voiced his question-that-was-not-a-question once more.

"Will you?"

*

Stunned.

She was still in a state of shock, her mind whirling, her heart thumping heavily against her chest. What have I just done? she thought wildly, peering up at the Slytherin whose face was partially shrouded in darkness. I hate him, she thought once more. I'm not frightened of him, and will never be.

She shook her head.

No, Malfoy, I will NEVER go to the dance with you.

Almost painfully slowly, she reached inside her sweater and pulled out his wand.

He was watching her actions.

She returned it to him.

*

What the heck is she doing? Draco thought impatiently as he grabbed his wand from her hand.

She was pointing at her mouth.

The calm gesture sparked off his anger, but this time he managed to suppress it.

"I will not take off the spell unless you agree."

Battle of wills, as their eyes made contact once again. Brown pools of hatred, silver pools of anger.

"Will you, or will you not."

He said it so coolly, it was a statement, not a question.

Finally her eyes dropped to the floor.

*

Why is he doing this to me? What is his purpose? Why is he so insistent on getting me to the ball? Hermione thought desperately. She longed to refuse him once again, but she knew she couldn't, not this time. Whatever Draco Malfoy set his sights upon, whatever he'll get. And she was so very tired.

If I refuse, he'll come after me day after day. He'll not stop... I might as well get it over with. Stand him up on that day, perhaps, but anything, anything to stop him from hounding after me and interfering with my NORMAL daily plans.

She nodded.

He smirked.



---------------------------------------*//

dracoJAE: i know... i AM horrible. 5 months! I can't believe it either, but time seems to past by so quickly. Or maybe i'm just the world's biggest procrastinator... LOL. I won't offer any excuses, but the truth is that I've been really really busy, and I have no idea when's the next chap coming out. I just hope you guys will continue to support me and give me encouragement because I really need 'em reviews (they spur me ON! T_T), and once again I'm REALLY SORRY!

I don't know if you guys will find this a pointless chapter, but it is really important. The stepping stone towards their 'relationship' you can say. I've upped the rating of this story to R, but there will never be any smut scenes (seeing that I've never even exprienced a kiss before... *ahem!!*), I changed it to R because it's getting very dark and violent and there're lots of cussin' popping up here and there.

Anyways... hope ya enjoy. And, perhaps, if you'r kind enough (^_^), do visit http[://]www[dot]geocities[dot]com[/]shuae107[/]scalar[dot]gif! ff.net doesn't allow linking =( so just type in the address with those punctuation marks in the []. It's a picture I'd drawn especially for this chapter; it's the part where Hermione had just snatched the wand from Draco. As you can see... ahahhaZ. i had done this when i was bored of maths, so the graph lines are still very clear. *LOL*! I know Draco doesn't look evil enough, and Hermione looks rather cheerful, but that's the best I could do at that moment and I hope ya guys will leave me reviews for it! Thanks!

And now... *finally*... the review-replies!

xiaoyi: *ahem*... that someone is no longer! ahahhaZ... but Draco IS arrogant... he's a prick but we all love him for that don't we?

white raven: I'm weird... but i love your review! ahhahaZ! *one word: continue!* three words but you don't know how it'd spurred me on!

Syaoronsangel: I'll drop by your stories if i have the time! ^_^! thanks for the comments... i think if i can make my readers cry i'd feel real accomplished because that just goes to show i'd have some potential eh? lol!

Crystal Megan : alrighty, I'll go there if i have the time! I don't see you at my other stories though... hahaZ. shameless plug: If You Come Back & You Don't Deserve to Die are my current faves! heeehee...

Paypay: whoa gal, i love ya! not in lesbian way, of course, but just wanna send you a great big thanks for always being there for me!

shirlz: ahhahaZ... yeah... and i promise this will never get fluffy... in fact i think i might suffer while i write because the plot is so dark...

`div: it's gonna get darker... wahh! I don't usually write dark stories, even YDDtD isn't REALLY dark, but the idea just occurred to me and I knew i had to pen it down... Thanks gal!


There goes my second chapter of I Could Die For You... hope ya guys can review because those little comments are really encouraging and inspiring! Even just one word is fine; there's that really heartwarming feeling when I get a review you know? LOL! And, please, too, drop by the URL of my pic above... I spent quite some time sketching and scanning it so I'd really like to know what you guys think!