She made her way out of the classroom and through the corridors to Gryffindor Tower. It was so late the corridors were empty. Hermione clutched her books to her chest, glancing at the dimly lit doorways and corridors that she passed by.
It wasn't that she was afraid; it was that lately, she felt she was being watched. She hadn't told either of the boys. They would just think she was being silly. But she couldn't shake the feeling. She was in the middle of some serious thinking, and a figure stepped out in front of her.
"Granger." the figure said in a drawling voice. Hermione was so surprised she dropped her books. They scattered everywhere. She looked up, scowling.
"Malfoy! What the hell do you want?" Hermione started to pick up her books. One had fallen in a nearby doorway, and turned she turned around and picked it up. When she turned back again, Draco Malfoy was standing right in front of her.
"I know what you've been doing Granger. Sucking up to Lupin." He made a gesture with his hands, and a slurping noise. "You're disgusting Malfoy. Get out of my way." Hermione made to get out of the doorway, but Draco held her by the shoulders, pinning her to the door. "What's the matter, Granger? Afraid Weasley might find out?" Hermione frowned and struggled a little, pulling her books closer to her chest. "That's *none* of your business Malfoy. Let me go!" she demanded, pushing against his arms. Draco leaned forward so that his lips were just near her left ear, chuckling softly.
"Poor little mudblood" he whispered. Hermione turned her head away from him, but he just chuckled again. "Weasley has nothing to offer you. Whereas I, I have money and power. Why haven't you ever considered me?"
Hermione's lip curled as she forced herself to look at him. "Because you're a piece of filth! You're horrible, I could never care about you! Besides, money and power aren't everything." She seemed to have gained some of her nerve back now. She trembled with rage. "Look at yourself! You have to stalk me, watch me from the shadows! And *that* is pathetic!"
For a moment, Draco's smile faded. He grabbed the books form her hands and threw them to the ground beside her. He moved forward, gently pressing his body against her and she flinched. He moved closer to her ear and started whispering again.
"Don't forget, I know the Imperious curse. I could make you say anything. I could make you *do* anything. *And* I could make sure Weasley was around to know about it. Consorting with the enemy? Then you'd lose him forever, wouldn't you? He would hate you to the end of your days." He started laughing harshly and Hermione blinked back a tear. "Not that it matters, but Ron would never believe you anyway." Draco smiled. "But Potter would believe you. I could make you swear that you weren't under anyone's control. He would believe it then."
Hermione realized that he was right. And she didn't want to risk losing Harry and Ron. But what could she do? Draco released one of her arms, and caressed her cheek with his free hand. Hermione flinched again, turning away from him. Draco began to chuckle again. "Be careful, mudblood. One word and I would have under my complete control. You wouldn't want to offend me when I have that kind of power, would you?" Hermione considered her options. She didn't have any. If she kicked him hard, she might get away without being cursed. But now, she didn't need to. Draco had released her, he was stalking away down the corridor, laughing. Hermione sank to the floor, and sat there. When she finally got up, she didn't know how long she had been thinking. She picked up her books, and headed for the Gryffindor common room.