Gifts Chapter 2

Draco collapsed into his bed and ran his hands through his hair. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

Crabbe's familiar's snores filled the room and Draco moaned. He always tried to get to sleep before Crabbe started up, he could never fall asleep with Crabbe's ox-like nasal problems steadily making themselves known. Covering his entire head with a pillow, Draco tried to shut out everything.

Even with Crabbe's snores somewhat muffled; Draco knew he wouldn't be sleeping tonight. The memory of Granger was still in his mind, he wasn't able to get rid of her. She was amazing. Never before had Draco come in contact with anyone's whose mind was so.busy. Her thoughts spread into what seemed like a thousand different directions at once, even in the few seconds he had been touching her. And her aura was even more fascinating. It was sharp and focused, just like her intelligence would suggest.but it was warm too. She was full of warmth.

Draco squeezed the pillow over his face and screamed. He hated this.curse that he had been born with. Ever since he was old enough to understand, Draco had been able to see within people with a simple touch. After years of training, Draco had learned how to control this ability when people were fully awake, but the mind was stronger when asleep. Draco had never been able to successfully block anyone out when he had touched him or her when they were asleep.

Granger had completely overwhelmed him. She had torn through all of his defenses without even trying, without even knowing what she was doing. Her touch was enough to destroy him instantly.

His father had worked for years with Draco, testing him, training him so something like this would never happen. Lucius had plans for Draco's "gift," but he forbid Draco to use his abilities until he himself instructed Draco to.

Draco tore the blankets away from him and stormed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him, careful not to wake any of his dorm mates. He turned on a shower to the hottest temperature and quickly removed his clothes before getting in. Draco shut his eyes and let the scalding water run over his face and chest. He could feel her running through him; he could feel everything about her.

They were linked now, and Draco couldn't do a thing about it.

*****

Across the school, Hermione wasn't able to sleep either. She was agitated, though she had no idea why. Sighing, she got out of bed and went to take a shower. Sleep wasn't coming tonight, and Hermione hated just lying in bed with nothing to do.

Carefully folding her clothes, Hermione stepped into the shower, letting the hot water relax her muscles. She usually liked the water cooler, but for some reason Hermione turned the water to the hottest setting.

Closing her eyes, Hermione tried to concentrate on the problem set Professor Vector had assigned them the day before but to no use. Hermione shook her head slightly; she couldn't seem to think straight. It was almost like there was someone else in her head.

Letting her thoughts wander, as them seemed determined to, Hermione found herself thinking about the detention with Draco. God, she was really irritated.

In fact, she was extremely irritated, though she wasn't sure why or at what. After so many years as Draco's classmate, she had just learned to live with the constant, slow-burning rage towards him. Her annoyance with Draco certainly wasn't anything new or surprising. So why was it keeping her up at night?

Perhaps it was just that she had to spend every night with him for the next 13 days. Yes, Hermione agreed with herself, that was certainly it. What was keeping her up tonight was the unconscious dread of spending so many hours upon hours with Malfoy. Satisfied that she had found her answer, Hermione turned off the water and got ready to get back in bed.