9

Mala wasn't there. Draco growled, pacing back and forth. Was she coming? Was she all right? Was she...alive? It was eating him up inside. Contrary to popular belief, Draco was not a killer. A Cruciatus Curse Caster at the most, but not one who enjoyed snuffing life. There was something terrible about murder, something darker than the night, something feral and primitive that repulsed and... frightened Draco. Life was precious. Draco knew that all too well. And now, because of his foolishness, he might have destroyed a life. He could handle all this better in human form...

.

Hermione was almost dreading the meeting with Ranger. She already knew he had a temper, and she had the feeling that she would be on its receiving end for a few hours. Shifting into humanity, she leaned against the wall to compose herself, then turned into the last corridor before the their meeting place.

Draco Malfoy was there.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. She did not need to deal with that git at the moment. "What are you doing out after hours, ferret?"

The blond boy looked up, his face unguarded for a second before his usual sneer slid into place. "I could ask you the same question, Mudblood."

"That's--that's my business, not yours. Besides, I'm Head Girl."

"I know for a fact that you don't patrol at this hour."

"What, you looked me up? Aw, I didn't know you cared."

"I was bored. I wanted to see if I could get any dirt on you. Sadly, you've led just about the most boring life in history."

"Well, at least my name doesn't hint of slimy ferret-ness."

"No, it hints of...mud. Just like your blood." He was smirking, so damn pleased with himself,,,

"You think you're so clever, you little--"

Hermione launched herself at him, scratching his cheek. Four faint lines seemed to glow in the moonlight for a moment. Suddenly, Draco grabbed her shoulders and slammed her into a wall. "I thought you were the smart one, Granger. That move was not smart."

Hermione caught a whimper in her throat and tilted her chin, glaring defiantly at the Slytherin. "You can't scare me that easily, Malfoy."

"Oh?" He smirked. "Could have fooled me. You look scared shitless."

She could feel her blood rising. "Malfoy, you associate me with filth, you call me a coward...yet you are the one who doesn't flinch at deceit, who stoops so low as to attack a girl, who can't move past petty insults, who asks 'How high?' when Voldemort says 'Jump,' who never misses an opportunity to pollute the air around you with grief, misery, fear, and rage. And you enjoy it. Don't try to deny anything, Death Eater."

Instantly, his fingers tensed, crushing her shoulders mercilessly. This time, Hermione couldn't keep back the sob of pain. "You know nothing of the world, Mudblood. I am of those who can-- and should--survive. Do you think your foolish daisy-filled outlook will keep you safe? Think again."

.

As Draco finished growling at that stupid girl, a thought flashed through his mind. Oh Merlin. I'm in the wrong corridor. He felt his grip on Granger's shoulders grow slack and dimly registered the girl crumpling and hissing something at him. "Feeling's mutual," he automatically replied. Whatever it was, that would apply. But...Mala might be waiting for me right now. I'm the one who's late, dammit!

Stalking quickly away, Draco felt like banging his head against the wall. I go and complain about Mala being late, when it's my fault all along... As he passed by a large window, he glanced up to see that the stars were beginning to fade. Oh, shit. With a sigh, he started to head back.

Just outside the passageway leading to the Slytherin dungeons, Draco spotted a large, dark, Crabbe-shaped figure. "Oi, Draco...where were you? Me and him were waiting all night." Now Draco could see that there were two figures.

"Oh, bugger off. I was busy."

Goyle nudged Crabbe. "Oh, busy." They both sniggered in a knowing way.

They can think that, if they want. Saves me the trouble of coming up with something. Aloud, Draco said, "It's an hour to breakfast, anyway. Come on."

They followed obediently, and again Draco was reminded of dogs. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he saw a silky golden cat creep around the corner, wings half-furled.

.

Hermione had taken a wrong turning turn somewhere, she was sure of it...and now she was lost. Well, practically the only part of Hogwarts she hadn't visited was the Slytherin quarter, so she knew she was in that general area, but she had no idea how to get out. And it was almost daytime. As she nervously padded down a corridor and turned a corner, she found herself facing the pale, unreadable face of Draco Malfoy. The only thought running through her mind was ohmerlinnonopleasenocanIwakeupnowplease? Of course, Malfoy noticed her, but his two goons were entirely clueless. She watched him as he turned to them quickly. "Go ahead. I forgot to get something from my room." They nodded dutifully. Oh Merlin...what's going to happen now?