Chapter Two

Hermione felt a lot better after her trip to the library. Dusk had settled and she was heading for her common room now. When she got there she settled herself on the couch in front of the fire to read. She has been reading for quite sometime now when she heard voices outside. She looked at her watch and noted that everyone should be inside the castle by now. There was still light but it could be dangerous outside.

She looked out her window and was surprised to see Harry and Ron chasing each other. Apparently Ron stole Harry's wand and he wanted it back. When Harry caught Ron they were out of breath but were laughing so hard that they fell on their knees. Tears stung her eyes. They were having fun without her. Suddenly Ginny appeared telling them to go back in when the two boys decided to tickle her. They were all having so much fun oblivious to the pains of their other friend. Hermione turned around and started to cry. No one needed her. It was obvious that her friends were having a better time without her. She suddenly felt the urge to cut herself again, just to erase the pain that she felt in her heart. She picked up the blade; ready to cut herself again when a voice stopped her. It was Malfoy's.

 Malfoy was walking towards the Great Hall for dinner when he had a weird feeling. He panicked for a while, realizing that it must be Granger since she was not in her seat yet. He raced to the prefect's common room out of breath and his heart, beating like crazy. He barged in right in time to see Granger lift the blade and ready to cut herself.

"Don't even think about it Granger. What the bloody hell is wrong with you anyway?" he spat. Hermione did not know what to say, she was afraid to burden him with all of her problems. He wouldn't care anyway. She remained silent.

 "Fine then. If you won't tell then maybe the old bat Dumbledore will make you." Malfoy said threateningly.

"NO!" Hermione screamed. "You have to promise me Malfoy!" Hermione started to cry again. "Please! Don't tell anyone. Even Happy and Ron don't know." She was crying so hard now.

"She looks so desperate, so vulnerable" Malfoy thought.

She looked so pained. Malfoy just nodded in agreement. He walked over to her, sat her down on the couch and without thinking he just hugged her. Hermione tensed up a bit but then relaxed and started crying again. She just needed to let it all out.

***

Draco held her for a while. He had absolutely no idea what to do. Girls usually cried about him not on him. Suddenly a thought dawned on him. He was hugging Hermione. "I mean Granger" he thought. He noticed her steady breathing and figured that she was asleep. He stood up from his sitting position and gently lifted Hermione and carried her to her bed. Hermione stirred a bit but then settled down and fell asleep again. He stood there for a while watching her. It strangely felt good to know that he was the only person who knew about her predicament. Slowly, a smile formed on his lips. He would have to protect her… from herself. How he was going to do that, he didn't know but it felt good knowing that he had to protect someone. He would have to block the pain for her.

Just as soon as the smile appeared, he became angry with himself. "Why the hell would I want to protect a Mudblood?" he thought. "She's nothing to me. Nothing!"

With one last look he left and headed from the Slytherin common room for some serious thinking and to look for Pansy. "Maybe the stupid bitch will make me feel better" he thought.

***

It was still dark outside when Hermione Granger woke up. She groaned when she looked at her clock. "4am!" she muttered. She realized that she was still dressed in her muggle clothes. She got up and headed for the bathroom, giving up all hope of ever falling back to sleep. The events of the night before rushed back to her. "Damn!" she cursed. "Another weekend wasted in tears" she sighed. She was confused with Malfoy's actions. He hugged her. Her worst enemy hugged her. She shuddered at this realization. What was that all about? Does that mean he cares? She stepped out of the shower changed her clothes and headed for the common room to think. She still had lots of time before her classes started. She smiled when she remembered she had no potions today. She honestly did not want to see Malfoy right now. Considering the state of her mind and that he knew her secret.

***

Draco Malfoy woke up and stared at the ceiling. He practically vomited when Pansy tried to kiss him last night. Basically, last night was a bore. Pansy talked non-stop about wanting to be a death eater and how much she adored him. Clearly Pansy had fun. In truth he hated Pansy and talked to her only because his father commanded him to do so. He was too caught up thinking about Hermione to enjoy Pansy's company. "HER NAME IS BLOODY GRANGER OR MUDBLOOD but not HERMIONE!" he screamed at himself. His alarm clock rang. He rolled out of bed, took a quick shower and headed for the Great Hall for breakfast.