Disclaimer: If I ever have the song My Favourite Things stuck in my head again, shoot me. But don't do anything if you think I'm claiming the phenomenal Harry Potter creation as being a product of my imagination because I am sorry to admit that I was born without an imagination. And that's the alibi I will use in the law suit. You have been warned.
Title of Story: When Darkness Catches the Light
Summary: Can two sworn enemies ever find true love in each other? What happens when a seductive mission comes along to prod them in the right direction? Draco/Hermione
Rated: PG-13 for language, angst descriptions and some sexual connotations.
Chapter Eight: Impressing the Lioness
There's a prism by the window
It lets the light leak in
I wish you would let me
You feel the water but do you swim?
And it's only me empty-handed
With a childish grin and a camera
--Empty-Handed, Michelle Branch
Hermione and Ron remained very courteous to each other the rest of the day. Hermione desperately wanted to make it up to him… she never wanted to see that hurt in his eyes ever again…
After her last class (Extended Dark Arts Defence) was over, she and Ron walked out of the classroom together.
Hermione wasn't thinking about Ron, though, when she stepped out of the classroom. She was still confused about her encounter with Malfoy. She could not put it out of her mind, no matter how interesting the lesson was or how amorous Ron had been toward her.
Hermione frowned at Malfoy's seemingly sudden interest in her. After all, they were enemies for as long as she could remember. So what could have possibly kindled Malfoy's attention?
Hermione shuddered as she thought of the possibility of being abducted by Malfoy again. He could be lurking anywhere, watching, waiting for her to turn a corner and then to seize the opportunity…
Hermione rubbed her forehead idly, stretching and contorting the skin, hoping her brain would filter out its thoughts about Malfoy.
Before, she would have been indifferent, perhaps even slightly bashful if images of Malfoy were to enter her mind. Hermione had not dared to admit it yet, but she was in actual fact rather attracted to the blonde radical. She did not know why, or indeed how the fatal attraction had come to pass, but it was there, and it was palpable.
Hermione felt inside her robe pocket for the note that Malfoy had given her at the end of Potions class that day. She trembled as she remembered its words and fought with her conscience as to what she should do about it
"Let's miss dinner," Ron whispered, disrupting Hermione's thoughts.
Hermione had glared at him but then sighed. She did not want to elicit another conflict.
"Yeah alright, I wasn't hungry anyway," Hermione lied, taking Ron's hand in her own.
Ron swiftly pulled her close to him. Hermione could feel his warmth breath tickle her skin. She gazed into his sparkling eyes and saw nothing but a deep desire in them. She felt a faint squirm in her stomach.
"Oh yeah? Well, I'm ravenous," Ron whispered seductively, rolling his 'r's in a soft purr and nibbling Hermione's ear.
Hermione felt her body come over with a desperate want. She took a deep breath to calm herself, pulled away from Ron and smirked.
"What do you want to eat, then?" she responded innocently, starting to walk away from him.
Ron pulled her back into his arms yearningly and trailed his finger delicately down her cheek. This seemed to answer Hermione's question, as her eyes closed spontaneously and her cheek began the usual prickling. Hermione tried to ignore the growing pain in her body.
Ron picked her up unexpectedly and threw her body lazily over his shoulder. Hermione began laughing as she suddenly realised how high she was off the ground.
"You git," she said, slapping Ron gently on his back. "Put me down!"
Ron chuckled to himself and spun Hermione around on the spot. She felt her head go dizzy and she clutched Ron's back even tighter. She heard Ron let out a soft groan and he stopped spinning and began walking toward the Gryffindor common room.
Hermione yelped her protests at him, pleading him to let her go when Ron finally warned that he would cast a Silencing Charm on her if she didn't keep that trap of hers shut.
Hermione could do nothing but laugh and nod obediently, before Ron entered the boy's dormitory with Hermione still draped on his shoulders.
Ron placed her down on his bed gently and pushed the strands of hair away from Hermione's face. Hermione smiled at his tenderness, and she knew that Ron was trying to make her feel as comfortable as possible.
"Gosh, you're so beautiful, Hermione," Ron said affectionately, caressing Hermione's cheek.
Her face instantly began prickling. Hermione felt a pang of envy, as she thought of how much more beautiful she could have been if only she were more like her mother.
Hermione turned abruptly away from Ron, and felt her eyes begin to well up with tears at the mounting pain she felt within her body.
Ron averted his attention and began staring with conviction outside the dormitory window. Hermione could not help but think that he was discomfited at her reserve.
Hermione sat up on the bed and leaned casually on the wooden headboard. She tilted Ron's head to face her and gazed into his eyes and she recognised a deep sincerity within them that allured her.
They remained like that for a few minutes, staring into each other's beautiful orbs before Hermione's eyes began to sting and prickle once again. But this time the pain was much more palpable… much more excruciating…
"Argh!" Hermione whimpered, rubbing her eyes furiously and turning away from Ron.
Ron placed a hand delicately on Hermione's thigh. "What's wrong, Hermione? Something in your eye?"
Hermione nodded vigorously. She didn't want to tell Ron the truth. She didn't want him to worry about her. She didn't want him to see her weakness.
"Yeah, yeah, something in my eye," she said hastily, getting up from the bed.
Ron looked crestfallen at her withdrawal and he gazed up at Hermione with such earnestness that Hermione felt her heart dip. She cursed herself for being so reticent.
"I'm sorry Ron, I just feel really sick," she managed to wheeze, hugging her robes tightly and keeping her eyes fixed on the floor.
She saw Ron's shadow nod before she quickly ran from the room, up to her old dormitory, the prickling in her eyes instantaneously ceasing.
"Mr. Malfoy, stay here after class."
Draco immediately stirred from his daze and looked up at Professor Severus Snape in utter disbelief. Never had the Professor scolded him for being inattentive in class, never.
Draco could not help but point to himself and mutter, "Me, Professor?"
Draco noted a slight smirk playing on his favourite Professor's face and he felt his own face follow suit.
"I believe that you are the only Malfoy in this room," Professor Snape said, eyeing Draco intently. "Though it wouldn't hurt to have more of your kind in this classroom, no doubt we would then be rid of the ignorant folly that so currently plagues us."
Draco saw the Professor's eyes flicker toward the only Gryffindor in the room, and he fought to suppress a snigger. He glanced over at Granger and was amused to see that she was resolutely staring at the blackboard.
Draco quietly chuckled and leaned comfortably back on his chair. He remembered for the tenth time during Potions how well the encounter with Granger had gone. It had even seemed enjoyable, he mused.
Just so long as it doesn't go any further, a voice in his head reproved.
Draco fused his eyebrows together in confusion. What the hell did that voice mean, go any further? He had to go further, to complete the bloody mission! How could he not go any further?
You know my meaning, the voice again sounded.
Draco shook his head slightly, the frown still plastered on his face.
"What's up, Draco dear?" Pansy said, caressing Draco's hand in a way that was apparently meant to be friendly. "Snape won't give you a detention or anything, so don't worry. He probably just wants to talk to you about your father or something."
"And what the hell would you know, Parkinson?" Draco snapped, pulling his hand away and eyeing the girl beside him with evident distaste.
Pansy immediately withdrew, her eyes brimming with tears and turned toward Blaise Zabini, who looked amused by the attention.
Draco growled and shifted his concentration back to Granger. Her hair was still pulled up at the back and Draco felt his lip twitch irritably. He felt a deep longing inside him to undo her hair… to let it fall freely down her back and frame her face…
He closed his eyes firmly, trying to block out thoughts of Granger.
I have to focus on the mission, not the target of the mission, Draco told himself, hoping this would somehow sift out the non-platonic thoughts that were in his mind.
Draco knew that he should not confront Granger so soon after their first meeting, but he wanted desperately to see her again. Her resistance toward him was indeed cute to watch.
Draco pulled out a spare piece of parchment and dipped his quill in the inkbottle.
Go to the Astronomy tower tonight at 7.30. Leave your hair down.
He smirked at the last sentence and folded up the parchment hastily.
"I want a two-page report on the Halya Potion, including a brief explanation of the respective reverse effect potion," Professor Snape's voice rang out in a dangerous snarl. "You may leave."
Just as everyone got up from his or her seats, Draco quickly walked up the front to Professor Snape, pompously placing the note on Granger's Potions notes. He purposely avoided her gaze, hoping it would in turn irk her emotions.
Draco smirked as he moved swiftly to stand in front of Professor Snape's desk. His back was turned to the Apothecary Cupboard and Draco felt some of his patience tire.
"You wanted to see me, Sir," he murmured, trying to maintain evenness in his voice.
Professor Snape turned around to face Draco, his eyebrow slightly raised.
"There is no hurry, Mr Malfoy," he said, his voice mildly threatening. "Take a seat, I will be finished here in a few minutes."
Professor Snape continued to sort out the cupboard, removing a potion from it and pouring the contents into a steel beaker.
Draco was hardly interested in the Professor's movements, so he resumed his thought pattern back onto Granger. He did not exactly know what he was going to do in the Astronomy Tower; indeed, he hoped it would be as spontaneous as the broom closet incident.
For Draco had not planned to let down Granger's hair or place his hand on hers on the doorknob. It had all been done on impulse, a thought that somewhat frightened Draco. He realised that his actions were not being directed by a conscious mind; rather, they were acted on a whim.
Draco passed his hand over his hair absent-mindedly, and the movement seemed to calm him slightly.
"Well, Draco," the Professor said, taking a seat behind his desk. Draco noted that Professor Snape had assumed a fatherly voice that he often used with Draco when they were alone.
Draco directed his attention to the Professor, and was surprised to see that his face was somewhat solemn.
"Take a seat," the Professor ordered, pointing at the chair behind one of the student desks.
Only then did Draco realise he had not obeyed the instruction yet and he hastily took his place on a chair.
"You seem distracted in class, Draco," Professor Snape said, giving Draco a swift, searching look.
Draco knew better than to return the gaze, so he instead focussed his attention on the Apothecary cupboard.
"Draco?" Professor Snape said more urgently.
Draco sighed and looked up into the Professor's eyes unwillingly.
"I just have a few things on my mind," he whispered.
The Professor nodded and looked down at the quill on his blank parchment before quickly looking up at Draco again.
"I hope this has nothing to do with…"
Draco rapidly returned the gaze, his eyes widening. "You know about that, Professor?"
The Professor coughed and looked away. He began tidying up the pieces of parchment in front of him, meticulously ensuring that the edges of all the parchment were aligned neatly. Draco had an inherent feeling that the Professor was hiding something, but he cast the thought away from his mind. If Professor Snape was not to be trusted, then he did not know whom else he could trust. Yet maybe broaching the topic of the Dark Lord so early on in the mission was not a good thing to do.
"So, how is your father?" Professor Snape inquired, his tone of voice unusually high.
Draco raised his eyebrow. "He is fine Professor. But then again I haven't exactly stayed in touch with him."
Professor Snape nodded but then sighed. "Draco, I must ask you to be alert and be careful."
Draco stared at the Professor. His eyes were neutral and his lips were a thin line. His whole face seemed to be conveying strong images of gravity, and Draco knew better than to question him.
"I can assure you that I am perfectly safe, Professor," Draco muttered, carefully choosing his words.
The Professor merely nodded before prompting Draco out of the dungeons.
Hermione trembled as she pulled the pink covers of Ginny's bed over her. She knew Ginny wouldn't mind, but at that moment Hermione's thoughts were far away from her red-haired best friend.
The pain she felt when she had stared at Ron was long gone, but the memory of it kept Hermione terrified. It was, in a word, agonising; pain beyond any pain she had ever experienced. True, the stinging had first come when she arrived at Hogwarts, a few days ago now, and it had come and gone in all that time. But it had never hurt as much as it did when she had stared into Ron's beautiful, earnest eyes…
Hermione tugged vehemently at the covers and turned onto her side, facing away from the door. If Ginny were to come in at that moment, Hermione wanted her to think that she was asleep. But in truth, Hermione was far from sleeping.
She rubbed her temples and curled up beneath the blankets. Even though the night air was fine and tepid, Hermione felt like her insides were frozen.
She did not like the feeling of weakness and confusion that had so troubled her now. Hermione always liked to have structure and organisation around her. But lately, her sanctuaries seemed to be lacking, and it was not a comforting thought.
Just as Hermione turned over in the bed, she felt a faint crunch underneath her. She quickly sat up in fright but then realised the noise had only come from her pocket.
The note! Hermione thought in exasperation.
She lunged at the note in her pocket and read it again.
Go to the Astronomy tower tonight at 7.30. Leave your hair down.
She frowned in irritation but nevertheless checked her watch. The time was 7:10pm.
Hermione considered not going. She didn't want Malfoy to meddle with her mind anymore, and she had enough cud on her plate to chew as it was. She smirked evilly as she thought of how amusing it would be to leave Malfoy up in the Astronomy Tower all alone and irk him by her absence.
But just as quickly as the thought had entered her mind, Hermione had chucked it away, surprised by her own malice.
I feel an… intrinsic streak of… malice?
Hermione's eyes widened mechanically. The Sorting Hat's voice rung through her mind again, its voice both neutral and sinister at the same time.
Its voice had haunted Hermione for six years, sounding out every time she did something slightly malicious or wrong. And every time Hermione always came to the same conclusion.
What the hell could a stupid Sorting Hat know about me?
But another voice had always answered the rhetorical question for her.
The Sorting Hat knows all.
Hermione didn't even know what the voice meant, saying that the Sorting Hat knew all. But nevertheless it was not a comforting thought.
She shook her head and glanced back at her watch. It was 7:20pm. Hermione engaged in a quick battle with her mind as to whether to go to the Astronomy Tower or not before she finally came to her decision, a quirky smile playing on her face.
Draco paced quickly up to the Head Common Room after dinner, frequently glancing at his watch.
6:45pm… 6:47pm… 6:48pm… 6:48pm…
"Argh!" he snarled, tapping at his watch furiously.
He was not in a good mood at all.
Firstly, the meeting with Professor Snape had not proceeded to his approval at all. What the hell was Snape playing at, telling him to be careful and be alert?
I'm a bloody Malfoy! Draco thought viciously, eyeing a fourth year Ravenclaw with evident distaste as he passed her.
He turned the corner and glanced at his watch again.
6:51pm.
Draco could not help but wonder why Professor Snape was acting so strange. He had shown almost no eagerness at the prospect of his favourite student being assigned an important mission by the Dark Lord himself!
Jealous bastard, Draco snarled, smoothing his hand over his hair.
Draco felt like the whole world had gone crazy today. First Snape, then Pansy and Zabini.
He remembered how the two had been getting quite cosy during dinner and the memory irked him severely for some unknown reason. He hadn't literally broken up with Pansy so she was still really going out with him.
She is still my property, Draco growled, his hands clenching into fists, Stupid slut that she is…
He turned another corner and began walking up the ascending stairs toward the Head Common Room. He had about twenty minutes to get ready, though he would have preferred at least thirty.
He did not know why, but he had a deep inclination to impress Granger. He shuddered as he remembered all those times that she had looked down on him like he was a worthless mound of dirt, and he knew he would have to try extremely hard to get her to appreciate him.
And as if you never looked down upon her in the same way, Draco, a voice in his head reminded.
Draco sighed his assent, almost in remorse, and before he knew it, he had stepped into his room in the Common Room and had begun the arduous process of getting ready to impress his lioness.
Hermione shivered in her black robes as she made her way over to the Astronomy Tower. At least thoughts of possible detention and punishment were not plaguing her mind, as she knew Heads had special permission to go out at night after curfew.
She smiled as she remembered that she was indeed Head Girl, a title that she had still not come to terms with yet. She made a mental note to send an owl to her mum detailing the good news, just as she entered the Astronomy Tower.
The tower itself was not really a tower. It was more so an open concrete platform with concrete railings on the three edges. It protruded out from the main castle body to give it a surreal and magical way.
Well duh Hermione, you are in a school of magic after all, a voice said within Hermione's head and she cursed her muggle folly.
Hermione hugged her robes tightly, noting that the warm breeze made the cloth stick snugly to outline her figure. She turned a faint shade of scarlet at this thought and walked over to peer over the concrete railing. The sky was so clear; it was indeed perfect conditions for an Astronomy lesson. And the breeze was warm and comforting, and Hermione's body drank it all in with an unquenchable thirst.
She leaned over the concrete and for the first time in days, Hermione felt truly content, the breeze warming the skin on her face and the faint smell of jasmine wafting to her nose. It was such a pleasant and picturesque evening and Hermione did not want it to be spoilt.
She made sure her hair was tied back neatly and moved to turn around and then hesitated. Didn't Malfoy say something about leaving her hair down?
Hermione wondered why he had said that but then resolutely decided against pulling out the red hair tie from her hair. After all, it was breezy.
But as she walked over to another side of the Astronomy Tower platform, she distractedly let her hair out anyway, the soft strands cascading elegantly down her back and face.
She looked up to the crescent moon and saw that it was only very small. The only indication that it was there was that it was only slightly bigger and brighter than the many stars scattered across the skies…
"Special occasion, Granger?"
Hermione turned around to come face to face with Malfoy. His robes were a very dark shade of green, the colour only just distinguishable from the light from the sky. His hands were in his pocket and his eyes were blank, but his mouth was fixed in its trait smirk. He was only a few inches shorter than Ron, but he seemed so much mightier. Hermione felt a slight wriggle in her stomach but she kept her face as neutral as possible.
"What was that Malfoy?" she said simply, eyeing Malfoy with revulsion.
She saw the blonde boy wince slightly and her gaze softened somewhat.
"Your hair was down for the first time, so I was wondering whether there was any special occasion," Malfoy responded, the smirk returning back to his face. "Though I realise that I am here and that definitely deems the occasion special."
"You idiot," Hermione snapped through gritted teeth. "Don't flatter yourself, I only let it down so you wouldn't come over again and let it down yourself."
Malfoy's eyes narrowed fleetingly but then it looked as if he forced his face into a somewhat composed state. "I see Granger doesn't want to play," he whispered, pouting slightly.
Hermione had to admit that he looked rather adorable like that, but of course she would never admit out loud to anyone. Malfoy winked at her and then moved gracefully to the edge of the concrete platform that Hermione was standing at, his gaze transfixed on the moon above.
"Sheer tranquillity," he whispered, seemingly more to himself than to Hermione.
Hermione turned around to look back at the stars, but this time she could not derive the same serenity from it as she had before.
"Why did you call me up here, Malfoy?" she said, turning to look at Malfoy.
He did not answer her immediately, or even stir slightly at her words. His gaze was still on the moon and his eyebrows were raised pensively. Hermione felt a pang of irritation at his indifference, but she forced the anger inside her to subside, if only temporarily.
"Why did you obey my request?" he answered simply, finally turning to meet Hermione's stare.
His whole face was absolutely blank and this calmness vexed Hermione. How could he remain so neutral all the time? She craved that sort of control over her emotions; indeed, she had it at one point in her life. In fact, all these years she had managed to keep her emotions in check. Hermione did not master a complete discipline but she could still calm herself whenever she felt angry. But lately her anger seemed to get the better of her.
Hermione returned Malfoy's gaze, his silver-blue eyes boring into her own. They were so beautiful, those eyes of his; they were relatively small, almost like the slits of a snake's eyes. Malfoy's eyes were profound and deep, yet guarded and neutral at the same time.
She coughed gawkily and looked back up at the evening sky. Hermione felt a pang of hunger, as her stomach let out an inelegant growl. She felt her face redden as she looked at Malfoy almost apologetically, but she was angered to see that he had a smirk on his face.
"Honestly Granger, all you girls and your pathetic diets," he teased, shaking his head in amused disbelief.
"Actually, Malfoy, that wasn't the reason I skipped dinner," Hermione snapped, directing her attention back up at the sky.
Malfoy let out a laugh. "Oh but of course, my mistake, you were using the time to pretty yourself up for me, weren't you?"
Hermione glanced at him in annoyance. "I think that statement holds more relevance to you," she murmured, her eyes flickering to the neatly spiked hair on Malfoy's head.
Malfoy shook his head in mirth and they both looked back up at the sky. Hermione's head was beginning to ache from looking up at the sky so much, but it gave her a good opportunity to cease bickering with Malfoy. It had amused her slightly once, their repartee. But now it just seemed juvenile; especially as they were supposed to be mature seventh years, let alone the fact that they were the two Heads of the school.
"When you're shy, look up at the sky," Malfoy said suddenly, turning to face Hermione with a smirk on his face.
Hermione laughed despite herself and turned to look at Draco. She could not help but feel her frostiness melt away, as Malfoy winked at her mischievously.
"Pansy didn't understand it when I told her," he said simply.
Hermione merely nodded and instead of looking back up at the sky she realised just then how close her body was to Malfoy's; there was probably only a few inches gap between them and Hermione felt her insides squirm uncomfortably.
"I thought you said before that you would vomit all over me just because I didn't button up my robes properly," Draco said, eyeing Hermione with a raised eyebrow.
He had obviously seen Hermione ogling at the distance between their bodies and she felt her face redden slightly.
"Didn't know you were dumb enough to believe that," she snapped.
Hermione saw Draco's eyes widen in fury, but when he spoke, his voice was almost deathly calm.
"I don't know what to believe anymore," he whispered faintly, more to himself than to Hermione.
Hermione raised her eyebrows questioningly at him, but then decided against a possible interrogation. Apart from the fact that she was too tired and hungry to probe him further, for some reason she didn't want to disturb the peace surrounding them. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
"You haven't been to the common room in a while," Malfoy said, clearly trying to change the subject.
Hermione felt a lump in her throat and she only nodded. She knew Malfoy was merely making a statement and not questioning her… but perhaps it was her imagination and that was what she wanted to believe.
"It's not that bad, you know, living with a Slytherin," he continued, a smirk on his face.
Hermione laughed again and shook her head in amusement. "I think I can handle Slytherins," she considered.
I just don't think I can handle falling in love with one, a thought crossed her mind transiently.
Hermione shut her eyes firmly at the thought and slapped her forehead, angry at the notion. She didn't mean to think like that… the thought had just sort of crept into her mind…
"Yeah, I think you can too," Malfoy agreed, peering over the concrete railing down at the Hogwarts grounds below.
Hermione did not want the atmosphere to become unbearably serious, as it now seemed to be headed toward. She pointed her finger at Malfoy's hair in mock horror.
"Oh my god," she said, keeping her voice in the same terrified tones to match her expression.
Malfoy looked up curiously at Hermione, and followed the direction of her pointed finger and patted his hand on his hair nervously.
"What the bloody hell are you on about, Granger?"
Hermione stepped back in pseudo terror.
"Malfoy, you have flyaways and bits of stray hair sticking messily out of your head!" she said very quickly and she then could no longer contain her laughter.
Hermione flung her hands on the side of the railing and continued her chortling but then felt a firm, merciless grip on her arm. She stopped her giggling abruptly and looked up to see an irate Malfoy, his eyes narrowed and his eyes filled with a maniacal rage. Hermione gasped and felt her heart dip. Malfoy looked like he was ready to kill her.
"No one makes a fool of a Malfoy," he whispered dangerously, his eyes glinting maliciously. "Especially a filthy Mudblood like you."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock and she desperately tried to pull her hand out of Malfoy's grip.
"Let me go!" Hermione wailed, her attempts to break free of Malfoy seemingly futile.
Malfoy tightened his grasp on Hermione's slender arm and she could sense his overwhelming strength; strength she didn't even realise that he possessed.
"Apologise, you slut," Malfoy again whispered, his eyes starting to return back to their guarded state.
Hermione felt a flame ignite within her.
"Apologise?" she spat, the word rolling of her tongue with sarcasm. "You git, I didn't even do anything, you're the one who can't even take a joke!"
Malfoy flung Hermione's slender arm back at her as if it were rubbish and began flexing his fingers. Hermione rubbed her arm vigorously, trying to restore the redness on it back to its normal colour. She sat down on the concrete platform, the energy draining away from her steadily and sobbed audibly. Hermione tried to muffle out the sounds but the sorrow she was feeling was so overwhelming that it had to escape…
Just let it all out, a voice in her head said soothingly. It's okay, who cares if he thinks you're weak…
But Hermione did care. And Hermione did not want Malfoy to see her weakness…
"I'm sorry, Hermione," a voice came from above her.
Hermione was surprised by its tender tone and the way that her name seemed to complement the voice so well. She looked up at Malfoy and saw that he looked very stricken and even remorseful at what he had done.
Hermione could not bring herself to forgive him though. Who was to say he wouldn't do it again? He was a Slytherin, and they were especially skilful at lying and deceiving. But she nodded briefly, to indicate that he could go and leave her alone but all he did was sit down a few inches away from her and buried his face in his hands.
Hermione's eyes widened in confusion and utter disbelief at his sign of weakness. He looked up at her, his face red but otherwise displaying no emotion or feeling.
"You can tie your hair back up if you want," he whispered hoarsely.
Hermione felt her heart dip at his submission.
"You know, I think you're right. I like my hair better like this," she lied, smiling faintly.
Malfoy raised his eyebrow but nodded. He moved forward toward Hermione and she felt her breath hitch.
"Can I see your arm?" he said, his voice determined.
Hermione did not want to show it to him but she could see no other option, so she sighed and showed him her bruised limb.
His eyes widened disbelievingly. "It's bruised…" he said, stroking the bruise absent-mindedly.
Hermione withdrew her arm hastily, shocked at the electricity running up it and looked away from him. Malfoy's face was only two inches away from her own. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek and she sensed him lean in slightly toward her...
"What the hell is going on here?"
Draco hastily moved away from Granger and looked up at the entrance to the Astronomy Tower, following the voice to its source. He felt his face twist into a mangled smirk.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, standing up to meet the challenge. "We meet again, Ronald."
Wealsey flinched slightly at being addressed by his whole name but he fixed his reckless gaze on Draco nevertheless.
"What the hell do you think you're doing to my girl, Malfoy?" he said coldly, his hand plunging into his pocket to withdraw a wand.
Draco sensed swift movement behind him.
"Ron, don't do anything stupid," Granger said calmly, walking up to stand in the middle of the two boys and quickly pulling the sleeves of her robes down.
Weasley turned the focus of his gaze onto Hermione, where his expression seemed to soften somewhat.
"Hermione, why are you here? I was looking everywhere for you," he said, his voice dripping with sugar.
Draco tried to stop himself from gagging then and there.
"Lost sight of your sheep, Little Bo Peep?" Draco snarled, taking his own wand from his pocket.
Granger turned to face him and raised her eyebrow. Malfoy felt a faint squirm in his stomach at the abhorrent expression plastered on her face.
"You're not exactly helping, are you Malfoy?" Granger snapped, looking back at Weasley.
Draco sneered. "Didn't know I was meant to be helping, darling Hermione. We were coping just fine before the weasel burrowed its way here."
Granger abruptly turned and glared at Draco. Draco thought he saw that same blue fire within her eyes as before and he unconsciously stepped back.
"Don't perjure yourself," she snarled. "And don't you dare use my name."
Weasley looked at the two disbelievingly.
"Hermione what the-"
"Let's just go Ron," Granger pleaded, throwing another glare in Draco's direction.
Draco felt his heart dip slightly and he frowned at the unusual feeling. Weasley recoiled from Granger's grasp on his arm and again surveyed the two of them.
"No actually, I want to know what that bastard was doing with you," he said simply.
Draco laughed coldly. "I was kissing her and I was doing a good job of it too, until I was rudely interrupted so if you wouldn't mind apologi-"
Weasley swiftly grabbed Draco by the robes.
"Say that again, Malfoy," he whispered threateningly, his wand giving off red sparks.
Draco swallowed in fear, despite his resolve.
"Ron, leave him!" Granger implored, her eyes glinting with horror. "It's not even bloody true, as if he would kiss me anyway!"
Weasley loosened his grip on Draco but did not entirely let him go. Weasley towered over Draco, his eyes narrowed dangerously and his knuckles starting to turn a white colour.
"I challenge you to a duel," Weasley barked fiercely, his eyes flashing with menace.
Draco seized this opportunity to push Weasley away carelessly and began dusting off the invisible dirt on his robes. He then looked back up at Weasley, a cruel smirk on his face and he saw the Granger was positively trembling behind Weasley. Draco felt a strange inclination to go and comfort her, but he ignored the relentless feeling.
"I already told you Weasel, that what you are asking for is a death wish," Draco said simply, surveying Weasley with evident disgust. "However, if you truly wish to die, then who am I to stop you?"
"Ron," Granger said slowly, placing her hand on Weasley's shoulder, an action that seemed awkward because of the difference in height. "Think about this…"
"I will not let a piece of scum like this touch you and get away with it!" Weasley said, trying to keep his voice calm but failing miserably.
Draco clicked his tongue, watching with glee as he saw how the action seemed to irk Weasley. "So are we gonna duel or not?"
Weasley glanced at Granger's pleading face, her eyes brimming with tears but he shook his head back toward Draco and said, "This time next week, same place."
He then turned on his heel, linked his arm through Granger's own and they walked briskly through the Astronomy Tower door.
Draco could not help but smirk as he thought of the impending challenge, holding a success that lay easily within his own arm's reach.
A/N: Argh it took me a whole week or something to update! Everyone's is going to hate me but I'm so sorry but you know I have exams soon! And hopefully I will pass hehehe. Okay, so anyway I hope you enjoyed that chapter and I'd like to thank all my reviewers gosh I'm already nearly up to fifty reviews and I havn't even written ten chapters yet! Lol. I really hoped you enjoyed the Hermione and Draco fluff even though they did fight mostly but it had to happen I mean you can't expect them to fall in love straight away sigh lol anyways have a great day and hopefully I will update again soon! oh and please please REVIEW!