Hey everybody. Told ya chapter 10 would be up soon! Lol, I am such a dork. Oh well. NEways, here ya go and thanks for reviewing!! Have any of you thought about what's wrong with Hermione? I mean, she coughs, has headaches, is tired a lot, she bruised really easily. . . . hehehe I'm gonna shut up and let you read.

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Chapter 10: Blood?

Draco finally took it all in that it was over with. He had stood up for himself in front of his father and he didn't regret it. He looked at Hermione who was hugging him, saying "It worked! Draco it really worked!" Draco smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

Parvati Patil had climbed up on the stage and started singing.

"Hermione," Draco said. "Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to," she replied, taking his hand and they walked out into the crowd.

When they reached the dance floor, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, while Draco snaked his arms around her waist. Hermione rested her head against his chest, listening to the music and his steady heartbeat. They moved together slowly with the music, both completely lost in each other's warmth.

(3 hours later)

Draco and Hermione were sitting down at one of the tables, talking and drinking Pumpkin juice. Hermione yawned and Draco asked, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," she replied, getting up. Draco stood up and took her hand in his. They walked toward the Great Hall doors but were stopped by Harry.

"Malfoy, shove off. I have to speak to Hermione," he said, blocking their way.

"If I'm not mistaken, Potter, Hermione chose me, so you shove off," Draco spat back.

"I'm not going anywhere until I talk to Hermione."

"Then you can stand here all night long," Draco replied and pushed past Harry, Hermione following him. (A/N: ooo score Draco/Hermione 1, Harry 0. hehehe)

"Hey, what's that?" Draco asked, seeing her bruise on her arm.

Hermione covered it with her hand. "It's nothing. I just bumped into Pierce on my way to the library."

"You bumped into her. How could you bruise like that then?"

"I don't know. It's weird. But its just a bruise. It'll go away." Hermione kept walking beside Draco and talked as if it were normal to bruise that easily.

"Has anything else happened like that?" Draco wanted to know. They were almost at their Tower.

"No, not really. But one time, in Potions, I had to have Ron help me lift a cauldron onto my desk. I suppose I couldn't lift it on my own because we haven't used them in awhile."

"Ok. . ." They arrived at the portrait and Draco said, "Peppermint Pastry."

Ariel the Mermaid winked at Draco as she swung open and they entered the Common Room.

"I'm going to lay down on the couch. I'm really tired. Can you wake me up when it's time to patrol the hallways?" Hermione asked, walking over to the couch. Draco followed.

"Sure," he said. Hermione layed down and looked back up at him. Draco bent down and kissed her forehead. "I'll wake you up in a little while." He waved his wand (which he kept in his pocket) and Hermione's dress had changed into her school robes and his dress robes changed into his school robes. "Your dress is upstairs."

"Thank you," Hermione's voice drifted off as she fell into a deep sleep.

"Good night, Hermione," Draco said, kissing her again. He got up, sat on the chair next to the couch and watched her sleep.

'You sleep so much. It scares me, Hermione. Do you know that? You're always tired, you get headaches almost daily, you bruise, you cough, and you need help lifting things that you didn't need help with before. It scares me,' Draco thought as his head rested in his hands. He got up and started a fire in the fireplace. Then he sat back down and continued to watch her.

-ooooooo-

"Hermione," Draco whispered, lightly shaking her awake. "It's ten o'clock. We have to go."

"Ok," she replied groggily. "I'm getting up. Ok, I'm ready."

Hermione held Draco's hand and rested her head against his shoulder as they walked out the door.

They walked all over Hogwarts and found Peeves (again) throwing pudding- filled balloons at two 4th years. The pudding-drenched 4th years ran off back to their common room and Draco and Hermione cornered Peeves.

"What do you think you are doing??" Hermione yelled angrily. "I should have the Bloody Baron after you right now!"

"Why would my master take orders from a Mudblood?" Peeves cackled then disappeared.

"Come on," Draco said. "Lets go down to the 3rd floor."

-ooooooo-

"The corridors are clear, Hermione," Draco said, turning around. He started to walk back to their Tower. "We can go now."

Hermione followed, walking rather quickly in order to keep up. "Draco," she started. "Can I ask you something?" She had caught up and was now walking beside him.

"Why bother asking? You're gonna end up asking me anyway." he looked over at her and smiled to let her know he was joking.

"Ha ha, Draco." She laughed. Then she asked, "Why do you hate Harry and Ron?" She stopped and turned to face him.

"I don't take rejection very--" Draco was interrupted when Hermione inhaled sharply and bent over, clutching her stomach.

"Hermione!?! Are you okay??" He put his arms around her and rubbed her back.

She lifted one hand to her mouth and started coughing. Warm liquid escaped her mouth. She pulled her hand away and her eyes widened, for in her palm, was blood. She broke free of Draco's hold and ran down the hallway and out of sight.

Draco was left alone, confused. He stood, staring after her. Just as he started to walk away, something on the floor caught his eye. He stopped, bent down, and dipped a finger in the red substance. His eyebrows furrowed as he lifted his hand to his face. Then he looked down the hallway that Hermione had run through.

"Blood?" he whispered.

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A/N: mwuahahahahahahaa! I am so evil. lol, so... what do u think is wrong with Hermione?? hehehe, review plz!!

Ashley (dracoluver-13)