Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but the plot is mine. So back off!!!!! Lol jk.

A/N: I'm back and ready to take the readers through the next phase of the Draco and Hermione relationship. I hope I will be able to update sooner. My schedule has been packed lately. I should let you know that I have completed the story. I just need to post a few more chapters and it will all be over. Let me just say this: The ending is not what you would expect. I'm going to leave my other story "The Reunion" alone for a while and focus on "Bleeding Hearts"

Chapter 19: A Test that Separates

            She was floating in a black liquid abyss, slowly falling and struggling to reach the surface. Her lungs were bursting from being deprived of oxygen for too long. Not longer able to stay underwater, Hermione paddled to the surface. Her face emerged through the surface and the cool air touched her face once again. Upon opening her mouth to suck in a large supply of air she felt a thick liquid flow into her mouth. A bitter copper taste attacked her taste buds. 

Hermione opened her eyes. Her white night gown, stained with blood, was sticking to her wet body. She was floating in a sea of blood that covered her up to stomach and unable to process whether this was reality or a dream. The blood around her began to swirl like a whirlpool and an invisible force began to pull her under. Her temperature increased and adrenaline wildly rushed through her, the familiar feeling of panic

Ease rushed through her when she saw Draco standing in the shallow area where the blood only reached his knees. He stood there staring out into a distance that was not there. His face was nonchalant like always. However in his eyes Hermione saw something she had never seen, fear and remorse. He stood there not moving, holding a knife in his hands. The blade glistened as a single drop of blood fell from the tip. There were a few smudged bloody hand marks across his chest and face. His silver blond hair was stained with red streaks. He held the demeanor of a murderer. Hermione called to him but he did not respond. In fact he did not seem to hear her at all. She frantically swam towards him and grabbed his pant leg, holding on for dear life. The current was getting stronger. She was slipping and yet he did nothing to save her.

"Draco" she cried but her voice was a distant echo. "Help me Draco, please. Do not let me go!" She cried again but an unbroken barrier of silence swallowed any sound she admitted.  When Hermione could hold on no longer only then did Draco look down at her with a lost expression on his face. "I'm sorry" he whispered before stepping away from her reach, letting her drown.

Sweating, Hermione woke up from a restless sleep pondering what her dream meant.  

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            January came with a frenzy of studying for both fifth and seventh years preparing to take the upcoming O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. Hermione, who started her studying early,  now sat on her bedroom floor practicing her charms and hexes. She had spent the past two hours, right after finishing homework trying to perfect a protection shield and a bit of wand less magic.  However studying was not what kept Hermione awake, but the memory of her strange dream she had the night before. She pondered its meaning but nothing made sense. She considered going to Trelawney but decided against it. The old woman was a crackpot who would fill her head with whimsical ideas she did not need. Hermione would find out herself. It was 1:30 in the morning and she figured she could risk a visit to the restricted section of the library. After all she was a Head and Heads had special privileges, even spare keys to the library.

            It was after hours at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Draco was the only soul in the hallways. Of course he was not patrolling the halls at close to half past one in the morning on a school night. No, because everyone at Hogwarts was well into their slumber, even Dumbledore and the other staff members, making it the perfect opportunity for Draco to handle his business.

            Earlier that day, Pansy had sent him a letter concerning a highly secretive matter. It was his father writing him about his upcoming induction as a Death Eater. The letter had come through Pansy for obvious reasons; it held information that could not be risked being read by anyone else and she was the closest ally to Draco. Pansy could pass messages along with out arousing attention, unlike Crabbe and Goyle. It had to be delivered straight to him. Owling it to him was not an option. Mail was easily intercepted.

Earlier, in Potions, she passed him a note asking him to meet her later that night. She made it quite clear that this was not concerning their "usual" business. Draco was to meet her in the dungeons usually used late nights by the Slytherins. Naturally no one would interrupt them because that room was Pansy's territory. That's where it all began, her reputation

There were only a few torches lit in the dungeon. The orange hue of the flames that danced around each other, cast a lustful glow around the room. It was the perfect lighting for what went on in this room but as soon as Draco entered the candles seemed to flicker a bit and the room darkened. His presence alone could change the mood in a room from one of desire to unimaginable intensity. Pansy sat on a nearby table waiting patiently, her right leg folded across the other, her hair disheveled, her arms crossed in front of her, and a smug expression on her face. Bellatrix had trained her well. She wore her usual attire, her school skirt which reach mid thigh, her white cotton shirt, unbuttoned, and she had a very visible red mark on her neck.

"Who did you do tonight?" he asked knowing this was the only explanation for her present stature.

"No one, I was just having a nice chat with Blaize. I believe you might know him. You know, tall, Slytherin friend you abandoned all of a sudden." Pansy spat with such venom that it amused Draco.

"A chat, eh? I've only seen you look so tousled when I was done with you." Draco stepped closer, walking around her, stopping every few paces to examine her closely. "But then again it does seem like you're still capable of walking so Blaize must be nothing compared to me"

"Those days are over Draco." Pansy said, eyeing him with malice.

"Yes that was the best part of our relationship." Draco's casual tone upset her even more, although she tried her hardest to hide it. "We have business to take care of. Where is the letter?" Draco asked in somewhat harsh tone.

Grudgingly Pansy dug through her cloak pocket and took out a sealed parchment with Lucius' familiar script on the front. She held her hand out for him to receive the letter. "How did this letter get to you?" Draco asked her, still holding on the letter while she held on to the other end. Slowly a smirk spread across her blood red lips. "I was in close proximity to Lucius at the time." she answered boldly. Her eyes, which held a sultry glow, never left Draco's. Disgusted he pulled away.

            "You disgust me. Even after my mother found out you still sleep with him." Draco said, almost yelling. The tension in the room was rising. It was known that Pansy was sleeping around, even her mother knew and although it distressed her so she did nothing about it. Pansy would learn soon enough. However the scandal of all scandals was Pansy and Lucius' on going trysts. No one knew except for Draco and Narcissa, who found out in the summer of their fifth year. 

            "Speaking of your mother Draco, you should go see her. She doesn't look well." She replied with an air of satisfaction. Draco was almost trembling in anger but he could not reveal that this bothered him. Pansy could easily use that against him. Releasing his gaze from her piggish face, he began to read the letter addressed to him.

            Draco,

                        As you know this coming June is the month in which you will be inducted. I highly anticipate this day for it is drawing near. This is your chance Draco and I advise you to seize it and take full advantage of it. You have disappointed me many times before. This is your chance to make amends and make me a proud father. Forgive me if you will, I wish to see the day you refuse your destiny and when you suffer for making the wrong decision. But that day does not have to come, Draco. I have taught you well enough. This is the only way. Sacrifice all that you have and swear your allegiance to the Dark Lord. It will be only then when you learn what true power is.

                                                                                                                                                Sincerely

                                                                                                                                                            Your father, Lucius Malfoy.           

            After noticing his scowl Pansy spoke up. "Reconsidering you decision?"

            "Does it matter if I have my doubts? I'm the main one who they need. I'm in this thing whether or not I like it." There was a moment of silence that followed Draco's outburst.

            "I can understand why you would be hesitant." Pansy said sounding uncharacteristically depressed. Draco turned to see her staring hard at the floor. In the moon light he could see the tears glistening in her eyes.  "It's a horrible process, really it is." She finished wiping her tears away before looking Draco in the face. He almost felt sorry for Pansy, knowing that she had been through a lot. If there was anyone who could understand what it was like being a child of a dark wizarding family, she could. Pansy had been through just as much as he went through. They made a promise that was broken many times after Pansy abandoned herself and went to seek a life of sex and scandals. As time passed that promise was long forgotten and the thought of something that could have been between them was beyond contemplation.

            "I can endure pain and torture or whatever they have in store. I've been exposed to it long enough to know how to handle It." he said. Draco was not worried about the initiation process. He was worried about his relationship with Hermione. He knew she could never give herself to him if he followed the one person she hated. The vilest and disgusting creature on this planet, who was determined to kill an entire race of others like her. She would never trust him again, knowing that he could be a potential threat to her. She would never want to look at him or even touch him again. Draco would rather meet his death than leave Hermione. If that be the case then let it be.                 

            He looked back at Pansy who was now tracing the outline of the death mark branded on her forearm. "It was the worst feeling, having this branded on you. Makes you want to curl up and die. I couldn't bear the pain and I paid for that later. It was the first time I saw him, face to face. He was horrifying and all I could think was "This is my master and this is who I will be serving for the rest of my life." Sometimes it feels like I'm making a big mistake." She finished while covering the ugly mark on her arm. If Draco was capable of showing any compassion towards her, he probably would.

            "Are you going through with it?" she asked in a small hurt voice. Draco could not answer her question. He did not even have answers for the questions that invaded his mind. With nothing to say, Draco left the room, shaken by the thought of having to possibly disown Hermione. Outraged Pansy followed him furiously cursing and hissing behind him. They did not stop until they reached the third floor, where Pansy sparked a heated argument.

            "Your loyalty to us is lacking and it's all because of her!" she hissed struggling to keep her voice down so they would not be heard. This made Draco stop in his tracks and turn to face Pansy. His face was livid.

            "What was that Parkinson?" he asked in a chilling voice that seemed to penetrate Pansy and twist her insides. Still determined to get her point across, Pansy retorted back.

            "The Mudblood, Granger. She's the reason you've been acting this way." Pansy said in a determined voice that trembled slightly as Draco approached her. With every step she backed away and eventually into a wall.      

            "Tell me Pansy, how have I been acting." Draco said through clenched teeth trying to contain his anger.

            "You've turned your back on all of us. We need you and here you are fucking the Mudblood. You know damn well it can't last. Soon she'll find out that your traitor to even those closest to you. She'll discover who you really are Draco. It's only a matter of time until she can see the ugly in you. Soon your dangerous charms and god like face are not going to look as good as they did before. God knows it took me long enough to find out and Granger is a bit quicker on things." Pansy spoke the truth with such passion that it shocked Draco. If anyone was the one to describe how horrible he was, it would be Pansy. "If Lucius only knew ..." She finished

            "Who's going to tell him, huh Pansy!" he interjected, trembling with rage. "Who? You, Goyle, Crabbe? Tell me because I don't know a soul who would risk their life like that. You're all cowards. The lot of you!"

            "Draco?" Came another voice. Wide eyed she emerged out of the darkness. Draco saw that it was Hermione, who appeared to be confused and scared. After catching Draco in a rather questionable position with Pansy she gave them both inquisitive stares.

            "If you were smart you would end it now Draco." Pansy said from behind Draco's shoulder. Hermione looked at Pansy then at Draco.

            "End what? What going on here?" She asked searching his face for an answer but instead found a pair of cold grey eyes blazing with anger.

            "Pansy leave." Draco demanded. While he spoke his eyes never left Hermione.

            "You're headed for trouble Draco." Pansy said before slinking past Hermione and into the darkness, leaving behind a curious Hermione and a raging Draco in an abandoned hallway at two o' clock in the morning. "Very big trouble." Pansy's voice ringed through the darkness.

            "What was all that business about, you turning your back on them, someone telling Lucius something…… their need for you? What is it that you're not telling me Draco?" Hermione asked, her voice rising and falling a few intervals when she spoke.

            "You were eavesdropping?" He asked cocking his eyebrow. A new emotion swept over his face, disbelief.

            "No, never. I just happened to be on my way to the library and I found you here arguing with Pansy." Hermione answered back, trying her hardest to clear the misunderstanding between them. So far Draco did not seem willing enough to hear a proper explanation.

            "The library is closed." He stated in a monotonous tone.

            "I have keys."

            "Show them to me." Draco said in a harsh, demanding tone that caused Hermione to step away from him. The anger coursing through him was starting to surface. He was slowly losing his patience with her.

            "I beg your pardon?"

            "I said show me the damn keys." Draco's voice dropped to a low menacing growl as he spat the words at her, slowly advancing on her.

             "I do not need to show you anything! Why can't you trust me enough to believe that what I say is true?" Hermione almost screamed.  Draco was now a few inches away from her face. For the first time in months Hermione felt threatened, scared, and unsafe around Draco. This was not supposed to happen, not with Draco. Suddenly she felt like she needed protection from a foreign source, someone other than the man she stared in the face this very moment.

            "The circumstances are suspicious, Hermione. Maybe I trust you more than I should." He whispered viciously in her ear while pulling her closer to him by the waist. His death grip would surely leave a mark the next day.

            "You want proof then here it is!" She dug into her pockets, but there was no key. She panicked. Her pulse quickened as she dug further in her pocket for the key. One glance from Draco let her know that she was defeated.

            "You're lying to me now?" Draco growled, digging his nails harder into her side. Hermione doubled over in pain.

            "Draco, you're hurting me" She pleaded with him but he did not pay attention to her cries.

             "I don't appreciate being lied to Hermione." Outraged, Hermione struggled to release his death grip. He gripped her harder and shoved her against the cold cobblestone wall. "How can you expect me to trust you when you're eavesdropping on me? Its obvious you don't trust me."

            "And I have my reasons not to." She retorted fiercely with tears forming in her eyes. Realization dawned on Draco and he released Hermione, letting her slide to the dirty corridor floor. Draco stood over Hermione, finally realizing the amount of pain he had caused her due to his anger. She could hardly look him in the face as she walked away.

            "Do not walk away from me, Hermione." He demanded standing in the shadows. Hermione cast him a hateful glare.  For the first time since their relationship began, Hermione saw Draco as the enemy, not the one she loved. With a swish of her cloak, Hermione ran off.  Draco noticed that she ran off into the direction of the Gryffindor Tower.

* * * * * * * * * *                                                                                                                  

            Crying silently, Hermione stalked through the empty halls, like a lost troubled soul. Every now and then she looked behind her to see if Draco was following her. She dreaded having to see him in the morning or possibly that night. She did not feel safe. Gradually he was getting more aggressive and less reluctant to hurt her. Everyday it seemed that she was unhappier with Draco, and much less satisfied. She continued to tell her self that she would see happier days but the events of the following day would prove her wrong.  

Lately, when she would be in bed with Draco, her mind would wander to Harry and Ron. She would often think about how they made her laugh, how they both were understanding, how they both made her happier than she thought she could ever be. Draco could supply all of that for her but lately it seemed as though a rift was growing in between them, separating them emotionally. Sometimes it seemed like Hermione was putting more energy and dedication into the relationship than he was. Hermione passed Gryffindor Tower, but resisted the urge to run up to the dormitories and wake Ginny or the boys. A long talk with them usually lifted her spirits. Yes, a boost of confidence was what she needed. She made a mental note to do some catching up with her friends.

* * * * * * * * * * *

            Draco, in a rage, sped back to their headquarters and waited for Hermione. He knew she would go tell Potter and Weasley about their fight. It was true he treated her wrongly but running to Golden boy was childish. Tomorrow he could expect them to be waiting for him in some abandoned corridor, with their wands ready and a bat. "We just need to talk to you concerning Hermione." They would say. Draco could almost see the scene before him. Indeed there would be a fight and he would be the one with the last word. As usual, he would leave Weasley, red in the face and wide eyed, and Potter, furious but determined not to show it.

  He would not have them meddling in his business at all. He would make sure that Hermione understood this quite clearly after tonight. He waited in Hermione's room until she returned.

            "Where did you go?" he started as soon as she opened her room door. She had not seen him lying on her bed and was quiet shaken by the intrusion.

            "I was just walking through the halls." Hermione could hardly hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. She did not wish to speak to Draco tonight and yet here he was torturing her.

            "You're lying again. I saw you run off in the direction to Gryffindor tower. I'm not stupid Hermione. You went to complain to Potter." He spoke but remained lying on his back, looking at the ceiling.

"I would never run to Harry to solve my problems." Hermione retorted back. She sounded much more stern and confident than she really felt.

            "Listen Hermione." Draco said rising out of the bed and walking towards the door. Hermione stepped aside to let him pass. He eyed her, showing no emotion of any sort. Hermione stared hard at the plush red carpet. Gently but with enough force, Draco lifted her head and redirected her gaze to his own. "What we do is our business. What happens between us must stay between us. It's none of their concern. If I find out Potter gets word of this then we will have serious problems." he finished, stepping out of the room. He only reached past the doorframe when Hermione spoke.

            "Your father would be proud of you" She said, her voice trembling slightly. Draco made a sudden stop in his tracks and turned to her. Hermione chuckled softly finally releasing the tears she held back. She had the strength to say what she felt and was no longer afraid.

            "What are you trying to say, Hermione?" He questioned her. Draco started towards her but stopped when he felt the tip of her wand pressing hard against his chest.  

            "Why am I with you?" She whispered. The wand in her hand trembled violently. "This is how you treat me and I'm still with you. I'm a fool to believe you would change." Draco reached out to touch her cheek but she moved her wand from his chest to his forehead. "Get out!" Draco stood there not believing what he was hearing. She pressed the wand harder against the middle of her forehead "Get out! Stay away from me Draco." she yelled before slamming the door and shielding it.

            Draco stood in front of Hermione's magically shielded door thinking "She doesn't mean that." After all a relationship does have its ups and downs.

As Draco twisted and turned under his silk sheets he could not help at think "But what if she did mean it. Where do we go from here?"   

A/n: btw the dream in the beginning of the story is open for interpretation. I want to know what you think it represents.