A/N  Okay I'm going to give you all the timeline these chapters are working on to prevent any confusion.  We're going to assume the outburst and suicide attempt happened on a Wednesday.  So the first detention was on a Thursday, this chapter will cover the Friday detention and the next one (Saturday) will include a training session ::shudder::.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do it after that, at least one more detention will be covered, but this fic isn't going to go day by day.  Something to ponder is how will Hermione take the absence of Draco Saturday night? :) Oh yeah, one more thing, I have no idea how any order of classes should go and etc, so just bear with me, okay?  The focus of this fic isn't really their classes most of the time so please ignore any mistakes or such in that area.  Argh, I almost threw myself out of a window trying to find the right song for this chapter, so sorry if it doesn't fit well.  It's "Breakdown" by Tantric.  It'll be in Draco's POV and onward, mostly because the chapter's too long to have it througout it.  Also, it fits those parts better.  I can never seem to find something for Hermione in them, but I'm determined to do a whole chapter in her POV eventually (probably reflecting on "that damn Slytherin" hehe) and will have to find one for her :)

Darcel: Thanks for reviewing! :)  I know, it must suck to be Draco, huh?  Personally, I would've wanted something quite different for my birthday...

Katja:  Thanks for reviewing!!  I'm glad you liked it :-D  Hehe, yeah Dray's got some hope and Hermione (eventually) will provide some more, thankfully.  I like the voice in Draco's head too (when it's not insulting him, lol).  Voices aren't all they're cracked up to be, though, mine drives me quite mad.  Maybe because there's three of them? :p  Well, Cinnamon only has one and hers drives her crazy too, so maybe we just got stuck with sucky ones.  Hehe, hope you like this chapter too :)

Quidditch-playa-lover:  Thanks for reviewing!!  I love writing the parts for Draco's voice so I'm glad you think it's funny (Draco's witty so I figured his voice should be too lol).  I know, it finally has proven it has a purpose other than putting him down :)  It's a bit mean at times in this chapter, but only because Draco's being dense (it happens so often, hehe).  Awww!!  I feel bad for making you cry but am really thrilled that my writing did what I wanted it to :)  I was looking for something to really make the memory depressing...guess I found it, lol.  I would love to talk to you through email!!  It's great to talk to other authors :)  I actually tried, when I first saw your review, to send you an email but it wouldn't work :(  My email's Damnedangel02@hotmail.com (it's in my profile too) I can't wait :)  You have much more faith in my abilities than I do, but I'll do anything you want for your story :)  Thanks again!!

Cinnamon:  Thanks for reviewing, lol, it was beautifully long!!  Now, for all the mentions of Chirstmas, I want you to think long and hard about the fact that the next chapter is going to have a session...a grueling, heartbreaking session, muahahaha!!  It's plaguing me and if I have to have nightmares, so do you!! (hehe, aren't friends great?)  Anywho, hope you like the chapter (as if you'd tell me if you didn't, lol)  :-D  Not much of Snape *tear* but lots of Draco/Hermione interaction :)

Harry and Ron stared at Hermione across the breakfast table with their heads slightly cocked to the side.  She'd been reading the same page for the last five minutes.  This was something to be alarmed about, considering the girl's extensive reading skills.

"Umm, 'Mione?"

She looked up at Harry's tentative tone, "Yes?"

"Is something wrong?"

Hermione closed the book, "Of course not, why would you ask that?"

Harry turned to Ron, who continued, "I don't know if you noticed, but you haven't turned the page in at least five minutes".

"And?"

"And you usually would be finishing the book in that amount of time".

"So now I have to read a certain way too?" she snapped.

"No", Harry jumped in, "You just seem a bit out of it".

Hermione sighed, now she was letting out her frustration on her friends.  It really wasn't their fault that her life had been turned upside down lately, "I'm sorry.  I've been feeling a little off lately.  But don't worry, I'm sure it'll pass".  'And then I can be put in Azkaban for Draco's murder', she thought to herself with an inner smile.  That smile was quickly darkened as she realized, 'Dammit, I called him Draco'.

"Malfoy didn't do anything, did he?" Ron asked suspiciously.

Hermione once again questioned what her state of mind had been when she'd informed her friends of the Malfoy detention situation.  It wasn't just a 'maybe' that they would overreact; the two boys were actually physically unable to do anything else.  She appreciated that they cared, of course, but still... "No, Malfoy didn't do anything and even if he had I would've been able to handle it".  'I did handle it', she added in her mind.

Ron and Harry still looked doubtful so Hermione stood up, rolling her eyes, "Okay, you two can sit here and discuss him to your fullest delight.  Have fun in Divination, I'll see you in Potions", and she walked off without waiting for an answer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

~~~~~~~~~~~~'

"Ron, why are we taking Divination yet again?  Please tell me", Harry moaned to his friend as they dropped into their seats near Hermione in the Potion's classroom.

"Because it's an easy class as long as we write many horrible, bloody deaths", was the tired reply.

"But I am so sick of hearing that I'm going to die.  It's almost like she's wishing for it", he shuddered.

"I take it Trelawney was just as engaging as usual?" Hermione smirked.  Another moan from Harry was her answer and the three laughed.  The merriment stopped abruptly as Snape entered.

He glared at them but didn't say anything, for which the trio was grateful.  To be honest, ever since Hermione's outburst, the other two had been worried about her.  Things felt rather unpredictable, if Hermione Granger could blow up at a teacher (Trelawney didn't count) then what else was possible?

~~~~~Hermione's POV~~~~~~

Well, Snape looks like he had a great night.  Probably thinking about his discussion with Draco.  Dammit, I hate not knowing what is going on!

"Today we will work on healing potions". 

I swear his eyes flicked to Draco's for a millisecond.  What does he have to do with healing potions?  Maybe I'm making too much of it.  I'm too curious.  Suddenly I notice Harry and Ron wearing twin expressions of horror, what did I miss?

"What's wrong?"

Ron's mouth opens but Harry answers, "He's pairing us up with Slytherins".

Shit.  That's bloody fantastic.  I better not get put with Pansy, I cannot stand that girl's endless blather not to mention her oh so witty insults.  Crabbe or Goyle will just sit there and drool, I expect.  Draco... No, I won't be with him.  I have to deal with him every night for a week all ready, isn't that enough?  I pray Snape thinks so as I listen to him call out the pairings..

"Longbottom and Goyle".

Oh, that was just cruel.  The last thing Neville needs is more intimidation!

"Brown and Parkinson".

Good luck Lavender!!  I feel sorry for her but am so glad it's not me.

"Potter and Crabbe".

I send Harry an apologetic look, he's going to have to all the work.  He calls out some more names that don't concern my friends or I.  Finally he looks around the room as if taking inventory and finishes, "I suppose that leaves Granger with Malfoy.  Weasley, you are going to have to  work with me".

No!! No!!  Ron looks like he's about to be sick but I really can't focus.  How could he put me with...that?!  I glare at Snape and see him fighting a smirk.  He did this on purpose, the sadistic jerk.  Figures.  I glance over at Dr-, argh, Malfoy to see how he's taking this.  He's glaring at our teacher as well.  At least I'm not the only one who's annoyed.

"Get with your partners and try to get the potion right, if you please", Snape orders with a sneer.  Oh, I'll show him.  I'm going to get that damn potion perfect, regardless of who I'm working with.  I'll just have to ignore...Malfoy.  I sigh, easier said than done, right?

I look up and see that he apparently assumes I'll come to him.  Of course, his majesty can't be expected to move for the mere peasant folk.  Growling slightly I grab my stuff and trudge to the other side of the room, gathering supplies on the way.

'He doesn't exist, he doesn't exist', I chant to myself in my head as I set everything down, 'No eye contact, just work on the potion'.  As if he isn't even there, I carefully follow the directions and put ingredients in.  A part of me rebels at having to do all the work, but doing anything else would require conversation with that... Slytherin.  Therefore, it's not happening.

"Ever notice that you're a control freak?"

Dammit!  I swear internally as the slow drawl reaches my ears.  Why is he initiating something?  All he has to do is sit there and glare at someone, must he make things so complicated?  I'll just continue to ignore him, that's all.  Unless he's even thicker than I think, he'll get the point.

"So do mudbloods have inferior hearing as well as magical skills?"

I tense as he speaks again a few minutes later.  'Stay calm', I order myself, 'He wants a reaction, don't give him one!'

"Are all Slytherin's this thick, or is just you?"  I retort, not listening to myself.  Oh dear, this can't end well...

~~~Draco's POV~~~

I raise an eyebrow at Granger's response.  She hasn't even looked at me to give it, is still glaring into the cauldron.  I figured the 'mudblood' would get something out of her.  What I didn't expect was a sick feeling in my stomach when I said it.  Something must've been wrong with breakfast today.

~*In your life you seem to have it all
You seem to have control*~

"She's right, you are thick".

Oh shut up, what do you know?

"That the sick feeling is something called remorse.  Something you've been feeling a lot lately... just not for this particular reason".

Why would I?  She's just some annoying little muggle-born.  Dammit, the feeling intensified.

"Of course it did, you moron.  What part of this aren't you getting?  I would think you would understand more, considering your sympathetic thoughts for her and her friends the other day".

Those were a fluke!!  Nothing more!

~*But deep within your soul
You're losing it*~

"Yeah, you try to convince yourself of that.  Meanwhile, I suggest you give her some sort of reply, you look rather dumb right now just staring into the air".

I hate you. 

I look back to Granger, whose eyes still haven't moved from that stupid pot.  "It's not my fault that you didn't respond to my first comment".

"You mean your first insult", she corrects.

"You're the one taking over the assignment.  I'd call that control freak behavior".

"And I'd call you an idiot!" She finally looks at me, eyes narrowed, "I didn't want to have to engage in any unnecessary talking.  That would've been obvious to anyone with half a brain", she smirks, "Which would explain why you didn't get it".

"Your thoughts on my brain are of no concern to me, Granger", I roll my eyes.

"Why would they be?  Nothing is", she comes back with.

"What's that supposed to mean?"  I can feel myself becoming angry.  I refuse to break down in front of this girl again, I'll have to control myself.

"I thought it was pretty self explanatory", she mimics me, rolling her eyes, "Nothing matters to you".

"Don't act like you know me, mudblood", I bite out.  Ugh, there's that feeling again...

Her chocolate eyes flash, "Only if you do the same, Malfoy".

"Chocolate?"

Huh?

"You said chocolate.  Not just brown...chocolate".

What's your point?

"Nothing, nothing at all..." the damn voice chuckles a little. 

Her eyes are right in front of me, I can't help but notice the color.  And chocolate's just the first adjective that came to mind.  Not a big deal or anything...  The voice just laughs some more.  Stupid annoying buzzing in my head.

I sigh, "Can we just finish the potion?"

She doesn't answer, just goes back to the cauldron, moving a little so I can work too.  We continue in silence, not even looking at each other.  Her little friends keep glancing over with murderous expressions.  Did she tell them what I said last night?  The sickness in my stomach becomes a solid knot at the reminder of my remark.

"That really was low...even for you".
Oh please, it's just Granger.  Just a mudblood.

"I could've sworn you spent considerable effort last night trying to convince me you weren't Lucius".

Gee, you're real bright.  Where exactly are you going with this?

"It's just that all this 'mudblood' talk sounds an awful lot like stuff he would say".

The knot grows, increasing the ache.  My words do sound like his.  Hell, I learned most of them from him.  Shit.

~*You never took the time
Assume that you're to blame*~

I glance at Granger, who still looks pretty pissed.  Well what does that stupid voice expect me to do?  I'm not just going to burst out with an apology.  No matter who or what her parents are, I don't like her.

I hear the annoying laughter again as the sarcasm is poured on, "Right, you don't like Hermione.  Or her chocolate eyes".

Ugh, I really need someone to perform an exorcism...

~*You think that you're insane*~

~~~~3rd Person~~~~

~*Won't you spare me*~

The detention came much too soon for either of their tastes.  Hermione was working on not committing murder; Draco still had that annoying "chocolate" matter running through his head, not to mention that twisted stomach.  These just weren't the best circumstances to place the two in the same room...especially one equipped with pointy objects.

Unfortunately, Snape didn't see this and if he had, probably wouldn't have cared very much.  Thus, the Slytherin and Gryffindor were once again forced together.  Needless to say, it would be an eventful night...

"I'm going to leave you with the same warning as last night: damage anything and you will regret it immensely, am I understood?" Snape narrowed his eyes at them and waited for their nods, "You will work on the tables tonight, cauldrons if you get to them", they nodded again silently and he stalked out the door.

~*I know the breakdown*~

The second Snape was gone, Hermione filled a bucket with soap and water and grabbed some sponges.  She moved quickly, not even acknowledging her classmate.

Draco found he didn't like being ignored, "There's that controlling thing again", he strolled over next to her.

~*Everything is gonna shake now someday*~

She didn't look up from the table she was carefully cleaning, much like Potion's earlier, "The more you talk, the less that will be done.  Witty as you are, it might be best to move your focus to scrubbing", this was said calmly and softly.

~*I know the breakdown*~

It irked him that she could so easily brush him off, "Don't give me orders".

Hermione sighed internally, determined not to be provoked...he just wasn't worth the energy, "I didn't mean to.  Do as you wish, then".

Why wasn't she reacting?! The questioned plagued Draco.  After a few silent moments of battling himself, he said aloud, "Aren't you the agreeable one tonight", he smirked, "Finally realize your place?"

~*Tell me again am i awake now maybe*~

Her head rose at last and tired eyes met his, "It's called choosing your battles.  I've simply decided not to get ruffled over unimportant  matters", and with that the table once again captured her attention.

Unimportant matters.  Draco didn't much like being called unimportant...it reminded him too much of Lucius.  He raged inside, how dare she, a mere muggle born, treat a Malfoy with such disrespect?

~*You can find the reason that no one else is living this way*~

"I thought we concluded you weren't a Malfoy", Draco heard the voice in his head.

'Yes, but she doesn't know that', he shot back.

~*Yeah your lies
Your world is built around*~

"Oh please.  Have I mentioned how utterly stupid you are?"

'I hear that enough from Father, thank you' Draco thought bitterly.

~*Two faces to a clown
The voices in your head*~

Hermione snuck a glance up and became instantly confused.  Draco was currently staring into space, brow furrowed, as if in the middle of an argument.  He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.  A pang of guilt hit the girl.  Something was obviously wrong with him...

~*Think there's four pawns down
Well in this unity
Fate has found the need*~

'So what?' She told herself defensively, 'It's not as if he'd do anything if the situation was reversed.  It's just Malfoy, after all.'  Somehow the words, instead of being a comfort, made the pang sharper.  That just made her angrier, with both herself and the Slytherin. 

~*So you better check yourself*~

In her anger, she forgot the 'choosing your battles' plan, "I'm sure whatever you're thinking of is very interesting.  However, I believe Snape intended for us to clean.  I'm not going to get into trouble just because you don't feel like moving".

The half sneer jolted Draco and he glared down at her, "How stupid of me... Of course flawless Granger can't get in any more trouble.  These detentions alone must be killing you".

~*Before you check out*~

"Yes", Hermione agreed, returning the glare, "But not for that reason".

"Do I affect you that much?" Draco mocked.

~*I know the breakdown
Everything is gonna shake now someday*~

"In the sense that anything sharp seems very appealing", her eyes flicked to the cabinet that held the knives used for cutting up ingredients, "Speaking of which, I suggest you stop unless you want to be unable to reproduce.  On second thought, that might not be so bad", she pretended to consider it and beamed.

"Hmm, you having children...that's a scary thought".

~*I know the breakdown
Tell me again am i awake now maybe*~

For once, he agreed with whatever was living in his head.  Just the thought of being what Lucius had been to him caused the sensation of all his bones disintegrating.  Without realizing it, Draco backed up a bit and steadied himself by grabbing a table behind him.  'Damn attacks' he cursed in his mind as he felt the now familiar tightening.  'You're so weak', he ranted at himself, 'The mere thought of the man breaks you.  Pathetic'.

Hermione's eyes widened as she watched Draco's expressions fly around crazily.  After the initial spurt of anger at her comment, he looked repulsed...then absolutely terrified.  She recognized his behavior as the same kind that he exhibited in the library.  Although he couldn't tell, his pale skin was becoming even more so.  Rage suddenly overtook his features and she was even more confused.  It amazed her that the Prince could show such feeling, though.  When not covering up everything with a layer of ice he seemed almost...human.

~*You can find the reason that no one else is living this way*~

"Draco?" She asked quietly, not even realizing what she'd called him.

"She said it again".

'I'm not deaf!' Draco yelled at the voice within.  He really had to get control of himself, this was unacceptable.  His unfocused icy eyes turned to her deep orbs, searching for how she felt.  It was actually compassion but Draco, not having any knowledge of such an emotion, saw only shameful pity.  Refusing to be looked down on (for that was how he saw it), he pulled himself straighter.  Carefully, he once again hid away any and all feelings, leaving behind his customary frosty mask.

~*If you find yourself
Then you might believe*~

He raised a scornful eyebrow, "Something wrong mu-", his tongue tripped as a blast of pain hit his stomach, causing him to halt the insult and finish, "Granger".

Hermione didn't know where to begin, quite frankly, with all that was wrong.  Before she could become annoyed with his swift change, she realized he hadn't completed the slur.  That made the Gryffindor feel as if she were in an alternate universe.  Where else would Draco Malfoy stop himself from using his favorite word? 

She glanced wearily around the room, noting how little they'd gotten done while arguing.  That brought to mind Snape and her outburst.  That, of course, led to the library and Draco's breakdown.  Then, whatever it was that Snape and he spoke about.  Added to all that now was his most recent collapse, not to mention the whole 'mudblood' issue.  Hermione simply didn't feel capable of thinking it all through at the moment...

"The only thing wrong is that we, or should I said I, have one table done.  Snape is coming back, you know", she spoke slowly, as if he wouldn't understand, "We should probably get this done.  And I'm not doing it alone".

Draco muttered something she couldn't hear, more than likely some kind of retort, but grabbed a sponge and went to a desk on the other side of the room.  That suited Hermione just fine.

~*Then within yourself
You just might conceive*~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

Snape returned to find all the tables sparkling and a good number of the cauldrons done.  What he noticed most, however, was that the two teenagers avoided one another's eyes as if to look would blind them.  He wasn't quite sure whether he preferred them fighting, or like this.  The latter was actually rather eerie and unsettled the potion's master, though he didn't know why.

~*I know the breakdown
Everything is gonna shake now someday*`

"Amazingly, you two actually seemed to have gotten something done", he looked around, "And without any destruction.  I'm speechless".

'If only', both Gryffindor and Slytherin thought this at the same time as they fought not to roll their eyes at the professor.

~*I know the breakdown
Tell me again am i awake now maybe*~

"Very well, Ms. Granger, to your dormitory", Snape waved her off.

Hermione left without looking at Draco, but paused outside the doorway.  It seemed understood that he would stay.  Were they going to discuss whatever it was she was missing?  She inched closer, staying out of sight...what would it hurt to try?  Barely breathing, she listened...

~*You can find the reason that no one else is living this way*~

"...Tomorrow night", she caught the end of Snape's sentence.  His voice sounded oddly strangled.

"Yes", Draco responded so quietly Hermione wasn't even sure if he'd said anything.

"We can still have Albus try for an excuse to get you out of it..."

"No", his voice was stronger now, "There has to be a first time eventually".

Snape sighed, "You know what to do?"

Hermione guessed Draco must've nodded because she heard no answer, only the teacher continuing, "Good... You can do this, Draco".

"I'm glad one of us thinks so", his tone was rueful.

"So should you", Snape insisted, "Otherwise, you let him win".

"Hasn't he already?"

~*You can find the reason that (you can find the reason that)*~

Draco's voice broke a little and suddenly Hermione didn't want to hear anymore.  A sickening feeling had entered her, an overwhelming urge to throw up.  As she hurried blindly to her dormitory, Hermione was certain of only one thing: life had taken a definite turn for the strange.

~*No one else is living this way (you can find the reason that way)*~

A/N:  This chapter seemed long to me.  I originally meant to just have a detention scene but the classroom one worked its way in :)  Remember, next chapter is a session!!  Everyone get the tissues ready :'(  Hope you liked this chapter.  Please review ::gets on knees:: pretty please? :)

Oh yeah, for anyone who said yes to the self mutilation earlier, I did the one shot of Draco burning himself.  It's called "A Dragon's Fire".. hehe, yes, shameless advertising for my own fic, but whoever was interested before, I hope you like it :)