A/N: This whole one will be in Hermione's POV, starting right before she arrives to the Saturday detention to find Draco isn't there, dun dun dun,lol... Okay, I had tons of trouble finding a song, so finally fell on "Beauty and the Beast".  Yeah, I'm a dork, so sue me, lol.  I really like that movie, anyway :-)

Quidditch-playa-lover: Thanks for reviewing!  Hi!!  I just checked, but your story didn't show up yet, I'll review the minute I see it up :-) Poor Hermione, having to witness such a thing, it hits her really hard.  Hope you like this, talk to you later :-)

Ms. Padfoot: Thanks for reviewing!  Aww, thanks :-) I'm glad you like this.  Ah, it's so weird to hear people actually like my writing, you make me smile!!  I love her with Draco or Ron.  I'm sorry, I can't read the Sev/Hermion stories, the age difference is too much for me.  Argh, I hate her with Harry too!!!!  They seem too "brother-sister" for my tastes :-)  Hope Hermione's POV lives up to expectations.

Claire: Thanks for reviewing!  Hehe, this update is much quicker :-D  Awww, you poor girl!!!!  I only had to do it for a few days, I think I would die if I had to put up with it as long as you!  Stay strong :-)

Katja: Thanks for reviewing!  LoL, yes, Draco is much stronger.  Stupid weak Lucius.  I can never stand Lucius, I hated him in the books then even more so after reading some fanfic and seeing the 2nd movie.  I've read a couple of stories where he's nice and I like them, but it seems odd to me.  Always poor Draco, our broken Dragon :'(  Narcissa's life does really suck, but she'll have her moment.  Thank you!!  I love doing the songs so it makes me extra happy when people say I do them well.  Being the perfectionist I am, I sometimes spend hours trying to find the right song.  Yes, I know I'm pathetic and have no life, lol ;-p  Ah, I love that quote!!  I agree, it goes very well with Draco.  Here's the chapter (and much sooner than the last one, lol) Hope you like :-D

Koolcatt: Thanks for reviewing!  My fave part about him fighting the curse is how useless it makes Lucius feel.  I'm so evil, lol.  I keep telling myself I'm going to read the 5th book, but I'm so nervous because of the death and it makes me so mad!!  I don't count Wormtail either..ahh, poor Remus :-(  ::glares at book::

Darcel: Thanks for reviewing!  Yes, I couldn't do another chapter as brutal as 13 right away, I might've exploded, lol.  I haven't really thought about any other couples.  There might be hints of Harry and Ginny.  Wow, I never thought of Harry and Pansy before.  I'm always open to suggestions :-)

Catmint: Thanks for reviewing!  Yay, another new person :-D  Thank you for the correction, I have issues with spelling a lot of the time, lol :-)

Outstanding.  In a little bit I get to spend more time with my very best friend.  And I'm feeling very sarcastic if my last thought is any indication.  Then again, I haven't exactly held my tongue around him lately, so why would I now?  I rather like telling him off, to be truthful.  It's irritating to hold such things in.  Besides, I could never let him push me around.

~*Tale as old as time*~

The thing is, and this is what truly drives me crazy, he won't leave my mind!!  I can understand thinking about him during detention, he's right there after all.  But outside of it? When I walk down the halls with Harry and Ron talking, I see his face in my mind.  His face while having those awful attacks.  He's not the kind to ask for help, I wonder if anyone is forcing it on him?  Somehow I doubt it. 

~*True as it can be*~

The only one I can think who might actually give a damn is Snape.  And he's not exactly the nurturing type, I expect.  Maybe I could...

No!  What am I thinking?  He is virtually made of ice!  With no heart, what can one expect?  And he is heartless, I know this.  But guilt is tugging at me.  Can I just sit and watch him be torn apart?

I have to!  This is the boy who has tormented my friends and I from the first second.  He's made fun of Harry's scar, Ron's lack of money, my ancestry.  How could I help someone who has persisted in calling me "mudblood" since 2nd year?!

~*Barely even friends*~

But he didn't last time.  He stopped himself.  Why?  So many questions.  I still don't even know why he has detention in the first place.  And what is so important about tonight?  He'll be at detention...won't he?  My head hurts.  Yet another thing that Slytherin has inflicted on me.  I just want him out of my life!  My mind!

Deep breaths.  After this week of detention, I can go back to ignoring him as much as possible.  There will be no reason to see each other outside of class.  The "why"s won't matter anymore.  They shouldn't matter now.

Oops, Ron asked me a question.  "What?"

He sighs, I've been zoning out a lot lately, damn Dr- Malfoy, "What creature are you going study for Hagrid's class?"

"Dragon", I answer absently.  Wait..I am?  Since when?  I haven't decided yet.  Then why did I answer?  Dammit.  The assignment Ron's talking about was given the other day.  We have to choose a creature and look it up as much as possible.  In class we're going to go over the different ones everyone's chosen.  Hagrid thought it would be a good way for everyone to know a little bit about a number of creatures.

"Hagrid will love that", Harry laughed, remembering the incident in 1st year with Norbert.

That makes me smile, Hagrid and his love for the dangerous ones is sweet... even if a bit scary.  It's not as if anyone really ever gets hurt.  I lose my smile when I remember when Malfoy tried to get Hagrid fired because of the Buckbeak accident.  I wonder if he'll choose the hippogriff just to bring that up again.  Or maybe he'll use his name, after all, Draco in Latin means...I gulp as it processes through my brain... it means dragon.  Damn.

~*Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly*~

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

My stomach becomes increasingly uneasy as I get closer to the Potions classroom.  What is wrong with me?  I feel like that crazy Trelawney, looking for dark omens everywhere.  Everything is going to be fine.  I will get to detention, Draco will be there, we'll both attempt murder while cleaning on the side, Snape will come back and make some sardonic comment and the night will end.  I'll worry about the fact that all that is normal later.

Slowly opening the thick door, I finally enter to see... Snape.  I look around, there's no irritating blonde boy in the room.  My troubled stomach becomes even more soon.  Something is definitely wrong.

~*Just a little change*~

"Hasn't he already?" His question comes to my mind, and the broken way he said it.  Who is this mysterious 'he'?  How has he won?  If he has what does that mean for the loser?  My head is hurting again.

"You will be alone this evening and the next, Ms. Granger".

I look to Snape after this statement, surprised at his lack of disdain in his tone.  There is an edge but it seems to be more of... fear?  He looks rather strained, although I know he's trying to hide it.  What is he so nervous about?  Draco?

"Where is he?" It slips out before I can stop myself.  My voice is low and I wonder if he even heard me.

~*Small to say the least*~

He looks slightly taken aback that I actually care (which I don't, it's merely curiosity) and I think he is going to tell me to mind my own business.  However, he gives an answer, "Mr. Malfoy had some personal business to attend to at home", he hesitates, "He will return tomorrow night but after the detention". 

Why is he telling me all this?  He doesn't seem to know why either and has a slightly confused expression as he sweeps out.  Personal business...I muse as I idly start cleaning flasks.  At home.  With his family.  I try to recall a picture of his parents to my mind.  His father, my eyes narrow at the thought, I well remember seeing him in Flourish and Blott's in second year.  The way he looked at my parents, the scorn in his voice when he spoke to Mr. Weasley of the company he kept.  His mother, though... I vaguely remember seeing her the summer before 4th year at the Quidditch tournament.  She looked like I would expect Lucius' wife to look like, a frozen beauty.  But, something tugs at my memory, there was something... her eyes.  There was..what?  Pain?  Something more?

~*Both a little scared*~

Far as I know, Draco doesn't have any siblings so I assume it is just he and his parents at his home.  Is this "he" Lucius?  It isn't hard to imagine that man to be someone to fear.  But what is happening that would put that...hopelessness... in Draco's voice?

My stomach has gotten to the point where I want to throw up.  There is, without a doubt, something huge I am missing.  And it's gone past curiosity, I admit it, I'm worried now.  I'm worried about him.  I've said it.  It's not so abnormal, right?  I mean, it's only human to feel compassion for others...even if that other isn't human himself.

I sigh, human or not, the damn Prince of Slytherin needs help.

~*Neither one prepared*~

I concentrate on cleaning as there is nothing I can do about it now, but I feel more ill as time goes by.  Every body part hurts and I cannot imagine why.  I've not done any strenuous work.  I suppose I've caught something.  I could go see Pompfrey, but she will make a matter out of nothing, so I'll just wait for it to pass.

When Snape returns, he seems even paler and more nervous than before.  Seeing my state, he looks at me oddly.  Thankfully, he doesn't ask any questions and just dismisses me as usual.  It looks like neither of us will have a very good sleep...

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

I wake up yet again, clamping my hand over my mouth to stop the scream.  It was awful, the nightmare... I shudder.  The other times, I would just get a sense of dread and I'd be jolted out of sleep.  This time, though, I had no such luck.  The feeling of dread came, but it was followed by screams.  Oh god, so many screams.  My head is aching more than it ever has before and I can't get them out of my head!  I couldn't see anything but blurry objects moving around very quickly.  Just those shouts of agony, so intense it was as if I too were in pain.  And under them, it makes goose bumps break out, under them was laughter.  I don't know who was so tortured, who was laughing, I know nothing but those screams.

~*Beauty and the Beast*~

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

The rest of the night pretty much followed that pattern.  A few jolts, then full out horror and back again.  I spent more time curled up, tears silently rolling, then actually sleeping.  I'm sure I look like hell this morning.  I don't really care, to be honest.  I want to know where that nightmare came from, another mystery in my batch. 

My body aches from the lack of rest and all this tension.  I wince slightly while approaching Harry and Ron in the common room.  I gratefully fall into a chair, letting it envelope me.  My friends look at me with wide eyes full of concern.

Ron, ever tactful, speaks first, "What happened to you?!"

~*Ever just the same*~

I raise an eyebrow and Harry elbows him before trying himself, "What he means is, are you okay?"

"A regular ray of sunshine", I answer, smiling a little, "Don't worry, just a little trouble sleeping".

Now they look suspicious, wonderful.  Harry asks, "Are you sure?"

Ron nods, " Sure you shouldn't see Madame Pompfrey?"

"Very sure", I answer firmly, "I promise I'll go if it keeps up, but it's nothing to get worked up over yet".

I can tell they're still worried, poor guys, but they nod reluctantly.  I really need to get their minds off of it so propose a game of Wizard's Chess, Ron can never turn it down.  We play and he quickly beats me, I never was very good at it, especially compared to him.  Then Harry goes against him.  As they go, he talks about a new path he wants to explore with the Marauder's Map.  He's had it since 3rd year, but there always seems to be a new corridor we never saw before on it.  He mentions that we'll have to use the invisibility cloak... the cloak!!  The answer to my questions!  Well, the tool to finding the answers anyway.  Snape said Draco is returning tonight, sometime after the detention.  I just have to get the cloak and watch the doors.  I'll wait for however long it takes, not like I'm going to sleep anyway.  I don't know exactly what I'll be looking for, but anything will be more than what I have presently.  Now, to get the cloak...

"Harry?" He makes a "hmm" sound of acknowledgement while contemplating his next move, "Would you mind if I used the cloak tonight?"

He makes his move and then looks at me, "Course not.  What do you need it for?"  Ron looks up curiously too.

Ah, here's the tough part.  I can hardly tell them that it's needed as part of my plan to uncover Draco Malfoy's life. 

~*Ever a surprise*~

Somehow I don't think they'll react to that well.  I hate having to lie to my best friends, but... "Studying, you know me.  I need to look in the restricted section".

They take that as truth right away, intensifying my guilt, and turn back to the game as Ron asks, "You want us to come?"

"No, it's okay, I'll be pretty quick".  I inwardly sigh with relief.  This better be worth it...

~*Ever as before*~

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

Oh, this isn't good.  Not only have I not gotten better, but I'm worse.  There's this giant rock in my stomach and I feel the urge to cry.  What the hell is wrong with me?  Doing what I do best, I look up some medical books in the library.  There's nothing there to help me.  What can I do when not even books offer a solution?

~*Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise*~

Harry and Ron keep getting more worried.  I swayed when walking and it took 10 minutes to convince them not to get Pompfrey.  Now, more than ever, I can't go to her.  She might make me stay and I need to follow through with my plan.  Thus, I will deal with these small discomforts.  Can't get any worse, right?

I walk down the hallway, wanting some time away from my friends' concerned eyes.  Not sure where I'm going, but I can't sit still.  Uh oh.  My eyes are getting blurry.  No, I can't get dizzy here!  If I get dizzy, I may fall; if I fall, someone will see; if someone sees, I'll be brought to Pompfrey.  Come on.  I try to steady myself, unconsciously putting a hand to the wall.  I close my eyes and take a deep breath.  It's nothing.

~*Tale as old as time*~

"Ms. Granger?"

I jump at Snape's voice.  This really sucks.  With a sigh I open my eyes and look up at him, "Yes, sir?"

"Are you all right?" He looks a bit lost, like last night.

I hardly think he really cares, but, "Yes, just a little tired".

~*Tune as old as song*~

"You looked about to faint", he points out.

Ah, why does he keep asking questions?  It's not like it would matter to him if I did anyway, "I'm fine, really Professor".

Finally he nods and walks away.  Talking seemed to help clear my mind and the spell has passed.  While not feeling great, at least it's not as if I'll drop right this second.

Draco and Snape not being total jerks and me going out of my way to help Mr. Pureblood.  The whole world has gone crazy..

~*Bittersweet and strange*~

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

~*Finding you can change*~

I ate dinner under the threat that if I didn't, Pompfrey would be called in.  Pushed around more than ate, really.  Still, though, there is now something in my stomach and it doesn't like that.

At dinner, Dumbledore, Snape and Lupin seemed very tense.  Snape more than the others.  I don't think he ate anything either.  Somehow I feel they're all troubled over the same thing.  Or, maybe, the same person?

I trudge to the classroom.  Can't even walk now, I'm trudging.  I want to throw up until there's nothing left, everything feels so ill.  I'm exhausted and look it.  Maybe after tonight I'll go to Pompfrey, just as I see what is being so carefully hidden.

Snape is sitting at his desk with his head in his hands when I arrive.  I know he'll hate that I see him like this, but I can't just stand here.  I lightly knock on the door to get his attention.

~*Learning you were wrong*~

He quickly looks up and seeing me, relaxes a little.  What was he expecting?  After seeming to notice my condition, his eyes widen, "Are you sure you can do this, Ms. Granger?"

Oh my god.  Go check, I'm sure Voldemort is turning himself in right now.  Fudge is out admitting his presence and assembling troops.  Lucius Malfoy is taking parenting classes.  Peeves and McGonagall are declaring themselves a couple.  Severus Snape is offering a Gryffindor a way out of detention.

"Yes, sir, I'm sure", I choke a bit in my shock.

He looks doubtful but doesn't push any further.  After muttering something about organizing things, he's gone.  He too looked like he was going to lose his dinner.  Maybe what I have is going around.

I organize without really seeing what I'm touching.  Most things are a blur and I'm so damn tired.  I would wish to pass out if tonight wasn't so important.  It's so quiet in here alone.  Odd, I almost miss the tossing of insults.  At least it provided some amusement.  Oh dear, I must really be sick.  First I'm worrying about him and now (in a way) I'm missing him.  There is something seriously wrong with that.

~*Certain as the sun
Rising in the east*~

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

I've watched Lupin and Dumbledore wait at that door so long I've lost count.  A million times I've almost fallen asleep, but nosiness is keeping me up.  When I got here, Snape was just walking out.  Is he going to meet Draco at the gates or something?  Maybe down in Hogsmead?

The Headmaster looks frighteningly grave, especially for a man who's always smiling.  Lupin, always tired looking to begin with, is even worse and continues to pace around in anxiety.  Their actions make me even more nervous about what I'm going to observe.  Snape, on the other hand, seemed a bit better when he came back to the classroom.  Also, when leaving the castle, looked a little happier.  I suppose he's happy Draco is returning?  I shudder to think what can be happening to him that would induce all these reactions.

~*Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme*~

Just as my eyelids start to droop down again, I hear the large doors opening and my eyes spring open.  The sight that meets them literally makes my mouth drop open.  I want to scream, but no sound comes out.  I think Snape wants to murder someone, by his expression, and I don't blame him.  Small tears form as I look at His Majesty.

~*Beauty and the Beast*~

Draco is being floated, as he is unconscious.  I see blood soaking through his clothes and running down his face.  His face, always so arrogant and perfect.  It looks like a mine field.  I wonder if he'll even be able to open his eyes when he awakens because of the bruising.  The ever slicked white blonde hair is unruly and flecked with crimson.  I bite my lip, gagging a little, as I wonder if he's even still breathing.  I look closely...yes, his chest is moving.  Slowly, but still moving.  I never thought I'd be so relieved to see him, of all people, alive.

~*Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme*~

Thankfully my crying is silent, I hate to think what they'd do if they found me now.  I hear the three talking quietly, but the words are lost as I cannot tear my gaze from the hovering body.  My eyes stay fixed on it as they move away, toward the dungeons.  When they are no longer in sight, I crumple to the floor, leaning against the cold wall.  I have no energy to go back to my rooms yet. 

But how to get more information?  A rebel house elf with a love for socks comes to mind.  I believe I'll pay a visit to the kitchens tomorrow.

One thing is certain, I cannot ignore what I have just seen.  Nor can I forget it.  I doubt Draco will like me prying in, but that's just too damn bad.  Something must be done, whether the Prince wants to or not.

~*Beauty and the Beast*~

A/N: I'm guesing everyone knows the elf she speaks of? lol... Please review!!!!  Tell me if you like it, what you don't like, anything.  If you have any suggestions, or things you want to see in it (however random, lol) please tell me, I'll take anything into consideration :-D