A/N: Yay, I didn't take a month!!! lol.  I'm finally getting some movement in this story, I know it's sort of been standing still lately.  But Hermione and Draco's...whatever they have, lol, is being moved along a bit.  Harry and Ron will be playing a bigger part later, and I still have to figure out when Sirius will come in.  Anyway, enjoy!!  I hope it isn't too bad ;-)  The song is "Not Alone" by Don't Look Down

Darcel:  Uh huh, I think I'm getting better!!!  *twirl*

Star Katt:  Hi!!  I read your 18th birthday one.  I've never seen/read/not sure what it is Inuyasha, but it was a good poem :)

YW:  Hiii!  Thanks :)  I've got PSATs tomorrow morning, I want to cry!  I should be asleep, but I'm stupid, thus I am up.  I should email you tomorrow, if I'm not too distraught over my stupidity, lol.

Cyberdragon:  Very true, lol.  Thanks :)  I love song fics, though it sometimes takes me forever to find songs for this story.

Elle Granger:  Welcome!!  Thank you very much :)  Hehe, I like making Hermione explode, 'tis fun.  I talk to myself a lot, so I can relate to Draco to it.  Lately, though, I talk to my leprochaun Bud instead ;-)  Draco will never be totally good, I would never do that to him, glad you agree.  *shudder*  Lucius' mind gives me nightmares.  I hate going into it, but such is angst.  I love Sevvy, lol, it's so much fun to break him down and make him have feelings.  It's easy to fall in love with Draco *dreamy sigh*.  Your reviews made me so happy!!  Thank you for taking the time :)  I hope you like this chapter too.

Louise Luvgood: Thank you :)  I know, poor Hermione is missing such a big thing!!  Hmm, I wonder how long till she figures it out...

Claire: Hehe, and this one was quicker!!!  *cheer*  Yup, I got my permit today!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Hermionedastar: Angry Draco is amusing, I agree.  Poor Sevvy, he's all messed up ;-)

xXxEmeraldxXx: Thanks :-)  lol, yes, I haven't gotten many good responses to the cliffie *evil grin*

Silently Tortured: Silly Pansy.  Have you read Struggle?  It's wicked funny what happens to Pansy in there.  She's just too stupid not to ridicule.  Thanks :)

Rose of Tokyo: Thank you :)

~~~~~~~~~The squeals made the thick walls of the manor vibrate.  Thump, squeal, thump....

"I is sorry, Master", was the constant chant through the wails.  The only answer the elf received was a snarl and more injury.  It woke 5-year-old Draco up.  He tried to bury his head under his pillows, but it seemed the sounds were everywhere.  His stomach twisted with each new shriek.

Why was Father doing it this time?  Young as he was, Draco knew Lucius didn't really need a reason.  Walking wrong was a highly punishable offense in the man's world.  The little boy shuddered for the poor little slave.  He wondered if Mother could hear, did the screams bother her too?

After more fruitless attempts at going back to sleep, Draco was rather upset.  Not only was he being deprived of rest, but squeals had gotten to the point where they made him want to throw up.  Father had to stop!

Having made this decision, he quietly walked downstairs.  He didn't want to alert Mother.  She always became really nervous whenever he went to go see Father.  As he neared his destination, he tried to ignore how loud the cries were getting.

Draco stood in the doorway and entreated softly, "Father?" His small voice was lost in the noise, so he spoke louder, "Father!"

Lucius relaxed his hold on his cane and turned from the whimpering elf,  "What are you doing up?"

"I could here you", he answered simply.

"And....?"

"Could you please stop?"

His father's eyes narrowed, "Why do the yells bother you?"

"They make my stomach hurt", Draco explained.  He couldn't understand the anger that flashed in Lucius' eyes at such a response.

"Do you feel bad for the elf, Draco?"

He wasn't really sure how to answer.  Did the hurting stomach mean he felt bad?  He guessed so and told his father that.

Not the appropriate reply, apparently, since Lucius walked forward and backhanded him for it.  He pointed at the elf with his cane, "That, son, is a slave.  House elves are like mudbloods and muggles, far below us and not worthy of our time.  You will NEVER feel compassion for anyone, let alone trash such as this.  Is that understood?"

"But..." Draco wanted to say that he didn't understand.  What was so bad about a house elf?  They helped.

Lucius cut him off with a blow to the stomach with the cane, "Is that understood?!"

Trying to regain the power to breathe, Draco panted out, "Yes sir".

"Good.  Back to bed then", and the mighty pureblood went back to his victim.

The little boy left the room bent over and without another glance at the elf.  He tried to block out the resumed squeals and cries of, "I is sorry, Master.  Dobby is sorry!"~~~~~~~~~~~

~*Take a step back from your life, take a moment to see more deeply.*~

Draco punched the wall hard, scraping his knuckles and almost breaking his hand.  The snarls, the pleas, everything was reverberating in his crowded mind.  He clutched his stomach as he relived the sensation of being whacked there with the cane.  Breath short, he attempted to refocus and fight the attack.

So far, it wasn't going so well.  Draco remembered the blood on the floor, on the cane, on his shirt after the cane touched it.  The blood on his own face from a ring Lucius was wearing when he hit him.  Weak.  The word was displayed in neon letters to him.  No compassion.  The order echoed. 

Memories started melding together, forming a stream of screams and crimson ink.  He felt each ache, bruise, cut be reborn.

He glared at the wall and said aloud to himself, "I can't do this".  Draco dropped to the ground, "I just can't".

~*Does everything seem just alright? What is it that makes you happy?*~

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

Hermione felt as if someone had just punched her in the stomach.  She gasped and Severus looked at her curiously.  As she was about to answer, she started hearing numerous screams.  The girl looked around, but there was no one but herself and the professor.  Was she going mad?

"Ms. Granger?"

Her head whipped around to face him, "Yes sir?"

"Is there something the matter?"

"Yes", she answered without thinking, "I've got to go".  Barely acknowledging it, Hermione began walking.  She had not a clue where she was going, but her head was killing her so she left it to her feet.  There were flashes she kept getting, but nothing seemed clear.  There was the yelling, crying, and... blood.  She shuddered.  Her body seemed to be torn apart though no marks appeared on her skin. 

"There had better be a damn good explanation for this!" She thought faintly to herself.

~*This song is about how you could, look back on your life and feel good.
Bring back the faces and memories.*~

Slowly she realized she had entered a rather deserted area of the castle.  What could possibly be there?

Hermione entered a corridor and came to a dead stop.  There didn't look to be anything there, so she was a bit confused.  Her subconscious wanted her to be alone in a hallway?  Then a movement caught her eye and she looked down.  There sat Draco staring into space.

~*And when it all seems wrong, I want you to turn on this song and look out your window.*~

"Draco?"  She decided to be surprised about finding him later.  He didn't answer, "Draco!!!"  Still nothing.  Hermione crouched down and lightly shook his shoulder. 

He flinched violently a second before turning his head sharply.  His hand came up and grabbed her wrist. 

"Draco, let go!" His grip was tight and could quickly become pretty painful.  She looked him straight in the eyes, hoping to get through to him.  They were ice cold and at the same time, somehow, full of fiery anger.  "DRACO!" She yelled to him.

Something seemed to click as he let go of her and shook himself.  After blinking a bit, his eyes seemed to have refocused and he looked at her confused, "What are you doing here?"

~*Remember the good times you had, and those out there you love.
Everything seems better.*~

"I don't know", Hermione answered honestly, "But you didn't come to detention".

"So?"

She gave him a weird look, "So Snape and I wondered where you were".

"Well now you know, goodbye then", He looked away.

"Oh no.  No bloody way!" Hermoine exclaimed, "I'm getting some answers, dammit".

~*You're not alone, we're better off together.*~

Her outburst brought back his gaze and he raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"I find you in a trance like state, get a vice hold on my wrist, and then suddenly you act like nothing happened?  No.  And this isn't the first time.  At the library you were out of control.  And at detention I can tell something has been going on.  You're going to tell me."

~*You'll always have to know that you're not..
All alone, lonely through the bad times, it seems like I have grown.*~

"Who the hell do you think you are?" He asked incredulously.

"Someone that you can't lie to anymore.  Let's get this straight Draco, I am not in a good mood.  I've been horrendously sick lately for no known reason.  I've had to spend considerable time everyday with my least favorite teacher.  Not to mention dealing with you.  Then tonight, just when I'm getting better, I feel like I'm going to die.  I've had horrible nightmares full of screaming and blood and Merlin knows what else I've blocked out.  I've heard you not call me mudblood, seen Snape be considerate and lied to my friends.  Do NOT push me at this point!!!"  Hermione breathed deeply and crossed her arms.

It took Draco a couple moments to get over the shock.  That was certainly not the answer he had expected, "And you think this entitles you to pry into my personal life?"

"Honestly?  Yes, because most of it is your fault."

"How do you figure?"

"You don't want to know.  Now stop changing the subject and spill", he didn't answer, "I'm not going to shut up until you do", he rolled his eyes so she resorted to blackmail, "Tell me and I won't tell Snape the state I found you in".

He seemed to mull the last one over and sighed, "Fine.  But don't go spreading it to Mr. Perfect or anyone, got it?" Hermione nodded and he began reluctantly, "I get these panic attacks.  Things become hazy, I can't breathe, I basically flip out".

~*Now take a look back at your life, to see how things have worked out.*~

"When do you get them?"  She questioned gently.

"When I think of... certain aspects of my life", he didn't want to reveal too much.

"Lucius", Hermione said softly, not really meaning for it to be aloud.

His eyes widened but he nodded, "Yes."

Feeling a bit awkward, Hermione let her eyes roam, they fell on his bloodied hands.  She grabbed it without thinking and exclaimed, "What happened?!"

"The wall annoyed me", he replied dryly, happy that the subject was no longer Lucius.

~*How can you make it seem right? What will it take to find out?*~

She inspected it lightly, "It's not broken, that's good.  You should clean this up, they could become infected".  When silence was her answer, she looked up to find him staring at her.  She looked away uncomfortably, "We should be getting back.  You need this fixed and Snape will want to know what's going on".

Draco didn't move to stand, but asked her, "How did you find me?"

Hermione shrugged, "Luck?"

"Why did you look?"

This question wasn't as easy to answer, "I'm smarter than Snape".

"If I can't lie, neither can you", he watched her closely.

She glared at him, "You're going to think I'm crazy".

"Try me".

~*My friends are all here next to me, focus your eyes and you'll see.
Bring back the faces and memories.*~

"Remember how I felt sick tonight?  Accompanying that was a feeling that something was wrong.  So, I just started walking and ended up here."

"What do you mean by sick?" Draco asked with an odd voice.

"Why does that matter?" He just narrowed his eyes so she sighed, "At first, it wasn't really pain, just a clenched stomach and general not feeling well.  Then later, it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.  On the way here, my whole body hurt.  It doesn't make any sense.  It's been like this a lot lately.  I almost passed out in the corridor the other day".

~*And when you think you can't, get up and take a stand.*~

"When did you have the nightmares?"

Hermione looked at him oddly, but answered, "Saturday night".

"What happened in them?  More specifically, I mean."

She felt cold as she forced herself to remember, "They were awful.  I couldn't see very clearly, everything was blurry.  But there was so much screaming.  They made me sick.  And during the screams, someone was laughing.  On the way up here, I heard screams again and had flashes of things, mostly blood", she ran her hands up her arms in an effort to get rid of the goose bumps that had appeared, "What's with all the questions?"

~*Fight for me like I know you can.*~

"Morbid curiosity", he continued before she could call him on the lie, "You're right, we should be going back".

Hermione frowned to herself.  He wasn't telling the truth.  But she wasn't quite sure she wanted to know the reason.  Thus, she stayed silent on the way to Snape's.

~*You've been here all along, its the reason why I wrote this song.
You make my life better.*~

~~~~~~~~ Sevvy's POV ~~~~~~~~~

Where the hell is that boy?  I swear I don't need this trouble.  Too much worrying.  See what happens when you start to care?

"Lighten up"

Never. 

Where did Granger go?  She's hardly my biggest worry right now, but it would be nice to have some control over this situation.  Maybe she went to the lavatory, the girl seemed very ill.  Has all these past days, actually.  Maybe it's karma.

He better not've decided to just skip detention, not after arguing so much to be able to come.  He was so angry before, maybe he went flying.  Ah, flying, that would not be good.  What if he decided to try again?

"Deep breaths, Sev"

Oh shut up, what do you know?  I'm panicking.  I never panic.  I've been doing a lot of it lately, though.  Yet another thing that child has inflicted on me. 

Damn Lucius, this is all his fault.  If he had just been human, this would not be an issue!  But, no.  He had to go and be demonic.  Of course.  Figures.

"Right.  Fate makes Lucius an abusive father just to cause you annoyance".

Don't try to sound logical on me!!  Did you not hear the word "panic"?

"What aren't you looking for him?"

I have no idea where to begin.  I'm waiting for some divine intervention.  Besides, I'm probably overreacting, no need to excite everyone.  I'll just sit here at my desk and wait for them.  Maybe Granger found Draco along the way.  Yes, I'm sure that's what happened.  And he was perfectly fine, just wanted to irritate me. 

Or Voldemort could've decided the weekend wasn't enough.

"Are you kidding me?"

I repeat, NO LOGIC!  Let me comfortably freak out.  Then I can relax and all will be well with the world.

Why isn't he here yet?  And why isn't she back either?  Not acceptable!

Maybe he realized that I was right and he was worn out and went back to the dorms.  Of course.  I should've thought of that earlier.  Good.

Or maybe he realized that I was right he was worn out but couldn't make it back to the dorms!  He could be passed out somewhere.

"And you think I'm weird..."

Albus, I'll go see Albus.  Perfect.  He'll know what is going on, the man knows everything.  He'll find them both and... oh, there they are.

"Thank Merlin"

~~~~~~End Sevvy's POV~~~~~

~*You're not alone, we're better off together.*~

Severus stared at them after they entered the classroom, looking slightly frenzied.

"I found Draco", Hermione blurted out when she could no longer stand the silence.

~*You'll always have to know that you're not..
All alone, lonely through the bad times, it seems like I have grown.*~

"Yes, she did", Draco nodded, slightly amused.

"I can see that.  Where were you?"

"Got a little sidetracked, sorry", Draco smirked at him.

~*And all those times I was a clown, you brought me up when I fell down.*~

"And you're feeling all right?" Sev questioned, not caring that Hermione was right there.

"I'm fine", Draco assured him.

Sev looked over to Hermione, "How was he when you found him?"

She shrugged, "Annoying, nothing new.  Seemed ok to me".

~*And all that I've become I pull my life to everyone but me.*~

"I give up", Sev muttered, "You know the drill, clean, don't break anything, including each other's bones".  With that, he stalked out of the classroom, desperate for some peace.

"Not bad", Draco said to her, still smirking.

She rolled her eyes, "Slytherins aren't the only ones that can lie, you know".

"No", he agreed, "We're just the best at it".

"The only thing you guys are the best at is being the object of pranks", she countered.

"Jealousy does not become you, Hermione", he raised an eyebrow.

"Insufferably prat", she laughed.

The two of them finally got down to work.  Draco comfortable with the knowledge that he could trust (to an extent) Hermione to keep his secret, and Hermione with the fact that she had made a chip, however small, in the Prince's armor.

~*You're not alone*~

A/N:  This was longer, right?  This ended up a lot less angsty than I planned.  I swear my muse does these things just to confuse me.  Don't worry, just because they're tolerating each other this chapter doesn't mean a smooth road ahead.  I know Sev's bit was weird, I don't know what got into me, but I had to write it.  I think this story needed a little comic relief.  Anywho, plleeeaaasseee review, I love them all!!