Well ok let me first start with a HUGE apology. it has taken me far far to long to update this story. But i strangely haven't felt up to writing. However deciding that i was being stupid and admitiedly after alot and i mean ALOT of pestering from a certain Vimy i have written this chapter. I tried to make it long so that at least it may make up for the delay...although i suppose it would have to be all finished to make up for that! Anyway i hope you enjoy this chapter and although i'm not promising as (as said by Mary Poppins) it would be a pie crust promise. One easily made and easily broken. But i hope to update alot sooner than i did this time!
Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think...good or bad i would really like to know.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. However i would like to point out that if you did decided to sue it would come at a very difficult and busy period of time in my life so if you could just wait a couple of months, i'll see what i can do!
Chapter 6
A twig snapped under Hermione's foot causing her to jump. The Forbidden forest wasn't exactly her ideal place but her awareness was in overdrive from being in there with Malfoy.
When Snape had oh so nicely told them they were serving their detention looking for a particular flower that only bloomed in the forest her heart had sunk. It sunk even further when he told them that only the two of them were going, without Hagrid as their guide.
Draco hadn't looked that thrilled either, but Hermione supposed that was more down to having to spend a night with her rather than having to go into the forest.
Draco was a little way ahead of Hermione, not straying to far but not too close either, God forbid anyone should see him with a 'mudblood'.
"Keep up Granger" He called back as he entered a particularly dense thicket.
Hermione sped up a little keeping her eyes ahead. Malfoy looked different in the moonlight, his features were less harsh and his blond hair looked less stiff. It was weird how much time they'd spent together; she'd spent more time with him than she had Harry and Ron so far this term and she was going to have to spend more with the coming project. She objected of course, with every fibre of her. She hated Malfoy with a passion that scared her. He was the personification of prejudice and he stood for everything she so violently was against; the light from the moon disappeared as the two walked in a heavy silence deeper into the forest.
"We're all most there…I think" Draco whispered more to himself than to Hermione.
"Hermione nodded in response and began to search for the flower. "It should be easy to spot, being white an all" she said out loud, trying to break the harsh silence that was enveloping around them.
Draco dismissed her attempt fro conversation and carried on looking, suddenly he spotted something pale under the dark of a tree not far off from where he had been standing. Praising his eagle like vision, that benefited him more than once, he strode over to it and broke the stems of the flower, careful not to damage the precious petals. A smirk on his face he stared at the flower but was disturbed by a rustling close by.
" Be a bit quieter Mudblood, don't want the vampires or werewolves to hear us"
"Its not a full moon Ferret, no werewolves" Hermione spat back.
'Bloody Smart arse' he thought as he stood up, gently placing the flowers into a pouch tied to his belt. The noise still hadn't stopped however and Draco's temper was rising. He wasn't scared of the forest but it wasn't his ideal place to reside and he certainly didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.
"Granger" He hissed, " Do you have to make so much noise." He pushed himself up from his crouched position and prepared to return to the castle when the noise grew even louder.
"I'm not doi….What is that?" Hermione asked, her voice shaking slightly.
"Shut up… put out your wand," Draco ordered, doing the same to his.
Hermione was suddenly aware of someone's presence next to her. The rustling had mixed with a strange clicking and it was much closer and unbearably loud. What ever it was didn't sound friendly. If she had been with Harry or Ron she would have grabbed onto one of their cloaks momentarily and it would have boosted her confidence. She would have known she was safe and she could have carried on being her brilliant self but Malfoy did none of these things to her, and she certainly…
"What was that". Something brushed past Hermione ankles and she stepped away suddenly, crashing into something behind her.
"Get off me mudblood" Draco hissed, pushing her away. The noise was subsiding and Hermione breathed out a sigh of relief. She didn't doubt that Malfoy could fight off whatever it was that had been out there, but she didn't believe that he would have saved her as well as his upper class snobbish, arse.
"Lumos" Draco whispered awhile after the noise had stopped. The sudden light dazed both of them; it took awhile for their eyes to become adjusted. Hermione went to light hers but Draco stopped her.
" Just the one. It could still be out there." Draco looked around his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And don't touch me again, alright mudblood. I don't want my cloak ruined. Follow."
Hermione only answered with a glare. 'Touch him, why would I want to touch him. Sure I grabbed his cloak when I fell, but it wasn't exactly like I wanted to. Smug, arrogant, bastard. I cannot believe that Parvati was jealous of me, 'alone in the woods with Draco Malfoy. He is just so handsome' Eh Girls! And whom does he think he is 'Follow' if only something large, hairy and terribly unpleasant would eat him, I'm not some kind of house elf he can order around. Though he shouldn't be doing that either; but that's beside the point, he isn't anything better than me. Who died and made him God anyway.' Hermione continued to curse to herself, not really taking notice of her surroundings.
Xx
"We should be out by now," Draco mumbled under his breath. Which way was it after the oak. He stopped suddenly and looked around, and although his ice-cold expression showed no sign of emotion he was silently troubled. 'On second thoughts, I hate this place'
"Why have you stopped?" Hermione demanded, breaking Draco's thoughts
"Don't ask questions, light your wand and look that way. Just do it Granger."
Hermione scoffed and folded her arms, "Why? Have you got us lost? You have haven't you, the infamous and 'royal arse himself' has got himself lost."
A wave off impatience and anger flickered over Draco's face but it soon melted away as if it never happened. Where did she, a dirty-blooded bitch, get off talking to him, a Malfoy, like that?
"Fuck off Granger, it's not just me who's lost."
"Well whose fault is that? Follow is what you said, I did and now we're lost"
"I'm warning you Granger stop your insolence and hold your mudblood tongue."
"Or what." Hermione raised an eyebrow, feigning her confidence just a little. She couldn't resist the temptation of seeing him angry. She enjoyed having the power over someone usually so in control of their emotions.
Draco strode up to her, leaving only an inch between them. Threateningly he leaned forward "Do you really want to find out?"
Hermione hand twitched towards her wand but she didn't move away, " I'm not as weak and pathetic as you think Malfoy, I'm not one of those pathetic whores who follows you around. I'm quite capable of defending myself."
Draco scoffed," Didn't look like it back there did it, grabbing onto my cloak with your filthy hands. Potty and Weasel weren't there so you were scared. Protect yourself; Potty and Weasel do it all. God knows why"
"Harry and Ron," Hermione seethed " Don't protect me, they need me. And, if they did they would do it because they are decent, loyal people"
"Oh please your going to make me sick. Decent, loyal people my arse, if they were decent they would let mudbloods like you die." Draco paused and watched as his words visibly stung Hermione.
"Its probably true about them needing you though, both of them together couldn't find there way out of a dead end street." Draco smirked, " Never thought you would admit it though."
"That's not what I meant and you know it, you're such a slimy, good for nothing Ferret. "
"Sticks and stones." Draco said amused at Hermione's frustration. Somehow the tide had turned and now it was Malfoy with the upper hand. He walked away smugly and again assessed their situation. Hermione had been right of course, they were lost but he was sure he'd be able to find a way out, of course he could he was a Malfoy.
Hermione was still fuming behind him, she couldn't believe he had the audacity to say something like that to her face, she simply refused to let him have the last word, anger and frustration taking over she threw a rock at his head. The thud as it hit him was satisfying, even if she immediately changed her mind about it having been a good idea.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU BITCH." Draco yelled as the stone hit the floor. He grabbed hold of Hermione's wrists and twisted sending a sharp pain through her body.
"Get Off Me" Hermione demanded. She was scared; she had never seen eyes as terrifying as Draco's were at this moment. There was a cold, hateful fire burning in them, it seemed uncontrollable but she was damned if she was going to let him see her fear.
"Never, never do that again" Draco bristled with anger. He gripped harder; he could feel her skin bruising under his grip.
"Understand" Hermione flinched with pain, now unable to hide the overwhelming fear. Draco saw the fear in her eyes and it pleased him, 'the Gryffindor saint' is scared he mused to himself. He twisted her wrists again,
" Understand." He repeated.
Hermione nodded against her will, she didn't want to give in but the pain was too much.
"Good." All signs of anger disappeared from his face as he let go of her; it was as if nothing had happened. The only evidence was the purple attains on Hermione's pale skin.
" Good, now light your wand and look down there." Draco instructed as he turned away from her and began to look around him.
Hermione stood staring at him, her breathing ragged and short. She had never been so angry as in that moment. Blood was rushing through her veins and she could hear it all around her. She lit her wand and marched off in the opposite direction to Draco. She was damned if she was going to spend any more time with him. She couldn't stand the way Draco could get under her skin and how he thought he could order her around. She was going to have to switch partners for muggle studies, even if he was the Head boy she couldn't stand being with him more than was absolutely necessary and that meant duties and meetings, no more.
"Where are you going?" Draco demanded.
"Away from you." Hermione shouted back and continued her determined walk through the forest. She was almost certain that she could see a dim light in the distance; she was willing to believe anything to get away from Malfoy.
Xx
Draco sneered, fine if she wanted to get lost it wasn't his problem, he was the one with the flowers and he was the one that Snape would praise for getting them. Whether or not he would be best pleased with Draco for leaving the Head Girl alone in the forest didn't bother Draco. She was Head Girl for a reason surely, unless the fool Dumbledore only put her in the position to equal the mudblood's influence in the school. Deep down Draco knew this was rubbish, Granger was a good witch. There was no doubt she was intelligent but she didn't have what mattered. She didn't have a pure blood running through her veins, her magic had been coincidental, a mistake and he believed his prejudice wasn't prejudice at all, her blood was dirty and she didn't deserve to be called a witch.
Draco continued with his thoughts as he trudged through the brambles and low hung branches. Every so often a thorny branch would seem to swipe at his perfect skin, desiring to leave its mark, but they always seemed to pull away at the last moment. It was as if his blood was too dangerous, too regal for its thorns. It wasn't long before Draco reached a clearing and was able to feel the moonlight shine down on his skin. Relaxing slightly from his previous anger Draco's body suddenly tensed as he heard a scream far off in the distance.
He shook his head, he didn't care, whatever the stupid bitch had got herself into she could get herself out again. He continued to walk through the clearing when he heard the scream again, more desperate than before and closer. Telling himself that he was only turning back to save his own neck he ran off.
Xx
She was lying on the floor of a clearing. Her normally pale skin was almost translucent as the crescent moon shone down on her. Her hair was over her face, obscuring the look of terror on her features. Draco couldn't help but think that she looked almost like a fallen angel. Not because of her beauty but because her almost ethereal skin looked so out of place in such a wild and tangled environment.
Slowly and cautiously Draco emerged into the clearing and checked the girls pulse. It was strong, despite her current state of unconsciousness. Her wand lay abandoned amongst the brambles and the dangerous plants had already begun to grow over her unmoving body. It made Draco cringe to think how many other secrets the weeds were hiding. He picked up her wand and then after a small amount of hesitation at getting his hands 'dirty' picked Hermione up and slowly made his way out of the forest.
Xx
It seemed that Hermione had been headed in the right direction because it wasn't long till Draco had reached the Castle, his arms were aching from having to carry her so far. Placing her down on the floor he pushed open the heavy doors to the Great Hall. A rush of warm air hit his chilled face and the warmth seemed to stir the unconscious Hermione. Her eyelids fluttered and her hazel eyes open, cloudy and distant. She mumbled something too quietly for Draco to hear and as soon as she had awakened a new wave of drowsiness seemed to wash over her sending her back to her unconscious state.
Annoyed at still having to carry her Draco, none to delicately picked her back up and marched down to the dungeons in search of the potions master.
'She's better like this' Draco mused as he walked the familiar corridors of the dungeons. 'Doesn't talk as much'
"Mr Malfoy" A smooth voice said from a nearby doorway.
"Professor, I got the flowers but it seems as though Granger seems to have gotten into a bit of a bother"
Snape emerged from the shadows and looked at the limp figure in Draco's arms as if only just noticing her. "Bring her in, just looks like she's been near to many dorminous petalium"
Seeing Draco's raised eyebrow he explained. "The pollen from the flower can cause the inhalant to fall into a deep sleep. Its effects however…put her down on the desk…are usually just a hallucinogenic."
"That explains the God awful screaming then."
Snape nodded curtly and continued to look through his cluttered shelves. " Am I right in thinking that the two of you were not together?"
Draco nodded unsure of where the professor was heading. " Yes sir, she went in the opposite direction."
Snape raised an eyebrow but didn't pursue it further; he didn't care particularly for the squabbles of teenagers. Finally finding what he was looking for he walked over to Hermione and waved a strong substance under her nose.
Almost immediately the colour returned to her skin and the hazy air that had surrounded her disappeared. Slowly she opened her eyes and sat up.
"Where am I?" she whispered.
Draco rolled his eyes, such a clichéd phrase, couldn't she have thought of anything better?
" The dungeons Miss Granger. Mr Malfoy kindly brought you up to my office after you became unconscious."
At the mention of Draco's name Hermione glared and moved off the table, to find that she was not in a suitable state to be standing. She grabbed on to the table for support, waiting for the nausea to subside.
"I suggest you go and rest Miss Granger. Mr Malfoy, escort her to the dorms if you will."
Grudgingly both students followed Snape's orders and left his office feeling, to say the least, annoyed.
Xx
"Get off me Malfoy" Hermione sniped as the two left the corridor.
"My pleasure." He instantly dropped her elbow but despite him self hung back a little. Snape had, after all told him to escort her back.
He watched her, slightly impressed as she struggled along the corridors, her head held high. She was obviously trying to show him she didn't need anyone but she was failing pretty well. He couldn't resist the overwhelming urge to provoke her. It would be too easy.
"So, Granger's afraid of flower pollen now is she."
Hermione stopped briefly, but then deciding she didn't have the power or energy to respond ignored his taunts.
"You know my shoulders are killing me."
"So" Hermione spat back, she didn't give a damn about his stupid shoulders. If he wanted to feel pain he should have her headache.
" So, well I am hurt. I carry your lump of a weight all the way to the castle and that's all you can say." Truth be told she hadn't been that heavy but all Draco wanted was a reaction.
"And what's your point. Do you want a medal?"
" I should get one, helping you. You ungrateful mudblood."
Several portraits around them gasped but Hermione ignored him; she really was too tired to let a stupid word affect her. She walked in proudly in silence in front of Draco till she reached the sleeping portrait of Professor Endorra. She opened her mouth to speak the password but Draco got there first and the portrait swung open. Hermione went to walk through into the dorm when she was pushed aside.
"I think not mudblood, I should go first. Order of importance you know."
Hermione bit her tongue, preventing herself from responding and walked into the common room, glad of the friendly fire that was there to greet her. Slowly she headed to the door to her room. She had planned on sitting by the fire but the blond Slytherin put her off as he slumped into the overstuffed armchair. He spoke to her as she ascended the stairs.
"Well good night Granger. Don't let the Flowers bite
