The Past

"Don't put that there," she cried. Hermione Granger, being Head Girl and the head of decorating for the Halloween Ball that night, was stressed out. Not only did she have to take care of this, but she had to keep up with her homework, Head Girl duties, and still have time with her friends. And of course, her partner, Head Boy Draco Malfoy was no where to be found.

"Probably off shagging some girl," she spat violently. It was obvious that even though they now shared a dormitory and had spent so much time together, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger still did not get along.

"Well Hermione, you seem to have nothing under control." Hermione turned then and looked towards the voice that was soft, yet stern.

"Oh, Professor Lupin. No one is cooperating. Malfoy is suppose to be here helping me with the final touches when he's no where to be found. Luna is throwing webs all over the place, no one is listening, and I have yet to pick out my own costume!" After her period of venting, a grin spread across his face.

"What the bloody hell is so funny?"

"Your language, please Miss Granger. I think it time you took a break. Take a warm bath, find your own costume and relax! You deserve it. Now, leave everything to me."

"But… the Headmaster –…"

"Agrees with me. Go!" He gave her a slight push, which was enough to get her moving. "Now Miss Lovegood. You mustn't go overboard with the spider webs."

"But they're so cool!" Her wand, which was spraying webs all over the walls, tables, and students, was disarmed.

"Put that away!" He turned and made sure Hermione had left before continuing, but all he saw was an empty area by the door.

Hermione silently thanked Lupin for his relief. She was exhausted and she felt like shit. She needed a break from the stress, at least for the rest of the night. But her stress free night would have to come later, because when she rounded the corner, she caught the sight of Malfoy walking towards the dungeons.

"Malfoy!" she yelled. He couldn't pretend to not hear her she was so loud.

"What do you want Granger?" He turned to her, obviously too tired to put up with her.

"Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be in the Great Hall helping me with the decorations, but I find you here! Walking in the opposite direction and in your Quidditch uniform!"

"I had practice since six this morning and I'm in no mood to put up with the minor responsibility of something as lame as a Halloween Masquerade Ball."

"It comes as part of being Head Boy. You wanted the title and all the privileges that come with it you have to also do what is asked of you. It's the least you can do with what everyone else puts up with."

"Nobody asked me to help. You told me I have to be there at this time. And so, naturally, I didn't listen. No one tells Draco Malfoy what to do." Her glare would have frozen anyone on the spot, but it only amused him.

"And besides, why would I want to listen to a Mudblood anyways?"

"Watch it Malfoy. I learned that spell from Moody. How would you like to be turned into a ferret again? Since that is what you are anyways, nothing but a rat."

"Fuck off Granger. Go find your weasel."

"He'll always be better that you."

"I hardly believe that. He's lower than you are, it that's even possible."

"Where's your whore Malfoy? Or are you sharing?"

"Oooh," came a sneaky voice. "Children are fighting and it's the ones with the most authority."

"Shut up Peeves!" He seemed shocked by the outbursts of the two students and decided these two weren't one's to mess with.

"It's about time he got a clue no one ever wants him around," Hermione whispered as she looked to Draco who seemed to be thinking of other things.

"Look, Draco. I'm sorry. I've just been so stressed out lately with the Ball and with trying to keep up with my homework and the duties we have to do. But then you're never around and everything gets pushed onto me and that's twice the amount of work I have to do." At this point Hermione let down all her walls and broke down. She leaned against the cold stone walls of Hogwarts and drifted down till she was sitting, pulled her knees to her chest and began to cry.

"Granger. Granger… Hermione!" She jumped at his shouting and looked up, her eyes blood shot and her cheeks wet from tears. He kneeled down so that they were eye to eye.

"I have to admit that I have been slacking but it's not entirely my fault. Snape has this idea that I can handle more work and more practices and extra work for him so he's loaded me up. But I do apologize for not being there. If you can handle it all then it's only fair that I should at least try," he admitted before looking at her smile.

"Did I just hear a Malfoy apologize to a muggle-born?" She smiled as he blushed slightly, before once again going on defense.

"Don't look too much into it, Granger." He stood then and sneered at her before turning to walk away.

"That's so typical of you Malfoy. Always trying to be superior to every one else. You can't show a sign of compassion to anyone even when they try to give you a compliment. You're just like your father." He paused without turning around.

"You don't know a damn thing Granger."

"I know enough that you're frightened of him. And you only act this way because you do take after him. To make everyone else around you feel low and nothing above dirt just to make yourself sound better. You're nothing more than a coward." His shoulders were tense and she could tell she hit a nerve and before she could take a step away, Malfoy had stepped towards her, causing her to stand.

"Stay away from me Malfoy." Her eyes wide, Hermione pressed her hands against the wall.

"Why can't you ever make up your mind with what you're going to call me?" She was a little taken aback by his question, Hermione didn't answer at first.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Granger. Why can't you ever just call me Draco?"

"Why are we arguing about this now? All right then. Call me Hermione."

"What!"

"You heard me. I'll call you Draco if you call me Hermione. Come on Draco. It's not too difficult." She smirked at him and crossed her arms across her chest, in almost a challenging way.

"Fine, Hermione." For some reason she couldn't explain, his saying her name had a totally different effect on her than she originally thought. Her heart had skipped a beat and she got a funny feeling in her stomach.

"Doesn't matter, you'll always be a Mudblood to me."

"And you'll always be a coward."

"I am not a coward."

"Prove it." Her words infuriated him beyond belief. No one ever dared to challenge Draco Malfoy.

He pushed her roughly against the wall, forcing the sharp rocks to push into her spine. Hermione gave a small cry of protest before he silenced her with a kiss. She was surprised by the way he automatically used his tongue to persuade her mouth to open and she gasped when his hands wrapped around her, she had not choice but to let him enter.

She was shy where he was persistent. His tongue explored her mouth, memorizing every inch. Hermione closed her eyes and let herself get wrapped up in the feeling of pure ecstasy. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, changing the angle and catching a slight breath before kissing him again.

He moved his hands from her waist, moving one around to cup her backside and the other to move towards her breast. She moaned into his mouth as he massaged her through her shirt. She had never been touched like this before and she didn't ever want him to stop.

The hand that was caressing her backside and breast had moved around and now was lifting her legs so she would wrap them around him, and on instinct she did. So caught up in the moment, she didn't care that what she was doing was against the rules or that Harry and Ron would have a cow if they knew what she was doing with Draco. As his lips moved down her neck, she smiled as he also began to grind his hips against her core and could feel her reacting to him. Her hands moved to the hem of his shirt and began to creep up and touch his smooth skin. He was so hot and she just wanted to feel all of him.

As if coming to her senses, she opened her eyes and spoke. "Draco, we have to stop. The ball starts soon and I need to get ready." He kissed her one last time before letting her slip to the ground. She would have fallen to the floor if he didn't have a hold of her hips.

"I need to get ready too. But I'll meet you afterwards in your room?"

"I think we can arrange that." She began to walk away before she stopped and turned to him. "And Draco, if that shows how much you're not a coward, I can't wait to see what you're like when you're being brave." She let a smile linger on her lips before she turned the corner and rushed towards their dormitory.

Hermione was searching through her dresser for appropriate underwear when she heard the bathroom door open. She turned to find Draco standing in just black boxers, his bangs hanging in front of his eyes.

"Draco, what are you doing here?" She turned and closed the drawer before stepping forward, hesitating when his desire was evident.

"I can't wait for after the ball." He walked towards her, confident in his stride and pulled her towards him before Hermione allowed herself to be his for the night…