A/N: Okay. I haven't updated in a long time because I have severe writer's block. I hate writer's block. But anyway, in a positive note I have just finished my very first completed fic in my other account. Congrads to me. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews.
Disclaimer: I own a cookie, does that count as owning Harry Potter?
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Chapter Five: Him
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"Please..." Hermione murmured incoherently in her sleep. She waved her arms in the air aimlessly as she slept uncomfortably. Outside, the night shone down it's heavenly radiance down below without it's usual glimmer. The birds chirped softly, owls hooted, and a familiar light glistened from its unusual source. The crystal orb glowed with its glitter. Weird slow dance music suddenly started to play as Hermione turned from her slumber.
An unfamiliar scene started to play in her head as she slept. A handsome man with a familiar blond locks strolled towards her with a smirk that reminded her of a particular someone. She couldn't quite place it though. His other features of his face, she couldn't make out because of the dim lighting.
"Hermione," His voice sultry and rasped as he took a step closer to hers. His warm breath fanning her flustered cheeks as he spoke, "Are you ready?"
"I couldn't leave..." She muttered as a tear unconsciously fell from her eye. Her voice hoarse, her hair plastered on her pale, sweaty forehead and her mouth dry as she whispered some more incoherent words. "Malfoy..."
Her eyes flew open. Malfoy?
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That morning, Hermione ate in silence without her usual companions, Harry and Ron. She tiredly played with her muffins as she poked it with her fork. Her breathing slow and steady, her eyes blankly stared ahead, and her usual cheery ambiance completely dissolved into blank and stoic. She let out a timid sigh.
"Granger," a cold voice rang through her ears. "Why are you here in such an early hour?"
She nonchalantly shrugged and gave him a weak smirk. "I can ask you the same thing, Malfoy."
He sneered in response and silently took a seat next to her. She raised a brow at this gesture.
"And why, pray tell, are you sitting next to a mudblood like me -- in the Gryffindor table at that?" She continued to eat with her head down, not noticing that he started to stare at her with that piercing gray eyes. She shivered when she tilted her head to meet his gaze. He smirked at her.
"As much as I dislike you being in my very presence, I'm in dire need of someone to talk to civilly. Crabbe and Goyle are no exemptions. The idiots couldn't even construct a whole sentence in anyone's presence. Quite sad, really." He sniggered. "And -- you should be flattered -- that I picked you to be my companion for the hour, maybe even for the day."
"I am flattered, Malfoy." She smiled at him sarcastically. "Flattered that you think of me finally as an equal."
He laughed mordantly. "Such hopes, Mudblood. Keep on praying, Granger, perhaps someday it'll come true."
She stood up slowly, with a flick of her wrist and a gentle wave, she walked away.
"Perhaps it will, Malfoy."
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"Hermione!"
A smiling Harry flailed his arms in the air, catching her attention amusedly as she stopped and greeted him as well.
"Hello Harry," she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Hey," he said sheepishly. "Want to walk to Potions together? Ron already went ahead so…" He trailed off as he awaited her answer.
"Sure."
They walked side by side in silence. There was an occasional sigh and chuckle but other than that, they strolled forth tranquilly.
A few minutes passed awkwardly and Harry finally decided to ask Hermione about what's really bothering her.
He gulped. "Hey 'Mione, can I ask you something?" He muttered quietly.
"Yeah, sure." She piped nonchalantly. Apparently, she feels a lot better now than before.
"What's been bothering you these past few days?" He asked.
She remained silent. Her mind wandered aimlessly. Finally, she murmured quietly under her breath, "He's after me."
"Who's after you?" Harry suddenly said aggressively. 'Who the hell's after her? I'll beat him to a bloody pulp.'
"Him."
Her answered was simple and not very self-explanatory but it gave him a vague idea that she was encountering something that she can rarely fight over. She needed his help.
He tried to further question her about the subject.
"Who is that 'him', 'Mione?" His brows furrowed in concern. "Tell me so I can help."
"I can't," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "I couldn't because even I don't know his true identity."
"Potter, Granger," Professor Snape's voice echoed coldly through the corridors sending shivers down Hermione's spine. "What are you two doing? Get inside!" He barked. "10 points each from Gryffindor."
They both nodded their heads in fear that they would lose more points from their house. They mutely sat themselves down, hearing the Slytherin's snigger at their expense.
"Tough luck, Potter," Malfoy spat. "Lost another precious point from your pathetic house."
Harry sneered, "For your information, Malfoy, its points not point."
Malfoy glared back. "Whatever, Potter."
Hermione didn't react. She stared at the board in a dazed state as Snape droned on about potions. She couldn't understand.
'What's happening to me?'
Unconsciously, tears started to flow from her eyes.
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End Note: Okay, I know this was crappish and I'm truly sorry about that. Short, crappy, and it just plain sucks. But that's my opinion though so I wanna hear YOURS! Please, please, review. Gimme constructive criticisms… flame if you want but just speak out. I would like to know what you guys think. Cheers.
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Draco: Hm, why did you mention my name at your dream?
Hermione: …
Draco: You were having a wet dream about me, no? (smirks) I knew you couldn't resist me.
Hermione: I know what you did last summer – with Blaise.
Draco: … (wide-eyed)
