Forbidden Attraction

Chapter 3 – The Beginnings of a Mystery

Disclaimer – This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary – H/D. An attraction that is so totally forbidden slowly begins to arise. Lies, deceit, and a stolen kiss shared between the Head Boy and Girl. How far will this forbidden game of attraction go?

Last Chapter - Draco hauled Harry up over his shoulder. Staggering under Harry's weight, Draco made his way down to the Common Room. He forced himself to stop wondering where Hermione had gone, and continued towards to portrait. He kicked it open, walked a few paces down the hall before dumping Harry on the ground. He landed with a soft thud, an 'oomph' escaping his lips as he impacted with the floor. Draco could hardly care less though, and retreated back to the Common Room with only one thought on his mind; sleep.


Hermione ran down the corridor, her robe billowing around her. She angrily wiped her tear stained face, but fresh tears only took their place.

"Stop crying!" She ordered herself. But it was no use. She was beyond hysterical now. She was in disbelief. It was hard for her to comprehend that the guy she had been going out with for just over six months, and that she possibly even loved, could so something so horrible to her.

He's supposed to love me. Did he forget that?!

More tears rolled down her face, but she kept running. The sun was almost up now, but Hermione ahd no idea of the time. The pinky-orange light was slowly beginning to turn yellow as the sun came closer and closer to rising. Bright light streamed through the high windows in the corridor. The people in their portraits were starting to wake, and some of the early birds even attempted to make conversation with Hermione. But she didn't even hear them, she was so caught up in her thoughts. She just kept running.

Hermione had no idea of where she was going – all she knew was that she had to get away. She turned down a few corridors and after a while, lost track of where she was. She began to slow down, carefully looking around her. She had never been in this corridor before. As a matter of fact, she had never been in a corridor even remotely like this before.

The floor was covered in a fluffy white carpet, and little charms hung from the ceiling. The walls, instead of being covered with portraits, were decorated with tapestries, all the way along the hall. Suddenly Hermione felt exhausted, as though she hadn't slept at all. She staggered and fell onto the white carpet. It was so soft between her fingers. Gently she lay down her head on the floor and let sleep consume her.


Draco didn't awake until around 10:30 that Saturday morning. He had a quick shower and dressed, throwing on his robe before going down to the Common Room. Hermione still wasn't back.

Maybe I should go check in her dormitory-

No, it's none of your business! Stop thinking about her, Draco you dimwit! The little voice inside his head told him.

Draco sat down on the couch in front of the fire and began to think.

Why do I find myself thinking about that Mudblood Granger all the time? How come I always feel sorry for her each time Potter stands her up? Why am I always concerned about her wellbeing?

This is stupid! Malfoy's aren't supposed to feel emotion... they're for the weak-minded; not for me.

But still, that kiss...

No! I refuse to think about it! It meant nothing. We were both just caught up in the heat of things. Anyway, she was the one who made a move on me first.

Yeah right.

Draco shook his head roughly, trying to rid himself of all these thoughts.

I can't like Granger – a Mudblood, of all things! What would mother and father say? Professor Snape? The rest of Slytherin?...

I'd be disowned, that's for sure. My father would probably try to kill me, I'd no longer be Snape's favourite, and my friends would never talk to me again. All that for a stupid Mudblood? No way. No way in hell.


It was quite a while before Draco left the Common Room. He would have stayed longer, but his stomach began protesting. So that's how he found himself at lunch, surrounded by his gang of Slytherin's, on what seemed to be – to everyone else – quite a normal day.

He hardly spoke, and ate only what he had to, to stop the growling of his stomach. None of his friends noticed he was troubled. They were too busy focusing on their own lives to worry about anyone else's. Draco could hardly complain though. He was like that too. Or at least was until he started worrying about Hermione.

Draco leant his elbow on the table, rested his head in his hand, and sighed.

Stop thinking about it Malfoy, and enjoy yourself. She's just a worthless, filthy, pathetic little Mudblood that isn't even worthy to speak your name. Get that through your head and move on! The little voice inside his head insisted.

"Hey Malfoy, did you hear about Potter?" Draco's heart skipped a beat. "In the hospital wing again! I wonder what brave and heroic deed he's done this time!!" Blaise exclaimed, and the whole Slytherin Table burst out into laughter, earning them all frowns of disapproval from the teachers and stares from students. Even Draco couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Brave and heroic?!

He snorted. Of course that's what everyone was going to think. They always do... but that's only because Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, refuses to die and is constantly throwing himself in from of danger, and more specifically, Voldemort. Draco didn't call that bravery. It was more like attention seeking and stupidity mixed together.

And if that's bravery... well the Gryffindor's can keep it!

Draco shook his head.

There was nothing courageous about what he did this morning. It's a shame they all don't know the real Harry Potter.

Lunch for Draco was pretty much over after that. Everything his friends said was as unappealing as the next, and he finally decided he'd prefer to be in the Common Room. He stood up and left the Great Hall, which was teeming with students now. He sighed with relief as soon as he was out. The noise in there was just too much for him.

On the way back to the Head's Common Room, he took a few shortcuts. His father had passed on a few secrets about Hogwarts and its many secret passageways.

I think I'll have a long, hot bath when I get ba-

Draco stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes focused on the ground about ten meters in front of him. He had just turned the corner to a corridor about halfway back to the Common Room and he'd spotted something. Or rather, someone. Hermione Granger.

Bloody hell, Granger, what mess have you gotten yourself into this time? Draco thought as he slowly walked over to where Hermione lay on the cold stone floor. The corridor they were in was quite an ordinary one. The floors, walls, and ceiling were all made of stone, a small strip of red carpet covering the floor. The walls had normal, boring old portraits on them, most of which were staring down at them in silence. Draco, however, ignored them as he knelt down next to Hermione and checked her neck for a pulse. And sure enough, it was there.

'Good,' Draco thought as he started to leave. 'At least she's not dead-'

Hermione rolled over and grabbed Draco's arm in her sleep, murmuring softly, a pained look on her face. Draco gently tried to pry her fingers off him but felt they would not budge.

Great. Now I'm stuck here in the middle of this cold bloody corridor with an unconscious Mudblood whose having Potter-issues. Could things get any worse?!

Suddenly, Ron appeared at the end of the corridor.

Note to self; never ask self that question again. Ever.

Draco braced himself.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Ron bellowed down the hall, and came bounding down towards them. Draco didn't bother answering him. When Ron came skidding to a halt beside him, Draco heard a sharp intake of breath.

"You've killed her!"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Well obviously not, Weasel, seeing as she is still breathing, has a pulse and is gripping onto my arm as though she'd die if she let go," Draco replied, the slightest hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Then what in blazes happened?! Get off her!" Ron made a move to pull Draco's arm away from her.

"Hey, it's her that won't let me go!" Draco protested, holding up his arm, which Hermione still had in a vice-grip. Ron just stared at him.

"She probably fainted or something," Draco suggested. "Can you please get her off me? I really not have time for this." Ron knelt down beside him and eventually eased Hermione's fingers from Draco's arm. Draco sprung up immediately and began walking up the corridor.

"Wait Malfoy, wait! What the hell happened? How did she get like this?!" Ron demanded, yelling back down the corridor. Draco didn't stop walking or even turn around.

"Maybe you should ask your friend Potter."

Silence followed. Behind him, Draco could almost hear Ron thinking, though he didn't bother stopping to listen. He heard the scuffle of Ron's shoes and heavy footsteps until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Ron span him around.

"Just stop would you?! Can you just tell me what happened to her in a few simple sentences?" Ron asked. Draco studied him for a moment. He looked worried and Draco was sure he could see concern in those eyes. But still... did Ron deserve the full story? Would he believe it? Would he even be able to take it?

"Obviously she's just tired and probably fainted from exhaustion. I heard the bookworm reading up late last night, "Draco lied.

Why am I lying for her?!

"Just take her back to the Common Room and let her sleep."

"Well then you'll need to come with me," Ron said. "I don't know the password."

"It's Def-"Draco stopped, remember something Dumbledore had said to him and Hermione at the start of the year in his office.

"The new Heads Common Room and dormitories are privileges myself and the staff of Hogwarts have presented to you. I must warn you that we can take it all away should you choose not to abide by the rules. One of these rules – and an extremely important one – is this:

You are not allowed – at anytime or in any circumstances – to inform any student, teacher, Witch, Wizard, Muggle or creature of the password to the Head's Common Room. This is so very important and I cannot stress how so it is for you to keep it to yourself.

Draco really hated Dumbledore at times; most of the time. But he wasn't going to go against his rules... well, not the major ones anyway!

Draco sighed in defeat.

"Fine, follow me. I was on my way there anyway," Draco grumbled and led the way to the Common Room. Ron quickly picked up Hermione and followed. When they reached the portrait of the entwined lion and snake Draco whispered the password so that Ron couldn't catch it, and it sprung immediately open. He led Ron inside and simply pointed to the stairs that led to Hermione's room.

"You know, Hermione isn't the lightest thing in the world," Ron groaned, staring pointedly at Draco.

"Your problem, not mine," Draco said simply and turned to go to his dorm room.

"Well you could at least open the door for me!" Ron yelled. By now he was struggling just keeping Hermione off the ground.

"Just shove her on the couch then!" Draco replied impatiently, tapping his foot on the ground while he waited for Ron to lay her down on the couch nearest to the fire. Then he turned back around to go to his dorm. He stopped suddenly though, as more of Dumbledore's words filled his head.

"Just to clarify rule number 119, That neither the Head Boy or Head Girl is permitted to invite another student, teacher, Witch, Wizard, Muggle or creature into the Head Boy and Girl Common Room or Dormitories, except on exceptional circumstances. Now, Professor's McGonagall, Snape, and myself are the exceptions for teachers. The house elves, of course, have their own ways of entering. And your friends are allowed to visit you, but only during certain hours. These hours are between six and seven thirty and night on a weekday. On a weekend the hours are from two till three in the afternoon, and then again from seven till ten thirty at night. I have here a list of special events-"

Dumbledore pulled out a list about 10 feet long. It was a roster showing the visiting hours of every single day of the year.

"-Christmas, Easter, Halloween – all these will have extended hours. Of course, if you ever have any of your own special events, you will have to come and seek Professor's McGonagall or Snape or myself for permission first."

Draco stared at the list right now that was tacked up just near the old Grandfather Clock. It was lunchtime, and today was hardly a special event. Draco sighed.

"Sorry Weasley, but you'll have to leave-" and before Ron could object, "-school rules." Draco added the last bit with a smirk. Ron glared at him furiously.

"You're an insensitive prat, Malfoy!" Ron retorted.

"Insensitive? That's quite a long word for you, Weasley. Did your Mudblood friend Granger teach you that?" Draco sneered. Strangely, as soon as he said the words he felt a pit of nausea in his stomach.

"Don't you dare talk about Hermione like that!" Ron shouted angrily.

"Just get out Weasley! Or I'll get Snape to remove you," Draco said threateningly.

"You're heartless, you know that Malfoy?" Ron spat in disgust. "What if she's hurt or something."

"Well the worst thing she'll have is a concussion and whose going to care if she never wakes up?!" The pain in Draco's stomach suddenly seemed to multiply by a thousand, and he actually had to clutch the back of the couch to keep himself up.

"I'll give you a concussion in a minute-" Ron started threateningly.

"Does it look like I'm caring, Weasley?" Draco asked rhetorically. Ron just glared at him.

"Weasel, if it concerns you so much, then take her to the Hospital Wing!" Draco suggested, just wishing that Ron would leave. Ron looked at him, a bewildered expression on his face.

"All the way to the Hospital Wing? Up three flights of stairs?!" Ron exclaimed incredulously. "Geez Malfoy, it was a struggle just getting her all the way here!"

"Like I said, not my problem, "Draco said simply.

"Well can you at least wait here with her while I go fetch Pomfrey?" Ron asked.

"N-"But something stopped Draco from refusing.

GONG GONG GONG.

Ron jumped about a foot in the air.

"What th-"

"It's just a clock, Weasley. You know, those things that tell the time? And, oh, would you look at that! Three chimes – it must be three o-clock!"

"Just watch her Malfoy," Ron snarled, turning his head away to hide his bright red ears.

"Fine, whatever," Draco said finally and watched Ron run out of the Common Room. Draco sighed.

"Weasley can be a real pest sometimes." He took a seat in an armchair and studied the Head Girl sprawled across the couch in front of him.

Granger, Granger, Granger... why do you get yourself mixed up in these situations? Why do you even bother with Potter?

Draco glanced down at the watch on his wrist.

His blood ran cold.

It was only one o'clock.


A/N – Just incase any of you didn't realise or remember... the clock went off before with three GONGS... meaning three o'clock. Hmm... that's all I'm saying. :P

A/N 2 – Another authors note... At the start when Hermione is in that corridor with the fluffy carpet, she's dreaming. All will be revealed soon!

A/N 3 - Just remembered something else. There's a fair bit of OOC-ness in this story. Please, please, please!!! do NOT send me abusive flames telling me the sad story of how I've wrecked your favourite character. It's meant to be like this - plot reasons. Just be patient and wait to find out!!!

A/N 4 - Okay, I must be getting annoying by now. I'd just like to apologise to any of you reading this story whom have also read any of my other stories... SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING!!! I just really love this story!

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