Disclaimer: I do not own HP….

A/N: Sorry gyphscee….I know I have taken very…very long, but school work is always a priority… and anyway I had to revise for my exams and worry about my exams and finish all my essays, my friend the list is long and its only just started! And…wait I had this upsetting writers block, instead of getting more ideas for this story, I just started thinking about something totally different but, hurrah I have been inspired!

Now on with the show

Chapter 4

Dumbledore watched the oak door fall back on its hinges and creak slowly shut. He watched the retreating silhouette of Hermione Granger disappear behind the door. Creak…it went; an irritating noise that filled the listener with shudders. He would have to get a house elf to look to it later, but first he would have to curse himself for his utter stupidity. He had been warned on several occasions, yet had not listened; he had been warned and had chosen to ignore the warnings just to satisfy his own curiosity. Old fool that he was…truly old…

He sighed nonchalantly and snatched his damned spectacles off his nose, they had begun slipping again…he placed them on top of his worn desk. Smooth ruts had been worn into its surface, scratches made by quills that were surely much older than Dumbledore himself; but it gleamed, a soft honey brown with highlights of rich auburn shinning faintly in the morning sunlight. How old he felt today; how foolish. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and sighed once more.

Throwing energy at her like that; trying to test her strength when he knew the dangers it could have caused if he had not retreated so quickly after sensing, no, tasting that inkling of darkness; though it had been hidden so deep in her being. Snape had been right to assume that she could be a danger. She could be a danger. He sighed once more; his errors would have to be corrected. Hermione needed to feel safe and if she could not feel safe, she must know comfort.The portraits sent him questioning looks and threw glances between, grave times were coming and again it was up to Dumbledore and Hogwarts to hold its ground.

"No worries my friends, it is time…"He felt a faint spark of energy somewhere in the distance. Indeed it was time, time for her true awakening.

He was keeping secrets, she could feel it in her bones; it was an odd feeling, to know she was being kept in the dark, but he was keeping secrets from her and she didn't like it at all. That is the one thought that pulsed through her mind, as she clattered noisily down the corridor. She was like the blind and in many ways unlike the blind. Her feet led her down a familiar path, but her eyes where unseeing. Frantic thoughts raced through her head, questions like: what is he hiding? Why? What could be so terrible that he would keep it a secret from her? She trusted Dumbledore, but why was he doing this? He would probably never answer her questions, however there was a more important matter at hand; finding out what Dumbledore had said to Malfoy. That would be her number one priority for the day; she came to a sudden stop that ripped her out of her wandering thoughts. She stood silent, before the aged doors of Hogwart's library for a moment before entering. The reception welcomed her, and Hermione was hit in the senses by the strong smell of old leather and fresh paper; she inhaled the musky scent of library through her nose and felt a sudden urgent need to wrap the comforting smell of library around her like you would do with a blanket. This truly was her haven, but she did not need a safe haven at that moment, no, she had come for something else; though she could not remember. The books on the shelf beckoned to her, books full of glorious knowledge, of magic. She blinked, what was wrong with her today? Why could she not concentrate? She took a deep breath, meaning to clear her senses and at that exact moment, she spotted a thick mop of white blond hair, in the far side of the library. She literally chocked on the air in her throat, a wheezing sound escaped between her lips before she could stop herself and the blond head turned towards her. She ducked but not before the blond spotted her. Hermione cursed herself, but there was always the possibility that he may not have spotted her from where he was standing, then again maybe not. She cursed herself again; as she had finally remembered what it was she had originally come for, the sphere.

The sphere, it was waiting ever so patiently for her, but she could not risk it being discovered by Malfoy; therefore, the sphere would have to wait. Hadn't she made finding out what she had missed during the meeting a priority, and anyways, Malfoy could be scheming up a way to get credit for whatever it was they were supposed to do. The unmistakeable shimmering presence of Malfoy stood behind her back. What in the world was wrong with her? She had clearly spaced out again, and let her guard down, enough so that Mlafoy could creep up behind her without noticing him in the last minute, when it was all over.

Malfoy stared at her head, he saw through emotionless eyes her body tense and stiffen abruptly, enough to make her jerk, as if, as if , she had felt his aura slam into her body, like a metaphysical slap. A stray wisp of surprise passed through his eyes, though the slight flicker of emotion disappeared as soon as Hermione turned stiffly to face him.

He sneered at her. "Granger, I cannot stand your presence either, but if we are to work together for the commencing year, I suggest that you learn to get a hold on your emotions, this display is utterly unnecessary."

She glared at him through half closed eyes. He just loved to taunt and provoke. She stayed silent and intensified her glare as if looks could kill, and if this had been true, Malfoy would have disintegrated into dust long ago. She released the painful knot of tension in her shoulder through an angry hiss between her teeth.

"Well, maybe it's because you lack certain humanoid emotions, Malfoy." She retorted vehemently.

Malfoy was unfazed by the stinging comment, and continued to gaze upon her as one would do on a child. She sucked in a deep breath, he was the only one who could tell her what Dumbledore wanted them to do, apart from Dumbledore himself; and she was not likely to stand before Dumbledore after what she had discovered. She sighed and unclenched the fists she had unknowingly formed at her sides. Maybe Malfoy was right. However she never had a problem with her emotions until recently.

She began to regain her lost composure, slowly, staring at her shoes as she did so. Malfoy waited patiently in front of her, studying her curiously. After a few minutes of deep breathing exercises, she lifted her gaze off her feet to look calmly on Malfoy's statue like face.

"Look Malfoy, I don't like you, you don't like me…"

"And you've just figured that out now, bravo Granger" he interrupted

Hermione narrowed her eyes and continued. "Malfoy, just tell me what Dumbledore wants us to do"

At that moment Madam Pince breezed through the library towards them on a wind of rage, her face flushed to a dainty rose red and eyes ablaze. She reached her victims, whispering words angrily. Scolding them both with her hot tongue lashing out at them, Hermione stared gob smacked. Never in her life had she seen Madam Pince so angry. On and on the Librarian scolded them, hissing her disappointment in them both, after all they were the Head Girl and Boy, it was up to them to set an example to their fellow students. Finally the angry librarian whispered threateningly. "I am especially disappointed in you Ms. Granger, I expected better. The library is not a place for childish comments to be exchanged, if so I will be glad to find some place were you can both work out your differences, however long it may be." And left an awed Hermione staring after her

"Wow…" she breathed, never in her life had she seen Madam Pince so angry.

However Malfoy was currently striding towards a table hidden by a large book shelf on the far west of the spacious library. Regaining some of her senses after the shocking display of emotion she managed to move gracefully in the same direction as Malfoy, the sooner he enlightened her with the fascinating knowledge of his; the quicker she could get away from him, for now at least. When she reached the table Malfoy was occupying, she grabbed a chair, jerked it from its resting place and fell into it; just as Malfoy had done when he walked into Dumbledore's office. Even thinking his name sent a wave of unhappiness through her, to shine faintly through her eyes. Malfoy noticed, though, he kept silent.

"Granger…" he said "listen, I won't tolerate you fazing out while I'm talking."

"Well then Malfoy, you listen, I don't give a damn about what you tolerate or not, just tell me what I need to know then we can go our separate ways!" Hermione hissed at him. It was amazing how anger seemed to help her concentrate…

Malfoy looked her straight in the eyes, noticing how her brown eyes seemed to sparkling with a dangerous light. He had known Granger for seven years now, and he had never seen her lose her composure and let her emotions run away with her so quickly; even when she was dealing with him, well that is except for that incident in third year. He gazed at her through his winter eyes as if trying to see her and beyond with just one bat of an eye lid. Yes he did want to get away from her as soon as possible but not until he had a little time to analyse this sudden change of rhythm.

"Fine Granger." He said, leaning back into his chair like someone would recline in a sofa, though it was a straight backed, ordinary wooden chair he managed to make it look as if he was sitting comfortably, looking on Hermione with the lazy eyes of a well fed cat.

The odd look made her shudder inwardly, but her steady gaze never left his face.

"As you know you are the Head Girl and I am the Head Boy"

"And…." She interrupted

"And, Granger, we have yet to see our new accommodation," she interrupted again before he could finish his sentence.

"Are you telling me that that's all he told you?" she asked quizzically

"My God, Granger! Can't you let a man finish what he started; I'd have thought you were brought up with manners. Then again you are a mudblood." He snarled menacingly

"Oh…shut up Malfoy and tell me what else Dumbledore said."

He glared at her, "Maybe I shouldn't tell you Granger."

"If you don't I'll just plead ignorance to the jury"

"I didn't think you were one to admit ignorance when you're considered a Know-it-all"

"Malfoy, I'll ask nicely because I can't stand your presence any longer, will you please just tell me what the Headmaster said; there happy?"

"Certainly not Granger, but you are right" Hermione arched an eyebrow at him.

"Being in the presence of one such as I can be more or so overwhelming"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply with a stinging retort, when he happened to beat her first.

"Granger, this is getting rather tiresome and I have a Potions project to work on so let's get this over and done with…no Granger, don't interrupt me. As I was saying, Dumbledore wants us, Granger, to work with Professor Yaji, to devise a schedule for the self-defence lesson, which all years will partake in."

Hermione stared at him shocked, Yaji, self-defence? What was this disease that was going around the school? She shook her head, to try and clear her thoughts and come up with enough sense to form coherent sentences.

"When…when do we go see him?"

"Don't you mean why Granger?" Hermione shook her head

"When? Tomorrow, after breakfast…We meet Dumbledore today after lunch, any more questions you'd like to ask?"

"No."

Malfoy, stayed where he was, Hermione looked at him, puzzlement clearly etched into her features. Shouldn't he be leaving? She thought, he had, after all answered all her questions; only the questions he could answer. Many others were still yet to be resolved but 'Beag air Bheag'; 'little by little'; she would uncover those mysteries still to be solved. Malfoy, stayed as lifeless as the dead, misty grey eyes, chalk white face turned towards her.

"What Malfoy?" she questioned, letting a note of irritation drip into her voice.

Malfoy watched her, a predatory spark gleaming in his eyes. "My, my, Granger; Maybe you have lost some of your wits over the summer?" he taunted her, never letting his gaze stray from her face. There was no way, she would lose her cool. Not to Malfoy when she had already done it once; no, it was a personal rule of hers to never hold grudges against anyone, even if that anyone was Malfoy. The emotional frustration was just a wasted use of valuable energy, which could be put to other resources. She sat up straighter in her chair and this time, she was the one looking down on the reclining Malfoy.

"Malfoy, there ought to be a few layers of bookshelves between us or have you already decided on a truce." She retorted, keeping her voice sounding naturally curious.

"Granger" he said "we unfortunately are in the same potions class, and would happen to be in a rather sticky predicament." Hermione arched an eyebrow at him, mentally encouraging him to continue. He looked at her under a thick lattice of sooty black eyelashes and unconsciously relaxed further into the chair, however impossible it seemed; and said.

"We both know that Parkinson is incapable of assisting further progress on the project, and…" he stressed the word and, sighing softly at the end. "That; would therefore mean, that, we will have to work together if we want to get a decent mark." He closed his eyes when he finished, his eyes lashes decorating the tops of his cheeks, where solid sharp cheekbones protruded gently and a sharp straight nose sat above moist pink lips. He looked almost ethereal, surrounded in a halo of golden sunlight. Hermione observed him quietly, through narrowed eyes, looking for any faults in the beautiful image he had painted for her.

"Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, are you suggesting we work on potions now, here, together?"

"Granger" he sighed "Really, why ask such an idiotic question, I am not suggesting, I am merely pointing out the obvious opportunity to use our time wisely, in the case of potions. Furthermore, as we are already in the library, we might as well begin the assignment." By this time his eyes had opened, he sat straight in his chair, mirroring Hermione's pose.

She scowled at him, what was he up to? Other than that he was perfectly right; though it was not like Malfoy to not make a fuss about their unfortunate situation, therefore this must mean he had grown more mature since their last encounter. But still, what could he be up to? It was not prejudice against Malfoy, rather she had known him for seven years now and had learnt that Malfoys never do or say anything without a greater motive behind them. Draco Malfoy stared down at her, his eyes carefully blank as always, eerie winter light shone on his face making him look sinister. She blinked then looked at him again, when had he become so patient? Maybe there were things that she did not really know about the enemy, and she would keep it that way until, the enemy initiated prior searches. The calm mask over Malfoy's face stayed fixed and distant, however he raged on the inside. He had not time for this idle waiting, either they begin now or never! The Dark Lord was waiting himself, for the young Malfoy's answer, and if he was kept waiting too long who knew what would happen. Well, let me rephrase that he thought, he knew what would happen and it definitely wouldn't be pretty.

Hermione herself felt agitated. In the back of her mind the delicately crafted sphere drifted aimlessly; if she agreed to this then the sphere would have to wait another day; and curiosity had begin to distract her like an irritating itch. "Fine" she breathed lowering her eyes. The itch would have to wait at least until she found a private place to scratch at it like mad. Malfoy's immobility was shattered with a condescending arch of a frosty eyebrow.

He stretched his feet underneath the table after Hermione had jumped out of her chair to go search for a book, though he knew it was just an excuse to get away from him as quickly as possible. His reputation would not be ruined if he was caught with the rabbit like Granger; nothing could stain his prized reputation not even the fact that his father was in Azkaban, was… now no one really knows where his father is, neither does he. The mystery seemed to add to his fame. He had learned over the years that with patience he would most certainly stay on task, as he had been gifted by his bloodline, unfortunately The Dark Lord knew this even if his father didn't and that is why he had chosen Draco; not the malicious Luscious. It was all very sad really, his father, the high and mighty Malfoy, nothing but a court jester for something greater then he, and even sadder, he doesn't even know his death is standing beside him, gazing at him with as much infatuation as only a lover would gaze upon their love with.

Hermione searched throughout the aisle on Potions, not even coming across something similar to a bonding potion; well they had found the recipe for the polyjuice potion in the Restricted Section…sooooooo…it would a good excuse to look for her sphere. Her sphere when had the magic ball become hers? She still had to find out what it was and what it was for; still it was a good opportunity for her to smuggle the sphere out of the library along with the potions books; though she mustn't be too hasty. She reminded herself, and there was the matter of Yaji. She gave up searching the damned book, knowing that the only place she'd find it would be in the Restricted Section and walked back to the seated Malfoy. She stayed standing when she reached him, noticing the slightly dazed look in his eyes, then he glared. She rolled her eyes at him and sighed.

"Malfoy, it looks like we are going to have to get permission from Sna…Professor Snape to get the book from the restricted section…" she breathed, eyeing him suspiciously.

He scowled at her, and said in his most irritating drawl. "If, you had but waited a moment, I would have told you that we would not find it outside the Restricted Section, but if you had had your wits about you, you would have not wasted time wondering about like an imbecile."

Mock happiness lit up Hermione's face and a sarcastic smile curved her lips, her eyes twinkled dangerously; and at that moment Draco Malfoy glimpsed the demon that lay sleeping inside her, however it was not sleeping any more.

"Malfoy, if this truce is going to work, then it should extend to everything, every subject, every time we have to work together." She hissed at him angrily, she sucked in a deep breath; her emotions were getting out of control again.

Malfoy watched, amazed, though he didn't show it. He, Malfoy, was currently watching an emotional Hermione Granger trying to control her emotions. He remembered third year again, when she…slapped him. He watched her take a deep raking breath, then the hiss of air being forced out of her lungs. He saw her fists clenched at her sides, trembling slightly. This was so out of character for Hermione, even if he didn't happen to be the Weasel or Scar Face. He watched amused, a slight smirk threatening to curl his lips.

Hermione closed her eyes, what the hell was happening? This wasn't normal. A strong wave of rage threatened to bow her spine, but she twitched instead, never had she felt like this, it wasn't normal, it wasn't her; breathing was becoming painful, and violent images flooded her mind. Images of Malfoy, horribly mutilated. She gasped, the wave of powerful rage washed over again and she twitched. A violent need built in the bottom of her stomach, making her clench her teeth; making her draw blood from her body, from her hand, her lips, her eyes…

That's when Malfoy noticed that something was wrong, her eyelids were flashing a pale shade of bloody red, all the while a steady trickle of red liquid dripped down her chin and down her hands. She's having some sort of seizure he thought, but realised he was wrong when he saw or rather felt the rapid build up of violent energy swirling around her body, riding through her, making her twitch with either pain or pleasure; and from the look of it, it was the latter. He felt the climactic build up of energy overpowering Hermione, coaxing her into surrender and then a horrendous release, aimed at him. His eyes widened and instinctively he flung himself from his chair and flattened himself against the ground, the wave of energy washed over his back, then slammed head on into the table that had previously occupied them both.

As soon as she made contact with the table, she seemed to wake up from the drugged sleep she had been, everything still hazy and soft, but she watched; intoxicated from the rush of power, from the surrender; watched the table and chair swiped up into the air and frozen in place. She saw through a vision surrounded by golden halos, Malfoy lying flat on his stomach with his hand protecting his head. In the surreal dream world, a hand was raised and the table and chair were slapped against the window directly opposite them; shattering the glass noisily and flung outside into the crowd of deliriously happy Hogwarts students.

Every Professor in Hogwarts felt the violent torrent of energy, sweep through the school, shattering windows, cracking cauldrons, breaking vials, plates, cups and slamming tables and chairs, books and stationary against the walls. Rage swept into the school ground but never really made it very far; as mother earth wrapped herself about Rage and pulled him into her deadly embrace. The energy slowly faded across the school grounds, none of the students outside felt it at all; just the pleasurable breeze that played across their skin as the last of the energy faded. Hogwarts was in chaos, the library looked like a war had taken place inside it, with rows upon rows or bookshelves plastered against each other like giant sandwiches and book scattered everywhere. A little opalescent sphere twirled rapidly amidst the destruction; glowing a fierce blue; the runes looked like bleeding wounds, but everyone was alive.

That's when the screaming started.

A/N: see…sorry again for all those who waited patiently. In the end after so much strife I finished…don't be expecting the fifth chapter anytime soon…I'm gonna be busy with Work Exp. Unfortunately I've got coursework waiting for me. Tell me if I have any mistakes!

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Fuzz-out.