Every student, with the exception of Harry, Ron, and Ginny, were still pissed at Draco and Hermione for betraying each house. Hermione had it the worse though. She had three houses fuming over her, girls' jealousy, and the first and last time she walked the halls alone, a group of Slytherins started to attack her.

She had gotten away with two or three bruises and scratches, but Draco, Harry, Ron, and Ginny ordered her to never wander around by herself. Draco had gotten his fair few fights too, mostly done by the Slytherin house for betraying them for a 'mudblood' as they said.

They asked Dumbledore for a complete schedule change. Draco only had to change two classes, seeing as he was in most of their classes anyway. When he asked why, they told him about the past two weeks. He granted permission for the change.

Draco sat at the desk and stared out the window. He sighed, making Hermione looked up from her homework. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He rested his head against her arm, closing his eyes. Hermione kissed the top of his head before resting her chin on it and closing her eyes too. They stayed like that for a few moments.

"Draco," Hermione finally whispered, breaking the silence. "You seem troubled, what's wrong?" she moved to face him. He turned her around and sat her on his lap. He hugged her around the waist the rested his head on her back. "Draco?"

"I'm scared," answered Draco. When she didn't say anything, he continued. "I'm afraid of losing you and afraid of…my father…" he never told anyone this. He led people on, thinking he was fearless, but that wasn't true. Before Hermione, he was afraid of just his father. Now, now he was afraid of him and losing her. "If my father finds out about us, he'll be furious. He'll find out by some other Slytherin's parents. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't know already. Hermione, I don't know what I'd do without you." He suddenly chuckled. "I must sounds ridiculous. I'm only 17, and that came out of my mouth."

"I don't think it was ridiculous! I think it's sweet! The way we care for each other at our age. It's nothing to be ashamed of," protested Hermione, making Draco smile. That was so like her. "We're in Hogwarts, under Dumbledore's care. Nothing can harm us."

"I hope you are right," muttered Draco. He gently pushed her off and yawned. "I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight." He kissed her on the cheek and went into his room. He sighed as he got into pajamas and climbed into bed, closing his eyes.

"DRACO L. MALFOY!" yelled a very familiar voice from behind him. Draco whirled around. His father stood about twenty feet away. His face screwed up with fury. Draco couldn't remember ever seeing his father so angry.

Even though Draco was completely terrified, he didn't show it. Instead, he stood up straight, not one emotion showing on his face. "Father…"

"DO NOT 'FATHER' ME!" shouted Lucius Malfoy. "YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE MALFOY FAMILY!" Lucius walked closer to Draco. Draco didn't dare move a muscle. Lucius' hand went into a fist and made contact with Draco's stomach. The impact made him fall to the ground in pain. "how dare you run around with that filthy little mudblood!" His father hissed quietly.

"She's still a witch and a human being," muttered Draco. "Who cares what kind of parents she has." This caused a hard kick in the stomach from Lucius. Draco coughed and wheezed.

"How dare you say that!" hissed Lucius. "They are dirty and disgusting. I wouldn't even place them with humans." He raised his wand and yelled "CURCIO!" Draco screamed out in pain.

Draco Malfoy sat up in his bed. It was a nightmare. A nightmare, but it was still horrible. He disentangled himself from his bed because he was extremely sweaty. He sat on top of his bed covers and hugged his knees to his chest. His father would do something that horrible too.

He sighed and went to the bathroom. He leaned closer until his nose was about two inches away. He'd changed, but no much so physically. His eyes; his windows to his soul and heart. They were usually emotionless…no, they were usually full of sorrow. Now, they were full of fear, but beyond that, they were full of happiness and…something else; another feeling he knew nothing about…love..

Was it really love? Did he even know what love was? Or did he even know how to love another so different, so forbidden? He didn't even know anything about himself anymore.

He splashed cold water on his face before going back into his room. He got back into bed and attempted to go to sleep without much success.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Hermione's watch alarm went off. She fumbled with it without opening her eyes. She rolled over, finally opened her eyes. She screamed and fell out of her bed. Her two best friends were standing hear her bed. She glared at them before the door was thrown open.

Upon hearing Hermione scream, Draco got out of his bed and ran to her room. Worse possible situations going through his mind. He threw open her door, his emotion masked face was covered with worry. His cheeks turned a slight pink for a second before he got himself together. You see, he was only in boxers. If he had known Harry and Ron caused her scream, he would have grabbed a pair of pants.

Draco glared at them before leaving and returning with a pair of pants and a shirt on. "Potter! Weasley! What the hell?"

"You seemed worked up about something. You ran in here like she was going to be murdered or something," commented Harry.

"Don't ever make Hermione scream like that!" growled Draco, ignoring Harry's comment. "I thought something really happened to her." harry and Ron blinked at him. Was he scared? Draco Malfoy was scared? "What are you two doing here anyway?"

"We came to get Hermione," said Harry. Ron stood silently fuming behind him. He had more trouble trying to get along with Draco than Harry did. "We haven't had a Saturday with just the three of us since you came into her life."

"If you three will excuse me, I need to take a shower," said Hermione. She gathered clothes and headed for her bathroom. Before walking in, she turned her head. "Be nice. All of you. Please." They each nodded reluctantly. Hermione smiled and went into the bathroom.

"Don't you dare let her out of your sight. If you must, get your sister to come with you so Hermione doesn't go ANYWHERE alone," hissed Draco. "If anything happens to her, so help me God, you will regret it." They both nodded. This was the first time they actually felt emotion coming from Draco Malfoy.

They understood where he was coming from. They understood why he was worried about Hermione. Death-eaters were everywhere, disguised as a person down the street…or something. They understood and knew how a death-eater acted and how they were. For the first time, Harry and Ron understood the way he acted all these years. He was afraid; afraid of Lord Voldemort, his family, and losing Hermione.

It was only a guess; an idea they formed in their minds. Though a guess it was, they would never ever even think of saying it aloud unless they wanted to die. Instead they pushed it to the back on their minds. Just for a reminder of why Draco does what he does; says what he says; acts how he acts.

They now kind of understood why he covers his emotions with an invisible mask. They understood, in a way, why he used to always have a smirk or a scowl on his face. They understood Draco, in a way. Their understanding was fear…

A/N: FINALLY! Here is the long waited chapter six. Sorry for the wait. School is killing me because I have finals coming up soon. Bleh…school sucks for real. I can't stand it. But good news! Chapter 7 should be here shortly. I'm already half way down! hehehhahah