Chapter 3

(A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers: Janangel, Nikki, Crazy Stalker, and stuffed penguin toy! You guys rock.)

Hermione Granger woke up the next morning lightheaded and tired. She looked into the mirror beside her night stand and noticed there were circles around her eyes. On her face was a cut that extended from her left cheek bone down to her chin. She had no idea how she had gotten it; as most of her bruises and battle scars were upon torso.

Opening her trunk, she took out her school robes along with a white skirt that had a few slits and a navy button up shirt.

Hermione left her clothes lying upon her bed as she sauntered into the bathroom miserably. She had no intent to start classes this morning. All she wanted to do was sit in bed and feel sorry for her self… maybe take out her pocket knife from inside her trunk?

She opened the door to bathroom without thinking. Malfoy stood by the sink in a silver and green towel; his hair dripping water down his face.

"Morning Granger." Malfoy said in a cruel voice eyeing her up and down.

"Morning Malfoy." Hermione replied, mocking him. She couldn't help but notice his nicely developed six pack and how his hair fell in front of his eyes in that certain way.

"Granger, I know I'm a sexy beast, but would you quit staring?"

Slamming the door in Malfoy's face, she stripped of her clothing and turned the shower to warm.

Hermione hastily glanced around before entering the shower. Her body stung and ached as the lukewarm water drizzled upon her flesh. Cuts and bruises started to reappear. Hermione winced as she noticed her mangled body. She was use to it; but this year it was noticeably worse than before.

Once she finished, Hermione wrapped the scarlet towel that lay out beside the shower against her now shivering body. Without any warning the door to the bathroom swung open.

"Malfoy! Get the hell out of here!" Hermione screamed as Malfoy's grey eyes met her own. She wished she hadn't yelled when she saw the hurt look in his eyes.

"What the fuck have you done to yourself Her- Granger?" He had almost called her Hermione. Blood was running down her neck. Half of the skin on her body (that he could see) was purple and bruised. This didn't look anything like the know-it-all Granger he knew.

"N- Nothing!" She stammered.

Malfoy edged closer to Hermione as she backed further away. He finally succeeded in trapping the helpless girl in the corner. Cautiously, Malfoy extended his hand to her bare shoulder.

His warm hand was comforting. All of a sudden without warning Hermione lunged at Malfoy's chest; wrapping her arms around him.

Draco didn't know what to do. He had never shown affection for a person before; let alone hugged either. Draco was just known as those one night stands. Awkwardly he put his arms around Hermione's bare shoulders.

Hermione sobbed into his arms.

"Come on, you can tell me who did this!"

…

An hour later, Hermione sat in Binn's class, ignoring Ron and Harry's glances.

She had refused to tell Malfoy anything. Professor Binn's was droning on and on about the Goblin Rebellion again. For the first time in her life Hermione decided not to pay attention in class. She unzipped the secret compartment in her book bag and took out a silver journal. Hermione opened to September 2nd and began to write, deep in thought.

Hermione had received the journal for a graduation present from 6th year. She had succeeded in writing down everything that happened over the summer; both good and bad. Her journal held her deepest darkest secrets; stuff she had never mentioned to Ron or Harry.

To busy in writing down the days previous bathroom event; Hermione failed to notice the Slytherin prince watching her out of the corner of his eye from the back of the classroom.

…

"Hermione, where were you this morning?" Harry and Ron questioned right after Binn's class ended.

"I overslept," Hermione lied. Ron and Harry didn't seem satisfied so she added "I had to finish my extra credit essay for McGonagall."

Hermione waved goodbye as she headed off to Arithmancy alone. At least she wouldn't be badgered anymore by Harry or Ron. She noticed something else too, people were giving her strange looks and she didn't know why. Hermione shrugged it off, but instead someone grabbed her and pulled her behind a tapestry.

"What in you know who's name do you think your doing?" A familiar slytherin's voice whispered. Malfoy slammed her against the wall. "Shit Granger, could you make it anymore obvious."

Prying herself away from his grip, she stood there confused.

"Come on, don't give me that dumb blonde look," Malfoy stammered. "You have the biggest bruise under your eye."

Hermione gasped and muttered a concealment charm.

"You know Granger, whether you like it or not; I'm going to figure out what's going on sooner or later."

A/N: Sorry, this was such a short chapter; it was more of a filler chapter because I really needed one. The next chapter will have a major surprise in it. Please Review!

Stephanie