Special thanks to: YoukoElfMaiden, Paradoxical-Dreams, midnightwanderer01, DancingBabe, Lennexa, SoakedLashes, mysteriouscharm, readingfreak1, Swtndreamypnay, Destiny's Darkness, Burnsybabe, Trelithe, Miss Extraordinary, and EternusLemures.

Thank you for waiting. Here is the next installment (which did in fact get out a lot sooner than I thought). On a plot note, to those who have inquired, I do have reasons for the drawn out process. For instance, if this were a good book on the market, I would have even bigger reasons to not rush anything. I like complete stories. And even if it gets kind of boring in longer parts, in the end, I hope it feels more complete. Kind of like Lord of The Rings. Except…not nearly as great. Or long, for that matter. But since this isn't a good book on the market, I suppose I can cater to everyone's likings! Just tell me what you want and I'll see if I can weave it in. I'm not just writing on a whim though, guys. If you can be patient with me then you'll see my point…eventually. But it's there, I swear.

Anyway, enough of the babbling. I hope you enjoy.

( … ) ( …) ( … )

Least Likely: Part Five

Draco inwardly laughed. After a little persuading, she actually began to follow him. The girl was so gullible in her condition, anyway, so maybe all the skills didn't just point to him. If she had been the same Hermione that walked Hogwarts last week then he would have been a little…lacking by the end of their conversation.

He glanced over at her. She was trotting behind him; probably trying to make up what distance his legs could cover in the same stride. Face down, hands clasped, she could have been Virgin Mary herself. But something told him she wasn't really as different as she appeared to be. At times, her chocolate eyes still held that trademark spark. Her studies were still top notch, her appearance wasn't so different and…

In his head he kicked himself. 'Fool, pondering the depths of a useless mudblood. What a waste of time. They're either too simple to even look at, or too annoyingly complicated to even want to figure out.' He looked at her again. But even so, she held answers to questions that in other situations he may not have been able to attain.

That was all the use she could be.

He let his plan unfold in his mind. From what he could gather of her condition, straight out inquisition wouldn't work. The way he had confronted her earlier after dinner could have been dangerous. To an extent, though he detested the thought, she had to trust him. She wouldn't tell a Slytherin (and certainly not him) straight out. And he had a sneaking suspicion that not even her best friends knew.

But trying to become her best friend was both disgusting and pointless. Best friends hugged and confided and…and actually liked each other. 'Ugh…'

So maybe the truth would be the simplest and easiest way. The whole truth was a stupid idea, but he would do what he had to. He would get what he wanted. People like her were fairly easy to read. She was an honest girl, which was obvious. She was quite open with her feelings. She could be a fiery adversary in one moment, and a brave companion in the next. And last but not least, she always did what she believed was right.

Basically, she was the opposite of him. She was the epitome of all he learned to hate. She was pure, untainted by the world, innocent even. Her body language and eyes told of what ignorance she held. He took one more glance before staring straight ahead. Or that's how it was before. Whatever happened to her made things difficult. Slytherins could be a nasty bunch, and so it was hard to judge where she stood now. A broken innocent? Maybe that's how she was the same. Still possessed that soft innocence that the corrupted side of the world would just love to get their bloody hands on. That virtue that practically made him sick.

One more glance (he swore it was the last!) as she caught up to him. Maybe she wasn't completely broken…

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

The room was dark. He always liked it best in the darkness.

She sighed as she watched him from her corner of the room. He was doing it again. For all of his partying and girlfriends, he was one of the most pensive people she knew. At least more so lately. He was sitting on the windowsill, staring outside as the skies grew even grayer. As each cloud spread across the sky, his expression seemed to become darker and darker.

Ever since what happened, he withdrew even further within himself. She scowled. Or within that blasted girl. She shook her head. No, it wasn't really like that at all. Sometimes she feared for him, as silly as it sounded. Sometimes he acted so strange…so different. He barely saw her at times. She would talk and talk and he would stare listlessly…endlessly…

But she continued talking anyway. It gave life what little normalcy someone of her class could obtain. Especially Slytherins.

They weren't just mean. They weren't just hated. Childish behavior of cruelty and game was not their basis of existence. It was a distraction and it was a haven of defiance. In those moments of rule, they were in control. They possessed some semblance of power in their lives. No, Slytherins were not needlessly deceitful and sly.

They were a tragic house. A lost hope. A cluster of driven and burning souls that had no place to run. One's character determined their placement. Their family. This also included their background. That also meant their future. Why would the majority of Slytherins lean towards the dark after graduation? The house did not make the people. The people made the house.

It was a tricky issue. Not every house member was like the other. Just like not every Gryffindor was brave and not every Ravenclaw intelligent. They could not be generalized or cloned but each had a connection with the other. Each had a reason to be where they were.

Each Slytherin was a terrible case of what could happen. Where they might go.

To stay in the darkness where their past placed them?

Or maybe…perhaps there was another answer…

She sighed. Too complicated. All she knew was that he was susceptible. They all were. But if he wasn't already sucked into the evil of another side of magic, then maybe there was a hope.

She'd seen the hope in some of them, typically the younger. Those who would defy their family and heritage and the burning in their hearts. Those who had ambition to break free of the cycle. She had that for herself once upon a time. She wanted it for him.

Even when they were together, she could see where his mind was going. She could see that odd glint in his eyes. Like at that moment.

But his sanity wasn't the only thing she was worried about. Draco Malfoy. He knew something was going on and knowing him, he was going to do all he could to figure it out. She leaned back in her chair, mind wandering even farther.

From all her years of knowing them, the Malfoys had an interesting trait of that. They were hard workers, focused, and strong. Nothing brought them down, and even if it did, they would get back up and do it again. And again. Until success. There were no limitations, there were no boundaries. There was only completion. She had a feeling this was going to get very messy.

But she supposed that was really the point.

She stood and walked slowly towards him. She hadn't said a word for two hours yet. "Darling…why don't we take a break from all of this thinking?" She placed one well-polished hand on his shoulder. He made no movement nor gave a sign that he acknowledged her. "Blaise?'

He started. "Not now," he replied distractedly, not even bothering to look at her. "I have things on my mind."

Leaving the room, she looked back once in longing. Yes, she knew he had things on his mind. And Hermione Granger wasn't even there to gloat in a Slytherin's defeat.

For once Pansy Parkinson was in dire need of help.

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

Why was she following him?

Her, bookworm, sensible, and sane self! Why did she let him boss her around like she was one of his…his shmoes! Speaking of, she hadn't really seen him around with any girl lately. Not for a very long time, in fact.

She smacked herself in her head. Stupid, to be thinking about Malfoy's unfortunate female companions. Unfortunate indeed! There he was, just marching along as if he were the king of Hogwarts. Humph.

And yet she knew she was angrier with herself than at him. So far, he really hadn't done anything terrible. Except he was being terribly confusing. He had been ignoring her the rest of that year. He had acted as though her dirtied presence wasn't important enough for him to acknowledge. And now he was leading her through the school, blindly ignoring the fact that they had been enemies since the first year. And would be till the last, she determined firmly.

Finally he stopped and she bumped into his back, sputtering. "Wha-…" Silence. Since when did they get outside?

Was she really so far into her mind that she didn't notice where they were going? 'I've really lost it,' she thought bitterly.

He was staring at her intently, gray eyes expressionless. It unnerved her that she couldn't tell what he was thinking. It unnerved her that she couldn't know what he was planning. It unnerved that she didn't know why she was there, with him. Her enemy.

Why?

And it was dark. Really dark. And she was alone with him!

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

Draco observed her reaction. She was surprised, then apparently confused, and then scared. He was in a bit of a fix as well. He wanted to tell her somewhere away from people, away from where her fears could be planted. An enclosed area of the library wasn't an option. Too risky for what he wanted to say. In an open space, she would be able to hear him clearly and he wouldn't have to worry so much about people seeing them. Besides, his reputation still meant something.

He had been leading them with a spell, but once they actually made it to the grounds, it was a little more ominous than he had expected. Sure, he could see where they were going, but it was still dark and eerie. He couldn't have her being needlessly nervous. What to do? If he led them back, he would appear to be a direction impaired idiot. But if he spoke to her this way, she would probably think he was a rapist.

He cringed. Not a line of thought he wanted to go down.

But he had an idea. Hopefully she wouldn't take it that way. And hopefully it would calm her nerves.

He raised his wand, chanting the spell that his Father had taught him long ago…

A glow began to surround them, so subtle he wasn't sure if she even noticed it. But suddenly it spread even farther and farther across the grounds. The trees around now possessed a strange light, the grass beneath held it's own beautiful light. And then in a mere second, the light separated into little moving specks that flickered and glowed.

One moment it would leave and then in the next the light would come again, the traveling illumination stretching as far as the eye could see. Even he had to admit it was impressive. And safe. He liked that better. The spell had a bit of a spiffy trick of shielding it from the rest of the world. Only they could witness its beauty.

Pleased at his handy work, he then looked over at her. And his eyes widened.

Her eyes were large in wonder, her mouth parted in awe. Small hands were clasped to her chest, her breathing heavy. She was still…her curls glowed in the night, as if the moon were focused on this one girl.

A long time ago, his father used to charm his mother. He used to make her smile and laugh. He was once more laid back, more…loving. Draco remembered the first time when he was younger when he snuck to watch them alone. Remembered his father smiling as he performed the spell. Remembered his beautiful mother standing in admiration. Standing exactly the same way Granger was. The expression, the hands, the breathing…

"Wow."

The word snapped him out of his stupor. Since when had he ever gone into a stupor? Of all the stupid…

"How did you…?"

And suddenly he was himself again. He was Draco Malfoy, a man. Not the boy who aimlessly followed his parents around. He was a pureblood. He was on a mission. He would not lose. He would not stray.

"It's not important, Granger. What I'm going to say is what I want you to focus on." He turned fully towards her, voice steady.

"I own the Slytherins. Don't give me that shocked look. Everyone knows it. But no one is willing to say it. Everyone knows that if they cross my path wrongly, sneak something behind me, or gossip secretly, they cannot escape me. I'm not going to beat around the bush, okay? Some Slytherins are just wimps trying to be tough and mean. But most of them are dangerous. They did something to you. You are going to tell me what. That is not a request."

She just stared stupidly at him, shocked. So he continued.

"I will not be fooled. I won't hurt you, but you are going to give me each detail of what happened. What did Zabini do?"

She gasped. Zabini…Zabini…

Blaise?

Suddenly crushing memories overwhelmed her mind. But it was too much. She couldn't take it. She couldn't handle it. That name. That face collided with her soul. She couldn't remember and yet she recalled too much. Everything became an avalanche that was too heavy to deal with. An avalanche that she had pushed away. She felt her soul pull and the bondage that held it.

She was backing away slowly, tremors coursing through her body. "No…"

Draco cursed. This wasn't supposed to happen. He'd been as careful as was possible with the situation. At least he tried. "Wait," he cautioned, taking one step forward with each she took back. But she turned and began to run as fast as her legs would carry her.

'No…no…no…'

She wouldn't confront it! No one could make her and especially not him. So she ran. Ran from the questions, ran from the demands, but most of all, she ran from those haunting eyes that rivaled her keeper's.

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

Draco cursed all the way back to his room. She'd gotten away and he was left with nothing. Muttering with his mind entirely preoccupied, he completely missed the figure standing there.

"Can't believe it…"

"Draco."

Bloody Pansy! 'I can't believe I let myself become so distracted again…'

"What is it, Pansy?" he practically growled, fists clenching and feet not slowing a bit. He didn't even both to face her. The whole day was a complete mess. "Why are you in my room? Get out." She smiled that mysterious smile of hers, full, red lips curving slightly upwards. "Did I startle you, Draco? Now really, I expected more of you." There was a pause and then a mocking in her tone. "Lord."

He spun around. "What did you say?" he bit out angrily. She just stared at him amusedly. Inwardly he sighed and then let his body still. Temper was a thing to keep a hold of. He let his mind dwell on his father's words. And then he was all cool and composure. He was taught to be efficient and in this situation, it wouldn't be so to be angry. Or appear so. He was truly boiling inside, the remains of his week seemingly wasted.

"I have an offer that may be of interest to you," she walked towards him slowly, her smile vanishing. He eyed her carefully. It was best to be careful with a Parkinson bred like she was. High class with a devious streak through the family.

"Speak quickly. I'd like to have some rest tonight." He sounded cold, even to himself. Sauntering about the room like it was her own, Pansy finally stopped to lean against the post of his bed. "Hermione Granger."

His head snapped up. "What about her?" Pansy seemed pleased at this response and continued. "I know you're searching for the truth. I know you're livid that a Slytherin would try anything behind your back. I know you're just dying to take your 'lordship' back. Well then, we can be of help to each other. As you know, Blaise and I have been…friendly, shall we say, to each other. Naturally I would pick up on a few tid bits here and there."

From the way she was looking at him, Draco guessed it was more than a few. But there was of course, the catch. "Well?" He sounded patient, but he was itching to wring it out of her. What she said was infuriating, but painfully true.

She was silent for a moment, as if letting it settle. When she spoke, the words were softer. "He has her, Draco. A dark spell he's taken part of." She wasn't being vague anymore. She was there for a purpose.

"But before I go on, we have to make a deal."

There was the catch,

"Why should I make a deal with you, Pansy? I could curse the truth out of you."

"Maybe you could, Draco, but I know you. You wouldn't. Here's my proposal. I tell you what I know of what's happened. I give you updates on the conditions of it. I help you take your power back." His stare was flat. "And…?"

"You take her back."

"Her?"

"Yes. You take it away. You bring Granger back to normal."

Draco laughed harshly. "Tell me the truth, Pansy. You're no sucker for mudbloods. What, you want me to rescue Granger from a dark and evil spell? I know the truth now. I can get my power back."

"Don't be a fool!" Her composure was gone, her eyes wild. "Blaise has a power that you don't. He has a rule that you don't understand. You let this go on and it won't be the same! Soon enough, other Slytherins will be following him for his sick genius!"

He frowned. There was definitely something she wasn't telling him. He couldn't remember a time where she looked more desperate. And then it dawned on him.

"Do you assume to love, Pansy?"

She stopped. "Excuse me?" "You think you love him." He began laughing a cruel laugh. "Do you think you even know how to love? Do you think that even half of us Slytherins do? Snap out of it, Parkinson. We can't afford to love."

"Don't talk to me of love, bloody Draco Malfoy! You wouldn't know a thing about it, let alone lecture me on it. Blaise doesn't just have her. He's obsessed! It's as if he's in another world and I know where it is." Her voice became even softer, anger fading away. "You have to take that spell off. Not just for your rule, but for my heart."

To be truthful, he was shocked. He had never heard her talk so openly or so sincerely. It was like an entirely new Pansy. What she was saying was just…absurd. And yet it made perfect sense. If he could reverse whatever spell was cast, he could take a backtrack for his ruling. He would teach Zabini a lesson, and he would prove to the rest of the house that he was not to be fooled with. Sure, he could always teach him a lesson anyway, but if the spell was still active secretly, it would only prove that he threw a good punch. As for her feelings, he really couldn't care less. So what was the trouble with a little handy work on a spell?

Especially the dark arts. He would know best and was probably the best person to deal with it. Yes, he could practically taste success…

She was anxiously staring at him as a smirk began to creep up on his face.

"Glad to be in business with you."

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

"Hermione?"

She looked up at Ron who sat beside her in the Common Room. She had been reading, mind only occasionally wandering to the night before. 'A welcome distraction,' she thought wryly.

"Hey, Ron." He looked anxious, hands twisting in his lap. 'Is he sweating?' Then suddenly he blurted out, "Are you okay?" She blinked. "Um…yes…" And then promptly paled. Was he going to say what she thought he was? Everyone knew that Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger would be a likely couple in the future. Everyone knew they were smitten with each once upon a time.

This was disastrous. She couldn't be in a relationship! And certainly not with Ron. Granted, she loved him, but not like that and, and…no! She didn't want to hurt him either. They had never talked about this.

That long, awkward silence that followed was unbearable for the both of them. "Hermione…everyone knows we were smitten with each other once upon a time," he trailed and she nodded, dreading the next words.

"But I don't feel that way anymore."

She blinked again.

And then again.

"Excuse me?"

He sighed. "It's like a silent knowledge that when anyone looks at us, they see one with the other. But we've never…been together. We've never even really talked about it." Hermione marveled. The way he was speaking and the way he was looking so serious surprised her more than that he was saying, honestly. How did she not notice how he had matured? "Go on."

"I'm in love."

Blink.

"What?"

"With Luna."

"…"

( … ) ( … ) ( … )

Ten minutes later Hermione was walking dazedly through the grounds in the open air. Air was very nice at that moment. It was late afternoon, the sun beginning to set in deep, rich colors. She loved sunsets, but she barely noticed it this time.

Subconsciously she began walking to the same place she was the night before. In fact, she didn't even realize her mistake before she was standing there. Her imagination took hold and she could practically see the dazzling magic around her, so similar to the fireflies she loved so much back home. A tender smile reached her lips at the thought of catching the bugs with her parents. She would have never associated something so splendid with Draco Malfoy before.

And now she probably would for the rest of her life. However long that was. In an attempt to avoid that trail of thought she went to another issue she was trying to avoid when she started her walk.

Ron Weasley and Luna Lovegood.

It wasn't Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Luna! Loony Luna! It just didn't sound right. Okay, she could admit she was very happy for them but also a little bit peeved. She sighed. It felt like so much of her past life was slipping away like sand through her fingers. So much she just couldn't keep holding on to, no matter how much she tried. Truthfully she didn't think of Ron that way, but thinking of Ron that way and vise versa used to be a constant chapter in her life.

And now, just like her freedom, that was another paged turned.

Finding that she couldn't help the depressing turn of her thought life, she succumbed. Sullenly she sat down on the soft grass, chin resting on her knees. Her past life was simply gone and it was difficult to cope with. She wasn't so much fond of this new beginning. It felt too much of an ending to everything she loved.

Again, she felt her whole being try to push back what she couldn't confront. Again, she felt herself fall back into the safety in a denial of sorts. Taking that void back, she blocked out everything that was too connected.

So wrapped up she only noticed someone coming until they were standing directly in front her. She started and stared at black, perfectly polished shoes. Her eyes traveled up the neatly pressed cloak with the Slytherin badge, to his face and then down to the hand stretched towards her. The colors of the setting sun outlined his body and his expression impossible to read. And then he said four words she never believed were possible to be said to her.

"I can save you."