Yay! At last, more is revealed! Including the second ship. And I need some help deciding between the two. I keep getting more and more ideas, and the story will keep being updated as long as I keep writing, I promise. Heck, I think another ship might come up.

Nope, I still don't own the characters.

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Chapter 5: The First Encounter

("You foolish, weak woman! Do you realize the trouble you are causing me?"

"Master... please, forgive me... I didn't know better..." A woman's voice. Bellatrix. She sounded terrified.

"You are very lucky that I am in an exceptionally good mood. I shall give you another chance."

"Thank you... thank you, you are truly kind..."

"Now get out of my sight!")

Harry woke with a start, almost screaming from pain.

X

The day after Harry had kissed Hermione was horrible for her. She was scared to even look at him, but whenever she happened to, her eyes would meet his, and she would cringe in pain. She had to tell someone... something had to be done.

Right before hall duty started, Hermione talked to Dumbledore. "Professor... Harry, he... he... I think he's falled... f-for me..." She blushed, and Dumbledore listened politely of her tale. "... Sir, something has to be done. I don't want him to find out firsthand and the entire school go haywire."

Surprisingly, he chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling yet again with the sense that he had already known. "I agree, Miss Granger. I believe Gryffindor House must be informed of your... situation. Let us hope that they will live up to Gryffindor's qualities and understand and support you, while at the same time keeping it a secret... I shall inform Professor McGonagall. You may leave and resume your duties, Hermione."

She was nervous. Very, very nervous. What if she met up with Harry in the hallway? What would she do? ("I'm not giving up..." he had said...) Her heart pounded in her chest. She walked a little faster.

Unfortunately, as she turned a corner, she smacked right into not Harry, but Malfoy. He crashed to the ground, grunting at the force of the blow. "Dammit, Granger, watch where you're going!" He stood, brushing himself off. "Clean the Mudblood filth out of your eyes so you can see next time."

But she was ready for this. The Head Girl snatched him by the collar. "Fuck you, Ferret Boy! You think you know everything, don't you? Well, guess what? You don't! For your information, I am pureblooded. But I think YOU'RE the one that needs to wash some filth! You dirty rotten bastard!"

This outburst surprised the both of them greatly. When he was at last released from her clutch, Malfoy stared at her. "... ... Pureblood. You're not shitting me, are you Granger?"

You think I am? Do you?" She pushed up her sleeves (she wasn't wearing her robe), wand ready. "Well? Do you?"

Malfoy only stared.

Hermione suddenly realized what it was he was staring at. Hastily, she put her wand away and her sleeves down. She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Too late, Granger." His tone was happy. "I already looked. And I think..." He turned her around, his hands on her shoulders, smirking- no, he was smiling. "I think..." He trailed off, unable to say what it was he was thinking.

Hermione was terrfied nonetheless. She wanted to run so badly, but she was transfixed in his gaze. He didn't even have a decent grip on her; his hands were just there, not doing a thing.

Malfoy's face was intense. He was definitely wanting to say something, but couldn't. Was he holding back?

She was sick of it. "Malfoy, what do you want already?"

His smile got wider. Her stomach dropped at this. "I think... I want you." To her shock, he leaned forward and kissed her.

It wasn't what she had expected. He was gentle with her, perhaps not wanting to make a wrong move. The Slytherin carefully put one hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer, and the other lightly touched her neck, sending a chill down her spine.

Almost as soon as it had happened, and as if he had come to his senses, Malfoy broke it off, gray eyes wide. "..." He screamed and ran off.

Hermione stumbled toward Gryffindor Tower. As soon as she climbed through the portrait hole, she was greeted with Harry's voice, saying, "Hermione, are you all right? You look pale."

It was too much. She finally half-screamed, half-sobbed, and completely threw herself at Harry, who managed to barely keep his balance.

His shock turned to compassion as he guided her into a chair by the fire. Luckily, there was no one else in the common room. Harry had been trying to finish up some homework, but realized he couldn't concentrate. He had been about to give up for the night when Hermione had stumbled in. He knelt in front of the sobbing witch. "Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked softly. He wanted so badly to hold her, but didn't want to push it like before.

She was nearly hysterical. "He... it... disgusting... saw... shock... Harry, oh, HARRY, HE KISSED ME!" she shrieked, and cried harder.

He felt his hands curl into fists, his nails digging into the flesh. But hekept his head. "Who... Who kissed you?"

She shook her head. "No, don't ask me that..."

"Tell me who kissed you, Hermione."

"No!"

"Tell me!" he roared.

She shrieked in fright. "It... he... Malfoy."

Harry couldn't understand. Or believe. "What?"

"... M-Malfoy... he kissed me..." Her amber eyes were brimming with tears again.

Never before had Harry Potter felt such hatred coursing through him at the Slytherin boy. He silently walked over to a nearby table, and slammed his fists down upon it. Repeatedly. "D... Damn... it... DAMN HIM!"

Hermione cried out, "Harry, please stop!" She ran over to the boy and grabbed his hands to stop the pounding. "Please, stop! You'll wake everyone up!"

He looked at her and melted completely. The Boy Who Lived slumped to his knees in front of her and asked, "Why? How the fuck could he do this?"

Hermione knelt in in front of him, still on the verge of tears. "I... I don't r-really know..."

"But you've got to." The raved-haired boy pleaded, his green eyes shining. "Tell me." He pressed his lips to hers quickly and said, "Hermione, please."

The girl touched her mouth as if she couldn't believe what was happening. "I do know... but I can't tell you."

Harry grabbe dher arms and replied, "Hermione, this isn't fair!" She suddenly winced from his grip. He sighed in frustration at himself. "I hurt you, didn't I? I'm sorry."

He took her arm and pushed the sleeve up, meaning to kiss it, but he stopped dead. She tried to pull away, but it was too late for the second time that night.

He had seen it. The brand. The Dark Mark. Half-concealed with makeup.

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Well, okay, maybe it was kind of obvious after awhile. I hope not.Does it clear things up, though? And give me some feedback, please. These ships are battling like mad in my head. More to come soon! R+R, please!