Oh my goodness! I am so so sorry it has taken this long. One of my close friends was in a really bad car accident, and I have been spending a lot of time with him. Plus, on top of that I just started another job, please forgive me! Sorry that this chapter is so short, but I didn't want to leave you hanging for too much longer. I promise that the next one is the one we have all been waiting for. Please review. Thanks! Phaedra

Chapter 10 Heated Emotions

Hermione began to breathe rapidly. The panic was painted in every worried line of her face. 'The is no way he could have recognized me. God, maybe I shouldn't have used my Mother's name again.' She screamed at herself. Draco firmly gripped her upper arm and wrenched her towards the door. Hermione winced at the slight pain.

Draco threw open the door and sent Hermione sailing into the narrow corridor. He turned around and did a quick charm to make the small room sound proof. Hermione debated whether or not to run, but decided against it, Draco had a look that could kill. He turned around with forced calm.

"What the hell are you doing in there?" He barked. Hermione opened her mouth to respond but he cut her off. "Thought you'd have a little game of us then? Thought you'd go run off and tell Dumbledore what we are doing?" He raged. He took one large step across the hall and pinned Hermione to the cold stones. One hand on either shoulder. His face drew dangerously close. "Well, what the hell was it? Why were you in there?" He yelled shaking her with fury. "Answer me damn you."

Hermione raised her eyes to his, and muttered the charm. Her disguise melted away, and she stood exposed in the angry arms of Draco Malfoy. Her body shook with tears she couldn't shed. She couldn't find her voice, she was too confused, too frightened. Draco shook her again. "I... I wanted to join the club, I... wanted to be in it." She said quietly.

"Bullshit Granger. What is your real reason? What, you want to get rid of me? Can't stand the fact that we are equals?" He growled. Draco was displaying more feelings than he meant to.

"No, it's not that. it's just..." She finished, her arms going limp. She didn't want to tell him about her motives, about her insane plan.

"Just what?" He said with fierce determination. He continued to stare into her eyes, looking for any sign of guilt. All he saw there was utter disappointment. He shook her again. "You will answer me. I would hate to see what those kids in there would do if they knew there was a spy in their midst. They all have way too much going for them to let you to ruin it." He threatened, barely above a whisper.

Hermione took a deep breath. "I heard them say that you could teach them how to bring back the dead. I wasn't spying, I just wanted to learn that one thing. I know it's against our law, I know all of that. It was just a silly hope. Your secret is safe with me." She mumbled, totally defeated. She made a move to turn from him and walk away hoping her explanation would pacify him for the time being. His grip tightened. She hung her head for a few moments, and then chanced to look into his eyes. There was a burning intensity she had never seen before it almost told of understanding. Hermione let herself pray a tiny bit that he wouldn't hurt her. Draco continued to stare straight at her, as if he could read her mind and see the truth.

"Why do you want to bring back the dead?" He asked, his eyebrows raised in superiority. "What could the Head Girl do with an army of the dead?" Hermione remained silent, and resumed her inspection of the floor. The grip on her arm tightened again. "Why do you want to raise the dead?" He asked again. Hermione ignored him. Her plan sounded stupid even to her. She couldn't stand the thought of Malfoy laughing in her face. "Why? Damn you, answer me." He yelled, slamming her against the wall. He continued asking the same question over and over until Hermione exploded.

"I want to bring my mother back. My father is slowly killing himself, and she is the only one who can save him. It's a selfish reason and I don't care. I want my family back. Now, let me go." She screamed with so much force Draco took a small step back, releasing her arms. Hermione stared at him, pure loathing shooting from her eyes. She turned to leave, but the look on his face haunted her steps. He looked lost in memories, he looked like he was searching for something. Tears streamed down Hermione's face. The sound of her heartbeat drowned out any other noise. She didn't hear Draco running after her. He grabbed the back of her uniform and gave it a firm tug. She stumbled backwards and came to rest against the front of his chest. She let out an angry scream and pushed herself off of him. She turned around and with all the strength she had left she landed a firm punch to his right cheek.

Draco growled with fury and fumbled to restrain her flailing limps. She continued to slap and punch him where ever her hands could make contact. Hermione felt her limbs grow heavy like lead. She stumbled forward into Draco's open arms. Her head rested on the flat of his chest, and her arms went limp at her sides. She sobbed into his robes, and made no effort to move. Her mind was so clouded with pain and humiliation that all common sense fled her mind. She was barely aware that Draco's arms had circled about her waist.

Draco looked around the corridor frantically. He was so confused. Just a moment ago Hermione had been wailing on him, and now she was helpless in his arms. He had never seen her quite this lost, this alone. He followed his instincts, and he wrapped his arms around her slender waist. He forced himself not to think about her small body pressed firmly against him. His mind was reeling. 'What the hell am I supposed to do?' He asked himself. 'Why should I comfort her? Why should I tell her about the nightmare I went through?' He debated. His grip tightened around her, and he decided what should be done. He snaked his hands up her side, and gripped her shoulders. He pushed her firmly away from him. Hermione refused to look up, refused to meet his eyes. 'Bet she wishes it was Potter or Weasley with her.' He thought bitterly. 'But they can't help her.'

Draco turned her around and began to force her to walk back toward the Owlery. She made no protest, she put up no struggle. She clearly represented someone who was defeated. Draco glowered at her from the corner of his eyes. He hated human emotion, human weakness. He had distanced himself from them so long ago it was hard to remember what it was like. Hermione was strong, she had faced so much adversity already. He frowned as he thought about how much pain he alone had caused her. He hated to see people give up, especially when he knew they were stronger than himself.

Deep in thought Draco stared at the floor. He reached his arm around Hermione's shoulders and began to lead her back down the corridor toward the owlery. The pair did not notice a set of blazing eyes hidden in shadow. After they passed Pansy stepped from her hiding spot and watched the two retreating figures. She slowly withdrew her wand and pointed it squarely at Hermione's back.