Chapter 5:

Day one of year seven was over. Hermione avoided Ron and Harry. They knew about her summer, and they were keen on not talking about it, which was just fine by her, but every now and they she caught them looking at her with sympathy becoming a nurse or doctor with bad news. She stayed in the Gryffindor common room for a mere half hour before heading out again.

As she walked to the east wing she recounted her dream for the 100th time. Never had she had a dream like this.

It was dark where they were keeping her, and smelled of death, but it was not without life. There was another girl there sometimes. They kept her there to recover. Her name was Sara, but she couldn't remember anything beyond that, not on queue. She didn't know her age, or her parents or how tall she was.

But randomly she could recall, in vivid detail, a happy moment in her life. When the Dementors, weren't near, that was. One night she'd recounted a sad story, a story about a kind boy who found her favorite toy. It had moved them both to tears.

Hermione moved painfully to find the girl and held her all night whispering, "you're not alone" over and over, even when she had gone to sleep. It wasn't until much later that Hermione learned how she'd come here, but that was where the dream ended, kind of.

Suddenly, instead of Hermione holding her, Hermione was the one being held being told she wasn't alone… but the voice had been so familiar… so kind… it had been Draco's voice.

Hermione shivered at the dream and walked in the door. Draco was sleeping on the couch in their common room. She huffed at him. There was still homework to be done, rounds to be taken, requests to be answered, bullies to be dealt with… well she had bullies to deal with, he had bullies to coach. Still he didn't look as cruel when he was asleep. Not as cruel.

Hermione lit the fire and began her homework. She was done within a few hours and then safely tucked the work away where Draco wouldn't find it. No doubt he would use her to cheat given half a chance.

She left for her rounds next, slamming the door behind her. Draco laughed slightly and went to find her homework. She was sexy when she was in a huff. He stopped in his tracks and shook his head. Granger is not sexy… not when she's angry… not ever. He found her work and copied it quickly making sure to change the wording and order of references. When he'd finished he went out to 'make his rounds'.

Hermione came back hours later, duties carried out and ready to turn in for, if not a good night's sleep, than at least a night's sleep. She walked dazedly into the bathroom sleep clouding her senses. Her eyes shot open at the sight they met. Draco, covered from waist to knee in a towel and nothing besides, was brushing his teeth. He smiled at her, a leering kind of grin, and rinsed his mouth out.

"Granger if you wanted to see me in a towel all you had to do was get a life." She turned and ran from the room. He took his time, coming out almost a half an hour later. She walked to the door and stopped. Without turning she asked. "How did you get them?"

Draco sneered; she could hear it in his voice. "Some from my father, some from his friends, some from the Dark Lord himself."

"How many are from you?" She asked meekly.

"None of your bloody business!" His words rang with anger. Quickly she shut the door.

Hermione undressed slowly, some of the deeper bruises still ached. She filled the tub with water, looking herself over as she did. She was getting too skinny, she wished she could change that, but she had no appetite these days. Her legs were long, but willowy, her arms were too slender, her shoulders too pointy. Her hair was all that remained unscathed. Carefully she took out the stick holding it back into a bun, allowing it to cascade down her back in golden-brown waves, silky, soft.

She stepped into the warm bath letting it ease the pain in her body, if it could do nothing for the pain in her heart. She would have to earn to overcome what had happened to her that summer. If she were ever to have a marriage, she would have to learn to be with a man. What man would do that for her? Ron and Harry would pale at the suggestion, and were not as selfish as that besides. No… who. She closed her eyes her mind drifting as her aches melted away. The thought came unbidden: Draco.

Hermione had spent the last hour trying to talk herself out of the idea, but Draco was the best choice. If she could be with the man whose father had beaten and defiled her then she could be with a man she loved. The hardest part would be convincing him to do so. Slowly she climbed out of the bath, sliding the towel over he legs, drying her skin, her hair, then wrapping herself in her robe. She brushed her teeth and the she walked out of the bathroom.

"About time Granger, I was starting to think you'd drowned." Draco looked up, a mild surprise painting his features. Hermione was in a robe… he shook his head. Don't leer, don't leer, you'll scare her. Again he shook his head.

"Draco," she said, his first name calling his attention. "I want to ask you a favor."

"And what in Merlin's beard makes you think I'd do you a favor?" he snapped.

"Nothing, but I'm asking just the same." She sat on the end of his bed, the robe splitting at her thigh and traveling to her hip, Draco swallowed hard. "This summer Lord Voldemort killed my parents."

"What makes you think I care?" He sneered, hating himself for it.

"I don't but do shut up so I can explain. Upon killing them he took my to your father's estate, where your father raped and beat me, along with several dozen deatheaters." She took a deep breath and continued. "This went on for a month and a half before I was rescued… somehow. I am now afraid of almost all human contact. This is most unbecoming of an of age witch."

"And what does this have to do with me?" Draco asked, his tone softened.

Hermione blushed and looked at her lap. "There are rumors about the school that you are experienced… in relational matters. Specifically, sex."

"Wait a minute," he said standing quickly "you can't be serious, you don't really want me to…"

"Yes, Draco, I want you to teach me."

It was too much. Draco fainted.