Title: Mesh

Author: Morbid Romantic

Pairing: Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger

Genre: Romance/Angst

A/N: Sorry about the confusion caused in the last chapter. Somehow, the line I made separating the switch in characters got deleted. This problem has been fixed, and once again, sorry...I'll try to not let it happen again.

"What would happened if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
You would run away? Would you stay?
Or would I melt into you?
Mouth to mouth, lust to lust,
Spontaneously combust..."
- What Would Happen (Meridith Brooks)

Chapter Two

The cheap watch that gleams on my wrist reads 1 A.M, but I ignore it completely. The classes that I will have to wake up early for are far from my mind. I silently push my way through the forbidden forest. The urge to go to the darkest place I can find is overwhelming, and I don't even try to fight it.

I stop a few feet from a tree whose bark is a deep blood red. The name and type of tree have completely fled my mind. I stare at the layers of bark, and slowly run a palm down, digging down slightly so that the skin breaks. I let out a small smile. So many things happened here...

When I was fifteen, I remember leaning on it, resting briefly on my trek through the woods with Hagrid and Harry. I remember how the fear had coiled deep within me, and how that fear was justified at the sight of the big, monstrous giant whom shared Hagrid's blood.

Then, that same year, I remember touching the bark of the tree for good luck as I led that horrible woman deep into the tree's, wishing she would just drop dead from the sheer exhaustion of carrying herself around. I glare slightly. Old toad...

When I was sixteen, I remember being pressed up against this tree during a detention I was forced to serve with my mortal enemy. I remember how he had called me a mudblood, how I had drawn my wand, and then how he had slammed me hard into the tree. His glare has been murderous, his voice a low growl. He went on to threaten me, to tell me that I should never, ever threaten a Malfoy. I remember thinking how I could bang my head real hard into his. Make a nice, big bruise on that flawless bit of flesh of his. I remember feeling giddy with the thought.

I was about to do it. I leaned my head back, then propelled forward. Only, instead of banging my head real hard into his, I ended up forcing my lips upon him in a rough, what to him might have seemed passionate, kiss.

He had pushed himself away from me as if he had been burned. His glare one of disgust, yet something else that I didn't even want to think about hidden beneath the arrogant look in his eyes.

Those eyes.

I can see them clearly now, as if they are in front me. Cold and smoky, like a foggy abyss in the early hours of the morning. Like the silver coat of a menacing werewolf. How they had terrified me, how I had felt myself slipping away whenever I met them. I felt like I was drowning.

"Damn, Granger. I know I'm beautiful, but honestly..." I hear a low voice growl. I am snapped out of my reverie to find that the gray eyes I thought I had been imagining were in fact, in front of me.

Taking a few steps back, I suddenly realizing how close to walking into him I had been. My eyes take in his form, beautiful as ever, yet as poisonous as a komodo dragon. I narrow my eyes, ready to sling something back in insult when I slam hard into the tree of my memories. My eyes drift over his face, and meet his eyes that remind me now of cigarette smoke. In that instant, I can see the memory flashing through his mind, and I see what I wanted to ignore back then once again make its way past the arrogance.

I watch Granger back up into the tree. I can't help but let a smirk flitter onto my face as I remember how I had her pressed up against that very tree only last year. My eyes drift up to hers. Molten honey shines with fear. I take a step forward, and watch as she flattens herself to the tree.

I let my eyes wander over her form. Soft curves draped in the black velvet of the school robes. Her out of control hair is messier then usual. Her mascara has run down her cheeks, and her eyes are red and slightly puffy. It appears that she's been crying.

She's never been more beautiful.

I take another step towards her. I can feel the heat rising from her body. A gentle flush creeps onto her high cheekbones. I smirk again.

"M-malfoy..." She stutters, eyes darting around wildly at my advance. "Don't you dare get any closer!"

"Why not?" I drawl out. "Afraid you'll smack your head into mine again?" I smirk as she makes a noise of anger under her breath.

I slowly, smoothly, press myself into her. I feel her body tense up.

Oh, what fun.

I lean into her, and press my lips lightly onto hers. I can feel her stop breathing, and I smile against her lips. I draw back, and then kiss her again, this time with a little more force. My lips move easily over hers, and I run a hand over her shoulder. The feel of her velvety lips on mine is just about to much for me to handle.She remains tense, breath caught in her throat.

I back away from her, laughing.

"Jesus Christ Granger..." I drawl. "No wonder you're still a virgin."

Her eyes flash with anger as they meet mine. "Whoever said I was a virgin?" She takes a forceful step away from the tree, and struts off down the path towards the castle. I follow her, slightly amused.

"Oh? So you're to tell me that the prudish little bookworm actually opened her legs for someone? What a shock!" I say, looking down at the back of her. I watch as she stops in mid step. I can see her body visibly tense. She whips around with her wand pointed at my throat.

"Don't go there." She hisses at me. I look into her eyes and draw in a quick breath. Her eyes flash gold in her anger, like the leaves of a tree in fall at sunset. Her wand hand shakes, then slowly is drawn down. I watch her as she turns around and walks back towards the castle, her hips swinging angrily.

Oh, how my father's going to kill me.

TBC