Well, well, well. Happy New Year everyone, and I apologize for the slight delay in updating. I haven't been near a computer with internet access in a couple days. But I am updating now, so hopefully everyone shall enjoy this. Keep those fantasic reviews coming!


Chapter Nine: Could've Gone Mad

Another day and I could've gone mad
Another day and it might've gotten bad
Another day and I might have betrayed
Every scruple I have

-"Could've Gone Mad": Poe

Practically stumbling, Hermione came nosily into the Heads' dormitory, Apollo laughing at her and inquiring of her sobriety. She snarled at him, and tossed her stuff to the side violently. Draco looked up from a piece of parchment he was studying, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you alright, Granger?" he asked. She looked at him, eyes flashing, and he resisted the urge to smirk at her, it being very obvious the bad mood Hermione was clearly in.

"Yes, Granger is alright." She snapped, stomping towards her room.

She was not going to explain to him about her misplacing an assignment, and Dean Thomas having brought it to her, and asking about why her name was printed as "Hermione Malfoy", and her having to say that it was some sort of ridiculous prank. He didn't seem to buy it, but she didn't think he would say anything. But that had not uplifted her mood.

Malfoy watched her calmly. She reached her door and was about to open it when Draco's words stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I received Mother's reply today." He waved the piece of parchment and Hermione turned slowly, a curious look gradually replacing her annoyed one.

"Oh?" she said, not moving from her door. Malfoy leaned back, shrugging.

"Yep. But if you're not interested, that's fine…" he said indifferently. Hermione bit her lip, debating on whether to bite the bait, or ignore him and the nagging feeling that she wanted to know what his mother said. Her nosiness won out.

"Fine." She said shortly, walking over and standing directly behind the chair, looking over Draco's shoulder. He hid the note so she couldn't see it.

"I think I should explain it to you. It's rather…uh…interesting." He said, some embarrassment leaking through. Hermione was a bit confused. What did his mother say that would make the great Draco Malfoy embarrassed?

"Okay. I'm listening." She said quietly.

"It would be easier to talk to you if you weren't…hovering." He said, causing Hermione to huff and walk around the chair, taking a seat on the couch across from him.

"Better?" she asked sarcastically. He smiled.

"Much. The good news is that I know what the problem is between you and me."

"There's a problem?" she demanded haughtily.

"I mean you writing my last name." explained Malfoy. Hermione's expression fell slightly.

"Oh. Right." She muttered, a bit sadly. Malfoy resisted the urge to sigh, trying to clarify hurriedly,

"Not that it's a problem, per ce, but…anyway, I've found out what the cause is. And what the spell is, exactly."

"And?"

"Well…it's a Malfoy spell…" he began, and Hermione listened quietly, "It's a sort of…binding spell."

"Like…marriage?" asked Hermione, a bit bluntly. Draco nodded.

"Sort of. I mean, it isn't accepted by the government as marriage or anything. But it's really close. Except, there are some…ah…interesting features. Including the inability of cheating, knowing how your…partner is feeling, and if they're in trouble. Some of the 'side effects' take a bit of time to fully work."

"How it this spell performed?"

"Well, there has to be an exchange and acceptance of true vows. Or some crap like that. I don't remember ever doing that but…we must have accidentally at some point."

"Vows? Like…what?" questioned Hermione, trying to think of when they had said anything of that sort.

"Um…let me see. Well, the obvious 'I love you' thing…" Hermione immediately scratched that off her list, knowing neither of them had said that, "Uh…the formal marriage 'I do' stuff, though I think that has to be in a formal situation." They hadn't done that either. "Um…I dunno…I can't really think of anything else. Any sort of declaration of possession, especially since the Malfoy's are uh…rather possessive people." He said awkwardly.

And suddenly it hit Hermione.

"Malfoy?" she whispered, looking up at him slowly. He met her gaze with inquiring eyes. "The…the night you got drunk…" she started, and he nodded to show he was listening, "When you…made- When we went to your bed." He didn't ask about her correction, somehow he knew it was her way of saying she didn't consider it him forcing her and she'd wanted to be with him, "You said…something along the lines…that I…belonged to you…" she stuttered. Draco sat back slightly and blinked.

"Along the lines? Like…?" he asked.

"Well, I believe your exact words were 'You are mine Hermione'." She said, blushing. He stared at her, then laughed slightly.

"Well, that wouldn't have worked unless you accepted or reciprocated the 'vow'."

"Huh…well, uh…what counts as accepting?" she asked casually. Draco eyed her suspiciously but elaborated anyway,

"I think a simple 'yes' would do it. Did you say yes?"

"No…"

"Well, then, I don't see how that would have created the spell, unless you said I was yours…" he said hesitantly. Hermione shook her head.

"No, I didn't say that either."

"Did you say anything?"

"Mm hmm…" she murmured, looking down at the floor. A feeling of nervousness crept into Malfoy's stomach, which he did not like.

"What did you say?"

"I'm pretty sure I said…'okay'…" she whispered carefully. Malfoy slapped his forehead.

"As it is a synonym for 'yes', yeah, that would count…" he said. Hermione suddenly drew her knees up on the couch, wrapping her arms around them and sighing.

"I'm sorry Draco…" she murmured. He looked at her sharply.

"What are you talking about? You didn't know." He said, forcefully. She winced slightly at the aggression. He bit his lip and stood, moving over to sit next to her. "Hermione…" he coaxed quietly and she looked up at him slowly, "It's okay. We'll fix this…"

"Can we? Did your mother say anything about reversing the spell?"

"No…I don't know if it can be…but I'm sure we can find a powerful wizard to break it." He said, closing his eyes briefly, his tone business-like. Hermione tilted her head slightly.

"You…you don't want it to be broken?" she asked quietly. It was his turn to look away, and she heard him sigh heavily. "I thought you didn't want this spell…" she continued. He shook his head, still not looking at her.

"Hermione, this spell was a bit…surprising, to say the least, but I never actually said I didn't want it. In fact, I rather like the idea of knowing if you're in danger, and having you write my name…well…" He gave her a roguish look, "It is definitely a turn on." She blushed again.

"Well…perhaps we'll just…leave it alone for now?" she said slowly. He smiled.

"Sounds good." He leaned closer to her, his eyes darkening slightly, "I also like the fact that you can't cheat on me." On that note, he captured her lips passionately and Hermione shifted so she could wrap her arms around his neck and turned so she was almost on his lap. He pulled back eventually and looked at her affectionately. "Will you stay in my room again?"

"Just sleeping?" she asked.

"Just sleeping." He agreed. Then he hesitated. "Well…maybe a little bit more…but nothing too bad…" he said, grinning. She giggled and stood.

"Alright, well, let me get ready for bed…" she walked to the center door, and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Draco smirked with triumph and headed to his room.

He was sitting on the bed, in his pajamas when Hermione came in wearing her sleeping attire of white shorts and a pale blue tank top. She sat gingerly on the edge, looking down doubtfully.

"Draco?" she asked quietly. He looked at her carefully, and she glanced at him before quickly returning her gaze to the floor.

"Yes?" he murmured, reaching out to grab her hand and pull her closer. She was agreeable, and eventually was sitting next to him, leaning back on his shoulder.

"I'm a bit scared. I didn't really get to think about this…binding thing…" she whispered, and Draco smiled slightly.

"Yeah, I know. But don't worry."

"Your mother won't like me…" she said, with sad confidence. Malfoy looked down at the top of her bushy head in surprise and she continued, "I mean…not that it matters, with this not even really being permanent. If we find a solution, that is. I'm sure the Headmaster could break it. He is one of the most intelligent and powerful wizards there are. Maybe we should ask him before the dance, to avoid any problems. Then I could go with Ron, and you could go with Pansy." She finished slowly.

Draco let an angry hiss out between his teeth.

"Hermione, dammit, I don't want to go to the dance with Pansy. I want to go with you." He stated hotly

"You don't want to stay with me." She replied defiantly

"What makes you say that?"

"I'll tell you flatly now. I am not going to shag you."

"Ever?" he asked mischievously. She turned her head slightly to glare at him.

"I'm not going to…whore around with you like Pansy does."

"Did." He interrupted automatically.

"Whatever. Anyway, I'm not going to sneak into bathrooms in between classes, or spend nights…sleeping with you."

"But you're already on your second night tonight."

"I don't mean actually sleeping." She snapped. He sighed and cuddled closer to her and she blinked at him as he closed his eyes contentedly.

"My darling Hermione, you don't understand." He started, "You are nothing like Pansy."

"I should hope not." She interjected, but was quickly silenced by a simple raise of his hand.

"I really don't want to shag you senseless…like most girls."

"Thanks…" she said, sarcastically, and with annoyance. Draco smirked slightly.

"It wasn't meant to be an insult." He opened his eyes and looked at her seriously. "I value you way too much to just…take you; without it being special and when you're ready."

"R-really?" she said disbelievingly. He nodded.

"You are not some stupid ditz I could get whenever I please. You a lot more…incredible…" He murmured, looking at her with pure affection. She stared back in amazement, unfamiliar with this side of him. He suddenly blinked, and seemed to shake himself. "I mean, it took forever to get you to stop jumping when I went near you." He said, with a roll of his eyes.

"That was because you were a complete prat before…" She racked her mind for the reason for Draco's change. He waited patiently, already knowing the answer.

After a moment, she froze and slowly looked at him.

"Before…your father's death…"

"Well, I was still a little bit of a prat after that…" He said, smiling widely. Hermione sensed the forced nature though. He frowned suddenly, "It wasn't my father though, that helped. It was you." His smile was sincere now. "I remember the exact moment the doors opened for us. It was when you defended me in front of Potter and Weasley." He said proudly. "And I overheard."

Hermione smiled now, giving Draco a victorious look.

"I don't think so. The 'door opened' when I heard you in the compartment on the train. Otherwise I wouldn't have defended you."

"Hmmm…" he said, thoughtfully.

"So it was your father's death." She said, though there was no trace of accomplishment in her tone at fact of her being right in the first place. Malfoy looked away and she bit her lip before she moved deftly, straddling him slightly. He looked at her, aghast, as she leaned closer and kissed him heatedly, her arms snaking around him. He returned the gesture, kissing back fervently; and Lucius Malfoy, and his death, were instantly forgotten.

Draco awoke with a start at the sound of Hermione yelping. A quick glance to his side informed him that she was still asleep. He was about to blame his imagination when he heard her moan unhappily. He sat up and looked down at her worriedly. She was curled in a small ball, facing away from him and he was about to reach for her when she spoke.

"No no, don't…" she begged and Malfoy stopped, his eyes narrowing as he realized she was sleep-talking. "He didn't…you're wrong about him!" she almost yelled again, though her voice still had a murmuring quality to it, as she was in dreamland. Or nightmare-land. Draco tried to determine what she was dreaming about, and decide whether to wake her up or wait to see what was going on. "Stop…" she whispered, "Just…listen to me. Please…"

There was a silence, when Draco assumed whoever she was talking to was stopping whatever he was doing. "Let me explain. We didn't know that you…would…just come in. Who told you anyway? Blaise? That bastard…" she said bitterly. Malfoy tilted his head now, a theory forming. Unfortunately, the idea was not making the blonde male happy and he glowered at Hermione's sleeping form. "I don't understand why it so...big of a deal anyway! It isn't like we had any clothes off! Just…go!"

She suddenly flinched, letting out another cry, and curling in on herself. "You…just…" she didn't finish, starting to cry. Draco now put his hand on her shoulder comfortingly and she paused in her sniffles. "No, you'll just make him madder. They'll gang up on you." She whispered and Draco scooted closer, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly. She struggled slightly, but he wouldn't release her. "You're making it worse!" she yelled, and then jerked sharply again, "No! Just…Harry, please!" she said and Malfoy growled slightly. So it was Potter plaguing Hermione's dreams. "Harry, don't kill him…please…" the last word was a whimpered plea, and Malfoy felt his heart ach as tears fell down Hermione's face.

A sudden blood-curdling scream from her made Draco bury his face in Hermione's hair and murmur soothing words into her ear. But she didn't hear him; instead she broke into sobs that shook her entire body.

"Harry…how could you…just because…" She stopped, another sob escaping. "Draco…" she mumbled and now the Slytherin knew he had to wake her up, and he gently nipped at her neck, hoping it would be the fastest and easiest way to wake her. She sucked a breath sharply, her eyes opening and looking around. She met his gaze as he pulled back slightly. "Draco…" she whispered, her voice cracking. He looked at her solemnly and she bit her lip. "I had…a…t-terrible dream." She said in a rush, turning and burying her face in his chest, starting to cry again. He rubbed her back calmingly.

"It's okay, Hermione. It was just a dream…" he murmured

"It was a horrible dream!"

"Tell me about it." He said coaxingly. She pulled back a bit, wiping her face and slowing her cries until they were just the occasional hiccup.

"I hate crying…" she mumbled.

"Everybody does…" he said, "Now…what happened?" he said, a bit harshly. She didn't notice though, taking a deep breath.

"Harry…came in on us…kissing and stuff…" She began, "And he pulled out his wand and was going to kill you…" her voice was hollow and Malfoy pulled her closer, so he could plant kisses on the top of her head. "I tried to get him to stop. I begged him…but he wouldn't listen. He actually…shoved me away into a wall. And even though you tried to comfort me, that just made Harry madder and he…he…" she blinked tears away and Draco hummed sympathetically. She looked up directly into the pale grey eyes. "He killed you. It was horrible. He was telling me how evil you were and how you would kill us if he didn't get to you first. He called you a Death Eater." Draco let out a slight growl at this and Hermione sighed. "And…his face…just looked so…evil. It had absolutely no remorse. I was so scared. You just…died…" she finished, and was silent. Malfoy heaved a breath and licked his lips.

"Hermione. You know what dreams are? More specifically, nightmares?"

"Draco, I don't believe in any of that premonition crap." She grumbled.

"Neither do I. They can be scenarios that are created to play out your fears and doubts."

"Of course I fear that Harry will harm you. He practically cursed you this very evening!" she said angrily.

"That isn't what I meant. That is one of your fears. I think another is whether I'm really on the right side…" They both knew he didn't have to elaborate, just like they both knew he was right. Hermione remained quiet. "Hermione, it's okay, I understand. Pureblood. Something like, hundredth generation Slytherin, father died in prison for Voldemort. There are many good, legitimate reasons for you to not trust me. Just know; I am on your side, Hermione." He whispered tenderly, shifting to kiss her softly on the lips. She looked at him sadly.

"Why am I the only one who sees you this way?" she said mournfully. Draco smiled charmingly.

"There's nobody else I want to lure into my bed." He said sweetly, and Hermione smiled faintly. "Hermione, somehow, these last few weeks, you've brought out the best in me…I don't know how you do it. But…don't stop…" He finished. She looked at him gravely.

"It's much too late to stop now…"

So? Yes, yes, this chapter was purely fluff, and to explain the "HM" thing. But who doesn't enjoy a little fluff? Anyway, only three chapters left, and the next one focuses on the dance! The twist is going to show up in the next chapter or two also, so keep your eyes open. Reviews always appreciated! Anyone want to guess who Blaise will be dressed up as? (or any other characters already mention, including the teachers?)