Hey guys! I was filled with inspiration so I updated quickly this time. Horrah! Once again, I'm sorry the last chapter took so long to post. You know how hectic life can be. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

-Chickadee91

P.S. By the way, thanks to everyone who reviewed and those who gave thier constructive critisism. It really helped and I greatly appreciated it! Thanks bunches!

Draco started through the dense woods on the path towards the lake. His platinum hair fell once again over his eyes, but he didn't care. He peered through the trees ahead scanning them for movement, but all was still. Draco sighed as he crept silently along the path.

Where did they go?

Mental images of Ron and Hermione snogging in the bushes came to Draco's mind, making him shiver.

All of the sudden, he heard leaves rustling in a dark group of trees. He turned towards them, searching for the source, but saw no movement.

Just like on the way to get the coins…I know I'm not imagining it this time…

Draco felt tempted to go over to them and figure out what it was, but Hermione's face floated back to his mind.

I'll deal with the trees later. Right now, this is more important.

Draco turned away from the eerie rustling, and continued along the path. After walking a while longer, he saw Hermione and Ron sitting on the edge of the dock.

There they are.

Draco crept carefully over and hid under the edge of the stairs leadingoff the dock. Once he was sure he was well hidden, he sat perfectly still and silently listened to their conversation.

Hermione had taken off her shoes during her and Ron's awkward silence and let her feet dangle in the cool water below.

"So…." Hermione said quietly. "How was your summer?"

"Pretty good." Ron replied simply. "Ginny wouldn't shut up about Harry, Mom is still depressed about Percy, and Fred and George are enjoying life in Diagon Alley. Business as usual."

Hermione laughed.

I really missed talking with him like this over the summer. Ron always made me laugh.

"How did your summer go?" asked Ron. "Anything new?"

Immediately, all the memories of the last few days flooded back into her mind. She smiled to herself.

"Nope," she replied. "Nothing new."

They sighed simultaneously, and then came another awkward silence.

"Um…Ron, about the train ride…" Hermione began, breaking it.

"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that too." Ron interrupted. "Hermione, I've been meaning to ask you something for a long, long time."

"What is it?" asked Hermione while knowing full well what it was.

"W-well," Ron stuttered. "I don't know if you know or not, but I've liked you for a long time.. A really long time.. and uh… I-I was wondering… if maybe you'd uh…. like to go steady?"

Hermione's heart skipped a beat and her mind raced with the question she didn't know how to answer.

What should I do! What should I do! I like Ron and all, but Malfoy has been so different lately and it's all so confusing! I need more time to think about this…

"Ron, I really like you and all, but I think that I need…"

Before Hermione could finish her sentence, Ron had pulled her close and pressed his lips gently against hers.

Draco wiggled uncomfortably as splinters from the under side of the dock dug into his back. Once he was comfortable again, he sighed to himself and shook his head.

This is stupid, Draco. They're just talking, and nothing is happening. I shouldn't have wasted my time out here, listening to their boring conversations…

Draco looked back once again at Hermione and gasped in shock. Hermione and Ron were kissing.

No!

Draco felt as though his heart was ripping in two. It was like nothing he had ever felt before.As a small tear ran down his face, his sadness was quickly replaced with furious anger. He stared intently at Ron.

You'll pay for this Weasel. You'll pay…

When Draco couldn't watch any longer, he quietly snuck away from the dock, and began walking along the beach to think.

Hermione closed her eyes and let Ron kiss her. The kiss was sweet, but after a few seconds she noticed something she hadn't before.

I don't feel anything. No jolts of lighting, no fireworks, no nothing! Shouldn't I feel something? This must not be right…

Hermione pulled her self away from Ron, and looked down at her dangling feet.

"I can't do this." She said quickly. " I need more time to think about things."

Ron nodded his head sadly and looked back at the sunset. Hermione looked at him sadly.

"I'm sorry." She said apologetically. Ron looked back at her. His eyes, that were before sparkly, nowlooked dull and faded.

"It's fine." Replied Ron. "You need more time. I accept that. You have as long as you need." Ron gave her a small smile andHermione smiled back.

"Thanks Ron."

Ron nodded his head and stared back out at the lake. Hermione put on her shoes and stood up on the dock. She took a last look at Ron before slowly making her way back towards the forest path.

What am I going to do? I've cared about Ron for a long time, but when we kiss…I don't feel anything. It just feels meaningless. That's not how things should be.

With Malfoy, on the other hand, even the shortest, simplest kiss sent shivers down my spine. I just felt so right…, but he's Malfoy! He's stubborn, conceited, cruel, and thinks he's too good to have anything to do with me!

Well, I guess things have been a little different lately… He did help me up and he caught me when I feel. He also helped me escape my father and took care of me after he left… Maybe there is more toMalfoy then meets the eye…

By this time, Hermione was in the middle of the forest path. The bright sun had set and the sky turned a dark blue. As it grew darker, the forest grew more sinister. Hermione looked around cautiously. The forest was absolutely silent except for her footsteps.

All of the sudden, she heard leaves rustling in the trees. She quickly looked over but nothing was moving. She suddenly realized that it was the same place she saw the shadow earlier and fear filled her.

Stop it Hermione! It's was probably just a squirrel or something. Just ignore it.

Hermione forced her eyes away from the now silent trees and continued along the path.

How will I know for sure it was unless I go look? I'm going to wonder forever if I don't.

Hermione knew this was true, and turned around on the path. She gently pulled out her slender wand.

"Lumos," she whispered and the tip ofit shined brightly. She walked off the path towards the group of trees, determined to prove she had nothing to fear. When she neared them, a small chill shot down her spine, making her stop.

Something isn't right.

All of the sudden, she felt something grab her foot from behind and pull her to the ground. She fell hard and her wand flew from her hand. Hermione tried to stand again but she kept getting pulled back to the ground. She tried to see her attacker, but she had lost her wand and it was too dark.

She started to scream, when all of the sudden, a cold hand pressed over her mouth, silencing her.Hermionestruggled vigorously as she felt her hands and feet being bound, but it was no use. Suddenly, she felt a hard impact on the back of her head, and she knew no more.

Draco watched as the sun went down behind the lake's edge. He sighed to himself and started to make his way back to the common room.

Hermione probably got back hours ago. I'll just say I was with Pansy…

Draco passed the dock and noticed that Ron had left as well.

Hmpf. He probably ran off to tell Pothead he snogged Granger…

Anger began flooding back to him as he started down the forest path again. He still couldn't get the images of Ron and Hermione out of his head.

"Stupid Weasel…" he whispered to himself as he tried, hopelessly to forget them.

A small rustle in the trees tore him away from his thoughts. He quickly looked over, and saw a black figure running into the deeper part of the forest.

"Hey!" Draco yelled at the figure. It ignored him and kept running, never looking back.

I wonder who that was…and what the hellwere theydoing?

Draco was about to shrug it off, when he thought he saw a small glowing light near the patch of trees.

What's that?

"Lumos," Draco mumbled as he pulled out his wand. The tip lit up brightly, and Draco walked quietly off the path. As he walked closer to the glowing light, he realized that it was a wand and picked it up.

I wonder if whoever-that-was left it here…

Draco shrugged his shoulders and turned around to leave. He froze at the sight behind the bushes.

Hermione was laying still with her hands and feet tied with strong thick ropes. There was a large gash on the back of her head that was bleeding badly, and her arms and legs were scratched and bruised. She appeared to be barely conscious.

"Hermione!" gasped Draco, forgetting to call her Granger. He ran over next to her.

"Are you okay? Who did this to you? What happened?" he said quickly. Draco lifted her head to make it face his own, only to realize that she had fully lost consciousness.

Draco sighed and started to pick her up, when he noticed a folded piece of paper in her hand. He gently slid it out and unfolded it. He held his wand close and read.

Draco,

There is no escape from the Dark Lord's will. If you wish your life to be spared, you will do as I command. The mudblood has to die, Draco. If you do not kill her, I will, and I'll make sure that you watch. After which, you will die as well. You can not hide from me, or the Dark Lord.

Lucius Malfoy

Draco seethed in anger as he crumpled up the note. He stuffed it quickly into his pocket, before carefully lifting limp Hermione from the ground. He carried her, up to their tower and laid her gently on the soft couch.

I hoped you liked it! Please take just a few seconds out of your time and tell me what you thought. I'd really appreciate it!

-Chickadee91