Chapter 2

She felt cold as she wondered the corridors of the school. It was damp and it seemed that every corner was darker than the next. The echoes of her Mary Jane's seemed to be getting louder, as the hallways grew larger.

"It's only your imagination Hermione. Come on, you're Head Girl for Merlin's sake, grow up." She reassured herself as she walked in front of the painting of fruit that hid the kitchens behind.

It was well known to most of the students that if you just tickled the pear it would open it for you, or create a hole large enough to fit through, what ever came first. This time the portrait decided to swing itself open and let the esteemed Head Girl in. Chaos could be seen amongst the house elves as they ran around the kitchen, starting the breakfast for tomorrow morning. Hermione often wondered how much time these tiny creatures needed for such a grand meal to be prepared. There were never any leftovers to be served the next day. That much she just realized now.

"Miss. Miss." Dobby called to Hermione, as she snapped out of what she assumed to be her hunger induced daze.

She looked down to see the house elf looking at her with its' wide eyes, and saw that there was confusion and compassion beneath them.

"I'm sorry Dobby. Were you saying something?" Hermione asked looking at the small house elf.

"Yes miss. Are you hungry? I managed to sneak out of the kitchens for just a minute to check and see if you were there eating. We can't have our Heads' not eating dinner. I noticed that miss was not there and saved a plate for you, because I knew you would be hungry later. Dobby also over heard the nasty conversation from the Slytherins and was very angry for them doing that to you miss." Dobby finished speaking as he looked up into Hermione's eyes.

Her eyes were filled with tears again but she bit them back with much difficulty. She had always had a soft spot for the poor elf and never knew why until this moment. She bent down and gave Dobby a hug. He tried his best to hug the miss back but was very unsuccessful as he took her hand and led her to a table by the fireplace. On it was set the dinner that she assumed much of her classmates had consumed but a very special cake was set out for her. Chocolate mousse covered the layers as she smiled at the thoughtfulness of the creatures that fed her. She would definitely have to comment to Dumbledore, on how well the food was prepared. The door was suddenly slammed open and all of the house elves, seemed to run for cover as a dark shadow over took the room.

Hermione's eyes only seemed to take in the figure as he grabbed a glass and threw it hard against the wall. The shattering awakening her memory of only hours before that she was doing much the same thing. It seemed all the creatures that ran this very clean room had run in some odd direction, hiding them from the light or making the disappear all together. Hermione stood strongly in place, not afraid of the person, who stood before her. His eyes were a stormy gray; they seemed to be speaking of anger and frustration as he returned her gaze. His silver blonde hair was shinning the light of the fire place as his robes stood out strong against the red and gold kitchen. Hermione had seen other rooms dressed in the school colors of one particular house. If you looked closely you would notice that silver and blue colors covered the library in very inconspicuous areas. She smiled to herself at the thought, and again turned her now dark eyes to the man who was destroying the kitchen she had watched the house elves work so hard to clean and prepare meals in.

He gave her an evil smirk as he spotted a pot of what looked like porridge in his hand, and she heard what sounded to be like a gasp coming from the creatures that were in the kitchen, hidden by their own band of magic. This is what triggered her anger and hatred towards the boy turned man, which many a girl was after and had lustful dreams about. She had to live with the bastard and hated him even more than she had in the beginning. All the years ago when he had called her a mudblood, staining her pride and causing tears to rush to her eyes.

She stepped up to him and grabbed the bowl from him placing it back on the table, where she heard the sighs of relief coming from the other creatures hidden in the kitchen. He glared at her as she looked up at him as if only to be saying, Leave this place alone.

He pushed her hard on the ground and was awakened as she kicked him the groin and tried to run out of the kitchens as Draco struggled to get up and follow her. Running, faster and faster out of the school until she the reached the doors of her sanctity and pushed them open, to reveal a world of openness to her. She could hear his footsteps in the distance and again started running. Her hair whipping her face as she pulled the now straight locks away from her face and removed her shoes, running with all the strength she could muster as the wet grass tainted her red painted toes.

Draco had just reached the door as he saw her running only long enough to see her run into the outskirts of the forest, leading to that of the Quidditch pitch. He followed the shorter trail and was lucky enough to remember that changing charm he had learned in the charms classroom. He was not longer in his uniform, but a pair of black slacks and how a white oxford shirt, open to reveal a black tank underneath, a silver chain adorning his neck. It was custom for a Slytherin to adorn his colors or one of them at all times, to not would be traitorous.

She had never felt so free in her entire life. The wind in her hair and the grass beneath her feet had given her this feeling of freedom that she was never accustomed to and only wished to feel it again and again. She hadn't realized that the rain was pouring around her and surrounded her head soaking her through because she only felt the adrenaline rushing through her veins. She had finally reached the Quidditch pitch to find that she was not alone, for there in the distance she saw him standing there. Him, and his perfect fucking good looks. Could he not just leave her alone and go to hell to stay there and rot like she wanted him to? Tempted to let out a scream she bit her lip until the metallic taste of blood tainted her lips and she let go once she had enough of the pain.

He watched her, her hair now straight, was clinging to her face and her clothes wet on her body. Her shirt was clinging to her now he could see that beneath the robe she was wearing. Her shoes were off her feet and she studied him with a careful eye and empty expression on her tired face. She would not back down on their staring contest and only battled until he started to approach her. Not willing to run she stayed in place as if challenging him to come closer. This time it was between him and her, her friends were no where near her and she only had her wand and wits to protect her. Though one would think that she was afraid she was not and let the challenge be brought on willingly.

His hair, now wet as well stood out in contrast to the black shirt that adorned his body, and even to her dislike her heart skipped a beat. Disgusted with herself for thinking such a thing, she nearly gagged on the spot only to find herself face to face with him. The urge to violently retch was so near to her but she swallowed down the bitter taste and looked straight into the eyes of the boy turned man she so dearly hated.

As she gazed into his now molten silver eyes she saw a haze of emotions within his eyes. It intrigued her as to what could be on his mind at this very moment, but alas she needed not to ask, for her answer was given to her. He lowered his mouth to hers and captured it in an angry kiss. Surprised as she was it was hard for her to pull away, until she indeed came back from the place she had flown so far away to, her sense came running back, as fast as water breaking from a damn.

"I hate you," she said as she slapped him yet again. The mark of her hand blood red against his face, visible as the lighting flashed across the sky. Echo still surrounding the forest in a harsh connection of skin on skin. She felt the memories of her third year surrounding her brain and it is almost too much for her to take and remember. How long had she pushed everyone away and only wished to be alone in her mind, so she had it but learned she no longer nor ever wanted to be alone. His eyes were now pools of strong silver, seemingly angry and so she fled into the confines of a castle that kept her heart protected from those who cannot understand her uselessness in escaping his never ending spell.