Hermione Granger, a girl of seventeen, woke up to a loud bang outside her front door of the Granger residence. She wasn't an ordinary girl by any means, and some people could tell that by just looking into her bright hazel eyes. They shone with such an intensity and a brightness that one would often assume she was maybe a little mad. But the real truth to her madness was the fact that she was a witch, and a very good one at that.
The clock read two, 'who in the bloody hell is at my door at two bloody o'clock!' Very quietly I descended the stairs so as not to awaken my parents. As I reached the door, I glanced out the peep hole, only to find the way completely empty. Deciding to go back up to bed I turned, but something in my stomach told me to go back. My curiosity getting the best of me, I carefully opened the door. As soon as I opened it a body rolled onto my carpet, shivering in the warm summers breeze. I stifled a scream for the fear of my parents or neighbors hearing. The body just laid there, not moving but I could see shallow breaths escaping its chest, and as I looked closer something about it seemed almost familiar; too familiar. The hair, so blonde it was almost white, hung loosely in the boys face. As I bent down to look for any sign or clue at who this mystery stranger could be; I gasped upon rolling him over.
Draco Malfoy, was lying on my den floor, with bruises and cuts covering his face, and by the looks of it and the large amount of blood I assumed the rest of him was pretty badly hurt. I picked him up as much as I could and got him inside. Once he was lying on his back, I saw that he looked exhausted, and his blond hair was wild and messy as it fell into his face.
Pulling out my wand I did the unthinkable, and transported Malfoy to my room. 'If my parents wake up to an unconscious boy in the den they'll freak!' I thought. So with a quick spell I left the ragged and unconscious Malfoy clean on my bed.
I shook my head in disbelief. Never had I thought that Malfoy, the Draco bloody Malfoy, would be at my house, let alone on her bed in her bedroom. I went into the bathroom that was connected to my room to get a wash rag; ran it under cold water, rang it out, and brought it back to my room by the bed.
Then I began to wash Malfoy's grimy face, and when my hand touched his gently, I drew it back quickly. He was burning up with a fever. Once his face was as close to perfectly clean, I took off his boots, and then removed him form his robes, which left him remaining in a pair of silky black boxers.
I remembered blushing furiously at his exposed form, and unrepentantly found myself admiring his physical beauty. I quickly shook my head abruptly and reminded myself that this was Malfoy, and I was a muggle born. He was the reason for my anger at Hogwarts.
But they weren't at Hogwarts, at least not yet. And Malfoy was obviously in a great lot of trouble, because he was after all in the Granger household. Better yet in my bedroom. Slowly I let out a small smile thinking about how much Malfoy would owe me for this; after all I did save his life, I could have just left him on my doorstep.
But deep down I knew I would have taken anyone in his state into my house. Anyways he was helpless and he couldn't be a complete jerk and evil person.
I pulled the sheet over him, and covered him leaving him in a warm environment. As I watched him calm down by the second he muttered things I couldn't understand in his sleep. I was very tempted at this point to use some healing charms on him, but didn't want to use any magic unless it was a dire emergency. So in the meantime I decided to get some rest and wait until my parents returned form work.
It wasn't until I heard the front door slam open, did I panic. Picking up my wand I cast a quick healing charm on him, and then a second one on my doorknob so it would discourage my parents from entering the room, then made my way downstairs. I couldn't even begin to imagine what my parent would think if they found a half-naked boy lying unconscious on their daughters very bed.
I heard my father call my name, and I went to him. As I walked towards him , wondered what to do. I smiled once I got there and found them happy and carefree.
Both told her about their day at work and of the shopping they had done. I, however, was too much in my thoughts of Malfoy to even notice the gift box on the sofa waiting for me. My parents noticed the lack of attention I gave, and asked what was the matter.
I was out of my trance by now, "Oh it's nothing . I was into my thoughts that about how Snape would start the new year and I was reading this potions book and I was trying to get the priorities straight." They bought my lie.
" Oh sweetie, school is weeks away. Don't be caught up on your school work during the summer. Enjoy, have fun. Live a little," Mrs. Granger said laughing.
"Now, now, we don't want Hermione to get her grades slipping," Mr. Granger said winking to his only daughter, causing her to smile, an innocent grin.
"Very well then, you can take your dinner upstairs and finish reading if you want. Just be sure to grab your gift before you do, you can tell us what you think tomorrow alright." Hermione said a quiet thanks behind her back as she went to the stairs with her dinner in one hand, the gift in the other.
She was met by her usual normal goodnight from her parents, so she headed to her room quickly.
Once in her room, she placed the package on her dresser and placed her food on her study desk. Putting a silencing charm around her room, she went into the bathroom. I came out with a glass of water and a cool cloth in my delicate hands.
He had to wake up sooner or later to eat or drink, or even to use the loo. He couldn't just get weak.
Slowly, and carefully, I walked towards the bed and sat down on the edge looking down at Malfoy silently. I placed the glass of water on the nightstand and turned back to face him.
I gently ran my hand along his forehead and his cheeks. He wasn't nearly as feverish than he was before. I leaned over him, my hair brushing against his face, as I tried to fix the sheets around him , to make him more comfortable.
Suddenly a pair of arms grabbed me an the next thing I knew I was on my back, pinned on the bed by a half-naked Malfoy looking extremely panicked, while holding me down against my bed. His grip he had on me was beyond painful, more than I had ever felt before.
He quickly looked at his surroundings with a very confused expression, and then he turned to look back down at me; all the while gripping my wrists tightly.
The lump that had formed in his throat was quickly swallowed, and he spoke as he croaked out, "Where in the bloody hell am I?"
After regaining my composure, I cleared my throat, "You're in my bedroom, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would let go of me and get off!"
"Granger?", he asked me surprised as he leaned in closer, brushing away some of loose strands of hair out of my face with his hands.
"Yes, it's me Malfoy, you great bloody dolt, now let go of me!", I screeched in anger, all the while squirming under him trying to get free.
He leaned back with a grin, his cocky smirk returning to its rightful spot on his lips as he spoke, "Well, well, well, mudblood… how did I end up in your bedroom, in your bedroom more specifically in such a state of indecency?"
He seemed to have forgotten that he had released on of my arms, and I used this unwise mistake to my advantage. I struck my hand hard across his cheek into a sharp and hard slap.
His head very fastly jerked to the side as he brought his hand up to his cheek, feeling the heat of my strike. Once again I struggled to get out from underneath him, and I finally succeeded as he leaned back to hold his cheek in anger. I went towards the door as he looked over at me, rage filling his eyes, all the while gingerly rubbing his cheek.
"Mind telling me what that was for!" he barked as he looked around , "And how I ended up here to top it all off?"
"Just how thick are you?" I slapped you because you because you very well deserved it. And as for you being here… well I don't know, I heard a bang outside my door last night at two o'clock mind you, and when I went and opened it you just toppled in; unconscious, and beyond filthy mind you. So I used magic to get you up in my bedroom, and of course away from my parents. However, I have absolutely no idea why I am going through all this trouble just for the likes of you. I honestly think that I should have my head toughly checked out for my lapse of judgment," I growled.
Realization hit him as he looked over to where I stood, his eyes growing wide. He looked me over I could tell, then turned his gaze to the desk taking in the sight of food.
He rested back and sighed, "Should have known a mudblood like you would live in such a state. However, I am here, and since I am I demand some sort of nourishment and hospitality."
I rolled my eyes and handed him the food dish. Draco took the plate and began to wolf it down.
I watched in disgusted fascination as he ate the meal, and gulped down the cool water I had placed beside the bed. When he was finished, he placed the plate beside the now empty glass, with nothing left to spare.
He got up from the bed and glanced around the room with a raised eyebrow, the classic Malfoy smirk tugging at his lips.
"Not bad Granger. For a mudbloods room it is alright. Filled with books nonetheless, but for the tastes of a bookworm, nothing surprising really. Sort of clamped together, a little crowded with clatter, however I myself am accustomed to very large quarters at the Manor." After he looked around once more he again opened that damned mouth. "So…where am I to sleep?" Then another thought came to him, "And how can you do magic outside of school without an approval letter from the Ministry, or one of reprimand?"
I gave him a dulled look, "I came across an old spell that puts this sort of force field around my home, so no magic will be detected while done within its walls."
He simply answered, "Always the clever one," continuing " So, about my sleeping quarters?"
"Well, I suppose the floor is too good for you," I said curtly, however, regretted it immediately.
An evil smile approached his face, and his eyes got the look of ice, "Well then, in that case the bed will suffice."
"So where the hell will that put me? I mean after all this is my house, not to mention my room, plus my bed Malfoy!" I could feel my anger begin to boil up as I answered him.
"Alright, fine, we can share the bed, even though the bed is too much of a luxury for you."
I just stood there, my eyes wide, " I'm sorry, um excuse me, me sleep with you?"
"It would be an honor for you to share a bed with a pureblood like myself. Plus you mentioned to me before that the floor is vacant," he suggested.
"You know, you are the most insufferable person on the planet!"
He smirked, "a compliment from you was it? How shocked am I."
"Shut the bloody hell up!" I screamed with venom.
His eyes darkened wildly as he crossed the room to reach me.
He grabbed my shoulders, getting ready to shake me, however, he grew faint against me instead. His back being pressed against the door as I tried to support his weight. Dizziness engulfed him, and he ended up losing his balance. Falling to the floor on his bum.
I knelt down beside him and gently put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, his eyes burning a furious silver, ready to yell.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you mudblood?"
I didn't even flinch at the name, I was used to it by now. But even so I still helped him up, and unwillingly of course, accepted it. I helped him back to my bed, where he sat up and put his back to the pillow against the headboard. He merely raised his eyebrow to my idea, but I just ignored him.
Once settled, his eyes began to wonder over the setting if my room, eventually stopping on the dresser where the gift lay.
"Figure I was going to stay awhile so you went out and bought me some clothes did you?" he asked curiously, eyeing the parcel.
I glared, "No, I was merely hoping you were some sort of deranged nightmare. That, is something that my parents bought for me today."
I felt my face redden in embarrassment. Hell, why was to explain myself to Malfoy? I closed my eyes and Malfoy's undressed form popped into my head, causing my cheeks to go even redder, if that was possible.
He watched curiously with confusement as to why she was acting so strange. At the moment he was wondering what was wrong with her. She appeared to be looking at the floor, hair falling into her eyes. Something was defiantly amiss. He ran his eyes over her, drinking her in. Suddenly, and very abruptly, it occurred to him that she was beautiful.
Her long wavy brown hair, the sun touched, honey colored milky skin, and those amazing radiant hazel eyes. He took a deep breath and shook the thoughts away. She was a muggleborn, yet she held certain qualities that held his attention.
He scowled as he realized I was looking at him, while he was staring at me. It appeared as the wheels were turning in my head, that when my hazel eyes locked with his cool blue ones (which I found strange, because moments before they were silver), something sparked, some sort of challenge. Whatever occurred from then on was a mere challenge. Both of course were aware of this obvious fact, and neither of us were willing to back down in the face of a good challenge. Yet it was Draco who broke the silence.
"So, about that package, shall we see what sorts of gifts these muggles bring to their mudblood daughter?"
I raised my chin and snatched the gift from my dresser, and he patted a spot beside him on the bed for me to sit, but I opted for the chair at my desk instead. Malfoy just shrugged off my disregard of his invitation and looked at me as I undid the string and opened the parcel slowly.
My eyes widened with surprise and delight, and when he saw this he felt something like a singe of warmth flow through him, but quickly suppressed this feeling.
He was curious to see what made her so happy, only so he could come up with an appropriate insult about it of course. Slowly he saw her remove a midnight blue, silk, gown from the box.
His mouth went dry when he thought of how she would look in it.
I was so stunned at my parents gift that at that moment I forgot my worst enemy was in my presence.
I stood up and held the beautiful gown against my body, whirled around the room, just like any young girl would at a time like this.
Well Draco was certainly surprised at witnessing me, well, acting like a girl. He watched in mute fascination. Hw was admiring her grace, and her beauty with her small frame and gentle curves. She certainly was a pretty sight. He cleared his throat, which brought me from my thoughts.
My face flushed crimson as I grew painfully aware that I'd been blushing s lot around him. I noticed how his eyes roamed over the gown and I just braced myself for a biting comment from him, but shockingly the comment I expected from him never came.
Instead he then suggested something I never would have expected, "Try it on then. Let us have a peek at how you would look in it."
My eyes widened in shock, but I cast that off and slowly headed toward the door that led to the bathroom but his voice quickly stopped me.
"No, maybe I didn't make it clear, I meant you try it on in here. You aren't shy are you, Granger? I do believe that it's only fair that you would change in front of me since you had the pleasure of disrobing me in the first place."
My eyes flamed with huge anger, "Are you out of your bloody mind, Malfoy? I will never undress for you!"
His lips curved into a smirk, "No Malfoy has ever gone out of their mind before, and we have most certainly never been turned down."
"Well consider me the first then," I glared dangerously.
"You see Granger, oh, you would have to undress for me, or I'm sure that I am quite capable of disrobing you myself."
My jaw dropped at his idea. He was most defiantly out of his mind. I reassured myself that when I went to bed, if he tried anything, that I would kick him to the floor, regardless of dumb consequences. He raised his eyebrows at me.
"Perhaps you would cease to blush if we had a bit of a show and tell? Come on now Granger. Look at all you've seen of me. You know I will not leave you alone until I see what it is you have hidden under that odd t-shirt, and those jeans. And I must say that you don't look half bad in blue jeans, for a mudblood at least."
"Why must you call me that? Because it doesn't offend me anymore, I know that isn't what I am, besides it's getting old, don't you think you might come up with something better' a little more creative maybe?" I asked glaring knives.
"It's simply what you are," he answered nonchalantly.
"No, it isn't. I'm a witch, Malfoy. Just as you are a wizard. I certainly had no choice of who my parents are, but I adore them both all the same. They are so caring and I would never in a million years trade them in for any pureblood parents. I believe that I am fortunate in being so lucky. You can call me by my first name, if you even know what it is for that matter!" I finally snapped.
"Very well , Hermione. Are you always so damn tiring?" he asked sighing.
I pretended to think for a moment, one of my fingers twirling a piece of hair, "No, I am only like this around arrogant Slytherin gits that show up on my doorstep, clearly uninvited."
"Well I can assure you, that that was no fault of mine, that's for damn sure," he commented.
"Will you ever stop pestering me?" I asked, clearly annoyed beyond my mind.
He shook his head slowly, " No. Not until I see you in that gown, but I want the joy of pure discomfort as you change in front of me, and that would be without the use of magic, of course."
"Must you always be so cruel? Couldn't you possibly turn around of leave me alone to dress in the bathroom?"
"Wow, how shy you get when Potty and Weasel aren't around," Draco said smirking.
I bit back my anger and suddenly looked around my room for my wand, to teach Malfoy a lesson, but he was way ahead of me. Having discovered the way she was looking around the room, he immediately knew what she was searching for. He slipped his hand on the bedside table and grabbed her wand. My eyes widened in fear. He was now capable of many things while my wand was in his possession.
Malfoy then smirked gleefully, "Now, are you going to make things easy of difficult? I can be very gentle if you are willing, that is, or I could very well immobilize you and do with you whatever I wish."
I knew I had been beaten, so I hung my head and sighed with sadness and anger for letting him win and get the better of me. I fought back the tears that were forming and threatening to escape in my now frightened eyes. I raised my chin and tried to restrain the sobs from my voice.
"So what's it going to be love?" teased Malfoy.
"I… shall be willing, Malfoy. But be sure to make no mistake. You're treading on dangerous ground," I spoke managing to sound calmer than ever. "And never call me love again!"
He nodded in the joy of the strength she showed in her defeat. His eyes roamed over me once more, his fingers itching in anticipations to help aid me in the disrobing. He looked down at his hands, taking notice that all the filth and scrapes were gone.
He lifted his head in amazement towards the silent standing girl. It occurred to him that she must have used some sort of healing charm on him. A mischievous grin formed on his face, as he flexed his fingers at the muggle born witch.