This chapter just sort of came to me, but if you don't like it, please tell me. I don't mind if you flame me for this, I just thought of it and decided to put it in. Who knew I could be (sort of kind of) poetic at 2 in the morning? Enjoy!

Chapter 22: Dark Druthers
(Hermione's POV)

Malfoy went inside and I heard the portrait hole shut a few seconds later. I wasn't very hungry, but it was getting cold, so I decided to go in.

Once inside, I closed the window behind me. I collected my boots and cloak from my trunk and pulled them on. All my life I had taken walks when I was restless, but at that moment, I seemed very calm and more at ease than usual. I guess that now that everything was out in the open, there was nothing trying to get out.

In the entrance hall, I skirted the shadow of welcoming light coming from the great hall. Everyone was enjoying their meal, laughing, talking. Out on the grounds, I buttoned my cloak more securely and clutched my hands together, fending off the encroaching coldness.

The grounds were foggy and almost pitch black. Once out of the range of light from the windows, I slowed. Comfortable with the sudden coldness and emptiness that came with the dark.

At the lake, I sat down at the edge and breathed in the night air. After a few moments I heard footsteps behind me and the soft submission of grass as someone sat down beside me.

"Hey, 'Mione.," came Ron's voice.

"Ron," I replied, not bothering to turn. The lake was rippling. Moonlight dancing across the crests of the small waves caused by the giant squid settling down for sleep.

"You haven't been spending much time with us…." he left the sentence hanging.

"I've had a lot of studying to do…. You know, mid-year exams," I smiled. Typical, Hermione, sounds just like you.

Ron snickered. "Well, I thought you might want a break from Malfoy," he started to shift uneasily and I could hear him pulling up the grass. "You know," he coughed slightly, "there's a umm, the er, the Halloween ball coming up and…. Well, would you, I mean, would it be alright if…. If you and I went together?"

I didn't say anything. He kept plucking up the grass and shredding it. I reached back and put my hand on his, "Quit with the grass, Ron." I finally turned around and looked at him. He was blushing deeply. "And yes, I'd love to go with you," I kissed him on the side of the mouth and settled back into the grass.

He sat for a moment, not stunned by my actions, he knew it was only a friendly kiss, but more in a pensive manner. "Okay, well. Umm. Don't stay out too late, 'Mione." He got to his feet and moved towards the castle.

"Goodnight, Ron," I called after him.

I laid back and looked up at the moon. Suddenly, I sat up and headed for the trees, deciding to get out of the open before Harry or some other person came out wondering why I was out by the lake. Once under the cover of the trees, I slowed and picked my way along a favourite path.

Someone stepped into my path. "Malfoy!"

"You're going the wrong way, Granger. The school is that way," he dramatically pointed at the castle like Vannah revealing a vowel.

"Good, because that's not where I'm going."

"Where are you going?"

"Come and see…." and I strode away. I found the place quickly, I had been there countless times the year before, It was a small clearing with a little stream running through it. The moonlight filtered through the branches reaching high above our heads. I seated myself on a rock and drew a small jar out of my pocket. Filling the jar with water, I turned to Malfoy.

"What?" he said.

"I was about to say the same thing," I shrugged. "Why did you follow me?"

"What were you and Weasly talking about?"

"How much of a jerk you are."

"Seriously, Granger."

"Does it mater that much?"

He shrugged and turned away from me, took a few steps and turned back to me. "Pansy asked me to the ball."

"Why are you telling me?" I asked. I had a good idea why, but was curious as to what his explanation was.

"I'm trying to start a conversation, Granger. Now you're supposed to say 'Oh, that's nice.' and I respond and eventually we progress to other topics and have a nice little chat."

I raised my eyebrows in amusement. He had a point. "Why would you want to talk to me? Don't you think we've said enough to each other today?"

"Hmmm," was his response. He came and sat on a rock a few feet away from mine, then turned to look at me.

"Alright," I sighed and made myself a little more comfortable on the rock. "What do you look for first off in a girl…. Or guy," I smiled at the last part as he frowned disdainfully.

"In a GIRL, it's nice if she knows what she wants in life."

"Hum. Most guys just say legs or 'not fat' or big…."

"Eyes?" he offered. We both laughed. "What about you?" He caught me off-guard. "Wait! Let me guess. Don't tell me! Voice, right?"

I was surprised, "How d'you know that?"

"Beginning of the year, I whispered in your ear or something and you tensed up and shivered. But when Ron talks to you, all you do is shiver slightly." I was facing the stream now and didn't hear him come up behind me, "What is it about my voice? Let's take a guess, shall we?" he whispered in my ear, carefully not getting too close.

I tried my best not to respond.

He came around to face me. "When we're in potions, and Professor Snape stops to scold you, you tense up but do not shiver," he paused there to tap his chin as though deep in thought. "When Ron talks to you, you shiver, but do not stiffen like so," he stroked the back of my neck causing my muscles to become taught again.

I knew where he was heading and did NOT want him to come to a conclusion, especially not the correct one. But, for some reason, I didn't stop him. I did not even try to keep him from proceeding. It was almost as though I needed to hear it come from someone else so I would know if it was a valid thought.

"What does Snape have that Weasley does not?" He paused. Now it was like he was talking to himself rather than asking me. "Authority. Authority makes you tense up…. And the voice makes you shiver. Right? Snape has authority but not a very good voice. Ronald has a nice sounding voice but is a peer. But so am I…."

I was slowly backing out of the clearing. I was out of sight when he said, "Domination. Granger," he spun on his heel to find me. "I know you're still here. Someone who takes charge. That's what you need…. Or is it what you want?"

I couldn't see him anymore. I couldn't hear him. Then I heard a twig snap behind me and spun around. He caught my wrist with his hand. I could only make out his eyes, which were glinting, laughing, crying, raging, hysterical. I couldn't tell which.

Trying to pull away I almost fell backwards, but he caught and held me close. Leaning down, he whispered in my ear, "I control you now, Granger." I suppressed a small moan that was fighting against my closed lips.

He moved forward slightly, pressing my back into a tree. "I know your secret," my body almost went limp at this point, I could almost hear him smirking. He pulled back and looked into my eyes, still not letting go of my wrist, his other hand gripping at my waist. I looked into his eyes. His grip was firm, but his smile intriguing and soft. His lips were so close, almost touching mine. I wanted to kiss him, no, needed to kiss him. He laughed and let go of me. I stepped away from him. He laughed again and shook his head.

"I own you, Granger," he said and walked slowly out of the woods.

As I watched his retreating back, my vision started to go blurry. Everything was swimming in and out of focus, making the trees twist into wonky shapes.