Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter etc...

After dinner the trio returned to their common room and gave Hermione a good encouraging talk before her patrol with the one and only Slytherin Prince. The clock showed 6:55 pm- time to meet Malfoy.

Chapter Two

Tonight they were allocated the third floor. Hermione slowly trudged down the stairs, turned a corner and arrived outside the trophy room where they were scheduled to meet at 7 pm. She was sure she had to wait a while before he'd come: he always came late. And she was glad that he did as it meant less time alone bickering with Malfoy.

5 minutes…10 minutes…15 minutes…

"That slithering git…" Hermione growled as she grew impatient.

Mumbling insults about Malfoy, she wandered around the Trophy room, silently hoping Peeves wouldn't suddenly pop up and annoy her with his nonsense. She admired the gold, silver and bronze trophies shining proudly on their shelves in the crystal display cases: from Quidditch trophies to academic awards, all were won by many generations of students, bringing fame and reputation to Hogwarts and a very proud Dumbledore.

She imagined her name being called out for the award for overachiever. She saw herself walking up the length of the Great Hall towards the dais, her chin held high with pride. Everyone's eyes followed her with admiration and awe. She even saw a certain blonde haired Prince snarling enviously. She shakes hands and receives her award from Dumbledore, smiling behind his half-moon spectacles. Her award: A beautiful golden frame with a white certificate encased inside and patterns moving along the sides. Through the transparent glass she could see her name printed clearly- Hermione Granger, Overachiever of Hogwarts.

She grinned unconsciously, oblivious to the guy who was now leaning against the door frame, his hands in his pockets, a ridiculous smirk plastered on his face.

"As if a filthy mudblood like you could ever win a trophy" He laughed bitterly.

"I'd like to see you try! And besides, I already beat you in everything. It won't be long before I get a trophy awarded for that." She mocked.

He grew angrier as he knew it was true that she did beat him in everything...except Quidditch.

"Filthy mudblood. Watch what you say to me or you'll find yourself at the bottom of the black lake." He threatened.

"Oh grow up" She rolled her eyes at him. "Come on" she said to no one in particular as she left the trophy room and started her 'patrol' down the corridor. Malfoy followed, purposely walking slower so he was directly behind her.

"Can't you be normal for once." She mumbled

"What was that Mudblood Granger? Is the handsome Slytherin Prince too much for you?" He snickered at his own comment

"You would be the last person on this planet that I would think handsome, ferret boy. Your parents should be ashamed for their creation." She realised she went a bit too far.

In one swift movement, before Hermione even had time to react, Malfoy was standing in front of her, his wand pointing at her face, only a few inches away. His expression now was not his usual smirk, but full of hatred. His eyes seemed to glow red under the dim lights on the walls and for once she felt scared around Malfoy.

"Don't you dare ever taint the name of Malfoy with your filthy, worthless mudblood words, Granger. Or I'll personally kill you." He snarled and it made him looked like an aggressive dog that was ready to fight to his death for territory.

Hermione had turned quite pale as she noticed the seriousness in his threat and backed away a few steps. They stared at each other for a few moments: his full of hatred, hers full of fear.

After that he walked in front, while she followed quietly behind.

Was it her or had the lights suddenly become more dim than it already was. For every 10 metres there was a light on the wall, but between it was pitch black. Now she could only see Malfoy as he disappeared into the darkness than reappeared under the light before disappearing into darkness again. Malfoy was too caught up in his own thoughts to have noticed. She was starting to get scared as this really didn't seem normal. After his threat she was determined not to speak to him for the rest of the night, but now she was getting desperate.

"Malfoy?" she managed to whisper.

No answer.

She walked a bit faster to catch up with him.

"Malfoy?" She whispered again

"What mudblood. Why are you whispering?" he asked annoyed.

"I'm not sure but it's just haven't you noticed the lights are dimmer?"

Draco raised an eyebrow then came to his senses as he also noticed it. "Yeh. This is not right…"

Suddenly she felt a shiver run down her spine and she moved closer to Malfoy. Even though they were sworn enemies, in such situations fear tends to rid of all common sense.

Suddenly, from behind them they heard a sound: a metal object clanging onto the ground.

Hermione shrieked and jumped, huddling into Draco, while Draco unconsciously drew his arms around her shoulders, but his mind was more on the sound. They stared into blackness for a few moments, thoughts and questions running through their minds. Suddenly one single thought came into their minds and they jumped apart, realising the position they were in. Hermione blushed from embarrassment, Malfoy kept a stone face. He then drew his wand from the inner pocket in his robes and said 'Lumos' and the tip of his wand shone like a firefly. Instinctively, Hermione followed suit and both stood in line and started walking slowly to the source of the sound. Hermione was scared out of her wits, but being Head Girl she had to take responsibility and sort things out herself. Malfoy had the exact same thoughts. Spells and charms were running wildly through her head as she tried to pick out the best ones to use in case something or someone attacked them.

Suddenly a few metres ahead, something glistened in the dim light. Malfoy put a hand up as to signal Hermione to stop and keep the lookout in case this was a trap. Hermione instantly understood and kept her wand at bay as she nervously watched Malfoy edge towards the object.

There on the floor was a gold pocket watch. Its polished surface shined even in the dimness of the light and a gold chain lay about it like a snake slithering around a rock ready to take a nap. Despite its size, it was beautiful. Malfoy stared at it, mesmerised. Hermione sensed that there was no danger around and slowly advanced forward.

"I think we're safe. If this was what made the sound then somebody must have been here and dropped it." Hermione deduced while looking around nervously.

"Mmm." Malfoy replied agreeing, still captured by the beauty of the object.

"So do you think we should report this to Dumbledore?" She asked, hoping the answer was yes so they could leave here.

"Mmm." Malfoy replied again.

"Malfoy?" Hermione sensed something was wrong. "Malfoy!" She tried to catch his attention. Malfoy's expression was void and distant and when he turned to face Hermione, his once grey eyes were now black and he seemed to look straight through her.

Hermione gasped in shock and started shaking him, hoping he would come back to his senses. But it didn't work.

"Malfoy! Malfoy! Wake up, please wake up!" She cried as tears started to well in her eyes.

He gently pushed her away and looked back down at the pocket watch in his hands and with a 'click' opened it. Inside it was like any normal analog clock, except there were silver words flowing on the surface as if the watch had liquid contained inside.

Suddenly she heard Malfoy's voice somewhere distant calling to her. "Hermione, grab onto me!"

She obeyed whether she believed she did hear it or not and felt a strange sensation pull at her body and she was falling- falling into darkness.

A/N: Hehe. Second Chapter up! I hope you guys like it! Please Review! If you have any ideas about where you want this story to go, feel free to tell me.

A big sloppy thankyou kiss to xxlightningboltxx, Hanna-Omagi and d4h for your wonderful reviews:)