~~*

As long as I kept moving, my grief streamed out behind me like a swimmer's long hair in water.

I knew the weight was there but it didn't touch me.

Only when I stopped did the slick, dark ambiances of it come floating around my face, catching my arms and throat till I began to drown.

So I just didn't stop. The substance of grief is not imaginary.

It's as real as rope or the absence of air, and like both those things, it can kill. My body understood there was no safe place for me to be.

Chapter Six: The French Castle

Splashes of water flew in the air as her shoes hit the surfaces of the puddles heavily. Her robes were wet, soaked in fact as she reached the doors of the castle. She pushed them open and then slipped inside the dimly lit hall slowly.

She did not even look around to see if anyone had seen her, as she rushed across the hall and walked on to one of the revolving staircases that lead to the stairway towards the Gryffindor tower. Her mind was spinning uncontrollably as she remembered the events that had just occurred. She climbed the stairs; unable to think rightly as she longed only for escape… escape from the night that had been the setting of such a deadly memory.

As she entered the common room after muttering the password nonchalantly to the Fat Lady, she walked silently up to her room. Her hair was disarray, her face was wet with a mixture of soft tears and rain and her mind was uncontrollably flashing with visions of the Forbidden Forest, the lake, the meadow, the rain and a pale blonde boy who so undoubtedly caught her intrigue during those fateful moments.

She stepped inside the dark room and slipped off her wet robe almost instantly. It slid off her body and collected in a dark pool on the floor. Hermione walked over to her four-poster and sat down quietly upon it. She grasped one of the posts of her bed as she caught her breath with an effort.

As expected, she could not keep still as she quickly stood up and moved towards the bathroom. She the faced the mirror and she saw a girl, too impossibly vulnerable to be her. A girl whose cheeks glowed redder than blood as if she had just met with her lover and felt so many unexplainable sensations to even consider acting sane. Hermione froze. She looked away form the mirror at once and walked over to the bathtub and then walked back to the room again. She refused to believe that she rejoiced in the earlier happenings. If her right mind were to be consulted, the fact that she had just kissed Draco Malfoy would be enough to make her run mad with disgust and decadence. But her sentiments were not that at all. She was beginning to become afraid of herself.

What had she done?

Her mind racked with the delicate vision of him, bending down to meet her lips with his and her, helpless yet not feeling helpless at all. She, who had not done so much as to resist, even thought she knew she would lose. At that moment, out in the rain, she had been certain of everything, maybe because she had lost the will to think. Her sentiments overcame her logical mind and they were too strong to ignore. How? How could she not even think of what would happen, if somebody would find out? If somebody had seen… her life, and his even, would be ruined. Why hadn't she thought of that? Why didn't she fight? Hermione gasped at the realization that at that moment… She swore under her breath. Looking back, recalling what she had been thinking then, and what she thought now… she was almost too sure…

At that moment, she did not want to fight.

Instinctively, her hand trailed up to her lips and traced them with an evoking sentiment, and she closed her eyes as she remembered the tenderness that had touched them a few distant moments ago. She felt as if her mind had parted into two striking and contending each other, wanting and hating at the same time. Did she want him, did she? Did she feel that he could ever be?

No, never. Her mind screamed at the thought and yet it also opened her up to the possibility. What possibility?

Hermione stopped and she abruptly pulled her hand away from her lips. Remembering that would mean remembering him. And to think that she had almost admitted to enjoying the unspeakable occurrence that had seemed like a forgotten memory that had been so blithely recalled.

She shook her head. No, it was not at all a precious memory; it was a nightmare. Malfoy couldn't have thought of a better way to torment her. And as usual, he left her with an underlying sense of confusion. It didn't even seem new to her now. But there was something else; she knew there was. It wasn't just confusion this time, it was also… doubt.

Now she doubted herself so much. She was beginning to believe that she wasn't worth her self-trust anymore. Even at the moment when she sat here silently tormented, her mind could not help but try to remember that fleeting moment out in the rain when everything had felt so right. Her mind was betraying her as visions of the distant nightfall plagued her. Every word sounded so clearly said, every action so vigorously meant, everything seemed so perfect… though it was increasingly far from so.

Hermione's wide gaze trailed over to the open balcony door. The rain outside poured even louder than before; it registered in her clouded mind that she had forgotten to close it. The dark crimson curtain was soaking wet and the stone floor by the door was flooding gradually from the rain.

Her mind trailed away from the open door as another sudden realization had dawned on her. Until that night… she had never been kissed.

~~*

Draco turned towards the castle as the rains slowly ceased. He could not remember how long he had been out there, but he refused to care. His footsteps silently grazed the damp grassy field as he walked towards the castle. Dawn was starting to peak out from beneath the mountains that nested the Hogwarts grounds.

He retrieved a black handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his pale face of the droplets of rain that had fallen upon his face. He could not bear to think that they looked much like tears. Draco shrugged. He never cried as a child. He always knew sadness, but he never cried.

Many of the grown-ups had thought him peculiar. According to his father, tears were a sign of weakness. And he had gone through his childhood struggling to please his father.

Tears. She never attempted to hide her sadness. That was because she was exceedingly true to herself. So many people had fashioned themselves that way, and in his eyes, that was ridiculous. Nobody could ever live a completely honest life, and at one point had to hide behind a curtain to conceal their flaws they even pretended not to have. But Hermione was no different… Draco knew this, yet he had this notion that she had something that he could not, for the first time, even begin to comprehend.

Draco's mind reeled as he remembered Hermione suddenly. His mouth was tightened in a frown. Strangely, for the first time, he could not manage a smirk. Not now, that he felt an underlying sense of need surge through his veins. A need to see her again, to touch her, to know that she was real. He hated himself for wanting to see her; he tried to tell himself that she was nothing. But now, he could not clear his mind when he thought of her.

He could not wipe the memory of her from his mind it clashed through his senses as clearly as a precious reminiscence. He envisioned her eyes wide with rage as she was screaming at him. His senses were screaming at him also telling him that he was loosing his mind, thinking about Hermione Granger so avidly. He had caused her pain and he was supposed to enjoy it. Because that was what he wanted in the first place. He had wanted revenge for making him feel confused. He had indeed pained her but… it… it made him regret it. His anger towards her grew at that realization. His regret made him want to comfort her, and it aroused an underlying desire to be consumed within her.

He had kissed her. And he had never tasted anything as addictive as her lips in his life. But as soon as he had realized her potency, he broke apart from her. Because he didn't want to be the weak one. He did not want her to be the one who so easily controlled him, not even knowing that she could easily do so. No, after all he still held that same Malfoy arrogance he had always been proud of. And she was innocent, naïve and pure. He had never thought that she held so grave an influence on him. He was risking being broken because of her, but he would never permit it. That was what caught his intrigue. Her untainted nature was something so foreign to him. It caught him off guard and it drew his interest off everything else. It pained him to know that he would never have something she had. Just like the beginning, he was still jealous of her.

Draco looked back across the field with a heavy chest. He felt a miserable emotion plague him and engulf him in a sadness she could have never understood. Draco closed his gloved hand in a fist; never had he felt a need for understanding in his life. He saw how she was changing him, and it would not do.

It was all a pile of lies… everything… everything that he had unknowingly wanted to happen maybe because he wanted to escape the cold and dark world that was supposed to be home to him. They did not have anything… Draco closed his eyes… they would never have.

And he was supposed to be thankful that this was so.

Yet, why did he feel so empty in the most painful sense that he had ever felt? Of course, he was always numb, and he liked it. Being numb beat feeling pain. Yet Granger… Hermione had aroused an unknown feeling in him. A distant feeling he had been too logical to understand. Hating her felt like hating himself… wanting her felt like wanting to die. This paradoxical madness was all her fault to him. Yes, he always needed someone to blame. And this time it was Hermione.

Blaming her felt wrong. Draco shook his head. What was so wrong? He wasn't even sure if he was the same person now. All the ostensibly resolved ideas were always questionable now… why? He wasn't sure if he believed the same principles, he once believed.

Hermione had changed something in him. He was too proud to even acknowledge the thought. No matter how small, it mattered. Yes, it mattered dearly.

~~*

Ginny hurriedly rushed outside the castle doors of Hogwarts frantically as she sought to search the crowded grounds of her brother, Harry and Hermione. A bright yellow scarf was gently wrapped around her neck and its frilly edge was draped over her white summer dress. The brilliant smile on her face could not have been more marvellous, although a sense of worry plagued her thoughts, she could not have revealed it then. Not then, when her friends were in an anxious mood due to their forthcoming trip.

With a keen eye, she scanned the crowd again and easily spotted the trio amongst the crowd. She hurried towards them, pushing her way through the sixth years.

Hermione, who was by the edge of the field with Harry, Ron and the other Gryffindors, stood on her toes to see Ginny coming towards them. They were by a large tree, which provided them shade from the sun on that bright clear day.

"Hermione, Merlin, I thought I'd just missed you three," said Ginny in a tired breath just as she ceased running and came towards them in a slow jog. Her hair flew with the wind, as if it was burning in the wind. She was a beautiful sight to any boy who had seen her.

Ron and Harry turned towards the young Weasley and grinned. Ron gave a vigorous laugh as he came around to greet his younger sister.

"Didn't think we'd leave without saying goodbye did you Gin?" he said with a heavy pat on Ginny's back.

Ginny winced at the pressure and Harry smiled at her in sympathy. Ginny smiled back weakly and turned to Hermione.

Hermione spotted the yellow scarf around Ginny's slender neck and smiled as well.

"I see you like it just as much as I thought you would," said Hermione admiring her choice and how it fit wonderfully on Ginny.

"Indeed, I do. I love it! Thanks Minie," said Ginny with a grin, flaunting her scarf even more in the October zephyr. "I didn't think it was you who had bought it, the fact is, I came back to Gladrags to buy it with the money Fred and George gave me and I was disappointed to see it was gone. But seeing it on my bed this morning…"

"Think nothing of it," exclaimed Hermione with a jolly smile.

"I'll pay you back…" insisted Ginny as she started to open a small pouch that contained coins. Hermione sought to stop her.

"No, I insist. It's a gift… and all I want you to do is to hold on to it until we're back, I promise you we'll indeed be back," said Hermione reassuringly sensing the worry in the younger girl. She had still not forgotten Ginny's words in the hospital wing and in her dormitory. She could tell that Ginny's sense of worry had diminished not one bit.

"Don't worry, I will…" she said.

Just then, the stagecoaches brought by the invisible thestrals. Harry looked up to see the special sight that he and a few more, among many could easily see. Hermione and Ron followed his glace up into the sky where they saw the carriages descending from the sky.

"Still there aren't they?" asked Hermione softly to Harry. Hermione was reminded of their glum fifth year when they rode these invisible creatures along with Neville and Luna from Ravenclaw and came to the Ministry of Magic. When they sought to rescue Sirius from Voldemort, only to bring about his painful death.

Hermione could not help but notice that after Sirius had died, Harry was never the same. His hot temper during the fifth year had disappeared, yet what was so arduous about it was that it was replaced by an emptiness that could not have been more heart wrenching than to his friends. Nobody could ever talk to Harry the same way again.

Hermione was one of them tried to reach out to Harry. But whenever she asked how he was doing, he always said the same thing. It was the same no matter who was asking, be it Ron, or her, Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, Mad-eye or anyone else in the Order. He would always brush them off and tell them with a blank _expression; Yes, I'm fine. No body else wanted to ask Harry that question again after the occurrence. It hurt them to see him answer them in a cool, calm voice saying everything was alright with him when it really was not. Hermione even said that she preferred it if Harry would scream at her and Ron again and just let it out rather than seeing what he had become; an unfeeling slave of incessant tormenting sorrow.

Harry looked towards her and felt a mild surge of anger. Did everyone have to remind him of how painfully different he was? He could see them because had seen death. He had seen Cedric Diggory murdered before his eyes; he had seen how helpless he was. He could see himself sitting there, doing nothing. Oh yes, it still haunted Harry, even though how long it had been, he could never forget it.

But then Hermione looked at Harry with her look of concern. Then all the anger dissolved into nothingness. Harry never forgot how he had friends like Hermione and Ron, who were there for him no matter how stubborn and irrational he was. No matter what he put them through. He looked at Hermione with a keen eye. He was reminded of how much she meant to him…

"Yes, yes they are… always there," he said softly.

Ron turned to them and gave Harry a comforting smile. "Nothing to worry mate, we'll be here too, always…" he said noticing the sullen mood Harry was in once again.

Ginny approached her them and smiled at Harry. "Always here," she said.

But a moment passed and the five Professors along with Hagrid approached the students. The sixth years quieted down gradually as Professor Mc Gonagall began to speak.

"All sixth years into the carriages now. Hurry along, we don't want to be off schedule," she said in her usual stern tone.

Hermione turned to Ginny and smiled. She then gave the younger girl a mild hug. "We'll be alright, see you soon," she said to her. Harry and Ron joined in the farewells as they each hugged Ginny goodbye.

Ginny smiled back at the trio, she failed to hide her concern as they crossed the lawn and boarded a carriage Lavender had already reserved for them.

Then she turned back to the castle and when at the doors, she looked back at the bright blue sky following the sight of the carriages as they flew into the air.

"Hermione, Harry… be safe," she said silently. And she walked back into the castle.

~~*

Seeing the tall redheaded girl entering the castle the dark figure moved back into the darkness. He moved back into the castle as well, not letting a single ray of light reveal his hidden face. He followed the young Weasley back into the castle trying to uncover the secrets of why she could see the impending dangers of what would befall Harry Potter and his sidekicks in Brentenoux castle during the next month.

The strange shadowy creature sunk into the dark walls whenever one would turn and look in his direction. Then, he would follow along the footsteps of the special girl who knew more of the Dark Arts that she could have imagined.

He had planned much for the young girl, now that she was alone. Now that they had left her alone, even more solitary than before. He knew for a fact that she was nothing but a hindrance in his master's magnificent plan, the plan that would surely see Harry Potter to his grave. His master's perfect, flawless plan. It would work just like they had planed it would, and no fifteen-year-old would be the source of their downfall… again. He would make certain that young Ginny would not warn the Boy-Who-Lived and his friends of these dangers, even if he would have to dispose of her himself.

She would meet her end soon enough. And he, he would be there to make certain of it.

~~*

"Draco…"

"Draco… DRACO?!" said Blaise from her seat in the carriage as Draco turned to glare at her with a deadly look for interrupting his thoughts. She winced slightly and almost regretted screaming like she did. They had been inside the flying carriages for almost three hours now, she thought quickly that he was merely becoming restless.

"What is it now?" Draco said irritably as he gazed back out the window and surveyed the landscape. He looked intent on viewing it yet in truth his mind was far away.

Blaise cleared her throat mildly. "What is it with you? What, is a pixie up your arse now? It's been since yesterday that you've been that way," she said boldly doing her best to retrieve his attention. She, like all the other girls in Slytherin house absolutely detested being ignored, even by someone they cared for.

Draco shrugged. "Nothing, I told you, I said it doesn't matter" he turned towards her and fixed her with a convincing glare, which told her plainly to drop the subject. Yet, he absentmindedly let Blaise know that there was indeed something on his mind.

"We're supposed to be there by nightfall, do you think there will be time… for us?" she said changing the subject quickly. Draco looked back at her and his gaze softened slightly.

"Probably not, I believe Professor Figg has this idea of the arrangement of our quarters according to whom we're grouped with" he said in a disgusted tone. "Let us hope you do not get a room which is infested by Millicent Bulstrode,"

Blaise looked equally revolted to hear the fact. "And you, sleeping in the same vicinity as Granger and Finnegan, it is absolutely unthinkable," she said putting on a sick look. "Do you think you will be able to ward off Granger completely during the entirety of the season, it would be a shame if she would denigrate you with her mudblood filth…" she crinkled her nose as if in resentment of her own statement.

Draco automatically shook his head with repugnance, but then the realization dawned on him. He would be, as Blaise had said, residing in the same quarters as Granger. He was instantly visited by the unavoidable memory of two nights before. Draco put his hand to his forehead quickly and closed his eyes as though trying to ward off the disturbing thought. She could not think of that now; it was nothing, nothing but a mistake.

Blaise caught his actions quickly. " Are you alright?' she quickly asked and she unlaced her fingers and tautly turned towards him.

"Fine," Draco said hastily.

Blaise looking reassured turned towards the windows with an ominous hope. She smiled remembering that Draco along with that suck up Granger were in full charge of the sixth year body and as any other Slytherin would think, she wanted to use this to her advantage.

"I'm sure we could easily bend the rules, don't you think so?" she said turning to him.

Draco looked back at her. "Of course," he said.

Blaise closed her eyes as he assured her. She was sure that he wasn't even fully aware of what he was reassuring her. It merely comforted her to hear that he agreed with her and that when she reminded him of it, he would oblige, because he would never admit to forgetting anything he had uttered. Draco was a man of his word, or at least he still is. Blaise dreaded to think what he would soon become after he had officially accepted his father's request to join the ranks of the Death Eaters. But she knew that she could do nothing about it when the time came.

~~*

"You're ridiculous," giggled Hermione as Ron continued on with an imitation of Mundungus Fletcher when Mrs. Weasley chased him with a bag of dead rats for sneaking in a batch of stolen pixie venom into Grimmauld place last summer. He was in the process of lightening the atmosphere as a light drizzle started to fall upon the carriage.

"You sound exactly like him, erm… them" said Hermione with a smile. Harry could not help but grin.

Lavender who thought Ron was doing one of his twin brothers being chased down by their mother laughed equally hard. Ron, though how much he respected his girlfriend could never relay anything of number twelve Grimmauld place without telling her what it was. He remembered her reaction towards the rumors that flew around in the summer of their fourth year when Harry had been bombarded by nasty lies about his behavior. He knew that she did not believe that of Harry now but still, Ron, along with the others were sworn to secrecy.

"I'd imagine this trip without you Ron, it would be intensely boring," said Lavender fondly as she opened the sweet box that she had just drawn from her bag and handed it to Ron.

"And don't I know it," he said popping another chocolate frog from the box that Lavender had brought along for the ride inside his mouth.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "No need to be humble Ron, it does not suit you…" she said sarcastically.

Harry looked at her with an _expression of complete agreement. He turned towards the window and noticed the darkening clouds outside. A threatening storm was in store for them if the thestrals did not start to fly higher and fast.

"I think it's going to pour," he said nonchalantly.

Ron raised his head and turned towards the window as well. "Yeah, but maybe not that much," he said.

Just then, a roar of thunder racked the carriage and it was suddenly thrown sideward sending Hermione hurling towards Harry and Lavender towards Ron. Hermione's head hurled directly at Harry's chest and he gave a sudden gasp of pain. She groaned softly as she felt a dizzy feeling overcome her. But then her hand held his shoulder for support as she looked up at him with a confused look.

Harry felt a sudden sensation rundown his spine that reminded him of the feeling of being disillusioned. She met his eyes and he was not even sure of the _expression that was in them at the moment. She saw a faint eye of concern but it was hard to tell because his _expression had suddenly tensed. Harry realised the lenience in which she could capture his interest and all of a sudden, he knew… He knew that she was one of the things that kept him going, one of the things that he lived for, one of the things he was fighting for. He could no longer deny it… she meant much more to him than he could have ever imagined.

"I'm sorry Harry," said Hermione as she straightened up and regained her seat as the carriage rose higher above the clouds to avoid the impending storm.

Harry almost stone-like, straightened up as well and turned away from Hermione as he muttered something that sounded like "… not your fault," Hermione then turned to acknowledge his indistinct words but seeing as he was not facing her did not speak anymore. She looked at the vista outside the window to her side and admired the scenery obliviously.

"Spoke too soon, didn't I?" said Ron with a wide grin he could not hold back.

Ron and Lavender from opposite the both of them looked at each other with knowing smiles.

~~*

Darkness fell almost all too quickly over Brentenoux castle, as its white stone walls started to be engulfed in the night only to be distinctly seen only by the torchlight that glowed in it's every window and hall. If one non-magical person were to look atop the mountain of Avaloires, he would merely see a haunted ruin that was not fit for inhabitation. But as the seemingly horseless carriages descended upon the perfectly fertile grounds of Brentenoux, all the passengers could bask in was the wondrous view of the heavenly castle.

A magnificent feast awaited the guests in the grand ballroom of the French Castle and the castle's staff was awaiting them patiently. A faintly cryptic air surrounded the castle that gave the visitor a vague sense of curiosity. Before the castle was an enormous field that stretched downward for miles and miles. Gardens and lakes scattered all over the place, which displayed an array of brilliant flowers and a variety of strange plants. Heavy forests that were obviously there for the purpose of concealment surrounded the fields. There were creatures running in and about the vicinity feely. Unicorns starting to run out from the forests of Avaloires and galloping through the grassy plain and further along, similar winged creatures took their flight in the night.

The carriages landed on the front field of Brentenoux castle and the doors all opened. From them emerged the restless students who almost automatically were completely overwhelmed by the sight of the marvelous French Castle.

"It's positively breathtaking!" shrieked Lavender as she and Ron walked up to the front row of students crowding the large brass lined doors of the castle not even caring to watch their steps as they approached the stone staircase that led to the enormous doors that led into the splendid structure.

Hermione who also stood in awe followed Lavender and Ron through the assembly. Harry who also, could not hide his amazement at the enormous structure, followed behind them.

"Can you believe this mate, It's bigger than Hogwarts!" said Seamus from behind the trio. Padma Patil followed close behind him and shared his amazement with a genuine awe stuck _expression.

"I've never seen any Indian palace this big," she said lightly looking up at the tops of the towers of the castle that were hidden in gray spiraling clouds. It almost seemed as if the castle stretched up until the heavens.

"Apparently, the builders of French castles in the fifteen hundreds were obsessed by reaching the heavens as well. It was an age of religion after all," said Hermione matter-of-factly as she noted the architecture.

"Yeah," said Ron nonchalantly obviously not understanding a word she said and turning to the staircase before them that led to the doors.

"Not so fast Mr. Weasley," said a familiarly stern voice from behind them. Ron turned and stepped back as the crowd parted to let Professor McGonagall through as well as Professors Snape, Figg and Flitwick. The Professor started up the first set of steps and made ready to acknowledge the student body, her fellow teachers stood behind her in silence. The sixth years almost instantly quieted down as she cleared her throat.

"Well, I do hope all of you can hear me from where you are standing…" she started and a few students moved closer in order to hear her better. "There, now isn't that better. Well now, I would like to remind all of you of a few things before we enter the castle, first of all I would like you all to observe discipline at all times during this project. I'm sure none of you would like to put the name of Hogwarts in shame so I do hope that you all be at your best behavior… is that clear Mr. Goldstein?" she said turning to the bunch of Ravenclaws who had started to giggle at Anthony who was doing an impression of McGonagall reprimanding them.

"This is not a laughing matter," continued the Professor as she went on. "Second of all, I would like to remind you that your sleeping quarters will be assigned according to the respective groups that you have been assigned." There was a low groan from the crowd and a few rejoicing cheers. Harry and Ron slapped each other's palms at the words. "I'm sure you can see that this is only for your convenience. Working together, you should also be close to each other all throughout this project in order to receive an exceptional grade… And I do require only the best from all of you, any mishaps and trouble will be a point against your entire group, be it the fault of only one group member or all. Which is why again, I remind you to be in your best behavior."

Hermione groaned inwardly as if reminded of a sickening memory. She hadn't expected that she would be staying in a secluded potion of the castle with only her group mates. Of course, Padma and Seamus were all right but there was of course… Malfoy. She shuddered at the thought, once again, she warded off the reminder before it could totally sink in but it was too late. Seconds after and she had turned her head to the crowd without thinking and scanning it for the pale blonde boy who disturbed her thoughts every now and then. She found him just as quickly as she had looked; it was a clear view, even the path looked clear enough to cross. She was instantly surprised to see him staring back at her with a cold _expression. She turned away automatically as she felt a hurtful sensation remembering the emptiness in which he had looked upon her with.

Hermione shut her eyes; she was not supposed to feel this way. It was impossible to keep her right mind now that he invaded her thoughts once more. How could they possibly work together and aspire to achieve an exceptional grade if they were both busy avoiding each other at all costs? She was not sure if she was prepared to fail because of her own personal insecurities.

"Hermione, Hermione are you all right?" asked Harry from beside her. Hermione slightly startled, looked up at him and saw every bit of his face contorted in an _expression of complete concern. Hermione smiled and was surprised not to see the usual careless glassiness his green eyes usually depicted.

Hermione nodded. "Yes Harry fine," she said as the crowd started moving and climbing the staircase towards the doors. "We better get going now shouldn't we?" she said as she led Harry who looked plainly unsatisfied up the stairs trailing behind Lavender and Ron.

~~*

His hand curled into a threatening fist as he took in the sight of Granger taking Potter's hand and running up joyfully up the castle as the huge doors opened to welcome the mass of students who entered automatically, each with an emotion of anxiousness and curiosity. Draco looked away from Hermione as he found that the sight of her sickened him at that moment. After a few moments, he started up the stairs slowly with Blaise patiently following a step behind him. Crabbe, Goyle and a frantic Pansy trailed behind them.

"Shall I take it lightly that you will be most uncomfortable during this entire trip?" said Blaise behind Draco in a doubtfully unfazed tone. Draco grimaced slightly and then turned to her regaining his composure he had barely lost.

"If you mean to imply that I—" he started in a tone that was building anger.

Blaise shook her head. She advanced a step so that they were now walking in the same line and measured pace. "I was not meaning to imply anything… I merely thought it right to…"

"Point out that I will be miserably stuck with those dimwitted Gryffindors all month," he continued coldly. Blaise blushed an angry shade of crimson as he answered her with a stinging indifference.

"What is wrong with you, will you cease going at my throat for a little while? I know you can handle it," she said. Her cerulean eyes became a darker shade as her edginess increased a little.

"If you are so certain about that, then we have nothing to argue about," said Draco in a tone that plainly said that the conversation was over. Blaise did not speak another word. 'Stubborn, so impossibly stubborn,' she thought as they entered the magnificent vestibule which was lined with a glasslike wall from which could be seen a distinct illusion of angels bathing in a large lake from behind them. The ceiling was just like those at Hogwarts only they depicted a heavenly atmosphere from which those same looking angels played among the mass of white clouds, chasing each other like they were children, flying across the starry heavens. It was only at the end of the entrance hall was there firelight. Two distinct marble bowls like those by doors of churches could be seen on either side of the arched entrance to the grand ballroom. Bright bluish balls of fire were distinctly burning upon the marble bowls resembling the light of the Goblet of Fire very closely.

Draco looked up at the enchanted ceiling and just caught sight of a godly angel with long blonde hair wrapping his arms around a beautiful one with exceedingly lengthy brown locks even longer than the height of her. She smiled the most potent _expression of blitheness she could have ever managed and leaned up to catch sight of her winged lover. The blonde angel pulled up his wings and rise a bit higher to rest on a nearby cloud with his woman and Draco could have sworn that he saw the angel look down at him and wink at him with his alluring blue eyes.

He immediately turned towards the entrance hall and shook off the disturbing image he had almost automatically had when he saw the frolicking angels.

~

The dinning hall was magnificent. A midnight blue sky was shinning upon the hall sputtered with stars. It was clearly an illusion but it looked intensely real. There was no moon visible in the illusionary night sky but yet it was illuminate as a large diamond chandelier hung over the hall illumining every square inch of it. The walls were a dirty white accented by brass frames formed in a classic and intricate French design that fit perfectly in the elegant hall.

As the students settled down in their respective seats which was by request divided into five long oak tables, a middle aged woman who had been sitting in the center of the fifth table that was obviously the head table stood up and prepared to speak. She wore a long blue cloak with hints of silver embroidery along the edges and a hat that matched her cloak and her robes, which were also, blue only a shade lighter with a velvety quality. This woman, who had mildly wrinkled features and streaks of silver sticking out through her black hair that was neatly pulled back yet not as tightly at McGonagal's taut bun, wore half-moon spectacles that suited her pointed blue eyes almost perfectly.

She raised a spoon off the table and lightly hit her glass goblet to attract the attention she requested. The students quieted down gradually and she cleared her throat to speak.

"Well, seeing az we are all sited and comfortable in our seats, I take it zat zis is ze time to begin," she said in a rather cool voice that barely suited the atmosphere. Her heavy French accent was evident and by the sound of that first sentence, she had not spent a lot of time out of her country. "I am very pleased to welcome all of you to Brentenoux castle," this statement was followed by a warm applause that died down as Professor Figg raised her hand slightly indicating them to stop.

"Let me introduce myself to all of you, I am Madame Vivonne Yvette Morcenx, Senior Propréteur of the Museum of Magical Beasts and Creatures, Brentenoux Castle, Les Avaloires.

"I would like to say zat I am very 'appy zat all of you 'ave devoted your precious time to join az all 'ere in zis institution. Now, I shall not trouble you any further with my bad English and end zis speech." An air of mild laughter was heard in the room, and all caught a glimpse of a faint smile on Madame Morcenx stern features as she continued. "If zer are any inquiries you would like to make, kindly forward zem to my junior assistant…" she raised her hand and indicated the young blonde woman sitting quietly beside her.

A small bustle in was heard throughout the room. It was only then when everybody realized who the beautiful girl beside Madame Morcenx was.

"Mademoiselle Fleur Delacour." From her seat, she smiled confidently and beamed at the sixth years. Fleur was dressed an a magnificent black dress robe that was lined with small diamonds gleaming at the ruffled edges that was evidently sparkled as she stood up and bowed slightly. The black robe suited her perfectly as it set a contrast to her pale white skin. She also wore small diamond earrings that glimmered in the lamplight.

Ron with a feeling of rising embarrassment began to sink slowly in his seat. He turned to Harry who was evidently forcing down a laugh and said:

"I think I know who Lupin's correspondence is here in France."

Hermione laughed, "So do I."

"Ahh, I zink many of you know 'er, anyway… let az not delay dinner much longer… Let ze feast begin," finished Madame Morcenx, and she sat down to a full course dinner right after mentioning the food of her choice aloud. The entire hall followed suit and soon afterwards, the hall was filled with lively conversations.

~~*

"Where do you think the sleeping quarters will be Harry?" asked Ron as he gulped down another helping of escargot quite enthusiastically. His fervour told Hermione that Ron had absolutely no idea of what he was eating. She doubted he would take pleasure in eating anything that resembled slugs.

Harry who was pushing away the rest of his potatoes looked up at Ron and took a moment to think before answering him. He did not really care where they were put. The entire castle was practically gilded that even a broom closet might be a considerable option for sleeping quarters.

"I recon they'll be on the upper floors, this castle is enormous and there are many possibilities," said Harry. Hermione looked up at them and wished Ron had not brought up the subject. Neville who had been sitting beside her did not seem all too pleased with the subject. Hermione looked at him and felt mildly comforted although he felt sorry for Neville. She knew that Neville had been so unfortunate as to have been grouped with three Slytherins.

"I don't care where I'm put, as long as it's near you guys," he said smugly. Harry and the others looked up at Neville and felt overly sympathetic. Ron had finally realized the awkwardness of the situation and regretted mentioning the topic.

Lavender and Parvati started to comfort him telling him that he would be alright as long as he kept his opinions to himself.

"That's not really good advice Lavender," said Hermione giving the girls a grave look.

"Well then what should he do, I'm reminding you that he has two big bodied morons for group mates and he'll be totally defenseless it's one to three. Well Blaise may keep off your case but she can be rather unpleasant when she wants to…" said Lavender.

Parvati smiled unconsciously behind Neville and continued for Lavender. "I'm pretty sure Blaise will not be a problem Lav," she said with a familiar look that she got when she just found out a new piece of gossip. Her thin lips curved in to a mischievous smile and her eyes darkened.

Lavender raised her eyebrow as though she knew nothing of what her best friend was saying. The smile playing on her lips told everyone that she knew exactly what Parvati was talking about. "What makes you say that?" she asked her with a mild squeak in her voice.

Parvati smiled "Blaise is going out with Draco Malfoy… and if that is not enough to keep her distracted, I don't know what is,"

Lavender gave a slightly amazed _expression. "Well, good point…" she stopped and turned to look at Hermione who gave a wince just after Parvati spoke. Hermione seemed to notice Lavender's eye on her and sought to admire a small statue of a winged horse that was part of the table's centerpiece.

Ron who was stuffing himself with caviar choked up and almost spit out what he was eating. "If she's going out with Malfoy, she's going to be worse to you Neville," he said with a mild laugh. Lavender glared at him and he quit laughing.

Neville sunk a bit lower in his chair and looked even smugger than before.

"Don't worry about it Neville," began Harry from his seat whose face began to look more serious. "The Slytherins give you any trouble, we'll have your back and besides you'll have everything we taught you in the D.A."

Ron who was urged on by Hermione who took that exact moment to trample on his shoe gave a small yelp before replying. "Yeah, we'll be behind you."

"Thanks guys," said Neville not sounding the least bit reassured. He took a bite out of his roasted chicken and barely chewed on it before swallowing. He was not sure if he would be able to avoid a beating from the Slytherins that easily.

Hermione who looked uncomfortably at Harry who had a steady eye upon her managed a weak smile. She had a feeling that she would be the next point of conversation.

Harry turned to Hermione with an air of defensiveness. "And what about you?" he asked with a firm tone. She could not help but notice Harry's eye of concern, she wondered what it could have meant but brushed the thought off quickly. He was just worried about her, after all they were best friends.

Hermione gave an obviously false smile. "What about me Harry?" she asked pretending not to get what he meant when in truth she knew exactly what he was implying.

"Malfoy's in your group," said Harry plainly. He said Malfoy's name with a tone of contempt.

But before he continued, Hermione cut him off. "I'll be fine Harry, I can take care of myself," she said.

"Yeah but Malfoy—" said Ron who managed to grasp the situation. Again, Hermione cut him off. "I'll be fine Ron, really I don't think Malfoy will try anything.

"Oh, I don't know about that…," began Neville who was silent until then. All seemed obliged to listen to what he was going to say because times that Neville chose to let out what was on his mind were very seldom. "He's been as foul to us with or without his cronies ever since the end of the fifth year."

"Try to watch yourself Hermione," said Harry as he chose to let her handle the situation though with doubt and that underlying sense of worry he found so hard to be able to suppress. His concern could not have been more obvious especially to Ron, Lavender and Parvati who smiled to themselves discreetly.

Hermione nodded as Professor Mc Gonagall stood to make an announcement.

"Ah, I see that all of you are done with supper, so let us all proceed to the hall to the left of you," she said extending her hand indicating a wall. The students looked confused for a moment as they wondered what hall Professor Mc Gonagall was referring to, but then all of a sudden, the white walls parted and revealed a splendid hallway extending so far in to the distance that it was hard to tell if it had an end at all. The hallway was brightly lit and had a row of large doors on both sides. The first two doors from the dinning hall were two oak double doors that opened casually as the crowd of students entered briskly into the hallway.

"Hurry on, it is getting late and we would prefer it if everybody were in by midnight," said the Professor stealing a look at Madame Morcenx who had a look that told everyone that she agreed wholeheartedly.

The students entered the atrium gladly and started to peak in to the large rooms that were beyond the doors. Behind the sixth years Professors Mc Gonagall, Snape and Figg along with Madame Morcenx and a number of her assistants began to divide them into the two rooms.

Professor Figg started clearing her throat before she spoke. "Stay with your group mates please," she began. "Now, I want all of you to get inside one of the rooms now and make sure your groups are complete," she said. "Look for the brass sheet with your names on them, the rooms are assigned as we have told you."

"Now, hurry along, the night is dying…," said Professor Mc Gonagall from behind Professor Fig as she led some of the students into the room to the right.

Hermione entered the room to the left along with Harry and Ron, she glance behind her and saw that Padma was behind her. The circular room was filled with at least dozen circling stairs leading somewhere upstairs.

"These stair cases lead up to different quarters where you will be staying, I'd think you already know that the rooms are assigned according to your different groups and that you may find your names on brass sheets that are posted on the sides of the banisters. Now, all your things have already been brought to your respective rooms," said Mc Gonagall swiftly. Not a second passed and the crowd of students started going around the room looking for their names and excitedly stepping on to the revolving stairways that closed into the ceiling as all of the four occupants were up in their quarters.

"Oy! Harry," shouted Ron from the stairway by the door. Harry immediately rushed towards Ron with Mandy and Parvati "Our names are here, guess this is our room."

"Quite convenient," said Parvati as she started up the stairs. Harry looked to the side and saw a brass sheet with words written elegantly in thin script the names; Broklehurst, Mandy Brian; Patil, Parvati; Potter, Harry James; Weasley, Ronald Billy.

Harry followed Ron and Parvati up the stairs but not before smiling mildly to Hermione who was across the room standing by another spiral stairway with Padma Patil.

Hermione felt a mild sense of loss as her two best friends climbed up to their room. She was technically not far at all from the both of them, but she felt like she were a hundred miles away. Hermione turned to Padma who was staring at the bright marble ceiling which did not show any indication of wanting to open up so that they could get up to their rooms.

"I think it will not open up until our group is complete," said Hermione to which Padma agreed with an impatient tone.

"Alright, I'll look for Seamus, you look for … uhrgh… Malfoy," she said with and prominence of disgust on Malfoy's name. Hermione was about to protest when Padma walked away from her. Hermione took a deep breath; she was too tired to think now, what she wanted was a goodnight's sleep in her sleeping quarters. She could imagine how soft the bed that was waiting for her in the upper level was. And the sooner she could get to Malfoy, the sooner she could get her rest.

Hermione turned around and looked across the hall for a shock of silvery blonde. She did not have to look far for as she spun around, she saw Draco looking down at her with a raised eyebrow. She turned away immediately and started towards the stairs as Seamus and Padma met up with them. "This leads to our sleeping quarters," she said curtly still not turning to look at him. She kept her voice clipped and sharp. She had promised herself that any conversation to Malfoy from then on would be strictly about the project and nothing else.

"And so I've read, Granger I'm not blind," replied Draco bitterly as he followed the three of them up the stairway. He ran his fingers through his blonde hair, as he always did when he was in a stressed mood, and huffed resentfully.

As the four of them set foot on the spiral stairway, it started to turn and twist upwards until it disappeared up into the vaulted ceiling.

~~*

"D'you think Hermione'll be alright?" Harry asked Ron as he fondled a small flightless snitch between his fingers, which had been a gift from Hermione on his birthday; it came along with a book about the Magical Defenses of the Mind. He then tossed it into the air as he sat restlessly on the couch. Ron from across the enormous study of their quarters turned to him and said in a irritant voice:

"Yes, for the thousandth time, yes! Harry, when are you going to let this rest? I know you heard her at dinner, she said the could handle Malfoy."

Harry frowned. "I don't know," he replied thoughtfully, but he was not quite privileged to finish his thought as Ron cut him off.

"Well I do know. I know that you should rest and let Hermione worry about herself. Harry, you should be more worried about Neville, he's got three on his hands and Hermione's got—"

"Malfoy," Harry said resentfully.

Ron turned to Harry as he stopped giving his Nimbus 2000 a polish as a seriousness grasped his features.

"Right, Malfoy hasn't been as confident as he has been ever since his father got chucked in Azkaban last year hasn't he?" said Ron as he sat down on a red leather clad couch in front of Harry.

Harry stopped tossing the snitch up into the air as he gave Ron's statement a thought.

"You think it's all a game Harry?"

Harry looked at Ron with a watchful eye.

"What do you mean?" He said slowly, examining the situation just as they were discussing it. Ron breathed in before he spoke; his tone grew lower as if he was afraid that they would be overheard.

"You know Harry… Malfoy's father got out only after three months, saying his arrest was all a load of misunderstandings. And Fudge, Fudge was stupid enough to believe him."

"Lucius Malfoy is a long friend of the Ministry, Ron. It's not a miracle that Fudge would let him loose this time, he did it the last time…" said Harry.

"Yeah I know but, this is … You-Know-Who were talking about, I don't think there are any exemptions, there is no way… Unless…"

"What are you thinking?"

"You think Fudge is getting matey with… with You-Know-Who, Harry?" said Ron fearfully.

Harry scowled as he gave the idea more thought. That statement was by far the most logical piece of thinking that Ron has done in a long time. The idea was definitely possible but still with a load of flaws.

Fudge was an enormous coward; he'd never take a risk to save his own life. The ridiculous way in which he behaved in their fifth year was only a plot to make him look more in control, more powerful. But in the end it did nothing of the sort, it only resulted in making him more vulnerable. He thought he looked up to the mark but by passing order after order of strict decrees, he only gave the wizarding community a chance to doubt him, and even defy him out of curiosity. The idea that Fudge would willingly give the power of the ministry to Voldemort, with a mentality that he would be spared was laughable. Making a deal with Voldemort holds no guarantees; one little mischief could leave you six feet under.

But what if Ron was right, thought Harry as he remembered Sturgis Podmore and Bode who were both controlled by Lucius Malfoy under the imperious curse when Voldemort sought to steal the prophecy about Harry and him from the Department of Mysteries. Voldemort could have easily put Fudge under his control if he wanted to. Who knows, the wizarding world could have been controlled by the Dark Lord for the last three months. And all the wizarding community were now sitting in fear of the Dark Lord's return seek comfort and insured security from the Ministry for help. What if the Dark Lord is now the Ministry? No, Harry hoped not. Somebody had to do something.

But Harry was not sure if the was that somebody anymore.

During his fifth year, he was told that he was someone who 'always tried to play the hero'. He knew where that attitude got him… devoid of another loved one. Harry never felt so regretful in his life. After Sirius' death, he just wanted to blame somebody to rage on this person, the one responsible for him loosing his godfather. But then, he realized, he could never blame anyone else… but himself. Even Dumbledore's claim of most mishaps that happened never comforted him, because he knew it was his fault. If only he had tried to think for much longer before rushing off to the ministry, if only he had listened to Hermione just for once and thought of all the possibilities before he rushed out of Hogwarts. And if only he had assured himself, that Sirius had really left Grimauld Place, if only he had chosen another simpler form of communication to reach Sirius. If only he had taken a minute, a mere moment to take the mirror and call for Sirius. If only he had studied with Snape a little more patiently, if only he could have blocked his mind. It was his fault no matter how he looked at it. It was none but him who lost Sirius to death. He had lost the only one who could have ever been a true parent to him then. The one that he felt, was the only one left. Now he was even more lost than he had ever been, he felt alone.

No, he would not jump to abrupt conclusions this time… Not if it would cause another life.

"Do you suppose its true Harry?" asked Ron.

Harry's line of thought broke suddenly and he turned to Ron. "No, Fudge isn't that foolish. His cowardice had dissolved his imprudence. If Voldemort, (Ron shuddered at the name) for heaven sakes," Harry glared at him for a moment. "As I was saying, if the Dark Lord chose to take control of the Magical world, I would bet my life that he would not be so secretive… this time."

Ron looked saddened for a while as he looked down. "I'm worried Harry," he started, looking up again "About mum, dad, Bill, Charlie, the twins… everyone. Half- my family's in the order, so is everyone who's always bothered for us, for you…"

Harry shared his sympathy; everything was because of him wasn't it? Yet were it not for him the wizarding world had not a chance of ridding themselves of Voldemort did they. Harry assured Ron that the magical world would eventually be rid of the infamous Dark Lord, yet he still did not say that he would be the one to vanquish him, to murder him. It was either that or he was the one who was to die. It was as the prophecy stated; neither can live, while the other survives…

"The order will hunt him down Ron."

"You-Know-Who is most unpredictable Harry, we're starting a war by hunting him down again," said Ron crinkling his nose.

Harry shook his head, "You're wrong Ron," he said softly, "The war has already begun."

~~*

"This is a wonderful room!" exclaimed Padma as she and the others exited the encasement of the spiral stairway that led to their quarters. Seamus immediately followed her lead as they began scrutinizing the entire room that was immensely stupendous.

Hermione left the encasement next with Draco following behind. She looked up immediately and was immediately awestruck by the height of the room before them. They descended the small staircase that led into a vast lounge that was the recessed center of the room they entered. A white-brick fireplace was set in the center of the room; it was surrounded with leather-clad couches and small glass tables with various glass trinkets set carefully on them. The walls of the lounge were a light marble shade; in the night-light; the white walls reflected a pale blue.

There in the far end of the lounge was a large bookcase with glass screens shielding the books. Hermione silently promised herself that before they left Brentenoux castle, she would have read all the books in that bookcase. All those articles of furniture were laid upon a black and brown carpet that graced the marble floor under their feet.

Looking up, she spotted another staircase leading up to a balcony, pretty much resembling the professor's office in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom back at Hogwarts. There were four doors aside each other by the balcony. Hermione was positive that their rooms were there.

The ceiling, like the grand dinning hall, was enchanted to look like a midnight sky. It was lighted by numerous lamps with bluish flames that were floating up and down through the upper half of the room.

The white walls were adorned with paintings of French men and women. Judging from the clothing the people in these paintings wore; it was evident that they were done in the mid- seventeenth up to the eighteenth century. They were all clearly wonderfully done. The people in the paintings were smiling and waving at them greeting their arrival.

Hermione moved around the room like they all did, it couldn't be denied that Brentenoux castle had most of the luxuries unthinkable. None of them even tried to hide their amazement. Even Draco, who was endowed though clearly more discreet, looked about the room like he was swept in to a room of unsurpassable elegance. He looked struck as though his pride in his own rooms back at their manor was lowered.

Hermione looked towards a door by the bookcase, she noticed not the door, but a beautiful painting beside it. It was a painting of a young girl, who wore a riding habit that made her look much older than she was. Though the mismatch was not such a pretty site, Hermione could not help but notice the scenery in which the girl was in. She was standing so tall and elegantly by a rose bush planted in front of a small tavern. But the tavern was barely seen in the picture, all that identified it was a wooden sign with 'Le Pâté en croûte Rétréci' printed roughly on to it. The sight of the girl in the painting obscured her background, but Hermione saw something in the distance behind her. It was as if the tops of several towers were peaking out from her head.

The elegant brunette raised the numerous skirts of her purple riding habit and bowed to Hermione as she approached her painting, and spoke in a heavy French accent.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle," she said smiling. Hermione smiled and bowed in a similar manner not eying her thoroughly but still trying to make out the milieu behind her.

"Bonjour," said Hermione. The woman in the painting stood upright at her greeting raised a hand in welcome. She then opted to move out of the picture's spotlight and reveal to Hermione what she wanted to see. It was a painting of none other than the magnificent Brentenoux Castle. "Bienvenue au château de Brentenoux... Le hop I vous appréciez votre séjour ici" said the woman in the painting. Hermione stopped for a moment, trying to interpret what the painting said. She comprehended that the woman was saying more words of welcome to her.

"Merci," she replied sheepishly.

Across the room Draco approached also another painting. This painting was one of a man who was dressed in a heavy woolen coat and a black scarf tucked into it. He was sat on a green velvet chair. He had sharp features and one of his brows was raised in an arrogant curve. Draco crooked his brows as he observed the man's face. He had the feeling that he had seen this gentleman before, although, he was not quite sure where…

The painting eyed Draco as well as he drew closer to the brass frame, which enclosed the man in the painting.

"Un si bon jeune homme vous êtes… Êtes-vous de sang pur?" said the man in a heavily deep voice that filled the entire room. His heavy tone attracted Seamus and Padma who were already on the balcony that led to their sleeping quarters.

"What did he say?" asked Seamus as he and Padma leaned over the railing of the balcony and listened to the talking painting.

Hermione turned to them almost automatically and said, "Don't ask." She was also shocked at the painting's manner of judgment. She understood that he clearly said, "Such a fine young man you are… are you of pure blood?" to Draco as he approached the painting. How could he relate distinction with bloodline, honestly, it was such foul stance. Many people have become illustrious not because of their heritage and bloodline but because of who they were and what they did to make a difference. She looked at Draco whom she was sure would reply in an affirmative.

''Certainement monsieur,'' said Draco who felt every bit as proud as he was supposed to be. He turned to Hermione whom he caught looking at him. She looked at him with a strange unsure _expression that told him that she did not like his confident answer. But why should he care what she thought, he was indeed a pureblood and he was proud of it.

Suddenly, the painting Hermione had previously looked at returned to the spotlight of her frame and looked towards the painting that Draco was speaking to.

"Oh, such a pity, Pierre here thinks zat all worthy wizards must be purebloods… I do not agree…," she said in a snotty tone keeping a watchful eye on the man in the frame across the room.

Hermione looked towards the frame as well and said.

"Oui... une telle pitié …"

Seamus and Padma took that exact moment to retreat to the rooms they were standing by. As if they were almost certain that, there would be a row in mere seconds.

Draco did not take his eyes off Hermione; he met her gaze with one as hateful as the one she sent him. But Hermione could never really put on a hateful look… or at least she could never really hate Draco that much. Maybe because, she had seen a side of him he chose to keep hidden. But he would certainly not show that side now would he? Perhaps she hated him somehow; yes she hated him. She hated the side of him, which was so illusorily foul.

Deciding that she could no longer stand the silence and the ill air of the room, Hermione looked away from him. It was a pity she did not catch him slightly wince when she broke their eye contact.

"And what do you stand for Granger? Your muggle bloodline, filthy scum… Unfit for anything in this magical world …" said Draco in a harsh tone.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him; she fixed a fiercer glare in his direction.

"Don't you dare bring my bloodline into this Malfoy! You, what do you stand for? Your heritage, which consists of nothing but foulness, tradition that bounds you to everything which defines evil. Is that what you stand for Malfoy?"

Draco's hands curled in to fists at her statement. "How dare you… you don't…" he said through gritted teeth.

Hermione's mouth curved into a mildly malicious smile.

"What's so funny?" demanded Malfoy angrily.

"It's just rather amusing to see you lost for words for once," she said slightly enjoying the sight of him frustratingly struggling to control his temper.

"You think you know me Granger. But you don't," he said icily.

"Oh, I don't think that Malfoy," said Hermione raising the tone in her voice slowly. "I don't think you even know yourself that much," she said. She opted to move towards the stairway and leaving him alone in the room.

Yet, she failed to remember that he was too quick for her. In a mater of moments, he grabbed her arm just as she was to climb the stairway and pulled her so that she was forced to face him.

Hermione grimaced as a shock of pain shot through her arm. She had already began to feel the firmness of his grip on her. But she was determined to hide the pain she was feeling.

"I'm glad to see that we agree on one point Granger," he said in a cruel voice. His grip on her only tightened and this time she could not help but let a tear fall from her closed eyes.

"Don't… You are hurting me…" she said, unable to speak in a calm voice.

"Don't tell me about pain Granger, I've known pain since I was a child," he said in a scathing voice that caused her to look at him anxiously. Through the torturous spasms that she felt shooting up her arm, she could not ignore the seriousness in his tone. She wondered; if he was really as spoiled and pompous as the whole world thought he was.

"Torment does not choose it's victims, it is by nature an emotion… we are meant to feel in an intensity," said Hermione before she could stop herself. "…at some point in one's life."

Draco almost jumped at the shock of her words. He did not need a sermon now, though her words were more comforting than reprimanding.

Her eyes shot open as he let her arm go all of a sudden. She looked up at him to reveal her pale face, her eyes which were teary.

"Pain is insignificant," he said softly as he looked up at the vaulted ceiling, which created the illusion of the night sky. "Because I don't feel it anymore."

Hermione straightened up a bit as she stroked her arm to relieve it from the pain. She looked at Draco slowly as he moved away from her and sought to sit on the leather couches by the fireplace. She did not take her eyes away from him as her curiosity grew. Malfoy was indeed a mystery, a person so undecipherable even to her. She wanted desperately to know what he really was, behind the mask he always wore. When she told him that even he did not know himself, he began to guiltily think that she was right. He wanted to hurt her because he was infuriated of the fact that she could so easily read him.

"Nobody can stop feeling unless they're dead," said Hermione as she moved away from the stairs.

Draco turned to look at her. He met her gaze evenly with a steely look. His gray eyes were blank again, it was hard to believe that they were filled with emotion just a while ago. The pale outline of his face started to grow harder to make out as the floating candlesticks floated higher up into the ceiling of the room. "Eh?" he said with a raised eyebrow. He observed her silently as he held that thought. But he could not hold down another thought; he wondered what was in Hermione, that had him so painfully helpless every time they had a moment together, which was supposed to be as meaningless as a meeting between two people who didn't know each other? Yet it was true, they really did not know each other, Draco felt that they would never, really know each other. Simply because they never had to. What had she that any other pureblooded witch had not? How could he look upon her now, and feel anything but not hate? How could she look so innocent, so pure, so naïve standing there and not even being aware that she was hauling him into an abattoir of incessant emotion? Emotion that he was never supposed to feel in his life.

"Then perhaps I am," he continued quietly.

Hermione took a step towards him and felt the strongest urge to throw her arms around him and hold him, to do anything, just to comfort him. She could not stop herself from trying to understand him. But it was beyond anything she could ever manage. Just the thought of doing so was unpleasant, the thought of comforting Malfoy made her swim in doubt of herself again. She had the feeling that she was betraying everything she had ever known, most importantly… herself.

"You're what?" she asked meaninglessly already knowing what the answer would be.

Draco crossed the room and passed her with a swift grace. He gave off a mild scent that smelt like rain… cold, cold rain. Her heart sank as he passed her as if she was a post, she did not dare look back and sought to look at him again. But he did.

He turned and faced her with her back to him. "Dead," he said coldly. Hermione closed her eyes, trying to understand how she felt. He was so bitter, but it seemed like it didn't matter to him anymore.

Draco turned to the stairs and climbed it without another word to her. His steps were silent, as if he were gliding rather than walking. And at the close of the door of the room that Draco entered Hermione opened her eyes turning to the stairs to enter the room she was assigned to as Draco had. She had a long-suffering emotion rising up in her, yet she could not ignore it. Because she knew now, it was real.

~~*

A young redhead entered the Hogwarts library sullenly and after taking a large ancient looking book from the shelves, she took a seat in one of the far corners of the library. She was obviously unaware of the impending dangers that would soon befall her, and for that… 'He' was immensely grateful.

He watched her now quietly mulling in silence as she studied a book in the quiet library, with nobody but herself. He tred silently on the stone floors of the library looking at the girl at every angle, wondering where she was most vulnerable.

She, as we have said had no clue of what this stranger was up to. Her hair wild as if she had just come from the outside, her eyes concentrated heavily on the book she was reading.

He looked around… Nobody. His gaze trailed down to the neck of the young girl, vilely imagining a rope around that white neck of hers, or a knife through her slender jaw line… there were so many possibilities. 'Why use magic, when there were so many torturous muggle ways in which she could suffer more.

Now was the time… His hands craved to feel blood…

No, it was merely an opportunity. There was a time for everything and now was not it… not yet. She would meet her doom before she had the chance to figure out what misfortunes would meet the Boy Who Lived and his friends in Brentenoux… She would not even live to tell a soul. She was his. She would be his victim this time.

He would make sure that this time… the dark would reign.

~~*

Ginny turned her head for almost the tenth time as she sat by one of the oak tables in the old library. She looked towards the bookshelves behind her and also to her sides. There was nobody but a number of students standing by the shelves scanning the thick volumes for what they needed.

Breathing in silently, she had the feeling that somebody had been watching her ever since she entered the library. Just as she settled down, she felt a prickling feeling in her back like somebody was leaning over her shoulder. Yet when she turned, there was nobody.

She returned to the large volume spread out before her forcing herself to concentrate; yet she just could not. Ginny began to remember the previous days, she had been feeling paranoid ever since the sixth years had left for France five days ago. She wondered if it was just on impulse that she had been left alone, or may be it was something else, maybe there was really someone there at Hogwarts castle that shouldn't be. Watching every single step she made… it was a possibility… yet there was always the question… why?

There was another thing that was bothering Ginny then. It was that wrenching feeling she felt in her gut, it was there ever since Ron and the others left. She thought at first that it was only normal to worry about them at first. But it had been five days since and something was not right. Ginny had no doubt at all that something was to happen, and it would happen sooner than anyone would ever expect. If only she knew what it was, where it would happen… she could warn them.

Just then Colin Creevy approached her table with an urgency in his features. She saw him and quickly stood up as she saw the anxiety that contoured his face in a frown. He was jogging quickly; it appeared that he had run from a long distance to reach the library.

Ginny acknowledged him briskly yet he did not seem to hear her. He breathed out quickly and caught his breath.

"What is it?" she asked worriedly closing the book she was studying earlier.

Colin took a breath in before he spoke. "We have to go, to the headmaster's office, now."

"What, why?"

"There's an intruder in the school," he said in a slightly hushed voice.

Ginny looked at him with a confused _expression. "What?"

"A dark magic sensor was activated in the hallway leading to Gryffindor tower," said Colin. He ran a hand through his mousy hair as he looked around to see if anyone had heard.

Ginny's features grew grave. "But how? Surely a student could have… a Slytherin perhaps, no one can enter Hogwarts without being detected."

Colin slid around the table to talk to her more privately. He shook his head with a frown. "No, its not a student, Professor Dumbledore told the teachers, I heard them."

"What did you hear them say?" asked Ginny with slight worry in her tone.

"He says, it's not even human…" said Colin. Ginny breathed in. "What creature can do magic?" she asked. "Dark magic for that matter."

He said plainly that he had no idea. Ginny began to wonder if this incident had something to do with the odd feeling she had been getting all week.

She looked at him sharply, "How do you know this?"

Colin dropped his voice. "Dumbledore's calling a meeting between the prefects in ten minutes, secretly of course, I reckon he does not want to alarm the student body. We're not supposed to tell anyone either."

Ginny bowed her head slightly. She wanted to ask so many more about the situation but she knew that it was dangerous to discuss the matter there. She gathered up her books and gestured to Colin. "Let's go then."

~~*

The enormous atrium of Brentenoux castle started to fill gradually as the sun rose higher in to the sky. Its glimmering vaulted ceiling, which was made of heavily impressed glass and crystal, reflected the bright sunrays that shined onto its roof. The large atrium was the brightest room in the castle.

A long staff table could be perceived in front of the lines for students assembling in the room, from which the entirety of the Brentenoux Castle staff resided less Madame Morcenx who was preoccupied at Captieux, an annex manor of the Brentenoux castle said to be the largest.

Hermione was with Seamus and they waited apart from the crowd for Padma. Padma was still with Lavender and Parvati and they were in the dinning hall, supposedly eating dessert while they were actually checking out the many wizards who passed by the hall which were also of the castle staff. Professor Snape had summoned Draco for reasons unknown and would not attend the briefing that morning.

"I have a feeling that this morning will be a blast," said Seamus who obviously hinted that Malfoy's absence would be the source of their glee. Hermione nodded apprehensively as she took a long albatross quill, a small ink tube, a book and some parchment from her bag.

Just then, the last of the students entered the atrium, Padma among them she joined the group.

"Where are we off to?" she asked Hermione and Seamus

Seamus shrugged, "I have no clue… Do you?" he looked at Hermione.

"Sorry to disappoint you Seamus, but I don't," she said as she scribbled 'Siren' on one blank piece of parchment. Padma and Seamus put on false astounded looks as Hermione said this. She could not suppress a smile.

"And here we were thinking there was nothing you didn't know…" said Seamus.

"Hah, Very funny…" said Hermione.

Just then, Fleur who was sitting at the head of the staff table arose commanding attention. She was the center of the assembly of wizards and witches who occupied the seats of the table. The hall grew silent.

"Yes, now I see I have taken your attention, let us begin," she said in a magnified voice that filled the entire atrium. She was careful not to tread farther then behind the staff table as she could see that some sixth year boys were already looking at her with mouths open. "Ah, zis morning we shall be giving out portkeys for ze different groups in order so zey… you will be able to go to the areas of habitat in which ze various creatures you are assigned to may be viewed and studied of course, at a safe distance."

The room started to fill with conversation. The build up of excitement was immensely quick.

"I think that we will begin the distribution of Portkeys in a minute but first, I would like to remind you of a few things that your teachers have told me to say to all of you before zey left this morning. First of all, the only hours you may be allowed to go to ze areas of habitat will be from ten o' clock to seven o'clock in ze evening." And with this, Hermione jotted down the schedule on a piece of parchment. Seamus and Padma looked at each other and smiled.

"Any students who will be caught still out on the castle grounds after this time will be reported immediately to the Professors or if zey are out of Brentenoux at zat time, zis offences may be reported to any of ze Brentenoux higher staff which you see before you.

"Professor Mc Gonagall has instructed me to tell you that any misconduct any of you will be caught doing will be a point against your total project grade as well as a house point deduction. Well, I do hope all of you will have a beautiful Friday morning; you all have the option to visit the wondrous areas of habitat you are assigned to, or else to visit the open fields of the castle. I'd like you to know zat zis day is not an official day for starting your study; it is up to you if you would like to take a tour of the castle grounds first. Although you must take utter caution if you choose the latter. The distribution of Portkeys will start now; choose only one representative to retrieve your portkey. Know that the Portkeys need all four members of your groups to work, Au revoir…" Fleur walked down the platform where the long table was situated and left the room through a door situated at the end of the room.

''I wonder if we should start our study today?" said Hermione thoughtfully. Seamus and Padma looked stricken.

"You know Hermione, we have the option," said Padma with a pleading smile. She had no plans to go off on that beautiful autumn day and work for their project. Seamus who nodded in agreement backed her up on the idea.

"Yes, and besides, the portkey won't work at all if were not complete," said Seamus grinning in the convenience of Malfoy's absence. Hermione didn't look too happy about that fact at all.

"Well, if it suits you I think a head start tomorrow could be arranged," she said hopefully. Padma smiled in triumph.

"Wonderful, I'll retrieve the portkey," she said and she walked over to the staff table where amounts of seemingly useless trinkets were being distributed.

"And I'll be off to our quarters, I think I'll be able to do some pre-calculations on the…" she stopped seeing that Seamus was not looking at all concerned on what she would be doing in their quarters.

He looked at her wondering why she stopped. "Do you need help?" he asked with a kind smile.

Hermione hesitated. She would hate to be alone in the den of their quarters without nobody to talk to yet she would not think that he would not be a fit conversationalist to talk about the anatomy of the typical Siren either.

"Oh, no. I'd rather you have fun," said Hermione. Seamus frowned as she sought to turn and leave the atrium.

"Don't you want to have fun with us as well," he said feeling a twinge of guilt.

Hermione stopped. She never thought of leaving her work for fun, she wondered if she should. And then turned towards Seamus and smiled.

"I am going to have fun… In what I do best," she said and she left the atrium leaving him looking at her.

~~*

The halls of Brentenoux were enormous; they were winding and warren-like, confusing and intricate. Yet they were nevertheless wonderful and alluring. Even in the day the halls were enchanted. In the particular one Hermione was crossing, the ceiling was charmed to look like a faintly clouded, clear blue sky. She seriously felt like she was taking a walk outside on the grounds where everybody seemed to be today. Nevertheless, she thought, that there would be plenty of time for that when they finished the project early.

Finally she crossed the corridor that lead to the grand dinning hall and into the wide doorway where their rooms could be found. The door to the left opened before her and she stopped before she entered. She looked down the long endless hallway filled with numerous doors and wondered what lay behind each of them. As she was sure that they were locked, she took her thoughts off them immediately and entered the circular room where the staircases were scattered throughout different areas on the edges of the room just as they were the previous night. She approached the one staircase that led to their quarters and stepped on to it. The staircase disappeared into the vaulted ceiling with her.

~~*

"I don't believe we're actually doing this," said Ron with an air of disbelief as he and Harry crossed the long landing leading to the Brentenoux Library. Paintings were eying them eerily as they walked.

"What, walking through this disturbing hallway or going to the library to actually study," said Harry as he shoved a hand in his tote bag leisurely.

Ron looked around at the hallway eying the paintings and suits of armor that graced the posts of the walls. He felt a baleful feeling that someone was watching them besides the paintings.

"Both actually," he said as he pushed Harry into a slow jog. "Hurry along, we might take too long and end up leaving this place at night."

They strode into the library quietly and headed for one of the circular tables at the end of the large room. A stern eye from the white-haired librarian made Ron want to jump. Harry eyed the vast collection of books lining the shelves of every wall in the library, he was sure that they would be able to do their study later. For now there was still something he had to do.

"Are we seriously here to study?" asked Ron as he sat down in front of Harry. He took out a small book and laid it on the table. "Lavender gave this to me, it features almost everything about the Urisk."

Harry took the book, yet he did not motion to open it. "I really think we should make notes, but that's not really why we're here," Ron looked at him quizzically wondering what he meant. "You see I really came here to have a little chat with someone."

"Chat? You brought me here for a chat, with who might this 'chat' be with," asked Ron raising his eyebrows.

Harry sought to answer him but then his gaze trailed over to the door and smiled welcomingly.

Ron turned around to see Harry was looking at and almost swallowed his tongue, "F-Fleur?" he said weakly.

There, approaching them slowly with a dazzling smile and a radiant air was none other than Fleur Delacour. She was wearing a light blue robe and golden earrings the size of large curtain rings.

"Harry, Ron. Such a pleasure to see you again," she said graciously as she took a seat between the both of them. Harry could see that her English was improving greatly as she could now pronounce his name properly.

"Hallo, Fleur," he said with an equally gracious air. "It's wonderful you came, really," Ron muttered inaudibly as Harry spoke.

"Well, I see you have grown in to a wonderfully handsome man," she turned to Ron and smiled. "So 'ave you, soon, you will be just like your brother." Ron looked up, he was sure she was referring to Bill.

"Bill, are you still seeing him?" Ron asked, and Fleur nodded eagerly.

"Qui qui, but I am afraid that we 'ad to take some time off each other for a while. So I decided to work here in ze meantime," Fleur observed Ron with curiosity; she could not help but think that the young Weasley was becoming more like his brother, as he grew older. Though she did not say it aloud, she knew for a fact what a Weasley looked like when he became embarrassed.

"Have you been to Carouges lately Fleur?" asked Harry wishing to stray the conversation to Lupin.

Fleur nodded and looked around casually before she spoke. "I 'ave most certainly, and I met wiz e old friend. I think you know who it was…"

"It was Professor Lupin, wasn't it?" said Ron with a mild anxiousness.

"Yes, it was. We met at a small tavern, and 'e…" Fleur smiled beautifully as if remembering the moment "…'e said zat it was e awful place to be at… especially for a woman such az me," she laughed mildly. Harry could see that she still was still as vainglorious as she was two years before.

"I see Moony's charm hasn't worn off," Ron whispered to Harry.

"'e is indeed the charming creature…" she trailed off and looked around again. "'e asked me to give you something Harry."

"A letter."

Harry looked at Ron who already had a curious eye. Harry hadn't heard from any of the members of the Order of the Phoenix for a month, he wondered if Lupin's letter contained something other than reassurance and warnings. Though he doubted it, after his fifth year he doubted if he would ever find out anything reliable now that came from a letter, when it could so easily be intercepted.

"I zink, before I left 'e told me zat you might find something interesting about ze small note 'e sent you."

"Do you have any idea of its contents?" said Harry impatiently.

Fleur shook her head. "If you mean to ask if I read it, no… 'e meant to try an experiment, I zink, if anyone other zan you Harry opened ze letter, 'e would be cursed with sumzing unpleasant. I don't zink zat I shall take zat chance…"

"I zink I 'ave kept you waiting long enough…"

Fleur turned to him flaunting her blonde hair. She sought to reach into her bosom to retrieve a slightly crumpled brown envelope. Harry looked at the letter apprehensively. "But," she started as she stopped and looked around to see if anyone had seen. "Lupin 'as also told me zat you are only to read zis letter away from prying eyes," she said in a whisper. "Brentenoux castle is not exactly e safe place Harry…"

Ron looked perplexed, yet Harry's eye was on the letter. "Don't worry, I won't," said Harry.

Fleur then placed the letter on the edge of the table and slid it in Harry's direction. "Good," she said with a smile. She stood up slowly and nodded at them both, "Take care, Harry and Ron," she said as she walked towards the library's doorway, soon she was out of sight.

Ron turned to see it she was gone. "Why didn't you tell me we were meeting her?" Harry smiled at him and then took the brown envelope and inserted it within the pages of Ron's book.

"Shall we, hit the books?"

~~*

Hermione turned towards the large den as she walked out of the encasement of the stairway. The den was empty as she thought it would be. She looked up at the clear sky that could be perceived through the skylight of the room. It was such a wonderful day to waste… alone. Hermione frowned; she had chosen to study today after all. At least she could have lived by her word. She threw away what could have been a wonderful day out in the castle gardens.

Shaking her head she crossed the den and approached the door next to the bookcase. She had discovered the room beyond the doorway to be a small tearoom. It was moderately large, and a perfect place for studying alone. There was a wide stone balcony at the end of it, overlooking the west of the castle grounds, which comprised of the wide dragon fields and many other forests home to creatures unknown.

She pushed open the door and looked up to find someone standing over the circular table filled with her notes and some books lying open. She had studied there the previous night and opened every single book from the bookcase in the den reading, taking down every single fact she could on the Siren. She hadn't expected that anyone else would enter the room.

Her eyes lit up in surprise as she eyed him carefully, unable to say a word.

"Contradictory to your findings, the legend of the sirens state that Melpomene is the mother of the four sirens, not the daughter, Thelxiope is the fourth daughter. I take it you wrote this last night," said Draco in a distant voice as if he was not addressing her at all. He had not even looked up to see he was speaking to the right person. It was as if he knew that she would enter the room before she did.

Hermione shook her head after a short silence and her thought strayed to what he had just said. She tried to remember what she had read the previous night and realized her mistake. She approached the table and looked through up her notes briskly staring at the error he had spotted.

Hermione frowned slightly. She had indeed pointed out Melpomene as the siren's daughter.

Draco turned away from the table and opened the glass door towards the stone balcony surveying the wonderful landscape with less enthusiasm than it deserved.

"I believe it was late when I wrote this," she said as if she refused to accept her fault. Hesitantly, she added: "But…thank you… for pointing it out…" He did not turn to look at her but she could imagine that he was smirking. It must have been fun to find a flaw in Little Miss Perfect's notes. "Listen, the official study starts tomorrow, somewhere in the far end of the West Mountains. We'll be going by portkey. I trust you'll be there," she continued not leaving a second for silence.

Draco turned to her and raised an eyebrow. He looked at her restless form in pleasure, he was sure that she would not rather be there at that moment. "I have no choice, Granger. I don't think I would be mad enough to trust my grade in your hands for a second…" he said nonchalantly. He studied her carefully, and found that she was unable to meet his gaze. She did not know whether to take his comment as an insult or not.

"Malfoy," she stared stiffly. "I'd think that if you left your grade in my hands, you'd be far off better," she said as she turned back to her notes. He took a few steps towards her as she placed her notes on a neat pile on the table. She closed all the books that lay open and looked up in time to see him studying her at a propinquity she had not expected. Hermione stood up straight unable to take her eyes away from his. She had a strong feeling urging her to move away, to leave… yet, she had an even stronger feeling to stay and lose herself in his emancipating gaze.

"You know, there's really nothing either the both of us can gain if we continue on pretending like the other does not exist…" she said softly breaking off. He looked at her and nodded slightly.

"Seeing as there is no reason for us to pretend so," he said with a final tone. She turned away from him and nodded. A mild blush was starting to appear on her white cheeks as she felt her heart pulsating quicker and quicker by the second. Draco seemed to observed this as he took a careful step away from her.

"I think there's nothing wrong with a civilized conversation … once in awhile, considering that this project will be an outright disaster if we don't…" she said softly as she looked up to meet his gaze once again. He looked at her bright eyes staring innocently at him; he could not help think that she looked much like an angel. And how it would feel if he could have everything she had. Her untainted nature was something he could have died for, maybe, if he were not thinking right. Pretty much like he was doing so at that moment.

"Yes, nothing at all" he said in a harsh tone still not taking his eyes off her.

Draco suddenly felt inclined to approach her once again, even to touch her. He wanted to remind himself that she was real, because that moment felt so unexplicably unreal. An unnerving feeling in his gut did not go unnoticed. He wondered like so many times before what was in her that possesed him so easily. What gave her the right to even try to break him, out of the shell of a mask that he had worn all his life. With all the lessons in his life that his father had willed him to learn, he was supposed to think that she was undeserving, unworthy of him, yet he somehow knew that it was he who didn't deserve her.

She was all he could never be... she was so painfully real and true and he... he could not even figure out what he was anymore. If he was living in an illusion or if he was living how life should be lived, by everything his father had laid before him. She was supposed to be a lie, yet she unknowingly opened his eyes to the truth... every time she looked into his eyes. Everytime she tried to read him.

But he was the lie, or so he thought that she was far closer to the the truth than he could ever be.

He took that small step towards her, his gaze hardened and she could not help but shudder. He broke their eye contact as she breathed in suddenly. He looked at her slender jawline, absentminedly imagining that he was tracing it with his fingers, imagining the soft feel of it, remembering that moment in Professor Figg's office where he had first done so.

Hermione struggled to reach the table as he stepped towards her. His eyes looked at her with such an unimaginable emotion that she could not hold herself up any longer. She could not ignore the rate at which her heart was beating, she did not know why he had that effect on her but she knew that no one could ever arouse such feelings in her other than him.

He was so mysterious, so distant that she did not know what to think of him. All those five years she had known him, she had set her opinion of him as someone not to be trusted, someone, vile, evil and indifferent. But she knew that in those five years, she only thought she knew him, she only thought thinking of him as an unpleasant brat from a dark family was enough she needed to know. But she didn't know him, she had hated him because of what he made himself look like in front of everyone. But now, she looked at him and could not bring herself to hate him fully. For she knew he was something more than what he seemed. As she looked at him, he looked back, with a warmth she never thought him capable of ever showing.

His eyes, grey and almost black, seemed like an endless pool of nothingness. Now those eyes betrayed him completely, because he looked at her with unexplainable sentiments he was never supposed to reveal.

He had a personality that no one ever tried to unlock, because they never knew of its existence. Yet if they did, they would never dare try to know it. Hermione began to wonder if anybody would ever.

Their gazes met again. Like fire and ice, they clashed together in an unpredictable conflict. And suddenly, as she looked into those silver pools of ice she had come to know so well, she knew what she wanted. She longed to know him, she longed to see him as he really was. As he could have appeared if not hidden behind all the curtains of lies that he had wrapped about himself.

Her heart was beating at its peak, as if it was screaming, suffering, holding in something for so long.

He leaned towards her, as if aware of all the thoughts that were raging through her head. He stopped realizing in some small sense that if he did as he was to do, he would accomplish nothing but to let her break him. It the end his pride was always the victor.

Draco looked away from her with an effort that it shouldn't have taken and found that stepping away from her was harder. He felt like he was burning as he drew himself away from her. It was as if he needed her to live. Yet if that were true, Draco was not sure if he wanted to live anymore. He turned towards the door and opted to exit the room but not before turning and saying in a rather harsh tone,

"Tomorrow... I'll see you Granger," and he left.

Hermione turned to the door just as it closed. She wanted so much to understand what was happening, it was like an impluse of knowing suddenly rushed over her senses. But she didn't know what was. She could not say a word about what it was, and even if she could, she was sure that it would not even be true.

Hermione looked away from the door and sat down on the chair behind her bussing herself with her notes. Yet for a moment, she could not help but ask...

What had she gotten herself into?

~~*

A long and silent street

I walk in blackness and stumble and fall

And rise, and I walk blind, my feet

Stepping on silent stones, and dry leaves

Someone behind me also stepping on stones, leaves

If I slow down, he slows

If I run, he runs.

I turn; nobody

Everything dark and doorless

Turning and turning among these corners

Which lead forever to the street

Where nobody waits for, nobody follows me,

Where I pursue a man who stumbles

And rises and sails when he sees me; nobody…

~Octavio Paz