TURNS OF TIME

Disclaimer: they are not mine. Rowling owns them. believe me.hehe..

A/N:

Chapter 2

Dreams and nightmares

Harry weakly and slowly walked toward the forest. He had been up since four in the morning. He hadn't had enough sleep after he had this strange dream. He closed his eyes and turned his head up thinking about the dream.

There was someone standing under the spotlight, all around the figure were darkness. As the scene zoomed in Harry realized that the person was a kid, cloaked in black and head under a black hood, when the hooded figure looked up into the light, the boy had no face.

Harry staggered back a bit, and suddenly he saw the boy push out an arm under the cloak, dripping with blood, fingers clenched around tightly the small box. Then the boy opened his hands slowly as if being forced to. The box had eight sides and seemed to be about 2 inches thick, and it seems to be levitating of the boy's hand, as it did the boy let out a strangled cry and dropped dead, blood seeping out of his robes slowly coating the floor bright red. Harry then looked up and saw that the box had intricate carvings of all sorts of objects being carried away by wispy clouds. At the gaps he could make out carvings of different planets. All of it were moving slowly. Underneath the box, facing the floor was a carving of two knights with swords drawn out. At the top was a beautiful intricate carving if three waterfalls its silvery water meeting at the center of the box.

The top of the box slowly opened causing a blindingly bluish white light to erupt. Harry ducked as a ball of light came hurtling his way, causing his scar to hurt so badly without warning.

Harry woke up after the dream sweating, then without a backwards glance left the room and locked himself in a strange room.

When he was sure that all the students were already in their class. He crept out of the room and headed toward the forest.

Ron was running down the staircase when the doors opened and the loud chatter of students were heard. A herd of first years trudged up the stairs laughing, talking taking their time.

Ron tried to squeeze past them but he was being swept back, he cursed inside him as the crowd slowly dragged him up.

Hermione hurriedly placed her books inside her bag planning to meet up with Ron. She was already walking towards the door when she felt someone grab her hand. She looked up to see Malfoy smiling down at her wickedly. She tried to break free, yanking her hand off. but his grip were like iron. As the rest of the class and the professor spilled out of the classroom, Malfoy got his wand out and pointed it. Hermione winced expecting a spell to hit her. She heard him snigger then heard the door shut behind them. Hermione tried to reach for her wand. But Malfoy was much quicker. He grabbed Hermione's other hand and pulled her near.

"What the hell do you want?" Hermione said avoiding Malfoy's lips, which was dangerously near her neck. She could feel his breath tingling her skin. "Nothing."Malfoy whispered hungrily to her ear. "I just thought that I could talk to you. to know you." He said kissing her ear slightly. Hermione almost whimpered at this, she recalled how his lips felt against her soft, gentle.. Hermione shook her head and suddenly remembered Harry. Harry was nowhere to be found and knowing Harry had always been in a trance lately. It was very dangerous for him to roam the school grounds alone.

Hermione then by instinct hit him in between his legs hard with her knees. Malfoy moaned dropping to his knees letting go of his grip on her wrist. She quickly grabbed her bag and dashed out the classroom.

Malfoy cursed himself silently for letting Hermione hurt him. He never thought of her using her knees. He's going to get her back..somehow. He stood up wincing in pain. He was already packing his bags when he heard Peeves outside saying "Why is Hermie running down the hall? She might trip.Watch your step!!" He heard Hermione shriek then a loud sickening thud on the ground. He quickly dashed outside and saw Peeves whizzing past. He strode quickly over Hermione. It looks like Peeves pulled the carpet under her. She was knocked out. He dropped to his knees pushed her bangs away from her face and saw a big bloody lump on her head. Without any other thought, he quickly carried Hermione and dashed off towards the hospital wing.

Ron exasperated pulled out his wand and shouted over the head of the heads of the miling first years. " Clear off or I'll blast you!!" A few of them gave a frightened squeak before moving out of the way. Ron quickly muttered a small thank you then dashed off past the entrance hall, through the great doors and outside into the warm sunlight. He stopped for a while then spotted Harry a good few meters away from the edge of the forest. He ran as fast as he could and toppled Harry to the ground shaking him out of his trance.

Harry looked around curiously for a second then realized where he was. Ron stood up and held out his hand to help Harry up.

"We better get you in now you already missed you first two classes" he said looking at Harry seriously. "You're okay, right?" Harry nodded weakly in agreement. His head was spinning around with lots of questions he couldn't understand.

As Ron started to walk toward the castle, he heard the wind rustle carrying with it some kind of indistinct words.

Hermione moved uneasily under Malfoy's arms.

She was in a barren field. At the far end of the field stood a gloomy looking forest, lights flashing around it. Suddenly Harry appeared walking straight to the forest. She starts to run towards him, shouting his name but Harry doesn't seem to be listening. After he entered the forest and disappeared, she stopped and heard clashing of swords, She tried to run towards to forest again only to find out someone was holding her around the waist, hugging her tight. She looked up and saw Draco Malfoy holding her close. protectively. She desperately tried to break free, to go into the forest. At last, she heard a scream of agony, she stopped moving staring at the forest with shock, tears silently trickling down her face, as Malfoy continued to hold her close, whispering encouraging words to her ears.

Ron led Harry straight to Flitwick's class, only to find out Hermione is nowhere to be seen.

"Where's 'mione?" Harry asked. "Dunno!" Ron said dropping his bag to the floor, "first you then, Hermione! What the hell is going on?"

Much later Neville came in bearing to news that all the teachers were meeting at the teacher's lounge. They gratefully returned to their dormitories, not bothering to look for Hermione thinking that she had known this earlier and was probably at the library reading.again.

Hermione opens her eyes slowly, seeing someone beside the table pouring the contents of a crystal vial to a goblet. She slowly sits up, but stopped because she felt that her head was going to explode. This must be how Harry feels like when his scar hurts. She closed her eyes and clasps her head between her hands, trying to loosen the pain. Then she feels someone tap her gently at her fingers; she slowly opens her eyes only to see steely gray eyes looking at her, full of concern.

"Feeling better?" Malfoy asked, peering at her intently. She nods weakly then quickly stopped when she felt another blast of pain shoot trough her head, she closed or eyes and winced. Then he heard him chuckle softly, She opened her eyes and glared at the boy beside him. "Here, Madame Pomfrey told me you should drink this." He said handing her the goblet. She peered at the contents of the goblet only to see a clear looking liquid but a lot thicker than water. She hesitated before drinking the potion. "Don't worry, no poison there." Malfoy drawled as he sat down at the edge of her bed. "Where's Madame Pomfrey?" She asked. "At a meeting with the teachers." He said looking at the ceiling, then he turned to face her, "You should really drink that."

Hermione swirled the contents of the goblet before drowning it in one gulp. After that Malfoy stood up again, took the goblet from her and placed it at the table. "Drink this after an hour." He said raising another crystal vial, then stalked out of the infirmary without looking back.

Hermione stared at the door silently thinking of what happened earlier. Maybe. she quickly dismissed her thoughts about Malfoy stopped , and slowly drifted back to sleep.

Malfoy placed the book he was reading at the table beside the fireplace, thinking about Hermione, she couldn't be able to drink the potion in time. He sighed as he run his hands against his hair.

Stupid mudblood, why does he have to be stuck with her? He bit his lips hard until he tasted blood.

He suddenly remembered how her lips felt when he kissed her. He shook his head, slowly got up and started to walk toward the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey told him not to leave her side until she was back, he might as well do it.

He slowly entered the infirmary. He looked at the sleeping figure at the bed. She was curled up against herself, her blanket lay forgotten at the floor, he clasped her hand around his, her hands was so cold, and she was shivering slightly.

He sighed warily as he picked the blanket and gently tucked her in, as he did so, his hands brushed against her neck. He looked at her and around the room. She had fever, her skin felt hot against his.

He closed eyes tried to remember what her mother did when he was sick with fever. He remembered being wrapped with layers of blanket, performs the heating charm to let him sweat his fever off and a wet towel being placed on his forehead to lessen the heat.

Before he took off and got the ingredients, he used a dry towel and dried the sweat on her forehead and neck, then he gently raised her head and cradled it one of his hands as the other hand removes her ponytail and laid her hair in manner so that she wouldn't be able to sleep on it.

He looked at her sleeping figure for a while, then suddenly remembered the blankets. He hastily walked towards the linen closet grabbed two more blankets. He returned to her bed and tucked her in with the two blankets, then muttered the heating charm.

Hermione relaxed slightly after this. Draco stared at her, he raised his hand and gently traced her brows, then her lips. He quickly removed his hand when she moved slightly.

He sat at the bed beside hers. He looked at her, thinking what has gotten in to him.

Was he..attracted..to her?

He shook his head vigorously trying to erase his thought he quickly got up, since he couldn't find a basin he transfigured a goblet in to a shallow basin and carried it to the restroom to fill it with water.

Hermione woke up a bit later to find herself snuggled comfortably beneath layers of warm blanket, her ponytail already removed.

The first person that entered her mind was Malfoy, but he wasn't the kind of person that would take care of someone willingly, besides he already left. She looked at her watch she wasn't about to drink the potion for another thirty minutes.

She was about to snuggle back beneath the covers when Malfoy entered the room he placed the basin he was carrying at a table nearby, then he shrugged his robes off, rolled up the sleeves of his white polo shirt that revealed a well defined sets of arm muscle and started to walk towards her bringing the basin with him.

Hermione quickly closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, she wanted to see what he was about to do. He soaked the towel wet, wrung off the excess water and gently dabbed it on her forehead. Hermione sighed and opened her eyes.

Malfoy jumped back a bit, he quickly regained his composure and asked Hermione, "How do you feel?" "Still bad, but a bit better." She smiled weakly. For a fleeting second she saw him smile gratefully, but was it was quickly replaced by his usual scowl. Her heart skipped a bit, it was a shame, he looks a lot better if would smile a lot more.

"Don't ever think I'm doing this for you, mudblood. I'm doing this because Pomfrey threatened to hex me." He spat out.

"Thanks anyway." Hermione smiled. He quickly looked away, "well you should be." He muttered. He then grabbed his robes and walked out of the infirmary.

Hermione silently cursed herself. She thought he might have scared him off with the idea of taking caring for a Gryffindor, much worse his archenemy.

She was also surprised of the fact that she found his presence comforting.

While earlier today she just wanted to wring his neck off.

Malfoy was putting his robes on while walking briskly on the corridor towards the library to borrow some books about healing.

When he sensed someone following him he stopped, grabbed his wand turned around quickly and pointed it at the person, now in front of him.

Pansy held up her hand and shrieked in fright, he winced at the sound. Granger was right; she had a voice like a banshee. As he lowered his wand, Pansy flung herself towards him.

She looked up at him and said "Where have you been all day?" she purred, Malfoy fought the urge to cringe.

"You have been avoiding me all night yesterday. Are you thinking I'm mad at you for kissing mudblood? Don't worry I know you did that to shut her up for me" She batted her lashes. Now he fought the urge to laugh.

"I've got to go to the library." He said peeling himself off her.

"But." "go.. just go! .Wait in my room and.. I'll be back later.." After that Pansy shot him with a flirty kind of smile, before sauntering back to the dormitories.

He watched her go, shook his head, never will he sleep with that girl. Not even in his dreams. He'll just have to make up another lie later. Right now he needs to find a potion for Hermione.

"Come on Harry!! Tell me what really happened!" Ron said to Harry through the bathroom door.

Harry opened the door " I told you earlier I had a dream, I woke up then I hid in a room and I don't exactly remember where it is now! I'm tired, I haven't slept a wink last night. Wake me up when Hermione gets here." Harry said climbing up to his bed.

" But.Harry!" Ron bellowed "I'm tired! I'm going to sleep now!" Harry announced blocking Ron's voice with his pillow.

Malfoy went back to the infirmary went straight to Hermione's bed and gently woke her up. She was still groggy when he gave her Madame Pomfrey's medicine.

He wiped away her sweat and checked her temperature. He gave out a sigh of relief when he found out that it had lowered.

He checked the back of her shirt, it was soaked through with sweat. He casted a spell over it to make it dry up quickly. He then proceeded to make the potion. Hermione woke up after a while, she felt that her shirt was already dry.

Malfoy, she thought. "Um.Malfoy?" She asked. He turned to look at her.

"Problem?" He asked.

He placed a palm on her forehead, he smiled then said "Your fever's going down." She watched him collect different vials from medicine cabinet and mix up a potion.

"Here.." he said helping her sit up, to drink to potion.

As he helped her, Hermione looked at him.

It was hard to believe that he was the same person. He looks so serious, caring and concerned.

That he was the same obnoxious Draco Malfoy.

When the door creaked open. Malfoy paid no attention to it.

He was still busy helping Hermione.

Hermione looked and saw Madame Pomfrey enter and walk towards them. She looked at the table filled with books, the empty vials, basins, towels..

Madame Pomfrey smiled then said, "Well then. It looks like Mr .Malfoy did more than what I told him to do!"

She turned to look at Hermione and smiled down at her touching her forehead. "How do you feel?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

Malfoy took the goblet of Hermione's lips and placed it at the table and proceeded to clean the table while Hermione replied, "Much better.".

Malfoy returned to her bedside and took the towels lying beside her, before he could turn back. Hermione squeezed Malfoy's hands to get his attention.

He looked at her in the eye, then she mouthed, "thank you.." smiling. He smirked, turned his heel and quickly walked away.

When Malfoy got out of the infirmary. He stopped a bit and leaned against the wall.

He rubbed his face and shook his head vigorously then he closed his eyes thinking of what happened earlier.

Had he did all that?

Was that real? He lightly bumped his head again and again against the wall erasing the image slowly forming in his mind

Little did he know that he was absent-mindedly rubbing the place were she had squeezed earlier.

Hermione got out of the library two hours later with a strict reminder from Madame Pomfrey not to tire herself.

As she entered the common room, Ron grabbed her hand and dragged her upstairs two steps at a time. When they reached the door Ron kicked it open with a loud bang causing the wizard sleeping at the nearby bed to jump up.

" What the.." Harry said advancing toward Ron, fist clenched.

"Hermione's already here, and you told me to wake you up when she arrived. Now can you tell me?" Ron asked, then turned to look at Hermione, "And you, why do you always have to go to the library?"

"I wasn't in the library, I was at the hospital wing. Some friends you are. Didn't even look for me." She said huffily.

"What happened?" Harry asked yawning.

"Bumped my head, had a high fever." she said.

"Wait a minute.. You bumped your head? Are you walking with your eyes closed?" Ron asked laughing.

"I was a victim of Peeves. Okay?"

"Hah!"

"Shut up, Ron." Hermione said, plopping down to Harry's bed.

"Now what do you want to tell me?"

"Well.. I had this strange dream." Harry proceeded to tell the two persons sitting on his bed. (The redhead's mouth slightly open.)

"And after I woke up.I just got out of here, dunno why. It's like my feet were leading the way. All I know is the walls were made of stone, no windows. it was kind of small and the walls have unusual markings on it.. And I don't know where it is."

"Where did you find Harry?" Hermione asked Ron.

" near the Forbidden Forest. Oh and I also heard the incantations Harry was talking about! It was like an incantation whispered by the wind."

Hermione got up and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"to the library!" She said, she looked at the two people looking at her.

"Why? Do you have any other ideas?" When no one answered she said. "Then I guess I'll go now.Oh and Ron guard Harry will you? We don't want him to wander again!"

"'Mione.. I'm not a kid anymore!" Harry whined.

She closed the door and walked out heading towards the library piecing the clues together. She tried connecting Harry's dream and her dream.

They both had the forbidden forest in their dreams and they heard the clashing and screaming. Ron also heard the incantation.

Carried by the wind.wind..trees..forest.

Not much were mentioned about the forbidden forest in Hogwarts, A History.

Hermione entered the library and proceeded to the back of the library, and started randomly pulling books out. She brought them all at the nearby table and started browsing.

She came upon a book, which was so old, ready to fall apart. Upfront was an engraving of some sort of symbol. She placed her fingertips on top of and felt the embossed edges, when a sudden jolt of electricity surged through her. She looked at the book curiously and opened it at the first page.

The text was beautifully scripted in thick parchment paper, but she could only make half of it for the other half was covered with what looked like dried blood.

It read:

"Flow of time ;

Flow of water.

Rivers of power;

Surge through me."

Time is known as one of the most powerful magic ever. In the past centuries, powerful wizards and witches use its power to control chain of events , people , every living thing and much more, magic itself. It was known as the ultimate power. Whoever got hold of time can do everything be it destructive or not.

Time is kept at a place where life started. Where three rivers of power flow to a pool of magical energy. The honor of guarding this place is placed upon the most noble of all wizarding families the Vilgavless.

Hermione peered closer hoping to make out some of the words, but with no use. She tried to peel off some of the blood soaked pages but to no avail.

Hermione sighed and closed the book. She stood up and started to walk towards the shelves.

She saw a gold encrusted one at the top of the shelves. She pressed herself against the shelf and stood on tip toe. But she still couldn't reach it.

Then she heard someone behind her whisper, "accio" as the book whizzed out of the shelf and land straight into Malfoy's hands.

Malfoy opened the book and looked at it, cocking his head from side to side as he slowly stepped towards Hermione. He closed the book and handed it to her. " Have you forgotten that you have a wand in your robes?" he said, smiling down at Hermione.

"What do you want?" she said taking the book from his hands and started to browse it and at the same time starting to turn towards the table, when Malfoy gently pushed her shoulder and pinned her against the shelf.

She felt the edges of the shelves against her back painfully as her nostrils were bombarded with the scent of decaying parchments.

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, only no sound escaped her lips, because Malfoy met hers with his.

Hermione indistinctively wanted to close her eyes and drown herself in the pleasure she was feeling right now, but it felt wrong.

So wrong.

Somehow, something at the back of her mind tells her to push him away, bite his tongue, but she couldn't force herself to do it.

She knew that if she closed her eyes, she would lose the faintest strength in her mind, and her heart will take over.

She felt his tongue gently caress the inside of her mouth as his hands slowly traveled to the nape of her neck and gently push her towards him to deepen their kiss.

She dropped the book and placed her hand between them and with full force tried to push him away. But she soon found out she couldn't. He had gripped the ledges of the bookshelves tightly.

She turned her head to the other side. His lips left hers, but he proceeded to kiss the side of her neck.

" Malfoy. please stop this.. I. I don't think."She started, but she lost all her strength, closed her eyes and let out a small whimper as he began to lick the sensitive part of her neck just behind her ears.

Why was he doing this?? She felt his hands travel the length of her body and slid inside her robes and into her blouse, caressing her skin with his warm and rough hands. "Malfoy."She started as words started to form in her mind and again to be dispersed by another surge of electricity that went through her body.

"Draco.." he whispered as he lifted his head and stared into her and claimed her lips again in another round of passionate kiss.

His hands quickly removed her robe and started to unbutton her blouse while the other was inside cupping her breast.

Hermione opened her eyes as Malfoy left her lips and began trailing kisses down her newly exposed skin.

Her eyes widened in shock and fury as she saw Pansy holding a camera and clicking madly away.

Hermione looked at Malfoy and grabbed a handful of his silvery blond hair. And yanked his head up and hitting him between his legs again.

He yelped in surprise and opened his mouth

"Damnit! What the hell??"

"You have no hope Malfoy.!" She spat out. She went straight toward Pansy. And hit her in the stomach in full force.

She snatch the book up and her robes from the floor beside Malfoy. "Never talk to me ever again. I'm so disgusted with you." Hermione hissed at Malfoy's ear.

" Hermione I..I don't know that she here." Mlafoy said grabbing her hand. "Don't call me by my first name ever again. Hearing your voice makes me want to hurl." She said as she stormed out the library.

"Aww. too bad I should have hidden myself, now I spoiled everything" Pansy whined.

Malfoy got up, got his wand, muttered something that made the camera to disintegrate to ashes and pointed his wand at Pansy.

"you're going to be so sorry, Obliviate!" he shouted and left Pansy's unconscious body on the floor.

Hermione was shaking with anger. She couldn't believe she fell for his trap. Here she was thinking that Malfoy had changed for the better. But it wasn't till later when she learned that he's never going to change.

She rubbed her lips hard with the back of her hand as if trying to erase the lingering feel of his warm soft lips on hers. She sighed heavily, never am I going to fall for him again, she swore to herself.

She stopped, straightened her robes before entering the common room, the fire was crackling merrily. Casting shadows along the dark wall of the room. Nobody else was in the common room. Every body was at the great hall, eating dinner. She wasn't in the mood going down and facing the whole student body.

She trudged toward the portrait hole, hoping that she could still catch her two best friends until she nearly tripped over something hard. She looked down and her eyes widened as she saw Ron immobile and lying stiffly, face down. She quickly bent down turned him over.

She saw his eyes wide open as if he's trying to tell her something, she quickly performed the counter curse.

"What happened?" Hermione asked helping Ron up.

"Door burst open. gust of cold wind" Ron said trying to walk up the boy's dormitory. "We've got to go to Harry."

When they got up, the door was locked, even the alohomora charm didn't work. After a few seconds of panicking Ron settled on kicking the door open. Once it was open, Harry's bed was empty and they found Neville rocking back and forth in the corner, shaking uncontrollably.

They had Neville wrapped in a warm blanket, seated in an armchair near the fire, which was crackling merrily by now. They had asked him to relate everything that had happened earlier.

"I was about to wake Harry up to ask for help in my Herbology homework. When the door suddenly burst open and the temperature dropped quickly, then I saw an odd mist enveloping Harry. He bolted up. And started to walk toward the door, then I asked him if he was okay he held his hand up and I was thrown to the wall.... I.I think I'll go up now." Neville finished walking back up, obviously still very much shaken by the incident.

Hermione was about to talk to Ron when the portrait hole immediately burst open. "Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger please follow me." Gonagall greeted them.

"Do you two have any idea where Mr. Potter had been earlier this evening?" Gonagall asked.

The two looked at each other and back at Mcgonagall, without speaking. The professor sighed, shook her head and opened the door to the infirmary. Closing the door behind Ron and Hermione. The two were greeted by Madam Pomfrey hastily and were ushered inside a curtained area where Harry was lying.

"What do you think happened?" Hermione asked.

"Dunno."

"What happened to you earlier anyway."

"Believe it or not, I think I was cursed by a gust of cold wind." Hermione looked at Ron questioningly. "Okay. so you don't believe it"

Hermione was about to open her mouth when Harry moved and unclenched his fist. Hermione scrambled up and reached to touch the beautiful ornate box Harry was holding when he suddenly spoke up, "Don't touch that.." he said. "Harry? You awake?" Ron asked tentatively, shaking his friend a little. Harry finally opened his eyes and clenched his fist again. "What is that?" Hermione asked.

"It's the same box I dreamt about."

"Let me see"

"No"

"Please?"

"No!"

Hermione finally pinched Harry's wrist, hard, and caused Harry to let go of the box, and clutch his wrist. Hermione quickly picked the box up. As soon as she touched it the room turned black. "Not again" Harry whined. "Where on earth are we?" came Ron's voice. Hermione looked around and saw a tiny hole of light, she was about to walk towards it when she noticed sounds of horses galloping towards her. She turned around just in time to see the horses carrying knights on their backs barreling towards her. Then she felt two pairs of hands reel her in just in time. Hermione looked up at the riders and saw a knight slow down, raise his sword at her direction and speed off with a blur towards what used to be a tiny hole now growing steadily larger, showing a battlefield where magic as well as blood and swords are all over. Hermione now in deep trance started to walk towards the battlefield. Harry and Ron tried to pull her back when suddenly a reddish orb of some sort surrounded her and threw them backwards before they could even touch the hem of her robe. The two boys watched in vain as the hole closed behind Hermione.

After the hole closed up the room came gradually into view. Then Hermione just stepped out of nowhere, eyes flashing red and body glowing red all over.

She closed her eyes, let out long sigh and dropped to her knees, unconscious.

It's so dark, so cold..

"Where am I?"

"....nowhere..."

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter.."

"Let me out of..."Hermione began, but was cut short when she felt someone comfortingly warm and strong hug her from behind. She then realizes that she's standing there without any shred of clothing. She looks up and sees a face of a man... Long black hair, dark violet eyes, long lashes, square jaw line, olive complexion. She just stood there mesmerized by his face, unable to speak. Then, he leans down and kiss her. She closed her eyes.

She never felt so good. It was like a dream. Magic.

Damn that old crone, Mlafoy thought as he dragged his feet towards the hospital wing where he was spending his night scrubbing bed pans as punishment for attempting to curse a gryffindor fourth year who bumped him. he slowly pushed the door open and saw an eerily glowing red light, softly glowing inside a curtained off area. He curiously peeked in and saw Hermione enveloped in red mist floating a foot or two from the bed. Draco entered the area and touched the mist. He shivered. It was so cold, it was like plunging his hand into a bucketful of ice. After the clock stroke twelve. She slowly settled down mist, gradually vanishing.

On the other side of the castle, in the gryffindor dormitories, the two boys, Harry and Ron both had bluish glowing mist hanging over them. After the grandfather clock stroke twelve the boys slowly sank back to their bed the mist slowly vanished.

Then Harry moved, shifted his position. On his wrist, clearly illuminated by the strip of moonlight shining through his bedside window was a sign bearing the letters V and G.

An owl fluttered past, blocking the moonlight for less then a second, but when the moonlight shone on his wrist again no trace of the symbol can be seen.

It was already past 2 o'clock. And he had just finished the bedpans clean. He sighed and slumped back against the wall and stretched, trying to ease his aching arm and back muscle. Then he remembered Hermione.

After Hermione settled down, he quickly check on her. Everything seems to be normal. Except that she was breathing heavily, which after a little while returned to normal.

He got up, and proceeded to Hermione's bedside. He stared at her for a little while. What was happening? It's starting to mess his mind up. He longed to tell her that he hadn't had anything to do with Pansy, and kissing her. holding her in his arms was one of his happiest moments in life. And believe it or not it, in a slightly twisted way, gives him courage to face his doom filled future.

He pulled in a chair beside her bed; he sat down, placed his chin on top of his hand, and stared at the figure sleeping in front of him. He knew that this was the closest he's gonna get lookin' at her.

He can't believe he fell for this kind of girl, goody-two shoes. Harry Potter's sidekick..know-it all Granger..

He yawned. It was getting late, he had better go now, else he wanted Potter and Weasley see him sleeping beside Hermione. He chuckled softly, picturing the faces of the two when they saw him asleep here. He slowly got up, bent forward and kissed the sleeping girl on the forehead before leaving.

Hermione sensed a little tingle on her forehead, somehow she remembered Draco.

"Don't think about him." the man said.

"Who?"

"You don't fool me. I can read your mind.."

"Y-you mean. Draco?"

"You call him by his first name?"

"...."

"Don't think about him ever again... he's not worth your time.. remember the times he hurt your feelings? He won't change.."

"But..."

"No buts.he's only playing with you.."

With that he leaned in and kissed her again. Hermione closed her eyes and her mind swam in pleasure, all her thoughts dispersed immediately. He slowly lifted his head and Hermione's eyes drifted open. "You're going to think of him again?" She shook her head. "Good." then he leaned in and kissed her again. He lifted her and laid her on the floor, which was surprisingly soft and warm, its like she was laid on top of a mattress, except that she couldn't see anything, the only thing she could see was the gorgeous man in front of her.

She felt his gaze linger all over her body. "Funny.of all the hours you've spent here with me...I never knew that you had this kind of body.."He said tracing his finger on her bare skin. "I've been keeping you here long enough now... You're friends are getting worried.they might suspect."After he said that, Hermione opened her eyes and was nearly blinded by the light.

When Hermione's eyes adjusted to the light. She saw Madam Pomfrey's face loom over her. "Oh good, you're already awake, Potter and Weasley had already dropped by. Now drink this." She handed her a vial of Red liquid. "then if you want to you can go now." With that he left her. After drinking the contents of the vial. She grabbed her robes and proceeded to the great hall. It was already near lunch time anyway.

She walked down the silent corridor, when suddenly the door to her right opened. And she bumped to the person who just walked out of the room. She was about to say a colorful set of words, when the world around her started to spin and people started to walk in a fast forward manner.

Hermione's head was throbbing in pain; she thought it was going to split in half. What the hell was going on? She asked herself. It was like she was inside a time warp or something.

Hermione started to stand up. But she fell down again. Her body was aching all over. The pain was so intense. then like it started, it ended quickly.

The pain was slowly ebbing away. She was kneeling there breathing heavily. When she felt someone help her up.

" 'mione, you okay?" Lavander said

"Yeah, thanks." She said, massaging her forehead. When she looked up she saw a young man, standing there with worried eyes, handing her, her book bag.

"Do you fell alright, Ms.."he said, stopping.

"Her name's Hermione Granger, Professor." Lavender said.

Professor? Hermione looked at the man standing in front of her, long yellow hair, dark blue eyes. isn't he a bit young to be a professor? And she had this strange feeling that she had seen this man before. she looked at Lavender. She was all giggly and looking at the professor.

"Ah, so you're Miss Granger.. Professor Mcgonagall already told me about you. I look forward to seeing you in my class this afternoon." he said showing a shy smile, Hermione blushed. With that he turned around and strode to the other direction.

"Isn't he hot?" Lavender asked staring after the professor.

"What's his name?" Hermione asked.

"Professor Edward Hay."

"Good name. And I presume that he teaches defense against dark arts?"

"Yup! Come on tell me what do you think?"

Hermione looked at the figure ahead, she looked at the girl beside her. A slow smile crept to her lips. "Kind of." she said.

Lavender pouted.

"Okay so I agree he's ..cute. oh and do me a favor will ya?"

"Sure! Anything." Lavander said still staring at Professor Hay.

"Go to Ron and Harry, tell them I'll wait for them by the lake." Hermione said.

"More than willing to.." Lavi smiled and skipped off the other direction.

Hermione watched her friend skip off towards the great hall.

She quickly turned around, then a lightning sharp pain shot through her head. She failed her arms expecting her hand to rest on the cold hard stone wall for support, except she didn't feel it. A pair of strong hands held her steady, she looked around to see if everything was spinning again. All she saw was black. She widened her eyes, panicking. Have I gone blind? She asked herself, then she felt the person supporting her lift her up and sit her against the wall. She closed her eyes and opened them again, her vision was slowly coming back she saw Harry's loom over her.

"you ok?"

" Yeah ...Yeah 'm ok."

She looked around and saw Lavi standing behind Ron. Leaning against the wall opposite them was Malfoy, a worried expression ran through his face. When he saw her looking at him he quickly strode off towards the other direction.

Malfoy stared at the small group of friends huddling around Hermione. When Ron shifted to the left. He saw her expression change from pain so grateful when she saw Harry's face, he felt a small pang of hurt run through his chest. God knows how much he wanted to see that expression up close.

Harry looked at Hermione beside him leaning against the tree trunk. She was looking at the rippling waters of the lake since she settled down, probably thinking of something pretty deep. Ron offered to go up and bring them their lunch.

He wondered if she also experience that warp thingie.

" 'mione? Hey." he asked gently scooting over shaking his best friend's hands a little.

"Hmm?" she replied still looking at the lake. Harry opened his mouth when Hermione suddenly turned her head toward him and said,

"Something's going on.. I can... can feel it.. did you experience that strange... I don't know how to call it.. but earlier I just felt that my head's 'bout to explode...then everything's starting to go fast... I really don't know what's happening.. and I kept having dreams about a guy.. I don't remember him anywhere..." She said trailing off.

So she experienced it too!

"Ron and I experienced that too. We thought it may be connected with this." Harry said taking the ornate box out of his robes. Hermione by instinct reached over to touch it, but thought otherwise. She wouldn't want to relive the nightmare it caused her.

"Hey we got roast beef, mashed potato, pumpkin juice. Couldn't bring more though." Ron announced, the dishes trailing behind him. It gently settled down in front of him and sat down in front of the two.

"Ooh, you already told her the time warp!" said Ron, as he reached over and took the box from Harry hand.

"B-But. the..Why?. ack!" Hermione stuttered, and winced as Ron's hand made contact with the box.

"Haha, don't worry 'Mione.. We fond out that it won't repeat the hologram when you already touched it before. but we thought if some one who hasn't touched it before touch it. it will repeat sucking us in again." explained Harry as- matter-of factly, with a smug look on his face like he came up with a life saving conclusion.

"Look 'mione!" said Ron. He twisted the box he set it down on the grass and Hermione watched it as the upper half of the box with the carvings of the waterfall turn with a slight ticking sound, stop, and opened like a flower blooming except that the petals are like the rays of the sun seen in some carvings all wavy and pointed at one end.

"what. the hell is that?" asked Hermione picking the sun shaped box up. The center was hollow but somehow she couldn't touch the insides of the box it's like sealed up with a glass.

"That's why we brought it here to you, we thought that you might have read something about it."

Hermione stood up and slowly angled the box to that it would catch the light. She was turning it, when something on the box's inside flashed. She quickly returned it to the position so that the invisible glass like surface faced the sun. then she saw it.

It was the same symbol of the book, which she recently read. The book she found inside the library containing articles about the time and the Vilgavles.

Draco watched as the two boys beside Hermione, run off towards the direction of the castle. Leaving the girl at lawn, staring far away.

He got down from his place on the windowsill at the astronomy tower.

It wouldn't hurt if he missed a single class right?

Harry started down the hallway towards the charms classroom. Hermione simply refused to go with them saying she needs to rest and think things over.

Things are really getting weird.

"hey, ron?"

"do you have this strange feeling that Hermione's hiding something from us?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing its just that she seemed to recognize something inside the key."

"Harry. Remember. The. Box. Is. Empty."

"I know. I know. But I just can't help but feel that there's something she hasn't told us."

"Harry. Hermione's a girl. There are some certain things she can't talk to us about."

"No. its an entirely different matter."

"How do you know?"

"Instinct?" he grinned sheepishly at his friend.

"You know, Potter, you should stop relying in your instinct. It's gonna get you killed one day." said Ron, patting Harry at the back.

Hermione was laying on the shadowed patch of grass near the lake with her eyes closed, taking deep breathes.

'Why didn't I tell them about the book?' they were, after all, her best friends.

She sighed heavily. 'why? Is there something wrong with me?'

Then she felt her head being lifted by someone gently. And place it back down on something soft, she presumed that it was the person's lap.

She smiled to herself, thinking maybe Harry changed his mind and skipped class. And went down to be with her. She slowly opened her eyes, and smiled. But the smile quickly vanished and her expression was replaced by shock. It obviously isn't Harry.

" ' What are you doing here?? ' " she asked as she stood up to look down at the person sitting down.

Draco looked bemusedly at the person looming above him. He bit his lip and shrugged, trying to suppress his grin.

Hermione looked him irritably as he stood up and brushed his pants nonchalantly.

He looked at the girl in front of him placidly. Saying nothing. He seemed content just looking at her flushed face.

"Well? Aren't gonna say something?", asked Hermione.

"What do you want me to say?" Draco asked her, cocking one eyebrow.

"I thought.. I.. Aaargh!!!" she pulled her hair in exasperation.

"You. Are. Not. Supposed. To. Talk. To. Me. Ever. Again." She said through gritted teeth, leaning forward, looking at Malfoy straight in the eye.

He just smiled, said nothing and ran his hands through his hair. He leaned against the tree trunk and look at the furious girl in front of him.

"say something!" she said, hitting his head, hoping to get some reaction out of him.

If he was trying out this new way to annoy her, it sure works like a charm. It seemed that all he's gonna do is stand there with a silly smile slapped across his face.

"ferret say something!" she said shaking him. Hoping he'll say something about her dirty blood staining his robes.

Nothing.

She was about to slap him, hoping that with this he'll say something. If this didn't work, she'll just have to hex him.

But Draco grabbed her hand just in time before it reached his face.

"I knew it! You were bound to do or say something! I was just about to hex you." She said triumphantly.

She smiled at the boy in front of him and tried to yank her hand off. But she just pulled her towards him causing her body to slam against his. She hit her head against his chin hard.

" Ow, ow, ow.." She said rubbing her hand over her head.

"Sorry. Did I hurt you?" He asked gingerly touching the part of her head where she was hurt.

"Nah it's ok." She said waving his hand off. Draco just smiled down at her.

He surprised her by grabbing her and hugging her tightly.

Hermione's eyes widened slightly and a small smile gently played across her lips when she felt him bury his head in her hair.

"You have no idea how much I've dreamed about this day. When I can wrap my arms around you and ..." Draco trailed off.

Hermione was touched, she never knew that Dracohad a soft side. She tentatively placed her hands at his back, she could feel him tense slightly and then relax.

She could stay like this forever.

Wait.

What if he's pulling another prank, and Pansy's just hiding behind one of those trees?

You're being paranoid! She scolded herself. But this was Draco we're talking about. She couldn't take any chances.

She started to pull away.

Draco hugged her tighter still, "Why do you keep pushing me away?" his voice muffled.

"It's just that."said Hermione, managing to put her hand between them and push him away. But his hands were clasped firmly behind her, not letting her go, thus creating a small space so they were facing each other, their face inches apart.

"You don't trust me?" asked Draco, looking at her straight in the eye, as if searching for something.

Hermione had to look away; she felt that if she looked in his eyes any longer she would burst into flames.

Damn.

"Look, just give me another chance. I promise." his voice shaky, he was trying very hard to control his emotions.

Hermione didn't answer. She kept her head down and was muttering "he's a jerk, he's a jerk, he's a jerk" over and over again, trying to zone out his voice.

He looked at Hermione, waiting for her to finish her mantra.

When Hermione realized that Draco was not talking anymore. She stopped and raised her head. A small smile was playing on his lips. "You finished?" asked Draco.

Hermione shook her head. She had to stop looking at those lips. She looked up and her eyes were caught inside those silver orbs. Hermione shook her eyes yet again, "Damn!" she muttered under her breath.

She looked down at the patch of grass beside her foot and decided to continue her mantra. She heard him chuckle slightly.

"This girl is strong!" thought Draco, amused. "That, isn't going to make me let go!" he sang out.

Hermione's head snapped back and looked at him. "Why don't you just let me go?" she whispered threateningly.

"Coz I don't want to."

"Let go!" said Hermione exasperatedly. She put her hands behind her and tried to pry his hands loose." Draco only laughed.

"Draco, come on!" said Hermione, her voice quivering. She would never let him see her cry. He laughed, adjusting his hands so that his grip was stronger.

"You git!" shouted Hermione, "You think I'm just playing around? Y-you think that you could treat people like dolls? Only to let go if you want to?" She could feel tears collecting in her eyes and felt one trickle down her cheeks.

"No no. I didn't mean to hurt you. Don't cry!" said Draco panic in his voice.

"Then let go!"

Draco looked at her, hesitated, then leaned forward and kissed her softly on her forehead. Her eyes widened in surprise, her arms slumped back down to her sides. Did he just do that?

Draco put his hand her chin, slowly leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Softly at first, then more urgently. Damn! I've got to stop him. She lightly started to hit him, but he gave no reaction and continued to kiss her. Hermione finally gave in, loving the way his lips felt against hers.

Harry bit of the other end of the candy and his nosebleed stopped immediately. He smiled to himself, his winnings had really paid off. The twins inventions were really great, and every galleon was worth it.

He reached into his pocket, and got out a silver locket with a lion engraved on it.

Hermione's going to love this. He smiled to himself as he imagined her reaction when he presented this to her.

He had been working on this locket for a few days now, after Flitwick taught them the engraving charm.

Ron had been pestering him about it every night whenever he saw him working on it. Asking him to whom he's going to give it to, why he was doing it.

Now that he thought about it, he really didn't know. He just liked the idea of doing something during his free time, instead of staring at the flickering fire in the common room, and he liked the idea of doing something with passion and giving it to somebody, especially to Hermione.

He skipped down the stone steps and walked briskly towards the lake. He stopped short in his track when he saw Hermione and Malfoy kissing.

"MALFOY!" Harry bellowed running towards Draco, fist clenched and still clutching the locket.

Draco pulled away and pushed a panting Hermione behind. His hand was creeping towards his wand as Harry sank his fist into Draco's stomach.

Draco doubled over, Wheezing. He wasn't expecting it to be that hard. "Damn you!" wheezed Draco, looking up at Harry who was shaking with anger.

"Why don't you mind your own business!" Draco spat out.

Hermione stood in shock staring at the space between the two men in front of her. She looked over at Harry then at Draco. She did a double take at Draco and hurried over him and helped him.

Harry looked at the two person in front of him. One his bestfriend, the girl he cared about most after Cho had gone...and the other, his arch nemesis for nearly 7 years.

He looked at his clenched fist and slowly opened it, letting the locket drop to the ground. Before running towards the castle.

Hermione stared after Harry as he ran towards the castle. Her eyes raked back towards then ground where Harry dropped a piece of silver. She looked at Draco, whose head, she was cradling on her lap.

What had just happened? Why had she ran to Draco?

It was wrong... she knew perfectly well that she was falling slowly and painfully for Malfoy... She couldn't help it..yet she knew it was wrong...so wrong...

Draco looked at her questioningly. Then he looked over to the place where Harry was just standing a minute ago, and saw something gleaming.

He was about to reach for it. When he felt Hermione lift his head, place it on the ground and picked the locket off the ground. She stared at it for a moment, before breaking into a run trying to catch up to Harry.

Draco slowly stood up, he leaned against the tree. And stared after the two retreating figure. For a minute, he thought, that for the first time, he won.

He watched desperately as Harry stopped and Hermione flung her arms hugging Harry from behind.

He turned around and limped towards the other direction, he was not sure he wanted to know what was going to happening next.

"Harry! Harry! Wait!..." Hermione cried, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. The boy in front of her stopped.

"Don't leave me..." She whispered as she hugged her best friend from behind. "I'm sorry..."

She heard Harry let out a shaky breath. "Normally I wouldn't give people a chance to explain..." said Harry, he turned around and was obviously forcing a weak smile." But since you're...different... I'm going to give a chance..."

Hermione looked up into his eyes, she could tell that he was hurt.

She felt so guilty.

Here she is, doing something rotten, and Harry is standing there, ready to forgive every single mistake she committed.

She reached up and touched Harry's face with her palm. Tears were flowing freely down again; she couldn't help it. Why couldn't Harry just bawl at her or slap her?

Harry alarmed, reached into his robe and pulled out a hanky, gently dabbing it at Hermione's tear stained cheek.

Hermione hugged Harry tightly, buried her face on his chest and continued to sob softly. Harry rubbed his hands up and down her back.

"I'm so sorry I don't know what came over me.." she sobbed.

"It's ok, I know the git forced you." At this, fresh tears flowed again staining his black robes.

She knew it wasn't entirely Draco's fault. She gave in herself. She loved his warmth, his touch.. all of him.

And she needed to forget about him.

"It's alright. he's never going to bother you ever again.not until I'm around.ok?" Harry lifted her head, smiled and brushed away the stray strands of hair sticking to her face.

Hermione nodded. "Thanks for the locket!" she said, showing the locket to Harry. He took it from her hands, opened the clasp, asked Hermione to bend and closed the clasp around her neck.

Hermione looked at it. Awed. It was beautiful.

She looked up and Harry lightly brushed his lips on her forehead before taking her hand and leading her back towards the castle.

Hermione tumbled to the floor. Her hair hung messily in front of her
face. She slowly reached up a hand and gingerly touched her cheek.

She snapped her head back and looked icily at the man standing in
front her.

"Damn you!" she shouted. Fuming with anger.

"No.it's damn you!" hissed the man. He strode towards her, knelt and
grabbed her hair at the back of her head, making her look up at his
gorgeous face.

Hermione spat at his face. She looked at him furiously, silently
challenging him.

He laughed coldly. He grabbed her chin painfully. He stared in to her
eyes and said in low voice. "I told you never to go to him. And what
did you do? you kiss him. Not only that you also love him. How many
times have I told you he's useless."

"Who are you in my life to tell me if I'm doing something wrong?"
whispered Hermione.

"You're right. I'm no one. But you know what? You can't do anything.
I'm with you whenever you close her pretty.little.eyes." he said,
tracing Hermione's eyebrow with his finger.

"You're just a figment of my imagination. I can get rid of you anytime
I want to." said Hermione, seething.

He laughed a cold high pitched laugh. "I dare you to try it. I won't
be that easy. Now come on, you don't need to be afraid."

He leaned in and tried to kiss her. Hermione struggled and slapped him
across his face. Hard. He stopped, rubbed his cheek. He smirked.

He tried again. Hermione was already screaming, hitting him
everywhere. "I told you to stop!"he roared, punching her hard in her
stomach.

She keeled over, gasping, clutching her stomach. He grabbed her two
hands by their wrist and placed them above her head. He pinned her
legs down to the floor painfully with his knees.

She winced, disgusted. She felt him lick her skin just below her neck. She let out

an agonizing scream, trying to erase the tingling sensation his tongue
left on her skin. While he held her two hands up above her head with
one hand the other was vigorously massaging her breast. Tears silently
trickled down her cheeks. She bit her lip, trying to surpass the pain
she's feeling.

What's happening? This is just a dream.

A nightmare.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.....

Her body arched painfully when she felt him enter her. She felt like
he was tearing away her very soul. She let out a painful scream. Her
nails were biting hard into her skin inside her hand. As unbearable
pain shot through her body over and over again.

She trashed her head from side to side sobbing uncontrollably.
Thinking of her friends. Harry will come to her aid. He will rescue
her.

Draco will.

"Aargh!" he exploded as he pulled out of her.

She slumped back to the ground. Exhausted. Body aching all over.
She continued to sob silently.

This is just a nightmare. It wall all be over soon.

Draco. where are you?

She leaned her head to the side and saw a blinding white light.

She was saved. Draco had come to save her.

A/N see that wittle button over there? Yes? Yup? Now move your pointer over there and click it.. Please review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!