It was dawn. The sun would be rising in just an hour. And Hermione hadn't managed to close her eyes. Every time she would shut her eyes and try to drift off to sleep, the image of Malfoy and Parkinson shagging in the bathtub would float into her dreams. Distastefully.

She looked over the four girls sleeping in the same room as her. Her eyes darted to Parvati. It was difficult for Hermione to process the fact that her Gryffindor schoolmate had willingly slept with Malfoy this summer. It was still unbelievable to her.

Hermione sighed and rolled over to face the window. The lake shined in the subtle darkness that would soon be overtaken by the tip of the sun peeking from its crest. She wasn't tired and knew that even if she managed to fall asleep now, an hour wouldn't ease the drowsiness she would feel in class due to her restless night.

She got up and decided it was time to start her day. The way she liked it. Early. By the time she finished getting ready, the alarms in her dormitory were ringing and waking up the rest of her dorm mates.

She got to the Great Hall and it was bare with a few students here and there. Hermione opened her book and started on a fresh bowl of cereal while she waited for her friends.

What she failed to remember was that her rival house often had their breakfast early as well. She heard the hall get heavy with footsteps and looked up in time to see the lot of sixth-year Slytherins walking to their table. Their desired spot happened to be directly across from her.

She scanned the group and much to her luck, she spotted the infamous platinum blonde hair. Her eyes moved down to his face and she had already found his silver eyes locked onto her.

Hermione cursed under her breath and ducked a little lower to her book. Why couldn't Ron, Harry, or even Ginny wake up early? So she wouldn't have to be alone. It wasn't a matter of cowardice but of distraction.

The brunette was about to sneak another peek at them when, thankfully, she heard the voice that belonged to Neville Longbottom.

"Good morning Hermione!" he greeted cheerfully.

In return, she smiled at him and Neville sat across from her which blocked her direct view from the Slytherin table.

"Did you sleep well, Neville?" she asked, removing her eyes from the hungry boy. She tried to return to her book but couldn't control her wandering eyes.

While Neville went on about his perfect eight-hour slumber, Hermione adjusted her position so that she was leaning towards the side. She watched Draco, his breakfast plate was already set up. In fact, he decided to start with an apple today. His hand, with the Malfoy crest ring on it, brought the apple to his mouth. And when he was about to chomp on the fruit, his eyes found Hermione's.

His bite was slow and his stare was vicious, keeping all intensity locked onto the brunette. She felt her grasp on the book tighten as a result, and darted her attention to her table.

Panting. She noticed herself out of breath. What was going on with her? She shook it off and tried to play off her anxiety from Malfoy as a jitter from her lack of sleep.

Neville was still talking. But she wasn't listening.

"Sorry Neville," she tried to make up and the boy stopped his conversation with his mouth still slightly open, "what were you saying?"

It was her courtesy to at least pretend to listen to Neville while she shook off her thoughts of Malfoy. But what came next out of the boy's mouth had her full attention.

"Insufferable hearing Ron go on and on about her. Must've spent at least two hours talking to-"

She stopped, almost missing what Neville had just said. Suddenly Malfoy was irrelevant. In comparison to Ron.

"What did you say, Neville?"

Neville paused and looked at Hermione with half of a pancake stuffed in his mouth. "What?"

Hermione waited for him to finish his bite. She let out a breath. She was crazy to drop all thoughts. But her curiosity always got the best of her. Especially if it was about Ron, talking about some girl.

She wanted to care less but that wasn't an option.

"Who was Ron talking about?" She set her book on the table and folded her hands to seem more pleasant toward Neville.

"Eleanor Chasity." Neville sighed before he took a sip from his goblet. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed and she let out a silent scoff. "That was after he talked of Lavender Brown though."

Oblivious to Hermione's irritation, Neville went on about his night and the concern for his times-tables this year.

As Hermione circled back to all her frustrations, she felt the hole she dug herself into, only growing deeper. And it was only the first day back! Of course, she hadn't spent much time thinking about Harry now that they were back at Hogwarts. But maybe it eased his mood to be back at school. It was always his home. And Hermione knew Dumbledore would also be keeping a close eye on Harry.

But hearing Ron and all of his crushes. It was beating her down, making her feel insecure. She touched the curls that lay on her shoulder. Comparing her golden hair with Eleanor's blonde waves made Hermione feel like she was doing something wrong.

And speaking of blondes.

She was going to take another look at the Slytherin table but decided against it. This afternoon, Hermione was going to report what she saw in the bathroom last night to McGonagall. Maybe some distance and authority between her and Malfoy would be a light solution to ease her problems.

"I'll see you later." She bid Neville. He smiled back and wiped the syrup from his chin.

Hermione swung her legs from the bench and grabbed her bag for her shoulders. Her feet were moving cautiously once she felt her back burning with holes. Slowly, she turned her head toward the source, and lo and behold. Draco was watching her.

She felt out of breath from the look he had in his eyes but kept walking. Until she bumped into another body, the book in her hands dropping to the floor. It caused all the students in the hall to look at her and the other person.

Who just so happened to be Cormac McLaggen.

"I'm sorry Granger. Are you okay?" his hands came up on both sides of her. They were placed on her shoulders and she flashed a small smile at him before shrugging them off lightly. Her eyes were still wandering at an angle behind her, towards Malfoy.

"I wasn't looking, my bad." She tucked her hair behind her ears and Cormac bent down to retrieve her book.

He handed it to her and Hermione muttered a quick thank you.

"I'll see you around then." He smiled not before eyeing her up and down.

Hermione scoffed. Gastly. Her eyes followed the boy whom she had run into. Turning herself around had made her the attention of Draco again. The rest of the Slytherins returned to their breakfast but not him.

He merely smirked at her. She pressed her tongue against the side of her cheek. Malfoy should've been scared of her, not the other way around. This afternoon she would make sure of it.

She shook her head and disappeared from the hall.

"Honestly, the both of you are just being dramatic." she pointed out. There was a little smile on her face as they walked to the dungeons.

"Dramatic? I was more than happy to not have to deal with another year of potions." Ron huffed.

"But Snape's not teaching it this year." she tried to reason.

"Mione it's bloody potions. No one enjoys that class," he complained back. Harry could only nod in agreement. Her mouth was open in shock at their lack of enthusiasm. "Hagrid could be teaching potions and I would still find a way to fail that class."

The trio finally arrived at the classroom. Late. Slughorn stopped in the middle of his lesson and the rest of the class snapped their eyes to their tardy classmates.

"Ah, Harry my boy! And Miss Granger." he walked over to the trio and shook Harry and Hermione's hands but stopped at Ron. Slughorn raised his glasses to get a better look at him. "And you are?"

"Ron Weasley sir. McGonagall's just had us enroll." Ron said rather proudly.

Slughorn smiled and waved his hand to brush it off. He faced the rest of the class and signaled at the tables. "No worries, just have your books out and join the rest of the class."

Hermione walked over to Katie Bell and stood next to her while Ron and Harry retrieved their books from the cupboard. She was eager to learn. And though Malfoy stood only a few feet behind her. The brunette reminded herself that she would not let herself be distracted.

Nothing could get in the way of her studies.

Not even Harry Potter himself.

It was lunchtime now and Hermione had just finished Charms. She was on her way to McGonagall's office. And to her convenience, it was on the opposite side of the castle.

She kept her head down to avoid anyone she might've known due to the time crunch she was in. As she journeyed further through the castle, the students wandering the corridors became fewer and fewer.

An awful feeling was growing inside the pit of her stomach upon reaching the emptier corridors.

She couldn't put her tongue on it, but it felt like someone was following her. Yet when she turned her head to catch the suspect behind her, there was no one. To calm herself, she muttered reassurements and continued.

Finally, she was at McGonagall's door. But to her avail, no one answered when she knocked.

"Professor McGonagall?" she knocked again.

Her head tilted and she debated whether or not to open the locked office. But decided against it, fearing McGonagall's wrath. Sighing with defeat, Hermione let her fist fall to her side and turned around.

And she was startled to meet a pair of silver eyes.

The gasp had barely escaped her lips when he said, "Snitching on me are you?"

Hermione pressed her back into McGonagall's door to create space between her and Draco. She swallowed and looked down at her hands. Both of which were grasping at the door for help.

Immediately she brought her arms closer to her and looked at Malfoy. Her fear was only amusing him.

Hermione stepped forward and thankfully Draco took a step back. She crossed her arms against her chest and frowned at him. "Do you not know how to properly announce your presence?"

In return, he chuckled and looked down at his feet while Hermione glared at him. "I do, but seeing as how scared you are of me this year," she scoffed. "I figured sneaking up on you would be much more entertaining."

"I am not afraid of you, Malfoy."

"Is that so?" he spoke slowly.

She nodded with sour eyes. Draco squinted and tilted his head before taking a step toward her. Hermione's eyes wandered off the boy and floated elsewhere as she took a step backward.

He was satisfied with her reaction. His infamous smirk said it all. Hermione took a deep breath in and finally built up the courage she had been lacking for a while.

"You might've spent all summer shagging god knows who, but you don't get to do that here. Especially in public!" she exclaimed. "You and Parkinson have obviously been abusing your privileges! And I believe the role of a Prefect must be deserving of another pair of Slytherins!"

He didn't even blink. She had failed to realize that he was tending to his fingernails instead of paying attention to her passionate lecture. Her irritation only bubbled inside of her.

"Hm." he dusted off his hand and flickered his eyes back to the brunette. "I know you're attention deprivation is a result of Weasley's lack of interest. But must you ruin it for everyone?"

She was astonished. His comment left her mouth hanging wide open. "Excuse me?"

"Oh come on now," his feet took off and Draco was circling Hermione now. "It's no secret you've had the googly eyes for Weasel-bee. But I would've assumed he pulled the stick from your arse already."

She could feel him behind her, his breath resonating sensations around her body as he circled around her. "Potter too. You would think a girl with two boy best friends. Ones that are desperate and idiotic as yours. Would've had some satisfaction in her life."

He stopped directly in front of her but she was too busy staring at the floor. His words were obviously getting to her. But that didn't stop Draco from inching closer to her face. "If you know what I mean."

He could practically feel her hair on his lips. She was using her brunette curls to cover her shameful face. Hermione hated the way Draco was talking to her. But she hated herself even more for not responding.

"While you may be a prude," Draco twirled one of her curls in his finger. A small gasp escaped her lips. Hermione's brown eyes cautiously raked their way up to the boy's face. "I think it's your dirty blood repelling them away."

He flung her curl away from his finger and looked at it in disgust. As if he had touched mud. He wiped it on the sleeve of his robe. "Even the blood traitor and the boy who is an imbecile have standards."

A loud slap echoed the walls of the corridor.

And Hermione felt the stinging sensation on her hand before she realized what she had done. Draco's face was forced to face the other direction. The surface of the side visible to her was already turning red.

She didn't even give herself time to think before she started shoving at him. With all her built-up anger she needed to release it. She was going to aim for another punch and had her arm already in the air. Until he caught it.

Draco looked at her with his nostrils flared. He must've been just as angry as her. Hermione had her lips parted as soon as he squeezed her wrist in his hands.

"Don't ever lay your hands on me," he warned through broken-up bits.

Hermione struggled against his grip. And even though she was out of breath she raised her other hand to come down on him.

Draco caught it faster than the first time. He spun her around and slammed her against the wall with both of her hands pinned by his. She didn't stop. She kept struggling against him, muttering vulgar insults.

He was strong but she was pushed past her breaking point. Hermione brought her knee between his legs and he almost dropped. But he loosened his grip on her. She didn't waste a single second and charged right into him, reversing their roles. He was slammed into the opposite wall. One hand was on his chest and the other, on his neck.

She had Draco Malfoy in the palms of her hands.

Before she had the chance to smile at her victory, or even catch her breath, Hermione heard the most terrifying sound she could ever hear in her whole life.

A gasp she recognized from Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Granger!"

The Slytherin common room was quiet and cold. The way it had always been and the only atmosphere that comforted a very angry Draco. He sat on his reserved couch with his legs occupying the rest of it.

Blaise entered the common room with two small glasses in his hand. The color of fire whiskey embellished the cups. "Here."

He offered Draco one of the glasses which he denied with the wave of his hand. The angry blonde boy was in no mood to drink.

Blaise only shrugged with a smirk on his face before settling in the armchair by his friend. They were facing the rest of the common room. All the younger Slytherins had scurried out before Draco even stepped foot in the room. The only ones lingering were him and Blaise, and a very worried Pansy, accompanied by Daphne Greengrass and Milicent Bulstrode. They sat in the corner at a round table with their whispers only irritating Draco.

"Did she tell McGonagall?"

He scoffed. "Attempted to. The old hag only grew angrier at her empty accusations."

At least he got a kick at that. Watching Granger and her snitching backfire because she assaulted a fellow Prefect.

"I'm surprised." Blaise raised his brows before taking a sip from his glass.

"At what?" he asked.

"That McGonagall believed you over the precious golden girl."

"Oh please." Draco adjusted himself so that both of his arms held the couch and his feet were propped on the table in front of him. "I had markings, and she didn't."

Blaise clicked his tongue at the sharpness of his alcohol. "So what was her punishment?"

Draco let out a humorless chuckle. "I don't know and I don't care."

He took this time to reach over and grab the drink he denied earlier. The glass was pressed against the cheek Hermione Granger had slapped just hours ago. If this were like his third year, he would've kept quiet about it. But this time was different. "A dirty mudblood touched me."

Blaise raised his glass causing Draco to turn his focus to him. "Cheers."

The blonde boy squinted his eyes. He was annoyed at Blaise's amusement and the laughter tickling the glass before his friend took another sip of his drink.

Draco brought his glass to his lips. But this time, something far more important took over his thoughts.

"Have you ever lurked the corridors on the seventh floor, Blaise?"

If there was anything in the world that could comfort Hermione whenever she was feeling down, it were her best friends.

But as she sat picking at her dinner, she couldn't help but sulk in shame. Her thoughts were occupied with the full week of detention she earned this afternoon. And the person to blame. She glared at the vacant spot in between Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.

"You're supposed to eat the food. Not stab at it." Ron complained.

He looked at the brunette girl with ridiculed eyes. She sighed and put her fork down. Ginny placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder and raised her eyebrows. "We're going to have a talk later?"

Her face scrunched. "I can't I-"

By the look of their waiting faces, Hermione was too embarrassed to say. "I'm busy."

"Doing what?" Ginny asked.

"Something for McGonagall."

The rest of dinner was quiet. The thoughts of her awaiting detention forced Hermione to shut down any conversation with her friends. She bid them goodnight at the end of the stairwell before making her way to McGonagall's classroom.

She was pushing past the wave of students making their way to their common rooms when she heard her name being called. When she turned around she saw Harry catching up to her and bumping into some students here and there. Hermione cursed under her breath and contemplated whether or not to keep going. But at last, she waited for the boy to catch up with her.

"Wow. You're in a rush." he huffed.

The brunette turned her feet and walked with Harry. "You know I never like to be late."

He chuckled. Now there was a certain warmth and familiarity to Harry's laughs. It was a silver lining to the uncertainty of her situation. If Harry, the boy who had gone through hell, could ignite a laugh, it gave Hermione hope that things will turn out better. And for the first time since they arrived at Hogwarts, she felt safe. "Have you talked to Dumbledore recently?" she started.

"Mione, we've been back for just two days." he smiled. "And I spent nearly half of summer with him."

"I know, but do you think he might have any updates?"

"Updates?"

Scoffing, she stopped in her tracks and turned to him. "For starters, the missing people, the streets crawling with Death Eaters. Oh and Voldemort."

"Shhh!" Harry looked around the other students. She was being rather loud. He urged them to a crevice in one of the corridors that was more secluded. "What is wrong with you?"

She scoffed. "What's wrong with me? We've spent the past six years fighting remnants of Voldemort. And now that he's back you want to act like nothing's wrong?"

"Because nothing's wrong." he denied.

She looked at him with a dubious expression and he sighed in defeat. "Okay, that did sound ridiculous."

"Harry. What's wrong? You're not being you."

The jet-haired boy let out a humorless chuckle. "What is being me then, Hermione?"

He was truly defeated. Harry leaned against the wall and looked down at his shoes. Hermione couldn't help but feel pity. His green eyes looked into hers and were practically asking for help. But this was much deeper than getting him back at school for quidditch games. Or scolding him for not completing an essay due for herbology. Harry was lost. And he didn't even know the severity of it.

Hermione pulled him into her arms and he sighed, she laid her chin on his shoulder. "You're a troublemaker for starters." He let out a small laugh. And she slowly pulled away. "Always seeking the unknown until his curiosity gets the best of him."

She reached out and adjusted his glasses. It was silent between them, comforting and warm silence.

Until he spoke. "But what if the unknown has already surfaced?"

The brunette crinkled her eyebrows and was going to open her mouth to say something. "What's left then?" he asked hopelessly.

Harry stepped closer to Hermione. "I know the facts, Hermione. Dumbledore knows too. There isn't much we can do right now. He's told me that. All we can do is wait."

Strictly speaking, she knew it was better to trust Dumbledore's judgment. It was coming from Harry too.

"So while we wait, let's at least enjoy this year."

There he went again, another hopeful wish to block the reality that was happening around them. She was already starting off to a bad start this year. But maybe it was her efforts to poke and scheme at the darkness surrounding the Wizarding World. What if she listened to Harry, and waited? Could she find herself in lesser trouble? Her thoughts were interrupted when Harry offered to walk her the rest of the way to McGonagall's classroom.

They continued to walk in silence for a bit. While Harry awkwardly twiddled his thumbs, Hermione let his words soak with her.

"So what is it that McGonagall's having you do?" Harry asked.

She looked at the curious boy and hesitated. But at this point, Harry was walking her to detention and she already kept a lot of things from him this year. If she told Harry about her problems maybe she would walk with a lot less pressure on her back.

"Detention." she finally got out.

His eyes grew big. "Detention? You landed yourself in detention with Professor McGonagall!"

It was her turn to shush him now. She glared at the boy who was still wide-eyed. "Hey! Keep your voice down and wipe that smile off your face, Harry."

"Why didn't you tell us at dinner?" he said still shocked.

"I've been on Ron about his Prefect duties ever since McGonagall handed us our pins. If he found out that I got detention this year, I would never live it down. And besides, who's ever proud of themselves after receiving detention!" she cried out.

Harry continued to giggle and Hermione shook her head in shame. "It's not that bad, Mione. Merlin, you made it seem like you were going to murder McGonagall."

She exhaled feeling a little bit better. She was glad that she told Harry. It took some weight off her shoulders.

"You'll cover for me then? This whole week?"

"A whole week of detention!" he exclaimed.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to tell Ginny, but I don't want anyone else knowing about this."

"Don't worry Mione, I've got you."

The pair continued down the corridors nearing McGonagall's classroom. It was in sight and Hermione was about to bid Harry farewell. She turned around and noticed Harry had stopped a few feet behind her.

"Wait." she stopped and looked at Harry who had a puzzling expression on his face. "If you don't mind me asking, how'd you get detention?"

She inhaled and smiled awkwardly. "Now that is something I do mind."

The brunette tried laughing it off but Harry raised his eyebrows at her. Hermione knew she was tired of hiding the bothersome blonde occupying her thoughts and now, her time. And besides Harry should know.

"It was Malfoy."

Instantly, she regretted telling him. Because Harry had his eyes lowered and his face tilted. "Malfoy?" he questioned slowly.

"Uhm yeah." Harry's reaction was making her nervous now. "We were at each other's throats and well," Hermione looked towards McGonagall's classroom. "McGonagall stopped us."

Harry began walking closer to Hermione in a protective manner. "So he's in detention as well?"

"No, actually." She was fidgeting with her hands. "I slapped him and it left a mark. So he-"

"Did he hurt you, Hermione?" he asked, slowly.

"What?"

"Did Malfoy put his hands on you?" The words came out of Harry's mouth faster and sharper.

She was going to answer when they heard Professor McGonagall's voice at the end of the corridor.

"Miss Granger. I'm sure you and Mr. Potter can finish your talk another time. Unless you'd like to join her, Potter?" McGonagall lowered her eyes at the two and stood by her classroom. Her hands folded and her foot tapping against the castle floor.

Hermione turned back at Harry who straightened himself out and cleared his throat. "I'll see you in the morning."

His robe swung around and Harry was vanishing into the dark corridors.

"I think that's quite enough for tonight." McGonagall's small voice called from her desk in the front of the classroom.

It was late now. And Hermione had just finished organizing the books McGonagall tasked her with. Her hair was puffier than ever and her back ached with growing pain. And if it were just on time.

Hermione wiped her hands together and looked at the old woman who removed her glasses from her face. By the faint of her hands, she gestured for the younger witch to come closer. The brunette sat at the chair in front of McGonagall's desk.

"I must say, Miss Granger, when I saw your hands wrapped around the neck of Mr. Malfoy, I was well-" McGonagall sat up from her chair and pressed her lips together. "Appalled."

"Professor." she stood up. "You must understand that-"

"Sit." McGonagall ordered. Hermione shut her mouth and she admitted defeat before she even sat. "Despite your history with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley and all the trouble the three of you have gotten into."

McGonagall lowered her eyes at the young girl who bit her tongue in shame.

"I've always condemned them for all the violence and mischief, never you Miss Granger." her voice dripped in disappointment. Hermione could only flinch at her words. Her only response was to nod. "Regardless of all the altercations, you've had in the past with Mr. Malfoy, what on earth possessed you to put your hands on another student?"

The real answer would've gotten Hermione detention for the whole year. McGonagall's silence pressured Hermione for an only satisfactory answer. So, she gave her what she wanted. "There is no excuse. Professor." She cleared her throat and looked at the other witch.

The gray-haired woman scowled at Hermione before she strolled back to her desk. "You're an excellent student with outstanding marks and remarkable leadership. You are the most sensible in that trio of yours." she sighed looking at her sulking student, "Therefore,"

Hermione looked up to see McGonagall squinting her eyes and her fingers tapping on the scroll of paper in front of her. Her teacher was on the verge of hesitation. "I will relieve you for the rest of the week."

She couldn't contain her big brown eyes and almost squealed in excitement while trying to keep her composure considering McGonagall's ongoing hesitation. "Thank you, Professor."

"Don't get too excited, Granger." she leaned forward with another scowl on her face. Hermione's face fell.

"If what you are saying about Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson is in fact," McGonagall's face puckered in disgust, "True. Then rest assured, it will be taken care of."

She felt a wave of relief and the taste of victory dancing on her tongue. Though Malfoy's punishment wasn't yet confirmed, the thought of him and Parkinson handing their pins to a more responsible pair of Slytherins made Hermione ecstatic. She wouldn't have to deal with them anymore.

"But in the meantime, please keep your hands to yourself and play nice with Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall again lowered her eyes at the brunette witch who nodded in compliance.

Hermione rose slowly from her chair and bid McGonagall goodnight before happily walking towards the exit of the classroom.

"Granger." she heard her teacher call out one last time. Hermione turned her back to the older witch.

McGonagall had a sympathetic look on her face. She took her glasses off and set them aside on her desk. "Mr. Malfoy is just a boy. And despite all the darkness emerging this year, it's best to be the light. Rather than being the on to turn the switch off." She pressed her lips together and nodded at Hermione before disappearing into her office.

Hermione stood there for a minute. Letting the meaning of McGonagall's words sink in. The darkness. She could've referred to it as many things. The dark lord. All the death eaters. Malfoy. And maybe even Harry. It was something she thought about as she left the classroom in a slow and thoughtful trance.

Ironically, the corridors were darker than ever. Her robe was tightened in hope of seeking warmth from the staleness of the castle without it's wandering students. The light from McGonagall's classroom was no longer illuminating the rest of Hermione's path back to the Gryffindor common room.

"Lumos." she whispered.

The end of her wand illuminated the corridor enough for Hermione to see that she still had some ways to go before she reached her long-awaited bed. It was eerily quiet. And paranoia struck her. Even for the castle this late at night, there was still some expected chatter and wandering footsteps. But nothing. Other than the puff of her own breathing.

Each corner she turned at, Hermione braced herself for hostile hands, or wandering footsteps, and even, lingering eyes. If she was ambushed this afternoon she could only imagine what would happen at night. Maybe she was just overthinking. After all, today had been a very long day.

It wouldn't hurt to search her surroundings one last time before she went on her way. And she was glad she did. Because out of the corner of her eye, she almost missed a silhouette that turned at a sharp corner at the end of the corridor.

Hermione didn't even think twice before her feet started moving towards it. She caught up quickly and found herself at the foot of the staircase. Her ears listened closely and she could hear rapid footsteps fasten at the top of the stairs.

She made haste and bolted up the stairs. Her eyes were vigorously searching the top and she waved her wand to unveil the suspect she was chasing. Whoever the silhouette was, they were fast. But within Hermione's reach. Just not close enough for her wand to catch them. Their footsteps echoed off the castle's walls. The brunette reminded herself to not hex or curse the suspect she was chasing. Especially after hearing McGonagall's lecture. But they would need to come to a halt.

"Stop!" she exclaimed.

It was silent again. She had stopped and she was assuming the person she was chasing had stopped. But after she caught her breath and inched closer into the darkness. There was nothing. The silhouette was gone. Vanished.

"What?" she muttered to herself. Hermione's face crinkled in bewilderment.

She continued down the corridor and even turned a few more corners in hopes of catching her suspect off-guard. But there was nothing. The brunette witch cursed under her breath at her failure of capturing the wandering student. She might as well have admitted her defeat. Her fingers ran through the roots of her hair and she let out a long exhale.

Hermione was exhausted. And she longed for sleep. It was making her crazy.

A scratch.

A single scratch on the wall caused the brunette to gasp. She stopped in her tracks and surveyed her surroundings with the tip of her wand. She couldn't track where the sound came from let alone search into dark oblivion. At the back of her neck, she felt the walls echo from another scratch.

In an instant, she flung herself around and inhaled sharply.

"Hello?" she called out.

She stood still, looking down the corridor. And there was still nothing.

Breathe. She reminded herself. It took a minute for Hermione to pick herself up again. Once she managed to slow down her heartbeat, she took another deep breath in and reassured herself. Nothing is there. No one is there. Hermione decided to trust herself. Because she was often right about uncertain situations.

Unfortunately for her, this was a situation she was wrong about.

And once she turned around, her face collided with a hard chest.

But she was right about one thing. There were in fact, lingering eyes, waiting for her in the dark.