Dislcaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Dumbledore's Office

Draco gasped as he watched the girl in front of him. She was what some might call attractive. She had long black hair that fell below the shoulders to about the middle of her torso. She had ivory skin as smooth as silk. He crystal blue eyes were shut at the moment. At first Draco thought that she had forgotten them, her lips moving in inaudible words. Suddenly, her eyes shot open. She took in a gasp of air. Her black hair began to turn a shade of honey brown, it's straight sleek appearance turning bushy, full of electricity. The length began to shorten until her hair rested evenly on her shoulders. Her pale skin turned a shade of tan. Her waist ever so slightly filled out. Then her skin tight robes slacked, covering up any womanhood. The blood red of her lips lessened to a soft pink shade that seemed to have the texture of a rose petal. Lastly, the blue in her eyes yielded to a warm, melted chocolate tint. She was, in a sense, much easier to look at. She didn't intimidate Draco like the other girl, the one Dumbledore had called Artemis, had. Yet, she did have a sense of confidence that was overwhelming. Her smooth face slid into an expression of fear and confusion. Before Draco could even register what happened, the girl fainted, landing on Draco's feet. Draco stared at her with amazement and wonder. It was Hermione Granger. He turned to Dumbledore, who had been silent up until now. Dumbledore simply raised his wand and, with a flick and a complicated wave, sent the girl rising into the air.

"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said, "I think you should come with me." He wore a solemn look that would have made you think that the world had come to an end.

Draco threw his sheets off himself. He was greeted by the steely cold of the falls night air. His rose to his feet, shivering. He picked up his dressing gown and pulled it over himself. He took one last look at his warm, cozy bed, then followed Dumbledore from his dormitory.

----------+-+-+-+-+----------

Hermione awoke to find herself lying on a very comfortable couch. She sat up quickly, immediately regretting it. Her head swarmed as pried at her memory, trying to remember what had happened. The last thing she remembered was climbing into her warm, cozy bed. And yet, there was something else, too. Something had happened after that. Hermione let out a low moan. Where was she anyway? Glancing around Hermione saw she was in an office of some sort. Across from her was a warm fire bursting with life, a large cauldron with a white hissing liquid basking in it's heat.

Hermione slowly got off the couch, only to fall on the floor beside it. It was amazing how weak she was. She gradually made her way across the floor, crawling to the fireplace. When she reached the fire place she positioned herself on the rug and lied down, feeling the warmth of the fire wash over her, enclosing her in a bed of calmness.

While lying down, Hermione looked about her. Beside the couch there was a small table with a goblet on it. Over the top of the couch Hermione could see a desk covered with scrolls. The wall behind the desk was covered in paintings of witches and wizards that seemed to range from mid-adult to an age that was far beyond retirement. On that same wall a perch stuck out from the wall. Under the perch there was a small bowl. The perch and the bowl were made of gold. It was a phoenix perch. Hermione raised an eyebrow. What teacher would have a…Dumbledore. Hermione mentally kicked herself. The witches and wizards on the walls were the old headmasters. But why was she in Dumbledore's office?

Suddenly, Draco Malfoy came bursting from a door to Hermione's right.. He looked at the couch. His eyes widened with fear.

"Professor! Granger's gone," Malfoy yelled towards the door he had come out of.

"I'm right here you idiot!" Hermione said in an exasperated tone as she rose to sit. Malfoy turned to face her. His eyes lowered to hers. He wore a look of utter hatred. Something different slid across his face, yet it disappeared as quickly as it had come. Something Hermione had only seen when he attempted to sabotage Harry's Quidditch game dressed as dementor and Harry had ended up sending a Patronus his way, and whenever Mad-Eye Moody was around. It was fear. Why would Malfoy be scared of her? If anyone should have been scared of anyone it should have been Hermione who was scared of Malfoy. (As if that would ever happen.) However, something had happened between when Hermione had fallen asleep and now. Something big. Something that was about to change Hermione's life forever.

Suddenly, Professor Dumbledore came charging from the door Malfoy had come from. He was holding a wooden bowl in his hand. Inside was a silvery liquid. Hermione knew what it was. Professor Dumbledore sighed with relief as he saw Hermione sitting on the rug.

"I'm glad to see you awake Ms. Granger. However it will be easier to discuss the past events with you sitting up on the couch," Professor Dumbledore said. His eyes twinkled, yet he wore a painfully solemn look on his face.

Hermione nodded. She tried to get to her feet, yet she collapsed just as before. She tried again. However this time when she flailed for balance, Malfoy came up to her and caught her. Hermione was suddenly overwhelmed with a sharp scent of pine and an implacable smell that scent her into a daze. Suddenly a sharp, powerful female voice filled her head.

'Let me out. I'm hungry. I'll kill him for you. Put you out of your misery. We'll kill him together. We'll feel his delicate skin under out teeth as we suck out his juices. Just let me out. We can kill him together. I know what you want.'

Hermione bit her lip. She slammed her eyes shut as she fought against the voice. Hermione had heard that voice before, somewhere.

"Granger?" Malfoy said. "Are you alright?"

Hermione snapped back to life. She turned to Malfoy, her face turning red. She was going insane. She nodded to Malfoy. He rolled his eyes and helped her to the couch. Once there, Malfoy quickly released his hold on Hermione and scurried to the other end of the couch, leaving Hermione to fall on the couch. Dumbledore glided over to the table on the end of the couch. He swiftly picked up the goblet and headed toward the fireplace. He pulled out his wand and with a flick the cauldron disappeared from the fire and appeared on a metal shelf. Dumbledore dipped the goblet into the potion in the cauldron. When he pulled the goblet out it was filled with a chalky white liquid. A think layer of fog floated above it. Dumbledore carefully made his way back to the couch. He handed the goblet to Hermione. Hermione took it, staring at it with hesitation.

"Don't worry, Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore said. "It's a Soothing Draught. It's quite safe."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione dumped the liquid down her throat. It slid down her across her tongue and down her throat with ease. Hermione felt like she was drinking a cloud. Dumbledore took the empty goblet from her and set it back in it's original place. Hermione fell back into the couch. Seconds before her head hit the couch, a soft down feathered pillow appeared beneath her head. She could feel Malfoy's jealous eyes upon her. He indeed appeared very tired. What time was it anyway?

"Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore said gravely. "We have something we must discuss.