Chapter 12

(Rewritten July 06)

Hermione's discreet exit from the common room worked in her favor. 'The less people who see me now,' she thought, 'The less who can tell Draco where I was.

With a smirk she ran through the main doors and out onto the grounds.

She did feel slightly bad for what she was doing but her curiosity overpowered her need to please Draco.

Oh well.

"Ginny, what the hell is going on with Hermione," Ron demanded as he followed Ginny down the corridor.

"Do you really want to know," she asked.

"Yes," Harry and Ron demanded.

"You have to promise me that you won't tell a soul and that you won't do anything to this person afterwards. Okay?"

"Well, it depends," Harry began but Ginny interrupted.

"Do you want to know or not!"

"Yes," Harry muttered sheepishly.

"Then promise."

"Promise," both boys announced. Ginny stopped and then told them the story.

"Holy shit," Ron muttered afterwards, "I can't believe she didn't tell us."

"I'm going to kill that piece of shit," Harry growled.

"That's why," Ginny explained and pointed at Harry. "Remember your promise." He rolled his eyes and clenched his fists.

"So, what are we going to do now," Ron asked.

"Well," Ginny began, "I think we should tell Draco."

"Ha, why? I'd rather not save that bastard from any pain," Harry scoffed. Ginny narrowed her eyes in his direction.

"Harry Potter, if a girl was about to cheat on you, wouldn't you want to know?"

"Yes, but why would you tattle on her? You are her best friend."

Ginny lowered her eyes to the ground. "I just have a feeling that this guy isn't someone pleasant. I don't know why, but I just do and I think if we have Draco, he can protect her."

"And what if he isn't hurting her but actually...you know...they're doing stuff," Ron asked. Ginny shrugged.

"Well, I don't know...," Ginny sighed as they continued walking. A shadow suddenly covered them.

"Ms. Weasley, oh, and Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. What are you doing out in the hallway at such a late hour?" It was Professor Dumbledore. The three students froze.

"We were..."

"I forgot my..."

"I lost my..."

They began to stutter as they attempted to come up with a liable excuse. Dumbledore simply smiled and nodded.

"Ah, I understand," Dumbledore nodded and raised his hands, "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley left their Potion book in the Head dorm and needed some guidance." The three nodded feverishly. "Well, hurry up then," Dumbledore urged, "I wouldn't want any other teacher to catch you. Now go on."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry muttered. Dumbledore winked and they continued on their way.

Hermione stepped into a gust of crisp, fall air. She only had five minutes left so she jogged to the south side of the lake. With every step she began to wonder if she had made the right decision.

To her left, she passed the gardens where she had her first kiss with Draco and as the wind picked up, a few rose pedals from the other night blew by.

'Shit,' she thought, 'What am I doing? I should turn around.'

But she didn't. Curiosity killed the cat and it was curiosity that was going to kill Hermione.

"Draco," Ginny screeched as she ran into the Head common room. "Shit. Draco!" There was a rumbling to the left and down he came. When he saw them he rolled his eyes.

"She isn't here. You can leave. I'm going to bed. Bye."

"No, wait," Ginny yelled. "That's why we're here. It's because Hermione isn't. She's gone to meet this other guy, and I think she's making a mistake."

Draco narrowed his eyes and glanced at the three Gryffindors standing in his presence.

"What kind of sick joke is this," he demanded. "Now get out!"

"No," Harry grumbled. "She's serious. Show him the note, Ginny." Ginny reluctancy did so.

Draco read it a few times before lifting his eyes.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Ginny responded. "Look, we think this guy might be dangerous. I don't know why, but I just get that feeling. Could you please come with us to stop her? It's," Ginny paused and grabbed Ron's hand to look at his watch, "Five of ten. We need to go now. Prove to her that you love her."

Draco ran his fingers through his hair.

"Fine, let's go."

Hermione wrapped her robes tightly around her body as she paced the edge of the lake. It was a minute to ten and she was impatiently awaiting the arrival of this admirer and with each second that passed she began to doubt herself and her decision.

'This is probably a set-up,' she thought, 'Shit.'

'Just stay,' her intuition begged. 'Please?'

Hermione didn't. She turned on her heel and began to walk back towards the castle but a hand grabbed her wrist and spun her around.

"Where do you think you're going, Hermione," he asked, "You've only yet to arrive."

"Who are you," Hermione asked. The man who emerged from the shadows was wearing a mask.

"Your lover, of course."

"Um, no, you aren't. Draco has that position covered."

"No, he doesn't. He's a bloody prick," the man shouted, "I'm your admirer. I care for you, Hermione. I need to be yours." Hermione narrowed her eyes and attempted to get free of the man's grip.

"Could you please remove your hand from my wrist? This isn't how you treat someone you fancy," she insisted.

"But if I let go, you'll run. I can see it in your eyes. I refuse to let you leave me so quickly."

"No, I won't."

"Liar," the man shouted. Hermione shivered as the man pulled her close. He leaned in for a kiss. Hermione turned away. "How dare you," he growled.

"Let go of me," Hermione begged frantically. "Please?"

The man tightened his grip. Hermione then felt something sharp against her side.

"If you want to live," he growled, "Then kiss me. Otherwise, consider yourself dead."

Hermione succumb to the man's orders and slipped her mouth over his. She pretended he was Draco. It didn't seem all that bad. That is, until she heard footsteps approach but before she could scream for help, a voice muttered, "Hermione...".

The man let her go and she turned. It was Draco. He was astonished.

"Draco, I can explain," she cried but his eyes had already hardened. Harry, Ginny and Ron approached his side. "Please! Let me explain..."