Title: Dreams

Summary: Hermione is having strange dreams lately. Foul dreams of Lucius and Voldemort torturing her, but in the darkness shines a light. A light that is called Draco Malfoy. They're just dreams, aren't they? But then why does Draco need her help?

Disclaimer: I just own the plot.

Setting: Book 4 & 5? Didn't happen. Voldemort hasn't become corporeal and started his great war. Let's just say things were postponed. They're now all in their sixth year, and because Voldemort didn't become corporeal, Sirius is still alive, and that means Harry will be slightly different as well.

A/N: there's no excuse, I know, I haven't updated in forever. Thing is, I've been having trouble with my wrist (deterioration) and well basically it just sucks because I can't type for a long time. Plus I've been on the couch for about three months, something to do with my ankle. And no, I didn't have a laptop. Sigh. Actually, that IS an excuse...Anyway I'm back now and today is all about the updates so please review!

For weeks now they had been searching. Every day, before classes, inbetween classes, even after dinner they had been in the library looking for answers. The day of his seventeenth birthday grew nearer until finally all they had left was a mere week. A week! And they still didn't have anything to help Draco!

Hermione fought against her own sleep. She couldn't stop now. Something had to be found! She couldn't just let Draco become a Death Eater. It wasn't an option. If she had to skip classes in order to read more books she would. If she had to give up sleeping, well all the better cause that way she wouldn't have those darned dreams again.

Her eyes drooped as she muffled a yawn. When had Draco's shoulder started to look so soft and cozy...if she could only rest her eyes for a second...and maybe her head on his shoulder...what harm could it...NO!

She sat up straight again, shaking her head furiously to get rid of the unwanted drowsiness. There was only a week left and they hadn't found anything yet. They couldn't waste any time now! She tried to concentrate on the page again, finally realising that she had read an entire page without remembering a single thing. Draco didn't seem to be doing any better. His eyes were closed and he snored softly, though occasionally he would almost spring up and fight against the overpowering sleep.

The characters danced in front of her eyes. V, she read. EEEE. BLUHUMUNUH. Wait, that couldn't be right! She was fairly sure that bluhumunuh wasn't a word. In any language. Well, about Troll she wasn't sure and perhaps it could be Giant too, but since the whole book had been written in English that would be pretty strange. Ugh. She was way too tired to absorb anything now.

"Get me the mudblood"

No! I can't sleep...I have to fight it! I don't want another...

"You called for me, oh Dark Lord?"

Draco's voice. She tried to open her eyes but the blood flowing from the gash in her forehead made it too difficult to risk her energy for.

"Yes Draco. You have been chosen."

"I am very thankful for that My Lord"

She heard a chuckle. Lucius?

"Now what is it you wish for me to do, My Lord?"

"Practise your Crucio on her. She is still too strong to be useful. And your Crucio could do with some work."

"Yes My Lord"

He walked over to her, standing dangerously close. She tried to open her eyes once more and saw his face mere inches from hers.

"Mudblood...finally..."

He hissed.

Tears welled up in her eyes. He had really changed. How could a mark change his personality like that? Was there some secret ritual that banished his good side? Something she didn't know about? She had read everything there was to know about Death Eaters. She knew there was no way back. Unless...

"I love you"

She whispered softly while firmly holding his gaze. His lip curled up in disgust and then suddenly his features softened. He took a step back, and she felt his hand stroking her cheek for a second. His thumb slid across her lips while his eyes caught hers.

"Trust me"

He whispered softly.

"Trust me like I trust you. Things will be alright."

She did. She trusted him. But she couldn't tell him, so she just nodded a little. He smiled a bit, pressing his lips lightly to her forehead before stepping back and pointing his wand at her.

"CRUCIO!"

Review please!

A/N: Sorry very short but my wrist hurts like hell!