Hermione and Draco's week went on as per usual. They would go through class and sit in silence in the library, occasionally asking questions on assignments. Hermione would end up leaving a few times early to what Draco assumed we're DA meetings and Draco would show up late or leave early to do what Hermione assumed was Death Eater plotting.
One night in late September, Draco packed up early from the library.
"Leaving early?" Hermione inquired.
"Yea, just tired" Hermione could see the deep bags under his eyes and thought this was plausible but wasn't convinced.
"Get a good night's sleep. You seem stressed" She said of handedly has she continued to write her charms essay.
"Stressed?" Draco questioned with a flick on his wand sending books back to their rightful shelves.
Hermione glanced up at him "yea you just seemed stressed with all the work. Understandably so of course" she shrugged it off. "Might follow your lead on that "she stated and started to pack up.
Draco just grunted in response before rushing off. Hermione threw her stuff together in an effort to follow him. She knew immediately he wasn't heading downstairs to the Slytherin dormitories in the dungeon. Hermione followed behind at a distance.
The hallways were emptier than normal, especially as they ventured farther and farther away from any of the dormitories. Hermione slid behind walls or doorways when Draco looked around clearly paranoid. After a while she realized where Draco was going- towards the room of requirement. She slowly turned looking down the next hallway when she realized she lost him.
"Bloody hell." She whispered under her breath, before turning around to get back, when she was grabbed from behind.
In a swift motion, before she could even scream, Hermione was pulled back and thrown against a wall. When she realized what had happened Malfoy had her pinned against the wall with his body, one hand covering her mouth and the other holding his wand which was up to her throat.
"Are you following me, Granger?"
Draco removed his hand from her mouth, but the rest of him did not flinch. His face was so close to hers she could smell the pumpkin tart that was served for dessert this evening.
"You forgot your charms essay."
"What?"
"Your charms essay. You left the parchment on the table, so I was trying to catch up to you. It's in my bag"
He looked down at the bag on the floor and began to pull himself off her.
"I'll get it" Hermione went to bend down towards her bag, but when she made a sudden movement, she began to get dizzy.
"Draco. "he stepped towards her and she fell into him losing all consciousness.
When Hermione finally came to, the first thing she saw were six faces surrounding her.
"Aah Miss Granger, welcome back" Professor Dumbledore said.
Hermione began to sit up, and Madam Pomfrey came running over "Move move move" she said as she pushed in between Professors McGonagall and Snape "Let's all back up and give the girl some breathing room."
"Oooof" Hermione said as she grabbed her head.
"Take this" Pomfrey said and before she could even respond some disgusting potion was being poured down her throat. "Granger, you definitely have a severe concussion."
"What in Merlin's name happened?" she mumbled to herself.
"Well we were hoping you could tell us that" McGonagall said, "Potter and Weasley here came upon Malfoy with your limp body and believe that Draco had attacked you."
Harry, Ron, and Draco stood there in a row, all staring at the ground unable to look at her.
"Actually, I slipped."
"What" Ron and Harry said in unison. Ron continued "That can't be I saw- "
"Mr. Weasley." He was cut off by Snape "You would do well to be quiet and let Miss Granger continue her story"
Hermione continued "You see I was- "
The doors to the hospital ward slammed open, and there was her mother rushing in followed by two bodyguards. "Oh, my poor baby!"
Hermione groaned and glanced toward McGonagall who had an apologetic look on her face.
Her mother ran over to her, grabbing both sides of her face kissing both cheeks and brushing her hair back "My poor little principessa, who did this to you?" She ran her hands through Hermione's hair "and why is your hair like this I thought I-"
"Mom!"
"Your Serene Highness" Snape began getting her mother's attention. "Your daughter was just explaining to us what happened."
"Oh right, continue." She said taking a step back.
"Malfoy and I had just finished studying together in the library, and when he left, I noticed he left his charms essay he had been working on." She could seem Malfoy getting tense still not looking up from the corner of her eye. "I ran to catch up to him, and when I turned the corner I slipped and landed backwards hitting my head. Draco heard my fall and came over to help me up, not realize how badly I hurt my head, when I stood up too quickly, I must've lost consciousness."
"So, you were not attacked by Mr. Malfoy?" McGonagall questioned.
"No."
"Well then, I am going to retire for the evening. Miss Granger feel better, and Your Serene Highness it's a pleasure as always" Headmaster said, kissing the crowned princess on the hand before seeing himself out.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, I will expect both of you to deliver Mr. Malfoy here an apology notes tomorrow and will see both of you in detention." Snape snapped "Now back to your dormitories." Harry and Ron muttered apologies under their breaths before leaving the hospital wing.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry for getting you out of the house this late, but as we thought it was an attack, I thought it best to follow protocol" McGonagall explained to Hermione's Mother.
"I agreed with Minerva on this decision" Snape added "Better safe than sorry."
"Of course, I totally understand and appreciate the sense of urgency."
"I will be keeping her for the night" Pomfrey added "But should be good as knew tomorrow for class"
"Thank you, you should get some rest "her mother laid a kiss on her head "and please change your hair back."
Hermione did as her mother asked, changing her hair back to her long wavy black hair that made her look far too much like her father.
"Bella. Now Severus, Minerva, if you wouldn't mind, I would enjoy a cup of tea before I leave."
"Of course, Ma'am, follow me "Severus replied.
"Oh and Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco looked up at her "Yes, your…Serene Highness?"
Her mother chuckled at the awkwardness "Thank you for taking care of my daughter, and please tell your Mother I say hello."
"Will do, ma'am"
Hermione's mother departed, followed by Snape, Minerva, and her two guards.
"Malfoy."
Draco walked over and sat on the bed facing Hermione.
Hermione looked around to make sure that Pomfrey was not in hear shot. "Just so you know, I'm many things, but a snitch is not one of them."
"But apparently principessa is one of them" Malfoy said with a smirk.
"Oh god" Hermione's cheeks blushed "please keep that between us. Everything really. Not a lot of people know, and I'm not trying to make it a big deal."
"I'm not a snitch either, Granger." He stood up to leave "Oh and Granger? I'm Sorry."
That's when they Draco knew he could trust Granger.