Chapter 2
Hermione sat at the breakfast table, poking at her eggs and resting her face in her curled hand. Last night was a fluke. It had to be. Some sort of game Malfoy was playing. He had always picked on her, thinking she was easy prey. His grey eyes following her in the corridors, watching her, waiting for an opportunity to- To do what exactly?
She frowned. He still sneered at her and called her names, but his eyes… they had changed over the years. From disdainful to… almost playful; as if he was waiting for her to say something back to him instead of shaking her head and returning to her schoolwork.
But no. That was ridiculous. Malfoy didn't think of her in any way other than a filthy Mudblood. He had called her that enough times to know that could only be his opinion of her. So that meant that his little indiscretion in the Restricted Section last night had to be just another ploy to get under her skin.
"Let me know if you ever want to find out what that is,"
Her head spun. With all her brains, she still couldn't figure out what he meant by that. What was he playing at? Was he trying to get her to duel him maybe? Did he have some horrible curse he was itching to try out on a new victim?
Hermione couldn't help it; she glanced up and over to the Slytherin table. He was easy to spot with his white blonde hair and tall frame that stood out among his classmates. She had expected to find his grey eyes staring back at her, but instead he was talking with Blaise Zabini with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of him.
He wasn't thinking about her. Why would he be though? He must have better things to do than think of the crying little Mudblood he had run into last night. He had his group of friends, he had-
Pansy threw her arms around his neck from behind him and kissed his cheek. Malfoy's mouth twitched in something similar to a smile, but not exactly. She placed a leg over the bench, straddling it as she faced him and held onto his arm. Dark eyes looked up at him with admiration and longing.
Right. He had a girlfriend. There was no way he had meant anything by that comment. Just trying to get under her skin, that's all. Yes, she caught him looking at her. Yes, he often sat at a desk near her. Yes, he made snide comments and then looked to her to see her reaction. But this was Malfoy and he would never even entertain the idea of Hermione as anything other than a Mudblood.
Malfoy pulled his arm away and Pansy pouted, tucking her short black hair behind her ear as she watched him continue his conversation with Zabini like she wasn't even there. Did he treat everyone as inferior? Lording over his fellow Slytherins was his modus operandi after all.
He had his bodyguards, Crabbe and Goyle, although these days he didn't even need them that much. Malfoy knew quite a few dark spells and she had noticed how well he handled himself in the practical lessons of Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had also noticed the muscles under his clothes last night when she ran into his chest. Blushing, she blinked the thoughts away.
He had his lieutenants- Nott and Zabini; Smarter than Crabbe and Goyle, but not as dependable. They would turn on him as soon as help him if it meant they could take his place of power in their little circle. They reported to him, but only to further their own agendas, not because they were friends or felt any kind of loyalty.
Then he had his… paramour, Pansy Parkinson. She had made Hermione's life almost as miserable as Malfoy had. Her taunts often came as Hermione tried to fix her unruly hair in a bathroom mirror or comments on how undesirable Hermione was as she hung on Malfoy's arm. But even then, Malfoy's eyes had locked onto hers until Pansy's bark-like laugh caused him to scowl in annoyance.
And Pansy governed over the girls in Slytherin, keeping everyone in line and under control for him. Malfoy had made a comfortable little kingdom for himself to rule over, uncontested.
Hermione had surprised herself. When had she learned all this about him? Since when did she know the inner workings of the Slytherin social structure? Could it be that Malfoy wasn't the only one watching all these years?
She shook her head, curls falling around her face as she brought a bit of egg to her mouth. They had gone cold. She sighed and set her fork down.
The hairs on the back of her arms rose and so did her eyes, unbidden, to meet his across the Great Hall. Grey, storming, and on her. Her breath hitched in her chest. He had that look again, the one she couldn't quite put her finger on but it almost seemed like he was… waiting on something. What though? What could he possibly want?
The pale winter light filtered in from a paned window behind him, making his light blonde hair almost glow for a moment. She should look away. She should break contact. This was surely going to end with him shouting some expletive at her at any moment, but she couldn't bring herself to leave his gaze. He held her there, just like he had last night in the Restricted Section, just like he held court over his fellow Slytherins and Hermione, once again, let him.
His eyes narrowed slightly and his mouth pulled in a small smirk. She remembered how he laughed at her last night and she felt anger and embarrassment churn in her. No, she wasn't about to let him play with her again. He had caught her off guard last night, that's all that was. The fact that she remained, pinned, against the shelves long after he had disappeared didn't mean anything.
The high-pitched giggle of Lavender Brown was what finally pulled her attention from him. They were walking in together, Ron's arm over her shoulders and her hand resting on his chest. He pulled on a long curl of hers playfully and Hermione inhaled sharply at this small but significant action.
His eyes landed on hers and quickly she glanced away, back at the plate of uneaten food in front of her. She hated to waste it, knowing that the house elves worked hard to make it, but suddenly she had lost her appetite.
Lavender picked up a piece of bacon and was hand feeding Ron who seemed to have completely forgotten Hermione was even a person on Earth, let alone his best friend. And maybe more. No. Not now.
Harry looked about as uncomfortable as she felt, but he was still sitting with Ron despite his atrocious behavior. He gave her a small sympathetic smile that she was sure was supposed to be in solidarity, but as always, Harry had chosen Ron and Hermione was the one left out.
She pushed herself away from the table and made her way quickly out of the Great Hall. She didn't look at Harry or Ron, and especially not Lavender, on her way out. But right before she disappeared through the large entry doors, Hermione did turn, briefly, and saw that Draco Malfoy was still watching her.
And suddenly, she knew that expression, having had it so many times herself. His eyes, slightly narrowed. His lips pressed together. His brows pulled in the middle. Malfoy was studying her, watching her, trying to figure her out.
She ducked out of sight, trying to catch her breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. Hermione leaned against the wall in between two suits or armor, her eyes wide as she tried to make sense of what just happened. Draco Malfoy was gathering information on her. And he could see right through her.
She was leaving the Library late again. It had always been somewhere she spent a lot of time, but never as much as when she was fighting with Ron. Somehow, he seemed to fill the common room no matter how far away she tried to sit from him and lately Lavender's giggles and sighs were insufferable.
Her dorm was not much better. She could get a few hours of peace there before Lavender came in, throwing herself on her bed and talking loudly with Parvati about Ron and everything that they had done that evening. So she was taking refuge in the one place that Ron hardly ever visited, the Library.
She put her book back on the shelf and headed out through the stacks. The iron gate to the Restricted Section caught her eye and Hermione shook her head, curly hair tumbling into her face, trying to rid herself of the memories of that night almost a week ago. She puzzled over it the following day and decided that it was just a new game Malfoy was trying to play and the best way to beat him was to not play the game at all.
So she had been avoiding him as much as she had been Ron. But still, every now and then, she would catch those rain-grey eyes on her and her breath would hitch in her throat until she turned back to her notes.
Ron had barely even remembered she existed.
Hermione sighed and pushed open the door, walking into the darkened hallway. Her feet led her back up the familiar stairs to the Gryffindor common room, but as she neared she slowed to a stop. It was late, yes, but chances were Ron and Lavender were still in the common room and even if they weren't, Lavender was sure to still be up, chatting away with Parvati in her dorm.
She turned away from the portrait of the Fat Lady. If she was stopped she would say she was patrolling. Sure, it wasn't her scheduled night, but Hermione could not stomach seeing them together again.
Harry had done his best to split his time and she could tell that he wasn't too thrilled with Ron's overzealous public displays of affection, but being around Harry wasn't exactly calming these days either. If he wasn't harping on about Malfoy being a Death Eater then he was brooding and staring moodily into the fire with quick glances at Ginny every now and then. Not to mention the fact that he was quickly becoming obsessed with his second-hand potions book that gave Hermione an uneasy feeling.
Maybe she should just go back. Harry probably felt just as bad as she did, watching Ginny and Dean together, and maybe they could keep each other company. But if he started talking about Malfoy again… Hermione rubbed her forehead where she felt a headache coming on. She didn't want to think about Malfoy right now.
"Granger?"
Speak of the devil…
He had appeared out of thin air. He must have; there were no doors in the corridor. Hermione glanced up and down, trying to figure out where he even came from.
"We have to stop meeting like this," He said in a low voice.
"I agree," She snapped.
Malfoy chuckled. She was really coming to dislike that sound.
"Someone might think something was going on between us," He took a few steps closer to her. "Late night rendezvous…"
"Hardly," Hermione scoffed.
Malfoy advanced on her. "Twice in one week… you greedy girl," He murmured and his grey eyes shone brightly in the moonlight.
Hermione saw it then, his wand, in his hand. Not pointed at her, but still a weapon. A threat.
"I'm just going back to my common room," Hermione said.
"Isn't your tower in the opposite direction?" Malfoy drawled.
"Isn't yours in the dungeons? What are you doing up here anyways?" She asked as harshly as she could.
"Getting into trouble," Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
"I will tell Professor Slughorn you were out after hours," She said as he took another step towards her, his wand twirling in his fingers.
"I don't think you will," His voice was low.
"And why's that?" She snapped.
"Because then you'll have to explain why you were out after hours too," Malfoy smirked.
"I'm a Prefect," Hermione stuck out her chin. "I have a right to be out after hours,"
"I'm a Malfoy," He retorted. "I have a right to everything,"
Her back was against the wall. When had she started backing up? How had she let him corner her again?
She turned her face to the side, looking down at the stones on the floor as he moved his body closer to hers. He towered over her and she could hear him breathing heavily, but calmly. Controlled. He was always in control of himself and she seemed to be constantly flailing these days.
"And you're just a filthy Mudblood," He said in a sick tone.
Hermione's eyes darted up to his, flashing with anger.
"Not fit to lick my boots," His voice dripped with venom. She was about to open her mouth to argue back with him when he leaned down, his face close to hers again. "But I'd let you if you asked nicely,"
She shoved him roughly away from her.
"Oh ho ho!" Malfoy laughed as he easily regained his balance. "Little kitty has claws,"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Try a wand," She snarled and pulled out her own, holding it firmly in her hand.
Malfoy eyed it for a moment then brought his eyes back to hers. "Glad to see you put your energy into something more useful than crying," Malfoy said snarkily. "Anger I can use,"
"You're not using anything of mine," Hermione said quickly and something dark passed through Malfoy's eyes. "Now go back to your common room before I go to Professor Slughorn,"
Malfoy hesitated for a moment, a curious expression on his face before he brushed past her saying "I knew you wouldn't tell on me, otherwise how will we keep having these late night visits?"
Hermione spun around, watching his dark form and blonde hair disappear down the corridor.
"Ginny, let go of me," Hermione laughed as her friend threw her arms around her neck.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!" Ginny let go of her neck, only to grab onto her hand, pulling her into a chair in the common room. "You're never around anymore,"
"I know," Hermione did her best not to look in Ron's direction, but Lavender's squeals of excitement crossed the room all the same.
"Disgusting," Ginny shook her head. "Honestly, you'd think he's be able to muster a bit of self control,"
"Not really Ronald's strong suit," Hermione commented.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You know you don't just have to disappear. It's your common room too,"
Ginny's solidarity was touching and Hermione felt a tad bit guilty that she had ignored her friend in an effort to avoid Ron.
"You're right," Hermione nodded. "And I think I will be around more," At least here she didn't risk running into Malfoy. Hermione risked a glance over her shoulder only to see Lavender put her leg across Ron's lap and him running his hand up it. She quickly turned back around, looking at the floor. She could never imagine doing something like that in public, but Lavender seemed to have no problem with it. In fact, she was quite enjoying herself.
"Gross," Ginny wrinkled her nose. "And not just because it's my brother," She turned back to Hermione. "Where have you been even?"
"The Library," Hermione sighed. What a typical, boring answer. No matter Ron jumped onto someone else at the first chance. Who would want a girl who spent 90% of her time in the Library over a girl who would wrap her legs around you in public?
"Hermione," Ginny said softly and leaned forward. "You can't hide away in there forever,"
"I know," She mumbled.
"You need to put yourself out there!"
"I know," She closed her eyes briefly.
"You need a date for Slughorn's party,"
"I know, Ginny," She said exasperated and leaned back in the chair. Now that Ron was out of the question she needed to find someone to take and fast. If she showed up alone… Ugh. She couldn't even bear the thought of it.
"Look, I'll help you," Ginny offered, clearly picking up on Hermione's tired mood. "I can ask Dean if Seamus is going with anyone yet,"
"No, I don't need you to set up my dates for me," Hermione waved her hand. "Thank you, but I can do it on my own. I think… I think I have to, you know?"
The redhead nodded. "Yeah, I get that," Her eyes cut across the room and her brow lowered. "Just make sure it's someone good," She sneered. "Put that prick in his place,"
Things between Hermione and Ron only devolved over the next week. He was spending more time with Lavender and now seemed to be rubbing it in her face. The only break she got from it was the evenings where the Gryffindor Quidditch team had practice, but that also meant that Harry and Ginny were also out of the picture.
Lavender had declined to watch them practice due to the snow covering the stands and Hermione thought she might be able to stomach an evening in the common room if it was just one of them. She was wrong.
"He's so sweet, Parvati," Lavender gushed. "Just this morning he buttered my toast for me,"
Hermione rolled her eyes behind her book.
"That is so sweet," Parvati agreed. "He's getting better at Quidditch too,"
"Yes!" Lavender clapped her hands together. "He says I'm his muse," She sighed.
How could one be a muse for a Keeper exactly? Unless he pictured her face on the Quaffles coming at him. Hermione snorted.
"Have something to say?" Lavender asked pointedly at Hermione.
She lowered her book and glanced over at the two girls a few seats away.
"Oh, nothing," She said.
"No, you've obviously got an opinion and you've never let anything stop you from sharing it before. What's different now?" Lavender said nastily.
Hermione felt hot licks of anger in her chest. "Ron's always been good at Quidditch," She mustered. "He was just nervous performing in public,"
Lavender pursed her lips for a moment before answering. "Trust me, Hermione, he has no problem performing in public,"
Her book hit the floor.
Lavender and Parvati exploded into a fit of giggles.
Hermione dashed to the portrait hole, needing to be anywhere but here right now. She was several flights of stairs away before she stopped, gasping for breath. She leaned against the cool wall, trying not to think of Ron and Lavender together. She fought against tears that pricked in her eyes but she would not let Lavender be the cause of them.
Then the idea sparked in her mind. She loved the feeling of figuring something out. Like the answer had been there all this time and only now she had blown the dust off of it. Hermione stalked through the halls until she reached the Entrance Hall just was the Gryffindor Quidditch team was coming back in from practice.
Their cheeks and noses were red with cold and Ginny was shaking snow out of her long red hair as Harry stared at her, watching it fall around her and melt as it touched her clothes.
"Ronald!" Hermione snapped. His head snapped up as she stormed across the empty space between them. She stopped in front of him and crossed her arms. "If you can kindly ask your girlfriend to not bring up intimate details of your relationship in the common room, you know we do have younger children who also share that space," She spat out nastily.
Ron looked surprised for a moment and glanced over to Harry who merely shrugged. He turned back to Hermione and let his blue eyes rest on her for a moment before his face broke into a smile.
"I can't help it if I make the girl excited," He reached out and pinched her cheek quickly. "You know what I mean,"
Hermione's mouth dropped and a stunned expression took over her face.
"You git!" Ginny shouted.
"Ron, that was…" Harry trailed off.
"Come on," Ron rolled her head on his shoulder. "Dean, back me up, mate,"
Hermione tried her hardest to find something to say but for once, her voice failed her.
"Look, Hermione," Ron started again.
"Don't," She managed.
"Lav is a…" Ron searched for a word. "bold girl. It's refreshing,"
"Stop," Hermione took a step back.
"Hermione,"
But she didn't want to hear anymore.
"Hermione, where are you going?" Ginny called after her as Hermione took off back into the deep levels of the castle. She heard shouting behind her for a little while, but then only silence as she wandered down further down. If that was what Ron really thought, then maybe he wasn't the guy she thought he was. And if he wasn't, what did that mean about the feelings she had?
It was colder down here and Hermione rubbed her arms to try to create warmth. She passed a torch every now and then, but mostly it was dark in the dungeons. This wasn't a place many students visited so there was not a need for much light like they had on the upper levels. She pulled out her wand and lit it with a quick Lumos and realized she had never been in his part of the castle before.
She was somewhere deep in the dungeons based on the empty cells the lined the walls. She hadn't even known Hogwarts had actual cells, but it made sense when she thought about it. Shuddering at the thought of what might have occured in them centuries before Hermione tried to get her bearings so she could start to find her way out of these tunnel like corridors.
Hermione froze as she heard voices up ahead.
"You'd do anything for a bit of touch," Someone said.
"What, like you wouldn't? Think you're better than me?" Another voice.
"I do, actually. I know quite a bit about the art of seduction," First voice again.
"Bet you do," Second voice said softly. "Seen your Mother chew them up and spit them out,"
"Don't you talk about my Mother!" First voice was angry now.
"Boys," A new voice. Hermione's ears pricked up. She knew that one. "Quiet." Strong, controlled, commanding.
"He's taken a shot at my Mother-" First voice said.
"I heard him, Blaise," Malfoy drawled. "And I'm not the only one,"
They rounded the corner and Hermione was face to face with Malfoy, Zabini, and Nott.
She looked quickly between the three of them, but found herself caught in Malfoy's dark gaze.
"Well, well, well," Malfoy said in his affected voice. "What do we have here?"
"Malfoy," Hermione glared at him, glad she already had her wand out this time. "You're out after hours again,"
"What can I say?" He shrugged. "I'm bad," He teased.
Zabini laughed darkly behind him.
"What's a Mudblood like you doing down here?" Nott asked.
"Minding my own business," Hermione snapped. "You should try it,"
Malfoy laughed, his shoulders shaking. "She's not wrong," He said with a smirk. His grey eyes fell back on her and Hermione felt an urge to return his smile.
Nott bristled beside him. "Better watch where you're going," He muttered. "Lots of nasty things lurking down here,"
"And I suppose you think you're one of them?" Hermione snapped back. "Not likely,"
Nott's dark brow fell heavily over his eyes as he quickly moved past her, continuing down the corridor. Zabini glanced from Malfoy to Hermione, neither of whom looked like they had any intention of moving and followed after Nott, glancing behind him at the pair left.
Malfoy waited until they were out of earshot before he cocked his head to the side.
"Once was a fluke. Twice was coincidence. Three times?" He shook his head. "What are you playing at, Granger?"
"Me?" Hermione choked. "It's you who are messing with me!"
"Not yet," Malfoy smirked again.
"Yes! See that's exactly what I'm talking about!" She shouted. "You're so vague and mysterious, aren't you? Well, I'm not interested in figuring you out so just stay out of my way!"
"You're the one in my part of the castle," Malfoy said coolly.
"Yes, well..." Hermione paused. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her.
"What? No witty retort? No quick comeback?" He scoffed. "You're off your game, Granger,"
Hermione felt it. She was. This whole situation had thrown her off. She had her routine. She had her schedule. She kept to it and the world kept spinning. But now, she was dodging emotions and avoiding responsibilities and the world was spinning too quickly for her to hold on.
"Or maybe you're just not that fun to play with," She spat.
Malfoy actually looked impressed for a moment and Hermione felt a surge of pride.
"Oh trust me, Granger," He shifted and was somehow close to her again. "If you knew the truth, you wouldn't be saying that,"
"Really? Then why does no girl stay around you for more than two weeks? Oh, except Pansy, of course, but you've probably brainwashed her,"
Malfoy laughed. Hermione glared at him. Why was he always laughing at her like she was some sort of silly child?
"Maybe because they just aren't… my cup of tea," He offered.
"Wouldn't you prefer a shot of Fire Whisky?" She grumbled.
When she brought her eyes back up to his face she was surprised at the look there. Hunger.
Maybe she didn't like it when she could read his expressions, after all.
"Are you offering?" He didn't sound like he was joking, but he must be. There was no way that Malfoy would ever say something like that and be serious about it.
"Isn't the mere thought of a Mudblood too disgusting? Even for you?" Hermione glared at him.
Malfoy licked his lips and let a small smirk on them. "Maybe I want to see just how dirty you can get, Granger,"
Hermione hesitated. This wasn't what she did. She didn't flirt with dangerous Slytherins in dark corridors. She didn't entertain the likes of Draco Malfoy. He had bullied her, he had insulted her, he had threatened her! Just days ago he had threatened her for touching him and now…
"I…" She stumbled on her words.
"Look at you," Malfoy's smirk spread. "You're blushing,"
Hermione didn't like that she was having a reaction to him and she liked even less that he was seeing it.
Malfoy reached up and his hand hovered over her cheek. She felt her skin react, tensing, but also… excited for the prospect of being touched. And not just touched, but touched by Malfoy.
"The only dirty thing about you is your blood," He murmured and she wasn't sure if he had meant to say it out loud. "Everything else is…" He sucked in a breath and for some unknown reason; she was waiting for him to finish. "Pure," He said, barely above a whisper.
So she was going mad. That was the only explanation as to why she was down here in the dungeons doing whatever this was with Draco Malfoy instead of warm and safe up in Gryffindor tower with her friends. Or was it?
"Maybe not," She breathed out and he blinked his storm grey eyes in surprise.
"Oh fuck," He muttered.
His hand closed on her face. It was strong, surprisingly strong, and it pulled her towards him.
His other hand grabbed her upper arm, yanking her closer to him. If she thought his hand was strong that was nothing compared to the power she felt in his arm. He could have thrown her around like a rag doll if he wanted. Instead he pulled her against his chest.
His lips crashed onto hers. They were soft, but hard. Practiced, yet urgent. But still controlled. Everything about him felt in control and she felt in his control too. Before she knew what was happening, Hermione was already kissing him back.
Malfoy growled as her lips moved against his and his grip on her tightened. He wound his hand around her neck and into her hair, placing her head in the perfect position for him to continue his assault on her lips.
She let out a small moan, which passed from her lips into his mouth. This seemed to break the spell because he pulled her back from him. His expression was unreadable again and Hermione could do nothing except hang in his grasp and gasp for air.
"You're filthy," He said. She expected this to be followed up with some rude retort on how easy it was to get her riled up, but she had not been expecting for Malfoy to say, "I fucking love it,"
Hermione flung herself back from him. What was this? What was he doing? What was she doing?! She had just let Malfoy kiss her! More than that, she had kissed him back!
She touched her lips gently. They were wet and swollen. Malfoy's eyes watched her fingers and she lightly moved them over her mouth.
He took a heavy step towards her and for the third time that night, Hermione fled.
A/N: Wow, so excited how many people are interested in this fic! Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
