A/N: I don't own anything you recognize.

This is for the Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum

Are you crazy enough to do it Challenge

464. (song title) Saving Amy – Brantley Gilbert

If You Dare Challenge

72. When Words Were Actions

Draco sat silently watching the sorting. He kept trying not to look over at Granger, Hermione, he really should call her by her first name.

"Hey, what's with you, you keep staring at the mudblood over there," Pansy commented. Draco glared at her. Pansy pretended she liked him, pretended she wanted to be part of his life. He knew the truth, the Parkinsons were on the lowest rung of pure-blood society, willing to do anything to keep what little status they had. Snagging him for herself would bring Pansy higher than she could ever dream. She had made it her goal since first year.

"What's it to you?" he snapped. He felt a presence behind him. He looked back.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy."

"Sir." Draco nodded at his godfather. Severus had also noticed Draco's new found attention in the Gryffindor table.

"My office," Snape stated. Draco nodded following him.

Once they were in the office, Snape closed the door.

"What is going on, Draco? You're staring at Potter. Your mother wrote me, she's worried about you keeping things under wraps until the Dark Lord is ready." Draco stared into Snape's eyes.

"I was not staring at Potter. I was looking to his left."

"Granger then, what of her?" Draco shook his head.

"I can't tell...I can't break her trust." Severus blinked a few times at what Draco had said. He knew something, something Miss Granger trusted him with, or something he'd found out by accident?

"Does it involve Potter's plans?"

"No, Merlin, not everything is about this bloody war, sir. Something happened on the train. That's all I'm going to say. If you're so concerned, why don't you ask her?"

"Do you know what happened to her?"

"Not for certain, sir." Draco looked down, debating how much to trust Severus. The man was on their side, at least, he seemed to be, but at the same time...did Draco really want to be on that side?

"What do you believe happened to Miss Granger?" he asked choosing his words carefully. Severus knew Draco, knew the boy wouldn't hide information unless he had a reason.

"I believe she was...involved in something she did not wish." Severus' eyes widened as he took in the implication of Draco's words.

"Draco, these are serious accusations."

"Yes. I know, her robes were mused, she was crying, one of her stockings was torn. There was a bruise forming on her neck."

"Did she say anything?"

"No. She did not, only thanked me for the salve I gave her. Her eyes, sir..."

"What about them, Draco."

"I know that look, that broken look." Severus sighed. He knew Lucius beat the boy on occasion, he supplied the bruise salve to Narcissa.

"What should I do?" Draco asked suddenly. "I...I want to help her."

"I doubt she'll let you, you both have reputations to maintain. Keep your distance, unless she approaches you. I'll speak to her head of house, let Professor McGonagall know what we suspect. That would be the safest approach." Draco nodded in agreement. As he left Severus' office, he still couldn't get Hermione's eyes out of his head. That broken look, the betrayal in those caramel orbs.

"I'll find out what happened, Granger, I promise," he whispered before joining the rest of his house in their dorm.