A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

Word count: 644

Warning: This chapter contains a physical assault and language!

Draco tried to put Hermione out of his mind that afternoon, that evening, that night. He needed to keep her out of his mind. The Christmas holidays were approaching. He'd have to return home for them. He knew if even a thought of her remained on his mind, He would see it. Draco shuddered. Why? Why did He have to be at Draco's home? Why? Was it some kind of torture for his parents? He tossed and turned in his bed, his mind trying not to think of Hermione.

He woke exhausted in the morning. What if he didn't go home, could he find a lie that his father would believe? He was supposed to be getting top grades, could he use that somehow? He pulled out a sheet of parchment.

Dear Mother,

it has come to my attention that Granger is beating me in several subjects. As we both know I am expected to top her scores in honor of our family name. I request to stay at school during the holidays in order to cement my grades.

Your son,

Draco.

Draco read the letter a few times, it sounded cold, but he knew any emotion was weakness. If his father knew he was lying. He shuddered thinking about the sound the belt would make against his skin. His father preferred he be whipped by hand, not by magic. It made it hurt more knowing who was holding the belt. He forced the image from his head, just thinking about it made his back hurt. He folded the letter and attached it to his owl hoping his mother would send him a quick response without getting his father, or worse, their guest involved.

DHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDH

Hermione stared at the blank sheet of parchment in front of her. She'd tried writing her paper on the color changing charm three times, each time worse than the last. Finally she sighed, picked up her things and decided to head back to the common room. She'd thought maybe being in the library would have taken her mind off things. Things like Draco Malfoy.

She'd barely stepped out the library when someone grabbed her arm. The cuts hurt from being squeezed. She yelped loudly and suddenly found herself silenced.

"That's a good little mud-blood, knowing when to be quiet," a voice hissed in her ear. She bit back tears recognizing it. "Now, let's go. I know you've been talking, witch. I know you've told someone about our time together on the train. Didn't I say not to talk about it?" He shoved her into an empty classroom hard enough she fell to the ground face first. She quickly rolled over, looking him in the face. She felt herself tremble.

"Stay down there mud-blood, if you know what's good for you. You've disobeyed me, you know you need to be punished for that, right." She glanced around looking for a weapon, anything she could use to get away. He was on top of her, holding her down. In a burst of bravery, or maybe stupidity, she brought her knee up, connecting with his crotch. He howled loudly, but released her. She scooted away, forced herself to her feet, and ran out the door. Her footsteps pounding hard against the stone floor. She didn't think about where she was going, only that she had to get away. She could hear him behind her, closing the gap between them. Her fingers fumbled with her wand, but finally she pulled it out and shot a total body bind randomly behind her. She heard him hit the floor with a thud, at least she hoped it was him, and not some random innocent getting caught in the crossfire. She almost turned to look, but her body wouldn't let her. All it wanted was to get as far away from him, from here, as possible.