Hey guys! I just want to inform you that college is back in session so my uploading schedule might be a little wonky, but I will do my best. Do to school I didn't have much time to reread as much as normal, so I apologize for any mistakes. You notice anything and just let me know. Also, a few of you have made some pretty accurate assumptions as far as where this story is headed haha. I actually started out hating this chapter, but after I was done I realized that I actually quite like it and I hope you do too. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I Own Nothing
She cried, her breath coming out in harsh pants as she fought to compose herself. You're not weak, Hermione. You know why you can't kill him, she thought. She shook her head. Despite everything, you know why you can't kill him. Her sobs dulled, decreasing to quiet sniffles as her shoulders trembled. She ran her hands over him, through his pockets, searching. Her hand wrapped around the thin piece of wood and she sat up, looking at it in triumph.
She looked down at him, her fingers running over his lips and cheek before she hurriedly stood with a shake of her head. Narcissa would understand. Hermione ran out of the dining room and through the foyer. She was getting out of there. She unlocked the door and sprinted outside, hurrying down the steps, fingers tightly clutched around his wand. A voice suddenly stopped her in her tracks.
"I'm sorry, Hermione, sweetheart, but I can't let you leave."
Hermione sharply inhaled as she stared at the figure in front of her. She glanced over her shoulder at the door before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She raised Draco's wand, slowly opening her eyes as she turned back around.
"Narcissa…please. I don't want to hurt you," she begged as she stepped down one step.
And that was the truth. Hermione really didn't want to hurt her because she didn't hate the older witch. In fact, she may have even liked her a bit. Did she and Narcissa have extremely differing opinions when it came to Draco? Of course, but no matter what Hermione may have thought, she couldn't deny that she at least understood the woman. Narcissa's love for Draco was unlike anything she'd ever seen and Hermione almost found herself pitying her for it. The older woman stepped closer, her own wand raised, a pained expression on her face.
"I cannot allow you to leave, Hermione."
"Stupefy!"
Hermione's jaw clenched as Narcissa rebounded the spell with a Protego. Hermione really didn't want to hurt the woman, so she took another deep breath.
"Please…please, Narcissa. I'm begging you," Hermione tearfully pleaded.
Narcissa desperately shook her head.
"No. You can save him, I know you can. Do you want to know what I see when I see you? I see hope. I see a happy future for my son that does not involve the Dark Lord. You don't have faith in yourself-"
"Stop it!"
"You are giving up on him!"
"Your son tried to kill me," Hermione shrieked.
Narcissa took a step back as Hermione's voice grew shrill, tears running down her face.
"Draco tried to throw me over a balcony because he thought I was going to leave him for Nott. I can't stay here! I won't," Hermione said with conviction.
"Hermione," Narcissa tried to reason.
"He tried to kill me. He tried to kill me," she tearfully chanted.
She blinked the tears away as her heart beat erratically inside her chest. She had forced herself to not linger on the incident, but she couldn't do that any longer. The fear she had felt as he dragged her to those double doors… Hermione shook her head.
"He's fine one minute and then murderous the next. He's completely unpredictable and my life is in danger the longer I stay here," she said.
"You can change him. I know it. He…he cares for you, Hermione. He cares for you a great deal, he…he's just-"
"Not right in the head? Yeah, I kind of figured that," Hermione interrupted, glancing over her shoulder.
She was wasting time. She didn't exactly measure it out when she was cooking, so there was no telling how long he'd be out.
"Narcissa, I am leaving this property whether you like it or not," Hermione firmly stated, walking towards her.
"No, you're not."
Hermione suddenly paused as a much deeper voice that was not Narcissa's came out of her mouth. Hermione watched as Narcissa tilted her head to the side, blue eyes bleeding into grey as everything around Hermione began to bend and shift.
"You're not getting out of here. Ever."
The color began to bleed out of everything around her and Hermione found her world tilting. No.
No.
No!
"Wake up, Hermione."
"No," she mumbled as her eyes began to blink open.
Her throat was so incredibly dry and she had a raging headache. The side of her face was pressed against something hard as she sat down. What was going on? Where was she? She mumbled incoherently as she struggled to lift her head which felt like it weighed a ton.
She heard movement, a chair scraping against the floor, before footsteps could be heard. They were coming towards her and she soon felt herself being pushed upright. The room spun and Hermione fought to get away from the hands that were grabbing at her, but her movements were sluggish. Her limbs felt extra heavy. Soft lips brushed against her ear as someone pushed her hair away from her neck, their fingers trailing against her skin.
"It's quite comical really that you thought you could drug me so easily. Have you forgotten who I am? What am I going to do with you?"
His tone came out patronizing and Hermione forced herself to not cry in frustration. No! She had gotten out…hadn't she? She had succeeded. He was there, on the floor and she had almost killed him, stopping at the last minute…right? Everything was swaying, but her eyes fell onto his plate, not one chunk of food missing.
No, this didn't make any sense. He had dug in right away! She noted that her plate matched his. If neither one of them had touched their food, then how…? Her eyes slowly drifted to the red wine spilled across the table, crawling away from a glass that had been turned over. Her glass. The glass that she recalled sipping out of. The truth hit her like a slap in the face.
No, none of what she thought happened actually happened. She didn't succeed in drugging him. She had not almost killed him. She had not taken his wand. There was no confrontation with Narcissa, no showdown that was about to happen. How did he do it? When did he do it? She weakly protested when he scooped her up into his arms.
"No," she mumbled.
She feebly reached out, trying to hold onto anything that would slow him down. How had he done it? This question and nothing but this question rang throughout her head as she glared up at him as best as she could. The last thing she saw was stormy grey eyes looking down into her own.
Hermione's eyes flew open as she sucked in a deep breath of air. She went to sit up, but was gently pushed back down.
"You need to rest. I'm not exactly sure what that bastard slipped you, but it did a number on you," Ginny quietly said.
Hermione slowly blinked, bringing her hand up to her forehead. She felt groggy, sluggish, and…heavy. She felt as if her entire body were composed of sand. She groaned as Ginny smoothed her hair back. She swallowed, throat incredibly thick and tongue feeling incredibly dry.
Did she really think it was going to be that easy? Hermione repressed the urge to cry. She did, she really did think that it was going to be that easy. How was it that he always seemed to be one step ahead of her? How? She was Hermione Granger, dammit! It wasn't…fair. It seemed that she could never catch a break. What was with that hallucination anyway? Why had her mind conjured that of all things? Was it her subconscious' way of telling her what her heart already knew?
Hermione swallowed again as she stared up at the familiar deep red canopy hanging over the bed. She was back in…in her room. Her room. Even in her mind she had come up with something that prevented her from leaving. She couldn't even escape in her imagination. Draco had really taken over just about every aspect of her life. Her body shuddered as she held back a sob.
"I'm never getting away from him, am I?"
The question just barely made it past her lips, so low that she questioned whether or not she had actually said it aloud.
"Hermione…"
"It's the truth, isn't it? He's going to win…and I'm going to lose," Hermione whispered.
"Hermione, you don't…you don't know that," Ginny replied.
Hermione forced herself to sit up, ignoring Ginny's protests as she turned to face her. Hermione stared the redhead down through blurry eyes.
"But that's what you want, isn't it," Hermione demanded.
Ginny blinked, caught off guard by Hermione's sudden change in attitude.
"What...?"
"Admit it, Ginny. You have this fantasy in your head of the four of us living happily ever after," Hermione said.
"No, that isn't-"
"I can almost see it playing out. You think that you and Blaise will get married and have your perfect little family and that Draco and I will be right behind you. You probably have visions of Draco and I living in a manor not far from yours, our children growing up with each other while we reminisce about how comical and silly I was for resisting Draco and how he won me over in the end," Hermione spat.
"Where are you getting this from?"
"How did Draco know," Hermione asked, ignoring Ginny's question.
Ginny shook her head, looking away.
"Hermione-"
"Did you tell him?"
"No," Ginny snapped, visibly offended.
"Why don't I believe you?"
"Because you don't want to! I didn't say anything, Hermione," Ginny said.
"But you know something," Hermione accused.
Ginny opened and closed her mouth with a sigh. She blinked before looking away again.
"Blaise knew about the Valerian. I didn't know that he knew, I promise. If I had known that he was aware that I had it, I wouldn't have given it to you. Still, I was prepared to lie if he did notice that it was gone, just in case, but that was when I expected him to come to me first when he noticed. Only…he didn't, he went straight to Draco. Draco put two and two together," Ginny said.
"Great," Hermione said with a somber nod.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I know how much…," Ginny trailed off.
"Can you leave…please?"
She heard Ginny's sharp intake of breath.
"Are you serious, Hermione? I tried to help you escape! I…this is the thanks I get? You can't be this…this stubborn," Ginny spat, shaking her head.
Hermione closed her eyes, repressing the anger that began to build up inside of her. Ginny did try to help her escape and she was very grateful for that, but Hermione was upset with her failure…yet again. She just needed some time to herself and it was pissing her off that Ginny didn't understand that.
"I just want to be alone," Hermione whispered.
"Fine."
The bed shook with movement as Ginny hopped off and stomped over to the door. Hermione looked up at Ginny's gasp as she barely got the door open, something on the other side stopping her in her tracks.
"W-what are you doing here? You can't be here. Draco will-"
"Let me in, Weasley."
Hermione's eyes widened in confusion as Nott's voice sounded from the other side. She turned to fully face the door.
"You know that you aren't supposed to-"
"What are you, his lapdog now? Are you fucking him too? No? Didn't think so. I just want to speak to her. You can stand right beside us the whole time if it makes you feel any better," he spat.
Hermione had never heard him speak so harshly before since she had officially met him. Ginny didn't move for some time before she eventually sighed and opened the door wider, albeit reluctantly, letting him through. Hermione blinked in confusion as he strode over to her, hurriedly sitting on the edge of the bed. He stared at her for a bit with that same unfamiliar expression she kept seeing before he eventually blinked, the peculiar look gone.
"How are you? I heard that you've been in and out for almost two days," he said.
Hermione's eyes widened even further.
"Two days?"
What the hell had Draco drugged her with, because it definitely wasn't Valerian that was for sure?
"I think he intended for you to be out much longer though because…he's away," Nott quietly hinted, leaning closer.
Hermione nodded, blinking in understanding. Draco didn't exactly trust her here without him around and she didn't blame him. She'd made her hatred for this place quite clear. She had tried to escape twice already. Hermione watched as Nott slowly reached out towards her face before snatching his hand back, dropping it in his lap. A torn expression flashed across his features so fast that Hermione wondered whether or not she had actually seen it.
"Is that why you're here, because he's not?"
Nott's lip curved into a crooked smile, dazzling her as he looked at her from beneath his lashes. Hermione bit her lip, shaking her head.
"You're a somewhat decent guy, Nott. He'll kill you if he finds out about this. He…he seems to be under the impression that I want you," she quietly said, glancing at Ginny who stood on the other side of the room, eyes trained on them.
"Do you?"
Hermione's eyes snapped back to his. His blue eyes were trained on nothing but her as he waited for her answer. She shook her head, frowning in confusion.
"No, of course not," she said.
He looked away, jaw clenching with a nod.
"Right," he said just before grabbing her hand.
Hermione's eyes widened as she felt a small piece of paper brush against her skin.
"Get well, Hermione. I hope you have a speedy recovery," he said at a much more normal tone.
Hermione glanced at Ginny again as she closed her fingers around the small piece of parchment.
"Thank you," Hermione said as he stood and walked towards the door.
He looked over his shoulder, throwing her a small smile before leaving the room. Hermione sighed, resting her hands in her lap as she looked up at Ginny. Ginny stood there, a shocked expression on her face as she gazed at the door, where Nott had once been.
"What," Hermione demanded.
Ginny slowly turned to face Hermione, the same look of amazement on her features before blinking, slowly shaking her head.
"Nothing, Hermione. It's nothing, I think that I'm just…imagining things."
And with that cryptic retort, Ginny was out of the door, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.
"I didn't think that you'd meet me," Nott said as they walked along the maze that was the majority of the backyard.
The tall hedge walls obscured them from sight, giving them a chance to talk without worry of Blaise seeing them. Draco was still off tending to…business. Nott had said that he was expected to be gone for another few days. Hermione wrapped her arms around herself as a biting breeze blew by them, stinging her cheeks.
She had pondered over the note that Nott had given her for days, debating whether or not to see him. Like she had told him before, he was a decent guy and she knew just how jealous Draco could get…and how cruel he could be. She didn't want to risk Nott's life, but yet, there she was doing exactly that.
"I didn't think I would either," she whispered.
"I'm glad you did," he said, looking down at her.
"Why are you doing this, Nott? You're not stupid, you know how Draco feels about you and you know what he's capable of," Hermione quietly said.
Nott rolled his eyes.
"I'm not afraid of him. Are you?"
"Yes," Hermione said with a humorless chuckle.
Before Nott could speak, she continued.
"Not for the reasons you think though. I'm afraid…I'm afraid of the hold that he has over me. Not necessarily what he can do, but what he can make me do. I'm telling you, Nott, ever since I got here I just feel like I'm losing myself more and more."
"What do you mean?"
Hermione looked up, surprised to find genuine worry and curiosity splashed across his features as he gazed down at her. Hermione swallowed.
"I have dreams…," she quietly began.
"Dreams? What about?"
Hermione nodded.
"I have realistic dreams about who he really is, well nightmares really. It's always either about that night at Hogwarts, the night Dumbledore died, or just about how awful he can be. Then sometimes…sometimes we're happy. The Death Eaters never happened, the Astronomy Tower never happened. He chooses me. He chooses me over this life and…and we're happy. Sometimes I wake up and I'm relieved that nothing has changed and then sometimes I'm angry at myself for even entertaining such rubbish…"
Hermione licked her lips, turning her head to stare at the greenery before her.
"Then sometimes I'm so sad and upset that it isn't true. Do you want to know what I do then?"
She turned to look up at his wide blue eyes.
"I cry…," she said, tilting her head to the side "…I just cry and cry, Nott. I cry for myself, I cry for him, for Dumbledore, the school. Hell, I even cry for his mum. She loves him so much and she's convinced that I can save him, but I disagree. I believe that a part of me, and her, is holding onto something that doesn't exist."
"What makes you think it doesn't exist?'
Hermione blinked, smiling at him without humor. His question had definitely thrown her.
"You're joking, right?"
Nott scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Another breeze blew by, ruffling his obsidian hair.
"Believe me, I want nothing more than to tell you that he's not capable of love…," he spat, eyes flashing.
He suddenly shook his head.
"…but then I would be lying and I'm not a liar," he said.
"Even if he is…even if he can change, I don't want to wait around for it. There's no telling how long that will be and I could be dead by then," she spat.
"Why do you say that, that you'd be dead? You think he'd actually kill you? Draco is completely obsessed with the two of you living happily ever after," he scoffed, almost disgusted with the thought.
Hermione didn't reply, instead staring ahead. The only person that she had told about what had happened was a figment of her imagination. She had done her best to not dwell on it, but once she let her mind actually wrap around what had happened… Hermione swallowed, taking in a deep shuddering breath.
"…He did try to kill me," she eventually said.
"What…?"
Nott stared at her with wide eyes, fully facing her now.
"He thought that I was going to run off with you or something…so he tried to toss me off of the balcony. He told me that that was the only way I'd ever leave him," Hermione spat, eyes blurring.
She heard Nott's sharp intake of breath as he processed this information.
"That's why you tried to escape again so soon," he whispered.
"That worked out wonderfully, didn't it?"
Nott didn't reply, his mind entirely somewhere else as he stared ahead, gazing at something she'd probably never see. He suddenly looked towards her and pulled her into his arms. Hermione was so taken by surprise that she didn't even have time to react before the tears fell.
"He tried to kill me…he actually tried to kill me," she whispered.
The reality of it set in and Hermione's body trembled with poorly suppressed sobs. She always knew what Draco was capable of, but she had guessed that she was always safe with him to some degree, right? She had always thought that he'd do anything to keep her by his side, so of course he would never really put her life in danger. How wrong she had been. Draco was insane, that much was clear now, and the worst part was that Hermione feared that she wasn't far behind.
"I just want to thank you…Hermione. Thank you for confiding in me, trusting me," Nott finally said.
She pulled away from him. She didn't realize how much she needed someone to talk to until now.
"I need a friend. I need someone to talk to or I'm going to go crazy. I don't know who to trust, I…Ginny helped me with my escape plan and she said that she didn't say anything to Blaise or Draco, but I just don't believe her. I can't tell you why I don't, but I just don't. I honestly do believe that she has some twisted fantasy in her head about the four of us," Hermione said.
"Weasley loves you, Hermione. She really does and if you're right, then I'm sure she's doing it because she believes she has your best interests at heart," Nott said, surprising her with his words.
Hermione was quiet for some time, mulling over his words.
"Do you think I'm being too harsh?"
As Hermione asked him this, she thought back to that night at dinner. She recalled how completely enamored Blaise had looked when he thought that he and Ginny were alone. It had…completely thrown her for a loop. Hermione couldn't wrap her head around Ginny actually being right when she said that she and Blaise were in love. Hermione didn't understand any of this.
"I think you're angry…and I think you deserve to be," he answered.
"That didn't exactly answer my question," she said, looking up at him with a frown.
Nott looked down at her with a sad smile.
"We all make mistakes, Hermione."
Hermione brought her hand up to her face, eyeing the bubbly foam that clung to her fingers. The steam from the water wafted around her, clinging to her skin and face. She'd been sitting in the large bath for quite some time now, her mind going a mile a minute. Theo's words from their meeting days ago still rang in her head on a constant loop.
"We all make mistakes, Hermione."
Hermione scoffed, shaking her head. Didn't she know it…? Within the past year or so she had become the queen of poor judgement. She really did believe that everything that had happened on the Astronomy Tower that night was her fault. Hadn't Harry warned her that she was making a mistake with Draco? He had seen right through him, so why was it that she had not? She wasn't one to be deceived by a pretty face. Did that mean that Draco was right?
She did care for him, that much was true, but she honestly believed that was because she had been fooled into thinking that he was changing. She cared for the Draco who would do anything to protect his mum. She cared for the Draco that was going to leave it all behind just to be with her, the Draco that would touch her with such tenderness. She cared for a Draco that didn't exist. She closed her eyes.
...
"Wh-what about me," she quietly asked.
He regarded her out of the corner of his eye.
"What are you on about?"
"I mean…what if…what if I stopped fighting you? What if I agreed to try and make this work if you gave it all up? We could go to Dumbledore together…"
He turned to fully face her now, a skeptical look upon his face.
"…You would do that?"
Hermione carefully thought about this while he regarded her. Would she? Could she really do this?
"Well…yes. We're both intelligent, something I admire greatly in a partner. When you're not being a complete arse you're somewhat pleasant to be around and I know that you can be…romantic when you want to be and…you're not…bad looking," she finished lamely.
She found that what she was saying was actually true. She realized that if circumstances had been different (i.e. her not being muggle born or him being raised differently) she would have been interested in Draco for quite some time now. It was just too bad that he had been a complete arse throughout the entirety of their school days or else she would have found herself smitten with him ages ago. He was, sadly, about the only boy in the entire school who could match her in marks and anytime they exchanged insults she could almost feel the cogs in her brain being oiled. There was never a dull moment. Of course Hermione couldn't just forget everything he had done and said. He had Crucio'd her for Merlin's sake, that wasn't something she could just look past. He'd also hurt Ron and Harry too and obliviated Ginny. Hermione rested the palms of her hands on each side of her head, suddenly torn. Dear Godric…
"Hey," he whispered as he gently grabbed her wrists and pulled her closer.
Her heart began pounding and she wasn't sure why. He used one of his hands to tilt her head up by her chin.
"Are you saying…that if I gave it all up, turned my back on Voldemort and went over to the light, you would try to make this work between us?"
She opened her mouth before slamming it shut. If she said yes there would be no going back for her. Ever.
"Y-yes," she whispered after some time.
She gulped with anticipation as he backed her up towards the couch in the corner of the room. The fire in his eyes was undeniable.
"You mean that?"
"Yes."
"You promise," he asked as he laid her down, his body immediately aligning with hers.
"Yes," she breathed just as he fiercely pressed his lips against hers.
...
Hermione let out a shaky breath as she opened her eyes. Yes, she cared for someone that no longer existed. She dropped her hands in the water, causing it to splatter a bit as she fought to hold it together. She had to forget about that, all of it. He was a liar, a manipulative bastard who was showing his true colors more and more.
"What are you thinking about?"
Hermione yelped in surprise as she sank further into the water, spinning around to face him with wide eyes. Her back had been towards the door, but she was positive that she had locked it. She mentally rolled her eyes at that statement. Right, when had a lock ever deterred him?
He leaned against the counter, legs crossed as well as his arms, gazing at her with an unreadable expression. She didn't know when he had gotten back, but he had clearly been in the mansion for some time. His white shirt was untucked, the sleeves rolled up and almost completely unbuttoned. Not a hair was out of place nor a scratch or mark in sight. Whatever business that he had been attending to for him couldn't have been too taxing.
"I asked you a question," he said.
She blinked at his tone of voice, recalling that he had asked her a question. She scoffed.
"Right and I respectfully decided not to answer your question," she spat, sinking further until the water was just under her chin.
She watched as his jaw clenched, stormy eyes trained on her, poorly concealed anger swirling beneath the surface. He suddenly smirked, letting out a humorless chuckle.
"I must say…I admire your effort, Hermione. Your…dedication when it comes to getting away from me is definitely worthy of praise. The actual execution, however…it only serves to both amuse and anger me. I'm beginning to think that you like me when I'm angry. In fact, I dare say it turns you on," he sneered.
Now it was Hermione's turn to sneer as she glared at him.
"You're so full of yourself, Draco. Full of yourself and full of complete bullshit. If you thought for one second that I was just going to sit here like a good little girl and take all of this in stride, then you really don't know me at all," she hissed.
His smirk grew.
"Oh, I knew you'd fight, Hermione. I love it when you fight back. It's…invigorating," he said with a chuckle.
He licked his lips, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth as he stared her down.
"However, it's the fact that you think you can actually win is what throws me for a loop, sweetheart. A Malfoy always wins…"
Hermione bristled with anger, resisting the urge to jump out of the bath and slam his head against that mirror. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath.
"Did you enjoy your little…vacation while I was gone?"
Her eyes flew open.
"Yes, actually I did. The lack of…well…you was quite enjoyable," she replied.
"I do hope that our last…chat was still fresh in your mind. I know that Teddy has been in and out of the property, tending to some things," he said.
Hermione looked away with a shake of her head, scoffing.
"You're something else, you know that? I don't want him. I don't know how many times I have to say that. Besides, aren't you a Malfoy? I didn't even know that you all knew the meaning of jealousy. Careful, Draco, your insecurities are showing," Hermione whispered.
"I'd watch my mouth if I were you," he calmly stated.
"Why, because you don't like the fact that I have a friend outside of who you deem appropriate to be my friend? Theo has done absolutely nothing to deserve your wrath-"
Hermione cut herself off, realizing her mistake too late at the look on Draco's face. She slammed her mouth shut as Draco's eyes bore into her own. He slowly unfolded his arms, pushing himself off of the counter.
"Theo?"
The silence that followed was awkward and thick with tension. Hermione licked her lips.
"Theo, Nott, Theodore, Teddy, whatever. I was just saying that-"
"I didn't realize that the two of you were on a first name basis," he quietly said, taking slow steps towards her.
"We're not-"
"Did you talk to him while I was gone, Hermione?"
"No! I-"
"You're lying. You're a filthy fucking liar," he spat.
"I'm not lying. I-wait…what are you doing?"
Her question came out panicked and high-pitched as he threw one leg over the large pool sized tub, stepping in. she backed up until her shoulders hit the other side of the bath, eyes wide as he waded through the water towards her. His jaw was clenched as he stared her down through his piercing gaze, eyes flashing.
"Draco…y-your clothes. You're getting them all wet," she protested, a pitiful attempt at getting him away from her.
"Do you think I'm stupid? Do I look like a fool to you, Hermione? You saw him again, didn't you," he demanded.
"Get. Out," she spat.
He grabbed her, yanking her up until she was pressed against him, but for once it seemed that her body was not what was on Draco's mind. He paid no attention to her nakedness as he glared down at her, eyes blazing.
"You think he's going to be your knight in shining armor? You think he's going to whisk you away from here, from me?"
"No-"
"Well, he's not. That isn't going to happen, sweetheart, because you're mine. You've always been mine and you'll always be mine. That's never going to change," he spat.
Hermione's nostrils flared as she glared up at him, her body boiling with anger as his words slapped her in the face. Suddenly, with a scream, she had slammed into him, throwing them both into the water, causing it to splash along the sides and onto the floor. She dug her fingers into his neck as she held him down, the water splashing around them as she struggled to keep him under. She knew that it wasn't going to last, he was much stronger than she, but she enjoyed her brief moment of control while she could. She enjoyed the feeling of holding him down while he struggled for air and she was not ashamed to admit that.
All too soon though, she felt herself being thrown back and their roles were reversed. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath as he held her down. She dug her nails into his arms as she bucked beneath him, his knees squeezing her legs together. He suddenly yanked her up and she gasped, taking in the air before she found herself going under again. She jerked beneath him, clawing at his neck and face as he pinned her down.
She began to panic as it became clear that Draco wasn't going to let up anytime soon. She kicked, resisting the overwhelming urge to take a breath as she fought to hold on. He stood stock still as he held her down, paying no mind to her fists beating on his chest. Just when Hermione felt her resolve crumbling, she was suddenly yanked out of the water.
She coughed and gasped for breath as he swung her up into his arms, stepping out of the tub. She faintly recognized the towel that he threw over her as he exited the bathroom. It was only when he started walking towards the room door did she begin to react.
"What are you doing? Put me down," she shrieked.
She flailed in his arms, but his grip did not loosen. She struggled even more as he made his way down the stairs, to the first floor. His silence was what frightened her more than anything and she, for once, was at a complete loss at what he was about to do. She heard voices coming from the other side of the foyer, more than likely the living room. Hermione gasped in shock as he dropped her onto the floor in the huge room and Hermione hurriedly tightened the towel around her as her eyes flickered between Blaise and Theo in shock.
It appeared that they were having some discussion when they came in and they both stood from the elaborate couches, faces twisted in confusion. Hermione scooted away, her back hitting Draco's legs as she curled in on herself, tightening her arms around her frame.
"Draco, what's going on," Blaise asked, his eyes moving back and forth between her and his friend.
Hermione recoiled as Draco knelt down behind her, running his fingers through her hair.
"Tell her, Theo," he said.
Hermione looked at Theo in confusion as his eyes widened. Her eyes fell onto Blaise as a knowing look of understanding began to slowly overtake his features. He smirked, appearing as if he was fighting back a laugh as he narrowed his eyes at her. Hermione did not like that look.
"Tell me what?"
"Shh, let him speak," Draco purred into her ear.
Hermione's gaze fell onto Theo again as he swallowed, visibly uncomfortable, shoving his hands into his pocket.
"Don't do this, Draco," he said.
"Why the hell not? What, were you hoping that you could ease your way in? Hoping that she'd warm up to you first," Draco hissed.
Hermione flinched at the harshness in his voice.
"Draco," Theo warned.
"Tell her, Theo! Tell her how you thought that she was just the most adorable thing you'd ever seen," Draco sneered.
Theo shuffled his feet.
"Tell her how much you loved her bushy hair and that she knew just about everything. How about fourth year, huh? What about how much you were ready to fall at her feet during the Yule Ball? Or how completely depressed you were when you realized who she had come with?"
Theo's face reddened, in anger or embarrassment, Hermione couldn't tell. Probably both.
"Tell her how you dreamed of one day telling her the truth, turning your back on your entire family just so the two of you could ride off into the fucking sunset together," Draco spat.
"Draco, stop it," Hermione quietly said as Theo looked everywhere but at her.
She gasped as Draco dug his hands into her shoulders, yanking her up with him and pulling her against him.
"No, Hermione. He just wants to be your friend, right? That's all he wants, right?"
Draco suddenly leaned down, brushing his lips against her neck, eyes trained on nothing but Theo.
"Tell her how she deserves so much better than me. Tell her how happy you can make her, how she deserves to be with some pansy ass loser like you. Tell her everything because it isn't going to matter either way. It won't make a difference because she's never going to be yours," Draco purred.
Hermione stared at Theo with a frown as he looked down, eyebrows furrowed, jaw clenched. His face was twisted in torment at Draco's words, Draco's disgusting words that she paid no mind to because she finally placed that unfamiliar emotion that was always on Theo's face.
Theodore Nott was in love with her.
Don't murder me. I also might do a chapter in Draco's POV soon. That was kind of common in C&B and I feel like some of you would like some insight as to what is going on in his head. Let me know what you think!