She was beautiful. It was as simple as that. She was dressed in a crimson red V-neck sweater, her chestnut curls frizzing around her head and falling to her covered shoulders. Her long and toned legs were protected by a pair of dark Muggle jeans, and I scoffed from my hiding place. She was worth more than some Muggle fashion. She should be wrapped up in satin and silk. She was my queen, my mudblood queen. I cringed inwardly at the thought. Just thinking the world 'mudblood' made my throat burn and put a bitter taste in my mouth. I hated the word. I hated when Blaise directed it towards my Granger. There was nothing I could do though. If I beat him up, I'd lose a friend and risk exploitation of my affair with Granger. If I did nothing, (which I usually did nothing), I'd hide in the Room of Requirement and try to scratch away the Dark Mark, the reason why I had to hate her. I had taken a vow to kill people like her, kill wizards and witches of muggle ancestry. It was now my duty, my life's worth to kill mud- muggleborns. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated sigh as I continue to look at my prize.

She leaned her chin on the palm of her hand, staring past Potter with a dazed look in her eyes, and I smiled arrogantly. Of course I was on her mind. We had fucked at least thirty minutes ago, a quick moment for both of us since we both had things to do. I smirked as a slow smile crept on her face, and her sweet cheeks burned red from whatever she was thinking. She flushed entirely when Potter seemed to be concerned for her, and she shook her head frantically, as if it was nothing that she wanted to discuss. Of course she wouldn't discuss it. She would never tell anyone about what we do. It was our moment, our secret, our fantasy. It belonged to no one but me and her.

I sneered at Potter's glowing face as Professor Slughorn walked up and chatted amiably with him, smiling adoringly at Granger, and looking confusedly at Weasley. Granger gingerly grabbed her butterbeer as a waiter placed it down in front of her and began looking all around the room, as if she was looking for something. My breath caught in my throat as her piercing honey brown eyes stared at my hidden spot, and I sunk deeper into my chair, deeper into the shadowy corner. Only Granger could sense that I was here. Only Granger would care enough to look for me. She squinted at the corner, then was immediately startled when Slughorn asked her question. She nodded mutely, giving him a small smile that made my heart ache. She was so sweet, so innocent. She was a beautiful rose, a rose that I had tainted thoroughly. I noticed, though, that she sat tall and proud. On closer inspection, I noticed that her eyelashes were thicker and darker, and her plump lips were covered in gloss. She had put on some makeup, a sign that she cared for her appearance. I smiled again, because I was the one who wordlessly encouraged her to enhance her beauty. She was naturally beautiful, without that makeup on, but now that she had that stuff own, it emphasized how big and doe-like her eyes were. It emphasized how plump her lips were.

She was getting more confident, and I took all of the credit for it.

She gazed at my hidden spot again, drinking her butterbeer enthusiastically as she kept her eyes rooted on me. I leaned forward slightly, and her eyes widened as I smirked at her. The butterbeer spilled down her lip and into her lap, and I heard her curse loudly. I had to stifle my laughter, and she glared hatefully at me. Both Potter and Weasley seemed taken aback by her outburst, and I grinned widely. Yeah, you fuckers. It's because of me your princess has a dirty ass mouth. They helped her clean her part of the table, and she sneered at me. I sunk back into the shadows, the tension leaving my shoulders as I glanced at the bathrooms. This is why I liked having Granger around. While I worried about how to kill Dumbledore, Granger was there to ease my stress, even with that childish glare she gave me. She made me laugh, and she kept me distracted from my worries. The bathroom door burst open, and the brown-haired Gryffindor Quidditch player walked out with my package in her hands, her eyes white and lifeless. I let out a low sigh, watching as Granger chatted animatedly with Potter about something. Her mouth kept my eyes away from Katie Bell. Her glowing eyes kept me from twiddling my thumbs as Katie Bell marched towards the door, her friend following her confusedly. I hastily made my escape, throwing Granger a smirk as I emerged from the shadows. I puckered my lips and blew her a kiss, and she responded with an icy glare and arched eyebrow. I stuffed my hands in my pockets, making my way to the back entrance of the Three Broomsticks, and my heart pounded as I almost ran into Madam Rosmerta.

"Oh, dear boy, I'm so sorry," she muttered hastily, throwing me an apologetic smile. Her smile faded as she stared at me in a confused state, her brow furrowed. "Have you been here lately? I've seen you here many times at night, haven't I?"

I shook my head and offered her a charming smile. "No ma'am. You must have me confused with someone else."

She blinked a few times before smiling at me, nodding her head. "Yes, might be someone else. Alright, you be careful heading back to the castle, child."

I hurried down the street, sweat falling down the side of my face even though it was snowing outside. I bundled myself inside my coat, tightening my Slytherin scarf around me. I scowled as thoughts of Granger popped in my head. The coat she had with her at the Three Broomsticks wasn't thick enough for this December weather. I shook my head, knowing that we'd have to talk about her and how she needs to take care of herself. My eyes closed briefly as I made my way to a Hogwarts carriage, my stomach tightening as I remembered how soft and subtle Granger felt in my arms last night. She was so small, so beautiful as she slept. Her face was smooth and stress-free, her lips parted as she breathed in peace. She had sighed once in her sleep, and her hand reached out for something. When it felt my t-shirt, she smiled and laid her palm flat on my chest. My brow had furrowed, and I shuffled closer to her. She sighed contently, and my brow rose high to my hairline. The girl had been reaching out for me, wanting me. She was content with me beside her, not worried or scared. I had never slept with anyone but my mother, and I hadn't done that since I was six. Having Granger beside me was very relaxing, I must admit. I had pulled her into my arms, her head laying on my chest, and my arms around her waist. She slept like that, and I can't remember a time when I felt that happy, that calm. That had to be the calmest and most relaxing moment in my life. I woke before her, and I admired her as she slept and snored slightly. An hour later, she had woken on top of me, and she blushed in emabrassment. I didn't fuck her, though. I just watched her as she stared back at me.

"We should do this more often."

It was the first thing that came to mind, and it was the first thing that came out of my mouth. I had no nightmares with her next to me, in my arms. I slept peacefully, and I knew I wouldn't be able to live without her body close to mine as we slept. She furrowed her brow, and her eyes had flickered with panic before she hesitantly nodded and flashed me a shy smile. She was so precious to me, as precious as my mother was to me. I hurried into the carriage, and it slowly made its way back to the castle. I laid my head onto the back of the plush, white seat, pictures of Granger flashing through my mind. I sighed in agony, clutching my hands into fists, my heart aching for the girl. I had no idea what I was feeling for her, but I knew it was close to love. I growled and punched the floor, grabbing at my hair in frustration. I was going to fucking die without the damn girl. I was going to kill myself if I didn't have her available to me at all hours of the day. I remember when I was thirteen, and I had the biggest crush on Pansy Parkinson. I loved her following me around, and she was my first kiss. She was my first time too, the girl I lost my virginity to. It was quick, but it was very good. It was in her room, on her bed, and she looked at me as if she loved me dearly. I remember telling my mother, (minus the sex part), that I felt like I loved Pansy, that I wanted to see her all the time, and Mother smiled at me.

You may think that you love her, but you just have a strong crush on the girl, my boy. When you fall in love, really fall in love with a girl, you'll need her all the time. You'll feel like you can't live without her. You'll think of her all day and night. You won't be able to breathe without her, Draco. Even if you only see her face for a split second, your world will right itself, and you'll be able to breathe clearly because you got to see her. That's part of love, Draco. It's obsession and crazed possession. You'll hate it, but you'll crave it. Love is the only thing that can truly hurt us, but it can also bring an overwhelming happiness into our lives. That's what it was with your father and me. Why do you think I go along with his Dark Mark? I love him. If that's what he wants, then I want it to.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes at the memory. Yes, I was probably in love with Granger, but one look at my Dark Mark, and she'd be skipping off to Potter and Dumbledore with her information. It didn't matter that I didn't want this damn Mark; it still was against Granger's morals, and she would have nothing to do with me if she saw it. My heart fell to my stomach, and I felt the urge to throw up violently. Granger didn't love me. She probably never would love me. The fact remained: I was Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin ferret, Lucius Malfoy's blood prodigy. I was the enemy, and she was Hermione Granger, the hated muggleborn and Potter's best friend. I threw the door open as we hit the entrance of Hogwarts, ignoring the younger students as I marched to serve detention with McGonagall. There was no way that I could allow myself to love Granger, since my feelings would never be returned. I had to stop this affair, this crazy obsession I had for her.

Even as I thought it, I dismissed it completely. I was never going to fucking stop. I couldn't stop.

You'll do anything to keep her.

Yes, I would do anything in this world to keep Granger with me. Sleeping with her was a revelation for me. It was the first time that I had contemplated my feelings for Granger, and I knew, I just knew that I couldn't leave her. I couldn't let her leave me. If she wanted me to kill myself, I'd fucking do it. If she wanted me to curse the Dark Mark off of my arm, I'd find a way to do it.

Because I love Hermione Granger. And even if she didn't love me, I'd be damned if she left me. She wanted me, and that was enough for me. As long as I had her, it was enough.

He slammed his fists down on the table, causing me to flinch, but I keep my eyes impassive.

Fucking Bell. Fucking idiotic Gryffindor bitch. She had one, motherfucking job!

"You need to be very careful, Draco," Snape seethed, his black hair framing his pale face. His disappointed sneer was evident, though.

I rolled my eyes, and he scoffed. "Do you think you can do this on your own?"

I was suddenly in his face, my eyes blazing with angry flames. He looked shocked for a second, before pulling his mask back over his face. "The Dark Lord chose me for this task, Snape. He chose me! I won't fail him." I won't allow my mother to die. "I'll do what he's asked." I won't let him take Granger from me.

"Draco, that necklace could've killed Bell."

"The point was not for her to touch it! She was supposed to give it to Dumbledore. I told her to do it! My Imperius Curse-"

"Is very good, Draco. Yes, I know how well you've used it. That doesn't change the fact that this is child's play, though. You need to be quicker and craftier. You can't afford to get caught, Draco. Your life is on the line."

I growled and threw his potion to the wall, running my hand through my hair as he nonchalantly fixed the damage with his wand. I stalked out of his office, almost running to the Room of Requirement. It was 10:30. Granger would be there already. What Snape failed to realize was that I could care less if I died. Merlin knows how much no one would miss me but my mother. Well, maybe Granger would too, but she'd get over it. She was just after some good sex and affection. The only reason I couldn't die was because it would cause intense depression for my mother. She wouldn't be able to go on without me, her only child, and she'd kill herself. I gritted my teeth as I marched to the fifth floor. Fucking evil Dark Lord, getting my family mixed in with his shit. I was stuck in his trap, stuck in this life that my father had forced on me. My jaw clenched as I approached the fifth floor, watching as Granger read a book near the room's entrance. Everything was my father's fault. It's his fault that I was stuck as a Death Eater, being forced to take up his responsibility for failing the Dark Lord. It was his fault that I couldn't have Granger for myself, that she was forbidden to me. All my life, she was a mudblood. Now, she was the girl that I loved. I was in fucking love with Hermione the Untouchable Mudblood Granger. She heard me approaching, and I slowed to study her face. Her eyes lit up as she saw me, her book immediately falling into her bag as she stepped towards me with a bright smile on her face. I furrowed my brow at her. Her smile was forced. It didn't touch her eyes.

"What's wrong?" we both asked in unison, and I rose my eyebrow as she waited for me to speak.

She sighed and ran her fingers through her curls, and I itched to do it myself. "Nothing. It's just Harry."

I scowled. "First Weasley, now Potter. What the hell did he do to you? Do you want me to curse him?" 'Cause I'd do it, Granger. I'd do it for you.

She shook her head quickly, staring at me warily. "No, why would you do that?"

"If that's what you wanted, I'd do it."

Her eyes softened, and she planted her lips on the corner of my mouth. I stifled a groan. Her lips were a pleasure. "Thank you, but I'd rather you didn't hurt my best friend."

I shrugged, disappointment wrapping around me. I've always wanted to curse Potter. Maybe I'd get my chance someday. I paced in front of the wall three times, thinking of a private place for me and Granger, a lovely place of red and gold. I grabbed her hand and dragged her into the room, smiling as she gasped in shock. Even I had to look around the room in silent shock. There was a large, queen sized bed on the left wall, draped in crimson red satin sheets. A fireplace was on the right side of the room, a plush, dark red loveseat planted right in front of it. The carpet of the room was a deep gold, a rich color for my princess. A large bookshelf lined along the wall in front of the door, and Granger squealed in excitement. I watched her closely as she lit up like a Christmas tree, her face glowing with uncontained happiness.

"Draco, it's wonderful," she said happily, and I laughed as she launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and crushing me to her. Her lips clashed with mine, and I groaned into her eager mouth. She released me quickly, flashing me a gorgeous smile, and I felt like I was falling deeper in love with her.

"So," I said, pulling her over to the bed, "what did Potter do to make you so upset?"

She sobered up from her happiness and frowned, straddling me as I laid on the soft, golden pillows. She ran her fingers over my chest, and I sucked in a breath. "Don't worry about it."

I rested my hands on her hips. "I'm only worried because it's worrying you."

She looked at me through her lashes, and I saw apprehension flash through her eyes. "It was about you," she murmured.

I rose my eyebrows but said nothing. I didn't even tense up, and her eyes widened a fraction at my calm reaction. What could Potter possibly say about me? There's nothing he could say that he hasn't said or thought about me before. He couldn't know about Granger and me; I knew, with sour disappointment, that she'd never tell him about me. She'd take her relationship with me to the grave. As much as I liked being her secret, as much I liked her being my secret, I wanted Potter to know that she belonged to me. I branded her every night. I owned her, and she owned my heart.

"Do you want to know what he said?" she muttered.

I narrowed my eyes. "I do, since it's bothering you so much and might keep us from making love tonight."

She flushed and smiled at me. My heart melted. You'll feel like you can't live without her. I know how that feels now, Mother.

"I don't want to make you mad," she whispered.

I sat up, staring at her curiously. Now, I wanted to know. What could Potter say that would make her react like this? "Granger," I spoke firmly, "what did Potter say?"

"Katie Bell was cursed today, in Hogsmeade. She was carrying a cursed necklace. Harry says you did. He says you're a Death Eater."

I tensed up under her, and her eyes shifted away from me. I gripped her upper arms and gently pushed her off me. I stood suddenly, gripping my tie and prying it off me. I was choking, drowning in guilt and anger. Granger called my name quietly, and I almost cried when she laid her hands on my back. I pulled away from her, and I kept my face on the wall. I didn't dare turn around. I knew how hurt and rejected she'd feel.

"I told him you didn't do it," she sniffed, and I closed my eyes tightly. Please, don't cry.

"Why does he think this?" I asked in a flat tone.

I heard her get up from the bed, and her arms wrapped around my waist as she laid her head on my back. I inhaled deeply, but I didn't push her away. I didn't think I'd have the strength. "Granger, tell me why he thinks this."

"Please don't be mad at me."

Not you, never.

"Harry, Ron and I… at the end of the summer break, we followed you into Knockturn Alley." I tensed, and she froze. Fucking shit, Granger. She relaxed eventually, but I didn't. I keep my fists in my pocket. I wanted to turn around and punch her in her face. She had no right to follow me to Borgin and Burkes. By doing that, she and her dimwitted friends had indirectly put themselves into a situation, my situation. Now, I was at risk of getting caught. If I ever did anything stupid again, like giving some stupid Gryffindor the job of killing Dumbledore for me, Granger would think about the night I went to Borgin and Burkes. Granger was far from stupid. She'd be able to piece the puzzles together in a matter of seconds. She'll find out that I'm a Death Eater before I get the chance to tell her. She'd leave me before I got to explain.

I shivered with suppressed rage, and she kissed the side of my neck. She was trying to calm me down, be my distraction. She couldn't this time. She had pushed herself into my world, my dark and evil world. I sighed angrily. "What the hell were you doing following me?" I seethed.

She let me go and whirled herself around, facing me with a cold glare. I returned the angry stare. "What were you doing in Borgin and Burkes, Malfoy?"

Oh Merlin, back to that shit. "None of your business, Granger. What I do in my spare time is none of my business."

"It is now."

I laughed humorlessly. "Nothing in my life concerns you, Granger. You and I, we have sex. We talk. We hug. Outside of the time we spend together, we are enemies. Or did you forget the part where you're supposed to hate me and not give a damn about me?"

She gasped, and a tear spilled unconsciously from her left eye. My eyes widened. Oh shit, please don't cry. "How dare you?" she said through gritted teeth. "Draco Malfoy, I give a damn about you all the time! I can't stop thinking about you, even when I'm not supposed to. I don't care if we're together or not. The fact is that I care deeply for you. I worry about you, worry about who you hang out with, worry about how you eat and dress, worry about your health-"

"My health?"

She nodded and another tear rolled down her cheek. I wanted to roll my eyes. I hated her tears. She rarely cried, so whenever she did, that meant that she was extremely upset. I hated that I caused her to be sad this time. "Of course. Draco, you haven't been eating at all. You look thin, and your cheeks are sunken. You have dark circles under your eyes, and you've lost your infamous smirk. You can't stand here and tell me that I'm not supposed to give a damn about you when I do!"

Shit. I hadn't even noticed that I wasn't eating. I just wasn't hungry. I had other things to worry about than food. I had more pressing matters on my hands than my health. I ran both hands through my hair, the frustration and guilt suffocating me. "Granger, you care," I stated in a bitter tone, though my eyes softened on her.

She forced a watery smile. "Of course I do, Draco. I can't just come into a relationship like this and not care about you. I know I'm not supposed to care. I know it's just supposed to be about sex, but I've grown to… actually like you, Draco."

I gaped at her as she blushed, and a shy smile crept on my face. "You like me?" I muttered, and she nodded fiercely. "Very much, Draco."

I smiled brighter, and she returned it. Well, that was close enough to love. I'd take it. I'd take anything she'd give me, as long as I had her.

Her smile disappeared, and she sat back down on the bed. I watched her curiously, and she patted the seat next to her. I sat next to her, and she took a deep breath. "I didn't finish what I was telling you."

I smirked, and she grinned in relief. I would smirk at her all fucking day if that's what she wanted from me. "Go on, Miss Granger."

"Do you forgive me for spying on you?"

I tensed up again but nodded, and she sighed in relief. I'd forgive her for anything. If she left me right now and married Weasley, I'd forgive her for that, too. I loved her too much to ever stay mad at her. "So anyway, we followed you, and Harry saw you show your arm to Borgin." Whatever color I ever had in my pale face drained instantly, but my eyes stayed indifferent. "He swears you have the Dark Mark." She glanced at my left arm and smiled slightly. "But I know it's the curse. You showed him your arm to scare him, didn't you?" she looked at me brightly, her eyes full of hope that she was right. She was always right. She was the brightest witch of our age.

But she was wrong, this time. Oh, how fucking wrong my bookworm was this time.

I nodded, though, and her smile widened. "I knew it! You've told me how scary and horrible it looks. I knew you were scaring Borgin into giving you want you wanted. What did you want, anyway?"

I shrugged, scratching at my left forearm. Merlin, this thing got me in so much fucking shit, I was beginning to drown in it. The more I lied to Granger, though, the more she drowned with me. "I wanted some jewels for my mother. She's been so down lately, so depressed. But he wouldn't give them to me because he didn't want to do business with a Death Eater's son. I showed him my arm and told him I'd do it to him, and he gave me the jewels for free."

She smiled sympathetically at me. "I knew you couldn't have cursed Katie. McGonagall said that you served detention with her, and she showed us the work that you did. I mean, you were at the Three Broomsticks, but I figured…" she faltered, and I smiled at her.

I tucked some curls behind her ear, and her breath hitched. "I went to look at you, yes." That wasn't the entire truth, but it was partially true. I couldn't go one second without looking at those pretty freckles scattered around her face.

She blushed and continued her hypothesis on why I can't be a Death Eater. I wouldn't tell her that her hypothesis was one hundred percent wrong. "I know you aren't a Death Eater, Draco. First off, you're too young. Secondly, you're not as evil as everyone thinks. You're a school bully, but the Mark requires certain strengths that you can't possess at this age, like causing Unforgivable Curses. You'd never take the Mark."

"Wouldn't I?" I murmured before I could think. She looked at me curiously. "I am a Death Eater's son. I'm as callous as he is." I sneered bitterly. "He'd ruin my life by making me take the Mark."

Granger caressed my cheek with her warm fingertips, and I sighed in content. She ran her other fingers gently through my hair, and I relaxed into her touch. "Draco, I don't know much about the relationship between you and your father, but he's in Azkaban now. He can't make you take the Mark. No one can make you do something you don't want to do." I wanted to scoff and push my Mark in her face, but I refrained. "You're not your father, Draco."

I am, though. I'm a coward. A spineless, worthless, hopeless motherfucker like my father. If I didn't die first, I'd be sharing a jail cell with Daddy in Azkaban. That had been my fate, ever since the Dark Lord rose to power again. I would've ended up a Death Eater, even if my father was worthy in the Dark Lord's eyes. I was a Malfoy, and this had been our fate since the Dark Lord's existence.

But I nodded and kissed Granger tenderly on the cheek. "Thank you." And I meant it. She had so much faith in me, so much confidence that I was a good person. I knew it was her wishful thinking, but I loved it anyway. If she thought I was a good person, then I'd be good to her. I'd prove to her that I was good enough for her.

She frowned suddenly, and I sighed. What the hell was her problem now? Couldn't we just fuck and go to sleep already?

"What's wrong with you?" she asked curiously. "Are you upset about your father?"

"Not anymore, no."

"Was that bothering you?"

"Yes, Granger. Drop it. I don't wanna talk about it."

She nodded mutely and flashed me a dazzling Malfoy smirk that made my blood boil. Both of her hands traveled sensuously down my chest, resting lightly on my belt buckle. "Want me to make you feel better?"

I nodded, my mouth parted to accommodate my ragged breathing, and she grinned like a harlot at me. About fucking time.