Disclaimer: Harry Potter or the songs that I quote in each chapter do not belong to me in anyway.

Chapter Five

Can't Sleep, Can't Breathe

'I'm taking you down with me 'til you,
Can't sleep,
Can't breathe,
You met your enemy,
Can't sleep,
Can't breathe,
Won't get no peace with me…'

Can't Sleep, Can't Breathe by Digital Daggers

Friday September 20th, 1996

The classroom was almost still, aside from the distinctive echoing sound of professor Slughorn's retreating footsteps as he left to his personal office. Pushing away the knowledgeable idea that this was what misplaced judgment probably felt like; Hermione started her advance towards the three Slytherin's standing just before her. Talking to Malfoy with his two friends present was reasonably the wrong choice to make, and she knew it.

Making sure to keep her distance from them, she stopped no less than five feet before them and gave her books a reassuring squeeze. Feeling her two friends just behind her, she silently thanked Merlin they had stayed to back her up if needed. She watched Draco step just a little closer, while an unreadable emotion danced in his steel irises, as she cleared her throat.

"May I have a word with you alone for a moment Malfoy?" She said loudly trying to remain polite, which was considerably hard to do with the current looks she was receiving. Lifting her chin slightly, she watched him closely, trying to read him.

Not being able to see how he was going to respond to her was something she despised greatly. Since the night in Diagon Alley, she had noticed there was something quite different about him now. The way he stood, the new way he held himself. Something definitely happened to him, she deduced. Something that changed him from the Draco Malfoy she had known over the past five years. There was something darker about him, and it was more refined than she originally thought.

In the past she had been able to read his emotions, he would show them often in past terms. However, lately the only time she could get a reaction or any type emotional response was when he was angry, only because of her. It irritated her, but did not confuse her. His behavior almost made her wonder what exactly had changed over the span of just one summer. With You-Know-Who's return, things were probably difficult at home to say the least. Then the crucial fact about his father's current predicament came back, causing her to feel a new level of guilt for what she had said.

Turning her attention back towards Malfoy, she raised an eyebrow hoping to elicit some sort of response from him. Noticing the remarkably subtle tensing of his jaw, he then stepped even closer. A hand to her right instinctively grabbed her arm just above her elbow, and she glanced at Harry. Looking back to Malfoy, who was close enough to reach out and touch.

With a sneer he was about to say something when the annoyingly stupid Pansy Parkinson stepped out in front of him. The Slytherin girl pursed her lips tightly, looking up to glare at Hermione.

"How dare you! How dare you, just waltz over here to talk to him, after thinking you can touch him like you did. You are nothing more than a disgusting Mudblood." She snarled at Hermione, looking as vile as ever. Not being able to help it, Hermione flinched at the distain in her sickeningly sweet voice, feeling a slight pang inside her. "Seems you've forgotten your place-" Pansy pointed her wand at Hermione.

An abrupt brush of fear washed over Hermione as she watched Pansy mumbled what was presumably a spell, under her breath. Then the books she had been holding were magically ripped them from her grasp while her red bag emptied everything else onto the floor. With a gasp, Hermione looked at her things strewn everywhere, furious Pansy Parkinson had the gall. Reaching for her inside pocket, Hermione was about to yank out her wand when the hand on her arm pulled her backwards.

"Oi, shut it Pug. You don't have any right in calling 'Mione that!" Ron shouted fuming, as he clumsily pulled out his wand.

"I don't give a damn, what you or even what your so called friends, think Parkinson. But never, insult Hermione, like that again." Harry spat at the girl, still holding onto Hermione's arm. Even though her friends were sticking up for her, Hermione could not stop herself from snapping back at the Slytherin.

" What? I was just trying not to make some sort of spectacle in front of the whole class. I wanted get it over with so we both, would not have to stand there longer than necessary." Hermione hissed, trying to take get closer to Pansy but Harry's grip tightened. "As I see it, I did Malfoy a favor! A forced simple three second handshake is loads better than a trip to the headmaster for refusing to cooperate because of your houses' silly blood superiority complex." Hermione fumed, scrunching her nose, and her teeth clamped shut.

'The nerve! I know for a fact, Malfoy does not need some guard dog to speak for him...' Hermione thought to herself, trying to swallow at least some of her anger. 'Besides, I wasn't going to do anything to him. He's my lab partner, I'm unfortunately going to have to talk to the git eventually, and I would rather it be sooner than later…' She huffed to herself biting her tongue to keep from making things worse, although it probably did not matter.

Still furious, she tore her arm sharply away from Harry, and bent down to retrieve her books, and a few loose parchments. Looking up, Hermione saw Harry's wand in his hand. He was probably ready to act before thinking, per usual.

"What, is the 'Golden Trio' now waiting for some sort of an apology." She barked a hallow laugh, choosing to ignore Hermione and Ron almost completely. When Harry nodded, it caused her to scoff harshly. "Don't make me laugh Potter. I apologize to no one, let alone a mudblood. Our house, is, superior, and don't you three forget it…" Hermione reached for the last parchment, as she watched shinning black dress shoes taking a step towards her. With a sharp intake of air, she looked up to see Malfoy staring down at her. He stood there in his custom Slytherin robes, with an unfamiliar glint in his eyes that made her feel uneasy, made her feel like she could not breathe under his intense gaze.

"That's enough Parkinson. I do not need you to speak for me. We have a whole semester to deal with our lab partners, and I for one, will not give these Gryffindors, a reason to involve Dumbledore." Malfoy snapped, the tone of his voice was calm, as his eyes never left hers. His intent stare made her feel uneasy, yet it did not make her feel in any way uncomfortable. Exhaling she tore her eyes away from him suddenly breathless. Remembering how his cool breath felt upon her neck, and in her ear, the memories making her feel lightheaded. Snatching the last paper, she stood up slowly, trying to keep her balance, catching herself just before she almost knocked into Malfoy.

"Draco.. I was just- trying to… That mudblood, cannot, talk to you like that! She cannot just grab you! They need to know-" Pansy shouted, fumbling at first for some sort of explanation as everyone else shared confused looks. Had Malfoy in some way, just defend her by telling Pansy, who Hermione had assumed, was his girlfriend, to stop.

'No, he's still the same old Malfoy. Still protecting himself from smearing the Malfoy name any further than him father already has.' Hermione thought to herself, somewhat confused as to why he would even care. Trying to convince herself that he was the only trying to keep his name intact. It was really the only reasonable explanation as to why he would not have a go with Pansy in calling her a mudblood again.

"Leave it alone Pans…" The third Slytherin interjected, stepping forward towards the other girl. "We are going to be late to charms if we don't leave now anyways." As Blaise talked, Hermione saw Malfoy looking at her twitching his brows at her slightly, he then looked around at the rest of them.

'What is he doing?' Hermione thought to herself raising an eyebrow when he looked back at her. He then took a step closer, as she watched him swallow, and inhale rather deeply. She held still, as his familiar scent clouded around her, making her feel somewhat dizzy as he reached towards her. He then proceeded to slip, what felt like a note, into her pocket, and their hands brushed lightly when he pulled away. The fraction of a second their hands touched, caused her to gasp quietly, feeling the tingly sensation.

Hermione locked her eyes with his, chewing upon her bottom when he took a step away. With flushed cheeks, she exhaled the breath she did not realize she had been holding and gave him a single nod. Still looking her, he nodded back, and spoke.

"Zabini's right, I cannot afford to be late to another class today. We shall continue this conversation later." He said, taking his gaze off her, but still speaking almost directly to her. He was subtly referring to the note, and she assumed it was a written when and where. With that, the three left of them the classroom with one last look from Malfoy. Hermione turned towards Harry, starting towards the door.

"Well, you two need to get to Charms as well. If you'd like I can walk you both there, it's on my way to the library to study during my free period." She said walking into the corridor as Harry sighed with a nod.

"Rotten luck, the both of you." Harry said pushing his glasses back upon the bridge of his nose. "I can't decide which is worse at the moment. Parkinson, or Malfoy." He huffed as they descended the stairs. Ron mumbled something in agreement and spoke, as they turned right into the busy hallway.

"Definitely the stupid ferret, he's a right git, he is. Just cause he called off Pug this once don't change the fact that he broke your nose like two weeks ago mate." Ron added and Hermione shook her head at that.

"I can handle Malfoy. Honestly, he isn't going to hurt me while Professor Slughorn is watching us. Besides, Pansy actually makes me more worried than he does. Just be careful Ron." Hermione said lowly touching his arm, as they stopped just outside the charms classroom. With a small smile at Ron he sighed, and agreed silently. "Oh, almost forgot, Ron we have a prefect meeting just after dinner tonight." She added.

"Oh, well you see 'Mione, actually I talked to McGonagall just last week. I'm no longer the second Gryffindor prefect. With everything going on, I just didn't need to add it to my plate. I've been meaning to tell you, just sort of forgot really." He winced slightly looking somewhat guilty. There was a sharp pang, as she heard this, she looked at Harry who was looking elsewhere.

"Right... I guess I will see you both later this evening then, if even that." She sighed and Ron was about to apologize again but she just shook her head. "Forget it. Talk to you guys later." She said quickly, brushing past Ron.

'How could he not tell me? I am one of his best friends, aren't I? For a week, he knew! Harry obviously knew…' She thought, extremely cross with Ron. Shaking her head, she make her way down the nearly empty hallway towards the library.

Hermione went to ascend the staircase stopping for a second when she saw some fourth years snogging upon a bench, the sight caused her to grimace. Passing them quickly climbing the stairs, she remembered the note starting to burn a hole in her pocket. With a huff, she paused just outside the library doors, shifting her books into just one arm. She then reached inside grabbing hold of the cool folded parchment. When she opened it, her brow frowned in confusion. There was nothing upon the rather blank parchment.

'What the… Why in Merlin's name would Malfoy make such a big deal out of just a blank slip of paper?' She wondered, and slowly ambled into her quiet sanctuary of the library.

In the hallway after Potion

"Dire straits and dirty consequences,
An invitation to your personal disaster,
It's a point break,
Another guilty conscience,
And I won't stop you,
'Til you get just what you're after,

The lower you go,
The less that you'll know,
You're sinking to the bottom now,
You're losing control,
The lower you go,
You're sinking to the bottom now…"

Pushing harshly past other students, quickly making his way in the direction of the dungeons, Draco could feel his two friends hot on his trail. After what happened with the Golden trio, he did not want to be around anyone else now. Turning sharply to his right, he fallowed the dark spiraling staircase downwards attempting to push all the events of Potions, and a certain know-it-all, far away from his mind.

As hard as he tried, Pansy was still fallowing him closely, calling after him and telling him to talk to her. This only made him more waspish, as his grip on his school briefcase handle tightened, seriously trying not to maim the witch currently shouting his name. Stopping when he knew the three of them were completely alone, he spun to face an almost frightened Pansy, and a somewhat worried Blaise standing behind him.

"Would you care to explain what in Salazar's name, you were attempting to prove back there by provoking the 'Golden Trio', Parkinson. Professor Snape being the only exception, any other professor would side with them in a heartbeat and you know it. With everything going on, the last thing I need is to be watched closely by a professor let alone Dumbledore himself." He growled, furious she had spoken for him, pushing her way into his personal affairs as if she had any right to do so. "I will say this once. Do not, try to include me in your pathetic squabbles with the other houses' again. I will deal with my problems, as I see fit. Speak for me again, and I will not be as forgiving… Are we clear Pansy?" He ground out her first name with irritation as he tried to swallow some of his redirected anger. Knowing this anger was not because of Pansy, he shoved away any guilt he felt for it. It was because of the fact he had to put up with the treatment from this sad excuse of a school. Being partners with the mudblood Granger, and having to play nice with Gryffindors, frustrated him.

Draco also knew normally he would partake in having a go at any of the trio in a heartbeat. However, with everything that was at stake, he couldn't risk having a professor watching him closely while he attempted to complete his first task. The main priority was to keep his mother and himself safe, and to do so, he needed to have little to no attention on him. Not being his usual self was going to hurt his top Slytherin reputation considerably, especially if he needed to play nice with Gryffindors. Feeling the start of a headache, he huffed and wanted to be alone.

"Y-yes, yes Draco. I didn't think- I'm sorry for intervening like I did. I was just so angry with that, that mudblood, I wasn't exactly thinking clearly. You're absolutely right. I won't do it again, I promise. I just… want you to know, with whatever is going on, you can come to me about it." She said softly to him. Taking two steps towards Draco, she nervously reached for his hand, but stopped when he eyed her hands with a sneer. "W-we really should go to charms now, even if we are late-" she tried to say but Draco shook his head.

"Go on then, I'm not going. I have something I need to do, alone." He said glancing at Zabini, whom gave a singular nod in understanding. "I will see you both later this evening for dinner."

Pansy gave him one last worried look, almost desperate for him to give an explanation. He felt somewhat guilty as his long time friend, and ex-girlfriend, but pushed it aside. She then spun on her heels leaving the two boys alone.

"She's right you know…" Blaise said softly, inhaling deeply as Draco took one last glance at his friend. With a sharp nod, Draco started to walk away pausing for as second, trying to remember what it felt like to have someone who cared other than his mother. He then continued to walk towards the Slytherin dormitories, with a sigh.

Once inside the Common rooms finally alone, Draco thought about his two friends. They both seemed to be rather concerned about him. Shaking his head at the thought, he made his way towards the boys' rooms on the left side of the common rooms. Draco tossed his bag beside his bed. The deep green silk bedspread neatly made. With a huff, he went loosen his suddenly suffocating tie, as potions came to mind.

'Today, could not get any worse…' He thought to himself as his mind began to wander back to the stupid handshake, and rather pointless squabble.

He remembered the second he heard his name, it caused him to freeze for a few second with disbelief and outrage, that his new lab partner was Granger, out of everyone. Recalling how time seemed considerably slower as he had made his way to stand beside, her. The overwhelming scent of cinnamon and Granger was starting to become almost familiar to him, to his dismay.

Tangling his left hand into his now disheveled hair, he groaned aloud recalling the handshake, he couldn't help but think how soft her warm skin felt upon his. When Ganger grabbed him, he was lost in the feeling of her alarmingly electric touch, which he could still feel but only faintly. Draco could still remember when he felt her hand on his. At the time, he almost didn't want to let go, but yanked his hand away the second remembered he was in class, and that it was Granger currently touching him.

Rubbing his eyes, trying to rid himself of the memories, he exhaled loudly. Before Pansy's overly exaggerated intervention, he wrote a note to Granger knowing it would be best to meet alone somewhere. That somewhere, he had decided was the Room of requirements, killing two birds with one stone. Draco needed in there, and had to talk to her, alone. No better place to do it.

He had also charmed the note to reveal the location and time during the night, when she is completely alone. He only hoped she wouldn't toss the note before then. The only reason he charmed it, was so she didn't show it to Potter or Weaslebee. Just wanting to make sure, she came actually alone, really.

Thinking about when he slipped her the note, he couldn't even remember his thought process at the time. He knew he wanted to feel her skin against his once more, only to confirm what he felt before. Then as Draco brushed his hand against hers, he felt the stinging burn, and heard her gasp quietly. Not knowing why she had gasped at his touch.

Running his hand across his face, he almost growled aloud to himself to stop thinking about the stupid mudblood. He wanted this to be over, the task, being partnered with Granger, everything really. With a frustrated sigh, he unbuttoned the cuff of his dress shirt on his left arm, and yanked his sleeve upwards. Draco then watched the dark mark slithering against his snowy white skin. He sneered down at it as he felt a slight tingle in his arm. Knowing he had to try to get into the blasted room again, before he received word at how he was supposed to start his task.

'Let's not have the Dark Lord waiting too long then, shall we…' He mused to himself hoping with Granger there tomorrow he would be able to access the bloody room. 'Can't hide from me forever…' He huffed, pulling back his sleeve, attempting to hide the mark again so he wouldn't have to feel the reoccurring twinge of disgust.

Whilst buttoning the cuff of his dress shirt, something abruptly hit against the glass window beside his bed, making him freeze. Walking towards the window, seeing nothing there, he raised an eyebrow in confusion. Then, out of nowhere, an owl, his eagle owl, flew upwards, perching itself on the small ledge looking inside.

"Bloody hell Orion. Trying to scare me, are you?" He shot a sneer at his owl hooted then preceded to peck upon the glass three times before Draco pulled the latch open. "Now, what have you got for me? From mother I presume." He said aloud to Orion reaching for an neatly folded envelope tied around it's leg and a small pouch.

Grabbing an owl treat from his bedside table in a bowl, he held out his hand for Orion, looking somewhat amused as the owl took the treat in one singular snatch. With one last hoot, Draco watched the owl drop from the ledge, fly away, as he closed the window.

'It's too late to get into the room before receiving word now…' he thought to himself as he sighed aloud. Draco then upon his bed, as he opened the parchment first, noting the 'Malfoy' seal stamped upon the paper. He then pulled it open, slowly unrolling it only somewhat surprised to see his oh so wonderful auntie had written him instead of his mother.

'My Dearest Nephew,

At the request of the Dark Lord, I am writing to you regarding your task. As you were informed, your main priority should be remaining out of the schools eyes, as well as other students. Can't have anyone figuring out any of the Dark Lords plans too soon, now can we love.

That being said, now that you've gone over what you need to do, using the repairing charm for the Vanishing Cabinet, which I hope you have found by now.

Anyways, I want you to know how I will contact you when I need to. Therefore, we can be at both sides, at the same time.

Inside the pouch lies a rather special family heirloom that I hold dear to me. A coin to be precise…'

Draco stopped reading taking said pouch into his hand, pulling at the drawstrings softly. He then dumped the coin into his right hand, and the second it hit his skin he felt a soft tingle that started to warm at his touch. Examining the coin closely, he then felt it start to heat up quickly.

'What the bloody-' his thought cut sharply, as the warmth went from mild to scalding in a matter of two seconds. His fist forcefully snapped close by the impending dark magic, causing him to lock in the unwanted coin. Draco then grinded his teeth together as he attempted to rid his hand of the coin, whilst feeling the magic entering into his veins.

Falling to his knees off his bed when the coin stayed fixed in his clamped hand, he hissed aloud in pain. With his left hand, he gripped his right wrist tightly, trying to distract himself from the burning magic now thrashing wildly inside him. While the familiar stench of dark magic played at his nose, the air became thick in his now somewhat sore throat, as he continued to keep his eyes closed.

Then everything stopped, no pain, no heat, no magic, nothing but a small dull ache inside the palm of his right hand. Opening his eyes slowly, still a little blurry from what had happened, he swallowed thickly. Draco quickly discarded the coin, tossing it upon his bed as fast as it would leave his hand. Wincing from the sensitive skin, he then looked back to his hand, and at the new-burnt etchings of the 'Black' family crest upon his skin.

"Aunt Bella… I should've known…" He whispered aloud somewhat hoarsely. Then Draco briefly touched the inflamed burn no bigger than his thumb. Staring down at it, he wet his lips and traced the tiny ridges whilst inhaling deeply. The second he saw the words 'dear to you', he should have known something would happen, but for some unknown reason he still touched the coin. Anything that is of importance to his aunt, was without a doubt meant to cause some sort of pain. He sighed gruffly, turning to help himself off the floor using his bed. Snatching the letter from his bed, he eyed the coin one last time before continuing to read.

'…but you would do well to be careful with it. The coin can get rather, hot at first, to make sure you're, well you nephew.

The coin has been charmed, so I can write to you when we are to meet upon the coin. As you may already know the charm, but nevertheless, it is known as a protean charm.

Look it up, if you don't know what that is… That being said, it will only work when you are holding it, but do be careful with it. I shall contact you using the coin for the first time, this Sunday night just after midnight. Try not to disappoint myself or the Dark Lord like your worthless daddy.

Your Aunt Bella'

Reaching for his suit jacket, he retrieved his wand from the inside pocket with a huff. Pointing his wand at the letter with almost disgust, as the parchment began to levitate before him.

"Reducto…" He mumbled as the letter erupted into bits of shredded paper that suspended in the air before him. Then a short burst of fire claimed the remains quickly while Draco pursed his lips rather tightly. So much was now weighing upon him not to fail, he couldn't help but feel as if he were sinking and losing control.

The letter not only proved that the Dark Lord believed in him, but that he trusted him, whilst his own father never had. This may be about protecting his mother, but he couldn't help but like the feeling that he is the chosen one for this task. Sort of like Potter, and how he was chosen to kill the Dark Lord.

With the thought of Potter, his mind wandered back to Granger's touch, her smell- he stopped the thoughts of her before they could go any further. With how much she had been invading his mind lately, it seemed plausible that she cursed him with something.

Shaking his head, he bit his tongue at that thought. Thinking of his task again, he reminded himself that he was doing all of this for survival, and not because he liked it. Looking down at his burned hand once more, tracing it lightly with his left pointer finger, he then huffed slightly, with one last thought.

'I will not fail…'