Well Hello there my beautiful followers…

It took me a while, but I forced myself to sit down and write. And let me be honest here. This was a rather difficult chapter to write because I wasn't sure where to take things after the last chapter. At first I was like, whoa, I am going way to fast to realistically represent these two. Then I thought. It's been 121,000 words into the story so far. Come on. Where is the action people? I rated this M for a reason. Blood and death isn't my only goal with these two. If you get what I mean. *Wink Wink Nod Nod…*

But just so you know, this chapter is still only rated teen. Nothing too heated. Not yet.

But just so I can make a note from my followers, is anyone dying for some smut or is that just me?

Okay, enough rambling. Without further ado, here is the next chapter. Hope it was worth the wait. Hope you guys are still reading this. Hope it is in Character.

Read, review, follow, send a PM. Whatever. Feedback literally gives me life.

Madi

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor do I own any of the lyrics I quote in the Chapters unless said otherwise.

"Are you insane like me?
Been in pain like me?
Bought a hundred-dollar bottle of champagne,
Like me?
Just to pour that motherfucker down the drain,
Like me?

Do the people whisper on the train about you?
Saying that you shouldn't waste your pretty face,
Like me?

And all the people say,
You can't wake up,
This is not a dream,

Low on self-esteem,
So you run on gasoline,

Are you deranged like me?
Are you strange like me?
Lighting matches just to swallow up the flame,
Like me?
Do you call yourself a fucking hurricane,
Like me?
Pointing fingers, because you never take the blame,
Like me…"

Gasoline by Halsey

Friday November 22nd, 1996

Eight in the morning, moments after breakfast in the corridor

The small bit of parchment in Pansy Parkinson's hand felt heavy and demanding, as she read the words written neatly in prompt handwriting. Stating that Professor Snape wanted to see her this evening regarding Halloween and her involvement in that evening. Sliding the paper into her bag, she wondered who else the professor wanted to speak to regarding that night and more importantly, Theo.

'Did Blaise get a summons?' she wondered to herself as she turned the corner towards the library, 'Did Draco?'

Shaking her head, she tucked her straight deep brown hair behind her ear as she made her way through the crowd. Heading down the hallway towards the library, (which was now officially repaired to its original state), she pulled her bag upwards so that it wasn't slipping off her shoulder anymore. Once inside, passing each aisle, Pansy headed towards the table in the back which was just before the restricted section, hidden and out of view of prying eyes.

Looking at the table for a moment and then towards the sofa, she walked over, pushed aside the throw pillow, and plopped down with a huff. Laying her head backwards she closed her eyes for a second as she thought about how she'd allowed herself to get swooped into Theo's ploy. It wasn't as if she originally liked him. She slept with him because he acted like he wanted her, and really that's all she wanted…

"Fancy seeing you here," the voice interrupted the silence with its smooth and yet pointed tone.

Opening her eyes, Pansy looked towards the source with his mocha skin and his familiar elegant side tug of his lips.

"If you're here to interrupt the only bit of free time I get without being stared at, I'd suggest you find another corner to spend your time." She spoke softly closing her eyes once more as she readjusted into the couch so that her legs curled up under herself.

"Come on Pans," he mumbled while she felt him only coming closer to her. When the other side of the sofa dipped and the sharp scent of leather brushed her nose she pursed her lips.

"What is it Blaise?" she asked slowly opening her eyes to see him already looking right at her with a rather blank stare.

"You've barely spoken to me since that night," he said as she felt her throat tighten. "Which in all honesty, you didn't even speak to me about what happened even then…"

Trying to swallow the sudden rise of guilt, Pansy sat up right looking right at her friend before sighing aloud. Reaching for her bag, she dipped her hand inside and pulled out the small bit of parchment she had gotten earlier this morning.

"I got this during breakfast," she said handing him the parchment trying to avoid the questions she'd been avoiding. "Snape wants to meet with me regarding that night."

Blaise sighed, reaching up to rub his mouth while looking at the parchment before looking back towards her. "He is going to be asking the same thing I am Pans…"

Huffing, she snatched the paper back before shoving it back into her bag. "The same thing I've been trying to ask you since that night… What happened?"

"Honestly Blaise," she said suddenly with a bit of irritation laced into her words as she turned to look towards him. "It's none of your business, so- "

"That's bullshit Pansy…" he snapped suddenly making her stiffen at his blunt response as he stood up to pace back and forth. "I was there. I was the one that found you knocked out…"

Pansy opened her mouth to respond to his claims but had nothing to say. He was there and it was him that found her passed out from the spell Theo had cast. In that moment, she thought about her mum, and how she was fiercely against the death eaters. Turns out she had been shagging one and the fact she had never seen it until afterwards only proved that the whole time she meant nothing to him. She felt worthless. Used.

Swallowing her thoughts that slowly began to build in her eyes she wiped her bottom lashes with her right pointer knuckle before inhaling. When she looked over towards her friend who was now standing near the window looking outside, she realized something. He was the only one, out of everyone, who hadn't wanted anything from her but to make sure she was okay. Pansy stood up and walked over towards Blaise and heard him sniffle.

"I don't want to be that type of person to push people I care about to talk to me about things," he whispered, "I'm here is all that I can say- all that I'm going to say Pansy…"

Standing behind him, close enough that the leather scent had returned. When he spoke, she noticed that his voice cracked just barely for her to notice.

Looking past him out the window she realized that it was snowing. White blankets of ice swirling in the air before coating everything in its path. Looking back towards him she inhaled once more.

Feeling his pain, she rose her arms and walked right into him grabbing him from behind making him gasp slightly at the sudden embrace. Her arms reached his middle while her head rested against the back of him.

With her ear pressed into his back, she listened to his even breaths as well as the rhythmic thudding of his heart. Closing her eyes, she just listened feeling his hand slowly rest against her hand. This was the safest she had felt in a long time…

Pulling back from him, she watched as he turned to look at her, and out of all the guys in her life he was the only one who ever looked at her that way. So, gentle, and caring.

"If you had to, would you ever become a death eater?" she spoke so softly she wasn't sure if he could have possibly heard her.

"No…" he said sternly. "I would rather die."

Instantly she knew that it had to do with his father's death. His real father. Not all his mother's new husbands but his birth father. Killed and tortured by a group of death eaters shortly after he had been born…

"Me too." She mumbled softly as the school bell chimed signaling quarter until first classes.

"My demons are begging me to open up my mouth,

I need them, mechanically, make the words come out,

They fight me, vigorous and anger, watch them pounce,

Ignite me, licking up the flames they bring about,

Hold me down, hold me down,

Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown,

Knock me out, knock me out,

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for…"

Hold Me Down by Halsey

Friday November 22nd, 1996

Half past ten in the morning, inside the potions classroom

Half past the hour came and went while Draco looked around the room noting that just over a third of the class was gone. Just this morning yet another train set out to take students home at the request of parents and loved ones. In all honesty, Draco wasn't even sure why the school was still open considering how fast students were leaving. It was all thanks to 'The Daily Prophet' for publishing a grossly exaggerated tidbit about Death Eaters at Hogwarts and might he add the column was with little to no facts.

"…Settle down and take your seats. Then turn to page 471 everyone. We will be working with our partners today, should you find that your partner is no longer here due to Holiday's coming up or other reasons," he paused awkwardly and held his mouth ajar before continuing, "Please make your way to the front where you will be reassigned to another partner." Professor Slughorn spoke as Draco turned to his right where Granger plopped down with her things.

"Professor," she raised her hand and spoke not even turning to look at Draco.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" he winced somewhat in his usual tone.

"Not that this question pertains to me specifically, I was just curious about the students being put with other students only out of necessity." She tapped her feather quill against her parchment and continued, "Predominantly how will this affect the final assignment."

"Well Miss Granger," he sighed as students continued to move seats and walk towards the front. "The fact of the matter is that it won't affect the final assignment. Each and every one of you will be graded individually upon quality of the potion, effort, all the correct ingredients, timing, and above all, whether the potion works. So, whether you're with someone new each week or the same person until its due, your progress will be noted and added fairly to your ending scores…"

Hermione cleared her throat and set her quill down upon the table with a terse nod. Slughorn then turned to assign the students missing partners while Draco still watched her closely. He noted she looked somewhat tired, focused, and in deep thought.

Saint Potter and his partner, Hannah Abbott, sat in the seat in front of them as Draco looked towards Ganger who eyed something near Potter's feet, which he then realized it was his bag…

Sighing, Draco turned his attention back towards the witch who sat beside him bathed in the scent of cinnamon and spearmint.

It had been a week since the night they went out and collected ingredients. A week since he held her in his arms as they hid from dementors. A week since he shared the dream he had about her, with her. A week since he told her about third year…

But most importantly, it's been a week since she went out of her way to actively avoid him.

"You can't keep avoiding me Granger," Draco finally spoke causing her to turn and look him in the eyes and just when he could see some excuse forming in her expression he shook his head.

"I wasn't- "she started.

"Potter or Weasel may buy your half arsed excuses Granger," he sneered as she sighed. "But it isn't difficult to read the truth in your expressions, even if your highly logical vocabulary says otherwise…"

"You don't know me Malfoy," she opened her book and scanned the page while Draco proceeded to scoff. He then reached over yanking her book upwards then shutting it causing her to gasp then shoot a glare right at him as she continued. "You may think that you do, but you don't. So, as I've said, leave it and me alone."

Draco proceeded to git his teeth mirroring her expression.

"Granger…" he whispered in a warning tone as she stared at him with such intensity.

"Malfoy..." she quipped.

He stared at her chocolate eyes wondering what in Merlin's name she was thinking about. Scooting his chair closer towards her, he could now feel the warmth of her side against his arm. Tilting his head so that his mouth was near her ear, he spoke.

"I'll have you know something Granger…" he paused as his hand pushed back her bushy hair brushing his lips against her ear, "We're done when I say we're done..." he hissed against her hear quickly and just when she was about to pull away his hand found the crook of her arm in an attempt to stop her.

With a good yank, she managed to pull away from him. He saw her eyes glittering in apparent emotion, though with his short glimpse he was unsure of the specific emotion. Then suddenly, the cinnamon and warmth faded as she stood up and left without another word.

Draco huffed as he looked her up and down as she walked away and out the door. Immediately he knew that he had crossed a line. One he'd never paid any attention to while at school before this year. His father use to tell him that no one at Hogwarts was above the Malfoy name. Which for most of his time here, he truly believed…

Knowing his audience was important. That was something his mother had grained into him.

'You must always know your audience Draco…' he could hear his mother's voice in his head.

In these past few weeks he realized that he noticed and noted when he crossed that line. It wasn't until being partners with her, had he realized when he was crossing that line. Everything these days almost always led back to her…

Gritting his teeth, he stood up and began to follow Granger rather promptly. Just as he passed the counters of people's potions he saw a rack of potions in different vials. Pausing he looked over his shoulder at the professor as he talked with students. Reaching up he read the name tags and grabbed one before heading towards the door.

Once outside the potions classroom he watched her rounding the corner and up the spiral staircase that led to the astronomy tower. Tucking the potion into his pocket he swallowed thickly.

With his quickened pace, he ground his teeth as he climbed the stairs. His right hand reached up to loosen his tie as he grabbed the knot and tugged. Sighing he took another step only to stop sharply when he saw her.

She was sitting upon the top step looking at the snow which was dancing in the sky as it blanketed the school grounds. Half expecting tears in her eyes he paused at her rather blank expression. Other than her nibbling upon her bottom lip in deep thought she looked unfazed.

Draco exhaled a white puff of warmth as he reached up and ruffled his hair in confusion.

"I'm done playing your stupid games Malfoy," she sighed leaning her head backwards against the stone wall before looking towards him.

Draco inhaled softly as he stared stoically down at her with one hand rubbing the back of his neck and the other in his pocket feeling the smooth glass of the vial. Pulling it out and putting it into his other hand and then pushing it back into his jacket.

"Do you remember back in October when we had that assignment. The one where we were identifying potions by smell, look, and taste…" he wondered aloud as she visibly stiffened at his words.

With a singular nod of her head she stood up and he continued, "Well do you remember what happened that day Granger?"

Draco watched her tilt her head sideways before inhaling and speaking.

"You were being a git," she spoke softly crossing her arms. "Bothering me. Toying with me really."

Draco walked over to her, the rather familiar scent of cinnamon tickled his nose. He then leaned forward pressing the palm of his hand against the stone wall as he lifted his free hand to brush some loose hairs out of her eyes. His eyes then wandered across her face, taking in every line and every freckle as he had done before. This time he looked into her chocolate doe like eyes as he exhaled softly.

"Then you kissed my neck," she whispered as her eyes paused at his lips. "You then asked me if I wanted you to stop…"

"… Well Ganger?" He mumbled licking his lips as he felt his pulse racing. "Do you want me to stop?"

Draco then proceeded to trace her cheek with his fingertips following her jawline and slipping behind her head to the nape of her neck.

"… If this is another one of your games, then yes." She whispered softly looking up at his eyes, he could feel the warmth of her breath touching his face. He paused looking down at her as she backed up completely against the wall in order to put some space.

Thinking about what she said he swallowed, because in all honesty kissing Granger had never really been a game to him. To her it may seem like it was a game. Kissing her and pretending he hadn't on more than one occasion wasn't because he thought it was amusing. No, he pretended because if it were a game then it was alright to feel these things for her.

"I'm done playing games Granger…" he found himself saying sharply without a second thought. Then quickly closed the distance between them in a desperate need to feel her close to him.

Her lips were soft, damp, and warm against his. Everywhere she touched his skin tingled against hers. Draco then pulled her up against him as he backed up so that he could hold her closer. With a right groan, he felt her chest pushed against him while she tangled her fingers into his newly messed up hair.

Reaching his hands downward he slid both hands under the curve of her arse as her picked her up. Giving her arse a rather generous squeeze in return, he couldn't stop the slight smirk on his lips as they kissed. She squeaked and then pulled back to breathe as he trailed kisses down her jawline continuing to her throat where he proceeded to lick, suck, and nibble. Peeling a shiver from Granger he suckled at the sensitive spot below her ear making her whimper aloud.

Draco then found himself pressing his fingertips into her arse before pulling away to look at her somewhat swollen lips. Pink and pouted. Immediately he knew that look on her face was about to put this moment to a stop, so he quickly dropped his hold on her arse. She slipped a little in his grasp, but only so that he could hold her with his arms placed on her lower back.

Granger then giggled a little as she gently placed her tiptoes on top of his feet. Her lips were now at the perfect height for him to capture once more, which he did. Tracing the tip of his tongue against her bottom lip before sucking it in between his teeth and nibbling. In need of air he pulled back then burying his face in her side swept hair resting on her shoulder.

"Malfoy …" she spoke as he pulled away slightly. "We need to go collect our things before the class ends. Otherwise people will notice that we're gone, if they haven't already."

Moving her hands so that they rested against his chest she gave him a small smile. Reluctantly he loosened his grip from her waist as she exhaled softly before leaning in to place a small kiss upon his lips.

"Granger," she took two steps away down the stairs and turned to look at him. "This is far from over..."

Draco watched her slightly flushed cheeks deepen in color as she nodded before descending the stairs and leaving him alone. Exhaling sharply, he rubbed his hand over his face before shaking out his tousled hair. One thing was for sure, he now was in deep need of a cold shower.