The older witch jumped in surprise at someone already in danger on the first day. "Mr. Malfoy, why it's no surprise with his track record. Just set him down on the cot. I'll handle it from here."

The three boys set him on a cot. The two that had helped left immediately. Blaise, ever loyal, stayed at his side. "He's running a fever and is unresponsive."

Madam Pomphrey pressed her lips in a tight line and waved her wand across his figure.

Blaise grimaced as he watched his friend groan and twist on the cot. "Do you- do you know what's wrong with him?"

She shushed him and waved him away. "Has Mr. Malfoy had any peculiar altercations recently?" He shook his head. "Hmm, never the less your friend will be fine. Mr. Zabini, go and fetch Professor McGonagall for me immediately."

Blaise nodded curtly and turned quickly on his feet.

"It has been quite some time since we've had one of his kind at the school. Haven't seen one since I was apprenticing to work here." Madam Pomphrey whispered.

She and McGonagall stood at the foot of Draco's cot, staring at the deathly pale boy now lying still.

"Yes, such a pity, to bear this curse nearly a year after the war."

She shook her head in dismay "every time I think I've seen it all, these students toss something else my way."

McGonagall walked over to the now sweating boy and reached out to examine his hand. She hissed the moment she touched him and pulled back her hand. "You're sure that's what this is? Do we know what's caused it? Has he even managed any contact with his mate?"

The nurse grimaced and nodded her head. "I'm positive. I don't know if he's made contact and if that caused it yet. If so, she's probably running a fever right about now. Or showing symptoms of dizziness, headache, or more."

The doors to the medical wing swung open violently as a determined red-headed witch kicked them open. She had one of Hermione's arms thrown around her and was dragging her in. "Hi Poppy, and Minvera, hope your day is well."

They gaped as she continued to drag her friend in and plopped her onto a bed across the room from the only other patient.

"Miss Weasley!" Madam Pomphrey gasped.

"One of the fifth years in the common room were practicing spells and accidentally crushed her with one of her textbooks." Ginny finally explained. "I always knew those books were dangerous. Was only about time before they started hitting back."

The professor raised a brow but shook her head. "Our conversation will have to continue another time Poppy." With a bow, she left the room.

"As you were saying, Miss Weasley?"

"She was hit with a giant book. At first, she was a bit dizzy, then when she stood she nearly toppled over. Seemed a bit dramatic at first but I thought it was best to bring her here."

The nurse walked to the other side of the room and turned Hermione's face from side to side. She felt her neck then forehead motherly. "She seems to just have a slight fever and a bump on her head. She'll be back to normal in the morning."

"That's good then. I'll just stay here."

The nurse looked at Ginny with sympathy. "Miss Weasley it's ok. I promise I'll keep her safe. You should go back to your dorm and rest up."

Her feet stayed firmly on the ground as she looked her over. She glanced back to the nurse and nodded hesitantly. "Ok, I'll just…I'll go, but I'll be back tomorrow morning."

.

Hermione gasped awake, heart pounding rapidly. She drew her knees to her chest and gripped her wand tightly. The space in front of her was dark except for the few candles. She squinted and tried to look around the room. She recognized the cots and medicines on the nightstand; it was the infirmary.

She relaxed a bit more and lowered her knees. She rubbed the spot on her head and winced. Slowly she crept out of bed and started walking to the door.

Someone shifted on the cot to the side of her making her whip her head to her left. She took cautious steps toward them; their face was as pale as their button-downs. He reminded her of a corpse, dead and still. The small breaths he took informed her he was alive. She tilted her head to the side and studied his features. It was odd to see him not sneering. He looked almost peaceful.

There was nothing physically wrong with him, not that she could see. She took another step closer. He seemed to have a soft gold hue around him as if he was glowing. She rubbed her eyes. Why did he glow? Was that why he was here?

She must just be tired. She was halfway around when a hand gripped her wrist. She spun back and aimed her wand immediately. When she looked at the wizard who possessed the hand, the spell died on her tongue. He was still asleep. His grip wasn't tight, just firm. How very odd indeed. She saw his lips part slightly as he breathed.

"mmm," he murmured.

"What?"

"mm…ate mate."

"Did you" She suddenly yawned. "Did you say, mate?"

"Mine" he whispered again.

Her eyelids became heavy; the grip on her wand loosened. A scent filled the air. It was sweet and warm. "Malfoy is… is this you?" She yawned again, barely being able to string the sentence. "I can't sleep gotta-"

He brought his arm closer to his body and she came crashing down with it.

The room was hazy and a bright white. She didn't know her location exactly but felt something calling. She seemed to glide across the white floor. She felt a pull at her center toward the end of the other room, wherever it was. The further Hermione walked she saw a glowing yellow orb and smelled a faint scent of caramel apples. She finally reached the end of the otherwise empty room, where the glowing orb hovered. She held it in her hand and smiled wide. Any worry or fear she had seemed to melt away. The glow dimmed so she could barely make out a scribe on it.

"The divine has read your heart and mind. Has brought you the one your body would find. Your hands hold a future so bright it vanquished a battle of dark and light. To complete your life and soul; you need only accept this orb of gold."

Hermione always made it a point to think things thoroughly but this time she knew the answer. Without hesitation, she nodded and brought the orb toward her chest with a smile. She felt a warm light inside her chest and closed her eyes.

Her eyelids fluttered open back to the clinical styling of the infirmary. She yawned loudly and felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Someone had come into the room.

"Miss Granger are you awake?"

She rubbed her eyes trying to pull herself together. She moved to sit up and placed her hand on something warm and firm. It was a body. She blinked a few more times and realized her situation.

"Miss Granger?" The voice repeated.

Hermione was paralyzed with shock. She had been sleeping on none other than Draco Malfoy. Footsteps came running through the doors and stopped next to the other person in the room. Hermione knew the minute she turned around to see them she would die of embarrassment.

Another voice panted and chuckled. "Ya know you're quite fast for an older witch."

"A skill mastered with time Alya, now if you don't mind, we must bring Miss Granger back to her room. Once she's come to terms with her… position."

Hermione rose carefully into a sitting position and turned slowly toward the professors. "Now I know what this may look like, but I promise I have no idea how I ended up here. I still loathe this foul prat as much as I did the last seven years and-"

The other body on the cot began to stir and turn onto his side toward her. She jumped back and scrambled to her feet.

"I think you should head back to your dorm, Miss Granger. We believe you, but he might not. No points will be taken from your houses, as you were here for an injury yourself." Professor Zimbaya said.

Hermione gave a curt nod and sped out the door before she tried to explain even more.

"Has her 'air always looked like that?" The younger witch asked.

"Yes, actually it's less frizzy now… never mind that Mister Malfoy is in distress!"

They turned toward the boy who had begun to curl and groan. Madam Pomphrey quickly arrived with an arm full of potions. She greeted the witches and began reciting spells over the boy.

"What caused this early transformation Poppy? He isn't twenty yet. This shouldn't be happening for another two years."

The nurse shook her head while she stilled his body to feed him a potion. "My guess is the war made him mature faster and caused his magic to go into a defensive position early on. However, he wasn't in a state to fully go through his transformation safely, so the physical aspects were delayed. He probably experienced enhanced magic, quicker reflexes, and deeper connections to his emotions. Now he's developing the hormonal glands, heightened senses, and better control."

"That explains Miss Granger's situation. He probably emitted strong scents while she was waking up from her condition. She was innocent."

"He's found his mate too."

McGonagall and Pomphrey turned their heads toward the professor with wide eyes.

She smirked and walked closer to the boy. "It is my understanding that the Malfoys are notorious for their blond hair and pale skin, but these beings are known for enhancing all the desirable features. His hair is shiny and has some gold strands in it already. His dramatic change in height and build all indicate that he has met his mate. These are all purely cosmetic changes like peacocks. Now he will be moving to the stage of trying to claim her."

"Oh dear, that poor girl."

A/N: Chapter two lets gooo! Like I said before several changes have been made but the original plot still stands. I hope you enjoy! ~ UnconsciouslyReading