Chapter 4

He looked different this year… she had noticed it from the moment she had caught a glimpse of him heading into Knockturn ally during the summer. The haunted look in his eyes- which she noticed during the prefects meeting on the train- however, is what confirmed her suspicions. Although she would never admit it to Harry, she was without a doubt, 100 percent convinced that Draco Malfoy was officially a death eater. It was his eyes that gave him away… they would normally seek her out on the platform. His eyes, always so cold, were the only thing that convinced her she didn't make up those previous encounters. They always held a certain light, his eyes where what convinced her that he wasn't at all like his father, that there was still hope for him. Except this year the light had vanished, he avoided her gaze throughout the meeting, but for a second when she walked in she looked into his eyes, and they were cold. No light, that hope she had previously saw –vanished.

A part of her couldn't help but be slightly disappointed. During the last year, on their occasional patrols together, he seemed almost normal. She remembered him even smiling once or twice, not that regular old smirk of his, but a genuine smile. Looking at the boy standing a little bit across from her, she couldn't help but notice the difference. He looked defeated, like he had aged 50 years in the span of 2 week. She couldn't come to any other conclusion- he had to have taken the mark over Christmas break. Although he was most likely forced. That thought made her heart clench unexpectedly for the boy she had deemed a friend.

Taking one last look at him before leaving the compartment, she made a decision, an intention- she would not let him become one of them. She would do everything in her power to save him.

He woke up in the hospital wing that much was certain. How he got there however- well he was still working on remembering that. As he tried sitting up he let out a terrible groan. An incredible pain had just shot up his abdomen. That's when it came back to him. The fight. Potter. The bathroom.

"It's best if you don't move, not yet anyway. The cuts are still pretty fresh." Came a soft voice from beside him.

"Granger, what are you doing here?" he asked when he noticed who it was.

"I came to check on you." She replied simply.

"Why would you do that?" He asked with a sneer, which was pretty half hearted since he was in so much pain.

"I don't know." She whispered softly, before getting up and walking away.

"Wait!" he called suddenly. He didn't know why he said it, it just slipped out.

She paused, turning around briefly, she lifted one eyebrow.

"You can't be seen around me Granger. It's not safe." He said finally.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"This year- I can't, we can't be seen talking. Heck even looking at each other. Please just, don't come near me." He finished softly, not daring to meet her eyes.

As he continued staring at his hands he heard her approach. Slowly looking up he saw her lean towards him. She placed a soft kiss on his check before whispering in his ear, "Stay safe." And with that she was gone.

Closing his eyes he let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. She was smart, she knew what he meant. That's all he could hope for.

She was being stupid and she knew it. He clearly wasn't interested in her at all, but her stupid heart had to go and cause this. It was late, she knew she ought to be getting back to the tower but she just didn't have the energy. Not to mention they were bound to be up there, snogging in front of the entire common room, they really had no shame.

Coming across a tiny alcove, she kicked off her heels and leaned back, only instead of feeling the wall she felt what she thought was a body. Letting off a tiny shriek she span around to see who it was. There giving her, her second shock for the night was Draco Malfoy, tears streaming down his face as he looked up at her.

What she did next, even she didn't understand but she knew that it was the right thing to do. Scrambling forward she pulled him into her arms. At first he froze, she braced herself for his stinging comment. But none came, instead he pulled her closer to him and buried his head in her shoulder.

They stayed like that for hours. Long after they both had their turns crying on each other's shoulders. They stayed, never moving, never saying a word, just staying locked in each other's arms. As light began filling the sky they both stood up, wordlessly knowing that it was time for them to say good bye. With one last hug and a soft kiss to his cheek, she picked up her heels and walked softly and swiftly away. Soon after, he followed heading down to the dungeons while she went up to her tower.

As she laid back on her bed, one thought crossed her mind. She was grateful for old Sluggy and his ridiculous dinner parties. Without it she would have never found the comfort that she did in Draco's arms.

"They should be back by now." Hermione said nervously, pacing up and down in front of the common room fire.

"Hermione would you calm down, his with Dumbledore, what could possibly go wrong?" Ron said, he was perfectly at ease lounging on the couch.

"Oh shut up Ron! I can't take this, I'm going to check if they're back." She said suddenly, not being able to bare the tension any longer.

After quickly pulling on her shoes she raced out the portrait hole. It was only then that she realised she had no idea how they might be getting back. Eventually she decided to just head to Dumbledore's office, which would be their best bet.

And then it happened again, as she was jogging she suddenly got pulled back and into a broom cupboard. This time she didn't bother with her wand knowing just who it was. Turning around she threw her arms around his waist before stepping back and slapping him across the face.

"What the heck, Granger?" he said, his voice laced with shock as he rubbed his cheek.

"Do not sneak up on me like that again Draco Malfoy!" she shouted.

Realising what had warranted the slap he gave her a small smile before pulling out his wand and casting a silencing charm. When he turned back, all traces of the smile had vanished.

"Hermione what the hell are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice strained.

"I was going to find Harry. What's wrong Draco?" she answered, and then questioned. The look on his causing her not to notice that it was the first time he ever said her name.

"You have to get back to the tower, now! You have to go!" he said pushing her towards the door.

"NO! I'm not leaving here until you tell me what's going on!" she shouted back at him.

"They are here! And more are coming! They can't find you! They'll kill you without a second thought. Please I'm begging you just go back to the tower!" he begged.

Finally grasping the gravity of the situation, she nodded and turned to leave. Before she opened the door she turned around only to find him sitting with his hands buried in his hair. Kneeling down beside him she carefully lifted his face. Once again, she didn't know why she did it but the next thing she knew she was pressing her lips against his. After getting over the shock he moved his hands up to her face and brought her closer, deepening the kiss. They stayed like that for a few more moments before she slowly pulled away. Bringing her hands up to cup his face, she looked into his eyes and said, "You are not evil, please Draco, be safe." Quickly placing one last kiss on his lips, she cast a disillusionment charm over herself and rushed back to her common room, tears streaming down her face.

Alright darlings that is it for now :) I hope you've enjoyed. I would love to hear your thoughts so please feel free to drop a quick review on your way out. Also I am without Beta so if you catch any errors let me know and I shall sort it out.