Draco wrung his hands through his hair as he paced the floor in the common room.
Where the hell is she!
He glanced at the grandfather clock that rested on the left side of the fireplace, it read " 10: 47 " then he looked at the wizarding clock on the right side of the fire place where the hand with Hermione's name on it was pointed to " doesn't want you to know ". Growling under his breath he clutched a small red pillow from off the couch and threw it across the room, watching as it slid down the wall.
The school was in total lock down at the moment, word had just reached the headmaster from one of his many spies across the country that a clan of vampires were on a killing rampage and actually headed towards Hogwarts. Draco had been covering for Hermione all afternoon as their assistance was needed all over the campus; putting up holding spells, hanging garlic by the doors, making sure all the students were in their common rooms and accounted for; and everything else you can imagine.
Now as he glanced out the window at the pitch-blackness of the night, he couldn't help but worry that she might still be out there and in grave danger. Shaking himself he dropped into the couch, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger trying in vain to relax himself. He knew he wouldn't get any sleep till Hermione was back, and he wished that was soon. He was bloody tired.
Hermione walked silently back across the dew covered lawns in front of the dark castle. Using the shadows of the walls to hide her as she crept up to the door and twisted the handle. Locked. Sliding her wand down the space between the two doors, much like the goblins at Gringots do with their hand, she muttered endless incantations; however, to no avail.
Great, it's the dead of night and they changed the locks without telling me…and I'm the Head Girl!
Slumping in the corner she rested her head in her hands contemplating her next move. A cold chill swept over her with the breeze, staying out here all night was not an option. Then out of no where, she sneezed, then sneezed again, and again, and again, again, till she could barely breathe. Looking around frantically she spotted it, the dreaded enemy, garlic.
What many people didn't know about Hermione is that she was almost deathly allergic to garlic, what nobody knew but herself was the true reason behind her strange allergy. ( but we'll get into that later )
Hermione's mind reeled as she stared up at the wicked bulb, the teachers would only put that there for one reason…Vampires, and if that was the case, she needed to get inside – fast. No one would let her in this late at night even though all the teachers were probably patrolling and they trusted Hermione completely, some vampires have been known to shape-shift. She'd be taken out before she even got a chance to prove herself.
Looking across the grounds she spotted an oh-so familiar and welcomed light flickering in Hagrid's hut. Glancing all around her and even in the sky to make sure her way would be a clear straight shot. Seeing that it was, she took off sprinting across the field that she had just stealthily snuck across. Willing her muscles to react faster the more they started to protest.
Rule #1 : never run from anything immortal, it only ever attracts their attention
Reaching the hut she clutched her burning stomach with one hand and banged on the door with another. No sound, nothing, the house appeared to be empty except for the light flickering inside. Hermione panted trying to get oxygen to her brain again, tonight was just not her night. Then of course to make matters worse, the wind died. Deadly calmness over took her surroundings and the air seemed to lay heavy on the ground.
Rule #2 : remain calm in all circumstances
Her heartbeat quickened if that was at all possible as the still air around her grew colder and threatened to freeze her lungs.
Rule #3 : If at all possible keep your heartbeat calm when you think vampires are present. They can sense heartbeats and rapid ones just excite them.
Trying the handle she realized the door was open, slipping inside she locked the door behind her. Resting her forehead against the door she closed her eyes and breathed deep the familiar scent of Hagrid's hut, letting it calm her senses. It was only then that the candle in the hut blew out leaving a white wispy trail of smoke wafting in the air.
The low fire in the hearth cast shadows across the room and darkened the face of the man that sat behind her. He was tall as he stretched himself, leaning back in the oversized chair with his jet black boots resting on the table, the fire light reflecting off the buckles. His hands were entwined and his head leaned back on them, a hat blocked out the fire light that threatened to reveal him.
Sensing someone behind her, Hermione cautiously turned around and immediately shrank back against the door.
CRAAAAAAAAP
He smirked at her and though she could not see it she could sense his amusement towards her fear and it did nothing to calm her nerves.
..ok, come on Hermione think!
Regaining her composure she walked over the table and took a seat across from the man, matching his smirk. His grin widened, reaching up with one arm he removed his hat and set in on the table revealing long spiked midnight black hair, pale skin and metallic blue eyes.
Hermione's smirk faltered for only a second before she stared back at the man she was trying desperately to convince herself she did not think was dang hot….if only it was working. Keeping her gaze steady with his they stared at each other; each one trying to read the other and finding nothing. At last it was he who broke the silence.
" Phoenix"
Hermione looked out the window and then back at him confused, " I'm sorry, are you seeing things?"
" Umm, no. My name is Phoenix"
she scoffed at him. " And my name is Sphinx"
"Though I know that not to be true the name does seem to suite you"
Raising an eyebrow at him in a challenging way she took the seat across from him at the table, "You don't even know me"
"Sphinxes are a mystery in themselves, like the riddles they give. However, like any riddle, approached with the right strategy you can break it."
Draco glanced desperately at the 2 clocks one more time racing out of the common room. He was going to find Hermione whether she wanted to be found or not.