Disclaimer: Nope, none of them is mine…

Also: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"HERMIONE DON'T!"

He dropped his wand and raced to the lake. He took a deep breath and dived into the frozen water. She was sinking fast, he could barely see her white nightdress in the darkness. He went deeper and deeper, he could see her now, her eyes were open, she was conscious and yet refusing to make a single effort to save herself. He tried to grab her but she pulled away. "Don't be stupid" he thought. She looked at him and let all the air leave her mouth, bubbles of oxygen in a mad sprint to the surface.

"No" he thought "You are not going to die tonight. This is not how you die!" And

with a violent motion he grabbed her.

She didn't resist this time. She was already unconscious and unable to fight back. Now he had to reach the surface. He needed air. He had to go faster. And she felt so heavy…so heavy. But he didn't even consider letting her go. With a final kick he broke to the surface.

He looked at her as he was pulling her out, he needed his wand, where was his wand? Finally he saw it a few meters away from the edge of the lake. He let her body rest on the ground and ran towards his wand. When he reached her he mumbled:

"Anapneo"

Hermione didn't respond.

"No, you are not dead. This is not how you die! Anapneo!" He said louder.

Still no response.

"ANAPNEO!"

Hermione started coughing. After a minute or so she was breathing normally. Draco was looking at her without saying a word. And then suddenly:

"OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS GRANGER! HOW COULD YOU BE SO THICK? SO INCREDIBLY IDIOTIC? WHAT ON EARTH WHERE YOU DOING DIVING IN A 5KG NIGHTDRESS IN THE DAMN LAKE?"

Hermione looked at him and didn't answer.

"AND NOT ONLY THAT, YOU TRIED TO FIGHT BACK AS WELL WHEN I TRIED TO GET YOU OUT? WHERE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED?"

"I never asked you to save me"

"Oh stop thanking me, you are making me blush. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"You would never understand."

"Oh what is it, Potter and Weasley decided to date each other and you felt left out? Tell me your tragic story…" he said sarcastically

"Shut up Malfoy"

"No I won't shut up, I dived in there and even if you are not willing to thank me at least I deserve an explanation."

Hermione was quiet for a moment.

"I hear voices Malfoy."

"We all do, it's called conversation."

"I mean in my head. One voice really. A woman's."

"What does she want?"

"To take over..."

"Over what, the world? You sure that's not Potter?"

"Shut up and listen! She wants to take over my body. She is taking over everytime I fall asleep, she makes me steal, and when I refused to let her take over she threatened me, she said she would make me hurt my friends. And she meant it. When I accidentally fell asleep I woke up above Ginny's bed with my wand out!"

"And then you chose the lake? I knew it was going to be some stupid Gryffindor bravery thing"

"It was my choice not to let her take over."

"How long has it been since you last slept?"

"A bit. Anyway, it would have been better if you had let me die. I don't want to hurt anyone and there is no way you can help me. Magic can't help me exorcise a voice."

"White magic can't"

"There is no other acceptable magic than white magic"

"Oh yes of course, and I assume we dark wizards are simple illusionists?"

"I am not interested in the Dark Arts."

"That's fascinating Granger, I would have never guessed. Funny coincidence: the Dark Arts don't go crazy about you either."

"Then like I said, no one can help me."

"I can."

"How?"

"That Granger is none of your business."

"What's the catch?"

"Well, I have some terms if that is what your question."

"I want to hear them first."

"First, stop judging me and my actions. No more "Murderer" accusations etc."

"Ok."

"Second, keep my good side alive."

"Why do you need it?"

"Third, stop asking questions."

Hermione thought for a minute and told him.

"I don't know how to keep your good side alive."

"Find a way Granger, if you are the smartest witch of our year you must do better than that."

"I don't see why you need it. Anyway, and if I agree to all that you'll help me? No smallprint"

" No what?"

"No hidden terms?"

"No hidden terms, I'll help."

"Ok then."

"Well if that is all, I need to go back and prepare for a trip."

"Trip?"

"Is that a question Granger?"

"No, sorry."

"Good, go and wear some dry clothes and try to stay up. Have a wakening potion, it should work for some hours."

"I don't know any wakening potions."

"Page 789, Advanced Potions book, ingredients can be found in the kitchen."

And with that he started making his way towards the castle.

"Malfoy!" she said and ran closer to him.

"What is it now?"

"How come you came to the lake?"

"Another question Granger?"

"Oh, yes, sorry."

He tried to leave again but,

"Malfoy"

"What is it now Granger?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything"

Ten minutes later Hermione was scanning her potions book. Page 783, 786, 789…

"There we are, the wakening potion." She looked at the ingredients and laughed:

"4 teaspoons of coffee powder" she whispered "Typical"

At the same time Draco was crossing the grounds hidden in his black cloak.

"A woman trying to take over her body? And why? Why was I awake in the middle of the night?" He thought.

It wasn't difficult leaving the grounds if you knew how. When he reached a safe distance from the borderline he disapparated.

Malfoy Manor. The dungeons.

"Home sweet home" thought Malfoy. "Now where could the damn thing be?"