Disclaimer: All characters, save a few of my own, belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Three

Hermione did not dare say a word to Harry about her exchange with Malfoy in the hallway. He could tell she was visibly shaken, but naturally, Hermione faked a smile and shrugged it off, convincing Harry for now that all was well.

In reality, Hermione was trying to control the excessive pounding in her chest. Her heart hammered uncontrollably, and this confused her and even irritated her to no end. It was just Malfoy after all. Typically, they would have exchanged insults and would have not been civil in the slightest to each other. But the war had changed people, didn't it? Maybe he was changed. Maybe that's why he had been relatively polite to her.

But when had he become so damn charismatic? And alluring? Attractive?

No no no... Your mind must be slipping if you think Malfoy of all people is attractive! Get a hold of yourself, Granger!

She needed to regain control of herself. She couldn't let her vulnerability shine through, especially towards Malfoy. Malfoy the git. Malfoy the bully. Malfoy, the one who called her a mudblood. Malfoy...

The one who changed? Could it really be possible?

No matter. What mattered is going to Arithmancy. Focusing on her schoolwork, that was Hermione Granger was best at.

The rest of the day flew by for Hermione. She finished her classes for the day, ate dinner with her friends, worked for a bit in the library, and met Harry to talk in the Gryffindor common room before bed.

Hermione sighed contentedly as she gathered the sheets about her as she settled into her bed. She silently gazed out the window and watched the starry night sky, reminiscing over her years at Hogwarts, still in disbelief that this was her final year here. She thought about Ron. And Ginny. Two her her closest friends that she dearly missed. Maybe tomorrow they would receive letters from them.

Before she knew it, Hermione found herself in a deep slumber.

In her slumber she had visions of a soft, melodious voice, a piece of parchment, and haunting grey eyes.

PART TWO

Harry and Hermione:

You don't even know how much I miss you guys. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't choose to go back to Hogwarts like everyone else, but at the same time I feel I made the right decision. We've all gotten a lot closer around here but we sure miss Fred. Mum keeps herself busy, constantly cooking for us and such, but we all know how sad she truly is. George is too. Well, we all are. But things are getting better. We all hope you guys can come visit on break or something. Mum especially wants to see you two, you know how much she loves you as well as us. I'm ready to see you guys too. Don't have too much fun without me.

Love,

Ron

P.S. Harry: Ginny promises to write as soon as she feels better. Shouldn't take too much longer I'd think. She passes on her love.

Harry had received the letter early in the morning and shared it with Hermione at breakfast. Both were overjoyed to finally hear from their friend. Hermione chuckled while reading the letter; it was written in Ron's typical style: short and to the point. He never was too eloquent with words to begin with. Harry was slightly disappointed in not hearing from Ginny directly, but Hermione reassured him that she would be able to soon once she recovered.

"I'll see you later, Hermione!" Harry called as he made his way to his class as Hermione began to make her way to Transfiguration. She carefully tucked the letter in her robe, making sure it wouldn't crumple; Harry preferred she take it since he knew she would never lose it.

Hermione smiled. She was relieved to finally hear from her other best friend and couldn't wait to write back later. However, she couldn't help but mentally note that Ron's penmanship was not near as perfect as Malfoy's.

PART THREE

"...That is why I have decided to take the liberty of placing you all in pairs to complete this project. After all, two brilliant minds tend to work together very well. I expect each and every one of you to work with your partner and compose a well written report that focuses on the topic of Human Transfiguration, in the forms of the animagus and the metamorphagus. This report shall be presented to me no later than two weeks from today's date."

The class collectively groaned.

"And since you all seem so incredibly enthusiastic about this assignment, what better way to go about it than me choosing your partners for you?"

Professor Ribthorn smirked as the class groaned again.

"Now, now, the sooner I start, the sooner you all can get to work!"

Another groan.

"Wonderful! Let's see, who shall be the first pair? Mr. Finnegan and Ms. Patil, perhaps?"

Damn. There went Hermione's first hope. Padma could easily measure up to Hermione in intellect, and the two had grown to be good friends over their last couple of years at Hogwarts. She had really counted on Ribthorn to pair her up with Padma. As if reading her mind, Padma mouthed a "Sorry" to Hermione as she made her way to sit with Seamus.

"Mr. Macmillan and Ms. Tomlinson!"

"Mr. Fletchley and Ms. Bell!"

Hermione's hope was rapidly dwindling. She prayed that Ribthorn would pair her up with Neville or Dean at least. She glanced around the room; Hermione, Neville, Dean, Hannah Abbott, Lavender Brown, and Malfoy were all that remained.

Malfoy.

Malfoy. No no no NO, not him! Please, Professor Ribthorn!

That familiar thundering began in her chest again as Ribthorn paired Neville with Hannah.

Please, please, PLEASE.

Her hands started shaking. Her vision went blurry. Her stomach began to turn.

With an air of finality, Professor Ribthorn turned to gesture at Malfoy.

"Mr. Malfoy and..."

Before he even turned to her, Hermione already shot up out of her seat, startling the students around her.

Many gave her questioning looks. Professor Ribthorn smiled at her. She turned her head to look past her professor to see him. His face. On it wore the same questioning look that everyone else seemed to don in that moment. She took in one shaky breath.

"Ms. Granger."

And with that, Hermione fell to the floor.

PART FOUR

Her thoughts had returned.

All she could remember was the look on his face as Professor Ribthorn spoke her name. She had known it was inevitable. She was cursed. She was, wasn't she? Why else would this have happened?

After that all she could remember was a brief period of darkness. But in that darkness, she could also feel another presence, as of someone else was there with her. Warmth. She felt that too. In that moment, she felt like she was weightless. Like she was floating. A miraculous feeling. And that warm presence was there. She felt it. What was it? Who was it?

And that smell.

That sweet, yet spicy and musky aroma. Hadn't she smelt it before? Yes, she must have. That incredibly masculine scent that was so incredibly enticing, beckoning her to come closer. A sweet voice in the back of her mind saying her name over and over...

Inwardly she groaned in frustration. Who was this? What was it?

She felt like she was clawing around in the darkness, searching for answers she would never find, until it happened. The lights were turned on. Reality came rushing back. It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.

Hermione's eyes snapped open.

She found herself being cradled in the arms of someone. She felt movement as whoever it was carried her. Where were they taking her?

She had fainted, didn't she? They were heading to the infirmary most likely.

She glanced upward. And as she did, she held her breath as he looked down at her with those piercing grey eyes.

"Decided to return back to earth, Granger?"

She stared back up at him for a brief moment before throwing herself out of his arms. She braced herself to sprint back to her Transfiguration class where she belonged, but those same elegant fingers reached out before she could even turn around and trapped her wrist in a vice-like grip. He didn't say a word but mercilessly continued to drag her towards the infirmary.

"Let go, Malfoy!" She screamed at him. She tugged and pulled with all her might, but felt as if she was trapped. His grip was far too strong.

He didn't even bother to look at her.

"Granger, I know you would rather save yourself the trouble of having to go to the infirmary, but since it was Professor Ribthorn's order for me to escort you there safely, you might as well cooperate with me this once. Now if you would stop bloody trying to escape we could make this much less strenuous than need be."

She wouldn't have it. Her wand wasn't in reach, but she was proficient in wandless magic. She sent a stinging hex Malfoy's way and hoped it would hit him hard.

However, his reaction was quite the opposite.

Malfoy actually stopped completely. Hermione stared at him in astonishment. Shouldn't he have let her go and been screaming "Ow!" in the process?

Instead, he began to chuckle darkly and slowly turned to face her.

The sound wasn't as near as pleasant as his voice had been previously. A tiny twinge of fear erupted within Hermione as she watched him laugh.

He saw her look of incredulity and continued to laugh. She was completely perplexed. And not to mention angered.

"My dear Granger," he began as he started towards her, those molten grey eyes boring into her.

He continued his pursuit until she was firmly planted against the wall behind her. His eyes sparkled with delight, as if he were sensing her fear and relishing it. She could only look into his mesmerizing eyes as if he were hypnotizing her. That sweet smell invaded her nostrils once more, and she couldn't help but continue to inhale it. Her breath came in short gasps as she watched him. His presence was no longer warming; it felt positively unnerving. He looked at her as of she were his prey.

"My dear Granger, you think a simple stinging hex could stop me?" He almost whispered the last words and Hermione's mouth opened in astonishment. How was he immune to a stinging hex? No one could be. Could they...?

Again, she was at a loss for words. Why on earth did he make her feel so helpless?

He chuckled again. His grey eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched her.

In that moment, Hermione took the opportunity to wrench her wrist free from his grasp and run. She never heard footsteps behind her. She left Malfoy in the corridor completely alone.

He watched her run. Unfortunate really how she underestimated him. How everyone did.

They would all see.

More importantly, he would make her see.

Draco Malfoy left the corridor and went back to his classroom. There was no sign of Granger when he returned. Ribthorn, ever so oblivious, prepared to dismiss the class. Draco packed his things and left the classroom once Ribthorn dismissed them all.

He smiled to himself.

There were plans to be made.