Chapter 5: Roses and Handkerchiefs

I don't know where the line is. I don't think I ever have. I am always far ahead, the line in the distance behind me. It always has been that way. No amount of rules or common sense could ever keep me in check, after all, I am Draco Malfoy.

My life is being threatened if I fail, so I must succeed at all costs. Every lie I tell is for the good of myself that is all that matters, the cause of this lie doesn't come into it. I don't give a shit about Voldemort and his underlying reasons for choosing me for this mission. I didn't care at all. All I care about is me, for that is all I have.

Granger is looking at me as though I had just hit her over the head with a mallet. I must say, that would hurt quite a lot. But pain didn't come into her expression. It was mainly shock and disbelief. I am proud to forever gain that reaction when I speak, it gives me the reason to believe that I do have an impact on those around me, that they do hold on to my every word. For they do, it is the air they breath of course. How else could it possibly be?

Granger was struggling to say something. I had struck her dumb! Finally! I never thought I would see the day that Hermione Granger would not be able to respond to something. Be it a stupid question in class or one of my brilliant insults, she always has a god damn answer or pathetic retort. But today was my day, today I had made history. Granger had nothing to say.

I think I should say something, break this god damn silence and her unwavering stare. To be quite frank, it was annoying the hell at me considering how much I had desired to have her attention on me before. She should be adverting her eyes, she had just being blessed unimaginably in the eyes of most Wizarding families. A pure blood of my stature showing interest in them, it was the most prestige of honors. But then again, I don't have the feeling of love in me. I don't know how to feel it. Even for my family there is only respect, not an ounce of that foul emotion. So if I were to marry, I would have to respect the woman a lot and her in return. Though, mark my words, she would have to throw herself at my feet for me to even give her a second glance. And that sort of behavior I look down on more than the little Mudblood staring at me.

I had no respect for Granger and most likely never will if I don't loose my common sense nor my mind. That was why I could taunt her, mess with her mind and that is why I know I should speak, it gives me another reason to hurt her just a little bit more. Oh, how I enjoyed doing this. I cleared my throat and stared hard at her, "Hermione, please believe me. I do. I do love you more than anything on this planet. I would do anything for you, and that is why I want to stand by you on the Order's side and keep you safe." I had to turn away at that moment. Oh gosh I am an evil bastard, a devilishly handsome one at that. I wouldn't protect her! If I had to stand beside her in the war that was going to occur sooner or later I would not think twice about picking her up by the scruff of the neck, like the dog she was, and use her as a shield.

I heard a loud exhale behind me and I turned my head back to Granger to find her on her feet suddenly, looking down at me with a hard glare. You stupid Mudblood, don't you ever look at me like that. What the hell have I done wrong? Told her I loved her? Oh wait… that may be it.

"Hermione, please!" I said in a pleading tone. Because of course I don't plead, we all know that.

She was looking around frantically, pushing her bushy hair from her eyes repeatedly causing it to become even frizzier. Damn it, isn't she supposed to be the best witch anyone has seen for a long time? How can this be when she has no god damn clue how to manage her hair? I don't get what everyone sees in this girl, obviously not her brain or her appearance.

"How-dare-you" She breathed, staring at anything but me. Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners? You really should look at the person you are talking to. I hate that. I really do, it's one of my pet hates. I can't stand it. I stood and forced myself in front of her.

"Look at me." I said very clearly, hoping my voice didn't give away my annoyance at that moment. Because, what I understood about love was that you had all the patience in the world for that one person. And if I start shaking her repeatedly screaming at her about her foul manners I don't think she is going to believe me. What do you think?

She continued to ignore me. It annoyed me more than her hair! And that was annoying on its own. I had to get her to look at me, I had to otherwise I was a dead man.

Any attention was good attention right? I tilt her face towards mine with my forefinger and thumb forcefully, hopefully bruising her in the process. I lower my head dramatically (she's so short) and unfortunately kissing Hermione Granger in the process.

Ew. I had to force myself not to gag. This whole situation was wrong. Down from her dry and cracked lips to her actually staying in the one place and allowing me to do this. I pulled away hastily. I didn't exactly want to draw that kiss out at all. Not what I would call my favorite pass time.

I looked down at her and attempted to smile. But, it didn't happen. I don't smile. I smirk. Just like I don't plea, I demand. Also, I'm not Harry Potter, I am a god by the name of Draco Malfoy so I am not a little scab and I am not going to fall for this heap of trash in front of me. Wait, no. Isn't that Weasel that is in love with her? All I can say is, she doesn't have much of a choice. She's going to get pathetic whiney little Gryffindors what ever she does. So I can just broaden her horizons a little bit. But maybe she won't let me do that.

Granger pulled her arm back and slapped me hard across the face. Fuck! That hurt. Not because of the slap, it was so terribly weak, but she had just hit my broken jaw bone. What a bitch, not an ounce of sympathy. I deserve it damn it!

I grab at my face in exaggerated agony. "Geez, Granger! Why you have to do that for? You were practically asking me to do that!" I splutter, glaring at her while I fought with my mouth not to emit a scream of pain.

"You deserved it, Malfoy. How dare you come here and declare your love for me after what your lot have done to me and my family. You have destroyed them. And then you think that it is a good time to come out with "Oh I love you Hermione". When the hell did you think was a good time to contemplate the way you have treated me for the past seven years. Or perhaps the horrible names you have called me. Add in the fact that you are a Death Eater and most likely wear those robes to hide the Dark Mark burnt into your flesh and you have my reasons for not believing a word you say. Get the hell away from me and my house. I don't ever want to see your face again." She then turned on her heel and stormed off.

I looked after her gaping. Oh shit. What the hell am I going to do now! How dare she say such things to me! I did not have a god damn Dark Mark on my forearm, thank you. I did not want that think ruining my perfectly glowing skin. Wait, I am missing something here. How dare she knock me back? I am everything that she could possibly want, I am the elite, perfection… yes I have said this already, but why won't she believe it? I know I am those things, I have no ounce of doubt in me. She can go to hell, and I'll meet her there because I am as good as dead now.

I stood beneath the stupid buzzing street lamp for a long time, just looking at the road beneath my feet. I knew if I left this spot I was dead. And honestly, death is not my calling. I could be a model! I could be an actor, but then again I do suck at acting. Hmmm. What can I do now?

If I was already dead, I may as well make the most of my last remaining moments of life. I walk away from the street lamp, thankful to distance myself from the irritating sound. Muggles just did not know how to keep things working orderly do they? Haven't they heard of routine maintenance or perhaps the "reparo" spell? Obviously not.

I walk into the only thing I was happy to be near, the rose garden. It was filled with the most nurtured looking bushes I had ever seen. I stayed there for a long time, not wanting to leave the garden. I couldn't go home, I didn't have a home to go to. I had a grave to dig. I really should go and pick out the perfect tomb stone.

But who was I to give up after one attempt? I attempted several times to kill that old bat, Dumbledore, a few weeks ago, and I never thought to give up then. But then the job was carried out for me by that slimy bastard, Snape. I looked up at the moon and saw it shining down on me so wonderfully, the light falling on the leaves of the rose bushes so distinctly causing them to appear dead. The situation was the same as the one with Dumbledore. I wanted to see that old man croak, so I had made it happen. I want to see Grangers lips forever sealed so I would never have to hear her voice again, so it was going to happen. And if I had to get better at acting, so be it. Practice makes perfect after all.

I stared hard at the nearest rose bush, seeing the plant for what it's worth. Girls, even Mudbloods, enjoyed receiving flowers. Roses were my specialty. Never know when you had to pull a rose practically out of your arse to get a girl to come to bed with you. Perhaps it may work on the alien, Granger.

I pull my wand from my belt. This had to work, it had never failed me before. I look down at a joint on the plant and prod it with my wand muttering "Bloombose". Sure the word of the charm was a bad word, who makes them up I don't know. But it worked instantly, just like I expected it would. I am after all, a charmer. Pun intended.

I pluck the rose from the bush, noticing its long steam. I was pleased to admit this was probably one of the best roses I had conjured, pity it had to be wasted on that thing that had had the nerve to slap me. But it if it meant me living, then I was willing to surrender this flawless rose.

I walk back over to the street lamp, pick up my bags, and walk up the steps. I lower my bags, and pull out my trusty handkerchief. I had made the mistake of not using it before and I could almost feel the Mudblood germs wreaking havoc all over my skin. I couldn't keep back my shudder of disgust; I really shouldn't have such an awesome imagination. I open the door, pick up my bags and kick the door closed. So, I was back into this house, and Granger was no where in sight. It was dark, there were no candles and I was lost. Could this get any worse?

I step forward a few paces and my shins run into something causing me to stumble into a wall. Immediately, bright balls of light appeared on the ceiling. I can see! I jumped away from the wall and continued down the hall, seeing stairs ahead.

I climb the stairs quickly and open the nearest door. "Hermione?" I called into the room loudly, not caring about the volume of my voice. I wanted to be found. And of course there was no one else to wake up in this house, apart from Granger of course.

No answer. I move onto the next room, and call the same appalling word. No answer.

I continue down the hall, my bags no weighing a tonne in my hands until at last I reach the last door. I happily deposit my bags at the entrance and open the door. It was the bedroom of a girl, obviously shown by the amount of lace. It was the bedroom of a girl that was a book worm, shown by the many book shelves stacked to bursting point with countless volumes. I look to the bed, seeing a still form beneath the blankets and I approach it silently, stepping carefully over pieces of clothing strewn all over the floor. I grimace in disgust. I reach the bed and kneel down carefully and edge tentatively towards Granger.

Ok, so I have to be sweet and innocent. Understanding and loving. Pathetic and caring. I can do this.

She was sleeping deeply, her chest rising and lowering dramatically. She was nothing to gawk at, even in a peaceful state. Her chest was nothing to boast about neither; it was flat and terribly unappealing to me. But her face was interesting to say the least. I had never come close enough to actually see the slight curl of her eye lashes, the curve of her lips as she smiled slightly in her sleep. Her skin was flawless but for a few imperfections that caught my attention straight away. Ew, pimples. And yuck, wrinkles.

I place the rose beside her and take a chair from a far off corner, placing it beside her bed. I sat, staring around at the room I was currently an occupant of. What a bland and boring room! I shake my head dismissively, lean over and prod Granger carelessly awake.

She shifted quickly, her breath quickening and becoming less peaceful. Her eyes opened and immediately they glared at me "Malfoy, please. Just go. Piss off!"

How dare you say that to me! I will not piss off, and I will not be taking orders from you any time soon "Hermione, I can't go home. My father is being a bastard, he won't let me go back. I have no where to go, no one to talk to. I need you right now, as much as you need me. I brought you something. An apology." I retrieve the rose from beside her and push it into her hands, hoping she pricks herself on the thorns.

Granger stared at it in disbelief then turned her gaze on me. It was a prying gaze, and I hated it as much as her, but I let it continue for just a little while longer until I hung my head and stared at the blankets on her bed.

Granger sniffed dramatically and asked "Your father did that to your face?"

I looked up and nodded silently.

She sighed "Sleep on the couch or something, Malfoy. But be gone before I wake up or you will look even more worse for wear when I am through with you."

I nodded silently thinking it was best not to argue, however much I wanted to yell at her. I rose to my feet and turned away just to be stopped by a Granger "Oh Malfoy, thanks for the rose." She said to my back.

I smirked devilishly, knowing that I was finally stepping up in the game "It was nothing," I mumble, sounding unsure of myself.

I left the room. Left the house. Walked out onto the street and Apparated to Malfoy Manor.

I did not deserve this torment. I did not deserve to be in this situation. A couch to sleep on! For god sakes I deserve a whole lot better than that! I hated Granger, I hated my father. So this time, I was not going to just stand and take the brunt of his anger. I was finally going to give him something to hate me for. I was finally going to deserve his sneering looks and snide comments.

I didn't care how late it was. Why should I? It was my house, my father I was coming to call on. And besides I was angry. I was pissed off. I was every word that would ever describe anger. And he was the one that had put me in this situation. Time had no matter here

I knock on the door to my father's study and hear the familiar call of "Enter." I do just that. But instead of walking quietly and respectfully, I stormed straight into my father's study and rounded my father's desk.

"Draco, what are you doing back here so soon? If you have failed…"

"Of course I haven't failed, father. I would just like to give you something." I said, rocking on my heels tauntingly.

My father cocked his head to the side and stared at me with a stern gaze. "What's that, Draco?"

I pull the handkerchief I had soiled from use on the Mudbloods door handles and throw it in his face, along with my fist.

My father fixed me with a murderous gaze as the handkerchief slid down his face and landed in his lap catching the tiny droplets of blood seeping from his now broken nose.

I smirk at him "Just a little bit of sympathy father." I laugh as I watch my father's face darken considerably. I am suddenly overcome by a sudden thought "Oh, and father. I don't understand how you could think I would fail. In fact, I am doing quite well. Better than you ever would."

I then turned on the spot and Disapparated just before my father's hands had the time to seize me by the throat.

I laughed evilly to myself as I settled myself on Grangers couch knowing my father was never going to let me back to the house now, no matter how much I begged. At least one of my lies I had told to Granger had turned out to hold some truth.