Chapter Twelve

Hermione sulked around school the next day, careful to avoid Draco at all costs. She knew she'd have to tell him to go with her to detention that night eventually. The Obeitarimo Curse was almost as bad as the Imperius Curse. In fact, they carried the same characteristics… to obey the authoritative figure who conjured the curse to begin with.

She continued her long walk down the empty, never-ending corridor leading to the east end of the castle. She was walking slowly when she heard a group of girls whispering excitedly. She wouldn't have stopped to see who the gossipers were and what they were talking about if it wasn't for the fact that she heard her name in the mist of it all.

Quietly slipping into an empty classroom to her left, she observed the girls and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"I heard from Lavender Brown who heard from Padma Patil who heard from Pansy Parkinson that Draco and Hermione are an item again."

"I knew it! I never believed Harry Potter when he told us that the rumor was all a lie."

"Same here. I bet they have been having a secret affair since third year."

"I think you're absolutely right. But the thing I'm wondering is why Draco Malfoy would ever like Hermione Granger."

"I was wondering the same thing. I mean, he's absolutely gorgeous and she's…well, she's quite plain in my opinion."

"I think someone's jealous!"

"I'm not jealous. It's just hard to picture the two of them together, that's all."

"Uh-huh. Right."

"Did you notice that she did get a lot prettier?"

"That's true. But she's such a whore!"

"She doesn't look like one, though."

"I heard from Millicent Bulstrode that Draco and Hermione got drunk last night and started going at it. "

"Gasp. Slut! Didn't his mother just die?"

"Yes, Granger took advantage of him when he was most vulnerable."

"How awful. He deserves somebody much better."

"Amen."

"Shh..stop talking."

Hermione angrily paced around the room listening to the vicious and catty girls talking shit about her. She suddenly stopped pacing when she heard a familiar voice outside of the classroom.

"Hello ladies." Said a flirtatious voice with just enough arrogance in it to clarify its owner.

"Hey Draco."

"I was just wondering if any of you have seen Hermione Granger around. I need to talk to her."

Hermione still listening intently heard a couple of girls scoff. Then she heard the girl who called her a slut reply.

"Why do you need to find her? Weren't you two just shagging last night." She said bitterly.

"Excuse me?" Draco said in a slightly amused voice. Nobody could've even guessed that this was the same person who had just lost his mom the day before.

"You heard me right." Said the same voice. "We personally think that you deserve much better than that Granger girl."

"Well," Draco said in a bitter voice. "I personally think that I don't care what you personally think."

The girls all gasped at the same time causing Hermione to giggle out loud accidentally. She clamped her hand over her mouth, realizing that they may have been able to hear her. She heard the girls stomp off angrily and relaxed a bit at not being caught eavesdropping.

Sighing with exhaust, Hermione took a seat in the deserted classroom and buried her head in her hands, willing the tears to not fall. Why were so many shitty things happening to her? She felt a sense of déjà vu. These rumors were what brought her and Draco together that last time, but now all she wanted to do was stay away from him. If she saw him, she knew that the Obeitarimo curse would be put into action. She hated his guts for hurting her badly, and it was only a few days ago that she had been picturing his painful death. But now, all she wanted to do was to keep him alive and breathing. I need some serious therapy.

Among all these thoughts, she barely even heard the squeak of the old classroom door, and Draco Malfoy entering the room.

"I knew I recognized that giggle." He said with a smirk as he shut the door behind him.

Hermione looked up abruptly and saw Draco standing in front of him. His appearance scared her. She had sudden memory flashes of Lucius screaming 'crucio'. They looked so alike that Hermione had terrible shivers.

"What's wrong?" Draco said, with sudden concern seeing the fearful expression on Hermione's face. He took a step towards her, and she stood up and immediately took a step back.

Déjà vu again. It reminded her of the night they were dancing in the common room. The night they first kissed.

Hermione pulled away from the kiss almost immediately. She looked at Draco questioningly, and he looked back at her with the same expression.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked, taking a step towards Hermione, whilst she took a step back.

"Hermione." Draco said quietly, breaking into her thoughts once more. This time, she felt an urge inside of her. An urge to send him directly into the hands of his own father. "Hermione, are you upset about the rumors that are spread around school again?"

Hermione just stared at him with an insane expression upon her face. Her mind felt as if it was going to explode. The curse was beginning to go into effect. She heard Lucius Malfoy's voice in her head telling her to take Draco with her to the Forbidden Forest.

'Tell him to meet you at the forest at 8:30.' Said the same icy voice in her head.

Hermione mentally fought back. 'No. I will not let you kill him.'

'You will do as I ask. Tell him NOW' Lucius' voice was now penetrating her actions. Hermione's mouth began to open then close again. She closed her eyes, trying to push aside the voice in her head.

"Hermione are you okay? You're starting to worry me." Draco said as he took two steps towards her. She immediately took two steps back.

'Tell him to meet you in the forest. Right NOW!'

Hermione now lost complete control of all her senses, and before she could do anything to control it, she spoke.

"Draco, please meet me in the Dark Forest at 8:30."

Hermione gasped at what she just said. It was her voice, but it sounded nothing like her. Lucius had just spoken through her. She felt her knees give in, and before she could keep balanced, she fell into Draco's strong comforting arms. This simple action sent her to tears.

"It's okay, Hermione. Don't cry. I'll meet you at the forest tonight." Draco said in a soothing cool voice right by her ear as he stroked her hair.

Déjà vu.

Draco pulled her into a hug, and wordlessly, stroked her soft brown hair. Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder, and closed her eyes. She felt so safe in his arms that she felt like all her worries have disappeared; she never wanted to get up.

"Hermione," Draco said, after a long silence. "What happened tonight that made you this upset? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He added hesitantly.

There was no reply.

"Hermione?" Draco asked. "Hermio…?"

He noticed that she had fallen asleep, and was taking long and deep breaths. He chuckled quietly to himself, then covered her with a blanket, and pulled her close. He quietly whispered something into her ears.

"You're beautiful."

Memories ached her eyes, causing more salt tears to fall.

Even though she had only befriended Draco a few months ago, she felt as if she'd been close with him forever. She couldn't remember the memories of the teenage Draco teasing and mocking her, but only remembers the person in front of her, the man consoling her, trying to make the hurt and pain she was feeling go away. She had never gained so much trust and respect from and for someone in the short period of time she had really gotten to know him. Not even Ron and Harry, her best friends. Despite the 'bet' interference, she never trusted Draco more than anyone else in the world. He had her back for everything and he probably always will.

She had studied him like a book for the past weeks and he had let her. He had let her read him and understand him, even when he was most vulnerable. He was her favorite book to read. She learned from him that in life people are never what they seem to be. Everybody has a façade, a stereotype, a label. To everyone's eyes he was just a handsome, spoiled, arrogant boy, but to Hermione he's a strong-willed, over-confident, confused man. Nobody could spot his confusion, for he always appeared to be sure of himself, and completely cocky, but when everyone blinked, they missed his vulnerability. Hermione was the only one to see that in him, and only because he let her.

And for that… she loved him.

I like this chapter. It's quite sad; I liked the flashbacks. Hope you liked this chapter. I think the next chapter is the last...it depends. I'm kind of getting a tad bored with this story. I've already started writing a new story, but I'm not posting it until I'm done with this one.

The next chapter is going to be at the forest. So…dun..dun..dun. Please REVIEW! S'il vous plait.