Hermione POV

Malfoy loved Theo. It wasn't just about sex or friendship. After his confession nearly two weeks prior I couldn't stop watching them, seeing the proof of it. The more I watched, the more I saw it and felt it. I wasn't the only one noticing either. Rumors were starting to circulate. Malfoy wasn't doing much to hide his affection and I wondered what had changed. They hadn't kissed in public or anything, but the once subtle touches between them, were not so subtle anymore. Supposedly, a 4th year had seen them holding hands a week prior and that had caused a stir that was drawing even more eyes to them. Everyone was looking for something to happen.

Even while shadowing McGonagall, I had to ignore the whispers around me along with my jealousy, anger, and lust at knowing the truth. My thighs ached at thoughts of Theo's head beneath my skirt. They plagued me in bed most nights until I touched myself and cursed Malfoy in my dreams. It was driving me insane and I probably would have acted on it if my fear didn't rear it's ugly head whenever I saw him with Malfoy. I could seduce Theo to want me. That much was clear. I'd done it already. Lust wasn't the same thing as love though and I wanted love. I wanted it so much that watching Malfoy have it made my skin flicker with magic nearly constantly. Still, I couldn't stop watching, stop wanting. I stared in classes and eyed them as I held my book and picked at my meals every day. That's what I was doing at lunch on a Wednesday when one of the 3rd years announced the first snow fall of the season with a snowball thrown at a classmate.

Feet scrambled out of the Great Hall to the courtyard. Theo stood and Malfoy gravitated towards him in silence. They both stole glances at me automatically, which I ignored, before following the sea of students.

I sat there for a few moments in the empty space, simmering with a mix of want and anger before want won out and I slammed my book shut. In the empty halls, I followed the screams of students throwing snowballs and playing in the cold, but all the noise and chaos was lost on me as I came to the edge of the courtyard and zeroed in on Malfoy and Theo in the crowd. They stood among the students, Theo laughing and smiling, trying to catch a snowflake on his tongue. He looked radiant- dark hair, pale skin, ice blue eyes. Malfoy looked blank faced, his hair nearly blending in with the snow. The angel statue and strikingly beautiful man standing side by side beneath the white flakes.

I saw the shift as a stray snowball struck Theo in the chest. He yelped when snow splattered his face and Malfoy went from contemplative to absolutely enraptured. All the heat in my stomach curled with the want that simmered all day and all night. That want was suddenly mirrored by Malfoy. His hand found its way to Theo's cheek, wiping away the snow there. There was no hesitation in the act and everyone saw it. Students began to point and go quiet, but Malfoy didn't stop there. He leaned forward in front of a thousand eyes and the whole school seemed to let out a collective gasp when their lips touched. It was a short kiss, sweet and delicate. Fire roasted my body. I felt the tips of anger mix with desire when their hands entwined after. Theo smiled like the heavens had opened up. As much as Theo deserved someone better, seeing him look so happy was addicting. I wondered if I could ever get him to smile at me like that.

Of course, Headmistress McGonagall chose that exact moment to break up the students and rush everyone to their next classes. The whispers of gossip became roars as the crowd dispersed.

The rest of the school day was full of passing notes and children tittering. My book was forgotten entirely. I couldn't stop listening, and the more I listened the angrier I became.

It started in potions when one girl asked another a question that made my eyes roll.

"Isn't this some sort of violation of their probation?"

On my way to transfiguration I heard some pure blood girls complaining about their lack of adequate prospects. I had to grit my teeth at that, but still my anger didn't get the best of me until dinner.

I stared at my food, forcing my eyes to stay off Theo and Malfoy. I was afraid to look at them, to see how the rumors were affecting them. It was stupid. All those ridiculous children with their fucked up theories. It shouldn't bother me and I shouldn't care if it bothered them. Still, I refused to look.

"I bet Draco gave him a love potion," said Romilda Vane from her seat next to me. I squeezed my fork in my hand so tight it hurt. She was one to talk considering that as a 4th year she had tried to dose Harry with one. She didn't even have the decency to sound appalled by the prospect. The excitement practically dripped off her.

"It certainly makes sense. He needs followers and what better way to get them than tricking them with love potions?" The reply came from a Gryffindor boy and made my hands shake. I saw red even when I forced my eyes closed, clenching them tight.

More students kept talking.

"Theo wouldn't have even ended up at Azkaban if it wasn't for Draco. It's not like he ever took the mark and the Daily Prophet reported that he didn't even use the killing or cruciatous curse."

If any of them had bothered to do actual research they would know that he was in Azkaban for the imperio curse. Although the exact reasoning behind him using it was in a sealed record.

"Do you think Draco is using the imperio on him?"

My blood began to boil.

"Theo was talking to that 1st year the other day. He's probably recruiting them young, slipping them drops of love potions from Draco." Romilda's statement broke me. How dare she say something so fucking vile?

My eyes snapped open and I slammed my hands down on the table, noticing the fireworks of golden sparks. They crackled down the table, but nobody looked down at the sparks. They were all too busy looking at my face. Every set of eyes at the table were hyper focused.

"Will you all kindly shut the fuck up?! Can't two people actually just love each other? Is that so absurd?" I shouted.

I looked around, eyes locking on the two men across the hall. Malfoy was looking stiff and Theo was holding his shoulder to keep him in place.

"Oh, Hermione. Death eaters don't actually love people. Have you gotten nipped with some love potion too?" Romilda asked with a giggle, eyes flicking between me and the two men that now looked like they both were fighting the urge to stand. My attention turned at that fucking giggle and my fist flew forward on its own accord. The room exploded into shouts and screams. Blood dripped from Romilda's nose which had a slight lean and all my anger dissolved into panic as students shouted. It was one thing to hit Malfoy, to supposedly jinx Malfoy. I'd been forgiven for that lapse of judgment because of our history. This was…oh my god, I was going to be expelled.

"Hermione Granger!" McGonagall shouted into her wand, the sound echoing off the stone. I didn't think I'd ever heard my name spoken with such disappointment and anger. "My office! NOW!"

I stood from the table, forcing back tears, and left the room to its gossip.