I've reached over 1,300 views! Oh my gosh, in five days, that's incredible! I love that all of you are so interested in my story and I appreciate you coming back to read the next chapters! Let's try to get over 2,000 by end of Monday night people! And maybe some reviews? I always love hearing from you all! This chapter is slightly darker, and you'll find out why. Just as I was craving for Draco and Hermione to leave her house and get to Hogwarts, now I'm craving for them to leave Hogwarts. It'll be so fun to put my own spin on DH and see where it takes us! :D

Chapter 10: Hogsmead

Hermione awoke with a start to a loud rapping on the dormitory door. Her hazel eyes snapped open, finding that there was a blanket covering her. She didn't remember falling asleep with a blanket around her… The rapping came again, and she felt herself growing agitated. This was the first time she since had been back at Hogwarts that she actually had slept decently. With a stretch, she noticed she was still in the clothes Ginny had given her. Sighing, she pulled herself out of the chair and noticed there was an incantation of a body on the sofa still. Draco… he must have fallen asleep out here too. And he had covered her up. Not sure what to make of his two kind gestures in the past six hours, Hermione walked over to her dormitory door and peeked out to see baby blue eyes, wide with anticipation. Zac.

"Zac!" Hermione exclaimed, startled by his premature appearance at her door.

"Did I wake you?" Zac asked with concern. Obviously her appearance must have shown it.

"Oh, no," Hermione lied and blocked Zac from looking into the dorm. He was nearly a head taller than her, so her efforts remained futile. "Why are you here? We were supposed to leave at noon."

"McGonagall wanted us to go a little earlier, that way we can focus on planning the ball," Zac explained. Hermione realized that he was already in a grey V-neck sweater that had the Hufflepuff crest on the right breast pocket, and tan khakis. His hair was swept to the side, layered, and falling gracefully, extenuating his blue eyes.

"Right, the ball…" Hermione trailed off. "Let me shower, and we'll get going."

"Should I come in?" Zac asked, raising an eyebrow. "It would hardly be prudent for me to wait out here."

But, Draco… "No, I'll only be a few minutes."

"Alright then," Zac shrugged. "I'll go down to the Great Hall. See you in a few."

Hermione closed the door and let out a high sigh of relief.

"Who the hell was that?"

Draco's voice rang through her ears, snapping her back to reality. She turned quickly, seeing Draco standing a few feet away from his bedroom doorway, arms to his sides, and his fingers clenched into his fists. Hermione had her back pressed against the door, her eyes wide with shock and fright and then… anger. But, she couldn't help but notice the stance Draco took: almost protective, but yet enough to make her shiver. Once she got over her shock, she titled her head very so carefully to meet eyes with the Slytherin.

"How long have you been standing there? Do you want everyone to know you're here?" Hermione hissed, now backing herself off the wooden door and moving to the bathroom so she could shower. Hopefully peacefully, but Merlin knew that was highly unlikely.

"I asked you a fucking question, Granger," Draco rolled his stormy eyes to follow her to the bathroom. "Answer me!"

Hermione sighed halfway into the bathroom and answered before she closed the door and began to take off her clothes. "His name is Zacharias Smith. You should know him –"

"Yeah, I know him," Draco said through the door, his voice dark and menacing. "Fucking ignorant as they come. Annoying, selfish, slags anything that moves. He's a pure-blood, that's the only thing I respect about the prick."

Once he heard the shower running, he felt it safe to open the door and come into the bathroom. He didn't know what he was doing, just that a blind rage was overtaking him and he had to know why exactly Zacharias Smith was at Hermione's door. Hermione was in the tub with the shower curtain drawn shut as he came inside, but she yelped in shock when she heard him come in.

"What are you doing?" she yelled.

"Why was he here?" Draco demanded, his tone cold.

"Draco, you need to get out of the bathroom –"

"I'm not leaving until you answer me," he growled, low and husk.

Hermione took a deep breath and sighed, knowing this was not going to end well for either of them. A part of her was flattered that Draco was… jealous… but the other part of her screamed about how incredibly dangerous that was. She dropped her face in her hands, seeing the outline of his body though the shower curtain. He was still tense.

"McGonagall wants us to work on planning the Christmas ball," came her uneasy reply.

"Yeah? And what was this about leaving at noon?" Draco hissed, almost wanting to pull back the shower curtain to see her expression, to know if she was intent on lying to him.

Hermione sighed. "I don't want to talk about this right now, I'm in a hurry –"

"Answer the fucking question!" Draco roared, now furious at her for avoiding what she had known would lead to this. What was she doing with him? Slagging him? Merlin, the pit of his stomach began to sting at just the mere thought of it.

"Draco, it doesn't matter," Hermione began to rub her bodywash over her soft skin. The smell traveled to Draco's nostrils, and it involuntarily made him relax his muscles.

"It matters to me! What if he would have seen me? Christ, he almost pushed his way in here!" Draco yelled over the sound of the shower.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You saw the whole thing, so why do you need me to tell you what happened and why he was here?"

Draco chewed on his lips for a moment, trying to come up with the right response. "Because, I just need too."

"Well, that's not good enough," Hermione retorted.

Draco found the fire inside him was growing even stronger. "If you plan on slagging him, you're going to have to do it elsewhere."

Hermione's hazel eyes widened, and she peeled back just enough of the shower curtain for Draco to see her freckled shoulders and chest. Her hair was wet, and there was still bits of soap hanging onto her skin. It took all he had to keep his temper flaring.

"Don't talk to me that way!" she snarled, her voice raising. "You have no right! I'm sure if things were different and you were back on your seventh year, you'd still be with Pansy!"

Draco's eyes widened. "First off, I can speak to you however I please. Secondly, things aren't different, and no, I would not be slagging fucking Pansy!"

Hermione huffed and pulled the curtain shut, obstructing his view of her and turning off the water. "You still have no right! There isn't anything going on between Zac and I—"

"Zac, huh? Hard to believe when you're on a nickname basis," he growled.

"This is ridiculous," Hermione said and reached an arm out to grab her robe off the hook to her right. "You are being absolutely ridiculous!"

"I most certainly am fucking not," Draco said and watched almost eagerly as she emerged from the tub: her hair damp now and her white robe covering most of her body. Hermione tried to brush past him, but for some reason, only known to Merlin, Draco grabbed her wrist and turned her to look him in the eyes, locking onto hers with an intensity only a fate-fearing man could have. "I'm not."

"Yes you are," Hermione said, twisting out of his grip. "Let me get ready, I need to go."

He let her go, but still followed her to her room, where he put both of his hands against the doorframe, leaning in as she disappeared into her closet. There was something going on – a part of him just knew it. It was something any intelligent person would have been able to figure out providing they felt the way Draco did about Hermione. His lips curled into a straight line as she emerged with black leggings, a pink blouse, and a grey peacoat on. She looked formal, like she was going somewhere fancy. Granted, she was going to Hogsmead, and Draco would have dressed formally as well, would he have been going. He watched as she slipped on brown anke-high boots, and pulled a white beanie over her curls. Hermione turned to stare at him, her arms crossed.

"Do you need something?" she asked, reminding him of how he drawled to her.

"No," Draco replied, still eyeing her, taking in her beauty. Merlin, he even saw her glow. And her scent was overwhelming him. He didn't want her to go.

"Then move," Hermione began to move towards him, but Draco made no indication of moving. "Draco, move, I need to go."

Draco was torn between making her stay with him or letting her leave with the prude. The latter repulsed him to the point of almost sickness, and his tight lips turned into a frown as Hermione approached him. His shoulders softened as she drew nearer, until she was directly in front of him. He titled his head slightly; the top of her head came up to just under his chin. She looked up at him with those beautiful hazel eyes, and Draco knew then that he had to let her go. With the slightest movement, he brought his fingers to her cheeks and moved a stray curl away from her eyes. Hermione looked a bit taken aback by his gesture, but he didn't care.

He let her pass him, not moving from where he stood, his feet locked in place. Draco watched her go, and noted the look over her shoulder as she left the dorm. He ran a hand over the stubble on his chin and cheeks and walked into her room where her scent was lingering. Crookshanks nudged him as he sat on Hermione's bed, climbing into his lap. Draco found himself stroking the cat as he quietly devoured his thoughts.

From the moment that she had begun to infatuate him, it was almost as though his mind had turned to rubbish, every ounce of sense leaving with it. When he had seen Zacharias at the door, the anger that raced through his body physically made him shake and feel sick with rage. But, why? He didn't understand, he shouldn't have cared. Even when Pansy went onto sleep with Theo, he didn't react that way. But, maybe it was because his feelings for Hermione were stronger than they ever were for Pansy… No. No, she was a Mudblood. With a sigh, Draco leaned back in her bed, overtaken by the scent of orchids and coconuts, and realized with a start that that excuse wasn't going to work to justify his longing for her anymore.

Hermione rushed to meet Zac in the Great Hall, glancing at the clock and seeing it was almost eleven. Has she really slept that late? She saw Zac talking to a few Hufflepuff girls in the entrance before he spotted her and bid them farewell. As he approached her, he couldn't help but smile. Hermione was still morbidly confused about Draco's kind gestures, and could only offer Zac a small smile as he led them out of the castle.

The wind was almost non-existent today, though the sky was grey and the clouds were overcast. The leaves on the trees had since fallen off of their branches, and all that was left on the ground was a cold frost. If it wasn't so morbid, it would've actually been quite beautiful.

As they went into the village, Hermione noticed that her and Zac weren't the only ones doing some gleeful shopping. Many villagers, wizards, and witches hurried about the streets, smiling, laughing, and having a wonderful day. Zac offered Hermione his arm, which she took cautiously, but allowed him to lead her around the village none-the-less.

"Well, this is nice," Zac said.

Hermione was busy attempting to remember what Draco had told her to get for him. So busy she didn't realize Zac had spoken to her until several seconds afterwards. "Oh, yes. It's good to be away for awhile."

"Tell me, Hermione," Zac said, clasping his hand onto her gloved one. Hermione looked at him with almost narrowed eyes, but then let it be. "What will happen to you once Voldemort overtakes the Ministry?"

Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I suppose I should help Harry and Ron the best I can."

"That's what I hoped you'd say. I couldn't live with myself knowing that you went into hiding," Zac chuckled. "But, this could be our last time enjoying Hogsmead as we know it."

"It could very well be," Hermione replied, before turning Zac into a soap shop, operated by a middle-aged witch with her hair up in a messy bun on the top of her head. "I need to get some new bodywash."

"No problem," Zac smiled and allowed Hermione to browse the isles.

Draco hadn't given her a specific scent that he wanted, but when Hermione thought about the Slytherin, she thought about what made Draco so unique. As her fingers brushed every container of soap on the shelf, she began to think about his gentle gestures. The way he had covered her in the morning, how he was almost possessive when Zac was at the door, and when he brushed the curl out of her eye… Even the hot chocolate. Her stomach turned to butterflies when she replayed the memories in her mind. He was different, and she was changing him, slowly accommodating him to the life outside of Voldemort. For that, she was eternally grateful, and wondered if maybe, just maybe, she should take changing his views a little more seriously. It would be her ultimate goal now.

She decided on peppermint.

A few books from Tomes and Scrolls on Wizarding lore, wands, and history.

A new bought of herbal tea with lavender and passionfruit from Dogweed and Deathcap.

A new black sweater, some tshirts, khakis, and a coat, from Gladrag's Wizard Wear.

And finally, milk chocolate from Honeydukes.

Zac had asked her what all of her purchases were for, but Hermione insisted on Christmas gifts for the boys, if she saw them by then. Luckily for her, Zac believed her, and let the subject stand. She held onto his arm for the rest of their time in the village, feeling too skittish for him to be away from her for very long. The two settled at The Three Broomsticks for a glass of butterbeer and to discuss the point of their trip: the Christmas Ball.

"So, what do you think the theme should be?" Zac asked, sipping his mug.

It was toasty in the pub, the amber glow reflecting off of the wood gave a homey like comfort. There were many wizards talking to Madam Rosmarta about the attacks on Muggles and the raids the Death Eaters were carrying out. Hermione's eyes drifted over to a wanted poster of Lucius… her heart sank, mostly for Draco's sake.

"A wonderland, far from here," Hermione replied. "I want them to remember that there is good in the world…"

"I thought you thought the ball was a stupid idea," Zac chuckled, his blue eyes trying to lock onto her own.

"I did, and I still do. But, if McGonagall is insistent, we should do it," Hermione told Zac with a shrug. "Besides, it will keep spirits up. The longer we can prevent what's happening out here getting into the castle, the happier everyone is going to be."

"Which reminds me, Hermione," Zac leaned across their table, and put a hand over hers. "Would you like to be my date to the ball?"

Hermione's eyes blinked rapidly. The last time she had been asked to a ball was by Viktor Krum, and Merlin only knew what happened afterwards… Besides, she wasn't romantically interested in Zac, just as friends, even though he was growing on her. Even now, when he looked across the table with only gentleness in his eyes, Hermione couldn't help but wish she was safely in the castle with Draco. Though Zac was a noble wizard: kind, honest, and full of potential, she knew her heart didn't lie with him. Neither did it lie with Viktor, nor Cormack, nor Ron. But, for publicity sake, she knew she couldn't deny him.

"Sure, but only as Heads," Hermione reminded him, still earning a stretched smile from the boy across from her.

"That's fine, I'm glad you agreed," Zac said and retracted his hand. "Remember what I told you about living a little? You've seemed a lot more relaxed since then."

A lot has happened since then…

"Yeah, thanks for telling me that. Sometimes, I just get so caught up in trying to help Harry and Ron, training the D.A., and the Order… I loose myself," Hermione explained. "And then there's school, and trying to keep everything normal…" And Draco…

"It sounds to me like you should take a breather and relax," Zac took a sip of butterbeer.

"Not until after Voldemort is gone," Hermione said. "After he's dead, then I can relax."

Zac sighed. "Hermione, I want you to know that I have the uptmost faith in you and Potter, but The Order is going up against hundreds of Death Eaters, and well… I just don't know."

Hermione's eyes looked up to meet his. "I know it's hard to imagine us winning, but there's always a small chance. There are a lot of people on our side, and people who are turning to our side, too. If I end up having to leave, promise me that you will keep Hogwarts safe."

Zac looked flattered. "Hermione, that's a big job, and you can count on me, but honestly, this war is much bigger than you and me, the D.A., the Ministry, everything. The basis of it truly is about who should rule our world, and if Voldemort wins, there will be no more Muggle-borns or half-bloods. The entire history of our world will be rewritten to his standards. That's what I am afraid of."

Hermione couldn't help but nod in agreement to Zac as she sipped her butterbeer. Perhaps he was a lot more insightful than what she gave him credit for. The two finished their butterbeer and headed back up to Hogwarts, arms full of their new belongings. There was an ever so haunting feeling about going back to the castle, as though they were hiding from an oncoming onslaught. Hermione was never fond of the idea of hiding, and she somewhat realized that half the reason why she was here was because she was being hidden. Zac offered to walk her back to her dorm, which she politely refused, her excuse being that she was tired and needed sleep. As usual, Zac did not question her, probably knowing that he was getting all out of her today.

Hermione snuck into her dorm to see the couches and chairs empty. Her heart sank: Draco hadn't been waiting for her. Cautiously, she approached his room, finding that he was not in there. Confused, she went to the kitchen, which he also wasn't in, which only left one place: her room. With a horrible feeling in her gut, Hermione realized that she hadn't locked it before she had left and saw Draco laying on her bed, reading a newspaper he had found on her bed stand, and Crookshanks curled neatly between his feet.

"Hello," Hermione offered her greeting softly, as though not to disturb him.

Draco slowly put the newspaper down, bringing his face into view. Hermione noticed his normal smugness, but it went away when he saw what she held: bags. Bags for him. Hermione sat herself on the side of her bed as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"Do I want to know why you're in here?" she demanded, her eyes narrow now.

"You can barge in and out of my room whenever you like," Draco replied evenly.

Sighing, and wondering if getting Draco all of these things was a bad idea, she began to pull each possession out, one by one. She began with the clothes, which Draco placed beside him, then the chocolate, which he muttered something about making better hot chocolate with, then the books, which he eyed suspiciously until he was able to read the titles then he relaxed a bit, and finally, the peppermint body wash. Draco took it and sniffed, a subtle grin on his face.

"Peppermint, huh, Granger?"

"Yes."

"Why did you chose this one?" he asked, still inhaling it.

"It reminded me of you."

It reminded Draco of home. Malfoy Manor always carried the scent of his father's cologne, which was a mix between peppermint and spearmint. Even as Draco went to school, the scent followed him, and he wasn't sure if it was all Slytherin's who reeked of it or just him and his robes. Regardless, he looked up at Hermione, and his eyes said all that he couldn't say.

"Smith is a git," Draco said, changing the conversation.

"Draco, now is hardly the time –"

"Really, Granger, you may think he's all fine and dandy right now –"

"Draco, I told you: Zac and I are not romantically involved," Hermione assured him with a small smile. "Do you like your gifts?"

Thank you's were not big in Draco's vocabulary, so he decided on something a little more subtle. "They are adequate."

"Coming from you, I suppose I can handle that," Hermione said and rose from her bed. "Now, please get out of my room."

"You don't like me in here? Wow, that's slightly hypocritical," came his sneered reply.

Hermione rolled her hazel eyes. "Will you take your stuff and leave my room please? I'd like to catch a nap."

"Whatever you say, Granger," Draco said, collecting his new belongings and leaving the room. Hermione noticed that Crookshanks followed Draco on his heels as he left. Confused but not bothered, Hermione began to take off her outerwear and prepare herself for a gentle nap.

"We are running out of time!" Mad-Eye snapped, looking around the table to his fellow Order members. "You-Know-Who will attack any moment and do us all in –"

"Alastor, that's quite enough –"

"Don't pretend like you don't know, Andromeda," Mad-Eye rolled his mechanical eye around to look at her. The older witch looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Alastor, please, we need to be reasonable. I do agree, however, that the time for waiting has long gone," Lupin remarked, his fingers tracing the stubble outlining his chin. "The threat is more imminent now than it has ever been."

"The Minister is well guarded, Minerva, I can promise you that," Kingsley assured the Headmistress. "We have all sorts of traps and checkpoints set up in the Ministry that even a fly wouldn't be able to get through."

"Hogwarts is well protected," Tonks put in thoughtfully. "The Wards will hold against anything for quite awhile."

"So, where would he strike?" McGonagall asked. "The only two places that are worth something to him are unable to be reached."

"That's what we should fear," Mad-Eye snarled.

"The Dark Lord is concerned about his Horcruxes," Snape interjected. All eyes in the room turned to look at him, concern in their eyes, as if they hadn't noticed he had come in. "When the time is right, Hogwarts will be attacked, and I will take Minvera's place as Headmaster. I can work from the inside, while allowing Voldemort to believe he is in control."

"Is that wise, Severus? Surely there must be another option," Lupin said.

"No, I'm afraid there isn't," Snape said softly. "When Potter destroys the Horcruxes, which he inevitably will, the Dark Lord will be at his mercy, and Potter will know exactly where to find him."

"A good plan, Severus," Mad-Eye agreed. "When is this to go into motion?"

"It won't be long now," Snape looked to McGonagall, and they exchanged a look that words didn't have to express. She pressed her palm into her skull, easing the rising headache that came after the argument. "I suggest you begin warning parents of Muggle-borns and half-bloods now, Minerva."

"Agreed. Arthur, begin a list and contacting the parents in the Ministry. Be secretive and make sure your messages are not intercepted. Face to face contact is the best," she instructed. "Everyone else, continue your training and prepare portkeys to safe houses. The time is coming, my friends. We have to be prepared to win this war. Or else, we will die trying."