As Hermione walked down the hall she passed an overly excited Ginny who bellowed, "Danny loves me!" as she ran past. Hermione shook her head as she headed to class early, trying to place herself outside of the craziness that seemed to take hold of Hogwarts overnight.
Class was mostly normal except Harry seemed to be in a sour mood, while Ron kept smiling broadly when Hermione glanced his way. After a while she just laughed it off, while the two boys got into an intense discussion about the well being of a certain young redhead.
The class ended about as quickly as it started and the students began to file out of the room uneventfully, if you ignored when Neville's bag ripped open and spilled parchment all over the floor, blocking the door way for five minutes.
"Ms. Granger, I'd like to have a word with you," Professor McGonagall said as the students exited the room, stepping around Neville unsympathetically. Hermione waved Harry and Ron off, and they left the classroom quickly.
"Yes Professor?" Hermione asked quietly, looking at her professor's worried expression.
"Well…you know that we are faced with an impending war," the older witch began. She looked over to the window and sighed. "Hermione, what I will ask you may seem a bit unfair." Hermione braced herself quietly. "With this year half over…Professor Dumbledore and I have decided that the students must take a stand against this war, against evil. You know that there will be a Yule Ball, as a symbol of solidarity…" the witch broke.
"Professor, what are you trying to get at?"
"Naturally you would escort Mr. MacMillan as per tradition. But this year, we have decided that we will ask that this tradition be relaxed for this reason. Mr. MacMillan is escorting a Ravenclaw, I believe Ms. MacDougal has accepted. Ms. Granger, I would like to ask you to take Mr. Malfoy," the Professor said with a hint of sadness.
Hermione gasped and dropped her books in surprise. The two witches collected the books silently.
"As I understand, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape have already spoken to him, and he has accepted. Please consider it. Think of the statement you will be making."
Hermione managed to shake her shock enough to nod her head. She walked out the door silently, not looking back to see the look of concern on the older witch's face. As Hermione rounded the corner, the shock still apparent on her face, she ran into Malfoy.
Hermione looked at the light-haired boy in front of her with a look of fear and sadness. "Granger…" he hissed softly.
Hermione looked around the empty hallway before replying, "Malfoy."
"I suppose you've heard the good news," he whispered. His voice seemed to echo in her ears despite how quiet he was.
"I have."
"I bet you're asking one question Granger. Why did I accept?" he smirked. Hermione nodded in agreeement. She would've gone with Blaise Zabini, or even Crabbe or Goyle. She couldn't imagine having to go with Malfoy. "Well Granger… I have a plan for you."
Hermione's shock finally wore off enough for Hermione to regain her wits. "What Malfoy? Murder me at the ball as symbol of goodwill towards all muggle-born?"
"No Granger. You see my father and I have an idea. You see there aren't many of us purebloods anymore. Often times, there are miscarriages in pureblood families. I've learned enough to know that the way to stop this is to marry someone not pureblood. That's where you come in Granger. You're fresh blood."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at Malfoy, who only smirked in response. "I'm more than just fresh blood."
"You're right. You're the top of the class. The most promising young witch in almost all of Europe. As much as it kills me to say this-"
"I wish it would," she spat.
"Feisty Granger," he smirked almost seductively. "I need you. I want you, and I know you this Granger…I tend to get I want."
"You're not getting me," Hermione hissed angrily.
"I'm sure you remember Ms. Turpin. I was going to try with her first…but she resisted. I believe she's recovering at home."
Hermione looked at Malfoy with a look of utter disgust. She had heard that a seventh year girl was removed from Hogwarts because she was almost raped and wished to go home. She looked at Malfoy angrily, and raised her hand to slap him, but was stopped by Malfoy. He grabbed her by her throat and looked into her eyes threateningly. He stopped himself from doing anything else and let go of the girl. Hermione slumped against the wall, grabbing her own throat nervously.
"I suggest you wear this. It was my mothers, but she had it cut to fit you. You'll see Granger…don't fight it," he whispered as he handed her a box gifted wrapped with an emerald bow. As she took the box, he leaned in close and caressed her neck softly. She couldn't help it, but she felt shivers running down her spine as his cold fingers touched her warm skin. He placed his lips close, so that his breath tickled her ear. Smiling at his success he whispered, "I already won."
Malfoy slithered off towards the dungeons, leaving Hermione feeling sorry for herself. Suddenly the emptiness of the hallway hit her, and Hermione fell to the floor sobbing hysterically. For the first time in a long time, Hermione felt genuinely terrified of something, something she couldn't identify. So she sat alone on the cold floor, crying softly, until she felt she didn't have the strength to cry any longer. Hermione did the only thing she could do, she searched for Ron and Harry.
So I just added two new chapters. I hope this story starts to become interesting, and I really want people to review it. Please. I need love in my life. I do. This is all I have. Isn't that sad and pathetic? Oh and for the last time, yes I know they're OC, that's the point!