I do not own any of the characters or story line of Harry Potter, and all credit goes to J.K Rowling, the legend herself.

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Chapter Five.

The party was in full swing, that was, apart from for Hermione and Ginny. The pair stood in a small corner of the Ravenclaw Common Room with a glass of Pumpkin Juice each. The odd Ravenclaw boy would approach them both, but often they were too drunk to make conversation, and simply tried to make a pass at one of them, before walking away in shame. Hermione and Ginny watched as they would do the same thing to some other girls across the room. They also watched a lot of other people. They watched Malfoy and Blaise, positioned in the center of the room, where Hermione and Ginny had formerly sat, on the gathering of sofas before the fire. The two required an individual sofa each, with the amount of girls on each arm. Hermione noticed Blaise making polite conversation with a few of them, which made the girls more than happy. Meanwhile, Draco whispered in the pretty, brunette, Ravenclaw's ear beside him, which made her giggle hysterically, as she playfully hit Malfoy on the arm.

Ginny stood fully, quite abruptly. Hermione turned to face her, but she was on her tip-toes glancing over the heads of the people surrounding them. Ginny's eyebrows where knit together slightly, and she squinted her eyes as if trying to see something clearer. Hermione frowned, watching the red-head

"What is it, Ginny?" she asked, standing on her tip-toes in attempt to see what she saw.

Ginny stood down, leaning casually against the wall, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice and swilling it round her glass.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head, "Nothing, it doesn't matter."

Hermione glanced at Ginny, cautiously. She took a sip of her pumpkin juice and returned to her former position, leaning against the wall, much like her friend. The two were silent for a while, before Ginny gasped, with more an amused expression than a shocked one playing across her face.

"No!" she cried, her mouth wide as she stared incredulously, "No, no way!"

Hermione tried to see what Ginny was seeing once more.

"What now?!" Hermione cried.

"Penelope Clearwater did not just try to make a move at Blaise Zabini, only to get rejected!"

Hermione gazed over to the gathering in the center of the room. She could see the blonde girl in the crop top looking sullen and pouting at Blaise, who was looking in any other direction than at her. Hermione felt a laugh of satisfaction escape her. Apparently Penelope was not all she thought she was. Hermione heard Ginny mumbled the word 'shocking' before she turned to face her best friend who was still gazing over in amusement.

"Ginny," Hermione began, "You haven't seen Dean, have you?"

Ginny turned to look at Hermione, with a serious expression. She wet her lips, searching for something to say, before she glanced over Hermione's shoulder and her face contorted into a frown.

"As a matter of fact," Ginny stated, "I have. Just now."

She took Hermione's shoulders, and turned her 180 degrees. She searched the crowd of people before she saw exactly what Ginny was frowning at. Suddenly, the heavy smell of alcohol in the room became a hundred times heavier. Hermione couldn't breathe enough air to satisfy her brain which seemed to be flooding with questions. Why? What was he doing? The room seemed to slow a little, and Hermione was oblivious to everyone else. She stood, rooted to the spot, as she watched Dean Thomas kiss Penelope Clearwater. Hermione gazed slowly over to the sofas at the center of the room. Blaise was alone on the sofa now, Penelope had left him. Any doubts of what Hermione had just saw, left her completely. Her eyes flickered to Malfoy, who was listening intently to the girl who he had whispered to. She was now whispering in his ear, and pointed slowly towards Dean and Penelope. Draco was frowning, listening to what the girl was saying. He glanced up, and spotted Dean. His frown grew even more. Hermione looked from Draco to Dean, who seemed to still be kissing Penelope. It felt like hours, months even. Time was going to slowly, making the impact even worse. Hermione looked back to Draco, who was previously looking absolutely infuriated. Now, his arctic iced eyes were set on Hermione's. He looked at her with an unreadable expression. She swallowed deeply, as she broke the eye contact and looked at Dean, who was looking at Hermione too. Penelope was no where to be seen.

And time regained it's natural speed. The party music was loud as ever, thudding and vibrating, in time with the rapid beat of Hermione's heart. She heard a ringing in her ears, and the adrenaline raced through her body. She felt her feet carrying her, and she couldn't control them as she headed over towards Dean.

Draco sat in his seat, glaring at Hermione as he watched her weave through the crowd towards Dean. Blaise turned from watching the commotion.

"I heard they're potions partners," he stated, referring to Dean and Penelope.

Draco ignored Blaise, acting as though he didn't hear his unnecessary comment. The blood was rushing through his ears, and he could hear his pulse vibrating the inside of his skull. His hands were clenched as he breathed through his nose harshly, like a horse when it's ready to gallop. He watched as Hermione reached Dean, who was laughing slightly, clearly out of his head. Hermione, however, was not. Draco didn't understand why he was so mad. He blamed it on the fact that Dean thought he had the right and the power to do what he did. Draco didn't really want to think of any other reason why he could be so agitated. He knew he'd doubt himself if he did, and he wouldn't like the answer. Hermione was talking through gritted teeth, Dean nodding in return. Then, the pair turned, Hermione almost dragging Dean by his arm, as they climbed up a staircase leading towards the Ravenclaw dorms.

"Draco, mate?" Blaise eyed Draco cautiously. He was rising out of his seat slowly, his hands still clenched. Blaise found this almost amusing. He knew exactly why Draco was mad, and couldn't disguise the hint of a smile that was creeping upon his dark features.

"Well?!" Hermione cried, flinging her arms out to her sides, when she and Dean were finally alone in the dorms.

Dean winced a little, rubbing his head. He was clearly very, very drunk. Hermione thought it'd be a hard task to try and get a decent answer out of him.

"Well what?" he murmured, laughing a little.

"I'll tell you what!" Hermione cried, striding towards Dean, pressing a finger into his chest. He merely laughed in return. "You foul, selfish, insufferable boy! Who was she?! And above all, what exactly ran through that pea sized, intoxicated brain of yours, when you decided to kiss her?!"

"Hermione," Dean slurred, running a hand lazily through her hair. She swatted him away instantly, disgusted at his mere touch.

"Get off me!" she cried.

"Hermione, there's enough love from Dean to go around," he chuckled, taking Hermione's small hands in his firm own.

She tried to pull away, grunting in disgust, but he pulled her slowly, relentlessly, towards a blue, silk adorned, four poster bed.

"Dean Thomas, get off me, right now!" Hermione yelled, attempting to wrench herself free from his grip.

"Ooh," he purred, his voice deep and husky, vibrating in his ale-coated throat, "Like it rough, do we?"

Dean eyed Hermione from head to toe. She remembered all the times before when he had done this. This was the side Hermione preferred not to see, and doubted she ever would. She shuddered under his gaze.

"I swear, if you don't let go of me right now, I'll hex you so badly you'll-" her voice hitched as Dean threw her on the bed, and she squealed in shock.

"Try me," Dean purred, as he pinned both of her arms beside her head and allowed his full weight to lie on top of her. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt his largely built body crush hers. He was too drunk to even support any of his weight, and so Hermione found it hard to breathe as her ribs were gently pressed under his torso.

"Dean, stop!" Hermione cried, turning her head to the side as he attempted to lean in and kiss her.

Hermione's breath was coming in short, painful rasps as Dean's lips hovered over her neck.

"Stop being so prissy, Granger, forget Penelope, she doesn't bloody matter-"

Hermione attempted to squirm under his grip, but it was useless. She felt tears prick her eyes, but promised herself not to release them.

"Now, let's see what we've got here," Dean slurred, grabbing both of Hermione's wrists in one, large hand. He began fumbling with the buttons on her pink, satin blouse. The first button was undone. Hermione closed her eyes, waiting in agony, hoping he wouldn't continue. The second. The third. Hermione was sure by now he could see the tip of her breasts and her bra. She peaked out of one eye, her breath still defying her. Dean looked up to her, a malicious smile playing across his face. It wasn't the cute, boyish smile she'd seen before. It was his haunting one, the one where his eyes flashed with desire and lust. He paused at her fourth button. Hermione took a breath. She knew he wouldn't just stop now. So she waited for his next move. He grabbed the weak material of her shirt, and wrenched it in his grip. The buttons snapped and it pulled harshly on the back of her neck. She winced a little, as the burning sensation spread around where her collar had lay. Dean had become impatient. She'd only ever seen determination in his eyes like this on the pitch.

"You have no idea how many times I've dreamed of this day," Dean purred. His breath was still strong of alcohol as he chuckled, hovering his face over hers once more.

Hermione turned her head again instantly. Dean began lowering his face towards Hermione's. Any second now he'd kiss her, and she'd be completely under his grip-

The door to the dormitories burst open. Hermione gasped, opening her eyes to see who was there. This would be too embarrassing for anyone to know. Too shameful. She hoped in the small part of her heart that wasn't concealed with fear, that it was Ginny. But it wasn't. And she wasn't sure whether she was thankful of the boy who stood in the doorframe, or not. He slammed the door behind him with force, causing Dean to look up from Hermione's face.

"I'm sorry, but I don't do third parties, Malfoy" Dean laughed, an almost evil laugh that vibrated deep in his throat.

Hermione could only stare. She looked at Malfoy's face, which was lit by the moonlight that shone through the tall windows. Her eyes had adjusted in the dark, and she could see him clearly now. He was livid. The playful sneer that graced his face when he taunted Hermione, was now filled with an army of hatred, disgust and sheer anger. He glared at Dean. His cold, icy-grey eyes were now emotionless. They were hollow, and lonely, and empty of any positive feelings he had. They flashed with anger, as his breathing caused his loosely done up dress-shirt to tighten around his torso. He stared for a good few moments at Dean, before he glanced at Hermione. She looked away instantly, not wanting the one boy she had hated all of her life, to see her so weak and vulnerable. She could see Draco staring out the corner of her eye. He was taking in every inch of her, her expression, the tears begging to burst from the overflowing dam that was her eyes. Finally, he spoke.

"Get the fuck off her, Dean," he spat.

His voice was just as cold and haunting. It rebounded off the walls and made an icy slit in the chilling silence.

"Why would I do that, Malfoy. Just so you could have a go?" Dean shook his head as his eyes flickered with absence of a sober brain.

Hermione watched Draco's reaction. He dug his hand into his pocket, and began fumbling for something, pausing slightly when he found it. Hermione knew what he was searching for, but Dean had no logical sense to stop.

"-I mean, that's what you're here for, isn't it? That's why you always turn up when we're together, that's why you follow me around corridors late at night and threaten me to stay away from her. That's why you tell me she'll dirty my blood because she's filth, shes a Mudblood Dean, don't be so foolish! But you wouldn't mind dirtying yourself, would you?"

Draco's eyes flickered slightly to Hermione, who was taking in every word Dean managed to say. Every hurtful thing Draco had warned Dean about to ruin her happiness. He stopped himself from looking into her broken expression.

"-Because you're jealous, aren't you Draco? You're seeing green, aren't you?"

Draco withdrew his wand from his pocket with such speed, Hermione hardly saw it's journey from inside the material until it was pointing at Dean's face. Dean rolled from above Hermione, withdrawing his wand too. He stood from the bed, and positioned himself in front of Draco. Draco murmured Expelliarmus, disarming Dean before his intoxicated brain had time to react.

"Go," Draco commanded, gesturing his head towards the door.

Dean took a step forwards, before Draco pressed the wand to his throat,

"Not. You."

Hermione took this as her signal to leave. She pulled her blouse around herself tightly, feeling the first moment of dignity she'd felt in what seemed to be hours. She pushed herself off the bed, running towards the door. But she couldn't leave. Hermione found herself pausing before the door, with her hand on the door nob. She turned, momentarily, and gazed at the two boys. One with ridiculous amounts of fear, and the other with nothing more than anger. Dean looked at Hermione with pleading eyes, and as her hand found the twist of the door nob, she disappeared around the other side.

Hermione hadn't slept that night. The constant images of Dean in her head, Draco's expression, his fury, the words which Dean said, running through her head. I mean, that's what you're here for, isn't it? Why you follow me around corridors late at night and threaten me to stay away from her. Hermione had witnessed that herself. You tell me she'll dirty my blood because she's filth. Had Draco really said that? Did he really want to ruin Hermione's happiness that much? You're seeing green, aren't you? There was no way in Merlin's beard Draco Malfoy was jealous of Dean. Hermione felt a deep knot twist and tighten in her stomach as she made her way to Transfiguration that morning. She knew she had it with the Hufflepuffs. The last thing she wanted right now was to see Dean.

Rumors had been circling all morning. Most of them regarding the fact Hermione had actually attended a party, and many of them about Dean kissing Penelope. She was glad no one knew about what happened in the dorm. That rumor would've had her hiding in the Common Room for the rest of her existing life. She was yet to tell Ginny exactly what had happened, once they had made their way back to the Gryffindor Common Room, Hermione simply went to bed. Sleep greeted her eventually, but only very late. Hermione reflected this in her yawn as she sat at her desk, beside Ron and Harry's.

She sat apprehensively, waiting for Dean to come in. Once she heard his loud, ungraceful footsteps, she turned her head immediately in the opposite direction. He took his seat, two desks to the left and one row in front of Hermione. Dean seemed as reluctant to make eye contact with Hermione as she was with him. But eventually, she became too curious. She glanced over to his desk, and examined his face. He hid behind his hand which he leaned upon, staring straight at the wood of his desktop. Hermione presumed he was far too embarrassed to even look in her direction. The sober Dean, which Hermione had fallen for, was nothing like the drunk Dean she had encountered last night. At last, he shifted from his hand, and quickly glanced to the clock on the wall beside Hermione. As he withdrew his hands from his face, the large ones he'd so forcefully grabbed Hermione with, she noticed the blue and black bruises that spread around and along his nose. The bridge of his nose was slightly purple, and had a small white plaster lay upon it. Hermione frowned. She knew the breakage or bruising must have been severe for Madame Pomfrey not to clean it up immediately.

Instantly, she thought of Draco. If Draco had had his wand, why did he resort to physical violence? Hermione imagined it would make the pain felt more, and that physical violence is carried out longer than simply hexing someone with a spell. Her thoughts were then brought back to Draco's motivation and motive. Hermione knew he and Dean had something between them. Something they didn't talk about or express in public. But she couldn't comprehend or come up with one good reason for Draco to act the way he did. The Draco Malfoy Hermione know would have laughed in her face at her misfortune.

"Oi, Hermione," a voice called beside her.

Hermione found herself feeling foolish as she noticed all this time she had been staring at Dean. She looked away instantly, and to Ron, who was leaning over to her desk, beside her.

"What?" Hermione asked.

She and Ron were on speaking terms now, though she still was angry at Ron for making his pre-judgement. However right he was...

"What happened last night? Why didn't you tell us you were going to a party?" he whispered. Harry was now listening too, leaning slightly from his desk in Hermione's direction also.

"How do you know I went to a party?" Hermione questioned. It was a silly question really, considering the rumors floating about. They may aswell have taken the place of the ghosts at Hogwarts.

"Well," Ron began, looking a little lost for what to say, "Lavender sort of told a lot of people that you'd asked her to cover. I mean, me and Harry didn't believe it at first, but there's a lot of rumors going around, Hermione. And it sort of confirmed it."

Hermione had specifically told Lavender to cover for her. However, she supposed she hadn't told her not to tell anyone. Lavender would've taken advantage of that opportunity. Hermione sighed heavily, and glanced at the blonde who was whispering alongside some other Hufflepuff girls and eyeing Hermione. The latter rolled her eyes in distaste. Of course she would've told Ron. She practically loathes Hermione's existence due to the fact she thinks Ron has a crush on her.

"It's none of your business," Hermione finally said, turning back to her desk and setting up her parchment and ink.

Just as Hermione had placed her ink in her quill, there was a small knock at the door. Colin Creevey stood on his tip-toes looking about the classroom. He paused on Hermione, not before waving excitedly at Harry who waved a little enthusiastically in return.

"Hermione Granger?" He called, as people began to turn and look at the blushing Gryffindor, "Professor McGonagall would like to speak to you in her office before the lesson starts."

Hermione felt her cheeks burn as everyone's eyes were on her. She was sure, by everyone, that Dean was eyeing her curiously too. Packing away her things immediately, she swung her bag on her shoulder and hurried out of the classrooms as quickly as possible. Once she had reached the first floor and entered Professor McGonagall's office, did she let out the breath that she had nervously been holding.

Professor McGonagall looked up over her round spectacles and Hermione entered. She sat at a large, oak desk that was full of books and parchment. However, it was much tidier than Dumbledore's office, she had to admit. There were two chairs before her, each with tall, high wooden backs. Hermione could see the left one, which was facing McGonagall completely, had a hand resting on it's arm.

"Please, Miss Granger, take a seat," the wizened woman said, gesturing with a shaking hand to the seat on the right.

Hermione walked fowards apprehensively. She wasn't entirely sure why she had been called here. She rounded the corner and sat upon the seat, placing her bag by her side.

"Now I shall make this quick," McGonagall continued,

Hermione saw a flash of white from the corner of her eye. She peered slowly through a gap in her shield of hair to see who exactly was joining her. Her stomach felt as though it had fell through her gut, out her backside, and crashed all the way through the chair, down to the center and core of the world. Well maybe not that much, but the knotting feeling had returned to her stomach as she noticed a familiar blonde Slytherin sat beside her. Hermione had not thought about confronting Malfoy. She knew she was practically in his debt now, and that annoyed her to no end. Draco seemed to be oblivious to her existence. He stared at McGonagall, not once glancing at Hermione. She was glad of this, however, as the ignorance the two endured seemed to save any awkward or complicated moments that Hermione had hoped would not occur.

"I've had reports, that the two of you," the woman continued, "Our two best prefects to this date, failed to turn up to their patrol duties last night. And why was this? Hm? Was it because we were ill, Miss Granger?"

Hermione felt her cheeks blush, and heard a small snort from Malfoy as he attempted not to laugh,

"Or did we not have a reason at all, Mr Malfoy?" she said, pointedly.

Malfoy soon lost his grin, as the two sat, staring at the disapproving expression of the woman before them.

"A party," she began, once more, "Is no excuse to abandon any responsibilities that you may have. Do you understand?"

The two nodded in unison.

"Now, as a punishment. You two will take tonight's prefect duties, and patrol as usual, together."

Hermione almost choked on her own saliva. There was no way on God's earth that she would spend hours on end patrolling the castle with Draco Malfoy! Alone! She rolled her eyes and sighed instinctively. Draco seemed to have a rather different approach.

"But, Professor, I have other commitments tonight!" he pleaded.

"Your 'commitments' can wait, Mr Malfoy," McGonagall said, pursing her lips, disapprovingly of Draco.

The Slytherin seemed to slump in his chair, huffing loudly. Evidently, he felt as unhappy about the situation as Hermione did.

"I trust you two to turn up to this. Or there will be serious consequences. You are dismissed."

Hermione grasped her bag strap and placed it on her shoulder. Draco swung his black satchel over his head and placed his hands in his pockets. He went to leave the office quickly, leaving Hermione pacing after him in return. He opened the door and then paused, staring out into the hallway.

"Ladies first," he said, through gritted teeth.

Hermione was slightly taken aback by the break in the silence. She stepped through the door frame and looked up to his face, for the first time that day.

He was nothing more than a shadow of his former self. Hermione glanced at the deep bags that hung under his eyes, and the hollowness of his cheekbones. He looked as though he hadn't slept or eaten for days on end. He looked how Hermione felt. He stared back at her. His eyes were not cold, and icy, and did not send a chill down Hermione's spine as they usually did. Instead, they were lifeless. Completely. Not like the night before, when they were emotionless, but still glowing with fury. Instead, they were plain, and grey, like a cloudy day pressing on everyone's optimism. She swallowed deeply.

"Thankyou," she said. Not only was she thanking him for his gesture, but she and Draco knew she was thanking him for saving her the other night. He studied her face, his brows knit together in concentration. For once he didn't sneer at Hermione, or glare at her. She doubted he had the energy too either, looking at his drained expression. Instead, he simply nodded, closing the office door behind him, and striding off down the corridor, hands in his pockets and his posture tall.

Hermione stood for a moment, releasing a sigh she wasn't aware she had been holding. She watched as Draco turned the corner at the end of the hallway and was out of sight. Checking her wristwatch, she noticed it was nearly time for dinner. Surprisingly, she wasn't hungry, and had suddenly lost her appetite. Yet she ventured towards the Great Hall, her feet carrying her without instruction. She found this was happening a lot recently. But the Gryffindor was too exhausted and consumed in her own thoughts to care. And so she held tightly onto her bag strap and mulled over her dread for the patrols that night.

A/N: AND SO THE DRAMIONE BEGINS! One more brief appearance from Dean in the next chapter, (when I say brief I mean brief, Hermione's so over that boy now), AND THEN IT'S DRAMIONE GALORE. I'm in such a writing mood I've already wrote two chapters already, dayum girl. Apologies for the wait as I have been on holiday. Regardless, everything's Dramione and nothing hurts.

Don't forget review, good or bad, all feedback is appreciate and really motivates me to continue writing.

Thanks, Amelia x