Chapter 8

The next morning in the great hall was odd for Harry, Natalia told him that as much as she would like to hold hands with him and kiss freely she couldn't because as angry as she was at her cousin she felt compelled to at least make it seem like she kept her promise.

"I understand, but you better go to the tree after lunch if that's the only time I'm able to see you I will make it count." Harry said as he kissed Natalia once again behind her ear making her lean against Harry and close her eyes.

"I'm sure you will, dirty boy." Natalia giggled as Harry feigned hurt and his hands fell from her waist. Laughing she wrapped them around her body yet again and kissed him lightly. "Who said I didn't like my boys a little bit dirty?"

The sudden comment threw Harry off and he groaned.

"You're not going to make this easy are you?" She laughed and rested her head in the crook of his neck as they stood at the shoreline of the black lake.

"I'm quite a difficult person I'm told. Sure you can handle me?"

"Not as difficult as me I'm sure."

"We'll just see won't we Mr. Potter?"

"I guess we will Miss Zabini."

"Watch you will be the first one to break and want to show the world the prize you caught." Natalia declared haughtily.

"You are a true Zabini aren't you?" She smiled broadly and nodded.

"Just better, so just you watch, at breakfast tomorrow you'll be dying to be near me and I? I won't blink an eye."

"I believe the one who will be wanting is you." Natalia simply smiled and her lips found their place atop his again.

Yet now watching her from far away as she ate her food on the edge of her table alone quietly and not very happily he would give anything to just sit next to her again.

Feeling eyes upon her Natalia looked up and deep brown met intense green eyes, looking around the room to make sure no one was paying attention to her Natalia sent Harry a great big smile and blew a small kiss to him before looking back down and moving the food on her plate around once again. Looking up she saw Harry mouth the word 'eat' to her, shaking her head and making a face that let him know she didn't very much appreciate the food.

'Don't wanna.' She mouthed back. Yet bit into a piece of toast she had spread strawberry jam and butter onto. Looking at Harry, she saw the smirk on his face and stuck her tongue out at him partially chewed toast and all.

'You're gross.' He mouthed to her and she giggled before putting her head down and ignoring him the rest of the morning, yet she felt his eyes on him and she almost willingly ate half of the food on her plate before getting up and leaving to the courtyard for a few minutes before classes started.

In the hallway she couldn't control the smile that spread across her face at the content feeling in the pit of her stomach, so she almost didn't feel when someone pulled her into an empty classroom forcefully, still in her dazed world she didn't have time to scream or even register who it was that had pulled her into the room. Immediately the other person in the room clamped a hand over her mouth and muffled the late scream to come out of her mouth.

"If your trying to hide the fact the you and Saint Potter are soon to be fuck buddies from Blaise then I suggest you stop flirting with each other from across the room, be glad it was only me who saw, much to my disgust." Natalia stared into the cold dark gray eyes of Draco. She removed his hand from her mouth and responded.

"Well seeing as how he wants nothing to do with me, much like the rest of the family there's no problem is there? What I do with Harry is no one else's business but mine." She huffed. Draco raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest and spat back.

"So why not go back and walk to class with him? I mean honoring Blaise's request doesn't matter much to you does it?" She looked at him ready to fight back his accusations but quickly shut her mouth and glared.

"I hate you." He rolled his eyes.

"Of course you do just as much as you hate Blaise which is why you'll only sneak around with Harry much like you did last night." Eyes shooting wide open Natalia gasped.

"How do you know that?!

"Has he really made you so naïve already? I recall a time when you could feel me looking at you from a mile away what's happened?"

"That was then this is now, Draco I'm not a child Harry is someone who makes me laugh and able to deal with all the stupid wenches who spread rumors who look at me with envy and hate, I don't care what you or Blaise say. I hate being envied I can't stand it when people don't know how to leave me alone let or me live my life. What does my last name matter? Who cares who I associate with?! People should spend more time worrying about themselves and their lives than about what I do." Rolling his eyes at Natalia Draco sat on the teacher's desk.

"You obviously didn't get the memo, no one cares about themselves because they are all so flawed and here they see you, miss pureblood royalty heir to the Zabini fortunes. A girl with poise, personality and charisma it's perfection to them and they hate that a girl like you, someone who's last name is so closely related to the dark lord, who's had a seemingly charmed life in such a beautiful place is here in Hogwarts. They think you're here to make them feel smaller than they already do."

"And why do they think that?!"

"You're here aren't you?" He saw Natalia's face start to turn red with anger and frustration.

"But I don't know them I don't care what they have to say! I came to get away from my "perfect" home with my "charmed" family and wealth! I didn't want to fall for Harry! I didn't come here to make them feel anything I came for me I came because I wanted to see you and Blaise again you two were the only ones that mattered! I'm sorry you guys can't stand Harry but why is it my fault that if you guys can't control me you're not happy?!"

Draco's amusement from watching Natalia breakdown was cut short as he scowled and stood from the desk.

"What are you saying?" After so much of holding it in Natalia let the pain of deception and hurt come out and she told Draco things she had been waiting years to say.

"You know I would have married you gladly that I would have been a loving devoted wife to you because yes I loved you with all my heart, but you treated me much like your father treated your mother. You didn't want a wife you wanted a lapdog you wanted me to be your personal slave faithful to only you while you played around with Pansy and anyone else who may have come along."

Shock was clearly written on Draco's face the issue of their marriage to each other was never discussed again after her father had somehow persuaded Malfoy's father to dismiss their youngest children's betrothment to one another.

"That isn't true." Draco felt his control ebbing away slightly at these truths being thrown at his face.

"Isn't it?" Natalia mocked "I'm lying about how you cheated on me with that insufferable pig faced prostituta(whore)when you were here and I was in Italy? I lie about seeing the scratch marks on your back? The notes in your pockets?"

"So you dug through my things?" He accused, hoping rather lamely to turn the tables on Natalia.

"Voi idiota scopante. (you fucking idiot) you gave me your jackets to make sure I remembered who 'I belonged to' if I remember correctly, you don't know the pain that stabbed me the nights I cried uncontrollably because here I was foolish enough to believe that you loved me and you were out sleeping with anyone willing to spread their legs, I gave you all of me and it wasn't good enough you don't know the misery I felt to know that all of me wasn't anywhere good enough for you that all of me didn't sum up to one of those whores you slept with, and I come here and get ridiculed by the girl's in your house because they knew you were promised to me but you didn't care, and I get taunted and spoken about here in every corridor I feel the eyes on me and yet I walk around head held high because of my 'poise' well you know something Draco? I am sick and tired of having to still be faithful to you while you wave around my face that I didn't mean a damn thing to you." Natalia's body was shaking violently and the tears were falling from her eyes which only angered her more because of all the things she wanted to do to Draco, crying in front of him was not one of them.

"Shut your mouth you don't know what your saying and I won't let you belittle the way I feel about you." Draco warned. Natalia laughed bitterly and pushed Draco forcefully.

"You've never felt an ounce of anything for me, because if you had then I wouldn't have felt the things I felt I wouldn't have done the things I did for your love; your approval is more like it. You don't know what love is Draco I'm sorry if you didn't learn that because I did. And let me tell you what your father did to your poor mother is nothing like love, you think love is feeling worthless? Wanting to die on the inside so you don't feel the pain of what the man you love is doing behind your back? I'm sure you saw the pain in your mother's eyes so why Draco? Why would you do that to me? Wasn't I a friend before a lover? Wasn't I good enough? Did I ever give you any reason to doubt that I loved you with every bit of my heart? What is it that made you have to hurt me like that?"

Draco stayed silent but in his eyes there was a war of emotions raging, anger,guilt, hurt, realization. He merely stared at Natalia as she kept on pushing him forcefully. "I never judged you for the women you slept with after our commitment to each was no longer mandatory and we both chose to go our separate ways, yet here you tell me to break off my relationship with someone other then you just because he isn't someone you get along with?"

"We didn't choose, you did." Draco cited bitterly.

"Actually you chose, you chose for both of us when you laid down in that bed with Pansy for the first time or whoever it was other than me for the first time, that was when you figured I was not good enough to keep you satisfied in any way and that being with someone else was better than spending time with me."

"That's not what happened." Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes she shook her head and laughter of disbelief rang through Draco's ears.

"Please than Draco, explain to me what it is because I have trouble believing that you loved me yet still needed love from someone else."

"It wasn't about love! It was sex, it was carnal it was basic human instinct what do you want from me?!" Draco shouted angrily in Natalia's face as he stood and grabbed her arms shaking her violently. She looked away and willed the tears to stop falling from her eyes to no avail, voice cracking and eyes bloodshot she looked at him again, eyes full of pity and defeat.

"I don't want anything from you anymore Draco I just want to know I can trust you enough not to tell my cousin. If not for me then for him, he wouldn't know what to do if me and 'Saint' Potter were soon to be fuck buddies right?" That said she placed a small kiss on Draco's cheek before walking out of the abandoned classroom and in search of a bathroom to get control over her emotions before stepping foot into DADA, leaving Draco behind in a state of confusion and rage. Neither realizing that their argument had had a third listener.

The rest of the morning went by without incident, Draco took extra long to get to classes and took the halls that were opposite of Natalia's classes, yet he caught sight of her walking next to Harry as they headed towards Divination. He saw the 'look' in Harry's eyes and jealousy tore threw Draco without abandon. He knew he had no right to be jealous this wasn't something he had a say in, but girls like Natalia were rare he knew that he didn't love her yet he didn't want her to love someone else. Did that make him selfish? He knew he didn't love her because the words she spoke were absolutely undeniably true. But she was someone any pureblood would gladly kill for to have her as his lady. Status didn't matter to Natalia she wanted to fall in love, that's why she was so happy to have been betrothed to Draco when they were so young, but in his fourth year Draco made the mistake of losing his virginity to an older Slytherin girl who was in her seventh year and he soon became addicted to sex and by 6th year Draco and Natalia were no longer engaged and for almost the whole year no longer friends. How she had convinced her father to refuse to give Natalia to Draco he never knew but she did and now she was with Harry and Draco was furious. Natalia felt a heated gaze on her and she took a sidelong glance towards Draco before looking down and stepping foot into Trelawny's class the door closing behind her and Harry. Draco didn't feel like going to class any longer and instead headed back toward his dorm and decided to skiv off classes for the day.

--

Ron and Hermione were currently in the Heads' common room on the couch in the middle of an extremely heated 'study' session, where Hermione was teaching Ron the anatomy of the female body it seemed as he had one hand up her partially unbuttoned shirt and the other was caressing her partially exposed thighs. It was when she felt his hands at her knickers that she had to pull away panting for air and moaning slightly.

"Ron stop." She pushed him off of her slightly trying to sit up but couldn't as Ron was still on top of her. Kissing her neck he mumbled.

"Come on 'Mione don't make me stop now we both have a free period to do what we please in here." He kissed a trail down her exposed skin kissing what her bra didn't conceal. She pulled him away finally coming to realize what he thought she had been suggesting when she offered for him to go to her common room to study.

"I said no Ron." Exasperated Ron stood up and ignoring both their disheveled states began arguing.

"What is it now Hermione?! Since we've been back it seems like you don't want me to touch you, I don't get why you bring me up here to shag but stop me once I have a hard on?! Do you think it's a fucking game Hermione messing with my emotions?!"

"Well who would want you to touch them weasel? I mean with your low class, selfish tendencies, and promises that come a little... Short." Malfoy chuckled. "Who wouldn't become ill at the thought of having you touch her, even a lowly mud blood like Granger, she may be vile and beneath the wizarding world, but even she has to have standards." Ron turned scarlet with anger and Hermione stared was equally upset but by the embarrassment of having her argument overheard by Malfoy of all people and by her appearance that would draw to the very true conclusion that they weren't studying.

"You arrogant bloody prat Malfoy no one told you to butt in so get out ferret and leave us to our business! Don't you have a death eater meeting to attend to? Perhaps today you will all go and sacrifice a lamb and bring 'good ol' Voldy' back to lose again!" Before Hermione could react to the statement and scold Ron he was pinned against a wall Draco's hands around his neck cutting off his air passages.

"Don't you ever bloody say that to me again you filthy blood traitor you don't have a fucking clue of what went on during those meetings." Draco put more force into the choke hold he had over Ron and soon the tall boy was turning purple and beginning to struggle less and less.

Finally Hermione came to her senses and grabbed her wand casting a hex at Draco who dropped his death grip on Ron who fell to the floor gasping for breath.

"Have you lost your bloody mind Malfoy?! You could have killed him! Oh my god Ron your bleeding!" Hermione tended to his bleeding nose quickly and Draco stood in front of them and sneered in disgust.

"You pitiful fool, 'the brightest witch of this generation' my arse, you are blind to the fact that he doesn't give a right fuck about you and just his libido." Hermione stared up from Ron and stared at Malfoy in angry confusion.

"What are you rambling on about now Malfoy? I have half a mind to send you straight to headmistress Mconagall for endangering another student and have you suspended for Hogwarts like you should have been long ago!" Malfoy merely rolled his eyes and took great joy in what he said next.

"Say did you ever find your dear Mr. Beasley?" Hermione felt Ron tense up like a board.

"Malfoy." He said through clenched teeth. Draco merely feigned surprise and ignored Ron's what seemed to be pleading to shut up.

"Well let me introduce you at once! John, John!" Draco said in an almost sing song voice. Then locking eyes with Ron a sinister smile came across Malfoy's face. "Why John Beasley! So glad you could make it, I see you've already met Hermione though, does she know of your previous engagements this morning while we were in the great hall for breakfast? Or two weeks ago while you were at 'quidditch practice'? Does she know anything?" Hermione had trouble following and stared at Draco confused, exasperated Draco saw he needed to draw it out for her.

"You nitwit Ron is the Beasley you were looking for!."

"Don't listen to what he says 'Mione you know you can't trust a Malfoy!"

"What exactly would I have to gain from this Weasel? Aside from the satisfaction of having torn your self praising ego apart?" Hermione now staring blankly at Ron who was struggling to find a way out of the situation he had been placed into .

"What is he talking about Ron?" She asked, though in the pit of her stomach she already knew and was beginning to feel ill.

"Nothing 'Mione, just forget what he said, let's go out to the gardens." He helped Hermione to her feet only to have Draco cut them off from their exit.

"Now now Weasel, I can't leave miss Granger only partially informed much like you have since we've been back." He smirked haughtily at Hermione who felt her blood begin to boil.

"What the bloody hell are you trying to tell me Ferret?!"

"It seems your loving boyfriend John Beasley has been sleeping around with the entire school practically, I know for a fact he's already shagged Susan Bones at least once and was more then likely attempting to bed Naomi before you caught them! How does it feel to know you could have caught the love of your life cheating?" Draco tried to sound worried but came out laughing heartily at the look on both the weasel and the mud blood's faces.

Hermione couldn't react she merely closed her eyes then when she opened them looked at Ron.

"Is it true?"

"Hermione I-"

"-No explanations I said is it true?" He looked away from her and hung his head low.

"Your different Hermione, You don't worry about what I need anymore it's only what is wrong with everyone else, it's Harry's problems or school duties, or even Voldemort, who need I remind you is dead! You don't care about us, we don't kiss or make love we don't even hold hands anymore! How many times besides today Hermione how many have we kissed? Don't blame me for having to find love somewhere else."

Inside Draco wanted to pummel the weasel and scream that what he was doing wasn't about looking for love it was about sex, but he wouldn't allow himself to because then they might think he actually gave a damn. Which he didn't he merely understood the situation.

"Get out Ronald, get out and stay away." Was all Hermione said before heading towards the portrait door and opening it for him, it was at this time while Ron was exiting that Draco got a good look at Hermione and the state she was in.

Her hair was all tousled up, making it look like she had had quite a good time before Draco had interrupted them. Her lips looked more plump and inviting then he remembered from having been kissing the Weasel before he came in. Her shirt was untucked and partially unbuttoned giving him a good view of the creamy almost alabaster skin that was hidden by school robes, he also caught a glimpse of the red lace bra peeking through. Rolling his eyes at that particular bit his eyes continued to rove over her body, he caught sight of her long flawless legs and saw the skirt was shorter than the mandatory rule which he didn't mind at all since he saw her smooth thighs as she slammed the door and began to storm to her room but found Draco had blocked her path to it.

"Move Malfoy, You got what you wanted you ruined my year here possibly many years to come for me just get the bloody hell out of my way!" She pushed Malfoy who merely grabbed her wrists placed them over her head and pinned her to the wall nearest them. Hermione was shocked to say the least when his erection pressed into her stomach.

"Get off of me Malfoy!" She cried she feeling the tears in her eyes ready to fall.

Draco didn't know what the hell was going on in his mind all he knew was that when Hermione started to scream the carnal side in him took over and he had to have her, he knew it wouldn't get far so figured he could get the itch off without tainting himself with the dirty mudblood and she would hopefully slap rather kick some sense into him before storming away.

Pressing their bodies flush together Draco reveled in the feelings Hermione struggling against him brought up. She fought to break her wrists free from his hand to no avail and she froze instantaneously when his free hand began to caress her exposed stomach.

"Who knew that a mud blood like you could have such a body? Shame really." His voice was more of a growl and it rumbled down Hermione's body to her toes.

"What are you doing?" Hermione hadn't dared to look into Malfoy's eyes she was doing her hardest to fight him off. Yet now staring at him she saw the storm raging in his eyes, for someone who seemed so cold and unfeeling she saw more than she could pin in his eyes, so many and so intense that it took the breath right out of her and she gasped, leaving her mouth free for Draco to attack.

Which he did he placed his mouth over hers claiming them for his, and to the surprise of the other they were no where near as disgusted as they had fooled themselves to believe. Draco's lips were soft full and highly skilled, while Hermione's tasted of strawberries and Draco felt like melting right into them. It took longer then either knew before Hermione realized again just who it was she was currently locking lips with and she tried meekly to pull him off but he pulled away only to breathe and kiss his way down her neck to her exposed chest pushing down her bra and releasing her wrists so he could massage her breasts while he kissed his way back up to her mouth.

The red lights and sirens went off in Hermione's head and she pushed away Draco with renewed fervor.

"No I said no get away get off of me! I'm a mud blood remember? And your a horrible excuse of a man!" She shoved Malfoy away with all her strength before making a break for her room and Draco caught her just before she made it and they both fell to the floor with Draco on top of her.

"Don't think I'm like the Weasel you may be a mud blood but he said I didn't like to slum it from time to time? Besides a slut like you, I'm sure you'll love it no matter how much you fight." Draco said as he kissed her with a bruising force, Hermione tried to fight the intoxicating kisses Draco placed on her mouth and body, trying to ignore the responses her body made to his expert hands she was crying heavily, she was about to be raped in the place she thought safest. Violated by one of the people she hated most in the world. None of this bothered her to much but the fact that she didn't want to scream and was willing to succumb to him and let him take advantage of her is what scared her.

Can I really let this happen?