The corridor was dark as Hermione crept through it, her heart pounding in her chest. In one hand she clutched her wand. In the other was a small mirror. She swallowed heavily, creeping through the shadows. The hairs on the back of her neck raised as a soft slithering noise surrounded her. Closing her eyes tightly, she froze, her breathing ragged. She brought the mirror up to her face and opened her eyes. Golden red glare….darkness…
"Hermione!" Harry's anguished scream echoed through the air as the masked Death Eater raised his wand. Hermione watched in a sort of dazed wonder as the purple spell shot through the air, striking her in the chest. There was a blinding pain, and then darkness…
"No!" she cried, jolting awake. Her sheets were twisted around her legs. She took a deep breath and pushed her damp curls out of her face. Running a shaky hand across her face, she swung her feet out of the bed and stood up, fumbling on her nightstand for her wand. Grasping the smooth wood in her sweaty hand, she made her way to the living room. With a flick, the fireplace filled with warm flames. Grabbing a thick blanket, she pulled her feet up on the couch and stared into the flickering fire. Crookshanks mewed as he hopped up beside her, rubbing his soft orange head against her hand. She patted him gently as the fear from her dreams began to fade away.
"What am I going to do, Crooks?" she murmured. The cat cocked his head at her, yellow eyes keen. He stretched and hopped off the couch, sauntering over to the fireplace. With ease, he jumped onto the mantle and rubbed against a vase. Hermione blinked, staring at the vase, which was filled with withered flowers. The flowers Draco had left. Dry petals were scattered across the mantle, and a few drifted to the floor as her familiar walked across.
She bit her lip, frowning. Draco Malfoy. His arrogant, handsome face flashed across her mind. She remembered the look in his stormy eyes when he saw her and Blaise together.
"He probably hates me," she moaned, burying her face in the blanket. Her cat meowed, licking a paw unconcernedly. "And he should. It was rude of me to stand him up like that. But oh, Crooks, he terrifies me! He's kind one moment, and then a bloody arse the next. I don't know how to act around him."
She sighed deeply. Blaise was safe. He was good looking and charming, always polite. And yet Hermione couldn't get Draco out of her head. She groaned. What was she going to do?
"Draco, mate! Just talk to him!" Theo begged, exasperated. He was sitting in Draco's room, watching him pace around like a caged lion. Adrian lounged across from him, his eyes troubled.
"No."
"It's ridiculous to sever a friendship over a girl. Especially over a girl like that know-it-all mudblood, Granger."
Draco spun around, his eyes flashing. "Do NOT call her that!"
Adrian put a calming hand on the Malfoy heir's arm. "C'mon, Draco. Calm down."
Draco shook him off irritably.
"Zabini knew I wanted her," he growled. "He fucking knew she was mine."
Theo threw up his hands in frustration. "There are plenty of birds out there! You are the heir of the Malfoy family, a pureblood prince! You could have your pick of any beautiful woman! Let Blaise have Granger."
"Why are you so obsessed with her, anyway?" Adrian asked, brushing a lock of hair out of his face. "You were pretty brutal to her in school."
"It doesn't matter," Draco muttered.
There was a clearing of a throat from the doorway.
"A party and I wasn't invited?" Blaise sauntered into the room. Adrian groaned.
Draco's face was shadowed and his voice deadly as he growled. "Leave. Now."
"Look, mate…" Blaise began, but he was cut off as Draco's fist met his face. He stumbled back, blood dripping from his nose. "Why, you little…" He lunged at the pale haired boy, tackling him to the floor.
"She was mine!" Draco snarled, kicking him off and standing over him.
Blaise leapt up lithely, landing a punch to the stomach that had Draco doubled over. "You didn't pursue her like I did!"
"Guys," Theo said, reaching out to grab Draco, who swung around and punched him in the throat. He wheezed, falling down. Adrian sprang forward, lunging for Draco, but Blaise threw a punch at the same time, knocking Adrian back into a dresser. Candles and a vase toppled to the floor.
"I did pursue her!" Draco shouted, knocking Adrian down again as he tried to stand up. Blaise threw a punch at him, which he dodged, but Theo's fist caught him in the ribs.
Blaise growled, kicking Theo in the head. "You don't deserve her!"
Theo groaned from the floor. "She's just a mudblood!" Both Draco and Blaise's feet hit his ribs.
"And you do?" Draco challenged, wiping blood off his lip with the back of his hand.
"Stop it!" Adrian shouted, punching Draco in the face. Theo grabbed Adrian's leg and pulled him down.
"I bloody well deserve her more than you do! You tortured her during school, and oh, yeah! You're family tortured her here!"
Draco swung wildly at Blaise, who ducked. "I fucking love her!"
Blaise froze in shock, and Theo's fist slammed into his stomach, knocking him down. Draco seemed stunned too, and Adrian's punch caught him in the face. He fell to the floor as well, landing in a heap of bloody, angry Slytherin.
They sprawled on one another, breathing heavily. The scent of sweat and blood hung heavy in the air. Suddenly, Blaise began to laugh. Adrian and Theo glanced at each other before bursting into laughter as well. Draco blinked blood out of his eyes, his swollen lips forming a reluctant smile. Soon, all four boys were laughing.
"Draco Malfoy, in love," Adrian chortled. Theo shook his head in amusement.
Blaise grinned at the Malfoy heir, his teeth bloody. "Took you long enough to admit it, mate."
Draco shook his head, chuckling.
"But," Blaise said, his smile fading, "if you mess up, even a little bit…know that I will be there waiting for her."
Draco nodded, his eyes meeting his friend's. After a moment, they all stood up. Theo grabbed his wand, wincing.
"Look at us, purebloods fighting like common muggles."
The boys looked at each other and burst into laughter again. Blaise swung an arm around Draco.
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
Draco looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Go get her."
Draco's eyes lit up and he nodded, pulling away as he Apparated. Blaise looked bemused.
"I would have at least changed first."
Hermione sighed, cuddling deeper into her blanket as the fire died down. Her head was a confusing mess of jumbled thoughts and emotions. She rubbed her eyes wearily and stood up to go back to bed. Before she could get very far, she heard the sharp crack of Apparition and then a loud banging on her front door. Blinking, she walked over and pulled the door open. She stared.
Draco Malfoy stood on her stoop. His clothes were torn and looked as though he had come off worst in a fight with a Blast-Ended Skrewt. His pale hair was mussed and his face bloody. One eye was turning a dark shade of purple, and his lips were split.
"Hermione," he said hoarsely.
"Merlin, Malfoy!" Hermione said, her amber eyes running over him. "What happened? Were you attacked?" Fear made her voice quiver.
"Huh?" Draco blinked, then looked down at himself. "Oh. No. Just had a disagreement with Blaise."
"What?!"
"Hermione, listen," Draco said, his eyes boring into hers. "I've been a git, I know. I'm arrogant, and cruel, and thoughtless."
Hermione nodded.
"But something's changed with me. With us. I…I really like you, Granger. You can be bossy, and a bit mental, honestly. Your hair is a mess, and you're friends with idiots. But you are also sweet, and strong, and fierce. You are a good match for me."
Hermione stared at him, unsure is she ought to be flattered or insulted.
"I am Draco Malfoy," he continued. "I can have any woman I want. I'm rich and handsome."
Hermione arched a brow.
"But," he said hurriedly, "that's the thing, see. I only want one woman. And that's you."
Hermione remained silent, emotions warring within her. Draco shifted uncomfortably.
"Well?" he said, a bit desperately. "Isn't this the part you hug me, or something?"
She stared at him critically. "Well…"
"What?" Draco said. "What do you have to say!" His eyes were pleading.
"Well…"she mused. "I really hope you know some good healing spells, because that is going to be one wicked black eye."
Draco stared at her.
She smirked, stepping back. "Don't just stand there, Malfoy. Let's get you cleaned up."
He stepped forward and grabbed her, pressing his lips to hers. He winced at the pain, but didn't stop. She grabbed his torn shirt and pulled him closer, kissing back. The sharp tang of blood filled her mouth, but she didn't care.
Finally, he pulled away. "So…about those healing spells…"
Hermione could only laugh as she ushered him into her flat, pushing the door closed behind her.
From across the street, the shadowed figure waited until it was apparent they weren't coming back out, and then turned and walked away.