[Hermione]

"How did it go?" I was sitting in the Gryffindor Common room at lunchtime with Harry and Ginny. Draco had left me at our Common room telling me he had some things to do. He was acting slightly weird but I didn't want to force anymore out of him for a while.

"Well, I was happy to see my Uncle again but he had to be at work a lot of the time. I am happy to have got to say goodbye to them, I feel like now I can start to move on," I said slowly, looking at the carpet.

"He was at work? So you were alone a lot?" Harry asked with a worried look on his face. Yes, I hadn't told them Draco went with me...yet. "Surely one of us could have come with you?"

I shrugged. "My Uncle has a small apartment so there wouldn't have been any room anyway. Besides, it felt good to have some time to myself." I smiled slightly.

Harry sighed. "But 'Mione, we hardly see you outside of lessons now. You're either in the other common room by yourself or doing Head Girl stuff,"

Ginny nodded in agreement. "We understand your workload is bigger now but we wouldn't mind coming to your common room every now and again to hang out,"

I thought about it, I suppose it would be good. I wanted my friends to see the side of Draco I saw. I felt that he needed friends just as much as I did at the moment. "Yeah, I'd like that. Plus I kind of want you guys to get to know Draco a bit more..." I said quietly.

I could have worn Harry and Ginny's jaws dropped a couple of thousand miles. "What?" They yelled in unison.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Seriously, he's actually really nice and he's helped me quite a lot recently." I paused to look at their stunned faces. "Please guys, it would mean a lot to me." I added.

The look on their faces told me they weren't very happy about it. "If it makes you feel any better, you can think about it. You need to get to lesson anyway," I said standing up. I waved a small goodbye and left, kind of annoyed.

It wasn't as if I was asking them to marry the guy, I just wanted them to get along. I had decided that what happened with Draco was a good thing. We were becoming friends which was what I wanted. I mean, you don't show someone something like a Dark Mark who obviously doesn't mean something to you.

I made my way to the library, deciding to read more these 'Red Children'. I frowned slightly as I walked through the doors when I realised that I didn't know who the author was and I didn't particularly wanted to ask the librarian. I decided to try the index in the corner and scanned through the fictional books quickly.
I found a few volumes of fairytales and legends so I just decided to get them. They were big, old dusty volumes that were quite heavy. I dropped them on a table in the corner, creating quite a bit of noise, I glanced around expecting to see the librarian give me her disapproving glare but she was nowhere in sight.

I shrugged and sat down, flicking through the three volumes, hoping it wouldn't take too long.

Wizard fairytales were quite different to the ones I was read when I was young but they were as equally enchanting.

Within half an hour, I had found 'The Red Children'. I was happy the title wasn't in Latin again as I had completely forgotten it and Draco wasn't around. I took the book over to the front desk and checked it out. In no time I was back in my own Common room, sat on the comfy red armchairs with the book.

The story was basically the same as the one Draco had told me except in more detail and a few gruesome changes. The book described the children to be demons, a plague sent by the devil himself to curse the children of the gods. They ate the flesh of their prey and feasted in their souls.

I had to put the book down eventually, finding the details a bit too horrific for my liking. I went to put the book out of the way in my room and wondered where Draco was. I knocked softly on his bedroom door.

"Come in," I heard his reply. I entered to see him putting a few things away in his dresser. His hair was slightly ruffled but still hung over his eyes in the way it always did. He had changed his clothes since this morning and was now wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black jeans.

I felt my eyes wander to his left forearm where I saw the faint outline of the Dark Mark. I felt Draco follow my gaze as his hand came and covered it.

"Please don't," He muttered. "I'd rather you didn't see it," He said turning his back on me and walking to retrieve his wand. He turned back to me after the Mark had been completely covered and sat down on the bed.

I went and sat next to him, taking his warm hands in mine. "I know it was hard for you to tell me about it," I began, stroking his wrist gently. "But I am glad you did. It makes me happy knowing that you trust me. But, you don't need to hide it."

Draco opened his mouth in protest but I cut in to stop him. "Just hear me out please. It's part of who you are. I'm not saying you're a dark wizard but, the Dark Mark shows your past and I don't think it's something anyone should hide,"

Draco cupped my chin with his hand. "If you're going to be like that then know this. All the Mark represents is the evil and hatred that controlled most of my life." He took my hand and traced the scar on his opposite arm from the night we came back. "This shows how you helped me over come something and," Draco paused and he looked down at my hand which stroked his arm.

"This is going to also show how I helped you overcome something far bigger than us both," I whispered. I moved my fingers over the patch of skin where his mark was. It felt cooler than the rest of his skin. My mind went back to the previous night, it had burned my skin when I touched it, obviously, it was undisturbed right now.

"You can believe in me Draco. I want to help you." I whispered running my finger gently over the Mark. He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, leaning his head on my shoulder. I put my arms around him and rested my chin on his shoulder, rubbing his back.

"Thank you." I heard his whisper. I pulled my head away so our cheeks brushed against each other. I felt my heart pound as I inhaled his sweet scent. His eyes were closed and his brow was creased, lips pulled in to a thin line. I lifted my hand up slowly and traced the outline of his lips with my thumb. I felt them quiver at my touch but he pulled away.

I tried to not look disappointed but I knew it would be inappropriate right now.

"What did you do earlier?" I asked distracting myself.

"I went to see the Headmaster," Draco said lying back on his bed. I glanced at him but my eyes were drawn to the pale line of skin his pulled up shirt bared and I knew exactly where it would lead...

"Hmm?" I asked shaking myself mentally and tried to catch my breath back.

"I'm leaving after dinner to go see my father. I'll be back early hours of the morning for first lesson so I won't miss anything," I was finding it hard to process what he told me.

"You're leaving?" I asked, unable to hide the sadness in my voice. He smiled slowly and reached up to caress my cheek.

"It will only be overnight, sorry."

"What's there to be sorry for? You have to do what you need to," I said.

"Will you be okay?" He asked, concern clouding his eyes.

I smiled in to the palm of his hand. "I'll be fine, like you said, it's only overnight. I took a book from the library earlier anyway, that'll entertain me." Draco smiled slightly and I felt happy to see him smile. "You're so beautiful when you smile," I muttered. Draco wasn't looking in my direction so when he turned his head to question what I had said, I just shook my head and turned away, blushing violently.

I heard Draco laugh behind me. "I'll ignore the fact that I can see you turning the colour of a strawberry through the mirror," My eyes widened as I looked up at the mirror to see Draco grinning at me from behind. He let him pull me back and I buried my face in to the bed.

"Oh my god," My voice muffled.

Draco laughed again, his voice sounding godly. "Don't worry, I find it cute," He said moving my hair out of the way. "You're a great friend, I feel so much better," I turned my face away from the bed to see Draco leaning over me. I felt my heart twinge slightly at the word friend but I knew, that was all I would ever mean, no amount of kisses would change that. Friends was all I would ever be to a boy.

"I'm glad," I smiled. Friends was good enough for me.

**

[Draco]

Draco spent dinner with his mind somewhere else and Blaise was getting annoyed.

"Uh, hello? Earth to Draco?" He said, waving his hand in front of Draco's face for what seemed the millionth time.

"Hmm? What?" Draco asked looking over to his friend.

"What's wrong with you? You've been out of it since dinner started. I bet you haven't even been listening to me." Blaise complained.

"I am sorry, I'm just distracted..." Draco said, glancing over to the Gryffindor table.

"Is it your...mark?" Blaise asked in hushed tones. Blaise was Draco's best friend and he knew damned well about the situation with the Dark Mark. Draco shook his head and set his fork down next to his untouched food. "Then what? I hate guessing," Blaise demanded.

"I have a friend and he asked me for advice on a girl but I don't know what to tell him," Draco said glancing across the hall again.

"Let's call him Drake," Blaise grinned.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah whatever, well he really likes this girl as in, more than friends but they never used to get along and he thinks that she wouldn't like to be more than friends because of all the horrible things he did to her. What should he do?" Draco asked.

"To be honest, I think you should tell Hermione straight out. I mean, if she hasn't guessed by now, she isn't as smart as everyone makes out," Blaise said taking a muffin from one of the plates in front of them.

"Excuse me, this is my friend we're on about. Not me," Draco protested.

Blaise sighed and rolled his eyes. "Draco, I'm your best friend. I know damn well you like her. I can see it in your eyes the way you look at her." Draco scowled at Blaise.

"Don't give me that look; it makes you look oh-so-ugly." He grinned. "So, what are you going to do?"

Draco sighed and glanced at Hermione. Everyone else seemed to disappear as he found her voice through the hundreds of other people, her laughter ringing like an Angels.

"I don't know. It's her birthday tomorrow so I was going to get her something but I would have no idea what to get her," Draco's face fell slightly. "But it won't even matter, I'm going home tonight. I need to speak to my father,"

Blaise saw anger and sadness pass over Draco's eyes and decided not to press any further. "How are you getting back? Floo?"

Draco nodded. He used to do it a lot last year when he wanted to get away. Snape allowed him to use the fireplace in his office whenever he needed it. Whether it still applied now or not, Draco didn't know.

He glanced at his watch. "Okay, I'm going to go now. See you tomorrow," Draco stood and waved slightly to Blaise.

"Good luck!" He waved after Draco. 'I'll need it' He thought.

**

Draco took a deep breath and knocked on Snape's door.

"Enter." His dull voice came. Draco opened the door and stood awkwardly in the frame. "Yes?" Snape asked without even looking up.

"Can I use your fireplace? There's something I need to talk to my father about." Draco said trying to keep his voice calm. "I'll be back tomorrow morning before lessons." He added hoping it would help him.

Snape looked up and snapped the book shut he was writing it. He stood and shoved the book in Draco's face. "Give that to your father. Go." Draco knew it was best not to ask and just did as he was told, taking a pinch of Floo power and stepping in to the fireplace, stating his destination very clearly.

The flames licked at his feet as he was shot up the fireplace, the green flames hurting his eyes. Draco kept an eye out until he saw the familiarity of his father's study.

Draco stepped through and dusted the ash off of his cloak. "Father."

Lucius rose from his leather chair, a small shocked look on his face. "Draco? Why are you here?" His face furrowed for a moment. "Why didn't you come yesterday?" He didn't look angry; worried would be a better description.

"I was with her." Draco said flatly. Lucius' expression softened slightly.

"It is good to see you are devoted to your task but, you must come when the Dark Lord calls you or you will be punished. He decided to overlook this one time," He said with serious tones.

Draco shook his head as if to cast the matter aside and took his cloak and jumper off. "I need to know something." Lucius looked confused as Draco took off his shirt. Draco turned to bear the scars on his back. "When did I get these?"

Lucius stayed silent as he walked closer. Draco felt his cold hands run over the right scar. "When you were born. They had to operate on your spine. You could have died." Lucius sounded short and almost uncertain.

"Why have I never noticed them before then?"Draco demanded.

"It was a long time ago Draco. They are barely noticeable now." Lucius snapped. "You can only really seem then in certain lights anyway," Draco felt his shirt being thrown at him. He turned and bent to pick it up. He watched his father cross the room to the drinks cabinet and pour himself a very generous whiskey.

"We're clearing out you're mothers studio tomorrow. The Dark Lord would like to use it for his own purposes." Lucius said quietly. Before Draco knew what he was doing, he had taken the glass from his father and slammed it against the wall.

Rage was seething from every cell. He could feel the blood spill from a few cuts as he took his hand from the shattered mess a few inches from his father's head. "You don't touch her things. I'll do it." Draco scowled through gritted teeth. He saw the Dark Mark fade through his skin slightly. He cast a dark look from it to his father and stormed out.

As he walked, he pulled the small shard from his palm and threw it on the floor as he took big strides to the second floor. He stood outside the mahogany doors taking deep breaths, hand lingering on the cold handle.

The creaking door echoed across the dark room. Everything was laden in dust and small spider webs. Draco's footsteps were quiet compared to the hammering of his heart. He sighed and slung his shirt over the armchair, proceeding further in to the room. There were sheets over the large canvasses she used to paint, the furniture and her desk. He pulled one off a tall easel and gasped.

He saw himself, standing in a meadow, bare-chested, arms spread out. Draco didn't realise his mother was such a good artist but it wasn't the talent that shocked him, it was the massive wings coming out of his shoulders.

Draco felt the breeze rush gently under the door to caress the scars on his back. He felt his face pull in to a frown of confusion.

"What.."

He turned to the easel next to it and pulled of the sheet. This one showed him in the same meadow, kneeling in front of other angels, their beautiful faces shrouded with anger and disappointment as they looked down at him. He felt his heart began to thud in his chest and he tore the sheet off the next easel. A horrific sight met his eyes as he saw the angels rip off the wings, he ran to the next one to see him falling to a fiery landscape.

Draco's breathing increased as he looked through the many canvas' leaning against the walls, all showed him either with wings looking majestic and powerful or him in the fiery wastelands being suffocated by darkness.

He looked up to the long walls, averting his eyes from the pictures. He regretted it instantly as déjà vu took over. The sketch his mother had drawn in her bedroom had been re-drawn here, and this time, he knew who it was. He was with a girl leaning against the tree, to the right; he stood watching her burn, to the left, he was protecting her against the fire.

The more he stared at the sketches of the girl, the more they reminded him of someone...He backed away from the wall slowly, bumping in to the desk behind him. He felt the cool wood against his fingertips as he slid his fingers around to find the drawers.

He took a good guess at what he would find in her sketch books. He pulled the draw out and looked down, it was filled with pieces of worn parchment. Draco raised an eyebrow slightly as he pulled out her scrap book and flicked through.

It was slightly different to what he expected, but still shocking. This one was full of sketches of Hermione, well a girl that looked like Hermione. The first half were horrific. Her features were horrific and there were a few where she attacked a man with her bare hands, ripping at his flesh. As he looked further though, she began less violent and more happy. Towards the end, she was drawn with the person that looked like Draco, her face as beautiful as ever.

Draco dropped the book and breathed. He saw himself in the mirror on the opposite wall, the glass cracked in several places. He walked over, his pale skin glowing in the moonlight. He turned slowly to look at the shiny scars on his back. He stared at them for a few moments before glancing over to the painting of 'him' on the wasteland, facing away and walking towards the darkness.

A/N I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far! Please R&R :)