Ch. 7 Passion and Danger

Hermione changed out of her robes and brought some of her books out to the common area. She sat them down on the desk. She was expecting Blaise at any moment. Her interest was piqued. She wondered just what the slytherin boy really wanted. Blaise had never really been on her radar partly because of his house partly because of his friends. She wondered if she'd lost her mind in agreeing to help him in any way.

She'd practically had to force Harry and Ron to practice because they were trying to accompany her back to her room determined to sit in with her and Blaise. She'd told them that she could take care of herself and that there was nothing that Blaise Zabini could do to her that she couldn't very well do to him.

She went out the door and past the portrait. She saw him heading down the hall towards her and she felt slightly nervous. I wonder how this is going to go,' she thought. When he reached her Blaise held out his hand to her with a smile. She looked down at it curiously.

"I thought we'd start off fresh. Hi, I'm Blaise Zabini."

His smile was very charming and highlighted his handsome face. It was obvious to her that he was used to girls falling all over themselves for him, no wonder he and Malfoy were friends. She took his hand hesitantly.

"Um, hi. Hermione Granger," she gave a tentative smile.

He grasped her hand in his and shook it lingering a bit too long before he finally let it go. He eyed the stairs past the portrait.

"Can I come in?"

"Oh! Yes. Of course."

She turned and went up the stairs and passed the top door. She motioned to the books at the table.

"What exactly are you struggling with?"

He shrugged.

"The way Rudma explains things are a bit complicated. I really need help on the homework we're supposed to do for next week."

She nodded and sat down at the table motioning for him to sit across from her. Instead of taking the opposite seat he sat down next to her and scooted his chair so close that they were bumping elbows. She gave him a wobbly smile and reached for her Potions book. This was going to be interesting. An hour and a half later she'd discovered Blaise really did need help in Potions, that part he wasn't lying about. He also kept leering down her shirt and quickly looking away. Hermione had blushed every time that she'd caught him looking. So far though, he'd actually listened to her explain and seemed to be improving in answering the questions that Rudma had given them.

She'd also been eying him, not because she was attracted to him, although he was very good looking, but because she'd spent so many years in opposition to all slytherins that sitting here with one now caused her to study him. He sort of reminded her of a slick arrogant Harry. For some reason seeing him act like an average boy was enlightening to her. She'd expected all slytherins to be horrid in every thing that they said and did, which they usually were, but Blaise was obviously making an effort.

She wondered how things would be if the Gryffindors and Slytherins united. She mentally shook her head, that would never happen. Even if she was helping one slytherin with their homework nothing was changing or was going to change.

All the while she'd been flipping through pages and explaining ingredients to certain recipes she'd unconsciously eyed the door expecting Malfoy to saunter in with his trademark grin. Since they spent so much time together she'd grown accustomed to seeing him even expectant of it. This afternoon he was nowhere to be found. She wondered if he'd had Quidditch practice. She knew everyone was trying to get in as much practice as possible before the season started.

They hadn't been patrolling the night before and she'd found herself missing walking the halls with the blond boy, even if it was in silence. She'd come to enjoy those silent walks. Oddly enough walking the halls with Malfoy beside her was relaxing. Their silence was never uncomfortable and his tall solid form beside her had made her feel safe in a time where sometimes she felt like she'd jump out of her skin because she was so on edge.

"Are you going to Hogsmeade this Saturday?"

She stumbled out of her thoughts and gazed at Blaise.

"I think so. Are you?"

Blaise nodded his eyes intently watching hers. He looked distinctly nervous.

"Yes. Are you going with anyone?"

He was asking her about Hogsmeade.......She realized where he was going with this and became instantly uncomfortable. There was no way he was going to ask her out. No way. But the look on his face said it all. This seemed to be the sole reason he'd asked her for tutoring.

"I was wondering....,"

She held her breath hoping that he would forget what he was going to say or suddenly realize who he was talking too. 'Doesn't he know I'm a mudblood?' she thought. He opened his mouth again and before he could say anything else the door behind them shut. She turned quickly around in her seat to look at Malfoy. He was carrying his broom and his hair was matted to his head with sweat. He looked at them scowling. He gave Blaise the look of death. What is that about?

She glanced at Blaise who looked nonchalantly at Malfoy. He looked mildly irritated by the interruption though. Malfoy swept his hair back and he looked like he used to when they were younger, his hair slicked back. Hermione was grateful for the interruption and she immediately stood up from her seat.

"Well, I guess that's it for today. Just remember that blow-worms always react badly to pipsley leaves."

Blaise's face fell and he stood up gathering his books. Malfoy was still giving him the look of death but he seemed to be ignoring him. Hermione handed him the last book on the table and shocking her, and no doubt Malfoy, he leaned in and kissed her cheek before she knew what was happening.

"Thanks Hermione. I really appreciate it. You've been a big help. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

He gave her a grin and strode past Malfoy out of the door. Once again she found Malfoy looking as if he wanted to hex his own friend. What was his problem? Did he really expect to control his friends? Obviously Blaise had nothing against her being a muggle born or at least he pretended not too but Malfoy appeared to hate him for it.

He set his broom against the wall and turned his glower to her. They stood for several moments like that, Malfoy looking pissed and Hermione looking at him as if he'd gone mad.

"Is there a problem Malfoy?"

He gritted his teeth.

"Yes. You are my problem."

She rolled her eyes and started to walk past him. He grabbed her arm and she looked down at his hand shocked. He seemed almost as shocked as her and quickly released her. His face seemed to lose some of its anger and took a step back. Their bodies were far too close for comfort.

"What are you doing Granger?"

She blinked, "What am I doing? What are you doing?"

He eyed the door.

"Do you really think Blaise needs help with his homework?" he asked snidely.

"He did. I helped him. What's it to you Malfoy?"

He turned to her his eyes hot.

"You're incredibly naive."

She crossed her arms and his eyes flickered momentarily downward. It felt as if her entire body screamed in response. It was nothing like when Blaise had been looking at her. Her body seemed to come alive under his gaze, her flesh heating.

"How exactly am I naive and why does it matter to you?"

He took a step towards her invading her space and she stood her ground leaning upwards to look in his stormy gray eyes.

"Blaise Zabini wants to get into your pants not into your mind," he growled.

She felt her face grow hot but she wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

"Blaise is a slytherin, a pureblood," she explained stupidly.

He shook his head.

"Do you think he gives a damn? To him you're just a girl."

She felt herself grow irritated. 'Why can't I just be a girl to you?' she thought.

"And that's a bad thing?"

His gaze became more furious.

"Do you even know what he wants to do to you? What most of these guys here would like to do to you?" he leaned his head towards her his voice becoming low, "Do you know what I would like to do to you?"

She felt her eyes flutter and her breath become short. He was looking at her as if he was going to kiss her. She backed back and he moved with her. For every step she took backwards he took one forward until she felt the wall. She had nowhere else to go.

"Malfoy," she breathed.

Her voice was strange to her own ears. It was low and throaty. She felt like she was running a fever because her entire body was scorching hot. She almost began to pant when he placed his hands on the wall caging her in. His eyes became smoky and he leaned his head down.

"Granger. You're a filthy mudblood."

She felt the rage slowly build turning her skin into a fever pitch.

"You're nothing but an uncouth miserable pureblood. No better than a barbarian."

She put her hands against his chest to push him away and she felt the hard confines of his muscles beneath his robes. He grabbed her hand and held it in his caressing her. She was at a loss for words for possibly the first time in her life.. His skin rubbing hers in a circular motion was driving her crazy.

"W-what are you doing, Malfoy?" she stammered.

"I hate you."

His words were potent but there was no vehemence in his voice. The way he'd said it was almost as an endearment.

"I hate you too."

He nodded, "Good."

His lips came crashing down on hers. She gasped into his mouth and his tongue found entry. His mouth moved over hers possessively and she was kissing him back with equal passion. She moaned and fisted her hands in his hair. He moaned and pulled her against him leaving no space between their bodies.

She vaguely acknowledged his desire for her, hot and hard against her stomach and she marveled at the fact that she, Hermione Granger, was able to illicit such a strong emotion from Draco Malfoy. They were both like two people who had been starving in a desert only to happen upon a oasis. Once their lips had touched it was as if a fire had been started and neither had the strength nor the will to put it out. One of his hands were possessively on her back making sure that they kept close contact and his other was in her hair.

She'd never known a kiss could bring so much pleasure. She was practically bursting with need and explored his mouth hungrily. His mouth slid to her throat and began to nip and suck. She breathed heavily clinging to him her eyes momentarily rolling in the back of her head when a loud THWACK sounded off to the side of them. They jumped apart as if doused in cold water.

She looked at him her eyes still hazy from their passion. He was breathing hard and still looking as if he wanted nothing more than to claim her mouth with his. They both looked to see what had caused the noise and noticed his broom laying on the floor. It had slid from the wall as they'd kissed as if to get their attention.

Malfoy walked over and bent down to pick it up. He gazed at it for the longest moment before turning to her. She was shocked to say the least that she'd just kissed Draco Malfoy. She was awaiting for the ground to open up and swallow her whole but it hadn't and she knew that it wouldn't. Even though this had confused things considerably she didn't regret it, in fact she was sure that she looked the exact same as Malfoy. Thirsty for more.

She was weary though waiting for the insults that she felt would come. How would he feel now that he'd actually lowered himself to 'consort' with a mudblood. Maybe he'd make some snide comment about having to wash out his mouth or accuse her of jumping on him. She waited and still he did nothing but stare at her his eyes flickering to her mouth. With what seemed like an eternity later he turned and walked into his room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

She stood stunned still not trusting herself to move. The unthinkable had just happened and she had no idea what to do. Worst yet, she wanted it to happen again. And again. And again.

Saturday had rolled around again and everyone was preparing to go to Hogsmeade. Hermione hadn't needed to assist Blaise after the first day since they'd went through the entire week's assignments but he'd given her meaningful looks more than once. She tried her best to ignore and pretend she didn't know what he wanted. All she could think about was Malfoy.

The kiss they'd shared had set her soul on fire and she'd been consumed with thoughts of him. Their patrols had become tension filled as they'd both kept the silence. Neither had spoken a word to each other since the incident. She had no idea if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

She'd felt guilty in Harry and Ron's presence. While they were discussing pertinent matters she'd found her thoughts straying and thinking about the enemy. She'd tried to convince herself in every way possible to forget the kiss and how he made her felt. He was the enemy and was most likely a death eater or being groomed to be one. Having any interest in him was not only pointless and ridiculous it was traitorous. What would everyone think if they realized that Hermione Granger was dying for Draco Malfoy to kiss her?

She could almost see Harry and Ron's shocked expressions. She also wondered about what it must have cost Malfoy in the same position as her. His father would probably disown him or worse.

When Ginny came to her dorm to round her up for the trip she'd declined and said that she'd just stay inside and read. Ginny had tried to convince her to go out and she'd just shook her head. Ginny had finally gave up and left and she'd curled herself up on the couch and began reading. It was a muggle book, a mystery, and it kept her chaotic thoughts preoccupied.

Soon enough the day had started to slip away and she could see the sun beginning to set through the large floor-to-ceiling window. She'd almost finished her book when she found herself starting to doze off. It seemed like she'd only closed her eyes for a moment when she'd heard a door click shut and she opened an eye to see if Malfoy was leaving his room. She hadn't heard him come in and had assumed that he was gone to Hogsmeade just like everyone else. Had he been in his room all day? The thought was preposterous but she could see out of the corner of her eye that he looked slightly frazzled and disheveled. She'd never seen Malfoy anything but immaculate in appearance but he looked tired and drained as if he had a heavy task ahead of him.

She immediately closed her eye when she saw him notice her on the couch. She tried to relax and began breathing deeply as a person would when asleep. She heard his footsteps and expected them to head towards the door but they moved silently towards her. She almost stopped breathing when she felt him standing over her. She wondered what he was going to do.

She felt herself still with shock when she felt something warm being draped over her. A blanket? She fought the urge to open her eyes and look at him. Her heart was beating rapidly and she feared he would hear the heavy rhythm in her chest. It's as if he stood there for an eternity just watching her when he finally turned to go. She heard the door shut behind him and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

She slowly sat up with her hand on her heart. What was happening between them? More importantly, why wasn't she trying to stop it?

The first game of Quidditch was only a few days away and to say that everyone was perplexed was to put it mildly. It was as if everyone was focusing their sole attention on the game just so they wouldn't think of anything else. It was a nice distraction and Hermione wasn't about to begrudge any of her friends a reprieve Harry and Estrella had officially begun seeing each other and Hermione had seen less and less of Harry the past week but as long as he was happy so was she. Ron was a bit miffed about it but still understanding. Ginny was completely devastated although she didn't let anyone see it. She had visited Hermione's room one night and broken down and cried.

Hermione could do nothing but hug and comfort her as best she could and hope that somehow things would work out for everybody. The few times that she, Harry, and Ron had spent together she'd learned that Harry had been hearing the voice more and more frequently. They hadn't been able to tell Dumbledore anything sine he'd been gone since that night he'd told them about Voldemort's escapades. McGonogall had been left watch over the school until his impending return.

She and Malfoy were still pretending the other didn't exist. She felt like something huge was happening between them but didn't quite understand it herself. Just the thought of their kiss or how he'd covered her when he thought she'd been sleeping made her shiver and heat up all at once. She'd found herself wanting so badly to speak to him to ask exactly what was going on in that secretive mind of his.

She'd been tossing and turning from one of her nightmares a few days ago and had gotten up. She'd caught Malfoy leaving their room and she'd wondered then where exactly it was he was going. He'd left at one in the morning and came back at roughly around three or four. She'd waited up for him since she couldn't sleep herself. He'd entered looking steely and blank faced his shoulders slouched not noticing her peeping through her door at him.

Every night he'd carried on like that leaving for several hours and returning even more somber than before. She had no idea how he was able to attend class in the mornings with so little sleep. He would always be as immaculate and smirking as usual though and his grades hadn't slipped at all.

One night to her alarm he'd come in limping his face trying to conceal the pain he was in. She'd almost ran out to him but instead kept her stance fear weighing in her heart. She'd begun to worry incessantly about him until a thought had hit her like a sack of bricks. What if he was a part of those who were killing muggles? What if he was sneaking out at night to play the part of a murderer? She'd grown furious instead and was planning to see just exactly what Draco Malfoy did when he sneaked away in the night.

She'd been waiting in her room reading, her ears sensitive to the door across from hers. She'd almost dozed off when she heard a soft click that was barely audible. She dropped her book, grabbed her wand, and slipped on her shoes. She slowly pulled open her door and saw Malfoy sliding out of the room. She shut her door behind her and followed him.

She was careful that he didn't see her and kept a considerable distance between them. His stride was quick and long and she had to practically jog to keep up which made staying hidden that much harder. She followed him outside and she silently cursed herself for not bringing a light pullover or at least worn her robes. She had on a simple blue t-shirt and black jeans and the fall air had started to kick in making goosebumps appear on her flesh.

She hugged herself and hid behind a tree as Malfoy strode into the Forbidden Forest. She was debating if she should go further. She knew this was dangerous especially on her own. Harry nor Ron knew where she was and couldn't come to her rescue if needed. For all she knew she could be walking into a gathering of Death Eaters or worse Dementors. She shivered at the thought. Malfoy's silvery form disappeared into the pitch black arena of trees and she made up her mind. She was going to follow him. If he was helping Voldemort she needed to warn her friends because that meant that they were all in direct danger.

She gathered her courage and stepped into the trees and saw Malfoy disappear behind one 20 feet or so ahead of her. She hurried to catch up and tried her best to ignore the eerie setting around her. The Forbidden Forest was alive in a completely demented sense. Every thing that walked or crawled seemed to emit malevolent feelings and she felt as if something or someone was watching her.

She'd continued on, hurriedly, before she'd realized that she didn't see Malfoy anymore. All she saw was dead gnarled trees barely visible in the darkness. The moon filtered through and was her only source of light. She would have made a light with her wand but didn't want unnecessary attention. She searched around her hoping to catch where he'd gone but could hear nothing but the wind rustling the scrawny branches on many of the trees.

She took a step in the direction to her right hoping that it was the way back to her dorm. At the moment she couldn't think of the spell that directed you home, sort of like a compass. Her teeth clattered slightly as she walked. She felt completely uneasy but refused to let fear consume her knowing that she'd panic if it did.

She'd been walking for several minutes when she noticed that she didn't recognize her surroundings. She seemed to be standing in a lush clearing which was very uncharacteristic with everything else she'd seen of the forest. The grass beneath her feet was thick and felt more like a cushion than the ground. She gazed around her trying to figure out just where to go when she heard a snarl behind her.

She froze. Time seemed to stop as did her breathing. She swallowed and then turned slowly around praying that she wouldn't find what she thought was behind her. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head when she saw a wolf, it's snarling mouth highlighted by the moon. It's eyes were yellow and practically glowing in the dark and the teeth were like knives hanging over it's hairy lips.

This wasn't an ordinary wolf she could tell upon closer inspection. She had a quick thought of Remus Lupin, her old professor and fellow member of the Order. She felt herself grow faint when she realized that it was indeed a werewolf in front of her. The wolf wasn't but 50 feet away but she she knew how quick they were. She could try to turn and run but it would catch up to her in only a matter of seconds. The only alternative she had was her wand and she was so still that she didn't want to disturb the beast in front of her by reaching for it.

She felt like the biggest idiot in the world. She was going to be eaten in the Forbidden Forest by a werewolf and no one would ever know. Or she'd end up bitten and become a werewolf herself cursed for the rest of her life.

She slowly reached for her wand and the werewolf's mouth opened farther his growls becoming more menacing. Her hand froze and the creature pawed the ground as if it was testing it's strength. Suddenly it's jaws opened wide and howled. The sound chilled her to the bone and she took the opportunity to grab her wand. As if sensing her being armed the werewolf leaned back on its hind legs and began galloping towards her.

"Expelliarmus!" she shouted.

The charm hit the werewolf and it fell down disabled for the moment. She swallowed thickly and lowered her wand. She eyed the creature in shock. She took a tentative step forward and then the creatures head was up growling at her even more fiercely than before.

She took off running not knowing or caring where she was going or where she'd end up just so long as it was far away from the menacing creature behind her. Another howl sounded off in the distant and she had no idea if it was the same one or if others were gathering hoping to find prey.

She heard the wolf behind her and could practically feel the hot saliva on her neck when she heard a voice yell, "Expelliarmus!" and a thud at her back.

She kept running her lungs about to burst. She heard footsteps behind her and quickened her pace. She could tell the footsteps were gaining on her because they were nearly at her back and she felt the same terror that she'd experienced only a moment ago when the werewolf had nearly had her for lunch.

She felt strong arms wrap around her and she screamed. The arms wrapped tightly around her almost falling with her before righting themselves. She tried to push out of their grip but it only became tighter. She tried to reach for her wand but whoever had her kept her arms pinned to the sides and spun her around.

"Shhhhh! It's just me Granger!"

She was struggling and finally focused on the face in front of her. Malfoy!

"Malfoy," she breathed, "Werewolf....th....there's a....a.....werewolf," she barely got out.

He nodded solemnly, "I know. We have to go. Now!"

He grabbed her arm and began to run to the left of them. She'd obviously been going in the wrong direction, from the looks of it she'd been going deeper into the forest. He held on to her hand tightly as he guided her out of the forest. They heard a growl behind them and Malfoy turned spinning her behind him.

His head swiveled around trying to locate the werewolf. Hermione held tightly onto his arm searching around as well. The growl came again and he pushed her behind him.

"Keep going back that way. You'll find your way out," he said lowly.

She blinked and glanced behind her wanting so badly to be back in her dorm. She turned back to him. His back was to her and he was still searching around for the growls that seemed to get closer with every second. She was tempted to do just what he said but there was no way she was going to leave him alone to fend off a werewolf especially not after he saved her life moments ago. She tightened her grip on his arm and pulled her wand from her pocket preparing to defend. His head turned to the side and in the moonlight he looked fierce and handsome.

"What the bloody hell are you still doing here Granger?" his voice was incredulous.

She sidled her body closer to his until she was practically pressed against him.

"I'm not leaving you out here alone."

She could feel rather than see him roll his eyes.

"This isn't the time to play the brave Gryffindor," his head twitched to the side, "Go now Granger."

She shook her head.

"I'm not going anywhere. Not unless you go with me."

Before he could reply angrily they heard something rushing at them and she felt herself falling to the ground as Malfoy pushed her out of the way. She heard an 'Expelliarmus' and saw a burst of light out of the corner of her eye. Her wand had fallen out of her hand and she searched around on the ground for it. Her fingers finally closed around on it when she felt Malfoy roughly pull her up. He grabbed her hand and began to run again.

She looked back for a second to see the werewolf lying on its side disabled yet again. She was tripping over herself trying to keep up with him but he wouldn't slow down and he wouldn't let go of her hand either. The trees they rushed past seemed to be never ending and she thought her lungs would burst. She felt as if she'd been running forever when they finally reached the edge of the woods. Unfortunately the wolf was awoke again and she could hear it howling behind them it's paws hitting the ground with tremendous force as it propelled itself after them.

Malfoy shot another Expelliarmus behind him and it must have hit its target because she heard another dull thud and the howling ceased momentarily. He pushed her through the clearing and she thought that she would be able to rest for a second but he kept running. She was surely going to pass out when they'd finally reached the side door to the school she'd followed him out of earlier. He quickly opened the door and pushed her inside before coming in himself. He grabbed her hand again and pulled her down the halls past winding corridors before they were in front of the portrait to their dorms.

He whispered the password, "Inter-house unity," and dragged her inside. Her entire body was aching from exhaustion and when they entered the common area she broke out of his grasp and fell on to the couch. Her eyes closed and she took several deep breaths before opening them again. Malfoy seemed to be trying to compose himself as well. He was breathing heavily watching her intently.

"Have you gone insane?" he was still out of breath and his words were laced with anger.

She didn't have the strength at the moment to argue or even disagree. She had gone insane. Following Malfoy around had proven to be not only an exercise in futility but deadly as well.

"What were you thinking?" he began to shout, "Do you know what could have happened to you just now?"

She watched him saying nothing.

"You were following me," his words were more of a statement than a question but still he looked slightly puzzled.

Still she said nothing.

"You were almost torn to shreds because you were following me," he seemed to say in wonderment and then his face almost looked sad.

Remembering the hideous werewolf and its persistence in trying to kill them made her shudder and a tear slid down her face before she could catch it.

"You saved me."

His eyes shuttered closed for a minute before opening them again to look at her.

"You are a stupid stupid stupid girl Granger. If I had not doubled back to see if I had been followed........" his words trailed off and his eyes seemed haunted with the possibilities.

"You saved me," her words were stronger now and she spoke as if in a constant state of surprise, "You could have left me there to die," she studied him closely, "But you didn't."

He began to pace in front of her ignoring her words.

"What the hell were you doing back there? I told you to leave and you didn't. You stubborn mudblood!"

He was obviously hoping for her to be offended by his words because he stopped his pacing to catch her reaction. She stood up from the couch feeling every bit as weary as someone who'd just been chased by a werewolf. She walked over to him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. She pushed down the feelings washing over her when she did as she was far too tired to confront them now. He blinked in surprise but didn't pull away.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

She knew that she'd been following Malfoy to prove his deceit but now all she could think of was that she was still breathing. Regardless of where Malfoy stood at the moment in terms of the ominous future that loomed in front of them she felt nothing but gratitude. Still shaken and a bit disoriented she turned and went to her room. She closed the door behind her and trudged into the bathroom needing a hot shower before she decided to lay down.

She would confront everything that happened tomorrow after she'd rested off her fatigue and fear. For now she wanted to try to forget the terrors of the night. She smiled wearily thinking of the boy outside her room. There was definitely more to him than met the eye.

Draco watched the door click as Granger went into her room. He couldn't believe that she'd gone and followed him into the Forbidden Forest! That much he was still angry about. She had risked life and limb just to satisfy her curiosity. He'd felt uneasy the moment he'd left his room as if a pair of eyes were watching him everywhere he went.

When he'd been in the forest he'd decided to check to make sure he wasn't being followed when he'd happened upon Granger running for her life and a werewolf not too far behind. The sight had nearly stopped his heart and he'd quickly shouted a disarming spell. Expelliarmus wasn't really effective on a quick powerful creature like a werewolf but it bought them just enough time to get away.

He was supposed to meet his father for one of their weekly Death Eater sessions and he knew his father would be pissed that he hadn't showed, especially if he knew why. He could see his father looking at him in disgust for having saved a mudblood instead of laughing at her demise. At this point he could give a damn what his father thought. Granger being in danger had moved to number one on his list of priorities. He took a shuddering breath thinking of how close he'd become to really losing her.

The past few days had been a test of will as he'd tried his best to pretend as if she was invisible. He feared that if he spoke to her he'd find his lips attached to hers the way they had been the other day. His body responded at the memory of her body rubbed against his. He'd discovered that she tasted of honey and her skin had felt like silk. She'd been so soft and wanton in his arms it had taken everything in him not to take her right then and there.

He'd been dying to make her his for a long time now and was tired of denying it. Granger made him so hot he wanted to crawl out of his own skin. For the first time in his life Draco had no idea how to approach a girl or even what she'd expect. Granger was like no other girl he'd ever seen. She didn't respond to things like an average girl. He smiled wryly, Granger was no average girl, which is probably why he wanted her so damn bad.

He hadn't been able to speak to Blaise about his attempting to proposition Granger and when he did he no doubt expected to leave a few bruises. Either way it went, Blaise would know not to mess with what was his. His. Granger was his. Hermione was his. The name flowed beautifully in his thoughts and he wondered what it would sound like on his tongue.

The clock above the fireplace said 2:00 a.m. He was supposed to be with his father right now dodging unforgivables and being forced to give a few of his own. So far he hadn't been forced to watch anyone die a slow torturous death in which he'd have to pretend to like, like he had this summer. He'd even had to Crucio several people that had been captured. He'd had to pretend to enjoy it as everyone else around him. Inside he was sick that he was doing such horrible things to muggles even if they weren't magic born no one deserved the fate of Voldemort.

He felt the wear of the night's events and he seemed to deflate of all energy. He headed to his room and fell down on his bed. The only thing that enabled him to sleep was that Granger was safe nearby doing the same.

(A/N) Just wanted to say thanks to those who have taken the time to read and to those who have taken the time to review. Sorry the slack in updates, school has kept me really busy. If anyone notices something incorrect about a place or spell or anything like that please point it out because I haven't read a Harry Potter book since 2006. I am completely rusty when it comes to the wizarding world so please do not hesitate to tell me if I spelled something wrong or spoke of something wrong. Well, that's all for now and thanks again. :-)