Hermione waited nervously in the entrance hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her eyes snapped quickly around, as she took in her surroundings and those who passed by her. Reluctantly, she had given her jacket to a house elf and was now standing in a daringly bold red dress that Pansy had insisted on making her wear. The plunging neckline and high collar left her feeling especially bare and the backless scoop didn't help much either. She was swimming in fabric as the dress flowed freely down to her ankles. How the hell was she supposed to catch Umbridge in this ostentatious get up? Pansy assured her she would catch anyone she wanted in it, and apparently, much to Hermione's displeasure, she was correct. Nameless face after face approached her and she smiled and greeted each one with polite interest. Strangers kept glancing and smiling at her with knowing anticipation. Apparently there were some Skeeter groupies here. Hermione was starting to get annoyed. Where the hell was Malfoy anyway? She was sure he had purposely broken protocol and she was going to kill him for it.

45 minutes ago, Hermione had made a grand entrance, hoping to gain some sort of admiration for the time she took with her appearance this evening, to find Sirius and Pansy the only one's present in the entire house. They informed her that Draco departed two hours ago but had left a message for her. He had apparently "stepped out" to attend to business and would meet her in the entrance hall of Hogwarts at 8:00pm sharp. Stepped out indeed. It was now 8:15. Hermione was just getting ready to grab her coat and head out for a smoke when the entrance doors banged open with a flourish.

In sauntered Draco Malfoy, flanked on each side by Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. There were at least fifty people congregating, chatting and drinking in the hall, who fell silent as the men approached. Hermione narrowed her eyes at his charming smirk and tousled hair; his bowtie was hanging untied around his neck and he had apparently forgotten his jacket. To the untrained eye, he was nothing but a sexy piece of meat, casual and cool, but Hermione knew better and she didn't like that gleam in his eye. She had never seen one quite like it before. Draco Malfoy was disheveled, loose. There was no other way to put it, almost a complete transformation had come over him and he looked good enough to eat. He was laughing at something Blaise had pointed out and Theo was shaking his head and grinning broadly. They looked like a bunch of teenagers. Draco smiled serenely and gazed up through half lidded eyes, his stare falling on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He stopped suddenly, almost tripping over his own feet as he knocked into Blaise, a look of wonder coming over his face. He stared at her with obvious, unrelenting, desire. Hermione blushed deeply. Everyone's eyes were trained on them, hushed whispers were echoing throughout the hall. A look of determination came into his eyes. Oh no! She had nowhere to run. This is exactly what she had asked for. Was she crazy? He was moving now. Oh God, oh God! His strides were filled with purpose as Blaise and Theo fell behind to watch their best mate with twin smirks slapped across their lips. Hermione refused to move, she was a Gryffindor, dammit! So instead, she just closed her eyes. His warm lips were on hers within seconds and she sighed into his mouth. He pulled her close against his hard body, as a few whistles broke out through the silence. Draco stepped back, his hands remaining on her hips, and looked down at her.

"Grangerous." She raised her eyebrow at him, still trying to catch her breath.

"What?"

"You're Granger. You're gorgeous. And Merlin, are you dangerous. So, I say now, you shall be deemed Grangerous!"

"Malfoy, have you lost your bloody mind?" She was looking at him with severe anxiety. He was about ready to topple over. And then she realized. Her gaze snapped beyond him to Theo and Blaise who were grinning knowingly as they sauntered up to say hello.

"How drunk is he?" She hissed, grabbing onto his shoulders to keep him from swaying.

"Ah…I would say….very." Blaise drawled, trying to keep a straight face.

"And am I to assume that both of you are responsible for this?"

"What?" Theo gasped with mockery. "How could you Granger?! We would never. Draco here called us for a boy's pre-game."

She turned her blazingly furious eyes to Draco; he smiled down at her, grabbed a piece of her hair and began twirling it around his fingers. She slapped his hand away and pulled him against her side. He threw an arm around her with a decent amount of swagger and leaned in close to her face.

"You're the most beautiful fucking creature I've ever seen." She blushed deeply.

"Your note said you had to step out for business." She snapped.

"Oh believe me, we did talk business, Granger. Malfoy here is in a very serious dilemma. " He looked down at her wondrous figure. "And it's no mystery as to why…"

"Oh?"

"Shut it, Blaise." Blaise smirked at that.

"Anyway, we are solely here for moral support and who knows? If the entertainment is up to par and the drinks are flowing, I'd be more than happy to empty one of my vaults for this little occasion. I mean, after all... we are celebrating." And before Hermione could protest, she was escorted into the Gala by the three most insufferable Slytherins to ever have lived.

"It's brilliant to be back, isn't it?" Theo looked around at the Great Hall, it was as magical as ever. Hermione would have agreed but she was completely distracted by Malfoy; she was torn between wanting to kiss him and hex him. What was he thinking getting sloshed before such an important occasion? Much less while they were on active duty. She groaned to herself. This is definitely my fault.

They found a table quickly and deposited Malfoy. Hermione sat down across from him.

"Drinks!" Theo quipped as he grabbed a glass of champagne that magically appeared the moment he sat down. Hermione glared bitterly at the glass mocking her. Draco lifted the champagne to his lips and slung it back. She gasped in outrage and pulled the glass from his hand, slamming it down on the table.

"What is wrong with you?" She was going to lose her temper.

"A little liquid courage, Grangerous."

"Stop calling me that."

"Whatever, Grangreous."

"You are being a despicable child." She muttered furiously. He smiled at that.

"Better than being a despicable know-it-all."

Her mouth dropped open and he began to laugh.

"Well, "Blaise smirked, turning to Theo. "Looks like these two need a few minutes to sort out their lover's spat before joining the fun. Care to mingle?" Theo nodded slowly looking around at the crowd.

"I always like to get invested in an…important cause." His eyes landing on a pair of Palomino Centaurs at the end of the room. The two strolled off in search of some tail.

"Kinky bastards." Malfoy laughed openly, flinging his hands down onto the table. Hermione was trying as hard as possible not to crack a smile. He was so carefree, so unreserved…she had never seen him this way before. She stared at him as he chuckled, wiping at his eyes before folding his arms across the table and leaning towards her.

"So what was this business you had to attend to?" She asked looking back at him with curiosity. He frowned.

"Have you ever seen me drunk before? No. I only get this drunk, if things are so bad, I can no longer care. Do you know the last time I got this drunk? The night I got this-" He pulled back his sleeve to reveal his Dark Mark. Hermione's eyes flew to his, she could hear people whispering around them. Oh God why hadn't she taken Harry up on his offer of back up? "It was the end of my life, Hermione. As I knew it. The end of my innocence and the end of me being a Malfoy." He looked to her with suddenly desperate eyes. "I didn't think I would ever hit that low again." She found it impossible to tear her eyes from his. "But here we are. Hermione Granger, you're a thousand times worse than this." She gasped and looked down at his marred flesh. The Dark Mark. She was worse than The Dark Mark? She went to stand, but his arm reached out, holding her in place. "Let me explain." He pleaded. She had never heard Malfoy plead before. She hesitated. "If I don't get over this….thing. If you chose him over me. I think that will do it. I think that without you…I cannot exist. Not Malfoy. Draco cannot exist." She looked at him with amazement, before reaching out and stroking his scar. There were several gasps from a table next to theirs, she ignored them.

"This, does not define you. You are not this person. You were never this person." He closed his eyes in relief, letting her soothing touch melt his mind. After several moments, he pulled back from her slowly, covering his arm.

"Do you love him?" He muttered bitterly. She didn't even bother trying to play stupid with Draco.

"Can we please not talk about Harry tonight?"

"Do you love him?" He looked at her, squeezing her fingers with intensity. But at that moment, someone, who Hermione hoped to never seen again in her lifetime, interrupted them.

"Granger!" A voice but roared from behind her as a hand clamped down on her shoulder; Hermione grabbed her wand whipping around furiously. Cormack McLaggen put his hands up in defense. "Easy girl!" He chuckled dropping down into the seat next to her and taking her in greedily…trying to undress her with his gaze. Malfoy's eyes narrowed. He remembered this prick.

"You scared the hell out of me!" She raged with irritation. "I could have seriously hexed you."

"Granger!" He scoffed, puffing out his chest. "Don't remember how well built I am? Oh no, I doubt you could have done any significant damage." He winked at her.

"But I definitely could." Draco's deadly calm drawl from the other side of the table caused Cormack's head to snap up.

"Oh Malfoy! I didn't see you there. Granger's dress is a bit distracting, no? So anyway, would you like to take a stroll? I can introduce you to the Centaurs that traveled here from Galway…live near my Uncle's massive estate out there." He threw her a dashing smile and jumped from his seat, offering her his arm. Hermione raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"Piss off McLaggen, she's with me." Cormack ignored him, refusing to back down; his eyes gazing steadily at Hermione.

"Thanks for the offer, Cormack, maybe later. It was lovely to see you." He huffed importantly before throwing daggers at Malfoy and sauntering away. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why the fuck did you tell him that? Now he's going to come back here and bother me."

"I was being polite, Malfoy. Obviously I'm not going anywhere with that creep."

"He could be a suspect. Did you see how he strutted over here, his arrogance?"

Hermione snorted at that. "I think you are being a bit hypocritical."

"And I think if I am going to have to worry about men prowling after you and goggling you all night, I might have to get sober."

"Now there's an idea." She replied snootily. Draco smirked, pulling out a bottle of Pepper Up potion. He slid it across the table to her.

"On one condition."

"There's always a catch, isn't their Malfoy?" He smirked.

"You love to think the worst of me, Grangerous."

"What did I say about that?"

"Split this with me." She narrowed her eyes at the innocent looking bottle.

"Why?"

"Because I need to be sober to fight and you need all the energy you can get if Umbridge shows up here tonight. I know you have been doing double, if not triple, of everyone else on this case. So drink up." She stared at him for several moments before swallowing half the bottle. She made a face as she passed it back to him. He drank the rest. They stared at one another for several moments, Draco was studying her intently as the effects of the alcohol ebbed only a bit.

"I don't trust you."

"You shouldn't."

She opened her mouth to make a snarky comment but he cut her off.

"Do you love him?" He asked again, with quiet impatience. Hermione felt a wave of light-headedness pass through her. Did she love him? She wasn't sure.

"I…don't know." Draco continued to stare.

"And what about me? How do you feel about me?" She closed her eyes and considered his question. Why was she suddenly feeling so relaxed? So complicated. I admit I'm intrigued. If not more than, a little affected. I want to learn more about him...

"Always the diligent student."Malfoy's laughter rang in her ears and she snapped her eyes open. She hadn't said that out loud, had she? She looked down to the Pepper up Potion.

"You spiked it with Veritiserum!" She accused in outrage.

"Yes." He smirked.

"Oh you are the lowest-"

"Granger, I spiked myself as well. " She fell silent when she realized he was right. The bottle was empty.

"Why?" She whispered, horrified.

"I thought that was obvious."

"Don't avoid the question!" She hissed.

"I wanted us to be honest with one another."

"Oh really? Well let me offer you a little piece of advice, Malfoy." She spat. "If you want someone to trust you and therefore be honest with you, maybe you should try practicing what you preach!" She was entirely too worked up, she needed to concentrate, on the mission.

"I've never heard that one before…." He was momentarily distracted by her words. She saw the intelligence in his eyes sparkle as he retained the muggle phrase and stored it away for later. Why, oh why did he have to be so appealing? She should ask him. She could ask him...anything. Now was her chance for some truths to slither out of his devilishly slick mouth.

"Draco. Tell me. Tell me how you feel...about me." To hell with the mission; Draco looked as if he'd rather swallow his tongue than answer, he seemed to choke on his words as his chest heaved with a mighty breath. Oh God. She panicked immediately. He was going to scream it. Whatever "it" was that he was bursting to say. Hermione only had to wait moments to find out as his voice magnified throughout the hall.

"I am in love with you! I bloody love you!" It sounded as though the force of his words, the hate and the terror there, were shredding his vocal chords to ribbons. There was a deafening silence. He stood suddenly, shocked that his own plan had backfired and he was suddenly knocking over several glasses and chairs in his attempt to get away from her. "How's that for honest?" He spat at her...like she was the dirt beneath his feet. He turned on his heel and pushed through the crowds of staring sheep with their mouth's hanging slack, wearing his most disdainful sneer. He lit a cigarette before he even got to the end of the hall. Fuck me. He spat savagely as he headed out through the front doors. Fuck me.

Hermione sat there in shock for several moments before conversation slowly resumed. Her face was burning, she was beyond embarrassed, beyond horrified and incredibly angry. How could he not expect his devious little plan to blow up in his face? Oh shit! What had she done? Why had she played his stupid little game?! They were supposed to be working! He was impossible! He was...in love with her. Hermione threw back her glass of champagne.

Several minutes passed as she attempted to quell the rapid firing thoughts in her brain; then she heard the sound of hooves approaching. Hermione looked up to see Firenze staring down at her with something close to admiration.

"Hermione Granger." He bowed his head slightly and she returned the gesture. "You are very brave coming here tonight. You do us a great justice, the Centaurs are impressed by your honor and bravery. But very dangerous times are ahead of you..."

"What do you mean?" She whispered.

"We have seen it in the stars. Your fate, what awaits… The road to freedom will not be easy, but you are used to a difficult existence, are you not?" A great stir of noise erupted from the entrance of the Great Hall; Harry Potter had just entered the room, Astoria Greengrass hanging off of his arm. Hermione narrowed her eyes as he grinned at the crowd, but she could see him searching the room for her. She turned quickly back to Firenze.

"I respect Centaurs as I respect all magical beings and forms of life. If we must fight, we must fight together."

"Spoken like a true heroin." She blushed at his compliment. "Take care, Hermione Granger. Keep your eyes open and beware of those around you. The path forward is not an easy one." Hermione nodded in understanding as he moved away from the table. She was suddenly feeling sick to her stomach. The champagne had gone right to her head. She needed to get out of here. With one last glance at Harry, she took off running.

Hermione barreled through the entrance hall, not even stopping for her coat. She pushed through the great oak doors and took off into the freezing winter night. She kicked off her shoes and now she was full out sprinting. She heard someone yell her name. She just wanted to get away. Get away from it all. From Draco and Harry and prophets and pain. It was never ending; tears streamed down her face as she fled for isolation, running faster and faster. As she tore past the black lake, she saw a blast of light from the castle, people were rushing out. Shit! She swore. They were after her. Hermione's head was spinning, she was nearing the Forbidden Forest but she couldn't stop, not until her brain turned off would she stop running. And just as her bare, torn up feet crossed into the copse of trees, she was thrown clear off the ground by a large body. The wind was knocked out of her as they both crashed into darkness with an earsplitting noise. Filthy hands found their way around her throat, rotten teeth gleamed in the moonlight, casting shadows across a decrepit face. Hermione struggled to fight off her unknown attacker. His horrible breath was making her head spin as his spit slashed across her face. She kicked and punched with all of her might as his grasp tightened around her throat. She gasped for air, willing herself to get to her wand.

"You're going to suffer greatly for bringing your Mudblood shame down on my Mistresses' family." He was breathing savagely, his body crushing her to the frozen forest floor. "You're going to die, alone and in great pain." He squeezed down harder on her throat. "But not tonight."

Hermione shudder in revulsion as her frozen fingers clamped around her wand. With one quick blast of light she had knocked the man unconscious, his head slicing open as it splintered against a tree. There was silence. Hermione got to her feet quickly, her body rushing with adrenaline as she sucked in the cool night air. She looked around quickly, all was silent. Her dress was torn, her mouth bleeding, her neck felt as if she had been hanged. She approached the disgusting man with caution, her wand shaking in her hand. She kicked him over with a dainty foot.

"Lumos." She whispered, shining her wand on him. She had never seen this man before. He was not a known Death Eater and he certainly hadn't tried to kill her before. Even Snape had complimented her, saying he had never seen a mind with such a pristine memory. So then, who was he? She was distracted as she heard her name being shouted across the grounds.

"Over here!" She croaked, the man had almost taken her voice. She rubbed the bruises that she was sure were already forming on her neck. Her dress had been torn from her throat.

Draco and Harry came rushing through the trees towards her, their wands drawn, eyes alight with alarm. When she saw them she collapsed to the ground in relief. She was in Harry's arms before she hit the forest floor.

"Are you alright? Hermione, look at me. Did he hurt you?" She shook her head as she began to violently shake. Harry ripped his coat off throwing it around her shoulders; she looked to Draco quickly. He was staring down at the unconscious man, a look of shock on his face.

"What?" She gasped, hurrying over to his side. Harry approached quickly behind her.

"This man…." He was breathing quickly, his chest heaving as he seemed to be processing information.

"Do you know him?" Harry asked sharply.

"No…While you were destroying the library this afternoon, this book of old Black Family photographs landed on my head." Malfoy was rubbing his temple as he remember the occurrence.

Hermione looked at Harry was supreme suspicion.

"What does he mean by that, Harry?"

But for once it was Draco Malfoy that saved Potter's skin.

"This bastard was at my parent's wedding. He's somehow connected to the Black family…" He stared at the man then looked up to them. "To Sirius." His gaze turned to Potter's unwillingly. "This is important. He might be the one to lead us to Umbridge."

Harry nodded his head in agreement as ropes shot out from his wand, binding the man tightly.

"Or he might lead us to the person who is backing Umbridge." Draco rolled his eyes. Harry frowned.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I believe, though Draco disagrees, that there is a much larger presence supporting Umbridge's cause. Actually, I'm almost sure of it." She laughed in a hollow sort of way that made both men turn sharply towards her. Breathe Hermione, it's fine. You're fine.

"It's definitely a possibility." Harry agreed as he studied her shadowed face...he turned back towards the prisoner. "Alright, let's get this fucker out of here and into a holding cell. Malfoy, I'm going to need that altered Veritiserum by tomorrow night, at the latest. "

For once, Malfoy didn't argue. "Consider it done." He was staring at Hermione with the most intense expression she had ever seen. It made her shake even harder.

"And you." Harry turned to her, the light from his wand throwing her form into sharp relief. Draco sucked in a furious breath as his blazing eyes inspected the damage that had been done to her. Her dress was covered in muddy snow, her hair had come undone, her neck was littered with bruises and her lips were swollen and bleeding. Draco felt the uncontrollable need to either kill something or bury himself deep inside of her. Harry's jaw was ticking with suppressed emotion.

"I'm arranging for you to be sent to St. Mungo's-" Hermione held up her hand in protest.

"Don't be ridiculous. I just need to get out of this dress and take a shower. We will reconvene in….two hours. " She turned on her heel and headed out of the forest and back up towards the castle. They both watched her stalk away. Harry looked torn as his eyes followed her.

"Go with her." He spat suddenly. Draco tore his gaze from Hermione, looking at Harry in mockery.

"Not in the mood to play hero, Potter?"

"You came with her. You made her your responsibility. Go protect her from Skeeter and the rest of the leeches. Make sure she gets home. Safely." Draco stared at him uncomprehendingly. Potter shook his head in annoyance before shoving Malfoy in her direction. "That is an order."

Malfoy's eyes snapped to the unidentified man.

"Let's kill him." He muttered.

"After we get the information." Harry returned quickly. Draco looked up in shock to hear Wonder Boy utter such a vile thing. Potter was smiling grimly at him."You didn't think you were the only one fighting for her, did you?"