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Chapter 9

"Hermione, wait!" Draco called after her. He raced after her, but couldn't catch up to her and he lost her. Draco searched everywhere for her, but with no luck.

Hermione ran from Draco. She didn't know where she was going, and she didn't know what she was going to do. All she knew was how upset she was right now. She was having a good time with Draco, but then she thought of her brother and all her locked up emotions came pouring out. She yelled and cried and ran. It was childish, she knew this, but she couldn't stop herself. She hated this about herself.

Anytime she would get upset, she would do this. She would yell, cry, and run away, but her brother would run after her. He would follow her and catch her when she collapsed from exhaustion or even just tripping on a tree limb. He would hold her until she calmed down and then carry her back home. He would defend her and protect her when they came back. He would always get her out of trouble.

However, this time he wasn't there. This time she truly was alone. As Hermione ran, she tripped and fell, but no one was there to catch her. Her knees and palms were cut up and no one was there to help her. Hermione realized she was all alone and this realization only made it worse. Hermione curled up against a tree and let the tears fall. She didn't know where she was, but that didn't matter to her anymore.

"Who are yeh?" a voice said. Hermione looked up and saw someone she didn't know.

"Who are you?" Hermione countered.

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds, gamekeeper, and the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but most call me Hagrid. Now, who are yeh?" the man asked.

"….Hermione," she said hesitantly.

"Yeh the familiar everyone's been talkin' 'bout?" Hagrid asked. Hermione nodded. "Are yeh alright?" Hagrid asked. Hermione looked down at her hands and knees which were bleeding and bruised.

"I'll be fine," Hermione said without looking up.

"I don' believe yeh. I'll take yeh ta me cabin and take care o those cuts o yers," Hagrid said with a warm smile. Hermione stared at Hagrid for a moment before nodding. Hagrid carefully picked Hermione up bridal style and carried her to his little house. He managed to open the door and carry her inside. He set her down on the table and searched for some bandages. Hagrid carefully took care of Hermione's cuts while Hermione sat silently.

When Hagrid finished he stood up straight and smiled. "There yeh go, all done," he said cheerfully.

"Thank you," Hermione said quietly. Hagrid gently gripped Hermione's chin with his thumb and pointer finger and tilted her head up to look at him. He studied her for a few moments before smiling and letting go. Hermione stared at him confusedly before Hagrid spoke.

"Yer a vampire," Hagrid stated.

"Wh-what? N-no I-I'm not!" Hermione defended.

"Yeah yeh are. And if I'm not mistaken, yer a vampire princess," he said.

"How?" Hermione questioned.

"Red eyes, fangs, and cat ears and tail," Hagrid explained and pointed to each factor.

'How could he know so much about vampires?' Hermione thought.

As if Hagrid read her mind he said, "I know a lot 'bout magical creatures. Vampires are the kings of the magical creatures, so I studied a lot 'bout them. What I wanna know is how ye've been survivn' 'ere this long." Hagrid looked at her questioningly. There was only curiosity and a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"I've…" Hermione started. She didn't know how to answer him. "I've gotten by…" she said. This didn't seem to convince Hagrid. Hermione sighed and looked back at Hagrid. Somehow, his eyes convinced her to tell him the truth. Hermione told him the whole story but with a few missing points that she deemed irrelevant like her encounter with Harry. Hagrid listened intently; he seemed fascinated.

"That's really amazin'," Hagrid said. And Hermione could tell he really meant it. It was obvious that he really enjoyed this. And who wouldn't? Hagrid is the kind that loves all magical creatures and vampires are the "top dog" (so to speak) of all the magical creatures. And even better than that, it was a vampire princess! For Hagrid, this was better than a kid meeting Santa Clause.

Hermione talked with Hagrid for a few hours about her life back at home. She had a far-away look in her eyes as she reminisced. Hagrid asked a few questions here and there, but for the most part, he listened silently. By the time she finished, she felt very close to him, and he to her. Someone could even say they were good friends. Hermione laughed with him and felt good for the first time in a while.

Then Hagrid did something unexpected. He played some music and asked her to dance. Hermione laughed a bit before taking his hand. Hagrid led her in a graceful dance around his cabin. Hermione realized when she was dancing with him, she felt like she was back home dancing with a hairier and bigger version of her brother. Hermione never wanted to leave, but then she thought of Draco.

"Thank you, Hagrid, for everything. But I really should get back now," Hermione said. Hagrid nodded and escorted her to the school. She waved goodbye to her new friend and walked towards Draco's room.

"He's going to be mad at me…and he'll put me back on that stupid leash…" Hermione said to herself. Hermione stood in front of Draco's door for what felt like forever. Finally she reached for the doorknob and turned it. She slowly pushed it open and stepped inside. She saw Draco sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. She closed the door behind her and looked back at Draco.

When he heard the door close, he looked up and his eyes went wide. He stood up and stared at her for a moment before rushing over to her. Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione and held her close. Hermione stood still in shock before moving her arms around him. She held him comfortingly.

"I was so worried about you," Draco mumbled into her hair.

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have run off…" Hermione said sadly. She felt horrible for leaving him and for making him worry like she did.

"No…you shouldn't have…what happened?"

"I…missed my home…and my brother…and then you said I couldn't go back…and I lost it."

"You were homesick?"

"…yeah."

"Where did you go?"

"The forest…then Hagrid found me…"

"What did you do?" Draco asked. His grip tightened.

"I was hurt and he took care of me," Hermione answered.

"He…took care of you?" Draco asked with a tinge of bitterness as he tightened his grip more.

"Yes. You can see my hands and knees, they're bandaged."

Draco chuckled and loosened his grip. "I see," he said.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"It's nothing. Are you alright?"

"…yes."

"Do you need blood?"

"…y-…no."

"Mione." Draco said with a warning tone.

"Fine…yes," Hermione admitted.

"Go ahead," Draco said as he exposed his neck. Hermione hesitated before biting his neck. She drank his sweet blood and forced herself to stop before she took too much.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered. Draco nodded and smiled slightly. They went to bed and dreamed sweet dreams. And oddly enough (yeah right), they dreamed of each other.

End of chap 9! hope ya like it! don't ya lust LOVE draco in this chap? kawaii! X3 i have to admit, i had some MOE MOE moments when i was writing this one. anyway, please R&R! luv ya! =^^=