Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, J.K Rowling owns everything; I only own the plot.

A/N: Yes I am very aware that Snape and Dumbledore are both dead, but I just love them both so much I couldn't nix them out of the story.

THANKS FOR READING

As Hermione fell asleep that night she couldn't help but think of Draco and how much he had changed and how nice he was to her. She woke up in the middle of the night though screaming and searching for the light. Hermione reached over to her bedside table and flipped on the lamp. She had been having yet another dream about Todd; it was only midnight and she couldn't go back to sleep. Not having anything better to do she got up, wrapped her robes around herself, and went out into the hall.

What the bloody hell are you doing?

I wonder if he's asleep?

Well possibly seeing as how it's midnight.

Yeah but he might be awake. I'm going to see.

But he's not your friend, he's your colleague remember?

Shut up.

Hermione blocked out the other voice in her head and walked over to Draco's door. She clearly had to be going crazy as much as she was talking to herself lately.

"Draco? Draco, are you awake?" No answer came, so she knocked. "Draco?" she heard a thumb and stepped away from the door.

"Who is it?" he said groggily.

"It's Hermione. Can I come in?"

He opened the door, "Sure what do you need?"

Hermione noticed that all he had on was his boxers and blushed. "Umm… I just needed someone to talk to?"

"Fine, come in." He stepped away from the door so she could enter. "So what do you want to talk about?" he said as he shut the door.

Hermione sat down in his desk chair and looked at him uneasily, "Well about my dreams?"

"Carry on." he sat down on his bed and looked at her with slightly groggy interest.

She didn't know why she was telling him this when she wouldn't even tell Harry and Ron but she needed to get it off her chest and he was right here. "Well see I have this boyfriend and he isn't very nice all the time-"

"He hits you." Draco corrected her.

"Yes, well anyways I always have dreams about trying to leave him and then he kills me." she had tears in her eyes.

"Hermione it's just a dream."

"Yes but it seems so real. And that's why I can't leave him, I'm too scared of what he'll do." the tears were now falling across her gentle face.

Draco got up and knelt down in front of her wiping away the tears. "Listen to me Hermione, you are an amazing person and anyone who treats you the way he does doesn't deserve you."

She blushed, "You think I'm amazing?" he nodded. "Thanks, but I'm still scared. When I came home Thursday from the inn Todd was drunk and I couldn't take it anymore. I tried to leave but he threw me on the bed and-"

"He didn't rape you, did he?" Draco said standing up.

"No, but he hit me. That's where these bruises came from." she pointed to her arms and neck. "Ginny tries to help but it's so hard."

"Does he know you're here?"

"I'm sure he does by now, seeing as how Ginny can't keep her big mouth shut." Hermione got up and started pacing up and down his room. "She told Harry and Ron, I didn't even want them to know. Because I knew that they would become all big brother like and try to do something."

Draco stopped her and sat her down on the bed. "Well let them. If you're scared and can't do it on your own get help. It's not that hard."

"That's what you think."

He sat down next to her. "You're smarter than this Hermione, but right now your actions don't show it. You're in trouble but yet you don't want to do anything about it."

She glared at him. "I do to want to do something, but what can I do?"

"Call him tell him it's over. Don't stay in a hurtful relationship. If he tries to harm you then call the muggle police, but as long as you are here he cannot do anything to you."

The next thing she knew she was hugging Draco. Yes, Draco Malfoy. "Thanks for the talk Draco. But seeing as how I have to teach tomorrow and so do you I should be leaving." She got up to leave but found herself being held back.

"Why don't you stay here tonight?" Draco's eyes were pleading.

"But won't that look bad?"

"Oh come on, Hermione. Live a little." Draco stood up and looked down at her with lust in his eyes.

Hermione could feel her heart in her throat. "You're not going to try anything, are you?"

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Of course not, not unless you want me to."

"I have a boyfriend, remember." she stated matter-of-factly.

"That you don't want to be with, remember."

"But-" Draco placed a finger on her lips. "But-"

"Shh." He leaned in and kissed her ever so lightly.

She pulled away. "We're colleagues, Draco."

Yet again he kissed her this time wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. But he stopped not wanting to push anything on her. "I'm sorry, it was just so tempting."

Hermione looked at him with eyes that were filled with mixed emotions: sorrow, happiness, confusion, hate, but most of all comfort. "It's alright, but next time you better keep your hands to yourself." She walked around the bed and sat on it.

"So are you going to stay then?"

"Yes I suppose." she laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. "You know I always thought you were cute."

Draco walked over to the other side of the bed and bent over so that he was looking into her eyes. "Really?" she nodded and sat up. He pulled the covers on his side back and got into bed. "That's interesting."

"Oh it is. I thought it would have been obvious?" She took her robes off to reveal a small silk pajama set, with shorts and a cami, and slipped under the covers.

His eyes flashed over her slender body before it was covered and couldn't help but to restrain himself from touching. "Well considering how we were towards each other, I thought you hated me."

"Well I did, but I still thought you were cute. Besides you had that whole bad boy thing going for you."

He laughed and simply said. "Oh."

"Goodnight, Draco."

"Goodnight."

Hermione rolled over and tried to sleep, but found it impossible all she could think about was Draco kissing her. She lay there for a little while before deciding that Draco had gone to sleep and rolled over to face him. He had his back turned to her, and she could see scars all across his back as if he had been whipped. She felt tears forming in her eyes but fought them back. She rolled back over and lay there staring at the wall. Hermione felt Draco roll over, and she stiffened, waiting for him to say something but nothing came. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep but she could only see Todd's face. She was still awake around 2 o'clock, when Draco wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

"I love you." he whispered in her ear.

She fought back the urge to laugh.

"Why won't you say it back? Don't you love me?" he said.

Hermione tried not to laugh but it was getting hard.

"What did I do? Did I do something wrong? I love you!"

She had to stop him, "No you didn't do anything wrong, Draco dear. I love you, too."

"Ok, goodnight." he let go of her and rolled over.

"Goodnight?" she paused. Wait was he awake? "Draco Malfoy."

"Yes?" he said rolling back over with a twinkle in his eye.

"You were awake weren't you?"

"Yes. I just couldn't help it. I've known you were awake for sometime I just had to mess with you."

"Well it's not funny." she slapped his bare chest and rolled over pretending to ignore him.

"Hermione, wait you're not supposed to be mad at me. It was just a harmless joke. Hermione. Hermione!"

Hermione continued to face the wall. "I'm not talking to you."

"Fine get out of my room."

Hermione rolled over with hurt in her eyes. "Fine." she threw the covers back and sat up.

"Wait I didn't mean it. I don't want you to go." He grabbed her wrist. "I'm sorry."

"Draco let go of me, please." she demanded. He let go of her arm and saw the pain in her eyes as she turned to look at him. "Please don't do that."

"I'm sorry." he said. "It won't happen again. Please don't leave." he pleaded.

She laid back down and turned over yet again looking at the wall. "Goodnight."

"Hermione?"

"What Draco?"

"Did I hurt you?"

She rolled over, "When?'

"When I grabbed your wrist. Did I hurt you?" He would rather kill himself then harm a woman.

"No. I just felt like you were Todd, like you were going to hurt me."

"Come here." he moved his arm and beckoned for her to move closer. Hermione moved into his embrace and rested her head on his chest. "I'm not going to hurt you. I promise." he kissed the top of her head.

Hermione stayed quiet just wanting to sleep. She could feel the steady beat of Draco's heart, to her it sounded like a sweet lullaby charming her to sleep.

GINNY'S HOUSE

It was 3 in the morning and Ginny found herself being woke up by someone at her front door. She got up and quickly wrapped a bathrobe around her and ran down the stairs.

"Who is it?"

"Todd."

A horror stricken look fell upon her face as she heard his name. "Um… Todd don't you realize that it's really late."

"Where's Hermione?"

"Well see Todd that's a really funny story."

"Where is she?"

"Not here." Ginny tried to keep a clear voice. "I'm sorry."

"Where is she, Ginny?"

The sound of her name coming from him sent shivers down her spine. "She has a meeting at Hogwarts, this week and wanted to be there early. You know how she is. Always on time."

He started banging on the door. "I don't believe you. She's standing there with you. I want my Hermione. I want to tell her I'm sorry."

Ginny moved away from the door. "I'm sorry, Todd, she's not here. And if you don't leave now I'm going to call the cops."

"Fine but if I don't hear from her soon I'm coming back."

Ginny stood by the door listening to his drunken footsteps going back to his car and the screeching of the tires as he sped off. "Oh my God, Hermione, I'm going to kill you when you get back. If I'm still alive that is." Ginny said to herself as she walked back upstairs, to her bedroom and flopped back in bed. Since Hermione had been gone Ginny was not having a good time. Keeping the inn in order was harder than she thought and now Todd was bothering her with phone calls at the inn and now this. Hermione needs to hurry up and get home. She thought before she fell back asleep.

BACK AT HOGWARTS

Hermione woke up the next morning in a strange bed, in a strange room, practically naked, and on top of that in a strange man's arms. She tried to remember last night but found that all she could remember was dreaming of Todd. She turned over just enough to see who held her and then everything came flooding back to her. She tried to maneuver herself out from underneath Draco's arm, but every time she moved he tightened his grip.

"Draco?" she whispered. "Draco, we need to get ready for classes. Draco?" she poked him in the stomach and he let out a cry.

"What was that for?" he said sleepily.

"We need to get ready for class. As much as I'd love to lay here in your arms, I'd rather make a good impression on my first day."

"I noticed you finally fell asleep." he said still not letting go.

She tried to pull herself away but there was no use. "Yes now would you let go so I can go freshen up and get dressed."

"First you have to give me a kiss, for helping you get back to sleep last night."

"But I have morning breath." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not kissing you until I brush my teeth, understand."

Draco let her go and got of bed. "Fine, but I better get a kiss."

Hermione nodded and wrapped her robes around her and left. She walked across the hall and into her room. She walked over to her wardrobe and grabbed clean robes and some jeans to wear underneath with a tank top. She threw the robes she had just wrapped around her, in Draco's room, onto the floor and walked into her bathroom. When she was finally done she realized breakfast was over and students would be heading to classes soon so she rushed to get everything ready. As she was leaving she remembered the note for Harry and Ron was still in the back pocket of the jeans she had wore yesterday so she grabbed it running out her door.

She was just about to walk into her class already 5 minutes late when Draco ran up to her. "What do you want Draco, I'm late?"

"You promised me a kiss."

"Fine." He leaned forward to kiss her but she moved her head to the side and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, now go so I can teach." Hermione walked into class and noticed everyone staring at her, making her blush.

"She's young." one of the students said.

"Who is she?" another one said.

"That's Hermione Granger." someone else whispered in response.

Hermione placed her books on the desk and turned to "her" students. "Alright class, for those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Hermione Granger, and for as long as Professor Williams is out I will be your Professor. So I expect that you treat me with respect so that I may return it." A hand raised in the back. "Yes?" Hermione said.

"Were you really friends with Harry Potter?"

"Yes. Now Professor Williams' notes say that you left off with…" The rest of the day went by slowly and with whisper after whisper. Lunch was the worst everyone stared at her; she felt like she was on trail for a horrible crime and everyone was going to name her guilty. At the end of her last class just as the students left an owl had flown through the open window in her classroom, bringing the hot air with it. She took the letter and the poor bird flew away.

Hermione Granger

Your fucked up boyfriend has been calling me nonstop and leaving me vulgar messages. He even showed up at my house and threatened to come back if you didn't contact him. I suggest you do something before he kills me. And today he came by the inn while I was upstairs talking to the plumbers. I almost called Harry and Ron so that I would feel safe, but I already know your pissed at me for telling them about your problem. I just figured that maybe they could talk some sense into you. Well seeing as how I'm trying to get things straightened up since the plumbers left finally. They're done, (yay!) and hopefully it won't leak again. Anyways like I was saying I'll talk to you later, hope you have fun at your "new" job.

Love,

Ginny

"Damn it!" Hermione yelled as she threw the letter at the wall. "I can't believe this shit!"

Draco walked in just as she had thrown the paper. "What happened? One of your students being a little prick? I can handle that for you?" He sat down on top of one of the student desks.

"No. I can handle students." she said plainly. "Read that." she pointed to the letter on the floor.

He picked it up and skimmed through it. "I told you he was bad news."

"Oh shut up. What am I supposed to do?"

"Break up with him."

"How you thick head, I can't just leave school and go to our house get my stuff and tell him it's over. He's going to want an explanation and he'll try anything to get me to stay." Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't do it, Draco, I can't leave him. He won't let me." She let her head drop to her desk and cried.

"Hermione Ann Granger, I know you are not giving up. Your friend is scared to death and it's all because of this man you call your boyfriend. You have to do something if not for you then for Ginny's safety." Hermione didn't lift her head she just listened. "Hermione Ann Granger, look at me when I'm talking to you. I may not have been a very nice person when we were in school but I've changed and right now you're making me wish I hadn't. Do you want me to be that person again? Do you want me to hate you again?" She shook her head no, but didn't look up. "Would you please look at me? I'm trying to help you, that's all."

She looked up at him mascara running down her face, he walked over to her and wiped away her tears. "I know you are Draco, everyone is. But I just can't do it."

"Fine I'll do it. Give me some paper." Hermione gave him a confused look. "Give me some paper." he said again. She reached in her desk and pulled out some spare parchment. "Now what to say… Wait what's his name?"

"Todd."

"Dear Todd,

I hate you and everything you've done to me. I know this should probably be done in person but I'm away at the moment and can't see you. In fact I don't want to see you, in fact it's over between us. I don't want you to bother me anymore. Just take my things to Ginny's and leave it on her front porch. If you try anything I will call the police." he slid the paper to her when he was done, "Here sign it." She did as he said and gave it back. "Now come on we're taking this to the owlery." He grabbed her hand and the letter and lead her to the owlery.

"Draco are you sure this is the right thing?" He gave her a stern look as they stepped inside. "You're right, it has to be done." she whispered. She took Harry and Ron's letter out of her pocket and gave it to a bird to deliver as Draco did the same with the letter to Todd. As she watched the bird fly away she felt a heavy burden lift off her and smiled.

"See how easy that was." Draco turned back around to face her smiling face.

"But what do I do now?" Tears of joy began to fill her eyes. Draco stepped in front of her and placed his hands on her hips drawing her closer. She knew what has coming and leaned forward slowly closing her eyes as Draco did the same. When their lips met she felt a connection one she had never experienced with Todd, one that she wanted to last forever. He let her go and look into her deep cappuccino brown eyes. "What?" she asked.

"You do realize that we just kissed in the owlery." he said with disgust on his face.

Hermione laughed and took his hand. "Yeah so let's go somewhere else."

Draco cocked an eyebrow, "Are you sure? I mean you just broke up with your boyfriend?"

"No I'm not sure, I just said it because it sound like the best thing to say." she said sarcasm dripping from every word though the last part was just a little true.

"Ok." he let her lead him back to his room.

Hermione pushed him up against the wall by the door as soon as they stepped inside and started kissing him. She felt her heart beat quicken and couldn't control herself she knew she wasn't ready for something like this so soon after what had just happened, but she couldn't stop. It had been too long since she had felt any thing other than pain and hate in her life.

Damn what am I doing?

Making out with Malfoy, like he's your lover.

Draco, and he's not my lover.

Then why are you doing this.

Because… I don't know.

She stopped thinking and decided to let whatever was meant to happen, happen.

DRACO'S POV

He knew where this was leading, but he wasn't sure he wanted it. He knew he liked her, but he felt like a backup plan. They slowly made their way over to the bed, but as they were laying there Draco stopped.

"What is it Draco?" Hermione said.

"I just don't think we should do this. I feel like a rebound guy. That's not how I want it." he sat up and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes and he knew she felt like she was being rejected. "It's not that I don't-"

"Whatever." She got up and stormed out of the room.

Draco heard Hermione's bedroom door slam shut and couldn't believe what he had just done.

What the hell Draco. Don't you know that you just threw something good out the window.

Yes I know. But what can I do. I don't want to be her rebound.

So what you were about to get some.

It's not always about that.

He fell back onto his bed and couldn't help but feel like he should go and apologize to Hermione.

When Hermione had shut her door she put a locking spell on it and fell to the floor. What was is it? Was she not pretty enough for him? Why didn't he want her? She hit her fist on the floor and sat there crying. Not even 5 minutes after she had left she heard Draco's door open and close. She listened intently as he footsteps neared her door.

He knocked. "Hermione?"

"Go away." she screamed.

"Hermione please let me in?"

"No you don't want to see me?"

"Yes I do. I'm sorry."

"Bull, you don't mean that. You're just like him you hurt me and then you expect an apology to fix everything. Well sorry isn't going to cut it mister."

He jiggled the doorknob, "Come on Hermione." she didn't answer this time. "Hermione open the door." he jiggled the knob then knocked on the door again. She stayed quiet looking at the door. "Alohamora." Nothing happened.

"Just go away." she said getting up and sitting on her bed.

"No not until you let me in."

"If I let you in then you won't go away."

He banged on the door, and she jumped at the sound. "Damn it Hermione, let me in." He kept banging on the door.

"Stop it! Stop it!" she yelled. He ignored her. She crawled off her bed and to the door, "Draco you're scaring me." she practically whispered.

He stopped. "I'm sorry Hermione. Truly I am. Will you please unlock the door and let me in."

Hermione lifted the spell but didn't open the door. She moved to the side of the door and waited for him to enter. When he came in at first he didn't notice her by the door until he turned around. She didn't look at him instead she turned away.

"Why'd you leave?"

"Because you didn't want me." she said looking at the floor.

"It's not that Hermione. I want that but I think we should take it slow for now."

Hermione nodded and looked up at him. "I'm sorry for leaving."

"It's ok. Just one question, are you sleeping in here or in my room?"

She smiled, "Where do you want to sleep?"

"Well your room is pretty ugly so my room."

She gave him a stern look. "Fine then I'm sleeping in here."

"No. I was playing, you're room's not ugly, please sleep with me tonight."

"Alright." she laughed.

Draco picked her up and she screamed, but he just carried her to his room nd put her in his bed before getting in himself.

"Goodnight Hermione."

"Goodnight Draco."