Oh WOW thanks to everyone for all their support on this story! All the new favourites and story alerts! It all means a hell of a lot to me!

Thank you also to my reviewers! nikkyherms, dracosgirl007, Avery Leigh, Tsuki916, WaterAngel35, Enilas, mydirt09, martshi3, Bunny115, dracosgirl007, ariah23, IGOTEAMEDWARD, lrmorena, fandjio, kh2020 and Runs With Wolves - Shawnee

I'm going to apologise now for not updating in the last two weeks. I just got some bad news about my grandad so I wasn't up for writing. And I have a couple of Uni tests in the next week. So as a big sorry; I've gave you an even longer chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Three: The Sickle Drops

Last Time:

"Don't talk about my father like that Granger." He had her pinned there when everything inside him seemed to blackout and the next thing he knew he could taste cherries and vanilla against his lips, and something warm and hesitantly moving against them. He opened his eyes and they nearly popped out his head. He was kissing the Mudblood and worst of all, she was kissing him back!

Now:

"Get the hell away from me Mudblood! Filthy disgusting… ugh…" If it was possible without a broom, Draco would have flown across the room. He just moved that fast. He was deeply disturbed with what had just occurred, that he just wanted to run and escape this carriage. Leaning against the wall he felt his stomach tighten as he felt the need to be sick. He was disgusted at himself. The Mudblood? He'd kissed the Mudblood and it was even viler than he'd ever have thought! Of course she must have planned it. There was no other way it could have happened. Like he'd do such a thing willing, the mere thought of such a thing was preposterous. Confused silver orbs turned violent and lunged upward into the dull brown eyes of the exasperating Head Girl. "You planned this you disgusting Mudblood. Some hex or potion or something. I'd never willingly kiss your filthy muddy lips."

"Shut up Ferret. I didn't kiss you if we remember correctly!" It didn't surprise him that she was ready to fight back at his allegations; but it wasn't like she was ever going to admit to it though and he knew she was guilty. There was nothing else to it. The anger on her face was evident, but the flush of her cheeks was something else. He sneered in her direction, she'd probably had never had a kiss like that from anyone as Pure in blood as him, the bitch was such a prude. It only stood to reason she did it to try expand her experiences, which was zilch.

"You kissed back though! It proves it! I'd never do something like that!" It all made sense in his head. The stupid little witch hid her jealousy well. Then when they were alone she'd put her plans into action and make her move. He was totally going to have to scrub his mouth with soap when they got to the castle. He needed some air, yet he couldn't leave the compartment; if he left he'd have to face most of the students who would taunt him about his father being in Azkaban. The Slytherin's undoubtedly considered him a hero, in the Slytherin house; it was an honour to have a relative go to prison for service to the Dark Lord. When it came to summer and he left Hogwarts he would take on the duties his mark entailed; the mark that scored through his left forearm.

"Oh yes. Because I totally managed to do an non-verbal lust spell and managed to slip you something. Didn't you notice? Come on Malfoy, even you aren't that much of an idiot. I haven't given you a potion, nor are there any lust spells in existence. You did it all by your ownsome. I wonder what daddy would think. You were kissing a Mudblood." Granger sneered right back at him and smirked while crossing her arms over her chest. Draco just wanted to go over there and wipe that silly little grin of her face. He'd make sure she got whatever was coming to her.

"I think my father would believe what I believe that you're a disgusting little whore trying to get above her station in life. Which Mudblood, would be you shining my shoes as my servant." It was Draco's turn to smirk as the grin that had been plastered to her face fell. He knew how to strike hard and when it was Granger that it was concerning, the witch was all for that crap about blood equality. That was her sore spot. He sat himself down on his seat and refused to meet her glance after that, even though he knew she was probably about to cry. Well she deserved to and more for what she did.

Making him kiss her? Pfft, what was she playing at? It just proved his point that she wasn't the smartest witch of their age. All that hype about Granger for nothing. Hotter body or not, she was still a Mudblood and her personality was aggravating. All the same he looked over the top of a book he'd decided to use for cover. Granger was crying. It was something he hadn't actually seen before. Sure he called her names and picked on her all the time, but she had never cried. Out of everything, this was the first time she had shed a tear; well in front of him anyway.

It was a sort of surreal moment; witnessing the breakdown of Granger. He was more than positive though she'd be back to herself once more after a good old pep talk Weasel-bee and The-Boy-Who-Would-Not-Die. Though at the same time he was more than positive he'd need a nice long session with Pansy that night to strike the memory of kissing the Mudblood from his mind. As much as he'd never admit it to the girl sat in front of him, he knew deep down there was no such thing as a lust spell and that there was simply not enough time for her to have slipped him something, he done it all by himself regrettably. The most confusing part though, was why did she kiss him back? Draco knew he was going to end up torturing himself for the answer to that question.

He couldn't get rid of that damned taste; cherries and vanilla. Such a unique combination that worked, that was oh so sweet.

The Slytherin groaned to himself as he thought about the taste, the smell. It felt like a drug in his system and he had not a clue as to why a smell would affect him so badly. It was only a smell for Merlin's Sake. He knew it was something to do with his Veela heritage but he wasn't sure exactly what; he was torn between two ideas, the smell marked his mate or the Veela in him heightened his sense of smell. The blonde severely hoped it was the latter; he'd literally throw himself from the tower or let himself go insane if it was the later. "Oh stop your snivelling Granger. Completely unattractive in a girl, you're subtracting from what you have very little off."

"Oh really? That's why Victor Krum still keeps in contact with me yes?" As she spoke, Draco felt an odd emotion pass through him, he'd never really felt it before. He was angry at the thought; that was more than obvious to him. The thought that caused panic to spread through his silver orbs was the fact he wanted to hurt Victor Krum. Really hurt him. It was as if he was fine with Granger being ugly and unattractive to men, but he didn't want other's near her. He dismissed the thought as soon as it arrived. It was, after all, a rather silly train of thought.

"We'll be arriving at Hogsmeade in ten minutes Malfoy. You better go get changed." The Gryffindor in front of him had her arms crossed across her chest. Draco couldn't help but stare discreetly, though he knew the arms crossed meant that she was serious enough to hex him if he didn't comply. The last him she'd looked at him like that, well, she punched him. Not exactly an experience that he wished to repeat.

All the same, he felt the unmistakable need to argue. He had to admit; a good argument, it helped him sleep at night. "What about you Mudblood?"

"Well I'm going to get changed in here. In private."

"Why can't you go and I get changed in here if you want that much private. There is a strictly girls changing room you know. Perhaps you're trying to hide something Granger…" Draco smirked. He had probably hit the nail on the head with that one. She might look all feminine on the outside, but who was to say what she was hiding underneath those baggy muggle clothes. He had thought muggles were known for their skin tight clothes.

"You wish."

"Only to taunt you more." Leaning against the wall of the room he smirked at her, as much as he hated the girl, he loved their arguments. Only decent verbal sparring partner in the entire of Hogwarts, of course omitting Blaise –he could give you a hearty argument when the need arose.

Before the Slytherin Prince had even realised it, the Gryffindor's teeth were gritted together and her wand pointed at him. Rather than test the already wound up witch he listened to what she had to say. "Get out!"

"Bloody women." Draco grumbled angrily grabbing his stuff and walking out the compartment. He moved as quickly as possible to the nearest restroom. He didn't want people staring at him in the corridor. It was bad enough that they would do so in the castle. The thought of everyone staring at him because of his father made him angry. It wasn't like his father had done anything wrong. He stood up for what he believed in, where the Professor's always telling them to do that?

Luckily he made it there and back without incident. Thought stepping into the Head's compartment nearly landed him with a blow to the head. Granger was only just finishing getting ready. Well if you count just putting the jacket robes on. This clearly didn't count as still getting ready; women, Granger. Draco swore all of it would be the death of him. As the train pulled into the station Draco was practically first off the train and all but ran to get a carriage. Blaise and Pansy would be sure to find him and the Mudblood would go off with her friend and keep the fuck away from him.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes with the back on his hands as his friend got into the carriage. He didn't speak to them and allowed them to continue their conversation on the latest Death Eater to be caught and put into prison. Thankfully they didn't mention his father, they knew better.

"How was the train ride with the Mudblood?"

"Annoying as usual; I don't know why Dumbledore believes in this blood equality lark." Draco scoffed laughing. It was good to be around people he could relax with. Blaise and Pansy were his best friends. Surprisingly, Pansy could hold a decent conversation most of the time, when she wasn't trying to get you into her bed that is. The girl was nearly always horny at lights out time, which meant conversations with Pansy were for during the day.

They chatted about random things as they made their way up to the castle. Draco felt a sigh of relief escape his lips as he saw the castle. At least while he was here, Voldemort couldn't summon him at any time and he was free to act like any normal person his age. Pfft normal. What would he know about normal? He was a seventeen year old Veela Death Eater who seemed to have developed a fondness for cherries and vanilla…

As Pansy ran off in the Great Hall to go see her 'girlfriends', Draco found himself alone with the dark Slytherin as they took their seats. He shook his head lightly to himself. If Blaise suspected something was going on which he didn't know about, he could easily show why he was in Slytherin despite his quiet nature. The two friends were polar opposites; Draco was loud and all of his appearance was pale, Blaise was quiet and all of his appearance was dark. Blonde, brunette. Blue orbs, hazel orbs. Light skin, dark skin. They contrasted in every way, but they wouldn't be without the other's friendship. "Right Draco; tell me what is going on. Do not sugar-coat it."

Draco grave a deep sigh and leaned his arms on the table as he leaned his face against his hand anxiously. With an uneasy laugh he looked sideways along the table to Blaise. "Where should I begin?"

"The beginning would be nice." The other Slytherin boy muttered sarcastically. His arms were crossed and his eyes told Draco he wasn't getting away with not telling him. Blaise of course suspected it was something to do with Lucius, but as only natural he couldn't be positive. After all, despite his abrupt loudness, Draco knew how to keep a secret, and for a Slytherin to keep a secret it had to be big.

"During the holidays mother informed me that I'm a Veela." No sense in beating around the bush, Draco launched right into the cause of his dilemma. Blaise would tell if he was lying or not, so it made no sense to hold it off for as long as possible. Plus this friend would start noticing the things that had been out of place if he hadn't done so last term. H sighed waiting on his friends response. The Slytherin with blue silver eyes knew his friends opinion of Half-Breeds, Mudblood's, Half-Bloods and Blood Traitors. He didn't want to lose his friend over something he couldn't control.

The eyebrow raise was unmistakable. "Well, needless to say, I wasn't expecting that."

"Tell me about it. Even better she only decided to inform me of this, six months before the deadline to finding my mate; before I go insane." The blonde just sat and grumbled his words, 'needless to say' Draco hadn't expected his mother's words to him either. He still barely registered the entire thing now.

"Draco, that's awful. Tell me you're making this up? Mrs Malfoy wouldn't do that to you! You're her only child; she wouldn't want you going insane." Blaise shook his head and Draco knew exactly how he felt, he had wanted to believe that his mother had been joking too when she had told him, but he understood her reasoning for leaving it so late telling him… it had been easier pretending it didn't exist.

"I wish I was joking. Everything's so different since the traits have started coming in. All smells are heightened. I obviously look exceedingly hot to the female population of Hogwarts. I also seem to have black-out moments."

"Pfft. You have one hell of an ego Malfoy." Blaise grinned, Blaise was just as popular Draco with the girls of Hogwarts, he guessed Draco would be slightly more popular now. This Veela gene gave him that slight edge over Blaise. At the last part of Draco's statement the Slytherin frowned. Black-outs? He'd heard of some Veela's having it, well his own mother told him all about Veela's after Blaise lusted after Fleur Delacour in fourth year; his mother's way for reminding him that even though Veela's were more commonly –but not always- Purebloods, that they were still in fact half-breeds that she would never accept into the family. "Black-outs are not good. Black-outs mean the Veela gene inside of you has found what it's wanted and thinks that you are going to fuck things up for it. What happened when you blacked out?"

"Fuck…you don't want to know. Trust me you really don't want to know." Draco groaned and his face went back against his hands. This was unbelievable. So fucking unbelievable. This was a right royal mess now and there was no way to get around it. He trusted what his friend said completely, Blaise wouldn't lie, and it was one of his more Slytherin traits, blunt honesty. Nevertheless, Draco would look up a book that night after curfew. He was on patrol anyway, so it wouldn't look out of place. Deep down he knew the books would only confirm Blaise's statement. The thought of the meaning caused him to shudder deep inside; his mouth went dry and he felt frozen in the seat.

The Mudblood. Was. His. Mate.

Thank you for reading! You know the drill! Read, Review, Favourite or Alert ;) Or... all of them! =P

Thanks you for sticking with me and being patient for this chapter! Hope it was worth the wait! More Draco and Hermione goodness to come; more drama to come!

-hangs Draco plushie off a stick like a carrot- Review! ;)

Oh for those who didn't realise, the chapter title came from the saying 'the penny drops' but I changed it into a Harry Potter saying ;)

Once again, sorry it took so long!

Love Alana
xcxc