This is also an update because again I didn't like what I previously wrote in this chapter. So I went back to improve it and hopefully this will be the last time that I do that.

Chapter 2-Verging on Obsession

Draco's POV:

As I sat in potions, I stared at the desk in-front of me. The thick black curtains had been drawn, shrouding the room in darkness and trapping the heat inside; making me feel sleepy. Professor Snape was setting an essay-which I wouldn't do-so there was no need for me to listen. Other things were spinning around my head. I had heard things from the Durmstrang boys. Apparently Viktor Krum had asked Granger to attend the Yule Ball with him. What an idiot. He was in for a whole night of smart remarks about his grammar, boring school conversations and staring at her untamed hair. I also knew that she was keeping it a complete secret from her friends-and everyone else really. I looked up at her. She was sat with Potter and Weasley on the circular desk next to mine, scribbling furiously on her parchment in an attempt to make as many notes as possible about the essay. A smirk spread across my face at the thought of her finding out that I knew. Instantly, I snagged up a small piece of parchment from the pile in-front of me and wrote:

'So Granger, how did you manage to score a date with Krum?'

Checking that Snape wasn't watching, I pulled out my wand and tapped the smooth paper. It began to fold itself, twisting and turning until it became a tiny paper dragon. I was especially gifted at this. It was quite a complex charm but it folded paper into any shape that you wanted. My favourites were the dragon and bird. Then I delicately picked it up, placed it in my hands and blew it towards Hermione. It's tiny, white dragon wings fluttered to keep it up until it had bobbed over people's heads and reached her. It almost landed in her hair. Her stupidly bushy hair. Then as it landed gently in-front of her she jumped a little, having been so engrossed in her notes. She glanced around the dim room before tentatively picking it up an unfolding it. I waited in anticipation as she read the words. Then her whole body shot backwards as she dropped the paper to the desk. It glided down and landed on her parchment without any sound. When she whipped her head around again to find the source of her note, I was waiting readily for her. I smirked at her as we locked stares. Granger's eyes widened with fear for a second before her eyebrows dropped and she gave me a fierce glare. Chuckling, I faced the front of the room. I heard her crumple up the paper and I chuckled again.

As the lesson dragged on, I noticed Granger stealing glances at me. For some reason, this seemed to satisfy me. The lesson continued this way. She even spilt a large portion of her potion because she was watching me with hatred printed across her face. The whole time I couldn't prevent my smug grin from breaking out. I adored making her mad. When I finished my potion-a thick, sticky and purple liquid-I strolled up to the front of the room and plopped the vile down on Professor Snape's desk. He nodded at me from his black board but I turned sharply to block him from my view. As I did so, I collided with Granger. The vile slipped from her grasp and her hands swiped furiously at the air to retrieve it. However, I could see that she wasn't going to catch it so-using my lightning quick seeker reflexes-I snatched it out of the air. Granger dropped her gaze to the floor.

"Thanks Malfoy." She mumbled. But then her face changed back to that familiar expression of repulsion. As she opened her mouth to speak, I knew she was going to confront me about the note so I spoke over her.

"You're welcome Granger. But if you would stop sneaking up on people then you wouldn't have nearly dropped your potion-for the second time today. Next time, tell someone when you're planning to walk close enough to sniff their hair." I pushed the vile into her hands and walked away, leaving her gaping after me.

When the class finally finished, I stood up and went to leave. Everyone else gushed out of the doorway like spilt water so I was one of the last ones to leave. Blaise had left me behind-as he had a different lesson to me next. But as I walked through the corridor on my way to Defence Against the Dark Arts, a firm hand slammed down onto my shoulder and I was pulled into an empty classroom. Startled, my eyes rapidly swept the pitch black room until they came to rest on a faint figure. An angered female voice muttered 'lumos' and a blinding light erupted in front of me. I had to look away to prevent myself from losing my sight. As I gazed around the large room, I noticed that it was one of the old and unused Divination classrooms. The desks were lined up at the front of the room and there was a large space at the back-which I was standing in-which had shelves full of crystal balls and telescopes. I couldn't see much more as the light refused to stretch that far. When my eyes had adjusted to the light, I looked at the person stood in front of me. The canopy of light faded from their face and I saw Hermione Granger. Then a huge, evil grin spread across my pale face.

"Granger, how nice to see you-again. We seem to be bumping into each other a lot today. Have you got some kind of obsession with me?"

"Don't give me that dragon-dropping." She grabbed my robes in her fist and pulled me closer. I was close enough to see the raging fire burning deep inside her dark eyes.

"Who told you about Krum and what in the name of Merlin do you want?" She spat. I placed my hand over hers and unhooked her fingers, pushing her back with authority.

"Who said I wanted anything?"

"I'm not stupid Malfoy. Why else would you bother to make it clear to me that you knew about it?"

"Maybe I was just curious. You haven't answered my question, how did you get him to ask you out?"

All the anger left her eyes and was replaced by suspicion.

"You haven't answered mine either." She stated simply.

"I was told by some of the Durmstrang boys. Apparently your boyfriend has been blabbing." I spat back at her. Granger sunk into a nearby chair. Cautiously, I watched her before taking a seat next to her.

"I don't know why he asked me, he just did. But he said he wouldn't tell people..." She mumbled. Taken aback, I stared at her.

"Why wouldn't you want him to tell people? Did you actually think that people wouldn't notice that you were together when it gets to the Yule Ball?"

"I just don't really want to bewith him. I thought that if the only place that people saw us together was the ball then they wouldn't think too much of it. Now they'll think it's a long term thing." She groaned lightly. Then in an instant, she turned on me. With her exhumed anger, she grabbed me again-seeming almost desperate.

"Don't you dare spread it around any further! If it's only the Durmstrang boys then it'll be manageable."

I decided that I had been too lenient up until now. She needed to be reminded of who was in charge here. So I turned to face her and allowed my expression to grow cold and frightful-as it usually was with her.

"Ok Granger, I've been nice so far. You grabbed me and pulled me into a room-if I wanted to, I could hex you for assault right now. You also have been rude and demanding. I don't like that and you're pushing it too far at the minute. I will do as I please. So Hermione Granger shut your un-godly, lopsided mouth immediately!" I stood in a burst of fury and loomed over her. My shadow engulfed her tiny, trembling body. She didn't really have a lopsided mouth but it had spurted out at the last minute. I almost felt bad. Almost. Her bottom quivered for a second before she bit down on it hard. But I still saw it. An unusual surge of guilt rushed through me. I pushed it away.

"Now I'm going to class. Move." But before she had the chance, I pushed past her.

Hermione Granger was also in my Defence Against the Dark Arts class. This had slipped my mind when I had been in the empty room with her earlier and now I had to deal with seeing her whilst a bubble of guilt swirled around in my stomach. She had looked terrified when I had shouted at her. Served her right though. I watched her mouth drone on and on as she gave Professor Moody a very long winded answer to a very simple question. Why did she have to talk so much? Bored, I cast my eyes around the room. I examined the various harmful creatures and body parts that were situated in jars around on shelves. When at last she stopped talking, it was because the professor had held up his chubby hand by her face.

"That's very good Miss Granger. Now be quiet." His gruff voice echoed around the classroom. She blushed and I smirked to myself. Professor Moody annoyed me greatly but I loved the way that he embarrassed Granger.

"Ok then class. Today is a practical lesson. You'll be practising duels. I've produced a list on which you will find your name and your partner. You won't be choosing your partners because I have placed you each with someone who I believe to have similar abilities to you. That will make it fair and interesting for you all." At this, Professor Moody tapped the chalk board with his wand and the list of names appeared. I walked over to the board-elbowing or pushing people out of the way-and searched for my name. I was with Potter.

Hermione's POV:

I waited until everyone else had moved from the board before I made my way forward to check who I was paired with. My keen eyes skimmed over the white letters until I saw my name...next to Pansy Parkinson's. How had I ended up with her? She couldn't possibly be my equal at duelling. Sighing, I turned to see her waiting for me with a shrewd grin. I hesitantly took my place in the line of Gryffindors that faced the Slytherins. Each person was widely spaced out and seemed ready to kill. Professor Moody limped to the front of the room and stood in between the two lines.

"Now I don't want any of you to seriously injure your opponent. Only use spells that you can do and you know that you will be able to get the correct affect from. This isn't a time to practise unknown or unusual spells. Begin."

The two lines bowed to each other. It was supposed to show respect to your opponent but none of that was shown during this gesture; everyone practically snarled at each other. Then the room was suddenly filled with the shouts of pupils as they tried desperately to scream spells at their opponent and make the first hit. This was the crucial part in my opinion-attacking your target first would knock their confidence, therefore giving you an advantage. Seeing that Pansy had already begun to lift her wand, I turned to her and raised my own. Instantly she opened her mouth to attack but I was quicker.

"Flipendo!" I screeched. Pansy was sent flying backwards into the air. She landed with a large thud on the hard, wooden flooring. As her face pressed heavily against the floor a groan of pain escaped her lips. Slowly, Pansy raised herself onto her hands and knees. I watched her spit out a mouthful of red liquid-probably her saliva mixed with blood from the impact-and release another groan of agony.

"Well done Miss Granger, very fast." Professor Moody observed. I turned my head to accept the praise out of habit. Whilst I did this, Pansy leapt up and pointed her wand at me. I only just managed to turn my head to see her mouth form the words.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Her shrill voice was followed by a dim blue light emanating from the tip of her wand and hitting me. My body froze; I tried to move but I couldn't. I had to wait until the spell wore off. But she didn't fight fair. As I remained solid and still, she attacked again.

"Stupefy." She almost whispered with a smug smile creeping onto her face. A blinding light erupted from her wand this time and hit me full force in the chest-maybe a little to the left. My still frozen body was flung backwards. My consciousness was beginning to slip away-due to the effects of the spell-as I felt my head collide with the wall. That's why she was paired with me. Her sneakiness matched my knowledge.

Draco's POV:

I heard Pansy scream out louder than the others but ignored it, until Potter stopped casting his next spell and turned to stare wide-eyed down the line of Gryffindors. I followed his gaze and saw Granger collide with the far wall and flop into a heap on the stone floor. Her limp body looked so frail and fragile. Suddenly a sharp pain twisted sickeningly through my stomach. Without thinking, I rushed forward and dropped down to kneel next to her. Immediately I tried to pick her up but it proved difficult as her body was locked in a position that suggested she should have been standing. Still I heaved, for some reason I seemed desperate to get her off the floor. After a few seconds, her body went limp and light again so I was able to pick her up. The spell must have worn off. I placed a hand under her arms and the other under her knees so that her body rested across my arms. Then I carefully stood up and after staring down at her unconscious face, I turned around to see the whole class staring at me in astonishment. Their mouths hung open slightly as they gawped. Then Weasley took a careful step forward and his arm twitched, suggesting that he wanted to curse me.

"Put her down Malfoy." He trembled slightly. I struggled to think of an excuse for what I was doing. What was I doing? But my insecurity only lasted for a few seconds and then I thought of an answer, summoned back my confidence and replied.

"Relax Weasley; I'm just taking her to the hospital wing. Someone has to do it and it's not as if you could pick her up." I smirked at him before glancing at Professor Moody. He simply nodded so I made my way out of the classroom with Granger draped over my arms. The group of my classmates parted to create a pathway. My fellow Slytherins stared at me with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance but I simply ignored them-as I did with a lot of people-I was their prince and they couldn't judge me. Lifting my head a little higher, I made eye contact with Potter. I couldn't read his face but I didn't really want to. Instead I strolled out of the door and into the corridor.

As I walked along the corridors with Granger in my arms, I grew more and more scared that she would wake up. If she did then she would no doubt push away from me, causing her to fall once again to the ground-which I would surely be blamed for. With that in mind, I pulled her closer to my body. Her head rolled on the side and her cheek pressed against my shoulder. After a few more minutes her slim fingers locked around the fabric of my robes. I rolled my eyes. Various portraits watched us as I carried her in my arms. Many of them attempted to ask what was wrong but I never gave them an answer-I had no time for conversing with portraits. The hallways also seemed longer than usual. Then I reached the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the hospital wing. Looking down at her unconscious face again, I gripped her tighter and began to climb the steps. Luckily puberty had been kind enough to give me some relatively big muscles. My arms weren't huge but they were noticeable and I was able to carry Granger quite easily. When I finally reached the top of the stairs, I wanted to run down the corridor because she was bound to wake up soon. But I wasn't strong enough for that! So I had to walk at a leisurely pace. My arms were beginning to tire slightly so I tried to grasp her more firmly. The feeling of her soft, warm skin against me stirred unusual emotions. She didn't feel any different from a pureblood like me. But she was a mudblood. I reassured myself with the knowledge that I of course couldn't feel her blood and that was why she felt normal. As I arrived at the hospital doors, I let out a large sigh of relief. I would soon be able to put her down. Stopping, I nudged the door with my foot and struggled into the large, white room. When we appeared through the small gap that my foot had managed to make, Madame Pomfrey saw us and rushed to my side.

"What happened?" She asked with her wrinkled hand resting on Granger's forehead.

"She was stupefied whilst she was unable to move her body in Defence Against the Dark Arts."

Her face grew alarmed and she examined Granger much more closely. I noticed that I was taller than her by half a head and would no doubt continue to grow. This gave me a strange sense of power and authority. But when she cast her eyes over me again, I suddenly felt tiny and young. Even though her body appeared rather delicate and weak, her aged eyes were twinkling with wisdom and an authority that I would never achieve.

"Where did the spell hit her? Do you know?"

"No, is that important?" I glanced over Granger's body, checking for any signs of impact.

"Well it depends, if she was hit in a vital area-such as the head-whilst she was unable to move then it's more serious than I originally thought. But not by too much."

"Well she hit her head on the wall after the impact." I mumbled while my eyes were focused on her body, still searching for evidence of the spot of impact. Madame Pomfrey's head snapped up like a rabbit cornered by a fox. But this rabbit
fought back.

"Well that makes it serious no matter where she was hit. Bring her over here." She instructed and guided-almost pulled-me towards the nearest bed. I complied. Madame Pomfrey burst into life. She didn't seem old and fragile now; she was exploding with energy and urgency. She swiftly pulled back the quilt and I lay her down in the soft bed. As I did so, her robes shifted off of her shoulder to reveal a singe in her jumper.

"I think it was there, on her left shoulder." I gestured to it. She simply nodded and hurried away, leaving me stood helplessly next to her. I looked down to her pale face. Why am I here? What in the name of Merlin was I thinking? I haven't been able to get Granger away from me all day. Falling down into the small chair beside her bed, I stooped my head low to rest it in my hands. Then I ran my fingers backwards through my hair before allowing my head to rest in my hands again. This had been a stressful, unpredictable and fast-paced day. I rubbed my eyes thoroughly until my vision went black and hazy. I thought of staying like that, it was better to not have to see where I was. I didn't want to be at the bedside of Hermione Granger in the hospital. No one did. What if she woke up? At that thought I quickly lifted my head up and blinked several times in an attempt to restore my sight. At least now I would see if she began to stir and could run. Madame Pomfrey eventually returned, her shoes tapping swiftly on the floor as she hurried with a bottle in her hand to Granger's bed. I watched as she poured a watery blue liquid out of the bottle and into a spoon. Then she looked at me expectantly.

"Move her head to the side please dear."

Obeying the older woman I reached over and at first my hands fluttered around her face, not knowing what to do. But then I placed my fingers lightly on her cheek and pushed her head. Madame Pomfrey smiled, nodded and poured the liquid into Granger's ear. She then rushed off again. I stayed a while longer, staring at Granger's limp body. She looked so weak. Not at all like the fiery tempered Gryffindor that I saw in her. Or like the surprisingly strong girl that punched me last year. Her hair had fallen across her face. Her stupidly bushy hair. It was always just there. So I contemplated moving it. After a while of deep thinking, I extended my hand and brushed the large lock of hair away from her face. Then I watched her breathe. It was bizarre to think that she was a human with the ability to think and feel as I do. Mostly people seemed to be nothing more than voices without a brain, simply there to fill the silence until you sat down and realised that they were real. They have a purpose. As I sat there, her eyes suddenly fluttered open. Jumping up, I stumbled backwards and almost fell onto the bed behind me. She stared at me with confusion, as if she was finding it hard to concentrate on me. I used this as my opportunity to run. So I fled out of the door with as much dignity as I could.

Hermione's POV:

Was that Draco Malfoy? No it couldn't have been. What would he have been doing at my bedside? But this wasn't my bed. Nor was it my room. My room housed four other girls and was decorated with rich reds, crimsons and golds. I woke up every morning feeling like I had slept inside the sun due to the thick red curtains that I pulled down to shield me from the world as I slept. A slither of sunlight would be creeping in through the tiny gap that I always left to allow the bright, warm morning light to seep through. This room was white and pristine. No slithers of sunlight tried to contact me here, just ugly candle light. I turned my head but a soggy feeling burst inside my ear. I felt as though I had water trapped in it. Just as I was about to poke my finger in it to remove the water, Madame Pomfrey bustled into the room. So I was in the hospital ward then. Why? And how?

"Ah good you're awake dear. I thought that potion would do the trick. No don't touch it. Thank you." She walked over to me and placed a hand over mine to lower it away from my ear. Then she placed her warm, wrinkly hand on my forehead.

"Right, you go back to sleep for a while and you'll be able to leave in the morning. You'll be good as new." After a quick, kind smile her body whipped around and she made her way across the room to see to a young Ravenclaw boy with his leg hung up in a cast.

"Wait, Madame Pomfrey?" I called weakly. Shocking myself with my croaky voice I placed a hand to my throat and coughed slightly. She turned back and nodded at me kindly.

"Was...was that Draco Malfoy in here just now?"

"Oh yes it was."

"Why was he here? I mean why was he sat by my bed?" I tried to sit up. I had hoped that I had imagined it. Clearly I hadn't.

"He carried you in dear, and as if that wasn't enough he was very helpful after that. He placed you down in the bed and moved your head so that I could put the potion in your ear. He even sat with you while I was out of the room. Strange though, he ran off as soon as you woke up. I don't know why. Now sleep." She shot me another smile before trotting off once more. I stared up at the ceiling. What? Why had he done that? Malfoy would rather I be dead than carry me. Wouldn't he? Seems as though he had been hanging around me all day.

Please review because I can't tell if you actually like it or if you're all just checking it out when you've seen it. Let me know if you want me to continue, if I don't get reviews then I'll assume that not enough people are interested and I might have to consider stopping the updates but if I have to do that at all then I'd rather do it earlier so that I'm not wasting my time. So please let me know.