The Harry Potter universe and its characters are the sole property of J. K. Rowling. By using them below, I am in no way claiming ownership.

'What do we do?' Draco asked as the pair reached the entrance to the library. Hermione was struck by how vulnerable he looked, now he knew that someone had stolen and abused his identity. 'How long does polyjuice potion last?'

'We don't know that they're using polyjuice potion.' Hermione was still entangled in her own thoughts, distracted by some crucial piece of information that she was certain she knew. Something she'd read, or something she'd been told was dancing at the edge of her mind, just within grasp.

'I need to look up a few things in the library.' Concerned by his expression, she gave him a weak smile. 'Don't worry about it. We'll sort everything out.'

'I know,' he gave her an appreciative smile, 'you're used to getting out of scrapes like this.'

Hermione left him in the corridor, a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading out from her abdomen at his words. It was nice to be believed in, even if the reality was that she was as confused as him.

Draco was walking back towards the Syltherin dormitories when a voice called him to a halt. He glanced back and saw Ron stalking towards him. The wizard looked mad, his robes pushed up to his elbows. 'Oi, Malfoy!'

'If it isn't the missing link,' Draco called back, quickly scanning the corridor for any senior students or teachers. Thankfully, most of the others were still in the grounds watching the Quidditch match.

Ron's pace picked up speed and Draco folded his arms. The red-head stopped a few feet away.

'You've got my sister in tears.' Ron accused.

'Do you expect me to apologise?' Draco sneered back. Ron suddenly moved forward and he stumbled back in response, expecting a punch. Instead he was pushed against the wall, Ron pinning him against the cold stone, his face only inches away. 'What are you going to do?' Draco asked, trying not to show his fear.

'Something I should have done a long time ago.' Draco closed his eyes, wincing in preparation of the hit.

It wasn't the kind of contact he'd expected.

Ron's lips pushed against Draco's, hot and clumsy, while his hand moved down to caress his neck. Horrified, Draco pushed the boy away and fell to the floor. Ron stood over him, blushing, then turned on his heel and left.

Draco watched the red-head walk back down the corridor and shuddered. Hermione needed to sort this out before things got further out of hand.

'I've found it,' Hermione dropped the large tome onto the library table, startling Draco. Her eyes focused on the pale lines on his cheek, the hint of a bruise from when she'd slapped him, but she quickly moved her attention back to the book in front of them.

'What have you got?' He asked cheerfully, lighting up at her presence. She opened the book to chapter eight, sending a flurry of dust particles into the air, then pointed at a passage.

'I knew I'd read something in Hogwarts: a History about the Gryffindor common room. Do you remember how your fake-self overcame the wards to get to the dormitories?' He looked back at her, puzzled.

'Fake-self?' He repeated, questioning.

'The guy going round the castle pretending to be you.' She explained, 'we should differentiate or it's going to get very confusing.' His brow furrowed. 'Anyway, he can't be using polyjuice potion to look like you. The book says that the wards work on all living males, so even if he were pretending to be say, me, the wards wouldn't let him in.'

'So who's pretending to be me?'

'Not who, what. The thing pretending to be you, well, it can't be alive.'

'I don't understand.' Storms raged behind his eyes, as if the world were shattering around him.

'Whatever it is, it has to be some kind of dark artefact. It's not a real person.' He frowned, staring down at the table and Hermione felt her heart twinge. 'I thought you'd be happy. We're a bit closer to dealing with the problem.'

'I need to go,' Draco pushed himself up from the table and abandoned her. Hermione's eyes followed him as he moved through the stacks towards the exit.

It was only then that she realised that earlier, Draco had shown no signs of damage on his face. Why should he? She hadn't slapped the real Draco - she'd slapped the imposter.