Chapter 5:

Hermione… Hermione…. Hermione… It wasn't a fascination anymore, it was an outright obsession. Neither Draco nor Pansy had been able to find the release they were searching for on their own or with each other, Pansy had told him as much after one long romp where they both eventually fell back on to the sheets panting, sweating, but ultimately frustrated. She had also told him her theory that it had to do with the potion and her being there. Draco had argued that it couldn't be so, only because she didn't drink it. Pansy had countered that it could be taken on its own and therefor drinking it didn't have anything to do with it. "Besides," she added quietly, "it isn't as though she's having the same problem."

While Draco and Pansy cast furtive sidelong glances at their fellow seventh year, she seemed to be following the same routine as normal. "Except that she and Weasley split." There was a small hint of glee in her voice when she told Draco this, who cocked an eyebrow. "Millicent overheard Padma and Parvati talking about it; apparently it was entirely his fault as well." Neither of them liked that they discussed Granger at length these days, but they couldn't seem to focus on anything else.

"We need to get her to figure out what's wrong," Draco suggested quietly. The two of them sat very close to one another at the far end of the table so as not to be overheard. "I don't know how," he answered before Pansy could ask the question, "But we can't ask anyone else. She's the only one smart enough to figure it out but won't go blabbing to the whole school about it." He didn't know that for sure, but he had some hope in him that it was true. He hated the thought of needing her, but he hated it significantly less given that every time he closed his eyes, a violent flash of her naked body appeared in his mind.

Pansy let out a long breath through her nose, but couldn't muster an argument. The truth was they were both on the verge of propositioning the bookworm simply because their minds had all but prepared them for fabulous nights of sex. She wasn't sure if she could ask the girl for anything without losing control and pushing her against the nearest wall. "You do it," Pansy told him.

Though he didn't show it, Draco was nervous. His tongue slowly ran along the back of his teeth as the thought of the prospects of being alone with Granger long enough to ask such an incredulous favour. He knew he and Pansy couldn't. The Weasleys couldn't be trusted to keep their mouths shut. They might even use this terrible debacle as some sort of testimonial to sell their products. Even gets purebloods to fall for mudbloods.

"Fine." Despite his worry, Draco was also very excited to be near Hermione, and just her, to ask for her help and have her take pity on him, to open up to him in some way. As the two of them left the breakfast table, the same question fermented in their minds; how?

The tables near the windows that looked out over the lake were the best in the entire library. Hermione made sure to place her school bag there before going to find a new book or two to help with her assignments. The room of books had always been her home away from the Common Room. She loved the smell of the old pages, the look of the ancient spines, and the plethora of knowledge that was just waiting to be soaked up by her sponge-like brain. It was especially attractive of late because it seemed to repel the boys.

Harry was really no trouble, but Ron. Just the flicker of his name through her mind caused Hermione to misjudge the distance between her shoulder and the corner of the bookshelf. The collision wasn´t solid but the sting remained for a few seconds. He was always hurting her, even when he wasn´t around! She huffed and grabbed the first text she could find on the subject of Runes before turning back to her table. Sadly, someone else seemed to have ignored her claim.

Malfoy was sitting in one of the chairs, lounging as much as one can in a stiff wooden seat meant to ward off the lazy. His hand loosely held up a text that had nothing to with class based on the size. "Can I help you with something?" It wasn't likely he sat there by accident; there were other tables open.

"Actually, you can." Hermione internally cringed. What would he ask? What could he possibly need? Knowing she could turn him down if the request was outrageous, Hermione nodded, waiting for him to continue. "I need you to find an antidote to these."

From his robes Malfoy pulled out a set of vials. Exactly the same, small, crystal, stoppered. The only difference was the colour of potion inside; violent pink in one and cobalt blue in the other. Hermione reached for the pink one and held it up to the light. "I don't recognize these." She sounded disappointed. She did however note that they were the same size as the one she had retrieved the night she found him and Pansy asleep in the tower. "Where did you get them?" Hermione stopped looking at the liquid and gazed right at Draco.

Immediately a presence was felt in his trousers. He fluidly turned his hips toward the wall so no one would see and without skipping a beat replied, "They were purchased." No doubt she would soon find out what they did, she might even pick up on it through their conversation; there was no need to lie.

"If there's something wrong with them, why don't you get the wizard you bought them from to give you the antidote?"

"Conflict of interests."

Malfoy didn't say any more and Hermione knew she wasn't getting anymore. She scooped up the second vial and placed them both in the inner pocket of her robes; right near her breast.

Draco sucked in a little extra air at the sight of her chest rising and falling, her hand so near. Did she ever touch herself? He lost focus for a moment before hardening his face again. "As soon as possible, it's important." He stood to leave, careful to pull his cloak in front of him while turning away.

It was strange, to say the least, for Draco Malfoy to ask any favour of Hermione. He considered himself above her. Perhaps, she considered, he was finally able to admit that he wasn't completely superior. Perhaps he was simply having her do work for him, just like Ron. Ron. Well, she didn't have that complete arse taking up all of her spare time, so why not do a little side project? Still, it was for him.

"What will I get in return?" Draco stopped mid stride and looked over his shoulder at her before shrugging.

"That depends on if you're able to do it." He smirked and walked out the door, leaving Hermione to fume slightly in his wake. If she could do it? Of course she could do it!

Her fingers found one of the small containers again and pulled it out, the blue one this time. She held it up to the light as well and followed the slow, thick flow of the liquid. Only when she twisted it, so that the bottom was facing up toward her, did she see the capital "W" etched into the bottom of the glass. Conflict of interest indeed.