A/N: Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. My economics paper went better than expected, hence, happiness.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Someone sent a review asking whether this is going to be one of those fanfics where Draco just lash out and Hermione will just take it, but since they were not signed in I couldn't reply. So here: Do you really think it's in Hermione's character to just 'take it'? xD She'd bitchslap Voldemort if she had the chance :p So read on, my reader –throws glitter and rainbows-

And because my Beta, Stephanie Suprano, is slightly diet conscious, a tofu and salad filled thanks to her.

Chapter five: Denial

"Hermione!" She heard as her eyes fluttered open. She could feel the hard, cool stone under her. She blinked as she gazed up at several Gryffindors staring at her in concern.

"W-What happened?" She mumbled as she sat up. Relief spread through her friends as they helped her stand.

"You blacked out for a minute, 'Mione." Ron said putting his hand on her shoulder in concern. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "I don't know what happened."

"Is everything okay, Miss Granger?" Headmistress McGonagall spoke from behind her. Her tone was professional, but when Hermione turned to look at her she saw the concern flickering across her face.

"I'm fine, thank you. I don't know what happened. I'll be okay after I have some food I guess." Hermione said. Ron immediately understood the need for food and guided her towards the table. She could feel several eyes on her body. She ignored them and made a show of eating her breakfast, even though in reality she didn't even know what she was having. It tasted like sawdust and cardboard. 'I didn't eat much yesterday and that's probably why, not because of anything else' She thought firmly. She didn't lift her eyes to look at anyone else at all, especially not a particular Slytherin with grey eyes.

'Grey eyes…' She almost chocked on her pumpkin juice. 'No Hermione, don't be insane.'

She drove any thoughts about anything concerning the word 'Veela' out of her mind. Her head pounded and everything was still bright, too vivid and loud.

After breakfast, Hermione, Harry and Ron made their way to potions class. The boys had to walk slower than usual as Hermione dragged her feet. She felt as if she was about to throw up the barely digested contents of her breakfast.

They entered class almost cutting the time margin. They made their way to the left side of the classroom where all the Gryffindors sat, away from the Slytherins who sat to the right side. The divide between both houses would forever hold. It was more than basic house rivalry; it was eternal war between the two.

Ron slipped next to Dean, while Harry and Hermione sat together.

As Professor Slughorn greeted the class, Hermione took a whiff of the classroom. It smelt like power: strong and awesome. The classroom held the scents of the daily potions that were brewed in the room: potions that were merely vials of liquid fame, glory and immortality.

The class worked quietly, focused on their respective potions. It was a relief to Hermione who was tired of the noises hitting her ear drums with full force. It was amazing to brew the potion with her enhanced sense of smell and sight. She looked at each ingredient with anew amazement.

She was probably the first one to notice something was very wrong with Seamus and Lavender's potion next to their table. The smell hit her first: metallic and crisp. It was followed by a sizzle that definitely sounded bad to her. She ducked, screaming, way before it registered to anyone else that the cauldron was about to explode.

The contents splattered everywhere as the cauldron shattered. The murky, grey goo landed on its makers, while also on the immediate neighbours to the table, Harry and Pansy. Pansy's shriek of disgust echoed through while Harry swore loudly. It took several minutes to assess the damage.

Professor Slughorn soon sent the four students off to the infirmary in case of any strange effects from the incident. He waved his wand to clean up the goo splattered everywhere. He was oddly organised, having done this several times before, especially where Seamus was involved. Headmistress McGonagall had been absolutely on point when she had said that Seamus had a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics.

Hermione had almost cried when the bang of the cauldron exploding and Pansy's ear splitting shriek had reached her sensitive ears. She got out from under the table where she had been hiding and watched Professor Slughorn clear the mess.

He turned to Hermione, "You might want to restart if you want a good grade Miss Granger." To her dismay, he was right. Her cauldron had been splattered too and now turned a deep blue instead of the lovely turquoise it had been before the incident. She sighed deeply before waving her wand to vanish the potion.

"Mister Malfoy, pair up with Miss Granger, since you've both lost a partner." Professor Slughorn spoke as he turned around to help Crabbe and Duncan, both of whom were rather hopeless when it came to potions. He was unaware of what was going on behind his back.

Draco Malfoy glared at Hermione Granger. None of them got up and moved, since it would mean crossing into enemy territory. Their ego was something they could not give up on easily, since it was very much ingrained in both their personalities. Whether Hermione accepted the trait or not it existed in her as much as in Draco, who incidentally took pride in the quality. They both refused to move.

Draco's lip curled back in a sneer, and Hermione could clearly see the venom in his eyes directed towards her. Her heart constricted in her chest and her fists clinched as she felt a dull ache echo in her chest.

"Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy I thought you would have begun by now. You're losing time and you should start now if you want that O." Professor Slughorn spoke as he saw them seated at their respectful tables glaring at each other. He looked at Hermione who looked ruffled and tired. The poor girl must already be in pain from the absence of her mate. She does look tired. "Mister Malfoy, please gather your things and move to her table immediately."

Draco almost snapped at the professor, but then gathered his things and moved haughtily towards the Head Girl's table. None would have guessed that he was feeling repugnant rather than bored from his face. But Hermione could see the emotion swirling in his stormy eyes very well. He was frustrated and annoyed. She could even see the very minute hesitation in his exaggerated swagger towards her.

She turned away and began to measure the beetle eyes they would need. Seeing her soundlessly work on the potion, Draco turned to do the same. They worked in a heavy silence.

Hermione's posture straightened and she could feel the quiet hum of magic run through her veins. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion, as colour returned to her cheeks. She reached out for the Armadillo bile absentmindedly as Draco did the same. Their fingers brushed for a fraction of a second.

A rush of warmth spread through her, and she felt all the tiredness flow out of her body. Her magic purred and crackled through her veins, suddenly alert. A bolt of electricity fizzled through her shaking her awake. She felt better than she had in ages.

Draco felt something too. Comforting warmth settled inside him and he was momentarily confused until he felt his partner's fingers wrap around his harm. He turned towards her and his mouth opened to insult her. He was momentarily distracted by her expression.

Her mouth was slightly open, and she looked far away. Her cheeks were now coloured as opposed to the paleness they had held in the morning. Her eyes were wide and she seemed to not be aware that she had gripped his hand tightly.

He tore his hand out of her grip and she turned to him in daze. Confusion flashed through her eyes. He sneered at her and spoke, "Don't touch me Mudblood."

A crippling pain went through her and suddenly the realisation hit her.

"You're my mate." She gasped.

A/N: And she knows now! So it begins xD

Ciao for now, Alexia.