A/n: Okay, nerds. Let's do this.
"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know."
The pain ripped through him, cracking and snapping his bones, twisting and contorting his body and his mind. Draco barely had enough time to run into the room of requirement and lock himself in the cage. Throwing his wand as far away as possible, he silently prayed to nobody that this would work. This had to work.
He tore off his shirt and his pants, throwing them outside the cage, as well. He paced back and forth. Shivers traveled up and down his spine, extending to his fingertips and his toes. White hot blood coursed through his veins as he collapsed to the floor, writhing. The tendons in his arms and legs snapped and stretched as his body took the shape of a wolf. He howled in anguish, his pupils constricting, his breath coming rapidly, hot and wet.
Draco's body was no longer his own, but one borne of an ancient curse. He curled into a ball, wrapping his tail around him. He had learned, somewhat, to control himself whilst in his wolf form. With pure determination he was able to suppress some of his more violent instincts, often resorting to pacing or sleeping when locked in the confines of the Malfoy dungeons.
He snorted; his fur was matted with his own dried blood. Since he had transformed for the first time, he had been unable to go outside, and unable to wash himself. Draco was hungry, but there was nothing to eat. He got up, pacing the small area of the magical cage, and carefully tested the bars.
They shocked him. He whimpered, backing down, making sure that no part of him touched the bars.
The evening passed uneventfully. Even though he was a wolf, he wasn't stupid. Pain was enough to instinctually tell him not to try that thing again. Curled into a ball, he fell asleep.
Pain woke him. Of course pain woke him, that was something he was beginning to know very well. He had stopped fighting the transformation, and let it overtake him. His body squished its way back to his normal, human form.
Lying on the floor inside the cage as the sun rose outside his window, Draco cried silently.
It was Saturday, so he needn't worry about classes, but he knew that his friends would wonder where he had gotten off to if he didn't show up for breakfast. He pulled himself off the floor – he was naked – and unlocked the gate. There was a shower in the corner of the room, the hot water felt soothing to his sore body. He let the water wash over him, relaxing his muscles. Draco was exhausted.
The Great Hall was full by the time he walked in and sat down with Pansy and Blaise. They were already in a heated discussion over who would win in a fight, McGonagall or Snape.
"McGonagall can turn herself into a cat, though."
"So? What benefit would that have in a fight?" Blaise was rooting for Snape.
Draco didn't feel particularly hungry; in fact queasiness was gnawing at the inside of his stomach. He pushed the food on his plate around, though, to give the appearance that he was eating. He hadn't been eating much lately, and had lost quite a bit of weight. He still retained his muscles from Quidditch, he generally kept himself in shape, but he was very thin. His skin stretched taut over his face, sharpening his already angular features.
"I bet she would just transfigure Snape into a worm and step on him."
"I'd like to see her try, Snape's got a whole arsenal of curses he could throw her way. What do you think, Drake?"
He shrugged noncommittally. His head was pounding, and he made a mental note to visit the hospital wing to stock up on some headache potions.
His friends looked worried.
"You okay?" Blaise asked, his usual smile set in a frown.
"Fine," Draco smiled, trying to be genuine.
Pansy didn't look convinced. "You're off your game, Drake."
"At least I have game." He retorted, smirking.
Blaise laughed. "Want some ice for that burn?"
Pansy giggled. "Fine, you got me."
He looked around the Great Hall, what he was looking for, he wasn't sure, until he felt her eyes on him. This was getting really very annoying.
Hermione watched as he struggled to pull a smile across his face. She wasn't sure why he had grabbed her attention, today. Perhaps because of the late entrance, perhaps because of the way his robes seemed to hang off of his body more than usual, or the dark purple bags under his eyes. Draco Malfoy did not look well. Not at all. And, as much as she hated to admit it, she was a little concerned.
She turned to Harry, a sudden thought coming to her.
"Harry?"
"Mmm?" He was just spooning a bit of oatmeal into his mouth.
"The room of requirement – can it be used for anything?"
He pondered this for a moment. "I mean, I know that you can only use it within the castle. It can't take you anywhere. But as far as I know it will give you anything you need. Why?"
She shrugged. "Just curious, I might see if the library has anything about it."
He smiled at her, warmly. "I may join you, I have to finish this Potions essay."
"Not going to wait until Tuesday night?"
"I have practice, I'll never get it done in time if I wait."
"Amazing, you not procrastinating."
"Hey, now." Harry flashed her a grin.
After a while, people began to filter out. It was Saturday, meaning there were no classes, and there was no need to be up at a certain time. Most of the older kids were probably still asleep, as it was only 11:00. The food would disappear from the tables within the hour, only to reappear again at 2.
Ginny slid into the bench across from her.
"Are you going to the party tonight?"
"Party?"
"Yeah, some Ravenclaws are throwing a party up in their tower. They're letting people from other houses in for a Galleon."
"I dunno, I have work to-"
"You're going."
Hermione rolled her eyes, grinning. "Fine, if I must."
Truly, she was okay with going to a party with her friend. Although she did in fact have work to do, a little break couldn't hurt. She nudged Harry on the arm and the two got up to go down to the library. He had forgotten his school bag, so while he went up to the common room to grab it, Hermione continued on.
Since it was still early there weren't many people inside, only a straggler or two, probably from fifth year. She went to her normal table in the back corner and sat down, pulling her books out. Harry joined her a few minutes later, and they chatted amiably over their potions essay. She was just beging to help him with his when Malfoy peeked his head around the corner.
"Ah," He said, "I didn't realize anyone would be here. I'll be going, then."
"What, no derogatory comments? No smirk? Nothing rude to say at all?" Harry questioned defensively.
Malfoy looked tired, and he obviously didn't want a fight. Somewhat uncharacteristic, Hermione thought, but then again, he had been acting very odd lately.
Hermione put her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just let it go." She whispered. His eyes shifted to her, surprised.
Malfoy glanced over to her, his expression an almost thank you. He turned and walked away. Harry and Hermione were left in silence.
"What did you do that for?"
"Don't you ever get tired of it? Always needing to fight with him?"
"I don't always need to fight with him."
"Harry, you kind of do. I think sometimes you just need to learn when to let things go."
He sighed. "I guess maybe you're right."
"Of course I am," she commented offhandedly. Harry smirked. "Now, let's get to work."
After dinner, which was rather uneventful, Hermione and Ginny waited in the common room until it was time to go to the party.
Ginny had changed into a rather tight fitting, short black dress, and straightened her long red hair. Hermione had changed too, into a pair of black jeans and a sequined top. It was just enough flash for a party, but not enough to overdo it. She also pulled up her hair into a fashionable ponytail and had taken the time to apply a little makeup, at least to play up her eyes. The two pulled on their house robes, just in case a prefect or a teacher caught them, and left around 9.
Harry and Ron were coming behind them in a few minutes, they were taking longer to get ready. Although, it was probably Ron who was taking so long, pestering Harry for fashion advice. Hermione chuckled at the thought.
About halfway up Ravenclaw tower, a student stood waiting for guests. Once a small group was gathered, they would collect the money and lead them to the door to let them in. Inside the room, it was loud. There were a lot of people, from all four houses, talking and dancing to a very bass-heavy beat. The lights had been dimmed, and somebody had spelled flashing colorful ones, not unlike ones seen in muggle clubs. Hermione assumed that this was probably the work of a muggleborn seventh year.
There was plenty of alcohol, and somebody was in charge of mixing drinks over at a table in the corner. The Ravenclaws had really gone all out for this. She offered to go get a drink for Ginny, and was just starting to go back to her friend when a tall, slim figure stepped in front of her.
"You know, you look awfully nice this evening-"
She rolled her eyes. "Not in the mood, Malfoy."
"-One might even think you were a pureblood."
"Hark." She laughed sarcastically, "A compliment? How sincere of you."
He shifted uncomfortably.
"What, nothing to say?" Her tone was a bit more biting than she meant. He was definitely off his game, and Hermione wondered if he had been sincere, even though it was backhanded.
"I'd offer to get you a drink, but you already have one." He said, finally.
"And risk being poisoned, no thank you."
"Granger, you really think I would try to kill you right here in the middle of all of these people?"
She tried to find a way around him and back to Ginny.
"Honestly, Malfoy?" She was dead serious. "I'm not really sure what you're capable of."
Her words struck a chord in him. She was afraid. She wouldn't show it, she was too damn stubborn but she was honestly scared of what Draco might do to her. This upset him more than it should have.
"Granger-" He said, softly. The music was thumping so loudly, it was hard for her to hear him. She absentmindedly shuffled a bit closer. "I would never do anything to hurt you."
His eyes were absent of mockery. This new Draco was very strange, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Sure she had enjoyed kissing him, and hadn't minded seeing him naked, but did she want it to happen again? Did she want any interaction like that with him again, ever?
Ginny came up behind him, pushing through the crowd of people.
"I was wondering where you'd gotten to." She saw who Hermione had been talking to. "What are you doing?"
"Well," She handed her friend her drink. "I was coming back to you, but somebody happened to be in my way."
"On the contrary, I was just standing her minding my own business and here comes this monstrosity, bothering me and my friends." He motioned towards Pansy and Blaise, who were grinding a few feet away from him, not paying any attention to the situation whatsoever.
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand, and began to drag her back to where Harry and Ron were waiting. "Well, get back to it, then."
The boys looked nice, they had both smartened up and were wearing classier, darker clothes. Immediately Ginny grabbed Harry, who looked a bit bewildered, and pulled him into the throng of people. They began to dance, Harry awkwardly, Ginny with a little bit more finesse (as much finesse as you can have whilst practically being on top of somebody). Hermione was left standing with Ron. She sipped her drink.
"Er- want to dance?" He asked, sounding hopeful.
"Sure." She smiled at him, leading him next to where Ginny and Harry were.
Hermione didn't want to give him the wrong impression, so she didn't dance back to front like her other two friends, but she still danced close. The longer she danced, the more flushed she became, and the more she drank until she was pink and sweaty and sufficiently impaired.
She was picking up another drink, and turned around, running into Malfoy- again.
"Oh for god's sake. This needs to stop happening." She nearly spilt vodka all down his shirt.
"I quite disagree, Granger, although I am not the one with a lack of spatial awareness."
"I am too spatially aware." She pouted.
"Really?" He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around in a few circles. She nearly fell over, but he caught her. "See?"
She giggled involuntarily. "Touché."
"Going back to Weasely, eh? I see he's had a massive hard-on for you the entire evening."
She swatted him on the arm, taking another swig of her drink. "Don't be so crude."
"I'm not, he's been eyeing you all night. He looks like he might pounce on you given the proper moment."
She squinted at him. There was an expression on his face – or maybe she was just drunk – that resembled jealousy.. or worry? She huffed and tried to sidestep him. He blocked her.
"Malfoy, will you let me through?"
"Not unless you give me a dance." He smirked down at her.
"Fine. One."
He nodded, and pulled her close to him. He smelled good to her, like pine needles and fresh parchment and sandalwood. She subconsciously wondered if that was cologne or soap or if that's just the way he smelled. Her brain registered that he was very close to her, that his breath was on her hair, on her neck, but it didn't send out alarm bells. In fact, the closeness felt, well… good.
She looked up at him, and his intense eyes were staring down at her. He ran his fingers through her hair, and suddenly pulled her face up to his and kissed her. His lips were soft, but firm, and needy. He kissed her fiercely, passionately. Hermione's mind fogged up, she couldn't think clearly, and she kissed him back.
She opened her mouth to say something and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into hers. She wasn't revolted, in fact, she wanted more. Hermione leaned up on her tip toes, grabbing fistfuls of his hair to keep him close. She didn't care that there were people all around her and she didn't care tha her friends were probably wondering where she had gotten to. In that moment it was just her and Draco Malfoy. And as weird as it sounded, that was all she wanted.
But dark thoughts began to creep back in. Was he a death eater? Was she kissing a death eater? And – dare she say it – could she be developing feelings for a death eater? She pulled away suddenly.
"I can't. Not now, I can't." She whispered, her sweet breath hot against his face.
With that, she turned and hurried clumsily out of the Ravenclaw common room and down the stairs. Without missing a beat, he rushed after her.
A/n: Ahh, oui. Young, confused, children: How frustrating they are to write. Hope you enjoyed, sorry this took like thirty years to update. Make sure to favorite, follow, and review! As always you can (please do!) follow me on my tumblr. The URL is slytherinsnitches.