Dear Hermione,

We're still at the Burrow. We've been trying to gather intel on the real locket. Tomorrow, we're going to try and break into the Ministry and see what we can find. We've made the Polyjuice potion, though we don't know if we did it right. Ron made it, so it's 60/40 chance we did. (The 40 being the chance we did do it right).

We always knew with you, though! You always made it perfectly. We still miss you desperately. I know you're angry that you didn't come with us, and by now even more angry because we haven't given you a straight answer yet, and probably Dumbledore hasn't either. Just know that we're sorry. This is to protect you.

Anyway, the Weasleys send their love and we do too. Please write back and send your letter with Hedwig and send your patronus ahead of her to let us know you're safe. Hopefully, this letter will get to you before tomorrow because walking around the Ministry with an otter swimming around us will likely bring attention. I love you, and tell Ginny I love her too.

-Harry

P.S. : I love Ginny more! Piss off Harry, I'm her bloody brother! Oh, and I love you too Hermione.

-Ron

It was 2 A.M, and Hermione sat at her desk in her room reading the latest letter from Harry and Ron. Each letter was an account of what they did that day. It usually was just them jumping from safe house to safe house and looking for any leads, but it was always comforting to Hermione to know what they were doing. It almost felt like she was actually there with them. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, and her vision was blurred. She silently thanked Merlin that the Head Girl and Head Boy had their own rooms, for she was whimpering the whole night.

"Dammit," Hermione whispered as her eyes became watery and a lump formed in her throat. Not again! Hermione hated crying. At least in front of people. She believed it showed weakness. She tried to blink away the tears before they spilled, but to no avail. She put her face in her hands and cried once more. She terribly missed her two best friends. They were family to her, and she felt so alone at Hogwarts without them. Yes, she had Ginny, Neville, and Seamus... well not really Seamus...but she felt out of place without Ron and Harry.

Their letters didn't explain much except that they kept repeating over, and over, "We're sorry. This is to protect you." She hypothesized that at least one of the three had to keep an eye on Hogwarts, and Hermione was the best candidate. This gave her a little comfort, but it was still not the confirmed reason. Hermione hated being in the dark, and she hated that people kept things from her when it would be so much easier if she just knew.

She looked over at the picture frame on her desk. It was of the three of them, laughing in what seems to look like the kitchen at the Burrow. She completely forgot who took the picture, or what they were even laughing about. But they were together, and they were happy nonetheless. She sighed and got out a new piece of parchment and wrote a letter. She then walked over to the windowsill where Hedwig's cage was at. She let Hedwig out and gently placed the letter in between Hedwig's talons. The Snowy owl immediately flew into the night sky as the window opened. Hermione pointed her wand out the window and whispered, "Expecto patronum". An ethereal otter came out her wand and rapidly swam across the horizon. The memory she thought of? The one in the picture frame. She didn't know when or why they were happy- all that mattered was that they were.

It was Charms class, and Draco had never been more excited for it. For he sat right next to Millicent Bulstrode. Usually, he despised this class, for obvious reasons, and also for Professor Flitwick's ridiculous voice. But today Draco looked forward to it because today he would plant the seed for revenge.

Blaise's plan was fool-proof , it was so simple. The Slytherins were having a party in the common room, and all Draco had to do was ask Millicent out to the party, and then Blaise would do the rest. Being the Head Boy, Draco had to simply turn a blind eye to what was happening. See no evil, hear no evil right? If the Head Boy never saw it, it never happened.

Millicent was taking notes next to him. It was time to charm the hell out of this girl. And what better class to do it in than Charms? Draco actually giggled out loud at his own internal pun. Millicent glanced at him sideways with a puzzled look. Draco cleared his throat. Showtime.

Draco took out a piece of parchment and wrote on it. He smoothly slipped it under Millicent's hand. She whipped her head towards him with an annoyed expression. Draco signaled with eyes, glancing back and forth between Millicent and the note. She sighed and read the note, Hey, I'm really sorry about the other day.

Millicent wrote back. She slid the parchment back to Draco. It read, Is "bullshit" one word, or two?

Draco smiled and wrote, No it's not, and I want to make it up to you. Listen, there's a party in the Slytherin common room tonight. I know you never go to those but I want you to come. Are you in?

As Millicent read it, her face scrunched up. She wrote, What's the catch?

No catch.

Millicent hesitantly scratched down, So... I'd be going with you? She looked up at Draco for confirmation. He crookedly smiled and then nodded. She blushed a bit. Draco noticed and smiled even wider. This was going to work flawlessly.

What about your girlfriend?

She dumped me last night.

Millicent squinted at Draco. He simply smiled back and threw a wink. She slowly turned towards the parchment and wrote, Look, I don't know what game this is but I'll play.

Really?

Everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, you know what people say about me, don't you?

Vicious gossip. Draco grimaced the moment he passed the parchment back. Like that wasn't obvious. It was way too out of character.

Millicent smiled and wrote, Well only idiots screw with fatty-cake, snaggle-toothed witches.

Class was dismissed and he watched Millicent glide out of the classroom

Draco gathered his things and filed out to see Blaise and Pansy waiting for him. "Well?..." Blaise asked him.

Draco smirked and replied, "The witch took the bait."

Hermione saw Pansy, Blaise, and Malfoy outside of the Charms classroom. It was lunch, and that meant it was time for her meeting with the Head Boy. They were supposed to meet in their shared office right after class. Hermione was on her way but was distracted seeing the Head Boy quite not on the way to their office. She was watching him from the first landing of the staircase, waiting to see if he'll remember and start heading on his way. She was getting increasingly irritated by the second. She started tapping her foot, and she glanced at her watch.

She grunted when she saw that in two minutes she would be late. Well, in two minutes is when the meeting should start. But "on-time" for Hermione was "early". She became frustrated that the only other person who was to be at that meeting was acting like it was a social hour! She was about to call out his name until she heard the splitting sound of hand on flesh.

Hermione gasped as she saw Malfoy clutch his face after being slapped by his girlfriend. The sound reverberated throughout the hall, and now everyone's head turned to see the source. Pansy started wailing at Malfoy. Hermione couldn't quite make out what she was saying over her crying except, "slag", "take her", and "prick". Pansy slapped him again and then ran away in tears. Hermione would never admit it, but she was happy that Malfoy didn't chase after her.

Hermione glanced at her watch. Dammit! She turned and sprinted up the stairs to the office.

"Why on Earth would you ask that slag, and not me, your bloody girlfriend?!" Pansy screeched at Draco. He was gingerly rubbing his hand on his left cheek. He felt indents where her long, polished fingernails scratched him. Thankfully he wasn't bleeding, yet.

"We told you, Pansy! This about payback!" Blaise tried to calm Pansy down, but she was having none of it.

"But did you have to take her?! Could you not have just simply invited her and taken me instead?"

"No!" Draco yelled, "No because I told her we broke up." Draco braced himself, and rightfully so.

"YOU INSENSITIVE PRICK!" Pansy slapped him again, harder than before. Draco was definitely bleeding now. Pansy ran away crying.

Draco placed a hand on his cheek and winced at the contact. He inspected his bloodstained hand as he felt the warm liquid drip into the corner of his mouth. "Shite!" Draco growled.

Blaise reached out to him. "Let's go get you to Madam Pomfrey."

Draco shoved him away. "No. Go get Pansy. I need to be somewhere. I'll see you later."

"What-"

"Head Boy stuff- just go, Blaise." Draco briskly walked away before Blaise could say anything else. It's not that he wanted to go to the meeting, he just didn't want to talk to Blaise anymore. It hadn't even been the first semester and he managed to ruin his relationship with Pansy. He'd hate it if he did the same with his friendship with Blaise. With his father a Death Eater, and his mother a fugitive, Pansy and Blaise were all he had.

Draco pushed open the office door and saw Granger sitting at her desk writing on a piece of parchment. She flipped her head towards the door and tried to hold back her laughter. He just silently went to sit down in an armchair. He rolled his eyes for he could hear Granger's hitched breath, still trying to conceal her snickers.

Draco glared at her. "I mean, does it suck so bad?"

"No! It's badass," Hermione said, letting out a chuckle. She then stood up and grabbed her wand.

Draco knew that she saw the whole thing with Pansy. He huffed, "You don't have to lie."

"I wasn't." She approached him and held her wand to his face.

He snatched her wrist. "And don't do me any favors."

"Again, I wasn't. I just don't want any blood on the carpet. It's just a simple healing spell."

Draco slowly let go of her wrist. His eyes met hers as she gently placed her left hand on his uninjured cheek and placed her thumb just under his bottom lip for leverage. Draco surprised himself, as he did not resist her. She looked away as she carefully took her right hand with her wand to his left cheek. A warm, yellow light emitted from the wand and it soothed his injured cheek. His blood slowly evaporated, as well as the pain.

"Good as new," Granger said, putting her wand down. She suddenly let out a soft laugh. He noticed how she scrunched up her nose and her dark gold curls bounced whenever she laughed at him. "You know it's funny, " she said, her delicate hand still holding Draco's face in place. Draco noticed, but he did not flinch away, nor did he silently wish she'd let go.

What the hell are you doing, Draco? His thought process stopped short as Hermione lightly traced the scars of the cut with her other hand.

"Your pureblood looks exactly like my mudblood," she cooed. When her hands left his face, a cold rush swept over his cheeks in their place.

Again, what the hell are you doing, Draco?! He shook his head and cleared his throat. "Right, let's get this started," he suggested, motioning towards the conference table.

The two discussed schedules for rounds around the school, solutions for tardy students, and other important matters. Hermione was shocked at how civilly they planned everything they needed to without once getting into a fight. Malfoy noticed. "I don't think I've ever gone this long without calling you a mudblood."

Hermione snorted, "Well, you just did." She shuffled her papers and put them in her desk. "At least it's a new record," she noted.

Malfoy stood up and stretched. "Oh, I also noticed that I haven't congratulated you on Head Girl. I should probably do that," Malfoy pointed out.

She scoffed as she sat on the conference table, "Yes you probably should. But I'll take your mere acknowledgment as a 'congratulations'."

The two went quiet again as they both stared at the carpet. Hermione was thinking about that fight with Pansy, and she desperately wanted to know what happened. Would it be too nosey to ask? It was almost a minute of silence until Hermione softly asked, "What happened with Pansy?"

Hermione noticed how Malfoy's jaw clenched. "Why do you care?" he said through gritted teeth.

"Curiosity."

"Well, we are not friends, Granger. So I'm sorry if I don't start spouting out my life story willy-nilly," Malfoy barked.

Hermione flinched. She muttered a soft "sorry" without a hint of irony. She really was just curious. She stole a sideways glance at him and saw that he was staring at her intently.

He breathed out, "She was upset that I didn't invite her to go with me to the party in the Slytherin common room," She looked up at him, with an expression that told him to go on, "and I asked someone else to go with me."

Hermione just started laughing. Malfoy looked at her incredulously. "What in the bloody hell is so funny?"

"You!" She answered, pointing to him.

"Me?!"

"Yes! And Pansy too!" She kept laughing until she calmed down to explain herself, "You two are so superficial! How does something so little, that could easily be solved with a simple explanation, turn into a huge fight?"

He tried to form a thought, " I-"

She interrupted, "What do you know about Pansy?"

"She's pretty, and comes from a pureblood family. What else is there to know?"

Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief. "Merlin! There's plenty to know! Her likes, dislikes, favorite color, favorite food, et cetera! You know, if you knew anything about Pansy and she knew anything about you, this fight wouldn't have happened."

Hermione got down from the table and walked toward him saying, "You would've known that she's sensitive to these kinds of things, and she would've known that you really didn't mean to hurt her."

"Well, what does it matter? She's a pureblood and easy on the eyes. That's all that's important."

Hermione stopped walking and gasped in disgust. "Are you honestly that shallow?"

He winced and then walked towards her now. "Well, I don't know how you mudbloods do it, but all that we are expected to do is marry another pureblood, and continue the line. That's it. Purebloods don't have time for feelings. "

"Not even love?" Hermione blurted out. Her body betrayed her as blood rushed into her cheeks. She looked down at the ground to hide her chagrin. Hermione could feel Malfoy's eyes staring through her. She only hoped to Merlin that he couldn't see how she felt when she was around him. What was once hatred turned into something Granger couldn't quite place.

"I can't afford love. There's no hope for me Granger," Malfoy scoffed with irritation. Hermione looked up into his gray eyes. She again saw that fear that was ever present in his irises. The fear of being exposed and defenseless.

Hermione thought about what Dumbledore said, Miss. Granger, I'm afraid you make Draco Malfoy vulnerable. Could that possibly be true? And could she be leaving Draco Malfoy vulnerable right now? She quietly replied, "Everyone can afford it. And everyone can afford hope, too. Even for themselves." It was Hermione's turn to stare into Malfoy.

He shifted, and then filled the silence, "What about you? Looks don't matter to you?" He continued to walk closer, mere inches away from her face.

Hermione's stomach lurched, and her pulse accelerated as he got dangerously close to her lips. "What can I say? I'm substance over style," she hummed.

"Well, I- er," Draco was stumbling over his words. He lost all sense of cognition looking into her chocolate eyes. He felt like such a barmy idiot. But then he instantly remembered who she was and who he was. "Thanks for the sermon, mudblood," he hissed caustically. Draco immediately turned around and left the office without another word.

Shame shot through his stomach each step he took. He had called Granger a mudblood countless times before, and he had never been plagued by a guilty conscience. But why was he feeling it now? He actually felt sorry. It was something about her in that office. She seemed to see right through him and then know everything about him. He felt vulnerable. Perhaps that was what made him lash out. Draco still groaned in annoyance because he still didn't know why he had the urge to apologize to her.

He walked into the Great Hall and scanned for his friends. He cursed under his breath at the reminder that not an hour ago, he cocked everything up. Surprisingly, he saw Blaise waving him over with Pansy. Draco raised an eyebrow in confusion as he walked cautiously over to the Slytherin table. He sat down next to Pansy as Blaise sat across from him.

"Your face looks better," Blaise observed.

Draco touched his left cheek and said, "Granger took care of it."

Blaise's eyes widened. "Uh-huh," he muttered.

Draco eyed Pansy from the side, looking for any sign of her being upset. He found her to have no emotion. She looked almost bored. He would've brought the situation up, but he wanted to spare Blaise the awkwardness.

Instead, he asked him, "How are we looking, for tonight?"

"Great," Blaise responded slowly. He looked back and forth between Pansy and Draco. He could've cut the tension with a butter knife.

Blaise continued," Your part is done. Let's just hope the witch really comes."

"Oh, she will. The slag is practically in love with me." Draco saw Pansy's hand ball into a fist in her lap.

"Alright, it's all set! Leave the rest to me, mate. I know you can't be there for it, but you should camp out a way's away, and watch the show."

Draco looked at Blaise, trying to signal him to leave. Blaise got the drift and then announced he needed to use the loo. He stood up and walked out of the Great Hall. Draco stared at Pansy, trying to think of what to say. Her body was almost completely facing away from him. Though her expression didn't show it, she was angry.

"Listen, Pansy. I'm so-"

"You know what? Just forget about it." Pansy turned to face Draco. "I've been thinking about it, and we honestly should just forget it ever happened."

Draco raised both eyebrows in surprise. "You don't want to talk about it at all?"

"No." Pansy was incredibly content.

"I mean, you were really upset." Draco was searching her face, trying to see if there was anything ulterior she was thinking.

"I was, but not anymore," Pansy grinned. "You can be my boyfriend again."

Pansy spoke those words with as much enthusiasm as listing off a grocery list. Draco couldn't help but think of what Granger accused them of. You two are so superficial!

He suddenly felt a cold touch on his right cheek. He glanced up to see Pansy holding his face, with her thumb on his chin. It was the exact same way Granger held his face, only something was... off this time. He looked into Pansy's eyes to look for something. Some sort of spark of emotion or feeling. But he found that her eyes were as empty as this relationship. He scowled at the ground because he realized Granger was bloody right. Whatever this was, it had no substance; it was paper thin. She then placed a light kiss on his lips."I'll see you tonight," she purred. She then skipped out of the Great Hall.

Draco touched his cheek. The ghost of Pansy's touch was present. He tried to focus on what he felt when she touched him and all he got out was cold, barren, nothingness. He had never realized it until that moment. He and Pansy have done more than just kissing plenty of times before. He didn't really feel anything; all the kisses with her were just satisfactory, and he moved on. As far as feelings went, he had never really wanted anything more than that.

Without warning, he remembered how Granger touched him the same way. Only, he actually felt. Draco didn't know what, but it was something. And he hated her for it.

Hermione couldn't, for the life of her, concentrate in her Potions class. It's not like she needed to anyway. She received an Outstanding score for this subject in her O.W.L.s, and she was well prepared for the N.E.W.T.s. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't concentrate on Professor Slughorn's lecture.

All that Hermione could think about was that bloody Draco Malfoy. She still felt the tingle on her palm as she held his face. She still felt his warm breath against her skin. And she still felt that thing ,that she couldn't quite place...

"Miss. Granger." Hermione was jolted from her thoughts to see that Professor Slughorn was asking her a question, "What potion has the effect of stomach growling?"

Hermione looked puzzled, for her mind was foggy. She paused, trying to remember the answer. She knew this! "Oi, Granger! Today would be nice!" jeered from someone in the back.

"Caxamu Style Borborygymus Potion, Sir," Hermione answered, still dazed. She shook out her head. She really needed to stop daydreaming in public; it's truly a rude awakening when interrupted.

Hermione turned her head around to the source of the heckling. She winced, but she couldn't say she was surprised; it was Malfoy and his lemmings, Blaise and Pansy. Malfoy was snickering at her, and she glared back.

Of course. What happened in the office didn't matter to Malfoy. And it was obvious with the way he stormed out of there. She had lost count of the times Malfoy insulted her "blood" but for some reason, this particular time cut deep. Maybe it was because just before he left, she felt like she was getting somewhere with him. He seemed so open in that moment... open with her. And she swore that if he didn't act out, he would've been kissing her.

Suddenly, Mr. Filch came in. "Excuse me, Professor Slughorn. Headmaster Dumbledore needs to see Hermione Granger immediately," the man said. Professor Slughorn nodded his dismissal to Hermione, and she stood up to pack her things.

The three Slytherins made an "Ooooh" sound, and the whole class started to laugh. She tried to ignore the taunting behind her as she walked out, away from the shark tank.

When she arrived at Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster let out a sigh of relief when he saw her. "Oh, Miss Granger! Thank goodness you're here!" He gestured her to sit down.

"What's wrong, Headmaster?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore started pacing the floor, thinking of some way to phrase lightly what he was about to say. Yet, there was not a light way to put it.

Dumbledore began, "My dear, I'm afraid you must know the true reason I insisted you stay at Hogwarts."

"So it was you? Not Harry and Ron?"

"Indeed. They desperately wanted you to come, but I didn't renege. You had to be kept safe, and I'm afraid that you're still in danger even here."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Dumbledore stopped pacing and looked at Hermione. "Miss. Granger, I'm afraid you have a very large bounty on your head from Voldemort."

"Yes, I knew that alre-"

Dumbledore stopped her. "Voldemort seeks to purge the world of Muggle-borns. You, my dear, are the most notorious one. You are the best friend of Harry Potter, and you've done much to weaken Voldemort and his forces. If you went out to look for Horcruxes, you would put yourself and your friends in twice as much danger. Being here, without Harry and Ron, not only lessens your threat but theirs as well. I'm sure Voldemort has promised some immeasurable reward to whoever brings you to him, dead or alive. Every single Death Eater is looking for you. "

Dumbledore paused to let Hermione process the information. She looked down at her hands. She now understood the meaning behind what the letters kept saying, "This is to protect you". She suddenly felt guilty for being angry at Harry and Ron. They really did care about her. As for the bounty, she wasn't scared- not really. She had been used to these kinds of threats, what with being best friends with the Boy Who Lived. But they were more secondary, with the threat being primarily on Harry. She had never been the prime target before, and the thought gave her chills.

"Sir," Hermione questioned, "You said I'm still not safe even here."

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, my dear." Hermione stood up, anticipating and bracing for what he was going to say, "There is another reason why I put Mr. Malfoy as Head Boy. For you to keep an eye on him."

Hermione's heart rate increased as she looked at the Headmaster. He looked at her with worry as he said, "I'm afraid Hogwarts has once more been breached by Death Eaters."

Draco looked into the mirror in his room. He had changed out of his robes and put on a formal, black suit with a black shirt. He was about to get the revenge of his life, and he wanted to look good for it.

He heard the door open and he turned to see Pansy in a black, form-fitting, knee-length dress. "Here I'll get that for you," she said as she crossed over to Draco, and started fiddling with his undid tie. She stood in front of him as she wrapped the fabric around his neck.

He was staring into space until Pansy brought him back to reality. "That was hilarious with Granger, no?" she asked.

Draco looked confused. "What?"

"In potions! That girl was practically drunk, she was so out of it! It was hilarious when you called her out on it!"

"Oh, right," Draco was still confused. "Why does it matter?"

Pansy finished his tying his tie, and looked up at him. "Oh, you know," Pansy turned around to face the mirror with Draco, and grabbed his shoulders. "just keeping the mudblood in her place. Don't want her to be too comfortable with her being Head Girl with you as Head Boy," she said to Draco's reflection.

"Well she knows her place now, so we should just leave her alone," Draco said flatly.

Pansy scrunched her face at Draco, "Right," She let go of his shoulders and walked towards the door. "I'll be down in the common room when you're ready," she said. She slowly opened the door, stealing one last glance at Draco, and then exited his room.

When Pansy left, Draco looked into the mirror once more and stared at the scars on his left cheek. He vividly remembered Granger's feather light touch as she skimmed his scars. He remembered how he let her like he was hers to explore. He dared not to say it, but he wanted her to.

"What the hell are you doing, Draco?!" He barked at his reflection. His mind screamed the same thing when he was with Granger, but his body ignored it. He shook out his head and tried to forget about her. At least for tonight, forget about Granger. Tonight was about sweet, sweet revenge.

He walked downstairs into the common room where the party was at. Fairy lights were strung above the room, and there was music playing from the record player. Almost every Slytherin was there. They were all dancing, talking, laughing, and drinking. Bottles of Firewhiskey were strewn about , and everyone's glass was filled.

Draco felt a hand grab his shoulder, and he saw that it was Blaise. "You ready?" he asked Draco.

Draco nodded.

"Alright, 'cause you got a flesh-eater at your six o'clock," Blaise said.

Draco put on a crooked smile and mumbled, "And here we go."

Blaise flicked his wand, and the record player stopped. Everyone vocally protested and turned towards the player. Blaise motioned them to be quiet, and they obeyed. He then nodded at Draco. Draco slowly turned around to see Millicent at the entrance of the common room wearing a long, black gown. She smiled at him.

Draco started walking towards her. "You actually bought it!" All of the heads in the room turned to observe the scene. "You bought that I'd hook up with you?" Draco pushed a student out of the way to keep advancing towards Millicent. This parted the sea of students, and now there was nothing left between him and her.

Draco kept talking as he walked towards her. "The arse-faced Frankenskank who publicly humiliated me?" Draco stopped in front of her. "No dice, Sunshine."

Millicent, who seemed unfazed, slowly shook her head and warned, "I only came to give you a second chance."

Draco shrugged, "I guess I blew it." He then nodded at Blaise, and Draco walked away from the common room.

"Incarcerous!" Blaise called out, pointing his wand at Millicent. She fell to the floor with her hands and feet tied. She was immobile. Her breath quickened in fear as Blaise called out a levitating charm. She screamed as she floated above the Slytherins staring at her in awe. She then floated down on a table. Millicent looked out at the students' faces. They were chanting and calling her out,

"Put her on a spit, for the pig she is!"

"Hogtie that hog!"

Blaise was transfiguring an apple from a glass of Firewhiskey to complete the picture. Millicent gagged as Blaise stuck the apple in her mouth. The Slytherins roared with approval and the room was spinning with jeers and laughter. It was music to Draco's ears as he walked out of the common room. It was the sweet, sweet sound of revenge.

Millicent viciously spit the apple out. "Malfoy! Malfoy! Look at me!" Millicent screeched from her position on the table. Malfoy shouldn't have but he did, and he turned around to face her. Her face was red with anger as she yelled, "BEST EMBRACE THE SUCK!"

She reached for her wand and then broke the binds. Suddenly, her body disappeared into black smoke, and it flew out of the common room and vanished. A sound of horrified realization escaped Draco as he recognized that spell. It was a flying spell that could only be used by a Death Eater.

Draco quickly turned, and sprinted out of the dungeons. He didn't care where he was going. As long as it was anywhere but there. He put his arm up against a stone wall to catch his breath. He all of a sudden felt extremely sick. Draco started hyperventilating and sweating. His head was blaring with a headache, and his vision was blurred. Everywhere he looked, he saw Millicent grotesquely smiling, and a Dark Mark gleaming on her left forearm.

Suddenly, his own left forearm jolted with pain. Draco let out a scream as he fell to his knees, gripping his arm. He threw off his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt sleeve, and rolled it up. His Dark Mark was practically leaping out of his skin. Even though he left the Death Eaters, the Dark Mark was still present, and therefore he was still prone to the summoning. He suddenly heard a calling and felt the urge to move. When he resisted, his left forearm jolted with a searing pain. He screamed again and fell to the stone floor. He knew that if he didn't follow the calling, the pain would get worse. And he also knew that if he did go, he would be summoned to the Dark Lord.

He apparated to where the calling told him to go, and he found himself on the astronomy tower. He clutched the railing, trying to catch his breath. He was paralyzed with fear because he knew that the Dark Lord was present and he would give him a slow, and painful death. He heard a noise and quickly spun around, wand in hand. He saw a black silhouette approaching him. He was about to call out a stunning spell, until the shadow spoke, "How are you feeling, Draco?"

He lowered his wand as he recognized the voice. "Millicent?" She stepped into the moonlight, and he stammered, "How- How did you summon me? What are you- what are you doing here? "

"I'm here for everyone who 'just missed the beauty boat'."

Draco shook his head, "What?"

"And all the 'arse-faced Frankenskanks'."

"It was a joke!"

Millicent cocked her head slightly, "I didn't get it." She walked closer to him. "But pretty soon, you will."

"Huh?" Draco asked, backing up against the railing.

"You have a year to find someone to love you," Millicent grabbed his left arm and turned it Dark Mark up. She tapped the Dark Mark with her wand and a tattoo of a tree grew out around the Dark Mark. "before the tree blooms again," Millicent said as white roses appeared on the tattoo.

Draco grabbed his forearm. A tree was intricately tattooed in with the Dark Mark. Its roots spread out into his palm, and the trunk of the tree was wound around by the snake of the Dark Mark. The tree then branched out, with the skull as the tip of the trunk and as the branches' center. Green leaves were covering the branches, and white roses were sporadically blooming on them. "What is this magic?!" Draco shrieked, clutching his arm.

Millicent continued, "When the white roses bloom again, the year is up." Draco gasped as the white roses disappeared from the tree on his forearm.

"What the-?"

Millicent then said, "And either the words: 'I love you' will release you from the spell," Millicent paused and then whispered, "or stay like this forever."

Draco looked up at Millicent with fear, "Like what?!"

She smiled and then flicked her wand. Draco suddenly felt a burning pain and he fell to the ground, screaming. His body started convulsing, and he could feel himself morphing and changing. When the excruciating pain suddenly ceased, Draco slowly stood up and faced Millicent. "What did you do to me?!"

Millicent flicked her wand again, and a full-length mirror slowly rose up from the ground. Millicent stepped aside to let Draco see his reflection. His jaw dropped as he stared in shock. He took a step forward. "No-" He felt his face to make sure it was real. "No!"

Millicent finally answered, "You've become as aggressively unattractive outside as you are inside."

Draco unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the ground to examine his body. Draco was, simply put, a monster. His hair was completely gone, and in its place were green, intricate, and grotesque tattoos. They branched randomly across his face and continued down his chest. These tattoos continued to spread across his hips and around his entire back. More tattoos circled his neck and around both of his arms. Nasty scars were sliced into his flesh all across his body. A large one stretched from his nose to his right ear, and another large one stretched from his left pec to his navel. Blisters the size of quarters took their place beside his nose. And to top it all off, the Dark Mark was glowing in all of its tainted glory. It was emphasized in such a way, that it became the pinnacle of this hideous and ugly beast. This beast, that was now Draco Malfoy.

Draco whipped his head around, looking for Millicent. But she was gone. He looked around again and stopped when he saw his reflection. He walked towards the mirror until he touched the glass. He sunk to his knees and clutched his head in agony. Millicent's words echoed through his mind,

You have a year to find someone to love you, Draco looked into his reflection again, Or stay like this forever, Draco roared in anger as he punched the glass. The magical mirror shattered and was reduced to dust.

Draco sat on his knees, absolutely shocked by what has happened. He was now a disgusting monster, and he had to find someone to love him in a year or this appearance will be permanent. He put his face in his hands, completely hopeless.

"Stupefy!"

Draco was startled by the use of the stunning spell. He grabbed his wand and walked towards the source of the noise. He then saw Millicent on the ground, stunned by the spell. He crouched down and noticed her left forearm. Draco got chills as he saw the Dark Mark. So this confirmed it; this girl was a Death Eater.

Draco stood up as he heard another noise and put his wand out to the darkness. He shouted, "Come out and face me!" His eyes searched the darkness, but couldn't see anything. Out of nowhere, a dark figure started advancing towards him. "Confringo!" Draco shouted, but the spell was blocked.

The figure then started to laugh. "Uh-uh-uh, Draco! " It stepped into the moonlight, and Draco's eyes widened as they beheld Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Is that any way to greet your dear aunt?"