Hello, this is the first story I've ever written! yay!

Because of this, I would really appreciate any feedback you have for me. Thank you!

Disclaimer: as much as I want Dracos babies, he is a fictional character ~sobs~ and sadly, Harry Potter, as well as anything else you recognize, belongs to J.K Rowling,

anyway, enjoy!

She was running, running because she could. Running from your problems is easy when you have a library at your disposal.

Maybe Hermione should have slowed down when ducking around the tapestry that covered the entrance to the secret passage, the shortcut to her haven. She probably wouldn't have run into him, of course, that's what happened.

She stumbled, but steady hands gripped her arms as soon as she crashed into the firm chest of non-other than Draco Malfoy.

"Granger!" he spat angrily, "what in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

"I could say the same to you, Malfoy," her quick wit instantly taking over.

She frowned in the dim light she could make out the dark circles under his eyes. They were so close she could feel his hot breath across her face. He smelled of Apples.

"Shut it, Granger."

He grunted, looking pissed, then realizing he was still holding her shoulders, let go and stepped back quickly as if he couldn't get away fast enough.

"You look awful," she remarked, after studying him some more. To be honest, as much as she hated him, she kinda regretted noticing that someone so handsome and aristocratic could look awful at times.

His usually immaculate hair was messed up almost sexy, his cheeks were sunken, and his eyes were unmistakably tired.

"I don't need your opinion Granger," he seethed.

She couldn't help but notice that he hadn't disagreed with her.

"have you been sleeping?" she asked in a curious voice that did nothing to mask her concern.

He opened his mouth to retort, but she quickly added "or eating? Goodness Malfoy are you sick you should speak to Pomfrey immedia- "

"I don't need your pity Granger" he cut her off, something flashing in his eyes "don't act as if you care when you don't "

"I do care" she huffed then, with fear in her eyes she met his icy glare. While keeping eye contact, he didn't notice her hand stick out and grab his wrist, her grip tight he tried in vain to yank away, but she kept hold.

"Hermione, no," he pleaded firmly.

Although surprised by the use of her first name, she ignored his protests, the fear, and something else in his eyes was unsettling. Hermione forced herself to break eye contact.

She guided his arm towards her, and surprisingly this time, Malfoy didn't pull away.

Using the hand not gripping his wrist with trembling fingers and a heartbeat of a million miles a minute, she pulled up the sleeve.

She had been expecting it, but still took in a sharp intake of breath.

"Oh, Draco," she choked out.

The mark was stark in contrast to his pale skin, the writhing of the snake almost hypnotic as she took it in.

Tearing her eyes away from the mark, she brought them back up to his. She now recognized the unknown emotion that had been in his eyes earlier: shame. He looked away, avoiding her penetrating gaze.

But then he turned back to her, his eyes still flashing with shame, but now there was anger there too.

"Leave it like I said I don't need your pity" the last few words came out a harsh whisper, then with a strange twisted almost forced look on his face, he added quietly, "I wanted this."

Hermione couldn't help noticing the past tense in his words.

"But you don't want it anymore." She finished slowly, and hopefully, he turned to glare at but didn't say anything.

She felt a sudden sadness, tears began to leak out of her eyes. Malfoy looked so broken, so young, he shouldn't have his future ruined by such an evil excuse for a man.

He looked scared and quite confused at her reaction, "I…uh…er.. don't cry, Hermione."

Despite how awful he looked, his obvious uncomfortableness at the situation was quite cute. He shook his head, the hair falling into his eyes, a weird expression covering his face.

"Bloody emotional woman," he muttered.

Hemione surprised herself when she laughed. Then surprised herself, even more, when she took a step closer. And ever so slowly reached up and gently brushed the hair out of his eyes, but left her hand hovering barely an inch away from touching his cheek.

His eyes flicked up startled at the action, but yet he somehow found himself leaning into her hand, craving human contact.

He closed his eyes tight as if trying to hide the emotion hiding there. As if he could ignore the closeness, despite the feeling of pleasant warmth flooding through his body.

The point where her hand was, was a weakness, Malfoys don't have vulnerabilities. But yet the tiny voice in his mind told him he needed this, needed this fleeting feeling of comfort.

Noticing his reaction to the touch gave her confidence.

Hermione felt herself move closer until they were less than a hair's breadth away. So close that she could smell him, a subtle combination of expensive cologne, and a faint apple scent.

Despite the internal war raging on behind his eyes, he unconsciously leaned in closer, warmth radiating off her in waves.

Hermione's heart was beating out of her chest, and as the two gravitated towards each other, she could swear he could hear it.

Her hand, the one that wasn't on his cheek lowered to rest on his shoulder, and his hands moving of their own accord moved to rest on her hips.

Leaning ever closer, his tantalizing smell invading her senses, she rested her cheek against his chest.

He made no move away from her, instead, proceeding to bury his face in the crook of her neck, his breath danced across her skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Her hand resting on his cheek moved, slowly she curled her arm around the back of his neck, in the process pulling him closer, squeezing him tight. He reciprocated by moving his hands from her waist, around her back, also pulling her closer.

The two stayed in the warm embrace for some time. It was neither awkward nor forced, and both would've been content to stay that way, most likely to avoid the inevitable parting.

Alas, fate was against them, as from the direction of the end of the passage came footsteps, although far off, whoever it was, was most definitely coming their way.

She reluctantly pulled away slowly, no doubt trying to avoid startling him into fleeing. Hermione felt him slowly pull away but not letting go all the same. She lifted her head, intent on seeing his expression. She mentally prepared herself for the disgust that would most likely be upon his face. Instead, she was greeted with his expressionless face. Meeting his eyes, she found herself immersed in his emotions: sadness, as well as the seemingly ever-present, shame, and guilt, reflected there.

His grey emotion-filled eyes confirmed her inner suspicions, Malfoy was just a scared, broken boy, who like her, had been forced to grow up much too young. She found herself viewing him differently. Hermione knew she would always see a death eater. But she also knew that she now understood him more, that it wasn't his choice, that he deserves a second chance. Right then and there, she made a vow with herself: when the war is finished, she will do everything in her power to make sure that he stayed out of Azkaban, everything.

Author's note:

so should I continue?

should I make it more than just a one-shot? I have some ideas but I would love some feedback and incentive to continue

Review, please? ﾟﾙﾏ ( ˘ ³˘)

love ya thanks for taking the time to read my story!