"Were you struck mute since the last time I saw you, Granger? I asked you a question. What are you doing?" That annoyingly familiar voice drawled.
It would be her luck…
"I... Ummm... Well… you see..." Hermione looked down to the jewelry box and quickly took a step back, not wanting to be anywhere near the thing again. She pondered on her chances of being able to pull off that her stammering was a side effect of the spell. Or exhaustion from everything that had happened over the course of such an absolutely ridiculous night.
Her eyes flicked up and met the cold gray she had grown so used to out of Draco Malfoy. He snapped at her as he grew impatient for an answer. "Out with it Granger."
"The box... It... Uhhh… It talked to me. It's... It's possessed or something. I don't know. It told me to touch it. And… And I couldn't stop myself. Then you came by. You... You saved my life?" She rambled, not knowing if she made a lick of sense.
"The jewelry box was talking to you? And then I saved you? What are you yammering on about?" Malfoy flung his questions at her in such quick succession it was hard for her to keep up. His eyes left hers for the first time since their meeting. He scanned her body and face, centering on her right temple. She must have a bruise there. Great, he was going to think she had a concussion or some other type of damage that was causing her befuddlement.
"Yes. The box... It talked to me. You know, inside my head and told me to touch it. I couldn't fight it. I… I think the sounds of your footsteps broke the connection somehow. Ergo... You saved me. Albeit unintentionally, so I do apologize for not perishing in some terrible fashion so you could gloat." She snapped at him. She did not like her brain feeling so slow while having no choice but to interact with the provoking git.
Slowly the cold iciness melted from his eyes and was replaced with a hint of the earlier chaos, this time there was what looked like concern and trepidation thrown into the swirling mix. "So you did not touch it? Are you sure? You look like you may have taken a nasty spill."
"I hit my head... Before. It happens. Anyways... I should go so you can get back to... Whatever you are doing here I suppose..." His questions made her temple start to pound again and all that she wanted was to get back to the safe shelter of her bed. She had no idea how long she had been out earlier. Or how long she had been caught up fighting with that cursed chunk of metal.
He took a step towards her and she shrank back, almost knocking into a bookcase filled to the brim with ancient tombs. He raised his hands in front of her in a placating gesture. "I can help you get to Pomfrey, Granger. I won't hurt you."
She tried to shake her head but groaned aloud when the pain shot from her temple to the back of her right eye. She took a quick breath, fighting with the bout of nausea brought on by the stabbing agony. She would not vomit in front of Draco Malfoy. That wasn't an option.
"Why not? That seems to be one of your favorite hobbies after all." She challenged.
He inhaled slowly, as if he was trying to control his temper and not rise to her continued baiting. The muscles in his jaw clenched for a split second before he shrugged. "I don't find pleasure in kicking a witch when she is down. If you were in top shape it would be a different story, but let's just say my chivalry lessons are kicking in and I would not feel right about letting you wander the castle in your delirious condition."
"So you don't want to help me because it is the right thing to do? It's all about making yourself feel better? I should not be surprised." Hermione retorted. She went to walk away from the infuriating brute... And felt the world tilt as she stumbled forward and quite literally fell into his waiting arms.
"My intentions should not matter considering you cannot take three steps without my help..." The smirk that etched its way across his face caused her to want to scream. This was a nightmare. One plucked directly from her head and brought to life just to mess with her. She was certain of it.
Her brain absent-mindedly noted that he had changed from the tux he sported earlier. He now wore a white button-up shirt, the collar left open to his collarbone. A pair of the Hogwarts standard black dress pants adorned his lower half. And his mask was nowhere to be found. She sighed softly and watched the exhaled breath lift a few strands of his platinum blonde hair up from his forehead.
It was unfair for someone she loathed to look so damn good…
She felt his strong hands wrap around her, supporting most of her weight. He hugged her tightly against his hard chest. She did not want him so close and she couldn't fathom how he seemed to be perfectly okay with her skin tainting him.
Without thinking Hermione whispered. "Why?"
He chuckled in her face, causing the scent of peppermint to envelop her. "I already explained why my intentions do not matter much, Granger."
"That's not what I meant... You know what? My head really hurts and I would like to lay down. Can we just get on with it?" She begged him, pushing herself away from his chest but not far enough to leave the support his arms offered freely. She could not understand why he was helping her, even with the weak excuses he gave. But she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She could barely support her own weight to stand... The chances of her making it out of the room, much less to her common room, were slim to none.
"By all means let's get going then." He sobered before positioning himself up against her left side. He watched her eyes as he let one hand fall from her hip, allowing her a moment to get her bearings before leading her in a step forward. "Come along now Kitten, we should get you to Pomfrey."
They made slow but continuous progress. Occasionally his eyes would search what he could see of her face to make sure she was holding up. No words passed between the pair as Draco expertly guided them back to the door. The only sounds to permeate the room were their shallow breaths and the clack of their heels against the stone floor. Hermione's mind started to work overtime in the quiet. No matter how hard she tried, she could not comprehend the kindness shown to her tonight by her hated enemy. It was so far out of the realm of possibility her brain blanked on any adequate explanation.
When they reached their first destination Hermione leaned against the cold stone wall right next to the door. She reached up and wrenched the mangled mask off. The coolness that hit her hot face caused a soft sigh to escape from between her lips. She couldn't help it, it felt so good. Why hadn't she done it earlier? Malfoy's hand rested on the doorknob as his eyes scanned over her newly bare face for the first time that night. She could only imagine the frightful state she was in. When their eyes met she did not see the disgust she expected there. If any one emotion stood out to her it was... Concern?! Tainted with some... Longing?!
"Are you okay? Do you need to stop? I could leave you in the corridor to get someone to help." His normal drawl was rushed and husky. And his too-close proximity kept on surprising her. Who was she kidding? Everything about tonight just kept on surprising her. Fate had a funny way of destroying the best of her plans, hence why she had learned at an early age to have backup plans for Plan C. Especially when it had anything to do with Harry...
Her cheeks instantly flared at the triggering thought of one of her best friends. She was betraying him simply by accepting Malfoy's help. Would the fact that she was hurt even factor in for him? The two hated each other so vehemently that anytime Hermione tried to rationalize against some of Harry's crazier theories about the boy in front of her, it was looked at as a personal affront. It might not even register that she'd had no other choice if he ever found out... She couldn't let that happen.
She could not lose him too.
While she and Ron were somewhat civil, things hadn't been the same between the two of them since Lavender entered the equation. If she was honest with herself, which she tried not to be very often when it came to Ronald Weasley, she had found her romantic feelings towards him stifled by the realization he could think the witch was a suitable partner. Hermione wasn't deluded enough to think that Ron would never date when she was too chicken to admit her feelings, but for it to be Lavender Brown was kind of...Repellent. She had always annoyed them before, but now the sun shined out of her behind because she would let him get a good groping in…
Draco cleared his throat, interrupting her toxic contemplation.
"Um... Yes. I'm okay to go on. I think it would be best if I went back to my dorm though. I'd rather not deal with the questions, you know?" She gestured to the short distance between the two of them. "And there would be lots of questions."
"True..." Malfoy hedged. He appraised her condition once more. Probably trying to decide if it was worth arguing with her over Pomfrey being the better option.
"Look. I know I look horrible but... I ummm... Went on a crying jag after Sue's stunt. It helped get me into this state." She indicated her ruined makeup and hair. "I don't have a concussion. I am not going to die. I'm just tired..."
"If you are sure." He stated simply. His fingers tightened around the doorknob that they were still wrapped around and he jerked it open. He offered her his arm this time. Letting her make the choice for when she was ready to continue. So different from the pushy prat she had assumed he would be. How was he so unlike the assumptions she had made? Had her moments of weakness broken through some facade he kept up around everyone?
She slid herself into his embrace, letting some of her weight fall against him. His arm instantly wrapped around her waist and she shuddered slightly from his touch. Hermione was surprised at the lack of revulsion. No... The surreal feeling of lust pinched deep in her stomach. She quickly looked away and down the hall, afraid that her damned cheeks would betray her. Her heart, hammering away in her chest at the sudden rush of hormones, could very well do the job too…
Malfoy helped her along, letting her set the pace. After a few moments he whispered softly, almost inaudibly... "I'm not going to hurt you Granger."
How was she supposed to tell him that she highly doubted his sincerity when he sounded so broken?
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Be prepared for some Dramione goodness in the next chapter!
Much love,
SlytherclawLuv
Quick Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the original and sole owner (and creator) of the universe and characters used within my fan fiction. I do not and will not receive any type of compensation for my time. Other than maybe reviews. ;)