The cursory glance she gave the entrance to the room was enough to clue her in that she was alone. Nothing had changed since the night before... Evidence of her moment of enlightenment still spilled into the makeshift threshold that served as a passageway to the hoard. Her deliberate blanket of parchment was left unblemished by the marks that would have been there if someone had walked across.

She sighed as she leaned back against the door in the same spot she had rested against that night. An intense memory of staring up into his stormy gray eyes had her gaze automatically seeking for him... All that she found was the same emptiness. The way her stomach twisted with a completely new round of guilt had her quickly disentangling herself from the bag across her middle. She set it down on the floor next to her, glad to have extra weight off of her body.

It did little for the nasty feelings that snaked their way through her veins but the intended freedom for easier movement was appeased and her body called for action. She pushed herself from the wall and made her way across the sea of papers, the crunching of old parchment was the only sound that joined the rushed breaths that left her lungs. Her pace was purposeful as she approached the entrance to the towering web of objects.

Instead of feeling the fear she had been expecting, there was a surge of recklessness. Tempting her to keep moving and conquer the unknown. Take away the air of mystique from the place, so it would not have the ability to stop her dead in her tracks. Giving her back some sense of power when everything else was utterly out of her control... She was ready this time. Sound of mind and with every bit of her intelligence at her disposal, she would easily be able to make her way around and resist any nasty bits of magic that could possibly try to entrap her.

All that she had to do was make the simple choice to step over the invisible barrier in her mind that somehow convinced her that she was only safe in the little alcove…

As soon as the thought ran through her mind the sudden burst of energy left her just as quickly as it had come. And she sank down onto the floor. How could she trust her choices when all she seemed capable of lately was messing things up? Was this another simple looking choice that could possibly lead to far reaching consequences? Would the feeling of accomplishment at the end be worth the risk?

Plagued with indecision she pulled her legs out from under her and brought them up against her chest so she could rest her chin on her knees. She knew that she should go back to her dorm. That was the logical thing to do, but she couldn't seem to find the strength that had made her think that she could tackle the maze again.

Heck, making her way back to the bag felt like an insurmountable task...

And what if she left only to miss his appearance? Harry's willingness to easily part with the map was a sign that Draco's behavior tonight was anything but suspicious. The chance was infinitesimally small that he would show up after her abhorrent behavior. It was laughable that she had come instead of sleeping in preparation for tomorrow. Which was sure to be a wonderful day filled with monotony and glares from one of the only teachers that didn't like her in the whole school. Besides, maybe, Trelawney…

But he would want answers wouldn't he? Or were the days of silence enough to piss him off so badly that he no longer cared?

Hermione sighed and glared at a rusted ax that was leaning against a broken wardrobe a few feet into the passageway that led to the right. She would give him thirty minutes... If he did not make an appearance before the allotted time she would go back and try to figure out how to word her explanation so that he would understand and no one else would be able to glean any useful information from it. A highly unlikely scenario but she wouldn't be left with any other choice.

Her chaotic thoughts settled with the formation of the rudimentary plan, allowing the tense set of her muscles to relax. It wasn't anything elaborate or even well-thought out, but it still gave her a faint yet undeniable feeling of regulation. Knowing she was not going to waste the whole night away, like her depressive inner monologue wanted, gave her the only solace she might find by the end of the night.

She reverted back to her traditional time waster, humming songs, that way she wouldn't get swallowed back up in the ever changing directions of her moods. There was no use in riding that particular roller coaster anymore than she had to... After the fourth song, a catchy little number by Celestina Warbeck that Mrs. Weasley was fond of, she started to sing softly. The seclusion of the room boosted her confidence, there was no way anyone would overhear.

By the time she came to what she decided would be her last song she was belting out the lyrics…

Nobody sees, nobody knows.

We are a secret, can't be exposed.

That's how it is, that's how it goes.

Far from the others, close to each other.

In the daylight, in the daylight,

When the sun is shining.

On the late night, on the late night,

When the moon is blinding.

In the plain sight, in plain sight,

Like stars in hiding, you and I burn on.

Put two and two together, forever will never change.

Two and two together will never change.

Nobody sees, nobody knows.

We are a secret, can't be exposed.

That's how it is, that's how it goes.

Far from the others, close to each other.

That's when we uncover, cover, cover.

That's when we uncover, cover, cover.

My asylum, my asylum is in your arms.

When the world gives heavy burdens,

I can bear a thousand times,

On your shoulder, on your shoulder.

I can reach an endless sky.

Feels like paradise.

The sound of someone clearing their throat made her jump and whip around to see the identity of the interloper. And there he stood... A nasty smirk played on his lips as he stood by the door, every inch of his demeanor screamed that it wasn't the Draco she wanted to meet in front of her, but the carefully controlled mask he used with everyone else. He let the silence stretch out for a few more moments before drawling. "I hope you are not expecting any cheers for that impersonation of a dying banshee's screeches."

She felt the heat of her blush flooding her cheeks but stayed silent and blinked a few times to make sure he was really there. Any optimistic expectation for him to show up had quickly died as the minutes had ticked by. It was more likely that her mind had finally cracked and it was a hallucination standing there. She watched as his upper lip lifted into a full on sneer before he asked. "Do you make it a habit of sitting on the ground like some kind of animal?"

"Why not? It is where I belong after all... Right, Malfoy?" She countered. It was not how she had wanted their reunion to go but her anger at the fake confidence he projected was immediate and stifled the apology she had painstakingly crafted throughout the day.

His eyes narrowing at her use of his surname was the only indicator that she had rattled him. "Mmmm... It is music to my ears when a Gryffindor bitch learns their place. Much more heartwarming than the drivel you were just butchering..."

Adrenaline surged through her body prompting her to stand and face him before returning his glare. "I would imagine it is just as heartwarming as watching sycophantic murderers ending up exactly where they belong..."

As soon as the implication left her mouth she regretted it. She had crossed an invisible but very distinct line without thinking. The subject of the night at the Ministry was taboo between them, rarely referenced and always in an awkward fumbling way. The defensiveness of her anger crumbled around her as she watched the insinuation that she found immense pleasure in something that still caused him grief registered in his eyes. There was a momentary flash of pain in them before he quickly slammed the mask back into place and snarled. "Fuck you, Granger."

"I... I am sorry, that was low. I... I don't know why I said that." She stammered over her words as she rushed over to where her bag sat next to the door, only a few feet from where he stood. "I shouldn't have asked you to come. This was a mistake."

"A mistake? What, you thought you could shrug me off for days and then I was going to jump when you finally decided to call?" He asked incredulously as he shifted in front of the door, blocking the exit.

She grabbed the strap of her bag and slung it over her head before turning back towards him. "Yes, a mistake. And no that is not what I expected... I didn't even think you would show. I had hoped, of course, to be given the chance to explain... But it is very apparent that is not what you came here for tonight and I refuse to stand here and continue to argue with you. I already have enough regrets where you are concerned. So please excuse me..."

"Oh so you do have excuses for your behavior?" He mocked as he leaned back against the door and propped his weight on it. The message that he had no plans to make her leaving an easy option became immediately obvious. "Why don't you tell me them then..."

"What is the point? You already hate me again and maybe that is the way this is supposed to end... It would make things much easier in the long run, don't you think?"

"Bullshit. Tell me why you did everything in your power to avoid me and then suddenly wanted to meet." Draco's jaw clenched at the end of his demands, as if he was resisting saying anything more.

His glare held her gaze for a long stretch of time while she debated with herself. Finally, she dropped her eyes to the space between their feet and whispered. "I was... I am afraid."

"Who says I am not?" The way his voice broke at the end had her quickly looking back up to his face, where the dreaded mask was starting to crack. His eyes shined with unshed tears behind the glare.

"I... I didn't mean to imply you weren't." She snapped before gaining control of her anger once more. She knew it was misplaced and the person she was actually angry with was herself, for not trusting him with the truth sooner. Or at least part of it... There was no reason to put Nott in any danger of harm when he was just trying to protect a friend. Her tone was much softer when she continued. "You didn't have the luck of dealing with threats from someone who figured out what was going on now did you?"

"What?!" He hissed, the shock of her words caused any traces of anger to slip from his features. He stood up from the door and took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter. I've taken care of it. I just... It shook me, just like it did to you right now. And... And I thought I could just break it off and then there wouldn't be any worries about someone else finding out. As if it could possibly be that easy right? As if you didn't haunt me every single second, even in my sleep... " She rushed out. The eloquent rehearsed version of her explanation going out the window with him standing there so close she could feel the tension rolling off of him. "But then I got some very good advice from an unlikely source and I realized that I wanted the chance to apologize for... Well... Being a coward and running."

"Wait... That is a lot to throw at someone at once. First, yes it does matter who was threatening you..." He told her while his hands shook at his side, betraying the carefully guarded grip on his emotions.

"I told you that I took care of it. The person was just worried... Which I am sure anyone that either of us know would be if they found out." She interrupted him, surprised that was what had stood out to him. Not her bumbled apology but that someone would dare to threaten her. Especially when he knew how often it happened in his vicinity on any given day.

"Did you Obliviate them?"

"No... I thought about it. Believe me... I even had the errant thought of doing so to you, but ultimately I didn't feel comfortable with it."

His eyebrows rose disbelievingly at her admission before he leaned down so their faces were only inches apart. "There is someone in this castle who has the ability to destroy both of us. I will not allow that to happen, so tell me who it is."

"No..."

"Granger, do not mess with me. If you are not willing to do what needs to be done for our safety... I will."

"No... You would get expelled if anyone found out you used magic like that against another student. How would that play out for you? Do you think You-Know-Who would allow that to go unpunished?" She hitched her bag higher up on her shoulder, steeling herself for his anger at not giving in.

He groaned and leaned down so he could press his forehead against hers and stare into her eyes. "That is exactly why you need to tell me who it was. We cannot have people walking around with that sort of knowledge about us. He... He can get inside people's heads, pet.. This person is not safe. We are not safe. Just tell me so I can take care of it, okay?"

"It's... It's too risky." She whispered, her heart pounding like mad from the desperate way her body craved for her to close what was left of the short distance between them

.

"Listen to me... It's too fucking risky to let this person walk away. I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect yo... us." He told her, grabbing both her arms to keep her in place when she went to pull away so she would be able to think more clearly.

"No... He isn't a threat. He was just worried about you..." She mumbled as she tried to keep her thoughts in order.

"Worried about me? So it wasn't Potter then..." Draco said as he pulled his head from hers and stared over her shoulder. Trying to work out the identity of the unlucky perpetrator.

She couldn't stop the snort at his first assumption. There was no way Harry would have been "just worried" if he figured it out. Livid... Confused... Hurt... But worried? She watched his face as he continued to stare off over her shoulder and kept quiet, what she had already let slip was far too much.

Slowly his eyes got narrower and narrower as he worked over the scarce clues she had given him until he was glaring behind her. His hands that were still wrapped around her arms right above the elbow tightened for a moment before he looked back down at her. "...Theo?"

"N...No..." She mumbled, knowing she did not sound convincing in the slightest.

"Of course, it was him. He has been jumpy for the past week. I thought it was because of... Something else. That son of a jackal! Why did he go to you?" He surmised and then questioned, letting the grip he had on her go before taking a half a step back towards the door.

"He didn't! I don't know why Theodore Nott would be acting strangely around you but he... Your guess is wrong. Okay? Just drop it!" She cried out as she matched his movement with a step forward.

"Why would you want to protect him? You hate Theo."

"Because he was afraid of you! When I asked him why he didn't just go to you with his accusations he hinted that he was afraid you would hurt him, alright!? And if I am being honest, so am I!"

He glanced back down to her face and shook his head. "I am not going to hurt him. I know what I am doing. Go back to your dorm and sleep."

"How do you know what you are doing? It's not like you actually know how to perform the spell correctly!" She accused, her tone getting shriller as each word passed from between her lips.

"You would be surprised what I know how to do Kitten..." He whispered, his gaze once again finding the far off place behind her shoulder.

The implication in his words rang louder in her ears than her own frantic heartbeat and Hermione grasped for the last rationalization she could use... "But... He is your friend."

"And that is why I have to do this. Theodore is not strong enough to hide his feelings from anyone, much less be able to block Him. This is the only way to keep all of us safe."

She reached up and placed a palm to his cheek, making his attention come back to her, instead of whatever played in his head. "Draco... Listen to me. How are you going to keep anyone safe if you are locked away? You know there would be an investigation... What would the Ministry find? You would end up in a cell next to your Father's! Who is going to keep your Mother alive then?"

"I... I have to go." He took the hand that was resting on the side of his face and kissed the knuckles. A playful smirk crossed his lips when he pulled away and let her wrist go so her arm fell back down to her side. "But before I do, I have to say... I accept your apology and I don't actually think you sound like a dying banshee."

"Please... Don't..."

Her pleas were cut short by his lips capturing hers in a spirited kiss that ended much quicker than she would have liked. She stubbornly kept her eyes closed and finally opened them as his pleased chuckle reminded her of their current circumstances, before she had the chance to start back in, he interrupted. "There is no need to worry. You will be seeing me tomorrow."

The confusion at his cocky assumption distracted her again. Which was undoubtedly his plan but she fell for the bait anyway and asked. "I will?"

"Oh yes, didn't I tell you? I was determined to see you one way or another, so I will be joining you in detention." Amusement twinkled in his eyes as he took the last step between him and the door.

"We were quite busy discussing other things... Speaking of..." She said, raising an eyebrow as his hand traveled over to the doorknob and grasped it.

"And with that I must bid you a good night. Until tomorrow!" Draco interrupted as he pulled open the door with a trace of his earlier smirk flashing on his lips. He slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him before she could even try to object again.

Hermione stood there blinking at the rude dismissal for a few seconds, but her confusion ebbed rapidly and her annoyance sent her forward to follow him out. As soon as she crossed into the dark corridor she knew it was useless. Despite the fact that mere moments had passed there was no sign of him. There was no swish of fabric or tell tale slap of his shoes from what had to be a hasty escape. Nothing to alert her to which direction to take…

She stood there and debated with the irrational part of herself that demanded she seek him out. Eventually the vexation subsided slightly and she decided to head back to her dorm and try to sleep. While she doubted it was possible, knowing what he was about to attempt, if he did succeed without getting caught, the prospect of spending a whole day trapped in a room with Draco and Snape was…

A nightmare waiting to happen... One that would only be made worse if she didn't get any rest…

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Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the sole owner and creator of the characters and universe used within my fanfiction. I just dabble in her world. I receive no compensation, in any form, for the time I put into this.

Song Credit:

"Uncover" by Zara Larsson