Author's Note: I thought up the idea for this story several months ago, but I ended up bookmarking it for spooky season. Now that October is upon us, I decided it was the perfect time to dust it off and write it. I've wanted to create a Dramione fic for a while, so I'm really excited to try my hand at it. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1
It was a night that screamed for blood. Outside of Hogwart's thick stone walls, the wind howled, and flashes of lightning streaked across the late October sky. It was a perfect night—or it would have been, if it weren't for Draco's current companion.
"Must you walk so close to me, Granger?" he asked irritably. "It may have escaped your notice, but we have the entire hallway to ourselves."
As Head Boy and Head Girl, patrolling the halls after lights out was one of their duties. But that didn't explain why the accursed witch insisted on walking close enough that their shoulders were nearly touching.
Granger rolled her eyes. "Quit being such a baby. It's not like being Muggleborn is infectious. Besides, you have the candles and it's pitch black out here."
He sometimes forgot that normal wizards and witches didn't have the heightened senses that he did. All of his senses were enhanced far beyond the average person's: sight, hearing, and—to his current chagrin—smell. At this distance, Granger's scent was nearly overwhelming. Her hair, her skin, and worst of all...her blood. The smell of it made him itchy, like he was covered with hives.
"Why don't you take the candles then?" he asked.
"Because I'm holding the checklist," she said matter-of-factly. "Listen, I'm not enjoying myself either, but the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can both be in bed—away from this storm and each other."
"Finally something we can agree on," he muttered. He glanced outside a narrow window as the sky lit up once more. It truly was a fitting night for a bloodfeast. Perhaps he would call for Pansy when he returned to his dorm—assuming she wasn't already there.
They finished checking Ravenclaw Tower, ending their rounds for the night. It was when they started down the winding staircase that it happened.
Granger misjudged one of the steps and lurched forward with a small shriek. Only Draco's quick reflexes saved her. His hand struck out like a viper and grabbed her upper arm, pinning her against the wall to keep her in place.
"Fool," he hissed. "Watch where you're going."
"S-Sorry," she said, sounding slightly breathless.
He released her and stepped away, refusing to let himself dwell on how soft her skin had been. Blood pounded in his ears like a drum. She was too close. Too close.
Granger still looked shaken, but she collected herself quickly, smoothing her hair and robes back into place. Remarkably, she had kept the checklist clutched safely against her chest.
"Thank you for saving me," she said softly.
He felt irrational anger rise within him. What right did she have to thank him? His next words poured out before he could stop them. "You know what I am, don't you?"
She nodded. "It's hardly Hogwart's best kept secret."
"And you're not afraid of me?"
Her dark eyes were luminous in the candlelight. "No," she said simply.
"Why not?"
She smiled, a touch ruefully. "Why should I be? You would never drink my blood. After all, I'm just a mudblood, right?"
He couldn't think of anything to say to that, and before he knew it, they had arrived at the Gryffindor common room. "Well, this is me," she said quietly. "Goodnight, Malfoy."
In a moment she had slipped past the portrait and was gone. Draco stood staring at the spot where she had disappeared for several minutes before dragging himself back to the dungeons. Her words echoed hauntingly in my mind.
"You would never drink my blood. After all, I'm just a mudblood, right?"
"You may be a know-it-all, Granger, but that's where you're wrong," he murmured bitterly.
For Hermione Granger hadn't been 'just a mudblood' to him for a long time. And right now, he craved nothing more than to sink his teeth into the softness of her neck and drink his fill.
Author's Note 2: Thank you so much for reading! I already have this whole fic written, so I hope to post every few days. Until then, please do leave a review to let me know what you think!