Chapter 3

"I can't do this," Weasley moaned. "If I have to look at one more transfiguration spell, my brain is going to combust."

Draco rolled his eyes. If only they were so lucky.

He was studying in the library with Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and a few other Slytherin hanger-ons. Or more accurately, he was studying while the rest of them horsed around. Potter, Weasel, and Granger were seated at a table on the other end of the room, but he could still hear every word they said.

"Don't be ridiculous." Granger's voice was tinged with annoyance. "You haven't been back from Quidditch for more than an hour. It's not like you've been at this all day."

"But you have," Potter said. "You were studying the entire time we were at practice, weren't you?"

She nodded, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Yeah, ever since classes finished. With NEWTs coming up, plus all of our normal assignments, there's just so much to do."

"You should take a break. I know you don't like it, but it will help."

To Draco's surprise, she didn't argue. "You're probably right. I'll just take a quick walk to get some fresh air and then I'll be back."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

She shook her head. "You stay here with Ron and make sure he stays focused. He won't be repeating the year if I have anything to say about it."

She pulled out her wand. "Accio coat." A sturdy-looking tweed jacket with a fur-lined hood whizzed into her hands. She shrugged into it, then left with a promise to return in half an hour or so.

Draco waited a few minutes, then stood, saying that he needed to use the loo. Thankfully, no one tried to follow him. By the time he made it outside there was no sign of Granger, but that didn't matter. Her scent jumped out to him like a drop of blood in a snow-covered field.

He found her standing on Black Lake's silty shore, staring pensively up at the sky. Her profile was illuminated by the light of a full moon, her breaths forming small clouds of steam in the air. For a moment he drank in the sight of her, completely captivated.

You can do this, he told himself. She's just a Mudblood. Nothing more.

The snow crunched beneath his feet as he approached. It must have been audible even to human ears, because Granger's head snapped toward him sharply.

"Malfoy," she said with surprise. "What are you doing out here?"

"I came to get some air."

She looked at him quizzically. "Are you ok? You've seemed pale lately."

"Pale?" He tried to smirk. "I'm a vampire, Granger."

"I know that. I meant paler than usual." She crossed her arms. "Forget I said anything. I was just trying to make sure you were alright."

"I'll be alright soon enough." He stepped closer, looming like a dark shadow over her petite form. "You know, you really should've been afraid of me."

Her eyes registered confusion, but before she could speak, he dashed forward, clapping his hand over her mouth to keep her from crying out. He dragged her forcibly into a grove of trees, where they would be shielded from the castle's prying eyes.

She struggled, but her strength was no match for him. She might as well have been a newborn kitten in his grip. He pinned her easily against a tree before removing his hand.

"Malfoy, what are you doing? Let go of me!"

She looked and sounded exactly as she had that night in Ravenclaw Tower—breathless and afraid. But now that fear was because of him. He should have relished in it—she was his prey, after all—but he felt only shame and disgust.

"I'm sorry," he said tersely, "but I don't have a choice."

She flinched as he reached up to brush her cheek. It was like ice. His fingers trailed down to the stretch of creamy skin that was exposed just above the collar of her coat. His entire body trembled with hunger—hunger for her. He started to lean forward, but then she whispered four simple words.

"Please...not like this."

He froze and looked into her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut—her mouth set into a tight line. Even terrified, she was still beautiful. Here she was, his obsession, finally within his reach, and yet...

Not like this.

He slammed his fist into the tree above her head. It was no good. It didn't matter how many times he told himself that she was just another Mudblood—it would always be a lie.

With superhuman effort, he pulled himself away from her. "Go," he said raggedly.

"What...?"

"Go!"

She stared at him for another heartbeat, then ran past him without looking back. He slid to the ground, still shaking from head to foot. Even now, his instincts cried out for him to go after her, to take what was his.

But he couldn't.

Not when the price of taking her blood was losing her.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! Please leave a review to let me know your thoughts!