The room was dark and her head was sunken so deep into the pillow when Hermione woke. Her robe fell open when she stretched her arms letting the morning air cool her chest. Then it hit her. She closed her robe quickly and sat up, looking around the empty bedroom.

She had slept in Malfoy's bed.

She remembered practicing wandless magic in the bath before drifting off, and then Malfoy waking her abruptly. But everything else was a blur.

Light was peeking through the curtains and soft music was drifting in from the study. She threw the comforter off and got dressed in the pair of pajama shorts and jumper she had laid out the night before. She saw in the mirror that her hair was still wrapped in a bun on the top of her head, and just a couple curls had escaped around her face. She must have hardly moved during the night.

She opened the door into the study and slowly walked out, having to shield her eyes from the bright sun. Neddy really undersold her master's talent. His fingers moved effortlessly over the keys as he played a song from memory. She closed the door behind her, and the sound caught his attention.

"Did I wake you?" he asked, pausing his playing.

"No, I don't think so. You play beautifully," she said as she went to sit on the couch, "I don't think I've slept that much since sixth year."

"Hmm." Malfoy responded a bit coldly as he resumed his playing.

"I'm sorry to put you out. You could have woken me and had me move to the couch, I don't think I would have noticed the difference." He kept his eyes on the keys while he continued playing.

"S'fine. Hardly noticed you were there."

Hermione didn't have any time to process the statement before Neddy appeared with their breakfast. Grateful for the distraction she started to fix her tea. The music helped her relax, and though there was still an awkwardness from the last couple of days, the piano filled the silence between them, relieving most of the tension. There was a pause when Malfoy pulled out sheets of music to start playing next, and he turned his head to address Hermione.

"Do you play?"

She nodded, having just taken a bite of toast. He waved her over and slid down the bench to make room. She was struck still for a moment but cleaned her hand and joined him on the bench, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible.

Hermione dressed in such a rush that she didn't think her outfit through properly. Her shorts rode up even further when she sat, leaving most of her upper thighs bare. She tucked her hands under her legs and waited for Malfoy to speak again, unable to come up with words herself. A reaction that had been happening more often.

Malfoy raised his brow with a smirk and moved the sheet music more in front of her. She took a deep breath before freeing her hands and placing them on the keys. Missed notes caused the notes on the sheet music to shake, mocking her mistake. The reaction got to her nerves, and she started making more errors when suddenly she felt Malfoy's hand on her lower back.

"Your posture is abysmal, Granger. Straighten up. There you go. Now roll your shoulders back and just let them fall." She adjusted herself on the bench and did what he said, and his other hand went to her left wrist resting on the keys. "Your small finger and wrist should be aligned with your elbow. And stop buckling your fingers."

She made the corrections and resumed playing, her eyes locked on the dancing notes and trying her best to keep her head straight. He had made it clear that he did not want anything to do with her in the way she was currently feeling right now.

His gaze was fixed down, watching her hands on the keys. Her arm pressed against him often as she reached further down the piano. He made a near-silent groan and removed his hand from her wrist, letting her maintain the posture herself.

A moment later, she felt the back of his fingers gently ghost the skin on the outside of her upper thigh. His eyes had traveled lower and were now fixed on her bare legs. She whipped her head back straight and focused again on the music, telling herself that Malfoy's breathing had not increased. Her action caused a curl fall in front of her eyes, but she doesn't want to stop playing and risk ruining whatever was happening.

When Malfoy's hand moved from her lower back to push the curl back for her, she lost her place and froze. Keeping her eyes straight, she could feel his breath with how close he was. She leaned into his hand more and every point on her skin that he was touching started to be amplified.

Thinking she should say something, she opened her mouth to speak. But her stomach was fluttering with nerves and excitement, and she just leaned her head a little closer.

The fluttering was replaced with a troubling ache, and she gasped and pulled back in response. Malfoy snapped out of it a second after she did, and his eyes darted to the hallway door.

"Bedroom," he said, nudging her lightly on her thigh as he stood. A moment later there was a rap on the door and Malfoy waited for Hermione to close the door to the bedroom completely before opening it.

"Come in," Malfoy said, and she could hear someone walk into the room.

"What happened to you last night? You were supposed to meet us after the formal." Theo's voice was on edge..

"Decided to turn in early. What happened?"

Hermione could hear someone fixing something from the drink cart, and Theo's voice came next, closer to the door where it sat.

"It's Blaise. Well, Parks technically but you know how those two are," Theo sounded frantic, he was only silent for a moment before pouring himself another drink. "She is going to come with us today and she has no training and no fucking idea what to expect."

The comment triggered something in Malfoy and he sounded more on edge. "On whose order? I assigned tasks with my father for this week, no one even mentioned her name."

"I mentioned it, not fucking thinking. Goyle said Parkinson father is trying to get her more involved and I figured better she just tag along with us to satisfy him," Theo started to ramble. "We didn't get the specifics for the task until later last night and- bloody hell Draco. She'll get eaten alive. Which means Blaise will be fucking babysitting her all night instead of looking after himself. You need to come with us. I can't take care of them both on my own."

"Amadeus, the fool. He is going to get his daughter killed." Draco paused before continuing, "I can't go. I'm meant to check on Hogwarts today. I'll instruct Pansy to come with me." This pacified Theo and she heard him fall on the couch with a relieved groan.

"Thank Merlin."

"Are you all set, then? It won't be an easy win with just you and Zabini."

"Ah, we'll do good enough. They're sending along some new recruits for us to test so we should have a few extra bodies to hide behind." Theo sounded immensely more calm. Ironic given that the task they were describing was anything but safe. "We'll maybe head up to Hogsmeade for old time sake if we live."

"Hmm," Malfoy hummed thoughtfully. "You won't find slags in Hogsmeade this time of year, mate."

Theo scoffed. "Yes, well. I supposed Zabini and I will have to find entertainment in other ways. So long as students aren't plaguing the town this week it should be pleasant enough."

"Greyback has been patrolling the Forbidden Forest and surrounding area. Too risky to have students off grounds with that many packs in the area."

"Madness. How does bringing in vermen help our cause? Have you any idea how many people Greyback has turned in the last couple of months?"

The boys finished up their conversation and Theo had to rush out since he lost track of time. A few moments later he opened the door to the bedroom and found her sitting on the couch.

"Everything alright?" She asked him.

"Yeah, got it all sorted. Sorry about that." He said leaning against the door. She nodded with a tight smile and didn't know what to say next. She had so many questions that went in various directions, she didn't know which to ask first.

"Before Theo knocked there was a moment." Draco stood a little taller at her statement. "I felt something. It wasn't unpleasant necessarily, but it was sort of like, I don't know, a warning?"

Malfoy put his hands in his pockets and nodded. "It's the wards, they'll alert anytime there is an unexpected visitor approaching the door. Is the first time someone has shown up uninvited, so you probably haven't experienced it before."

"Why would I feel it? I am just a guest here; these aren't my rooms."

Malfoy looked a little uncomfortable again before further explaining. "For all intents and purposes of the wards, they are our rooms. Just these, not the entire Manor obviously. It was the only way to grant you access when you arrived." The blood wards. Hermione just assumed she was added to grant her access. She didn't realize what all Malfoy handed over by adding her.

"You're taking Pansy Parkinson with you? To Hogwarts today?" It was the first information she had addressed that she overheard through the wall. They had just been ignoring her knowledge on the subject so far. "Blaise said the other day that they were set to be married. It sounds like he's worried about her."

"There is no betrothal contract yet but yes, they are technically courting. It's a very common thing, Granger." He added the last bit as an afterthought.

"It's just surprising. I always thought you and Pansy got on during school." That made him huff a laugh.

"Parkinson is one of my eldest friends. She was a bit of a bratty child though, if you can imagine, so my parents never took to her. They prefer me a more docile type of bride. It's for the best, it'd be like bedding my sister." He said with a look of disgust.

"Is she in some kind of trouble?"

"Her father has gone a bit mad over the years. Her mother died a year ago, but nobody talks about why or how." Hermione could see the grief in Malfoy's eyes. "It happens sometimes to those with an affliction for dark magic. They lose touch of sanity and become addicted to it. We all try to help her when we can. Zabini gifts her weekends away on Holiday, organizes her to visit long distance friends or… friends." This he said, raising his brows suggestively, and it lightened the mood a little. "There is no leaving her family home for good though unless she is wed or disinherited. "

"I had no idea you were so close," she said genuinely.

"Gryffindor's are not the only ones who care for their friends, Granger. We've been fighting for our lives long before you ever received your first copy of Hogwarts: A History." He pushed himself off the doorway and walked past her into the closet. "The fighting just looks a little bit different now. Less tactful. More brutal."

He put on his death eater cloak and held his mask in his hand. "Don't pity her too much. If you ever go hand to hand with Pansy in combat my galleons are on her. Ruthless witch. Maybe you can show her mercy, though? If you ever run into her on the outside."

It wasn't until after he left that she pondered if she'd ever see him on the outside as well.

Lestrange led the afternoon meetings. He spoke of the mission Theo and Blaise are on and how it was being used as a test for newer members. There had been so few new people coming by the manor, Hermione was hoping that support was diminishing. However, she learned they are restricting access to the manor to initiated death eaters and their family members only.

Attacks on muggle cities were increasing. Lestrange in the upcoming weeks plans to attack Parliament so that all of England will submit to Voldemort's reign. One side of the group claimed the Dark Lord was uninterested in the muggle world, while the other argued all beings should be held to their rightful place. Lestrange, always promoting violence, said that any further ventures into the muggle world will depend on the success of controlling England.

Hermione has taken to waiting for Malfoy to come home before trying to fall asleep. She read the book on wandless magic he gave her. However, she couldn't focus her mind enough to succeed in any of the exercises and she kept checking the clock as it got later into the night.

He arrived covered in blood that was not his and Hermione's heart sank. He met her eyes for a moment before heading to the bathroom without a word. Hermione had Neddy prepare a small meal for him, and the elf added in a double portion of pudding for good measure.

Malfoy came out in his long sleeve t-shirt and gray joggers, an outfit she hadn't seen him wear since they brewed the Polyjuice potion together. He sat in front of his meal next to her on the couch and their knees touched. Hermione moved to put more distance between them, the memory of what happened last time in this position too fresh in her mind.

Malfoy ate half a roll from his meal before speaking to her. "Bloody werewolves."

"Greyback?" She croaked out.

"He can't control the members of his own pack, let alone all of the others they brought in. Had to make an example of several of them today." He said, shaking his head. She turned to face him, putting her back to the armrest and bringing her knees to her chest. "What Theo said this morning, he's not the only one to think it. Why the Dark Lord preaches purity and then makes us work with those things is a mystery to us all."

"Well, Voldemort preaching purity at any rate hardly makes any sense to begin with." She threw out casually. Malfoy rose brow at her, waiting for her to continue. "Well, because of his heritage." She spoke as if it were obvious.

"What are you going on about?" He asked, sounding genuinely confused.

"Since he's a half blood," she said, unsure why Malfoy wasn't catching on.

"That's absurd."

She stared at him. Not able to tell if Malfoy was having a go at her.

"Malfoy, Voldemort's father was a muggle." She stated as a simple fact, like it was common knowledge.

He scoffed. "No. He's a pureblood. He's leading the movement for blood purity for Salazar's sake."

"Ironic isn't it," she remarked.

"That is impossible." He insisted, but the surety he usually has in his voice was gone.

It was her turn to be in disbelief now. "How has this never come up? Do you even know his real name?"

When Malfoy understood that she was being sincere, it was like something clicked in his eyes and he turned forward. It was strange, seeing all the pieces fall together for him right before her eyes.

"No one is allowed to question the Dark Lord. He says it is an act against his authority. Anyone who questions him, even casually, hasn't lived to say another word." He shook his head, his irritation getting more visible. "And how, may I ask you, did you happen across this information?"

"My best friend is 'The Chosen One'," she answered plainly. "We found out his real name in second year."

"Second year?!" She smiled more fully and gave a half shrug. "You just decided to keep this information for yourself?"

"We tried to tell the wizarding community a lot of things when Voldemort returned. No one was too keen on accepting any of it as the truth."

He moved to grab another roll off his plate but then pulled his hand back. Too shocked to eat. Hermione took a moment to go to the bedroom and came back with a quill and parchment.

"It's an anagram. Look," she said, writing out Voldemort's given and then chosen name. "He was ashamed of his father's surname, so he changed it. His mother was a witch from the Gaunt family."

Malfoy stared at the paper, and then up at her.

"He really is the Heir of Slytherin though, if that is any comfort to you." She did her best to hide her amusement.

It was strange how painfully obvious Voldemort's hypocrisy was as soon as some looked into it. She could tell the moment Malfoy stops being skeptical and can no longer hide from the truth. He turned on the couch to face her, putting his arm around the back like he did the last time they sat together. Hermione just pulled her knees closer to herself.

"Holding out anything else from me, witch?"

"You keep your secrets, I keep mine," she parroted his statement from their previous fight.

He gave her a genuine smile before looking back to the paper. Hermione should feel more empathetic that his chosen leader was nothing but a lie, but the feeling never came.

"I need a drink. Have Neddy rid of this unless you want it," he said.

"A drink sounds perfect actually." She jumped at the chance to put more space between them. "Do you want anything in particular?"

"Yes."

Draco walked up right behind her. His body shifted as he grabbed a glass and bottle with either hand and began to pour, surrounding her with his arms. He knew what he was doing; she could convince herself earlier that she was imagining it but there was no denying it now. She stood still. Closing her eyes and letting the contact happen. She heard a clunk as he set his glass down and then his hand was on her hip.

Her eyes shot open, there was no excuse she could come up with as to why she was letting the closeness continue if someone were to see. He let out a harsh breath, and it warmed the part of her neck that was exposed.

"You keep letting me touch you," he mumbled as he leaned his head on her shoulder. "You shouldn't be letting me touch you."

She sighed, wanting to feel his breath one more time before the spell was broken. When she felt his lips lightly trace her skin from her collarbone up her neck, she let her head fall back on him. Each moment she silently pleaded for the tender touch not to stop, Malfoy answered with the soft graze of his lips.

He used his hand on her hip to pull her against him. The other grabbed her jaw, and then his mouth was on hers. It was nothing like the delicate kiss that overcame her the night in the room. It was hard. Demanding. And Hermione could do no more but surrender to it.

His arm tightened around her, lifting her slighting so that her toes barely grazed the floor. Her back arched as she tried to get even closer and he groaned when she rubbed against him. The hand on her jaw circled around and she could feel his fingers and they pushed into her hair, and a moan escaped from her mouth into his.

They remain like this, a mindless pushing and pulling between her back and his front. It was everything and she wanted more.

Silky blonde hair was tangled between her fingers, and she reluctantly removed her hand from them to turn and face him. Her arms surrounded his neck to help hold herself up and he lifted her the remaining way until their bodies were formed against one another.

Beautifully blushed and eyes dark, Draco looked as lost in the moment as she felt. The skin of his cheek was soft and hot as she trailed her fingertips to brush his lips. She was wrong before. Looking into his eyes, seeing him panting and his lips swollen from the way they were touching each other; this was everything.

Already missing the way he tasted, she leaned in to connect them again, only to feel him pull away. Her body slid down his until her feet were back firmly on the floor. When he took a few steps back, her hands were the last to break contact.

"I'm sorry. I- I don't know what came over me," he said, still breathless, and suddenly it was painful to look at him. He ran his hand over his mouth and looked away from her in shame. "I'm being stupid putting us in these situations. It's not-"

"It's not right, I know. You've told me before," she bit out. The hurt was relieved a little when she let it turn into anger.

Malfoy took a few more steps away from her before continuing to speak. "You are a prisoner here, Granger. We can't cross this line when there is a chance you are only participating to please me out of fear for your safety."

Oh.

She frequently thought about her safety when talking with Malfoy, but she didn't think that she would feel pressure in that way to keep things cordial. That was not what overcame her a few moments ago.

"I'm not- I don't-" she took a breath, getting flustered at her lack of ability to construct a coherent sentence. "That is not why I'm participating."

The words sound even more stupid when she said them out loud. "And I don't think I can be considered a prisoner if the only person who knows I am here is desperate for me to leave."

Malfoy glanced at her and then looked at the floor nodding briefly. Maybe he was right. She tried to keep her mind focused on the logic of the situation, rather than the part that wanted to be held against him again.

"I suppose it does complicate things a bit," she got out, barely above a whisper. "It's probably best we don't… that this doesn't happen again."

He was staring at her mouth while she talked, and she wondered if her lips looked the same as his did.

"The power dynamic is too one sided. It would be bad for us to continue."

He nodded, still staring at her hungrily, and she took her chances saying the next bit. "And there is also the whole blood purity thing."

That snapped him out of his daze, and he was looking back at the floor.

"Right. And then there is that."

She had the answer to the question she had been avoiding asking herself. And now she wished she could take it back.