Of Dark Times and Nursery Rhymes

Of Dark Times and Nursery Ryhmes

It was a cold, cold day to be starting your seventh year at Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Three students however were enjoying it, while one awfully disgruntled one looked on. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sliding across the lake, being careful not to fall in, and Draco was watching with a frown on his face. Damn Gryffindors. What are they so happy about? They won't live out the year and I bet the Mudblood will be the first to go.

With a sneer on his face Draco walked over to tell them off, about the time he made it onto the ice Hermione threw off her robe and revealed a rather small cashmeir sweater and her favorite pair of bell bottom hip huggers. "Granger, I wouldn't have expected the head girl to be breaking rules so soon." He was trying his best to be as vindictive as ever, but her cheeks were flushed and she was breathing heavy.When did Granger grow up?

"Malfoy, What are you on about? We are allowed to be on the lake." The way he was staring at her was making her nervous.

"You were. McGonagall said that no one was to be on the lake. I guess the squid has been acting up." He sneered at Potter."I might not be able to give Granger here a detention, but I would love to beat Snape to giving you your first detention this year."

"Malfoy, Why don't you just bugger off?" Hermione said harshly.

"Mione, I can fight my own battles."

"Yes, I know, but when you fight your own battles it usually ends up with someone in a great deal of trouble, and I am not in any position to get you out of trouble right now, Harry ."

"Remind me, when we are in our private common room, to teach you some decent profanities, Granger." Draco snarled, walking away.

"What's he mean, private common room, Herm?" Ron asked, his temper oviously fizzing.

"I have to share a common room with Malfoy. This year just gets better and better doesn't it?" Her face fell again and the bags under her eyes became more prominent.

"Don't, Mione. Please don't go back to what you were over the summer. I'll share Ron's bed and you can sneak into our room every night if he is going to get to you. I don't want to find you passed out again." Harry pleaded. He could still see Hermione laying on the floor of the burrow, passed out after overdosing on lord knows what and drinking more firewhiskey than Fred and George combined could handle.

"I won't, Harry. I can handle Malfoy now." She reassured him.

"He's going to be even worse now that Voldemort is back in power." Harry cringed at the memory of the last battle. He hadn't been able to bring himself to say now that Dumbledore was dead , because he still felt that if he said it it would like acceptance.

"I don't feel much anymore, Harry. I doubt even Malfoy can get to me." She sighed."I'm going up to unpack now. I need some time alone and a hot bath.

An hour later she was seated on the common room couch, crying and drinking hot tea to try and calm her nerves. There was poppy and a shot of firewhiskey in the tea. Even though she had promised Harry not to go back she had, but this time she wasn't going to go overboard with it. I can't believe it's turned out like this. I feel like a sitting duck without Dumbledore. I don't know who I can count on anymore. Ron and Harry care, but they don't understand. Mrs. Weasley is giving me a home and trying to be a mother to me, but it's not the same. At least I know I can still count on Malfoy to be a stupid arrogant git.

Just then none other than Draco Malfoy came strutting into the common room. He stopped dead when he saw the crying girl on the couch,and got the distinct smell of firewhiskey. "What's wrong, Granger? You just realize that your parents still have one of your books at home?" He sneered.

"NO! I just realized how alone I am now." She said the last part very quietly.

Draco frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand. You were just laughing with Weasle and Potty with your fan club looking on.And why are you drinking my firewhiskey?"

"It's not yours. It's mine." She snapped.

Draco's least favorite thing in the world was weeping women. So he put his arm around her to comfort her. The effect was immediate for him. Fire shot through his arm and side. He felt as if he was made of molten fire, but Hermione wasn't warm, she was cold and shivering. He pulled her tighter, effectively pulling her out of her reverie. She jumped up and went running into her room. A few seconds later he heard a match strike and a small cough. Hey, where did she go? I liked having her there. Where did that thought come from? I don't like her. And since when does Hermione drink and smoke? Wait, did I just call Granger by her first name in my thoughts? I need a drink. Something must be seriously wrong with me.

Later that night, Draco came out of his room, relatively sober and mostly back to himself, with the exception of not wanting Granger to cry again. He didn't care or anything, it was simply that he did not like crying girls. He sat down on a chair by the fire, and began to read. It being a muggle book, he'd been sure to cover the title. It was called The Princess Bride, and he knew that if anyone found out he was reading such a girly book, his reputation would be ruined. He became so engrossed in the swordfight between Inigo and The Man in Black that he did not notice Hermione reading silently over his shoulder. "The Princess Bride, Draco?" She clucked,"I wouldn't have expected you to read a romantic book like this."

"It had a lot of action, too, Granger," he growled, "And did you just use my first name?" I'm surprised. She hates me more than I hate her. I'm pathetic. I actually wish that she would do it again.

"Oh. I suppose I did. Sorry. I've had a lot on my mind."She sighed for the millionth time that day.

"Sit here and tell me about it Granger." He patted his lap, leering at her.

"Shut up, Malfoy. I don't feel like dealing with you right now. I just saw the book and wanted to know if I could borrow it. I lost my copy in the fire." She really didn't like they way he was staring at her or the way it was affecting her.

"Sure Granger," He moved to the couch, "Why don't we just read together." He smiled. Wait,she thought, did Draco Malfoy actually just smile at me? Well, what does it matter any way? I think I'll just share his book since he's offering. I don't really see any harm in it, and even if there is, I don't really care what happens to me now. Everything is lost, why should I try to live? She sat down on the couch next to him. He moved his arm to the back of the couch so she could sit close enough to see. "Come on,Granger, I don't bite. Well, at least most of the time I don't."

"Stop leering Malfoy," She moved closer all the same, "You aren't going to get anything you want from me."

"I already have." Seeing her blush he stopped. Teasing Granger might be fun, but she seemed to be in such a feeble state already that he didn't want to push it, lest he end up with her death on his head.

She was sitting so close to Draco that she could feel him breath. She didn't notice that she was paraphrasing out loud until Draco answered her. "Farm Boy, get that pot."

"As you wish." Then she felt Draco's arm move lower. He was now massaging her waist lightly.Oh that feels good. I shouldn't be enjoying this, but I've been so tense lately and his touch almost makes me melt.

"Malfoy, we should talk." She wanted to stop him before he did something he would regret.

"Hmm. Call me Draco, love." Wow, he must be smashed or really tired.

"Draco, it's me, Hermione." Her name brought him to his senses. Causing his hand to stop moving.

"I'm sorry. I was so into the story that I forgot."

"Can I see your arm?" She had to know if he had the Dark Mark yet.

He lifted his sleeve and she saw smooth, pale, unmarked skin. A smile came to her lips. He could still be changed. Perhaps the fight wasn't over.

"Why are you smiling? Did you expect it to be any different?" He was trying to sneer again,but her closeness was making it hard to.

"Well yes. I mean you were practically a Death Eater last year. I just figured by this time you'd have your mark, and as I have never seen one up close, I was curious." Why hasn't he moved his hand yet. You'd think he likes having it there.

"Can you keep a secret?" He had a sly smile on his face now that worried Hermione.

"Of course I can." She was curious now and had to know.

"I broke with my father just before he killed some innocent muggleborn's parents. I mean I hate them as much as any pureblood, but there was no reason to kill them and leave their child. I never really believed in Voldemort's cause anyway. He's just a pathetic half-blood. A wanna-be really." Now he was sneering, but for once it wasn't at her.

"Listen, Mal...um..I mean.. Draco. I think we should just go back to reading." She knew who his father had killed. It had been her parents. I miss them so much. I'm going to get Lucius Malfoy if it's the last thing I do. And considering that he's in Voldemort's inner circle it very well may be the last thing I do.

They began reading again, and in about half an hour Draco's hand was moving again. Hermione hadn't noticed that her shirt had come up until she felt his hand on her skin. It sent a shiver down her spine. God Draco, don't do that again. You don't realize how hard you are making it to hate you. And I have even more reason now to hate you than ever. You might not be him, but you have the same blood in your veins. I know you are capable of the same evil. If I can be a depressive addict like my father you can be an evil bastard like your's.

"Draco, what would you say if I told you that I know whose parents your father killed." Hermione said distantly and quietly.

"Who is it?" He needed to know if there was anything he could do to comfort them.

"Me. They were my parents." Tears were now streaming down her face. Thank God for waterproof mascara. His hand tightend it's grip and he turned to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione. I had no idea." He reached his free hand up and brushed a tear away from her cheek. She's so sad. So it was my father's fault that she drinks and smokes and takes lord knows what else. He began kissing her tears away and moved slowly down to her mouth. His kiss was careful and comforting at first, he wanted to see if she was going to push him away and slap him. Seeing that she was doing quite the contrary he deepended the kiss letting his toungue explore her mouth timidly. She met fire with fire every time he added to the kiss, she added more. Finally, they broke apart panting.

"I..I don't think we should have done that." Did I just kiss Draco Malfoy? I don't like him, do I? Wait, why am I questioning myself? I don't like Draco Malfoy. I can't, I'm in love with Harry Potter. Hermione jumped up and ran into her room.

"Hermione, wait!" Draco called. He went to his room when she wouldn't come back out.I think I like her. How'd that happen without my knowing it. She'll never trust me. It's just never going to happen. He sighed.

Before he went to sleep he distinctly heard the rustling of paper and the striking of a match. Hermione sighed from her room, smoking the joint out the window so as not to alert anyone. She might have promised Harry that she wouldn't, but Draco was causing her too much stress for her to stop now. She just wouldn't let Harry find out about it. She stubbed out the joint and crawled into bed for some well deserved sleep.