The Project

Chapter 4: Entangled Fates

Draco was walking hastily towards the dungeons; he accidentally left his bottle of Flobberworm mucus and his phial of Dragons blood there after Potions. Cursing himself silently he rounded the corner and was about to go down the cold steps when he heard a muffled sob coming from one of the classrooms near the dungeon.

He went towards it and peeked inside the door, which was left ajar. There he saw Hermione sitting on the floor sobbing, her shoulders shaking hysterically. His instincts told him to leave her there. Don't mind her. What do you care anyway? Just leave her alone. Get your Potion things and leave. But he felt a sudden urge to just go in there and comfort her. No. To ease the pain she is feeling right now. No. To be her crying shoulder. No. To just make her stop crying. You. Are. A. Malfoy. You don't do things like that. What were you thinking? Turn around, get your stuff and get the hell out of here!

"Granger?"

She turned around, wiped her face with her robes, sniffed and stood up, surprised.

"Malfoy," she said, her voice cracking, "what are you doing here?"

"I was just doing my daily rounds of classrooms filled with crying ladies, what about you?" he replied nonchalantly.

Hermione looked at him blankly.

"Okay, okay, I was just getting my potion ingredients I left in the dungeon this morning. So why are you crying?" he asked.

"Oh, um, nothing," she said feebly, wiping the tears that were flowing down from her eyes.

"Look Hermione, I'm not blind and I'm definitely not stupid," he said, moving towards her.

"Well, I don't want to talk about it right now," she snapped.

"Okay, I guess I'm just going to leave you here and let yourself explain to Filch why a Head Girl is out here bawling when she is supposed to patrol the school at night, right?"

Hermione didn't answer. But Draco could see tears forming in her eyes again.

"I guess not," he sighed. "At least my father taught me manners, unlike your boyfriend who doesn't have any. Where is he anyway? He's supposed to be here, right? Your knight-in-shining-armour, or something?"

"He's not here," she answered, trying her best not to burst in tears. Why does he have to remind me about him? Hermione thought bitterly.

"Look Draco, why don't you just go and get your Potion ingredients and I'll just go back to my dormitory, because now is really not a good time for me to talk about things," she said, regaining her composure and hurriedly went striding out of the classroom, almost knocking Draco down.

But before she could open the door, Draco grabbed her wrist, looked at her straight in the eye and said, "You sure you're going to be alright?"

"I'm fine," she said, not meeting his gaze. Wrenching her wrist from Draco's grip, she broke into a run and went directly to her dormitory.

Draco was left standing inside the room thinking, Why am I feeling this way? Still thinking, he went to the Potions dungeon and grabbed his things.

~o000o~

"Don't tell me you're going to the ball with that?"

Pansy Parkinson sneered at Millicent Bullstrode, who was taking an orange dress robe out of her over-large trunk.

"Why? What's wrong with my dress robe?" Millicent asked, trying to conceal the hurt look in her face but failing miserably.

Pansy finished curling a lock of her hair before answering.

"Well, first of all," she said, walking towards Millicent's bed post, "orange is definitely not your colour..."

Millicent's face scrunched up.

..."And secondly, that style is absolutely old-fashioned. I could almost imagine my mother wearing that when she was, what? Seven?" she continued.

"But my mum picked it out herself!" Millicent argued defensively.

"Oh, so that's why it's so old fashioned." Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Are you saying that my mum has no fashion sense?" Millicent asked, towering over Pansy.

"I didn't say that," said Pansy coolly, but she stepped back, just in case. Millicent was known to be very violent when having a tantrum.

"But that's what you meant, that my mum is old-fashioned and has no fashion sense, right?" said Millicent, stepping closer to Pansy and closing her fists.

"Oh, Millicent," Pansy said, acting bored, "you should accept constructive criticism, you know. That would improve your personality and, um, your looks."

"But what does constru... contructi... that have to do with my mum having no fashion sense?!"

"I just meant that..."

"Will you two shut up?!"

Both heads turned and saw Blaise Zabini scowling at them, while neatly polishing her nails. One nail wasn't very neat though. All of her nails were flashing different shades of green except one, which was growing some kind of purple vein and was releasing a very nasty odour.

"Don't you see how delicate this work is?" said Blaise, scrunching her nose while wiping the nail (which by now had developed hairs all over the veins) with cotton drenched in Neil Knollers Magic Nail Polish Remover.

"Now I have to do this all over again," she said angrily, throwing the cotton ball in the waste bin.

Pansy just shrugged and went back to curling her hair as if nothing happened. Millicent stood there awkwardly. Then she sighed in defeat and slumped back to her bed muttering inaudibly.

"Honestly Blaise, what gave you that temper?" asked Pansy. "As if you really have a big date to the dance."

"I do have a big date to the dance!" she replied. "Patrick Doehert."

"Oooh, the hunky Irish Ravenclaw Chaser?" said Pansy with much interest.

"Yes," Blaise said coolly, and picking up the nail polish brush, she dipped it in a green crystal bottle, and then carefully applied it toher last fingernail.

"He asked me yesterday during Transfiguration."

"How?"

"Well, can you believe he transfigured an ordinary weed into a red rose that sings 'Will you go to the dance with me?'"

Blaise suddenly burst into giggles, "That was the corniest stunt ever!"

Pansy was giggling uncontrollably too. "Omigod, he... he... wh-what?" She could barely finish her sentence.

"I can't believe it either," said Blaise, wiping tears from her eyes, "but since I really have no date to the ball and he is cute, I said yes." She then went back to perfecting her nails.

"What about you Pansy? Who's your date to the dance?"

"Oh, well," she said nervously.

"Wait, wait," interrupted Blaise, thinking, "Let me guess. You. Don't. Have. A. Date. Right?" Then she laughed at the sight of Pansy's beet red face. Millicent laughed with her.

Pansy rolled her eyes and tried to suppress her blush but failed. "Draco was supposed to - " she tried to explain but Blaise cut her off.

"Be your date, but went into hiding again like last year!" She then exploded in another fit of giggles forgetting her smudged fingernail. "Honestly Pansy, did you think that we didn't know your parents are forcing Draco, even though he doesn't like it, to go with you every dance?"

Pansy's red face turned pale white, "W-what are you t-talking about?" she stammered.

"As if you don't know. I mean, how thick do you think we are?"

"Last year, Draco had a stomach ache so he couldn't go to the dance," defended Pansy.

"Oh, so that's why I saw him snogging Amelia Grett at the grotto," said Blaise cruelly. "Don't try to cover it up, Pansy, we all know he doesn't like you one bit."

That did it; Pansy couldn't stop the tears that were welling in her eyes. She rushed out of the room and bumped right into Draco who had just entered the common room from the dungeons. A wave of fury came over her and she slapped him right on the cheek. She then stormed out of their common room leaving a shocked Draco rubbing a stinging cheek.

~o000o~

Draco couldn't believe his luck. First he forgot his Potions things in the dungeon, got scolded by Snape because he was careless, got snubbed by Granger and then this: a red, horrible and stinging slap-mark courtesy of Miss Pansy Parkinson.

What's got into her anyway? He pondered for a moment then he suddenly remembered that he hadn't asked her to the dance yet. What a great way to end a horrible day. If his father didn't pressure him to go with her every dance, he might enjoy some part of it. Hell, I'd rather go alone.

He could still remember his father's exact words when he talked to him before the Yule Ball three years ago. Son, you will escort Parkinson's daughter to every dance." And that was that. He could have said, "Why don't you blow yourself up?" But like a stupid, loyal dog, he nodded his head and obeyed. What could he do? He was just his father's son. That was what his father wanted. And what his father wants, usually his father gets.

Draco could only find Pansy tolerable when she shut her mouth, and that was a very rare event. It's like, all she talks about is she, herself, and her. Oh, and her brilliant father as well.

He shook his head in disbelief and went inside his dormitory.

~o000o~

How could I have done this to Hermione? Ron thought, walking out through the main door towards the school grounds. He felt hollow inside, like all his emotions were left with Hermione in that room. He couldn't really explain what he was really feeling just then. He just felt drained. Drained and worn out.

No, how could Hermione do this to me? he retaliated bitterly. He clenched his fists and tightened his jaw. She made it look like an accident but I know it wasn't. That kiss wasn't an accident, Ron thought as he remembered the scene that had happened at the Astronomy Tower. They were both in each others arms and that definitely didn't look like an accident. Hermione won't even let me kiss her like that. But she let Malfoy. She let that pale-faced bugger stick his slimy lips on her.

He saw a stone and threw it towards the lake. It sent out ripples. Then he looked at the darkening sky, pinkish-orange light that was starting to turn into purplish-black. He had never been so confused in his own life. He wasn't sure if he was angry with Hermione or with Malfoy or even with himself. All he knew was that he was feeling something just then. It was anger.

~o000o~

Hermione couldn't think straight. She got another Kleenex from the flowered box and blew her nose loudly. Tears welled in her eyes and she dabbed it with the used tissue. She then pulled her blankets closer. She felt chilly, yet it had nothing to do with the weather. She was cold inside and no amount of furnaces in the world could heat her up. She felt empty and forsaken, like an abandoned old house with nothing but the howling wind within.

Everything was so perfect, she thought, Ron and me. A tear dropped to the bridge of her nose, and then plummeted towards her pillow. No matter where she faced, she noticed, her left eye always dropped the tear first. She tossed around, facing the wall and her bedside table where her lampshade, piles of books and a couple of picture frames were to be found, and cried again. It's silly how simple things, such as what eye always drops the first tear, can be noticed when you are distraught.

She saw the picture frames on her table; one was rectangle with pointed edgings given to her by Harry last Christmas. There were strange runes on them (which she could translate perfectly: Friends till the end) and in it was a photograph of the three of them, taken a year before on their Christmas Ball. They were all smiling broadly with their arms draped around each other, in the background were huge Christmas Trees gleaming with decorations. They were very happy, so carefree, so alive. I wish things would go back to the way it was when we were just friends, it was far simpler.

She then caught sight of the other picture frame; it was in the form of two hearts and in the middle was the picture of her and Ron. He was hugging her tightly and she was clinging to him as well, they were looking at each other affectionately, a mild gentle breeze blowing at their hair and faces. Both of them glowing and overflowing with love for each other. It was during their First Week Anniversary, when he bought Hermione the locket and she gave him a watch. She couldn't believe it was just about a month ago, it seemed like years.

How could things change dramatically in just an instant? She remembered the way Ron's eyes looked into hers the day that picture was taken. It was filled with love and promises of a good life, and yet those same adoring eyes could be the most bitter, most frightening eyes when angered. She couldn't believe her Ron could say something like that, yet it was all true. She had been insensitive and selfish. He doesn't deserve someone like me, she thought, and a bitter tear rolled down her cheek once again. She rubbed it away angrily.

She took the frame, looked at it scornfully, and then plunked it face down on the table. Why do I have to be so stupid?

Then, something on the table made her eyes widen in surprise. A disorganized mound of books and notes. Immediately, she stood up and picked up every book that was on the table. Since when did I become a slob? she thought disgustedly. She shook her head and piled her books neatly. Then she noticed that all of the books were related to their project in Transfiguration.

The book, Cosmic Mysteries Revealed by Orion Starr was gleaming in its leather bound cover and Hermione decided that she had more important things to do than wallow in tears. She took the book and scanned through its pages until she reached section M.

It read:

*Murbik's Spot. A speck in the sky that holds nothing at all, the Murbik's Spot was one of the most controversial occurrences in the century. Discovered by Remor Archiullus Murbik (1023-1104) whom everyone thought was a madman and contradicted in every way. And yet, when they could find no faults, Murbik received an Order of Merlin Second Class for his efforts.

Hermione had read this before so she just skimmed through it. Until she noticed something she hadn't seen before. (A/N: As if that would happen!)

Rumors and speculation about the said phenomenon:

Currently, the Spot can only be seen every 494 years and two weeks, it is said to influence the thoughts and feelings of people, especially those who have been enemies.

One example was the discoverer, Mr. Murbik himself who found his wife through his (he quotes) useless and inadequate assistant, Gwendolyn Marx, who felt the same way. Yet, when they both looked at the Spot for the first time, they fell in love and were married the next month. At this time, sudden bursts of marriages happened and commonly people noticed that the newly weds were once adversaries who couldn't even stay in the same room without fighting or arguing.

494 years and two weeks later, the same phenomenon happened again. It is as if a magnet from the Spot causes foes to become lovers. Amateur Wizard Astronomer Abergene Grelyn tried to find the cause of this strange occurrence when he was interrupted by his rival Astronomer, Laylani Bensk, and an unlikely affair happened. The two aggressive competitors were wedded two weeks later.

Until now, no one knows the reason why it causes strange reactions to antagonists but

The book fell from Hermione's hands.

~o000o~

The whole party was a success. The pine trees bedecked with ornaments glowed even more brightly than ever and the snow falling softly from the magical ceiling made the party an enjoyable one. As usual, several small tables were placed at the sides and a huge disco ball floated from the ceiling. Lights bounced and glittered in tune to the music and everyone was dancing and grooving to the beat. Music blared from the newly discovered modern alternative band "Black Sapphire" and everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives. Even Snape, who was stationed by the punch bowl, was seen tapping his feet to the rhythm.

Harry seemed to be the only one who wasn't having a good time. He was having a terrible time actually. There he was in one of the best parties Hogwarts had ever hosted and his best friends were nowhere to be found. It's Christmas and they aren't even speaking to each other! he thought somberly, as he slumped in a chair, looking at the laughing faces of his schoolmates. He drained his punch and decided to go get another drink. Might as well make the best of it.

He sauntered towards the punch bowl (strictly eyed by Snape), and refilled his cup. He almost choked on the red juice when he saw who went inside the Great Hall.

Elyse Munday was walking arm-in-arm with Fernan McNair. Harry couldn't take his eyes away from her. Her hair was in a tight bun with soft, curly tendrils on the side of her face and she was wearing a dark emerald dress robe that complimented her eyes. Her eyes. She smiled shyly and descended to her seat across the room. She's breathtaking, thought Harry, almost dropping his punch.

He walked in the direction of her table even though he didn't know what he was going to say to her, when suddenly Parvati Patil jerked his arm, pulling him towards her.

"Harry, let's dance!" she yelled, dragging him towards the dance floor.

"Um, maybe next time," he tried to tell her but his voice was drowned out by the blaring music.

He was suddenly engulfed by the sea of students and really couldn't see anything at all except bodies jumping up and down. He attempted to see right over them but no such luck. He was taken further and further away from Elyse and he couldn't do anything about it. It was like fighting a rush of rapids and there aren't any solid rocks to hold on to.

It seemed like forever until the song finished. And when it did, they switched to a slower song.

All of a sudden, couples dancing slowly to the song replaced the crowd of party dancers. Harry immediately felt out of place.

He heard the lead singer sing...

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

If only he could muster the guts to ask her to dance. And yet his heart sank when he saw McNair leading Elyse to the dance floor. Then, he put his hands on her waist and she placed her hands on the back of his neck. And slowly, they moved back and forth to the music. Looking into each other's eyes. It was intolerable.

After a few excruciating minutes passed, the song finally finished. McNair took Elyse's hand and directed her towards the punch bowl to get some drinks. Then he leaned down to whisper something in Elyse's ear. Elyse's smile turned into a disappointed frown as McNair jogged towards the table where almost all the Slytherin pillocks were making a ruckus. Surprisingly, Draco Malfoy, the supreme overlord of all sods, wasn't there.

This is your chance! Harry's brain shouted. His heart began to beat faster as he started to walk towards the snack table. Towards her. Suddenly, he couldn't seem to remember how to walk. His feet betrayed him and he felt like he was walking on jelly. Come on Harry! One step at a time, he commanded, left, that's it. Now right. Good. Leftrightleftright. He saw Elyse getting closer and closer. She was almost ten feet away from him. Now five feet away from him. Three, two and then he was standing right in front of her. Then he couldn't remember what to say. He was immobile for a moment as he tried to open his mouth. Say something. Anything! he ordered himself.

"Uh, hi." Great. Smooth move, Potter.

"Hullo," she answered, looking morosely at the floating contents of her cup.

"Um, you look wonderful tonight!" he blurted with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.

Elyse looked at him and he felt like he was going to melt. "Thanks," she said, smiling a little.

An awkward silence filled the moment.

Now what? Harry thought. "McNairisajerkfordoingthat," he suddenly said. Where did that came from? "Uh, I mean..." He tried to cover up but he stopped when he saw Elyse smiling even wider.

"Yeah, he is a jerk," she said bluntly, looking over at the Slytherins' table where they were ruining the song being played by singing it in different tunes. It was a cacophony of noise.

"Then why don't you -" Harry started.

"Break up with him?" Elyse interrupted, her smile turning into a glare. "I would if I could Harry, it's complicated, you wouldn't understand." She started to turn away but Harry grabbed hold of her wrist.

"What wouldn't I understand?" Harry insisted, "Please, tell me."

"I, I can't." He saw tears forming in her eyes. "Let me go, Potter," she said coldly as she twisted her wrist from his grasp.

He let go. "Why?" he asked.

"Because," she said.

"Is he botherin' you, babe?" said a voice from behind Harry's back.

Harry turned around and saw the towering figure of Slytherin's Beater, Fernan McNair.

"N - no, Fernan. He isn't," she said, stopping him. "Let's go, I don't feel well." She led him towards the door. As they were about to pass through, she looked back at Harry and saw that he was looking at her too.

~o000o~

Hermione was in the Astronomy Tower looking at the stars. She tried to erase everything that she had read, but it still came back. Was the rumour true? She thought. No, its not. It was just a silly rumour and I'm stupid enough to believe it. Ron and I belong to each other. We love each other and no stupid Spot can ruin it. She stopped for a moment.

Does Ron really love me? she asked herself. Then why does it seem to be complicated? A tear ran down her face. It's all because of that stupid kiss, she sniffed.

Her chain of thought broke when she heard someone opening the door. She wiped her tears away and turned around. She saw Draco Malfoy leaning on the doorway, his arms crossed.

Hermione felt her breath catch. With the pale light from the moon, she thought that it would make Draco even paler but it didn't. Instead, it set off the greyness in his eyes and added colour to his cheeks. Then, she felt anger rise up to her face.

"Fancy meeting you here," he said coolly.

"It's all your fault," she seethed.

"What?" Draco stared at her with a confused look.

"It's your fault that Ron is mad at me," she said moving towards him.

"Well, I did leave that present filled with dungbombs," he said matter-of-factly, "but I didn't put your name there."

"Why the bloody hell did you have to kiss me?!"

Her sudden outburst left both of them stunned. Draco blinked several times but recovered almost immediately.

"Why? Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it," he said with an arrogant smirk.

"What do you mean?" she said, taken aback.

"You almost kissed me back," he said leaving the doorway and stepping closer to her.

"I... I never..." Hermione stuttered.

"So it wasn't all my fault," he grinned, "you had your share in it too."

Hermione's hand flew, aiming for Draco's cheek but his hand was faster as he stopped her. And the next thing that happened caught Hermione by surprise.

Draco jerked her outstretched hand, pulled her towards him and suddenly his lips were against hers. She struggled to free herself from his grasp but only succeeded in entangling herself with him. Draco wouldn't let her go and also grabbed her other arm when she tried to hit him with it.

Then, a whole new sensation filled her body. He was kissing her with such passion that she couldn't help but like. It was nothing like she had ever experienced in her life. It was dangerous yet exciting. He let go of her arms and placed one of his hands on the back of her neck, the other on her waist. She felt the hair on her skin stand up as he kissed her more deeply. She found herself kissing him back. She couldn't help it. It was like something was forcing her to do it. She placed her hands on his chest as the anguish on their mouths became more uncontrollable.

The moments went on and they couldn't seem to stop. But slowly, Draco regained control of his senses. And remarkably, broke the kiss.

"Do you want to know why?" he whispered huskily, his grey eyes looking deep into her own. "Because I think I'm falling in love with you." And he pulled her back into the kiss.

~o000o~

A/N: Well, here it is. Sorry it took so long... we're just caught up with schoolwork and stuff. Anyways, how will Hermione react to Draco's sudden declaration? Does she feel the same way? Does the Murbik's Spot have anything to do with this? Find out in the next chappie.

Abergene Grelyn and Laylani Bensk were inspired by our beloved parents. Hey Ma, Hi Pops! We love you so much! Mwah!

We want to thank the Calling for writing and singing the song, "Wherever you will go". Alex Band's voice is truly heavenly. Don't you think?

Many thanks to our marvellous beta Carly. Thank you so much! Mwah!

Also to those who reviewed chapter three: Cheska 42588; Cedric Diggory; Mione Granger; Jhlseaz; Jamie Potter; Smiley; Bob lemon; Headgirl 1; Lady Stella; Eerie; Davell_claw and Cedfritz Evangory. Thank you so much. You don't know how your reviews meant to us.

Please keep reviewing! Thank you so much! Peace!