Loss of Control

Chapter Seven

Hermione shivered as she felt a cool breeze brush across her bare stomach. Eyes still closed, she stretched her arms out above her head. Her brow furrowed in confusion when she didn't feel the familiarity of the head board above her. Contemplating this, she realized she couldn't feel the softness of a bed beneath her, or the silky smoothness of sheets overtop of her body.

A quiet stirring next to her caused Hermione's eyes to snap open. Her surroundings baffled her. There was no bed, no familiar hangings around her. But she could see dust covered desks, a chalkboard, and dirt encrusted old windows. There was barely any light in the room and it was enveloped in a musky, damp, old smell.

Hermione pushed herself up onto her elbows. She was completely naked and had some terrible aches in her lower abdomen. Her attention was then turned to the floor beside her, where in all his naked glory, lay Draco Malfoy.

Flushing red in embarrassment, Hermione brought up her hand and covered her eyes. Her head fell back to stare at the ceiling and she had to try desperately to suppress the tears. She was so ashamed of what she knew had happened last night; especially since this time she was certain she was a willing participant.

Gingerly, she hauled herself up off the floor. But as she made to take a step away from where Malfoy lay, his hand snaked out and grabbed her ankle.

Hermione let out a squeal of surprise at the sudden contact. "Going somewhere, Granger?" he drawled sleepily.

She stiffened as he spoke. "Let go of me, Malfoy," Hermione demanded.

Malfoy didn't listen to her. Instead, he gave a sharp tug to her leg, causing Hermione to crash down onto the floor, landing hard on her bottom. Suddenly, Malfoy swung a leg over her and pushed her upper body against the ground as well, pinning her defenselessly there. She could feel him against her, his cool skin against her own burning flesh.

Malfoy leant down, so that his mouth was right next to her ear. "So it's Malfoy now then is it?" he whispered. "What happened to: Oh, Draco! Please, Draco! Harder, Draco!"

He laughed as she frantically pushed his body off of her. Malfoy allowed himself to fall aside as Hermione stumbled to her feet, panting. Wordlessly, she began to gather her clothing that was scattered about around the room. Strangely enough, her undergarments were all missing, so she was forced to dress without them; there was no way she would inquire as to their whereabouts to Malfoy.

The entire time she dressed, Hermione could see him stretching leisurely out of the corner of her eye. As she made to leave the dusty, old, abandoned room, Hermione saw him finally get to his feet lazily and begin to gather his own clothing.

She walked quickly down the length of the corridor, glancing back every few seconds over her shoulder to see if he was following her. On her third or fourth glance back, Hermione slammed into an object coming in the opposite direction from her. Sturdy hands grasped at her shoulders, holding the pair of them upright.

"Please watch where you are going, Miss Granger," a strict voice reprimanded.

Hermione gulped audibly and looked up at her Professor. "Yes, Professor McGonagall," she replied quietly.

The elder looked down her nose at the girl, evidently studying her as if something was not right. Hermione withered slightly under her gaze and began to fidget nervously with the hem of her sleeve. Finally her teacher finished the inspection and giving herself a slight shake, returned her gaze to Hermione's face.

"I was just coming to look for yourself and Mister Malfoy," she stated in a cool tone. "We have a few matters to discuss."

Hermione paled at her professor's words. She knew that they still had to conclude exactly what had happened in the Forbidden Forest that day. That was one conversation she was dreading to have. Looking up at Professor McGonagall, she saw the woman standing with her head cocked to one side, listening. When Hermione focused on the sounds about her, she could hear a faint whistling coming from down the hall. The song grew louder as footsteps began to materialize and whoever it was grew close. Looking cautiously over her shoulder, she saw Malfoy step into view. His song died away quickly as he noticed Hermione and the Deputy Headmistress standing around the bend.

"Professor," he greeted curtly, not sparing a single glance at the Gryffindor.

Malfoy made a move to continue on down the hall past where they stood. Professor McGonagall held out a hand ordering him to stop. "As I was just saying to Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy," she said to him, her lips pulled in a firm line. "You are required in my office right now to talk about certain occurrences from the other day." With that, the teacher turned on her heel and began to walk back down the hall without a glance over her shoulder. Shooting the Slytherin a dirty look, Hermione began to follow her Professor. Behind her, she could hear Malfoy doing the same, as he began to resume whistling his eerie tune.

The walk to Professor McGonagall's office seemed to take an eternity for Hermione. She had to clench her fists, fingernails making crimson crests in her palms, to stop her from turning around and screaming at the Ferret. He still hadn't ceased his whistling, and the creepy ballad was driving her mad. She couldn't understand how the Professor could stand it.

Apparently she couldn't. "Mister Malfoy, do cease that infernal racket," she called back cuttingly as they rounded the final bend. Always having to have the final word, Malfoy drew out the last note letting it fade off until they reached the door to the office.

They stood side by side, but as far apart as possible in the cramped office. Its small space was filled with overly large mahogany furniture, the smell of the wood overpowering Hermione's senses. Malfoy stood as arrogant as ever, his head tilted to the side slightly, hands in his pockets, and a bemused expression on his face. Hermione was wracked with nerves and stood shifting from foot to foot, still fiddling with the edge of her sleeves.

A quick glare from her Head of House stilled her rustling. "As you both are probably aware," the Professor started. "You have both given different, yet quite similar stories."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by the teacher's palm. "No, Miss Granger, I do not want to hear it again. Myself and the Headmaster have decided the easiest course of action is for you both to be punished," she sighed, obviously not entirely thrilled at the verdict. "Since you were both in the Forbidden Forest, you will both serve detention tonight with Professor Sprout. She has expressed the need for help weeding some of her vegetable gardens. An evening weeding the Muggle way seems a deserved punishment."

Professor McGonagall suddenly looked weary as she began to rub her temples. "You both may go," she said softly. "8 'o' clock at Greenhouse Three," she reminded them as they turned to leave.

Malfoy had reached the door first, pulling it open and gesturing for Hermione to exit ahead of him in a mocking fashion. Wrinkling her nose in distaste at him, she stormed out of the room.