Life without danger is a waste of oxygen

The next morning, Draco woke up extra early so that he could go to breakfast before seeing Hermione. He wanted to sort himself out before he did anything stupid, like really fall for her.

The Great Hall was empty, so Draco sat down to eat and make the most of the peace. He was able to get through a cup of herbal tea before Blaise burst in and came to join him.

"Drakey Boy," he called out. "I feel like I've barely seen you since you got back. That Mudblood not causing you too much trouble, is she?"

Draco's fist began to clench as he tried to ignore what Blaise was saying.

"You know, I can think of a little trouble we could cause her. She has certainly grown over the summer. Perhaps we can show her a good way to use her new 'equipment'."

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Draco asked him, looking up slowly.

"Come on, I know she's a Mudblood, but it would just be a bit of fun. We could..."

Before Blaise could finish his sentence Malfoy had jumped up and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him over an inch off the ground, which was extremely difficult as Blaise was six feet tall and very heavy. The veins bulged in Draco's arm, giving it blue streaks, and the colour drained from Blaise's face.

"Zabini, I'm only going to say this once," Draco slowly began, "so I hope you're listening. You don't know Hermione, so I don't want to EVER here you talk about her, insinuate anything about her, or even look in her direction again. If you do, I'll teach you a lesson that will scar you for life. Do I make myself clear?"

Blaise attempted to nod but he was having a little difficulty.

"Do you understand me?" Draco repeated slowly.

Just then the door burst open and Sergeant Larkin walked in. He stood, amazed that Draco was able to lift the other boy off the floor with just one hand.

"That'll be enough now, Master Malfoy," he called out.

Without taking his eyes off Blaise, Draco slowly loosened his grip, allowing Blaise to drop to the ground, coughing and spluttering.

"By the way, there's a prefects' meeting tonight at mine, straight after tea. Don't be late," Draco added.

"Come on, lad," Sergeant Larking said as he ushered Draco out of the Great Hall and into the corridor. Draco didn't know why, but he allowed himself to be taken. He was quite shaken up; after all, he had known Blaise for several years and considered him the closest thing he had to a friend. Sergeant Larkin led Draco round the corner and into his office.

The room was simple, with pale cream walls, two chairs and a desk. On the desk were a few pens, a piece of parchment and a photograph in a neat frame.

"Who's she?" Draco asked, gesturing at the picture.

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about back there?" came Larkin's reply. After a long silence, Larkin realised that he was going to have to talk first. "She's my wife."

After another little silence Draco was unable to prevent himself from talking. "He was threatening someone."

"Someone close to you?"

"Not particularly."

"Ah, so you simply defended her honour for the sake of it, then."

"Who said the someone was a her?"

"It's written all over your face. Shall I let you in on a little secret about me?"

Draco was intrigued, but he merely shrugged.

"I'm a watcher," Larkin continued. "I watch people, notice things. Your attitude is very laid-back. You don't give a care about anything. That can be a good quality, but it can also be a curse. I saw real emotion in you just now, over a girl. So, come on, who is she?"

"What makes you think I'll tell you anything? Not that there's, er, anything to tell," he added. Draco would not look him in the eye.

"Suit yourself."

"Why do you care anyway?"

"You remind me of someone I used to know."

Draco fought the urge to ask who he reminded him of as he held his chin up and kept a cool composure.

"Well, if that is all," Draco said.

"Not quite. There is one last thing: if you ever need help, or ever need to talk, I'm here."

"Thanks, but somehow I doubt that will ever happen."

"Just bear it in mind."

Draco nodded curtly and then left to go back to his room. When he got to the common room, he could hear someone singing loudly.

Hermione sang out from the shower. When she finished, she wrapped a towel around herself and walked into the common room to find her hairbrush.

"I thought you said you could sing," Draco asked her cruelly. Hermione jumped in surprise.

"Oh, I thought you had already left this morning, I thought I was the only one in."

"Well, you thought wrong, didn't you?"

"Draco, have I done something to upset you?"

"Yes."

"Well, you were fine with me last night, what is it that I've done?"

"Breathed the same air as me, Mudblood?" he hissed at her.

"Excuse me? Oh, grow up, Malfoy."

"How dare you try and tell me what to do? You're worthless and you always will be."

"Fine, if that's how you feel, I'll stay out of your way from now on."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Hermione stormed up to her room to get ready for lessons.

'Draco, you idiot,' he thought to himself. 'So what if you like her? Who cares what anybody else thinks? So what if you've known Blaise for years? Just be yourself for once in your life!'

He stood in the same spot and waited for her to come back through the common room. When she finally did, Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her tightly into his chest, holding her there.

"I'm sorry, 'Mione. I didn't mean..." he began.

"Didn't mean what? To treat me like shit?" She struggled to push him away from her, but he was far too strong. "Get off me, Draco. I'm not one of your house-elves that you think you can just order about. I have my own mind and I am my own person."

"I want you," Draco whispered to her. He then leaned down to kiss her, as proof that he meant it. Hermione reached back and slapped him with all she had. Draco immediately let her go.

"Don't you ever do that again!" she said, before walking off to her Transfiguration class.

**********

After Transfiguration, Harry made his way up to Dumbledore's office to have his first Occlumency lesson of the term. He passed Cho Chang in the hallway.

"Hey," he said. "I thought you'd graduated last year. What are you doing back?"

"I had to visit Dumbledore about something. How are things?" she asked.

"Things are good."

"That's good. You know, that things are going well for you."

The two looked shyly at each other and then back down to the floor again.

"I wa..." began Cho

"Maybe..." began Harry. They both smiled nervously again.

"So, how's your last year going? The work keeps getting harder doesn't it?" asked Cho eventually.

"Yeah. Are you working now then?" asked Harry.

"Sort of." There was another awkward pause. "So are you seeing anyone right now?"

"What?" asked Harry, the question completely catching him off guard.

"You know, is there a special lady in your life?"

"Umm, not so much," replied Harry, feeling slightly sick.

"A-are you?" he asked, trying to sound as cool as possible.

"No." There was another long pause.

"Harry, I really have to be getting back now, but I'd like to stay in touch, if you want to?"

"D-definitely."

"Okay, well you take care." She kissed him softly on the cheek before leaving.

When Harry reached Dumbledore's office, the lesson began immediately. Harry's ability to block others from his mind was a big improvement from his previous lessons with Snape. Professor Dumbledore was very proud of him, though knew he still had a long way to go.

**********

Straight after tea, Hermione raced back to her common room to set up the table for the meeting. This was her first prefects' meeting and she wanted it to be professional.

The other prefects and Draco came in, and Hermione began.

"Firstly, I'd just like to welcome you all back from your summer holidays, and to congratulate you all on your positions as prefects." She started to clap and then coughed as she realised no one else was joining in. Draco took this as his time to take over.

"Right, let's start with rounds. Everyone is meant to be in their common rooms by 10pm. I'm suggesting that we take it in turn in pairs, starting rounds at 10pm and finishing at 11pm. Any objections?" No one uttered a sound. "Right, we just need to choose pairs."

"I'll pair with Hermione," Ron shouted out.

"I don't think so," Draco smirked. "Head boy and girl should go together, to put on a united front." Ron scowled.

"Actually, I'd like everyone to be paired with a member from another house. We should all be putting on a united front," Hermione said.

"I'll go with you if you like, Padma," Ernie said, blushing slightly. Padma looked down at the floor, pretending she hadn't heard.

"This is silly," Hermione said. "Ernie, you'll go with Ginny." Padma looked relieved. "Pansy, you'll go with Ron, Blaise with Padma and Hannah with Terry."

"Right, um," Draco began. "For the purpose of those who are new, during rounds you must cover as much of the castle as possible, making sure other students are not wandering about. This includes areas such as the astronomy tower and the dungeons."

"Next on the agenda," Hermione said, "is punishments. We are allowed to deduct house points--no more than ten at a time, mind. If the pupil deserves a greater punishment, you may either report it to their Head of House or to Draco and me, as we can deduct more points and give detentions.

"Draco and I have decided to hold a Halloween Ball this year. Can I ask that in your pairs you each take one item to organise for the ball? The choices are music, decorations, tickets and refreshments. I think we'll need four on decorations."

"What are refreshments?" Ron asked.

"Really, Ron," Hermione scolded. "You're in your N.E.W.T. year. Refreshments are food and drink, to put it simply."

"Why do we need to do tickets?" Terry asked her.

"I thought it might be nice," Hermione replied. "I was actually thinking that it could be a charity event, rather than free." Loud moans of disagreement were heard around the table. "Hang on, hear me out. There are a lot of charities throughout the wizarding world that I was reading up on. I just think that we could send the money raised to an orphanage, or to medi-magic centres to help pay for costs of finding new cures."

"How much will we be charging?" Ron asked.

"Getting worried, Weasley?" Draco drawled.

"Well, we won't have to buy our tickets, as we are organising it. What about two sickles per ticket, or three if you are paying as a couple? Also, perhaps a couple of knuts for the refreshments. Does anybody object to this?" Hermione looked around but everybody was quiet. "Good. So who is offering to do what, then?"

"I could design some themed tickets," Pansy said.

"I guess I could organise the music," Ginny said.

"So, Pansy and Ron are sorting tickets, Ginny and Ernie are doing music, and I will do refreshments with Hermione. The rest of you are stuck with decorations," Draco said. "Meeting adjourned."

"Wait, we haven't arranged a next meeting," Hermione said.

"Fine. We'll meet again the last Thursday in September, same time same place. Now clear off so I can relax in my common room."

As the prefects filed out Draco hoped this would be an opportunity to talk to Hermione. However she disappeared off to her room, slamming the door with a loud bang.

**********

Potions was the first lesson the next morning.

"Class, come in quickly and quietly," Snape's voice called out. "We will be making Babbling Beverage today. Ingredients are in the cupboard. You may begin."

"Draco, you go and get the other ingredients and I'll begin chopping this Erumpent tail," Hermione suggested. She was still angry at Draco, but saw no reason to let it interfere with her school work.

"No thanks. I'll chop, you get," he replied, annoyed from the door-slamming business last night.

"Fine." Hermione walked up to the cupboard to get the ingredients, Ron was there also.

"Hey, Hermione, Malfoy's not giving you any trouble, is he?" Ron asked her.

"No, other than just being his usual self."

"A pain in the arse?" Hermione laughed at this. Draco sat watching from his seat, feeling resentment towards Ron.

"Ron, can you reach the ginger for me?"

"Sure."

Draco jumped up and ran over to the cupboard. If anybody was going to do Hermione favours, it was going to be him.

"Out of my way," he said, pushing Ron aside. Ron fell over onto the floor with a loud bang.

"What is going on?" Snape called out.

"Malfoy pushed me over!" Ron said.

"Well, perhaps there shouldn't be so many of you here all at once. Weasley, ten points from Gryffindor for causing this loud ruckus and disturbing your fellow classmates. Granger, ten points from Gryffindor. You are perfectly aware that it only takes one person to collect ingredients and Draco was already here."

"What?" Hermione exclaimed. "No, sir, I was..."

"Another ten points for speaking out of turn. Do you want me to continue?"

Hermione shook her head and made her way back to her seat silently.

"Thanks a lot," she hissed at Draco when he came back with the ingredients.

"What for?"

"Losing us thirty points from Gryffindor."

"How was that my fault?" he asked, putting on an innocent face.

"You made me go up and then you came up too."

"Alright, I was just trying to be nice. From now on, you can get the ingredients, okay?" Draco put his arm around Hermione's shoulder and then turned around to wink at Ron. Harry had to hold Ron back to stop him throwing himself at Draco.

When the class was finished, everyone began packing their belongings away.

"Draco, stay behind please," Snape said. Hermione was halfway to lunch when she realised she had forgotten her homework diary. She made her way back to the classroom but waited outside because she heard shouting.

"When's all this going to stop, Snape?"

"I don't know. All I know is that I need to tell Dumbledore. This has gone on for far too long. He must know, whether you like it or not."

"No! I don't want him to know."

"He could help..."

"I said NO, Severus!"

"Then resign yourself over to a fate."

"He knows about you, and you still go."

"I go for him," said Snape, softly.

"Then you are foolish, risking everything for someone else."

"There are things you don't understand. Sometimes you have to risk yourself for others."

"I understand perfectly. It is a fool's game." Draco was almost laughing.

"Then why are you there? I know you don't believe."

"Damn right, I don't."

"Then why the big risk?"

"When you look at me, what do you see?" asked Draco after a short pause.

Inaudible response.

"Now ask yourself again, what choice do I have?" There was silence as Draco waited for an answer.

"You do know what the punishment will be if the risk wins over, don't you? And are you prepared for that? Are you?" demanded Snape.

"I...I..."

"It's okay. I am on your side, Draco. I will look after you there, though I cannot protect you from everything. You understand that, don't you? Never forget who you truly are, Draco. Your father might have, but you never do! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Right, you may go. I will see you later."

Hermione started making her way quickly away from the dungeons.

"Hermione?" Draco called out. Hermione turned round.

"Yes?"

"Here, you forgot this." He handed her the homework diary and then started to stalk off.

"Where are you going?" she asked him.

"A walk. Need to clear my head."

"What were you and Snape talking about?"

"That depends, what did you hear?" he asked. Hermione opened her mouth to answer. "Not here," Draco said, grabbing her arm and pulling her outside towards the lake. "Right, talk."

"I didn't hear much. I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear. I just came back to get my homework diary and heard Dumbledore's name mentioned."

"What else did you hear?"

"Something about fate and not forgetting who you truly are. What's going on, Draco?"

"Why should I tell you anything?"

"Fine." Hermione started to walk away.

"Wait. Come back. I'm a Malfoy."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"It's more than that. Being a Malfoy comes with certain privileges, certain responsibilities. You wouldn't understand."

"I read a book on ancient family traditions. They have laws which are exempt from the wizarding law, don't they?"

"There are certain loop holes. Trust you to have read about it in a book." Hermione looked hurt by this comment. "Sorry. I don't mean it to sound mean. Snape was just reminding me of it, that's all. It's nothing."

"Okay. When you're ready to tell me what's worrying you, though, I will listen."

"Did you find the stuff you read interesting?"

"Actually, yes. In Muggle law, only the Queen is exempt from the law. Though that's only in theory, if she actually did seriously break the law, there would be consequences."

"I tell you what--I'll take you to Malfoy Manor one day."

"Huh?"

"Malfoy Manor, it's where I live."

"I know that. Why would you take me there?" asked Hermione

"You would love it. If there's any house in Britain that is the most ancient, it's Malfoy Manor."

"More ancient than Hogwarts?"

"Of course, though back then it wasn't called Malfoy Manor. We invaded and took over it about 700 years ago," said Draco, sounding very knowledgeable.

"The Malfoy name is that old?"

"It's older. Its actual origin is French. We were driven out though, so we came to settle in England."

"What do you mean you were driven out?"

"Long story. I'll tell you another time."

"You do know what 'Malfoy' means in French, don't you?" asked Hermione.

"Don't ask."

"Draco, I can't believe I used to hate you. You can be such a nice person. You know, when you want to." Draco looked out across the lake.

You wouldn't say that if you knew the truth. "I'm sorry about yesterday morning by the way. I was an utter bastard."

"Yes, you were. I forgive you though." She smiled up at him. "I'm going to go to lunch, you coming?"

"No, thanks. I think I'll just stay here and think."

"Okay."

**********

"Where you been, Hermione?" Ron asked her as she joined them for lunch.

"Oh, I just went out for some air."

"Malfoy hasn't been bothering you, has he? I saw that smarmy git put his arm round you in Potions. You want me and Harry to beat him up for you?"

"Don't be silly, Ron."

"What? He's got it coming to him," insisted Ron.

"Draco's not all bad."

"Draco? When did you start calling him Draco?"

"That is his name, isn't it?"

"He's done something to you, hasn't he? He's put you under some sort of spell! I'll kill him!" Ron jumped up.

"Sit down, Ron," Hermione hissed, pulling him back into his seat. "You're making a scene."

"Hermione, whatever he's done, he won't be able to get away with it. What has he done to you?"

"He hasn't done anything to me. In fact, he's just being very pleasant. Normal, even."

"He's got an ulterior motive."

"Ron, I'm sorry I bought you those silly movies last term now. Can't a guy just be nice and mean it?"

"No. And Sherlock Holmes isn't silly!" added Ron. "Hermione, this is Malfoy we're talking about. The same guy that has called us names and gone out of his way to make life difficult for us since our first year, the same guy whose father is a notorious Death Eater, and the same guy who has a love for Dark Arts. He is not a nice guy."

"I know, I already know all that. I live with him, though, and I've got to know him a little bit. I honestly believe that there is some good there."

"Believe me, there isn't."

"Well, I prefer to see the good side in people. I've got Ancient Magic and Runes class now."

"Okay, I'll see you later?"

"Sure."

**********

The teacher of Ancient Magic and Runes was an elderly witch. She had jet black, long hair and a crinkled old face. Her shoulders stooped over slightly and she had a few teeth missing, which showed when she smiled.

"Good day, class," she addressed Draco and Hermione, who were her only two pupils.

"Good afternoon, Miss Collyflower," Hermione beamed. This was her favourite class in the school as she found the lessons fascinating.

"Right, as usual, self-study today. Here are several pictures of artefacts. I want details from you on as much as you can gather. Hermione, you do half and Draco, you do the other half. I would like a presentation from each of you at the end."

Hermione put her head down and got on with her work. She looked across at Draco to see which one he was working on. A lock of blond hair flopped down onto his face. Mmmm, Draco looks different. He actually looks hot, all serious over that paper. Oh God, I really hope I'm not falling for him. He is an utter jerk. Or is he? People can change. Maybe he was...

"What's up?" Draco asked her.

"Huh?" Hermione abruptly woke from her daydreaming.

"What's up?"

"Oh, err, nothing." Draco smiled at her and then bent his head down and got on with his work.