Power Within

Chapter 7

#1 Crush

Draco watched the pale girl slowly rise from her seat. The look of shock rose to her face as the color drained. She turned her gaze toward him.

He did not know what to do.

He could not fix it, so what was he suppose to do?

Why do I even care?

Her gaze moved from Draco to Ron to Harry.

Is this where I lose them? Two of the best friends I have ever had?

Her expression changed from shock to a complete blank.

"I-I need to go for a walk."

She walked passed them trance like. Draco stood up, unnerved by the absence of her usual spark. She walked through the library in a haze.

Did Harry really say that? What does it mean?

A hundred thoughts flooded her mind at once. She could not decipher one from the next. She was drowning in them, gasping for air until the world became dim.

Draco watched Hermione fall to the floor at the door.

"Hermione!" Harry and Ron both ran to her.

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Madame Pomfrey continuously bickered at Hermione in the bed, but Hermione's thoughts were elsewhere. Harry told her not to fret, but how could she not? What if Voldemort was possessing her in order to get to Harry--after all, Harry had finally succeeded at Occlumency. What other way was there? Harry told her to calm down that he was not losing her as a friend because of this, but Hermione could not help but to wonder--if Voldemort was possessing her would it not be safer to not remain friends with him? He rejected that idea immediately and reminded her that Halloween was right around the corner and they were all going together and enjoy themselves--Voldemort free.

The oddest thing about this whole situation was nagging at Hermione. Draco had helped Harry and Ron get her to the hospital wing by gathering her things while they headed to the wing. Strangely, he checked out a couple of the books she had open in front of her. He had even gone as far as to collect her assignments in those classes that she did not have with Harry and Ron. Harry and Ron did not say much about it.

"...or you will not go to the Halloween Ball."

Okay, Madam Pomfrey had Hermione's attention now.

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Potions was the first class Hermione had since her collapse. It just so happened to be on Halloween, also. The corridors were bursting with excitement about that night's costume ball and buzzing with the usual whispers of who was dressing as what and who was going with who. Hermione sighed. She would be going with her two best friends. That was fine, at least she was going with someone--if they had other dates she would be going alone. Draco showed up and sat next to Hermione at their potion right before Snape flew into the room.

After Snape received an unknown message he left the class instructing them if anyone so much as breathed wrong while he was gone the offending house would lose a ridiculous amount of points, be forbidden from the Halloween Ball, and serve detention. Naturally, he was glaring at Harry as he made that threat. Pansy just patted his hand reassuringly. Draco watched Hermione and her lack of any reaction.

As soon as Snape left, Hermione went back to reading Hogwarts: a History. Draco smirked thinking about all the overheard conversations about the Gryffindor. She really was addicted to that book. But there was something about her sitting there reading with her eyes alight in the knowledge she took in. She looked up at him.

"Thank you, for helping and bringing my assignments."

Draco did not really know what to say. He was not use to doing something that warranted a thank you--especially from Hermione. But he felt connected to her--especially since the last time in the library. He could understand how she had been feeling. Why could she not see that she was not alone, that he was there for her?

Because you have always been a hateful git to her.

Oh yeh.

"You're welcome." Draco maintained his poise. He glanced over her again remembering what Madam Pomfrey had said. "Are you eating like Madam Pomfrey told you to?"

Hermione lowered her book and glared at Draco.

What an odd question coming from him. How had he known?

Then she remembered--Draco had actually been there quite a bit while she was in the infirmary. He had not said anything to her, but somehow he was around most of the time.

"Do you really care, Malfoy?"

"No," he raised an eyebrow, "why would I, Mudblood?"

"Draco!" Pansy had just walked up. Hermione really did not understand this Slytherin girl lately. Draco was bewildered himself. She held something out to Hermione. "When you bought the costume I showed you I could not help but notice the accessories you got to go with it--a Slytherin trait--and I thought these would look beautiful in your hair." Hermione looked apprehensively down at several small snake hair clips in her hand. They were a golden color with shining ruby eyes. Pansy smiled uneasily. "Normally they are silver with emerald eyes, but Harry helped me bewitch them to be your house colors."

"Uh...thank you, Pansy." Pansy smiled easier now and turned to go back to the table her partner sat at, smiling at Hermione. Draco sat there, eyebrow raised, confused.

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"Uh...uh...wow, Hermione!" That was all Ron could get out. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and held his arm out for Hermione.

"He is right, you look wonderful." Hermione blushed at the green-eyed heartthrob complimenting the house bookworm. As if she was not already red enough. The outfit showed more skin than what she was accustomed to, but Harry was right--it was Halloween. But the thing was--would she really be someone different by putting her worries aside, putting her shyness aside, having fun, and dancing or would she be herself for the first time at Hogwarts? She took a deep breath and headed to the portrait hole.

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The four house tables were no longer present in the Great Hall. There were several smaller tables all around, forming a circular dance floor. Candles floated above each table. The rest of the hall had great pumpkins and flying bats above it. The enchanted ceiling displayed a crystal-clear night unfolding. Knowing there were many muggle-born students and those that lived in the muggle world, Dumbledore had muggle music also. At the moment, there was a song by the wizard group the Weird Sisters playing. Draco stood with Crabbe and Goyle laughing about something Draco had said when Pansy and Millicent walked up with their dates.

Then it happened.

There was this sudden energy in the room--overwhelming Draco and he knew there was only one witch that ever made him feel this charge. The one witch he had hated since he was eleven. No matter how hard he tried, he had to turn his head to the entrance.

Draco thought his heart had stopped for a second. She stood there with Harry and Ron on either side. Her hair was pulled up on her head with curls falling delicately all around, framing her face. And in her hair were the clips he saw Pansy offer. Her costume was a deep dark crimson trimmed in gold. The top plunged a little showing a little more cleavage than she would have liked, but most did not even realize she had one. Then, there was her perfect mid drift--soft looking, white, pristine. The skirt fit her somewhat, clinging down to her ankles where her golden sandals started. Around one arm was a golden snake that matched those in her hair and a choker around her neck to match. Draco was enthralled by a Hermione Granger he did not know existed.

What am I thinking? This is Granger!

But the power he kept seeing in her was radiating the entire room. Everyone had turned when she came in--including Snape! She was mesmerizing and for some reason it caused a jolt in his gut when he saw Potter take her hand and head to a table.

Poor Weasel. Still has not put his tongue back in his mouth.

"She is gorgeous, is she not?" Pansy's voice brought Draco's thoughts back home.

"What? For a mudblood I suppose." Pansy just smiled. Crabbe and Goyle still had not closed their mouths. "For Merlin's sake close your mouths. She is nothing to gawk at." Draco turned to leave. Why was he so upset? Then he turned to the table where the professors sat--Narcissa sitting next to Dumbledore. He insisted she come for the Halloween Ball. She was watching her son and a small smile played upon her lips.

I will just have to ignore her.

Draco told himself this over and over. Then a muggle song came on and he noticed Harry and Hermione heading to the dance floor. Millicent and Pansy could be heard talking about how well Hermione dances. Who were they talking to? The Weasel. The red head piped up to them, "Yeh, you would not believe how many muggle clubs she drags us to so she can keep in practice." Pansy looked at him.

"Clubs?"

"It is a muggle place you go to that plays music and you dance and all--not bad really. Her and Harry are always dancing together."

"Well, they both grew up in the muggle world, so I guess it would come naturally." Pansy sounded like she was convincing herself. "I would never have thought Hermione could move like that."

I would die for you
I would die for you
I've been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you're mine

Draco, you have to ignore her you have to. Damn...who knew Granger could move like that...no, ignore her, ignore her... too late.

I will cry for you
I will cry for you
I will wash away your pain with all my tears
And drown your fears

The muggle song played and Harry and Hermione moved across the floor, pulling eyes to them.

I will pray for you
I will pray for you
I will sell my soul for something pure and true
Someone like you

It became obvious to those who watched that this was not the first time they had danced to this song. Hermione's lips moved to the words and her movements were flk"> have thought they were a couple, if you did not know any better.

See your face every place that I walk in
Hear your voice every time that I'm talkin'
You will believe in me
And I will not be ignored

Draco was trapped.

I will burn for you
Feel pain for you
I will twist the knife and bleed my aching heart
And tear it apart

He could not stop watching her move to the music and her lightly colored lips move as they had in the library, but this time there seemed to be something seductive about it.

I will lie for you
Beg and steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You're just like me

Hermione turned and saw Draco watching her--meeting his eyes for a moment, but turning back to Harry. Draco, what is wrong with you--she just saw you watching her and you are not moving your eyes.

Violate all the love that I'm missin'
Throw away all the pain that I'm livin'
You will believe in me
And I can never be ignored

This feeling was growing in Draco as he watched the Egyptian Princess on the floor with Potter. Surprised he or="Black">He has probably never had a woman so close to him, looking at him like that before. Draco's smirk rose at the thought.

I would die for you
I will kill for you
I will steal for you
I'd do time for you

Draco could not stop watching, no matter what he did. He felt anger at not being Potter for once in his life.

I will wait for you
I'd make room for you
I'd sink ships for you
To be close to you

To be part of you
'Cause I believe in you
I believe in you
I would die for you

The song ended and Hermione's eyes found Draco, who jerked around to the deserts on the table. Crabbe was laughing.

"And what is so funny?"

"Wondering what Granger's house mates think of her wearing their Gryffindor colors with our Slytherin mascot wrapped all around her." Draco's mouth went to a sudden mysterious grin.