A Snake's Secrets{A Draco and Hermione One-Shot}

I paced back and forth from window to window in the Astronomy Tower. The battle raged on below me. Screams and explosions echoed continuously through out the whole school. But I could barely hear any of it.

What if he didn't come? What if I was wrong to have trusted him at all in the first place?

No! Draco would come. I knew he would. I loved him and he loved me. End of story.

But what if he just ran off with the rest of the Death Eaters and left me here? Would Harry and Ron take me back as a friend?

Should I go look for him? Did something happen to him? Was he hurt? What would my friends do if they saw me defending Draco?

My mind whirled painfully with questions. I sat down on the floor slowly as I thought about that day that had changed everything.

*           *             *              *             *               *             *               *                  *     

Third Year

I saw Malfoy boasting about Buckbeak being put to death as Harry, Ron, and I headed down to Hagrid's. What he said just set me off. I stormed over to him and pulled out my wand, pointing it right in his face despite Ron and Harry's warnings.

" You foul, loathsome, evil little cocroach!" I snapped at him.

Malfoy cowered against the wall like the baby he was. My wand was at his chin. He was powerless. Crabbe and Goyle watched from the sidelines. I could do anything I wanted to him.

" He's not worth it," Ron said behind me.

I continued glaring at Malfoy, but finally lowered my wand and stepped back. I started to turn away as he and his goons started chuckling. Then I snapped and punched him in the face, causing him to fall back against the wall.

Malfoy looked up just as I was turning to walk away again. Our eyes met momentarily. I saw something in his eyes then. Something that looked like... admiration.

I turned and walked away with Harry and Ron silently. But I knew that I had not imagined that look in his eyes.

Later that evening, Crookshanks, my stubborn cat, was missing again. I went out looking for him on the grounds, constantly calling his name.

I was far away from the school and really close to the Forbidden Forest when I thought I heard someone behind me. I turned and looked around quickly. But no one was there.

" Granger."

I turned quickly to see Malfoy leaning against a tree on the outside on the forest. He was mainly in the shadows, but I could see the glint of his blue/grey eyes in the moonlght.

I narrowed my eyes at him. I really wasn't in the mood for whatever he had to say. So I just turned my back on him and started walking back toward the school.

His cold hand closed around my wrist and spun me around so I was facing him again. There was barely any space between us. I could feel his cool breaths hitting my face softly. His eyes held mine so that I couldn't look away.

" That was a pretty impressive punch, Granger," he whispered, no sarcasm or even a threatening tone to his voice.

I had no clue what to say. It was like I was in a trance as I took him in. His bleach blonde hair practically shined in the moonlight along with his pale skin. His full lips looked... almost inviting. And his eyes were so mesmorizing, boring into mine.

" No one's ever stood up to me before," he said quietly, pulling me even closer to where I could feel the coolness of his body right next to mine.

" I would have snapped sooner or later," I murmered, my voice sounding oddly small.

Malfoy leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. " I like that about you."

He was making me oddly breathless. Why was I feeling so dizzy? I should be jerking away from him. But I couldn't make myself move. I actually wanted this.... I wanted him.

His eyes locked on mine again. I saw so much emotion and passion in them.... I'd never seen him look at anyone like this. Not even Pansy.

Then his lips were on mine, kissing me urgently, but passionately. I knew I should have pushed him away and ran. But I wanted this... I found myself kissing him back the same way.

I, Hermione Granger, a Mudblood, was making out with Draco Malfoy, a pure blood Slytherin.

He finally let go of my wrist and wrapped his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our bodies practically melted together.

*                *                   *             *                *                *                 *                         *

Another explosion shook the castle. I looked up into the sky at the Dark Mark hovering above the grounds, the dark clouds blocking the moon and making it more pronounced.

I was really suprised that no one had found me yet. Surely someone would be looking for me, worrying about me.

Then I realized that was wrong. Everyone at the school thinks I've turned to the Dark Side now. Especially after my fight with Harry and Ron in the Great Hall.

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Fith Year

" You've been up to something lately and it's really ticking me off," Ron growled.

I shot him a harsh look. " Well you two have been awfully nosey lately," I countered, giving Harry the same look.

" What is going on wih you?" Ron asked for the millionth time. " You've been acting really strange. Especially when you're around that snake Malfoy."

That did it. I stood up quickly and glared at him as I yelled, " Draco is not a snake!"

The whole hall went silent. But I continued, not really noticing. " You don't know anything about him! You don't spend time to actually get to know him! You're too blinded by your prejudice hatred to see that he can actually be nice!"

" He works for Voldemort!" Harry snapped.

I glared at Harry now. " Just because his father does doesn't mean he does too!" I shouted.

I saw Draco from the corner of my eye across the hall. His eyes were wide with shock. But I couldn't look at him fully.

" So that's it, huh?" Ron hissed, glaring right back at me. " You're with Malfoy now?"

" Yes, I am. And I don't care what you think about it. I'm done with you two," I said harshly before storming out of the hall.

I had been so full of hatred and rage. But once I was out of there, I felt broken.I finally slowed to a stop, feeling unbalanced and hurt.

Then I felt Draco's familiar arms around me, his lips at my ear as he whispered," It's okay. I got you. And I'm not going anywhere."

*                      *                            *                           *                                     *

We'd been through so much togeher. Even after Draco became a Death Eater and had tried to kill Dumbledore last year, I had still stayed with him. He had been so shaken and scared then. I had tried to comfort him and console him as best I could.

And now it looked like he had finally left me.

I got to my feet slowly. I had to get out of here. Maybe I could go find Ron and help fight the Death Eaters again.

I started down the staircase sadly and finally came out into the corridor. I had just rounded the corner when I ran into him.

Draco pulled me into his arms instantly. He held on to me tightly and I could feel his body shaking against mine.

I held him just as tightly. I was stupid to think he wouldn't come. I should have known he would never leave me.

" We have to get out of here," Draco whispered anxiously, still shaking slightly.

I pulled back a little to look at him. " What's wrong?" I whispered, taking his face in my hands as I looked him over. He didn't look hurt....

" Cruciatus curse," he muttered really quietly.

I instantly felt furious. " Who did it?"

" Weasley," he hissed with some of his old menacing tone.

I clenched my teeth. Just another reason to hate Ron now.

" We need to leave," Draco said again quietly. " No matter how this ends, I don't think it's a good idea for us to be here."

" But where will we go?" I whispered. " If you're parents find out about me...." I trailed off as tears formed in my eyes suddenly.

He tightened his arms around me. " Don't worry about them. I'll protect you. I'm never letting you go."

I relaxed slightly at the cerainty in his voice. I nodded slowly and kissed his cheek. " I love you," I whispered.

" I love you too. And I always will," he said softly.

I heard people comming down the hall toward us. I looked up into Draco's eyes. He nodded reasssuringly.

The black smoke that only the Death Eaters used to travel swirled up around us. Draco held me tightly in his arms as it whisked us away and we left Hogwarts, the battle, and my friends behind.

I will turn this into a full FF if I get enough comments!