A/N-Thank You in advance for giving this one a chance.

Chapter one

The train was preparing to leave platform 9 ¾ as Hermione walked down past several compartments with her head held high. She was followed closely by Ron who was stuffing his face with chocolate frogs. "Honestly Ronald! Couldn't you wait until after the briefing?"

Ron shoved her playfully along. "Got to get my strength up. Merlin knows how long you'll drag on the meeting."

Hermione shook her head disapprovingly and continued on but more quickly now. She opened the largest compartment of the train and blushed at the prefect's who had arrived earlier than her. "Please excuse my tardiness. I was unfortunately detained." She shot a horrid look at Ron who shrugged and tossed another frog in his mouth.

She heard a menacing chuckle behind her. "There's no excuse for the Head Girl's lack of punctuality. The least you could do is admit that you were late because you were snogging Weasley." Hermione whipped around finding Draco Malfoy grinning evilly with his arms crossed and his feet propped up on a seat next to him.

Hermione cleared her throat and shrugged off the comment. Ron blushed but didn't bother to correct him. Having a rumor about snogging a girl was far from a blow to his reputation. Hermione walked up to Draco and gestured at his feet. He rolled his eyes and sighed loudly as he removed his feet from her chair. She sat down next to him and forced a smile. "Thank you…..So let's begin. You're all familiar with the rounds on the train that should start as soon as we depart. The Head Boy and I are required to stay here and await any reports of misbehavior or point deductions."

Draco shook his head angrily and looked the other way. Hermione glanced at him and then continued. "As you already know, the events of last year have caused an upgrade in security which includes changes in our rounds procedures. You are required to partner up with another prefect and patrol the same floor together. Seeing how we almost lost….That is to say….We don't want anyone to…."

Draco sat up and spoke with a frustrated tone. "What the Head Girl is bumbling to say is that if you don't want to be kidnapped and murdered like what almost happened to that girl last year then, pair up. Two of you have more of a chance of surviving than one…..Unless you're paired up with the murderer." He looked over at Hermione with an evilly raised eyebrow. "Then you're done for." He turned back to the group of prefects and spat. "Any questions?"

The prefect's shook their frightened heads. Draco smiled at their terrified looks. "Well then, get on with it. Report back every thirty minutes. Off with you."

They all stood and left the compartment. Ron waved at Hermione with his chocolate covered hand. He hadn't really listened to any of the briefing as he has always successfully tuned out Hermione's speeches. Hermione conjured up a tattered book and reclined back in her chair.

Draco shook his head and laughed. "Fanbloodytastic!" He said as he sighed loudly. Hermione ignored his presence and appeared to be fascinated by her book. Draco wasn't used to being ignored by anyone so he decided to shoot bubbles from his wand at her. The bubbles began to pop into her hair and onto the pages of her book.

Hermione slowly lifted her wand and cast a soft blowing charm that sent the bubbles back towards him. Draco ended his charm and stroked his chin. He whispered to himself. "Accio book." The book flew out of Hermione's grasp and into Draco's hands. He began turning the pages and looking at Hermione's irritated expression with a menacing smile.

Hermione forced another grin and stood. She walked in front of him and placed her hands on her hips. "You know Malfoy, I was trying to ignore your existence. The least you could do is ignore mine."

Draco chuckled. "Ah, but what's the fun in that Granger?" He was briefly distracted by a large purple welt on her wrist. Her loud retort brought him back to the argument at hand.

"You were the one who pouted at the mention of us having to wait in here together! I was just trying to make it easier for the both of us! Now give me back my book this instant!" Hermione demanded.

Draco shook his head and waved his finger menacingly in the air. "I don't think so Granger. If I'm going to have to endure your presence, than I'm going to at least try and entertain myself. What is this rubbish anyways? Hogwarts, A History? I read this book in first year. It's a bit remedial don't you think?"

Hermione scoffed. "First of all it's not rubbish and it's not at all remedial. I've read it at least one hundred times and if you think for even a minute that you're going to keep it then-" Just then a strong jolt from the train departing sent Hermione flying towards Draco. She fell on top of him and they both toppled over his chair. He hit the back of his head on a corner of the wall and was pinned in between Hermione, the wall, and the floor.

"Get off Granger!" Draco tried to yell but his voice was muffled underneath her locks of bushy hair. He spit out a large amount of her hair that had fallen into his mouth when he yelled.

"I'm trying! My feet are stuck under your chair!" Hermione gasped at their awkward position and hoped no one would discover them. Neither of them could move much as they were perfectly lodged in a corner.

Draco was shaking his head back and forth and getting more tangled in her hair. "I can't breathe under this mane of hair you've got!"

"I'm sorry but stop yelling! You're about to burst my ear drums!" Hermione strained her back as she lifted her head which slightly removed some of her hair from his face. "Is that better?"

Draco simply grunted and waited helplessly as her leaning her head back shifted her weight on top of him more cutting off additional air supply. "Ugh! I can't get my foot out! Can you reach down and wiggle it out?"

Draco gasped for air. "What? Reach what…your foot? Hang on….Is that it?"

"That's my knee Malfoy! That's my skirt! Those are my-you're going the wrong way!" Hermione said harshly as all the blood rushed to her face in embarrassment. She could have sworn she heard him giggle evilly beneath her hair. She couldn't help but notice how intriguing he smelled but then reminded herself to expect nothing less from a Malfoy. He was a rich and conceited pure blood. She was certain he put a lot of time into his appearance although she had always tried to ignore it over the years.

Draco reached down further. "Okay I've got your ankle now on the count of three push against me and I'll pull your foot out. One, two, three!" Draco pulled hard on her ankle causing Hermione to yelp in pain. Her foot was free but she was whimpering against his shoulder. He stroked her back uncomfortably and awkwardly. "Come on now Granger, pull yourself together! I might suffocate under here!"

Hermione sniffed and pushed her hands against his shoulders and used her free foot to stand but came toppling back down as the pain he caused on her ankle shot up her leg. She whimpered again as she tried to stand but was in a more tangled position than before. Draco grabbed her wrist to prevent her from trying it again. Hermione cried out at his hand on her wrist. "I'm just trying to stop you from trying something that's obviously not working Granger. I'm going to try and roll us over myself."

Hermione wiped her eyes. "What should I do?"

"Just stay that way. I think I can wiggle-ugh! This is ridiculous!" Draco was breathing heavily and blowing her hair out of his mouth.

Hermione rubbed something off the wall below his head. "Malfoy, you're bleeding."

"Of course I am! That's what makes this an even more perfect situation!" Hermione winced at his shouting causing him to lower his voice. He spoke more casually. "Okay let's try this again. Can you put pressure on your foot?" Draco blew another lock of her hair out of his face.

"I think so." Hermione whispered.

"One, two, three!" Hermione stood on her good foot as she pushed against his shoulders. Draco heaved himself up slightly causing them both to lose their balance and they fell backwards. Hermione now hit her head against a chair and grunted. "Ooofff!" Draco now lay triumphantly on top of her.

They locked eyes for half a second as he smiled but quickly shot up and removed a handkerchief from his robes pressing it against the back of his head. Hermione stood slowly and limped back to her chair rubbing her ankle.

She tried to shift it out of his sight while pulling down her sock to expose how very swollen and bruised it was. Draco noticed and spoke with a defensive tone. "No one bruises that fast! How could I possibly have caused that much damage just by yanking on your ankle? "Hermione quickly covered her ankle as she shrugged. Draco eyed her uncomfortably. "It must be the effects of being muggle-born? " She sniffed a few times and stared out the window as the minutes passed by.

Draco shrugged and began to straighten out his robes wiping off dust from the floor. Hermione shook her head and spoke angrily. "Be sure to get those washed Malfoy. You wouldn't want any mud on your precious clothes."

Draco gave an intrigued look. "Don't tell me you're going to take all the fun out of the name calling this year? It's not very amusing when you say it."

Hermione realized how smart she was and smiled with a satisfied expression. "Actually yes, the mud blood will be taking the fun out of that…..My dirty blood is just dying to hear you poke fun at me all year."

Draco's cheeks turned pink. "I can think up something better….Don't worry."

"I never do Malfoy." With that, she retrieved her book and began reading again.

He sat back down after pacing for a while. "I can't believe I'm stuck in here with you. Dumbledore knows this is a bad idea. At least for you it is."

Hermione gave a suspicious look. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean? A bad idea for me?"

Draco smirked and rubbed his hands together. "Let's just say some of the corridors on the seventh floor are dark and far away from the rest of the castle. No one would even be able to hear your screaming. Even Pothead and Weasel. It's just a shame for you that we are to be paired up to patrol it. I intend to enjoy myself."

Hermione closed her book and shivered at his malicious grin. "The seventh floor is where it happened. They wouldn't dare leave it up to the Head Boy and Girl to patrol it….Have they?"

Draco laughed loudly. "I requested it actually. I knew we were bound to be paired up. They always pair up the Head Boy and Girl. But, I wrote Dumbledore requesting our patrol on the seventh floor. For the safety of the school of course." He finished unconvincingly.

"You requested it? Why?" Hermione shouted.

"Like I'm really going to tell you that one Granger….But don't worry, you'll see." Draco said and started sending bubbles at her again. One took the shape of a snake and slithered in front of her sticking its long tongue out wickedly.

Hermione realized how terrified she must look and shook away her thoughts. She popped the snake bubble with her wand and returned to her book. Draco continued to conjure more bubbles in different shapes that floated annoyingly over Hermione's head which she popped on occasion. They reached the school with not even one more word spoken to each other.

Ginny met Hermione in the Great Hall shortly after they arrived. She walked up to Hermione with an evil grin rubbing her hands together. Hermione sighed heavily and shrugged. "So you've come up with something have you? Oh out with it Ginny! I can't bare the suspense any longer."

"Yes I've come up with something and I think it tops anything either of us have dared each other to do." Ginny replied happily.

Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Okay then, tell me Ginny. What's my dare?"

Ginny and Hermione had started a game of daring shortly after sixth year and had continued it all summer. It had progressed from easy and silly dares to more complicated and serious ones. Ginny crossed her arms and leaned against the wall menacingly. "I dare you….to kiss Draco Malfoy."

Hermione squealed in fright. "Ginny! That's awful! How could you be so cruel? Malfoy of all people! I just can't! What would Viktor say?"

Ginny waved her comments off quickly. "Viktor is a pompous fool…And you know the rules. Once I dare you that's it, you have to do it Hermione."

Hermione bit her bottom lip in terror. "Why do you hate me Ginny?"

Ginny laughed loudly. "I don't hate you Hermione…I just hate losing! You know you can get out of it if you really want to…."

Hermione scoffed. "I-am-not-declaring-defeat!" Hermione sighed heavily and shook her head. "Just a kiss…It's just a kiss. If I'm lucky, he'll push me away the minute our lips touch. It will be over before I know it. He may not even let me near him and that won't be my fault. I will have still carried out the dare to the best of my ability. I can't control if he won't allow me to fulfill such an evil and horrendous dare that my best friend decided to curse me with."

"Oh enough stalling already! Just do it!" Ginny giggled and pointed behind Hermione. "I believe your ferret in shining armor is over there."

Hermione looked with a terrified expression behind her and caught sight of Draco who was laughing hysterically with his cronies about the frightened little first years who darted past them in terror screaming loudly. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she turned around and headed towards him.

Draco didn't even notice her advancing as he toppled over in laughter. But when he straightened up, he saw her standing right in front of him. He shook his head, chuckled, and coughed as he wiped a tear from his eye. "Ouch." He rubbed a cramp at his side and smiled at her curiously. He composed himself for only a moment before toppling over in laughter again. His cronies joined in as they heard the first years still screaming as they climbed the stairs above.

Draco coughed and laughed again as he placed his hands on his knees. He pointed his finger in the air and whispered. "Just a moment….Okay, I think I'm done…" He straightened up again stifling a smile. "What is it Granger?"

Hermione gave a dumbfounded look. "Uhhhh…I um."

Draco laughed as he spoke. "What is it? Do you need me to control some hysterical first years?" The laughter roared again as Hermione bit her bottom lip.

Draco stopped laughing and eyed her lip with a smirk. Hermione pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and swallowed hard as she fidgeted. "I uh need to do something Malfoy."

"Well go on then. You don't need to ask my permission even though you have the urge to." He straightened his collar proudly. "I know you acknowledge my power Granger. Whatever it is I'm sure I'll approve. You have my permission." He spoke arrogantly.

Hermione scoffed but then grinned. She suddenly realized that the kiss would do more damage to him than her. She stepped closely to him and smiled flirtatiously. He twitched in confusion and backed against the wall glancing at his cronies. Hermione bat her eyes and bit her bottom lip again. She whispered as she stared at his mouth. "Just remember you gave me your permission Malfoy."

"For wha-" Draco's question was muffled by Hermione's lips on his. His cronies gasped as Draco quickly grabbed her shoulders to push her off. But he didn't push her off. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and tasted her lips. Hermione pulled away slowly revealing her red face and smiled. "Don't take it personal Malfoy. It was just a dare. You should probably go sanitize your lips."

Hermione turned on her heel and walked away to a cheering Ginny. She grabbed Ginny's hand and led her up to her dormitory where she screamed her head off in embarrassment and faint disgust. Draco shook his head in shock and looked at Blaise. "What just happened?"

Blaise smiled and pat him on the back. "Granger just planted a big one on your lips chum! And from what I can tell a pretty good one at that. If only I could be the victim of such a vicious dare. Those bloody Gryffindors really know how to have a good time don't they?"

Draco wiped his lips furiously. "She doesn't know who she's messing with. She has no idea what I'm capable of."

Blaise laughed. "Why don't you go show her after your cheeks turn back to their original color? You want her to take you seriously mate."

Crabbe and Goyle stared at Draco completely perplexed as he walked away shaking his head with Blaise teasing at his side.

After the feast and another short meeting with the prefect's, Hermione and Draco headed for the seventh floor. Hermione chose not to discuss the comments he shared in the train compartment with anyone. She was certain he was simply trying to get under his skin for kicks and as usual she had bigger items in her life of more importance. She had kissed him in front of his cronies. She had embarrassed him. She had cheated on Viktor. She knew she was done for.

When they reached the seventh floor Draco stopped quickly. "I think I've had enough of your company for now Granger….Let's split up."

Hermione swallowed hard. "But Dumbledore wants everyone to stay with their partners. We only have one lantern. It's better for everyone if-"

"I'm not spending the entire night with you after that terrible experience on the train and in the Great Hall! What if I brush up against you causing you to bruise more? Can't have that on the conscience you know. I don't want you to get too attached to me anyway and I need my space…." He stepped closer and stared evilly into her eyes. "Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll come across me again before the nights over."

He walked away into the darkness leaving Hermione alone with the light of the lantern barely illuminating two feet in front of her. She could hear his footsteps getting further away until they were gone. The silence was earsplitting and her heart had unfortunately taken shelter in her throat pounding harshly. She started to walk in the direction Draco had and moved the lantern to the left and right uncovering paintings and suits of armor along the way.

She stopped at a fork and looked to her left and right which held two narrow corridors. She decided to go to her right after swallowing hard again. She held the lantern firmly in her trembling hand and started to pick up the pace as she had the terrible feeling that someone was following her. "M-M-Malfoy?"

She heard nothing but the feeling was stronger now. She also could smell a hint of his scent she had noticed earlier on the train. She stopped quickly and turned around immediately seeing Draco directly behind her with a smirk. Hermione dropped the lamp breaking it in surprise and screamed out.

"Lumos!" The tip of Draco's wand illuminated the same distance the lantern had. Hermione started backing up with a terrified expression after she too illuminated her wand. Draco followed her with his evil smirk. She refused to look behind her not wanting to give Draco an advantage. She continued to walk backwards with her wand pointing at his chest. "I told you no one would hear you scream Granger."

Hermione stopped walking backwards and tried to walk around him to his right. He blocked her quickly. "No, no, no little lion cub. You've already been that way remember?"

Hermione whimpered and tried to walk around him to his left but he blocked that way as well. "What do you want Malfoy?" She cried.

Draco shook his head with a smile. "Accio wand. Nox." Both wands went out leaving them in the pitch black again. He chuckled softly. "Now I have your wand Granger. What ever will you do?"

Hermione began to plead. "Why are you doing this?…….Malfoy? Malfoy? Malfoy Please?" Hermione didn't hear anything and had the distinct feeling that he had disappeared again as his scent was gone. She strummed up the courage to continue on in the darkness. She had her trembling hands out in front of her feeling her way along the walls. Her heart was pounding even harder as she turned every corner expecting to run into Draco or something worse. At least thirty minutes passed by when she reached the fork again, she tried to retrace her steps back to the stairs.

She was just about to turn a corner when she heard him growl loudly and shove her into an alcove. She screamed out again and backed against the wall. "Lumos." Draco held the light of his wand up so she could see his face an inch from hers. "Have a good round Granger?" Hermione couldn't speak as tears formed in her eyes. "Me too, me too. Quite entertaining if you ask me. Especially the part where you were screaming my name….I think I even heard you say please. Am I right? Are you going to answer me Granger?" Hermione was watching him carefully waiting for him to attack her. "Well I'm tired so I think I'll turn in….Oh, I think you dropped this back there. Same time tomorrow? Alright then Granger." He slid her wand into her pocket and stepped out of the alcove leaving Hermione confused and terrified in the darkness.

The next morning Hermione walked into the Great Hall extremely tired as she barely slept a wink. She had tossed and turned all night with visions of Draco popping up from the darkness and chasing her around the seventh floor. She felt someone softly stroke her arm. Ron whispered into her ear. "You look tired Mione. Do you want me to cover your round for you tonight?"

Hermione shook her head as she pulled her arm in to her chest while smiling sweetly at Ron's thoughtfulness. "No thanks Ron. It's my responsibility."

"No snogging in the Great Hall you two! We shouldn't have to be exposed to such a disgusting sight!" Draco shouted as he walked behind them with an irritated look.

Ron blushed but then took a deep breath as he wrapped his arm around Hermione's back causing her to fidget uncomfortably. "You're right Malfoy, Krum may find out and get jealous. We should wait until we get back to our room. I just can't seem to keep my hands off her."

Draco smirked. "I noticed….I guess I can't blame you though. It isn't every girl that would dare go near a filthy blood traitor. You've got to take what you can get."

Ron jumped up and was about to charge Draco but Hermione stepped in between them just in time. "You know to just ignore him Ron."

Draco mocked her voice. "Yes Weasley…Just ignore me…Even though Granger can't."

Hermione shot an awful glare at Draco and stood up straighter. "For your information Malfoy, ignoring you is probably the easiest thing in the world for me to do."

Draco smiled widely and spoke with an excited tone. "Really? I guess you've put me in my place then haven't you? If you'll excuse me." He sauntered out of the Great Hall as Hermione and Ron sat back down and finished their breakfast unaffected. Malfoy's taunts and Ron's temper were nothing new.

As Hermione headed for the Prefect's meeting room she became preoccupied with her blouse realizing that it was buttoned incorrectly. As she started fixing it she was overcome with embarrassment. She had gone the entire day with her shirt looking crooked and awkward. She cursed Harry and Ron silently for being such oblivious, useless boys.

As she stepped into the meeting room she saw Draco sitting there alone on a desk and twirling his wand between his fingers. "My goodness Granger! Awfully forward aren't we? Well, if that's what you want then-" He started to take of his robe as Hermione realized she was still fiddling with her buttons when she had walked in.

She shot her hand in front of her. "What do you think you are doing Malfoy?"

Draco shrugged as he tugged at his belt. "Just following the Head Girl's lead….You'd think Pothead or Weasel would have you well taken care of by now but I guess they're probably not good enough for you. What about Krum? He's not doing it for you either huh? Oh, were you not unbuttoning your shirt for me?"

Hermione shook her head appallingly as Draco let go of his belt and put on his robe again. "Oh, you must have been fixing your shirt. I assume you dressed in a rush this morning. I can't believe it took you all day to notice."

Hermione blinked with a confused expression. "Where is everyone?"

"I sent them on their way. No need to wait for the tardy Head Girl again right? Really Granger, you and Weasley are going to have to postpone your snog sessions….Or at least shorten them….This is beginning to become a habit. I may have to send Krum an owl and inform him of it." Draco said with a sickened expression.

Hermione checked her watch but then shook her head. "I wasn't snogging Ron for the millionth time Malfoy." She checked her watch again. "I'm not even late."

Draco gave an innocent smile and covered his mouth. "Did I forget to tell you that I had asked everyone to come a little early? My mistake."

Hermione heard a click behind her and spun around to face the door. She walked up to it and tried to turn the knob. "Malfoy! Remove the charm this instant!"

Draco clicked his tongue. "You didn't say please. Say it like you did last night Granger." He said flirtatiously.

Hermione crossed her arms and turned around with a defiant look. "No! I'm not going to beg you! Now open it!"

Draco advanced towards her twirling his wand again. Hermione backed up into the door and yelped when her back made painful contact with the knob. Draco smiled. "Now see? If you would have just done what I asked, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. Now I'll give you one more chance…." He was standing not an inch from her with a wicked smirk looking down on her fearful brown eyes. He whispered. "Say please Granger."

Hermione was rooted to the ground and could barely muster a whisper herself. "P-P-Please?"

Draco chuckled and continued his whisper. "That's a good little lion cub."

He leaned down so that their lips were an inch from each other. Hermione could feel his soft breath on her mouth as her stomach flipped. Their eyes were locked which made her feel somewhere between faint and flustered. Draco scooped his arm behind her and grasped the door knob. He turned it slowly and pulled it open causing it to press against her back and moving her closer to him. Draco smiled again and continued his gaze on her. "I'll see you on the seventh floor Granger."

Hermione didn't attempt to move not that she could. He had her pinned between the door and his body. He smiled more widely as he raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want to stay here?"

Hermione shook her head and he stepped back beckoning her out of the room. Hermione hurried out and off to the seventh floor. She looked back several times seeing him walking casually behind her with a smirk.

Once she reached the top of the stairs she turned around and screamed as he was only one step behind her. He laughed as he placed his hand over his chest. "Jesus Granger! You're a jumpy little thing this year aren't you? Don't worry though, I'm sure your precious Weasley will save you if you're in trouble."

Hermione shouted and mustered up the courage to point her finger in his face. "For the last time Malfoy! I am not snogging Ron! We're just friends! Not that you would know the meaning of that you self centered spoiled bully!"

Draco seemed intrigued and satisfied at her shouting. "Friends huh? Is that why he always seems to find a way to be close to you or touch you. Is that why he looks at you like you're some kind of Goddess?"

Hermione stammered as she spoke. "Ron-doesn't look-at me like that! We just care for each other…Another thing you know nothing about."

Draco shrugged indifferently. "Maybe you're right Granger….But all the better for me eh? Who needs all that baggage that comes with emotion and friendship? It just gets in the way of things if you ask me."

"Well I didn't ask you come to think of it! And what do you mean gets in the way of things? Emotions and love are what make life worth living….Ugh, I can't believe I'm trying to have this conversation with you!" Hermione started pacing as Draco watched her with an amused expression.

He chuckled and put his hands up in defeat. "Alright Granger, calm down. Let's get this over with. Lumos." She followed his lead suspiciously while illuminating her wand. They walked side by side in the deafening silence. She was sure he would disappear behind a corner at any moment and seemed to hold her breath at every turn. Draco noticed and giggled softly to himself. He loved the power of fear.

He was getting rather bored and decided it had been too long since he felt her nervousness. He stopped quickly and forced a terrified look. "What was that?"

Hermione stopped as well and took a step closer to him making him press his lips together in success. "What was what? Did you hear something?"

"Obviously Granger! Now shhhh! There it is again. Don't you hear it?" Draco said trying to sound scared.

Hermione shook her head which proved difficult since her body was already trembling. Draco noticed and tried to hide the grin that was forming. "How can you not hear it? Here, get closer. It's coming from right here." He gestured to where they were standing. "It's like a thumping sound."

Hermione stepped even closer to him straining her ears but heard nothing but her own shallow breaths. "I don't hear anything Malfoy…But maybe we should head back. Just in case."

"There it is again…It's louder now." He looked down at her shivering body and trembling lips. "Oh, it's only you Granger. You're shaking like a leaf aren't you? When did you start becoming so afraid of things?"

Hermione looked appallingly at him. "I'm not afraid! Does it look like I'm afraid?"

Draco laughed. "I guess not. What a shame, what a shame."

Hermione scoffed. "What exactly is a shame?"

Draco shrugged and started walking away. "I thought you Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave."

"We are! I mean I am! I'm not afraid of you Malfoy!" She called out to his wand light that was now far away.

She heard an evil laugh. "You're not afraid huh? Alright Granger….Have it your way then. Nox."

Where he was standing went completely dark leaving Hermione feeling cold and terrified. "Malfoy? This again? Fine! I'm not afraid!"

The fact that he didn't answer sent chills up her spine. The thought of him out there in the darkness capable of who knows what terrified her beyond belief. But then she thought for a moment. He had several chances to harm her and simply settled on frightening her. Was this a simple cat and mouse game leading up to something terrible? Was he enjoying this power of fear he had over her? She realized the best thing to do was leave without him. Let him search around for her alone in the dark while she was in the comfort of her own bed. She headed for the stairs slowly with her wand held tightly between her fingers.

She didn't know what had come over her after all these years. She had never once shown fear of Draco Malfoy. She had never shown him her weak side and in less than two days he had her trembling and shivering next to him. As she reached the stairs she made a decision. "Two can play at this game." She walked back to her dormitory determined to keep Draco's twisted game with her quiet. She needed to beat him without assistance from anyone.