Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except for the plot.

Summary: On the eve of his 18th birthday, Draco Malfoy finds out a family secret. He is a veela! Now he just has to mark his mate before time runs out. That doesn't sound so hard, right? The only problem is that his mate is Hermione Granger.

Song lyrics to "Time is Running Out" by Muse are in bold.

Time Is Running Out

By bloomingfelton

Draco Malfoy could smell her even before she set he perfect foot into the chattering Great Hall for the first breakfast since everyone returned to Hogwarts. For Draco, this was his seventh year. He quickly pushed his long blonde hair out of his face as the smell of vanilla kept wafting closer and closer to the doors. He slowly began tapping his fingers to an annoying beat. Draco's patience could not last much longer as he waited for her.

I think I'm drowning

Asphyxiated

"Open the god damn door!" Draco muttered hastily under his breath as the scent of vanilla stopped right behind the great oak doors. She was killing him!

"She's coming down for breakfast then?" asked the black-haired, blue-eyed Slytherin next to him.

Draco took a quick glance at Blaise Zabini. Blaise was a handsome bloke. His black hair falling into his face making him look even more mysterious. Blaise was a bit reserved sometimes but almost understood anything his best-mate Draco would tell him. Other than Draco's parents, Blaise was the only one that knew about his family secret.

"Quiet, Blaise!" Draco shushed. He wanted to hear her walk in this morning. But she was taking too long; something was keeping her from entering. Within a slight breeze of vanilla Draco caught a smell of another musky scent. "Potter," Draco said angrily.

"Jealous, Malfoy?" Blaise chuckled as he ate his sausages.

I want to break this spell you've created

"It's not my fault everything she does is so intoxicating," Draco said as she quickly stuffed his mouth full of eggs. Blaise softly smiled.

Draco thought he was going to wait forever until finally the doors opened and in walked Hermione Granger, head girl, and Harry Potter, head boy. Both were laughing as they walked to their Gryffindor table where Ginny and Ron Weasly were waiting with two seats saved for them.

Draco watched Hermione as she walked with a bit of a skip in her step. She must be having a good day, thought Draco. He watched as Hermione's smile widened until it reached her eyes, which were glistening with amusement.

You're something beautiful

A contradiction

"Close your mouth, Draco," Blaise said to his friend. "You don't want anyone to notice."

Draco shut his mouth as Hermione pushed Ginny and Ron apart and she sat down between them as Harry sat down on the other side of Ron. Hermione told them whatever was causing her laughter and apparently whatever it was made Ron shove her gently aside. Draco stared at the spot on her arm, wishing it were he playfully pushing her aside.

I want to play the game

I want the friction

"Draco, breakfast," Blaise reminded him.

Draco tore away from the beautiful Gryffindor to finish eating his breakfast. But he could not help it when his eyes would drift to look at her beauty. And neither could the eyes of an old weary headmaster as he watched one of his students show interests in another.