Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I don't make any money with this.

Title: Hide or Fight
Author: kalina-blue
Word Count: 498
Rating: pg-13
A/N: This was my first entry for the first round at dramione ldws over at lj. The prompt was titled Change or be Changed. Scenario: The final battle at Hogwarts. Draco witnessed what could be Hermione's final moments. What will he do?
Reviews are love. :)

Hide or Fight

Hermione carefully rounded another corner. She was in the Charms corridor – alone – or at least hoped she was. Scorch marks were marring the walls, the window front was partially collapsed, and Hermione feared it would crumble altogether.

How she had ended up in the corridor, separated from the other DA members, she wasn't quite sure. Death Eaters had attacked them and the fight had been fierce. Ron had been next to her the whole time, duelling a Death Eater, while Hermione was engaging another.

Then Ron had been gone.

The Death Eaters had still been there, and it had taken all of Hermione's skills to fight them off. Hermione fervently hoped Ron was alright.

Since defeating the two Death Eaters she had been alone and Hermione was desperate to find her way back to Ron.

She walked further on, around another corner. And still she was alone. The castle was big and the fighting was spread throughout.

A few more steps.

Suddenly a curse hit her, immobilising her from her neck downwards. A strong arm grabbed her and pulled her towards a classroom. Hermione tried to find a way to break the spell, but motionless as she was her options were limited. All she could do was scream. Nobody heard.

She was dragged along until they were inside the room and the door closed.

"Fuck, Granger, stop bitching." The arm let go of her and the spell was released. Hermione wheeled around.

"Draco?! What are you doing?"

Draco Malfoy ignored her question. Instead he sat down on a desk, used his wand to light a cigarette, and inhaled the smoke deeply.

"I hate it when you do that," Hermione hissed.

"None of your business. Not anymore," he replied and took another drag.

"True," Hermione agreed. "I'm not staying anyways." She meant to grasp the handle of the door, but one flick of his wand and the handle glowed bright red. Hermione didn't dare touch it.

Instead she pointed her own wand at it.

"Stay. It's safer here," Draco said, but didn't take any further actions to prevent her from leaving.

"I have to find Ron."

"You'll get killed before you reach the Weasel."

"None of your business. Not anymore… I won't hide."

Hermione left the classroom.

She had almost reached the stairs when she ran into another group of Death Eaters. They immediately charged towards her, encircling her like hunters did their prey. Hermione raised her wand ready to fight. Or die.

Suddenly, two of her attackers fell to the ground. Surprised Hermione saw Draco standing behind them, his wand already pointing at the third. Together they disposed off the Death Eaters quickly.

When they were the only ones standing, Draco wordlessly walked away. Hermione caught up with him at the staircase.

"I thought you were going to stay at the classroom?"

"I was," Draco replied evasively.

"What changed?"

Draco gave her a wry smile.

"I won't hide." He continued down the stairs, leaving a stunned Hermione behind.