CHAPTER FIVE

Draco woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Terrified from his nightmares. He had forgotten the sleep spell last night. He was exhausted enough as it was. His hand burned. He didn't bother to treat it other than wrapping it with a bandage. He didn't pay enough attention in charms class to know any healing ones.

It was nearly 4 am and he knew there was no way he would go back to sleep. He pulled himself together for another long day. He looked at the pile of books on his nightstand and decided to do another assignment. A proud feeling came back to him again. A feeling that would soon go away as the dark thoughts quickly took over his mind. He did his best to shake them. Replacing them with thoughts of Hermione. It was the best he could do.

Hours passed and he became infatuated with the new crush he had developed. Kind of depressed he couldn't act on it. It was a relationship like that would simply not work out.

Classes passed and he found himself at the library at the end of the day like usual. He was almost caught up with potions and he felt good about that. Not that he had any other goal than to not be expelled. Even though he thought that might as well be the best thing for him.

She was there as usual but she wasn't at her table. He sat down and decided to get on with it without her. She was talking to some Ravenclaw prefect who was a year older than both of them. He was tall and dark and was obviously into Hermione. She was giggling a little too loud for his liking.

He cleared his throat trying to let her know he was there. She didn't budge. She was staring deep into the eyes of someone he never bothered of getting the name of. A new feeling rushed from his head to the pit of his stomach. Was Draco Malfoy jealous? Jealous of a girl who hardly acknowledged his presence. He couldn't be.

His jealousy quickly became anger as he stood up and interrupted their conversation. He had almost knocked the boy down as he stood up to Hermonie.

"We got work to do, Granger. I've been waiting." He said abruptly.

"We were kind of in the middle of something..." The Ravenclaw boy looked offended.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Draco had a sarcastic tone to his voice. "Did I interrupt your make out sesh?" He didn't know where the words were coming from but he couldn't stop them. "I'm sure the whole school has had a taste of you by now. It's a fact that Potter and Weasley already had."

She looked at him in shock not able to speak. He had no idea what came over him. The Ravenclaw boy left them alone as he quickly understood this had nothing to do with him.

"That's not true." her voice was hoarse. She was on the verge of tears.

"Of course, it's not. Besides who would want a mudblood like you?" His words cut deep. That was his go-to insult for her but it hurt every time she heard it.

He turned away and sat at their table. "Come on Granger, lets get this over with."

She noticed his bandaged hand. She didn't know if he had got into a fight or what but she wanted to avoid him at all costs.

She walked over to him cautiously. "I don't think we will be studying together tonight, Malfoy."

"You have to." he was quick to respond. He wanted her to stay despite what he had just said to her.

"I don't have to." her eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not being forced to do this. I just accepted the offer. I'm getting extra credit for this you know. Besides, it looks like you've caught up quite nicely. I don't think we will be needing to see each other anymore." That was half true. He was catching up but he was still so far behind. She left before he could get the last word.

He sat in silence for hours. Feeling regretful. Feeling embarrassed. Maybe if he just got expelled he could get rid of these feelings. He contemplated his death. His inevitable death if he didn't man up. His knuckles burned. He could feel the shards of glass from the mirror he couldn't quite get out himself. He was desperate to relieve the pain. Physically and emotionally.

***

Two days passed and he had not seen Hermione once. Mostly because he was avoiding her. Avoiding everything. His hand still ached and needed to be treated. He avoided that too.

He walked through the hallways with no destination. Avoiding the library at all costs. He traced the cold stone walls with his finger and turned every corner his hand lead him. He didn't know where he was going. He didn't care. He closed his eyes and followed the wall. He stopped when he heard footsteps. He didn't know how far he had wandered.

Those brown eyes he knew so well glared at him as she passed. He guessed he still wasn't over their little argument the other day.

"That's not a good look for you Granger." He said before she could get too far from him.

She stopped so fast she nearly tripped. "Oh yeah?" she snorted sounding slightly amused but irritated. "And what would be a good look for me?" she turned on her heel now facing him.

He took a few steps towards her and grinned. "I don't know... How about a smile?" his toxic masculinity was suffocating. He never thought before he spoke. Being rude just came naturally to him. He didn't know why he couldn't just let her walk away. He wanted an excuse to talk to her.

She frowned harder. "Why would I ever smile at you?" She stared deep into his eyes making his heart flutter a bit. He didn't have a response. Part of him didn't want her to smile. He thought she looked rather sexy while she was angry. That made the fluttering intensify. She immediately went off on him. She had wanted a fight ever since that evening in the library.

"As a matter of fact, why would I ever do anything for you?" She was furious. There was a fire in her eyes which made them even more sultry. "I tried to be nice and help you with your classwork and this is how you repay me?" She went on and on but Draco couldn't care less about what she had to say. His focus was on those pouty lips of hers. Now more pouty than ever. He wanted to kiss them so badly. Maybe just to get her to shut up. Maybe just because that's all he has been thinking about since she started tutoring him. His smirked the more he thought about it.

"You find this funny do you?" She was laughing now in disbelief

He didn't let her say another word. He had to do something about the burning desire. Before he knew it his lips were pressed so hard against hers their teeth clicked together. He let his emotions get the best of him. She felt exactly like he imagined. She was warm. A kind of warmth that spread all over his body. Her lips felt like they belonged on his even though she didn't kiss him back.

She stood there lifelessly. Not moving her body one bit but at the same time, she didn't move back. His hands were holding her face as he went for more ignoring her unresponsiveness. His bandaged palm was rough on her cheek.

When he finally released her she still didn't move. She wanted to run but her feet wouldn't work. She gaped at him in bewilderment. They stared at each other for an eternity before he finally got the nerve he walked away not saying another word.