Chapter 5 - Shunned

The following day, Draco was walking down the hallway. Blaise was beside him, Hermione on his other side, but she wasn't taking his hand, and every time he moved a bit faster, she looked worried. Draco looked at Blaise.

"Can you give us a sec?" And Blaise just shrugged, walking off to a courtyard. Draco then turned to Hermione and leant against the wall; his arms folded.

"Alright, what exactly is your problem? Yesterday you were happy and seemed to want to be all over me, my veela then attacked…. And now you won't look at me," he said quietly, and she could see how this was actually upsetting him.

"I am not." She said quietly, but when he reached for her arm, she pulled it away.

Draco folded his arms again, and then he spoke, a bit angrier. "Tell me what's going on…. What did I do??"

Hermione just stared at him, "I don't know."

Draco then tried to reach out again, but she avoided his touch. She then briskly turned on her heel and walked away from him down the hall. His face fell, and he stayed there, for a while, and then he never showed up to Potions class when she sat down.

He walked down the hall, heading towards the Great Hall and then walking outside, down the courtyard's trail. He just strolled, avoiding teachers.

He turned a corner, a darker area shaded by trees, dried mud as the ground, no grass, almost missing it, but then a stench hit his nose. He closed his eyes as he breathed out, looking around. He looked down a darker hallway, pulling out his wand.

"Lumos…" He muttered, and his wand tip illuminated, casting a white colour over the dark ground. As he got closer, he felt his heart jump into his throat. Blood…. Smudged, the ground dug into claws…...

He kept walking forwards, slowly, cautiously, "Hello?? Is anyone down here…?"

He got no response as he ventured forwards, finding a bloody trail, smudged yet dried. He then saw a foot in the light his wand cast. He slowly ventured forward, knowing what he was about to see. There was a broken tree, one that seemed to have been broken by the weight of something being smashed into it…... His wand moved to illuminate glassy eyes, a body, the girl's head turned to the side, her neck having been viciously destroyed, gashes, claw marks, and as he looked down, her wand was snapped in two, the broken piece feet across the ground by a stump, the other piece still clutched in her icy hand. He backed up slightly, horrified.

He then blinked and his eyes dilated as he recognised the face. Olivia Shardlow…. A fifth year Slytherin.

He backed up quickly, terrified, and he started running, bolting towards the headmasters office, praying to merlin that Professor McGonagall would be in.

Draco raced back across the bridge, not stopping and almost knocking over a first year with her friends. Draco didn't even pay attention to any voices as his shoes clicked against the cobblestone ground, skidding as he hit the smooth cement of the school. He kept running, scared now. What had killed her!?!?

He got there, his hands shaking slightly, as he almost shouted the passcode, bolting up the eagle stairs before they even started moving. He burst inside.

"Professor- Professor- I found- There's a- Olivia Shardlow-" He cried, his hands slamming into her desk, the woman sitting very surprised in her seat, as he managed to get out the words he was trying to, "Dead!!!"

McGonagall just eyed him for a moment, "How did you find her?"

Draco took a deep breath, "I- I was just- Walking…"

She stood and said, "Show me."

He looked even more scared, "I don't want to go back out th-"

"Show me." She said in a stern voice, and he sighed, closing his eyes. 

"Please don't make me go back…" He murmured, knowing that her dead eyes would haunt him for months now.

"Mr. Malfoy if you do not then I have no way to know this was not caused by you."

This made his fingers go numb, and he quickly led her outside, across the grounds. He got to the shaded passageway, pointing.

"I found her down there….it looks like some rabid animal attacked." He explained, "Can I please go back now…?"

He was dismissed, and Draco walked away, feeling very cold, his body jittery…The strangest thing was that it was quite a warm day, the sun shining. He got back to the school, now having skipped his class. Draco sat down in the courtyard near the Great Hall for a while, pulling off his hoodie, as he never really felt the cold. He just liked the sun.

He then finally sighed and got up, deciding to go back to the common room and see if Hermione was there.

Draco got to the door and pushed it open, closing it and hanging up his hoodie. He walked in and saw Hermione, smiling.

"There you are," he said, walking over, but she backed up from his want of a hug, her eyes looked hurt and scared.

"Don't touch me…." She mumbled, 

"Woah what's…What's wrong?" He asked, reaching for her hand that she quickly moved out of his reach, walking farther inside and then Draco saw a group of Gryffindors, as Hermione walked-

His heart clenched. He felt like he had physically been punched in the face, as he stared at Ron Weasley, his arms around her.

Hermione's sharp voice spoke, anger, hatred, disgust, "I never want to see you again…. I hate you and I should have never trusted you…. You- You lying piece of- of- of pureblooded trash!!'

He froze, his eyes swirling, as Draco struggled to contain the furious veela inside of him, "What's going on." He asked sharply, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.

Harry was standing beside Ron, "I think it would be best if you left…...And nobody really cares if you come back, just get lost."

Draco slowly backed up, seeing Hermione's now content face, smiling up at Ron as he hugged her, Harry's vicious expression, the other Gryffindors looking murderous. Draco's eyes zeroed in on Ron as his lips pressed to her head, and he span around, having dropped his bags, rushing out. He walked quickly, loosening his tie. He was having a bit of trouble breathing, heavy, unsteady. He found his way up to the Astronomy tower, and stood there, his hands clenched tightly around the newly crafted metal bars. He gripped the metal tighter, feeling it weep under his strength, taking deep breaths. This had to be a dream…

It was so dark…Everything was so dark. Draco fell into a downward spiral, going from gripping the bar to slowly sinking to his knees. He pressed his forehead to the cold metal, and that's when he realised, he was crying. He was crying heavily.

"I think it would be best if you left…" echoed through his head, the words replaying over and over, "Nobody really cares if you come back…maybe you should just get lost….trash…."

He held his chest as he cried, "What did I do….?" His voice a broken whisper. Draco stayed there, just letting himself cry. By the time he had drained his energy, just sitting there silently now, he noticed it was snowing. The little perfect snowflakes…Coming down each one different than the last. He stared out over the school as it snowed, now caring about the cold. Not caring he wasn't safe or wearing more than a dress shirt to keep warm. 

His eyes found a part of the roof to stare at as he took deep breaths. She was being touched by him…She had been hugged by him…That cheating…dirty…lying little-

He closed his eyes, cutting off the thought. She had willingly walked into her ex's arms…His open arms as he touched her with those cheating hands…. He hung his head again, the emotions suddenly just fading. He felt numb. More than numb. He was so numb he couldn't even feel the numbness.

He opened his eyes again, his gaze wandering to Hogsmeade. He stared out there for a while, wanting to walk, but he didn't want the warmth. He just stared, his body not shivering, now just too cold to want to. He closed his eyes but then he saw her face, smiling, looking up into the Weasels eyes…. He could only imagine what he was doing…. Why…?

He took a shaky breath, "What did I do…." He whispered again, wiping his eyes. His chest throbbed, not even the numbness could numb that pain. He had forgotten about the dead girl. He had forgotten about McGonagall. He had decided to forget it. Now he prayed he could just forget it all…. Draco wiped his eyes again, and he stood up, holding the metal, squeezing it so tight than when he let go, his hands left imprints.

Draco looked behind him, closing his eyes and seeing his wings sprouting neatly, and then they did. He moved them a bit, stiff from the cold. He climbed over the bar and just simply let go, letting the momentary feeling of weightlessness wrap around him, before he turned over and extended his charcoal-coloured wings, gliding down towards Hogsmeade. He pulled them up as he got to the little town, landing silently on his feet and folding them to his back. He just walked through the town, ignoring people altogether.

Numb. Draco blinked slowly, only able to see her look of fear and disgust when he had smiled and tried to hug her. He approached the Hogs Head, pushing the door open and walking inside, sighing. Thank Merlin this place had no heating.

He didn't even speak, just put a galleon on the bar table, receiving a fire whiskey. He sat back, and smirked. She had made him promise to not drink anymore.

He shrugged, "Fuck it…." Downing a good-sized sip of the alcohol, feeling the burning sensation flow through his body. "So much for a good example…" he grumbled, downing the rest of the first drink.

He slowly ordered the next one, his hand ice cold as the bartender took it, "Son, you are mighty cold feelin'." 

He stared at him, "Just give me the alcohol and you get the money."

The bartender sighed and served him another drink, but this time Draco grabbed it and left, having ordered a large canteen. He walked down the road of Hogsmeade, drinking it very quickly. He was dangerously cold now. As Draco stood there, downing the whiskey, he blinked, and his vision blurred. His thoughts grew sluggish, straying from Hermione, from Weasley, from everything…. To nothing.

He kept walking, staggering, but as he went to take another swig, his legs suddenly gave out, his eyes rolling into his head and Draco collapsed, hitting the ground, unconscious.

Hermione stood, the embrace around her comforting yet…It felt wrong. She smiled up at Ron as he held her. She tilted her head, her nose brushing against his cheek, as she rested her head back, but it felt odd. She couldn't find a nice place to rest against, too close to his height. She turned and hugged him, placing her head against his neck, sighing.

Harry stood beside her, arms folded, "I can't believe he had the audacity to…. To come in here and try and hug you after doing that…"

Ron's arms tightened, "He is a murderer, I told you Harry."

Hermione looked up at Ron, "We don't know that-" But then she stopped, leaning into Ron a bit more. 

"Don't be stupid! Those wounds on that girl's body are definitely his doing!"

She cringed away slightly, but just buried her head back into his shoulder. "Let's just get back to discussing how to fix it….. Please…"

He sat down with her, pulling her into his lap. She didn't like it one bit, wanted him to be… More, needed him to be a bit taller, have a bit more muscle… Hermione looked back up at his face, and as she stared, she realised she had possibley just made a big mistake, but had she? She couldn't fix this until they knew for sure what was killing these students...

Harry was talking to Seamus about possible creatures attacking, however the terror loomed over them that it wasn't just a creature, but a human.... against his own will.

Hermione sighed and she curled her head against Ron's neck, his hand instantly wrapping around so he was holding her head, and she closed her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep.... It was the worst nap she had ever had.

________________________________________________________________

Draco moved his head, feeling warmth surrounding him. His head was pounding. As he opened his eyes, the Hospital Wing came into focus around him. He blinked, dizzy and dazed, but then he heard voices and closed his eyes.

"Yes Professor.....He was just passed out. On the ground. His body was ice cold." Blaises voice.

Then.... "Do you know what happened?"

"No, professor, no idea. He had...A keg. With him, but...It was near empty. So I can speculate some of what happened."

A disapproving noise, "Yes, well...It would do to tell Miss Granger what happened. I'll go find-"

"That's not a good idea." Blaise warned, "Granger...Well...Ron Weasley convinced her the murders.... are Draco's fault."

Draco realised who that was, McGonagall, "I'm afraid I don't understand...Mr. Weasley did not come back for a redo of his final year."

"Well... He's here, Professor... And he's convinced most of Gryffindor it was Draco.... Including Granger and Potter..." Blaise explained, and Draco heard footsteps, the voices closer, "Now that I think about it... I have a feeling I know exactly what happened."

McGonagall spoke again and sighed, "Well... Right now, we can hope for Mr. Malfoy to wake up.... And then we need to keep everything on the down low.... Hopefully the murders were just a fluke...."

Blaise sat down beside the bed, looking down at Draco, "Ok..."

Draco slowly opened his eyes, pushing himself up, rubbing his eyes, "Great... Woohoo... I'm alive." His eyes landing on Blaise, "Thank you so much for such an amazing gift of having to live in this hellhole much longer." His voice flat, sarcastic.

Blaise folded his arms, "I wasn't just leaving you to die."

He blinked and didn't say anything else, looking at McGonagall, who spoke, "You need to be careful, Mr. Malfoy. They believe it is you behind these murders."

He instantly turned defensive, "I have never killed a single t-"

"Yes, I know that young man. The school does not." McGonagall further explained and he leaned back in the pillows, rubbing his face.

He stared at McGonagall, "I got kicked out of my common room...."

She smiled, "Mr. Zabini can help you with a dorm to stay in for a little while, or at least until we can convince Miss Granger that you are not a killer."

Draco spoke harshly, "I swear I did nothing-"

McGonagall narrowed her eyes at the furious and scared blonde, "I ask you remain calm here."

Draco's nostrils flared, his fists stressing and straining as he kept them at his sides, his teeth grinding. He was now just angry. Draco closed his eyes again, and sighed, relaxing his hands, the realisation sinking in. He clenched his eyes shut tighter. Hermione fears him…. Harry hates him…All of Gryffindor might kill him if he stepped near her. His eyes opened, and then his consciousness faded back, and both McGonagall and Blaise backed up.

The creature sat up, expression blank, however it didn't look at them. It looked down, and just pulled its knees up to its chest, before its head fell against his knees, and a small sound escaped its lips. Blaise edged closer.

"Are you-"

A vicious voice snarled, "Do not touch me, wizard!!" The blonde's head shooting up, claws slashing out towards Blaise, missing, "Do not touch me!! I am foul!! I am vile!! Not clean!! I am dirty…." Its head slowly sinking back to its knees.

McGonagall stood calm, "Are you saying you committed the murders?"

The veela's eyes grew darker, more furious, more broken, as it looked up, "I would never kill a human who has done me no wrong…... I would never kill a young girl…. I only would harm a man who harmed my mate…. Only one man has done so, but she made me promise to not harm him." Its voice cracking, losing the pristine and proper feel, still deep and throaty. 

McGonagall spoke in the same slow and calculating tone, "So, you are saying you did not commit any of the murders."

The veela stared harshly into her eyes, silence, and then, "Precisely…."

Blaise seemed to relax and smiled, "Well, then that's all wrapped up-" Stopping under the glare from McGonagall.

"Take him back to the Slytherin common room. Talk if you can. And you." Looking at the veela, "Behave yourself. The entire school believes he has killed all these children."

The veela blinked and looked down, "She called me a filthy pure-blooded piece of trash…... Hugging that little shit of a man-" Its voice breaking again as Blaise touched its shoulder. This time, the creature didn't lash out.

"Let's go to the common room. You might feel a bit more at home." Helping the blonde up, glad he was almost the same height. The veela stood stock still until Blaise led it out, by the claws, which terrified Blaise.

"They will not harm you." The veela's deep voice said calmly, "Only when I wish harm will they do so." And Blaise relaxed. He led the creature back to the common room. People veered away, and a few kids almost whimpered seeing the Pure-blooded Slytherin prince with charcoal eyes. Blaise looked at its face and saw how blotchy it was and stopped.

"Are you crying…?" He asked attentively, as the veela instantly ripped away.

"I am not and have never done such a ridiculous thing-" Hiding its face, as the tears came harsher, "What is this leaking from my eyes-" It snarled harshly, wiping its face over and over, before finally giving in and hitting the wall, sliding down it, just completely coming undone. Blaise stared, eyes wide and concerned. Veela's were known for their solid emotions, nothing behind able to shatter their hard exteriors. This veela…. Was having a breakdown in the middle of the hall.

"I don't do emotions… dude…." Blaise said quietly, squatting down in front of it. "But I do know you aren't ok…."

The veela said nothing, just quietly trying to hide the heavy sobs.

A few feet down the hall, a bushy brunette was walking, her head down, her feet moving quickly, rushing down towards the library, but stopped. Hermione raised her head, seeing the situation ahead of her, and went to back up, until she heard the boy on the ground just… Sobbing. Pure heart wrenching sobs. She slowly moved closer, and her own heart wrenched. The platinum blonde, pale skin, those…Black…Eyes? She stared, as the veela sobbed, and she recognised Blaise easily. Hermione started to come closer, now listening.

"Please, just get up…We can go to the common room." Blaise was begging the creature.

"No use, young wizard." The voice she had grown to be comfortable with… Speaking sounding broken, "Nobody here apart from very few even cares of my existence. The one I care for despises my life now. Nobody believes my word apart from you."

Blaise was still begging but then Hermione tried to back away.

"Do not leave now having heard as much as you have." The veela spoke very loudly, and she knew it was aimed at her. "You have seen this now."

Hermione stood frozen on the spot, now having been addressed by the murderous creature itself. Blaise's head swivelled and his eyes stared at her.

"Granger…." Quickly getting up and walking over, and-

The veela snarled, "Let her go, Zabini…."

Blaise quickly backed off, "It was friendly. It was friendly…." Assuring the blonde.

The veela's eyes then turned and focused right onto Hermione's soft brown ones and she was captivated. Swirling charcoal that made her insides swirl with it, her head spinning…. He wasn't dangerous at all… Maybe the veela was but he wasn't…. The creature smiled and she melted. She couldn't tear her eyes away, slowly feeling her feet move her closer, until she was bending her knees, and kneeling in front of it. Its eyes never blinked, as she leaned forwards, staring into them, her expression one of curiosity, and then it whispered something to her.

"Let me show you…." Its left claw reaching up and caressing her cheek, and her vision darkened, before fading to nothing. Astounded by the idea of still being able to think, she then saw a vision emerging in her line of sight. She was walking in Draco's shoes, in his memory.

As this happened, Blaise watched the veela touch her cheek and then her eyes slid shut, her body slowly sinking against his chest. The veela then closed its own eyes, touching her head, implanting Draco's memory. Blaise continued to watch, his eyes locked on the blonde.

Hermione watched the memory of him finding the girl in the forest as it then roused her. The veela looked up at Blaise.

"She needs to know…."

But then he said sharply, "Why did you do that…? If she doesn't believe you, she's going to be even more terrified of you-" but he got cut off by a gentle feminine voice.

"I'm not terrified of you…." She whispered, looking up into the creature's eyes. The veela stared down at her, and recomposed its emotions, looking more solid and pristine.

"That is good…" Pulling its claw back and realising it was just collapsed against the wall on the floor, very unflattering, with his mate just lousily draped over its chest. For some odd reason, in any other situation, the creature would be upset but right now…? It didn't care.

Her voice sounded again, pulling the veela from its thoughts, "He's going to be mad…When you wake him up." And nobody had to ask who 'he' was, all knowing how angry Draco would be, when woken. The veela just simply nodded.

"I know…Which is why Zabini here is taking me to the common room, as we do not have a Draco rampage in the hallway…I unfortunately and uncharacteristically lost control of my emotions here."

Hermione stared into its eyes again, "You told the truth… Every bit of it…. And I… I shoved you away… I called you such horrid names…." But the veela started to push her up off its chest, and she obliged, not wanting to hurt, or upset it anymore. The creature got up, and stood there for a moment, looking at her.

Hermione bit her lip, thinking, her thoughts mirrored on the creature's own face, before it reached out, and pulled her close, a heavy breath being exhaled. It buried its face into her hair, its hands tightly squeezing her hips that it held so tenderly.

"Never letting you go again, understand that?" Its deep voice, gaining back the gravelly and whimsical sound, and Hermione slowly looked up, wondering what had led her to this moment. Everything that had happened with the war…... The deaths and battles…. wondering what had led this boy to this place as well. Hermione just… Stood there.

She then wrapped her hands around the collar of its shirt, and drew it closer, almost the closest they had been, their noses inches apart, "And I'm not going to let you go…. Did I promise you time to get to know me…?"

The creature almost smiled; the moment broken when a small cough came from behind them.

"So sorry to disrupt this…moment…" Blaise spoke, "But I do recommend you both to not stand here in the middle of the hallway. You-" staring at the veela, "Were strictly warned by McGonagall to try and steer clear of getting in the limelight."

Hermione backed off from the creature and stood between the two boys, and looked at Blaise, "Nobody is in the head's dorms. I charmed it after what happened so me and Draco are the only two who can enter unless people are with us. If that helps…."

Blaise smiled, 'That's brilliant Granger. Seriously. Draco-"

He looked up at the veela, who was already nodding, "Get us there. I will let him go when we are not in a public place." Nodding again, and Blaise looked at Hermione. 

"Lead on, Granger." Tugging the veela a bit after Hermione, the trio moving at a very fast pace, as Blaise nudged the veela.

"Head down, avoid eye contact. Remember your eyes change when it's you or Draco in the consciousness? Black eyes won't help his cause, alright?" Blaise hissed and the annoyed veela growled but did as he was warned, surprisingly not arguing.

Hermione knocked on the door in a series of knocks, that the veela smiled slightly, knowing it would take Draco forever to remember it. The three walked inside, and Hermione motioned to the couch.

"I'll… I'll uh get some tea." Walking quickly into the kitchen. She stood at the stove for a while, staring down at the eye as she clicked it on, a small flame being produced. She didn't like this. This creature.

Hermione closed her eyes as she filled the kettle with water, feeling a bit of purity doing the process the muggle way, setting the pot on the stove eye, giving her about seven minutes to think in silence. This creature sitting feet away from her in the living room, was the accused murderer of multiple young children here at Hogwarts, but it claims to have not done a thing. The only admission was that Draco and the veela weren't guilty, but as nobody witnessed the deaths as they knew, nobody knew. And she was just taking this veela's word for it? She stared at the flames licking the undersides of the pot, thinking.

She studied the stove, imagining Draco, and seeing herself as the kettle. She stared longer, and her expression grew soft, imagining the soft flames being emitted from the stove as Draco's veela. Maybe this situation was alike to the pot. The stove sat there forever, knowing its many uses, but one was to heat a kettle for tea. Alike to this, Draco had many jobs and possible women…. But he had come to her and pushed others away. She was the kettle, constantly being used through her life but then has that one primal time that it is needed, to heat the tea, to heat the water, to help the most important thing. Alike to her. Always being beside Harry, helping at every chance she could. And then she had found Draco. She had come close to Draco in that compartment on the first day back to school. A ragged old and worn stove. One that needed love. Then she stared more into the flames. The flames were his veela. As Draco would be there, nobody would see the creature emerge, alike to an unused stove. No flames, no sign of any fire even being able to be produced. But then when the kettle comes near, flames burst to life, surrounding it, doing its job. And she smiled slightly. Nobody would know, but when she came near, the veela would do its job, and protect her. But then when she was gone, it would also be gone.

Hermione had gotten lost in thought, not noticing the whistle screaming. She only noticed when arms reached around her, and she became suddenly aware of a strong body and frame behind her, as hands worked and turned off the kettle, pushing it back. Her heart rate spike as she spun around, being caught by a swift palm, meeting black eyes, a calm expression.

"Wh-What…?" She asked quietly having realised the creature had spoken.

"I asked if you are alright. The kettle was crying for over a minute…." The veela spoke gently, concern wrapped in his voice.

She couldn't think, pressed to his chest, her hands spaled across his chest, his strong arm wrapped around her back, keeping her away from the burning eye that he had already turned off. She stared with wide eyes and wondered if she had ever felt so ridiculously fictional. Her hands splayed across a strong and irresistible man who had just snapped her out of her thoughts.

She said something quite ridiculous and flushed, "You're very sturdy…."

The veela cracked another slight smile, "I apologise. I seem to have startled you." But didn't move. She stared up, into its eyes, her tongue feeling tied. This creature was telling the truth. She knew it. Just knew it. Another slight smile and she melted.

"Stop that," she whispered, her thoughts not exactly working with her. Her heart was racing, her pulse spiked, as she was pulled closer, away from the eye on the stove which was now long forgotten.

The veela then gave her a calm smile, "Doing what exactly? Existing?"

She blinked, stunned. Sarcasm…? She blinked and looked back into its eyes, and she felt even more startled.

"D-Draco-?" Seeing silver looking back at her.

"Yes, Hermione?" Smiling even more, and Hermione melted more, her word stammering before she shut her mouth.

"N-Nothing…."

His free hand reached and pulled her not so frizzy hair around her shoulder, his skin brushing her neck, and her mouth opened and closed, being pulled upright now, standing so close she could feel his pulse and every breath, against her palms and brushing her forehead.

"Alright. I'll stop doing nothing." Smiling again, and she felt her pulse spike again when he let her go, and almost wondered if she might just faint on the spot, watching the blonde take a step forward and make her a cup of tea, and then push it into her palms, standing so close to her.

"Don't forget to breathe, it's quite a vital life skill." His breath brushing her nose, and then he was walking back out.

Hermione stood stock still, before letting out a shaky breath, her lips dry, heart thumping, her skin tingly, and she swallowed.

In fact, she squeezed the cup tighter, as the one and only Draco Malfoy had absolutely just flustered and suddenly made the Gryffindor Princess develop the biggest crush she had ever had on a person, in one singular simple act.

She slowly shook herself and swallowed again, numbly walking out of the kitchen. Blaise glanced at her, and his eyes surveyed her, then looked at Draco, who he knew was himself again from his less stiff posture, and more relaxed expression, but his eyes were locked on Hermione.

The girl walked and sat down, still numb in the legs, and Blaise glanced at Draco, "Was that needed?"

Draco opened his mouth to answer, surprised when Hermione spoke, "Yes. It was…. Just.... Just had a chat."

Draco's eyes were mischievous, "I need to talk more about that later…."

Blaise grimaced, "Merlin, you two- Know what…? It's late. It's nine o'clock. I'm going to bed. And…Draco? Behave. I'll be here in the morning. Granger? Fix the door to let me in." And he was getting up, leaving the room. Hermione got up, setting her tea down, and she did it instantly so she wouldn't forget, making changes to her wards, so Blaise would enter without trouble in the morning. She walked back into the common area, tilting her head when Draco was no longer there, but glanced up when she heard a door open, and she nodded, knowing he had gone up to his dorm. She blinked and looked down at her tea, and slowly sat in the sofa. She looked around her, and saw a book she had been reading. Fantastic Beasts…. She smiled faintly and picked it up, maybe hoping she might find some tips about veelas. She picked up her tea and sipped it, scanning through the book. She found a few interesting facts that she took note of.

 I – Most veela's are reactive to their mate's emotions. It helps to warn if anything emotional may happen, or you may have a very clingy veela until it knows what is wrong

 2 – Easily calm an aggravated veela by saying words like 'disappointed' or 'expect much better' such as talking to a child

 3 – Sexual desires, although may be extreme, are not as common as believed. Kisses here or there and physical contact will suffice for an antsy or nervous veela, not just sexual activity, although most believe this is not true.

 4 – These are nervous creatures. Although being calm and unemotional is their goal, they care, and will show it, if necessary, just for your sake, I pray they do not. These creatures will get overwhelming.

She was about to take another note, but almost jumped out of her skin at the sound of his voice, "Must you take my book…?"

Hermione looked up, finding the boy in front of her, having not heard a single footstep, and she snapped back, "Must you move as if in a war??"

Draco smirked, a warm sensation. "Touche." Folding his arms.

Hermione sat her book down, watching him lounge out on the couch, sighing, "Are you… Content now?" Her voice timid, nervous to ask. He stared up at the ceiling.

"With you here? Yes…. Internally…? No, not at all…. Maybe I am content to be around you, but…I am not happy at all about being a possible murder suspect…"

Hermione sighed and finished off her tea, which had been quite delicious, and walked over to him, standing over the relaxed looking boy.

"Well, I regret to inform you that being one of few acclaimed death eaters, people think you are guilty…." Reaching down as she stood there. Hermione then huffed and she promptly pulled her leg up, turning and she sat down, legs either side of him, sitting directly over his waist. His eyes moved from their distracted stare right to her. She just smiled at him and placed her hands in his.

"I read something in your book-"

"MMm oh yes of course my book-"

"Hush. I read that it might help you become calmer and be more at ease with less restraint and more physical touch." Hermione explained.

His smile became lazy, "Oh yes I feel perfectly at ease."

She smiled at him, not lazy, but calm and gentle, "So I decided: What's gonna hurt from a bit of a snuggle?"

Hermione could almost compare the way his face lit up to the first time you turned on the Christmas tree lights at the beginning of the holiday. She chuckled slightly, once again seeing her comparison of the stove at work. A slither of black was in his eyes, and this time, she didn't care, and actually felt safer. The veela would never allow harm to come upon her. Hermione slowly sank down against his chest, moving around a good amount, causing a stern- "oi, sit still-" but she finally got comfortable, her right hand wrapping under his back. She pressed her head right under his chin, her face close to the side of the couch, feeling more comfort and getting the feeling of a massive warm hug. She slid her eyes closed, feeling his arm wrap around her and his own body relax.

"I know your worried and upset…But try and sleep tonight…." The brunette mumbled, and she got a sleepy grunt, which just gave her more comfort. Sleep was coming all too easy tonight, and she somewhat prayed that soon, at some point, sleep would never be an issue again for either of them.

The head's dormitory had numerous windows placed in the ceiling, light slowly crawling across the floor as the sun rose and the morning became day. Two figures lazily draped on one of the sofas, sleeping soundly, arms around each other's, hands clasped in the others, one's head buried under the other's chin. A truly happy couple. Both sound asleep at the comfort of having the other near them.

A rapping sounded at the door, before it flew open, and closed, and a wizard walked in, yelling out, "RISE AND SHINE KIDS!!!" surprised when nobody reacted.

Blaise walked further into the dorm and slowed to a stop. His eyes found the two sleeping deeply on the couch. His eyes softened and he smiled, watching every breath out Draco gave, blew a small part of Hermione's hair up off his mouth before it settled again. He studied the girl and boy, seeing how relaxed they were, and gritted his teeth.

He drew closer, and reached out, but a hand caught his wrist before he even could come close to shaking Hermione. He looked down at Draco's pale hand gripping him in a deadly grip, and he knew what it was.

"Alright, you veela… Chill…" His voice barely a whisper.

The creature never opened an eye or moved a muscle other than its mouth, "Back away. She wakes when she wakes." And that was the only vocal exchange they had.

Blaise backed off, walking to the kitchen. He was mildly impressed with the veela's ability to determine where he was, who he was, and what he was doing. Even if it ruined his ability to wake Hermione to make Draco breakfast. He set the kettle onto the stove and a frying pan, pulling out his wand. He had many muggle skills, but he would not classify muggle cooking as a strong suit. He could survive and use a toaster and a microwave, but Merlin forbid, he was told how to use a stove more than to make tea. He had really tried but it had ended with many burnt steaks. If steaks are harmed, then you do not continue. So, Blaise decided a wand could suffice for food for now.

He made sure to silence the kettle, so it wouldn't start screaming. He just kept an eye on it to make sure he could see when the steam appeared to signal that the drink was finished.

He then used his wand to start cooking some eggs. He let himself get distracted from the news he was bearing. He leaned against the counter on the other end of the room, closing his eyes for a moment, waiting for one of the eggs to need to be flipped.

Another killing. This time a third year Hufflepuff boy. McGonagall had told him that she may have thought it was a female killer, but now… A boy had been killed. Whatever this creature was had no specifics. It wasn't just killing second years. As it was a second year, a third year, AND fifth year. It couldn't be a prejudiced Slytherin, as a Slytherin had just been killed. Couldn't be a crazed Hufflepuff, this boy is now dead…. Not a psycho Gryffindor, poor Collin Creevey's family…He opened his eyes again, seeing steam emerging from the silent kettle. He walked over, flicking up the lid and making three warm teas. He stared at[CD1] the hot steaming liquid for a moment, his eyes widening. No Ravenclaw killings yet….

He flipped the eggs absentmindedly, as he pondered suspects, but then…There barely were any. Ravenclaw barely had any returning students.

Blaise finished the teas and cast a heating charm, making sure they didn't cool. He went to the eggs, conjuring a couple of plates, and filling them with delicious looking eggs, and other little things he could think of. Sausage and bacon, although he personally never liked bacon. He set a few forks and knives out, glancing back at the two sleeping heads, and smiled again.

He studied Draco, wondering how he felt about all of this…. But he sighed. His friend had always needed someone, and Blaise couldn't provide everything he needed, but it seemed this girl, Hermione Granger, was going to at some point be capable of every single one of his small little unnecessary needs. 

 Blaise walked back into the living room with his tea, and he picked up a random book that had been set down and waited for the duo to wake up finally.

He was lucky, as only about ten minutes passed, before Hermione suddenly woke, raising her head, blinking a few times and taking a very deep breath. Blaise glanced at her face from over the book and couldn't help but smile. That girl was out of it. She moved her hand from Draco's, reaching and planting on his chest, shaking her head, yawning. Draco had raised his head and was looking up at her, also smiling slightly.

"Hermione, dear, Hermione?" Throwing in a nickname to see how awake she was, and Draco chuckled slightly when all she did was look at him. He reached out and pulled her head back down to his chest, making her groan and cuddle up to his chest. He smiled at Blaise.

"Never thought that preppy little Granger wouldn't be a morning person." Blaise teased slightly, getting a rude hand gesture from Hermione of which Draco tenderly pushed down and grinned again, holding the hand she had done so with.

"Don't be rude…" He cooed into her ear, getting another sleepy mumble.

He looked at Blaise and shrugged, a light but noticeable movement, "I guess not. But most people would pin me to not be a morning person. It just depends on the day, and if I want to be awake." Smiling slightly.

Draco scooted back a bit, so he was sitting up slightly, watching Hermione crawl forwards and snuggled back up against his chest, and he felt a sense of care over her.

Draco just placed his palm on her head, his fingers gently rubbing and tangling in her hair, making him smile more.

Blaise rolled his eyes, "You re such a moron…... A ninny, you know that, right?"

Draco rolled his own eyes, mimicking him, before looking back down at Hermione, "Who cares?"

Hermione's head slowly raised up and her drowsy expression was soft and warm, "Do you use cologne…?"

He looked down at her and smiled, subconsciously doing so, and he nodded, recalling the name and brand after a moment.

"I do. Why do you ask…?"

Hermione's voice was still soft and sleepy, "'cause…. You smell yummy."

His expression turned to confusion, "Yummy?"

Hermione nodded against his chest, "Mhm, very yummy."

Draco's lips twitched into a confused smile, wanting to laugh but not wanting to laugh at her, "And how would you describe someone smelling yummy?"

He felt her chest vibrate with a hum, as she thought, before speaking, "Well…. Your smell-"

"My smell…." He chuckled under his breath.

"-Is intoxicatingly attractive, and I could just kiss you all night long." She finished, and thank Merlin Draco had nothing in his mouth, as he would have just choked. As saying so, he did indeed choke back on air.

"Wh- What!?!?"

Hermione smiled a bit, her eyes not near as drowsy as before, "You heard me."

Draco looked up at Blaise, who was red in the face, not from blush, but from trying to not laugh. Draco gritted his teeth.

"You laugh and my fist is going to be your next meal…..." But Blaise snorted and burst into laughter, used to threats such as this, which carried absolutely no venom and were empty. That's when Draco broke and the heat rushed into his cheeks, ears, and the back of his pale neck.

He looked down at the girl in his arms, who glanced up. His eyes narrowed.

"You cheeky little-" He smirked when he saw that she was indeed now wide awake, and had been for a good few minutes, but she had only just said this stuff.

Hermione sat up, and he felt a sense of coldness, even though she was just scooting back into his arms, now sitting up as well. She tilted her head back to look at him.

"Your reaction was very amusing," she chuckled, her voice low, she was trying to make him blush and act a fool.

"Cut that out." He muttered, but her own cheeks blushed when she felt his hand brush the skin of her waist where her shirt had ridden up in her sleep.

"You cut that out…" Her eyes low, pupils staring through her lashes. Another gentle brush from his fingertips had her blushing as hard as himself, her blush much cuter, spreading over her cheek bones and the tip of her nose, the crimson spilling into her ower cheeks and the base of her neck, her ears also going red.

Draco stared down at this girl, letting his hand wander a bit, wondering just how red this witch could go…. Until-

"Oh my God, Draco, where the hell is your hand!?!?!?" A horrified voice snapped them both out the daze, and he yanked both hands back and into the air, Hermione jumping away from him, both teens scrambling, their blush growing from frisky behaviour to embarrassment.

Hermione's mouth opened and closed but she couldn't form words, Blaise was just glaring at Draco, before pointing to the kitchen.

"Behave like adults for ten seconds. Food's in there." And both teens quickly got up, rushing to get the food, feeling as if being scolded by their parents, the romantic moment long over now.

Draco walked in and grabbed the plate that was apparently his and a tea, almost running into Hermione. He tried to stammer out an apology but just flushed in annoyance at his inability to get words out. Hermione also stammered something on her own and grabbed his waist, moving him, before ducking under his plate and going to grab her own food, just as red.

Draco huffed in annoyance again and walked out the kitchen, sitting on the far end of the couch, his knees pulled close. Blaise stared at them, obvious confusion on his face as Hermione sat on the other end.

"You two…Are the most dramatic, weird, and cringy couple I have ever seen."

Hermione glared daggers at Blaise, "We aren't together…." But he didn't fail to hear a whispered 'yet' under her breath as she went back to her bacon. However, he did notice Draco's lack of enthusiasm for his food, and he watched for a while. Hermione finished her food and took the plate to the kitchen, and Blaise glanced away for a moment, but then Draco was up, his plate- empty??

"Draco-" but the boy walked away without a word.

Hermione came back out, glancing at Draco then at Blaise in confusion, before sitting down again. Draco walked out, his eyes boring holes into Blaise's, clearly telling him 'Not a word to Hermione'. So, he said nothing.

Blaise watched the two sit down and get comfortable, not touching, but closer than friends. He raised an eyebrow. Hermione huffed and scooted closer, leaning into Draco's side, her left hand finding his bare leg and resting there. Draco stared down at her, his expression strange, as if his veela's flat emotions and his own battered ones were trying to figure out what to feel. Hermione looked up at him.

"Just relax. I'm just touching your leg. Nothing more. Don't confuse yourself…" Her hand stroking a few times and he looked away, having already confused himself.

Blaise scrunched his nose, "This is going to give me a heart attack with all of this cringey lovey dove crap."

Hermione gave him a 'shut up' look before leaning back against the still stiff and unsure Draco.

"And he's going to give himself one if he doesn't learn to just relax and stop trying to make sense of everything. But who cares?" Her voice stern. She could tell something was up.

Blaise set the book down, and looked at Draco, "We need to talk." Looking at Hermione, "All of us."

He took a deep breath, "Another person got killed last night…"

"What house was she in…?" Hermione asked slowly, and Blaise's expression darkened.

"It was a he this time. A third year in Hufflepuff house."

Hermione turned defensive, "He was with me all night- Draco was asleep underneath me! He- "

"Granger." Blaise tried.

"Draco did nothing I swear to it- He never- "

"Granger." Blaise tried again, as Draco watched his anxious mate.

"I swear to it he hasn't gone anywhere and the veela was under control and- "

"GRANGER!" Blaise snapped, finally cutting the girl off, "NOBODY IS AFTER HIM."

He waited for her to calm slightly, "Nobody of importance believes it was him. However, students are less easily convinced otherwise. McGonagall said to keep your head low, class might be an issue, but we can still make it work. With a bit of Polyjuice."

However, both Draco and Hermione spoke at the same time, "It won't work." Neither seeming surprised that the other knew. Hermione tapped his leg, signifying for him to explain.

"It won't affect me. The veela would cancel out any of the magical properties. The most that would change would be my eye colour or maybe a slightly pigmented hair colour." He explained and Draco smiled, seeming proud of his knowledge.

Blaise sighed, "See your veela hates us, I swear."

Draco rolled his eyes as Blaise spoke, "Then I guess it's going to be one hell of an interesting day…. Because Draco, you can't miss class. If you're going to become an auror, you have to be in class, after missing most of everything in sixth year, its requirements."

And with that it was decided, the blonde had to attend classes, while half of the school believed he was a murderer and the other half believed he ought to be dead alongside his parents after the war. He pulled Hermione closer, looking at Blaise.

"That it will…" His voice lingering on fear, knowing, feeling the evil that lingered in the air, before anything had even started, a death, another one, over these three kids' heads.

 [CD1]This exact spot is 40k words