Fascination|𝐴 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 (𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛 3, 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 1)

Chapter Twenty-Six | I Hate You, I Love You

I Hate You I Love You, by Gnash

   Hermione hurried to find Draco but it was no use. He was already gone, and that Blaise boy had followed not long after. Fear crept into the back of her mind and Hermione shuddered. She couldn't help but be scared for Draco. If he acted rashly, that boy was likely to curse him. She knew more than well that Draco was capable of defending himself but if he was blinded by his rage, he would be vulnerable. His anger was his biggest flaw. It caused him not to think straight, and if this boy was skilled in the ways of the Dark Arts, which Hermione knew very well he was, then he could use one of the Unforgivable Curses. Hermione tried not to fear the worst but if the boy had been willing to use the Cruciatus Curse on her, there wasn't much else he wouldn't be able to do.

Biting the inside of her cheek Hermione willed herself to calm down. Her aching body relaxed slightly at her command and some tension was released. Hermione sighed in relief but allowed her mind to wander. There were many terrible things that boy could do. Draco could be in danger and Hermione couldn't help but fear the worst. She had come to learn that there were many merciless witches and wizards in the Wizarding World. There was a time when she had believed Draco to be so, now knew now his true nature. There were some times when he would let his anger get away from him, and it frightened her how much he resembled his father in those times. Hermione hated to think such things, but Draco had a terrible temper, similar to Lucius Malfoy's. As much as Draco claimed to hate his father, Hermione knew he loved and respected Lucius a great deal, and was proud of him for that. She only hoped he didn't become like his father.

   Rounding a corner, Hermione sighed. The school year was almost over. They had two more months at Hogwarts then it would be summer break. As the days went by Hermione dreaded the day they had to go home. It wasn't that she didn't want to go home, she missed her parents terribly, but she wasn't certain how she and Draco were going to continue their relationship over the summer. Surely they wouldn't be able to see each other, or rather, wouldn't be allowed to see each other. Hermione cursed under her breath, feeling anger and hatred rise in her chest. They wouldn't be able to see each other because of Draco's parents, or rather, Draco's father. Lucius Malfoy would never allow them to continue seeing each other. He couldn't really control Draco's decisions at Hogwarts but once school was out Draco would be at his father's mercy.

That was another thing that bothered Hermione. If what that Blaise boy had said was true, Draco's summer was going to be a living hell. A real nightmare. Hermione felt a pang if guilt upon remembering the boy's words. Draco was going to receive beratings, lectures, and punishments even. Hermione bit her lip. She didn't want him to have to suffer because of her. She wasn't worth that. He shouldn't have to go through all that, Draco didn't deserve to be punished because of her. Hermione grit her teeth and closed her eyes, trying to push the thought from her mind. She tried to convince herself that it wasn't her fault but she couldn't continue to lie to herself. She couldn't believe the lie and she couldn't ask Draco to. Even though she knew he would without ever questioning it.

   Hermione rounded the corner and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Draco coming her way from the other end of the hall. She smiled as he approached her. "Oh thank Merlin your okay." She hurried up to him and threw her arms around his neck. Hermione sighed, pulling him into a hug. Overwhelming relief washed over her, even though he hadn't been in any real danger. The whole situation had been nerve racking regardless. Hermione rested her chin on his shoulder and noticed that he was very stiff. When she pulled away, Hermione slid her hands down and placed them on his shoulders. He looked down at her uncomfortably and Hermione tilted her head. "I was worried about you." She said slowly. Draco blinked and nodded absently.

When he realized that she was staring at him expectantly he blinked and nodded again. Hesitantly and almost... cautiously, he placed his hands on her waist and stared at her blankly. Hermione frowned. Draco seemed on edge and acted as if every touch was extremely awkward and uncomfortable. Trying to lighten the mood, Hermione smiled and let out a nervous laugh. "I was afraid you were going to get yourself into trouble." She watched for a reaction but Draco didn't seem to be listening. It was almost as if he were staring into space. Hesitantly, Hermione slid her hands from his shoulders and dropped them at her sides. Something was wrong. Draco wasn't acting like his usual self.