Because I Know

Light lost. Dark conquered.

"All hail the Dark Lord!" the vividness of the voices confirmed the situation.

Blinking my eyes, I pulled myself from the heavy stupor I was in. I winced as my arms ached and soon noticed that, Death Eaters were dragging my arms.

The light was blinding, wherever I was. Death Eaters who were exulting turned their attention towards me. An iota of revulsion crawled onto their lips and one of them spat, "Hurry and throw that prisoner into the dungeons, will you?"

"Yes, sir," the one grabbing my left arm responded.

Suddenly we were bathed in darkness. The air was putrid, smelt like rotten corpses. But it was empty, as if it were reserved for me. In one particular cell, I was dangling on my feeble feet, my wrists chained to the wall.

It was absurdly cold there and my clothes didn't help. In fact, I don't suppose they were considered clothes anymore.

Rags. Hogwarts' white blouse without sleeves, and the rotten black skirt. The badge was tore off by one of the Death Eaters who dragged me in, "You won't need that anymore since Hogwarts is in ashes."

Back in school, they called it the Gryffindor's impetuous courage. I stared at the Death Eaters guarding the dungeons, mustering as much reviles and hatred as I could in my eyes.

One of them got irritated, he came to my cell and all I felt was a voluminous fiery sensation. "Filthy bitch. That'll teach you how to behave politely!" he spat on my face.

"Really, Crabbe. Must you be so rude to a fellow schoolmate?" a masculine voice resonated in the empty dungeons. As he stepped into the scant light from the little window, "And not just any schoolmate, a Gryffindor."

I hissed at the sight of the silver blond hair, "Malfoy."

"Granger."

A mocking sneer galvanized in my hoarse voice, "What's with the holier-than-thou attitude among your own kind? Is violence too foul for a Malfoy?"

"Tssk tssk... your sarcasm still survived, Granger. I'm pleased to hear that."

"Get real, Malfoy. What is it that you want?"

"Nothing much, really. Something that only the know-it-all Granger can give me."

"If you still have questions on the uses of unicorn's horn essay, you can check the textbooks."

He laughed darkly. It wasn't the usual laugh he always gave after a prank or when he defeated Gryffindor in the previous Quidditch match. It was more... matured.

"Seriously, Granger. Aren't you aware of it?"

"My cognizance was insensated after one of your kind behaved rudely towards me, if you must know," I tilted my head to look at Crabbe. I didn't even recognice it was Crabbe, I don't recall that he was so thin and well-built.

Malfoy sighed and raised his wand, with a dark smirk on the corner of his lips. I saw his lips moved but couldn't hear what he was saying until a puissant green light flashed towards Crabbe and the latter fell dead on the floor.

"Now, Granger. What was that spell?" he leaned closer and held my chin firmly, forcing me to look into his eyes. He was like a school teacher asking a student an easy question.

I shook off his hand on my chin, "The Killer Curse, what do you think I am? A First Year student?" He ignored my question, tracing my face with his pale finger. I felt the tingling sensation as it travelled from the side of my eye to my throat, then right down to the cleavage.

I gasped, "Stop it, Malfoy. Just do what you came here for," I turned my head to the side, escaping the steel stare of his eyes.

"You were enjoying, weren't you, Mudblood?" he smirked.

Silence.

"Alright, since you insist. Tomorrow morning I'll have you as my wife."

"Tomorrow?" I turned to his direction, now leaning on the door of my cell, three feet away from me.

"Or you would rather I take you tonight?"

"Why?"

"Like I said, if you're anxious--"

"No. Why do you want me as your wife?"

He exhaled and came nearer, "Really, Granger. Don't tell me you don't know."

"Know what?"

"Know that I was watching you."

My eyes widened, "Watching me?"

"Why else would I be in your room during wee hours when the whole school is suppose to be sleeping? Do you recall, Granger?"

I searched my mind.

Yes. There was one morning when I woke up and felt someone's arms around me. Then a familiar scent tickled my neck, something like mint and firewhiskey. Carefully, I tried to turn around but the grip was firm and I can't possibly move without waking the one holding me. But the Dark Mark on the arm gave him away.

"Yes, I remember now."

"Happy?"

"Why should I be?"

"I thought that was what you always wanted."

"Shut up and go fuck Parkinson for all I care."

In an instant, his arm folded around my waist and pulled me to him. I felt his warm chest against mine as he whispered into my ear, "Because I know you've been doing the same thing."

I blushed.

"Because I know you're the one who watch me leave our shared common room. Because I know you're the one who watched me in the Great Hall. Because I know you were reluctant to get up when I was holding you that night."

"That doesn't mean anything, it's just an infatuation. Besides, you were playing on me, Malfoy."

"What gave you that idea?"

"Because I know you shag with half the population of girls in school."

"So... you were watching me."

"You said so yourself."

"Anyway, you will be mine forever."

"How would you know?"

"Because I know... that you still love me."

Eden is Burning #2

"Ugh... nevermind, I'll borrow Harry's," she gave up.

Before she left the corridor, she heard his voice, "Thought you wouldn't give up so easily, mudblood."

It was faint, very far away. She couldn't clearly hear what he was saying, but the word 'mudblood' was crystal clear in her ears.

"Fine," she told herself, "there are certain things I need not waste time on," and went straight to Potions.

Fortunately, she was just in time. Neville's face turned bright red when she sat down beside him, offering him her help throughout the lesson.

"Gee... thanks, Hermione. You know... you don't need to..." Neville stammered, still blushing.

She smiled politely, "Hey, what are friends for?"

Yes, a friend stop their friend from reducing the house's marks further, she thought to herself.

Silence shrouded the class abruptly as the Potions Master walked in. His glanced at all his students crisply and turned to the blackboard, writing down notes. He didn't notice the empty seat beside Crabbe and Goyle. Even if he did, he wouldn't question about it.

"Let's concentrate on the colour changing potions today. For your OWLS......"

She stole a glance at the Slytherins and noticed his absence. Did he lost his way? Questions after questions about him.

"Ms. Granger, will you tell us about the four uses of dragon's blood in this field?"

Oh Merlin, he'd better not be playing with Buckbeak.

"Ms. Granger?"

If he get's himself hurt, he'll surely blame it on me.

"Ms. Granger, can you answer--"

"That bastard!" she groaned.

The Slytherins snickered when they heard her strident protest. Some of the Gryffindors suppressed a soft chuckle.

But the Potions Master's face was stern.

"Yes, Ms. Granger. Can you answer that bastard?"

Red-faced, she stammered, "Oh err... colour changing potions... ingredients included... fluxweed and dragon's blood... and the spell... the combination--"

"100 points from Gryffindor!" his voice shook the classroom, "let that be a lesson for those who dislike that bastard."

She buried her face in her hands, feeling the blood gushing upwards to her cheeks and her head. Her cheeks were burning from embarassment as the Slytherins continued to make fun of 'that bastard' after class.

Usually, she was the first one to leave the class for the library. But today, she stayed until the last laughing Slytherin left. "I should perform the Killing Curse on myself," she whispered.

"I thought I should have the honour of doing that," a voice she hated called from behind her.

"Get lost, Malfoy."

"Why? Because I'm a bastard?" he asked, amusingly.

She took her books and headed for the door and gave him a rancorous glare when he stood in her way.

"Sod off, Malfoy."

"I will after my business here is done."

"What do you want?"

"Dumbledore wants both of us in his office, now."

"And why should I buy this story of yours?"

"Because of this," he presented her with a letter. She snatched it from his hand and read it.

He leaned against the door, arms folded, looking down the corridor.

Her jaw dropped, "I'm... promoted as... Head Girl?!" He shrugged, "Which means truce."

"Excuse me?"

"Truce, me and you."

"I beg your pardon, we never had a war. Well, animosity, if you have to put it this way. Besides, you're the one who's been bugging me ever since our First Year."

He nodded.

"Anyway, why did you proposed that?"

He showed her another letter, a one similar to hers. She gasped, covering her mouth with both her hands.

"Surprise, isn't it? We'll be sharing the same bloody room."

"What in Merlin's name... it's not like I'm going to hex you when you're sleeping. Wait, will you hex me when I'm sleeping?"

He rolled his eyes, "I don't need to. Considering the fact that you think I'm the most evil person to walk on earth, I could kill you here and now."

She flinched.

"Alright, back to business," he waved his hand and the door locked, the windows shut tight.

Staring at him, she paced a few feet backwards, "What are you doing, Malfoy?"

"Business," he walked towards her like a predator towards its prey.

Her back touched the cold stone wall and realised that she was cornered. He placed both his hands against the wall, touching her shoulders. Her heartbeat rate increased when she felt his chest.

Which do you prefer to happen?
	She struggles but he...
	She stood frozen and helpless and he...
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Eden is Burning #1

She blinked her eyes at the ray of sunlight.

Climbing out of bed, she reached to the nearby drawer for her robes. She flinched as the warm water touched her skin. "Now... where did Parvati put my shampoo..." her hands searched the row of body shampoos.

After dressing herself up, she picked up the timetable on her study table. "Damn... 4 periods of Potions today," she sighed.

Is there anything more dreadful than being stuck in Professor Snape's class, with those callow Slytherins? She started to groan, then she stopped.

"Snape will be using fluxweed today. Poor Neville, he's bound to melt his cauldron again. I guess I better pair up with him," she told herself whilst playing with her curls.

It only took her 3 minutes to reach the Great Hall. Dumbledore always gave her a warm smile every morning. This daily routine was not excluded today, except it was more of a grin than a smile.

She took out her parchment on Divination and started checking it. Engrossed in her own handwriting, she did not realise the pair of cold, grey eyes prying on her.

He was the early bird on the Slytherin table.

"Homework on the breakfast table... never underestimate a mudblood," he whispered to himself. "Never thought the mudblood could style her hair," he recalled how bushy and dry her hair was when they were both First Years.

He smirked, "Hmm... it seems Granger is more edible than Parkinson." He emptied his glass of pumpkin juice, "But she's still a mudblood, such a pity." He took his books and walked towards the exit.

"What's this... oh, Merlin! How could I make such a mistake?!" she erased the mistake and searched for her quill but found nothing. She searched the table and under it. A scant white object caught her eyes and she found her quill resting on the floor near the entrance.

Her hands reached out to grab it when suddenly a shiny black shoe stepped on it.

"Excuse me, could you..." she locked gaze with the owner of the shiny black shoe, "Malfoy?"

"Could I what, Granger?"

"Well... can you move your shiny black... I mean, move your leg? You stepped on my quill," her cheeks burned when she mentioned his shoe.

"And why should I do that?" amused by her flustered cheeks, he leaned down until their eyes were at the same level.

A slight tremor ran down her spine as she looked at his eyes. They were like sharp daggers that pierced through her, as if they were able to read her mind. She felt naked.

He raised an eyebrow when she did not reply, "Loss for words, Granger?"

Hauled back to reality, she shook her head, trying to denude the image of his eyes that were embedded in her head.

"You're not mesmerised, are you?" he smirked as he recalled how she stared at him.

"Of course not..." still blushing, her tongue gave no mercy, "I don't fancy ferrets, nor do I talk to ferrets."

She realised his brows furrowed and changed the subject crisply, "If you don't let me have my quill, we'll both be late for Potions. And you know what Snape does to late comers."

"Hmm... you've got a point here. Anyway, I have my reasons to be late," a smug appeared on his pale face.

"What reason?"

"I shall tell Snape that a mudblood was in my way."

She clenched her fists and scowled, "I'll hex you if I have the chance," she whispered under her breath.

"Hermione!! We've got to go now," someone called. As she turned around to the source of the voice, he grabbed the quill and walked out of the Great Hall on graceful steps.

"Hey!! My quill! Come back here, Malfoy!" she chased after him. His steps were swift even though he was walking nonchalantly.

"If you want it back, follow me," he called out and disappeared behind a corner.

She found herself at the verge of a long corridor. She walked towards where he disappeared to and saw a door.

Hermione should...
	follow Draco into the room and retrieve her quill
	stand outside the door and ask Draco to kindly return her quill
	forget about the quill and go to Potions
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Tainted Lace

The putrid ambience was worsen with the shower of rain. He was hauled out by an invisible hand. Suddenly, he was flung towards his right and he fell, landing on all fours.

Being the brazen fellow he had always been, he stood up crisply. He brushed off the dirt that were on his sleeves and turned around, facing the vista of the Dark Lake from the cliff.

She walked up to him, “Malfoy.”

He did not reply.

The both of them stood looking down at the Dark Lake. Under the moonlight, they could only feel the soft prod of raindrops on their skin. Raindrops intricated the surface of the Dark Lake, which made it seemed so ethereal like a dream yet vivid to the eyes.

“It would be bloody nice to sink in there. Imagine your soul travelling fathoms below from the surface of the world, far away from the noises and pollution,” he surpressed his usual smug. “Life is but a scant reverie if compared to death.”

“Stop being so morbid, Malfoy,” tears welled up in her eyes. “You’re being sentenced to DEATH!! The dementor’s kiss!! Bastard, can’t you be an ordinary person, just for once, before you die?!”

He turned his cold gaze towards her, “Malfoys are not ordinary people, Granger. Our emotions and feelings are unpredictable, especially to Mudbloods.”

Mudblood. She allowed that foul term to devour her, smother her, obliterate her. Since the beginning of time, that was her name, her identity to him. She swallowed back the tears that almost burst out from her eyes. She must not be feeble, not in front of him.

“You know, Harry and Ron died last year.”

“I knew. I saw their bodies.”

“They said they’ll come back.”

“Their souls, I assume.”

“No.”

Silence.

“Nothing returned. Nothing. If you’re gone too… I am left alone.”

Once more, silence filled in the gap between the two arch enemies. They still looked at the Dark Lake below, looking at the intricates that formed languidly. He held her hand. She flinched at the touch of his rough skin texture.

“Do you remember that time we were in the empty classroom?” he asked.

“When we were both Head Boy and Head Girl?” she inquired.

He nodded, “Our first time,” he smirked.

“Erm… yeah,” blushing, she replied.

At the sight of her flushed cheeks, he laughed. Not with sarcasm, not with malice. “I found it endearing whenever you blushed, including the time when we did it.”

She flustered when he turned to face her and carressed her cheeks. “You knew that I hate you.”

He planted a deep kiss on her lips. Savouring the texture and curls of her cinnamon hair with his hands. She put her arms around his neck as she took in the firewhisky sensation from his tongue. His hair was like soft silk in her hands and she was reluctant to let go.

Gingerly, he pushed her away and turned his back towards her. The dark shadows of the dementors surrounded him and soon, he was obliterated by the malicious shadows.

There were no shouts, no screams, no protests, not even a moan of distress. When the dementors floated away, he laid on the solid ground, cold and dead. A smile painted on his cold visage.

She did not cry. She knelt down beside his body and touched his eyes, his nose, his lips.

Dumbledore and the Minister shook their heads and left.

Before they took their fifth step, a puissant green light penetrated the surroundings. The Minister turned to check on Hermione but what met his eyes petrified him. Dumbledore continued his way back to the castle in the rain, “Tainted, tainted…”