Author's note: This chapter will contain: abuse, swearing, and PG 13 content. Read at your own risk!
(Hermione's thoughts)
     As the sun comes up the next morning, almost blinding Hermione's eyes, she knows she'll hurt everywhere. With one muscle moved in her leg, a jolt of pain runs through her body, causing her to yelp out in pain.

     She stands up slowly, aching with every move, cursing at her stupidity last night. She decides to take a hot bath to relax her body, and to ease the pain. Once she feels up to trying to move again, she dresses slowly, grabbing her wand and exiting her dorm room. Today is the weekend, so she can do whatever she pleases, except anything Ron tells her not to do.

     She passes people as she heads to the main dining room, watching the floating candles bob up and down. She's not hungry, and that's a good thing. Ron doesn't want her to become fatter than she already is. As she spots her usual clique, her body tenses up, sitting down beside, already angry, Ron.

     "Hermione," Harry speaks up, taking another bite of his steak. "We were just talking about the dance next week."

     Hermione glances at Ron, waiting for an answer to leave his mouth. "Actually, Mud-'Mione'" Ron corrects himself quickly, continuing to look between Harry and Hermione. "And we were thinking about staying behind to spend some needed time together."

     Hermione nods in approval, afraid to disagree to his decision. She looks down, and glances to her right to see Malfoy staring at her cautiously. She quickly looks away, fiddling with the hem of her shirt in nervousness. Had he seen what happened?

_/_/_/

(Draco's thoughts)
     Why does Hermione look so worn out and stressed? Probably from reading and studying. Moreover, why do I care? Draco thinks. He watches her intently, noticing Weasley's hand reach under the table towards Hermione. Her eyes widen and she tenses up, making Malfoy curious. He pretends to drop his silverware he never uses, dropping below the table, looking over to where the couple sit.

     His body tenses up when he sees Weasley's hand on Hermione's private area. He jumps back up, hoping to create a diversion to stop the situation. "Attention, everyone!" The room becomes quiet, only shuffling to be heard. He sees Hermione and the others look over instantly through the corner of his eye. "I've decided to announce that I will not be playing this year's quiddich tournament." It was the truth, he wants to give others a chance to play the intense game. He was just going to wait to say something but it was the only thing he could think of in the spur of the moment.

     Murmurs can be heard throughout the room as he sits back down, cautiously glancing over to see if it worked. Weasley looks as if he's standing up to leave, and Draco sighs in relief until he sees her arm being tugged away from everyone, leaving Malfoy curious as ever. He gets up a few moments later, following the couple around like a spy. As soon as he rounds a corner, he hears Weasley yelling profanity words at Hermione, telling her to stay in her room tonight. He sees her nod as she's led to the Griffindor commons room. Draco spins on his heel, headed back towards the dining area. He ponders over what just happened, wondering why Weasley was being so harsh to Hermione.

     He stops where Harry and Ginny sit, leaning down to whispher over the table. "Why does Weasle head want H-Granger to stay in her room tonight?"

     Ginny speaks up first. "Why are you asking us, Malfoy? Why would you care, anyways? They're probably snogging it up as we speak."

     Draco wasn't convinced, but she was right; why does he care? He only nods at the two, headed to his dorm to change and shower for the dinner tonight.

_/_/_/

(Hermione's thoughts)
     "Why are you so stupid? Bloody hell! You're so ridiculous, you pig."

     Hermione gags on her own saliva, afraid to swallow. She decides not to speak, not wanting to upset him even more. She doesn't know what she's done but needn't ask any questions.

     He grabs her by her hair like last night but instead of making her do dirty things, he throws her fragile body into a wall, causing a painting to fall down and shatter on her head. The room gets dizzy as the glass cuts through her skin, leaving gashes throughout her body. She hears nothing more than her name.

     "FILTHY FUCKING MUDBLOOD!"

_/_/_/

(Draco's thoughts)
     As he leaves to head outside for a walk, Draco hears glass shattering in the distance. He follows the noise, nearing to the Griffindor rooms. All he hears is a voice yell, "FILTHY FUCKING MUDBLOOD!"

     Malfoy runs to the voice, but can't find which room it came from. He wants them to speak again but there's no luck. He gives up, heading to the dining room, waiting for the person to show up. Looks like the only people not here are Granger and Weasley, causing Draco's blood to boil. If he hurt her, I swear to god, he's dead.

     About twenty minutes in, Hermione walks through the doors in her robe with the hood up, walking to the other side of the room. She doesn't sit by Harry or Ginny, and she doesn't eat a thing. Weasley comes in after, looking anxious but furious. He spots Hermione, happy with her sitting choice. Malfoy grinds his teeth in anger, ready to pounce on him like a tiger. He waits, however, for Hermione to be alone. And finally she leaves by herself, Malfoy following pursuit.

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Second chapter up! I'm already starting on the third. Thanks for the votes and reads guys. :) Sorry they're kind of short, I just want to space things out a bit.

-Amber