______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

- "Don't you laugh at me Malfoy." I didn't flinch as she hit me with her book, "I'm only asking because I am worried for you." -

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For some reason I forgot that the most common place to find Hermione Granger is in the library. I didn't even make it past the doorway without her noticing.

She approached me, visibly angry. In a hushed tone she berated, "Where were you last hour?"

Not wanting to create a scene, I shoved her into a corner of the library that was more private. I had pushed her so hard that she exclaimed, "Ow! Draco!"

I looked around to see if any was eavesdropping before I whispered to her, "I can't tell you that."

"What do you mean you can't tell me?" She was very upset.

"I just... can't," I said, "I mean if you figure it out that's a different story, but-"

She interrupted me, "What would happen if I did?"

My heart stopped beating. What did she know? Had I really given away everything already? My mask started to slip, but I forced it back on. I smirked at her, trying to hide the holes in my story and I could see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure me out. I chuckled, she had no idea how cute she was being.

"Don't you laugh at me Malfoy." I didn't flinch as she hit me with her book, "I'm only asking because I am worried for you."

A grateful smile was protruding from under my mask, but I couldn't show it to her. Professor Snape told me to keep her in the dark if I want her to remain alive. I decided to change the subject. I yanked the book she had just hit me with out of her arms and looked at it.

"Draco Malfoy you give that back right now!" she objected, but I didn't give in. I turned it over to see the cover, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. She was doing her research. I had to give it to her, she is very clever. As impressed with her intuitiveness as I was, I still couldn't have her peering into my business.

"What are you reading this for?" I spat at her.

"Research."

"For what Granger."

She grabbed the book out of my hands and hit me with it again, "That is none of your business Draco!" she cried.

Granger waited patiently for me to reveal where I had gone during Defense Against the Dark Arts class, but I didn't let in.

She sighed, hurt, "Fine, if you don't want my help, then I won't bother." She turned around quickly, her hair barely missing my face. Her statement sent a dagger through my stomach. Of course I wanted her help, but it would only endanger her further.

My words to Professor Snape echoed in my head, Something you wanted more than anything, but you knew you could never have. "I do want you Granger," I said under my breath, "I just can't have you."

I tore my eyes from her retreating figure and scoured the collection of books for one that could help me. As I expected, all the books that I would need are in the restricted section. Luckily for me, I was a prefect. I laughed internally at the contrast of my two roles. A prefect and a Death Eater.

Using my prefect ability, I entered the restricted section. Each book was identified as belonging in this part of the library by a single chain hanging from the spine. I let my fingers drag along the spines of the books as I walked, disrupting every chain. When I reached a shelf of the restricted section labeled, Infamous Curses, I paused.

I scanned the different titles of each book and one stood out to me; Artifacts of Darkest Desires. This is what I was looking for. I took the book off the shelf, tucking it under my arm. As I was about to leave I noticed another book in a nearby shelf, A History of Poisons, And How to Brew Them. Poison might be a good way to go as well. I took the book off the shelf.

As I left the library I made sure that Granger didn't see the titles of the books I was carrying. I placed them on Madam Pince's desk to put them under my name. She gave me a strange look as she assigned the titles to me, but I think she was too scared of angering my father to question me. After all, he did have a history of trying to fire Hogwarts teachers.

I caught Granger's eye as I left. There were tears welling up in her eyes. I broke contact with her and rushed out of the library, forcing myself to forget about the hurt I had regrettably caused her. I choked down a guilty sob, knowing that I didn't have time to waste on fixing my relationship with Granger. I had to do this. If I don't, I will die.