Staring Contest

See you soon.

Those three, silent words had been plaguing her all morning.

Wasn't it enough that she'd basically defiled herself last night, without having to worry about the source of defilement coming up behind her and making her head swim with lecherous thoughts? Not that she was thinking about the way he'd kissed her, or the way he moaned when she'd bitten him, or how it felt when his tongue had....ok. So what if she was thinking about it? A lot. That wasn't really the point was it? Or maybe it was. The fact that she'd been thinking about him all morning made her feel dreadful. It was so unlike her. Hermione Granger was not some hormonal, sex-obsessed girl. Yet here she was, thinking about the way Malfoy had kissed her last night.

Of course, the way he kissed hadn't been all she'd been thinking about. She'd also been thinking about Ron and where she'd gone wrong in their brief relationship. She'd loved him for years.Years! And he'd felt the same, or at least, he had. Even though he'd said he still loved her, and while she believed it, she was scared that it wasn't enough. So now, on top of everything else, she had to deal with her bloody mixed emotions concerning the two infectious gits. Sometimes she wished she wasn't as smart as she was. Maybe then she wouldn't constantly weigh her options in her head. She felt like she was going mad.

She forced herself to think about something else, anything else as she headed for her next point. It was well after two and the castle was a bustle of activity. Reconstruction groups consisting of three witches or wizards of equal caliber, but different strengths, were scattered about, piecing together the school stone by stone. Hermione made her way up the stairs, Ginny and Luna in tow. They were assigned to reconstruct the Astronomy Tower next, and they wanted to get it done quickly. There was only a week or so left before classes started and no one wanted to be in the Astronomy Tower long.

Hermione sighed as she entered the tower.

"Are you sure you're alright, Hermione?" Ginny asked stepping in behind her. "You've been sighing all day."

It was true. All day Hermione had been sighing to herself and mumbling obscenities about Ron. She had also raised suspicions when she ducked and dodged down corridors, searching for blonde hair before proceeding anywhere. She didn't really want to see him if she could help it. It would only lead her down a path of confusion. But, so far so good. "I'm fine. Perfect actually." She answered, drawing her wand and getting straight to work. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well I mean, you haven't really talked about what happened this morning. Are you ok? You and Ron....I mean you guys kind of broke up."

"Yes, thank you for bringing that to my attention." She huffed curtly, pointing at a pile of rubble. "Wingardium Leviosa." The stones rose and she kept them suspended in midair before chanting, "Construo."

Ginny didn't say anything further, and she and Luna followed suit, lifting their wands before watching as the debris reconstructed itself. It took a long period time to put every piece back together, and the whole tower was a sodding mess. When the room was finished a quick reparo spell would set all objects inside right again, but it would take at least the rest of the day to complete the task of stitching the architecture back together with just the three of them. It took a lot of concentration and only so many of them could actually preform the right spells to do it.

"So..." Ginny must have been tired of the thickening silence that had descended on the room. She obviously had no intentions of leaving Hermione alone either. She knew, better than anyone, how Hermione kept everything she felt in and everyone else out.

Hermione shifted her eyes but kept focused on her task. "So?"

"Last night. You weren't kidding. You really did get drunk because of Ron."

"Yes, I already said that. Though I'll admit it wasn't the best decision of my life." She thought of her laughing in the hall with Malfoy. It wasn't exactly her worst either.

"You didn't do anything with Blaise did you?"

Where the hell did that come from? Her mouth dropped, all thoughts of Malfoy vanishing. "What?"

"I mean, this morning I know I joked around about it, but really Hermione, it was kind of worrisome."

"Worrisome? Hah! Ginny, I assure you, nothing happened between Blaise and I. I just needed to talk to someone and he let me talk."

"Well, you could have talked to me." Hermione raised her brow and Ginny huffed, "Ok, maybe not. But if all you did was talk, then why the hell was Malfoy staring at you this morning like he was in on a big effing secret?"

Wow. Why did he always worm his way into conversations he had no business being in? "What does Malfoy have to do with anything?"

"Well, he does share Zabini's room doesn't he? If something happened Malfoy would know about it by now."

"Nothing happened!" She half shouted. The rocks she was lifting crumbled down by her feet. "If it had, I would've told you." That's a lie. "Ron. Ron is, we are, having issues and I vented about them. End of story. Now if you'd be so kind as to not bring it up again, I'd really appreciate it."

Ginny's face fell. "I'm sorry. I just..."

"Wanted to help?" Luna offered from next to them.

Ginny nodded, looking appreciative at the mystical looking girl, who had up until this point remained silent.

"I know you worry, Ginny. But when it comes to your brother...oh, how can I explain it? I'm just hurt right now, ok? And it's something I have to deal with on my own."

"You shouldn't have to deal with it alone."

"But I will. Because you're his sister, and Harry's his best mate. Any other time I would go to you, but this is something you can't really help me with. You can't fix Ron, Ginny. He's made up his mind. He wants space. And really...maybe I do too. I'm still in love with him. I can't imagine my life without him, but if I'm not making him happy..." She fought the tears that were already making their presence known by blurring her vision.

The girls were silent for a moment, trying to think of something to say before Luna looked off into space. "The nargles seem to be acting up again."

Giggles erupted between the two girls and Luna smiled, seemingly pleased with herself that she'd broke the tension between her two friends. Hermione sighed. It was good to have friends when you were having a rough time. She was glad she had Ginny and Luna to keep her company today. If it wasn't for them, she'd probably be in the darkest corner of the library, her nose in a book while stressing herself out about Ron and wanting to kill herself for doing what she did with Malfoy. She decided maybe she liked living too much and settled with the thought of killing him instead. Yes. That would make everything better.

"Let's just get this done. I'm starving!" Ginny grinned, continuing her reconstruction spell.

"What is it about Weasley's and food?" Hermione laughed.

"Must be genetics or something." She shrugged.

"It's something all right. I still can't believe Ron ate that whole turkey last week."

Shit. There she goes, talking about Ron again. But it wasn't necessarily her fault. She loved the bloke. It was only natural that he was taking over her thoughts and memories. He'd been a permanent fixture, in most of her waking moments for the last seven years.

Ginny noticed the forlorn look on her face. "It's going to be alright, Hermione. I'm sure you'll get back together. You'll see."

"I hope you're right." She said, though she was beginning to feel like it was a good thing they broke up.

She gave her arm a light squeeze. "I'm always right."

"A little conceited aren't we, Weaslette?"

Hermione whirled around at the familiar cocky voice coming from the doorway. How long had he been standing there?

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Ginny asked, irked by his nickname of her.

"McGonagall sent our team to assist you." He let his eyes pass over the red head and roam over Hermione's figure. "It seems you were taking far too long," He drawled.

"You can't rush perfection." Hermione jabbed, refusing to let him get to her. Just because her body was reacting to his presence, didn't mean her brain had to.

"Fighting with the Gryffindor's already, Draco?" Blaise asked, stepping into the room followed closely by Theodore Nott.

"I'm actually a Ravenclaw." Luna chimed. Draco ignored the fact that she spoke, but Blaise gave a polite nod her way.

"Fighting? Why would I waste my breath?" Draco replied, making his way across the room. "It would only end up with someone running from the room in hysterics."

Hermione clenched her jaw. "Yeah, you."

The corners of his mouth turned downwards. "What was that, Granger?"

She was surprised about how much she wanted to fight with him. Maybe it was her frustration with him or the fact that as much as she wanted to deny it, he looked incredibly sexy in that white button up suit shirt and black slacks. No. She didn't just think he was sexy. She grit her teeth and hissed, "You heard me. Don't make me repeat myself."

"Do you talk to your dear Ronnikins like that?" He smirked, clearly trying to get under her skin. "Is that why he dumped you this morning?"

That was a low blow, even coming from him. She took a few haughty, strides forward. "You insolent little-!" She was reaching forward as if she was about to strangle him but he remained where he was, grinning like a mad man.

"Ladies, please." Blaise moved between them. "Let's just get our job done so we can go back to hating each other from across the Great Hall."

Ginny looked from Blaise to Hermione. She silently prayed that Ginny wouldn't open her mouth and ask him about last night. It would ruin everything. She didn't say a word and for that Hermione was grateful. Blaise gave her a look that she couldn't quite place like he was trying not to smile, and she couldn't stop her mind from wondering about what Ginny had said earlier. About Malfoy knowing if anything happened between her and Blaise. He'd said he wouldn't tell anyone, but then again, when had Malfoy ever been a man of his word? She really shouldn't trust the bloke just because he'd seen her naked.

"Fine." Hermione agreed. "Just, stay away from me, Malfoy." She hoped he would oblige. She couldn't stand being so close to him. She felt like everyone in the room would know what happened between them just by looking at her.

He looked as if he wanted to say something cunning, but thought better of it.

"What no snide remark?"

"You're not worth it." He replied, trying to suppress the grin that was threatening to spill onto his face.

"Just ignore him, Hermione," Ginny said, sticking her tongue out at the Slytherin, who just made a clicking noise with his tongue in response.

In normal circumstances, she would ignore him like she had for the last seven years. But these, were by no means, normal circumstances. In the last twenty-four hours she'd gotten yelled at by Ron, gotten drunk with Maloy, slept with Malfoy, lied to Ginny, nearly punched Ron when they officially ended their unofficial relationship, and now she was supposed to be fixing the Astronomy Tower; when all she wanted to do was hex the hell out of Malfoy for making her feel so out of place in her own skin.

She glared at him, wishing that he'd just give her a break. She needed time to sort out what she'd done. And having him here, so close to her, made her jittery. If it wasn't for his mockery of her, she would have most likely been silent when she saw him. Perhaps she would have tried to get away. She just didn't know how to react to him anymore. So, she supposed she was glad he was being his normal, smart arse self but it really did nothing to lighten her sour mood either.

She began working even harder to finish the tower. She had to get out of there. It was suffocating. Even though he was on the other side of the room, she felt like he was right up on her. Maybe it was her imagination, but she swore his eyes were burning right through her. She suddenly felt naked, as naked as she'd been this morning. And dirty...so very dirty. Like her blood had been to him.

She looked over her shoulder to see if she was just being paranoid. She wasn't. He was staring. Blatantly. He wasn't even trying to hide it. His arms were folded across his chest as he leaned against a wall, trademark smirk on his face. She wanted to melt into the floor but she couldn't let him know that he had this profound effect on her. So what did she do? She stared back. Long and hard. She'd show him that two could play at that game.

She kept her brown eyes fixed on his gray ones, neither breaking eye contact. She wondered if it was true what they said about a person's eyes reflecting their soul. If it was, she must need to be closer, because all she could see in Malfoy's steel eye's was amusement.

Blaise seemed to notice their staring match and nudged him. "Now's not the time for games, Draco."

"You're quite right. My apologies."

He turned from her and busied himself by moving a large amount of rubble and reconstructing it. It wasn't shocking that he'd actually do what he was supposed to. He had been an extremely smart, and cunning individual throughout the years. And if she remembered correctly, he'd gotten quite a few Outstandings in his O.W.L.S as well. No, what shocked her at the moment, was the fact that he reconstructed a whole wall without the use of his wand.

"How the hell did you do that?"

"What, Granger? Did you think Aunt Bella was teaching me about wakspurts and nargles last summer?" He grinned, looking briefly at Luna, whose eyes had lit up at the mention of wakspurts. "I've got a lot more where that came from."

She ignored the retort that about came out, and put all of her emotions into her work. How could he do such powerful magic without a wand? Sure he'd been trained in the Dark Arts, butConstruo was hardly a spell used for hexing or killing someone. He'd willed a whole wall to rebuild itself without uttering a word! If she'd known that, she probably would have been more cautious last night.

She was raising her own wall when she stole a quick glance at the blonde. He was still smirking; no doubt feeling like he bested her at something, which she refused to acknowledge.

That bloody bastard. She hated him! Just who the bloody hell did he think he was? God or something? Ugh! That sniveling, cocky, sexy, infuriating, git!

"Watch out!" A voice called out to her.

But it was too late, her concentration had broken and the wall was falling, straight toward her.

Draco had thought she'd be back with the Weasel by breakfast time but he'd been wrong. He'd watched the red head sit next to her, taking her hand in his. Draco had almost choked on his juice. He was touching her so casually. It was repulsing. He'd ignored the strange feeling inside him, turning his attention back to Blaise, and that's when he'd heard it.

It was Weasley speaking, trying to sound so innocent. "Alright. Why don't we just...I don't know, try to start over or something?"

"Just go back to being friends for a bit?" She asked, bitterly. Even he could hear the anger and hurt in her voice.

"Yeah. See where it takes us. We've both been kind of testy lately. I still love you. I want to be with you, but I think I need to sort my feelings out. We just need a breather."

So he'd finally gone and done it. He'd shoved the knife all the way in. He'd taken that moment to look at her, sure she'd had already been reduced to tears. She hadn't been. Instead, her eyes were already scanning over his body. When their eyes had locked, she turned away, obviously flustered that he'd caught her staring at him.

He couldn't help but smile at that. She hadn't cried when Weasel had said they needed a break. No. She hadn't cried. She'd looked at him. It was somewhat gratifying and added a boost to his now sufferable ego.

He'd studied her after that. Waiting for her to feel his heated gaze on her back. He wanted her to know he'd gladly be a substitution for the Weasel. Not as a lover of course, but as a sexual counterpart. She'd enjoyed their romp just as much as he had. She would admit it soon enough. He'd make her admit it.

When their eyes finally met again, he'd mouthed three little words that he'd hope would shake her.

See you soon.

He'd enjoyed her reaction immensely. Her face had gone bright red and she'd turned her back to him. That was fine. She'd be seeing him. He'd make sure of it.

It was only later that he realized his plans were working. He'd spotted her dart down the hall after looking around in alarm. She was wary of him, and with good cause. She now knew what kind of things he'd been capable of. He knew that, but he still found it highly amusing.

Hermione Granger, brave and loyal bookworm, ducking down corridors to hide from Draco Malfoy, the big bad wolf. This would be fun. It's just what he needed at the moment. A wonderful, dangerous game of cat and mouse.

When Professor McGonagall had told his team to join Grangers, he'd nearly jumped at the opportunity to see her, to mess with her head. Just like she'd messed with his when she'd kissed him last night.

But the moment Draco had entered the Astronomy Tower he'd felt the immense urge to turn tail and run. He hadn't been here since...... He didn't even want to think about it. But he couldn't stop the past from crashing down from the corners of his mind.

"Draco, Draco, you are not a killer." The weary, yet calm voice of his headmaster spoke softly to him.

He'd reacted so strongly then, scared and determined to commit the atrocious act. "How do you know?! You don't know what I'm capable of! You don't know what I've done!"

But the elderly wizard had known. He'd known all along it was him who had cursed poor Katie Bell, and almost killed Ron Weasley in an attempt to complete his mission. Dumbledore had seen right through him. He knew Draco hadn't wanted to kill. Hadn't wanted to see the light fade from someone's eyes at his own hands. He'd called him out on it.

"I don't think you will kill me, Draco. Killing is not nearly as easy as the innocent believe."

How true those words were. If he had known what he knew now, maybe that night would have been different.

"I haven't got any options!" His terrified voice rang out. "I've got to do it! He'll kill me! He'll kill my whole family!"

"I can help you, Draco."

He'd wanted to believe that. Really he had, but the Dark Lord had made it extremely clear that there was no time for fuck ups. He couldn't back down. "No. you can't. Nobody can." It was a fact, not an opinion. He knew fully well it was far too late for anyone to help him. "He told me to do it or he'll kill me, I've got no choice."

"I can. Come over to the right side Draco, we can hide you. I can send members of the Order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise. Come over to the right side, Draco...you are not a killer..."

At that moment in time, he hadn't been. He hadn't been a killer. He'd even thought for a moment about taking up the offer, but his fear rooted him to the spot, wand still pointing at the man's chest. "I got this far didn't I? They thought I'd die in the attempt, but I'm here." His voice shook and he felt like he was going to throw up. "You're in my power....I'm the one with the wand....you're at my mercy..."

Then the wizard's eyes had changed. They pitied him and made him feel like he'd never see the end of this nightmare. "No, Draco. It is my mercy, and not yours, that matters now."

After that, everything had changed. Death Eaters flooded the room and Snape took on the task that Draco himself, hadn't been able to stomach. To become a killer.

He found that his tongue had gone dry in his mouth. The memories of that night had tormented him over and over again. The night he was supposed to murder his headmaster in cold blood. His lunch was making its way back up his throat but he pushed it down. Now was not the time to be thinking about the past. He would have plenty of time for self-loathing later when he was lying in bed.

He heard the familiar voice of Ginny Weasley and it had thankfully brought him back to the present. He had a job to do. Firstly, to ensure the rebuild of the tower, secondly to get a bushy haired brunettes' knickers in a twist.

He'd only been there a few moments before his tongue got away from him. He'd insulted both Ginny and Hermione in three seconds flat and he was rather proud of himself. Seeing Hermione lose her cool over something he'd said was satisfying, to say the least. He'd already made up his mind that she was going to be his distraction. The question was, did she know it yet?

By their continued bantering back and forth he assumed she was well on her way to realizing it. He'd pushed her further by openly staring at her. She'd fought back of course like he knew she would. It wouldn't be fun otherwise. He needed her to be unsure of herself. That way, the next time they were together, he could use it to his advantage.

Last night's tryst had happened because she'd gotten him in his moment of weakness. Now it was his turn. He wasn't going to let her get away. He'd been with his fair share of girls his fifth year, but none had claimed his interest long. None had stuck in his mind like this. It was just a drunken romp, yet he'd been plagued by the images of her all morning. Granger, she was different. Bloody intoxicating. A temptress in disguise. Whether she knew she was or not, was another question entirely.

Knowing her, she wasn't aware of the effect she was having on him. Yesterday, if someone had told him that he would bed the muggle-born and be thinking about her non-stop afterward, he would have told them they were bloody mental. But he did wish someone would have seen this coming. It was a dangerous situation he was getting himself in. Mind games were enjoyable when you could control them but when your dick gets involved, the position changes. If he let himself get worked up now, he'd lose.

So he'd go the route of least contact. He'd stay a safe distance away. Maybe give her a dashing smile, an endearing look, but he wouldn't touch her. At least not yet. He'd save that for later.

For now, he'd give her something to be jealous about, and despise him for. He performed a nonverbal spell to piece together a rather large wall, and she'd turned from him, a scowl on her face. He loved it when she scowled like that.

Wait....now he was loving things about her? No. Love was not the right word. More like...crave....he craved her. He wanted to feel her soft body underneath him. He wanted to hear her moan his name as he ravished her. Yes. Love was not a word to describe what he felt for Granger. Nor was it hate. Hate was in the past. Indifference was what he'd felt until last night....or at least, that's what he was going to be telling himself. Lust was the feeling pooling in his gut right now, as he gazed at her. Pure, unadulterated, lust. If there was such a notion.

He'd been silently staring, keeping his thoughts to himself when he'd seen it. She'd shifted on one foot, head shaking as if she was yelling at someone in her head. Of course, he was egotistical, so he'd assumed he'd gotten under her skin and she was cursing his name in that pretty little head of hers. He would have laughed at the thought had he not seen the wall of stone tremble above her.

"Watch out!" The red head had shouted, as his legs moved without his consent, toward the crumbling wall.

He'd grabbed Granger, pulling her with him, out of range of the debris crashing around them. She had seemed utterly shocked and shaken when her eyes found their way to his. They had stared at each other a moment. This time, it was different than it had been before. They weren't just staring to get a rise out of each other. It was more like gazing, and it was unnerving. He had looked into her gentle brown eyes and seen reverence, and a bit of desire. It was all it took not to kiss her pink lips right then and there.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Weaslette asked, panic lacing her voice.

He'd quickly broken their odd exchange and helped her up. "You really should pay more attention to what you're doing with your wand." He'd told her and unable to stop himself added," And less time thinking about me."

He'd known his earlier assumptions were correct when she'd wrinkled her nose in disgust. He supposed he wouldn't be getting a thank you from her and moved out of the way for Weasley to check her over for nonexistent injuries.

He took this time to feel better about his act of heroics by comforting himself with his normal sarcasm. "I'm fine by the way. Not that any of you cared about my well-being. But-"

"Thanks, Malfoy." Ginny interrupted, quietly. "That could have ended badly."

He'd been speechless. "Well I couldn't just let it crush her, could I? Even if it was her own bloody fault for being incompetent. I'm not that heartless."

Blaise arched a brow and it just reminded him of this morning's conversation. He wasn't as heartless as he tried to seem. Blaise knew that Granger knew that. He didn't need the whole bloody school to know, but he couldn't say anything else as they all stared at each other.

Nott had relieved the palpable tension in the room, and they'd finished their assignment quickly, and silently, before going their separate ways. And as much as he'd wanted to see, and emotionally torment her, he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Instead of getting under her skin, as he had planned, she'd bloody went and gotten under his, whether she intended to or not.

She'll pay for that. He'd make damn sure of it.

Hermione couldn't believe it. Had Draco Malfoy really saved her? She hadn't even had the time to scream before he'd slammed into her, knocking her out of the way. She landed with a thud, her head banging against his chest as the stones crashed onto the floor where she'd just been standing. She'd looked up slowly, expecting to see him frowning at her, no doubt pissed off at having to save her pathetic mudblood life. She'd instead been shocked to see his face expressionless, his gray eyes staring right through her as if she were transparent. She felt like he was peeking into her mind, seeing her private thoughts. She shivered under that unmovable gaze.

"Hermione, are you alright!" Ginny's anxious voice called to her.

They broke eye contact and Draco had helped her to her feet. "Granger, you really should pay more attention to what you're doing with your wand," He said, leaning closer to her and whispering the next part low enough so only she could hear him. "And less time thinking about me."

Oh, how she wanted to kill him. And she was even going to say thank you. Well, he could bloody forget that now.

Ginny grabbed her friend. "Is anything broken?"

"No, nothing's broken." Hermione insisted. Ginny was always the one to fuss about injuries but it was understandable. She'd lost Fred. She wouldn't want to lose her best friend too.

"I'm fine by the way." Draco mused, giving Ginny a once over. "Not that any of you cared about my well-being. But-"

"Thanks, Malfoy," Ginny told him. "That could have ended badly."

He'd remained silent for a moment, probably because he was shocked that anyone would thank him, especially Ginny. Well, she wouldn't complain. That just meant she didn't have to thank him herself.

"Well I couldn't just let it crush her, could I? Even if it was her own bloody fault for being incompetent. I'm not that heartless."

Blaise had arched a brow at this while Hermione fidgeted uncomfortably.

Nott cleared his throat. "Well, since we now know that Granger is fine, and Draco isn't heartless, let's finish this up. It's almost done, and I for one would like to get the hell out of here."

No one bothered to protest, and they'd finished the job in silence. All the while, Hermione had thought about the look in his eyes as he'd held her. It hadn't been a glare, or a haughty, disdainful look. It had been panicked for a moment, and slightly wanting. His eyes, cold and clear, as ice on a lake, had looked straight through her, and into her soul. If he didn't know that she'd been thinking about him all day, he did now. And she figured it was only a matter of time before she ran into him again. But next time, she'd have to be prepared, because Draco Malfoy had a way of making her feel like a picture on display. And she didn't like it at all.