In the Library

Draco was beginning to regret having instructed Granger to sleep more, study less, and put effort into her appearance. It had been two torturous months since those fateful moments on the train, and now his budding mate had really begun to bloom.

If she didn't stop it, Draco would be spending a good deal of time in Azkaban for mass homicide.

It was Sunday, so she was holed up in the library helping other sixth years study for the History of Magic test on the coming Tuesday. She wore a long, woolen uniform skirt with shiny black lace up boots. The grey of her skirt seemed set off the Gryffindor red of her turtleneck sweater.

The colors of her sweater, eyes, and lips all seemed to radiate behind his eyes. Draco had to fight himself from getting up, storming across the library, throwing her over his shoulder, and claiming her repeatedly in the Restricted Section.

"Oi, your claws are out," Blaise's voice slowly ambled into Draco's consciousness.

Draco looked down at his hands, which were clutching a closed book. By taking a few deep breaths, he was able to relax enough that his hands turned back to normal. Draco popped his neck and turned the book over to inspect the damage. There were eight little holes, four on either side where his claws had dug in. Some of the holes were moist with venom. Draco shook his head. Another sum of galleons to be removed from his vault to replace what this vile nonsense had needlessly destroyed.

"Found that dress yet?" Blaise asked nonchalantly. The amusement of watching his old friend fight against his chronic condition had waned, and Blaise now wanted Draco to claim the wench already so the brooding could stop. Blaise had discussed the matter delicately with their Head of House, who had confirmed that once the mate was claimed, the veela blood would be satisfied, and life would be back to normal. Blaise had not shared this information yet, but if he had to put up with this much longer, he wouldn't hold himself responsible for his actions.

"No," Draco growled. When he had arrived back to his dorm after meeting Granger in the bookstore, he went straight to his potions supply. Once he'd swallowed the new and finally effective suppressant potion and taken a long cold shower, Draco had begun to regret his promise to give her a dress. He'd spent the rest of weekend curled up in his bed, sick with regret. He was convinced that he was leading this lamb to slaughter. She didn't need a dress; she needed someone to keep him away from her.

But, he was trapped by it now. Draco wished he could go back to the Veela retreat in France. Looking at his mate was torture. He would not claim her if he could help it. Even if he stumbled through the preliminary rituals, if he could hold off on the actual claiming, she'd still be free. They'd both be free. Still, he'd found himself shopping for a dress at the previous Hogsmeade visit, knowing the whole time that anything he'd found there would be insufficient.

"You promised."

"Piss. Off." Draco watched as the study group surrounding Granger dissipated. A couple of blokes lingered, and Draco stood to walk to where only she could see him. Draco relaxed his mind so his pheromones would spread out. He was simultaneously disgusted and thrilled when she stood up straighter, her gaze immediately seeking his.

When she met his gaze, Draco scowled at her. His glare moved to each of the boys in turn and then back to her again. Granger blushed and muttered her excuses to the boys. She picked up a stack of books and began to walk towards Draco.

Once they were alone, Draco relieved Granger of her burden, setting the books on the nearest shelf. She stood there simply waiting for his next move. He circled her, inhaling the scent of her hair as he passed. It was spicy and sweet. Finally returning to his position in front of her, he forced himself to take a step back.

"Do you know that nearly every boy in this school has begun to notice you?" Draco queried, trying to keep any accusation as well as any pride out of his voice. He failed.

"But I am yours." Granger looked up, panic spreading across her face. "Have I done a bad thing?"

Draco looked her over. He could see her trying to think of anything she might have done to earn his ire, but she'd done nothing but follow his instructions. She was somehow prettier now than she had been moments ago.

It's the pheromones, you dolt! She could be a troll and you'd want her.

No! She's a witch who has every opportunity in front of her as long as you can keep your claws to yourself!

Draco shook his head trying to silence the battle that was waging inside of it.

"Listen, Granger, you've done a splendid job with everything, as usual."

"You like what I've done?" Granger asked, coyly dropping her chin and looking up at him with those deep brown eyes.

Draco narrowed his eyes at her. Did she just flirt with him? Warily, he turned his head and said, "Yes, very much. Too much. It is testing my control over the creature in me."

"You're not a creature!" Hermione demanded quietly, her voice more normal than usual when she was under the influence of his pheromones. She stepped towards him, longing to hold his hand and reassure him.

Draco dodged her hand and took another step back. Motioning for her to stop, he spoke softly, "I may not appear to be a creature at this time, but if you had seen me in the first days after I turned sixteen, you would know otherwise."

The look of compassion one Granger's face simultaneously drew Draco to her as it made his blood boil. He knew she couldn't understand the horrifying experience that had turned him into something to fear.

Once again, they stood there staring at each other for long, drawn-out moments. Finally, Draco took a step forward and gently ran his hand up her neck; he was delighted and horrified when she quivered under his touch. Finally, he cupped her head in his hands, grimacing as his claws extended.

"No more study groups," Draco commanded, feeling a cloud of pheromones build between them. "You will not study with any blokes who display even the slightest of interest in you. Is that clear?"

Hermione tilted her head up towards his face, exhaling unevenly. Her eyes were falling shut, her mouth was opening softly, and her face tilted up just so.... She was inviting him. It was all he could do not to notice how her thighs began to spread. "Answer me," he demanded slowly.

"Yes." Hermione's voice came out in low whisper, and she leaned her face into one of his hands.

"Good. Leave to your common room. Study until you are tired and then rest," Draco looked down at her face and touched her lower lip with his thumb. He was shocked when Hermione's eyes snapped open, and she moved her mouth to encase his thumb. Fortunately, Draco had a Seeker's reflexes and pulled his hand away before she could touch it.

Hermione pouted. She looked up at him with her mouth turned down and asked, "Don't you want my mouth on you?" She took half a step toward him.

Draco could see the hurt and anger fighting behind her eyes. "More than anything. However, we must not start what we will not finish. Go." Draco dismissed her by stepping back and dropping his arms to the side. He looked away, fighting the shiver that ran through his heated flesh when the cool castle air moved across his neck. Draco watched her turn slowly and then gather her things up to leave.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when Zabini clapped him on his back. The dark boy chuckled.

"Sod off," Draco grumbled looking around to see who was about before he adjusted his raging hard-on.

"I saw it all. You are unnecessarily punishing the both of you, you know. I know I wouldn't resist if a bird wanted to suck anything of mine."

"Well you wouldn't be bloody bonded for life to the cow would you?"

Zabini followed, ambling easily. "Stop being such a pillock and claim her; then you can both get on with your life."

"No."

"Drake, c'mon!"

"I said no." Draco turned and thunderously left the library.

Hermione ambled her way back to Gryffindor Tower. Dragging her fingers across the stone walls she enjoyed the fire coursing through her blood. He was so possessive of her. Draco Malfoy, a very handsome, intelligent, powerful, wealthy young wizard had eyes only for her. If it wasn't such a cherished secret, she'd rub Lavender Brown's nose in it. Well, maybe not. Lavender didn't mean to be such a cow, she just was. Still, Hermione couldn't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when the truth came out.

Hermione touched her face and neck where Draco had caressed her. It made her shiver. Finding herself in front of the portrait door to her dormitory, she schooled her features and said the password. She went straight to the sixth year girls' dorm, noticing the curious looks her friends were giving her as she passed. She rolled her eyes at herself; she just couldn't keep the ends of her lips from curling in a smug grin

Hermione dropped her bag by her bed and crawled into it, pulling the curtains tight. Her kitten, which had grown significantly in the last two months, was already curled in the centre of the bed. Hermione pulled her close and stroked the cat as she relived the few moments in the library with her mate before she got back to schoolwork.