Title: Souls Collide

Author: Luna

Feedback: Loved and appreciated…send it to ambersgrrl@yahoo.com

Archive: Full Moon Romper Room, Tainted Fiction, Forbidden Desires, and Luna’s Night Moves…anyone else, please just ask.

Fandom: Harry Potter

Rating: NC-17 (just to be on the safe side)

Type: Challenge Response

Pairings: Hermione/Draco

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and Warner Brothers Entertainment do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and/or Warner Brothers Entertainment. Nothing is being gained from this work of fiction.

Summary: Everything’s changing and nothing makes sense except her. He needs her more than he needs anything. Will she finally see just how perfect they are for one another or will she leave him languishing away in hell?

Author’s Note: Yes, it’s another Veela challenge fic and I’ve got to say that there are far too few of them out there! Seeing as it is it’s going to be slightly AU, or maybe more so. Okay, to be honest this is going to be completely AU. I’m going to be using these characters as I see fit. Not going to be going against their personalities too much but if you don’t like that PLEASE STOP READING NOW!!!

Anything else: I want to thank everyone who has been so patient with me waiting for this chapter. Hopefully future chapters will not be so long in coming; at least I hope they won’t. Your continued patience with me and by extension with this story is truly appreciated. Thank you so much!!!

One Other Thing: If you would like a personalized feedback response please be sure to leave your e-mail addy. I will be sure to thank you personally! After all you’ve taken the time to tell me your thoughts the least I can do is thank you properly. Thank you to everyone reading at AFF you guys rock!!!!

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Chapter Seven

Night pressed in upon the mullioned windowpanes casting the room in deep velvety violet. Steel gray orbs peered up at the unblinking stars hanging overhead. They seemed so cold and so distant as if nothing could move them into action tonight. Evening was usually the most calming part of his routine, a time when he could relax and unwind after a long stressful day.

The blond released a sigh retreating from the depressing sight outside. He returned to his little sanctuary before the room’s impressive marble fireplace. Sinking down into the plush chair he let his mind wander hoping to escape the thoughts that had plagued him all day.

Draco rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. He was so confused about the turn that his life had taken. Two weeks ago if someone had dared to insinuate that the Malfoys’ weren’t as pure as they claimed to be he would have hexed them into oblivion. Now that he knew the truth he couldn’t help but feel like the world’s biggest fool for believing the drivel that had poured from his father’s lips.

The young man wondered if Lucius had had the same feelings upon finding out that he was Veela. Knowing his father he had probably had a stronger reaction than Draco, himself, had. It had probably contributed to the idea of falling in with Lord Voldemort.

He couldn’t understand his father’s reasoning for that. The older Malfoy was a powerful and commanding wizard in his own right, yet he had chosen to follow a madman bent on genocide. It made no sense to the young man. It wasn’t like it was any concern now that the maniacal leader had fallen struck down by the famed Boy Who Lived.

Draco’s lip curled as he thought of the annoying bespectacled git that had foiled him at every turn whether it was on the Quidditch field or within the halls of Hogwarts. Thinking of Potter curiously brought to mind Hermione as well. He had never met anyone like the young woman. She had taken one look at him and dismissed him…him of all people!

The blond was used to the people in his world who had fawned over him eager to please him in hopes of getting into the Malfoy good graces. She seemed to see right through his spoiled veneer and judged him to be the bully that he was. It had been quite a shock to his system to find that someone didn’t want to be his friend, or at least pretend to be.

He was constantly surrounded by those that called him friend and seemed to only want to nod and agree with anything he said. The only ones that Draco considered friends were Vincent and Gregory, both of whom he’d known since they’d all been in nappies. He could admit, at least in his head, that he was jealous of Potter. The Boy Wonder’s friends truly cared about him worried for him and had stood shoulder to shoulder with him as he faced the heavy burden that life had placed on the other boy’s shoulders.

Draco knew that others thought he was a spoiled rich boy, but he was more than that. He was far more intelligent than he let others believe but like most boys his age he was lazy. He did the least amount of work that he could possibly get away with. That wasn’t to say that that he didn’t care about his academic career, just that he hadn’t put his full focus on school like some others he could name.

The young Malfoy scowled at the flickering flames dancing in the grate. He was trying not to dwell on this thing with Hermione, yet it seemed no matter how hard he tried that he couldn’t get her out of his mind. It was disconcerting really that she occupied so much of his thoughts lately.

Standing he stretched the kinks out of his back arms raised to release the tension gathered in his shoulders. Heaving a deep sigh he turned from the fire as it hadn’t offered the solace he had hoped it would. He stepped through the connecting door to his bathroom. Absently he shed his clothing thinking a shower might be just the thing to relieve strain he had been confronted with.

Turning Draco studied the alabaster skin looking for any signs of imperfection. He wasn’t normally a vain person but this summer had wrought so many changes on him that he couldn’t help but look for some indication of the changes that taken hold of him. Over the past several months he had gone from being five feet six to an impressive six feet one.

In a strange twist of fate he had noticed as he began to grow he developed what Muggles called “stretch marks.” They had been ugly red welt looking lines that he had been told would fade only with time. It had been enough to make Draco lock himself in his room vowing never to come out again. Only a brief visit from his parents had coaxed him out amongst the living once more.

Lucius had taken his son aside to find out what was troubling the boy so deeply. It had taken all the older Malfoy’s considerable willpower not to laugh at Draco’s petulant whine. He knew that if he had given in to the mirth his son would never again come to him should the boy ever really need something.

The pair had strolled along the grounds as the older wizard told his child a secret that would help alleviate the signs of his rapid growth. Draco’s silvery gray eyes were round as he stared up at as father as if he’d grown a second head. Lucius had been unable to stop the laughter then. He clasped his boy’s shoulder his fingers squeezing reassuringly. “Trust me Draco, it’ll work,” he promised his son.

That evening Lucius gave Draco a small jar that contained women’s vanishing and wrinkle cream. The young man looked up at his father dubiously. “Are you sure this is going to work,” the Malfoy heir asked.

“Word of honor,” The older Malfoy vowed seriously.

Draco removed the lid taking a tentative sniff and shrugging his shoulders. The smell wasn’t too bad actually quite pleasant. He trusted his father, he really did, but this was just too strange even for him. “This isn’t some kind of joke is it,” he questioned still not entirely sure his dad wasn’t trying to put one over on him.

A white blond brow rose in response as the corner of his mouth twitched. “You think you’re the only Malfoy who’s ever experienced this particular problem?”

“So did this particular…recipe come from your father then,” he asked and watched as Lucius’s face became shuttered. Draco could have kicked himself for the unwitting mention of the late Malfoy. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. His arm rose to reassure his father but he let it fall back to his side without touching the older man.

Lucius shook off the haunting memories. His blue eyes stared at his son the love and devotion shining in those eyes reminded him that he had done a much better job with Draco then his father had done for him. “You have nothing to apologize for son,” he told Draco reaching out slinging an arm around the boy’s shoulders.

Draco’s gray eyes glanced once more down at the small pot he held in his hands. “And you’re sure this will work?”

“Positive,” he answered. He leaned down and whispered, “I used it myself.” At his son’s shocked looked Lucius nodded his head. The corners of his son’s mouth were twitching as were his own and before too long the pair was laughing.

A cool draft on his nude body jerked him back to the present. Running his fingers through his shoulder length blond locks Draco wished for that time back. Even though it was only a few months old somehow it felt like a simpler time. Shaking his head at his own foolish thought he stepped into the shower. He let the nearly scalding water sluice over his body soothing the sore and tense muscles.

His absolutions were completed quickly. A sudden weariness had crept upon him. He wanted nothing more than to fall into bed. Grabbing the soft fluffy towel he wrapped it around his lean hips moving towards the mirror once more. One hand reached up to clear the steam off the mirror. He leaned over his counter removing his toothbrush and toothpaste. He’d never admit it to anyone else but he actually enjoyed the Muggle process of cleaning one’s teeth. It had the added bonus of leaving his mouth with a cleaner feeling than a simple dental cleansing charm did.

Stepping back into his room Draco opted for a pair of black silk pajama bottoms forgoing underwear in favor of getting to bed quicker. He threw the towel in the direction of the bathroom uncaring at this point of whether or not it actually made it. Crawling between the sheets he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Opening his eyes he was confronted again with those bright white orbs staring back at him uncaringly. The scent of rich fresh earth assaulted his senses. His brows drew together in confusion. He couldn’t understand how he’d gotten outside. A feminine giggle captured his attention. He looked around quickly trying to orient himself with the scenery. The young man wasn’t sure what was going on and didn’t want to give away the fact that he was conscious.

“Wake up now little dragon,” purred a seductive voice.

Draco guessed it belonged to the owner of the laugh. He caught a flash of gold in the corner of his peripheral vision. Turning his head he met a laughing amber gaze. The face was hidden in shadow but those eyes glowed in the pale light. The young man rolled into a crouch his haughty featured pulled into an annoyed scowl.

“Oh dragon, don’t be angry,” the voice said.

He had the distinct impression that the woman was pouting though how he could tell without really being able to see her face was anyone’s guess. He was really beginning to hate this. He didn’t feel threatened but there was an air of expectancy that hung heavy in the night. “Show yourself,” he demanded.

The figure across from him shook her head and it was only by watching those strangely glowing eyes that he was able to discern her answer. “You have to catch me dragon…that’s where it begins,” she answered cryptically.

A growl bubbled up in his throat shattering the still night. The girl laughed again and he sensed more than saw her turn and run. Something inside him came to life and like a shot he was off after her. The trees seemed to part for him as he gave chase. His vision didn’t seem to be hampered by the lack of light.

He was closing the distance between them. Her scent lingered in the air a curious combination of jasmine and fresh cut mint. Her hair flew out behind her like a glimmering curtain enticing and exciting him. He couldn't explain the curious feelings that roiled inside of himself but the closer he got to this enchanting woman the stronger it got.

The moon shone down upon them seeming to guide the duo towards an unknown destination. The light filtered through the branches as the spaces between the trees seemed to get wider and wider. They were rapidly approaching a clearing the woman's laughter floating back to him on the breeze.

Draco tried to call out a warning to her but it was too late. He watched in horrified fascination as she continued forward unaware of the tree roots protruding from the ground. She turned laughing eyes finding him in the dappled light of the moon. Every last bit of energy he possessed was put into catching the enchanting creature before she hit the ground.

Snatching her around the waist he twisted so that he took the fall instead of her. Golden eyes were wide with wonder the honeyed waves of her hair wafted around her face. He cursed the shadows that hid her from him. Somehow he knew that she would be lovely if only he could get an unobstructed view of her. She knelt down by his side brushing the tangled strands of platinum hair from his face.

He caught her wrist his face twisted with concern and anger. “What did you think you were doing,” he snapped.

Instead of being offended by his tone she smiled in response. Her free hand trailed along his jaw her fingers sliding into his hair to tease nape of his neck. A shaft of moonlight fell across her face exposing her to him for the first time.

Draco couldn't have been more surprised than if he had awoken and been told that Filch was now the headmaster of Hogwarts. There before him acting in a way that would have been unimaginable, except for in his wildest fevered fantasies, was none other than Hermione Granger.

The riotous mass that had been her hair time had tamed into waves that gently fell over her shoulders. Her honey colored eyes stared down at him some strange emotion swirling in their depths. Those lips, great Merlin, those lips tempted him beyond all reason. A perfect cupid bow with the lower lip slightly fuller tested his considerable willpower. “Hermione,” he breathed his voice low and ragged betraying just how close to losing it he really was. As if taunting him Hermione ran her tongue over that plump piece of flesh.

It was at that moment that he realized what she was wearing, or more to the point what she wasn't wearing. Gone were the baggy robes that hid a young witch's body. In its place was a comfortable flannel shirt the top buttons undone to reveal the tops of her creamy breasts to his hungry gaze. Her bare thighs begged for his attention.

Even in her innocent pose Draco found her irresistible. The urge to kiss her was so overwhelming that he didn't even think to check the action. Tugging on the wrist still trapped in his grip he pulled her down to him. Her deliciously soft curves molded to his hard frame as if made for him alone.

With a growl he captured her quivering lower lip suckling the piece of flesh that haunted him. Her fingers tightened in his hair as she pressed herself more firmly against him. He delved his tongue into the hot cavern of her mouth. Their tongues slipped and slid against each other.

Draco trailed hot kisses along her jaw to that secret spot that seemed to drive all the girls crazy. Hermione was no exception as she moaned and writhed against him with increasing frequency. He used lips, teeth, and tongue to tease the area wringing ever more intoxicating sounds from the girl atop him.

From somewhere deep inside him was the desire to mark her so that everyone would know whom she belonged to. The last thing he needed was for Potty or Weasel to get any strange ideas running around in their heads. Closing his lips over that patch of skin he drew the blood to the surface.

Hermione’s hips moved more frantically against his wringing a moan from the both. The passion between the two was spiraling out of control. Her fingers clutched his shoulders her short nail biting into his bared flesh. He pulled back to look at the enchanting creature in his arms. “Draco,” she screamed her entire body going rigid momentarily before slumping against him.

“Mine,” he whispered fiercely giving into the satisfaction that his body had demanded.

Jerking awake, gray eyes stared at the ceiling. It took him a moment to realize that it had only been a dream. Throwing back the covers he grimaced as he found his body had thought it was just as real as he had. He stormed into the connected bathroom stripping the now ruined pants from his body.

Great Merlin’s balls, if something doesn’t happen soon then he will be forced to take drastic measures he thought sourly. At that moment he wasn’t exactly sure what those measures would be but he meant it as surely as he knew he would draw another breath. The young man smirked at his reflection that was strangely silent. Hermione Granger had no idea just how determined Draco Malfoy could be in pursuit of something he wanted. Right now he wanted the Gryffindor princess more than he wanted to keep living and he would get her. After all Malfoys always got what they wanted…always!