For a treacherous moment Hermione contemplated what it would be like to say yes – to own somebody like Draco Malfoy, even if only temporarily. But how temporary it would be! Her blood status meant she would never be more than a fling to him, and she had a horrible feeling that if she gave in to Malfoy’s request, he would very quickly become more than a fling to her. That would be intolerable. To be cast off, to see him move on to other women... no, it could not possibly be borne. There was only one answer she could give, but she had to swallow before she could speak.