A/N: So, the usual disclaimer goes here- don't own any of these characters, cause if I did, I wouldn't be writing this =]
This is my first 'official' post on so please review and tell me what you think? And sorry about the short chapter, the next one is much longer, I promise!
He watched her as she walked across the hall to her table, laughing with the Weaslette. He had always watched her – in contempt, in fascination, in lust and in admiration. Always watching, because he knew how his feelings would be received. But now it was all over. Draco had to approach her now. He couldn't let himself sit back, not now, not after the summer he had. Draco thought in fear and hatred of all that he had been witness to this summer. He had until Christmas hols to make the trio, to make her believe him. He needed their protection. He felt himself rising, moving toward her.
"Granger." He forced himself to say her last name. She turned, surprised and wary. He smirked.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Weasley spat, leaning across the table, mouth half-full. Draco narrowed his eyes in disgust and turned back toward Hermione. She looked even more surprised at his dismissal of her hot-tempered friend.
"I need to speak to you about something of great importance. After dinner, in the library. Feel free to bring Weasley and Potter. This involves all of you." Draco paused, allowing himself to take in the beauty of her eyes, focused solely on him, analytical.
"What – can you tell us what this has to do with?" Hermione's voice was quiet, and not devoid of suspicion. He was almost proud of her – even with her thirst for the knowledge he was offering her, she knew to hold back.
"I learned a lot this summer. And, of course, I know how eager you can get for new information." Not as cyptic or a subtle as he would have preferred, but Griffindors can require a more up-front approach. The taunt was just thrown in for fun.
"After dinner then." Hermione smiled softly, her warm eyes alight with curiosity. Draco had to mentally shake himself and look away. He had never before seen that much loved look directed at him. It filled him with longing, but he turned anyway, nodding at a shocked Weasley and a sullen Potter before turning to leave the Great Hall. He knew his house-mates would want to know what he was up to, and he had no desire to be interrogated by an irate Pansy. Slowly climbing the stairs to the library, Draco allowed himself a momentary smile – with any luck, his plans would start falling into place tonight.