AN: As I'm sure you know by now, the characters and Hogwarts are not mine. I may have to increase the rating of this story for later chapters - just a warning.

It all started during prefect patrol. He asked me a question, one I thought was rude and didn't want to answer. It was, after all, none of his business whether I was a virgin or not.

"That's a yes, then."

"I never said that."

"You didn't answer me either."

"Fine."

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"Yes, Malfoy, you are."

"I knew it."

We walked in silence past several more rooms. Then…

"So, didn't the Weasel interest you in the end? Or wasn't he man enough to do it?"

"For your information, Lavender's his girlfriend, not me."

"So, he wasn't interested. Strange."

He must have noticed my quizzical look.

"Well, you're hardly the Giant Squid, are you? You must have heard people talking." Never was one to listen to idle gossip, me, so I shook my head.

"Malfoy, why on earth are you so interested in my sex life, or lack thereof?"

"Curiosity, I suppose."

I had no answer to that, so I simply didn't reply. Malfoy was acting very strangely, and this had to be the first civil conversation we'd ever had. Pity about the topic, but you can't have everything.

Just before we finished patrolling, we investigated some strange noises coming from a broom closet, and found two sixth years (one Slytherin, one Ravenclaw) engaged in… um, activities of a sexual nature. I'm pretty sure I was blushing, as Malfoy looked at me despairingly, telling the pair that they now had detention.

"For God's sake, Granger, it's natural. No need to get so embarrassed."

"Yes, it's natural, but is there really any need for them to do… that?"

"Don't wave your hands about, Granger, makes you look flustered. And if by "that" you mean oral sex, then yes, there was a need. A purely physical need. It feels good, put simply. Not that you'd know that, of course."

I turned to leave, angry and humiliated by his remarks. When he caught my arm and spun me back round to face him, I tried to slap him like I did in third year. Although I'm stronger now than I was then, so is he, and he seemed to be expecting it.

"Now, Granger, none of the violence. I was only going to say I could help you out with that, if you wanted."

Merlin help me but that was tempting. I'd had enough of feeling like a freak when the girls in the dorm started discussing stuff like this. But it was Malfoy offering, and no doubt he'd use it against me as much as he could.

"I'm hardly going to tell anyone about this, if that's what you're worried about."

I shook my head. The whole situation was too embarrassing for words, and I needed time to think. I must have spoken out loud, because Malfoy replied.

"You think entirely too much. Stop thinking and just feel."

His hands skimmed my back, and worked their way up to my shoulders, which were tense from carrying my bag around all day. The next thing I noticed was him massaging the tender muscles, and I jumped as he pressed a sore patch too hard.

"Are you always this tense, Granger?"

I shrugged, since starting Hogwarts, I'd never known any different. It was my own fault for carrying so many books all the time, I supposed. However, it felt so much better when he'd finished.

"So, have you decided?" Without waiting for a reply, he continued. "I'll be in the empty classroom on the Charms corridor if you agree. If you're not there by midnight, I'll assume the answer is no."

He strode off, and I watched him leave. What to do? Glancing at my muggle wristwatch, I saw that the time was 11.30pm. I had half an hour to decide. Half an hour to make a choice that could change my life. And for once, I had no idea what I should do.

Sinking down to the floor, I watched the minutes tick past. At 11.55, I'd finally decided, and left the deserted corridor where Malfoy left me.

…………………

The door creaked loudly as I pushed it open. I was half hoping Malfoy had left already, and half hoping he hadn't. It was gloomy and dark in there, and I couldn't see him until he moved.

"Didn't think you'd actually turn up. Well done, Granger, I'm impressed."

…………………

We didn't do an awful lot that night; it was late, we were tired and I had a problem with people getting too close to me – I still do. However, we did agree to meet again the next night, in the Room of Requirement. As prefects, we were allowed out late, although probably not to do this.

I eventually allowed him to hug me, though I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that this was Draco Malfoy, and I was "consorting with the enemy", as Ron would have put it.

As we were leaving, he pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine. I almost fainted! I'd been kissed before, but never like that. Before that night, I wouldn't even have considered that Malfoy could be gentle, but he definitely could.

"Tomorrow, Granger." And he left.

I should have expected the girls in the dorm to still be awake, but I didn't. I fended off all questions as to my whereabouts with "prefect duty", pulled the curtains round my bed and cast a silencing spell so that I could get to sleep. I wanted to be wide awake for tomorrow night's meeting with Malfoy.

AN: Look at the little blue button, all upset and forlorn. Click it, cheer it up. Leave a review.