Hermione pretended not to feel the hot breath on the side of her neck. Hermione tried her hardest to ignore that hoarse but strong voice speaking into her ear. She stared blankly into the direct middle of her Prophet, hoping that he would just leave her, and walk away. Malfoy glanced around the hall quickly and sat down very close to Hermione, and leaned into her once more.
"I find it interesting you stayed behind today Granger. With this fantastic weather we're having and all." He gave a small laugh and leaned in even more closely. "Is that center-fold that interesting? I've seemed to have missed that particular section." He whispered into her ear. Hermione's face was becoming more and more increasingly red. Not to mention her entire body was feeling extremely hot. Then in the faint distance, the sound of voices seemed to fill the entire school. Draco got up slowly and headed towards the window, and took a peek out of it. The rain had become slightly harder, making a soft yet louder pitter-patter on the enormous windows. He glided swiftly back over to Hermione, but did not sit down, but instead leaned down as he had done previously. "I should be on my way, looks like the trip was cancelled. Pity really." He said taking in a whiff of her sweet strawberry scented hair, and was gone in a flash.
Within minutes of Malfoy's exit, Ron came skulking into the Hall, with Ginny and Harry following hand in hand behind him. Ron sat down next to Hermione and slammed his head on the table, splashing Hermione's over-filled milk glass.
"Ronald, is that necessary? And why are you sulking now?" Hermione said, somewhat pleased to see the familiarity of Ron sitting next to her.
"It's those two bloody love birds. They can't get enough of themselves." He said; mimicking what appeared to be Harry and Ginny.
"Come off it Ron, you're just jealous because you don't have it in you to ask a girl out!" Harry said joining them.
"Where'd Ginny run off to?" Hermione questioned Harry before the arguing started.
"She went upstairs to change, she got a bit wet on the ride back." He said with a devilish grin on his face.
"Oh." Hermione said wide eyed.
"Do you see what I'm talking about?! It's disgusting the two of them!" Ron said pointing his finger at Harry. Hermione however was not looking or for that matter paying attention to either one of them. Draco had once again entered the Great Hall. However this time he was accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle. "HEY!"
"Ronald! What is it? Where's Harry?"
"He just left; he's going to the common room. Aren't you coming?"
"Yes, of course I am. I'm sorry, I got, erm, sidetracked from my own thoughts."
"What are you wearing?" Ron asked her with a smirk on his face as she stood up and collected her materials. She merely rolled her eyes as she proceeded ahead of Ron.
Ron and Hermione entered the common room to find Harry and Ginny intertwined in such a way, it was indescribable. Ron walked straight passed them not taking any notice when he stopped quite abruptly and turned around and stared directly at Hermione. He opened his mouth, and then closed it again. He remained standing and staring directly at Hermione. Once again, he opened and closed his mouth. He finally turned and walked away. Hermione was astonished at his odd behavior and quietly left the common room.
She let her feet lead the way up to the hospital wing, and sure enough, there was quite a line for students who had clogged noses. Despite the line, she found herself standing in it. After what seemed like hours, she finally had a dose of medicine, and was finally feeling better than ever. Perhaps after this, a quick stop in the library would do her some good. As she approached the library's quite large entrance, she spotted Malfoy sitting with Pansy Parkinson inside the library. Hermione quietly entered, catching Malfoy's eye. She walked silently to the back of the library and sat down at a deserted table, and pulled out her Prophet once again, this time turning it over to the back cover. She began to read as she noticed the chair next to her being pulled out from under the table.
"It is a bit risky, us talking in here like this Granger. Or rather the way it's been going, me talking to you." He said just above a whisper.
"What do you want Malfoy?" She said continuing to stare at the back cover. That feeling was once again arousing in her stomach.
"Granger, despite our many, many differences, I find you more and more interesting. I find myself wanting to seem appealing to you each day." The tips of his hair were gently tickling her cheek bone. Her face was steadily growing hot and red; his breath was warm against her face. She turned slowly to face him; the end of her nose barely at his. He tilted his head and moved closer to hers. She continued to lean back until she flat out fell completely out of her chair which made a ruckus. Draco stood up with a menacing smirk on his face, and wrote something on a scrap of paper and shoved inside Hermione's edition of the Prophet. He stepped right over her and continued out of the library, Pansy bobbing closely behind him.