Beyond Desired Limits

"Just look at them. Grinning like they've just about murdered someone" Ron muttered, eyeing Draco and his posse from the Gryffindor table. Hermione didn't even bother looking over. It wasn't worth the usual smirk and chuckle from Malfoy and she wasn't up for the same game that was played last night in the library. She gave a shrug, letting Ron know that she was listening.

"Maybe they have" added Harry, joining Ron in his Slytherin stare down. This was almost too routine for Hermione, as everything seemed to be nowadays. She would enter the Great Hall for breakfast, the trio's conversation kept at a minimum as they struggled to force sleep from their eyes. By lunch, they were seated once more at the Gryffindor table which had the perfect view of Draco, according to where Ron and Hermione were seated. The raving would begin once Ron locked eyes with Malfoy. This was also the time when Hermione would mark down mental notes for her next Draco encounter. Luckily by dinner, everyone was too consumed in the feast to care about what happened at the other house tables.

Hermione set her book down, sneaking a quick peak at what Ron and Harry were going on about. Ever since last night, Hermione had been questioning Draco's appearance in the library. Her semi-overnight stays happened on multiple occassions, with permission of course, and not once has Hermione come across anyone else in her presense once McGonagall beckoned everyone to their common rooms. And if for some odd reason anyone were to enter the library after hours, she definitely didn't expect Draco of all people. It could've been for any reason. Exams were coming up soon and even Ron and Harry were speculating the idea of studying. But, Draco? Draco Malfoy? As much as Hermione likes to see the good in people, she couldn't imagine Draco jumping at the chance to open a book for exams. He was intelligent, she'll admit, but his knowledge was well kept. You'd think he slacks off if it weren't for his high marks. He doesn't step foot into the library on a regular basis or...ever, really. The thought of this made Hermione laugh, capturing Ron and Harry's attention.

"What's with you?" asked Ron, furrowing his eyebrows. Hermione shook her head, trying to force the smile off of her face.

"Just...you two. You both never fail to make me laugh." She rested her chin in the palm of her hand, allowing her fingers to cover her toothy grin. The boys exchanged a confused look before finishing up their lunch. Once Hermione had recovered from her slight giggle fit, she glanced over at the Slytherin table only to find that Draco, Blaise, and Pansy were gone. She couldn't put a finger on why she had become so consumed with their actions, but it was bringing her to a headache. She faced the entrance of the Great Hall, watching as the three Slytherin robes flowed around the corner.

~.~

"You're going too fast!" Pansy pleaded, bending over to catch her breath as she finally caught up with Draco and Blaise. The boys exchanged an annoyed glance, leaning againt the corridor walls as Pansy continued to breath heavily.

"Keep up" Draco spat, rolling his grey orbs. As much as Pansy's company was enjoyed from time to time, he felt as if she were holding him back. Her constant nagging and need for hand holding was driving him over the edge, but he couldn't just drop her. That would be a very bold move and he couldn't afford to make anymore enemies, especially with Pansy. She would be a badgering, tear-soaked mess if he were to exclude her from their day to day activities. Merlin knows what she would do.

Pansy straightened herself out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she raised her pug nose in protest.

"There is no need to rush. We have time" she stated, crossing her arms. Draco released a chuckle, leaning his head back towards the ceiling. Time. Time was definitely something that he lacked. He had fallen asleep late last night after their mission to the library and was rudely awakened by Pansy's calls from the Slytherin common room early this morning. Time wasn't on his side these days.

Pansy latched onto Draco's arm as they continued to walk away from the Great Hall, the laughter and lunchtime conversation dying as they went on. Draco had the urge to shake Pansy off and watch her scamper to the corner like the dog she looked to be, but remembered his intentions. The three of them finally reached the library doors, debating on what they should do.

"Why doesn't Blaise go in this time and you and I wait out here? It's much safer!" Pansy urged, a glint of excitement in her eye. Draco knew she was just trying to spend time alone with him. The whole walk over, he could feel her continuous shoves to the opposite side of the corridor in an attempt to lose Blaise. This somewhat pleased Draco. He knew girls would fall head over heels for him. He just wished it wasn't Pansy.

"The three of us should go in like last night! We'll cover more ground this way" Blaise stated, his eyes turning to slits as Pansy opened her mouth to object.

"If we all get caught, this could jepordize everything." Pansy had a point there. One look into the Restricted section from a wandering set of eyes could get them in trouble. Draco couldn't risk that.

"I'm not going in there to look all by myself!" Blaise said, his tone creeping up an inch higher. Pansy placed her hands on her hips and Draco knew she was about to release a shrieking response.

"For Merlin's sake- I'll go!" He yelled, watching the two shrink at the tone of his voice. Pansy pursed her lips together, not happy with the compromise.

"I can go-"

"I said I'll go, Pansy" Draco spat, finally barging through the doors. He got some curious looks from nearby students, probably due to the excessive amount of force he used to enter. He ignored them, making his way to the shelves towards the back. He couldn't help but laugh to himself at what had occured last night. The look on Granger's face when he cracked a joke about his groin brought amusement to him. She thinks she's so smart, walking around like she knows everything about everyone. She probably does. Her brain was like a damn textbook, just like the one he used to jerk her to the floor. Another chuckle was released, catching the attention of a group of Hufflepuffs. Draco scowled, turning into a nearby shelf. He eyed the Restricted section that was across from him. To his dismay, a group of Ravenclaw students studied away at a nearby desk and he could've sworn he saw those pathetic Weasley twins somewhere close by. There were too many people around to sneak in without going unnoticed. He grabbed a random book from the shelf in front of him, heading towards the doors as if nothing had happened.

~.~

"Thank you for finally joining us, Mr. Malfoy" said Professor Flitwick, motioning towards a seat in the room. Hermione looked up from the passage she had been reading and looked back just in time to see Draco entering class. Ten minutes late to be exact. He sat down without a response, waiting for Professor Flitwick to continue class before looking around the room. Hermione quickly looked back ahead of her. What was he doing that caused him to arrive so late? She shifted in her seat a little to get a better look at Draco. She caught him sneaking a book under his robes, causing her to raise an eyebrow. The suspision grew and Hermione hadn't realized that she was almost fully turned to meet Draco's gaze.

"What are you looking at?" Ron asked, looking behind him at Draco. He rolled his eyes, leaning towards Hermione. "Who does he think he is arriving whenever he feels like it?" Hermione shrugged her shoulders, deciding that it was best not to pry any further.

For now.