'Hermione! Wait up' Hermione stopped in her tracks halfway down the corridor and turned towards the familiar voice and smiled.

'Hey you' she said to Harry smile turning to frown at the flustered look on his face. 'What's wrong?'

Harry looked at her awkwardly and pulled her by the arm in to one of the classrooms.

'I need to talk to you about something' Hermione leant her head to the side and indicated for him to continue.

'See the thing is Mione, we've been friends for a while now, best friends. And well recently I've developed these, um feelings.'

'Feelings?' Hermione asked blankly.

'Well yes, ' Harry babbled 'and I know you wont feel the same but I thought seeing as today was, well today I might as well just tell you on the off chance that you know…'

Hermione didn't know what to say, could Harry possibly be saying…

'I love you Hermione'

'Ah' Hermione said, 'right well see Harry, the thing is'

Hermione choked on her words as she saw her best friend looking utterly miserable.

'Harry, you're my best friend but…'

'Mione its okay, I just needed to get it out of my system, do you get it?'

Hermione nodded and offered a sad smile, boy did she get it.

'I'm so sorry Harry'

Once he had gone out of sight Hermione sighed and looked around to see Draco staring at her

'What do you want Malfoy?' She asked exasperated

Draco looked as though he was about to respond when they were interrupted by squeals and giggles coming from down the corridor.

The pair approached a small group of people crowded round a small glass jar in Ginny Weasley's hand. They both frowned and tried to get a look at what was in the jar.

'What the…' They said in unison.

In a Small jam jar with pinholes in the lid was a very tiny, very infuriated professor Snape.

'I've known of the spell for almost a year now and I always fantasised about doing it' Ginny explained to the group, 'I just wish I were able to remember this forever.'

As the group disappeared towards the great hall to show the other students, Hermione and Draco looked at each other, Hermione with a frown and Draco wearing his smirk.

'Seems like the whole world has gone completely mad' Hermione sighed

'I think you will find its just Hogwarts' Draco responded.

He smiled and Hermione felt her insides melt.

Draco felt his heart begin to race as he held her gaze.

Kiss her he told himself just do it

Draco felt his hand shake and panicked. He stumbled backwards; 'I err, have to go' he said breathlessly and ran away, leaving a flushed Hermione standing alone in the corridor.

Hermione creased her forehead as she entered the great hall for lunch, she could barely hear herself think over the mixture of excited squeals and shocking stories. She skimmed the tables looking for her friends, ignoring it when she felt a small pang in her heart as she caught Draco's eye.

Finally she saw her favourite redheads and went over to accompany them for Lunch. Sitting down she offered a small smile at Harry who grinned bravely at her, the awkwardness was soon cut when they realised that Ginny had brought her new friend to the dinner table.

'Never thought I'd have lunch with Snape' Ron beamed, 'definitely never thought I'd be this happy about it!'

Hermione's smile was quickly wiped away by the sight of Draco's eyes tearing into her, she returned his unsmiling gaze and felt her stomach twist and turn.

Draco got up quickly, pushed his friends out of the way and stormed out of the hall, he had no idea where he was going he just needed to get away.

Hermione looked confused at his figure retreating out of the door, on impulse she too leaped out of her chair and swiftly made her way towards the exit after him.

'Draco!' She shouted after him once they were out of the hall, ' hey… WAIT'

Draco stopped just before he reached the door leading to the school grounds.

'What do you want mudblood, can't I get any peace around here? You can's seem to leave me alone right now, what the hell is wrong with you?'

Looking at her feet Hermione searched to find the words.

'I don't know' She said shaking her head miserably.

He kissed her, without warning he closed the distance between him and her and wrapped his arms around her waist pushing her lips to his.

As soon as it had begun it was over, 'Is that what you wanted?' Draco said with a smirk

Hermione looked up at him confused.

Feeling his heart shatter in to a million pieces Draco tore his eyes away from hers.

'Forget it Malfoy' Hermione said and stormed out in to the school gardens.

Draco leant against the wall mutely cursing, he was so, so close and he had to go and spoil it, she kissed him back, he had felt it, why did he ruin it, what the hell was he so afraid of?

He walked out of the doors but couldn't see her anywhere, he silently strolled towards the lake and sat down when he reached the bank, looking out on to the water he allowed thoughts of Hermione to fill his mind.

'I wonder what it would feel like' Hermione said, more to herself than anyone else.

Draco glanced down at her and a small smile spread across his face as he studied her. Her hair fell delicately down her back as she tilted her head up to stare intently at the tower. She was biting on her lower lip nervously and her eyes were full of wonder.

After what seemed like hours Draco realised exactly where Hermione would be.

Standing at the top of the astronomy tower Hermione let the afternoon glow of the sun warm her face, she watched the lake sparkle and the trees dance slowly in the gentle wind.

She was of course terrified, she knew she wouldn't get hurt, she had seen it happen with Neville but somehow she still couldn't find the courage to take the step out into the air.

'Hermione' a voice called softly from behind her, she knew who it was and she didn't want to talk to him.

'Leave me alone' she said angrily. 'I'm jumping'

'No you're not' Draco said 'You're standing there'

'I intend on jumping in good time thank you very much'

'Hermione' He said so gently that Hermione turned around. 'Come with me'

Looking at his outstretched hand Hermione shook her head.

Draco sighed, ' Come on…'

Reaching for his hand Hermione let herself be pulled off the ledge and in to his arms. Draco leaned his head close to hers.

'We can jump later'