Author Note: I wanted to post this sooner, but I was super sick. Originally I had written here that I was sad about my lack of reviews, but then I got a review and it cheered me right the fuck up:D Please enjoy this chapter, and sorry it's short, I'm still recovering!

...

Everything was white noise to her as she walked through the halls. People blurred around her in slow motion, but she felt as if she was walking right through them. Her mind was buzzing with this new information. It was insane, and she needed to push it from her mind, but she couldn't. If she were to go crazy now, who would keep him sane?

'What's wrong with her?' He thought. She looked so sad, so weighed down when he saw her walking by. What could bring her down, his perpetual sun? What would he do if she too were shrouded in darkness? He couldn't wait until tonight to find out.

He followed her down the hall, waiting until everyone had cleared out before yanking her into a dark closet. His hand covered her mouth before she could scream out.

"Shh-sh-sh Hermione, it's just me."

Her body relaxed visibly, so he felt it safe to remove his hand.

"Draco, what are you doing, don't you have class?"

"Don't you?" He shot back.

"No, I have an open hour. I was just going to the library to study."

"Of course you were."

He smirked as he pressed his lips to hers.

Instinctively, her body pressed closer to his. He grabbed her waist as their lips moved together, loving how reactive she was. She was his dream girl in every way.

But of course, all too soon, she pulled away.

"So, is this why you stalked me and pulled me into a broom cupboard?"

"No, I wanted to ask you why you looked so sad. But then I made the mistake of looking at your lips."

That damn smirk made her melt every time, and suddenly, spending an hour in a cramped closet didn't seem like such a bad idea.

"Well, I'm not so sad anymore."

Her smile was almost convincing enough to tempt him again. But no, the image of just how sad she looked was still fresh.

"But you were sad, why?"

"Just some silly remark from a teacher about my last paper, apparently it wasn't up to par. Hence my need to study."

"You're lying to me."

He looked hurt, but she couldn't tell him, there was no way.

"Maybe."

"Tell me the truth Hermione, we're better than lies."

That comment hit low, but some lies had to be made.

"I just heard someone yell out mudblood as I walked by. Are you happy now?"

She turned from him then, needing him to believe her, and since she had never been one for crying on command, turning away was the best she could do.

His strong arms gathered her close, as he stroked her hair.

"Oh Hermione, I'm so sorry, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, really, I will."

They stood like that for what felt like days, but of course it was only a few minutes. She was breathing him in, such a wonderful scent.

It was in that moment that another small part of her started falling deeper for him.

And although he was loath to admit it, he was falling much farther for her.

She finally made her way to the library, and no longer under the influence of that damn smirk, all of her thoughts came creeping back. Draco's family was depending on him, if he couldn't complete his task they would die.

But Snape already had it taken care of. Draco wouldn't have to live with that blood on his hands, and of course his family would live. But what would happen when he went back home, would other bodies pile on?

No, she decided right then that she couldn't let that happen, she would do everything she could to save him.

...

Hermione watched him as he walked down the hall. Striding so confidently; he looked better than he had in months.

That smirk was become a regular thing for him, ever since she let it slip that it quite possibly turned her on a bit.

He picked her up and twirled her in his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist as she laughed.

"Draco, someone might see!"

"Everyone's sleeping love, don't be so paranoid."

He opened the door, still holding her. The room looked much as it had their first time, which was a relief to both of them, considering the trouble a bed was sure to have gotten them into. Although the lights were softer now, almost suggestively low.

He sat down in a chair, keeping her attached to him.

"You're so beautiful." His voice was as gentle as his hands as they stroked her cheeks. "I think I'm falling in love with you."

The softest smile he had ever seen graced her lips before she leaned down to kiss him.

"Most people say you're heartless Draco Malfoy, are you sure you want to risk that reputation?"

"I am amazed at the things I would risk for you Hermione Granger."

"Well you should be glad to know that I would never ask you to risk anything for me."

She turned her face slightly to kiss his palm. With her face still hidden, she said "I'm falling for you too Draco."

"Look at me."

She shook her head slightly, causing her curls to brush his hand and face.

When she refused to turn, he turned her head for her, "Hermione, why can't you look at me?"

"Because I'm not supposed to fall for you. You could break me with a single word."

"But I won't, you have to know that."

"What if we're caught? You can't fight for me, and I know that."

His head hung in shame for what he was forced to be. He knew she was right; there was no way he could fight for her, not without killing his family. But what killed him was the way that she said it, not to guilt him, just to state a fact. She truly was the kindest person her knew.

When he realized what he needed to say, he stared straight into her eyes, holding her face so that she wouldn't turn away.

"Hermione Granger, I have never felt more alive than I do when I am with you. And while I may not be able to fight for you, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I will do my best to make sure that we're not caught. You are the most amazing woman I could ever know, you're everything that is good and light and pure. If that was ever tainted, I couldn't live with myself," mid-sentence his trademark smirk appeared, "unless of course I was the one doing the tainting."

"You are so much more than you know Draco."

Her lips pressed softly to his neck as she began unbuttoning his shirt. Part of him was so nervous; would she run when she saw his mark? Or maybe she would realize what a mistake she was making by being around him.

Finally, his nerves got the best of him, causing him to wrap his hands around her wrists, pulling them from his shirt.

She looked surprised, hurt even. Rejection was not what she was expecting.

"It's not that I don't want to, I do, but I think we should wait; until we've both fallen so crazy in love that when we have to go our separate ways, we won't look back and wonder if it was all a mistake."

"You're amazing Draco, and I'm glad that you don't take this lightly. Part of me just wants to say 'to hell with love' but I know that you're right. Oh Merlin, when did you become the one that thinks logically in this relationship?"

"Relationship?" He asked, with a raised brow.

"Oh dear, no, haha, just, no."

"We're in a relationship Hermione, we just can't go about it like most people."

"Good, that's a relief. Not the not being normal part, but the relationship part."

She began buttoning him back up, she had to admit his body was tempting, especially now that he was eating again.

"Finding it hard to resist me love?"

"Oh hush, your ego needs no more boosting."

His laughter rang out, and the mood was as light as when they first walked in. He picked her again and she put her legs on the floor, "a little soon to be saying goodnight isn't it?" She asked softly.

"It's a good thing that I'm just dancing with you then."

He pulled her close before waltzing her around the room.

She was laughing as she mentioned the lack of music, although it didn't really matter to her, they seemed to be moving just fine.

"I could sing us a song, but I think that would bring us to a whole new level of cheesy."

"I'm not sure if we're prepared for that yet."

Their laughter filled the room as the two young lovers twirled around the room, falling together, falling faster every day.

...

Draco was sitting down in the common rooms while Blaise was talking at him. He tried to pay attention to him, but his concentration was, as usual, on Hermione. They had both been so busy in the past few days; there had been no chance to meet.

"Draco, mate, this is starting to get annoying."

"Sorry, my minds just on other things right now."

Blaise looked around, making sure they were alone before saying "busy thinking about Hermione?"

"What, no, of course not."

"Look, I'm not an idiot. I've known you forever, and I can't when you're craving a girl, and I can damn well tell who it is. Part of me wants to be mad, but I can't be. You look healthier and happier than you have in a long while, and if she's to thank for that, than by all means continue being with her. But be careful."

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't noticed you paying some attention to a certain ginger."

"Ginny is amazing. I didn't really mean to fall for her, I just did."

"Have you two talked about what happens when we all go home?"

"You're not going to like my plan."

"I doubt that, you're smart enough not to make a stupid decision."

"I'm going back with her. I'm done with Voldemort, and I'm done with his idiotic ideals. When the war starts I plan on being on the right side. She's already sent word to her mum, it's decided. Tomorrow, she and I go public."

"Are you insane? Do you know what he'll do when he finds out?"

"Nothing that he wasn't already planning. It's not like I've taken the mark, and I've never even seen him in person."

"So you're going to turn your back on your family for a girl?"

"My family isn't in danger, they've chosen their path, they don't get to choose mine."

"You're brave mate, and lucky."

"I know, and I'm sorry that you're not as lucky. But you'll find a way, you always do."

"But can I find a way without getting her killed?"

...

Author note: I hope you enjoyed, please review