Chapter Three: Skin Deep

His face was smooth, his face was gentle. There was no sense of Slytherin in him and she was amazed that anyone from the Slytherin House could look so innocent and peaceful as they slept. Suddenly his eyes opened and his gentle silver eyes darkened as they rested on Hermione. Clearly he wasn't expecting company.

She stepped back from him allowing him room to move from the couch. He slowly sat up and threw his legs over the side of the couch and sat up. He gave a quick glance to Hermione, stood up and started to walk towards the bathroom that was attached with the room.

"What do you want?" He asked in a tired voice as Hermione followed him to the bathroom stopping by the sink.

"I want to know why you're here!" Hermione demanded. He turned around to look at her.

"I was working," He replied. "Now do you wish to join me or can I do it alone?" He asked with a smirk. She glared at him.

"I'm sure you want me too, but I'm going to have to turn you down,"

"Suit your self," He smirked as she stepped away from the door.

As she heard the bathroom door shut with a slight click, she made her way over to the fire place to put a few logs in it. Then using her wand she lit the logs on fire. When she made it back over to the couch to sit down she noticed papers scattered all around it. Hermione could see what appeared to be a charms essay half-way written. He was telling the truth, for once a Slytherin wasn't lying. She leaned over and put his belongings in a neat pile on the floor so she could sit on the couch with her back to the arm while bringing her legs up crossing them over each other. Now she was comfortable.

Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Hermione looked up as he quickly glanced over to her, sighed and walked over to the kitchen table. She hoped he was sighing because he knew he was in trouble and not because of her presence. She had the right to this room.

"Two cups of tea please, with a pinch of lemon and a pinch of cinnamon," He asked the air.

Two cups of steamy hot mugs appeared before him and he reached into his pocket for two coins. He placed them on the table and they vanished. He grabbed the two mugs by the rim and walked over to Hermione passing her one.

"Thank you," She watched as he took a seat on the other edge of the couch and slowly brought the mug up to his lips. Hermione brought her mug up and smelled the liquid. It smelled absolutely amazing. "How did you know to add a pinch of cinnamon? Or do you like it this way as well?" Hermione asked as she took a sip. Delicious.

"I knew you liked it, thought I would try it," He answered. "It's good." Hermione felt her face go slightly red and she brought the mug down to rest between the gap of her legs.

She looked down. Had he said what she swear he heard him say? Or has sleeping for almost a week some how affected her hearing? She glanced back up to him. He was starring at the dancing fire.

"So are you going to answer me? Why are you here?" She asked again. She couldn't bring herself to be mad anymore.

"I will answer but not right now. Why are you here?" He asked.

Hermione paused. Was he trying to be civil? Was he actually trying to strike up a conversation with her in pleasantries? What the hell was going on?

"Why are you acting civil to me? You're a Slytherin, and I could have sworn Slytherin hate Gryffindors?" Hermione asked ignoring his question. He slightly chuckled and brought his gaze back to her. He stared into her eyes with his silver eyes.

"The only reason why I am in Slytherin was because I asked the sorting hat to put me there," He answered. She looked at him with confusion. He saw this and sighed. "I bet you didn't know that before Voldemort was placed in that group it was only for those who were in fact pure-blood. He however was not. So how did he become a Slytherin if he was muggle born? It's because he was cunning and used it in an evil manner which is why the sorting hat changed. I can tell you right now, half of the students in Slytherin don't even want to be in Slytherin. They only asked the sorting hat to be placed there so they didn't have to deal with their fathers." He explained."

It made sense to Hermione. A lot of the Slytherins fathers were followers of the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord wanted more followers there for asked the fathers who followed him for their children which is why a lot of them were branded with the dark mark last year.

"My father is dead though. And it's about time. He deserved what he got and there is no way I ever dreamed about following him. That's why a lot of us got placed in this group as well. If you've realized the lot of us are cowards. But we were only cowards because we didn't want to die, not now- we still had a life we wanted to live. And if we didn't do what our fathers asked us to do last year we would have been killed, along with the rest of our families. I know it's selfish…"

"It's not." Hermione suddenly said. He looked up to her and she was starring at him with comfort. "It's not selfish for wanting to protect the ones you love. Last year I had to erase my parents memories and sent them on a trip to protect them. You followed orders not because you were a coward to stand up for your self, but to protect the ones that mattered most to you. I guess its true; really you shouldn't be in Slytherin. But why are you telling me this?" Hermione asked.

She put the empty mug beside her and slipped the house coat off of her allowing it to rest behind her back. Between the fire and the hot tea it was too hot to wear anything cotton. She looked up in time to see the man in front of her checking her appearance. Again she blushed, surly there wasn't much to look at, just another girl with girlish figures.

"Let's just say a lot of the Slytherin's adore you. The lot of us were silently cheering in the back ground for Harry to finally destroy the Dark Lord. We didn't want to see anyone die and for those who did we feel a great deal of sorrow for them. It's because of you, Ron and Harry that we all finally have a life we can live freely and that's all we ever wanted." He answered.

"Thanks…I guess," Hermione answered. She didn't know what else to say.

She was a little surprised at the thought of other's adoring her. Truth be told she only wanted one person to adore her. But that didn't work out and it destroyed her…she quickly looked up to the man in front of her. She didn't want to go down that path, not again and not now.

"Is something bothering you?" He asked.

"Just my past, but I don't want to talk about it." She answered quickly. He nodded his head and stood up. Hermione watched as he walked over and picked up her mug from the floor and brought it back to kitchen.

"What are you hoping to do once you finish school?" Hermione asked as she stood up from the couch, she needed to stretch and she was enjoying the company. It was nice to talk with someone new for a change.

"I want to study in the muggle world for a bit," He answered. "I want to know the difference from our illnesses and the muggle illnesses. I want to know and understand how their medicine works and how it's different from ours." He shared.

" So you're hoping to be a doctor?" Hermione asked.

"A researcher actually. I want to travel the world in search of all the other illnesses and cures. How about you?"

"I want to study more about the Ancient Ruins. There are several places that haven't been discovered and I want to be the one to discover them." Hermione explained.

"An Adventurer," He chuckled. "I guess it suits you. But what about Harry and Ron? Won't you want to be near them?" Hermione's face turned into loss as she looked away from him.

"Actually I'm doing this to get away from them for a while." She answered. "I love them dearly, they are after all my best friends but there is stuff going on with them right at the moment and I think it's best if I disappear and do my own thing for a while. I've put my interests on hold to help Harry and I'm glad I did, but now it's my turn to do what I want to do," Hermione answered.

She hadn't realized she had been speaking so low. She felt him come up next to her and her heart began to race as he placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up to him. He was taller then her that much was a given and his silver eyes starred into hers with a gentle glint and she could feel her face heat up.

"I'm going to tell you something," He said determinedly. "I envy you and your brains and I wasn't lying before when I said a lot of the Slytherins adore you. But they more than adore you, they like you. Half of the time it's you they are talking about especially when they go over the events of last year. Harry this, Ron that, Hermione…so beautiful." His voice trailed. Hermione's cheeks went hotter and she felt as butterflies formed in her stomach. "Most of them have been attracted to you for years but were not allowed to show it because of fear. But now there is nothing more to fear and I know a lot of them plan on telling you how they feel for you if not right now than later in the year. There for I'm going to tell you first. I like you. And I want to be with you, even if it's only for this year. I'll let you travel if that's what your heart wants to do, but I'll be there for when you come back." Hermione's breathe caught in her throat as he leaned in, kissing her softly on the lips.

Her eyes remained opened in shock. The butterflies flew around inside of her uncontrollably. This was not how she planned to spend the evening. She was kissing…he was kissing…and he was kissing…her brain couldn't even comprehend what was happening at the moment, everything was scattered. She felt him pull away and she starred at him in shock. He was so handsome and yet he was kissing her! She wasn't sure if she could trust it or not, but a part of her knew he wasn't telling or showing a lie. He wouldn't have opened up to her like he had if he wanted to trick her.

"I should get back," He broke in through her thoughts.

She looked up to him still in shock as to what happened. His eyes were on hers and she had to turn away. She looked to her house coat.

"Hang on," She quickly said as she walked back towards the couch. "Let me walk you, if teachers find you out and about you'll get in trouble," She walked over to her house coat and slipped it on while he gathered his belongings.

Hermione didn't understand what had happened tonight but she would really hate to wake up and find it to be a dream.

The walk down the castle halls seemed like a never ending journey. Hermione hadn't spoken a word since she told him she would join him for the walk back to his common room. She didn't know what to say. The truth was, she was in love with someone else but recent actions made her make decisions she wasn't so sure was the best decision after all. But to find out that another, and possibly more liked her as well… She turned to the man beside her. He looked back to her and smiled gently.

"Sorry," He said. "I shouldn't have put you on the spot like I have been."

"No, its ok," Hermione blushed. "I guess I just never realized that I was someone worth…liking I guess," She wasn't sure what word she was looking for…being attractive, being loved…but she supposed being liked would fit.

"You shouldn't think of yourself as a non-attractive person. "You've filled out perfectly and your kindness and brains is something every man wants in a woman."

"You know I'm really not sure I can allow you to flatter me so. I'm not really used to it," She explained. It was a good thing the hallways were dark because she felt her cheeks getting hot. "You know you never answered my question of why you were in the heads common room."

He chuckled. "It doesn't take you long to change the subject," He teased. "I was doing some research and an essay," He answered.

"Some research?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I want to get a head start, so I was studying the medical illnesses of the wizarding world. Speaking with Madam Promfry has helped a lot." He shifted his back pack. "I didn't want to disturb my roommate or listen to the actions that I am sure is far but over but I want my bed back so I'll have to stop the actions taking place." He explained.

"Actions?" Hermione asked, though she had a feeling he knew what he was talking about.

"Yea you know-

-I got it!" Hermione quickly interrupted. She didn't want to hear anymore of the conversation. She couldn't believe there weren't any spells up to prevent this kind of behaviour.

They reached the Slytherin common room and Hermione turned to the man beside her. He was starring at her with gentle silver eyes. He cupped her under her chin and leaned in close to her so he was inches away from her face.

"Would it be alright if I had one more good-night kiss?" he asked.

Hermione couldn't help it, she felt herself being drawn in. She leaned in closing the distance between them and kissed him on the lips. At first it was gentle, it was warm, and it felt nice to be wanted by someone. Then she heard as his bag hit the floor and suddenly she was lifted from the floor. She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt as her body was pressed against the wall. What was she doing? Could she do this? She wanted too, no she needed too, she felt it. She felt her wetness leaking out as her vagina breathed- wanting more. She felt every inch of her body begging to be touched every where.

"Wait!" Hermione breathed as she pulled away from his hungry lips. "I can't do this!"

"We don't have too, not if you're not ready." He clasped her lips back onto his and she kissed him back hungrily.

"No, I'm ready, but not here," She breathed again placing her lips back onto his.

"Then it's my turn to kick my room-mate out," He said pulling away from her.

He gently put her on the ground and took her hand. He brought her back to the common room door, picked up his bag, said the password and Hermione found herself being led through the Slytherin common room. If it wasn't for the green and silver colors it would look exactly as the Gryffindor common room. Suddenly she felt odd being here. Her butterflies were once again back as she took the stairs one at a time. She was going into the room of a Slytherin. What if it was a mistake?? He said tones of Slytherins wanted her that so many liked her. Was this his way of bragging to his friends that he got to her first? Or was he lying about the whole thing? Or was this his way of telling everyone that she was easy?

She found herself staring at a door as he banged on it. She could hear whispers and movement coming within the room. She figured it was his roommate gathering his things as well as his partner in crime. But wait, she was about to do the same thing. She wasn't sure she could do this anymore, she felt her heart thump, but she couldn't tell if it was her bodies' needs telling her to screw it, or her body telling her to run. The door knob started to turn and slowly the door opened. Hermione looked up as the couple before her gave each other one last kiss, then turned to face their company.

A/N

Well look e-here. Another Chapter. HAHA . Anyways again any event that portrays to the Harry Potter books belongs to JKR and her great imagination. Same with anything from Twilight, that belongs to the wonderful Stephanie Meyer and her awesome imagination! I only hope my imagination for my novels will be just as great as these two women! Anyways I just used some things from the books to give the story a boost. Well I hope you all enjoyed it. Let me know if you did, an author always likes to know their work is liked but theirs no pressure I just hope some people are enjoying this read. Toodles

Forbidden Attraction