Disclaimer: The characters are from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series and none of it belongs to me. I simply own the plot to 'A Distant Breeze' and I urge you not to sue me *winks*…

Story: All that he was brought up to hate was everything she was. All that she grew to love was everything he wasn't. Until now.

A Distant Breeze

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Chapter Four

As Hermione entered the Gryffindor Common Room she was astonished to see Harry sitting on one of the chairs.

"Harry!" she exclaimed.

"Hermione. Hey," greeted Harry.

"Why are you still up?" she asked knowing he had Quidditch training the following morning.

He shrugged. "Just wanted to know what Malfoy was like," he said.

"Oh," Hermione said surprised, "he was nice."

Harry looked disappointed. "Ok."

Hermione was confused. "Is that all you stayed up for Harry?" she asked concernedly.

"Uh…umm," Harry stuttered, "Well no…I mean yes."

Hermione looked doubtfully at her friend of 5 years. Why was Harry of all people lost for words with her? Before she could question him further he stood up abruptly.

"I have to get some sleep," he mumbled and then brushed her cheek with his lips before dashing off. Hermione sank slowly down onto the seat which Harry had just vacated. He'd just kissed her! Harry Potter – her best friend! But it was only on the cheek – so it was simply a token of friendship right? With a mind full of confused thoughts, Hermione fell asleep.

She woke the next morning feeling cramped and sore. It was no wonder she thought – sleeping on a chair! Why – oh the kiss on the cheek from Harry. Stretching, Hermione decided to go for a breath of fresh air onto the grounds.

Upon arrival at the grounds she saw the Gryffindor team perform a series of drills. She watched Harry execute the manoeuvres superbly and thought of the previous night. She scolded herself for being so conceited as to think that Harry would actually fancy her. Without warning, a burst of green and silver cloaked students walked onto the pitch and the Gryffindors halted. Hermione sighed – here we go again. As the Gryffindor team advanced upon the Slytherins Hermione couldn't help noticing how good Draco looked in his Quidditch robes of green and silver.

"All right Malfoy! Explain!" Harry demanded.

"Look Potter! I booked the pitch last year so you lot have to shove off," Draco retorted.

"I'm not going anywhere Malfoy, I have clearance to use this," Harry informed him.

Hermione ran up to the two captains.

"Harry just let them take half of the pitch," Hermione pleaded.

Harry and Draco turned to look at her.

"But Hermione!" Harry protested.

"Harry as a Prefect I can order you to do it. Don't make me," Hermione told him.

"But -," Harry objected.

"Please Harry?" she smiled winningly, tilting her head to one side.

Harry felt his insides melt. She was so beautiful! He stood gazing at her in wonder and admiration until Draco drawled, "Well I see from you're drooling that you've agreed Potter," before striding off.

Harry and Hermione blushed.

Draco was furious with both of them. But then why did it matter anyway – Potter could have the stupid mudblood for all he cared. Admit it, said a part of him, you wanted her to look at you like that. No way that would have made me sick up, the other part of him thought. Besides Potter and Hermione – no Granger, were a sure item since first year. The session continued without further incident, except for a few bludgers that accidentally struck opposing team members. Draco kept an eye on Harry who seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes off the Gryffindor in the stands. Bloody Golden Boy fumed Draco.

Hermione organised her books for another session in the library and was about to go there until Harry, who seemed to be uncomfortable around her lately stopped her outside the Common Room.

"Hermione I was wondering if I could talk to you," he said nervously.

"Well Harry if you can make it quick, yes. But I have to meet my partner in a few minutes," she informed him.

The mere mention of Draco made the apprehensive look on Harry's face change to one of annoyance.

"Why are you always with him?" he snapped.

Hermione was taken aback.

"And what's it matter if you're late anyway? It's only Malfoy," Harry continued.

"Harry! I have to do well in this project. And Draco's not that bad," she put in.

"Draco? It's Draco now is it?" Harry said heatedly.

"Yes it is Harry!" she snapped exasperatedly, "Honestly you're as bad as Ron!"

"Am I now?" Harry suddenly placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her towards him, kissing her firmly on the lips.

Hermione froze, not responding. Her thoughts and feelings were a jumbled mess. She broke away and whispered, "I…I have to go." With that she quickly walked off, breaking into a run in the direction of the library.

She saw Draco looking angrily at the clock and quickly entered.

"So glad that you could make it," Draco drawled.

"Sorry…I was held up," Hermione puffed and slumped into a chair. Opening a book she stared at the words without taking them in. Draco observed her – she obviously wasn't paying attention.

"What Granger? Thinking about Golden Boy?" he sneered,

Hermione coloured. "No!"

Draco smirked painfully, "How sweet." It was hurting him for some reason.

"What's sweet?" Hermione snapped. "We're not together!"

Draco leaned back. "Matter of time Granger," he drawled.

Hermione glared at her book. So it was back to surnames was it?

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Hmm confusing times ahead for our dear little Hermione…*grins* …thankyou to my reviewers: bcflirt4eva02, Dracolvr01 (thanks heaps for the multiple reviews),nikki, Renia, CLARICEKARN1234, Silver Dragon Goddess, and angellumpcioous...oh btw - i won't be able to upload any new chapters until Monday 20th Jan...

The altered 3¾ R's in place – I write, you read, you review and I repair…