HPOV

"Are you alright?" Someone's voice pulled her out of her thoughts as she stood, leaned on the wall of the club. She opened her eyes and met Draco Malfoy's gaze, who was eyeing her worriedly. Glass of scotch was in his hand.

"Yeah, I just needed some air."

"I saw you arguing with some guy earlier…" He trailed.

"Just an ex boyfriend. No need to worry about him."

They stood there for a minute, none of them uttering a word. But Hermione was interested in something, so she had to ask him.

"Did you ever tell a girl that you loved her, even though you didn't feel that way?"

"No. I never told the 'L' word to anyone actually. I never felt it that way."

"At least you didn't lie", she smiled bitterly. Even Draco Malfoy was more human than Carter.

"What happened?" He asked, intrigued by her question. It clearly had something to do with that boyfriend of hers. "He proclaimed his undying love for you, and then you caught him jumping other girl?" He suggested. Hermione only scoffed.

"I wish it was that simple." She noticed that he gave her confused look, so she continued. She didn't really know why she was talking about this with Draco Malfoy of all people, but it felt good to get it out her chest.

"He only pretended to like me so he could get me and my friend into illegal poker game. He set us up, so we lost great amount of money that actually covered his debt. And when it was all over, he laughed at me, for being such a naïve girl, thinking that he really loved me. And you know what the worst part is? I would pay his debt if only he asked me of it. I really loved him that much, but I guess he didn't want to be stuck with me for that. Such a fool I was." She crossed her arms, but Draco extended his hand, and caressed her elbow slowly. It seemed that he was really taken aback with her story.

"Well, I can only say that that guy is a piece of shit, for treating you that way. Here's the deal, next time he starts to bother you, tell me so I can hex him properly."

"I think I can hex him myself."

"Of course you can, but you are talking to an ex Death Eater here", he pointed at himself. "I'm sure I know some pretty bad things you probably hadn't heard of", he winked, and she couldn't help but laugh. Having him talking so lightly about the part of his past she knew he wasn't proud of made her realize that everyone had some sort of issues, and it was only up to her if she would allow her problems to get the best of her. She firmly decided not to, she wouldn't allow Carter Baizen to mess with her forever. He was a prick, but he was her past. She had to focus on her future.

"It's a deal, then. So", she trailed, "you said you saw me arguing with him. Watching me again?" She flashed him a smile.

"Well, I surely didn't want to miss if you decided to take off that dress of yours again", he teased.

"Don't worry, like I said, I strip only for certain people", her eyes bored deep into his, and her eyebrow rose up suggestively. He took a step toward her, placing his free arm on the wall, caging her from left.

"That's good to know, Granger", he smirked at her with his signature smile. She bit her lip, watching him intensely. She was grateful that her back was leaned on the wall, for her knees were betraying her again. What was in Draco Malfoy that had such an effect on her, when she could strip in front of half of London without a blink, knowing all the time that every male in the room would watch her with the dirtiest thoughts in their minds. But when he gave her that look, she couldn't help but tremble. When she first saw him, she thought she had him all smitten with her, but then Carter showed up and messed with her, and now Draco caught her off guard. She didn't like that. She was the one in charge, not the other way around. Slowly composing herself, she lifted her hand and fixed his tie, not looking at him anymore.

"Well, not that it means anything to you", she smiled.

"Oh?" He faked disappointment, and placed his hand over his heart. "You really wound me now."

"Hermione", both of their heads snapped in the direction from where they heard her name called. Chuck approached them quickly, and Draco took a step back from her.

"Took you long enough", he smiled at her, and then extended his hand to Draco.

"I'm Chuck Bass."

"Draco Malfoy."

"Are you going back inside?" Chuck turned back to Hermione.

"Um, sure. Coming?" She asked Draco, but he only shook his head.

"I think I'll be leaving soon. If you see Zabini somewhere, tell him that I'm outside."

She smiled at him, and he nodded, smiling back.

"What exactly took me long enough?" She asked her cousin as they walked back inside.

"Being outside, I thought you'll be cold", he acted innocent. Too innocent.

"Chuck", she started menacingly. She knew him well enough to know that he didn't mean that.

"Alright, we saw that guy following you, so we were interested in what direction it would lead to."

"Well, I'm not sure about that yet", she smiled.

"But you like him."

"You know me better than I know myself."

DPOV

She definitely grew up nicely, Draco thought as he watched Hermione walking away with Chuck. Little tease, she swayed her hips slowly, because she knew he was watching.

He waited for Blaise for some time before he saw his friend coming out of the club.

"Hey mate, Granger told me that you'll be leaving soon."

"Yeah, just thought you should know if you decide to stay."

"Nah, I'll just hit off with you. So, how did it go?"

"What?"

"Don't feign innocence with me", Zabini laughed. "I saw you talking to her."

"It was… interesting", he trailed.

"One day I'll really beat the shit out of you for not telling me anything."

"Gosh, Zabini, you're such a gossip. Go be friend with Parkinson and Greengrass."

"Avoid the subject all you want, Malfoy", Blaise was really in the mood, "I know you. I give you week, week and a half top before you two get together, and when that happens, I'll only say 'Told you so'."

"Yeah, right", Draco only punched him in the arm. But truth to be told, he hoped that Blaise's words would come true, for he was really started to be interested in getting Hermione Granger his.