All characters and the Harry Potter universe are the sole property of J. K. Rowling. By using (some) of these characters below, I am in no way trying to claim ownership.

He stood opposite, his face only inches away from her own. She had the sudden urge to stick out her tongue and lick the tip of his nose, yet found herself paralysed by his gaze. There was a power and ferocity there, yes, but a softening around the eyes which suggested something so much deeper. He called her name in a whisper, the pain and longing in his voice urging her to succumb to him. A flash of light came from her periphery, casting a blue shadow across Draco's features. The blonde hair became icier with the blue, and she had the sudden desire to give in to the cold. His face moved closer and she prepared herself for the frostbite. A second flash, this time of red, destroyed everything, and she shrieked...

...Clutching the egde of the tweed-covered armchair, she looked around herself in horror and confusion. Ron and Harry, who had been happily sending streaks of light around the common room, now mirrored her own expression back at her. The realisation that she had been dreaming hit her like a tonne of bricks and she crumbled back into the chair, a deep blush rising on her cheeks. 'Um, Hermione, are you OK?' Ron asked, when she was not forthcoming with an explanation for her outburst. She stared back at him like a deer in the headlights, then grabbed the bag at her feet and stood up.

'I was just resting my eyes,' she mumbled.

'One of those kinds of dreams?' Harry grinned, his comment more aimed at Ron. He looked slightly uncomfortable but smiled with Harry.

'I, ah... I'm just going to the library.'

'But it's nearly dinner time?' Ron's brow furrowed, but Hermione was already striding over to the portrait door.

'I'll eat later, got to study, bye.' Ron glanced back at Harry, who seemed unconcerned and had now directed his attention to forming a blue cube of light. His efforts were pointless, as each side that he managed to push straight began to bulge out on the opposing side.

'What do you think's up with her?'

'Girls.' Harry shrugged, as if that was explanation enough.

Hermione didn't relax until she had passed the threshold of the library, the scent of old books and oil lamps welcoming her home. This was her place - her domain. Nodding a quick acknowledgement to the librarian, she moved towards the 'RETURNS' trolley and began wheeling it through the aisles. Being such a frequent visitor, she had begun to take on spare library duties during study breaks, carrying out tasks such as returning misplaced books and refreshing inkwells. As she moved through the library, books began to float from the trolley and zoom back to their correct place on the shelves.

Hermione slowed to a halt as she approached the fifth aisle, remembering the student paper meeting from the previous week. As she held an internal debate with herself about investigating the appeal of this aisle, the trolley was nudged slightly closer, just enough for a small, non-descript journal to zoom up and around the corner, into the aisle. There was a loud thwock, followed by a disgruntled outburst. Hermione recognised the voice and recoiled as Draco appeared. 'Bloody book,' he muttered, holding the journal in one hand whilst the other rubbed his head. He paused in surprise at the mouth of the aisle, noticing Hermione.

'Draco, I won't wait...' Pansy Parkinson appeared from behind Draco and stopped upon noticing Hermione, then began to flatten her rumpled robes. 'What does she want?'

Draco seemed to snap out of his daze and chucked the journal back at Hermione, who caught it against her chest and cuddled it almost protectively. 'It's not enough to just waste my time with the paper then, Granger? Gotta run in on my study time too, huh?' He grabbed out for Pansy, an arm locking around her waist and pulling her body against his. She giggled at him, then looked back at Hermione in disgust.

'Yeah, I was really enjoying my study period,' she chimed, then kissed Draco on the cheek. 'Babe, I have to get back and help Blaise with his potion's essay.' Draco nodded and released her, but kept his gaze firmly on Hermione. She found herself reminded of the intensity in her dream and blushed, turning her attention back to the trolley. Her attempt to move it was hindered however, as Draco jumped in front and blocked its passage.

'What are you doing down here, Granger? Hoping Potter might take you down the aisle?'

'Get out of my way, Malfoy.'

'My stint at the paper is coming to an end, Granger, and then you won't be able to torment me any more.' Hermione rolled her eyes,

'For goodness' sake, Draco, I didn't know you were down there with that... that...' two-bit harlot, she finished in her head. Draco just stared back, mildly amused.

'Pansy?' He suggested.

'Whatever! McGonagall's the one punishing you, and tormenting me at the same time, so stop acting like you don't even deserve it.' Draco sidled around the trolley. 'You and your Pansy can just go snog somewhere else, out of my library!'

'Oh, your library?'

'I'm here more than you,' she placed her hands on her hips defiantly. Draco grinned and gestured to the fifth aisle,

'Well I'm there more than you, so it's mine. Back off.'