AN: Sorry that this is really short :/ I'm working on it, I promise, it's just I'm having a temporary mind block, and can't keep the story going without making it drag. So it might be a few days until I update again whilst I think of something exciting to happen. But stick with me guys! R&R, I love you all

Disclaimer: All character names, spell names and locations belong to the beautiful creation of J.K Rowling's mind. I only own the plot.

Hermione drew in a sharp breath, quickly going over what had just happened in her head. Malfoy had just apologized for behaving like an arse towards her. She was so shocked and even more confused. Things were definitely changing between the two of them...

Hermione wasn't sure if it was just because she was starved from company, or because she was completely deluded, but Malfoy had been the main focus of her thoughts as of late, and Hermione didn't like it. She felt like she couldn't get away from him, he was always there, and that scared her. Was she falling for him?

"NO," she scolded herself. "It's just because you're stuck in here, it's making you go mad Hermione, you don't like Malfoy."

She looked around to try and distract herself, but it didn't prove to be very useful. The room was completely bare so there was literally nothing she could do. It was driving her crazy, her mind working in over-drive to think of things to do. Hermione eyed the door and tried a few non-verbal spells to try and unlock it. It didn't occur to her frazzled mind that she would have to escape the chains before trying to escape the actual room.

She gave a frustrated groan. There was nothing to do and it was killing her! She needed company, she needed human interaction. She again peered around the room for something to do. Finally, settling her gaze on the brick wall in front of her, she began to count.

Draco's alarm clock read 2:59am. He stared at it for a minute before returning his gaze to the ceiling. These sleepless nights were becoming beyond a joke. The constant bags under his eyes were a reminder of how badly his task was affecting him, his lack of participation in class was concerning his professors and he really didn't need them on his back. And to make things even worse than they already were, his classmates were beginning to notice the disappearance of the class swot Hermione Granger.

"Where is she?" "It's not like her to miss lessons." "Maybe she's sick." "Oh please, she would still come to one of Flitwick's charms lessons even if she was throwing up everywhere."

The non-stop chat about her was driving Draco insane. If her disappearance was beginning to spark interest, Draco knew he meant that it was almost time – almost time for Hermione to be left in the hands of the Dark Lord.

Draco groaned and turned over in his bed, his arms coming up above his head to reveal the dark black mark on his left forearm. He scowled at it before closing his eyes and trying to fall asleep.

3:07am. Draco groaned loudly. After 8 minute of tossing and turning, he still wasn't asleep. He could feel a pull inside of him, something trying to pull him out of his bed – to go and see her. Draco sighed and pulled back his duvet. The cold air instantly contrasted with the warmth of his skin, causing goose-bumps to erupt over his bare arms. He wearily stood up, slipped his feet into a pair of shoes and quickly exited the Slytherin dungeons.

Draco was grateful for the warmth the castle's corridors enveloped him in and he soon began to warm up as he made his way through the castle to his destination. Some of the portraits looked at him curiously as he walked, but he ignored them. They'd seen enough during his trips around the castle, so it wouldn't matter if they saw him this time.

Finally Draco reached the door and breathed a sigh of relief as he realised he was going to see Granger again. He would have to deal with these unknown feelings at a later date because at this moment all he wanted to do was to run inside that tiny prison cell and just be with her. And that's just what he did.

"... 456, 457, 458 45- Malfoy?" Hermione's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as the tall blonde Slytherin interrupted her counting. What was he doing here so late? Was it time for food?

"Have you come to give me food?" she asked, kind of already knowing the answer after noticing his empty hands.

"Obviously not," Draco replied, sarcasm lacing his voice as he sat down next to her on the floor. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I was counting the bricks in the walls, but you've me lose count," she replied, trying to regain her concentration by staring at the wall.

"You were trying to count the bricks?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well I- yes, I was," Hermione replied, her cheeks heating up. "But in my defence," she justified quickly, "I am bored out of my mind in this dump. Can't you bring me something, Malfoy? A book – or several, I don't mind – to keep me sane? Please!"

Draco inwardly laughed at her begging. It was kind of entertaining to watch her beg him and also... kind of a turn on?

"NO," he scolded himself. "It's just because you have no choice but to spend time with her, it's making you think of her, you don't like Granger."

Draco shook his head to rid himself of his thoughts and focused on the witch in front of him.

"I could," he pondered. "But I'm not sure if I'd be allowed to... 'Cause you know, Aunt Bella might think I'm being nice to you or something..." He trailed off, not sure where the sentence was going.

Hermione looked at him. "Aren't you being nice to me?" she asked quietly.

Draco averted his eyes from her face. He couldn't think straight in this room, it was too small, it felt like everything was closing in on him. All the secrecy, all the darkness, all the things that were going to happen. Draco felt like he couldn't handle it all. He angrily pounded his fist against the cold floor, ignoring the instant pain it created.

"Draco?" Hermione whispered worriedly.

His first name again. Fuck, it bothered him when she used his first name. He ran a hand through his tangled hair, thinking of what to say.

"Why do you keep on using my first name, like we're friends?" he asked.

Hermione blinked, caught by surprise.

"I-I don't know," she mutters. "I guess I do kind of consider you less than an enemy because you're the only person I can talk to now."

Draco sighed. This complicated things.