Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long this is an extremely busy month for me at work, with family, and a few other things that have happened. This chapter is going to be extremely short, no Draco just all Hermione. Thank you to dramonie1028, Grovek26, apriljunemay, BeautifulRider, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, and marzipan4 for reviewing. Thank you to marzipan4, B-Mine, BookWormmy, Kamii'Lil'Bear, DauntlessSlytherinTravae, Shiriah, BeautifulRider and sheismagic for following. And thank you to BookWormmy for adding this story to your favorites.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Hermione made her way slowly back to the Gryffindor common room. She kept replaying the events that had just taken place over and over again in her mind. Her lips still tingled from where Draco had kissed her and she couldn't help but crack a small smile. Just as soon as she smiled though she was reminded that this was Draco Malfoy that had kissed her. For what reason? He hated her…but then again he said he couldn't hate her. Didn't she hate him though? Or did she really only dislike him because of the way he had always treated Ron and Harry? Sure he had called her a mudblood on more than one occasion and he was rude and conceited and a pompous arrogant git most of the time, but if the boys hadn't been part of the equation would he have treated her the same? Would he have left her alone or would he have still tormented her?

So many questions swirled around in her mind as she mumbled the password to the fat lady and the portrait to the common room swung open. It was quiet, seeing as how it was late enough that everyone who wasn't at the party still had probably retired to their rooms. However she was unprepared for the boy sitting next to the fireplace whose eyes locked onto hers immediately as she entered. She eyed him warily not sure how to take his lingering gaze. He patted the couch next to him motioning for her to come sit with him.

"Cormac…listen-" She started to move towards the couch but he cut her off.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I really don't know what came over me. I should never have tried to force myself on you." Cormac interrupted her.

She stood silently at the end of the couch looking down at him. She wasn't sure if she wanted to sit or not. He took her silence as a chance to keep going with his apology.

"I was an absolute prat to treat you the way I did. Obviously had too much punch…even though that is no excuse."

"No it's not." She said softly. He looked down at his hands and Hermione could tell he felt poorly about what he had done. She sat at the end of the couch as far from him and she could and she gave him a small smile.

"I suppose it's a good lesson learned then is it not? Never drink too much punch at a christmas party." She said with a small laugh earning one from him as well.

"I do have to ask though…what is going on with Malfoy? Everyone knows you've befriended Zabini but it's no secret Malfoy hates you, Harry and Ron." Cormac asked seriously.

Draco's words played in her mind again. As much as I want to…I can't. I can't hate you. She shook her head and picked imaginary lint from her dress.

"I have no idea honestly. Blaise mentioned something about him being upset he wasn't invited to the party and was planning on crashing. Maybe he's the one who messed with the punch and maybe he had too much of it as well." She lamely offered.

"His father and mine are friends. I know his father is in Azkaban but I'm sure he still has some sort of reach towards Draco. He's been afraid of his father since we were young. I have to admit I already sent an owl off to my father. Wish I hadn't though…I acted in haste. Can deal with Malfoy myself I can. Besides I'm sure his mother wouldn't dream of punishing her pride and joy." Cormac said.

Hermione gave a very unlady like snort in response to this information. "You two were friends when you were younger then? No wonder you don't get along now you're practically the Draco Malfoy of Gryffindor." She said.

Cormac blanched at that and started sputtering about how that wasn't true at all. Hermione waved it off and stared into the fireplace. "It really doesn't matter Cormac. You're a Gryffindor so you have to be loads better than Malfoy in the first place to be sorted here." She had to wonder if some of the Slytherins were to be sorted again if they would end up in Slytherin a second time?

Seeming satisfied with her statement Cormac nodded and agreed. "Well I ought to be headed to bed now. I suggest you do the same Hermione."

But she didn't. Even after he had gone up she never moved off of the couch. Even after Harry and Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindors came back after the party she still stayed curled up on the couch staring into the fire. They were all so out of sorts from the punch at the party that no one noticed the top of her head poking out from the side where she had laid it down on the couch arm.

She fell asleep like that. Soon after her dreams were plagued with fiery snakes and grey eyes.

Authors Note: Reviews=love! Sorry this was extremely short. I will try and work on a good chapter this week but I figured for those of you who have been patiently waiting here was a small snippet for you.