Slightly shorter chapter, but it gets the job done.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all HP related things.

Paper Airplanes

Chapter 6

The next evening after dinner, Draco rushed to the head dorms to beat Hermione back. He did not want her sneaking out again to meet up with C; whoever the hell this guy was. His curiousity was definitely killing him. Just who had she seen a week before term started and had enough contact with to fall in love?

All day he had racked his brain to think of who C could be and he finally came up with a few candidates. Colin Creevy, a Gryffindor who had both initials starting with a C and had been friends with the trio for years; he was definitely the most unlikely, but he still went on the list. Michael Corner, last name starting with a C and although he wasn't a Gryffindor, he remembered that he was a DA member and had seen him in the tea shop in Diagon Alley the day she had been there.

The most likely candidate in his mind however, was Cormac McLaggan. She had after all, invited him to Slughorn's party two years ago, and his first name did start with a C. Cormac was also a Gryffindor who had been sitting down the direction she had sent that flirty wink to a few nights prior. Draco also remembered seeing him in Diagon Alley a week before term started; he had been at the apothecary.

Once Draco made it back to the head dorms, he pulled out his potions book and half finished essay to make it look like he was doing homework. When she arrived a few minutes later he greeted her warmly without seeming too eager for her to be back.

"Do you understand this bollocks about Betulina Berosma?" He asked. He didn't really need help with his homework, he just wanted to entice her into an intellectual conversation with him and perhaps distract her from other plans she might have.

"Just because it's used to cure muggle diabetes does not mean it's bollocks." She snapped as she sat her bag down in the usual chair. "Wizards may have a cure for it in infancy, but with as many muggle borns that join the wizarding world nowadays we need a remedy. Not to mention all the older wizards who give it to themselves with a poor diet."

He raised his hands in front of himself in mock surrender with a large smirk. "I was not meaning we did not need it, just that it seems to be the new trend to add to everything. To me it is a load of bollocks that it is used in almost every healing salve and potion. They are even adding it to the potion that helps you pass kidney stones. Surely no plant leaf can cure that many ailments."

"Like windex?" She snorted before noticing the confusion on his face, realizing he had no idea what she was talking about. "It's a joke from a muggle movie I enjoy."

He still looked confused.

"Sorry...a movie is like a wizard painting that tells a story. You can watch it as many times as you want, but it stays the same every time."

He looked a little less confused and nodded. "Right."

"Just like that book To kill a Mockingbird I saw you reading in Diagon Alley...there is a movie version of it. So you can see Atticus in court and Boo Radley save Scout."

He finally seemed to get what she was saying. "Oh so like a play that you watch a portrait perform?"

She grinned at his understanding. "Exactly. There is another movie called 'My big fat greek wedding', where the main character's father thinks that a window cleaner called windex is a cure for everything."

He chuckled softly. "Sounds interesting...so Betulina Berosma is like windex in your movie then?"

"That was my joke anyway." She said as she grabbed her cloak off the hook by the door and put it on. "I actually noticed you reading 1984 on the train. What... uhh...What made you decide to start reading muggle books?" She asked awkwardly. Of course she noticed Draco Malfoy reading two muggle books! It was a sight she thought she would never behold.

"Well I started reading them over the summer to piss my father off." He grinned at the idea, which made her snort in amusement. "But when I found out we were going to be heads together I decided to research, and read some classics so that we might actually have things to talk about. I felt that I might be able to understand you better if I knew more about your heritage. The last thing I wanted was for us to ignore each other or feel like we were constantly walking on eggshells."

Hermione tilted her head and beamed; even feeling a little flutter of excitement in her chest. She knew he was changing, but that was a very thoughtful answer. For a brief moment she wondered if she could see herself with Draco if she wasn't so in love with Charlie. She concluded that the answer was probably yes now that he was a changed man, but she loved Charlie very much and her hope was that he was it for her.

"You're a very thoughtful person Draco… and I am very proud of how far you've come, even if your father isn't."

He sighed, faking discomfort. He wanted her to think that he was saddened by his father's lack of affection toward him. In reality, he didn't give a shit. His father could piss off, because Draco was going to do whatever the hell he wanted and hopefully control his father in the process.

"Thank you." He faked sincerity.

"So what did you think of the way Tom Robinson was treated in To kill a Mockingbird?" She asked; happy she actually had someone to talk about classic muggle literature with.

"I see what your trying to do Hermione." Draco sang. "I admit that the racism shown in the book translates to blood purity in the wizarding world. It is a horrid act that I regret I believed for so long. You are living proof that powerful magic can come from anywhere."

"Good." She smiled, "Then I see no reason for us to be anything but courteous to each other while we live here." She started walking to the exit.

"Where are you headed?" He asked trying to stall her.

"I was just going to go to Gryffindor tower, Harry and Ron need help with their Transfiguration homework." She lied. He knew.

"Without your books...wearing a cloak?" He accused.

A small gasp escaped her mouth, and she bit her lip apprehensively. "I just wanted to go for a small walk outside to get some fresh air before I joined them. Plus they already have their books in the common room."

He was running out of ways to stall her without her getting suspicious. So he smiled charmingly at her. "I'd need fresh air before spending an evening with Potter and Weaselbee too."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, but she grinned in return. "Well if you need more muggle classics to read." She grabbed one of her books off the bookcase on the wall opposite the fireplace before handing it to him. "This is one of my favorites."

He looked at the book titled 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' before running his hand over the cover. She had just lent him one of her favorite books and he was going to savor the moment. "Thank you Hermione. I look forward to reading it."

Her grin grew, "I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will, Enjoy your night Hermione." Draco forced himself to look away from her beautiful face and picked up his quill again.

'At least she was acting friendlier', he thought as she exited into the night. 'If I could just take out C things would be perfect.'

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(Saturday: Two weeks until Hogsmeade weekend)

Draco decided to sleep in a little, he was feeling less threatened by C every day. Hermione had continued to take a walk every night, but she always came back looking, and smelling unravished; much to his pleasure. After a long hot shower he emerged into the common room wearing only his most comfortable grey pants. He was hoping she would catch him without his shirt on so he could judge her reaction to his looks. To his luck she was in the kitchenette.

He smiled as he watched Hermione fixing a morning cup of tea. Her back was turned to him, and obviously oblivious to his presence. She was wearing tight, black cloth pants that seemed to hug her hips in the most delicious of ways with a fitted purple shirt. When she stretched her arms out to reach the cinnamon sticks on the top shelf of the cabinets, her shirt rose up enough for him to get a glimpse of her bare back. He had no idea how he controlled himself enough to not bend her over the counter and have his way with her, but he did.

"Need a little help there?" He asked loudly from behind her.

She was startled by his sudden appearance, and turned around abruptly; dropping her hands to rest on the counter behind her. Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped at the unexpected sight of his bare chest. Her hands faltered to keep her standing, and she carelessly knocked over her steaming teacup. He smirked as her eyes seemed to wander over his body, knowing the sight of his naked, muscular chest without a shirt on is what made her react in such a way.

"Damn it." She cursed before prying her eyes away from him, and kneeling to pick up the broken shards of her favorite tea cup.

"Here, let me." He said, and vanished the liquid with a wave of his wand. The broken pieces of mug softly started to mend themselves, and landed in his outstretched hand; perfectly reconstructed.

He stepped closer to her as she stood up; their eyes locked on each other. He held out the cup for her to take. "Good as new." He smiled charmingly.

Her cheeks turned a particularly adorable shade of crimson as she took it from him.

"Thanks" She turned her back to him out of embarrassment. "Would you like me to make you a cup as well?"

"Yes please."

She started the tea kettle again, and grabbed a second mug from the cupboard. Placing a fresh cinnamon stick in each one. "Have anything fun planned for your first weekend back?"

"Slytherin's Quidditch tryouts are later this afternoon. I'll still be seeker, but we need two new beaters and a chaser. Blaise is Captain and asked me to help him." He leaned against the counter beside her and crossed his arms over his bare chest. "What about you, going to the Library I suppose?"

"Probably later." She answered while focusing her eyes anywhere but on him. He smirked again at her discomfort. "Charlie invited Ginny, the boys, and I over for tea this afternoon so I'll be going there for a bit."

"That should be a good time." The tea kettle started to whistle and she took it off the flame. "He is by far the coolest professor I have ever had. It was quite surprising really."

She poured the tea into each glass before handing him his. "And why praytell was it so surprising? He is the most adventurous of all the Weasleys."

He blew on the hot liquid in a slightly erotic fashion, making her blush again. He suppressed his smirk this time. "But that's just it...he's a Weasley." He said sarcastically.

She smacked his arm playfully. "That's not funny! They are like family to me and they are the nicest people I know." She took her cup of tea and walked into the seating area.

"I'm only joking Hermione. I've only had one class with him so far, but it was by far the funnest class I have ever attended of any subject in the past seven years."

She grinned. "Good, Charlie was very depressed when he had to quit the Dragon Reserve so I am glad teaching is working out for him, and that people are enjoying his classes."

"Me too, he seems like a cool guy. You'll have to let me know what fun things his other classes got to do."

"I will." She finished off her tea, and headed toward her room quickly, eyes still averting his pectorals. "I think I'll head over to Gryffindor early."

Before she could reach her room he shouted out to her, making her blush again. "You know if you wanted me to put on a shirt Hermione, all you had to do was ask."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

She had always had to help Harry and Ron with their homework, but they were in their final year and it was getting ridiculous. After helping them research their essays for over an hour, the four finally set out to Charlie's to talk about the first week. Hermione could not wait to see him; she knew she couldn't touch him around her three best friends, but just being close to him would be comforting.

They finally arrived outside his living quarters and Ginny knocked.

Charlie let them inside, swooping Ginny up into a brotherly hug. "How's my favorite sister?" He asked with a grin.

"I'm your only sister you goof!" She laughed. Charlie really was the perfect mixture of Bill and the twins; funny, smart, and adventurous with the perfect hint of childishness.

"I know but it's still fun to point out that you're my favorite." He poked her in the ribs. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his antics. "Well why don't you three look around the place while I get the tea started. Hermione could you help? You make it way better than I can."

Hermione nodded, happy to have a few minutes alone with him. She put on the largest tea kettle with English Breakfast while Ginny and the boys wandered into the bedroom and bathroom.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and planted several kisses along her neckline. She spun around in his arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him square on the mouth. They savored the short moment before breaking apart as to not get caught.

"Glad I got to get a few in." He winked as he stepped back an appropriate distance.

"Me too." She smiled as she got the four cups ready.

"How is life with the head boy?… He treating you okay? Because he is in my eldest class, and I can put him in line if I need to." Charlie threatened jokingly.

She giggled; something about him really brought out her own childish side. "He is being completely pleasant at the particular moment so that won't be necessary. Why? Jealous that I'm living with another man?" She mocked him.

"Me jealous?" He stepped back up behind her, pecked her cheek, and swatted her bum playfully. "Never."

She rolled her eyes as she finished the tea. Charlie stepped away from her just in time for the other three to come back into the sitting area without noticing anything.

The five of them had a great afternoon, talking mostly about all of the fun things Charlie had done for his classes. The younger two classes had met him by the Black Lake to play with some flying seahorses. He had brought a Nogtail and an albino bloodhound to his sixth year class. By the end of the afternoon Harry and Ron had heard all the details of the eldest class flying with dragons, and had complained that they should never have dropped it.

As they left to go back to the tower, Hermione hung back by his door stating she was going to head straight to her own common room. They bid her goodbye and headed down the hall to the left. When her three friends were out of sight, she knocked on his door again.

"Hermione." He smiled as he let her slide back into his living quarters.

"I forgot something." She said slyly as she closed his door to make sure they had privacy.

"And what might that be?" He smiled, knowing she was making an excuse to be alone with him.

She pulled him in for a passionate kiss, their tongues coming together in familiarity. They held onto each other for a several minutes before pulling apart, out of breath.

"That." She whispered.

"I don't think you got all of it." He grinned before he pulled her back in for another round of heavy snogging.

After a few minutes, she pulled away again. "You know I could do this all day and all night, but I should really go before someone else decides to pay you a visit."

"I know. I'm glad I have you to keep me in line." He sighed, "I'll see you in two weeks at The Three Broomsticks though right?"

She nodded and pecked his lips one more time. "I wouldn't miss it."

He swatted her backside again as she exited his quarters, before closing the door. She sighed happily as she finally headed down the hall toward her own dorms.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco and Blaise were heading back inside the castle after finally choosing their three new team members. The beaters needed some work, but there had been one third year who was extremely fast with the quaffle. She was going to be an exceptional player who could rival any of the other team's chasers.

On their walk, Draco had filled Blaise in on the note he found, and of his list of possible suspects for C's identity. Blaise told him that under no circumstances was tiny Colin Creevy 'getting some' and should be marked off his list immediately.

They had finally entered the castle and were about to split off for Blaise to go back to Slytherin when a very happy Hermione passed the hall in front of them.

"She's sure in a good mood." Blaise commented as they stared at her.

She was quite lost in her own world and didn't notice them, continuing down the hall toward the staircase that led to the head dorms. In fact, she was so lost in her own world she didn't notice Cormac Mclaggan walking the opposite direction. As they neared each other she ended up running right into him.

Cormac's hands shot up from his sides to grab her shoulders before she could fall backwards from the force of the impact. She blushed of embarrassment as he steadied her. It was a completely innocent gesture, although it looked quite incriminating to the two slytherins shortly down the hall.

"Sorry Cormac!, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings."

"No problem Herms," He grinned and patted her shoulders before stepping to the side.

She smiled at him sweetly before continuing on her path.

Cormac turned around as she passed; it was obvious he couldn't take his eyes off her arse in those delectable yoga pants.

Blaise turned to look at his best friend; catching the way his jaw was clenched, and the evil glint that was in his eyes. "Well, it looks like your instincts are probably right. Although I'm not sure why they are hiding their relationship."

"Potty and Weasel both hate him, she probably doesn't want them to know she's fucking him." Draco snapped as he glared at his new enemy down the hall.

"Should I tell Theo who his target is then?" Blaise asked.

"Yes." Draco responded. "And tell him I want it done before the weekend is over."

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