Author's Note: This is the sixth chapter in "A Winter's Kiss" I entitled it "Inside Out". Read and you'll find out why! In the last chapter Hermione discovered that Draco has endured a life of torturous beatings from his father! The night brought cool remarks, tears, and most of all love. But what will tomorrow bring? Find out in Inside Out! Twist,tears, and troubles ahead! Please R/R...I will use all flames to RULE THE WORLD!! Sorry this chapter took so long, you know how busy a person can get.

A Winters Kiss: The Extended Version by EgyptianAngel

Chapter Six: Inside Out

Hermione traveled back to Hogwarts and into Gryffindor tower as quickly as she could, but the fear of getting caught slowed her. She whispered the password and drug herself to her dorm and into her bed, not even bothering to undress. The night had been emotionally draining, and she was too exhausted to think about much of anything. Hermione slept peacefully, she didn't like to admit it, but having something so forbidden belong to you was an odd, satisfying feeling.

It wasn't until Draco reached his bed that he had time to really think about where this would all lead. He knew that not much good would come of his love for Hermione, but he would be ready for it. He didn't fear what Potter and Weasley would do, and he certainly felt strong enough to face his father, although he didn't know how long his bravery would last. It wasn't hard to admit his love, he just couldn't stand those mushy couples at Hogwarts that got all kissy in the corridors, he couldn't let himself become one of those boyfriends. Suddenly his stomach turned, what happened in the chamber meant they were together, right? He'd have to find out somehow...

That Friday, Hermione decided to watch the Quidditch Game. She felt guilty that she had been so engulfed in all of her other responsibilities that she had completely forgotten about Quidditch and hadn't watched a game all year. Unfortunately, this match was Gryffindor versus Slytherin and she wasn't quite sure who she was going to root for. What was she saying? Of course she would cheer Ron, Harry and her house on, she thought as she took a seat next to Neville and Dean. She had missed the first ten minutes of the game and already the score was Slytherin 50 and Gryffindor 20. Both crowds were going wild with the excitement of the game.

Draco searched the sky for the small, golden snitch when suddenly he was rammed into. Catching his grip on his broom to keep from falling to the ground he realized that it was Harry who had tried to throw him from his broom.

"What's your problem, Potter?" Draco shouted to Harry, even though they were hovering only feet from each other.

"You're not going to win this game by cheating Draco."

"No, I think you're taking care of the cheating yourself."

"I'm making sure you don't try anything!""Me? I'm not the one running into people."

"Look, just stay away!"

"If you think I'm going to stay away from the snitch you're crazier than I thought Potter. I'm the seeker, it's my job to catch the snitch!"

"I'm not talking about the snitch! I'm talking about Hermione!" Harry shouted over the noise of the crowd as Seamus Finnigan announced that Ginny Weasley, who now played as Chaser, had scored ten points for Gryffindor.

"You really are crazy, Potter. I won't let Hermione or the snitch out of my sight," Draco said, and as he did he saw the snitch fly past Gryffindor's far right goal post.

The ball changed its directions quite rapidly. It circled around Gryffindor's Keeper, Ron Weasley, who seemed to take no notice of the snitch. It made another circle around and flew north.It quickly flew his way and Harry seemed to catch sight of it as well. They looked at each other for a moment, and then dove straight down in a race to retrieve the snitch, pushing and bumping each other along the way. Draco glanced sideways at Harry, who showed no sign that he was going to pull up soon. Harry heard Seamus announce that Slytherin made a double play and scored 20 more points. Draco shoved Harry a short distance away, but Harry managed to fly back into position almost immediately. Draco sat lower to his broom and outstretched his hand for the snitch that lay just centimeters out of his reach. It was no longer a race to see who could catch the snitch and victory for their team, it was about who was better on a personal level. Draco's fingertip touched the snitch and he was about to grab it when he felt a powerful sting in his arm as Harry shoved the end of his broom into it. Before Draco could recover Harry caught the snitch.

"HARRY POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH! Final score: Gryffindor 180 Slytherin 70! CONGRATULATIONS GRYFFINDOR!" Seamus bellowed as the Gryffindor crowd went wild, running down onto the field to congratulate the players.

The days turned into nights, and they slowly passed, now seeming darker to Hermione as she walked through Hogsmeade quickly, not really knowing where she was going. It had been two weeks since that night in the chamber and she could see all the events since then flashing through her head in a whirlwind of images. All the awkward conversations with Harry and Ron pressing her to tell them why she was "acting so weird."

The days they spent pretending with all their cool little remarks and the nights when Draco held her close, kissing her passionately. Feelings came rushing to Hermione, the warmth of his skin, the depth of his silver eyes, the intoxication of his kiss. Hermione began to shove her way through the crowd, running to an unknown place that she couldn't seem to reach. Her eyes became blurred, her head spun and she was no longer aware of the rest...

"Sit up, dear" Madam Pomphrey told her, but her voice seemed distant at first.

"What happened?" she asked, sitting up.

"You fainted in Hogsmeade, a bit too much stress, perhaps it would be wise to drop a few classes, dear…" the nurse rambled on. Hermione glanced to the small table beside her.

"Your homework is all here, along with some gifts from Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley...and even some beautiful roses. It seems you have a secret admirer, Miss Granger.

"She smiled as Draco came to mind, and as if right on cue, Draco came into the hospital wing with her Potions homework, as Madam Pomphrey stepped into her office. He added her work to the growing pile.

"No doubt you'll have this all done in less than a day" he commented, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Draco sat on the bed beside her, brushing away the thick curls from her face gently.

"You know Granger, I really missed teasing you."

"Funny, I didn't spend a moment thinking about you."

"Oh? Is that so?" he asked in his usual smug tone. Before she could answer he lowered his lips just an inch away from her and whispered, "I missed you."

His lips met with hers and they kissed passionately, holding each other close. She didn't need words to know that he had been worried about her. All too soon he broke their kiss.

"Meet me by the lake at midnight on Friday," and with that, Draco left.

"Hey sleeping beauty," Harry said as he and Ron entered the hospital wing a few moments later.

"I was beginning to get worried, I have an exam coming up and I need someone to copy off of."

Ron tried to hide his concern with sarcasm, but Hermione just smiled and said, "I missed you too Ron."

Hermione caught up with her studies quickly, and things were back to normal at Hogwarts by Friday. Well, as normal as they could be anyway. She trudged back to her dorm after a long, hard day of classes and all she wanted to do was relax. She finally reached her dorm to see all of her roommates running around the room half-naked.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Getting ready for the dance!" Lavendar shrieked excitedly. Hermione froze. She has completely forgotten about the dance...and worse yet, not one boy had asked her.

Although, she couldn't blame the entire male population of Hogwarts for isolating herself from everyone but Harry and Ron...and...she looked at herself in the mirror...she wasn't the most attractive girl in Hogwarts. Her insecurities were sinking in deeper. She couldn't have exactly expected Draco to ask her, their situation was rather fragile.

"Aren't you going to get ready?" Parvati asked.

"No, I have to study." she said quickly, not wanting them to rub in the fact that no one had asked her.

Her four roommates all shot each other looks of sympathy, and suddenly Parvati forced her onto a stool before her vanity mirror. Before Hermione could object, Lavendar was smearing foundation onto her face, and she didn't dare open her mouth, Parvati's powder would gag her. As she sat there being pampered she tried to prepare herself for how humiliated she would be tonight.