Thank you everyone for being so patient!! Reviewers, you guys ROCK!! I know it took me a while, but I finally finished Chapter 6!! Here it is!!! Enjoy!!!!

Chapter 6

Hermione raced out of the Gryffindor common room and down one of the many corridors that led to the Slytherin common room. She had checked the Marauder's Map on her way out and was nearly positive that that was where Malfoy was headed. She hoped it wouldn't look too unusual if someone saw her headed in that direction. She was a prefect after all, and therefore had every right to patrol the corridors.

When Hermione arrived at the portrait that concealed the common room entrance, she suddenly realized how ridiculous she was being. She had rushed out of Gryffindor Tower without any sort of plan. She had no idea how to get into the Slytherin common room, let alone an idea involving how to get Malfoy out. Luckily for her, three Slytherin second years were racing down the corridor towards her, tossing a Fanged Frisbee back and forth.

"Hold it!" Hermione screeched, stopping the second years. " Fanged Frisbees are for outdoor use ONLY. Hand it over." The boys looked at each other and exchanged looks of disgust before handing over the Frisbee.

" Thank you. I assume you three are in Slytherin?" she asked.

The tallest of the three boys rolled his eyes. " Well that's kind of obvious, isn't it? We wouldn't be here otherwise."

Hermione gave him a stern look. " Never mind that. I need to speak with Draco Malfoy on a prefect matter. Dumbledore's orders. Can you get him to come out here, please?"

The tall boy shrugged. " Whatever." He moved past Hermione to get to the portrait. " Articulous Drayconan." He recited. At once, the portrait swung open to reveal a door. As the boys climbed through, Hermione handed the Frisbee back to the third one.

A few minutes later, Draco Malfoy appeared from behind the portrait. Once he saw Hermione, he grinned his classic Malfoy grin, smugness and all. She couldn't help but blush.

" Dumbledore's orders, Granger? Very clever." He complimented as he walked toward her.

"Yes, well, I had to think of some way to get you to come out here, didn't I?" Hermione responded coolly.

Malfoy's eyes settled upon the pendant around her neck. " I see you got the gift I sent you."

" Yes, and it's beautiful." Hermione told him, her eyes shining. " But it's way too much. I can't let you waste your money on me."

Malfoy smirked. " Relax, Granger. I can afford it."

Hermione just stared at him. She had been right in thinking that Malfoy wouldn't give up until he got what he wanted. All Malfoys were like that. They went after what they wanted and they wouldn't rest until they had it.

" My point is, Malfoy, that it's way too much to spend just to get me to go out with you." Hermione said.

Malfoy shrugged. " Do you know a better way? I know you like me, Granger. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get you to admit it."

" But I DO like you! I'm just not ready to let everyone know yet." Hermione admitted.

" Are you at least ready to go out with me? Because if you're not, there's a pair of earrings that go with the pendant."

" Malfoy, please! No more gifts!"

He grinned sheepishly as he presented her with a small black box. " Too late."

Hermione gasped as she took the box from him. Slowly she opened it, and inside was a pair of diamond earrings that matched the heart shaped pendant. Emotions flooded over her as she closed the box and threw her arms around Malfoy's neck. She kissed him fully and passionately, completely overwhelmed by his. . . . everything.

Malfoy broke away from the kiss to look at her. " Have dinner with me tomorrow. In the Room of Requirement."

Hermione thought about it. She was still so unsure. " I don't know." She said.

Malfoy tilted her chin upward, forcing her to look at him. " Hermione. . . . please." He said.

Omigod, I think he just said my name. He called me Hermione! He really is serious about this! I can't believe it! He called me Hermione!

" You----you called me Hermione." She stuttered. " I don't think you've ever called me that before."

Malfoy smiled. " Well, if we start going out, we should be on a first name basis, don't you think?"

" Yes." Hermione answered weakly.

" So, it's agreed then? Dinner tomorrow in the Room of Requirement? Around 7:30?" Malfoy asked.

" That sounds really wonderful, Draco." She responded, putting special emphasis on his name. With that, she turned and walked back down the corridor, feeling happiness she hadn't felt in a long time.

Five minutes later, Hermione arrived at the Great Hall. She scanned the Gryffindor table and quickly found Harry and Ron.

"Hi, sorry I'm late!" she said as she took a seat next to Harry.

" You better bloody well be sorry." Ron snapped, taking an enormous bite of chicken.

"What's up with you?" Hermione asked.

" Well, you left us standing in your room. Lavender came up for something and about screamed when she saw us. We looked like complete idiots, standing there in the middle of all those flowers! She thought we were leaving them for you." Harry told her.

" Oh, well I'm sorry. But I just had to go and talk to Draco." Hermione explained.

" Draco? On a first name basis now, are you?" Ron snorted.

" Yes, actually, we are. I'm having dinner with him tomorrow." Hermione fired back.

" Dinner with him? Like, at the Slytherin table?" Harry asked.

" No, of course not! We'll be in the Room of Requirement." Hermione said, as if was obvious.

When neither Harry nor Ron said anything, she lowered her voice. " Look, I know that neither one of you approves of this, but I happen to like Draco. A lot. So could you at least try to be happy for me? Please?"

Harry and Ron exchanged looks of exasperation, but nodded.

" Okay, Hermione. If it's that important to you, we'll try." Harry said.

Hermione smiled. " Thanks. You two are honestly the best friends anyone could ever have."

The next evening around 6:30, Hermione began getting ready for her date with Draco. She had never felt this nervous or excited before. Sure, there was that thing with Victor Krum, but he had never actually given her goosebumps. Nor was his kissing nearly as good as Draco's. There was just something about Draco Malfoy. Maybe it was his allure, maybe it was his wit, and maybe it was even his arrogance. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the fact that he had been her sworn enemy for the past six years. They had called each other names, thrown countless insults and back and forth and had even resorted to violence on one particular occasion (She had punched Draco, back in third year.) And now, here they were, snogging in broom closets and having dinner in the Room of Requirement. How can anger, frustration and hate suddenly turn into physical passion? There was just something about a war!

It was about forty-five minutes later when Hermione began making her way over to the Room of Requirement. She was wearing a dress and heels, along with the pendant and earrings Draco had given her. She knew she looked good and she knew that Draco would think so. But she still had butterflies in her stomach. No guy had ever had this effect on her. She could feel her heart beating faster as she walked up to the Room of Requirement. The black door appeared as she approached, and she stepped inside.

The room was absolutely beautiful. Candles were everywhere, as was an aroma of delicious food. Hermione felt a pair of muscular arms drape themselves around her waist. " Hi, beautiful." Draco whispered as he kissed her neck. She smiled as he walked her over to the table. This was definitely going to be an interesting night.

And that's the end of Chapter 6!! Hope everyone liked it!! More coming soon, but until then. . . .reviews???? Pretty please???