Weeks passed until it was mid-October and neither one of them had yet to make another move in their seduction game. Hermione felt embarrassed from the last time she had been alone with him and had tried her best to avoid him as much as possible, which was difficult considering he was usually with Blaise and Blaise wanted to talk to her. But he hadn't tried anything and continued to act like she didn't exist which was ok with her. She was even beginning to think that maybe their game was over.

That Friday night the prefects had a meeting with the Head Boy and Girl to discuss plans for the Halloween Ball that was coming up in two weeks. She arrived early to the classroom they were using and saw that it had been set up for and Malfoy to sit next to each other at the head of the table. It was the closest she would be to him since their encounter last month but with a sigh, she moved towards the table and sat down to wait for everyone to arrive.

The prefects trickled in over the next few minutes until all they were waiting for was Draco, who she knew would be coming from Quidditch practice. When he finally showed up he looked tired and eyed them all quizzically, as if momentarily confused as to why there were so many of them there. When he spotted the only open chair next to Hermione he smirked and made his way over, plopping down next to her and resting his arms on the table.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Now that we're all here, let's begin this meeting about the Halloween Ball." Hands immediately shot in to the air as the prefects all had questions but Hermione waved them down. "We'll go house by house to address any questions or concerns you have. I'll do my best to answer them per this handout I've received from the Headmistress."

Draco watched silently and leaned back in his chair as Hermione conducted the meeting. She seemed tense from the way she was leaning forward against the table. With a smirk he placed his hand on her knee and he felt her go stiff and stumble on her words.

"A-as I was saying, dates are not required for the dance," she finished, trying to ignore his hand. She wanted to move it but both of her hands were on top of the table and she didn't want to seem suspicious.

Draco smiled and squeezed her knee. "They are encouraged though," he chimed in.

The prefects all lit up and began talking amongst themselves about who would go with whom. Hermione smiled but breathed through her teeth, "What are you doing?!"

Draco smirked but said nothing and instead moved his thumb in circles on her knee. She had to admit that it did feel good but the fact that it was Draco Malfoy made her a little on edge. It was just a game after all but he seemed to still have the upper hand and that bothered her.

When the meeting was over he left the room first, followed by the prefects, leaving Hermione alone. She was about to leave as well when Blaise showed up at the door. "Hermione," he said with a smile.

Hermione smiled back. "Blaise. What are you doing here?"

Blaise closed the door behind him and stepped inside the classroom. "I heard there was a prefect meeting so I figured I'd find you here."

She nodded and eyed the door. "Any particular reason as to why you closed the door?" He nodded and closed the small distance between them, reaching out a hand to stroke her cheek. She shivered and clenched her hands together. "Blaise?"

"Remember when we used to meet between the book stacks over the summer?" he asked, dropping his hand but remaining close.

Hermione nodded. She had spent so much time at her job with him that it had become natural to expect him there when she showed up to work. Her memories of the past summer were full of whispers and laughter with him, as if they weren't on opposite sides of a war that could decide both of their fates. It hadn't mattered that they were in different houses or friends with each other's enemy. But it had been harder since coming back to school. Not only had they both been busy – her with Head's business and him with Quidditch – but the school rivalries had complicated their friendship. She had wished desperately that things would remain the same but she wasn't so naïve that she expected them to.

She smiled up at Blaise. "I have missed you," she replied with a slight blush.

He returned the smile. "I've missed you as well. What are you doing tonight?"

She was about to answer when the door opened, followed by, "Well, well, well." They both turned to see Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway with an interested look on his face and one hand on his hip, eyebrow raised. "Did I interrupt something?"

Hermione opened her mouth to retort but Blaise beat her to it. "Nothing at all mate. What are you doing here?"

Draco scoffed but dropped the arm that was on his hip. "I came to get Granger, I've been informed of some important Head's business and I need to discuss it with her." He leveled his eyes with Blaise. "Privately."

Blaise stared back at Draco. "You actually were interrupting something."

Draco shrugged. "Head's business mate, can't wait."

Hermione felt the tension in the room and hesitated. On one hand she wanted to continue talking with Blaise but on the other hand was her duty as Head Girl, which was an important role that only she could fulfill and surely Blaise would understand that. "Blaise."

Blaise turned back towards Hermione and raised an eyebrow. "You're not really going to go when we just started talking, are you?" he asked in a hushed tone.

She felt her emotions tug. "If it's Head's business I can't just leave it…"

His eyes narrowed slightly and his shoulders slumped a bit. He smiled tensely at Hermione before turning on his heel and leaving the room. Hermione felt bad but what choice did she have? If it was urgent business it must have come straight from McGonagall, not one of the teachers, and it must be important. Draco smirked at her and cocked his head for her to follow him, so she gathered her bag and did.

They made their way back to the Head's dorm. When they entered Draco sat down on the nearest couch and Hermione threw her bag on the opposite one.

"What's going on Malfoy?" she asked.

Draco let out a sigh and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Have you slept with Blaise?"

Hermione's cheeks flared red almost instantaneously. "Where in the world did you get that idea?!"

He finished unbuttoning his shirt and stood up, walking towards her. Hermione looked down and wrung her hands together. "Have you ever slept with anyone?" he asked.

She wanted to punch him. "It's none of your business," she replied through clenched teeth, still looking down at the ground.

He reached out and grabbed her right hand, bringing it up to place on his bare chest. "Have you ever felt a man before Granger?"

Hermione gulped hard and tried to move her hand away but he held it firm. "Let me go Malfoy!"

Draco held her hand firm and used his free to grab her other hand and place it on the other side of his chest. She hated to admit it but his pectorals felt firm and his skin was creamy and unexpectedly soft. A flashback to her second day back made her gasp as she remembered the jagged scar on his back and she dropped her hands.

"What is it?" he asked, gentler than she had thought he was capable of.

"It's nothing, I-I have to go." She turned and sprinted towards her room, practically slamming her door behind her. Crumpling, she fell against the closed door and tried to contain her heavy breathing.