Disclaimer: I'm doing this because I don't have enough money if lawyers decide to sue me. Why don't I have money? you ask...well the answer is I'm not J.K. Rowling...I hope to be someday but I'm not there just yet...If I could steal Draco I would, I mean who wouldn't but as it stands...I don't own anything of the Harry Potter world...none of it...not Harry...Not Ron...Not Hermione...No Draco...hell I don't even own a Flobberworm...did I spell it right? I don't know...

A/N: For all those who wrote to me, Thank you so much.

Firstly, apologies for the lack of an update all of last week and so late into this week. I was terribly ill for the past two weeks and couldn't do anything until I'd finished certain other urgent school assignments. Also, I'd planned to do this update earlier but it's my birthday and my lovely family decided to surprise me. So I had to wait for the opportunity to access my computer.

Secondly, A HUGE THANK YOU AND LOVE YOU to all those who wrote to me via PM or in the reviews. Your support means so much and knowing that so many of you are waiting for me to update the next chapter is so motivating, words fail me.

Thirdly, Everyone please send love to my beta, in your reviews, MrsHaloona ,She is wonderful and really I couldn't have asked for someone better to beta my work. She totally gets my perspective. So send her some love too.

I hope I'm forgiven and you all still love me and look forward to my updates. I had a couple of questions due to my unexplained disappearance for the last 10 days or so. So I'm going to answer any questions that won't reveal the plot just yet. Be patient believe me you'll want to know how and why these things happen.

Q1) Are you going to leave the story incomplete?

No, Absolutely not. I'm working on each chapter as I go but I'd already prepared the basic framework for the story before my first chapter was published. I'd be far ahead if I didn't have work and a master's degree to complete along with this...I'm quite like Hermione...How I wish I had a Time Turner...*Gazes at fake time turner...willing it to work*

Q2) How many chapters are there?

As of now, I have the rough draft for about 30 chapters totally. This may increase as I develop the story further.

Q3) Do I read all my reviews? This was sent via PM.

Yes, I read each and every review. Sometimes more than once. I try and reply to all reviews as well. If I've missed your's by some chance I'm truly sorry but I'll respond to the next one. So please keep the reviews coming.

Q4) Do I have any other fictional works published?

Not as of now. If you read my earlier notes, I've mentioned that I'm new to Fanfiction and writing it. However, I really enjoyed reading a lot of it and decided to take a shot at it. So far I'm really happy with the response and I hope to get lots more feedback and reviews.

Q5) Do I plan on writing other fan-fics?

Yes, I certainly do. The response has been really amazing and I'm so happy that people enjoy the story and look forward to it. It makes my day and motivates me to write while I'm on the train, during break etc.

In fact, I've got another idea for a fan-fic...another Dramoine one...but I'm still debating about whether I should make it a Oneshot or Not. I'm going to run the idea via my beta once I've completed the outline.

Without Further Ado...

Enjoy!

Tower

Hermione's face was burning with embarrassment as she and Malfoy silently patrolled the seventh floor, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts. She didn't regret kissing Malfoy, she was perfectly aware of what she was doing. If anything she regretted her rejection of him, not that she wanted things to progress beyond a kiss between them, but she knew that she'd handled it poorly. She could have easily put some distance between them and asked that they leave it there. No, instead she'd shoved him away like he was forcing himself on her. It was especially wrong because she'd done a lot more to him than he had to her. She'd noticed the scratches on his chest and she was certain there were a few on his back too. He probably thought she was such a hypocrite, she had practically vandalized him but he wasn't even allowed to touch her. Hermione decided that she would explain her behaviour once she'd calmed down and overcome her embarrassment.

This line of thought led to a new discovery Hermione realized that she was uncomfortable with the idea of Malfoy being upset with her; this newfound friendship was weighing heavy on her already. Sighing repeatedly, as quietly as she could, Hermione concluded that the moment she'd agreed to become friends with Malfoy, she'd felt responsible for adhering to her code of friendship, regardless of whether Malfoy treated her as a friend or not. But this friendship was twisted by prejudice, contempt, revenge, pride, self-righteousness, desire, and a plethora of emotions that they shared. They were born on opposite sides of the fence and she was walking the path less travelled.

Would she regret her decision to make Malfoy an ally in her scheme to win Ron? Would Harry resent her for it? She hadn't really considered how her friends would react to it?Should she call it quits right now and let the cards fall where they may? No...Absolutely not. She had been patient and cautious all along. She wasn't going to wait on the sidelines anymore. It's not like she was cheating on Ron, they were friends and she wasn't doing anything to directly ruin his relationship with Lavender. She was just trying to make him realize that he actually saw her as more than a friend but was taking her for granted. She had to agree to one aspect though, she was using Malfoy, he had agreed to let her use him for his own amusement but she was using him nonetheless. A twinge of guilt stabbed at her conscience, as she squeezed her eyes shut to block the thought from her mind.

"Should we head to the Astronomy Tower now?" Draco asked in a bored voice but it didn't come off quite right. Hermione's eyes snapped open and she looked at her watch before she nodded.

The stairs to the tower were fairly tight wound and felt never-ending. Hermione always felt like a pilgrim by the time she'd reach the top of the tower. It was an exhausting walk, to say the least, why didn't they have some type of escalator when they had magic? She would have to ask McGonagall about it sometime. Just before she entered the observatory situated at the very top of the tower she paused and waited for Malfoy. He looked a bit out of breath as he turned the bend and found her fidgeting hardly daring to glance his way. He'd always found it cute, lending her an air of innocence. "What's going on, Granger?" Draco asked leaning against the wall, a smirk playing about his lips.

Hermione sighed before saying in a defeated voice "Ron and Lavender are probably making out up here. I don't want to walk in on them"

"So are you telling me that we just say everything is fine and then leave after making me climb these godforsaken stairs." Draco hissed. "No, that's not what I meant. Actually, I was hoping you'd check. If they're there would you mind stopping them and sending them back?" She asked sweetly. "So you want Weasel to hate me for ruining date night instead of you?" Draco asked with amusement. Hermione looked guiltily up at him as she nodded vigorously with a mischievous grin. "You have so much Slytherin potential, I'm beginning to feel the Sorting Hat was sorely mistaken in putting you in Gryffindor." Draco smirked before adding on a more serious note, "What's in it for me darling?" Hermione's scowl at his earlier comment dissolved into confusion momentarily before she realized he wanted something in exchange for bearing Ron's wrath. "You'll get to watch Ron squirm? Is there something else you'd rather have, my love?" Hermione asked considering any other possible offers. Hermione noticed that Draco used endearments to emphasize his sarcastic comments and in a way remind her of their deal. Using endearments was not Hermione's style, but she decided to try to implement his strategy.

"Having him squirm is on the house babe. I want a favour from you, not today. I'll tell you when I need it, and you will do as I say no questions asked. Agreed?" Draco stated in that business tone of his, he noted her use of an endearment and he knew she was just trying to play his game but it felt nice. Hermione knew he was being absolutely serious and expected her to make a commitment. Giving her word to Malfoy, promising to do as he asked without question was a steep price, so she amended it. "I agree to your condition in so far as it doesn't cause harm physical, emotional or mental to me or my friends. Okay?" "Deal" Draco grinned, holding out his hand for her to shake.

Hermione looked rather confused by this gesture. "Isn't this how Muggles seal the deal?" He asked equally confused. "Yes, that's how it's done, but why...how do you know it?" She had a lot of questions but decided that these questions could wait for another day, so she merely shook his hand.

Draco stepped out into the windy night as Hermione went down a flight of stairs and began climbing as slowly as possible. Just as she was about to reach the top, she was almost knocked over by a hurtling Lavender whose dishevelled hair partially covered her half unbuttoned shirt. She was followed by a furious Ron whose hair and face were an identical shade of red. Spotting Hermione, he turned on her with narrowed eyes "Looks like Lavender's right, you're just jealous that I have someone and no one will have you. You're going to wind up as a frustrated old librarian with cobwebs between her legs. A bookworm with no imagination..." He lashed out at her, regardless of who had found them. He blamed her like he always did. It didn't matter who had been patrolling the Astronomy Tower, he'd still blame her for getting caught. She always got the short end of the stick, despite being a far more selfless friend.

"Enjoy your night with Malfoy. He's up for fucking anything in a skirt, I'm sure he'll do you if you promise not to tell anyone, wouldn't want to tarnish his reputation." Ron sneered at her before he continued down the stairs.

Hermione collapsed on the topmost step where she'd been standing leaning against the wall. She could feel tears pricking at her closed eyelids as the shock of his words washed over her. She tried to hold it in, but she had to face the fact that everything he'd said had been true at some level. Sure, it hurt that he'd lashed out at her but the truth of those statements went deeper. Ron had voiced her worst fears, that Lavender was better than her, that she'd be left alone with no one to love her, that Malfoy would only do her if she promised not to say anything, she hadn't even realized that she feared that last thought. She never expected Ron to be so hurtful, not to her. She realized she was crying in front of Malfoy yet again. Hermione opened her eyes to find him sitting beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. She rested her head against his chest and sighed as a fresh wave of tears poured down her face. "He said it in anger, I'm sure he doesn't mean anything by it" Draco tried to reassure her but his voice was hollow almost devoid of any emotion.

"Everything he said was true, except the part about you agreeing to fuck me. I don't think you'd do that even if I never told a soul," She laughed a mirthless laugh.

"Hmmm...honestly I'd never imagined having a halfway decent conversation with you..so.," Draco stated in a somber tone.

"I guess it is strange enough that we're something like friends. The Wizarding World would spontaneously combust if we went so far as to have sex with each other." Hermione laughed suddenly, the thought of everyone's shocked expressions at making such a discovery was certainly an amusing one.

At least she'd stopped crying, he thought, feeling mildly relieved. He'd never been trained to handle emotions, only conceal them. After a few minutes of silence and sighs, Hermione pulled herself away from Draco, wiping her face on her sleeve. Draco shook his head rolling his eyes in disgust, pulling out his handkerchief and dampening it using a spell to turn water vapour into water. He handed it to her before walking down the steps.

As she wiped her face, Hermione couldn't escape the complicated reality that was fast becoming her life. They finished their patrolling duties with no other incidents. Hermione sighed in relief as their night drew to an end, she really wanted to crawl into bed and forget everything.

"I'm sorry for earlier," Hermione said without warning. Draco who had been somewhat preoccupied with his own thoughts started at her voice. " Sorry... whatever for?" He asked looking genuinely confused.

Hermione realized that she wasn't sure how to phrase it. "Earlier, when we were in the classroom, I shoved you away like you'd done something wrong." She explained, this was as embarrassing as the incident itself, she thought.

"Hermione, I was just living in the moment, don't fret. It was a good kiss that could have led to more. If you don't want it, that's totally fine. Though do warn me how far you want to go next time." He requested coolly as though the entire matter hadn't affected him at all.

"You have to teach me that, say you will, please promise me you will." Hermione badgered him. Malfoy raised an eyebrow in question to her unknown request. "Teach me to be calm in the face of chaos. To not reveal all my emotions as they move around." She explained excitedly.

"It's not challenging, it just requires... practice. We can practice it when we meet next." He smirked at her childlike ways. "Brilliant!" Hermione beamed. Malfoy understood her need to conceal her emotions, she'd oscillated between so many states in the span of a few hours. It looked positively exhausting.

"I might not be able to meet you for a few days though. I'll let you know when we can meet next." He said emotionlessly, before taking something out of his pocket and handing it to her. She held out her palm not sure what to expect. She looked at the miniature umbrella, her umbrella, before quickly pocketing it. "Thanks, oh dear, I didn't get your jacket. I'll get it to you when we..." Hermione was cut short by the finger on her lips and the serious look on Draco's face. "Keep it...that windcheater of yours can't protect you." He smiled down at her, an unusually kind light in his grey eyes before he bent his head to place a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, my love." He murmured softly against her hair. When she pulled away, she noticed the bluish shadows beneath his eyes and the anguish in his eyes puzzled her. She blinked and it was gone. Had she imagined it perhaps? She raised herself on her toes and pecked his cheek. "Goodnight Draco."

She was about to turn away when Draco held her hands in his and raised them to his lips to brush her knuckles against them. "Promise me you'll wait for me," he asked in a choked voice, his eyes distant. She nodded, totally clueless to what he was referring to at the moment. He smiled then, relaxing his tense shoulders, looking more peaceful, before turning around and walking down towards the dungeons.

Hermione walked back to Gryffindor tower, feeling very confused about her interactions with Draco. They were getting more surreal with each meeting. It was like they entered an alternate universe when it was just them. Draco was kind, considerate, chivalrous...human. He didn't behave like the demon spawn she'd known since the first moment she'd met him. Something wasn't quite right and regardless of her disturbed state, Hermione was determined to get to the bottom of it. Malfoy wouldn't make it easy, she knew that he'd not let her in easily. So far he seemed to let his walls down only when she was vulnerable. Hermione liked having a goal, she would find out what was going on with Malfoy, she thought with a determined smile.

Draco entered the Slytherin common room and sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, shivering. He wasn't cold from the wind but from the fear that had been coursing through him since he'd received a letter. Earlier that evening just before he could make his way to McGonagall's office, he'd received a letter from his father.

Draco,

I hope that you're making timely progress on your assignment. I will be highly displeased if you should fail. As a Malfoy, you cannot fail, you know your place in the world. However, should your performance be less than satisfactory, suitable punishment shall be provided.

We will see you soon for a full report on the matter. Do not disappoint me.

L.M.

Draco stared at the letter reading it yet again. He'd crumpled it up and shoved it in his pocket as he stormed out of the dungeons. If anyone read the letter, it would appear that his father was overbearing and ridiculously concerned with schoolwork, but the underlying meaning of the words wasn't lost on Draco. While his father certainly wanted him to beat Granger at school, the assignment was beyond the scope of the syllabus. Draco pulled up his left sleeve to his elbow, muttering 'glamourous revelio'. He stared as his pure white skin shifted, revealing the Dark Mark. It soiled his otherwise unblemished skin, he felt like it polluted him with its presence. He thought back to the evening when his father had declared that the Dark Lord had decided to bestow the great honour of including Draco in his ranks. Draco had nearly gagged, he wanted to quit keeping up his pretenses and say a flat outright no. He didn't care if his father disowned him, he wasn't interested in being a murderer which was a key responsibility under the title of Death Eater. He'd destroyed enough of his life in the name of being a Malfoy, he wasn't going to destroy his soul too.

He hadn't accounted for his mother though, she had pleaded with him. He couldn't refuse her anything, she was certain that they would kill him for his disobedience and she couldn't bear the thought of losing her only son. She promised that she'd find a way to help him but he had to keep up the act at least for now. So, he'd let them brand him like he was some mindless bovine. He was informed that his actual initiation would be held at a later time, that they didn't have the required supplies. He didn't have the courage nor the desire to ask what were the said supplies.

The Dark Lord had assigned Draco the simple task of killing the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. Draco had thought it was a joke when he was informed of the task. Surely the Dark Lord wasn't stupid enough to think that he, a sixth-year student, could challenge one of the greatest wizards of all time and come out alive. However, it seemed that the Dark Lord wasn't particularly interested whether Draco came out alive or not. Draco couldn't believe that his proud father was so blinded by this psychotic egomaniac that he was willing to sacrifice his only son.

He'd hid the disgusting mark on his arm; he looked at it each night to remind himself that it wasn't a nightmare. The time he spent with Granger, that was the dream, this was his harsh reality that would destroy the dream. He feared her reaction when she eventually found out that he was a Death Eater, the disgust, revulsion, and rejection that her eyes would hold. The thought pained him, but he knew that he deserved her hatred nothing but it. This pretend relationship was the closest thing to love he'd ever have with her and he was happy with it. At least she looked at him with something beyond contempt. She had said that they were friends of sorts. He hated everything that Weasel had said to Hermione and the way he treated her but he knew that without the lousy Weasel, he would never have had the opportunity to be with her. He made his way to bed thinking about his kiss with Hermione in the classroom. In that moment, he'd felt her want him for himself. He focused on that thought, allowing it to calm him until sleep claimed him.

Note: Did you read the A/N?

Go on Give me Reviews...It's my birthday...It's the least you can do...Besides chocolate of your choice to everyone who reviews and a Firebolt... Ok...maybe I'm getting carried away...But you can't blame a girl for trying...I do hope you enjoyed it though.

So please just leave a word, a thought, a smiley...Anything

Love...Esa.