A/N: Welcome to 'Timeless' chapter 10. Woopie! I can't believe we're here. I was sure this fic was going to be a flop but thanks to you all it's been doing great. Anyway, I just want to thank you again for your wonderful reviews and hope you keep on at it.

Disclaimer: Do not own Harry Potter. Only plot.

[Friday night]

Hermione was laughing so hard she was crying.

"Stop laughing. That memory's traumatized me. My cousins almost ruined my life because of that." Draco was protesting.

He and Hermione were sitting down on a blanket at the Astronomy Tower, exactly four days after their first kiss. They've been trying to meet as much as possible and they've been doing a good job so far, coming here every night just getting to know each other. Thus far, Draco has learned a lot about Hermione. For example, he noticed how she looks at you straight in the eyes when you talk to her. It's as if you were the only one she was paying attention to; a feeling that Draco definitely liked. How she sometimes touches your arm gently to assure you of something or when she wants you to know that she meant what she was saying. How she loves reading and horseback riding. Then there were those more sentimental facts: How much she cared for her family. How much she loved learning and experiencing new things. And, to Draco's slight dismay, how much she adored Potter and Weasley. It was becoming clearer and clearer exactly how important they were to her. And, for some reason he didn't know, it annoyed him.

Hermione tried to suppress her giggles, "I'm sorry. But I can picture you flying up in the air in the middle of winter in your knickers." And then another round of laughter busted out of her.

"I told you they bullied me. Merlin knows I think I might need therapy, I was only seven." He said, but he laughed too, not necessarily because of his story but because of Hermione's giggles. He really liked the sound of it. "Do you know, when they finally told me to come down, they had to use a heating charm to get me off the broom. It was so cold up there that I was practically frozen to it."

At this, Draco was sure Hermione could potentially die from laughing too hard.

[Wednesday Night]

Hermione was radiating so much heat from her body that she was almost sure she could have thawed all the snow in the green house. They were kissing, rather fervently too, behind a tall bookshelf near the back of the library. Draco had her against the back wall, his arms tight around her waist and hers wound firmly around his neck. His kisses felt so good Hermione had to fight to stay upright. He was varying the way he kissed her, sometimes it was slow and very gentle, and then the next moment it was harder and quicker, full of passion. Draco lowered his kisses down to her neck, sliding it first across her cheek and then finally resting just above her collarbone. She moaned softly as he gently nipped her soft skin, evoking emotions from her that she had never felt before. Hermione buried her hand into his hair, faintly pressing his head a little more to her body.

When he finally lifted his head, he gazed down at her, smiled mischievously and then pressed his mouth on hers once again.

Hermione didn't know what to make of their situation now. Sure she liked it, she liked it a lot. But it kind of made her wonder, I'm snogging this guy, who by the way was my number one tormentor but I've learned isn't that much of a prat after all, is this normal after just over a week? I mean, are we even going out? Hermione had so many unanswered questions that she could've easily written an exam. But as soon she thought about Draco and what he was doing to her now, all that was swept away like dust in the wind.

[Tuesday night]

They were flying over the Forbidden Forest. Draco had taken her out flying on his broom, from over the castle, over the Quidditch pitch, over the lake and now they were high above the darkened forest. Hermione was seated in front of him, her arms around his waist like he was her life support.

All through the ride, Hermione had to get used to the height and speed which flying involved. In the beginning, she hadn't allowed him to get too high but after a while he started to get anxious. It was not normal of him to be on a broom and be ten feet above the ground. He wanted to kick off hard and fly so high you could go through the clouds. He wanted to show her the excitement and freedom that you feel being above everything else. He wanted to show her one of the most important aspects of his life. For some reason, he wanted her to like flying, too. He wanted to share the elation he got when you were so high you could see everything around you.

It took Hermione to relax a lot longer than he thought, but when he looked down at her, her face in a wide smile and the wisps of her hair fanning his face in the wind, he realized that he'd gained more love of flying. He was still thinking about this when he felt Hermione's sudden lips on his cheek.

He looked down at her with a bemused smile, "What was that for?"

She shrugged. "For taking me out tonight."

"Thanks for accepting the offer."

That made Hermione laugh and she snuggled closer still. That was another thing that really impressed Draco. It wasn't until last night that he realized just how much they laughed together. Although it had only been just over two weeks, that was long enough to tell whether something was going to work out or not. And as far as Draco has seen, nothing negative has presented itself to make either of them think that this was all for nothing.

"You know what..." Hermione started to say when Draco cut her off.

"No, but I think I'm about to find out." He teased.

Hermione gave him an exasperated look and nudged him on the side with her elbow. "Seriously,"

He chuckled to himself, "Ok, what were you going to say?"

"I was going to say how flying isn't that bad."

"Really?" he asked, "I told you I was going to keep my word. I would never let you fall off." And then he added, "Maybe when we're a little closer to the ground, I might."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

"Why yes I do."

Hermione smiled before leaning up to kiss him again. "Yes. You are smart," she admitted, "But I'm better."

Draco looked at her, cocking an eyebrow, "Oh you think so?" he asked, but by his tone Hermione could tell he was up to something. She gave him a look that matched his expression and then they were going down, top speed. Hermione's heart felt like it had jumped to her throat, her head felt light and her body was only just on the broom.

When they abruptly stopped softly on the ground, just off the Quidditch field, she hit him on the arm with all the strength she could muster after that deflating experience.

It turned out that she still had quite a bit of potency left in her because Draco stumbled a bit.

"Hey!"

"That was not funny! I could've died!"

"No you couldn't have." He bellowed, shocked at how strong she was for such a petite person.

"I almost had a heart attack. You have to stop doing that." She yelled a bit because she was getting genuinely upset. She didn't know why because he'd done it before and she'd enjoyed it then. But this time, she countered her own mind, it was way too high and it was faster. He was being reckless. She started walking surprising both Draco and herself.

"Hey," he called softly, running up to her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were going go mad on me."

"Well you should've known better." She stopped walking when he put his hands on her shoulders. "I told you I'm not used to flying. I hate heights. I only did that because you said you weren't going to do anything rubbish."

"I know. I'm sorry." When she didn't say anything, he said, "C'mon you know I wouldn't have let you fall. It was just a joke and I won't do it again until you say I can."

She ignored him. Draco smiled, thinking how cute she was when she was angry. He put his arms around her. "Do you hate me?" he whispered teasingly into her ear.

"Yes." She answered fiercely.

He kissed her nose, "Do you hate me?" he asked again. Hermione said, "Yes". She was determined not to let Draco use his charm on her, but... Draco kissed her cheek, "How about now?" he asked again. Hermione sighed, "Yes" she answered. He kissed the side of her neck, "Really?" Hermione's resolve was cracking, "Yes" she managed to whisper. Draco tightened his hold on her even more, and then licked her ear, "Really?" he asked one final time. His voice was deep and hoarse. Hermione's pulse quickened. She couldn't take it. Oh Merlin, it was only a stupid joke, she thought logistically. Hermione sighed and whimpered a 'no'. And then she threw her arms around him and kissed him hard on the lips.

Draco pulled back after a moment, confusing Hermione. He smirked boyishly, saying, "See? I told you I was clever." And then kissed Hermione, not letting her remark on anything else for that night.

"Why are you so happy for?" Ron asked. He'd been concerned because Hermione's mouth had been curved to an arc all week. It seemed almost permanent. She and Ron were in the common room. It was Thursday night, a week after Draco took her flying, and they were waiting for Harry to get back from practice. They were alone except for several first years huddled in a corner trying to create their own charms in despair.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sorry Ron. Next time I'll try to remember to be all glum and gloomy when around you."

Ron put up his hands in defense. "Don't yell at me," he protested, although Hermione had not raised her voice out off normal range, "I was just asking. Doesn't it hurt to smile like that all day? You must take a rest from time to time." He said with a look of idiotic awe, "It looks quite exhausting."

She rolled her eyes, "Forget it, Ron. I'm just happy. Is there a crime in that?"

"There is if you keep scaring me like that. Every time I turn around you're there, with that smile." He said with a horrific expression.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry. I promise to turn it down a notch. I'll smile less."

Ron nodded, as though they've just negotiated something very important. "So tell me why you're so happy."

Hermione shrugged. "Nothing, really. School, I suppose. I'm doing quite well."

It was Ron's turn to roll his eyes, "You always do 'well'. 'Eerily, creepily, exceptionally, extraordinarily genius' is more like it." Ron said seriously, "Really, Hermione. It's quite frightening how smart you are. You must be like that white haired bloke, you know the smartest person in the muggle world. What's his name? Einsteen? Eggstain..."

Hermione didn't answer. She just smiled. She was already deep in her thoughts, about a boy with gray eyes and a gorgeous smile, when she heard a booming, excited voice.

"Einstein!" Ron cried with pride in his voice.

Hermione gave him a look of pity, as though her best friend had just lost his sanity. "Yes, Ron. I'm so glad it took you exactly six minutes to figure that out."

He huffed and gave her a look of impatience. And then asked, when he saw her get up, "Where are you going?"

"I forgot I have to go to the owlery to send my mum a letter. She'll go mad if I don't. I've had the letter for over a week. I'll need to send it sooner or later." She took out a letter from her bag and put in her pocket, "I'll be back."

"And leave me here talking to myself?"

"I didn't actually think you'd have kept on talking but ok." She said with a playful smile, "Go and socialize with those first years. I think they've been had with those charms. Share your wisdom."

"Ha, Ha, Ha." And before he could say a word, Hermione hurried past the hole and out the door. Leaving Ron in a room with about seven little 'midgets' as he's called them, staring blankly at him. Having heard their presence mentioned in the open conversation.

Ron huffed. Harry, he called in his head, you better hurry.

When the little midgets finally looked away and returned to their own little group, Ron turned his head back at the door, thinking about Hermione. In the past three weeks, he'd noticed some slight changes in his young friend. They were quite small that only he and Harry would've noticed. And he did. First of all, there was that smile he'd been talking about. It wasn't exactly that bad, he had exaggerated just a bit, but it was undeniable that she'd been smiling like that almost everyday.

And then there was her humming habit. Before, she used to hum just any random music. Rhythms she'd have made up all on her own. But now, she was always humming this certain tune. It sounded familiar and Ron couldn't remember ever hearing it until two days ago. It was one of the songs played at their Halloween Ball. It was a slow song and he had to admit it was nice. But he didn't know why Hermione was suddenly singing it, because as he recalled, she wasn't even at the ball when they played the song.

Ron shook his head. Maybe she already knew it from before, he thought. Anyway, it wasn't a bad thing if she's suddenly happy. Why am I even bothering her with it?

Even as he asked himself, Ron already knew why. It was because Hermione is such an important part of his life. They, along with Harry, had shared so many laughs, tears, fears and adventure than most people would ever share in a lifetime. They spent almost every single day of every year together. During summer vacations, she would stay over for a long period of time at the Burrow. Visiting him and Harry (as Harry now lived with the Weasleys).

They had a friendship that was unbreakable and so cherished. Even though he gave her a hard time once in a while, it was all out of love and they both knew it. As far as Ron was concerned, Hermione was part of his family. She was just like a sister. He smiled, she sure acted like it.

And so the thing that really got to him, was knowing that something obviously good was happening in her life and he was oblivious to it. He wondered if she doubted his loyalty. Maybe it's a secret and she didn't trust him. But he knew that wasn't it, because it was hard to believe that after all they've been through, and Merlin's beard, they've gone through a lot, she would know by now that he and Harry had her back for everything at all times.

For about quarter of an hour, Ron kept thinking of other possibilities but he couldn't decide on anything. There just wasn't anything he could think of that Hermione would have to hide from him. Thinking about this, thinking that Hermione didn't trust him or have faith in him (if that is the case), well, it broke his heart.

Hermione was walking to the owlery. She was kicking herself inside for forgetting to owl her letter to her mum. During the summer break, her parents had asked her to write them each month telling them news about her 'adventures', her studies and her social life. They asked her of this because they didn't want to feel 'excluded' like before. Hermione loved her parents dearly and felt so bad, ashamed and guilty by making them feel that way. And so she promised that she would send them an owl every month, and tell them about the going-ons at Hogwarts.

Hermione growled, this was only the fourth month since upon her return and she'd already forgotten. How are they going to feel now? They're going to think you don't care and you only promised this because you didn't want to hurt their feelings. Oh my, she thought, I'm a horrible daughter.

As Hermione played this over and over in her busy, lecture-filled mind, she was caught off guard when she was suddenly yanked by the arm and pulled into a room.

Harry was walking back from a very wet and very irritating practice. For the past week his team had been nagging him about his game. They feel as though he hasn't been giving one hundred percent to his performance and that they may not be able to win the tournament if he doesn't pull himself together. Every time he missed the snitch or didn't fly away from the bludger on time, he was pounded by questions and accusations, which were suppose to help but instead, it only made him lose concentration even more.

Now he was heading to the Hospital Wing with a strained wrist. Seamus (who had been appointed one of the two beaters, Dean the other) had accidentally hit the bludger a little too viciously and it rocketed off slamming harshly into Harry's arm. He groaned but suppressed a cry because he didn't want the team scolding him for not paying attention, "What if it had been your head!" Angelina shrieked. In the end, no matter how good he played being okay, they forced him to retire for the night and get himself fixed, "And I don't mean just about your arm." Angelina said severely.

When did these people get so brutal, Harry wondered.

"Hey! What's going on..." Hermione cried but her words became muffled noises because the person clamped their hand over her mouth. Her eyes were still wide and her heart beating rapidly when the culprit suddenly slid their strong arm swiftly around her waist. And then she felt their lips on her ear and knew immediately who the stranger was.

She giggled, "Draco," she said.

"Mmm...?" he murmured in her ear.

"What are you doing?" she asked, and then she added when she at last realized, through the very little light that illuminated the room, where they were. "And why are you in here?"

He finally looked up with a guilty but nonetheless adorable smile on his face. "Detention." He answered simply, holding up a dishrag that looked like one of Dobby's old clothes. He was obviously supposed to be cleaning.

She raised her eyebrows. "Detention?" she repeated, as though she misunderstood him. He just nodded.

"For what?"

"Nothing important. It was really stupid though." He said with a shrug.

"Tell me."

"It was Trelawney," he began, at which Hermione snorted, "anyway, she did one of her typical fortune telling rubbish and unfortunately I was her victim today."

"What was her prediction?"

"She said that someone close to me was going to betray me, or something. That someone was going to 'break' me." he explained, "It was totally ridiculous and I said so, because I knew my parents would never do anything like that. And I couldn't really picture Pansy trying anything on me, so I told her off. But then the bat wouldn't shut up and she kept patronizing me until I had to storm out of there. Later she found me and gave me a detention." He said glumly, "Now I have to come in here and clean up for a week."

"You know you're not supposed to get into trouble. You're a Prefect now." She said a bit sadly.

Draco nodded, and then asked, "Are you okay?"

"Draco?" Hermione started quietly.

Draco tilted her chin to face him, "What?"

"What about me?" she finally asked,

Draco had a look of confusion in his eyes, "What about you?" he asked gently.

"I'm close to you, aren't I?"

Draco smiled mildly, "Yes you are. And I did think about you but I didn't consider it."

"Why not?" Hermione asked. When Draco told her about Trelawney's premonition about someone close to him betraying him, and he said that he didn't think his parents nor Pansy would ever do such a thing, she wondered if he thought about her, too. Not that she would do him bad, but just the knowledge that he considered her close to him concerned her.

"Because," he said softly, "I'm slowly realizing just how great you are. And I know you couldn't do bad. Not to me or anyone."

She smiled at that. Wrapping her arms around him, preparing for a long visit, she said, "You're good with words Mr. Malfoy." And then she pressed her lips against his. He held her tighter, pulling her close while running a hand up and down her back in a slow, seductive rhythm. Hermione moaned softly into his mouth as he swirled his tongue inside her, making her almost ache with pleasure. He pulled away for the briefest of moments, saying, "I'm good at other things, too." And then kissed her before she could change her mind about staying.

For the past month, Draco and Hermione's relationship progressed quickly. In just a couple of days, they got past that awkward stage when neither knew what to say because the situation was so surreal. They got to know each other promptly after that. Talking about their lives, their childhoods and their dreams. It was an unbelievable feeling for Hermione for two reasons. One, was that it was bizarre but still amusing how her hatred for Draco ceased so rapidly. When they were together, she didn't even think about the things they used to fight about. In fact, there were times when Hermione couldn't find a single reason why she had hated him for so long. Maybe all this time, it had been them who brought out the worst in Draco, and he in them in turn. Because when they were alone, he was anything but evil. Sure there were traits that she'd known all along that he possessed, like spoildness. It wasn't as though he was arrogant - well, only when he wanted to be anyway. But he was quite charming too and this was undeniable. She smiled to herself anytime she thought about his more cocky times.

And two, was how comfortable she felt with him. It was the kind of contentment that she used to only find in Harry and Ron. But here she was, 'antagonizing with the enemy', and felt like she was talking to someone she'd known all her life. Hermione would even catch herself in surprise about some of the things she'd told him. Like how important her family was to her. She told him that she believed that if you didn't have a family or friends or someone to share your life with, then life isn't worth living. This wasn't the kind of thing Hermione would tell just to anyone. She wasn't the type to talk often about feelings and stuff. She became uneasy sometimes when people confessed their emotions to you. Being with Draco was definitely not like being with anyone else.

Draco, in turn, didn't seem to feel too differently either. It was no doubt that Hermione was not like every other girl. She held her own. She was her own person and this was the first thing Draco learned to respect in her. Almost every female in the school was willing to throw herself at him – okay, maybe not literally but it was true either way. At some point in time, most of every girl had chased him in some form or other. But Hermione didn't. She was one of the few who didn't drool at the sight of him, either because he was dead sexy or because it was what they're friends were doing. Although, maybe Hermione had an advantage for the latter. Draco wouldn't like to imagine Potter and Weasley watching him with half lidded eyes.

Also, Hermione cared what people thought about her but not to the extent of changing for them. She said whatever she wanted to say, regardless what people thought. She wore almost no make up when half the girls wore too much that they practically painted their eyes shut with mascara. She didn't wear skimpy outfits that showed her flat, nicely toned stomach but still managed to look alluring. Draco had already seen Hermione in a pretty gown (Halloween Ball) and in a very attractive skirt and tight sleeveless top (one time at the Astronomy Tower). But sometimes Draco found her most beautiful when she wore her jeans, a baggy but still very snuggly sweater and her hair in a lose bun. She was simple but elegant at the same time.

Hermione moaned deeply again, bringing him to back to reality. They've been kissing a long time. He knew because his jaw was slightly weary (but not enough to stop his actions) and his legs were getting tired. Hermione was ravishing him, as he liked to think, with such intensity that he was losing control. He also knew that if he didn't find a solution, his legs were going to collapse. Being close to Hermione did that to him. It made him weak in the knees.

I thought that only happened to girls, he reflected. And so he did something that made him smile, he gingerly grabbed hold of Hermione's bottom, which evoked a playful, shocked gasp from Hermione.

"Draco!" she yelped.

He just chuckled and lifted her off the ground and placed her gently on top of a desk. "There." he said, leaning against the desk standing between Hermione's legs. He noticed a bulge starting in his pants; he found their current position very tempting. And then, with his arms around her once more, he resumed their snogging session.

The two teenagers were at it for a long time. They were wrapped up in each other so tightly, that they didn't notice the hour going by. It wasn't until they heard a small sound did they finally pull apart. They were both breathless and hot.

"What was that?" Hermione asked alertly.

"I don't know. But I think someone opened the door." Draco whispered. He, too, was worried.

"Do you think..." she began. If someone saw, it would be terrible. She couldn't imagine Harry and Ron finding out from another person. If she was sure about this, and she becoming confirmed as time went by, she would be ready to finally come clean to them. But if anyone were going to break it to them, it would be her.

Draco was equally concerned. He knew he wanted to be with Hermione, but he didn't know if he was ready to tell the world about it. What would they think? Sure, he didn't care about Hermione being a muggle born. He was passed that, but what about the rest of his housemates? What about his family? His father?

He helped Hermione down with ease and then headed for the door. He looked out cautiously and then turned to Hermione. "There isn't anyone there." he said.

"No one?"

Draco shook his head. "The corridor is empty."

Hermione sighed in relief. "Oh. Okay then. Good." She assured herself. Draco helped by kissing her on the cheek. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Listen. I should go. It's getting late and I told Ron I was only delivering a letter to my mum, which by the way I still haven't done."

"Tell Weasley you got sidetracked."

"Shut up." She said jokingly. "I'm serious. This letter is important. My mum'll go mad if I don't owl her," she said disappointingly.

"Okay okay. Give me the letter and I'll owl it." he offered. "Only if you trust me with it, of course."

She thought about it for a minute. "You'll do that for me?"

He shrugged like it was no big deal. "Why not. I'll be here 'till the wee hours in the morning anyway. Might as well take a lovely walk to the stinking barn of hooting noises and bird poop, right?" he smiled. Gosh he's cute, Hermione thought.

She kissed him. "I trust you. And thank you."

"Only..." Draco started and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I knew there was a catch."

"Only if you let me take you out Saturday night." He finished, squeezing her.

"I can't."

"How come?" he asked, obviously disappointed.

"Because I'm meeting someone tomorrow night. This bloke, I think I told you about him." She said with a smile.

Draco gave her a patronizing look. "Okay. Saturday night. Astronomy Tower." He kissed her one final time and then whispered, "Wear something nice." And before she could say anything else, he took the letter and ushered her out the door.

As Hermione was pushed out the door, she began heading back to the Gryffindor Tower, smiling and sighing happily. Not noticing the pair of eyes hidden in a dark corner, watching her, still not grasping the unutterable scene he had just witnessed.

Draco walked out the door, he was finally finished cleaning up. He felt the letter in his pocket and suddenly remembered he had to send it. Locking the door, he thought about what he was doing for Hermione. He knew it was a simple task and it wasn't anything special, but he'd never done anything quite like this for a girl. And yet he was almost hoping that Hermione would let him do it for her. He shook his head.

Making sure the door was locked one last time, he sighed, knowing that he would be coming back to the Hospital Wing for the next six days.

The figure stood there silently, thinking and thinking. He didn't move an inch until he saw the other occupant of the room leave at last. The sight of him surfaced an incomparable surge of anger, hatred and disgust, nothing new. But underneath it all, beneath the boiling heat of rage and frustration, the stranger felt an emotion he'd never before experienced, jealousy.

Wow. This has got to be one of my favorite chapters so far. One of the reasons is because it has suspense near the end; not knowing who this mysterious stranger is...(but since y'all are such smart cookies, you probably get it). Ok, anyhooz, pls review. I want to know how you're keeping up. Bye for now...