DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER. (unfortunately I am not gifted with that much luck :(.)

HERMIONE POV:

It made Hermione feel oddly tingly inside, like she was made of metal and somebody had struck her with a hard object, when the red letters flashed before her eyes. She should have known Draco knew the charm, he had always had a gift for the subject but he had somehow charmed his words into appearing exactly like his handwriting. And he'd made the words red, acknowledging her attempt at humour. She had always liked the colour green anyway, she reasoned with herself as she watched the letters fade before changing quickly into her pyjamas and checking no one else had seen the charm.

Would they be able to tell who had written it even if they had? Thankfully all her dorm mates were fast asleep, Lavender snoring away contentedly as usual. Hermione felt the brief urge to dip her hand in water or something else equally cruel to get back at her for Ron but she knew it was too easily traced back to her. And what kind rumours would that start anyway? She wasn't even sure she wanted to get back together with Ron, if she was seen turning on Lavender, that would be exactly what would be taken from her actions. At least that was what Ron would take from it anyway. She thought of the dopey smile he always gave her whenever she acted...well, like herself. Did she really feel something for him or was it all just screwed up? A screwed up, nonsensical friendship.

And then there was Blaise, hovering in the shadows like a bad omen. She wished she had never accepted Dumbledore's assignment. She knew it was no good to mess with Slytherins and whatever was going on between her and Draco fell under that category.

You'd be safer with Ron, a voice in her head mumbled and she shooed away the thought wasn't the type that needed a boy to prove anything to herself, she could cope very well on her own and when it seemed that all the boys she knew were going out of their way to mess with her head it seemed like a logical solution to spend some time by herself.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'll do." she murmured to herself quietly, flipping open Hogwarts a History and losing herself in what she already knew. What was safe and unchangeable.

DRACO POV:

Draco had always loved the sensation of flying, ever since he was six years old and his father had first set him on a broom. He had thought it was a kids broom but when he had kicked from the ground, he had soared into the air until the Malfoy Manor was little more than a blurry shape below him. He hadn't been scared, only exhilarated and free. Nobody could touch him in the sky, nobody could judge him when he was soaring amongst the clouds.

He yelled as a bludger shot past his head and he turned to glare at Nott, swinging his beater bat victoriously.

"Watch what you're doing Nott!" he scolded, scratching absently at his ear. He could still hear the whoosing of the heavy ball in the shell of his ear canal and it made him feel sick. He had been hit in his first match by a Gryffindor bludger, three hours in the hospital wing under Madam Pomfrey who for some reason had always disliked him and he hadn't felt any better. Nott grinned and swooped into the oncoming formation, allowing Draco to fall back and watch his team perform. He had been made captain almost two months ago but it still felt as though he were in charge of a gaggle of geese, they did nothing but act up and annoy him. He couldn't face the prospect of losing the Cup this year to the stupid Gryffindors, even if he had spent last night fighting down lustful fantasies about a certain bushy haired brunette. He had been surprised by the delicacy of her charm but he supposed she was the smartest witch of their age for a reason. She could pick up any spell almost instantly while Draco's talent only stretched as far as charms. He spent most of his time wishing he could have been talented at something a little more darker, something a little more useful for the life he was likely to have.

It kept him awake most nights when he considered the life he was going to have, the footsteps he was designed to follow in. It was exactly against the life he was destined to have to be fantasizing after the Bookworm, to be thinking of her even as he congratulated his team and sent them to the dressing rooms, telling them he was going to fly around a little more. He kicked his broom up into the fluffy clouds, it was a beautiful day over Hogwarts and the sun beat down relentlessly on the back of his neck. It was only when he pushed his broom to the maximum speed that he felt a breeze whip through his green quidditch robes. He shot out over the lake and gave a whoop as the Giant Squid lifted a tentacle in greeting. Even the thought of Voldemort couldn't dampen the sensation of rushing through the air. He shot out to the boundaries of the grounds and through the protective shields into Hogsmeade. He landed outside the Hogs Head and entering, he enjoyed a butterbeer, keeping the thought of Hermione close to his chest, like a warm spring morning.

When he made it back to the castle, he was staggering, his broom over his shoulder. He had decied it wasn't the best idea to fly, he wouldn't have ended up back at Hogwarts anyway. In this mood he would have ended up at the Manor, trying to confront his father about his blood line theories.

"She's a mudblood Draco. That's all she is." he muttered to himself as he slipped through the gates and began to walk up the driveway. He sensed the presence beside him and gave a start as he noticed Snape walking beside him.

"Hello Professor." he decided being caught sneaking into the castle after an illicit trip to Hogsmeade was the best time to try to break out sensitive Draco. Snape gave a snort and looked at him.

"You're drunk. Where have you been?"

"No offence Professor, but you're not my father. I don't have to tell you anything about where I go or what I think about or who I like." he was rambling, he cut himself off quickly but Snape had already heard all he needed to.

"Warn your friend Blaise to stay away from Granger. I may not like her but he is not to go around threatening pupils. Draco, where are you going?" Snape called after him but Draco was already running...well, weaving his way up to the castle as quickly as his ruined body could carry him. He could hear the sounds of dinner being served in the Great Hall and before he could consider his actions he burst through the double doors and made his way to the Slytherin table, grabbing his 'friend' by the collar and pulling him from the hall.

"What did you do to her?" he hissed when they were outside the doors. Blaise was watching him curiously but there was no trace of an apology, no trace of anything in his eyes, they were empty orbs looking into Draco's own and Draco shivered as he remembered the way his father had described the Dark Lords stare, like looking into the abyss. The future spread out before him, he would be the one to fight for his family's honour, Blaise would never have to worry about his place. Blaise didn't feel enough to care.

"Nothing she didn't deserve." he replied, pushing Draco from him and righting his uniform, "You stink of fire whiskey. You went for a session without me?"

"Stop trying to pretend that everything is ok." Draco yelled.

"But it is Draco. Everything is fine." Blaise tried to soothe him, Draco flinched away from his touch.

"I'm pulling out of the bet." he muttered. He suddenly felt completely drained of energy and ignoring the questions Blaise threw at his retreating back, he made his way to the only place he knew he could be alone.

HERMIONE POV:

"What do you thinks going on between Draco and Blaise? He looked pissed. In both senses of the word." Ginny muttered as she sat down at the Gryffindor table, grabbing the last roll before Ron could snatch at. He stared at her petulantly before shovelling everything in sight onto his plate before dinner was cleared away.

"Hermione." Ginny waved a hand before her face and she came back to the Great Hall with a bump. She had a feeling she knew exactly what was going on between Draco and Blaise, it had everything to do with her but how was she supposed to tell that to her three supposedly best friends? They would hear the word Slytherin and instantly jump to her defence. They would make sure she never had the chance to speak to Draco again.

"I have to go."

"Chasing after Draco now? I never thought I'd see the day." Ginny joked and when Hermione giggled hysterically, knowing her face was bright red and if she stayed too long they would be able to see through her, she left her friends staring after her worriedly, tearing out the Great Hall as if the devil was chasing her. She breathed in deeply when she reached the safety of the empty corridors and tried to puzzle out where Draco would have went. She followed her instincts and went to the Room of Requirement, starting in surprise when the door appeared as if cued by her presence. She pushed open the door warily and felt a wave of relief when she saw Draco, sitting hunched in a leather armchair with a cup of steaming coffee on the table next to him.

"Hi." she couldn't think of anything else to say as she stepped into the room and carefully shut the door behind her. She couldn't help her stomach twisting in anxiety as his cold grey eyes flicked over to her and fell to the floor. He looked drained, flawed. She had never thought she would see the day when Draco Malfoy lost his cool, cold demeanour. He looked like a little boy until he stood shakily and his body unfolded into that of a perfectly formed man. Something made from stone that was too perfect, too beautiful to be found more than once in a lifetime.

"What are you doing here Granger?" his words were slurred but he stood steadily, looking at her. To her surprise he pulled out his wand and motioned for a potion, swallowing it down and letting out a satisfied growl.

"What was that?"

"Cure all." he murmured, disappearing the bottle with a flick of his wand, "You haven't answered my question Granger."

"I came to check you're okay and to say thank you."

"If that's everything, you can leave now." he gestured to the door, sinking back into the leather armchair. She moved towards the door, her hand on the handle before she turned and asked the question plaguing her.

"Why did you defend me? I mean I'm guessing you were angry at Blaise for what happened last night."

"You're wrong Granger. I'm angry at Blaise for a lot of things, hardly any of them to do with you."

"Oh."

He turned to face her when he sensed her hovering at the doorway. He unfolded himself slowly and approached her, watching the emotions flicker over her beautiful face. Hermione could feel her heart thudding and when he leaned towards her, placing a hand on either side of her head, pinning her against the door, she felt her heart skip a beat. He was so close she could smell the pepperminty scent of his breath. It intoxicated her.

"You don't need somebody to protect you Granger. I shouldn't have to tell you that." he murmured, reaching out carefully, afraid of startling her and brushed a piece of her hair away from her face. It felt like silk. She wanted him so desperately to kiss her and when he did she didn't make a move to stop him. She kept still, afraid any sudden movement would have him darting away from her as though she were poisoned. His kiss was gentle, probing, completely unlike the Draco Malfoy she knew. It freaked her out.

She pulled him against her, letting out a breathy moan as his perfect seeker body pressed against her own petite frame. She could feel the tight lines of his muscles, the perfect skeleton that made him who he was. He was gasping, his kissing growing more desperate. He broke away from her lips and began to place kisses down her neck while his hands roamed her curves. Hermione felt as though she were falling into a vat of oil, she was unable to think, unable to move, the only thing she could feel was his touch. She pushed his robes off his shoulders and pulled his t-shirt over his head, breaking the pattern of his kisses on her neck.

"What are you doing Granger?" he moved away from her quickly, grabbing for his t-shirt and slipping it over his head, not before Hermione caught a glimpse of his sculpted chest. She felt her breath catch before she realised he had moved away from her. She shook her head. It was as though she was coming up from a love potion, her head felt fuzzy but she knew that everything that had happened between them had happened because she had wanted it to.

"I thought you'd want to." she whispered quietly. Before Draco could reply, she was out the room and halfway down the corridor, tears streaming down her eyes. Next time she would stick to her own rules; from now on Hermione Granger was going it alone.

DRACO POV:

"Oh Princess, I do." he sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair. It was too late to go after her, she'd never listen to him anyway. And what would he say? He felt guilty for using her as part of a bet but he was sure his feelings were real? She'd never listen to him, never trust him ever again.

"It's for the best Draco." he tried to reassure himself before he remembered the forfeit. Lavender Brown and the Christmas ball. He let out a groan and sank into the armchair, wishing he hadn't taken the cure all as now he was all too aware that he wasn't fine. Wasn't even close.