A/N: Hellooo. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read my fic and a special thank you to everyone who has reviewed it. I appreciate your reviews since it's my first fic. And those of you haven't reviewed and are reading, what are you waiting for? Review already: Now, on the bad news I might be taking a bit to update seeing as school is starting in two weeks, but I'll try to be as speedy as possible when it comes to updating. That is all, thanks!

Chapter 10

For the following days, Hermione kept an eye out for Draco, but he was nowhere to be found. He hadn't been to Potions or Care of Magical Creatures the entire week. She never saw him in the Great Hall during meals, in the halls, by the lake or even in the library. Hermione would take to leaving the common room for hours at a time claiming to be studying, when in reality she was just hoping to bump into Draco.

"I wonder why Hermione has been doing so much independent studying lately."

"Beats me, Ron."

"You don't think she is pulling another time turner on us, do you Harry?"

"I doubt it, she doesn't need to hide it from us anymore," pointed out Harry as they completed their astrology charts in the common room.

"Good point," Ron shrugged, "do you think she's hiding something else?"

"Honestly Ron, I wouldn't know. I cannot understand girls. It's a miracle I understand Professor McGonagall!"

Hermione was growing frustrated, how come I have not seen him? She was standing in the middle of the Entrance Hall, when she decided to walk around the school's grounds, not in search of Draco but for only the crash of the frosty wind on her bare face.

Would a Slytherin and a Gryffindor ever even work out? Hermione had started wearing the locket around her neck now, what will I do if I do find him? I can't just start talking about his… dead father and expect a welcome from him. What if the only reason he does not fancy me is because I am a half-blood? I'm sure his mother would not approve of that. Hermione grabbed the locket and held it tight, wishing, hoping, picking all these negative thoughts out of her mind.

She stopped dead in her tracks; she hadn't paid any mind to where her feet were taking her. Hermione then realized she was standing on the outskirts of the Quidditch field. Well, I haven't been here in a while. She began walking towards the stands, but before even getting there she noticed someone already sitting there. She grabbed her wand and held it in front of her and advanced slowly toward the cloaked figure, her heart racing as she became closer.

"Who are you?" demanded Hermione as stood only several feet away from the person, she had managed to keep so close without making the slightest noise.

The person did not respond.

"Lumos," pronounced Hermione in hopes to get a better look at the individual, but to no avail. "Who are you?" she demanded once more, "Answer me! Or I will be forced to stun you!"

"I had no idea you were so daring," replied the person with a cool voice, unmoved by Hermione's threats and still looking in the opposite direction.

An electric current seemed to run through Hermione. Her heart hammered against her chest, her palms began to sweat through pores she never knew she had before. She found a giant knot in her throat and felt her knees weaken under the pressure of her weight. Her mind was in a blur, this could not be happening. Her hands covered in sweat, without realizing she lost the grip of her wand and it fell to the ground.

"Draco, is that you?" she asked to reassure herself.

"Accio Wand. Who do you think it'd be Mudblood?" Draco retorted as he held Hermione's wand.

Her heart sank to the put of her stomach. That's all he sees me as, a 'Mudblood.' I should've have known. Hermione's eyes glazed over with tears, but she could not show him any weakness, she could not cry in front of Draco Malfoy.

"That's too bad about your dad, huh?" Hermione countered her words bitter, icy and heartless.

Draco immediately turned to face Hermione and intently stared straight into her eyes. His eyes were a charcoal gray, a color Hermione had never seen. She had to keep herself from admiring how flattering it made him look. She noticed he looked, different and unlike his usual self. His gaze showed a vulnerability she recognized as the same one she saw in Harry after the Third Task in the Triwizard Tournament when he appeared outside of the maze clinging Cedric Diggory's lifeless body. Draco finally dropped his gaze and stared at the ground. Hermione suddenly felt ashamed.

"Can I have my wand back?" asked Hermione meekly.

Draco responded by standing up and staring at her again, this time anger stirring in his eyes. He threw the wand at her feet. She bent over to pick it up when his cloak grazed her arm as he strode past her and in the direction of the castle.

"Draco…" she whispered, "wait."

But Draco was too far to ever hear her whispers. She watched as he sped up until he disappeared from her sight.