The flames spread, rapidly engulfing everything around her. She shrieked, cornered by the hot flames lapping up at her face. The silhouette of a young man hiding behind the half burnt curtain seemed to be laughing at her, mocking her. She yelled for help, desperately trying to catch hold of a weapon. Her helpless cries echoed around the burning hall until with another whisper of Lacarnum Inflamarae,the flames exploded around her.

Hermione woke up with a gasp, taking in huge gulps of air. Her hair stuck to her face, her neck and her back as she wiped the sweat of her forehead. It had been two weeks since the ball but a dreaded feeling creeped into every time she recalled that night. Every time she thought about the incident, she couldn't help but get a feeling of déjà vu. It all had happened once before.

She remembered her talk with Shacklebolt the other day. Before leaving, he had met her and had told her that if she can find proof that Draco was the one who started the fire, he could get the Malfoys imprisoned.

"Remember Miss Granger, once a death eater, always a death eater. The Malfoys were pardoned for they abandoned Voldemort for the life of their son but personally I don't believe in their innocence. All I have to say to you now is that watch out for the boy Miss Granger, and Good Luck."

Hermione sighed remembering what Kingsley had told her. Draco had definitely not been inside the hall when the accident happened, she had been trying to find him at that time. And that shadow…the silhouette did bear characteristics similar to Draco's built. She did know that she didn't trust him but she was still unsure about blaming him for that night. She licked her lips, realizing how thirsty she was and got up from her bed. She pulled on a loose white shirt as she made her way downstairs.

Draco had fallen asleep on the leather recliner. There was a charms book lying open on his lap. As Hermione made her way down the staircase, she stared at his peaceful sleeping face. His hair was messily spread, his mouth was slightly ajar and his chest was slightly moving as he took in shallow breaths. Mesmerized by him, Hermione walked towards the recliner a small smile on her lips. He looked so peaceful, no one would have ever been able to tell how annoying he actually was.

Smiling at how innocent he was looking, Hermione bent over and lightly brushed his hair away from his face. Before she could move her hand away from his face, he slowly opened his eyes. He stared at her groggily as Hermione froze. Her breathing increased as she stared into his groggy eyes. Realizing what she had been doing she quickly tried to move away but jerked back when her shirt yanked her. One of the buttons of her shirt had gotten caught in the recliner, very close to Draco. Groaning, she desperately tried to tug her shirt when Draco held her wrist, telling her stop. "Easy Granger" He said, his voice still husky from the sleep as he gently untangled her shirt. Hermione thanked him, turning around when she realized that he was still holding her wrist. She tried to move her hand only to have Draco tighten his grip on her. He stood up and twisted her arm behind her back, not hurting her but securing his grip.

"What- Ugh! What do you think you're doing Malfoy?"

"What am I doing? What were you doing Granger?"

"I-I-"

"You were looking at me sleeping. Why?"

"N-no. I-I just wanted to…I wanted to see what you had been studying."

"Really?"

"Yes! I just wanted to make sure if I had already done the work."

"Of course." Draco smirked looking down at her.

She struggled to free her hand from his grip, avoiding his gaze. She wanted to get away from him. Draco clenched his jaw, tightening his grip on her. Her eyes widened as he took a step forward, coming closer to her. As he took another step, she stepped backwards, not looking away from his face. Stepping forward once again, he noticed her tiny feet which stumbled backwards. As he took another step forward and she stepped backwards, He observed her legs, slender and smooth, disappearing into a pair of baggy shorts. He then trailed his eyes up her waist, her curves visible through the thin white shirt, her heaving chest, and stopped at her face as they walked backwards and finally hit the wall. Her lips were parted as she breathed heavily, her eyebrows furrowed with confusion, her eyes apprehensive, her pupils dilated. Entranced, Draco's hand moved up to her face as he moved the strands of hair which fell on her face and tucked them behind her ears. Hermione closed her eyes as his hands lingered near her face, gently cupping it. He slowly leaned forward, his eyes on her plump lips, his hand still holding her wrist. He was just inches away from her when he closed his eyes. And it was just then that his trance was broken with the sharp rapping at the window.