'Hermione, where have you been? Class is almost starting!' Harry asked as the two of them ran through the hedges and on the uneven contours of the path to Hagrid's hut. They knew Hagrid wouldn't blame them for being late, but they didn't want to hear any taunts from the Slytherin group.

'What about you!' Hermione retorted.

'I fell asleep during our last free period. Didn't see you around though,' he frowned. Hermione ignored him and grabbed his hand, pulling him faster. For a girl, Hermione could run. Or maybe I'm just slow, Harry shook his head. Impossible. He had spent many summers before Hogwarts running from those bloody dogs who belonged to the bitch of a sister Vernon had.

They reached the class with seconds to spare, both flushed.

'Why, Potter and Granger had a good shag before coming here?' a Slytherin, Chace Grundy asked, gaining laughs and high-fives from his group. Harry's jaw tightened but Hermione pulled him back.

'Don't let them get to you, Harry,' she reminded softly and he reluctantly stepped back to her side.

'Yeah, that's right, step down, Potter. Hope you keep your pet on a better leash, there, Granger,' he chortled.

'Well, then, where's your leash, Grundy?' Hermione shot back, a smug smile playing across her features.

'Why you filthy little—'

'Now, now, Chace, you won't do good to anger her. Who knows how many hexes she's got up her sleeve?' A voice drawled behind them. They spun around, and there was Hermione's secret protector, looking as immaculate as he always had been. He smirked. 'Besides, that's my hobby, go look for something else to do.'

Chace looked like he had just been slapped. He looked like he was fighting the urge to yell back something but everyone in Slytherin knew that they'll do well to not anger Draco Malfoy. He nodded feebly and stalked off with his group.

Hermione didn't notice his exit, and neither did Draco, for they looked at each other and were staring as if there was nobody else in the meadows. Harry was pretty sure that they didn't know they were staring at each other like one was a cup of the finest wine and the other was an alcoholic. Hungry for each other, I'll call it.

He shot a look at Blaise, gesturing with his thumb to get Malfoy out of here before anyone could see. Blaise was only too eager to comply.

'Come on now, mate, the big oaf would love to pick on us if we were late,' Blaise muttered, pushing Draco. Draco broke eye contact with Hermione for the briefest moment to glare at Blaise, but he reluctantly walked on, but not before winking at Hermione. She felt her face get hot and a blush work through her cheeks.

'Oh, can we please get a move on?' Harry finally asked. He groaned.

'If you and Malfoy continue to make goo-goo eyes at each other, I think I'll be sick,' Harry said. 'You won't do it during tonight, will you? Please say you won't!'

'Shut up, Potter,' Hermione giggled.

'Ugh, can you just sit down, please!' Harry pleaded, while Hermione paced across their room. She had taken up the habit of pacing, or either sitting down, tapping her foot impatiently, checking the clock every few seconds. Both habits annoyed Harry immensely.

'What else is there to do?' Hermione asked, at a loss for once.

'Well, for one, you can sit down and try to relax, and none of that stupid leg tapping, it's getting on the last bit of my nerves,' Harry suggested darkly. 'And, we can think of something before sharing it with Malfoy.'

'Please, Harry, will it kill you just to call him 'Draco'?' Hermione asked, exhaling loudly, pinching the bridge of her nose.

'As much as it will kill him to call me 'Harry'.' Harry answered resolutely. Hermione tried to relax. Harry had his way of getting on her nerves.

'Come here, you look like you're going to wrench that nose off your face,' Harry beckoned for her to sit on his lap. Hermione did so. She felt herself completely relax as Harry's skilful hands took over her temples, just like he had yesterday. Or was it only yesterday? The days seemed to be getting longer and longer.

Hermione gave another soft sigh of pleasure as Harry pressed harder into the back of her head. She really ought to learn this miraculous massage from Harry someday, it'll come in handy with all the troubles she's facing now.

'Alright, that should be enough for today,' Harry said, releasing Hermione. Hermione remained where she was, as limp as a doll. She murmured something about 'unfair' but nodded her head anyway.

'Where did you learn this anyway?' She asked, suddenly realizing she didn't know much about Harry in the Muggle world.

'Having a constantly red-faced uncle forces you to learn shiatsu.' Harry shrugged. Hermione nodded absent-mindedly. Something clicked in her brain.

'Harry, how is Draco going to get to the tower?'

'He must have some way, sneaky Slytherin.' Harry muttered and shrugged.

'What about Ron? Have you seen him since the incident?' She asked.

'I didn't see him at dinner, but I saw Lavender.'

'He told me they broke up.' Hermione informed him.

'No wonder Lavender looked like an Inferi,' Harry muttered.

Hermione glanced at the clock again; 10.45. She exhaled loudly.

'What part of 'try to relax' do you not understand?' Harry groaned. 'I've got half a mind to blast that stupid clock away. Never liked it much.'

Hermione knew he didn't mean it; Harry treasured anything that linked him with his father too much. She doubted that he'd even bear to move the furniture in the room. Everything here held some reminder of James Potter. Harry couldn't bear to let any of the reminders go to waste.

'The part on relaxing,' Hermione sighed and sank even deeper into Harry's chest. 'You and Draco will most probably argue half the time there. And I'll spend the remaining half to try calm you both down and stop the ridiculous nonsense.'

'Hey, I deserve more credit that that,' Harry frowned. 'I usually keep my mouth shut. It's him who starts it.'

'And now you're sounding absurdly childish. He only provokes you for the amusement of it. If you just ignored him, he'll stop.'

'And how long will that take?'

Hermione thought for a while. 'Draco has persistence... I'd say a year.' Her eyes twinkled as she looked up at Harry. Harry looked down at her through his long comb of eyelashes. For a second Hermione thought that Harry was going to kiss her, but she shook the thought off. She had sat like this with both Harry and Ron countless of times before. If they had wanted to make a move on her, they would have a long time ago, right? But look at Ron! He had just proclaimed his 'love' for me! She shook that thought away as well. Ron and Harry were completely two different people.

''Mione, why do you keep shaking your head?' Harry asked, his emerald eyes clouded with concern.

'Oh, er, just thinking,' Hermione managed.

'When are you not?' Harry chuckled.

'Shut it, Potter. What's up with boys and making jabs at me lately?'

'What? Ickle-Draco annoying you?' Harry laughed, but instantly regretted it as soon as Hermione elbowed him in the gut. 'Alright, I get it, not funny.'

'We don't have pet names for each other, Harry.' Hermione told him as a matter-of-factly.

'Then what's up with 'Hermy'?'

'He said my name was too long.' Hermione shrugged.

'Really?' Harry asked, looking genuinely surprised. He dropped his arm a bit, causing Hermione to lean further back. She laughed at his facial expression. 'I always thought the name was nice.'

'Well, you know Draco. Picky.' She smiled.

'Yeah, don't we all know it.' Harry laughed.

'Harry, answer me something.'

'Anything.'

'Can you imagine me and Draco a few years down the road... together?'

Harry gritted his teeth together. Hermione heard it.

'What?'

'Well... Are you sure you want to pin so much hope on Draco? You'll never know about the future, Hermione. If you pin it all on one certain future...' Harry's eyes were faraway and intense. 'If it doesn't happen,' he says abruptly, 'you've got a lot to deal with.'

'Just answer me the damn question, Harry. We've talked about this before, and my answer will always remain the same; I trust Draco.'

Harry sighed. Females were just so complicated.

'Fine, I can picture you two together, sickly in love, staring into each other's eyes like there's nobody else, with small, puny little brats running around. Some of them have your hair while the rest has his. Maybe they could each have a silver and brown eye each.' Harry snorted. Hermione, however, smiled appreciatively, her nose wrinkled while trying to picture the view.

'That sounds nice.' She smiled wistfully.

'I was kidding, Hermione.' Harry said.

'You have make more jokes like these then, they're nice.' Hermione sighed contently. Harry shook his head and chuckled. 'I was just kidding'. An answer like that would have gained him an earful before. But now Hermione was just too blissfully in love to bother. He chuckled again. Maybe being with Malfoy wasn't that bad.

'You're impossible, Hermione!' He laughed.

Hermione jabbed him in the gut—lighter this time—but closed her eyes, her face looking calm with a dreamy smile on it.

Harry rolled his eyes. Never would he have thought Hermione would be so... at peace.

'Ouch, Harry, you just stepped on my toe!' Hermione hissed. Scratch the at peace part, Hermione's definitely anything but at peace after I stepped on her toe for the 20thsomething time.

'Sorry that I'm too tall then.' Harry grunted back. He paused. 'How about I carry you? You can make sure the cloak covers both of us.'

'You know, that might just work.' Hermione smiled in surprise. He carried her in one swift motion.

'You could have given me a warning!' Hermione pointed out.

'Keep it down.' Harry hissed. He looked up at the steps waiting to be climbed. He gulped. It was going to be a long way up.

After his sixth hundredth step or so—even Hermione lost count due to the overwhelming worry of Harry dropping her-- Harry was sweating uncontrollably, and was swaying uncontrollably as well.

'Are you sure you don't want to put me down?' Hermione asked anxiously.

'No...' Harry slurred. ''m fine.'

'You don't seem fine, to me, Harry.' Hermione frowned. She pressed a palm on his sweaty head. 'Harry, you're burning up! Put me down!'

'N-no!'

'Harry James Potter, if you wish to make it back to the Gryffindor common room back in one piece tonight, you had better put me down. Now.'

Harry grunted. 'You take the fun out of everything!'

'Shush! Someone might hear us!' Hermione staggered under his weight, gripping the cloak tightly. She had slung his arm over her shoulder and was making up the stairs step by step. God, please don't let me fall.

She forbade herself to look down the huge spiral of stone steps. She felt a lone bead of sweat slide down her forehead. Why on earth did I choose the Astronomy Tower? Thank the Lord she had stamina from all those running practices. Thank the Lord indeed.

Finally, after what seemed a lifetime, she reached the top, before falling down on the flat marble surface, relishing in the coolness it radiated onto her heated skin. Her head was the only part exposed from the cloak.

'Bloody hell, Granger!' Draco rushed to her side. Blaise picked the cloak off her, before realizing Harry was there as well.

'Hohoho, Christmas came early.' He grinned as he helped Harry up.

'Up you go, Potter.' He received a dazed glare from Harry.

'Bloody steps.' She muttered. 'Have you got any water?'

Draco hurriedly raised his flask.

Hermione took it from him and drank greedily. She passed it to Harry, who took it gratefully.

'Haven't you climbed up the tower before?' Blaise asked.

'Not with a hundred-plus weight.' Hermione sighed and fanned herself. She received quizzical looks. 'Well, Harry carried me up half the way up, because he kept stepping on my toes. Then half way up, I realize that he's burning, so I try to get him up here.'

'What are we supposed to be doing with a burning Potter?' Draco moaned.

'Leave him here, let him rest for a bit. It must be the flu that's going around.' Hermione suggested. 'Zabini, can you help him up on a chair?'

'Tsk, not until you greet me courteously.' Blaise sniffed, pouting.

'Ugh, fine, Blaise! Sweetest Blaise! Get dear Harry on the chair, would you please?' She said, laying on the false sweetness as thick as possible.

'Ah, that's more like it.' Blaise winked before carrying a now semi-unconscious Harry to the nearest chair. Hermione groaned.

'Why is he even here?' Hermione snapped.

'He wanted to come. I figured if you could bring Potter, why not I?' Draco asked. Hermione groaned, pushing herself to her feet, ignoring the screams of protest her legs were giving.

Draco lifted Hermione up, holding her close to hug her. 'He annoys the hell out of me too,' he said, his hot-breath on her ear. He felt Hermione stifle a laugh.

They walked over to where Blaise and Harry were. Blaise was cooing silly nothings to Harry. Draco raised an eyebrow, whereas Hermione was downright baffled.

'Do I even want to know?' Draco asked.

'Maybe. His reactions are hilarious!' Blaise laughed. Harry giggled on cue. Hermione laughed out loud; Harry was giggling?

'Right, can we set aside the giggling Potter and rack our brains a bit?' Draco paused. 'Okay, maybe Granger has two brains. Oh well, makes up for the loss of the Chosen One's—Hey, OW!'

'Shut it about the brain jokes, Malfoy.' Hermione warned with a satisfied smirk and she cracked her knuckles.

'Feisty little one, you've got there,' Blaise chuckled.

'Can we please focus!' Hermione stiffened. 'I'm not going to be discussing anything with Zabini—'pointed cough of Blaise's '—I mean, Blaise, until I know he'll keep his mouth shut about it.'

Blaise opened his mouth to argue, but Draco interceded him. 'You have my word.' Hermione nodded with a sigh.

'Right, well, first thing's first, we've got to keep Draco far from Ron, but then again, we all know that already, don't we?' Blaise asked. Draco flashed Blaise a cold glare. Blaise merely shrugged it off.

'Of course, makes sense if we want to keep Ron alive. But what about Ron? He's bound to want to know the truth.' Hermione pointed out.

'Then tell him the truth!'

'Draco, do you honestly think Ron will keep his mouth shut about it? He'll be bellowing about it so loud that even the skeletons in the dungeons will know about it.'

'I said the truth, but I didn't mean the truth, you damned Gryffindor.' Draco rolled his eyes. Hermione smacked him on the head.

'Right, then what point of the truth do you want to tell him?' Hermione asked.

'Just tell him the usual, 'its not you, it's me' load of bullshit.' Draco toyed with his wand. 'Works every time.'

'Don't I know it,' Hermione rolled her eyes. Her eyes fell upon Harry, who was still being tended to by Blaise.

'Zabi- I mean, Blaise, I think Harry's fine now.'

'No way, it's way too much fun seeing Potter helpless for once.' Blaise laughed, but stopped the moment Harry's eyelids opened, revealing his emeralds, that stared directly into Blaise's eyes.

'Get off of me, Zabini,' Harry growled.

'Like I wanted to be anywhere near you,' Blaise sniffed, slightly miffed and returned to his seat, plopping down on it and flashed Harry a sly grin. Harry rolled his eyes.

Hermione had to admit; Slytherin had the honor of housing 2 of the top 10 most beautiful people in Hogwarts. And those two ranked among top 3. Sigh, life was just so unfair.

'Stop sighing, Hermione,' Draco pouted, before squeezing down beside her on the armchair.

'There's not enough space, Draco.' She pointed out.

'There will be if you sit on my lap.' Draco said in the same tone of voice as she had. Hermione rolled her eyes and sat up, allowing Draco to sit before settling down. He loved the way her body fit into his, it was like she was built for him!

Draco nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent. God, he wanted to relive this afternoon's experience again and again and again.

Hermione felt Draco's hot breath on her neck and her pulse immediately started racing. Lord knows what the boy could do to her with a single gesture.

'One more second of this, and I'm going to be sick.' Harry's voice broke them from their little exchange.

'You already are, Potter. Burning up like a kettle. Unless it's because of me that you're burning. Now that would be understandable; I do have that effect on people. Both boys and girls.' Blaise grinned.

'Why is he here?' Harry asked. Draco's lips curled in amusement as his question resembled Hermione's.

'Draco didn't tell me when I met him this afternoon.' Hermione accused.

'Like I could, Miss. Take-All-Your-Clothes-Off!' Draco stuck his tongue out at her. He loved to see Hermione's blood rush to her cheeks.

She rolled her eyes as casually as she could. 'Shut it, Mr. Oh-God-Hermione.' She replied with a satisfied smirk. For good measure she gave him a rude finger gesture.

'I'm sure you'll want this,' Draco pointed his middle finger and shoved it into his other fist.

'We really don't want to see this,' Harry said, to which Blaise nodded to.

'Oh, shut it Potter, I bet this is your best wank material.' Draco laughed.

'I really don't get how you can stand him without hexing his head off.' Harry said to Blaise.

'I wonder why he doesn't to me, I assure you,' Blaise replied.

'Can we please focus!' Hermione snapped.

'Right. We keep Ron away from Draco. Draco from Ron. Whichever. And I'll just have to avoid Ron until it's impossible.' Hermione concluded.

'Yeah, that's about it,' Draco smiled, 'now, if you don't mind, Potter, there's a couple of constellations that I'd like to show Hermione.' He carried Hermione before any of them could speak a word and brought her up the stairs.

'I don't think Hermione would be able to see anything tonight,' Harry chuckled.

'Probably not. Or maybe she and Draco will really be looking at the stars and joining them,' Blaise replied dryly.

'Ha, maybe. Hopefully the stars will tell Draco to keep the fuck away from Hermione.' Harry muttered.

'Draco really isn't that bad, you know, once you get past the walls.' Blaise said thoughtfully. He tapped his chin, looking at Harry.

'What?' Harry's eyes narrowed.

'Nothing. When are you ever going to get rid of those glasses? Wasn't there a Muggle invention? Lunses, were they called?' Blaise wrinkled his nose, thinking.

'Lenses,' Harry corrected. 'And no, I don't plan to rid of them. Why should I bother anyway?'

'Because you look a lot better without those hideous things hiding your eyes. Maybe then you'll do better than the she-weasel.'

'Ginny's nice, alright.' Harry said defensively.

'But do you want nice?' Blaise enquired.

'No, sometimes she's too nice. Too... innocent. It's hard to be around her, sometimes.' Harry tugged at his hair. 'And why the fuck am I telling you all this?'

'Because you finally realize that I'm nice and that if you tell me I'll be able to help you.' Blaise stated.

'No, I don't think so. Maybe it's the fever.' Harry said.

'The fever, then.' Blaise echoed, smiling at Harry.

'You look so bloody hot right now.' Draco murmured as he fixed his eyes on Hermione, who was riding him ecstatically. Behind her was the starry night, and her head was thrown back in appreciation of the feeling; her eyelids were closed and her mouth was slightly parted, still pink from the previous brutal make out session. A moan escaped from those pink lips.

The picture of perfection.

Hermione threw herself forward, letting Draco do all the work with his hips, while burying her face into his shoulder, biting and teasing, which only prompted Draco to fasten his tempo.

Hermione clutched his biceps tightly, before deciding to bring her legs together, making her even tighter. She heard Draco's sharp intake of breath and knew she had done the right thing. Draco's breath was even more ragged now.

'It's hard to put it in,' Draco complained. Hermione smiled.

'But doesn't that make it feel even better?' She asked. Draco propped himself on his elbows, gazing down at Hermione. Without warning, Hermione released her legs, letting him have easier access. That very thrust nearly brought them both over the edge; Draco had used too much force and really plunged his entire length into her.

'I want that, that, that's nice.' Hermione managed, as she arched her back. She whimpered. 'Want want want want.'

Draco groaned and pushed her over, pinning her to the ground, grinding himself deeper and deeper. Her fingers were clutched in his hair, tangling them. Draco winced as she pulled out a few strands.

Hermione was seeing spots of lights. Lights that were growing bigger and bigger. Suddenly they just enveloped her and god she just felt like she felt warm liquid between her and her lover. The two of them moaned in harmony.

Draco crawled up to her, and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him lightly.

'That was just...'

'Absolutely fucking awesome.' He finished for her. Hermione smiled. Their heat was radiating off to the cool night, while the coolness of the stone floor radiated onto them. The feeling was nice; being hot and cold at the same moment.

'Why don't we, just get back to my dorm, where I can show you a hell load of other tricks, eh?' Draco suggested against her forehead.

'What about the others?'

'Don't worry about them.' Draco said. He sat up, but made sure Hermione sat up with him, being pressed entirely against him.

'I love you, Draco.' She whispered. Her eyes were misty, reflecting the light the stars gave out.

That was the first time she had ever said it. He loved how the word rolled off her tongue. I love you, Draco. God. That girl knew how to say those words.

'I love you more than you'll ever know,' Draco murmured, kissing her again. This time, the kiss was light, and sweet, not demanding at all. He sucked on her lower lip while she sucked on his upper. Her fingers caressed his arm and began to draw circles slowly. They pulled back at the same time, staring into each other's eyes. Somehow this was the best moment they've ever had together, despite their rounds of mind-blowing sex.

'Let's get back to my dorm, shall we?' Draco asked in a low, husky voice. Hermione nodded ever so slightly. They stood up, clothing each other. Hermione ran a delicate finger over his chest, before slipping him on his shirt.

They walked down quietly, making sure that their footsteps were unheard. They noticed the vacant seats. Maybe the two had gone bored waiting and went back to sleep.

Hermione noticed a small note propped on the chair Harry was sitting in.

Hermione, Figured you might need this.

-Harry.

Underneath it was a slight shimmer. The cloak! Thank the lord for Harry.

'Wear it over. That way we can slip in unnoticed.' He suggested. Hermione slipped it over but made sure it revealed her head. She wiggled her eyebrows at Draco.

'That's a sight I wish I'll never see.' Draco said, referring to Hermione's bodiless head.

Hermione giggled. They made it to the Slytherin common room without any problem, and Draco only too eagerly pulled her into his empty dormitory. Hermione glanced at the empty beds.

'Where are the others?'

'Out there, somewhere, moaning, perhaps.' Draco shrugged. 'Nevertheless. I do wonder where Blaise is, though.' He wrinkled his forehead. 'Maybe off with Alicia.' He decided.

Hermione glanced around the Slytherin's dorm. The pillows and bed covers were silk green, with the occasional silver pattern. She sat down on the foot of the bed nearest to her, shivering at the silky touch of the quilt. It was dark, but she could make out the occasional knick-knack. A picture perhaps.

'As much as I'd like to see you explore my dorm, why don't we get back to business, eh?' He smirked, casting a Locking charm on the door, turning to Hermione with a suggestive smile. Hermione smiled back.

This was definitely going to make it to Top 10 Best Nights.

A/N: Well, I hope you like it! I have something pretty interesting planned for a couple... :D