Chapter 10

Draco yawned and stretched his legs. But he stopped when his legs touched someone else's. Opening his eyes, he saw Hermione next to him. At first it did not register to him that he should get up. He just lay there looking at her. From her milky skin to her curly mass of hair to her parted lips and to the way her arms were positioned above her head as she stretched. Why am I just noticing all of this now? He wondered. They had been going to the same school since they were eleven years old and he had wasted his time bickering with her when he could have just admired her; maybe even made friends.

That last part jolted Draco out of his thoughts. She was a muggle born. Of course they could never be friends. All these thoughts were foolish. After the effects of the potion died away, he'd be back to normal.

But did he really want that?

Hermione felt someone nudge her leg. It was probably Crookshanks. Deciding she had better get up, Hermione opened her eyes and surprisingly met a pair of grey eyes. For a moment she did not know why the hell Malfoy of all people was in her room, but then she remembered the potion, and that she had invited him in. Hermione became acutely aware of everywhere Malfoy was and how close he was.

She had been camping with Harry and Ron last year and while her school-girl crush with Ron made her heart flutter, that was nothing compared to what she was feeling having Draco Malfoy next to her. Of course, it was the same Draco Malfoy who had bullied her nonstop in the past, enjoyed making crude jokes, and called the Weaselys 'Weasels', but her body just did not seem to get the memo.

"You know Granger," Malfoy said running a hand through his hair. "I don't think I've had a dream about those spirit people for at least two nights."

Hermione thought about it. "Hm. Neither have I," she said. "Maybe they're laying low for a while because I'm catching on to them. Well the one attached to me at least."

"What do mean 'catching on to them'?" Draco asked looking at her.

"I talked to mine." Hermione said turning to look at him. "I guess I forgot to tell you. The other night when you uh, fell asleep on me and uh," Suddenly Hermione took a deep breath. "Just don't laugh at me okay?"

Not knowing what she was talking about Draco said, "Uh, I'll try."

Knowing she was going to regret this Hermione looked at the ceiling feeling vaguely embarrassed. "When you fell asleep on me. I was just sort of, uh, looking at you. And I was getting tired because it was late at night you know, and I was just annoyed. And a voice in my head was just saying stuff like, oh it's not that bad just go sleep with him. And, you know you want to. Which is totally not true. And," she could hear Draco snickering beside her, but she continued. "I talked back, well, thought back is more appropriate. But anyway I started explaining how awkward the situation was because you know, we're not really friends and at first I thought it was just me thinking but then the voice was like talking about you being sexy and stuff." Hermione could feel her cheeks go pink. "And I realized, that was not me thinking aloud and I was saying how you are not that sexy and she was like, that does it matter because I was stuck and... Yeah. It was a small, silly conversation."

And silence insured.

Turning, Hermione looked at Draco who looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh. And then she realized what a goof she must have seemed like, being all flustered about a small conversation. Which made her start laughing out of embarrassment, which made Draco laugh because he could not hold it in any longer.

"You know what the funny thing is Granger?" Draco asked as their laughter died down. "Is that you thought I would not laugh at that."

Hermione smiled. "Well anyway, yes. It is possible to talk to them."

Draco noticed her ready to get up, but something in him did not want her to leave. He wanted her laying next to him a little longer. "Hey Granger, do I smell like anything to you? Like anything odd or different?"

Hermione thought about it, and shrugged. "You smell like you always have; expensive perfume." Draco nodded, a little deflated that he didn't smell extremely amazing or something. When he didn't say anything else Hermione yawned, and sat up. "Do you want to use the loo first or shall I?"

"Nah, you go ahead. I just want to lay down for a while." There was a creak of Hermione's bed as she got up and left. Draco watched her leave and felt surprised at how natural this felt. The beginning of the year, Draco and Hermione had been ready to go to war.

Shaking his head at how different everything was now, Draco sat up and stretched. Hermione's room smelled just like her. Which reminded him of what everyone else smelled like. He was not looking forward to a day of smelling that horrid smell.

"Bloody potion," he muttered. Which was another thing that was surreal. Had anyone ever told him he might be slipped a love potion that made him attracted toward Hermione Granger, Draco would have them checked for brain injury. And now he was ready to check his own brain.

When Draco was ready and heading out of the Heads Room, Hermione came in. "There you are." she said with a slight smile. "I was hoping to catch you,"

"For what?" Draco asked.

"So I could give you this," Hermione said, holding out a quill to him.

Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "I already have plenty of quills Granger."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah but I was thinking about you saying how everyone smells awful and I don't." Draco nodded, not yet understanding. "I just thought maybe if I gave you something of mine that was inconspicuous, you could carry it around and you know have a way to, uh not smell everyone that smells bad."

Draco blinked. Why hadn't he thought of that? "No wonder the Weasel and Boy Wonder copy off your homework." he chuckled, but Hermione didn't laugh.

"If you don't want it..." she mumbled, putting away the quill.

"No. Granger, hold on. Let me see that." he said taking the quill out of her hand. He looked at it a moment before smelling it. It took all he had not to sigh in relief, it smelled amazingly just like her.

"Well?" Hermione asked, watching him.

Stupid love potion. Clearing his throat and wiping the small smile off of his face he said, "Uhm, thanks. It smells like you."

"You're welcome," Hermione beamed and headed out.

"Wait!" he called after her.

"Hm?" she asked, turning around.

Not knowing how to phrase it he blurted out, "Why are you so nice?" Hermione looked a bit taken aback. Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Earlier this week you defended me against those Ravenclaws - even though I didn't need it, - yesterday you brought me something to eat and now this."

Hermione gave him a funny smile and shrugged. "I never really thought what I was doing was actually nice. I stood up for you because it was my duty as Head Girl and I brought you food because I thought you might be hungry. Why? Does my being nice scare you?" she teased.

Draco looked at her and her funny smile for a while before answering. It was getting hard not to stare at her lips. "I just - I guess I'm not used to anyone being this nice to me." he shrugged and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well," she said, taking a small step toward him. "I'm mostly a bucket of niceness, so you should get used to it." Draco found himself smiling down at her. "And anyway, I have work to do in the library so I'll see you at Ancient Ruins."

"Until Ancient Ruins then." Draco said in a low voice, running her quill across her face.

Blinking, Hermione nodded, and walked away reminding herself that he was only acting this way because of the potion. If it was not for the potion he probably would not even be talking to her right now.

The rest of the Friday passed quickly for Draco. However, it was taking forever for Pansy.

She had been trying to talk to Draco all day but he would just make small talk and excuse himself. And now, he had his last class with the mudblood Granger and preventing Pansy from seeing if her potion was working! At least in Potions, Pansy could sit next to Draco and block his view of Granger. But who knew if they were talking or something?

When her class finally ended, she rushed to Draco's class to she if she could catch him walking out. And there he was. With no sign of the mudblood. Pansy let out a sigh of relief and lowered her shirt's neckline a bit.

"Draco!" she said casually. "I didn't know you walked this way."

"My class was just in that hallway." he said barely looking at her.

"Oh yeah, Ancient Rocks or something right? Blaise was telling me about how I should have taken it." Draco just nodded, walking a little faster. "You know the Great Hall is the other way right?" she asked him, having to jog slightly to keep up with him. "Aren't you hungry for some dinner?" she asked as Millicent caught up with them.

"Hello Pansy. Hiiiii Draco," she said fluttering her eye lashes at him. He did not so much as look at her.

At last they had arrived at the library. "If you two don't mind," he said, leaving them at the entrance. Luckily they did not follow him. Scanning the silent hall, he found an empty table and sat down. He could probably grab some dinner from the house elves, as long as he did not have to put up with girls hanging on his every limb, he would be okay.

Draco sighed. What was wrong with him? He had not had a good make-out session this whole week. He always enjoyed attention from girls especially Pansy because she was so easy to please. Now she was starting to annoy him to no end.

Going through his bag Draco fished out the response letter from his mother giving him directions to get out of Hogwarts for the weekend. He would arrive in Malfoy Manor, then go with his mother to Azkaban in the afternoon and Sunday she was planning to have "bonding-time" with Draco. It sounded so ridiculous he assumed it had to be a muggle thing she had heard about.

...

"And you should have seen it, Mione! I was blocking everything Ginny sent at me!" Hermione smiled, it was so cute how Ron's face lit up when he talked about Quidditch. "You know our first match is in two weeks right? Against Ravenclaws,"

"Yes Ron, you told me. And don't worry I'm coming. Why would I miss it?" Hermione said, coming at a stop in front of the Heads Room.

"Sorry Hermione, I'm just a little nervous."

Hermione gave his shoulder a little squeeze. "You'll be amazing, don't worry."

Ron shuffled his feet a little. "So, I'll come get you for Hogsmeade around lunch time tomorrow?"

"Sure, bye Ron." Hermione said waving, but before she could turn to the portrait, Ron stepped close to her and gave her a small kiss on the cheek before promptly turning pink.

"Bye," he said.

"Oh, don't make us vomit." a voice said around the corner and Hermione and Ron look to see an annoyed Draco followed by Pansy.

"Ron, just ignore her." Hermione said, sighing. Ron nodded, and walked away glaring at Pansy and Draco the entire time.

"I bet poor mudblood has never even had a real kiss." Pansy snickered. Hermione waited a heartbeat wondering if Draco would say anything for her but did not. And she chided herself for even thinking that. Of course he would not. Saying the password Hermione went inside, slamming the door behind her.

"Why can't I come inside with you?" Pansy asked wrapping her arms around Draco's torso. The horrid smell hit him hard and he struggled not to push her away immediately. "We could have some fun," she whispered.

"I just don't feel like doing anything like that," he said, making sure to breathe through his mouth.

Pansy pouted. It was okay though, she had almost completed the love potion for him and she was planning on giving it to him tomorrow. She didn't want to annoy him afterall. Going on her tiptoes, she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" she purred. Draco barely nodded and went inside the Heads Room.

For a moment, the ground swayed under his feet, but he ignored it and headed up the steps to his room. Or he tried to at least.

Hermione was about to pour Crookshanks some more milk when she heard a thud. Turning around, she saw Draco laying facing down on the stairs. "Oh my gosh!" Hermione said and went to the steps. He was not hurt but he was having trouble getting up. "Are you okay?" she asked helping him stand.

"Granger?" he asked. Hermione nodded, hoping he would not fall again. Carefully she guided him to the sofa and had him sit. "Why is it so bloody hot?" he said aloud undoing his tie and some of his buttons. Alarmed, Hermione checked his forehead, sure enough, it was warm.

"Hey, Malfoy." Hermione said, shaking him. "I'm going to get Madame Pompfrey. Okay? Just stay here." She quickly rushed to the door when Draco started calling her name. "What? What's wrong?" she called back.

Pale and sweaty, Draco pointed at his chest. "It hurts when you're so far away."

Hermione stared at him in shock. This sounded like a dialogue that belonged in a romance novel. "What? What hurts?" she asked as she went back to him.

"My chest Granger, it hurts."

"Well, obviously because something is wrong with you! Let me get Madame -"

"I can tell it's because you're moving away from me." For emphasis, he grabbed her arm. "Trust me," he murmured staring at her. "As long as you stay here, as long as you stay close to me I'll be fine."

Hermione sighed. His grey eyes were a bit unnerving. "Alright, okay. I believe you. But I can't just leave you here sick!" What's wrong with him? An alarmed voice yelled in Hermione's head. " I don't know,"

Draco squinted at her. "What did you say?"

Hermione shook her head.

"Alright, let me just get you some water." she said, knowing there was a bottle in her bag. Draco nodded and Hermione went to retrieve the bottle. Taking off the cap nervously she said, "I already drank from it so do you want me to find you a glass or-?"

Without answering Draco took the bottle from her hands and drank deeply not even thinking about a glass. If he wasn't so pale and sickly looking, Hermione might have been surprised.

"How about we try to get you to your room?" Hermione asked. "There's at least a pillow and blanket there, you can rest."

Draco nodded and using the sofa as a support he stood up. Slowly he made his way to the stairs and then Hermione started helping even though he refused to lean on her.

"Stop trying to act tough, Malfoy." Hermione sighed. "I won't tell anyone that I helped you walk up some bloody steps." Grudgingly, Draco let her help him.

When they got to the top, they were both worn out. Draco from his sudden illness and Hermione from trying to haul his weight. " Malfoy," Hermione panted. "My room is closer and that inflated bed is still there let's go." Suddenly Draco's head rolled forward and he started to fall. "Malfoy?!" Hermione exclaimed. "Oh no." It looked like he had fainted!

Taking her wand out, Hermione levitated Draco to her room and on the second bed. And then she paced. What could be wrong with him?

Quickly she checked his breath but did not find the strong smell of lavender. So he had not been poisoned again. But then what was it? Please, do something! The voice said in Hermione's head.

"I don't know what's wrong with him!" Hermione said, frustrated.

Kiss him! The voice commanded her.

"What?" Hermione yelled. "What good is that going to do?" Did this spirit not realize Draco had fainted and was seriously ill?

Of course. I can see it through your eyes! But you have to kiss him!

"Why?" Hermione asked, she had no desire to ever kiss Draco Malfoy of all people. Okay maybe she had a small desire, but this was not the time! She tried to think of all the spells she knew. Taking a deep breath Hermione sat down, trying to stay calm. "Okay, first thing's first Hermione. Make sure he's still alive." she muttered aloud thinking about a book she had read. Hermione checked his wrist, and sure enough, there was a strong pulse.

Why won't you just do what I tell you? The spirit yelled at her.

"Because I don't know what's wrong with him! What if I kiss him and the same thing happens to me?" Hermione began pacing again. "You need to calm your sexual desires. He could be seriously ill."

"Granger?" Draco said weakly. Surprised, Hermione rushed to him and sat to the edge of the bed.

"Malfoy? Malfoy? It's me, Hermione." But he didn't respond. "Draco!" Hermione yelled, her voice becoming a bit hoarse. She bit her lip, anxiety overcoming her. What could she do?

Look, the spirit said. Once something like this happened to someone I once knew and the way I healed him was by kissing him.

"But how do you know will work again?"

I don't, but it's worth a try right? Because it worked before -

Hermione shook her head. "I can't just kiss him!"

And why not?

"Because he- It's invading his personal space and what if it makes it worse?"

But what if it makes it better? He is infected by a love potion for you isn't he? Well I doubt kissing him is going to make him worse. Please, just try.

Hermione bit her lip so hard she drew blood. She knew that she'd regret this but she supposed the spirit was right. She had to try.

Before she could give it more thought, Hermione knelt by his bedside and put her lips on his. At first nothing happened, but then, suddenly, Draco started responding. He started kissing back.

And neither of them pulled away.

A / N where this chapter started so does it end: in Hermione's bedroom. Can I get a review or two? I want to know what you guys are thinking