Sorry for the delay! My life has been crazy these last couple of weeks, but I have been writing parts of this chapter when I have had the time, so if it seems a little patchy, or the writing style a little different, that's probably why, so I apologize ahead of time! Thanks so much for the reviews you have all given me, it broke 100! *does a happy dance* That's the first time that has ever happened and I can't tell you how happy I am :)

*cough* ANYWAYS

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Enjoy!

An Empty Frame

It turns out that it was harder to sleep than normal. Yes, Hermione's mind was usually crammed with thoughts flying about, but at the moment, it was impossible to even breathe. She sat up in bed, pushing off the covers, groaning when she realized that the sun was just starting to rise.

So that's why Hermione was up, too early for anyone else, and too early to be spreading butter on toast. She absently stabbed through the piece of bread with her knife. She continued to butter anyways. Hermione desperately needed to get rid of some of her thoughts. She was guilt ridden, confused, upset…her life had been great before… Draco. It had been running smoothly before Draco Malfoy entered her life so intimately.

But it really wasn't his fault, now, was it? He didn't ask for Hermione to come barging in on him while he was in the shower (she shuddered in delight at the memory) and he didn't beg for her to seduce him like that. So…it was Hermione's fault that her life was like this? For some reason this didn't sit well with her. No, it was Draco's fault for being so gorgeous that she felt the need to act on her desire. God damn beautiful people.

Hermione sighed, did I really just think that? What a lovely conclusion to start off the morning!

Pop, Hermione strode forward with an air of confidence, tilting her head up slightly when she passed Jasmine. Hermione was still not thinking of Jasmine in the lightest of graces after her little flirting bout with Draco. In fact, Hermione nearly brushed by Jasmine without saying anything, but Jasmine greeted her, not noticing anything was wrong. "Good morning, Miss Granger," Jasmine chirped. She was in too good of a mood for the older witch. She inclined her head tiredly.

"Jasmine," she said, her voice sugar-coated yet had an underlying coldness that could make a grown man shiver.

"How was your time with Draco yesterday?" asked Jasmine, leaning forward to hand Hermione her mail. Hermione accepted it graciously, before Jasmine's words registered in her mind. Memories that had been flashing through her thoughts all morning resurfaced, and Hermione's cheeks flooded with color. Jasmine couldn't possibly know, could she? No, of course she didn't, Hermione chided herself, I'm just overreacting.

"Our visit to Hogwarts was…effective," Hermione searched for the right word. She smirked to herself. Effective was the word she used to describe her day with Draco. Yet 'effective' to what degree?

Then another thought hit her. Jasmine had called Draco, well, 'Draco'. Not 'Mister Malfoy' or any other formal use of addressing him. A small twinge of annoyance filled her. "Right, well, I am expecting a visitor about midday, Jasmine, so if you would-"

"Of course, miss," Jasmine hurried to say. Her bright blues eyes were glancing eagerly at something, rather someone, behind Hermione's shoulder. Hermione turned to find that Draco had arrived (in a light purple button down shirt that was so his color) and Jasmine's attention was no longer on her. Hermione cleared her throat, not bothering to be subtle. Jasmine jerked her eyes from the beautiful (damn him) man with some difficulty, forcing herself to turn back to Hermione, who noted the displeasure on her face. Frowning slightly, Hermione gave her a somewhat cold look before opening her office door, turning to find Jasmine beginning to bat her eyelashes before it closed.

Restricting a growl of frustration, Hermione stomped over to her desk, throwing her bag onto the table. Mail splayed across her usual neat table top, and her bag-tossing succeeded in knocking over multiple items on her desk. Sighing, she began picking everything up and setting it right again, when her fingertips connected with the smooth wood of the picture frame.

She delicately picked up the frame. It held nothing. No memories. It was just an empty frame.

What if she put a picture of her parents in it? Although Hermione wasn't sure where to find one, she thought after. Harry? No, he was getting married, and that would be just plain weird to put a picture of her best guy friend on her desk to stare at all day. She would have to have something nice in it, someone nice to look at if she were to fill the cursed frame. But who would she enjoy looking at day after day?

...

Hermione slammed her head on the table. Why did Draco-fucking whatever his middle name is-Malfoy always pop into her mind at the worst possible moments?

I mean sure, he would be quite nice to stare at, it would certainly be easy on the eyes…

Hermione frowned, tossing the object back down on the table again and shaking such thoughts from her mind. "Looks like you'll be with me from start to finish," she murmured, before settling down in her chair to review a complaint about Trelawney…

Her first few hours of the work day passed by Draco-free, which Hermione was jumping with joy for, however her heart sunk considerably when a knock sounded on the door and Jasmine's head poked through. "Your visitor has arrived, are you ready for me to allow him in?" Hermione nodded in response, brushing imaginary lint off of her clothes. As foretold, Ronald Weasley strode through the door, a shy smile on his face.

"Hullo, Ron," Hermione greeted, standing up and going around her desk to meet him with a hug. Ron squeezed back, and held her for a little longer than necessary.

"Hey," he said softly in her ear, causing shivers to run down her spine. Hermione involuntarily took a step back, putting a good few feet between them.

"So what brings you here?" she tried to keep her voice strong, while in truth, her heart was racing. Her nerves were tingling uncomfortably and a nasty feeling had settled in the pit of her stomach. Ron too took another step back, his face suddenly serious.

"This isn't really the place I had in mind for telling you…" he trailed off, his eyes flickering around uncertainly. Unease was slithering around the office like a snake. Hermione mentally slapped herself once more, why was she associating herself with snakes? Damn you sexy Slytherins… "What do you say about me taking you out for lunch?"

Taken aback, Hermione's mouth dropped open. "F-for lunch?" she stuttered, though she wasn't quite sure why. "I, uh, you, we, um, er, sure," she went through numerous pronouns before she settled on agreeing. Hermione stared up at her friend. She had known him for so long, please don't do anything stupid, Hermione begged silently, please. Ron smiled brightly at her, the same smile she had seen from the opposite side of the table in the Great Hall for years. When Hermione snapped back to her senses, she noticed him watching her expectantly. "Ehm, what?" she asked, shaking her head. Ron chuckled, sweeping his hand in front of him.

Then he said like a gentlemen "After you," Hermione gulped did as he said, however she was suddenly hit with a pang. He sounded like a gentlemen, he sounded like Draco. Her lip was beginning to feel numb from chewing on it, and she felt a little nudge in the small of her back. Hermione whipped around to see Ron staring at her, amused yet again. "Usually after you really means after you, are you going to make me wait here all day?" he asked, eyes twinkling. Hermione realized to her embarrassment that she hadn't moved an inch since she came to the revelation.

"Oh!" she gasped, and she hurried out the door. Of course, Hermione should have known that she couldn't go off with Ron that easily. As the duo stepped out of Hermione's office door, they were immediately greeted by Jasmine's wide blue eyes. She not so secretly gave Hermione a thumbs up. The young blonde seemed thrilled to see Hermione and Ron together going on a 'date', but Hermione wasn't sure if the happiness was genuine, or if she was just giddy off the fact that Hermione was out of the way so Draco was free.

Speaking of the platinum blonde Slytherin, he chose to make an appearance at that precise moment. He pushed open his office door, a handful of parchment in his hand, "Jasmine, did you see where I put-" he stopped dead upon seeing Hermione. His words remained trapped on his lips, in the comical expression of 'cat got your tongue'. Hermione found nothing comical about this situation. She stopped walking too as they both stared at each other. The parchment slipped from his hand and fluttered to the floor, but Draco took no notice. He seemed to be searching for words, to be willing his feet to move, but they were not complying. Jasmine chose that unwise moment to jump in.

"Are you two going out?" she asked enthusiastically and Hermione watched her wide blue eyes flicker between Draco and her. Draco's own eyes were switching back and forth between Hermione and something behind her. Hermione felt her stomach drop when she noticed that it was Ron.

"Yes, actually, we're going out for lunch," that was when Hermione noticed that he still had his hand pressed to the small of her back. If possible, her stomach swooped lower, along with her heart when she noticed the obvious hurt expression on Draco's face. Draco turned his face down a little so that Hermione couldn't look into his eyes. Meanwhile, Jasmine was squealing.

"Oh, I hope you two enjoy yourselves! It's about time a man's come and swept her off her feet," Jasmine winked at Hermione while Draco tried to swallow. His throat had suddenly felt constricted, and was tightening rapidly by the second. "Just make sure you are back in time from lunch. Actually, what time do you need her back, Draco? We wouldn't want to take away any quality time, if you know what I mean," Jasmine turned to Draco after this suggestive comment, along with the rest of the people in the room, Hermione and Ron.

Draco was staring intently at a spot on the floor a little in front of his foot, and he seemed quite intrigued by it. He didn't need her back, what he needed was for her to not leave. He didn't trust himself to speak, but he knew that he had to. Draco opened his mouth, praying that his voice wouldn't betray his now throbbing heart. "Oh, umm…" Draco's throat tightened further and he struggled for breath as Ron slipped his arm protectively around Hermione. Draco could have told himself that Ron merely had brotherly intentions, but the way that Jasmine was throwing suggestive winks and movements and thumbs up at Hermione quickly deluded any such hopeful thought. He glanced up quickly to see everyone waiting for his answer. "I...I-I…take your time, we're in no rush, right?" he tried to throw in a weak smile but it turned out to more of a grimace.

"Right," Ron agreed while he took Hermione's arm. Draco's eyes tracked the movement like a hawk before they moved back to the floor. He bit his lip fiercely and gave a quick nod before quickly going back into his office, lightly shutting the door behind him.

Hermione's chest felt heavy, but she tried to rid the thought. If Draco thought that her and Ron were dating, then so be it, he had done the same thing to her, right? And he seriously couldn't be that effected, she and Draco hadn't even been dating in the first place, it was more of an unofficial thing, not even that. He had no right to pout about a potential relationship. Again Hermione shuddered, glancing up at Ron and trying to sort out his true intentions.

Only time would tell, and as Ron clasped Hermione's arm, "Ready?" Hermione could only give a tight nod, because if she were to speak, her voice would too betray her throbbing heart.

Wow, okay, that chapter ended up being way shorter than I intended it to be. I was going to go on and show Hermione and Ron's lunch and all in this chapter, but I ran out of time, and I don't have much time to say anything to you guys right now!

To say a few things before I say goodbye for now, I hope you liked it! And wow, 122 reviews *eek!* Thanks so much to all of you! Virtual hugs for you all :) I'm sorry for the wait, I think it's been almost a month? :/ Sorry guys, and with school starting up, I have no idea how much time I'll have! However, I'll try and make this a priority!

But on the upside, tomorrow's my birthday, yay, 15 years old! So consider this chapter a goodie bag from me to you :)

Until next chapter,

Mandy xoxo