Draco trudged out of his dorm, his robe haphazardly covering his thin frame. He pressed his ear against Hermione's door. The music had stopped; he wondered how she even got it to play. There was a knock at the common room door. Malfoy opened it.

"Haha, you're all pale and thin. Kind of like a real ferret," Ginny smiled at him.

"What do you want?"

"Not very friendly…I wanted to see if you were alright. That Love Potion probably kicked you pretty hard."

"Love Potion?" Draco asked confused. "Who took a Love Potion?"

"You did, Pansy slipped it in your pancakes. You came after Blaise because he was trying to give you the antidote. Hermione stunned you. Fred and George warned Hermione that you'd be extremely honest after you took the antidote, so Hermione ran off. She thought you'd say you didn't really like her. So she brought you up here…and now…" Ginny used a single breath for her entire sentence.

"She's either asleep, or she's listening to us."

Malfoy ushered Ginny outside the portrait hole.

"Don't forget you're just wearing a robe. Green silk, huh? Why am I not surprised?"

"What can I do, Ginny?"

"I don't know, maybe black. Or silver, that'd bring out your eyes really well." She pulled on the sleeve of his robe, squinting her eyes to imagine a different color.

He slapped her hand away. "About Hermione, Red. What can I do about Hermione?"

"Oh, give up. It's over. She probably hates you." She turned and walked away.

"WOMEN!" Draco said vehemently.

"Hey, man. Nice robe." Blaise strolled up, his arm wrapped casually around Luna.

"Well isn't that just bloody fantastic. I start this inter-house dating thing and you, of all people, get the pay off. Bloody brilliant." Malfoy groaned.

"Well, get in there and tell her you like her!"

"I don't like her!"

The portrait opened as Hermione was going down to breakfast. She caught the end of Malfoy's sentence and took off running. He made to chase after her, but Blaise grabbed him.

"Stop, Draco, listen. Stop!"

"I've gotta go after her! She didn't understand! I love her, Blaise!"

"I know, man. But right now you're in a robe and boxers."

Draco gave himself the once over.

"Oh, yeah."


Hermione had disappeared for the day. Draco suspected she was hiding out in the Gryffindor Common Room, as Harry and Ron had been throwing him scathing looks through all their classes.

He didn't understand why life was so unfair to him. He'd done everything he could think of. He'd been completely honest, showing her his Mark. He'd listened to her…talked to her. He'd even kissed her! What more was the girl looking for?
He must have spoken out loud because Luna answered him.

"Proof."

"What?" He asked.

It was break and they were gathered around a tree outside. The year was almost over, and Draco had accomplished nothing of importance. Nothing with Hermione, that is.

"She wants proof that you want to be with her."

"And how am I supposed to prove that? Does she want me to hang a bloody sign out the window?"

"I think that's an idea." Said Harry, striding up to the group. "Look, Malfoy. I don't like you; in fact, I can't really say that I ever will. But Hermione's found something worthwhile in you. I'd kill you dead right now…but she said you didn't really want to be a Death Eater."

"The proof she wants is to trust you. She's not sure whose side you're on, so you've gotta show her that you're on her side." Ginny chimed in. "Everyone knows the war is starting. You've got to show her before its too late."

"Well, school ends next week. I'd say we're out of time."

"Then I suggest you hurry."


Malfoy breezed into his common room, throwing himself on the couch without glancing at it.

"Get off!" said a voice beneath him.

"Oh god! I'm sorry, I wasn't looking!" Draco sat up as if he'd been burned, then he changed his mind and laid down on her.

"Now that I've got you where I want you," he said, raising his brows. "I think it's time you listened to me."

"Not interested."

"Oh, but I know you are. You care, Hermione. So, listen. I've been a double agent for a while now. I've been feeding information to Dumbledore. I'm in the Order of the Phoenix. I know all about it, Hermione. Sirius Black was Harry's godfather, Order headquarters are in his house."

Hermione let out a gasp of surprise.

"See, I'm one of the good guys. But…this is really hard for me to say…I can't be with you."

Hermione felt the tears well in her eyes.

"It's not you, it's me, really. It's not a good idea for me to be involved with anyone when I'm in this deep. You understand? They'd probably end up using you." He said, with too much ease.

He sat up off her.

"So, this whole thing was fun. Thanks for listening to me; it really helped me make a decision." He kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be seeing you, Granger."

Heleft silently.

Hating himself for every word.