I can't believe I've actually gotten to chapter 12! Yay for me and yay for all of you who have followed and reviewed, because that makes me want to keep writing :) I hope you enjoy this chapter!

My, my, somebody's about to be in trouble, aren't they?

Those words echoed through Hermione's head. She stood completely paralyzed. She had faced a troll head on and been petrified by a basilisk amongst other things, but now when faced with a little man and his cat, she was absolutely terrified and uncertain of what to do. She glanced up at Draco. He didn't seem afraid at all, his expression focused and intense. Hermione realized suddenly that he was looking for an escape route. She did everything in her power to remain still and calm. Wouldn't it be better if they just stayed hidden where they were?

Draco didn't seem to think so. He moved his head slowly towards her ear and whispered:

"Okay, when I say go, we're going to run straight down that corridor. There's a tapestry that leads into a secret passage so we can gain some ground to try and get away from Filch. He can't use magic and he's old, so hopefully we can outrun him. Wait until he turns around…"

They didn't have to wait long. Filch was pacing slowly in circles, trying to figure out if his culprits were hiding close by.

"Go!" Draco took off sprinting, dragging Hermione right behind him. Her hair rushed behind her as they ran.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Filch's voice rang out behind them.

Draco continued running, veering suddenly to the right. Just as he said, there was indeed a secret passage behind the tapestry. Surely Filch would know about it, so they didn't slow.

Draco and Hermione tore through hall after hall. Hermione was utterly lost, but Draco seemed to know exactly where he was going. Filch's threats seemed to fall farther and farther behind, and Hermione was relieved when they stopped behind yet another tapestry, this one concealing a nook that was big enough for both of them to fit in. Hermione was completely winded after their flight, and tried to make her gasps for air as silent as possible. Draco had his eyes closed and was slumped against the wall with his head leaned back, grateful that they had escaped.

They were forced to freeze again as they heard Filch run by, but clearly he didn't know about their current hiding spot or didn't think to check because he passed them by. Hermione let out a long breath, trying to control her heartbeat. They had been so close to being caught, if Draco handn't known where he was going, if they hadn't run fast enough… several scenarios played through her head.

"Well, that was close…" whispered Draco. These words snapped Hermione back to the present. They were safe, which was all that mattered now. Letting out another shaky breath, she began to laugh silently.

Draco stared at her, completely in shock. They had almost been caught by someone who would've surely expelled them and here Hermione was, laughing her head off. This girl was completely insane. And he loved it.

Draco let himself relax and laugh along with Hermione. Their situation was completely absurd. How on earth had they gotten mixed up together? Draco decided that he didn't care. Whatever supernatural force had thrown them together that night, whether it was destiny or just sheer luck, it didn't matter to him right now. As they stood there and laughed, Draco was grateful for the chance he had been given to get to know Hermione. She was so much more than an annoying know-it-all that he had her pinned for the last five years.

At that moment, Draco noticed their hands were still intertwined. Slowly, so not to startle her, he let go of her hand and put his arm around her. He grinned when she leaned into him, still laughing.

"Oh my god, that was one of the most terrifying moments of my life," she murmured, her voice muffled by Draco's shoulder.

"I know," he said into the top of her hair.

Finally Hermione stopped laughing, and quickly drew away from Draco. She smiled up at him, and then looked quickly away. Even with her head turned Draco knew she was blushing. He smiled, loving when he made her embarrassed. That was a good sign for him, right?

"Umm, we should probably go back to our common rooms now, huh?" Hermione brushed the hair back from her face.

"Probably." Draco was disappointed that she wanted to leave, but he really couldn't blame her. "Let me walk you back."

"No, that's okay," Hermione replied quickly.

Draco once again used the smirk that once had irritated her to no end, but now made her smile. "I insist. Plus, you probably don't even know what part of the castle we're in anyways."

"What? I definitely… sort of… well not really," Hermione admitted.

"Exactly. Come along, Granger." He held out his hand.

Instead of taking it though, Hermione chose to simply walk next to him instead. Though she liked where this was going, she wanted to make sure Draco wasn't just messing with her. He sighed and put his hand in the pockets of his robes.

"So, am I always going to be Granger to you?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence as they walked.

"Hmmm," Draco pondered the question for a moment. "I don't know, I supposed I could call you Hermione…"

"But…?"

"Well, everyone calls you Hermione. Or almost everyone. Hardly anyone calls you Granger except for me, and I kind of like that." He finished his sentence quickly and glanced towards Hermione, hoping she didn't think he was crazy. Thankfully, she was smiling.

"Aww, that's sweet Malfoy."

"Yeah, whatever… but aren't you going to call me Draco instead of Malfoy? It sounds nicer…"

"Well, can I?"

"Sure, Granger. I'd like that."

"Okay then… Draco." Hermione giggled nervously. The conversation had gotten somewhat awkward rather quickly. Draco seemed to notice this and quickly said:

"Of course if you don't want to or think it's we—"

"No, it's fine." Hermione cut him off.

"You're sure?"

"It really is," Hermione reassured him, smiling.

Draco let out a silent sigh of relief. He then steered the conversation back into their usual easy back and forth. Sooner than he would've liked, they arrived at the Gryffindor common room. They had successfully managed to avoid running into Filch again, which was rather surprising.

"Uh, Draco?"

He started at hearing his first name coming from Hermione. It was strange, but he liked it.

"Yeah?"

"Even though you know where my common room is, you probably shouldn't know the password."

"Oh, right… goodnight…" He turned to leave.

"Wait!"

"Yes?" Draco asked hopefully.

Hermione stood there for a moment, fiddling with the sleeve of her robes, something she did when she was nervous.

"Just, uh… thanks. For everything. You somehow managed to get us away from Flich, and you were really nice… and yeah…" she trailed off awkwardly and offered a somewhat strained smile.

Draco felt a mixture of pride and happiness rush through his chest. "You're welcome, Gragner. It wasn't a problem. I like hanging out with you." He turned red, horrified at his last sentence. Thankfully if was dark so she couldn't tell how much he was panicking.

Why'd you go and say that you nutter? You probably freaked her out!

Again, Draco was relieved to see that she was smiling. To save himself from any further embarrassment, he left quickly after saying goodbye.

Both Draco and Hermione returned to bed, a seemingly permanent smile plastered on their faces.

Well look at that, finally realizing that they like each other :) PLEASE review and follow if you haven't yet!