For the next few weeks, the four of them met in the library after dinner three times a week and then a whole day on Sunday to work on homework and study. Hermione and Draco found themselves there nearly every day, however, shooting each other glances from the corners of their eyes, but otherwise, keeping their distance. Once Madam Pince would leave for the evening, Hermione would lock the doors while Draco put up a Muffliato and the two of them would work together on homework, talk, and snog until one of them had to leave to do their rounds.
"I hate not being able to do this whenever I want," said Draco, and he nipped and suckeled right behind her ear, a spot he found that she particularly liked the most.
She closed her eyes and hummed in agreement, "I know. But it's only for a few months."
"And tell me again why I can't have my way with you right here, on this table?" he asked, biting down gently on her collar bone.
"Because, we… we just can't," she said breathlessly. She glanced at her watched and groaned, "I have to start my rounds soon."
He moved her face to his and kissed her lips soundly, "Five more minutes?"
"Two," she amended, before attacking his lips and running her fingers through his hair, scratching her nails slightly against his scalp.
"You make me insane when you do that," he said, nipping her lip.
She smirked against his lips, "I know, that's why I do it."
He laughed and kissed her hard before finally pulling away, "I'll walk you out."
She nodded as she straightened her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair.
"You know, your hair looks the same whether or not we've been snogging," he teased, earning him a soft whack on the arm as she laughed.
"To bad the same can't be said about you. It looks like you stuck a fork in an electric socket," she quipped back.
Draco grumbled and pulled out a charmed comb from his bag and after two quick sweeps, his hair was back to normal.
"No fair," she pouted.
He kissed her pouted lip gently, "You're just jealous of my amazing hair."
She rolled her eyes, "Keep telling yourself that, Malfoy." She stuck her untamable hair in a messy bun and slung her bag on her shoulder. "Ready?"
He nodded, grabbing his own bag as he took down the muffliato spell and unlocked the doors.
"So," Hermione began as they walked back to their rooms, "Are McCoy and his friends still giving you issues?"
"Other than glaring and talking under their breath while staring at me, nothing. You?" he asked.
"About the same," she admitted.
"Well, still stay clear of them, if you can help it. They may be laying low, but I don't trust them."
"I don't either," she said in agreement. They were in front of her door and she said the password to open it, not bothering to hide it from Draco. She tossed her bag on the couch while he waited outside the opened door.
"I wonder if those charms are still in effect," he asked, his shoe right at the threshold.
"Don't you dare Draco Malfoy,' she said, walking over to him and pushing him lightly out of the way while she closed the door,. "I'd rather not test that theory and get in trouble, alright?"
"You're so fun to rile up," he said with a smirk. "So are you going to walk to me to my door and kiss me goodnight?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her causing her to give him a smirk.
"I think you can find your way." She turned on her heel and walked a few steps before looking back and saying "Goodnight, Malfoy," in a sing-song voice.
He grinned back, "G'night, Granger."
Another few weeks passed and Hermione, Draco, Ginny, and Luna were in the library, working on their homework, when suddenly, Ginny let out a groan and dropped her head to the desk, "I can't read another word. I need a break. Anyone want to grab some brooms and take ride around the quidditch pitch for some fresh air?"
Draco closed his book, "Absolutely." He turned his attention to Hermione, "You game?"
"Me?" She nearly squeeked. "No. No no no. No thanks."
Draco looked at her quizzically, "Don't tell me Miss Brave Gryffindor is afraid of heights?"
"Not heights. Just, flying on brooms mostlyl," she mumbled into her book.
"I like keeping my feet on the ground as well," said Luna. "I wouldn't mind some fresh air though."
"Why don't you and Hermione go to the pitch as well? You won't have to leave the ground, just sit in the stands?" suggested Ginny.
"That sounds like a good compromise. We'll grab some sandwiches and meet you over there," said a relieved Hermione.
"You know, I'm surprised," said Ginny as she and Draco walked down to the pitch together, brooms slung over their shoulders.
"Oh? About what?" he asked.
"How well you and Hermione are pulling off this 'friends only'' facade. I don't know how you two do it. When Harry and I are around each other we-"
"Please stop there," said Draco, "I really don't want to picture Potter and you doing anything together… ever."
Ginny snorted, "You sound like Ron."
Draco stopped in his tracks and gaped at the redhead, "You take that back. I am nothing like Weasel."
"No, but you are a ferret," she said with a smirk, which turned into laughter as Draco picked her up and slung her over her shoulder, carrying her the rest of the way to the pitch, kicking and screaming while laughing her arse off.
Valentine's Day was quickly approaching and Hermione found herself getting irritated every time Ginny would ask if she and Draco were going to do anything.
"I dunno Gin," she said one evening, rubbing her eyes, "Probably not. It's not like we can go out on a date or anything. We'll probably stay in the library and study until Madam Pince leaves and celebrate then or something."
"Aren't you tired of hiding in the library though?" her friend asked seriously.
"It's fine. Honestly," she said reassuringly to her friend, "Can we please get back to studying? I would like to finish taking notes on this chapter before lunch."
Ginny frowned as her friend went back to burying her nose in her book, "Sure, 'Mione."
"Hey," Ginny said to Draco as she caught up with him in the halls later that day.
"Yes, Weaslette?" he said, smirking.
"Are you making any plans for Valentine's Day?" she asked.
"Why, are you asking me out?" he said with an exaggerated eyebrow wiggle.
She smacked his arm, "I'm serious." She dropped her voice to barely a whisper, "Are you planning anything special with Hermione? Because even though she says she doesn't want to do anything, I bet she would love it if you did."
"Don't you worry your fiery head," he said, "I have something planned that I know she'll love."
Hermione woke on Valentine's Day morning and groaned. She sat up and said to herself, "Don't think about it. It's just another day. Nothing special." She eyed a small, wrapped present on her desk and went over to it, debating if she should give it to Draco, or wait. She finally decided to put it into her bag, in case she got the opportunity later.
The Great Hall that morning was decorated in streamers of red, white, and pink, with floating bubbles in the shape of hearts over all the tables. Owls were swooping down, delivering letters and sweets to many of the students and it surprised Hermione when a regular barn owl landed in front of her breakfast plate, its leg extended with a letter attached.
"For me?" she asked. She willed herself not to glance over at Draco, who was busy talking with Luna. She untied the letter and offered the owl a piece of bacon before placing the letter in her lap and reading the contents.
Dear Hermione,
Would you be so kind to meet me by the kitchens tonight at 8 o'clock tonight? I have a surprise for you.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Love,
-D
Hermione smiled to herself and stuffed the letter in her cloak pocket. She looked over at Draco who had turned his attention to her at the same time. She gave him a smile and a nod and went back to eating her breakfast, her outlook on the day suddenly brighter.
"I think you should definitely go with the green dress," said Ginny, who was laying on her stomach on Hermione's bed, as her friend tried on a few dresses.
"But it's Valentine's Day. Shouldn't I wear red?"
"True, but, green is his house color and it would appeal to him."
Hermione looked in the mirror again, "I do like how this one looks on me. Ok, fine. Green dress. But…" she pulled something red and lacey from one of her drawers, "Red knickers."
"Oooo, go Hermione," said Ginny.
Hermione blushed slightly as she stepped into her bathroom to change, "And are you sure he hasn't hinted at anything the past few days?" she called out.
"Nothing specific. He said he did have something planned but he wouldn't give me details. Afraid I'd tell you or something."
Hermione stuck her head out from the bathroom, "And would you have?"
"Of course. A lady has to be prepared. But I wouldn't have told him that."
Hermione laughed and went back into the bathroom, attempting to fix up her hair.
"Are you sure it's ok if I hang out here and wait for Harry? He said he'd be around at 9," Ginny asked.
"I'm positive. It's easier if he meets you here rather then him going up to the Gryffindor tower." She poked her head out of the bathroom again, "Just no funny business," she said with a slight glare at her friend.
Ginny laughed, "I promise." She glanced at the time, "Oh, 'Mione, you better hurry up, it's ten minutes till 8."
"I know, I know," Hermione said, rushing out of the bathroom. "So, how do I look?"
Ginny smiled at her friend, who was wearing a dark green, calf-length dress with a swooping neckline. She noticed that Hermione took her advice on the makeup and loved the added sparkle of earrings and otter necklace. Her hair was curled like it was at the Yule Ball nearly four years ago. "You look beautiful. He won't know what hit him."
Hermione laughed nervously, "Thanks Gin." She pulled on her cloak so that it covered the dress. At Ginny's questioning look, she said simply, "I want the dress to be a surprise."
She bid her friend farewell and made her way towards the kitchens. She wondered briefly why
Draco wanted to meet here instead of the Astronomy Tower, but figured it was probably because it would be taken up by a bunch of other teenagers.
She got to the designated spot with a few minutes to spare and took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves.
She heard footsteps behind her and smiled to herself as he approached.
"Evening Granger," he said.
Hermione's heart dropped to her stomach as she turned around, face to face, not with Draco, but with McCoy.
A/N: Dun dun dun! Anyone see that coming? Yes? No?
Only one more chapter to go! EEP!