Another late night was having it's affect on Hermione and she yawned her way through the first lesson. She and Michael were running it and luckily he was doing a very good job and everything was going smoothly. Normally Hermione would have been concerned that her grades were slipping and that Professor Bicfine who was observing them would notice that she wasn't doing a lot but the whole Legend situation was taking priority over everything else and she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate properly until they had finally done the names test today. She glanced across at Professor Bicfine and was surprised by the look on his face. He was staring at Michael, watching him talk to one of the students and the only way Hermione could have described his expression was one of total and utter loathing. She stared at their professor, shocked when he turned unexpectedly and caught her looking. Immediately, his face changed to his usual expressionless mask and Hermione turned away quickly.

She was glad to escape at the end of the lesson and she suggested to Michael that they go and sit out by the lake for a while even though it was supposed to be a study session. Michael readily agreed and the two of them lay out in the sun in a secluded part of the grounds.

"Have you and Professor Bicfine had a fall out?" she asked Michael.

"No, why?"

"Well, it's just that I saw him looking at you during the lesson and it wasn't pleasant."

"What do you mean?"

Hermione hesitated, not sure how much to divulge. She didn't want to make Michael paranoid. "He was looking at you as if he really didn't like you...maybe he had his mind on something else just happened to be looking in your direction?"

"Maybe..." Michael pulled a face. "I hope so or that is just creepy! How crazy is this all turning out?" Michael asked. "When we were studying together I thought this part of the course would be easy, returning to our old school but it's been hell hasn't it? What with studying, teaching, strange new professors and the whole Legend saga!"

"Tell me about it," Hermione agreed. "Hey, a least you got Amber thrown into the deal!"

Michael grinned. "Yeh, I know. I can't stop thinking about what will happen when two of us get the positions and the other two don't. I mean, is Amber with me because it's convenient and we are all doing this together?"

"No, Amber wouldn't think like that. She really likes you."

"Thanks, but I am preparing myself for it," Michael's face looked pale and Hermione's heart went out to him. "Oh, I can see Draco and Amber..." he stood up and waved at their friends who made their way over.

"What are you two doing?" Draco asked and Hermione looked up at him because there was a slight tone to his voice.

"Bunking off! We are supposed to be studying but we've both had enough," Michael said with a grin and he grabbed Amber's hand and pulled her to sit next to him. "So please join us and we can all fail our course together!"

Draco sat down as well, looking happy enough and Hermione lay back down, letting the sun warm her and she let her eyes close.

"I can't believe Hermione Granger is skipping lessons!" Draco's voice said. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"Get lost," Hermione mumbled not wanting her cat nap disturbed. Something was tickling her nose and she waved it away. She then felt something on her ear and waved her hand again trying to swat whatever insect it was that was disturbing her. Now she felt it on her neck and she forced her eyes open and rubbed her neck viciously. She was met with a pair of stunning, grey eyes which were dancing with amusement and she noticed a piece of grass in his hand that he had obviously been tickling her with.

"Did something disturb you?" he asked, innocently.

"I was enjoying my nap!" Hermione said and she sat up and yawned again. "I'm so tired it's driving me crazy!" She lowered her voice speaking only to Draco. "I let Michael run the lesson earlier, my scores must be atrocious but until we sort out the Legend I just can't concentrate on anything."

Draco nudged her shoulder. "Stop worrying about it. You get good scores without trying."

"But this isn't just about scores is it? I think it was you who said that to me. I need to be showing enthusiasm and I'm not."

"Well, later we sort out the Verse of Six. After we've done that there isn't anything we can do except wait for this sign Greenwick keeps on about. So why don't you throw yourself into organizing the dance for the winners of the broomstick tournament?" Draco suggested and Hermione realized he was not only being helpful but sympathetic as well. Miracles would never cease.

"Yeh, you're right." Hermione acknowledged.

"I'm always right. I'm glad you're finally realizing it."

"It's a good job I've got used to you and know that you're not anywhere near as arrogant as you act," Hermione said. "Actually, nobody could be as arrogant as you act."

"Hermione..." Draco had his head down but she'd seen him glance towards Michael and Amber who had moved away and were walking towards the lake, engrossed in their own conversation.

"Yes?"

"Do you actually like me at all? I mean...I know we're getting along okay but is it just because we're having to? When you're a Hogwarts professor and I'm not will you still want to keep in touch?" Draco was still looking down and Hermione was surprised at how embarrassed he appeared.

"You could be a professor when I'm not..." Hermione pointed out, giving herself time to answer his question.

"You know what I'm asking."

"Draco, we spend hours each day together..." she wanted to say - and we nearly ended up in bed together, but she didn't have the courage. He was looking at her, his eyes curious as he sensed she wanted to say something else. She cleared her throat. "We get on well...at least I think we do..." Hermione stuttered slightly over her answer as it was all so awkward.

"Despite everything?"

"Yes. That's the past, I keep telling you that!"

"So is that a yes then?"

"Yes it's a yes." Hermione nodded her head and gave him a small smile.

"But, I don't just say it - I show it," Draco said with a smirk. "You do remember me showing you don't you?"

"If you're on about the night we were both drunk and nearly did something stupid, then that hardly constitutes showing someone you like them," Hermione smirked back. "Especially on the Draco Malfoy scale!"

Draco was grinning widely now, enjoying their banter immensely. "Mmm...so would you like to know where about you come on the Draco Malfoy scale?"

"What do you mean? You do remember that nothing actually happened, don't you? So I can't be on the scale, can I?" Hermione chuckled, also enjoying herself.

"Not yet."

Hermione laughed now at his blatant implication. "You're unbelievable."

"Well, I'm sure you will want to tell me that again after you've experienced me first hand..." Draco grinned.

"You're all talk."

Draco raised his eyebrows at her. "Is that a challenge?" He moved closer, leaning his weight on his arms. His voice was lower now, "I like a challenge." Hermione did her best to appear unaffected but he was very close now and she could smell his cologne. His eyes were locked on her face and she had to remember to breathe because his teasing smirk was disappearing and his face was turning serious. He let his eyes wander, taking in her whole face down to her lips which she licked nervously. When his eyes met with hers again she felt her heart to a complete somersault because his expression had changed and he was now gazing at her, his eyes soft, his face showing an emotion she had never seen on it before. He moved closer still, leaning on one hand and reaching out with the other to push a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a simple and innocent gesture but Hermione heard herself take a large, shuddering breath, her throat dry because his face contradicted his actions. He didn't withdraw his hand and instead let his fingers, delicately trail across her cheek, feather light but sending sparks of electricity across her skin. His eyes had deepened in colour and she was beginning to drown in them. Her surroundings were blurring now, she had no idea if they were alone or not but she didn't care because all she could focus on was Draco. His fingertips had reached her lips and as he touched them she parted them unconsciously. She felt a tingle spread from where he touched her spreading through her, outwards towards her fingers and to his and her own surprise, she sighed.

As if this was his signal that she wasn't going to resist him, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. As soon as his fingers left her lips they were in her hair and his lips were hovering at her cheek, not touching but so close she could feel his breath fanning her skin. Hermione was beyond caring what Draco or anyone else thought now and she let her palms rest on his shirt, feeling the muscles move beneath. Last time they had been so close she had felt a desire, a passion like a desperate need to feel his skin against hers, his body pressed into her. This was different, there was no raging passion just this tingling, spreading warmth, yet it was even more overwhelming, even more pleasurable. Her anticipation of what might happen next was like a tangible thing, her body was trembling with it. His lips touched her cheek and she sighed again, this time leaning into him as his lips planted delicate, butterfly kisses across her cheek and jaw, eventually reaching her lips.

His eyes met hers once more before he placed his lips on hers, so gently that she could hardly feel them. Her eyes closed immediately a wave of pure sensation washing over her and then he kissed her again, still gentle but applying more pressure and she desperately held onto the moan that was forming in her throat. His next kiss was faster, more heated and he didn't pull away this time, each touch of their lips melting into the next until her lips opened and their kiss deepened. Hermione was floating, her entire body craving more, every nerve jangling, her breath gasping rapidly as her hands roamed his chest and torso. Draco wasn't touching her, other than around her waist but she didn't need him to because his amazing lips were doing all the work for him. His tongue was sending her into total overdrive and she didn't bother to try and keep her moan in this time.

He lowered her onto the grass, his hands supporting her back and neck, his lips not leaving hers for a second. Her arms slipped naturally around his neck and he pressed down onto her with a groan. Their kisses were no longer separate, single things but a constant, moving, pulsating movement as their mouths opened and closed in unison. The waves of emotion were hitting Hermione hard now, making her gasp and lift her hips towards him. She was struggling to breathe with the incredible, body shaking sensations that his kisses were creating and she knew that kissing had never felt like this before. They were both still fully clothed and yet this was better than the best sex she had ever had in her life, this was more exhilarating, more passionate, more emotional.

And then it was over and Draco sat up, still staring at her, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his face flushed. She held his gaze, still feeling dazed, unable to speak. Draco took a breath before he spoke and when he did his voice was cracked, hoarse and deeper than she had ever heard it.

"Wow...what the hell was that?"

There you go...a kiss at last and what a kiss it was! No peck on the cheek for these two! I'm writing the story but even I'm slightly jealous of Hermione! I don't think I'd be able to speak for a week if Draco kissed me like that! Anyway, before I get too carried away...please let me know what you thought by leaving a review...thanks for reading...x