When Ron, Harry, Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindor players made it back they held their heads low and collapsed into the furniture around the room, consumed with both exhaustion and defeat. "You guys tried your best tonight! Isn't that what really matters?! We shouldn't let one silly loss ruin our fun!" Hermione tried to cheer them up to no avail. She was sad there wouldn't be a party tonight, or much of anything as it would seem. She really wanted to let off some steam and have fun with her friends for the first time in a long time. She decided she'd just take her regular Saturday night soak in the Prefect bath a little earlier than usual, and then spend the rest of the night reading. Now that didn't seem so bad after all Hermione thought as she gathered her body wash, shampoo and towel.

She left the common room and made her way to the Prefect bathroom. She was grateful she and she alone had access to the room since last year when she was appointed Gryffindor's Prefect. It quickly became one of her favorite places to unwind. As she was lost in her thoughts, a hand cupped her mouth tightly and someone grabbed her from behind with such strength she was unable to move let alone wriggle herself free. Damn it not again she thought. Her body was spun around like a wooden top and her back slammed against the outside of the bathroom door. It was so dark she couldn't make out who her assailant was until the moonlight illuminated half of his pale face. She let out a gentle sigh of relief, but her heart also picked up its pace. He replaced the hand that was covering her mouth with his own soft lips. He tasted of sweet butterbeer and she realized he'd been drinking. His tongue expertly danced across hers. He pulled her in closer to him, unable to get enough. Her warm curves pressing against him.

Just then the Gryffindor common room door opened and Draco immediately pushed himself away from her. "In here!" Hermione tapped her wand twice on the Prefect door handle and she pulled Draco in with her as fast as she could closing the door quickly behind her. She panted heavily, clutching her wand to her chest. "That was a close one." She managed to get out between exasperated breaths.

Draco smiled wide as he looked at his new surroundings. "I always wondered what a Prefect bathroom looked like. Not bad, not bad at all." He nodded as he began to explore around the room.

"Draco, What in Merlin's name were you lurking outside the Gryffindor common room for?" Hermione asked impatiently, finally breathing normally again.

"I think you know the answer to that one Granger." Draco teased.

"I most certainly do not! If anyone caught you roaming around they'd.."

"Shhh." Draco pressed one slender finger against her full lips. He began kissing behind her ear.

"I came to see you silly." He whispered, gently pulling the neck of her sweater down to expose her bare shoulder and softly began kissing there too.

It was difficult but she managed to push him away little so she could ask him more questions. He was still such a mystery to her.

"And how did you know I would even leave the common room tonight? Were you just going to wander around the halls all night for nothing?" She raised a suspicious eyebrow at him.

He felt somewhat embarrassed by the answer, but he knew she wouldn't fall for any of his lies.

"You want the truth?" He lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Obviously!"

"Okay, don't freak out." He took a deep breath. "So when I said I've wanted you for a long time now Hermione I really meant it. Since the end of third year I've sort of watched you.. a lot. I know that every Saturday night since the beginning of last year when you were named Gryffindor's Prefect, that you go to this bath at nearly the same time each week. Today I'm just glad I came a little earlier." He looked down at his feet unable to meet her gaze.

"I don't know whether to be thoroughly impressed by your attention to detail, or completely terrified that I have a creepy stalker." She winked giving him a playful smirk of her own.

He laughed and relaxed a little. He realized he liked being honest with her.

"I'll give you creepy Granger!" He chased after her and she ran quickly away from him giggling. She ran halfway around the large bath in the center of the room when he caught her and made them topple to the floor. He made sure she landed safely on top of him. Her legs were now straddling his waist.

"I rather like this position." He smiled up at her. Grabbing her hips, he thrusted upwards into her.

"Draco!" She pushed herself off of his chest and rolled away from him. They laid there for a moment looking at one another on the bathroom floor. He reached for her hand silently and for the first time she entangled her fingers between his. His heart ached painfully in his chest.

After a few minutes she broke the silence unable to keep her questions to herself. She sat up but to his relief she was still holding his hand in hers.

"I also wonder why you're not back at your little Slytherin victory party? You were after all the MVP of tonight's game." She rolled her eyes, but her other hand began to play with his soft white hair curious for his answer.

Her touch made him shiver. It was so innocent. So loving.

"Oh you noticed that did you, everyone chanting my name?" He laughed, peeking at her with one eye open.

"I noticed you almost died! You scared me half to death Draco!" She dropped his hand and crossed her arms in front of her looking away from him now.

"Oh c'mon Hermione." He sat up too now and scooted closer to her, trying to pry her arms from her across her chest. He gave up and cradled her head in his hands instead. Forcing her to look up at him.

"I'm sorry I worried you. I'm here now though, aren't I?" He kissed her deeply. Hoping she would come around.

"And you'd rather be here than partying it up with your friends?" She questioned in between his gentle kisses.

"Um, yes are you kidding me? I'm in a Prefect bathroom kissing the most beautiful girl in Hogwarts... and I'm about to watch her undress for me." He leaned back on his forearms giving her a suggestive wink.

"Oh no no no no!" She jumped up. "Nice try Draco! But this is my sanctuary and I deeply value my privacy. So if you wouldn't mind I think it's time for you to leave now.."

"My muscles are quite sore actually, and I'm still pretty filthy from tonight's game. I think I fancy a bath actually.." There was a wicked gleam in his eye as he pulled off his shirt exposing his beautiful, shapely chest. Her mouth fell open and at the moment she couldn't remember how to form words.

"Er, um.. not allowed." She squeaked out.

"Not allowed? Oh Hermione at this point I think we've done loads of things that are not allowed."

"Draco stop!" She blurted out.

He walked casually up to her and began to caress her cheek noticing they were wet with tears. He suddenly worried that he may have gone too far.

"I'm sorry it's not you it's just that I.." She gulped. "I've never done this before." She whispered.

Of course, how could he be so foolish? He was so used to all of his other meaningless sexual encounters that he almost forgot about Hermione's… inexperience.

"Merlin, I'm sorry. I nearly forgot you were .."

"A pathetic virgin!?" She hissed.

"No! It's not like that. I don't think you're pathetic at all! In fact, I think it makes you even more precious than I already knew you were." He kissed the tears from her cheeks and pulled her in close to him. Her face was now resting against his bare, chiseled chest. His strong arms wrapped around her.

"I do want to.. you know.. make love." She whispered.

He nodded smiling down at her.

"It's just that some girls choose to wait until they find 'the one'" you know?

Draco slowly released her, the ache in his heart quickly becoming unbearable.

"I understand. I'm sorry I ever.." He turned around and reached for the shirt he threw on the floor. He decided that if he didn't die of a broken heart, he would surely die of embarrassment.

Realizing he misinterpreted what she said, Hermione dashed in front of him, taking the shirt he was now holding in his hands and tossing it back to the floor. She laced her fingers in his.

"Draco, don't you get it? You're "the one"! I want my first time to be with you!"

Before she could say anything more his mouth was on hers. Devouring her. Kissing her so deeply her mind went numb. Her hands raked through his hair and scratched down his back. He finally came up for air and looked her deep in her eyes.

"Say you'll be mine Hermione.." He whispered.

"I'm yours Draco." She said and dove back in for another kiss. Ravishing him.

After a few moments she slowly pulled her swollen lips away from his, and looked up at him apologetically, "...But not tonight."

A frown crept over Draco's beautiful face. She realized that she hated upsetting him.

"I'm sorry.. It's just that I don't think I'm quite ready to you know.. have…"

"It's okay, you don't need to explain. I would wait forever for you Hermione." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Suddenly it was hard to breath again. She never in a million years thought Draco Malfoy, of all people, could be this sweet.

"Thank you for understanding." She smiled shyly.

Before he slipped his shirt back over his head she noticed the scratches on his back.

"Oops, I'm sorry." She said, running her hand over the marks she'd made.

"Oh trust me, you never have to apologize for that."

He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I'll see you around Granger. Enjoy your bath." He winked and was gone.

She suddenly felt very alone. Why did I let him leave? Why couldn't I just have sex with him like a normal person? I am such a stupid baby! She thought, now very angry with herself. She turned the bath water on and stripped down to nothing. When she got into the large marble tub she sunk her head underwater and held her breath until she nearly passed out.