A/N: I'm baaacck!

I hope you're excited :) I am :) I'm so sorry that this took me so long. I didn't think that I would need this long to update. But it's Spring Break, so YEAH! :)

I hope you all have been doing well! Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting...It means so much to me :)

There's one thing I have been thinking about. I was wondering if I should keep setting goals for you to reach until my next update, or if I should just update as soon as I can. I want to hear your opinion :) I plan on making a poll for you guys that you can find on my profile, so check it out, and submit your opinion :) Or you could review to tell me, so please! I want to hear it :)

Another thing: If you find anything that is referenced from something else, please review and tell me! I want to see if you can spot out some things. :)

Enough chit-chat! It's time for the long awaited chapter! I want to thank my BFFL, Thea, for giving me the idea for this chapter. Thank you! You cured my writer's block!

Draco POV

I almost ran back into the Manor, breathing heavily. I took gulps of air, and my cheeks turned red.

What was wrong with me? Whenever I was alone with her for a while, I'd look at her soft red lips, and soon, I found myself getting closer and closer to them.

I walked towards the refreshments table, planning on getting some sort of cold drink to clear my head, when I saw Blaise, looking furious.

"Hey." I greeted, walking up to him. "What's wrong with your face?"

"I'm so pissed at myself." he said, his eyebrows furrowing. "I messed up that perfect moment for you two!"

I rolled my eyes. "No, you didn't. You saved me from almost kissing Hermione. Ugh, I have no clue what is wrong with me." I said, scratching my head.

Blaise looked at me, amazed. "You can't tell why you want to kiss her?" I shook my head. I honestly didn't.

"Mate, I have thought of you as many things, some good, some bad, but I've never really thought you were oblivious." he said.

I was confused. "What do you mean? Oblivious to what?"

"Mate, there is obviouslyfeeling between you two. At first, it might've been about the bet, and pure hate, but now, it seems like flirting. At the beginning of the year, if she got hurt, you'd laugh and tease her about it, or maybe even be the cause of her pain. Now, you try to prevent her from getting hurt, and you worry about her." he said.

I shrugged. "So? That doesn't mean I like her."

"You've changed since you two started the bet. You're a lot kinder and softer than you were before." he said. Suddenly, his hand shot out, and rubbed my arm.

"What the hell?" I shouted, pulling my arm back.

"Oh, I was just wondering if your skin got softer like your heart. No luck." he said, grinning. "But really. It's definitely more than just a bet now, Draco." he said, gliding off.

Damn, when did he become so observant?

Hermione POV

I took a deep breath of air.

Oh my god! He did it again! Is this, like, the third time now? How am I supposed to act around him?

I stared out at the twinkling sky full of stars.

"Draco," I whispered, "what are you doing to me?"

I avoided him for the rest of the night, and soon, the party was over. As I was heading up to my room, I felt someone lightly hit my side. I turned to see Draco hurrying past me, muttering a quiet "Sorry". Apparently it was as awkward for him as it was for me.

Oh, how did I get myself in this mess?

Draco POV

I rushed past Hermione and ran into my room. I got rid of my "formal stuff", as my mother called it, and walked to my bathroom. I looked in the mirror, and splashed water in my face.

"Draco, wake up." I muttered. "Get her out of your mind."

I plopped down on my bed. What's wrong with me? She isn't even that pretty! Aw, who am I kidding? She's the hottest girl I've ever seen!

I picked up my pillow and hit my head repeatedly with it. I'm so stupid! How the hell am I supposed to act around her now? Dammit, why did I have to fall for her? Why is she so perfect to me? This is all her fault!

After a long time, I finally fell asleep with Hermione on my mind.

I woke up the next morning, the bright sunlight shining through my window and the small sounds of birds chirping.

My eyes slowly fluttered open as I tried to focus in on the morning. As soon as I did, I almost screamed.

"MERLIN'S PANTS! BLAISE FREAKING ZABINI WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?" I yelled. He had been standing right over me, staring intently at me.

"Good morning to you too." he replied calmly. "I was sent to come wake you up."

I groaned and got up, walked to my dresser and threw a shirt on.

"Are you aware of the fact that you mumble Hermione's name in your sleep?" he suddenly asked me.

I turned to glare at him. "I hate you."

"I know." he said, grinning.

I rolled my eyes, and walked past him out of the room.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Mornin'" I said, grabbing an apple.

"Good morning, Draco." said my mother, smiling. My father gave me a small smile and nodded.

I glanced at Hermione. She was pulling her long brown hair out of her dark brown eyes. Suddenly, she looked up at me and gave me a small smile.

"Good morning." she said, quietly.

"Morning." I replied, taking a seat next to her. It was as if what happened last night was just a dream.

"Draco, dear, don't you think that you think that you sho-" my mother started. There was a knock at the door, and my mother swiftly walked to the two large double doors and opened it.

"Oh! Severus! What a pleasant surprise!" she said. Sure enough, Professor Snape was standing at our door.

"Severus? Well, this is unexpected." said my father, getting up.

"I hate to intrude, Lucius and Narcissa, but I wanted to stop in. I also have a message for Draco."

I lifted my head. A message? Hermione was also staring at me, as if she was trying to ask me what was going on. I shrugged.

"Oh, do come in, Severus. We were just in the middle of breakfast." said my mother, ushering him in.

He walked into the kitchen. He nodded when he saw me, and his lip curled up when he saw Hermione. "Granger? What are you doing in the house of Malfoy?" he asked.

"We invited her to stay." said my mother, quietly. "After all, she is Draco's new girlfriend."

"Ah yes. I've noticed." he said, emotionless. "And they have your blessing?"

My mother and father nodded.

"Cup of tea, Severus?" asked my mother, offering him a cup.

"Yes thank you, Narcissa." said Snape. She walked out of the room to get the tea.

"Now, Severus, what was it that you needed to say to Draco?" asked my father, leaning on his cane.

"Well, you see, there has been a bit of an issue at Hogwarts. There is something strange with the Forbidden Forest. The creatures are extremely violent and some have even come into the grounds of Hogwarts to cause damage to the school. The Ministry is a little bit busy with some other things, so we are on our own. However, Headmaster Dumbledore has decided that we should find some 7th year students to come help out." said Snape. "We will be assembling a group of 7th years to come and help with the management. I came to ask if Draco would be interested."

My father looked at me. "Well, I don't see why not." I said.

"Might I warn you right now that it's an extremely dangerous task." said Snape.

"We will talk about it. Thank you Severus." said my father.

Snape stood up, nodded, and walked out of the house. We heard him disapparate, and then the house was silent.

"Well. How kind of him to say good-bye." said Hermione, breaking the silence.

"Draco, your thoughts? Would you like to do this?" asked my father. I thought about it.

"Well, it would give me something to do." I said, thoughtfully.

"Oh, I don't know, Lucius. We don't know what's going on with those creatures, and it may not be safe to let Draco go and fight them." said my mother, returning to her seat.

"Narcissa, Draco will be absolutely fine. It's about time he took on a task like this, anyway." said my father.

"And don't worry, Mrs-ah, Narcissa. I will go with him." said Hermione.

I turned to look at her. "Uh, no you aren't. Blaise can come, but you won't be coming."

Her lips turned into a line. "Excuse me?" she asked, glaring at me, icily.

"You heard me." I said, returning to glare. "Well, Draco, if you plan on doing so, I'll go owl the Headmaster." said my mother, getting up. I stood up as well and headed for my room, hoping to get away from Hermione. No luck. She followed me up.

"I'm going too, whether you like it or not." she said, crossing her arms.

"No." I replied.

"And why not?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. She looked truly pissed.

"Because...it's dangerous." I said, biting my lip.

"So?" she asked.

"I-I, uh, it's just not safe." I mumbled. "And I don't want you to get hurt."

The look on her face changed. "Aw, who knew. The cold Slytherin Prince actually has a heart." she said, smirking.

"Shut it." I said, glaring at her.

"Thank you for the worry, but I'm still coming." she said.

"No." I said.

"Yes." she retorted.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Are you aware of how stubborn you are?"

"I call it persistent."

I opened my mouth, but it was useless. She was as stubborn as a mule.

"Fine. But if you get hurt, I plan on dancing and yelling 'I told you so' in your face while you lie in pain." I said.

"Gee, thanks. You're such a great boyfriend." she said, sarcastically. But she quickly turned around and ran to her room.

I sighed, and walked into Blaise's room. "Hey." I greeted.

"Hello. What can I help you with?" asked Blaise.

"What makes you think I need help?" I asked.

"Please Draco. This is you we're talking about." he said, rolling his eyes. I glared at him.

"Well, I just came here to tell you that tomorrow, we are leaving to go back to Hogwarts to fight creatures from the Forbidden Forest." I said.

"Oh. Alright. I hope you don't die." he said.

I stared at him. "I still need to look for normal friends." I said, running my fingers through my hair.

"Draco! You wouldn't cheat on me!" he said, looking shocked.

I groaned.

Really? I can't find anyone better to hang out with than HIM?

A/N: And there you have it! Chapter 33 is done!

You know what I'm going to say, so I'll just cut it down to one word: REVIEW!

Thank you all so much! And please take a look at that poll and leave me with your thoughts :) Don't hesitate to PM me either :)

Thanks! I'll see you all soon!

Luv,

Cherri