A/N: what's our favourite guy without his nasty tricks? *evil laugh* well peeps, it's finally here. the real fun part of the story.. or so I hope. It took longer than expected for me to reach it.. ENJOY :)

Thanks to those who favoured and followed and reviewed :)

As always.. font in BOLD is a memory.

**warning** there is a little mature incident, in this chapter, but nothing explicit to be rated M.

Chapter 17

She felt warmth enveloping around her entire body, her nostrils engulfing a scent she couldn't quite put her finger on, only that it was good. Subconsciously she shifted closer to the scent, her head making brief contact with something soft, but solid. Her arm reaching out to take a hold of whatever it was, feeling the same soft, warm fabric; the last thought she had before drifting off back to a deep sleep.

He felt a slight tickling sensation on his chest. After having opened his eyes, he saw a tiny hand fisting in his robes. He noted that her nails were clean, trimmed, and painted a light pink colour. Lifting his free arm, he placed his hand upon hers where he began to lightly stroke it.

Immediately, she shifted her hand lower on his chest, as though to escape from the sensation of his hand, landing at his waist. Draco flinched from the contact, but he still kept his gaze on her hand. He watched it as it slipped under his robe, curling right around and under, and then she brought herself even closer to his body, her one leg falling across his shin. A small moan emitted from her lips as she nuzzled her head into the side of his shoulder, taking long and deep breaths as she pressed her pelvis against his hip.

Draco felt the corners of his lips twitch upward as he reached over to brush away the hair that had fallen across her face. He could just picture what her reaction will be when she wakes up next to him; and boy did that make him antsy!

Her hair was softer than he remembered, as he continued to comb his fingers through the layers, and it still had that delicious melon scent. She moved her head deeper into his shoulder, and licked her lips - an action which drew his attention to her mouth - but still did not wake.

He resumed the stroking of her hair as he thought for a long moment about whether to kiss those, pouty, light pink lips, but knew the alternative would not go well; no matter how inviting they looked. To deter his thoughts, he went on in studying other parts of her face. She had freckles on her cheeks and on her nose, even on her forehead. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched and well groomed.

He dropped his hand from her hair, to brush the side of her face. The smoothness and warmth of her skin made his fingers tingle.

There was something soft brushing against her face, like a feather. She used her hand to brush whatever it was, away. She went to open her eyes to see what it had been, only to be blinded by the glare of the sun.

'UGH, it's so bright...' she thought, burying her face into her arm. Yet upon inhaling she smelled something completely different then to her own perfume or Ginny's for that matter. She felt her entire body tense right up, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

'Who...? What...?'

She couldn't move. She didn't want to move. She just lay there, staring down at the clothed arm beneath her gaze. She moved her right arm to the side her face, and as she went to move her left, only to feel... buttons?

She swallowed tightly as she tried not to panic. 'Oh Merlin...who the HECK am I touching?!'

At that realization, she felt a finger attack the side of her ribs.

"YIKES!" shrieked Hermione as she jumped to a sitting position. With heavy breaths and wide eyes, Hermione stared down at her culprit. Draco sodding Malfoy. Her mind was going a mile a minute, trying to piece together how it is even possible for him to be here right now! She was star-gazing with Ginny!

Was it Polyjuice Potion?

Hermione shook her head. 'No, the girl I spoke to yesterday was definitely Ginny...' Although she couldn't put it passed him to use that tactic when she's been avoiding him! 'Something must have happened to her...' Rage filled her body of the thought.

"YOU!" she wailed, squirming her body to escape from his grasp, "How dare-" she was silenced when she felt his hand on her lower back, keeping her in place. She gasped slightly and her body jumped from the unexpected contact. Her eyes burrowing into his light silver ones, just a foot away from her face.

"I would stop moving if I were you," came his cool reply, as he gave her a slow once over.

Her Oxford shirt was all wrinkled, her Gryffindor tie was loosened and crooked... He tried not to pay much attention to the rise and fall of her chest, by forcing his gaze down further. The fan of her skirt was riding high on her legs, exposing more thigh than expected and her hands... firmly situated on his waist. It was obvious to him, that thanks to her anger, she was completely unaware that she was straddling him. Not that he was complaining.

He returned his gaze to her face, or rather her hair; as he noticed for the first time it was completely mused on the one side - the side she had been lying on. With the sun beaming down on her from the opened ceiling, she looked - dare he to admit it - positively delicious, with her long neck practically taunting him to be riddled with marks; lovebites. His pulse spiked at the thought.

'Bet she'd love every minute of it too.' he wondered for a moment, of what sounds she would make if such a thing were to occur...

Hermione knew what that look meant. She felt her body quiver, and her heart pounded away against her ribcage. His eyes had gone a dark stormy grey in colour, a common trait in which she did not want to admit to; lust.

'Move' she told herself. 'I need to move!'

She watched with bated breath as he removed the hand from her back to place it at his side. She breathed a small sigh of relief, all to release a small gasp once he had raised his other hand. With wide eyes, she watched as his fingers went to her hair to smooth out the lumps she had no idea existed. Her eyes started to droop.

Then it clicked. 'Wait a second. Am I...?'

Her eyes trailed down his body; rumpled shirt, crooked Slytherin tie, her hands firmly upon his stomach. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. 'I am...I'm...' No... she didn't want to think it, only that she had to get off. She needed to get off. And she would have, if it weren't for the fact that she was completely paralyzed by his gaze.

"She was tired, Weaslette" he said, after the long silence.

He slipped his hand passed her hair to cup the side of her face, his eyes drawn to the curve of her neck once again. "Was a bit adamant on leaving you alone of course - who knew you were such a heavy sleeper Granger? It was frustrating watching her try to wake you. But I convinced her to go nonetheless"

For a moment, Hermione almost missed what he just said - too entranced by his eyes. But she did hear it, and she was not at all pleased.

"So what?" She whispered harshly; mentally cursing herself for how high-strung her voice sounded. "You...you were watching me?!" she said in a clear and firm tone. She pushed his arm away and glared. She felt completely disgusted that now she was ready to get off him. However, once she attempted to, Draco latched onto her tie, and pulled her back.

"You disgust me!" Hermione said, fighting against his arm, so she could remove herself from his body. "I know you did something to her! And if you think you can get away with-" her thought was left unfinished as Draco pulled on her tie once again.

Her whole body lunged forward that she had to brace herself by placing her hands down on his chest once again; an action which knocked Draco right to his back. A harsh groan escaped his lips as he felt the weight of her body crash down on top of him.

"Where's your proof?" he said, with a heavy breath as he revelled in the fact she was fully on top of him. He felt her hand ball against his chest as she used them to push herself upright. Another groan came from him as he rightened his head to look at her properly. Her amber coloured irises blazed with anger as he wound her tie around his hand like a leash. 'So sexy...'

"Oh I know perfectly well what you're capable of, Malfoy!" She tried so hard to yank her tie free, but Draco just held on. "I don't need-" her knuckles were turning white, that she had to use her other hand for support by placing it just to the side of his torso.

"Sure you do." He said, slightly amused by their little tug-of-war game. He propped himself back up to a sitting position to get better leverage in the game. He could see her cheeks starting to get flushed and her breathing was nothing but short pants.

"That's what you're all about. Facts." He continued, brushing the hair from his eyes. "Well kitten, you don't have the facts or proof that I ever did anything bad to your redheaded friend. It's just my word against hers"

What happened next was unexpected; as Hermione actually started to inch herself down his body; an action where he felt the heat in his heart increase rhythm ten-fold. Her hips accidentally, grinded against his - or purposefully, he wasn't sure, only that it was erotic and felt amazing. The fabric unwound itself from his hand as he helplessly watched Hermione yank back her tie. His eyes shot wide once he saw her carelessly toss the piece of clothing to the side.

'Bollocks, so much for that!'

"She wouldn't just leave me!" Hermione snarled, wanting so badly to punch him hard in the face - hard enough to leave a nice throbbing bruise, for his little charade he just pulled. She went to slide off, but Draco had already gripped her waist. Hermione let out a small squeal, one that made his heart jump, as he brought her back on his lap. His hands slipped down to rest at her hips.

'Curse his strength!' She thought, placing her hands upon his. They were so warm to the touch, her entire body erupted with goosebumps.

This was useless; he was far too strong and quick for her to actually form an escape. She huffed a breath, blowing the hair from her eyes. If only she were a master at wandless magic.

"Let go of me or I will book you for harassment!" She murmured, her eyes narrowing. Half wishing it sounded more forceful.

Draco tsk'd, shaking his head, "I need to talk to you first. Besides, I doubt any voyeur would see I am in control"

Hermione gasped and then shoved him in the shoulders; where he rocked slightly before leaning in close to her again.

'So, he thinks this is all a big game, huh?'

Then it hit her. Oh she can play alright, if not for the truth about last night!

Legilimency.

Sure she wasn't nearly as skilled as the Slytherin beneath her, and as she knew almost certainly, that he would ward her off in a blink of an eye. What she needed was for him to be distracted. Then and only then will she get her answers.

'Well then Draco, you will be sorry for having messed with a Gryffindor!'

Her body swelled with nerves. It was like being in Potions class all over again, but on a way different level. If it wasn't already, given that she was straddling him; her centre dangerously close to his.

Draco raised one eyebrow catching the odd but questionable look in her eyes.

"Fine. I'm listening." She said, as she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her eyes completely set with his. "What did you want to talk to me about?" She purposefully dropped her voice down an octave.

He cleared his throat, when her nails grazed against the back of his neck. He was surprised of how forward she was. He quickly tried to wrap his mind around the many conversations he had with Theo on what to say to make things turn back to his favour. Not that he was thrilled of being a sappy prat...

"Well for starters," he began, as he itched under his throat, "I took things too far yesterday. I shouldn't have said those things about you, to you." He stared at her for an acknowledgement - or rather, of her retaliation. It wasn't really an apology as he had not said the necessary word. But that wasn't him. Heck, even saying this wasn't him! 'Stupid Theo, and his bloody morals'

Hermione sighed, as she removed her hands from around his neck to take a hold of his tie, her fingers instantly working away at the knot.

"But?" she urged, pulling at the fabric.

For a moment, he just watch her as she pulled out the knot. Yet once she stopped he moved his gaze back to her eyes.

"What are you doing?" He said softly. Blinking repeatedly to be sure what he seeing wasn't a dream.

Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Oh... you mean this?" She picked up the end of his tie and moved it from his neck. She wrapped her hands around the fabric, then rubbed it between her fingers.

Draco just stared at her, unsure as to how to answer her question. 'Is this a trick?'

Hermione's smile grew once she caught the look of utter confusion on his face.

"Just... keeping my hands busy, is all" She shrugged and then tossed it off to the side, landing not that far from where hers was. "You know, so I don't get bored..."

Her hands went about his neck once again. She tilted her head to the side, "So why did you say those things? Surely you didn't have to be so crass about it..."

Draco snorted, 'Cause I knew you wanted me...' but he knew not to say it. It was his leverage over her after all!

"Simple. Over-confidence" He said with a nod but also mentally kicking himself, and sending a kick to Theo. "I get rather over-baring when it comes to certain things. Then of course sticking it to ol' Weaselbee is a plus"

'He actually admitted to being over-confident?' She gave him a skeptical look as she slipped her hands down to the collar of this black robe. She felt him twitch from the contact and couldn't help herself but grin.

"Interesting... that was not the answer I was..." she thought briefly of which word to use to best her chances of humiliating him. 'It's not like he wouldn't do it to me if he got the chance!' "Hoping for" she said finally with a small shrug of the shoulders, "But appreciated nonetheless," she added before she pulled the robe down his shoulders.

"It takes a big man to own his mistakes" she said softly as though she were faraway, before meeting his gaze, "Remember when you said that? The quote that started it all,"

Draco narrowed his eyes slightly of her behaviour. She went from going ballistic to being in contact with him to being... this? Stripping him after every question he answered? Being flirty?

"What game are you playing at here Hermione?"

Hermione felt her heart leap at hearing her name. "I told you," she said simply. "I am just keeping my hands busy..." She helped his left arm out of the robe and then the other. She resumed her position again, wrapping her arms around his neck. 'Has he cracked yet?'

'Right. If I didn't know any better I'd say she really wants that shag...' Draco cleared his throat again.

"If I didn't know any better," he said dropping his gaze to where his hands were, 'If she wants to play seductress, then fuck... I'll play,' "it seems as though you've... reconsidered my offer!" He squeezed his hold on her, pushing his thumbs underneath her shirt. The smoothness of the skin underneath shot through his entire body. His heart leaping away. He was so close to finding out what colour was beneath, all he had to do was slip his hand into her skirt...

Hermione sighed as she brought her hands down to the front of his shirt. 'So oblivious...'

"Well it did hurt, you know. What you said. I should make you do this apology public, but... truthfully that is too much of a hassle. I'm lucky to have this apology, or lack there of,"

She popped the first button and then the second, and the one after that... 'Not that it even matters, because I don't forgive you! This is just to keep you talking...'

He felt her knuckles brush against his skin, breaking him from his task. He encircled his fingers around her wrists.

"Hermione..." he warned.

'Almost there!' she thought as she pushed against his hands, flinging herself forward, "Okay, I'll kiss you now," was all she said before her lips connected with his.

From the force of her attack, Draco found himself releasing her wrists so he could catch himself from collapsing to the ground. Yet, Hermione did not stop kissing him, and her fingers resumed unbuttoning his shirt.

Once having it undone, Hermione immediately ran her hand over his chest, feeling him flinch, and hearing the slight intake of breath. She slipped her tongue inside his mouth for a moment before she turned her attention to his jawline.

The groan from him was like music to her ears, 'Just a little more...' she mused inhaling the faint smell of his cologne.

For good measure, she gave a moan of her own as she began to grind her hips against his when her lips connected with his neck.

Draco's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he reached around, gripping the back of her head as she assaulted him with her lips. His other hand having slipped to the front of her shirt, as he was still determined to know that colour.

She went around several times, coating his neck with kisses as her hand left his body to go to the side, blindly searching for the small stick of wood. Once having secured her grip around the wand, Hermione picked herself right up. Staring down to his face, pointing the wand just a few inches from his eyes.

"Legilimens!"

For a brief second she saw his eyes widen with shock before her vision was coated in darkness.

He stepped into the dark Astronomy Tower, spotting two figures on the ground. One seeming to be having a conversation with another, less responsive individual.

"Be on your way, Red. I've got it handled" whispered the voice of the one and only, Draco Malfoy.

Ginny swallowed tightly as her eyes fell on Hermione's sleeping form once again.

"If you want to blame anyone," he continued in a tight voice, "make it blondie from Hufflepuff. Now go"

Ginny furrowed her brows, "No. I won't I-"

"Imperio!" he said, with his wand at her face; her entire body went rigid. "Now Weaslette, I said be on your way." He motioned for her to stand up, which she did, "return to your bed back in your nice Gryffindor tower, and sleep."

Then it went back.

Hermione huffed a deep breath as she pulled herself into an upright position. She flipped her hair to the side and studied the man below her, with her nose wrinkled.

"You're despicable!" She spat, removing herself from him, retrieved her stuff and strolled out of the room.

Draco, who was still trying to wrap his mind around in what the fuck just happened. He shook his head a few times before bringing himself to an upright position.

"What a little... minx"

He hastily fastened up the buttons of his shirt, then his tie, and then put his Slytherin robes on.

"Well played, Granger..." he said with a smirk. "But now... it's on"

Hermione ran faster than she ever thought she was capable of. Dodging students as though they were stationary, Hermione zoomed around the castle until she reached the Gryffindor tower, spoke the password and then slipped herself in.

"What a rush!" Hermione said with a giggle once reaching her Head Dorm.

Crookshanks dropped down from the windowsill to greet his Master.

"Aha! Crookshanks, I did it! Oh you should've seen the look on his face!" Hermione bent down to pick up her ginger cat.

"I tought that bastard a lesson!" She carried him over to her bed where she began petting him. "He thinks all Gryffindors are such push-overs! Well I showed him alright!"

E/N: silly Hermione.. she has no idea what she just started !