They were three-quarters of the way into the last part of the trilogy when he turned to ask Hermione something and found her fast asleep. She looked like a little ball with her knees tucked in and her hair splayed around her face.

Merlin, but she was cute.

He'd never seen her sleep. He watched the subtle movement of her chest, the way one hand dangled over the edge of the sofa. She looked so at peace.

Draco smiled to himself as an idea occurred to him.

Did he dare?... Oh, he did. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. He had to play it just right though, otherwise, it wouldn't work.

He got up very quietly and walked around to the back of the sofa to stand directly behind her. Taking his wand out he took a deep breath. Wingardium Leviosa he whispered, levitating the TV high into the air and then he pursed his lips and with a swish of his wand, released the spell.

BANG!

Hermione woke with a start, breathless, her hair sticking out at all sides staring wide-eyed at the shattered TV on the floor.

"Boo," he whispered behind her ear.

She yelped and fell backwards onto the rug.

Draco burst out laughing. A hand over his face, he came around to see her sprawled on the floor. She was staring at him in shock, half dazed. He cast a Reparo on the TV and stood above her revelling in his own genius. Hermione sat up on her elbows and glared at him.

"Now, now Granger, better get up off the filthy floor. Don't want anyone walking in and getting ideas," he smirked, throwing her words back in her face.

Hermione turned brick red with embarrassment.

Locomotor Mortis!

Draco's legs suddenly locked causing him to land with a thud in an undignified manner onto the floor next to her. "Learnt that from you when you used it on Neville first year," she laughed, rolling onto her side to watch him struggle.

"Do you remember everything woman?" he retorted, releasing the binds with his wand. "You're worse than Pansy."

He groaned, rubbing and stretching out his back. He noticed that Hermione was watching him apprehensively, then in one breath she blurted, "What happened between you and Pansy?"

The question was unexpected. He looked at the ceiling wondering how to answer this.

Draco settled for, "She broke it off."

Hermione was quiet and he hoped that was the end of it.

"Why?"

Why?

His eyes danced over her face, wondering what the truth would sound like.

Because I bought a love bracelet, telling myself I was going to give it to her — really believing I was going to give it to her and instead, I gave it to you. And I think when she saw you wearing it, she knew before I did, she knew I'd only ever have given it to you. I hadn't' even realized what I was doing. I attached the coin, performed the spells, put it in an envelope and sent it.

"Draco—"

"She's with Zabini now." There. That was true. He'd already lied to her once today about reading the muggle book. He didn't have it in him to do it again.

"I know," she murmured. "They were at Slughorn's party together."

He was still staring at the ceiling wondering when it'd be safe to look elsewhere.

"Pansy's very confused… she was saying things... impossible things..."

His heart was beating violently in his chest, silently pleading with her not to say anything out loud.

"Don't you want to know what she told me?" asked Hermione in a quiet voice.

"No," he replied, turning to face her. He didn't want to know because he already had an idea of what she might have said. He didn't want any of it repeated or spoken out loud. Not now, not when he felt this vulnerable.

Hermione looked as if she were bracing herself to say more when suddenly a loud chime sounded through Gryffindor Tower.

"What is that?" asked Draco in alarm.

"It's midnight," she smiled. "Happy New Year."

He raised his eyebrows. He'd been so fixated on the cabinet that he hadn't even realized what day it was.

"Happy New Year," he breathed. "I didn't realize it was so late..."

Hermione licked her lips. "You could stay the night," she offered shyly.

Draco blinked in surprise.

"I mean, Filch is out there and it is past curfew. We could fall asleep right here."

He heard himself say okay. It wasn't real though. This was all just a strange dream. He'd wake up and it'd be over. He watched as Hermione transfigured her clothes into pyjama's and then he did the same.

Grabbing a few cushions off the sofa she giggled, "Who would've thought, Draco Malfoy roughing it out."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. She was right, he'd never slept on the ground before. He conjured a blanket and threw it over them. There was an appropriate amount of room between the two as they lay on their sides gazing at each other. He wondered how long she would allow him to stare at her. She was even more beautiful up close.

"Why are you back so early?" asked Draco, his curiosity getting the better of him.

She licked her lips, a nervous tic, he was starting to realize. "I didn't think you should be alone." It came out like a confession and he didn't know how to respond. So he extinguished the fire and remained silent.

As Draco's eyes began to close he thought of how the nights weren't as dark in the Tower. There was just enough moonlight on her face.

Hermione was straddling a dream. Her body searched for heat. It was cold without the fire. Cold-blooded Slytherin snake was evidently used to subfreezing temperatures. She rolled over. That was better. She moved closer to it. That was perfect.

She fell back asleep.

Her eyelids fluttered open. A thin ray of morning light was shining on her face. No, not yet. She didn't want to wake up. She was so warm and comfortable. She tried to find her way back. She hid her face into warm flesh. She breathed it in. Mm…

Wait.

She opened her eyes. Her face was buried in the crevice of Draco Malfoy's neck. Her leg was wrapped around his, her thigh dangerously close to—

Oh, God.

She looked up to find that he had his free arm resting above his head, his fist clenched and his eyes open staring ahead.

Hermione tore herself away as if she'd burned him. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed.

"It's fine," he rasped but he looked pained.

Hermione was cold again. She relit the fire with her wand avoiding his gaze. It felt like they'd done something horribly wrong, almost sinful.

But she would've loved to have rubbed her leg against his just a little. Press her nose to the bare skin of his neck. Breathe. He was so much warmer than she'd imagined him to be.

The thoughts came so unbiddenly she was mortified with herself for even thinking them.

Then suddenly he was up and he was leaving.

"I have to go."

That would be safest. "Okay."

Without another word between them he left.

Hermione fell back onto the rug. The scent of citrus, spice, and fresh wood surrounded her and she knew she was in trouble.

She wasn't supposed to be cuddling up to Draco Malfoy, she was supposed to be keeping an eye on him. She was meant to be his Jiminy Cricket and set him on the right path. The road she was going down though, was a dangerous one.

Sighing, Hermione got up, cleaned the room and put everything back the way it was before. When she checked the time, she couldn't believe it was almost noon. A cold shower would do her good and then she'd go down and spend some time with Hagrid and Buckbeak. She still felt awful that she hadn't continued Care of Magical Creatures and a surprise visit was definitely in order. Afterwards, she'd head to the library. She might as well start studying considering she'd come back early.

Yes, it sounded like the perfect way to spend the day. And even better, she'd do it all without thinking about Draco.