The rest of the week went by in an uneventful blur. Hermione spent most of her time in the common room or in a corner of the library so as to avoid seeing Draco.

What was the phrase—out of sight, out of mind? Well, she was trying to do that and it seemed to be working. She'd been in the library all Friday afternoon writing her essay about the several uses of mistletoe berry and once she'd finished, she figured she might as well get a head start on her Ancient Runes assignment. It was only when the library was closing did she leave for Gryffindor tower.

Entering the common room she saw Harry and Ron only just beginning to write their herbology essays and Ginny sprawled on the floor playing quietly with Arnold.

"Hermione!" exclaimed Harry. "There you are!"

She gave him a small confused smile. "Here I am."

"Where've you been?" asked Ron. "You missed dinner."

She explained to them that she'd been at the library and had lost track of time only realizing how late it was when Madam Pince came around to kick her out. Ron jumped up happily and left to the boy's dormitory without so much as a word.

Hermione looked at Harry with a puzzled expression. He pursed his lips, his green eyes quickly glancing back down to his parchment. Ron returned a second later unfolding a serviette and handing Hermione a pumpkin pasty.

"I knew you'd gotten carried away, I told Harry as much, didn't I, Harry?" Ron said eagerly.

Hermione's eyes widened. "That's really thoughtful of you Ron. Thanks."

He shrugged as if it was no big deal and plonked back down on his seat.

Hermione's eyes darted between both Harry and the Red-headed girl, who had been quietly watching the exchange from the floor with a cheeky grin. Reluctant to acknowledge Ron's strange behavior toward her recently she sat down and began to nibble on her dinner.

"Let's all do something fun together tomorrow," Ginny said suddenly.

Harry's head turned quickly to look at her. "Like what?" he asked.

Ron piped up proposing they all go to Hogsmeade for the day. Sensing Hermione's hesitation Ginny looked at her with fiery resolution and said, "We're going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, and you're coming. I've barely seen you the last few weeks so I'm not taking no for an answer."

Hermione supposed there was no harm in going, in fact, she needed to buy more parchment and even fancied getting herself a new quill. Shrugging she said she'd love to. Her friend grinned enthusiastically, and both, Harry and Ron, also seemed overly excited about the idea of them all going.

Just then Dean and Seamus came down from the boy's dormitory.

"What's going on?" asked Seamus. Ron explained that they were all going to Hogsmeade tomorrow and it was decided that they'd join too. The more the merrier, Hermione thought with a smile. But she noticed that Harry didn't seem too happy. Had something happened between the three boys that she wasn't aware of? That nasty business between him and Seamus was put to rest, wasn't it?

Maybe Ginny was right, she'd been hiding out for far too long.

Ron invited her to play a game of chess that night but she politely declined because all she really wanted to do was have a long hot shower followed by a good night's sleep. He seemed a little disappointed but she pointed out that he still hadn't finished his essay and that they could play another time.

The next day they all left to Hogsmeade and spent hours in and out of different kinds of shops. Everyone seemed to want to buy different things; the boys insisted that they visit Zonko's and Honeydukes while Ginny wanted to visit a new sporting goods store that had opened. They had just left the joke shop when they ran into Luna, Neville and Hannah, all of whom, to Hermione's dismay, agreed to Ron's invitation to join them. If she was being honest with herself, Hermione had been avoiding Luna since the Ravenclaw had run into Draco and her together that evening. She was on edge wondering if the looney girl might bring up fairies or any other nonsense, but after a while, it seemed that she wasn't going to say anything about having seen them.

It was close to six and the shops were all closing. Ron suggested they end the trip with a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

When they arrived, the pub was full and they had to move some tables and chairs around to accommodate their large group. Ron plonked himself down next to her cheerfully. She grinned at him in wonderment; he'd been in such good spirits lately and his mood was infectious. She looked around the table, noticing that practically everyone was here… except… wait. Hermione had been so off-kilter lately that she had only just realized Lavender's absence.

"Ron," she said leaning into him so that he could hear over the chatter. "Where's Lavender?"

He looked a little bashful and said, "She's a bit miffed at me."

"Oh. Why?"

Ron gave a small shrug. "She bought me this necklace for Christmas and… it's awful. I refuse to wear the thing so… yeah…"

Hermione merely nodded, not knowing what to say. It was still an awkward topic for them both. She picked up her butterbeer and listened to the conversation going around the table. Dean was recounting Seamus' recent mishap in the transfiguration classroom. Hermione burst out laughing, along with everyone else and she couldn't believe how much fun she was having. After her second glass of butterbeer, she excused herself to use the loo.

Walking to the back of the pub, Hermione turned and stopped dead in her tracks.

There was Draco sitting at the same dimly lit table that they had sat at.

And Tracey Davis was leaning in to kiss him.

She must have gasped because before their lips could meet, their heads both snapped up. Hermione could not describe the panic that came over her. She turned abruptly and almost knocked over Madam Rosmerta carrying a tray of drinks. She sputtered an apology, which the barmaid waved off as if it was an everyday occurrence.

Tracey was laughing. Without looking at the happy couple she pushed the door of the bathroom open willing herself not to cry.

Before the door could close, Hermione heard her giggle softly and say, "She's such a prude."

She could feel the humiliation and hurt well up in her eyes.

Hermione locked herself in a bathroom stall and sat on the toilet. She was so embarrassed. Closing her eyes, she recalled the last time she found herself hiding out like this… because of Ronald-stupid-Weasley. Boys were always making her cry and she was sick and tired of it. She realized, of course, that both Ron and Draco had the right to date whomever they wanted but at least with Ron, she felt she was justified to be a little upset. He'd pretty much passed her over for bloody Brown, but with Draco, it was so much worse because she knew it was all her fault.

She had been swimming in a sea of self-pity and knew if she didn't stop it would drown her. Releasing a deep breath, she stood to leave, but then remembered that she'd drunk two butterbeers and really did need to use the loo. Afterward, she washed her hands, splashed some water on her face and steeled herself to go back outside. No one at the front of the pub had seemed to notice her misfortune and she was grateful when soon after, they all agreed it was time to head back to Hogwarts.

The next day Hermione found herself back in the library despite Ron's protest that she owed him a game of chess. Instead of playing with him, she was lost in the bowels of the library once again, writing vigorously with her new quill, having taken her old one to pieces by plucking furiously at its feathers while reading the texts. Feeling as though there was so much material to read and no time to waste, she'd hoarded several tomes and books practically creating an enclosure around her. The table was an utter mess; parchment, ink, and loose feathers were strewn around, her notebooks were laid opened, on top of each other and yet Hermione knew there was method to her madness. She had been so absorbed in her work for the last hour that she hadn't noticed the figure approach from behind her. Her nib pressed down hard mid-sentence and the ink ran. She caught the scent of Draco before she saw him. Her mouth went dry as she lifted her head up from the parchment.

He walked around to face her.

"Granger…"

Hermione was so surprised to see him that all she did was stare up at him wondering if her imagination had run wild. The longer she stared the more uncomfortable he became. Finally, he put his hands in his pockets and rolled his shoulders back, drawing taller.

"I need to ask you something."

Her eyes glanced down embarrassed, she hoped it had nothing to do with what happened at the Three Broomsticks yesterday. She found she couldn't speak so she merely put her quill down giving him her undivided attention.

"Not here," he said, his stare burning a hole through her. "Meet me tonight at half-past ten outside the Room of Requirement."

"But… but that's past curfew," she said a little scandalized.

He eyed her coolly. "Stolen anymore Veritaserum lately?" he drawled. "I'd be happy to let Professor Slughorn know that his precious little student has been stealing from the stores."

Hermione paled.

"Okay," she agreed. "Tonight."

It looked as if he was about to leave when he stopped. He was staring at her oddly. His hand absently reached for something and she watched a little nervously as he plucked a tiny feather caught in the strands of her hair. He held it delicately between his fingers before letting it fall to the floor. Hermione blushed. There was something inexplicable in the air, almost a current she could feel and it pulled his gaze to hers.

"Don't be late," he swallowed.

Then he left and she watched his retreating figure till he turned the corner, out of sight.

An indescribable feeling was hammering within her chest, expanding and flowing till she felt it pulse at her fingertips. She bit her lip, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips... because she knew.

Tracey Davis didn't matter.

Draco Malfoy was very much still in love with her.

Later that day after dinner she waited in the common room pretending to read till everyone left. She was, in fact, trying to read to pass the time, except she couldn't concentrate on the words. She was too agitated and her eyes kept stealing glances at the clock. It was twenty minutes past ten and Ron was still up playing a game of chess with Seamus.

Her leg started to jiggle.

Finally, Ron said triumphantly, "Checkmate!"

"I almost had you," groused Seamus.

Ron was chuckling while he explained that he had a tendency to bring his queen out too early. The two boys spoke for a few more minutes before beginning to clear up. Ron gave Hermione a small smile as he left to go to sleep. She waved good night to them both and pretended to get back to her book. She wondered how long she should wait before leaving for it to be safe. She didn't have Harry's cloak or the Marauders Map and worried she'd get caught by Filch. Luckily the Room of Requirement was close by so she'd just wing it.

Putting her book away, she quietly left. Her butterflies had butterflies, that's how much of a nervous wreck she was. The castle was always eerie at night and she cursed Draco Malfoy for having asked her to do this and then herself for having agreed. She reached the tapestry but he was nowhere in sight, not that she could see very clearly. It was so dark and she couldn't risk using any light.

This was a bad idea, she thought, as she considered going back, when suddenly a voice startled her.

"You're late."

She squeaked and his hand clamped over her mouth shushing her.

"Well at least I'm here, aren't I?" she scolded, moving his hand away.

Hermione wasn't certain but she was fairly sure he was scowling at her.

Draco turned to face the wall and paced in front of it three times until a small door appeared. Hermione held her breath, bracing herself to see what he'd been doing all those times he'd snuck off. He pushed the door open and led her inside a dark room. She heard the door close with a soft click and then with a flick of his wand he lit a fire.

Hermione squinted, her eyes adjusting to the light. She looked around and found herself in a living room of sorts, similar to the Gryffindor common room but far smaller and bare. The only things that really gave the place any decoration was a simple rug and a clock over the fireplace.

"What is this?" she asked.

"I needed a quiet place to read and think."

"And have clandestine meetings past curfew?" she added her brow furrowing.

Hermione couldn't believe that this is what he'd been hiding, where he'd been sneaking off to, for hours.

Draco sat down in the armchair and watched her. She shifted uncomfortably from one leg to another, waiting, for what, she wasn't sure.

"What did you want to ask me?" she finally asked breaking the awkward silence.

He looked at her evenly and then said, "I want you to tell me everything about the Chamber of Secrets, about Potter, the diary, all of it—and start from the beginning."

Hermione simply stared. This was the last thing she had imagined him wanting to ask her when he'd approached her in the library. Her mind was racing. He'd found her, asked her to break curfew, brought her to a small cozy room, just the two of them, alone, just so he could ask her about a creepy hidden chamber that housed a Muggle-born killing snake...

Of course.

"It was so long ago," she started sitting down. "Why do you—?"

"What?" he snapped. "Don't trust me, Granger?"

She pursed her lips in thought and saw no real harm in telling him what he wanted to know. Maybe this could be the way to forgiveness.

"You already know most of it," she began. "Your father slipped Voldemort's diary into Ginny Weasley's things at Flourish & Blotts. It bewitched her and she opened the Chamber letting the Basilisk out. Then Ginny was taken, or so Harry and Ron thought. They went with Lockhart into the chamber. From what I understand, Voldemort—Tom Marvolo Riddle, as he was calling himself then—was trying to return, draining Ginny of her life. As she grew weaker, he became stronger. Then he tried to kill Harry too, by releasing the Basilisk. Harry fought him—"

"How did he defeat him?" Draco interjected and there was a look on his face that she recognized from having been with him in potions. He was trying to figure something out.

"Dumbledore sent a Phoenix and the Sorting Hat to help him. Fawkes—the Phoenix—blinded the Basilisk. Gryffindor's sword appeared to Harry in the sorting hat, he stabbed the snake with the sword while it was lunging for him but one of its poisonous fangs had pierced his arm and it almost killed him."

"The Phoenix's tears…" Draco murmured.

Hermione nodded. "It healed his arm and then dropped Riddle's diary into Harry's lap. He took the Basilisk fang and pierced the book, destroying it, as well as Voldemort."

She fell silent and watched as Draco was lost deep in thought, curious as to why, after all this time, he wanted to know what had happened.

"So…" he said, almost to himself, staring past her shoulder. "The poison from the Basilisk fang destroyed the diary?"

Hermione chewed her lip growing nervous. His eyes suddenly focused on her and it was frightening.

"Where is the Chamber of Secrets?"

She hesitated to answer. He was asking far too many questions for her liking. She became acutely aware that she'd given him a lot of information about the cursed place and it sounded very much like he wanted to enter it.

Draco stood slowly, eyeing her. "Where is the Chamber, Granger?" he repeated noticing her reluctance.

She remained silent, afraid that his intention was to go down there, or worse...

His jaw was clenching and unclenching in quiet rage.

"I can't believe after that stunt you pulled I'm still the distrustful one," he hissed. She stood, reaching out to him but he recoiled, turning his back on her. "Just go."

Hermione started to leave and then stopped.

"The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom," she said speaking slowly. "If you look for the sink that has a tiny snake scratched on the side of the tap, you've found it... except, Harry entered it using Parseltongue… with a password of some kind."

Draco was quiet for several moments before he turned around to face her. Their eyes locked.

"I'm going to need that password, Granger."

Hermione swallowed. "But Harry—"

"Get it from him."

She desperately wanted to ask him why he wanted to enter the Chamber of Secrets and her heart was beating furiously thinking of how easily Ginny had been manipulated by a handsome sixteen-year-old Slytherin called Tom Riddle and hadn't they at one point believed that Draco could be Salazar's heir? Maybe she was just as naive as Ginny had been. Maybe history was about to repeat itself.

"Okay," she said and he was the first to blink.

"Okay," he echoed.

His eyes seemed to soften searching hers for something.

There seemed to be nothing left to say so she decided to go.

As she was turning the handle Draco called out, "I'm sorry about what happened to you in second year."

Hermione drew a deep breath, reminded of the cruel words he'd spoken to Harry and Ron while they'd been disguised as Crabbe and Goyle.

Last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died. So I bet it's only a matter of time before one of them's killed this time… I hope it's Granger.

She whirled around. "Really?" she spat. "Because I heard you were hoping for a Mudblood to die, hoping it'd be me."

Draco frowned, his eyes narrowed. "How do you know I said that?"

"Does it matter?" she scoffed in disbelief.

He simply stared, offering no admission, no apology, nothing.

She didn't know why it was upsetting her so much but she could taste that familiar bile rise up in her throat at the despicable thing he'd said.

"I'll get you your stupid password, but I just want you to know something Draco Malfoy..." she gulped.

"Sometimes I fucking hate you."