chapter one I had let her touch me. How could I have let that worthless, show-off, bitchy, mud-blood, Gryffindor girl touch me?!? It still stung where her hand had hit my cheek. I wanted to strangle her. I wanted to crush every bone in her skinny, little, under-developed body. I wanted to rip out all of her chestnut hair. To gouge out her hazel eyes.
"Do you want us to beat up on her?" Goyle asked me, pounding his fist in his palm. Crabbe grinned and nodded his stupid head, his tongue hanging out like a dumb dog.
"No," I said icily, beginning to gather my dropped quills and scattered text books. She slapped me. How could I have just let her walk away like that, swinging her hips side to side? Her stupid, parent-less, famous Potter and muggle-loving, poor Weasley praising her as she tossed back her hair and blushed.
***
I had slapped him. I had totally lost control. But the cheers coming from Harry and Ron felt good. I stood for a split second, watching the stunned look spread across his face. I guess I was a little happy with myself. I took some perverted satisfaction in watching his face flame with anger.
"Go, Hermione! Good job!" Ron patted me on the back and tousled my hair.
"Yeah! We didn't know you had it in you!" Harry grinned jumping up and down and cheering. I could hear some Gryffindors clapping. Malfoy's imbecile side-kicks, Crabbe and Goyle, hadn't fully absorbed what had just happened. They stood their , pounding their fists stupidly.
"Three cheers for our queen, Hermione!" Ron yelled. I blushed, tossed back my hair and looked down.
***
"Worthless, mud-blood, beaver-toothed wench," I muttered under my breath. I was sitting with the Slytherins at our table.
"Dracie! Dearest, darling, teddy bear, sweetums! You haven't touched your roast at all! Are you all right?" Pansy fussed, patting my head and straightening my napkin.
"The Gryffindor girl slapped him today," Crabbe laughed, tearing his pot roast apart with his knife.
"You mean Hermione? Forget about that stupid, ugly girl! Why do you even care?" Pansy threw a look of ice towards the Gryffindor table where Hermione was sitting with Potter and Weasley the Weasel.
***
 
"And then she raised her hand, and slapped him across his cheek. You should have seen his face!! It was the most glorious sight I have ever seen. He looked as if he was about ready to cry. And then, I pounced on him, and starting beating his brains in, and he was--" Ron was retelling the tale to the whole Gryffindor table, shaking his fists in the air, adding a little of his own spin on it.
"Ron! I just slapped him! I mean, It wasn't that big of a deal" I smiled.
"Just slapped? JUST slapped? It WASN'T a big deal?!?" Ron rose to his feet, "It was wonderful! The most wonderful thing you've ever done!"
"Yeah, Hermione! You showed that stupid, evil, dark-side loving git, Malfoy," Harry said through a mouthful of buttered peas. I couldn't help a grin spreading across my face.
"Hermione, I'm very disappointed in you. I thought that you, of all people, would have some sense," Percy scolded me across the table. I had the strongest urge to stick my tongue out at him.
"Come off it, bighead boy," George chortled, flinging a potato at Percy.
"Our darling doll, Hermione, here, did a great thing. You make me proud! You make all of Gryffindor proud!" Fred pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. I smiled in spite of myself, and took another bite of bread.
***
 
"I can't stand that Granger," I said, putting down my quill, and rolling up my parchment. I couldn't concentrate on my Potions essay. I'd make some stupid excuse about feeling sick to Snape, so that he'd let me off it.
"I can't stand her at all. I'll make her pay, that cow," I scowled and trudged off to the bedrooms.
***
 
"And then she raised her hand and slapped him--" Ron was half-yelling to the common room. He was standing on the table and turning very red.
"Ron! Could you be quiet? I'm trying to read!" I grimaced.
"Come off it, Hermione! Don't you wanna celebrate? Just for tonight!" Harry tried to grab 'Hogwarts, a History' out of my hands.
"No! I still have some studying to do and the Potions essay to finish," I said, getting up and going to one of the tables by the fire. I pulled a quill out of my brown, leather satchel and the two rolls of parchment about Silence Potions and began to scribble away.
***
 
I lay in bed thinking about how I was going to pay Granger back for what she had done to me. I could still feel my cheek tingle slightly where she had hit me.
***
 
I went to bed after finishing my report and reading a chapter out of our herbology book. I changed into my light blue pajamas and brushed my teeth furiously. Walking into the dormitory, I brushed my hair. I pulled the covers up past my shoulders, and lay my head on the pillow. I shut my eyes, but they wouldn't stay closed. I began to fear what Malfoy would do to me tomorrow.
"And then she slapped him!" I could hear Lavender whisper to Parvati.
"Come off it, Lavender," I whispered intensely. Lavender, talking in the bed next to mine, looked up at me, waved, and grinned.
"Hermione! You're, like, my new hero!" Lavender giggled.
"Yeah! Like, mine, too!" Parvati's shrill, girlish, careless laugh rang through out the dormitory. I couldn't help giggling and laughing myself.
***
 
I was walking to Potions when I spotted her. She was standing in front of the door to the dungeon, laughing and talking with Potter and Weasley, twirling a strand of her hair with her index finger. I couldn't get her back now. I'd confront her when she was walking out of potions.
***
 
I noticed him while I was standing in front of the dungeon door. He threw a nasty look at me. I twirled a strand of my hair and laughed loudly with Ron and Harry to cover up my fear. Just then, Snape came sauntering in to open the door. The Slytherins and Gryffindors filed into the classroom, taking their seats silently. Snape began to lecture us about Silence Potions and their uses.
"What are the three essential ingredients to a Silence Potion?" he asked in a greasy, malicious, and an utmost ANNOYING voice. My hand flew into the air.
"Put your hand down, Granger," Snape sneered. He grinned maliciously as I slowly withdrew her trembling hand from the air.
***
 
I watched her hand fly into the air and scowled. How could she know everything? She knew EVERYTHING. I took a sick pleasure in watching Snape chew her out. I almost felt sorry as I watched her trembling hand fall. Ha ha. The key word there was most definitely ALMOST.
***

"After you hand in your reports, you'll be given partners to concoct the potion with," Snape said, beginning to collect our parchment. I could hear Malfoy making some stupid excuse.
Ron tried to catch my eye contact. He always wanted to work with me. I grinned with pride.
"Nobody get your hopes up, on account of I will be choosing your partners," Snape said in an oily voice. A mean smile spread across his lips.
***
 
"I couldn't finish my report last night because I felt ill, Professor Snape," I grumbled, trying to sound sick. He nodded and walked off.
I saw Weasel glance over at beaver-teeth Granger . He always wanted to be with her. Because she knew EVERYTHING. Stupid wench. They were deserved each other.
"Nobody get your hopes up, on account of I will be choosing your partners," Snape informed us, smiling. He took some twisted delight in watching the Gryffindors squirm. Especially Weasley, Potter, and Granger.
***
 
I listened for my name intently, briefly feeling sorry that Ron and Harry were paired with Crabbe and Goyle. Snape had done this on purpose. I shut my eyes and hoped that I would be with anyone but Malfoy. I wished and wished and wished. .
"Granger! Open you eyes, stand up, and pair up with Malfoy," Snape said icily. My eyes snapped open and I moaned inaudibly. I hated Malfoy with a passion. I don't think I could sustain myself from dropping worm eyes onto his lap.
***

I laughed as I heard that Potter and Weasley would be working with Crabbe and Goyle. I would probably get paired up with Pansy Parkinson or someone half-decent.
"Granger! Open your eyes, stand up, and pair up with Malfoy," I heard Snape say. I just about fell out of my seat. Me, pure-blood Malfoy, with that annoying, dirty, Muggle-born girl. Oh well. I decided I'd make the best of it and be as uncivil towards her as possible. I'd just drop some slug hearts onto her lap while Snape had his stupid head turned.
***
 
I walked over to him, being careful not let my head hang down. I tossed back my hair and sat down at the edge of his bench, as far away from him as possible.
"I want you to know that just because we're partners does absolutely not mean we're friends, Malfoy," I said with chilling formality.
"You wish we were friends, Granger," he responded, pushing his flaxen hair out of his silvery, gray eyes.
"Stop telling me about your sick, little fantasies, Malfoy," I said, determined not show any signs of my quickly flaring temper.
"Yes, Granger. You hit it right on the nose. Those are exactly my fantasies," his voice was full of venom. I looked up at him for a brief second, suddenly noticing how honeyed could be when the light shone on it that way. I felt like I was going to be sick when he looked back up at me.
***
 
She walked over to me, tossed back her hair, and sat down at the very edge of the bench. I glimpsed at her for a minute, suddenly realizing how nice her hair could be when the light hit it that way. I shook that thought out of my head, as quickly as it had come. How could I have thought that? Then, she interrupted my fleeting thoughts by saying something rude. So this is the game she was going to play with me. . . I said something rude right back.
"Stop telling me about your sick, little fantasies, Malfoy," she said.
"Yes, Granger. You hit it right on the nose. Those are exactly my fantasies," I said, pushing a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. I noticed her look up at me, so I just looked right back. I saw something in her eyes that dwindled away as soon as my gaze met hers.
"Is there something on my face?" I said, taking delectation in her startled expression.
***
 
"Is there something on my face?" he asked. I could feel my cheeks turn crimson. I tore my gaze away from his, and fixed my eyes at a slimy, yellowish thing in a jar on Snape's desk.
"There's nothing on your face, Malfoy. Unless that's a monster Halloween mask you're sporting. A little early to be collecting candy, isn't it?" I said, still looking at the gross thing bob up and down in the disgusting liquid.
"It's nothing compared to the costume you wear year-round," he sneered.
"Well, aren't you just the lowest, most vile thing--" I began.
"Granger! Get to work! Ten points from Gryffindor!" Snape barked, "You should be glad it isn't more. . ."
***
  She walked out of potions last, as usual. She always stayed behind organizing her books and picking up her dropped quills. Weasley and Potter would probably be waiting for her outside. I followed her closely as she walked out of the dungeon. My eyes scanned the corridor to make sure no one was around. Potter and Weasley had obviously left. Disloyal idiots. I grinned. All the easier for me. My hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Malfoy! Don't touch me! Get your slimy, disgusting hand off of me!" she shrieked, trying to wriggle away.
"Shut up!" I hissed at her, pushing her against the wall, twisting her wrist. She let out a sharp cry of pain.
***
  I felt his icy fingers wrap around my wrist.
"Malfoy! Don't touch me! Get your slimy, disgusting hand off of me!" I screamed, trying to pull my wrist out of his grasp. His grip cut off circulation to my hand. I moaned and tried to get it free.
"Shut up!" he spat at me, and pushed me against a wall.
"Oww!" I groaned as he twisted my wrist.
***
 
Her small, thin, pretty, white hand flailed around, trying to free itself.
"Did you think it was funny when you slapped me back there, Granger?" I said barely above a whisper. She cowered back against the wall and closed her eyes. A mumbled answer protruded from her lips.
"Answer my question, mud-blood. Did you think it was funny?" I bellowed.
"Malfoy, let go!" she said. She appeared as if she wanted to shrink into the wall.
"Dammit, Granger! Did you thinking it was funny??" I yelled again, tightening my grip on her wrist.
"You deserved it!!" she gasped. Her whole body trembled.
***
 
"Dammit, Granger! Did you think it was funny??" he yelled. He twisted my wrist again. Shooting pains traveled up my arm. I trembled. I wished that he would let go.
"You deserved it!!" I gasped. Oh God, I thought to myself, how could I have said that out loud? I opened my eyes and witnessed the stunned look on his face. He slowly let go of my wrist and backed away. I took a deep breath and picked up my scattered books.
***
 
I watched her bend down and begin to pick up her books. I looked at her hair, trying to see if it really was all that beautiful. It was spread across her back and wildly thrown across her thin, long face. Hair I wanted to tear out. Such a passionate hate burned inside me that it hurt. Hate for her because she had dirty and impure blood and she was Muggle-born and she was still beautiful. Hate for me because I could actually recognize that she was beautiful. Celebrity Potter or penny-less Weasley couldn't see that. She looked up at me with startlingly bright, hazel eyes.
***
 
I had enough courage to look up. I had something really mean and really clever to say to him. However, the moment my eyes met his, I had to bite back my immensely rude and delightful comment. I quickly looked back down, feeling my blood rush to my cheeks, and with trembling hands, stuffed all my books into my satchel. I couldn't stand how his pretty, silvery eyes swam in hate. I wanted to gouge them out with forks and throw them out the window.
I finally got up. I dusted off my robes, rearranged my hair carelessly, and mumbled something about needing to study.
***
 
She said something that sounded like, "need to study". Her fingers were still running through her hair as she walked out of the dungeons. I sighed, clenching my fist. Suddenly, realizing it was lunch time, and that all the Slytherins would miss my obviously uplifting and enlightening presence, I began to leave.
***
 
"Where were you? We waited for you for a while, but then we left because the growling in my stomach was growing considerably louder," Ron said as he helped himself to another buttered roll. My spoon swam aimlessly through a sea of chicken noodle soup, every now and then violently colliding with a carrot.
"I was just staying behind to talk to Snape," I lied. I didn't want to talk about the Malfoy incident.
"You're bra-a-a-ave!!" Ron replied, piling heaps of vegetables on his plate.
"Could you believe how he paired us up today? And you, of all people, with MALFOY. I hate that idiot. I know he's connected with Voldemort. Snape, I mean. Well, actually, Snape and Malfoy are both connected with Voldemort," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Shut up, Harry!! Don't say the name!!" Ron hissed. I looked down at my wrist miserably.
"I need to go to the library," I said, getting up. My soup was left untouched.
"Y'know, Hermione, you read too much," Ron said, gratefully pulling my bowl of soup over to his seat. I smiled. There was nothing better then a good book when you're upset.
***
 
I watched her get up from the table, and walk out of the Great Hall. Probably going to the library, stupid know-it-all. Teacher's pet.
"Potions were dreadful today! I got paired up with. . . argh. . . I cannot bear to say the name. I'll spell it out for you. S-E-A-M-U-S space F-I-N-N-I-G-A-N," Pansy whined. She looked as if she were about to vomit.
"See a moose fin gin nan!" Goyle guffawed. Crabbe began to laugh right along with Goyle. What a stupid imbecile. Excuse me. I mean, what stupid imbeciles. I put down my napkin.
"There's some studying I need to go catch up on," was my explanation for leaving the table.
"Are you turning like that mud-blood Granger girl?" Pansy scowled, tugging at my robes.
"No, there's just a test in my next class, and I think I need some last minute studying. You know that father hates it when my grades are low. He promised me a new racing broom if I brought them up."
***
 
I browsed through the inviting shelves upon shelves of books. They seemed to be whispering. I wanted to devour them all. I finally picked up a copy of 'Hogwarts, a History'. I never got tiered of reading the same, dusty, worn, thick volume. Ron and Harry would swear to anyone who'd listen that I could recite the thing backwards and upside down. I laughed.
I sat at one of the squashy, comfortable arm chairs, opened up the tattered book, and turned it to the first, yellow page.
" 'Hogwarts has been a sanctuary for. . .' " I whispered the words out of the book to myself.
***
 
I walked into the library, looking for a lovely head of goldish-brownish hair among the dusty books. A lovely head that I would just absolutely adore to bash in. I spotted her. She was stroking a book with a black cover lovingly. She put it under her arm, and walked to one of the love seats. She sat down, put her small feet up on the cushion, and buried her nose in the book. I began to walk towards her (I had a very cunning and evil plan, you see) until I heard two familiar voices.
"Hermione!" one was Potter's. I grimaced. I hated his voice and his stupid scar and his fame and his messy hair and those disgusting, slime green eyes.
"We KNEW you would be here," the other was Weasley's. I hated that he was poor and that he seemed stupid, but he was actually sort of smart. I hated them both. I watched her look up from her book and smile affectionately.
"That's because I TOLD you I'd be in here, Ron!"
***
 
"We KNEW you would be here," Ron said, sitting down on the arm of my chair.
"That's because I TOLD you I'd be in here, Ron!" I laughed.
"Oh no! Ron!! This can't be!! She's reading 'Hogwarts, a History'!!" he gasped and burst out laughing.
"I swear to you she can recite it--" he began.
"Backwards and upside down," I finished. I can't help but laugh again. I shut my dusty book and tucked it under my arm. I looked up for a brief second, and I saw two silvery, hateful gray eyes staring back at me. I threw a grimace at him, but he disappeared before he could see it. I hated him so much.
***
 
She looked up. Her eyes were fixated on mine, but she tore them away.
"Why did I even come here?" I mutter to myself. I walk out of the library. Time for herbology anyway.
***
 
I had finally eaten. Dinner was so good. I completely forgot about Draco. . . Draco? Did I just say his first name? Malfoy. I meant Malfoy. I completely forgot about Malfoy. I sat down in the Gryffindor common room, pulled out a quill, a vile of ink, and my herbology homework.
"That's not due till the end of the week, y'know," Ron said, sitting beside me and pointing to my homework.
"It wouldn't hurt you to work once in a while! Anyways, Snape hinted that we might have an essay due about the importance of Forgetfulness Potion. I want to get started on that right away!" I said, scribbling down thirty uses for Bjorkin Blossoms.
"He HINTED. . . that means that there just might not be one," Ron sighed, "Oh, gee. Wouldn't that be a real shame?"
"Boys. . ."
***
 
I sat at a table in the Slytherin common room quietly. A green lamp hanging overhead gave off a strangely comforting light. The silver decorations hanging from the ceiling made me forget about the mud-blood girl.
"Oh, Dracie," Pansy said, stroking my arm and smacking her freshly lip-glossed lips.
"I suddenly feel sick. I'm going to bed," I said, getting up, "Crabbe? Goyle?" The two lifted their heads at the sound of their names. Well, at least they knew their own names. . .
***
 
Oh my God. Potions. I felt like throwing up. I didn't want to face Malfoy after what happened yesterday. I had nothing clever to say to him. Nothing to make his blood boil. My hate for him was inexpressible. Harry and Ron swore that if he tried anything, they'd be on him like two madmen. I still hadn't told them about Malfoy grabbing my wrist.
"Wish me luck!" I crossed my fingers as I went to sit with Malfoy. He was sitting there, talking to Crabbe and Goyle and laughing about something. I sat down, getting out my ingredient list and beginning to measure out the beetle eyes and slug hearts.
"Hullo, Granger," he said. I looked up quickly, almost spilling the crushed chicken's toes. He reached his hand out, as if to touch my face, but quickly put it down again.
***
 
"Hullo, Granger," I said. She looked up. A strand of her hair fell into her eyes. I smiled softly and reached to tuck it behind her ear. Suddenly, realizing what I was doing, I pulled my hand away. I had almost touched her face. She gave me a questioning look, and got back to measuring powdered chicken toes.
***
 
My heart skipped a beat. Why did I have that reaction when he tried to touch me? I felt shaky and weak. It was just fear, I told myself. I was letting fear getting to me.
"It's Malfoy," I whispered to myself. I couldn't possibly find him attractive in any way, shape or form. These feelings were just. . . they were just. . . misplaced.
***
 
She whispered something. I could have sworn I heard my name. I didn't care. I would find some other way to preoccupy myself. I looked down at her hands. They were beautifully thin and delicate. Her fingers were graceful and long. I liked the delicate curve her jutting wrist bone made. The wrist bone I had almost crushed. Not thinking, I snatched her hand in mine and held it there for a moment.
"You have exquisite hands, Granger," I said, noticing how nicely they fit in mind. They were very cold. They seemed to tremble a little. I put the her hand back on the table and began to choose the different vials we would need to concoct our potion.
"Don't ever touch me again, Malfoy," she spat, burrying her hand in her sleeve.
***
 
"You have exquisite hands, Granger," he said. He was turning them over and over in his own marble ones. My hands began to tremble, and he put them back down. I was turning purple when I suddenly remembered that I had to breathe to live. I took a deep breath and put all the ingredients in neat rows.
"Don't ever touch me again, Malfoy," I said, narrowing my eyes.
"Wouldn't think of it," he said nonchalantly.
"What you did to me yesterday was incredibly rude," I piped up, sticking my chin in the air.
"What about when you slapped me? Wasn't that rude? And that was actually in public, too," he hissed. I was too afraid to look up at him.
"But. . . but. . . I don't think I actually frightened you when I slapped you. I mean, you really frightened me when--" I began. Then I stopped. I wouldn't let him see my weakness.
"I mean, I was so--" I began again, but I couldn't go on. Tears welled in my throat. Why was I acting like this? Why was I being so stupid and vulnerable? I could stand being laughed at, and being shunned by others, but I couldn't stand being stupid. No. I couldn't stand being stupid.
***
 
"I mean, I was so--" she said. I looked up at her. Tears shone in her brilliant hazel eyes. Tears made her eyelashes look like the had diamonds tangled in them. I'm glad those tears didn't spill. I hated it when girls cried. It made them pathetic. Especially when mud-blood girls cried. It made them more pathetic then they actually really were.
"Is poor, baby Granger crying?" I jeered. Her eyes flashed with anger, frustration, and humiliation.
"Eat scum, Malfoy," she said, her teeth clenched. I couldn't help laughing.
***
 
I walked out into the cool night air. The garden was always so peaceful. Almost as peaceful as the library. On lovely, clear nights like this, I liked to go walking outside. Ron and Harry asked me if they should come along, but once again, I pushed them away. I didn't feel like talking to them or anyone. Anyways, they weren't done eating. I grinned thinking about the way those two boys could eat.
Pretty, shining little fairies were sleeping in roses, making the buds glow golden red and pink. I wrapped the navy blue cape my mother sent around my shoulders. I smiled and sat at a bench by a fountain. The naked, marble cupid looked like he was spitting liquid moon light rather than water. I threw back my head and looked up at the stars. I sighed and looked down at my hands. Something breathed next to me. I spun around and gasped.
***
 
She wrapped a midnight blue cloth tightly around her shoulders, sat down on the bench and looked up at the stars. I watched her for a moment, thinking how nice her sparkling, dark eyes were against her pale skin. Her light pink, full lips were spread into a girlish smile. And again, those pretty hands folded on her lap. I hated her so much. How stupid she was, not noticing me until that very moment.
She spun around. A small gasp protruded from her. The blue shawl dropped from her shoulders.
"Why is it we're always in the same place when we want to think?" I asked, smirking. She finally regained control of herself and picked up the shawl. She placed a strand of hair behind her ears looked at me for a while. Her face showed disgust and surprise and wonder all at the same time.
***
 
"Why is it we're always in the place when we want to think?" he asked. One of his trademark smirks spread across his lips. I just stared, drinking him in. His marble skin, which now looked even whiter because of the moonlight. And his hair. That's what I liked most. It ranged from honey to silvery platinum depending on the way the light hit it. His eyes were lovely, too. He had blonde, thick lashes. I finally realized I'm probably gaping at him with my mouth hanging open, so I picked up my cape.
"If I would have known that you'd be here, I never would have come, Malfoy," I said, looking away, and folding my arms across my chest.
"It was your subconscious that led you hear, y'know,"
"Yeah, Malfoy. I want you," I spat. Surprisingly, he laughed. I turned my head and stared at him for a couple of minutes.
"I hate you!" I squealed. This only made him laugh more. I felt so frustrated. Nothing I wanted to say came out the right way.
***
 
"I hate you!" she screamed. I laughed harder. She was so humorous, trying to act brave and mean.
"Ooh, that hurt Granger. At loss of words? Is it because I'm here, or are you always spluttering like this?" I grinned malaciously. Suddenly, I put my hands around her waist and lifted her so that she was standing in front of me. I bent down and pressed my lips to hers so that it hurt her.
***

He grabbed me and stood me up. I looked up into his eyes for a second, barely flinching. He swooped down on me and kissed me. His lips smacked down on mine. It hurt and bruised my lips. I shivered, feeling as if my legs wouldn't support me. Finally, he broke the painful kiss. Things happened so fast that if I hadn't been paying attention, I wouldn't have known what had happened. He pressed me up against him so that it hurt to breathe. My ribs felt as if they were snapping. I don't think it was possible for him to hold me any closer.
"Malfoy!" I suddenly pushed him away. How could I have let him kiss me? I touched my lips with my finger tips. They ached.
***

"Malfoy!" she screamed and pushed me away. She brought her fingers to her lips and sighed.
"How could you have--" she stammered, "Why did you--"
"What's the matter? First time you've been kissed, Mud-blood?" I said, my eyes raking over her body, "No surprise."
"Go to Hell, Malfoy!" she shrieked, and ran off, her navy blue cape flying brilliantly behind her.
***
 
"Go to Hell, Malfoy!" I screamed. I stood there for a second before realizing that I needed to leave. I ran.
***
 
I lay in bed, wrestling with the covers. I couldn't sleep. The look on the face of beaver Granger kept coming to my mind. Her eyes were scared, her lips were parted, just a little. Her cheeks were flushed a bright shade of pink. I needed to go for a walk. I didn't care if Filch caught me. Stupid git. I'd strangle that cat of his some day.
I threw my blanket off and put my feet on the floor.
"Draco?" I heard Crabbe whisper groggily.
"Go back to sleep. . ." I muttered, "This is a dream."
***
 
I heard Parvati and Lavender's snores surround me. How could they sleep so peacefully? Thoughts of Malfoy kissing me raced through my mind. I closed my eyes, trying to remember what it felt like. Even though I hated him, no one has ever kissed me before. No one has ever kissed me like THAT. It wasn't a passionate kiss. It was angry and hurtful. I sighed to myself in the darkness.
"Why did he make me feel the way I did? When he pressed me up against him, I felt as if I had no control over myself. As if my brain wasn't functioning correctly. My legs wouldn't support me, and my breaths were quicker, my heart beat louder. I felt as if nothing could hurt me. . . nothing could. . . Hermione Louise Granger!!! How could you think those thoughts?? You hate him remember? You loathe him. . . he's a treacherous snake.
"I need to go out for a walk," I grumbled, pushing the covers off my bed. I got up and out of bed, not thinking about Filch or anyone else.
I swung the portrait whole outside and stepped out into the castle. I could go anywhere I wanted as long as I was careful.
***

I began meandering aimlessly down the corridor. Each turn I made was a left. I had a thing with left turns. The own sound of my feet shuffling across the stone floors made me jumpy. I listened carefully before realizing that the footsteps weren't mine. Someone was walking towards me. I had no where to go to, nothing to hide behind. I held my breathe and hoped to God it wasn't Filch.
***
 
I walked slowly, listening for any Filch noises. That's when I heard them. Footsteps. Approaching. Fast. Frantically, I looked for somewhere to obscure myself from the coming danger. . . I had no where. Where are those suits of armor when you need them??
***
 
I stepped back when I saw her emerge from the shadows. I tried to surpress my astonishment, but I could tell she noticed. I let a gasp escape. She stood right in front of me, in all her middle-of-the-night glory. Her hair had just been brushed, so each silky lock hung elegantly. Her eyes were wide and panicked. She had the look as if I had kissed her all over again. The quilt she had wrapped around her shoulders dropped to the ground, near her bare feet. She was wearing a Gryffindor sweatshirt with drawstring, flannely black short shorts.
"Who in their right mind wears short shorts in the beginning of December? Oh, yeah. Mudbloods, maybe," I sneered.
***

I just stood there, waiting to wake up from this dream. Malfoy was standing right in front of me. A look of surprise radiated from his face, but after letting out a small gasp, he was cool as ice. He looked me up and down. His eyes seemed to note every detail. He was wearing almost the same thing, only that his sweatshirt was Slytherin and he had long pants. I was scared for a moment, but when I noticed how soft his eyes were, my tension lifted.
"Who in their right mind wears short shorts in the beginning of December? Oh, yeah. Mudbloods, maybe," he jeered. His eyes were icy cold once more.
"Why is it we're always in the same place when we want to think?" I tried to be spiteful, but instead, I broke into a smile. He softned again and laughed, running his hand through his hair. I put both my hands in the kangaroo pocket of my sweatshirt.
***
 
"Why is it we're always in the same place when we want to think?" she asked, remembering my words from earlier. A timid, shy smile danced across her lips, making her radiate light. I couldn't help but laugh. She stared as my hand went to push a strand of hair out of my eyes.
"I guess your subconscious led you here, huh, Malfoy?" she said, suddenly remembering that she had to be rude to me.
"Tsk, tsk, Granger. Just when I thought you were going to be nice to me, you find some insult to lash out at me. Not a very good one, I might add," I whispered. She looked at me as if I had just hit her. Blood rushed to her face, making her look pinker than she all ready was.
***
 
"Tsk, tsk, Granger. Just when I thought you were going to be nice to me, you find some insult to lash out at me. Not a very good one, I might add," he said, inspecting his hands.
"It's past midnight, Malfoy. I couldn't come up with anything good," I said, giggling a little. He sat down against the wall of the corridor. I was hesitant to sit next to him.
***
 
"It's past midnight, Malfoy. I couldn't come up with anything good," she giggled. I sat down and smiled. She looked down at me, obviously thinking about whether she should sit down or not.
"Well, sit down, Granger," I say, trying to make my voice somewhat soothing.
"Are you actually asking me to sit down, Malfoy?" she asked me, squeezing an ounce of sarcasm into her voice.
"Yes, Granger. . . I believe I am. D'you see any pigs flying around?" I grinned, patting the spot next to me. She finally decided to trust me and gingerly sat down. I could feel her tremble beside me.
***

"Do you want your blanket, Granger?" I asked, grabbing the thin, quilted, pink afghan. She smiled, took it from my hands and wrapped it around her legs. She just sat there for a minute, looking at a paintings on the wall and breathing deeply. She looked strangely diaphanous, as if light shined through out her. Her skin was transparent, which made her glow.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks for the blanket," she said, snapping out of some trance.
***

"Do you want your blanket, Granger?" he asked. I looked up to see if he was serious, or if he was just making fun of me. But he had his arm outstretched, the scrawny blanket clutched in his hand. I took it shyly and wrapped it around my freezing legs. Suddenly, the image of him bending down to kiss me flashed through my mind. It seemed so natural.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks for the blanket," I said, suddenly remembering he was sitting beside me.
"You're welcome, Hermi. . ." he trailed off.
"Did you just attempt to say my first name?" I said very softly and batted my eye lashes.
"Maybe," he said, smirking, "Now why don't you try saying mine?"
"I've called you Malfoy for so long, I think I've forgotten your first name," I teased.
"Need help, Granger?" he asked, shifting his body so that he was facing me.
"If you're going to keep on calling me Granger, forget about me calling you Draco," I said, folding my arms across my chest. I was sent into peals of laughter when I realized that I had actually said his first name.
***
 
"If you're going to keep on calling me Granger, forget about me calling you Draco," she said. Somehow, she found this funny so she broke into soft giggles.
"All right," I said, moving a little closer to her. I had to restrain myself from putting my hand on her creamy knee.
"Thank you," she said and sensing that I had moved closer to her, crossed her legs.
"Hermione?" I said. I just wanted to make her look at me.
"Yes?" she replied. She still wouldn't look up. Damn girl. I put my hand on her chin, and raised her head so that her eyes met mine. She flinched.
"Y-yes. . .?" she stammered again.
"Can I finally kiss you now?" I asked, "Wait. No need to ask a Mudblood. They'll snog with anybody."
***
 
"Wait. No need to ask a Mudblood. They'll snog with anybody." he finished, his eyes glittering.
"S'cuse me?" I asked. Had I heard him right?
"Oh, hush just this once, Hermione," he said and caught my lips with his. It was a teasing kiss, his lips barely grazing mine. He looked at me and traced my lips with his icy fingers. I wrapped my arms around him and tangled my fingers in his pretty, soft hair. It was smooth like water. A torch in the corner of the hall threw dancing shadows across his face. He bent over and kissed me again.
***

I broke the second kiss and looked at her. She was smiling shly, her eyes downcast, her fingers twisted in my hair. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against my chest. I felt her breathing slow down, her chest rising and falling against mine. She had fallen asleep. I watched for a couple of minutes and eventually nodded off. . .
***
 
"Hermione!!" someone shook my arm. I didn't want to get up. For the first time in four years, I didn't feel like learning how to transfigure a lady bug into a hat. I was so warm and safe, and his arms were so strong and soft and. . .
"Hermione!!" someone hissed again. Suddenly, my eyes opened. I stood straight up, looking around to see who it was.
"What are you doing here?" it was Ginny. She had all ready gotten dressed and groomed
"And what are you doing here with. . ." she coughed, "him?" I looked to my left to find that the two lovely arms belonged to Malfoy. . . er, no. Draco.
"Am I late for class?" I said groggily.
"You're totally disoriented, aren't you? It's Saturday! Luckily for you. . ." Ginny smiled.
"Oh thank God," I sighed, and sank back into Draco's arms. He was still sleeping.
"You should really get up, unless you want Slytherins trampling you two. Breakfast starts in fifteen minutes," Ginny said, tapping her watch.
"Oh God," I said, getting up and dusting myself off. Draco stirred and opened his eyes. He rubbed them and looked around.
"Goddamn it," he sprang to his feet and handed me my blanket,
"Umm. . . do you wanna talk about this later?"
"Meet me in the library after breakfast," I whispered.
"Hermione. . . the clock is ticking," Ginny said in my ear. I ran.
***

"Goddamn it," I bounded to my feet, grabbed her blanket, and pushed it into her lap. She stood there, her hair wild, with a look of bewilderment on her face.
"Umm. . . do you wanna talk about this later?" I asked her, placing a strand of her hair behind her ear. Something I had wanted to do for a long time. . . .
"Meet me in the library after breakfast," she whispered quickly.
"Hermione. . . the clock is ticking," the Weasley girl said. Hermione nodded and ran off. I stood there, watching her for a minute, trying to decipher the night's events. I don't know why I had done it. There was something so attractive about her. . . because I couldn't have her completley. But I couldn't like her in any way. She was a Gryffindor. . . a sworn enemy of the Slytherins. I sighed and decided I better start heading back.
***
 

I pulled a brush through my hair sleepily. Why was I acting so dreamy and stupid all of a sudden? I was totally unlike myself. For the first time in my life, I didn't care about getting my homework done. . . I didn't worry about exams.
I stepped into the shower, ran the shaving blade carelessly over my legs, cutting my ankles so that the blood turned the swirling water pinkish red. I got out again, wrapped a fluffy white towel around my body and stepped into the circular bedroom.
"G'morning, Hermi!" Lavender squealed, buttoning a pair of jeans.
"You're so pretty, Hermi! I wish I looked like you!" Parvati exclaimed, looking for her favorite lilac top.
"I am not," I said, grinning and blushing. I pulled out some loose jeans, a red long sleeved shirt, and my robes. I walked into the bathroom and changed there.
"Hullo," Ron said, smiling and waiving as I stepped into the common room.
"Good morning," Harry was trying to brush down his untidy hair. I couldn't help laughing.
"Let's go down to breakfast. . . I'm starving," Ron said, rubbing his stomach.
The three of us walked out of the common room and down the hall, carelessly.

**this wasn't a cliff hanger ya'll! lol.. i am being a western chika. please review, or i'll be angry. i won't write more unless u review!! tell me what u think!!luv ya TONZ!!!!! ;)