"Hermione, aren't you tired?" said Ron, looking at her.
"No…there's still so much more, Ron. I can't relax."
"Herm, the exams are still two months away, you can study later…" said Harry.
"I'm sorry guys…if both of you are tired…you can go first," said Hermione, smiling.
"Well. Sorry about this, Hermione…but we really are tired. Can we go back first?" said Harry.
"Sure. I'll be here a little while longer. See you around." She grinned.
The boys left. She was alone in the library. Nobody else seemed to be around apart from her. Hermione looked through the books again. She seemed to have misplaced one of her books…
"Looking for this, Granger?" said a familiar voice.
She looked up. It was Malfoy, his hands holding a book, the words "Arithmancy" gleaming brightly on the cover. Her heart started to beat faster involuntarily.
"How did you get hold of my book, Malfoy?" she said, hoping her voice didn't sound that nervous.
He shrugged. "Saw it when you left your seat to go to the shelves, Granger. Thought that it sounded interesting."
Malfoy finding Arithmancy interesting? What was he playing at?
"Surely you don't expect me to believe that? By the way, where's your girlfriend?" she said.
"Oh, one week was up. Now I'm not with anyone," he said, smiling. "Are you interested?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Interested in you? Of course not." She hoped Malfoy wouldn't know that she was lying.
"Then why were you staring at me today, Granger?" he said, a mischievous grin twitching on the ends of his lips.
What? He actually saw me staring?
"I…I wasn't staring at you. I was trying to see what the commotion was about," she finally said.
"Well, the commotion was about me, Granger. So you were staring at me."
"Malfoy, I don't want to be your next prey, you know," she said.
"Really? Every girl wants to," he said, smirking.
"Well, I don't," she replied. Who am I trying to fool? Myself?
Hermione stood up. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the shelves to get another book." She moved towards the huge bookshelves and walked to the M section.
She hurriedly turned in, and leaned on one shelf breathlessly. She looked at the books in front of her, her mind confused. What am I thinking? I must be mad.
"You shouldn't stress yourself so much, Granger." Malfoy had followed her.
"Go away, Malfoy," she said.
"And why should I? I don't have to listen to you." He continued walking in, slowly closing the distance between the both of them.
"What do you think you're trying to do?" she said with a grimace.
He was now standing in front of her. "Nothing. Nothing at all," he whispered, moving his face close to Hermione's, his lips parting slightly.
"Hermione! Are you done yet?"
Draco jerked away quickly. Weasley. Always spoiling my plans, he thought. "See you later, Granger. Your knight is here to save you." He smirked, and walked away.
Hermione was breathless. She didn't know what to think. Did Malfoy just try to kiss her?
She heard the conversation going on in the library.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" It was Ron.
"Nothing, Weasley. Just studying," said Draco.
"Studying? You? What were you studying for, Malfoy?" said Ron. Hermione walked out from the space between the shelves and looked.
"Me? I was studying females. They're such interesting specimens." She saw Draco grin. "And besides, I find it interesting that there are always knights in shiny armour showing up to rescue beautiful girls."
Ron's angry expression changed into one of confusion. "What?"
"Nothing, Weasel, you probably won't understand. I'm leaving, so good riddance." Draco turned and left.
"Good riddance, Malfoy," said Ron.
Hermione walked back to the table.
"Herm! Where were you?" Ron said, looking at her.
"Just getting a book, Ron. What was Malfoy doing in here?" she said, trying to look ignorant.
"He said he was studying." Ron shrugged. "Who knows? Hey, are you done yet? It's getting late, you know."
"Yes I know. Well, I think it's time I left too."
"Okay. I'll carry your books for you," said Ron, taking the books from the table.
She smiled at him. Ron was nice. Why couldn't she like him in the way she liked Draco Malfoy? They walked back slowly to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Say, did Malfoy try anything funny on you?" asked Ron.
"W...what? Why do you ask?" she said, taken aback by the question.
"Well, you know what Malfoy's like," responded Ron matter-of-factly.
"Oh…he…he didn't. He was walking around the shelves. I saw him.," she lied.
"Okay. If he ever tries anything funny on you, you can tell me. I'll get him for you," said Ron, smiling. He staggered slightly under the weight of the books.
"Here, let me help you," said Hermione, taking one of the thicker books.
"Thanks. Just carry one. I can cope with the rest."
She smiled, and then she looked at the book. The word 'Arithmancy' gleamed brightly on the leather bound cover.
**
